BASEL, Switzerland, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On February 23, 2006 Syngenta issued put options giving shareholders the right to sell to the company one Syngenta AG registered share for 30 options at a price of CHF 234 per share. 99,659,925 options were issued.
The exercise period closed on May 23, with a total of 98,408,790 put options (98.7%) declared for exercise. On this basis Syngenta expects to repurchase 3,280,293 shares on May 29. The repurchased shares will be proposed for cancellation at the 2007 Annual General Meeting.
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 2005 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs more than 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York . Further information is available at http://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 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 therefor.
Media Enquiries Switzerland: Guy Wolff Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323 USA: Sarah Hull Tel: +1 (202) 628 2372 UK: Andrew Coker Tel: +44 (1344) 41 4503 Analysts/Investors Switzerland: Jonathan Seabrook Tel: +41 (61) 323 7502 Jennifer Gough Tel: +41 (61) 323 5059 USA: Rhonda Chiger Tel: +1 (917) 322 2569
SyngentaCONTACT: Media, Switzerland, Guy Wolff, +41-61-323-2323, USA, Sarah Hull,+1-202-628-2372, UK, Andrew Coker, +44-1344-41-4503, Analysts andInvestors, Switzerland, Jonathan Seabrook, +41-61-323-7502, Jennifer Gough,+41-61-323-5059, USA, Rhonda Chiger, +1-917-322-2569, all of Syngenta
Web site: http://www.syngenta.com/
