2024 Return of Capital
IPL announced on 13 November 2023 that it was returning approximately $500 million in surplus capital to shareholders by way of a pro-rata capital return and unfranked special dividend (collectively the ‘distribution’).
Shareholders voted in favour of reducing IPL’s share capital by up to $500 million by way of an equal capital reduction at the 2023 Annual General Meeting on 20 December 2023. Further details are included Notice of the 2023 Annual General Meeting which was provided to shareholders on 20 November 2023.
IPL confirms that ~$500 million was returned by way of:
- a $0.1557 per share equal capital reduction, totalling $302,404,437.02 in aggregate; and
- an unfranked special dividend of $0.1017 per share, totalling $197,524,285.45 in aggregate.
Further information and frequently asked questions in relation to the distribution are provided below.
Key dates
Monday, 29 January 2024: Effective date for return of capital.
Tuesday, 30 January 2024: Last date for trading in ‘cum return of capital’ for shares.
Wednesday, 31 January 2024: Shares commenced trading on an ‘ex return of capital’ and ‘ex dividend’ basis.
Thursday, 1 February 2024: Record date for determining entitlement to participate in the return of capital and special dividend.
Thursday, 8 February 2024: Payment date for return of capital and special dividend. Shareholders to receive their payment advice.
General information
On 13 November 2023, IPL announced that it would return up to $500 million return of surplus capital to shareholders.
This distribution to shareholders (in the form of a capital return and special dividend) follows the receipt of proceeds from the sale of IPL’s Waggaman, Louisiana, USA facility to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. on 1 December 2023 (refer to IPL’s release on 4 December 2023).
The payment date for the return of capital and unfranked special dividend is 8 February 2024.
The distribution returned funds to shareholders, consistent with IPL’s capital allocation framework and focus on disciplined capital management. The $0.1557 per share capital return constitutes an equal capital reduction for the purposes of the Corporations Act. No shares will be cancelled in connection with the capital reduction. Accordingly, the capital reduction will not affect the number of shares held by each shareholder, nor will it affect the control of IPL. The Board is satisfied that the capital reduction is fair and reasonable to IPL’s shareholders as a whole and does not materially prejudice IPL’s ability to pay its creditors.
IPL’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan will not apply in respect of the return of capital or the unfranked special dividend.
Tax implications of the capital return
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a Class Ruling following completion of the capital reduction and payment of the dividend in respect of the Australian income tax implications of the capital reduction.
The ATO Class Ruling confirms that no part of the capital reduction will be assessable as a dividend for Australian taxation purposes. Shareholders should seek their own professional advice as to their income tax implications arising from the capital return.
Find here a link to the Class Ruling
1IPL employee shareholders can check and update their details via IPL’s online employee services centre at https://investorcentre.linkgroup.com/Employee/IPL.