SAO PAULO (Reuters) – JBS SA , the world’s largest meatpacker, called a shareholder meeting for May 23 to vote on its plan to list shares on the New York Stock Exchange, it said in a securities filing on Tuesday.
The U.S. listing, which has been in the works for years, would provide access to a broader pool of investors and possibly aid JBS, which is now primarily listed in Brazil, in raising its valuation closer to its industry peers.
Under JBS’ “dual listing” proposal, its shareholders would receive one Brazilian Depositary Receipt of JBS N.V., the entity which to be listed in New York, for every two JBS’ shares they own.
Last month, JBS’ second largest shareholder, the equity arm of Brazil’s development bank, BNDESPar, said it would abstain from voting at the upcoming shareholders meeting. The announcement boosted JBS’ share price because there was uncertainty about whether BNDESPar would endorse JBS’ U.S. listing strategy.
Reuters had reported last week, citing a regulatory document filed with the U.S. market regulator, that JBS’ board of directors could convene the meeting for May 23.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, JBS said its U.S. shares could start to be offered in the U.S market as soon as June.
(Reporting by Andre Romani; additional reporting by Roberto Samora; Editing by Kylie Madry and Sarah Morland)
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