Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) was submitted on September 4, 2012, covering the month of September 2012. The document serves as a formal announcement regarding the currency equivalent dividend payments for the second quarter of 2012 interim dividend, originally declared on July 26, 2012.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing focuses exclusively on dividend distribution details rather than operational financial performance metrics such as revenue, profit, or cash flow.
- Interim Dividend (Q2 2012): US$0.43 per A ordinary share and B ordinary share.
- Euro Equivalent (A Shares default): EUR0.3421 per share.
- Pounds Sterling Equivalent (B Shares default): 27.08p per share.
- Total Dividend with Tax Credit: US$0.48 (30.09p or EUR0.3801) per ordinary share.
- Tax Credit Amount: US$0.05 (3.01p or EUR0.0380) per ordinary share.
- Payment Date: September 20, 2012.
- Record Date: August 10, 2012.
The filing text does not provide clear values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity.
Material Changes
This filing does not report material changes in operational performance or financial position compared to prior periods. It strictly details the mechanics of the dividend payment in multiple currencies and the associated tax implications for shareholders in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The document contains a standard cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements. It explicitly states that actual results may differ materially from expectations due to various risks, including:
- Price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas.
- Changes in demand for Shell's products.
- Currency fluctuations.
- Drilling and production results and reserve estimates.
- Environmental and physical risks.
- Political risks, including expropriation and contract renegotiation.
- Legislative and regulatory developments, including climate change measures.
Management does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the currency election deadline (August 24, 2012) to confirm eligibility for specific currency payments (EUR vs. GBP).
- Confirm the record date (August 10, 2012) to ensure share ownership status for the dividend.
- Review applicable withholding tax rates (15% for Netherlands) and eligibility for UK tax credits based on residency.
- Check the payment date of September 20, 2012, for cash flow planning.