Essity’s Board of Directors proposes postponement of dividend decision
At the Annual General Meeting on April 2, 2020, the Board of Directors will propose that the Meeting postpones a decision regarding the dividend for 2019 until an Extraordinary General Meeting no later than November 2020. The Board of Directors’ previous assessment of a dividend of SEK 6.25 per share remains. The final assessment on the size of the dividend will, however, be taken at a later date when the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic are better understood.
Essity had a very strong 2019 in terms of earnings and market development. Moreover, Essity has a robust financial position and a solid funding situation. Earlier periods of declining activity in the global economy have had a limited impact on the company. The Board of Directors is therefore of the opinion that the company is well positioned for a possible global economic slowdown.
The rapid spread of COVID-19 and related current and any future countermeasures mean the level of uncertainty in future forecasts is much greater than normal. The Board of Directors’ recommendation to postpone the dividend decision was made against this background.
NB: This is information that Essity is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, on March 30, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Karl Stoltz, Media Relations Manager, +46 8 788 51 55
For further information, please contact:
Per Lorentz, Vice President Corporate Communications, +46 8 788 52 51, per.lorentz@essity.com
Johan Karlsson, Vice President Investor Relations, +46 8 788 51 30, johan.ir.karlsson@essity.com
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2019 amounted to approximately SEK 129bn (EUR 12.2bn). The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.
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