THE HAGUE, The Netherlands,
May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
The Board of Royal Dutch Shell plc ("RDS") (NYSE: RDS.A) (NYSE:
RDS.B) today announced the Reference Share Price in respect of the
first quarter interim dividend of 2013, which was announced on
May 2nd, 2013 at $0.45 per A ordinary share ("A Share") and B
ordinary share ("B Share") and $0.90
per American Depository Share ("ADS").
Reference Share Price
The Reference Share price is used for calculating a
Participating Shareholder's entitlement under the Scrip Dividend
Programme, as defined below.
Q1 2013
Reference Share price (US$) 33.944
The Reference Share Price is the US dollar equivalent of the
average of the closing price for the Company's A Shares listed on
Euronext Amsterdam for the five dealing days commencing on (and
including) the date on which the Shares are first quoted
ex-dividend in respect of the relevant dividend.
The Reference Share Price is calculated by reference to the
Euronext Amsterdam closing price in euro. The US dollar equivalent
of the closing price on each of the dealing days referred to above
is calculated using a market currency exchange rate prevailing at
the time.
Reference ADS Price
ADS stands for "American Depositary Share". ADR stands for
"American Depositary Receipt". An ADR is a certificate that
evidences ADSs (though the terms ADR and ADS are often used
interchangeably). ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the
symbols RDS.A and RDS.B. Each ADS represents two ordinary
shares, two ordinary A Shares in the case of RDS.A or two ordinary
B Shares in the case of RDS.B.
Q1 2013
Reference ADS price (US$) 67.888
The Reference ADS Price equals the Reference Share Price of the
two A Shares underlying each new A ADS. A recent court ruling
has established that Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) is not due on
the issue of shares to a US depositary. Therefore, the Reference
ADS price no longer includes an adjustment for the deduction of
SDRT (or the Dutch withholding tax associated with the payment of
SDRT). Given these changes, there is no longer a need to have
an Alternative Reference ADS Price. The Reference ADS Price
will instead apply to all A ADSs and B ADSs.
Royal Dutch Shell plc is currently exploring together with the
Depository how ADS holders might reclaim SDRT amounts deducted on
previous issues under the Scrip Dividend Programme. Details will be
made available as soon as possible on the dividend section of the
Royal Dutch Shell plc website: http://www.shell.com/dividend.
Scrip dividend programme
RDS provides shareholders with a choice to receive dividends in
cash or in shares via a Scrip Dividend Programme.
Under the Programme shareholders can increase their shareholding
in RDS by choosing to receive new shares instead of cash dividends
if declared by RDS. Only new A Shares will be issued under
the Programme, including to shareholders who currently hold B
Shares.
Joining the Programme may offer a tax advantage in some
countries compared with receiving cash dividends. In particular,
dividends paid out as shares will not be subject to Dutch dividend
withholding tax (currently 15 per cent) and will not generally be
taxed on receipt by a UK shareholder or a Dutch corporate
shareholder.
Shareholders who elect to join the Programme will increase the
number of shares held in RDS without having to buy existing shares
in the market, thereby avoiding associated dealing costs.
Shareholders who do not join the Programme will continue to
receive in cash any dividends declared by RDS.
Shareholders who held only B shares and joined the Scrip
Dividend Programme are reminded they will need to make a Scrip
Dividend Election in respect of their new A shares if they wish to
join the Programme in respect of such new shares. However,
this is only necessary if the shareholder has not previously made a
Scrip Dividend Election in respect of any new A shares issued.
For further information on the Programme, including how to join
if you are eligible, please refer to the appropriate publication
available on http://www.shell.com/scrip.
ENQUIRIES:
Shell Media Relations:
International, UK, European Press, +44-207-934-5550
Shell Investor Relations:
Europe: Peter van Driel, +31-70-377-4540
North America: Ken Lawrence, +1-713-241-1042
SOURCE Royal Dutch Shell plc