FAQs
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Share ownership - general
1. How can I find out more about being a shareholder?
2. When was Home Retail Group plc launched?
3. What is a registrar?
4. What is a dividend?
5. What is a share certificate?
Becoming a shareholder
6. What am I entitled to as a registered shareholder?
7. Is it possible to receive Company information and vote my shares electronically?
Dividend information
8. When are dividends paid?
9. I have not received my dividend cheque, who do I contact?
10. I have mislaid my dividend cheque, who do I contact?
11. Can I have my dividends paid directly into my bank?
12. Do you have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan? Can I use my dividends to buy more shares?
13. What does 'ex-dividend' mean?
14. What does 'record date' mean?
Share registration issues
15. Who do I contact about share registration?
16. I have just changed my address, who needs to know?
17. I have recently changed my name, what should I do?
18. What should I do with my share certificate?
19. What do I do if I have lost my share certificate?
20. I have more than one certificate, can they be combined?
21. What is my investor code?
22. I have two different investor codes, why?
23. I have certificates for shares in GUS. Are they still valid?
24. What if I lose my tax voucher?
Your shareholding
25. How can I buy and sell shares?
26. Is this a good time to buy/sell Home Retail Group shares?
27. How do I check my shareholding details online?
28. How can I check today's Home Retail Group share price?
29. I bought shares in GUS several years ago, but cannot remember what price I paid. I now need this information to complete my tax return. Where can I find out the original share price?
30. I have a question about the tax on my shares and/or dividends. Who do I speak to?
31. What is the effect of the Burberry demerger and the GUS share consolidation on 13 December 2005 on shareholders at that date?
32. What is the 1982 value of GUS shares for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes?
33. What was the initial value of Home Retail Group shares for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes?
34. I still hold Argos plc shares. How do I obtain the cash offer of £6.50 per share from GUS?
Financial information and calendar
35. When is the next set of results being announced?
36. How do I get hold of a copy of the Company's published financial information? Can I get the annual and half-yearly reports sent to me directly rather than through my broker?
37. When is the AGM?
Share ownership - general
1. How can I find out more about being a shareholder?
ifsProShare is an independent organisation that promotes wider share ownership and financial education. It is a non-profit making organisation, funded by corporate sponsorship and charitable donations. ifsProShare aims to make investing more accessible to everyone, by providing straightforward information about shares, investments and personal finance.
2. When was Home Retail Group plc launched?
Home Retail Group plc was demerged from GUS plc and its shares commenced trading on the London Stock Exchange on 11 October 2006.
3. What is a registrar?
A registrar is responsible for maintaining the register of a company's shareholders. This records the names and addresses of all ordinary shareholders and the number of shares that each shareholder owns. The register is maintained by Capita Registrars ('the registrar'). The registrar updates the register when a shareholder's personal circumstances or shareholding change, and also send out dividend cheques and share certificates.
4. What is a dividend?
A dividend is a payment to shareholders paid out of the Company's distributable profits. It is paid to everyone is registered as a shareholder at the record date.
5. What is a share certificate?
A share certificate is evidence of share ownership. It should be kept in a safe place, as it will be needed if you want to sell all or some of your shares in the future.
Becoming a shareholder
6. What am I entitled to as a registered shareholder?
When you either buy shares or have them transferred into your name, you become a part owner of the Company. The benefits of owning shares include:
- a right to receive dividends. These are normally paid twice a year.
- the right to attend, vote and speak at meetings of shareholders, including the Annual General Meeting. Each year you will be invited to attend and vote at the Company's Annual General Meeting. Full details will be posted on this website well in advance of the meeting.
- the receipt of financial information. Each year a copy of the Annual Report and Financial Statements or the Summary Financial Statement is provided electronically or by post to all shareholders. The financial year-end is 28 February and full year results are generally announced at the end of April or in early May. Most private shareholders elect to receive the Summary Financial Statement, but those shareholders wanting more detailed financial information can elect to receive the full Annual Report and Financial Statements. Each year we write to new shareholders asking them which of these documents they wish to receive in the future. Home Retail Group will report its half-year results in October and the half year report is available electronically to shareholders towards the end of that month. All this financial information is routinely added to our website, together with the interim management statements and trading updates. The half-year report, the interim management statements and trading updates are not subject to a separate mailings to shareholders.
There are no shareholder discount schemes in existence for shareholders.
7. Is it possible to receive Company information and vote my shares electronically?
Yes. Shareholders can arrange to obtain annual and half-year reports electronically and to submit voting instructions online at shareholder meetings by registering on the Home Retail Group shareholder portal at www.homeretailgroup-shares.com. This service is provided by Capita Registrars and gives access to a comprehensive range of shareholder information, including dividend payment details.
Dividend information
8. When are dividends paid?
The half-year dividend is typically paid in mid-January, with the final dividend paid in mid-July.
9. I have not received my dividend cheque, who do I contact?
If you have not received your dividend payment, please contact the registrar.
10. I have mislaid my dividend cheque, who do I contact?
If you lose a dividend cheque you should contact the registrar immediately, confirming which payment has been lost. They will then arrange for the cheque to be stopped and will issue you with a duplicate one free of charge. Dividend cheques are currently valid for one year from the date of payment.
11. Can I have my dividends paid directly into my bank?
Yes, you can ask to have your dividends paid directly into a UK bank or building society account, which avoids the risk of cheques being lost in the post or mislaid. The dividend will be credited to your account on the payment date and you will not have to wait for a cheque to clear on your account. A tax voucher will be sent to your registered address so you know when and how much has been paid into your account. Shareholders wishing to benefit from this service should complete a dividend mandate form (PDF, 19.6KB, opens in a new window) and submit it to the registrar via a bank/building society branch. This form is also supplied with your dividend if you receive payment by cheque. An existing mandate can also be amended online once you have registered on the Home Retail Group shareholder portal operated by the registrar. Please take care when completing the sort code and account number details as we cannot accept liability if you give incorrect information and your dividend is paid into the wrong account.
If you live outside the UK, you could have your dividends paid directly into your local bank account in your local currency using IPS (International Payments Service). The service is available to private shareholders resident in a range of territories receiving dividends of up to £8,500 in value. You should contact the registrar for further information.
12. Do you have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan? Can I use my dividends to buy more shares?
Yes, the Home Retail Group Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) enables shareholders to use their cash dividends to purchase additional Home Retail Group shares. Shareholders who wish to participate in the DRIP should complete a DRIP mandate form (PDF, 21KB, opens in a new window) having read, accepted and retained the terms and conditions of the DRIP (PDF, 132KB, opens in a new window), and submit it direct to the registrar. For further details, please contact Capita Registrars at Northern House, Woodsome Park, Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield, HD8 0GA, or by telephoning 0871 664 0437 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).
13. What does 'ex-dividend' mean?
This means 'without dividend'. Before we announce a dividend, we consult with the dividend procedure timetable issued by the London Stock Exchange and set the ex-dividend date. If you buy shares before the ex-dividend date, you are entitled to the most recently-announced dividend; if you buy after that date, the dividend goes to the previous owner of the shares.
14. What does 'record date' mean?
The dividend is based on the number of shares held by each shareholder and is paid to the shareholders on the share register at a specific date known as the record date. This is normally two days after the ex-dividend date. If you receive a dividend and are not sure if you are entitled to it, contact the agent who sold your shares for you for further advice.
Share registration issues
15. Who do I contact about share registration?
For all enquiries concerning shares and/or dividends, please contact the registrar in the first instance.
16. I have just changed my address, who needs to know?
When you change address, it is important to inform the registrar as soon as possible to ensure that the register is updated and you receive all shareholder communications and dividends. Shareholders who have registered with the Home Retail Group shareholder portal can do this electronically. Alternatively you can send a letter to the registrar, which should include the following:
- your name in full, as shown on your share certificate(s)
- your previous address
- your new address
- your shareholder account number
All such correspondence must be signed. For security reasons, the registrar cannot accept address changes over the telephone.
17. I have recently changed my name, what should I do?
It is important to inform the registrar as soon as possible. You should write to the registrar giving full details of the following:
- your old name
- your new name
- a copy of any legal documentation, such as marriage certificate or deed poll
Where your name has changed as a result of separation or divorce, and you wish to revert to your maiden name, a copy of any supporting documentation must be sent to the registrar. All correspondence must be signed. For security reasons, the registrar cannot accept name changes over the telephone.
18. What should I do with my share certificate?
Share certificates are evidence of your ownership and should be kept in a safe place. You will need them if you want to sell all or some of your shares in the future. We recommend that you keep a separate record of the certificate numbers and the number of shares each certificate covers in case of loss or damage. Share certificates are posted to shareholders at their own risk.
19. What do I do if I have lost my share certificate?
The registrar keeps a record of your name, address and the number of shares you own and can arrange to issue a replacement certificate if necessary. If you have lost a certificate, please report this to the registrar as soon as possible so a "stop" can be put on that certificate. Before a replacement certificate can be issued, you will be sent an indemnity to complete. This safeguards the Company should a dispute arise over ownership of the shares at a later stage.
20. I have more than one certificate, can they be combined?
If you have several Home Retail Group share certificates you can ask for these to be consolidated into one. Please send them to the registrar, together with a covering letter. There is no charge to private shareholders for this service. You should retain the counterfoils as they may be required for tax purposes. Shareholders returning certificates might wish to use "sign on receipt" post when returning share certificates.
21. What is my investor code?
Shareholders in Home Retail Group plc are given a unique reference number. This is shown on proxy cards, dividend counterfoils and share certificates issued by Capita Registrars and should be quoted in all correspondence. We recommend that you keep a separate record of your investor code.
22. I have two different investor codes, why?
If you have bought shares in Home Retail Group at different times and the name and address you have supplied to the registrar differs, even slightly, from earlier details, another account may be created. If this happens and you want the accounts combined you should contact the registrar, otherwise you may receive more than one copy of our shareholder documents.
23. I have certificates for shares in GUS, are they still valid?
No. All GUS shares were exchanged for Home Retail Group and Experian Group shares in October 2006.
24. What if I lose my tax voucher?
If you lose a tax voucher you should contact the registrar, confirming which tax voucher has been lost. A duplicate will be issued upon payment of an administration charge.
Your shareholding
25. How can I buy and sell shares?
If you want to buy more shares or sell your existing shares, you must do this through a stockbroker. For Internet and telephone share dealing services, contact Capita Share Dealing Services by logging onto www.capitadeal.com or calling 0871 664 0364 between 8.00am and 4.30pm on weekdays.
26. Is this a good time to buy/sell Home Retail Group shares?
Under the Financial Services and Markets Act, we are not authorised to provide advice to investors on share dealing. For such advice, please contact your stockbroker or financial adviser.
27. How do I check my shareholding details on-line?
Shareholders, who have registered with the Home Retail Group shareholder portal, can do this electronically.
28. How can I check today's Home Retail Group share price?
The latest share price is available on the share information section of this website as well as through other information services such as Ceefax.
29. I bought shares in GUS several years ago, but cannot remember what price I paid. I now need this information to complete my tax return. Where can I find out the original share price?
The contract note that was provided by the broker when purchasing the shares will have this information. In the absence of this, the London Stock Exchange can provide the information for a small charge. For details, please phone 01232 321094. There is also some limited historical price information in the share information section of this website.
30. I have a question about the tax on my shares and/or dividends. Who do I speak to?
We are not able to provide advice to investors on such matters. For such advice, please contact your financial adviser.
31. What is the effect of the Burberry demerger and the GUS share consolidation on 13 December 2005 on GUS shareholders at that date?
(i) The Burberry demerger
As indicated in the GUS EGM Circular, GUS shareholders received 305 Burberry Group plc shares for every 1,000 GUS shares held at the record time on 13 December.
(ii) The GUS share consolidation
Immediately after the demerger of Burberry on 13 December 2005, the share capital of GUS was consolidated and the nominal value of each consolidated GUS share was increased from 25 pence to 29 3/43 pence. As a consequence, GUS shareholders received 860 new consolidated GUS Ordinary shares of nominal value 29 3/43 pence each for every 1,000 old GUS Ordinary shares of nominal value 25 pence each held at the Record Time of 7am on 13 December 2005. This process also involved the issue of new 29 3/43 pence Ordinary share certificates to replace existing 25 pence Ordinary share certificates, which have now become valueless.
(iii) UK Capital Gains Tax
Following the demerger of Burberry and the GUS share consolidation, the previous base cost of any old GUS shares held at 7am on 13 December 2005 is apportioned for UK capital gains tax purposes in the following ratio: new GUS shares 86.897%; Burberry shares 13.103%. This is based on the dividend ratio of 0.305 Burberry shares for each old GUS share held and the respective market values on 13 December 2005, determined according to normal UK CGT rules, of 980.5 pence for new GUS shares and 416.875 pence for Burberry shares.
32. What is the 1982 value of GUS shares for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes?
a) Disposals before the Burberry demerger and the GUS share consolidation on 13 December 2005:
For UK capital gains tax purposes, the 31 March 1982 values (as adjusted for the enfranchisement and bonus issues in 1993) are: Ordinary Shares held at 31 March 1982 - 72.57 pence. 'A' Ordinary Shares held at that date (and redesignated as Ordinary shares in 1993) - 129 pence.
b) Disposals after the Burberry demerger and the GUS share consolidation on 13 December 2005:
Following the demerger of Burberry Group plc from GUS on 13 December 2005 and the GUS share consolidation at that date (which increased the nominal value of each new GUS share), the 31 March 1982 values are apportioned for UK capital gains tax purposes as follows:
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The apportionment ratio is given within Question 31.
33. What was the initial value of Home Retail Group shares for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes?
Following the separation of Home Retail Group and Experian from GUS, the previous base cost of any GUS plc shares held at 4.30pm on 6 October 2006 is apportioned for UK Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes in the following ratio: 58.235% to Experian Group Ltd shares and 41.765% to Home Retail Group plc shares (based on the closing prices of the respective shares on their first day of trading after their admission to the Official List of the LSE on 11 October 2006). For GUS shares acquired prior to the demerger of Burberry on 13 December 2005 which are affected by both the Burberry demerger and the subsequent separation of Home Retail Group and Experian, the original CGT base cost is apportioned 50.604% to Experian Group Ltd shares, 36.293% to Home Retail Group plc shares and 13.103% to Burberry Group plc shares.
For US federal income tax purposes, in order to determine their respective US tax bases in the Home Retail Group and Experian Group shares received pursuant to the demerger, US shareholders must allocate their basis in the GUS plc shares previously held by them between their Experian Group shares and Home Retail Group shares in proportion to their respective fair market values. For purposes of determining the allocation of basis between the shares in Experian Group and Home Retail Group for UK tax purposes, the market value of each company was determined based on trading prices as at 11 October 2006. Although not necessarily determinative for US tax purposes, we believe it would be reasonable in this case for US shareholders to use such UK tax valuations of the shares in allocating basis between their Experian Group shares and Home Retail Group shares. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with those valuations, or won't propose an alternative valuation.
US IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any US tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the US Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.
34. I still hold Argos plc shares. How do I obtain the 1998 cash offer of £6.50 per share from GUS?
Please contact the former Argos plc registrar, Equiniti Registrars (formerly Lloyds TSB Registrars) Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA (telephone 0845 607 6838), who will tell you the steps that need to be taken in order for you to receive payment of your cash entitlement in respect of the Argos shares.
Financial information and calendar
35. When is the next set of results being announced?
For the dates of future results announcements, see our financial calendar on this website.
36. How do I get hold of a copy of the Company's published financial information? Can I get the annual and half-yearly reports sent to me directly rather than through my broker?
The Company's published financial information is available on this website. If you require hard copy versions, please contact the Company Secretary's office.
37. When is the AGM?
The date of the next AGM will be posted on our financial calendar on this website once finalised.
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