Meeting everyday needs of people everywhere - Unilever

Unilever Group Notes to the consolidated accounts
33 Equity based compensation plans (continued)
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The Ireland Sharesave Plan
The Ireland Sharesave Plan provided for the granting of options to purchase shares of Unilever PLC to eligible employees of the Group.
Under the terms of the plan, eligible employees, to whom options had been granted, made monthly contributions to a savings plan
approved by the Revenue Commissioners of the Republic of Ireland for this purpose. At the end of five years the proceeds from the
savings plan could be applied to purchase ordinary shares of PLC at the market price ruling on the day preceding the date of grant.
Following a change in the law, options are no longer granted under this Plan.
A summary of the status of the Ireland Sharesave Plan as at 31 December 1999, 1998 and 1997 and the changes during these years is
presented below:
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For the years ended 31 December: 1999 1998 1997
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Weighted Weighted Weighted
Number average Number average Number average
of shares price of shares price of shares price
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Outstanding at the beginning of the year — — — — 449 544 Ir £2.19
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Granted — — — — — —
Exercised — — — — 432 192 Ir £2.19
Forfeited — — — — 17 352 Ir £2.19
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Outstanding at the end of the year — — — — — —
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Options exercisable at the end of the year — — — — — —
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There were no fixed price stock options outstanding at 31 December 1999.
The NV Option Plan
The NV Option Plan provides for the granting of options to purchase shares of Unilever NV and, from 1997 onwards, also shares of
Unilever PLC to key employees of the Group. Under the NV Option Plan, options have been granted on a discretionary basis to acquire
shares at market price on the day options were granted. These options become exercisable immediately from the date of grant and
have a maximum term of five years until 1998 and of ten years for subsequent grants.
A summary of the status of the NV Option Plan as at 31 December 1999, 1998 and 1997 and changes during the years ended on
these dates is presented below:
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For the years ended 31 December: 1999 1998 1997
10511110511 0511110511 0511110511
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Number average Number average Number average
of shares price of shares price of shares price
11155555555511110511 10511 0511 10511 0511 10511
NV Options
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 1 993 914 Fl. 89.51 1 957 540 Fl. 62.97 2 379 768 Fl. 53.76
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Granted 1 133 865 Fl. 139.94 546 156 Fl. 152.51 350 952 Fl. 94.30
Exercised 343 652 Fl. 54.38 490 244 Fl. 51.14 759 268 Fl. 49.14
Forfeited 5 470 Fl. 146.75 19 538 Fl. 125.57 13 912 Fl. 71.96
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Outstanding at the end of the year 2 778 657 Fl. 114.32 1 993 914 Fl. 89.51 1 957 540 Fl. 62.69
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Options exercisable at the end of the year 2 778 657 Fl. 114.32 1 993 914 Fl. 89.51 1 957 540 Fl. 62.69
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PLC Options
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 5 791 917 £5.64 2 296 184 £4.07 — —
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Granted 7 394 775 £5.55 3 566 477 £6.67 2 320 148 £4.07
Exercised 58 352 £4.07 1 320 £4.07 — —
Forfeited 35 320 £6.15 69 424 £6.23 23 964 £4.07
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Outstanding at the end of the year 13 093 020 £5.59 5 791 917 £5.64 2 296 184 £4.07
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Options exercisable at the end of the year 13 093 020 £5.59 5 791 917 £5.64 2 296 184 £4.07
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