Absa - Declaration Of Ordinary Dividend Number 37
Absa Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1986/003934/06)
JSE code: ASA
Issuer code: AMAGB
ISIN code: ZAE000013389
(`Absa` or `the Group`)
DECLARATION OF ORDINARY DIVIDEND NUMBER 37
Shareholders are referred to the joint announcement (the `Firm Intention
Announcement`) by Absa and Barclays Bank PLC (`Barclays`), which has been
published simultaneous with this dividend declaration announcement regarding a
firm intention by Barclays to acquire a majority stake in Absa at a price of
R82.50 per Absa ordinary share (`the `Recommended Acquisition`).
The Board of Absa (`the board`) has resolved to declare this final dividend
prior to the publication of the audited results for the year ended 31 March
2005. The board is of the opinion that it would be in the best interests of
ordinary shareholders that they be advised of the final dividend at the time of
the publication of the Firm Intention Announcement so that such shareholders are
aware of the relevant dividend dates and will be in a position to determine the
total benefit of the Recommended Acquisition.
Notice is hereby given that a final dividend of 200 cents per ordinary share has
been declared and is payable to ordinary shareholders recorded in the register
of Absa at the close of business on Friday, 24 June 2005. This dividend will be
paid out of the attributable income for the year ended 31 March 2005.
In compliance with the requirements of Strate, the electronic settlement and
custody system used by the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa, the following
salient dates for the payment of the dividend are applicable:
Last day to trade cum-dividend Friday, 17 June 2005
Shares commence trading ex-dividend Monday, 20 June 2005
Record date Friday, 24 June 2005
Payment of dividend Monday, 27 June 2005
Share certificates may not be dematerialised/rematerialised between Monday, 20
June 2005, and Friday, 24 June 2005, both days inclusive.
On Monday, 27 June 2005, the dividend will be electronically transferred to the
bank accounts of certificated shareholders who use this facility. In respect of
those who do not, cheques dated 27 June 2005 will be posted on or about that
date. The accounts of shareholders who have dematerialised their shares (which
are held at their central securities depository participant or broker) will be
credited on Monday, 27 June 2005.
Shareholders are referred to the trading statement which was published on SENS
on 21 February 2005 in which shareholders were advised that due to the
favourable trading environment, the percentage headline earnings growth of the
Group for the year ended 31 March 2005 was expected to be in the lower twenties.
The board is able to confirm that the earnings and headline earnings for the
year ended 31 March 2005 are estimated to be at least 20% higher than the
previous corresponding period.
This profit estimate has not been reviewed or reported on by Absa`s auditors.
Shareholders are reminded that the Group`s results for the year ended 31 March
2005 will be published on 30 May 2005.
On behalf of the board
W R Somerville
Group secretary
Johannesburg
9 May 2005
Lead Sponsor
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Co-Sponsor
Absa Corporate and Merchant Bank
Date: 09/05/2005 08:12:43 AM
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