Alcon to become a stand alone company

Alcon, the eye care division of Novartis, will hold its first Capital Markets Day for investors and analysts in relation to the previously-announced intention of Novartis to execute a tax-neutral, 100% spinoff of the Alcon business. If the transaction proceeds, shares in Alcon Inc. will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "ALC". Chairman-designate, Mike Ball and CEO, David Endicott, will be joined by other senior management to discuss Alcon's strengths and how the company is positioned to win in the large, attractive and growing eye care devices market, where it is already the global leader. They will present Alcon's vision and strategy, near- and longer-term growth drivers, five-year financial goals and the benefits of Alcon as a standalone company.