Unilever PLC (ADS) DRIP

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When choosing companies that will likely to be around 20-30-50 years later, first that comes to mind are consumer staples and big brands that we're all used to. Nothing screams this like P&G and Unilever.

Now Unilever is not an American company, and the company exists in two versions: one in London called Unilever PLC and the other in the Netherlands called Unilever NVD. 

In the US, foreign shares denominated in US dollars are traded in the US exchanges, and these are called American Depositary Shares or American Depositary Reciepts. The stock symbol of the Unilever ADRs traded in the NYSE is "UL:US". In this case of the ADRs, 1 Unilever PLC ADR = 1 Unilever PLC share.

The transfer agent for this is Citibank. Unilever PLC does not sponsor nor endorse this ADR.

As said earlier, these ADRs are deomonated in US dollars, as well as their dividends, which you can elect to reinvest fully or partially. Dividends are given QUARTERLY.

For people who do not hold Unilever PLC ADR shares yet, you may mail an enrollment form and an enclosed cheque to the transfer agent with a minimum investment of $250.

I believe these ADRs are available to foreign investors as well, but please call to make sure.

Here are useful links to the Unilever website, as well as the link to the official Unilever DRIP prospectus:

http://www.unilever.com/investorrelations/shareholder_info/plc_adrs/

http://www-us.computershare.com/Content/Download.asp?docId=%7B73ACB055-C5BB-49D6-8FAD-3C80B5152188%7D&cc=US&lang=en&bhjs=0&fla=0&theme=cpu