BNY Mellon Named as Sponsored Depositary Bank by WH Group Limited

NEW YORK and HONG KONG, Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services,  has been appointed by WH Group Limited as depositary bank for its American depositary receipt (ADR) program, replacing previously unsponsored ADR facilities. Each ADR represents 20 ordinary shares and trades on the U.S. over-the-counter market under the symbol, 'WGHPY.' WH Group's ordinary shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the code, '288 HK.'

WH Group Limited, an international pork company with market share in China, the U.S. and Europe, owns many well-recognized and trusted brands with key segments of the value chain, including packaged meats, fresh pork and hog production. The Group conducts its operations through Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co., Ltd., the animal protein company in Asia, and Smithfield Foods, the U.S. pork company.

"Given WH Group's significant presence in the U.S. through Smithfield Foods, its wholly-owned subsidiary, we believe converting to a sponsored program with BNY Mellon will help us to further enhance our brand and visibility and diversify our shareholder base in the long term," said Wan Long, chairman of the board and CEO, WH Group Limited.

"We look forward to providing a broad range of expertise to help WH Group enhance their ADR program for U.S. investors," said Christopher M. Kearns, CEO of BNY Mellon's Depositary Receipts business.

WH Group is among a number of international companies to convert from an unsponsored to a sponsored depositary receipt program, which can add value in terms of enhanced visibility, liquidity, and other benefits from being serviced by a single depositary bank. Over the last three years, 20 companies from a dozen countries have switched to sponsored DR programs with BNY Mellon.[1]

BNY Mellon acts as depositary for more than 2,600 American and global depositary receipt programs as of Sept. 30, 2016. Acting in partnership with leading companies from over 65 countries, BNY Mellon is committed to helping securities issuers access the world's rapidly evolving financial markets and delivers a comprehensive suite of depositary receipt services. Learn more at www.bnymellon.com/dr.

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of September 30, 2016, BNY Mellon had $30.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.72 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation BK. Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news.

*All company information per WH Group Limited.

This release is for informational purposes only. BNY Mellon provides no advice nor recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company or securities. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Depositary Receipts: Not FDIC, State or Federal Agency Insured; May Lose Value; No Bank, State or Federal Agency Guarantee. BNY Mellon provides no advice nor recommendations or endorsement with respect to any company, security or products based on any index licensed by BNY Mellon, and we make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the same.

[1] Source: BNY Mellon, www.bnymellon.com/dr

Contact:
Frank Pinto   
+1 917-309-1065
frank.pinto@bnymellon.com   

Karen Khaw
+852 6390 5165
karen.khaw@bnymellon.com

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SOURCE BNY Mellon