…declares interim dividend of 2.5 cents per share
BY KENNETH EZE
Seplat Energy Plc recorded an impressive H1 2021 scorecard with profit before deferred tax of $62.1million, representing an increase of 142.7 per cent as against H1 2020.
Highlights of the company’s financials further show that revenue went up 32 per cent to $308.8m in H1 2021, from $233.5m in H1 2020; while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization stood at of $178.9m; cash generated from operations ($125.8m); cash at bank ($298.8m) and net debt of $456.4m.
For the half year period, Seplat pronounced an interim dividend at a rate of $2.5 cents per ordinary share, subject to withholding tax, to be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the register of members as at the close of business on August 12, 2021 for the NGX, while on the London Stock Exchange, the associated record date will be August 12, 2021 and the Ex-Dividend date will be August 11, 2021.
The Point gathered that to enable Seplat’s Registrar, Datamax Registrars Limited, prepare for the payment of the interim dividend, the register of shareholders will be closed on August 13, 2021.
Seplat said in the corporate action announcement signed by its Chief Financial Officer, Emeka Onwuka, that the exchange rate for the Naira or Pounds Sterling amounts payable to shareholders would be determined by reference to the relevant exchange rates applicable to the US$ on August 11, which would be communicated by the company on August 12.
The statement also disclosed that on or around September 13, 2021, the interim dividend would be paid electronically to shareholders who have completed the e-dividend registration and mandated the Registrar to pay their interim dividend directly into their bank accounts.
However, shareholders holding their shares on the NGX without a valid Nigerian certificate for capital importation would be paid their dividends in Naira as the default currency, while those holding their shares on the NGX with a valid CCI would be paid their dividends in US dollars as the default currency.
The company stated, “Evidence of the CCI must be provided to Datamax Registrars Limited; and shareholders holding their shares through depository interests on the London Stock Exchange will be paid their dividend in US dollars as the default currency.
“However, those shareholders may instead elect to receive their entire dividend payment in pounds sterling. Partial elections are not permissible.
“Shareholders who have a dividend currency option, must make the election to the Company’s Registrars by August 27, 2021, otherwise the dividend will be paid in the default currency.”
