Ordinary shares
As at 28 March 2009, there are 224,271 holders of ordinary shares whose shareholdings are analysed below.
| |
Number of
holdings |
Percentage
of total
shareholders |
Number of
ordinary shares |
Percentage of
ordinary shares |
| Range |
|
|
|
|
| 1 – 500 |
110,860 |
49.43 |
22,226,148 |
1.41 |
| 501 –1,000 |
45,426 |
20.25 |
33,992,620 |
2.16 |
| 1,001 – 2,000 |
34,945 |
15.58 |
50,008,963 |
3.17 |
| 2,001 – 5,000 |
23,569 |
10.51 |
72,247,698 |
4.58 |
| 5,001 – 10,000 |
5,964 |
2.66 |
41,526,349 |
2.63 |
| 10,001 – 100,000 |
2,863 |
1.28 |
65,467,712 |
4.15 |
| 100,001 – 1,000,000 |
465 |
0.21 |
167,942,467 |
10.64 |
| 1,000,001 – HIGHEST |
179 |
0.08 |
1,124,382,962 |
71.26 |
| Total |
224,271 |
100.00 |
1,577,794,919 |
100.00 |
Many private investors hold their shares through nominee companies, therefore the percentage of shares held by private holders is much higher than that shown – we estimate approximately 30%.
| |
Number of
holdings |
Percentage
of total
shareholders |
Number of
ordinary shares |
Percentage of
ordinary shares |
| Holders |
|
|
|
|
| Private holders |
213,582 |
95.23 |
298,670,013 |
18.93 |
| Institutional and Corporate holders |
10,689 |
4.77 |
1,279,124,906 |
81.07 |
| Total |
224,271 |
100.00 |
1,577,794,919 |
100.00 |
Managing your shares
The Company’s register of shareholders is maintained by our Registrar, Equiniti. Shareholders with ueries relating to their shareholding should contact Equiniti directly using the details overleaf.
Duplicate documents
Currently around 10,000 of our shareholders have more than one account on the share register, which means they often receive duplicate documentation and split dividend payments. If you fall into this group and would like to combine your accounts, please contact Equiniti.
Dividends
These are paid in January and July each year and shareholders can choose one of the followng payment methods:
If you are still receiving a cheque for your dividend payments, why not let us pay the money straight into your bank account? You will then have the cleared funds on the payment date. Those selecting this payment method receive a consolidated tax voucher each January. However, we are able to send a tax voucher with each payment, if preferred.
To change how you receive your dividends either logon to shareview.co.uk or contact Equiniti.
Corporate website
In 2008 we launched our new corporate website which provides a wealth of information on M&S. Much of the information requested from our shareholder helpline can be found on our website in the investor section. You can even register to receive investor related alerts by email as news on M&S is released. These include our half year results and trading statements, which are not mailed to shareholders. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information on our website.
This information has been prepared under the relevant accounting standards and legislation.
Electronic communications
In line with our Plan A commitments we actively encourage shareholders to help reduce the amount of paper we send out. Shareholders who receive communication electronically receive information from the Company more quickly. They also have access, via our website, to information that is not mailed to shareholders e.g. half year results, trading statements, results presentations, news updates and more.
Even though substantial changes were made to reduce the documentation we mailed this year we still used over 45 tonnes of paper. This is something we want to reduce further, and shareholders can help with this.
To encourage shareholders to elect to receive information electronically we are offering a 10% off voucher to spend when shopping online at marksandspencer.com and free entry into our prize draw with the chance to win one of three laptop computers.
Go to marksandspencer.com to find out more and read the terms and conditions.
Shareholder security
Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount, or offers of free reports about the Company. The number of so called ‘Boiler Room’ frauds has increased dramatically in recent years. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Details of any share dealing facilities that the Company endorses will be included in Company mailings or on our website. For more detailed information from the Financial Services Authority go to moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk.
How We Do Business
Two full years after its launch, our good progress on Plan A continues, with 39 of our 100 commitments already achieved. As well as saving costs, Plan A differentiates our business and brings more customers into our stores. The success of initiatives such as the M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange and M&S Energy gives us confidence to continue to make Plan A truly, How We Do Business. Find out more at marksandspencer.com/annualreport09
ShareGift
Do you have a small shareholding which is uneconomical to sell? You may want to consider donating it to ShareGift (Registered charity no. 1052686) Find out more at sharegift.org or call +44 (0)20 930 3737.
Lost shareholders
We continue to work with Prosearch (previously known as Trust Research Services) to look for shareholders who have failed to keep their details up to date. We have unclaimed funds waiting to be claimed.
Shareholders are reminded that if they move house they need to contact Equiniti and advise them of their new address.
Capital Gains Tax
For the purpose of Capital Gains Tax, the price of an ordinary share on 31 March 1982 was 153.5p, which when adjusted for the 1 for 1 scrip issue in 1984, gives a figure of 76.75p. Following the capital reorganisation in March 2002, HMRC has confirmed the base cost for CGT purposes was 372.35p (81.43%) for an ordinary share and 68.75p (18.75%) for a B share.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
The Company has a level 1 ADR program. This enables US investors to purchase Marks & Spencer American Depository Shares (ADS) in US Dollars ‘over the counter’. The Company has chosen to have the ADRs quoted on the OTC market’s highest tier, International PremierQX.
For information on OTCQX go to otcqx.com
For Deutsche Bank email: DB@amstock.com
ADR website: adr.db.com
Toll free callers within the US: 1 866 249 2593
For those calling outside the US: +1 (718) 921 8137
Key dates for your diary
- 27 May 2009
- Ex dividend date – Final dividend
- 29 May 2009
- Record date to be eligible for the final dividend
- 1 July 2009
- Results – Quarter 1 Interim Management statement†
- 8 July 2009
- Annual General Meeting
- 10 July 2009
- Final dividend payment date for the year to 28 March 2009
- 30 September 2009
- Results – Quarter 2 Trading Update†
- 4 November 2009
- Results – Half Year†
- 11 November 2009*
- Ex dividend date – Interim dividend
- 13 November 2009*
- Record date to be eligible for the interim dividend
- 8 January 2010*
- Interim dividend payment date