International Distributions Services Share Chat (IDS)

Instruction to accept offer/sell shares 19/05/25

Funds received in bank a/c on 9/6/25

so that 13 working days (1 bank hol) - so not bad I suppose.

Cheers

You must have missed the time, you will have to contact the buyer to try and get your shares sold

Just been on the phone to the Equiniti helpline donkeys.

I was pondering about accepting the offer and was on holiday so missed the 1st deadline...

Apparently I accepted the offer on 19/5

So where's my money?

Apparently the money goes to the trustees (or something) on the 9th June

Then it takes several days to pay me....

At end of call the grifter said so funds should definitely be with the end of June!

Not a massive amount of money - just 359 shares - £1292 (minus fees?) but that's pretty slow and poor.

Final update. Funds in my account as of 5 minutes ago. It strikes me that they have been fobbing me off until I started copying senior emails who may well have given someone a nudge. As per my last note there are many online brokers! Over and out and good luck to all.

By way of an update to all (and thanks again HD) I have just been advised that I will receive my funds tomorrow. I have replied copying in several senior emails (I know, probably not read) asking why I have been fobbed off for the last couple of weeks with nonsense answers. Their action has cost me a return Vs the shares that I would have purchased with the funds (Trump slump shares). Of course I may as well p*ss in the wind but I live in hope that one of the recipients will realise that their colleagues are not all that. All I would any to any reader is that there are other on-line platforms and its quite possible that they're better than IG!

Hi HD thanks for the input. I have flagged my recent notes as a complaint and copied in senior email addresses (no bounce but who knows if such emails arrive). I’m pretty sure they have messed up and the Helpdesk people don’t know what is going on. Cheers SF

I’m afraid Shinyfings I cannot help too much. The admin departments in these brokers are often not very good (had my own run in with one last year) but they normally get payments right. If, as you say, you accepted a long time ago you should have had your money within 14 days plus 5 business days from 31 May (from memory I think by 21 May) and no later. The timetable is set out in the Offer Document (which effectively is a contractual document). From what you say IG must have received your acceptance as your shares are no longer showing. I can only suggest you contact IG and:

(1). Ask them when and by what method the payment for your shares was sent to you. They must have this in their records and be able to give this information to you immediately. If they can’t that is rather problematic for their systems. Even if you got the Special Dividend by bank transfer it seems from what others have said on here that, rather oddly, some nominees may have sent payment for the shares by cheque. It could be that the cheque has been lost in the post.

(2). It may be better to escalate this as a complaint (or at least threaten to do so). They tend to take that rather more seriously.

(3). You could go to the Financial Ombudsman if you are not getting any action. However, from memory, you can only do that a month after complaining - to give IG time to sort out the problem.

It may be a good part of the problem is that IG has contracted out its back office on this. I think many brokers have and it adds an extra layer where communication can fail. It would be worth asking IG whether they are dealing directly with the matter or it is subcontracted. It may not help that much but at least you would know.

Hi HD as you always know what is going on do you have any idea why I have no funds from IG. Offer accepted months ago, special dividend received and share value showing as the correct number but zero value in my account. Has something gone wrong? I keep prodding them but they’ve now said the offer is extended u til 10 June and they can’t give me a payment date. Equiniti managed to send cheques weeks ago. Thanks for any input.

The headline figure that EP Group is paying for each share is £3.70, but that includes a 2p dividend which you should have had last September, and an 8p dividend you should have had recently. So when you sell, you'll get £3.60 per share.

You can wait and have your shares compulsorily purchased which will mean waiting several weeks for payment after the deadline, or accept the offer beforehand and have your cash a bit sooner.

Can someone clarify please as I have a few shares, if I do nothing will I be paid 3.60 or 3.70 in June or do I need to accept/respond to the corporate acction offer? Alliance News says 2.70 is it an error?

Wed, 28th May 2025 10:23

Alliance News

International Distribution Services PLC - London-based owner of Royal Mail - EP Corporate says it now has received 90.15% acceptances of its GBP3.6 billion takeover offer. As a result of passing the 90% threshold, EP Corporate, the vehicle of Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, will now move to compulsory acquisition of remaining IDS shares. EP Corporate expects to cancel the trading of IDS shares on the London Stock Exchange by Monday next week. Under the terms of the offer, shareholders will receive 370 pence for each IDS share. The deadline for acceptances is June 11.

I'm an ex postie and I look at the RM Chat forum occasionally, and there was at least one on there who thought holding onto them and being a minority shareholder would potentially be a good thing. You really couldn't make it up!!!

That’ll save the remaining clueless posties from being stuck with shares they can’t sell.

They've now got the required percentage and the remainder will be compulsorily purchased.

The offer remains open until 11th June to accept(6th June for SIP/nominees).

Yes, I just happened to be looking at that as well. The latest holding shown was at 21 May and I reckon they need around 3.5m of shares to be accepted to get to 92.756% from the 92.4%. There were two business days last week after 21 May and today 1.3m shares have changed hands (and will have gone into acceptances). Likely to get there this week. Hope so. Easier for everyone.

EP now hold 92.40% of shares, which by my reckoning means they're nearly there in terms of being able to compulsorily purchase the remainder. I think they need 92.75% in total, or thereabouts.

As advised by Equiniti, the 360p part has been paid into my bank account. I won't come back here, GLA.

I have only received the dividend. Should be in the account by the end of the month. IG now pay interest of 4.5% so this is very good! This investment has proved to be a good one!

Had my divi and my 360p. So all the best , I won’t be checking back here again!

Hi Has anyone had payment for IDS held by IG. I’ve asked IG what is happening but they’re not quick to respond and I don’t want to enter phone hell.

Wise words old fart this will be interesting how he systematically dissects it

You might me an old fart, i dont know, but everything you have wrote is 100% common sense, millions to be made by future savings. Would have gladly kept this for another 5 years.

Personally I think WHEN, not if they change the USO the Company will fly!

They no longer have the Old School ethic of clear everyday, so this along with the USO removal will reduce costs significantly.

Packets will increase and people will always post letters, so profits will soar!

Sadly those profits will go to foreign shores not as the CWU think to staff.

The whole deal from a normal staff point of view has been a scandal with only Politicians, bankers, high ranking staff and CWU chiefs making the real money! Despite them all denying it.

Yes small investors have made a little if they bought wisely BUT they are not the real winners.

Hope I am wrong but Think long term profits rise and staff become unskilled on minimum wage.

But then again I am a Retired Old Fart!!

On to Indivior shares to try and make me fortune...that really is a rollercoaster to play!!!

With exception of bargain price GLS the rest is just a hollow shell with a name on it.

It will be interesting to see what DannyPost Ltd is worth in a year or two from now, I predict a fair bit more than the bargain price he got it for, mainly due to changes that had already been instigated and implemented in the business prior to him getting his hands on it.

Thanks for the reply houndog puts my mind at ease a little bit

Timeline would be to issue payment within 14 days plus 5 business days from RECEIPT of acceptance form and certificates. Probably also paying by cheque so add another couple of days or so for post. Likely will come by end next week or possibly before.

Sent mine away 2 weeks ago still not recieved my money got the dividend payment but nothing else so far .Should I be worried

Money in my bank this morning. Happy, just hope pension fund is looked after. Thanks for the shared info you have all given. Signing off.

8p special dividend received today from Halifax.

Received my cheques last week. I'm all done and dusted now. Thanks again for all help from people on here.

Received my cash from Equanti thus morning. The end of my royal mail journey been quite a ride, just hope that Mr Keginski looks after the pension fund. Good luck to all! Over and Out

Mine was in my account when I checked this morning. Exactly as expected.

Mine was in my bank account when i checked on sunday night

Still waiting on mine anybody else not recieved there's

Correction!

I had a few left on a certificate from the IPO which I had agreed to sell. Dividend was paid into my Halifax account Wednesday 14th

Payment details are set out in the Offer Document. It is, I understand, a very difficult read but it says that it will be 14 days plus 5 BUSINESS days for nominee shareholders. So 21 May (from 30 April) for those that accepted prior to 30 April. For those accepting after, it is the same timeframe from the DATE of acceptance. I can understand that batch runs are being made which should mean some are getting their money at the end of the advised payment period but quite a few getting money somewhat earlier.

Other arrangements in place for eg IDS Share Plans.

There seems to be quite a bit of variation about how nominees are going about things but hopefully all pre 30 April acceptors are getting the Special Dividend and buyout proceeds by no later than 21 May.

In line with other Halifax posters I should say

In line with other posters I still haven’t received my dividend , but have received the 360p

If it true that equanti are makìngboaymrnt in batches this cannot be right or fair (would be questionable if indeed legal or in line with fcsa rules ). The communication regarding the timescales for payment has been very much lacking to say the least!)

I am considering making a formal complaint

Of mild interest only I suspect but the latest TR1 of Bidco shows it has got to 91.1% (from 83%) at 14 May. That is an additional 8% in about 7 days. I reckon they need to get to 92.7% of overall acceptance (90% of the shares DK did not already own plus his original 27%) to be able to compulsorily buy out the remaining holdouts. Quite possible it will happen next week.

Still best not to wait as to when/if compulsory buyout happens but accept or sell.

I’ve spoken to Barclays. They’ve advised payment will land on the 28th of May.

I have received the dividend for my IG held shares and paper shares. For 4 of my 5 holdings from the original sale I have received 4 cheques (very odd as dividends were always direct to bank) for the sale value and 5 electronic payments for the dividends. I am currently missing one initial float sale value and the sale value of my holding via my IG account.

IDs shares have processed for full amount but funds not cleared yet, remember we have a T2 settlement period so 48 hours after the sale, I'm guessing by the latest ( end of play on 14th) will be next Monday when funds are available.

No cheque for me, just a Divi confirmation for tax!

By cheque. Really in this day and age.

Cheque arrived by post today for full amount (£3.60 per share). Dividend (8p per share) paid into bank account yesterday. Shares held by EQ.

Equiniti payment as a nominee service can be up to five working days from receipt of the funds from Bidco.

So next Wednesday then!

[LINK REMOVED]

Yes - in my Equiniti account Goldenballs.

Still no share money from equiniti😔

Has anyone with Equitini received their share money yet? Dividend ŵas received yesterday.

Have received the dividend payments into my bank account, not sign of the £3.60 yet. As has been suggested, someones making money out of the delay, and it's not me!!

Also, I’ve received my 360p in Halifax across my isa and GIA. No special dividend as of yet.

It may be that they have acted on your original instruction and accepted on your behalf. So the shares are now in escrow. The shares are still trading.

The initial reply you got seemed to me to be in “Indian English” (for a time I did some work in India and the style is similar to what I encountered there) and so it may be that Winterflood’s back office is in India which can complicate things.

It is very hit and (often) miss with these brokers and nominee shareholder providers. The staff don’t seem to get much training in more complex matters.

I cannot fathom how amateurish and unregulated this whole process is.

I tried to sell my holding this morning as I did not trust Aegon to process my request correctly especially as I missed the deadline on the single email I missed informing me of my options. Their platform will not allow me to sell now as the "stock is not available to sell" by their broker Winterflood but I was under the impression from previous posts that trading continued to at least the 28th May.

Despite the initial confusion with random figures as to the value of my holding I'm pleased to report I've had the full amount including divi appear as available cash in my trading account.

Someone at my old office (I’m retired now) has said it will be next week when we get the £3.60 per share remainder. I thought it was going to be today according to the RNS dated 30th April (section 12). But of course it could still arrive today sometime.

The whole thing is becoming more baffling by the day....dividend as said previously has been paid today.

BUT no one knows when/if rest of money is to be paid by.

Shares have gone from my account.

This could turn into biggest scam ever...and the fact all the brokers know nothing but have signed over everyone's shares make it even stranger?

I've just looked at mine and I'm now very confused and concerned...

I have 4050 IDS meaning an approximate value of £14,500 (dependent on whether you include the dividend or not)

However it's currently showing the value of my holding as the "book cost" of £7,400 with a "loss" of £8,200 or 93%!!!!

These figures are making no sense at all to me! Can someone explain them?

Why is it only showing thd value of my holding as being the "book cost" ie what I've paid for them, and not the gains I've made??

Can anyone advise who uses Barclays smart investor. I have had the divi payment but nothing on the actual share holding. Thanks in advance.

My Dividend and Payment have been deposited to my ii account this morning, which origianlly was a crest account. So glad the roller coaster of these past few years is over. Good luck to all that have endured this scenario, and happier trading times ahead

Lampylew all my shares I’ve got are with Halifax and the dividend has always gone into my account on the day they should but it’s always after 5 o’clock if you don’t get the money in your account today give them a ring tomorrow

Same here. No news and no no payment yet from Halifax!

Anyone had any news from Halifax share dealings over payment dates. Some people have been paid the 8p dividend today and await rest of payment. However not a word from Halifax. And my shares have been in an escrow a/c for ages

Well, the dividend is in my account.

We’ll find out tomorrow morning. Or maybe around 10pm tonight ….

I thought this may be the case, as everything has been so vague in regards actual payment and no company seems to know when it gonna happen!

Problem for me is this is my Money NOW as my shares have transferred ownership to the EP Group.

So basically they have ownership of a company from June 2nd, for which they have paid shareholders 8p per share for!!

Red Flags everywhere and I cannot believe in this day and age they can actually let someone do this!!

We now just have to believe in the system, if it had been the other way round the money would have had to have been paid upon purchase.

Just spoke to HARGREAVES

Regarding the special Divi we all agree will be paid tomorrow

Regarding the payment for the shares

They have advised me saying generally they are paid same day as the special dividend

This is what I was told 2 weeks ago as well

I asked him to confirm this, he then said

On the notes for IDS , it says the last possible date for the payment to be made for the shares is 12th of August (which is very far away)

So payment for IDS shares will be anywhere from 14 MAY to 12 AUGUST

Wow do cheques genuinely exist in 2025 serious question?

Assume they'll pay you the same way as you receive dividend payments, cheque or bank transfer

Are they paying into bank accounts or sending cheques? I'm not sure they have my bank details.

Not received anything yet. I posted my shares two week ago this Thursday.

PAYMENT OF MONEY UPDATE

Just checked with Bank...Dividend is being paid tomorrow 14th May 2025.

BUT they have no payment details or date of payment for the actual shares!

It is not happening tomorrow anyway.

HAS ANYONE HEARD ANYTHING ON PAYMENT OF ACTUAL SHARE MONEY???

The Divi is definitely been paid 14 may, as to the remaining could also be 14th

Shrewsbury, sounds to me like your shares are to be sold imminently at "best price achievable" and as such it's out of your hands unless you instruct otherwise.

Life is too short for added stress. I would give them 24 hours and then endeavour to sell yourself. I sold all IDS a while ago. knowing I could lose out but slept soundly since. Best of luck.

I've had an email from Aegon which says:

"Referring to you Take Over request, our broker (Winterflood) have confirm your request have been noted and will be processed on best endeavor basis."

Their reply doesn't fill me with a great deal of confidence. Having had bad experiences dealing with Aegon I guess selling is probably going to be my best option even though I'll be a bit out of pocket.

That sounds like a decent plan. Winterflood should know what is going on but whether systems wise that translates into Aegon getting its act together is difficult to know (surprising they have not contacted you about the extended offer). You will get slightly less if you sell (1p or so depending on market price) but unless Aegon are fairly immediately helpful and you want to battle their “helpline” if they are not it is probably best to sell. Better things to do in life. There is at least 14 days before the acceptance period closes as that is the notice period so there is time. However, it is easy to let 14 days slip away.

Thanks. I messaged Aegon on Wednesday afternoon to see if I can still accept the offer as its been extended. They know nothing about it but are trying to get a response from their broker Winterflood. I will give it to the middle/end of next week and if I've not heard that I can accept then I will sell. Does that sound like a decent plan?

@ebygum

That is a bit curious because the RNS announcement says that trading will continue until delisting on 2 June:

“ Under UK Listing Rule 21.2.13R, IDS announces that the notice period for the cancellation of listing and trading of the IDS Shares has now commenced and cancellation of listing and trading of the IDS Shares is expected to take effect no earlier than 8.00 a.m. on 2 June 2025”

Perhaps they are applying some earlier internal deadline. I think the brokers and nominees no longer understand takeovers very well and also, possibly, take different approaches.

@Shrewsburymarket

Trading continues until 2 June or possibly stops earlier on 28 May per FD/HSBC (see above). The acceptance extension period can go on from some time (my distant memory of the Takeover Rules on this is up to 3 months - rules may have changed since) but it is entirely at the discretion of DK - but there is a 14 day notice period. I don’t think it is necessarily tied to delisting and the cessation of trading. However, there is no upside in waiting - you are not going to get more money. So accept or sell as soon as you can.

Ye just listened to the advice I got on was worried incase they became worthless

Did you sell in case you got nothing? I haven't voted on a couple of accounts one with £18000 of IDS shares in it and I'm worried that somethings going to go wrong.

Managed to get mine sold today thanks for all the help

Spoke to Equiniti today to double-check they had our acceptances as I worry about these things (they did!)

Among other things they said that they expect payment to be no later than 14 days from the offer being declared unconditional (no mention of another 5 days, though see @Hounddog10's post of 2 May at 11:41), that the offer remains open for acceptance until further notice, that there is no defined date yet for the offer to close, and that they will give at least 14 days notice of the offer closing.

I guess this relates to mopping up remaining shares to get to 90%+. Hope this helps those who still have acceptances to sort out. Equiniti helpline is +44 (0) 333 207 6505

I was going to suggest much along the same lines as @Newdealz. I am not entirely clear what you mean by being in a corporate nominee account. Is it an employee IDS Share Plan? I would have thought whatever it is you should have had some communication from them as to what to do. I am not familiar as to how these plans works in a takeover situation and whether things happen automatically - but I certainly would not assume that. I would suggest you call on Tuesday the administrator (or corporate actions team, if they have one) of the corporate nominee. If you have relevant contact details you might be able to email them this bank holiday weekend to start the enquiry (but best follow up with a phone call). It is their job to help.

As @Newdealz points out there is also the Equiniti helpline which can give you some general advice if the corporate nominee is not being helpful. There is some time left, but not much, so I would strongly suggest dealing with it first thing the first working day next week.

Thanks for the advice will give them a call on Monday will I be able to just sell them over the phone or do need to get paperwork from them then fill that in sorry for being thick

I would call the Equiniti shareholder helpline +44 (0) 333 207 6505

Anyone using phone apps and not the full website for nominee accounts should also be aware that corporate action voting or notifications may not be available in the app, the pdf CA for the new vote deadline was sent out on the 1st May, with a new vote deadline for your final chance to get your shares bought at full price is 9th May, this is with interactive investors online trading, I would imagine other online nominee accounts have a similar date.

Hi there sold all my shares today but I still have 287 corporate nominee shares how do I go about selling these I have not got a clue I accepted the offer for the other ones I had but I do not think I have a share certificate for the 287 shares I mentioned any help would be much appreciated thank you

I've sent mine off now. just waiting for the check. Thanks to all for their helpful advice on here especially Houndog.