In one of your answers today regarding scr not getting Meg, you mentioned scr giving shareholders a $10 dividend ??? As in 10/ $38.92= 25.7%?! Does that mean if I buy scr shares tomorrow and this dividend gets paid out it’s a 25.7% instant return? Or , did you have to be a shareholder before the initial takeover offer? This type of special dividend seems like a crazy waste of company resources that compounds nothing for the company long term, but if I can get a special dividend of over 25% why wouldn’t I buy it and sell after the dividend?
Shane
SCR has indeed promised a $10 special dividend if it does not succeed in getting MEG. It has the available capital to do so, and will make a nice profit on its held MEG shares. Special dividends are not that uncommon, and are a way of returning value/profits to shareholders. But note that when a special dividend is paid, a stock typically declines by an amount close to the amount of the dividend. In this case, shares could decline by $10, $9, or $11--it all depends. In addition, the dividend can have tax consequences, depending on how it is structured (if it is return of capital vs an eligible dividend). So, as always, there is no free lunch in the market. An investor may buy SCR, get $10, and then see the stock drop $10 while having a tax liability as well. We are not saying paying the dividend is bad. The company knows its cash allocation and needs better than we do. But it is not an easy 25% profit as indicated in the question.