| Corporate governance |
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MOL has always been committed to implementing the highest standards of corporate governance structures and practices. This is not only with regard to national expectations but also with reference to the continually evolving and improving standards of good governance on an international level. As a result MOL is geared towards shareholders’ interests, whilst taking into account the interests of a broader group of stakeholders inevitably necessary to enhance the generation of exceptional value for MOL’s shareholders and people.
Among other things, the voluntary approval of the declaration on the Budapest Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Recommendations by the Annual General Meeting in 2006, before the official deadline, served as testament to the Company’s commitment to corporate governance. In addition, MOL made a declaration concerning the application of the corporate governance recommendations of the Warsaw Stock Exchange prior to the admission of its shares to the Warsaw Stock Exchange in December 2004. The Company submits its declaration on this topic to both stock exchanges each year.
MOL’s corporate governance practice meets the requirements of the regulations of the Budapest Stock Exchange, the recommendations of the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority and the relevant regulations of the Capital Market Act. MOL also subjects its policies to regular review to ensure that they take account of continually evolving international best practice in this area. MOL’s Corporate Governance Code containing the main corporate governance principles of the Company has been adopted in 2006 and has been updated in 2010. This Code summarises its approach to shareholders’ rights, main governing bodies, remuneration and ethical issues. The Corporate Governance Code has been published on the homepage of the Company.
In 2011, MOL Group, the only Central & East European company to be in the running, has qualified for the SAM Gold Class based on its performance in the field of corporate sustainability. This was announced in The Sustainability Yearbook edited by SAM (Sustainable Asset Management) which conducts the performance research and analysis for the Dow Jones Sustainable Index. The 2,500 largest global companies, based on the Dow Jones Stock Market Index, are invited to undergo the research. The independent assessors examine the three dimensions of sustainability: long-term economic, social and environmental performance. Accordingly, the top 15% of companies from 58 business sectors are selected to appear in the Yearbook. MOL Group received the Bronze qualification in the last year, as well as being selected as the best “Sector Mover”. All the good work performed last year enabled the company to enter the SAM Gold Class category. To qualify for the SAM Gold Class, the SAM Sector Leader must achieve a minimum total score of 75%. Peer group companies whose total scores are within 5% of the SAM Sector Leader also enter the SAM Gold Class. This year out of 113 global oil companies, 68 were examined in detail with 17 being selected to appear in the Yearbook of which 8 entered the Golden Class category. According to SAM’s assessment, the Corporate Governance practice of MOL is outstanding, and its result is above the industry average. The evaluation criteria consisted several topics, e.g. board structure, corporate governance policies or transparency.
MOL’s Board of Directors acts as the highest managing body of the Company and as such has collective responsibility for all corporate operations. The Board’s key activities are focused on achieving increasing shareholder value with considerations onto other stakeholders’ interest; improving efficiency and profitability and ensuring transparency in corporate activities and sustainable operation. It also aims to ensure appropriate risk management, environmental protection and conditions for safety at work.
Given that MOL and its subsidiaries effectively operate as a single unit, the Board is also responsible for enforcing its aims and policies and for promoting the MOL culture throughout the entire Group.
The principles, policies and goals take account of the Board’s specific and unique relationship with MOL’s shareholders, the executive management and the Company. The composition of the Board reflects this with the majority (eight of eleven members) made up of non-executive directors*. At present, 8 members of the Board of Directors qualify as independent on the basis of its own set of criteria (based on NYSE and EU recommendations) and the declaration of directors.
The members of the Board of Directors and their independence status (professional CVs of the members are available on corporate homepage):
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Zsolt Hernádi, Chairman-CEO
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non-independent
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Dr. Sándor Csányi, Vice Chairman
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independent
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Mulham Al-Jarf
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independent
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Dr. Miklós Dobák
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independent
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Dr. Gábor Horváth
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independent
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Zsigmond Járai*
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independent
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József Molnár
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non-independent
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György Mosonyi
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non-independent
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Dr. László Parragh*
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independent
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Iain Paterson
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independent
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Dr. Martin Roman*
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independent
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* Before Zsigmond Járai, Dr. László Parragh and Dr. Martin Roman, until 29 April 2010 László Akar, Miklós Kamarás and Dr. Ernő Kemenes were the members of the Board of Directors.
The Board acts and makes resolutions as a collective body.
The Board adopted a set of rules (Charter) to govern its own activities when the company was founded in 1991; these rules were updated in October, 2010 to ensure continued adherence to best practice standards.
The Board Charter covers:
Members of the Board have signed a declaration on conflict of interest and they have reported their position as director in the Board to their employer or principal as regards other key management positions.
The Board of Directors prepares a formal evaluation of its own performance (the Committees evaluate their performance as well) and it reviews continuously its activity on a yearly basis.
In 2010, the Board of Directors held 6 meetings with an average attendance rate of 86%. Alongside regular agenda items, such as reports by the Committees’ chairmen on the activities pursued since the last Board meeting, update on key strategic issues or an overview of capital market developments, the Board of Directors also individually evaluates the performance of each of the company’s business units.
The Board of Directors respectively paid highlighted attention to the treatment of the significantly changed external environment, the financial, operation and efficiency improvement challenges regarding INA consolidation and the strategy update process. MOL continuously adjusts its operation to the external environment and became more international, more efficient and more upstream driven in the recent years. MOL not just remained committed to keep its financial stability but continued the key development projects, hereby established an outstanding position for the upturn period in each business division.
The Company’s key task for the coming years is to maximize the value of its extended portfolio by harmonizing the operation and exploiting the synergies.
The Board operates committees to increase the efficiency of the Board’s operations, and to provide the appropriate professional background for decision making. These Committees have the right to approve preliminary resolutions concerning issues specified in the Decisionmaking and Authorities List, which sets out the division of authority and responsibility between the Board and the executive management.
The members and chairs of the Committees are elected by the Board of Directors. The majority of the committee members is non-executive and independent.
The Board allocates responsibilities to the various Committees as follows:
Members and dates of appointment (professional backgrounds of members are available on company homepage):
Responsibilities:
Members and dates of appointment (professional backgrounds of members are available on company homepage):
Responsibilities:
Members and dates of appointment (professional backgrounds of members are available on company homepage):
Responsibilities:
In 2010, the Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee held 6 meetings with a 85% average attendance rate. In addition to the issues of corporate governance, remuneration and the composition of the management, the Committee discussed a number of key strategic and results-related topics prior to their presentation to the Board of Directors for discussion.
In 2010, the Finance and Risk Management Committee held 5 meetings with a 100% average attendance rate. In addition to the regular items on the agenda, including the audit of all public financial reports, providing assistance with the auditor’s work and the regular monitoring of internal audit, the Committee reviewed the major risk factors of the Company, considering the changed international financial position and the status reports on risk management actions attached to these factors. The Committee provides for duties of Slovnaft a.s Audit Committee.
In 2010, the Sustainable Development Committee held 4 meetings with a 100% attendance rate. The Committee evaluated the accomplishment of the actions in 2010, formed opinion on sustainability reporting and decided on 2011 directions and targets. The Committee considered with highlighted attention the results of the assessment related to the Dow Jones Sustainability indexes and the sustainability performance reports of business units.
The governance of the Company is carried out in line with standardised corporate governance principles and practice, and, within its framework, the Board of Directors will meet its liabilities for the integrated corporate governance by defining the responsibilities and accountabilities of the Executive Board, established by the Board and securing the corporate operative activities, operating and organisational procedures, as well as standardised system for target-setting, reporting and audit (performance control system and business control system).
A consistent document prescribes the distribution of decision-making authorities between the Board of Directors and the company’s organisations, defining the key control points required for efficiently developing and operating MOL Group processes.
Control and management of MOL Group will be implemented through business and functional organisations. The Executive Board (hereinafter “EB”) will be responsible for harmonising their activities.
The EB is a forum for decision preparation and its role is to provide a direct link between the Board of Directors and the Company’s staff and at the same time canalize the matters submitted to the full Board. The EB renders preliminary opinions and advises the Board members on certain proposals submitted to the full Board, the EB is also responsible for the oversight of the execution of the Board’s resolutions.
On the EB meetings each member has an obligation to express their opinion, on the basis of which final decision is made by the Chairman-CEO. In case of a difference of opinion between the Chairman-CEO, GCEO or GCFO, the decision shall be made by the Board of Directors.
The Executive Board (EB) members are:
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Zsolt Hernádi
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Chairman-CEO (C-CEO)
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György Mosonyi
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Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)
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József Molnár
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Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO)
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Zoltán Áldott
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Executive Vice President, Exploration and Production,
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| President of the Management Board, INA d.d. | |
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Ferenc Horváth
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Executive Vice President, Refining and Marketing
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József Simola
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Executive Vice President, Corporate Centre
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| Oszkár Világi * | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Slovnaft a.s. |
* From 1st April, 2010.
In 2010, the Executive Board held 46 meetings and discussed 11 issues on a meeting on average.
To ensure uniformity and transparency, in addition to fixed remuneration, MOL operates an incentive scheme for directors, which supports commitment of the participants and by taking the Company’s profitability into consideration can ensure that the interests of the participants in the compensation program can coincide with those of the shareholders.
The basis of the effective incentive scheme for directors was approved by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23rd April 2008.
- Profit sharing incentive system (based on value added methodology):
From January 2009, the incentive system changed from convertible bond program to a value added, profit sharing incentive system. The annual incentive of the Board Members will be determined according to an economic value added methodology. The Economic Value Added will recognize performance as a result on top of the cost of capital invested.
The incentive will consist of two parts: an absolute part (recognizing the performance only of the given year) and an incremental part (recognizing the performance of the given year compared to the average of the previous years).
The profit sharing based incentive system supports the commitment of the participants, thus the methodology will reward the Board Members for increasing shareholder value on long-term and as a sustainable improvement.
The new incentive system applies to non-executive and executive Board members as well.
- Fixed remuneration:
In addition to the Profit sharing incentive as of 1st January 2009, directors are provided with the following fixed net remuneration, following each AGM:
Directors 25,000 EUR/year
Chairmen of the Committes* 31,250 EUR/year
Directors who are not Hungarian citizens and do not have a permanent address in Hungary are provided with gross 1,500 EUR for each Board meeting (maximum 15 times) they travel to Hungary for.
The incentive system for the top management in 2009 included the following elements:
1. Incentive (bonus)
The maximum bonus amount is 40-100% of the annual base salary, paid in cash on the basis of the evaluation following the AGM. The elements of the incentive system include:
a) Corporate and division level key financial and non financial indicators (e.g. ROACE, operating cash-flow, lost time injury frequency, CAPEX efficiency, unit production, processing, operating, logistics costs, etc.).
b) Particular individual targets related to the responsibilities of the particular manager in the given year.
2. Relative performance incentive
The basis of the relative incentive is 10% of the annual base wage, and is determined on the basis of rank of manager-specific performance ratings.
3. Complex long term managerial incentive system
The complex long term managerial system which changes and supplements the previous, solely stock option based system, has been implemented uniformly in the Company (Group) as of 1st January 2010.
Purpose of the new incentive system is the implementation of a new and outstanding, long-term incentive system for top managers which corresponds to the incentive system of the members of the Board of Directors and keeps management’s long term interest in the increase of the MOL stock price.
Two incentives employed parallel in the new system:
50% Incentive based on option + 50% Profit-sharing incentive
Main characteristics of the two incentives:
a) Incentive stock option
Purpose of the incentive: to create the long-term interest of MOL Group management in the increase of MOL stock price. The incentive stock option is a material incentive disbursed in cash, calculated based on call options concerning MOL shares; it is determined as a gross benefit. Cycle time: 5 year periods (2 year long waiting period and 3 year long redemption period) starting annually.
b) Profit sharing incentive
The Profit-sharing incentive incites the long-term, sustainable increase of profitability, based on the value added methodology, thus ensuring that the interest of the participants of the incentive system corresponds with that of shareholders of MOL Plc . The Profit-sharing incentive is a cash-paid annual net bonus calculated on the basis of the increase of the value added. (Value added: recognises a profit performance generated on top of the cost of capital invested).
Since the base of the determination of one unit of the profit-sharing incentive for the given year is the audited financial statement for the given year approved by the AGM (MOL Plc.), the incentive should be disbursed following the AGM (MOL Plc.) summoned to close the given year .
These include company cars (also used for private purposes), life insurance, accident insurance, travel insurance, liability insurance, and an annual medical check up.
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Dr. Mihály Kupa, Chairman
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independent
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Lajos Benedek
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non-independent (employee representative)
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John I. Charody
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independent
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Dr. Attila Chikán, Deputy Chairman
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independent
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Slavomír Hatina
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independent
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Attila Juhász
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non-independent (employee representative)
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Sándor Lámfalussy Prof
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independent
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| József Kohán | non-independent (employee representative) |
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István Töröcskei *
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independent
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* Before István Töröcskei, until 29 April 2010 István Vásárhelyi was the member of the Supervisory Board.
The chairman of the Supervisory Board will be the permanent invitee to the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Finance and Risk Management Committee.
Regular agenda points of the Supervisory Board include the quarterly report of the Board of Directors on company’s operations and the reports of Internal Audit and Corporate Security. In addition, the Supervisory Board reviews the proposals for the Annual General Meeting. The Supervisory Board reviews its annual activity during the year.
In 2010 the Supervisory Board held 5 meetings with an 83% attendance rate.
The General Meeting held on April 27, 2005 approved a new remuneration scheme for the Supervisory Board. Under the new scheme, the members of the Supervisory Board receive remuneration of EUR 3,000/month, while the Chairman of the Supervisory Board receives remuneration of EUR 4,000/month. In addition to this monthly fee, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board is entitled to receive EUR 1,500 for participation in each Board of Directors or Board Committee meeting, up to 15 times per annum.
In 2006, the general meeting appointed the Audit Committee comprised of independent members of the Supervisory Board. The Audit Committee strengthens the independent control over the financial and accounting policy of the Company. The independent Audit Committee’s responsibilities include the following activities among others:
Members of the Audit Committee and dates of appointment (professional backgrounds of members are available on company homepage):
and in case of long-term incapacitation of any of the permanent members, Sándor Lámfalussy Prof.
In 2010, the Audit Committee held 5 meetings with an 87% average attendance rate. In addition to the regular items on the agenda, including the audit of all public financial reports, providing assistance with the auditor’s work and the regular monitoring of Internal Audit, the Committee reviewed the major risk factors of the Company, considering the changed international financial position and the status reports on risk management actions attached to these factors. The Committee continuously monitored the Company’s financial position in particular with regard to the impacts caused by the crisis. The Committee reviewed the materials of the Annual General Meeting (i.e. financial reports, statements of the Auditor).
The MOL Group was audited by Ernst & Young in both 2010 and 2009, excluding INA Group and Energopetrol (audited by Deloitte in both years) and the operating company of the Fedorovsky Block and (audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, in both years). Within the framework of the audit contract, Ernst & Young performs an audit of statutory financial statements, including interim financial statements of MOL Plc. prepared in accordance with Law C of 2000 on Accounting and the consolidated annual financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS, formerly IAS). Audits of the above mentioned financial statements are carried out in accordance with the Hungarian National Standards on Auditing, the International Standards on Auditing (ISA), the provisions of Accounting Law and other relevant regulations. The auditors ensure the continuity of the audit by scheduling regular on-site reviews during the year, participating in the meetings of MOL’s governing bodies and through other forms of consultation. The auditors also review the stock exchange reports issued quarterly; however they do not perform an audit of or issue any opinion on such reports.
Ernst & Young also provided other services to MOL Plc. Summary of the fees paid to the auditors in 2010 and 2009 are as follows (HUF mn):
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2010
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2009
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Audit fee for MOL plc (including audit fee for interim financial statements)
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156
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156
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Audit fee for subsidiaries
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427
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425
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Other non-audit services
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73
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10
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Tax advisory services
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90
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40
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Total
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746 |
631
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Other non-audit services in 2010 included primarily the comfort letter issued with respect to the issuance of MOL’s EUR 750M bond and various due diligence and valuation services. The Board of Directors does not believe that non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young compromised their independence as auditors.
The Board is aware of its commitment to represent and promote shareholders’ interests, and recognises that it is fully accountable for the performance and activities of the MOL Group. To help ensure that the Company can meet shareholders’ expectations in all areas, the Board continually analyses and evaluates developments, both in the broader external environment as well as at an operational level.
Formal channels of communication with shareholders include the Annual Report and Accounts and the quarterly results reports, as well as other public announcements made through the Budapest Stock Exchange (primary exchange) and the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Regular and extraordinary announcements are published on PSZÁF (Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority) publication site and on MOL’s homepage. In addition, presentations on the business, its performance and strategy are given to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. Regular Roadshow visits are also made to various cities in the UK, the US and Continental Europe where meetings are held with representatives of the investment community, including MOL shareholders and holders of MOL’s Global Depository Receipts. Furthermore, investors are able to raise questions or make proposals at any time during the year, including the Company’s General Meeting. Investor feedbacks are regularly reported to the Board of Directors.
In 2010 MOL participated in 8 roadshows and investor conferences (3 US and 5 European) having over 220 meetings with potential and existing shareholders. A 2 day Investor and Analyst day was organised in Croatia (Pula), where our key financial investors and analysts participated. 8 top managers hold presentations on MOL Group’s growth opportunities focusing on the key projects of upstream and downstream divisions. An offshore platform visit to an exploration and a production platform were organised for the participants as well. In 2010, MOL issued EUR 750 million fixed rate note and participated on a European roadshow afterwards.
MOL has an Investor Relations department which is responsible for the organisation of the above activities as well as for the day-to-day management of MOL’s relationship with its shareholders (contact details are provided in the “Shareholder Information” section at the end of Annual report). Extensive information is also made available on MOL’s website (www.mol.hu), which has a dedicated section for shareholders and the financial community.
MOL Group is committed to the fair marketing of publicly-traded securities. Insider dealing in securities is regarded as a criminal offence in most of the countries in which we carry out business. Therefore, we require not only full compliance with relevant laws, but also the avoidance of even the appearance of insider securities trading and consultancy.
MOL Group requests from its employees, in line with the laws and MOL’s insider trading regulation, that they: