Coca-Cola Enterprises has developed this section to answer frequently asked questions about stock ownership in CCE and to provide a resource for future reference.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (sometimes the "company" or CCE) is the world's largest nonalcoholic beverage bottling company. The company markets, produces, and distributes liquid nonalcoholic refreshment to customers and consumers in our franchise territories throughout North America and Western Europe.
Approximately 90 percent of our sales consist of products of The Coca-Cola Company, the most popular beverage brands in the world. Our product line includes traditional carbonated soft drink categories and beverages such as still and sparkling waters, juices, isotonics, coffee-based drinks, and teas.
Common Stock Information
Coca-Cola Enterprises is an independent, publicly traded company which is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "CCE." Coca-Cola Enterprises initially offered its stock to the public on November 21, 1986, at a price of $16.50 ($5.50 split-adjusted). The company's stock split 3-for-1 in May 1997.
Coca-Cola Enterprises is a separate entity from The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest soft drink company, which is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KO."
Shareowner Assistance
Coca-Cola Enterprises retains American Stock Transfer & Trust Company ("AST") as the company's stock transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursing agent. Shareowners of record may complete certain account transactions and request account information by calling AST at 800-418-4CCE (4223) or 718-921-8200 x6820 or go to AST's website at www.amstock.com. When calling AST, be prepared to furnish the registered name as it appears on the account, the account number, the Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number, and the address of record for the account.
In addition, general questions and requests for financial information about the company or stock ownership in the company can be directed to the Shareowner Relations Department of Coca-Cola Enterprises at 800-233-7210 or 770-989-3796.
Shareowner Communications/Proxy Voting Rights
Each year, shareowners will receive an Annual Report, Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareowners and Proxy Statement, along with a Proxy Voting Card, which describes items of business to be considered and voted upon at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of Shareowners is held during the second quarter of each year, usually in April. If a shareowner does not plan to attend and vote in person, the Proxy Voting Card can be used to vote on all matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.
The following publications of Coca-Cola Enterprises are available, without charge, by telephone or written request to the Shareowner Relations Department: Annual Report, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Quarterly Earnings Releases, News Releases, Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareowners and Proxy Statement, and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Review.
How to Purchase Initial Shares of CCE
Investors who are interested in purchasing shares of Coca-Cola Enterprises must purchase initial share(s) (a minimum of one share) through a bank or broker of their choice. Coca-Cola Enterprises does not currently sell initial shares directly to the public.
Street Name/Shareowner of Record Accounts
Investors who hold their stock in "street name" have their shares held with a bank, broker, or other nominee. The company does not have any information on street name holders and their accounts. Dividends are paid to the holder's bank, broker, or nominee for distribution to that holder in accordance with their agreement with the nominee. The company mails financial reports and proxy materials to nominees for distribution to street name holders.
Investors who hold their shares in street name are not eligible to enroll in the company's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan (the "Plan"). If shares are held in street name and an investor would like to enroll in the Plan, the investor should become a shareowner of record through the bank or broker holding his/her shares.
An investor becomes a "shareowner of record" when stock is registered on the books of the corporation in the name of the shareowner. Stock is registered in the shareowner's name by either of the following means:
The investor instructs the bank or broker to have a physical stock certificate sent to the investor. It can take up to six weeks to receive a stock certificate in the mail, or
The investor instructs the bank or broker to have the shares transferred electronically through the Direct Registration System ("DRS"). When utilizing DRS, shares are transferred electronically and held in book-entry form with the transfer agent, AST. The investor does not receive a physical stock certificate, but will receive written verification from AST that the shares have been transferred and that he/she is a registered shareowner of record. This method can be faster than waiting for a physical stock certificate.
Shareowners of record are eligible to enroll in the company's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan.
Duplicate Accounts
Shareowner of record accounts are established on the basis of names and addresses furnished by shareowners.
Occasionally, several accounts are established for an individual shareowner of record due to variation in name, initials, and address. This results in duplicate mailings, a costly practice for the company and an inconvenience to the shareowners. Shareowners who wish to combine multiple accounts into a single account may do so by contacting AST for assistance in consolidating accounts.
Dividends/Income Tax/Form 1099-DIV Information
Dividends:
The company pays dividends quarterly, usually on or about the first day of April, July, October, and mid-December. Dividends are declared at the discretion of the company's board of directors.
Shareowners will receive their dividend checks at their address of record unless they instruct AST otherwise. Dividend checks can be electronically deposited to a bank account (ACH Credit) by contacting AST and requesting paperwork to authorize an ACH Credit.
If a shareowner is enrolled in the company's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan, dividends will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of Coca-Cola Enterprises stock and will be reflected on the quarterly Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan statements. The statements are mailed to the shareowner's address of record. Dividends reinvested under the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan are subject to income taxes to the same extent as if dividends were paid in cash.
Dividends for street name holders will be sent to the bank, broker, or nominee for distribution to the holder in accordance with their agreements with the bank, broker, or nominee.
Shareowners may want to consider having all or part of their dividends reinvested through the company's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan or using the ACH Credit feature if they do not want to receive dividend checks.
Income Tax/Form 1099-DIV Information:
Dividends of Coca-Cola Enterprises are generally taxable as ordinary income to the shareowner. Each calendar year, AST furnishes to the Internal Revenue Service information regarding the amount of dividends or distributions paid to shareowners. AST will mail a Form 1099-DIV to all shareowners of record by January of each year. If shares are held in street name through a bank, broker, or other nominee, the Form 1099-DIV will come from that bank, broker, or nominee. Each shareowner's Form 1099-DIV documents the total dividends received by him/her during the prior year.
Stock Certificate Information
On the front of your stock certificate you will note that it is marked to identify important items, such as the registered name, certificate number, account number, and number of shares represented by the certificate. Please confirm the accuracy of this information immediately upon receipt of the certificate(s). If any errors are found in this information, please return the certificate(s) along with a cover letter to AST indicating the errors and the correct information. If there are any questions regarding the information on the stock certificate(s) or the process for correcting information on the certificate(s), please contact AST at 800-418-4CCE (4223) or 718-921-8200 x6820.
Cost Basis:
Each shareowner of record should record the exact cost paid by him/her for the stock represented by each certificate/DRS verification or retain the confirmation of stock purchase from the bank or broker. This information is not on record at either AST or Coca-Cola Enterprises.
Lost/Stolen/Destroyed Certificates:
Physical stock certificates are as valuable as currency. Each shareowner of record who holds a physical stock certificate in his/her possession bears the risk of loss, theft, or destruction of that certificate.
If certificates are lost, stolen, or destroyed, immediately notify AST by calling or writing:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Certificate Replacement Unit
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, NY 10038
800-418-4CCE (4223) or 718-921-8200 x6820 www.amstock.com
AST will then place a "stop transfer" on the lost certificate(s) and will send an "Affidavit of Loss" form stating the cost to the shareowner required to obtain a replacement certificate. The cost to replace a lost certificate will be 2 percent of the then current market value of the lost certificate(s), with a minimum of $30 of insurance.
Shareowners may want to consider having their stock certificate(s) held in "safekeeping" at AST to avoid the loss of certificates and the payment of replacement costs.
Mailing and Insuring Stock Certificates:
When mailing a stock certificate, be sure to send stock certificates via registered mail, insured for 2 percent of the current market value of the shares, with a minimum of $30 of insurance.
Safekeeping Stock Certificates:
Stock certificates should be kept in a safe place such as a safety deposit box at a bank or may be held in "safekeeping" through AST. It is also a good idea to photocopy the certificate(s), or keep a separate record of the certificate(s), including the exact wording of the registered name, the number of shares represented by the certificate(s), certificate number(s), account number(s), and the date of issue.
AST does offer safekeeping of stock certificates at no cost to the shareowner of record. Safekeeping enables each shareowner to send the physical stock certificate(s) to AST and have those shares held in book-entry form. Book-entry shares held in safekeeping at AST will be reflected on the shareowner's quarterly Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan statement. Shareowners may request a certificate for all or any part of their shares held by AST in safekeeping at any time without charge.
AST provides insurance coverage on certificates mailed by shareowners to AST for safekeeping in Plan accounts. Shareowners must call AST at 800-418-4CCE (4223) or 718-921-8200 x6820 to request certificate-mailing insurance.
Shareowners who have requested certificate-mailing insurance will be sent a manila, pre-addressed return envelope, which will insure the certificate(s) for up to $25,000 (current market value), provided it is mailed first class. Please do not endorse any certificate(s) forwarded to AST for safekeeping. For information on mailing a certificate(s) having a current market value in excess of $25,000, contact AST.
Shareowners will promptly receive a statement confirming each deposit of certificate(s) at AST. Shareowners must notify AST of any lost certificate claim within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the certificates were mailed. Insurance covers the replacement of the number of shares filed in any lost certificate claim up to the $25,000 value limit per envelope. Insurance does not reimburse a shareowner for any loss resulting from fluctuations in the stock price from the time the shareowner has mailed the certificates and receives a replacement certificate.
Cash Dividends on Shares held in Safekeeping:
Dividends on shares deposited with AST for safekeeping will either be fully reinvested or fully paid in cash, depending on the shareowner's status in the company's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan.
Transferring Stock
If a shareowner wishes to transfer stock, give it as a gift, add co-owners, or correct/ change the name as it appears on the certificate(s), he/she must complete the back of the certificate(s) or a "Stock Power" form (available from a bank, broker, or AST) as follows:
Fill in the Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number of the new registered owner.
List the full name, address, and zip code of the new registered owner.
Fill in the number of shares to be transferred. A shareowner will automatically receive a new certificate in his/her name for any remaining shares not transferred, unless safekeeping of remaining shares is requested.
Do not fill in the line after "constitute and appoint."
Date and sign the name(s) to correspond with the name(s) listed on the front of the certificate(s).
Shareowners must have the signature(s) "Medallion Guaranteed" by a qualified financial institution that participates in the Medallion Guarantee program (i.e., commercial bank, trust company, or member of a major U.S. stock exchange).
For processing, send the certificate(s) by registered mail, insured for 2 percent of the current market value of the certificate(s), with a minimum of $30 of insurance, to the stock transfer agent:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, NY 10038 www.amstock.com
Please contact the stock transfer agent AST at 800-418-4CCE (4223) or 718-921-8200 x6820 for questions regarding stock transfers.
Address Changes
It is important for shareowners to advise AST of an address change to ensure that they will continue to receive dividend checks and other shareowner information promptly.
Address changes can be made to an account by calling AST at
800-418-4CCE (4223) or 718-921-8200 x6820, or by writing to:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, NY 10038 www.amstock.com
Address changes can also be made by calling the Shareowner Relations Department of Coca-Cola Enterprises at 800-233-7210 or 770-989-3796. Please give your name as it appears on the stock certificate(s), old and new address, and account number or Social Security Number.
Abandoned Property
If shareowners do not advise AST or Coca-Cola Enterprises of a change of address, dividends, Form 1099-DIV, and other notices sometimes cannot be delivered. It is important for shareowners to cash all dividend checks received and report address and account changes to the transfer agent, AST.
If dividend checks are not cashed and there has been no contact with AST or Coca-Cola Enterprises for a certain number of years, depending on the state of last known residence, those dividends and shares can be considered abandoned property. The state of last known residence can claim the uncashed dividends and shares. In order to reclaim the dividends and shares, the shareowner must file a claim with the state holding dividends and/or shares. Because this can be a lengthy process, it is vital that the company always has a correct, up-to-date address for each shareowner of record.
Shareowners may want to consider having their dividends reinvested through the company's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Investment Plan or utilizing the ACH Credit feature if they do not want to receive dividend checks.
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