Dividend History
| Dividend | Value (pence per Ordinary Share) | Date announced | Ex-dividend date | Record date | Payment date (UK) | Payment date (US) |
|---|
| Final |
0.6 |
24 Feb 2009 |
04 Mar 2009 |
06 Mar 2009 |
08 May 2009 |
18 May 2009 |
| Interim |
0.5 |
05 Aug 2008 |
13 Aug 2008 |
15 Aug 2008 |
15 Oct 2008 |
24 Oct 2008 |
Payment of Dividends
Shareholders are able to choose how they receive their dividends:
- direct to their bank account;
- reinvested in Spirent Ordinary Shares;
- paid by cheque; or
- paid in foreign currencies.
The quickest and most efficient way to receive your dividends is to have them paid direct to your bank account. It saves waiting for funds to clear and reduces the paper and postage we use. To change how you receive your dividends either log on to shareview.co.uk or contact Equiniti.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
As an alternative to receiving your dividends in cash, Equiniti Financial Services Limited operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) on behalf of Spirent under which you can use the cash dividend on your Ordinary shares to buy additional Spirent Ordinary shares in the market at competitive dealing rates.
Equiniti will arrange for the purchase of Spirent Ordinary shares using the whole of your cash dividend. The shares will be purchased on your behalf in the market as soon as possible on or after the dividend payment date, at the prevailing market price.
An application form and a booklet containing information on the DRIP are available for you to download in PDF format. If you would like to apply, please print the application form and complete your details, then sign and return it to Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA. Please read the Terms and Conditions before applying.
Participants in the DRIP are advised that the Terms and Conditions of the DRIP have been revised following the sale of Lloyds TSB Registrars (now Equiniti) and new European legislation (MiFiD – Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) implemented in the UK on 1 November 2007. As a result, DRIP mandates in existence prior to that date have become void and a new application should be made.
Click here to download the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Booklet [PDF 416KB]
Click here to download the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Application Form [PDF 74KB]
If you would prefer to be sent a hard copy of the Application Form and Terms and Conditions, please contact Equiniti on 0871 384 2268. (Calls to this number are charged at 8 pence per minute from a BT landline; other telephony provider costs may vary).
FAQs
It is a payment to shareholders, the level of which is based on the company’s dividend policy and the number of shares held by shareholders at the record date. It is paid to everyone who holds shares at record date. It can be paid in cash or used to buy more Spirent shares.
- What does ex-dividend mean?
Before we announce a dividend, we consult with the Stock Exchange and set the ex-dividend date. If you buy shares before the ex-dividend date, you are entitled to the most recently-announced dividend; if you buy after that date, the dividend goes to the previous owner of the shares.
- What does record date mean?
The dividend is paid based on the number of shares held on the share register at the record date, which is two days after the ex-dividend date. If you receive a dividend and are not sure if you are entitled to it, contact the agent who sold your shares for you.
- How can I have my dividends paid?
The 2008 Interim Dividend was been paid by cheque and was posted directly to qualifying shareholders. For future dividends, you have the option of:
- having them paid direct to your bank or building society account;
- electing to use them to buy more Spirent shares via a Dividend Reinvestment Plan; or
- being sent a cheque to your registered address.
If dividends are paid direct to your bank or building society account, it avoids the risk of cheques being lost in the post and your dividend will be in your account on the day the payment is made. Spirent’s Registrar, Equiniti, will send you a tax voucher to confirm the amount and to which account it has been made.
- Do I have to pay tax on my dividends?
When you are paid a dividend, you are sent a tax voucher which shows the net amount received and the tax which is deemed to have been paid. The tax credit on dividends is 10% of the gross amount.
Your dividends are treated as if they had been paid after the deduction of income tax at the basic rate. In general,
- if you are resident in the UK, and
- if you pay tax at the basic rate, you have no further tax to pay; or
- if you pay tax at the higher rate, you will be taxed at a special rate of 32.5% of the gross dividend. You will need to pay the amount above the 10% tax credit (an additional 22.5%) with your overall tax bill for the year. Keep the voucher in case your tax office wants to see it
- if you do not pay tax, you will not be able to reclaim the tax credit, unless your shares are held in a Personal Equity Plan (“PEP”), an Individual Savings Account (“ISA”) or by a charity.
If you sell any of your shares at a profit, you may have to pay capital gains tax.
- What should I do if I lose my dividend cheque or tax voucher?
Contact Equiniti as soon as possible and confirm which dividend payment has been lost. They will stop the cheque and will issue a replacement (there may be an administration charge for issuing a duplicate).
Dividend cheques are currently valid for one year from the date of payment. After this time, return any uncashed cheques to Equiniti; they will issue a replacement.
If you lose your tax voucher, contact Equiniti, detailing which voucher(s) have been lost. They will issue you with duplicates on payment of an administration charge.
