E Split Corp. Announces Intention to Extend Term
TORONTO, Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: ENS, ENS.PR.A) E Split Corp. (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the board of directors intends to approve an extension of the maturity date of the Company for an additional 5-year term to June 30, 2028 as a result of strong performance. The preferred share distribution rate for the extended term will be announced at least 60 days prior to the original maturity date of June 30, 2023 and will be based on market yields for preferred shares with similar terms at that time.
The term extension allows Class A shareholders to continue to gain exposure to common shares of Enbridge Inc. (“Enbridge”), a leading North American oil and gas pipeline, gas processing and natural gas distribution company, while benefiting from an attractive distribution rate of 10.1% per annum based on the January 30, 2023 closing price 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.
The extension of the term of the Company is not a taxable event and enables shareholders to defer potential capital gains tax liability that would have otherwise been realized on the redemption of the Class A shares or Preferred Shares at the end of the term, until such time as such shares are disposed of by shareholders.
Since inception from June 29, 2018 to December 31, 2022, the Class A shares have delivered a 12.5% per annum total return, including cash distributions of $6.75 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 will offer Preferred shareholders the opportunity to enjoy preferential cash dividends until June 30, 2028. Since inception, the Preferred shares have delivered a 5.3% per annum total return.
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.
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