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BM&FBOVESPA is a Brazilian company, created in 2008, through the integration between the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo) and the Brazilian Mercantile & Futures Exchange (Bolsa de Mercadorias e Futuros). It is the most important Brazilian institution to intermediate equity market transactions and the only securities, commodities and futures exchange in Brazil. BM&FBOVESPA further acts as a driver for the Brazilian capital markets. Novo Mercado segment Its a special listing segment, in which BB Seguridade is listed, that requires high standards of corporate governance. Summarizing, Novo Mercado is a listing segment designed for shares issued by companies that voluntarily undertake to abide by corporate governance practices and transparency requirements in additional to those already requested by the Brazilian Law and CVM (Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission). It is based on the premise that stock valuation and liquidity are positively impacted and assured by shareholder’s rights and by the quality of companies’ information. The admission to Novo Mercado implies the compliance with corporate rules, known as "good practices of corporate governance", which are more rigid than those required by the current legislation in Brazil. These rules, consolidated in the Listing Regulation, increase shareholder's rights and enhance the quality of information commonly disclosed by companies. Additionally, the Market Arbitration Panel for conflict resolution between investors and companies offers a safer, faster and specialized alternative to investors. The main innovation of Novo Mercado concerns the capital stock, which must be solely represented by common shares (voting shares). In brief, publicly-held companies listed on Novo Mercado have the following additional obligations: • Public share offerings have to use mechanisms to favor capital dispersion and broader retail access. • Maintenance of a minimum free float, equivalent to 25% of the capital. • Same conditions provided to majority shareholders in the disposal of the Company’s Control will have to be extended to all shareholders (Tag Along). • Establishment of a two-year unified mandate for the entire Board of Directors, which must have five members at least, of which at least 20% (twenty percent) shall be Independent Members. • Disclosure of annual balance sheet, according to standards of the US GAAP or IFRS. • Improvements in quarterly reports, such as the requirement of consolidated financial statements and special audit revision. • Obligation to hold a tender offer by the economic value criteria, in case of delisting or cancellation of registration as publicly-held company. • Compliance with disclosure rules in trades involving securities issued by the company in the name of controlling shareholders. • Some of these obligations must be approved at the General Shareholders Meetings and included in the corporate bylaws. Source: BM&FBOVESPA |