ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅

SHAREHOLDER FAQΜύΜύΜύ

Can I purchase stock directly from ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅?

ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ does not have a direct purchase plan. Please contact your stockbroker to purchase ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ shares.

Does ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ have a dividend reinvestment program?

Yes. The ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Dividend Reinvestment Program offers registered shareholders the opportunity to purchase additional shares, commission-free, through automatic dividend reinvestment and/or optional cash investments. Interested persons may contact ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s transfer agent, Computershare, at (888) 332-2268.

To join this plan, you must hold at least one share registered in your name. Since ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ does not offer a direct purchase plan, you must contact a stockbroker to purchase your initial share(s). If your broker holds your shares in street name, you are not eligible to join ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s dividend reinvestment plan until you have the shares transferred into your name. Contact your broker to request such a transfer.

For registered shareholders only, cash purchases can be made through this plan.

Click here for more details on theΜύ.Μύ

How often are ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s dividends paid? Can I have my dividends direct-deposited?

If the Board of Directors decide and approve of a dividend payout, dividends are paid quarterly on Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15 to shareholders of record who own stock approximately 30 days before these pay dates.

Shareholders may have quarterly dividends deposited directly into a checking or savings account at any financial institution that participates in the Automated Clearing House system. Interested persons may contact ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s transfer agent, Computershare, at (888) 332-2268.

Who is ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s transfer agent? What does a transfer agent do?

If the Board of Directors decide and approve of a dividend payout, dividends are paid quarterly on Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15 to shareholders of record who own stock approximately 30 days before these pay dates.

Shareholders may have quarterly dividends deposited directly into a checking or savings account at any financial institution that participates in the Automated Clearing House system. Interested persons may contact ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s transfer agent, Computershare, at (888) 332-2268.

What is the difference between a registered shareholder and a street-name shareholder?

You are a registered shareholder if you receive a dividend check directly from the issuing company. If your broker holds your shares in an account for you and receives dividends on your behalf, your shares are in street name.

When is your annual meeting?

ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s annual meeting is typically held on the Friday of the last full week of April at ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s corporate headquarters in ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Park, Illinois.

When is ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅'s next earnings announcement?

ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅'s earnings announcements are held in January, April, July and October. To receive information on when the announcement has been scheduled, please sign up for theΜύ.Μύ

How can I order a copy of your Annual Report?

You may view ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s most recentΜύΜύonline.ΜύTo order a printed copy of the report, call ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s Investor Newsline at (224) 667-7300 orΜύ.Μύ

Whom can I contact if I have questions or need more information?

Shareholders with questions about their accounts may contact the transfer agent, Computershare, at (888) 332-2268.

Individuals who would like more information about ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s business activities may call ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣơ’s Investor Newsline at (224) 667-7300 or ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Investor Relations at (224) 667-8945.

ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅
100 ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Park Road
ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Park, IL 60064-6400 U.S.A.
(224) 667-6100

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Co., NA
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
(888) 332-2268 (toll free)

Does ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ offer the Direct Registration System (DRS) for its shares?

Effective August 15, 2008, ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ began using the Direct Registration system (DRS) for its shares, a paperless form of stock ownership commonly referred to as β€œbook entry” that allows your shares to be held in your name and tracked electronically. You retain full ownership of your shares without having to hold a paper stock certificate.

Shares held in book entry have all the traditional rights and privileges as shares held in certificate form. Furthermore, by keeping your shares in book entry, you do not have to worry about protecting your stock certificates from loss, theft or destruction. Book entry ownership also allows for electronic shares transactions, such as ownership transfers, sales and moving shares to or from a broker.


If you have any questions, please contact Computershare at:



Computershare Trust Co., NA
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
(888) 332-2268 (toll free)

How do I obtain a copy of the Illinois Tax Subtraction Letter?

For those years that ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ is designated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as a β€œHigh Impact Business”, dividends received by Illinois residents are eligible for the subtraction modification treatment for their Illinois base income. The current year letter can be found in theΜύΜύ±θ²Ή²΅±π.


Note: This letter only applies to β€œregistered” shareholders, who are Illinois residents.

Where can I find additional information on the St. Jude Medical transaction?

Click hereΜύfor details on the St. Jude Medical transaction.

Escheatment – is your property at risk?

EscheatmentΜύis the processΜύof identifying shareholder accounts that are considered abandoned and remitting the assets to the appropriate state authority.

To ensure your ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ stock and/or uncashed dividend checks do not get turned over to the state as abandoned property, please contact Computershare, or your outside brokerage firm(s), on an annual basis via phone, in writing, and/or by signing into your on-line account(s).ΜύΜύ

Cashing all dividend checks and voting your Proxy shares will also keep your account active and keep your assets from being escheated.

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