The Atlas Copco Board of Directors’ proposal for mandatory share redemption
Stockholm, Sweden, January 29, 2015: The Atlas Copco Group, a leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, has generated significant operating cash flows in recent years and the Group’s financial position is strong. Therefore the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting an extra distribution of SEK 6.00 per share through a mandatory redemption of shares.
Without jeopardizing the capacity to finance further growth, the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting a mandatory share redemption procedure, whereby every share is split into one ordinary share and one redemption share. The redemption share is then automatically redeemed at SEK 6.00 per share. Excluding shares currently held by the company this corresponds to a total of MSEK 7 308. Combined with the proposed ordinary dividend of SEK 6.00 per share, shareholders will receive SEK 12.00 per share, which corresponds to MSEK 14.
The redemption is subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting 2015 on the following:
- Share split, through which each existing share, of series A as well as of series B, will be divided into two shares, of which one will be named redemption share.
- Reduction of the share capital for repayment to the shareholders and for transfer to a fund to be used in accordance with the Annual General Meeting’s decision, to the extent that the reduction of the share capital is implemented by way of redemption of shares held by the Company. The reduction will be made by way of redemption of 1 229 613 104 shares, whereby shares of series A and series B will be redeemed in proportion to the number of shares of the respective series issued.
- Increase of the share capital by SEK 393 004 095 by way of a bonus issue, whereby the Company's non-restricted equity is to be made use of.
The proposed preliminary record day for the share split is May 18, 2015. Trading in the redemption shares is estimated to take place on NASDAQ Stockholm on May 19 – June 9, 2015, after which the redemption shares will automatically be redeemed. The payment of the redemption amount is estimated to be made around June 15, 2015.
For more information please contact:
- Mattias Olsson, Vice President Investor Relations +46 8 743 8295 or +46 72 729 8295 ir@se.atlascopco.com
Atlas Copco discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act.
Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and service focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2014, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 94 (BEUR 10.3) and more than 44 000 employees.