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FAQ |
Corporate
What is E.ON's strategy?
E.ON's strong market positions are the result of multiple acquisitions-both big and small-in the period from 2000 to 2003. The challenge ahead of us now is to consolidate and grow these positions. To do this, we have devised a strategy that is based on the following three clearly-defined guiding principles:
1. Electricity and gas are our core businesses
2. Concentration on target markets
3. Integration of our power and gas businesses
Our Vision is clear: E.ON will become the world's leading electricity and gas company. In 2005 E.ON systematically executed its integration and growth strategy for its power and gas business and further developed this strategy to enhance security of supply into the future.
E.ON stock
Which stock exchanges are E.ON shares listed on?
E.ON shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange including XETRA, its integrated electronic securities trading system as well as on the German regional stock exchanges.
What is the security identification number and ticker symbol for E.ON shares?
E.ON's security identification number is 761440
and the ISIN Code is DE 000 761 4406;
its ticker symbol in Germany is "EOAX."
and the ISIN Code is DE 000 761 4406;
its ticker symbol in Germany is "EOAX."
How many shares are in circulation?
As of December 31, 2006, E.ON's capital stock was divided into 692 million shares. There are roughly 660 million shares outstanding. E.ON holds roughly 32.40 million of its own shares.
What is the average daily trading volume of E.ON shares in Germany?
An average of roughly 3.9 million E.ON shares were traded each day on German stock exchanges in 2006.
What was the year-end 2006 closing price of E.ON stock?
E.ON stock's XETRA closing price on December 31, 2006, was EUR 102.83.
Can old VEBA and VIAG share certificates still be exchanged for E.ON shares?
Yes. Holders of such shares should contact their bank. Frankfurt-based Dresdner Bank handles the share conversion.
Did E.ON had a share buyback program in the past? How many shares were repurchased?
E.ON's share buyback program was completed in October 2001. The Company repurchased 76.3 million of its own shares or 10 percent of its capital stock. In December 2001, 71.3 million repurchased shares were cancelled. The remaining 5 million shares will be used to cover E.ON's stock option program. When options are exercised, these shares will be sold on-market.
What is the exchange ratio betweeen E.ON ADRs and E.ON shares?
Since March 29, 2005 the ratio between E.ON ADRs and E.ON shares is 3:1.
ADR
What are ADR?
American Depository Receipts (ADRs) are dollar denominated securities that trade, clear and settle in the United States (US) like any other US security. They are issued in the form of depository receipts which represent ownership of shares in a non-US company. Whether traded over-the-counter or on an US exchange, ADR provide US investors with a simple and convenient way of investing in leading non-U.S. companies.
E.ON’s ADR program gives US investors the opportunity to buy E.ON shares through their broker. E.ON ADRs are quoted in dollars, and dividends are also paid in dollars. ADR holders can attend and vote at Shareholder Meetings, receive dividends and shareholder information.
The exchange ratio between E.ON ADRs and E.ON shares is 3:1 therefore 3 ADRs are equivalent to one E.ON ordinary share.
Where are E.ON ADR traded?
E.ON ADRs trade in the United States in the over-the-counter market (OTC market). The OTC code is EONGY.
Where can I find the current price of E.ON ADR?
The price of E.ON ADRs is published on numerous websites including www.adr.com, the online service of JP Morgan, the bank that issues E.ON ADRs.
How do ADR holders receive their dividends?
One day after E.ON's Annual Shareholders Meeting, BNP Paribas, Frankfurt, transfers the necessary amount in USD to JPMorgan, which issues dividend checks to registered ADR holders.
How is tax withheld on dividends paid to ADR holders?
The issuing bank (JP Morgan) distributes dividends to registered ADR holders net of tax. Non-registered ADR holders should contact their broker for information.
How many E.ON ADR are currently issued?
As of December 31, 2006 there were approximately 47.4 million E.ON ADRs.
Do E.ON ADR holders have voting rights?
Yes, holders of E.ON ADR can exercise voting rights.
Financial information
When does E.ON post its financial results?
The 2007 Annual Report was released on March 6, 2008. E.ON will issue Interim Reports for the 2008 financial year on May 14 (Interim Report I), August 13 (Interim Report II), and November 12 (Interim Report III).
How do I receive copies of Annual and Interim Reports?
All E.ON publications can be downloaded or ordered from the E.ON website.
Annual Shareholders Meeting
When and where will E.ON AG's next Annual Shareholders Meeting take place?
E.ON AG's next Annual Shareholders Meeting is on April 30, 2008, at the Grugahalle in Essen.
Are all shareowners entitled to attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting?
Under German corporate law, the annual Shareholders Meeting (Hauptversammlung) is a corporation's highest official body. During the meeting, shareowners may exercise their right to ask management questions and may vote their shares. All shareowners may attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting themselves or be represented at the Meeting by a third party. To attend, shareowners must register in advance. The deadline for registration is the last depository day at their depository bank.
How do shareowners register to attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting?
Depository banks mail shareowners their invitation to the Annual Shareholders Meeting as well as the Meeting's agenda. Also included in the mailing is a reply card. Shareowners can use the reply card to transfer their voting rights to their depository bank, order tickets for themselves, or request proxy representation from their depository bank. The invitation to E.ON AG's Annual Shareholders Meeting is published in the Bundesanzeiger and in a number of other newspapers. On the same day that the invitation is published in the Bundesanzeiger it and the agenda are made available at eon.com.
What if I registered for the Annual Shareholders Meeting by the deadline but haven't received my ticket?
Shareowners who have registered in a timely manner but who have not received their ticket are still entitled to attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting. Though tickets were issued and delayed or lost in the mail, the shareowner's name is still on the list of attendees. Shareowners may present identification in the foyer of the Grugahalle, where their name will be checked against the attendee list. They will be issued a replacement ticket with which they can attend the Meeting.
What should shareowners do if they haven't received an invitation to the Annual Shareholders Meeting?
E.ON AG has registered shares. This means that depository banks are responsible for mailing invitations to E.ON's Annual Shareholders Meeting. Shareowners who do not receive an invitation should contact the depository bank through which they hold their shares.
May shareowners be accompanied by a guest?
Yes. Shareowners wishing to be accompanied by a guest may order a guest pass at the time they order a ticket for themselves from their depository bank.
May I leave the Annual Shareholders Meeting for a while and return later?
Shareowners may leave the Annual Shareholders Meeting. If they do so, they must check out at the admissions desk when they leave and check back in when they return. This is so that the current list of participants reflects the actual number of participants in the auditorium at any given moment.
May shareowners transfer their voting rights?
Shareowners may, in principle, transfer their voting rights. There are two ways to do this. Shareowners may transfer their voting rights before or during the Annual Shareholders Meeting. Shareowners who are unable to attend may give another individual power of attorney to vote their shares by entering that individual's name on their admissions ticket. Shareowners may also transfer their voting rights to a financial institution or to a shareholder organization. If shareowners leave the Annual Shareholders Meeting before it concludes but wish to have their shares voted, they may empower another shareowner or a Company employee to vote their shares.
Are there full transcripts and/or video or audio recordings of the Annual Shareholders Meeting?
No, there is no transcript, video or sound recording of proceedings at the Annual Shareholders Meeting. However, a transcript of the opening address delivered at the Meeting by the Chairman of E.ON AG’s Board of Management is available on our website.
Can shareholders who are unable to attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting arrange for / authorize someone else to exercise their voting rights?
Yes. If you are not planning or able to attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting in person, you can still exercise your voting rights by issuing a special power of attorney, called a proxy, and voting instructions to another person (also called a proxy).
To do this, you need to instruct the company to appoint a proxy for you prior to the Meeting. You also need to provide the relevant authorization and voting instructions. This can either be done in writing (via mail or fax) or electronically via the Internet. In either case, you must first obtain an admission ticket from your depository bank.
With the Internet method, you can issue, amend, and revoke proxies and voting instructions right up until 11:00 a.m. (CET) on the day of the meeting, April 30, 2008.
To do this, you need to instruct the company to appoint a proxy for you prior to the Meeting. You also need to provide the relevant authorization and voting instructions. This can either be done in writing (via mail or fax) or electronically via the Internet. In either case, you must first obtain an admission ticket from your depository bank.
With the Internet method, you can issue, amend, and revoke proxies and voting instructions right up until 11:00 a.m. (CET) on the day of the meeting, April 30, 2008.
What do shareholders need to do in order to issue proxy and voting instructions via the Internet?
You must first order an admission ticket to the Annual Shareholders Meeting from your depository bank. You then enter the number printed on the ticket into the Electronic Proxy and Instruction System in order to gain access to its start page. After that, you will be required to enter several other items of data printed on the ticket into the system. Once this is done, the system will issue you with a personal access code that enables you to use the Electronic Proxy and Instruction System.
Are non-shareowners who are interested in E.ON allowed to attend the Annual Shareholders Meeting?
As a non-shareholder you can attend our Annual Shareholders Meeting if you have a guest card. A guest card entitles you to be present, but does not give you any voting or speaking rights.
Dividends
What was the amount of the dividend for 2006?
The 2007 Annual Shareholders Meeting, has approved on May 3rd, 2007 the cash dividend for 2006 to be increased by 22 percent, from EUR2.75 per share (ordinary dividend) to EUR3.35 per share for the 2006 financial year.
Since the 2001 financial year, the dividend has thus increased from EUR1.60 to EUR3.35, which represents an average of 15.9 percent per year.
Based on E.ON stock´s year-end 2006 closing price, the dividend yield is 3.3 percent and the payout ratio is 50.4 percent based on adjusted net income.
When is the dividend payout?
The dividend payout will take place on May 2, 2008, two days after E.ON's Annual Shareholders Meeting.
How are dividends taxed in Germany?
Under Germany's Tax Relief Act of 2000, dividends are taxed according to the half-income system (Halbeinkünfteverfahren). Under the new law, corporate profits are taxed at a rate of 25 percent. Shareholders can no longer deduct these taxes on their income tax return. In return, shareholders in Germany now only have to declare half the dividends they receive. However, only half of the expenses directly related to the dividend payout can be deducted.
The half-income system applies to dividends paid out on or after January 1, 2002.
The half-income system applies to dividends paid out on or after January 1, 2002.
Environment
What is E.ON’s position on the environment?
Caring for the environment is a key part of the way E.ON and our subsidiaries do business. Our key areas include working to use and generate more efficiently, burning regenerative fuels and building and operating generating facilities that use renewables. We are actively pursuing projects and developement programs in this area.
