For me, being a Shareholder is about passing on not just financial assets, but also values.
What prompted you to invest in Air Liquide?
Josette G. My husband got a job with Air Liquide in 1962 and that was when he started to invest. He wanted to pass on the shares to our grandchildren. When he died, my two sons and two grandsons inherited part of his portfolio. I hold my Air Liquide shares with the same determination to keep them in the family.
Anouck V. A friend told me I should buy Air Liquide shares directly from the Group. Over several months I looked closely at the company’s vision, values, but also its share performance and returns over time. It’s still the only company that I hold shares in, although I invest in other kinds of assets.
Bernard L. I inherited my mother’s equity portfolio when she died. I decided to sell everything except Air Liquide. As an engineer I had a positive image in my mind of the company and I saw the stock as the ideal safe long-term investment.
Why do you hold shares directly with Air Liquide?
Pierre I. I bought my first Air Liquide shares in bearer form. I switched to being a direct registered Shareholder a year ago along with my daughter. She’s only 2.5 years old, but she’s already an Air Liquide Shareholder. For me, it’s about passing on not just financial assets, but also values.
Frédérique-Love N. Same here. At the outset, my investments were about being ready for the future, including my own retirement and my children’s education. After investing, I encouraged my children to do likewise and invest directly with Air Liquide, by passing intermediary financial institutions. That gave them a good first experience of share ownership.
Benjamin Pierrin. Passing on shares is an important topic for our Shareholders.
Under French tax law, there are different ways to do this. A “customary gift” is a way to give a present to a loved one. A “hand-to-hand gift” or “simple gift” can be used to make a more substantial donation to an individual or a charity, which you can do by yourself or before a notary. A “shared gift” is an option to pass on your shares to your children. In the last of these cases, a notarized deed records the gift, which may not then be added to the grantor’s estate (see dedicated Factsheet, pages 26-27).
Bernard L. I switched quickly to being a registered Shareholder after being advised to do so by a friend. It’s a great option because you’re automatically entitled to the loyalty bonus. About seven years ago, my spouse and I gifted shares to each of our four children, while continuing to receive the associated benefits under a usufruct arrangement.
Annabelle Barnett. There are a number of benefits to holding registered shares directly with Air Liquide or via a financial institution. Shareholders get a 10% bonus on their dividends and a 10% allocation of free shares upon each payout, subject to certain conditions (see dedicated Factsheet, page 19). The loyalty bonus is a way to thank Shareholders over the long run.