Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) was submitted on November 10, 2011, covering the month of November 2011. The document serves as a notification regarding the Reference Share Price for the third quarter 2011 interim dividend under the company's Scrip Dividend Programme.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing does not report operational financial metrics such as revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. It focuses exclusively on dividend-related pricing data:
- Q3 2011 Interim Dividend: $0.42 per A/B ordinary share; $0.84 per American Depository Share (ADS).
- Q3 2011 Reference Share Price: $34.953 (US dollar equivalent of the average Euronext Amsterdam closing price for A Shares over five dealing days).
- Q3 2011 A Reference ADS Price: $71.140 (Includes UK stamp duty reserve tax and Dutch withholding tax adjustments).
- Q3 2011 Alternative Reference ADS Price: $70.955 (Applies to holders not subject to Dutch withholding tax and all B ADS holders).
Material Changes
The filing does not provide comparative financial data or material changes in operational performance versus prior periods. The document is a procedural announcement regarding the calculation of share prices for dividend reinvestment.
Guidance, Outlook, and Management Commentary
There is no forward-looking guidance, outlook, or management commentary on business strategy or risks in this filing. The text explains the mechanics of the Scrip Dividend Programme, noting that shareholders may receive new A Shares instead of cash to potentially gain tax advantages (avoiding Dutch dividend withholding tax) and dealing costs. It clarifies that only new A Shares are issued under the programme, even for B Shareholders who elect to participate.
Important Facts for Investor Verification
- Verify the specific tax implications of the Scrip Dividend Programme for your jurisdiction, as the filing notes potential advantages for UK and Dutch corporate shareholders.
- Confirm whether your holdings are subject to Dutch withholding tax to determine if the A Reference ADS Price ($71.140) or Alternative Reference ADS Price ($70.955) applies to your reinvestment calculation.
- Check if B Shareholders who join the programme need to make a separate Scrip Dividend Election for the new A Shares issued to them.
- Note that this filing does not contain Q3 2011 earnings results; those are typically found in a separate earnings release or Form 20-F.