Alcatel announces plans to create a tracking stock for its optical components
business
Paris, July 27, 2000 - Alcatel today announced that its Board of Directors has approved plans to
create a new class of Alcatel stock which is intended to track the performance of its Optronics
Division, the Company's optical components business. The plan to create a tracking stock is subject to
shareholders' approval, and the Board of Directors has called for an extraordinary general meeting of
Alcatel's shareholders for September 20, 2000.
By creating a new class of Alcatel shares "Class O shares", the Alcatel Optronics Tracking Stock,
Alcatel believes it will enhance market recognition of the Optronics Division's value and increase
Alcatel's ability to respond to strategic opportunities in the optical industry, while maintaining control
over the Division, which is a strategic business.
Alcatel's Optronics Division designs, manufactures and sells high performance optical components,
modules and integrated sub-systems for use in terrestrial and submarine optical telecommunications
networks. Alcatel's Optronics Division is a leading provider of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
(DWDM) active components, and has experience in integrating active and passive components and
modules into sub-systems.
Subject to prevailing market and other conditions, Alcatel intends to complete the public offering of the
Alcatel Optronics tracking stock in Q4 2000.
This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy
any securities of the Company. The offer will be made only by means of a
prospectus.
About Alcatel
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking
solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With
120,000 employees and sales of EURO 23 billion in 1999, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
Contact press@www.alcatel.com |
