Methanex Announces A 25% Dividend Increase and A New 5% Share Repurchase Program
30 April 2014 - 12:25AM
Marketwired
Methanex Announces A 25% Dividend Increase and A New 5% Share
Repurchase Program
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Apr 29, 2014) -
Methanex Corporation (the "Company") (TSX:MX)(NASDAQ:MEOH)
announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a 25
percent increase in its quarterly dividend to shareholders, from
US$0.20 per share to US$0.25 per share. The increased dividend will
apply to the dividend payable on June 30, 2014 to holders of common
shares of record on June 16, 2014.
John Floren,
President and CEO of Methanex commented, "This is the tenth time
that we have increased our dividend since its inception in 2002.
The increase to our regular dividend reflects our continued
confidence in the outlook for our business and the methanol
industry."
The Company is also
pleased to announce today that its Board of Directors has approved
a Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB"). The Company will purchase for
cancellation up to 4,826,197 common shares ("Shares"), representing
approximately 5% of the 96,523,956 shares issued and outstanding
shares as at April 29, 2014.
John Floren,
President and CEO of Methanex commented, "Our announcement of a new
share repurchase program, along with the increase in the dividend,
reflects our balanced approach to the utilization of cash and
builds on our long track record of returning excess cash to
shareholders. Since 2000, we have repurchased approximately 45% of
the Company's shares. With approximately $700 million of cash on
hand at the end of the first quarter of 2014, we have the financial
strength and flexibility to meet our commitments for our Geismar
projects, pursue investment opportunities and continue to return
excess cash to shareholders".
Purchases pursuant
to the NCIB will be made on the open market through the facilities
of NASDAQ pursuant to Rule 10b‐18 under the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Notification of the NCIB has been provided to
NASDAQ.
Purchases under the
program will commence on May 6, 2014. Purchases will be made from
time to time at the then current market price of the Company's
common shares as traded on NASDAQ and the common shares purchased
will be cancelled. Subject to certain exceptions for block
purchases, daily repurchases under the program will not exceed 25
percent of the Company's average daily trading volume for the four
week period preceding the date of purchase. The Company has entered
into an automatic securities purchase plan with its broker in
connection with purchases to be made under this program.
Methanex is a
Vancouver‐based, publicly traded company and is the world's largest
producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets.
Methanex shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock
Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol "MX" and on the NASDAQ
Global Market in the United States under the trading symbol
"MEOH".
FORWARD‐LOOKING
INFORMATION WARNING
This press release
contains forward‐looking statements with respect to us and our
industry. Statements that include the word "will", or other
comparable terminology and similar statements of a future or
forward‐looking nature identify forward‐looking statements. More
particularly and without limitation, any statements regarding the
following are forward‐looking statements:
- Methanex's ability to retain the financial strength and
flexibility to complete its Geismar project,
- Methanex's ability to pursue additional investment
opportunities, and
- Methanex's ability to continue to return excess cash to
shareholders.
We believe that we
have a reasonable basis for making such forward‐looking statements.
The forward‐looking statements in this document are based on our
experience, our perception of trends, current conditions and
expected future developments as well as other factors. Certain
material factors or assumptions were applied in drawing the
conclusions or making the forecasts or projections that are
included in these forward‐looking statements, including, without
limitation, future expectations and assumptions concerning the
following:
- the supply of, demand for, and price of methanol, methanol
derivatives, natural gas, coal, oil and oil derivatives,
- operating rates of our facilities,
- operating costs including natural gas feedstock and logistics
costs, capital costs, tax rates, cash flows, foreign exchange rates
and interest rates, and
- global and regional economic activity (including industrial
production levels).
However,
forward‐looking statements, by their nature, involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those contemplated by the forward‐looking statements. The
risks and uncertainties primarily include those attendant with
producing and marketing methanol and successfully carrying out
major capital expenditure projects in various jurisdictions,
including without limitation:
- conditions in the methanol and other industries including
fluctuations in the supply, demand for and price of methanol and
its derivatives, including demand for methanol for energy
uses,
- the price of natural gas, coal, oil and oil derivatives,
- the ability to successfully carry out corporate initiatives and
strategies,
- actions of competitors, suppliers and financial
institutions,
- world‐wide economic conditions, and
- other risks described in our 2013 Management's Discussion and
Analysis and the First Quarter 2014 Management's Discussion and
Analysis.
Having in mind these
and other factors, investors and other readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward‐looking statements. They are not a
substitute for the exercise of one's own due diligence and
judgment. The outcomes anticipated in forward‐looking statements
may not occur and we do not undertake to update forward‐looking
statements except as required by applicable securities laws.
Sandra DaycockDirector, Investor RelationsMethanex
Corporation604 661-2600www.methanex.com
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