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Yes | No X |
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Yes | No X |
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Yes | No X |
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
Re: | SYNGENTA
AG First Quarter Trading Statement 2003 Resolutions by the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders |
Filed herewith are two press releases related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press releases follows: |
# # # |
Media Release – Communiqué aux Médias – Medienmitteilung |
First Quarter Trading Statement 2003
Basel, Switzerland, April
29, 2003
Sales in the first
quarter of 2003 increased by 8% to $2 billion (2002: $1.84 billion), reflecting
a positive impact from the further weakening of the dollar. At constant exchange
rates sales were 1% lower.
In Crop Protection, sales at constant exchange rates were 2% lower. Regional performance for Europe, Africa and the Middle East was affected by competition in fungicides in France, while performance in Germany was stable. In NAFTA, sales advanced in both Canada and the USA, with notable progress across all product lines except non-selective herbicides. In Latin America there was a marked recovery in Brazil and ongoing growth in Argentina. Asian sales were impacted by a decline in South Korea.
Growth in new products contributed $116 million to sales, driven by CALLISTO®, which tripled, reflecting the success of new combinations and underpinning performance in the US selective herbicide market. In insecticides, ACTARA® and CRUISER® also registered strong progress. Range rationalization resulted in a negative sales impact of $20 million.
Seeds sales rose by 3% at constant exchange rates. Corn sales in the USA benefited from early spring shipments. Vegetables continued their strong growth in Europe and Flowers performed well in both NAFTA and Europe due to distribution chain improvements and new products.
For the full year sales are expected to benefit from ongoing recovery in Brazil and Argentina, as well as growth in new products. Cash flow generation will remain strong with improved business performance delivering increased EBITDA and significant earnings per share growth, notwithstanding the constraining effects of currency movements on the EBITDA margin.
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2002 were approximately US $6.2 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com
Analyst/Investor Enquiries: | Jonathan Seabrook (Switzerland) | +41 61 323 7502 |
Jennifer Gough (Switzerland) | +41 61 323 5059 | |
Rhonda Chiger (USA) | + 1 (917) 322 2569 | |
Media Enquiries: | OPatrick Wilson (Switzerland) | +41 61 323 2323 |
Judith Auchard (UK) | +44 (0) 1483 260184 | |
Lori Captain (USA) | + 1 (302) 425 2121 |
Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking
statements, which can be identified by terminology such as expect,
would, will, potential, plans,
prospects, estimated, aiming, on track
and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements.
We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties.
Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect
actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not
constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any
solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares
in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied
on in connection with, any contract therefore.
Syngenta Q1 Trading Statement / Page 1 of 2
Unaudited First Quarter Product Line and Regional Sales
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Syngenta | 1st
Quarter 2003 $m |
1st
Quarter 2002 $m |
Actual(1) % |
CER(1) % |
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Crop Protection | 1570 | 1472 | + 7 | - 2 | ||||
Seeds | 429 | 372 | + 15 | + 3 | ||||
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Total | 1999 | 1844 | + 8 | - 1 | ||||
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Crop Protection | ||||||||
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Product line | ||||||||
Selective herbicides | 565 | 534 | + 6 | - 2 | ||||
Non-selective herbicides | 146 | 151 | - 3 | - 9 | ||||
Fungicides | 424 | 398 | + 7 | - 6 | ||||
Insecticides | 218 | 194 | + 12 | + 4 | ||||
Professional products | 169 | 150 | + 12 | + 7 | ||||
Others | 48 | 45 | + 6 | - 13 | ||||
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Total | 1570 | 1472 | + 7 | - 2 | ||||
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Regional | ||||||||
Europe, Africa and Middle East | 670 | 609 | + 10 | - 8 | ||||
NAFTA | 562 | 547 | + 3 | + 2 | ||||
Latin America | 110 | 96 | + 15 | + 15 | ||||
Asia Pacific | 228 | 220 | + 4 | - 5 | ||||
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Total | 1570 | 1472 | + 7 | - 2 | ||||
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Seeds | ||||||||
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Product line | ||||||||
Field Crops | 274 | 240 | + 14 | + 2 | ||||
Vegetables and Flowers | 155 | 132 | + 18 | + 6 | ||||
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Total | 429 | 372 | + 15 | + 3 | ||||
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Regional | ||||||||
Europe, Africa and Middle East | 244 | 197 | + 24 | + 2 | ||||
NAFTA | 171 | 157 | + 9 | + 9 | ||||
Latin America | 2 | 6 | - 72 | - 72 | ||||
Asia Pacific | 12 | 12 | + 2 | - 7 | ||||
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Total | 429 | 372 | + 15 | + 3 | ||||
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(1) CER = constant exchange rate. Product line variances take into account minor reclassifications made in 2003.
Syngenta Q1 Trading Statement / Page 2 of 2
Media Release – Communiqué aux Médias – Medienmitteilung |
Syngenta holds Annual General Meeting
Basel, Switzerland, 29 April 2003 At Syngentas second Annual General Meeting in Basel, Syngenta AG shareholders approved all the motions proposed by the Board of Directors. The 758 shareholders represented 29,636,200 voting shares or 26.33% of 112,564,584 total shares issued. The Annual General Meeting approved the Boards proposal for a dividend payment of CHF 0.85 gross per share.
The Annual General Meeting approved the annual report, the annual financial statements and the consolidated financial statement for 2002. Peggy Bruzelius, Peter Doyle, Pierre Landolt and Pedro Reiser were each re-elected to the Board for a three-year term of office. Ernst & Young AG were appointed as auditors to Syngenta AG and as group auditors for the financial year 2003.
Heinz Imhof, Chairman of the Board said: 2002 was a successful year for Syngenta; the company maintained market share and achieved good results. He added: Syngenta increased profitability thanks to tight cost management; we achieved our scheduled cost synergies sooner than anticipated. Michael Pragnell, Chief Executive Officer, said: Our performance reinforces my confidence in Syngentas strong competitive platform to deliver increased shareholder value in 2003 and beyond. Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2002 were approximately US $6.2 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as expect, would, will, potential, plans,
prospects, estimated, aiming, on track and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these s
tatements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to
reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in
Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.
AGM Syngenta AG - 29 April 2003 / Page 1 of 1
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.
SYNGENTA AG | ||
Date: April 29, 2003 | By: | /s/ Christoph Mäder |
Name: Christoph Mäder Title: General Counsel |
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By: | /s/ Damian Heller | |
Name: Damian Heller Title: Company Secretary |