FILER:
COMPANY DATA:
COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SODEXHO ALLIANCE SA
CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001169715
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MANAGEMENT SERVICES [8741]
IRS NUMBER: 000000000
FISCAL YEAR END: 0831
FILING VALUES:
FORM TYPE: 6-K
SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC
FILE NUMBER:
FILM NUMBER:
BUSINESS ADDRESS:
STREET 1: 3 AVENUE NEWTON
STREET 2: 78180 MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX
CITY: FRANCE
STATE:
ZIP: 00000
BUSINESS PHONE: 0113313085
6-K
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
January 19, 2004
SODEXHO ALLIANCE SA
3, avenue Newton
78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux
France
(Address of 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
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Contents: Press Release
EXHIBIT LIST
Exhibit Description
99.1 Press Release
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.
SODEXHO ALLIANCE SA
By: /s/ Sian Herbert-Jones
-------------------------------
Name: Sian Herbert-Jones
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: January 19, 2004
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated future events
and financial performance with respect to our operations. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to
historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect,"
"anticipate," "estimated" , "project " , "plan" "pro forma," and "intend" or
future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," or "may." Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include,
but are not limited to, those set forth in our Registration Statement on Form
20-F, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the
competitive environment in which we operate, changes in general economic
conditions and changes in the French, American and/or global financial and/or
capital markets. Forward-looking statements represent management 's views as of
the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements for actual events occurring after that date. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.
SODEXHO ALLIANCE REQUESTS THE AMF
TO OPEN AN ENQUIRY
Paris, January 12, 2004 - Following various rumours at the opening of the stock
market and the spread of incorrect information originating from a summary report
made by Smith Barney, Sodexho Alliance insists on clarifying certain information
which could lead to the belief that the group has not been transparent in its
communication, particularly as regards its receivables securitization in the
United Kingdom.
Sodexho Alliance notes that the 100 million euros of cash flow generated, in
Fiscal 2002-2003, by working capital from operations does not in anyway include
the impact of receivables securitization in the United Kingdom.
This securitization program has been in place since 1999 as a financing source
and since this date is disclosed in the accounts of our subsidiary, according to
local accounting principles. In addition and following the new recommendations
dated January 2003 of the AMF, this information is published in the Group's
Annual Report filed on 28 November 2003 with the AMF; it is available on our
website.
Considering that this erroneous information prejudices the company and its
shareholders, Sodexho Alliance reserves its right to seek appropriate redress.
Following a downwards movement in its share price of nearly 8% over a few hours
and volumes exchanged on 12 January of more than 2.7 million shares, Sodexho
Alliance questions the speculative nature of these movements and requests the
AMF to open an enquiry.
About Sodexho Alliance
Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pierre
Bellon, Sodexho Alliance is the world's leading provider of food and management
services. With more than 308,000 employees on 23,900 sites in 76 countries,
Sodexho Alliance reported consolidated sales of 11.7 billion euros for the
fiscal year that ended on August 31, 2003. The Sodexho Alliance share has been
listed since 1983 on the Euronext Paris Bourse, where its market value totals
3.9 billion euros. The Sodexho Alliance share has been listed since April 3,
2002, on the New York Stock Exchange.
Media Relations: Jerome Chambin
Tel: +33 130 85 74 18
Fax: +33 130 85 52 32
E-mail: jerome.chambin@sodexhoalliance.com
Investor Relations: Jean-Jacques Vironda
Tel: +33 130 85 29 39
Fax +33 130 85 51 81
E-mail: jeanjacques.vironda@sodexhoalliance.com