Sharechat Logo

GRD seeks conversion boost

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Friday 6th July 2001

Text too small?
Macraes Gold operator, Perth-based GRD (NZSE: GDR), is looking for a number of positive spinoffs from converting all its redeemable preference shares to ordinary shares.

Chairman, Brettney Fogarty, says converting the shares will strengthen the company's balance sheet, increase reported profits, and improve market capitalisation of ordinary shares and share market liquidity.

He says these are all vital factors in attracting long-term capital to the company.

Mr Fogarty says gearing will reduce from 75% to 40% whilst net assets will increase to A$108 million.

"Reported profit will improve by A$4.4m per annum as GRD will no longer have to expense CRP Share dividends as interest.

"Quoted ordinary shares market capitalisation is expected to increase by 70% to over $200 million, with improved liquidity for the shares."

Mr Fogarty says the company should also be considered for inclusion by Standard & Poors in the ASX 200 Index following the move.

A general meeting of CRP shareholders is planned for August to consider approving the share conversion. Currently the shares convert at the rate of 1.25 to 1, but the company will seek to increase the ratio to 1.30 to allow for dividend equalisation.

  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.