Aspen Exploration Corporation (ASPN, Financial) took the unusual step several days ago of making a second announcement regarding the payment of a cash dividend of $0.73 per share to stockholders of record on November 16, 2009. The company initially announced that the dividend would be payable to stockholders of record on November 16, 2009, with the dividend being paid on or about December 2, 2009. The second announcement provides that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has advised the company of the operation of Nasdaq Rule 11140(b)(2), which states:
This means that the dividend will trade with the stock until December 2, 2009, the payable date. Purchasers on December 3 or later will not be entitled to the dividend.
We’ve been following ASPN (see our ASPN post archive) because it’s trading at a discount to its $1.17 per share liquidation value and there are several potential catalysts in the stock, including a 13D filing from Tymothi O. Tombar, a plan to distribute substantially all of the net, after-tax proceeds from the completion of the Venoco sale to its stockholders ($5.3M), and the possibility that the company will dissolve. The stock is down 1.5% since we initiated the position to close yesterday at $0.983. This values the remaining stub of ASPN at $0.24 ($0.97 less $0.73) against a liquidating value I estimate at $0.44 ($1.17 less $0.73).
Here’s the text of the announcement [via Marketwire]:
[Full Disclosure: I do not have a holding in ASPN. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only. Do your own research before investing in any security.]
Greenbackd
http://greenbackd.com/
In respect to cash dividends or distributions, stock dividends and/or splits, and the distribution of warrants, which are 25% or greater of the value of the subject security, the ex-dividend date shall be the first business day following the payable date.
This means that the dividend will trade with the stock until December 2, 2009, the payable date. Purchasers on December 3 or later will not be entitled to the dividend.
We’ve been following ASPN (see our ASPN post archive) because it’s trading at a discount to its $1.17 per share liquidation value and there are several potential catalysts in the stock, including a 13D filing from Tymothi O. Tombar, a plan to distribute substantially all of the net, after-tax proceeds from the completion of the Venoco sale to its stockholders ($5.3M), and the possibility that the company will dissolve. The stock is down 1.5% since we initiated the position to close yesterday at $0.983. This values the remaining stub of ASPN at $0.24 ($0.97 less $0.73) against a liquidating value I estimate at $0.44 ($1.17 less $0.73).
Here’s the text of the announcement [via Marketwire]:
DENVER, CO–(Marketwire – November 18, 2009) – Aspen Exploration Corporation (OTCBB: ASPN) viewed what appeared to be unusual market activity yesterday and today in light of its previous announcement of November 3, 2009. That announcement advised the public that a cash dividend of $0.73 per share will be payable to stockholders of record on November 16, 2009, with the dividend being paid on or about December 2, 2009. Notwithstanding the Board’s declaration of a record date, Aspen has been advised by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) of the application of Nasdaq Rule 11140(b)(2) which states: “In respect to cash dividends or distributions, stock dividends and/or splits, and the distribution of warrants, which are 25% or greater of the value of the subject security, the ex-dividend date shall be the first business day following the payable date.” Persons needing further information or interpretation should consult with their broker-dealer or legal advisors.
[Full Disclosure: I do not have a holding in ASPN. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only. Do your own research before investing in any security.]
Greenbackd
http://greenbackd.com/
