Abbott Park, Illinois (NYSE: ABT) — Abbott announced today that the French Autorité des marchés financiers ("AMF") has approved the prospectus filed by AbbVie Inc., its research-based pharmaceuticals business, for admission of AbbVie Inc.'s common stock to listing and trading on the Professional Segment of NYSE Euronext Paris ("Euronext"), and has granted visa number 12-599, dated Dec. 14, 2012, on the prospectus (the "Prospectus"). The attention of investors is drawn to the risk factors described in the Prospectus.
On Nov. 28, 2012, Abbott's board of directors approved the separation of AbbVie, and declared a special dividend distribution of one share of AbbVie common stock for each Abbott common share outstanding as of the close of business on Dec. 12, 2012, the record date for the distribution. Abbott expects the special dividend of AbbVie stock will be distributed on Jan. 1, 2013.
On Dec. 14, 2012, Euronext approved AbbVie Inc.’s application for listing and trading of its Common Stock on Euronext. "As-if-and-when-issued" trading of AbbVie common stock is expected to begin on Euronext on Dec. 20, 2012. AbbVie Inc. common stock will trade on Euronext under the symbol "ABBV" and be denominated in Euros.
"As-if-and-when-issued" trading of AbbVie common stock will continue on Euronext until Abbott pays the special dividend distribution of AbbVie common stock on Jan. 1, 2013. AbbVie "as-if-and-when-issued" trades on Euronext will settle after Jan. 1, 2013, with shares of AbbVie as a standalone company.
AbbVie's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol "ABBV.WI" for "when issued" trading until Dec. 31, 2012, and "ABBV" for "regular-way" trading beginning Jan. 2, 2013. AbbVie also intends to list its common stock on the Chicago Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained free of charge from AbbVie Inc. at 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, U.S.A., from its paying agent, BNP Paribas Securities Services (Postal address: 3, rue d'Antin, 75002, France), and on the website of the AMF (www.amf-france.org). Until Dec. 31, 2012, the Prospectus will be available on the website of Abbott Laboratories (www.abbott.com). Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, AbbVie Inc. will maintain an Internet site at www.abbvie.com, where the Prospectus will be available.
About Abbott
Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 91,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the planned separation of the research-based pharmaceutical company from the diversified medical products company. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
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