DIVIDENDS — LOYALTY PREMIUM
Groupe
SEB’s policy is to ensure that our shareholders receive fair remuneration for
the capital they entrust us with. We have a consistent policy with a long-term
strategy aimed at reasonably and regularly increasing our dividend when our
results allow it and stabilising it when the economic and financial
circumstances require it.
Moreover,
the Group pays a loyalty premium for all shares registered for two consecutive
fiscal years, amounting to 10% of the dividend (rounded down to the lower cent
where necessary). For a given shareholder, however, this loyalty premium may
not cover a number of shares exceeding 0.5% of the shareholders’ equity.
Dividends
lapse after five years from the date on which they are initially paid out.
After this deadline, unclaimed dividends are turned over to the State.
In light of
the sharp improvement in attributable profit and diluted earnings per share, at
the Annual Meeting on 13 May
2008 the Board of Directors will recommend a 9.8% increase in the
dividend to €2.80 per share. The increase is in line with the Group's dividend
policy and is at the high end of the range over the past ten years.
The recommended dividend enables shareholders to benefit from the Group's
strong 2007 performance, while leaving enough financial leeway for further
investment in R&D, advertising, marketing and other growth drivers.
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