What are Preference Shares?
The first thing that comes to mind to most Malaysians when Preference Shares / Preferred Stocks are mentioned is dividends. We will expect a higher rate of dividends compared to Ordinary / Common Shares. However, apart from dividends, there exist several other key features contained in a Preference Share.
- If and when a company is insolvent, preference shareholders are entitled to be paid from assets of the company first, before ordinary shareholders;
- Most preference shares have a fixed (and higher) dividend rate; and
- Preference shareholders typically do not have voting rights.
IGB Corporation Berhad’s Takeover by Goldis Berhad – Free Tickets to the Show
A huge part of why I’m doing this introduction on Preference Shares is because I’m actually electing to receive Preference Shares in lieu of cash / ordinary shares when Goldis takes over IGB Corp (a company I’ve invested in).
So this is your ticket to actually see how a corporate takeover works and more importantly, join me as I take my first step into the world of Preference Shares.
I’ll of course, be updating this periodically.
A Brief Introduction
Goldis Berhad actually owns 73.40% of IGB Corp and a takeover has been on the books for a long time. A takeover offer can be made to other shareholders if you own more than 50% of a company.
To make this easier to understand, I’ll be using my own shareholdings as an example. I own 4,000 shares of IGB Corp, bought at RM2.87 per share.
Take note that IGB Corp closed at RM2.97, the trading of shares has since been suspended. The shares of IGB Corp have been valued by Goldis at RM3.00 per share during the takeover exercise.
There are 3 ways for me, as an IGB Corp investor to cash out from this takeover.
- I receive 100% Cash (RM3.00 per share). I’ll receive RM12,000 in cash and make an instant gain of RM520 (A 4.5% gain)
- I receive 30% in Cash and 70% in Goldis Shares. I’ll receive RM3,600 in cash and 2,800 units of Goldis Shares which are going for RM3.10 per share as of today. (A 6.96% gain)
- I receive 12% in Cash and 88% in New Redeemable Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares (RCCPS). I’ll receive RM1,440 in cash and 3,219 units of new Preference Shares valued at RM3.28 each. (No gain)
As you may well have guessed, I opted for Option 3.
Details of the Preference Shares or RCCPS Scheme
Tenure: 7 years
Dividend Rate: 4.3% (semi-annual payment)
Redeemable: Goldis Berhad can purchase/buy back the preference shares from and including the 4th anniversary of the issue date up to the maturity of the 7-year period.
Convertible: 1 preference share can be converted to 1 ordinary share at any time during the 7-year period.
Cumulative: If and when there are any missed dividend payments, they are to be paid at a later date by Goldis. ie. it’ll be owing to preference shareholders until the tenure of 7 years.
In Summary
4.3% Dividend Rate
With the RCCPS option, I’ll receive a FIXED return of 4.3% on my 3,219 units of preference shares at RM3.28 each. That’s RM454 every year for 7 years. In contrast, Goldis Berhad’s dividend yield is less than 1% currently.
The Redemption
I will be holding onto my preference shares for a minimum of 4 years. After which, Goldis will have the option to Redeem and buy back the shares at their discretion.
This is the only part of the whole exercise that worries me as I would like to hold onto those shares for as long as I can, and at the end of it all, convert them back to ordinary Goldis Shares.
But! Historically, Goldis has not redeemed their existing RCCPS and it matures in 2020. If that’s anything to go on.
I’ll just have to keep an eye out after the 4th year for any news of redemption.
End.
I hope I’ve managed to help some of the IGB Corp investors here clear up most of the issues and queries you have regarding the whole takeover exercise.
In short, and after my analysis, the RCCPS option is the way to go. The 100% cash option is the worst, so please don’t go that route. If you want cash, go for Option 2, and sell your Goldis shares after.
If you’ve got any other questions regarding this or if I’ve made any mistakes (I’m a 100% new to this), please do get in touch in the comment section below or on Facebook.
Thank you for reading and enjoy them Preference Shares!
