Blueprint
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
month of May, 2018
UNILEVER
PLC
(Translation
of registrant's name into English)
UNILEVER HOUSE, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON, ENGLAND
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports
under
cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F..X.. Form 40-F
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper
as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):_____
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper
as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):_____
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information
contained
in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the
Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes
No .X..
If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant
in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _______
Exhibit
99 attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
Signatures
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
UNILEVER
PLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ R SOTAMAA
|
|
BY R SOTAMAA
|
|
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND GROUP SECRETARY
|
Date:
08 May, 2018
EXHIBIT INDEX
------------------------
|
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
|
EXHIBIT
DESCRIPTION
|
|
99
|
Notice
to London Stock Exchange dated 08
May 2018
|
|
|
Share Buy-Back Programme
|
Exhibit
99
SHARE BUY-BACK PROGRAMME
Unilever
PLC and Unilever N.V. today announce the commencement of a
programme to buy back shares with an aggregate market value
equivalent of up to €6 billion, as previously announced on 19
April 2018. The programme is in line with the Group's objective of
targeting a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.0x. and our intention to
return the expected after-tax proceeds upon completion of the
spreads disposal to shareholders, unless more value-creating
acquisition alternatives arise.
The
first tranche of this buy-back programme (the "Initial Programme")
will commence on 8 May 2018 and will be for an aggregate market
value equivalent to €3 billion, of which €1.5 billion
will be bought back in the form of Unilever PLC ordinary shares,
and €1.5 billion will be bought back in the form of Unilever
N.V. ordinary shares (or depositary receipts in respect of such
ordinary shares).
Any
further tranches of the buy-back programme, which may be conducted
after completion of the Initial Programme, will be announced in due
course.
The Initial Programme will take place within the limitations of the
authority granted to the Boards of each of Unilever PLC and
Unilever N.V. by their general meetings, held on
2nd
May and 3rd May 2018 respectively, pursuant to which the
maximum number of shares to be bought back by Unilever PLC is
123,176,000 and the maximum number of shares (or depositary
receipts thereof) to be bought back by Unilever N.V. is
210,906,593.
The
Initial Programme, the purpose of which is to reduce the capital of
Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V., respectively, will also be
conducted within the parameters prescribed by the Market Abuse
Regulation 596/2014, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)
2016/1052 and, in the case of Unilever PLC, Chapter 12 of the
Listing Rules.
The
Initial Programme will commence on 8 May 2018 and will end no later
than 19 July 2018.
The
Group has entered into non-discretionary instructions with Deutsche
Bank AG, London Branch and UBS AG, London Branch to conduct the
Initial Programme on its behalf and to make trading decisions under
the Initial Programme independently of the Group.
Media
Enquires: Please contact the Unilever Press Office
at:
press-office.london@unilever.com or 0207 822 6719
This
announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer or any
solicitation of an offer for securities in any
jurisdiction.
SAFE
HARBOUR:
This
announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such
as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks',
'believes', 'vision', or the negative of these terms and other
similar expressions of future performance or results, and their
negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current
expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and
other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the 'Group'). They are
not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future
performance.
Because
these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
there are important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties,
the material or principal factors which could cause actual results
to differ materially are: Unilever's global brands not meeting
consumer preferences; Unilever's ability to innovate and remain
competitive; Unilever's investment choices in its portfolio
management; inability to find sustainable solutions to support
long-term growth; the effect of climate change on Unilever's
business; customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of
talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain; the cost of
raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high
quality products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; successful
execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation
projects; economic and political risks and natural disasters;
financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and
managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except
as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations
with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. Further details
of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are
described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange,
Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission,
including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2017 and the Unilever
Annual Report and Accounts 2017.