FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
November 25, 2003
Commission File Number 001-14978
SMITH & NEPHEW plc
(Registrant's name)
15 Adam Street
London, England WC2N 6LA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information
contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information
to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.]
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a.
Total Pages: 4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Smith & Nephew plc
(Registrant)
Date: November 25, 2003 By: /s/ Paul Chambers
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Paul Chambers
Company Secretary
2
Smith & Nephew plc T44(0)207 401 7476 We are Smith & Nephew
15 Adam Street F44(0)207 960 2350
London WC2N 6LA www.smith-nephew.com
England
SMITH & NEPHEW ANNOUNCES ADR RATIO CHANGE
AND QUARTERLY REPORTING IN 2004
25 November 2003
Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN,NYSE:SNN) today announces a change in the ratio
of its American Depository Receipts (ADRs) traded on the New York Stock
Exchange and its intent to move to quarterly reporting from next year.
Since the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1999 Smith &
Nephew's ADR price has risen from around $28 to about $78 per ADR. In order to
bring the share price in line with other ADRs and improve liquidity, the
company will be changing the ratio from one ADR for every 10 ordinary shares
to one ADR to every 5 ordinary shares effective 15 December, thereby halving
the price of each ADR. From the perspective of the ADR holder, the ratio
change has the same effect as a two-for-one stock split and Smith & Nephew ADR
holders at the close of business 5 December 2003 will receive one additional
ADR for every ADR held. There will be no change to Smith & Nephew's underlying
shares.
Smith & Nephew is also pleased to announce today, in line with its commitment
to further improve financial information flow to investors, that it will
report its results on a quarterly basis beginning in 2004. With this move
Smith & Nephew will improve transparency and be in line with standard peer
group practice in the medical devices industry. A breakdown of 2003 results by
quarter will be made available for comparison purposes when the company
announces Preliminary Results on 5 February 2004.
Commenting on these two changes Chief Executive Chris O'Donnell: "Today's
announcement demonstrates Smith & Nephew's firm commitment to making the
company even more accessible to the investment community. The change in ADR
ratio will be useful in increasing NYSE volumes, creating a more liquid market
for our shares in the US, while quarterly reporting will make it easier for
investors to benchmark our performance versus our global peer group, the
majority of which are based in the US."
The company's normal pre-close season briefing of financial analysts will be
held by conference call on Thursday 18 December 2003 at 3.00 pm UK time/10.00
Eastern Standard Time, and can be heard live on audio webcast via the Smith &
Nephew website at www.smith-nephew.com. A recording of the briefing will be
available on the Smith & Nephew website immediately following the call. The
company's Preliminary Results announcement is scheduled for 5 February 2004.
NEWS
We are Smith & Nephew
About us
Smith & Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN) is one of the world's leading medical
devices companies, specialising in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound
Management. Smith & Nephew ranks as the global leader in arthroscopy and
advanced wound management and is the fastest growing full-line orthopaedics
company in the world.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company
prides itself in the strength of its relationships with its surgeon and
healthcare professional customers, with whom its name is synonymous with the
highest standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has over
7,500 employees and operates in 32 countries around the world, generating
sales of (GBP)1.1 billion.
Enquiries:
Smith & Nephew
Peter Nind Tel: +44 (0)20 7401 7646
Corporate Affairs Manager
Financial Dynamics
David Yates Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
NEWS