By educating young people about shareholding, Air Liquide is inviting them to invest in a group with a future. Pierre-Antoine N., an agricultural researcher as well as an Air Liquide Shareholder, shares his thoughts.
I’ve been a Shareholder for three or four years now. My parents passed their shares on to me. My shares go back to my great-grandparents, who invested when Air Liquide was created. You could say it’s a family affair! Buying shares for your children is a good way to help them. Investing, even with a small budget, can make a difference when it comes to buying a car or a home. It gives you a good start in life.
Whether it’s an inheritance that is passed on from one generation to the next or one that you build up yourself, I think it’s important to invest in a company with a purpose like Air Liquide. I work in a research laboratory that needs technical gases to operate, and they are supplied by Air Liquide. I’m also aware of the importance of the Group in the field of healthcare, especially during this health crisis. The Group invests in the future and it is a source of pride for me to be a Shareholder.
I have an attachment to companies I know. I always read the newsletter, which keeps me informed about Air Liquide and its current events, research efforts and investment choices. Additionally, I work with start-ups, manufacturers and large companies in the wine industry and the luxury sector, and we often have a partner in common: Air Liquide! Proximity is built on several levels, anecdotal or otherwise. Every Tuesday, the Air Liquide truck comes to our laboratory to replenish our gas supply. That brings a smile to my face and makes me feel very close to the Group.
In 2021, a survey conducted by the Via voice polling institute revealed that 38% of French people aged 25 to 40, who do not own shares in the stock market, would like to invest. Air Liquide has the opportunity to meet these potential Shareholders at ‘Investir Day’ and hear their thoughts about the stock market. We also support the student competition ‘Dauphine Next Challenge,’ whose purpose is to develop responsible portfolio management practices.
In addition to explaining the functioning of the stock market and securities performance, we are eager to share a culture of share ownership with new generations of Shareholders in an educational and entertaining way. All new direct registered Shareholders who are minors receive a comic book(1) specially chosen for their age group. As they get older, they are given the next comic book in the series (four versions are available).
In 2021, Air Liquide launched a 100% digital educational campaign on social networks. The goal? To raise awareness about shareholding among young people through innovative and impactful messages that give them the key information they need to discover what it means to be a Shareholder. The result was high visibility for the Group among this target audience, with over 50 million contacts, more than 1.7 million views and a dedicated website where users could open a securities account directly online!
