Brazil's JBS defends dual listing proposal following criticism

By Ana Mano

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA defended the structure of a proposed dual listing that will go to shareholders for approval this month, saying on Wednesday that the plan is an attractive value proposition to investors in the long term.

If approved by minority shareholders on May 23, the plan – originally announced in 2023 – would see the world’s biggest meat company primarily listed in New York with Brazilian depositary receipts traded in Sao Paulo.

The Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), an advisory firm for matters of corporate governance, has argued the proposal could potentially weaken minority shareholders’ rights.

In a call with analysts to discuss first-quarter results on Wednesday, JBS’ Chief Financial Officer Guilherme Cavalcanti said the proposed structure ensures the company will retain a strong controlling shareholder that fully understands the sector.

“In our industry, it is very important that you have defined control,” he said. “And control defined by people who understand the business, who have a track record … This is the best format.”

JBS’ current controlling shareholder is the Batista family’s J&F investment group.

In a letter sent to shareholders obtained by Reuters, JBS criticized ISS’s position.

“ISS clearly fails to recognize the long-term commitment and strategic importance of the controlling shareholder’s role and contribution in achieving JBS’ leadership in the global food industry,” it wrote.

JBS NV, the Dutch company created for the dual listing, will issue Class A and Class B shares. Under the proposed structure, the Class B shares will have 10 times the voting power of Class A shares, and only Class A shares will be publicly traded.

In one potential scenario, JBS’ controlling shareholders could end up with 85% of voting power.

All shareholders will be able to convert Class A into Class B shares, Cavalcanti told the analysts.

In private talks with investors, he said JBS managers have been urging all the company’s shareholders to back the dual listing, but he added that he could not predict the vote’s outcome.

JBS recently received a green-light from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to go ahead with the plan, meaning its shares could start trading in New York next month.

Should the plan be rejected by the minority shareholders, however, it would need to file for a new SEC approval, a process that would take three to six months to complete, Cavalcanti said.

(Reporting by Ana Mano, Editing by Louise Heavens and Joe Bavier)