What is the difference between shares & depositary receipts?
The majority (around 72 %) of the Unilever NV ordinary shares and around 33 % of the 7 % cumulative preference shares are registered to an independent trust company – Stichting Administratiekantoor Unilever N.V. (‘Foundation Unilever NV Trust Office’). Both the shares as well as the depositary receipts thereof are listed on Euronext Amsterdam. Holders of depositary receipts can under all circumstances exchange their depositary receipts for the Unilever NV shares (or vice versa). Holders of depositary receipts are fully entitled to dividends that are paid on the (underlying) shares held by the Foundation Unilever NV Trust Office. The Foundation issues (and exchanges) the depositary receipts. Further information about the Foundation Unilever NV Trust Office can be found on their website.
