Danone Stock Price, News & Analysis

Danone (DANOY) has announced the public availability of its consolidated financial statements and statutory auditors' report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The documents can be accessed on the company's website www.danone.com in the Investors section under Financial and extra-financial reports.

Danone (DANOY) reported strong FY 2024 results with like-for-like sales growth of +4.3%, driven by +3.0% volume/mix and +1.3% price increases. Q4 2024 sales reached €6,716m, up +4.7% like-for-like.

The company's recurring operating margin improved to 13.0%, up 39 basis points from last year, supported by strong productivity levels. Free cash flow increased to €3,003 million, while net debt decreased significantly to €8.6 billion from €10.2 billion.

Notable developments include:

• Recurring EPS increased by +2.5% to €3.63
• Proposed dividend of €2.15 per share, up +2.4% year-over-year
• Announced share buyback program of 2.7 million shares for 2025
• 2025 guidance: like-for-like sales growth between +3% and +5%

Danone has reached an agreement with NGOs ClientEarth, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and Zero Waste France to end legal proceedings regarding its plastic-related vigilance plan. The settlement follows a mediation process ordered by the Paris Judicial Court after the NGOs initiated legal action on January 9, 2023.

The agreement requires Danone to strengthen its vigilance plan by providing more detailed descriptions of plastic packaging impacts and outlining specific actions for reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering plastic packaging. These measures align with the company's Société à Mission objectives.

The company expressed satisfaction with the transparent dialogue process and emphasized its commitment to continue working towards collective mobilization of private and public sector players to address systemic obstacles in developing a circular economy.

Danone has released its monthly update on voting rights and shares as of January 31, 2025. The company reports a total of 679,553,991 shares outstanding. The report distinguishes between two types of voting rights: theoretical voting rights totaling 698,813,855 and exercisable voting rights amounting to 663,417,187.

The theoretical voting rights are used as the basis for calculating shareholding thresholds and include shares with suspended voting rights, while exercisable voting rights exclude suspended shares. This disclosure complies with French Commercial Code and AMF regulations.

Danone has released its latest report on voting rights and shares as of December 31, 2024. The company reported a total of 679,553,991 shares outstanding. The report details two categories of voting rights: theoretical voting rights totaling 698,830,023 and exercisable voting rights amounting to 663,433,355.

The theoretical voting rights serve as the basis for calculating shareholding thresholds and include shares with suspended voting rights, while exercisable voting rights exclude suspended shares. This disclosure complies with French Commercial Code and AMF regulations, ensuring transparent communication with shareholders and the public.

Danone has released its monthly update on voting rights and shares as of November 30, 2024. The company reports a total of 679,553,991 shares outstanding. The report distinguishes between two types of voting rights: theoretical voting rights totaling 699,071,787 and exercisable voting rights amounting to 663,667,085.

The theoretical voting rights, also known as 'gross' voting rights, are used to calculate shareholding threshold crossings and include shares with suspended voting rights. The exercisable ('net') voting rights exclude shares with suspended voting rights, published in accordance with AMF recommendations from July 17, 2007.

Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky, controlling approximately 29.7% of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY) shares, have called for the board to establish an independent special committee to evaluate Danone's $27 per share cash offer. The founding shareholders criticize Lifeway's quick rejection of the proposal and CEO Julie Smolyansky's stated opposition to any sale. They raise concerns about conflicts of interest, as the CEO reportedly refuses to allow a sale unless specific share transfers occur. The founders also request disclosure of Kroll's valuation analysis and question the board's reliance on Jason Burdeen, whose credibility was criticized by a federal judge.

Danone has released its monthly update on voting rights and shares as of October 31, 2024. The company reports 679,553,991 total shares, with 699,095,232 theoretical voting rights and 663,690,530 exercisable voting rights. The theoretical voting rights serve as the basis for calculating shareholding thresholds, including shares with suspended voting rights, while exercisable voting rights exclude suspended shares to ensure transparent public information in accordance with AMF recommendations.

Danone SA proposed to acquire Lifeway Foods for approximately $283 million ($25 per share in cash) on September 23, 2024. The Lifeway Foods Board rejected the offer on November 6 and implemented a 'poison pill' shareholder rights plan. Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky, significant shareholders and founding family members, expressed strong support for Danone's offer, citing it represents a substantial premium over recent share prices. They urged the board and CEO Julie Smolyansky to reconsider the offer, warning that delays could result in lost value for shareholders, employees, and consumers.