Marks and Spencer 2008 Annual Report Download - page 101

marksandspencer.com/annualreport08 MARKS AND SPENCER GROUP PLC 99
About us
Key performance indicators Business review Financial review Governance Financial statements
Shareholder information
Further information on many of the topics covered in
these pages can be found under the ‘Investor’ section
of our website.
Shareholder vouchers
We currently send a booklet of discount vouchers to our
shareholders each year. At present there is no minimum
holding requirement to receive these, you just need to
be a shareholder at the qualifying date, which is normally
the dividend record date prior to mailing. The vouchers
for 2007/08 were distributed in January and were valid
throughout February and March 2008.
Dividends
Shareholders are able to choose how they receive
their dividends:
• direct to their bank account;†
• paid in foreign currencies;
• reinvested in M&S shares; or
• paid by cheque.
Company website
In July 2008 we will be launching our new corporate website.
This will provide a number of interactive features and a greater
wealth of information. Shareholders can be kept up-to-date
with the latest news, as well as watch recordings of past
AGMs and our financial results presentations. Our AGM is
again being broadcast live on the internet and details of
how to view this are included in the Notice of Meeting. The
directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity
of the financial information on our website. This information
has been prepared under relevant accounting standards
and legislation. We welcome feedback on the website. Please
email comments to [e-mail]
Electronic communication
Registering for online communication gives shareholders more
control of their shareholding. The registration process is via our
registrars’ secure website shareview.com. Once registered
shareholders are able to:
• elect how we communicate with them;
• amend their details;
• amend the way dividends are received; and
• buy or sell shares online.
This doesn’t mean shareholders can no longer receive paper
copies of documents. We are able to offer a range of services
and tailor communication to meet our shareholders’ needs,
mailing hard copy documents to those who request them.
Informed choices, aligned to new technology will reduce the
amount of paper, print and postage we use. Together, we
can minimise waste and our impact on the environment. For
further information go to the Investor section of our website.
Ordinary shares
As at 29 March 2008, there are 223,128 holders of ordinary shares whose shareholdings
are analysed below. We also have a further 38,000 investors holding shares via our
Corporate nominee. Percentage
Number of of total Number of Percentage of
shareholders shareholders ordinary shares ordinary shares
Size of shareholding
1 – 500 110,900 49.70 22,118,506 1.39
501 – 1,000 45,179 20.25 33,575,904 2.12
1,001 – 2,000 34,569 15.49 49,132,796 3.10
2,001 – 5,000 23,065 10.34 70,303,326 4.43
5,001 – 10,000 5,848 2.62 40,471,985 2.55
10,001 – 100,000 2,907 1.30 68,418,477 4.31
100,001 – 1,000,000 472 0.21 165,817,566 10.45
1,000,001 – Highest 188 0.09 1,136,639,863 71.65
Total 223,128 100.00 1,586,478,423 100.00
Shareholders are further analysed as follows
Type of owner
Private holders 212,856 95.40 334,217,456 21.07
Institutional and corporate holders 10,272 4.60 1,252,260,967 78.93
Total 223,128 100.00 1,586,478,423 100.00
†M&S preferred option
The quickest and most efficient way to receive your
dividends is to have them paid direct to your bank
account. It saves waiting for funds to clear and reduces
the paper and postage we use. Those selecting this
payment method receive a consolidated tax voucher at
their registered address each January. However, we are
able to send a tax voucher with each payment if preferred.
To change how you receive your dividends either log on
to shareview.co.uk or contact Equiniti.
Shareholder information
Financial calendar
Record date to be eligible
for the final dividend
30 May 2008
AGM – Royal Festival Hall,
London
9 July 2008
Final ordinary dividend for the
year to 29 March 2008 to be paid
11 July 2008
Half year results to be announced
4 November 2008*
Record date to be eligible for the
interim dividend
14 November 2008*
Interim ordinary dividend to
be paid
9 January 2009*
*provisional dates