Vanguard Group Discloses Stake in Smith (DS) plc

On April 22, 2024, The Vanguard Group, Inc. reported a significant holding in Smith (DS) plc, revealing an ownership of 61,694,458 shares, which corresponds to 4.47% of the company's shares. This position was detailed in a recent filing in accordance with Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code, aiming to provide transparency during ongoing dealings.

The disclosure also noted an additional interest in International Paper Company, suggesting Vanguard's active engagement in the sector. Notably, recent transactions included the purchase of 606 shares of Smith (DS) plc at a price of 3.59 GBP per unit. However, the filing confirmed that there were no cash-settled derivatives or stock-settled derivatives associated with these holdings as of the reporting date.

This action by Vanguard is part of the ongoing requirements for public disclosures during takeover bids or deals that involve companies with shareholders holding over 1% interest. The report was issued without any supplemental form attached, indicating no open derivative positions related to these shares.