EANS-News: Software AG
Software AG emphasizes dividend continuity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividend Announcements/Distribution Darmstadt (euro adhoc) - Darmstadt, Germany, March 20, 2013 - Software AG's (FRA: SOW) Executive Board and Supervisory Board will recommend paying out a dividend of EUR0.46 per share for fiscal year 2012 at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on May 3, 2013. This dividend would equal that of the previous record year (prev. year: EUR0.46). On the basis of outstanding shares, this would increase the payout ratio compared to Group net income 2012 (EUR164.7 million) to 24% (prev. year 22%). Software AG's dividend policy is aligned with the company's long-term growth. Software AG sets its dividend payment on the development of net income and free cash flow on the one hand and the company's financial requirements for continued growth on the other. Since fiscal year 2012, Software AG's strategy has focused heavily on growth in the BPE division. Therefore, the company will invest in the global expansion of sales and marketing. Despite this investment program focused on long-term growth - which will, as already announced, burden profit in the current fiscal year - Software AG's Executive Board and Supervisory Board recommend a dividend equal to that of the previous record year. In addition to investing in growth, the objective is to allow shareholders to participate in Software AG's high profitability with a continued dividend. In addition to the proposed dividend, Executive Board and Supervisory Board decided already in February 2013 to initiate a stock-buyback program of up to EUR180 million. Approximately 1.7 million shares have been acquired as of March 18, 2013. Shares held by the company are not entitled to a dividend payment and serve to reduce the dividend payout. The proposed dividend of EUR0.46 per share is not affected by this. Further inquiry note: Barbara Kögler Senior Vice President Corporate Communications E-Mail: barbara.koegler@softwareag.com Tel: +49 (0)6151 92 1574 Paul Hughes Director Media Relations E-Mail: paul.hughes@softwareag.com Tel: +49 (0)6151 92 1787 end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: Software AG Uhlandstr. 12 D-64297 Darmstadt phone: +49 (0)6151 92 1899 FAX: +49 (0) 6151 92 1933 mail: investor.relations@softwareag.com WWW: http://www.softwareag.com sector: Software ISIN: DE0003304002 indexes: TecDAX, CDAX, HDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share stockmarkets: free trade: Hannover, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt language: English
Original content of: Software AG, transmitted by news aktuell