Nestle, the world’s largest food company, has had no talks about the possible sale of its stake in US-based eyecare firm Alcon, according to Peter Brabeck, chief executive officer of Nestle.
“It is our duty to constantly look at, and review, our financial assets. But there have been no discussions on the future of Alcon,” Brabeck was quoted as saying.
Last week, Nestle’s Chief Financial Officer Paul Polman said Alcon was no longer viewed as having the same strategic importance for the group, and that the stake was increasingly viewed as financial, not strategic. However, Brabeck told the Financial Times that the stake remained “strategic”.
Polman is widely tipped to be named as Brabeck’s replacement as CEO, in September.
Nestle owns a 77.55 per cent stake in Alcon, according to Reuters data. Alcon has a market value of $41 billion.
