Longueuil, Quebec, April 29, 2010 – The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (“The Jean Coutu Group” or the“Company”) (TSX: PJC.A) announced today acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange of notice of the Company’s intention to purchase from time to time through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and in accordance with its requirements, if it is considered advisable, up to 11,110,000 of its outstanding Class “A” subordinate voting shares (“Class “A” shares”), its only class of shares publicly traded, subject to a daily repurchase restriction of 74,407 Class “A” shares. This number represents approximately 10% of the outstanding current public float. As of April 27, 2010, 118,923,782 Class “A” shares were issued and outstanding, 111,146,132 of which shares were held by the public. The purchase of the Class “A” shares may be made pursuant to this notice in the 12-month period commencing May 4, 2010 and ending May 3, 2011. All Class “A” shares of The Jean Coutu Group purchased pursuant to this notice will be cancelled by the Company.
The Company, which has not purchased any of its securities within the past 12 months, has determined that the purchase of its Class “A” shares will allow it to optimize its capital structure and create long-term value for shareholders.
About The Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing. The Company operates a network of 370 franchised stores in Canada located in the provinces of Québec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté, and employs more than 17,000 people. Furthermore, as of December 2007, the Jean Coutu Group owns Pro Doc Ltd ("Pro Doc"), a Québec-based subsidiary and manufacturer of generic drugs. The Company also holds a significant interest in Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") a national chain of drugstores in the United States with nearly 4,800 drugstores in 31 states and the District of Columbia.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and which are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made by the Jean Coutu Group in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company’s strategy for growth, costs, operating or financial results, are forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this MD&A, including statements regarding the prospects of the Company’s industry and the Company’s prospects, plans, financial position and business strategy may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Canadian securities legislation and regulations. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "project", "could", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe" or "continue", the negatives of these terms, the variations of them or the use of other similar terms. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring items or of any mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, asset write-downs or other transactions or charges that may be announced or that may occur after the date hereof. While the list below of cautionary statements is not exhaustive, some important factors that could affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, namely changes in the legislation or the regulatory environment as it relates to the sale of prescription drugs and the pharmacy exercise, the success of the Company’s business model, changes in laws and regulations, or in their interpretations, changes to tax regulations and accounting pronouncements, the cyclical and seasonal variations in the industry in which we operate, the intensity of competitive activity in the industry in which we operate, the supplier and brand reputations, our equity interest in Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid"), our ability to attract and retain pharmacists, labour disruptions, including possibly strikes and labour protests, the accuracy of management’s assumptions and other factors that are beyond our control.
These and other factors could cause our actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors and others are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that would cause the Company’s actual results to differ from current expectations, please also refer to the Company’s public filings available at www.sedar.com and www.jeancoutu.com. In particular, further details and descriptions of these and other factors are disclosed in the Company’s Annual Information Form under "Risk Factors" and in the "Risks and uncertainties" section of the MD&A for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2010. We expressly disclaim any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason, unless required by the applicable securities laws.
Hélène Bisson
Vice-President, Communications
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.
(450) 646-9611, Extension 1165
[email protected]