Danone Stock Price, News & Analysis

Danone has initiated a strategic sale of its approximately 9.8% stake in China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited through an accelerated bookbuilding process. This move follows the completion of converting Danone's long-term stake into a direct holding on April 16, 2021. Further details about the sale's outcome and financial proceeds will be disclosed in due time.

Danone has disclosed the total number of voting rights and shares as of April 30, 2021. The company has a total of 686,629,600 shares and a theoretical total of 712,693,616 voting rights. However, the number of exercisable voting rights stands at 675,859,926. This information complies with the French Commercial Code and Financial Markets Authority regulations, ensuring transparency for shareholders. The disclosure helps investors understand the voting power associated with their shares.

Danone, a purpose-driven company, welcomed former IUF General Secretary Ron Oswald to its Mission Committee. This committee, established after Danone's transition to an Entreprise à Mission, will focus on sustainable value creation across various sectors, including health, nutrition, and agriculture. Oswald's extensive experience in the international trade union movement is expected to enhance the committee's insights. Danone aims for B Corp certification by 2025 and generated €23.6 billion in sales in 2020, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and stakeholder value.

Danone's Shareholders’ Meeting took place on April 29, 2021, with 64.09% of capital represented. All resolutions were approved, including the financial statements for 2020 and a proposed cash dividend of €1.94 per share, reflecting an 8% decrease from 2019. The ex-dividend date is May 10, 2021. Additionally, the Board's committee compositions were updated, and the capital increase program for employees was extended, allowing a 20% discount on shares. Danone aims for B Corp certification by 2025 and generated €23.6 billion in sales in 2020.

In the first quarter of 2021, Danone reported consolidated sales of €5.657 billion, reflecting a decline of -3.3% on a like-for-like basis and a -9.4% drop in reported sales, primarily due to currency impacts and Covid-related challenges. The company anticipates a return to like-for-like growth in Q2 and profitable growth by H2 2021. Key segments saw mixed performance: Essential Dairy and Plant-based grew by +1.6%, while Specialized Nutrition fell by -7.7%. Management changes include the appointment of interim co-CEOs, with a search for a permanent CEO underway.

Danone has reported its total number of shares and voting rights as of March 31, 2021. It holds a total of 686,629,600 shares. The total number of theoretical voting rights stands at 712,709,996, while the total number of exercisable voting rights is 675,876,306. This information is provided in compliance with the French Commercial Code and AMF regulations.

Danone has announced its Combined Shareholders’ Meeting scheduled for April 29, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. (Paris time) to be held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Shareholders can access the meeting via a live webcast on the company's website. An additional agenda item requested by several shareholders has been included, with relevant details available in an addendum. Voting is encouraged to be conducted electronically. Written questions from shareholders must be submitted by April 27, 2021.

Danone has filed its 2020 Universal Registration Document with the French Financial Markets Authority on March 18, 2021. This document includes key components such as:

• Annual Financial Report
• Board of Directors’ report on governance
• Share buyback program
• Management report with non-financial performance statement

The document is available for public access on Danone's website. Additionally, draft resolutions for the upcoming Shareholders’ Meeting on April 29, 2021, can also be found online.

The Danone Combined Shareholders’ Meeting is scheduled for April 29, 2021, at 2:30 pm (Paris time), to be held behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions. Shareholders can participate via a live webcast on the company's website. The Board has decided to pause the nominations of Ariane Gorin and Susan Roberts and will only propose renewals for existing Directors, including Guido Barilla and Serpil Timuray. Additionally, the planned Capital Market Event for March 25 has been canceled. Details regarding voting procedures will be published in early April.