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Merger
of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham
The
Boards of Glaxo Wellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc announced
on 17th January 2000 that they had agreed the terms of a proposed
merger of equals of the two companies, subject to shareholder approval
and regulatory clearance. Based on the relative stock market valuations
of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham in the months preceding
the announcement of the merger, shareholders of Glaxo Wellcome would
hold approximately 58.75 per cent and shareholders of SmithKline
Beecham approximately 41.25 per cent of the combined group.
Following
shareholder approvals and clearance from regulatory authorities,
the merger became effective on 27th December 2000.
The
merger was implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement. A new
holding company, GlaxoSmithKline plc, acquired Glaxo Wellcome and
SmithKline Beecham. In accordance with the agreed merger terms,
shareholders of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham received,
in exchange for their existing shares, shares in GlaxoSmithKline
as follows:
for
each Glaxo Wellcome ordinary share – 1 GlaxoSmithKline ordinary
share
for
each SmithKline Beecham ordinary share – 0.4552 GlaxoSmithKline
ordinary
shares.
In
the case of shares held as American Depositary Shares (ADSs), evidenced
by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), each Glaxo Wellcome ADS
represented two Glaxo Wellcome ordinary shares and each SmithKline
Beecham ADS represented five SmithKline Beecham ordinary shares.
Each GlaxoSmithKline ADS represents two GlaxoSmithKline ordinary
shares. Accordingly holders of Glaxo Wellcome ADRs and holders of
SmithKline Beecham ADRs received:
for
each Glaxo Wellcome ADS – 1 GlaxoSmithKline ADS
for
each SmithKline Beecham ADS – 1.138 GlaxoSmithKline ADSs
GlaxoSmithKline
shares commenced trading on the London Stock Exchange and GlaxoSmithKline
ADSs commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on 27th December
2000.
Taxation
As
a general guide to shareholders, GlaxoSmithKline has received advice
that the merger should not have any direct effect on the tax position
of UK resident shareholders or US resident shareholders. Further
information is contained in the Scheme Document issued to shareholders
on 5th July 2000. Shareholders who are in any doubt about their
taxation position should consult their own professional advisers.
Dividends
- Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham
Dividends
2000
Both
Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham announced dividends in respect
of the year 2000 prior to the effective date of the merger on 27th
December 2000.
| Glaxo
Wellcome |
2000
pence |
1999
pence |
 |
| Interim |
15 |
15 |
| Second
Interim |
23 |
- |
| Final |
- |
22 |
 |
| Total
dividend per Glaxo Wellcome share |
38 |
37 |
 |
The
equivalent dividend per GlaxoSmithKline share is the same as the
dividend per Glaxo Wellcome share.
The
record date for the second interim dividend was 22nd December 2000
in relation to Glaxo Wellcome shares and 26th December 2000 in relation
to Glaxo Wellcome ADSs. The second interim dividend will be paid
on 17th April 2001 to shareholders of Glaxo Wellcome at the record
date and on 27th April 2001 to ADR holders of Glaxo Wellcome at
the record date.
| SmithKline
Beecham |
2000
pence |
1999
pence |
 |
| First
Interim |
3.0 |
2.7 |
| Second
Interim |
3.0 |
2.7 |
| Third
Interim |
3.0 |
2.7 |
| Fourth
Interim |
4.5 |
4.05 |
 |
| Total
dividend per SmithKline Beecham share |
13.5 |
12.15 |
 |
| Total
equivalent dividend per GSK share |
29.66 |
26.69 |
 |
The
record date for the fourth interim dividend was 22nd December 2000
in relation to SmithKline Beecham shares and 26th December 2000
in relation to SmithKline Beecham ADSs. The fourth interim dividend
will be paid on 17th April 2001 to shareholders and ADR holders
of SmithKline Beecham at the record date.
Dividends
(ADSs)
As
a guide to holders of ADRs, the tables below set out the dividends
paid per ADS in US dollars in the last five years. The dividends
are adjusted for UK tax credit less withholding tax, where applicable,
and are translated into US dollars at the applicable exchange rates.
Since
6th April 1999, claims for refunds of tax credits or dividends from
the UK tax authorities are of negligible benefit to US shareholders.
| Year |
Glaxo
Welcome
$ |
SmithKline
Beecham
$ |
 |
| 2000 |
1.10 |
0.99 |
| 1999 |
1.14 |
0.98 |
| 1998 |
1.19 |
0.92 |
| 1997 |
1.17 |
0.85 |
| 1996 |
1.16 |
0.74 |
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