NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 12, 2019--
As previously announced, on February 8, 2019, the Board of Directors of
Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per
common share, payable on March 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on
February 28, 2019. It was estimated at the time of this announcement
that the dividend would be classified as a return of capital for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
After a periodic review of our tax books and records, Coty now estimates
that our pending March 15, 2019 dividend will be classified as a taxable
dividend. Coty has also concluded that the following dividends, which
were previously classified as returns of capital, are now classified as
taxable dividends: September 14, 2017, December 14, 2017, March 15,
2018, June 14, 2018, September 14, 2018 and December 14, 2018.
About Coty Inc.
Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with over $9 billion
in revenue, an iconic portfolio of brands and a purpose to celebrate and
liberate the diversity of consumers’ beauty. We believe the beauty of
humanity lies in the individuality of its people; beauty is at its best
when authentic; and beauty should make you feel happy, never sad. As the
global leader in fragrance, a strong number two in professional salon
hair color & styling, and number three in color cosmetics, Coty operates
three divisions: Consumer Beauty, which is focused on mass color
cosmetics, mass retail hair coloring and styling products, body care and
mass fragrances with brands such as COVERGIRL, Max Factor, Sally Hansen
and Rimmel; Luxury, which is focused on prestige fragrances and skincare
with brands such as Calvin Klein, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss,
Gucci and philosophy; and Professional Beauty, which is focused on
servicing salon owners and professionals in both hair and nail, with
brands such as Wella Professionals, Sebastian Professional, OPI and ghd.
Coty has approximately 20,000 colleagues globally and its products are
sold in over 150 countries. Coty and its brands are committed to a range
of social causes as well as seeking to minimize its impact on the
environment.
For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect Coty Inc.’s (“Coty”)
current views with respect to, among other things, the tax treatment of
Coty’s dividends, the declaration and payment of future dividends,
capital allocation strategy, future ability to return cash to
shareholders, and Coty’s ability to support its planned business
operations in the near-term and long-term basis. These statements are
based on certain assumptions and estimates that Coty considers
reasonable and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many
of which are beyond the control of Coty, which could cause actual events
or results to differ materially from such statements, including: (1) a
change in Coty’s capital allocation and cash management priorities
impacting the return of cash to shareholders and its financial ability
to declare dividends on a quarterly payout schedule or at all, including
declaration and payment of future quarterly dividends for the remainder
of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 and in future periods, and the
amount of any such dividend; (2) Coty’s ability to develop and achieve
its global business strategies, compete effectively in the beauty
industry and achieve the benefits contemplated by its strategic
initiatives, and its ability to manage the continued integration of the
P&G Beauty Business and other recent acquisitions with Coty’s business,
operations, systems, financial data and culture and the ability to
realize synergies, avoid future supply chain and other business
disruptions, reduce costs and realize other potential efficiencies and
benefits (including through Coty’s restructuring initiatives), cash flow
and liabilities, each at the levels and costs and within the expected
time frame or at all; (3) restrictions imposed on Coty through its
license agreements, outstanding senior unsecured notes and credit
facilities, including restrictions on Coty’s ability to pay dividends
and changes in the manner in which Coty finances its debt and future
capital needs, including potential acquisitions and restructuring,
capital expenditures, and business realignment and other costs; (4)
global political and/or economic uncertainties and disruptions or major
legal, regulatory or policy changes and/or the enforcement thereof that
affect Coty’s business, financial performance, operations or products,
including the impact of Brexit; and (5) other factors described from
time to time in documents that Coty files with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
More information about these and other factors is included under the
heading “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Coty’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and other
periodic reports Coty has filed and may file with the SEC from time to
time. All forward-looking statements made in this communication are
qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking
statements are made only as of the date of this communication, and Coty
does not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law,
to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to
reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated
or otherwise, or changes in future operating results over time or
otherwise.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190312005885/en/
Source: Coty Inc.
Investor Relations
Christina
Frank, +1 212 389-6802
christina_frank@cotyinc.com
Olga Levinzon, +1 212 389-7733
olga_levinzon@cotyinc.com
Media
Jennifer Friedman, +1
917 754-8399
jennifer_friedman@cotyinc.com