Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by Royal Dutch Shell plc, dated April 29, 2008, announces the declaration of the first quarter 2008 interim dividend. The company is a foreign private issuer reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing focuses exclusively on dividend distribution details rather than operational financial metrics such as revenue, profit, or cash flow.
- Dividend per Share (A & B): US$0.40
- Dividend per ADR (A & B): US$0.80
- Payment Date: June 11, 2008
- Record Date: May 16, 2008
- Ex-Dividend Date: May 14, 2008
The filing text does not provide clear values for revenue, profit, margins, debt, or liquidity.
Material Changes
The declared interim dividend of US$0.40 per share represents an 11% increase over the US dollar dividend paid for the same quarter in the prior year.
Outlook, Risks, and Unusual Items
Currency Options: A shares default to euro payments (€0.2557), while B shares default to pounds sterling (20.05p). Shareholders may elect the alternative currency by April 28, 2008.
Taxation: A shares are subject to a 15% Netherlands withholding tax. B shares distributed via the Dividend Access Mechanism include a non-repayable UK tax credit of 10/90ths of the cash dividend (US$0.04 per share), bringing the total value to US$0.44 per share.
Reinvestment: Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs) are available through ABN AMRO Bank NV, Equiniti, and The Bank of New York Mellon for ADRs.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the 11% year-over-year dividend increase against prior year filings.
- Confirm currency election deadlines (April 28, 2008) for shareholders wishing to receive non-default currency.
- Review tax implications specific to shareholder residency (Netherlands withholding vs. UK tax credits).
- Check the ex-dividend date of May 14, 2008, for trade settlement timing.