Frequently Asked Questions
Get the answers to many of your questions below. If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to contact us.
General
- What does Alcon do?
- How many people does Alcon employ?
- Where is the company headquartered?
- Which countries do you have operations in?
- What products do you offer?
- When is your annual shareholder meeting?
- How can I receive information on Alcon?
- How can I receive a copy of your annual report?
- Can I purchase shares directly from Alcon?
Dividend
- Historically has Alcon paid a dividend?
- When was the last dividend paid?
- What was the amount of the most recent dividend?
- Where is my dividend payment?
- Can I get any of the tax withholding refunded?
Financials
- How many shares do you have outstanding?
- Where is Alcon's stock traded and what is its ticker symbol?
- What is Alcon's fiscal year?
- When will the next earnings release be?
Ownership
- What is your relationship with Nestlé?
- What is your relationship with Novartis?
- When did the company go public and at what price?
Management
Contact
- How do I contact an Investor Relations Representative?
- How do I contact a Media/Press Representative?
General
- What does Alcon do?
- We develop, manufacture and market ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, ophthalmic surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care products and other consumer eye care products that treat diseases and conditions of the eye. See Alcon At-a-Glance for more information
- How many people does Alcon employ?
- We have nearly 15,000 employees worldwide.
- Where is the company headquartered?
- We are incorporated in Hünenberg, Switzerland and our Corporate Office is located at Bösch 69, P.O. Box 62, 6331, Hünenberg, Switzerland. Our principal United States offices are located at 6201 South Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76134-2099, U.S.A.
- Which countries do you have operations in?
- Our products are sold in over 180 countries throughout the world and we have offices in more than 75 countries.
- What products do you offer?
- We offer a wide variety of high quality products in the surgical, pharmaceutical and consumer eye care markets. Please visit our Eye Health Products section.
- When is your annual shareholder meeting?
- The next Annual General Meeting will be held on 5 May 2009. The last Annual General Meeting of shareholders was held on 6 May 2008 in Zug, Switzerland.
- How can I receive information on Alcon?
- Please contact us.
- How can I receive a copy of your annual report?
- Please complete an Annual Report request form.
- Can I purchase shares directly from Alcon?
- No. Alcon does not have a direct share repurchase program.
Dividend
- Historically has Alcon paid a dividend?
- Alcon has paid a dividend annually, since going public in 2002.
- When was the last dividend paid?
- The most recent dividend was paid 22 May 2008 for shareholders of record on 12 May 2008.
- What was the amount of the most recent dividend?
- On 6 May 2008, Alcon shareholders approved a dividend of 2.63 Swiss francs per share, for shareholders of record on 12 May 2008. For shareholders who did not elect to receive Swiss francs, the dividend was paid at the US dollar equivalent of US$2.5347 per share. A tax of 35% was withheld and remitted to Swiss tax authorities, for a net payment of US$1.6476 per share.
- Where is my dividend payment?
- If you were a registered shareholder on 12 May 2008 (your shares were in the form of a stock certificate), your dividend was mailed to you or paid by direct deposit on 22 May 2008. If your shares were held through a brokerage account, your dividend was sent to your broker on your behalf.
- Can I get any of the tax withholding refunded?
- If you are a US qualified taxpayer, you may be eligible to reclaim a portion of the tax. If you are a registered shareholder (you have a stock certificate), you can participate in a tax reclamation filing. In order to participate, complete and return the consent form provided by Globe Tax. If your shares are held through a brokerage account, your broker must elect to participate in the tax reclamation. Your refund will take several months to be processed and received. If you need an additional copy of the consent form or have additional questions please contact us.
Financials
- How many shares do you have outstanding?
- 297,662,706 shares were outstanding as of 31 December 2007.
- Where is Alcon's stock traded and what is its ticker symbol?
- We trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol: ACL
- What is Alcon's fiscal year?
- Our fiscal year is 1 January to 31 December.
- When will the next earnings release be?
- The next earnings release date will be on 22 October 2008 after market close.
Ownership
- What is your relationship with Nestlé?
- Nestlé acquired Alcon in 1978 and retained 100 percent ownership until March 2002, when the company conducted an initial public offering (IPO) of about 25 percent of Alcon’s shares with Nestlé retaining ownership of the balance with Nestlé retaining ownership of the balance. In July 2008 Nestlé sold about 74 million shares to Novartis AG, which now owns approximately 24.8% of Alcon issued and outstanding shares. Nestlé S.A. remains Alcon's primary shareholder with 52 percent of Alcon's issued capital. Alcon operates with a great deal of independence from the Nestlé organization. For more, read the press release regarding the Nestlé-Novartis deal or read the frequently asked question "What is your relationship with Novartis?"
- What is your relationship with Novartis?
- Nestlé S.A. and Novartis AG entered into an agreement in April 2008 for Novartis to buy approximately 74 million shares of Alcon stock owned by Nestlé at a price of $143.18. With the completion of the first step transaction in July 2008, Nestlé remains Alcon’s majority shareholder with ownership of about 52 percent and Novartis owns a minority interest at 24.85 percent. The two companies also announced a second phase of the agreement which could allow Novartis to purchase the remaining Nestlé shares and become the majority owner of Alcon, with a stake of approximately 77 percent. The second phase cannot begin until 1 January 2010 and may extend through 31 July 2011. There are no requirements in the agreement for Novartis to acquire the publicly traded shares of Alcon.
- When did the company go public and at what price?
- Alcon shares were priced on 20 March 2002 at US$33 per share, and started trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under ticker symbol ACL on 21 March 2002.
Management
- Who is Alcon's senior management?
- Cary Rayment, Chairman, President and CEO, Alcon, Inc. 1
Kevin J. Buehler, Senior Vice President, Global Markets and Chief Marketing Officer, Alcon, Inc. 2
Richard J. Croarkin, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer1
Ed McGough, Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing and Technical Operations 2
Elaine E. Whitbeck, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary2
(1) Alcon, Inc. and Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
(2) Alcon Laboratories, Inc. - Who is on the Alcon board of directors?
- Cary Rayment (Chairman); Dr. Werner Bauer; Francisco Castañer; Lodewijk J.R. de Vink; Gerhard N. Mayr; Thomas G. Plaskett; James Singh; Daniel Vasella, M.D. Read more about our Board of Directors.
Contact
- How do I contact an Investor Relations Representative?
- Either call 800-400-8599 or contact Investor Relations online.
- How do I contact a Media/Press Representative?
- Either call 800-631-0962 or contact Media/Press Relations online.