New World Development Received Shareholder Support for Disposal of NWS Holdings
- Vote paves the way for disposal that provides immediate value to shareholders, supports deleveraging, and repositions NWD around its higher-potential property businesses
- Payment for the disposal expected to be received by 20 November 2023
New World Development (“NWD,” “the Company,” Stock Code: 0017) announced that at its Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”) held today, its independent shareholders approved the resolution regarding the disposal of all NWD’s shares in NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS”) (the “Disposal”) and the related resolution in respect of the revision of annual caps of certain continuing connected transactions.
The Disposal was approved by approximately 99.35% of the votes cast.
Upon completion, the Disposal will provide NWD with cash proceeds of approximately HK$21,754.3 million, which will immediately strengthen the Company’s financial position. NWD will use a portion of the proceeds to pay a special dividend of approximately four billion Hong Kong dollars (equivalent to HKD1.59 per NWD share), allowing shareholders to immediately realize part of the value from their shareholdings in the company.
The Disposal is a continuation of NWD’s ongoing strategy to proactively explore corporate actions and strategic options to unlock shareholder value. It generates immediate value for shareholders, repositions the company around its property businesses, and supports its broader efforts to reduce leverage in the expectation of persistently high interest rates. This transaction will streamline NWD’s business and asset portfolio, bringing its future earnings and cash flow profile into greater alignment with its property businesses.
As disclosed in NWD’s circular dated 13 October 2023, assuming the NWS share offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects on 9 November 2023, the payment for the Disposal is expected to be received by NWD by Monday, 20 November 2023. The special dividend is expected to be distributed on Wednesday, 20 December 2023 to all shareholders whose names appear in the register of members of the company at the close of business on Friday, 24 November 2023.