Utah Medical Products, Inc. Announces Special Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Utah Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTMD) announced a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share, payable on December 29, 2021, to stockholders of record by December 15, 2021. This action replaces the normal quarterly dividend and aims to maximize returns for shareholders. The company reported a cash balance of $64.3 million as of September 30, 2021, despite distributing $3.1 million in dividends earlier this year. Chairman Kevin Cornwell highlighted that this dividend reflects ongoing excellent operating performance and strategic cash management.

Positive

• Special cash dividend of $2.00 per share demonstrates strong cash management.
• Cash and investment balances increased to $64.3 million as of September 30, 2021, despite previous dividend payments.
• Dividends represented about 28% of net income in recent years, supporting shareholder returns.

Negative

• Share repurchase activities were halted in 2021, limiting potential stockholder value enhancement.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / November 2, 2021 / Utah Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTMD) announces that its Board of Directors approved a special cash dividend of two dollars ($2.00) per share of common stock payable on December 29, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2021. This dividend replaces the normal quarterly dividend, and will be paid in December rather than in early 2022.

A key long term UTMD business objective has been to maximize returns for its stockholders. In recent years, the annual dividend distributed has been about $4 million per year. In 2019 and in 2021 to date (excluding the 2020 pandemic year in which net income was temporarily depressed), dividends represented about 28% of UTMD's net income (after a provision for corporate income taxes).

Chairman Kevin Cornwell states, "I would like to help explain the rationale for this $7.3 million special dividend:

A) UTMD generally endeavors to utilize cash not needed to support normal operations in one or a combination of the following:

1) to continue to invest at an opportune time in ways that will enhance future profitability;

2) to make additional investments in new technology and/or processes; and/or

3) to acquire a product line or another company that will augment revenue and EPS growth, better utilizing UTMD's existing infrastructure.

According to its SEC filings, when UTMD has grown cash beyond these three strategic uses, the Company will continue to return cash to stockholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases when the stock appears undervalued.

At September 30, 2021 UTMD's cash and investment balances at $64.3 million were $12.7 million higher than at December 31, 2020 despite having previously paid $3.1 million in dividends during the first nine months of 2021. During 2020, in addition to paying $4.1 million in dividends to stockholders, UTMD used $7.0 million of cash to repurchase its shares in the open market, thus improving remaining stockholders' value. Because the Company has not been able to repurchase shares in 2021, the special dividend can be viewed as the Board of Directors returning cash in the form of a dividend in lieu of repurchasing shares.

B) For investors subject to income taxes on dividends, a larger and earlier dividend payment should be of benefit given anticipated changes in 2022 U.S. income tax provisions.

C) UTMD will retain its ability to allocate cash according to the three strategic uses above after distribution of this special dividend, because management estimates that the Company's cash balance at December 31, 2021 will remain close to what was at September 30, 2021 due to continued excellent operating performance."

Investors are cautioned that this press release contains forward looking statements and that actual events may differ from those projected or expected.

Utah Medical Products, Inc., with particular interest in health care for women and their babies, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of disposable and reusable specialty medical devices recognized by clinicians in over a hundred countries around the world as the standard for obtaining optimal long term outcomes for their patients. For more information about Utah Medical Products, Inc., visit UTMD's website at www.utahmed.com.

CONTACT:

Crystal Rios
(801) 566-1200

SOURCE: Utah Medical Products, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/670624/Utah-Medical-Products-Inc-Announces-Special-Dividend

FAQ

What is the dividend amount announced by Utah Medical Products (UTMD)?

Utah Medical Products announced a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share.

When will the special dividend for UTMD be paid?

The special dividend will be payable on December 29, 2021.

What is the record date for receiving the special dividend from UTMD?

Stockholders must be on record by December 15, 2021, to receive the special dividend.

How does the special dividend affect UTMD's cash reserves?

UTMD anticipates maintaining a strong cash balance post-dividend distribution, estimated to be similar to the $64.3 million reported on September 30, 2021.

What percentage of net income are dividends for UTMD?

Dividends represented about 28% of UTMD's net income in recent years.