EANS-Adhoc: Software AG
Software AG plans dividend increase and share split
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ad-hoc disclosure pursuant to section 15 of the WpHG transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend & Share Split
11.03.2011
Darmstadt, Germany, March 11, 2011 - Software AG´s executive board and supervisory board will recommend a 2010 dividend payment of EUR1.30 per share (previous year: EUR1.15) at the Annual Shareholders´ Meeting on May 5, 2011. Treasury shares are not entitled to a dividend. This should result in total a pay-out of EUR37.0 million (2009: EUR32.6 million) based on the current number of 28.4 million shares entitled to a dividend. Furthermore, the executive board and supervisory board will recommend a reclassification of the equity capital by a share split in the ratio of 1:3.
For fiscal year 2010, Software AG reported a revenue increase of 32 percent, earnings up by 25 percent and a free cash flow increase of 16 percent. This pleasing growth in net income and cash flow has allowed the company to again increase its dividend while simultaneously reducing its net debt position.
The dividend of EUR1.30 per share for fiscal 2010 is consistent with the sustainable growth strategy of Software AG. This includes a continuous dividend policy in line with the development of net income and cash flow on one hand and the financing of acquisitions through cash, in order to increase the earnings per share, on the other.
In addition, the executive board and supervisory board will submit a share split, in the ratio of 1:3, for approval at the Annual Shareholders´ Meeting. Thereby, shareholders will receive three shares for each current Software AG share. The percentage of individual ownership in Software AG does not change. As a result of a share split in the ratio of 1:3, the equity capital of the company is reclassified to a total of 86,148,183 bearer shares. Accordingly, three non-par shares with a pro-rata portion of the equity capital of EUR1 will replace one non-par share with a pro-rata portion of the equity capital of EUR3.
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Otmar F. Winzig
SVP Investor Relations & Compliance
Tel.: +49 (0) 6151 92-1669
E-Mail: otmar.winzig@softwareag.com
Branche: Software
ISIN: DE0003304002
WKN: 330400
Index: TecDAX, CDAX, HDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / official dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
Hannover / free trade