The Vanguard Group, Inc. Announces Ownership Disclosure in Smith (DS) plc

The Vanguard Group, Inc. has publicly disclosed its ownership position in Smith (DS) plc as per the requirements of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code. On 25 March 2024, The Vanguard Group reported holding a total interest equivalent to 4.52% of Smith (DS) plc's shares. This position comprises 62,198,677 shares of the company's ordinary 10p class. In addition, The Vanguard Group disclosed dealings in the company's shares, including the purchase of 45,562 shares at a price of 3.49 GBP per unit.

Besides Smith (DS) plc, The Vanguard Group also made disclosures regarding another party involved in the offer, Mondi plc, signaling the firm's active participation in the market. Notably, no open stock-settled derivatives or agreements to buy or sell relevant securities were disclosed. The company affirmed that there are no indemnity or dealing arrangements in place that could influence its investment decisions regarding Smith (DS) plc or associated parties.

The disclosure underscores the transparent and regulatory-compliant nature of The Vanguard Group's investment activities. This move provides investors and stakeholders with critical insights on significant ownership stakes within major companies like Smith (DS) plc, reflecting the dynamics of market participation by institutional investors.