Cash Dividend or Return of Capital
As announced on 6 February 2013, shareholders are advised that the board of the company has declared a final distribution of 12.05 euro cents per share in respect of the six months ended 31 December 2012 and that the board has resolved to offer to shareholders the election to receive a return of capital by way of an issue of 2.774 new NEPI shares for every 100 NEPI shares held on the relevant record date, being Thursday, 28 March 2013 (“return of capital”) at an issue price of €4.43 per share or a cash dividend of 12.05 Euro cents per share (“cash dividend”). A cash dividend will be paid to shareholders unless shareholders elect to receive a return of capital.
The rationale for the return of capital is to afford shareholders the opportunity to increase their shareholding in NEPI and to retain flexibility with regard to the company’s cash resources.
The cash dividend will be paid out of the company’s distributable profits. The new NEPI shares to be issued pursuant to the return of capital will be funded by way of a reduction of capital.
As at the date of this announcement, the company had 144 362 152 ordinary shares of €0.01 each in issue. A circular to NEPI shareholders in respect of the election being offered to NEPI shareholders to receive either the cash dividend or the return of capital, together with an election form, will be posted to shareholders today, Friday, 1 March 2013 and is available on the company’s website at www.nepinvest.com.
Salient Dates and Times
FOR SHAREHOLDERS ON THE SA SHARE REGISTER
Announcement of Euro to Rand conversion rate released on SENS on or before | Wednesday, 13 March 2013 |
Last day to trade in order to be eligible for the cash dividend or alternatively the return of capital on | Wednesday, 20 March 2013 |
Shares commence trading “ex” the cash dividend or return of capital on | Friday, 22 March 2013 |
Record date for shareholders recorded on the SA share register | Thursday, 28 March 2013 |
Closing date for receipt of completed election forms by no later than 12:00 on | Thursday, 28 March 2013 |
Share certificates posted and dividend payments made, CSDP/broker accounts credited/updated and new NEPI shares listed on the JSE on | Monday, 8 April 2013 |
Announcement on SENS of the amount of new NEPI shares issued on | Monday, 8 April 2013 |
Notes
- All dates and times quoted above are local dates and times in South Africa. The above dates and times are subject to change. Any changes will be released on SENS and published in the press.
- Dematerialised shareholders should note that new NEPI shares should not be traded until the new NEPI shares reflect in their
- Accounts with their CSDP or broker.
- Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Friday, 22 March 2013 and Thursday, 28 March 2013 both days inclusive, nor may transfers of shares between sub-registers in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Romania take place between Friday, 22 March 2013 and Monday, 8 April 2013 both days inclusive.
- Shareholders on the SA share register will receive a cash dividend in South African Rand, based on the exchange rate to be obtained by the company on or before Wednesday, 13 March 2013. A further announcement in this respect will be made on or before Wednesday, 13 March 2013.
FOR SHAREHOLDERS ON THE UK SHARE REGISTER
Last day to trade in order to be eligible for the cash dividend or alternatively the return of capital on | Monday, 25 March 2013 |
Shares commence trading “ex” the cash dividend or return of capital on | Tuesday, 26 March 2013 |
Record date for shareholders recorded on the UK share register | Thursday, 28 March 2013 |
Closing date for receipt of completed election forms by no later than 12:00 on | Thursday, 28 March 2013 |
Share certificates posted and dividend payments made, CREST accounts credited/updated and new NEPI shares listed on AIM on | Monday, 8 April 2013 |
Announcement on RNS of the amount of new NEPI shares issued on | Monday, 8 April 2013 |
Notes
- All dates and times quoted above are local dates and times in the United Kingdom. The above dates and times are subject to change. Any changes will be released on RNS.
- Uncertificated shareholders should note that new NEPI shares should not be traded until the new NEPI shares reflect in their accounts with their CREST provider or broker.
- Share certificates may not be uncertificated or recertificated, nor may transfers of shares between sub-registers in the United Kingdom and Romania take place between Friday, 22 March 2013 and Monday, 8 April 2013 both days inclusive.
FOR SHAREHOLDERS REGISTERED IN ROMANIA
Last day to trade in order to be eligible for the cash dividend or alternatively the return of capital on | Monday, 25 March 2013 |
Shares commence trading “ex” the cash dividend or return of capital on | Tuesday, 26 March 2013 |
Romanian record date | Thursday, 28 March 2013 |
Last date when the shareholders registered in Romania who/which elect to receive the return of capital should complete the election form and submit it to NEPI, this being the closing date for receipt of completed election forms by no later than 12:00 on | Thursday, 28 March 2013 |
Dividend paid and/or broker share accounts updated and new NEPI shares listed on the BVB on | Monday, 8 April 2013 |
Announcement on the BVB of the amount of new NEPI issued on | Monday, 8 April 2013 |
Notes
- All dates and times quoted above are local dates and times in Romania. The above dates and times are subject to change. Any changes with be released on the BVB.
- Dematerialised shareholders should note that new NEPI shares should not be traded until the new NEPI shares reflect in their accounts with their CSDP or broker.
- Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised, nor may transfer of shares between the sub-registers in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Romania take place between Friday, 22 March 2013 and Monday, 8 April 2013 both days inclusive.
Tax Implications
SA RESIDENT SHAREHOLDERS
The receipt of the cash dividend or electing to receive the return of capital may have tax implications for shareholders.
For those South African resident shareholders receiving the cash dividend, such amount will be regarded as a foreign dividend and may be subject to South African dividends tax at a rate of 15%, unless an exemption as set out in the South African Income Tax legislation applies.
The receipt of new NEPI shares by South African resident shareholders should not be classified as a dividend or a foreign dividend for South African tax purposes and accordingly South African dividends tax should not be levied on the new NEPI shares. However, the legislation in this regard is complex and its implementation is currently uncertain. Accordingly, shareholders should seek independent professional tax advice.
NEPI shareholders are advised to consult their professional advisors regarding the tax consequences of the cash dividend and the return of capital or should they be in any doubt as to the appropriate action to take.
In terms of the JSE Listings Requirements regarding the dividends tax, the following additional information is disclosed:
- As the company is not a South African registered company, it does not have any STC credits.
- There is no withholding tax payable in the Isle of Man.
SHAREHOLDERS RESIDING OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA
The receipt of the cash dividend or electing to receive the return of capital may have tax implications for shareholders who are resident in the United Kingdom, Romania or other countries and such shareholders are advised to obtain appropriate advice from their professional advisors in this regard.