Coats Group Plc Regulatory News (COA)

15 May 2009 17:10



GUINNESS PEAT GROUP plc

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

SCRIP DIVIDEND ALTERNATIVE

Guinness Peat Group plc ("GPG") announces that on Friday 15 May 2009 it allotted 31,723,404 Ordinary shares of 5p each ("Shares") in respect of its Scrip Dividend Alternative to shareholders on the UK, Australian and New Zealand share registers. Following this allotment, GPG's issued Shares and consequent voting rights total 1,454,496,558.

GPG has applied for admission of the Shares to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority ("UKLA") and for admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange's ("LSE") main market for listed securities. Application has also been made for quotation of the shares on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") in CDI form. The Shares will be automatically tradable on the New Zealand Stock Market ("NZSX") as from issue.

It is expected that listing of the Shares by the UKLA and admission to trading on the LSE will take place on 18 May 2009. Trading on the ASX and NZSX is also expected to commence on 18 May 2009.

Richard RussellCompany SecretaryGuinness Peat Group plcTel: +44 20 7484 3370

15 May 2009