EANS-News: Software AG Software AG emphasizes dividend continuity
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Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
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Dividend Announcements/Distribution
Darmstadt (euro adhoc) - Darmstadt, Germany, March 20, 2013 - Software AG's
(FRA: SOW) Executive Board and Supervisory Board will recommend paying out a
dividend of EUR0.46 per share for fiscal year 2012 at the Annual Shareholders'
Meeting on May 3, 2013. This dividend would equal that of the previous record
year (prev. year: EUR0.46). On the basis of outstanding shares, this would
increase the payout ratio compared to Group net income 2012 (EUR164.7 million)
to 24% (prev. year 22%).
Software AG's dividend policy is aligned with the company's long-term growth.
Software AG sets its dividend payment on the development of net income and free
cash flow on the one hand and the company's financial requirements for continued
growth on the other. Since fiscal year 2012, Software AG's strategy has focused
heavily on growth in the BPE division. Therefore, the company will invest in the
global expansion of sales and marketing. Despite this investment program focused
on long-term growth - which will, as already announced, burden profit in the
current fiscal year - Software AG's Executive Board and Supervisory Board
recommend a dividend equal to that of the previous record year. In addition to
investing in growth, the objective is to allow shareholders to participate in
Software AG's high profitability with a continued dividend.
In addition to the proposed dividend, Executive Board and Supervisory Board
decided already in February 2013 to initiate a stock-buyback program of up to
EUR180 million. Approximately 1.7 million shares have been acquired as of March
18, 2013. Shares held by the company are not entitled to a dividend payment and
serve to reduce the dividend payout. The proposed dividend of EUR0.46 per share
is not affected by this.
Further inquiry note:
Barbara Kögler
Senior Vice President Corporate Communications
E-Mail: barbara.koegler@softwareag.com
Tel: +49 (0)6151 92 1574
Paul Hughes
Director Media Relations
E-Mail: paul.hughes@softwareag.com
Tel: +49 (0)6151 92 1787
end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: Software AG
Uhlandstr. 12
D-64297 Darmstadt
phone: +49 (0)6151 92 1899
FAX: +49 (0) 6151 92 1933
mail: investor.relations@softwareag.com
WWW: http://www.softwareag.com
sector: Software
ISIN: DE0003304002
indexes: TecDAX, CDAX, HDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share
stockmarkets: free trade: Hannover, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart,
regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English