LONDON, April 28, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Royal Dutch Shell plc ("RDS") today announced an interim dividend in respect of the first quarter of 2010 of US$0.42 per A and B ordinary share, equal to the US dollar dividend for the same quarter last year.
Dividends declared on A ordinary shares ("A shares") will be paid by default in euro, although holders of A shares will be able to elect to receive dividend in pounds sterling. Dividends declared on B ordinary shares ("B shares") will be paid by default in pounds sterling, although holders of B shares will be able to elect to receive dividend in euro. Dividends declared on American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") will be paid in US dollars.
Details relating to the first quarter 2010 interim dividend
This dividend will be payable on June 9, 2010 to those members whose names are on the Register of Members on May 7, 2010. The shares will become ex-dividend on May 5, 2010.
It is expected that the dividends on the B shares will be paid via the Dividend Access Mechanism from UK-sourced income of the Shell Group.
Per ordinary share Q1 2010 RDS A shares (US$) 0.42 RDS B shares (US$) 0.42 Per ADR Q1 2010 RDS A ADRs (US$) 0.84 RDS B ADRs (US$) 0.84
Dividends on A shares will be paid, by default, in euro at the rate of EUR0.3154 per A share. Holders of A shares who have validly submitted pounds sterling currency elections by April 27, 2010 will be entitled to a dividend of 27.37p per A share.
Dividends on B shares will be paid, by default, in pounds sterling at the rate of 27.37p per B share. Holders of B shares who have validly submitted euro currency elections by April 27, 2010 will be entitled to a dividend of EUR0.3154 per B share.
Holders of A or B shares in ADR form will be entitled to a dividend of US$0.84 per ADR.
Taxation
Dividends on A shares will be subject to the deduction of Netherlands dividend withholding tax at the rate of 15%, which may be reduced in certain circumstances. Provided certain conditions are met, shareholders in receipt of A share dividends may also be entitled to a non-payable dividend tax credit in the United Kingdom.
Shareholders resident in the United Kingdom, receiving dividends on B shares through the Dividend Access Mechanism, are entitled to a tax credit. This tax credit is not repayable. Non-residents may also be entitled to a tax credit, if double tax arrangements between the United Kingdom and their country of residence so provide, or if they are eligible for relief given to non-residents with certain special connections with the United Kingdom or to nationals of states in the European Economic Area.
The amount of tax credit is 10/90ths of the cash dividend, the tax credit referable to the first quarter 2010 interim dividend of US$0.42 (27.37p or EUR0.3154) is US$0.05 (3.04p or EUR0.035) per ordinary share and the dividend and tax credit together amount to US$0.47 (30.41p or EUR0.3504).
Dividend reinvestment plan
The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. ("RBS") and Equiniti each have established a dividend reinvestment facility which enables RDS shareholders to elect to have their dividend payments used to purchase RDS shares of the same class as those already held by them. The dividend reinvestment plans (the "DRIPs") are provided by RBS in respect of shares held through Euroclear Nederland and by Equiniti in respect of all other shares (but not ADRs). DRIPs for the ADRs (both Class A ADRs and Class B ADRs) traded on the NYSE are available through The Bank of New York Mellon.
Enquiries about the DRIPs, including how to elect to participate and information about the reinvestment mechanisms under the respective plans should, in the case of shareholders holding through Euroclear Nederland, be directed to their bank or broker and in the case of all other shareholders (other than holders of ADRs) to Equiniti. Enquiries relating to the DRIPs for ADRs (both Class A ADRs and Class B ADRs) should be made to The Bank of New York Mellon.
Scrip dividend scheme
At this year's Annual General Meeting (May 18, 2010) the RDS Board is seeking the ability to introduce and operate a scrip dividend scheme if the Board considers it appropriate and in the interests of shareholders and RDS to do so. A scrip dividend scheme, if introduced, would give shareholders the right to elect to receive new ordinary shares in the capital of RDS instead of some or all of their future cash dividends. If a scrip dividend scheme is introduced, shareholders would be provided with full details of its terms and conditions and how to participate. Any such authority granted by shareholders would last for a period of five years from the date of the Annual General Meeting in accordance with RDS's Articles of Association.
Royal Dutch Shell plc
CONTACT: Royal Dutch Shell Media Relations: +44-(0)207-934-5963
