Press releases

1 New Share for every 50 Shares held

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Press release – Paris, 16 November 2009

Pursuant to the delegation of authority granted by the Combined General Meeting of 2 November 2009, the Board of Directors’ meeting held immediately thereafter, decided to increase the share capital of the Company through the capitalisation of reserves and the allocation of bonus shares, on the basis of one (1) free share for fifty (50) shares held.

In application of the authorisation granted to him by the afore-mentioned Board meeting, the Chief Executive Officer decided on 2 November 2009, to increase the share capital by € 8,019,799.20, to be deducted from “share premium”, through the issue of 5,174,064 shares of a par value of € 1.55 each.

As permitted by the regulation, the exercise of options to subscribe for new shares continued until 11 November 2009, being six days prior to the allocation of shares. In addition, the figures approved on 2 November 2009, had to be restated to reflect the new shares resulting from the exercise of options to subscribe for shares.

Following this restatement and in his decision dated 12 November 2009, the Chief Executive Officer set the final number of new shares to be created. The total value of the share capital increase amounts to € 8,019,937.15, through the issue of 5,174,153 new shares, granted free of charge to the shareholders, it being specified that a shareholder waived certain rights so that a whole number of shares could be issued.

The allocation procedure will be initiated on 18 November 2009.

Consequently, the share capital will be increased on 18 November 2009 to € 409,016,862.85, comprising 263,881,847 shares. 

These new shares will give right to cash dividends decided or paid on or after their date of issue.

The fractional rights may not be traded. However, the shares corresponding to the fractional rights will be sold which will permit the payment in cash as compensation to the rights holders with effect from 9 December 2009.

About Pernod Ricard
Created by the merger of Pernod and Ricard (1975), the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions. The acquisitions of Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and recently of Vin&Sprit (2008) have made the Group the world’s co-leader in Wines and Spirits with consolidated sales of € 7,203 million in 2008/09. Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: ABSOLUT Premium Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek and Montana wines. The Group favours a decentralised organisation, with 6 Brand Owners and 70 Distribution Companies established in each key market, and employs a workforce of around 19,000 people. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption of its products. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.

Contacts Pernod Ricard
Olivier CAVIL / Communication VP  Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 96
Denis FIEVET / Financial Communication - Investor Relations VP  Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 41 71
Florence TARON / Press Relations Manager  Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 88