STOCKHOLM -- The Work Group presents a proposal to reduce the differences in voting rights in Ericsson to 1:10
The proposal of the Work Group states that the differences in voting rights are reduced to 1:10. The A-shareholders will be entitled, for each A-share, to convert one B-share to one A-share. Conversion rights may be sold for SEK 1.10 each. The proposal is subject to inter alia approval on general meeting in Ericsson as well as in Industrivärden and Investor.
The Work Group, that has investigated the voting rights issue in Ericsson, today presents a proposal for a solution. The proposal states that the voting rights for the B-share is changed from 1/1000 to 1/10 and that all A-shareholders will receive a special right, a conversion right, for each A-share. The conversion right entitles the holder to convert one B-share to one A-share during a period of approximately 3 months. The intention is that the conversion right will be traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
Alecta, AMF Pension, Första AP-fonden, Andra AP-fonden, Tredje AP-fonden, Fjärde AP-fonden, Nordeas fonder i Sverige och Luxemburg, Robur fonder, SEB Trygg Liv, SEB fonder, Handelsbanken fonder, Handelsbanken Liv and SPP fonder will make a cash offer to purchase the conversion rights for SEK 1.10 each. Skandia Liv, a major shareholder of both A- and B-shares, will not participate in the offer, neither as a purchaser nor as a seller of conversion rights. In respect of Industrivärden, Investor and Handelsbankens Pensionsstiftelse, Pensionskassa and Personalstiftelse, the offer does only include a maximum of 25 % of the conversion rights that each of them will receive.
"During the entire process, the Work Group has focused on what is best for the company and therefore we are very satisfied to conclude today that the Group has agreed on a solution of the voting rights issue,"commented Michael Treschow, Chairman of Ericsson's Board. "The Board and the management of Ericsson have pointed out that it is important for the company that the differences in voting rights are reduced to 1:10. The current differences in voting rights have been criticized by many Swedish as well as foreign shareholders. Ericsson's Board and management are of the opinion that it is valuable for Ericsson and its shareholders that the differences in voting rights are reduced as proposed."
The voting rights issue will be addressed on the annual general meeting of Investor on 23 March 2004 and on the annual general meeting of Industrivärden on 29 March 2004. Investor and Industrivärden intend to make public, shortly following the annual general meetings, to what extent they will sell conversions rights in the offer.
LM Ericsson