In item 1, the Board proposes to distribute a dividend of € 0.90 per share on 2018 results, to be paid on May 22 (ex-dividend date: May 20). We regret that the proposed dividend distribution (€ 736 million) is not covered by free cash flow (- € 15'729 million in 2018), and concerns may arise over the financial situation of the Company (net debt represents 2.5 times its market capitalization). Therefore, we recommend opposition.
In item 3, we also recommend opposing the authorization to buy-back shares, as the maximum price of the repurchase (120% of the market price) exceeds our voting policy limit.
In item 4.b, the AGM is called to appoint the Board of Directors on slates of nominees submitted by shareholders holding at least 1.0% of Atlantia shares.
One of the institutional investors that submitted the slate of nominees is Generali Investments, which is a client of ECGS partners Proxinvest and Frontis Governance. It is important to note that these partners do not provide consulting services to Generali. Voting advice is provided primarily as a source of information at general meetings.We recommend that shareholders support the slate submitted by the group of institutional investors (sub-item 4.b.2), as all the 3 nominees included in the slate are independent from the Company and its significant shareholders.
In item 5, shareholders are called to an advisory vote on the remuneration policy. We strongly regret that all the variable remuneration components depend on the same indicator (Funds From Operations), and we also strongly regret that the Company granted huge extraordinary bonuses to the CEO (on aggregate worth € 6'494'850), which were exclusively linked to the acquisition of Abertis. Therefore, we recommend opposition.
Atlantia is a holding company with subsidiaries and associates whose business is the construction and operation of motorways, airports and transport infrastructure, parking areas and intermodal systems, or who engage in activities related to the management of motorway or airport traffic.
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