BCE reports results of conversion of its series R preferred shares into series Q preferred shares
BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) announced that none of its fixed-rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series R will convert into floating-rate Series Q Preferred Shares on December 1, 2020. Only 156,972 of the 8,000,000 Series R shares were tendered, which is insufficient for conversion as it leaves less than one million Series Q shares outstanding. The Series R Preferred Shares will maintain their listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and provide a fixed cash dividend of 3.018% quarterly for five years starting December 1, 2020.
- Series R Preferred Shares continue to pay a fixed cash dividend of 3.018%.
- Preferred Shares remain listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BCE.PR.R.
- Only 156,972 out of 8,000,000 Series R Preferred Shares were converted, indicating low investor interest.
- Failure to convert Series R shares means less flexibility in capital structure.
MONTRÉAL, Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) today announced that none of its fixed rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series R (Series R Preferred Shares) will be converted into floating rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series Q (Series Q Preferred Shares) on December 1, 2020.
On October 15, 2020, BCE notified registered holders of Series R Preferred Shares that they could elect to convert their shares into Series Q Preferred Shares subject to the terms and conditions attached to those shares. Only 156,972 of BCE's 8,000,000 Series R Preferred Shares were tendered for conversion on December 1, 2020 into Series Q Preferred Shares. As this would result in there being less than one million Series Q Preferred Shares outstanding, no Series R Preferred Shares will, as per the terms and conditions attached to those shares, be converted on December 1, 2020 into Series Q Preferred Shares. Registered holders who had elected to convert their Series R Preferred Shares will be receiving, by December 1, 2020, share certificates representing the number of Series R Preferred Shares tendered for conversion.
The Series R Preferred Shares will continue to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BCE.PR.R. The Series R Preferred Shares will pay on a quarterly basis, for the five-year period beginning on December 1, 2020, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of BCE, a fixed cash dividend based on an annual dividend rate of
About BCE
BCE is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced Bell broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communications services alongside Canada's premier content creation and media assets from Bell Media. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
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SOURCE Bell Canada
FAQ
Why won't BCE's Series R Preferred Shares convert to Series Q on December 1, 2020?
What dividend rate will BCE's Series R Preferred Shares pay?
Is BCE's Series R Preferred Shares still listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange?
How many Series R Preferred Shares were available for conversion?
What happens to holders of Series R Preferred Shares who elected to convert?
