Ecopetrol S.A.: 2020 Earnings Distribution Proposal

Rhea-AI Summary

Ecopetrol S.A. has proposed a 2020 earnings distribution of $17 pesos per share, constituting 41.41% of its net income of 1.69 trillion Colombian pesos. The General Shareholders Meeting on March 26, 2021 will consider this proposal. The company has also suggested an occasional reserve of up to 5.38 trillion pesos to enhance financial sustainability. The dividend payment is scheduled for April 22, 2021. As Colombia's largest firm, Ecopetrol continues to operate significantly in various international markets.

Positive

• Proposed dividend of $17 pesos per share, reflecting a 41.41% payout of net income.
• Allocation of an occasional reserve of up to 5.38 trillion pesos for financial sustainability.

Negative

• None.

BOGOTA, Colombia, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) ("Ecopetrol" or the "Company") hereby informs of the Company's 2020 earnings distribution proposal, approved by its Board of Directors, which will be submitted for the consideration of the General Shareholders Meeting that will take place on March 26, 2021:

 

EARNINGS DISTRIBUTION PROPOSAL
YEAR  2020 (Colombian pesos)
Net income after provision for income tax	1,688,076,670,736
+ Release of reserves from previous years	5,066,155,572,046
Occasional reserve	4,557,073,968,683
Excess of fiscal depreciation reserve (Art, 130 ET,)	509,081,603,363
- Legal reserves of the current year	677,889,270,437
Legal reserve (10%)	168,807,667,074
Excess of fiscal depreciation reserve (Art. 130 ET.)	509,081,603,363
Available to the Shareholders	6,076,342,972,345
It is proposed to distribute as follows:
For payment of untaxed dividend according to policy (Payout 41.4% of Net Income)	698,983,809,733
Occasional reserve	5,377,359,162,612
Total dividend payable per share	$                     17.0
1 The 40% percentage established in the policy was applied to net income, resulting in a dividend per share with decimals, which was rounded to the nearest number in pesos to obtain a dividend payment of at least 40% of net income.

The earnings distribution project proposes, in line with the Company's current dividend policy, the distribution of a dividend of $17 pesos per share for 2020, equivalent to a dividend payment of 41.41% of the net income of Ecopetrol S.A for 2020. The proposed payment date will be April 22, 2021 for 100% of the shareholders.

In addition, the Company's Board of Directors is also proposing the allocation of an occasional reserve of up to COP $5,377,359,162,612. The purpose of this occasional reserve would be to provide financial sustainability and flexibility to the Company while executing its business strategy.

Ecopetrol is Colombia's largest firm and is an integrated oil company that is among the 50 largest in the world and the four largest in Latin America. In addition to Colombia, where it generates over 60% of the country's production, it is active in exploration and production in the United States (Permian basin and Gulf of Mexico), Brazil and Mexico. Ecopetrol operates the largest refinery in Colombia, most of the country's oil-pipeline and polyduct network and is significantly increasing its share of bio-fuels. This press release contains statements relating to business prospects, estimates of operating and financial results, and Ecopetrol's growth prospects. All are projections, and therefore are based solely on management's expectations of the company's future and its continuous access to capital to finance its sales plan. Achieving these estimates in the future depends on its performance under given market conditions, regulations, competition, the performance of the Colombian economy and industry, and other factors; therefore, they are subject to change without prior notice.

For further details, please contact:

Acting Head of Capital Markets
Juan Pablo Crane
Phone: +571-234-5190
Email: investors@ecopetrol.com.co

Media Engagement (Colombia)
Jorge Mauricio Tellez
Phone: + 571-234-4329
Email: mauricio.tellez@ecopetrol.com.co 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecopetrol-sa-2020-earnings-distribution-proposal-301234047.html

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.

FAQ

What is the proposed dividend amount for Ecopetrol (EC) for 2020?

The proposed dividend amount is $17 pesos per share.

What percentage of net income is Ecopetrol (EC) distributing as dividends?

Ecopetrol is distributing 41.41% of its net income as dividends.

When will the dividend payment be made to shareholders of Ecopetrol (EC)?

The dividend payment is scheduled for April 22, 2021.

What was Ecopetrol's (EC) net income for 2020?

Ecopetrol's net income for 2020 was 1.69 trillion Colombian pesos.

What is the proposed occasional reserve amount for Ecopetrol (EC)?

The proposed occasional reserve amount is up to 5.38 trillion pesos.