Update on Minor International PCL

RNS Number : 1045Y

Symphony International Holdings Ltd

24 February 2012

 



UPDATE ON MINOR INTERNATIONAL PCL

24 February 2012

Symphony International Holdings (LSE:SIHL or "Symphony"), the London listed investor in fast growing Asian consumer businesses, is pleased to announce that further to the announcement dated 23 February 2012, Minor International Pcl ("MINT") has declared a cash dividend of Baht 0.15 per share.

MINT has also declared a stock dividend at the ratio of 10 existing shares to one new common share.

Symphony will receive approximately US$1.3 million in cash (net of withholding taxes) and an additional 28.5 million new MINT shares from this distribution.

The release issued by MINT is below.

MINOR INTERNATIONAL PCL

PRESS RELEASE - 23 February 2012                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINT to Propose 2011 Cash & Stock Dividend

Minor International (MINT) announced that its Board of Directors approved the proposal to pay cash dividend in the amount of Baht 0.15 per share, together with stock dividend at the ratio of 10 existing shares to one new common share to its shareholders. Such proposal is subject to the approval of the Company's shareholders at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 2^nd, 2012.

The ex-dividend date is April 5th, 2012 while the record date for determining the rights of shareholders to receive dividend payments will be on April 11th, 2012. The name list of shareholders will be determined on April 12th, 2012 when the share register book of the Company will be closed. The dividend payment date is set to be on April 30th, 2012.

At par value of Baht 1 per share, both cash and stock dividend is valued at Baht 0.25 per share. In total, cash dividend and stock dividend payable to shareholders will not exceed Baht 906.8 million.

Commenting on this dividend payment proposal, William E. Heinecke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MINT, noted that "apart from cash dividend, the stock dividend will give our shareholders an opportunity to capture growth potential of the businesses over the long term and see their wealth move alongside the Company's performance. It should also improve stock liquidity. The strong 2011 results already proved and underscored MINT's resilience to unexpected events and the management is very committed to continue growing its hospitality, restaurant and retail trading businesses even further in coming years."

MINT earlier announced 2011 net profit of Baht 2,880 million, a 133% increase from 2010, despite the interruption of major floods in 4Q11. Its earnings per share (EPS) increased by 132% to Baht 0.88 from Baht 0.38 in 2010.

About Minor International

Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three primary businesses including restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is one of Asia's largest restaurant companies with over 1,200 outlets operating system wide in 18 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express, the Coffee Club and Ribs and Rumps brands. MINT is also a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 37 hotels and 38 serviced suites under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana and Minor International brands in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. MINT is one of Thailand's largest distributors of lifestyle brands focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics and contract manufacturing. Its brands include Gap, Esprit, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Red Earth, Bloom, Smashbox, Tumi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, and ETL Learning. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com

For further information:

Chaiyapat Paitoon / Jutatip Adulbhan                         [phone]

Minor International

Neil Doyle/ Tom Willetts                                             [phone]/ 7175

FTI Consulting

About Symphony International Holdings

Symphony International Holdings (LSE:SIHL) is a London listed strategic investment company that invests in consumer businesses and develops luxury branded real estate, hospitality and healthcare ventures which are principally in Asia.  It offers a way for investors to gain exposure to the rising disposable incomes and wealth in fast growing economies. Symphony's objective is to provide superior capital growth by investing in high quality companies and forming long-term business partnerships with talented entrepreneurs. Symphony is managed by Symphony Investment Managers which has ateam of investment professionals with a broad range of expertise - many of them have been working in Asia for more than 25 years. For more information please visit our website at www.symphonyasia.com

No representation or warranty is made by the Company as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this announcement and no liability will be accepted for any loss arising from its use.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decisions.

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The Company's securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States.

 

END

 

 

MSCTIMITMBITBTT