PotashCorp Announces Three-for-One Stock Split and 100-Percent Dividend Increase
03 May 2007 - 8:21AM
PR Newswire (US)
Listed: TSX, NYSE Symbol: POT SASKATOON, May 2
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.
(PotashCorp) announced today that its Board of Directors has
approved a three- for-one stock split of the company's outstanding
common shares. Payable in the form of a stock dividend, all
shareholders will receive two additional shares for each share
owned on the record date of May 22, 2007. Additionally, the Board
of Directors approved the doubling of the company's quarterly cash
dividend (from $0.15 per share to $0.30 per share on a pre-split
basis), and declared a quarterly cash dividend of US $0.10 per
common share (on a post-split basis) payable August 10, 2007 to
shareholders of record on July 20, 2007. Quarterly dividends have
been declared since the first quarter of 1990, the company's first
full quarter subsequent to its initial public offering in November
1989. "Investors have demonstrated their confidence in our company
and the price of PotashCorp shares has risen by over 270 percent
since our two-for- one stock split in August 2004," said PotashCorp
President and CEO Bill Doyle. "The increased number of shares
resulting from the split should enhance trading liquidity in our
stock, benefiting all of our shareholders. The doubling of our
dividend further emphasizes the confidence we have in our business
over the long term, once again delivering on our promise to use our
strong and sustainable cash flow in ways that provide maximum
shareholder value." Shareholders who have PotashCorp stock
certificates should retain them. The transfer agent, CIBC Mellon
Trust Company, will mail new certificates on May 29, 2007. Upon
completion of the stock dividend, the number of shares outstanding
will approximate 315.4 million. PotashCorp's common shares are
expected to commence trading on a split basis on May 17, 2007 on
the Toronto Stock Exchange and May 30, 2007 on the New York Stock
Exchange. The stock split will have no unfavorable tax consequences
in Canada or the United States. PotashCorp is the world's largest
fertilizer enterprise producing the three primary plant nutrients
and a leading supplier to three distinct market categories:
agriculture, with the largest capacity in the world in potash,
third largest in phosphate and fourth largest in nitrogen; animal
nutrition, with the world's largest capacity in phosphate feed
ingredients; and industrial chemicals, as the largest global
producer of industrial nitrogen products and with the world's
largest purified industrial phosphoric acid production capacity.
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on certain factors and assumptions as set forth in this
release, including foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results
of operations, performance and business prospects and
opportunities. While the company considers these factors and
assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently
available, they may prove to be incorrect. A number of factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
fluctuations in supply and demand in fertilizer, sulfur,
transportation and petrochemical markets; changes in competitive
pressures, including pricing pressures; risks associated with
natural gas and other hedging activities; changes in capital
markets; changes in currency and exchange rates; unexpected
geological or environmental conditions, including water inflow; and
government policy changes. Additional risks and uncertainties can
be found in our 2006 financial review annual report and in filings
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian
provincial securities commissions. Forward- looking statements are
given only as at the date of this release and the company disclaims
any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In the case of guidance, should subsequent events show that the
forward-looking statements released herein may be materially
off-target, the company will evaluate whether to issue and, if
appropriate following such review, issue a news release updating
guidance or explaining reasons for the difference. DATASOURCE:
Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. CONTACT: Investors: Denita Stann,
Director, Investor Relations, Phone: (847) 849-4277, Fax: (847)
849-4691, Email: ; Media: Rhonda Speiss, Manager, Public Relations,
Phone: (306) 933-8544, Fax: (306) 933-8844, ; Web Site:
http://www.potashcorp.com/
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