8-KRegulation FDOther EventsExhibits & Filings

ONEOK INC /NEW/ 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Apr 21, 2017)

Filed April 21, 2017For Securities:OKE

Summary

This 8-K filing from ONEOK Inc. (OKE) on April 21, 2017, primarily serves to announce dividend and distribution events. The company's board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.615 per share of common stock, payable on May 15, 2017. Concurrently, ONEOK Partners, L.P., a subsidiary in which ONEOK, Inc. holds a significant ownership interest, declared a cash distribution of $0.79 per unit for the first quarter of 2017, also payable on May 15, 2017. These announcements are important for investors as they indicate the regular return of capital to shareholders and unitholders. The filing clarifies that ONEOK, Inc. receives its share of the ONEOK Partners distribution based on its approximately 41.2% ownership interest as of December 31, 2016. Investors should note that this information is furnished under Regulation FD and not deemed filed, meaning it does not carry the same legal implications as a formal filing under Section 18 of the Exchange Act, but still provides timely operational updates.

Key Highlights

  • 1ONEOK, Inc. declared a cash dividend of $0.615 per common share.
  • 2ONEOK Partners, L.P. declared a cash distribution of $0.79 per unit.
  • 3Both the dividend and distribution are for the first quarter of 2017.
  • 4Payments for both are scheduled for May 15, 2017.
  • 5Record dates for both are May 1, 2017.
  • 6ONEOK, Inc. owns approximately 41.2% of ONEOK Partners.
  • 7The filing includes press releases as exhibits detailing these actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The filing states that shareholders of record at the close of business on May 1, 2017, will receive the dividend. Therefore, the ex-dividend date would typically be the business day before the record date, which would be April 28, 2017, assuming no holidays or weekend disruptions.

ONEOK, Inc. holds a substantial ownership interest (approximately 41.2% as of year-end 2016) in ONEOK Partners. This means that the financial performance and distributions from ONEOK Partners directly impact ONEOK, Inc.'s revenues and profitability through its share of earnings and distributions.

This filing only announces the dividend and distribution for the first quarter of 2017. While they indicate regular returns of capital, future dividends and distributions are subject to the respective companies' board approvals, financial performance, market conditions, and strategic decisions.

The information is furnished under Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) to ensure that material information is simultaneously disclosed to all investors. It is specifically noted that the information is 'furnished' and not 'filed,' which has implications for liability under certain sections of securities laws, but serves to inform the public market in a timely manner.