TORONTO, April 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: ENS, ENS.PR.A) The board of directors of E Split Corp. (the “Company”) has extended the maturity date of the Company for an additional 5-year term to June 30, 2028, as was detailed in the press release dated February 1, 2023.
The Company is pleased to announce that the distribution rate for the Preferred Shares for the new 5-year term from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2028 will be $0.70 per annum (7.0% on the original issue price of $10) payable quarterly. The new distribution rate represents a 33.3% increase from the current $0.525 per annum distribution rate and provides investors with a competitive yield reflecting current market yields for preferred shares with similar terms. The new 5-year term extension also offers Preferred shareholders the opportunity to enjoy preferential cash dividends until June 30, 2028. Since inception from June 29, 2018 to March 31, 2023, the Preferred Share has delivered an attractive 5.3% per annum return.
In addition, the Company intends to maintain the targeted monthly Class A Share distribution rate at $0.13 per Class A Share. Since inception to March 31, 2023, the Class A shares have delivered a 11.1% per annum total return, including cash distributions of $7.01 per share. Class A shareholders also have the option to reinvest their cash distributions in a dividend reinvestment plan which is commission free to participants.
The term extension allows Class A shareholders to continue to have exposure to common shares of Enbridge Inc. (“Enbridge”), a leading North American pipeline, natural gas processing and distribution company, while benefiting from an attractive distribution rate of 11.0% per annum based on the April 25, 2023 net asset value per share and the opportunity for capital appreciation. As North America’s largest midstream company, Enbridge has generated highly predictable, resilient cash flow and has provided superior dividend growth and value creation through various commodity price cycles.
In connection with the extension, Shareholders can continue to hold their shares of both Classes and receive the new, higher distribution rate on the Preferred Shares by taking no action. Shareholders who do not wish to continue their investment in the Company, will be able to retract Preferred Shares or Class A Shares on June 30, 2023 pursuant to a special retraction right and receive a retraction price that is calculated in the same way that such price would be calculated if the Company were to terminate on June 30, 2023. Pursuant to this option, the retraction price may be less than the market price if the shares are trading at a premium to net asset value. To exercise this retraction right, shareholders must provide notice to their investment dealer by May 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time). Alternatively, shareholders may sell their Preferred Shares and/or Class A Shares through their securities dealer for the market price at any time, potentially at a higher price than would be achieved through retraction.
E Split Corp. invests in common shares of Enbridge and intends to purchase Enbridge common shares from time to time in the market or through participation in future public offerings by Enbridge.
About Middlefield
Founded in 1979, Middlefield is a specialist and independent equity income manager headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Middlefield’s actively managed, award-winning funds are designed to be “investments that work for you” by distributing consistent and high levels of income through various market cycles. Middlefield’s funds span a number of market sectors including real estate, healthcare, innovation, sustainability, infrastructure and energy. Investors can access these strategies in a variety of product types including ETFs, Mutual Funds, Closed-End Funds, Split-Share Funds and Flow-through LPs.
For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.
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