8-K

CRH PUBLIC LTD CO 8-K Report (Apr 25, 2006)

Filed April 25, 2006For Securities:CRH

Summary

CRH Public Limited Company (CRH) filed an 8-K report on April 25, 2006, announcing the results of its Scrip Dividend Alternative for the 2005 final dividend. A significant portion of ordinary shareholders, 36.33%, opted to receive new CRH ordinary shares instead of a cash payout for all or part of their dividend. This resulted in the allotment of 497,960 new ordinary shares. The company is proceeding with the admission of these new shares to the official lists of the Irish Stock Exchange and the U.K. Listing Authority, as well as to trading on the London Stock Exchange. Investors can expect these new shares to be available for trading starting May 8, 2006. This indicates a strong preference among a notable segment of CRH shareholders for reinvesting their dividends directly back into the company.

Key Highlights

  • 136.33% of CRH Ordinary Shareholders elected to receive shares in lieu of cash for the 2005 final dividend.
  • 2A total of 497,960 new Ordinary Shares of Euro0.32 each have been allotted.
  • 3Application will be made to list the new shares on the Irish Stock Exchange and the U.K. Listing Authority.
  • 4The new shares will also be admitted for trading on the London Stock Exchange.
  • 5Trading of the new shares is expected to commence on Monday, May 8, 2006.
  • 6The report confirms CRH's compliance with filing requirements as a foreign issuer.
  • 7The Scrip Dividend Alternative offers shareholders flexibility in how they receive their dividend.

Frequently Asked Questions

This 8-K filing serves to inform the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the investing public about CRH's Scrip Dividend Alternative results for its 2005 final dividend. It details the number of shareholders who chose shares over cash and the total number of new shares issued.

A total of 497,960 new Ordinary Shares of Euro0.32 each were allotted to shareholders who elected the scrip dividend alternative.

Dealing in the new shares is expected to commence on Monday, May 8, 2006.

The fact that over one-third of ordinary shareholders chose to receive shares instead of cash suggests a positive sentiment towards CRH's future prospects, as these shareholders are effectively reinvesting their dividends directly into the company's equity.