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Pin to quick picksSomero Regulatory News (SOM)

Share Price Information for Somero (SOM)

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Share Price: 325.00
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Change: -1.00 (-0.31%)
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COVID-19 Update

30 Mar 2020 07:00

RNS Number : 9499H
Somero Enterprises Inc.
30 March 2020
 

30 March 2020

Somero Enterprises, Inc.

("Somero" or the "Company")

 

COVID-19 Update

Somero Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") provides the following update regarding in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trading update

On 11 March 2020 we reported accelerated trading in the US due to improvement weather conditions led to a strong end to 2019 and a positive start to 2020. We also noted in our 2019 results statement, that while the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a brief stoppage in activity in China, we had yet to see a direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer projects outside of China.

Since that update and the rapid movement of government guidance in that time across different regions, we have seen a dramatic increase in pressure on our non-China markets with lockdowns implemented in a rapidly increasing number of geographies including across portions of the US. This is impacting not only customer projects but also the manner in which we conduct our operations.

Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is too early at this stage to provide earnings guidance in relation to the remainder of the current financial year, although we do consider it likely there will be a material impact. We are therefore withdrawing guidance for the full year.

Response to COVID-19

 

Health and safety

Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our customers, partners and employees and we are continuing to ensure that we have the appropriate measures and precautions in place for their safety.

 

We are closely monitoring the ongoing developments in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and are taking appropriate actions to comply with governmental mandates.

 

Financial measures

As is prudent, we are taking actions to manage short-term cost control while ensuring the business remains on a sound footing in the long term. This includes reducing operational costs, limiting our capital expenditures and optimizing our cash flows.

Accordingly, in the circumstances, the Board has taken the prudent, precautionary decision to defer payment of the final 2019 ordinary dividend of 13.0 US cents per share and the supplemental dividend of 7.7 US cents per share that were declared with the Company's 2019 full year results and scheduled to be paid on 30 April 2020. These two dividends combined represent an US$ 11.7m payment to shareholders. In accordance with Delaware Law, the US state in which Somero is incorporated, the Company is deferring the record date and payment date for the dividends and not cancelling the dividends. Therefore, these two dividends will now be paid on or about February 5, 2021 to shareholders of record close of business on January 8, 2021.

January 8, 2021 is currently the latest record date permitted by the London Stock Exchange in accordance with its standard dividend procedures. The timing of the record date and payment date will be kept under review, and dependent on business conditions, the Board may decide to accelerate or further defer the dates. The Board currently intends to maintain its current dividend policy going forward, although any 2020 dividend will be paid as a final dividend only, with no interim dividend payment made later this year.

In addition, the Board is taking the prudent decision to cancel the US$ 1.0m share buyback program.

Financial update

The Company's financial position remains strong, with no debt, a substantial net cash position that currently exceeds US$ 24.0m, and substantial access to liquidity through the Company's US$ 10.0m line of credit.

Outlook

While the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult to determine, the Board is confident in the health of our business and the long-term growth opportunities in front of us. The Board's view is supported not only by the Company's strong financial position, but also the solid, albeit temporarily paused, non-residential construction activity pipeline that remains across our global markets, particularly in the US where customers have previously reported project backlogs that extend well into 2020, and by the progress we are making with our long-term new product initiatives.

The Board will provide the market with updated guidance on the Company's performance and expectations of future performance as and when appropriate.

The information communicated in this announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Somero Enterprises, Inc. www.somero.com

Jack Cooney, CEO +1 239 210 6500

John Yuncza, CFO

Howard Hohmann, EVP Sales

 

finnCap Ltd (NOMAD and Broker)

Matt Goode (Corporate Finance) +44 (0)20 7220 0500

Carl Holmes (Corporate Finance)

Kate Bannatyne (Corporate Finance)

Tim Redfern/Richard Chambers (ECMO)

 

Alma PR (Financial PR Advisor) somero@almapr.co.uk

Rebecca Sanders-Hewett +44(0) 20 3405 0205

Susie Hudson

Sam Modlin

David Ison

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
END
 
 
TSTSEWEDWESSELD
Date   Source Headline
18th Jun 200912:22 pmRNSResult of AGM
15th Jun 20095:53 pmRNSAnnual Report and Notice of AGM
4th Jun 200911:20 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
7th May 20095:35 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
6th May 20097:00 amRNSFinal Results
30th Jan 20095:55 pmRNSNotification of Major Interests in Shares
28th Jan 20094:08 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
28th Jan 20094:08 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
27th Jan 20097:00 amRNSTrading Statement
16th Jan 20097:45 amRNSNotification of Major Interests in Shares
18th Nov 20085:14 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
12th Nov 20084:32 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th Nov 20087:00 amRNSTrading Statement
1st Oct 20083:11 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
23rd Sep 20084:58 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
9th Sep 20087:00 amRNSInterim Results
14th Jul 20087:00 amRNSTrading Update
5th Jun 200811:33 amRNSResult of AGM
20th May 20087:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
15th May 20087:00 amRNSTrading Statement
8th May 20087:01 amRNSNotice of AGM - Replacement
6th May 20087:02 amRNSNotice of AGM
7th Apr 20087:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
1st Apr 20087:01 amRNSFinal Results
13th Mar 20083:31 pmRNSNotice of Results
29th Feb 20087:01 amRNSCREST Admission
1st Feb 20084:54 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
17th Jan 20084:52 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
10th Jan 20087:01 amRNSPeriod End Trading Update
20th Dec 20076:13 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
22nd Nov 20073:13 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
21st Nov 20077:01 amRNSOffice Openings
14th Nov 20073:48 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
13th Sep 20077:01 amRNSAnalyst & Investor Site Visit
6th Sep 20077:01 amRNSInterim Results
17th Aug 20073:20 pmRNSNotice of Results
16th Aug 20075:10 pmRNSAIM Rule 26 - Company Website
13th Aug 20073:10 pmRNSDirectorate Change
12th Jul 20077:00 amRNSPeriod End Trading Update
21st Jun 20079:16 amRNSResult of AGM
14th Jun 20071:32 pmRNSRe: Annual Report & Accounts
12th Jun 20079:51 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
11th Jun 20075:31 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
7th Jun 20075:52 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
8th May 20077:02 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
4th May 20075:40 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th May 20075:40 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
1st May 20077:03 amRNSSecondary Placing
27th Apr 20072:43 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
17th Apr 20075:31 pmRNSRe: Dividend

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