Form 6-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2014

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-20115

 

 

METHANEX CORPORATION

(Registrant’s name)

 

 

SUITE 1800, 200 BURRARD STREET, VANCOUVER, BC V6C 3M1 CANADA

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ¨              Form 40-F  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE    LOGO

Methanex Corporation

1800 - 200 Burrard St.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada V6C 3M1

Investor Relations: 604-661-2600

Toll-Free: 1-800-661-8851

www.methanex.com

For immediate release

April 29, 2014

METHANEX ANNOUNCES A 25% DIVIDEND INCREASE AND A NEW 5% SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

Methanex Corporation (the “Company”) (TSX:MX) (NASDAQ:MEOH) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a 25 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to shareholders, from US$0.20 per share to US$0.25 per share. The increased dividend will apply to the dividend payable on June 30, 2014 to holders of common shares of record on June 16, 2014.

John Floren, President and CEO of Methanex commented, “This is the tenth time that we have increased our dividend since its inception in 2002. The increase to our regular dividend reflects our continued confidence in the outlook for our business and the methanol industry.”

The Company is also pleased to announce today that its Board of Directors has approved a Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”). The Company will purchase for cancellation up to 4,826,197 common shares (“Shares”), representing approximately 5% of the 96,523,956 shares issued and outstanding shares as at April 29, 2014.

John Floren, President and CEO of Methanex commented, “Our announcement of a new share repurchase program, along with the increase in the dividend, reflects our balanced approach to the utilization of cash and builds on our long track record of returning excess cash to shareholders. Since 2000, we have repurchased approximately 45% of the Company’s shares. With approximately $700 million of cash on hand at the end of the first quarter of 2014, we have the financial strength and flexibility to meet our commitments for our Geismar projects, pursue investment opportunities and continue to return excess cash to shareholders”.

Purchases pursuant to the NCIB will be made on the open market through the facilities of NASDAQ pursuant to Rule 10b-18 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Notification of the NCIB has been provided to NASDAQ.

Purchases under the program will commence on May 6, 2014. Purchases will be made from time to time at the then current market price of the Company’s common shares as traded on NASDAQ and the common shares purchased will be cancelled. Subject to certain exceptions for block purchases, daily repurchases under the program will not exceed 25 percent of the Company’s average daily trading volume for the four week period preceding the date of purchase. The Company has entered into an automatic securities purchase plan with its broker in connection with purchases to be made under this program.

Methanex is a Vancouver-based, publicly traded company and is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets. Methanex shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol “MX” and on the NASDAQ Global Market in the United States under the trading symbol “MEOH”.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION WARNING

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to us and our industry. Statements that include the word “will”, or other comparable terminology and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, any statements regarding the following are forward-looking statements:

 

  •   Methanex’s ability to retain the financial strength and flexibility to complete its Geismar project,

 

  •   Methanex’s ability to pursue additional investment opportunities, and

 

  •   Methanex’s ability to continue to return excess cash to shareholders.

We believe that we have a reasonable basis for making such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this document are based on our experience, our perception of trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors. Certain material factors or assumptions were applied in drawing the conclusions or making the forecasts or projections that are included in these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, future expectations and assumptions concerning the following:

 

  •   the supply of, demand for, and price of methanol, methanol derivatives, natural gas, coal, oil and oil derivatives,

 

  •   operating rates of our facilities,

 

  •   operating costs including natural gas feedstock and logistics costs, capital costs, tax rates, cash flows, foreign exchange rates and interest rates, and

 

  •   global and regional economic activity (including industrial production levels).

However, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties primarily include those attendant with producing and marketing methanol and successfully carrying out major capital expenditure projects in various jurisdictions, including without limitation:

 

  •   conditions in the methanol and other industries including fluctuations in the supply, demand for and price of methanol and its derivatives, including demand for methanol for energy uses,

 

  •   the price of natural gas, coal, oil and oil derivatives,

 

  •   the ability to successfully carry out corporate initiatives and strategies,

 

  •   actions of competitors, suppliers and financial institutions,

 

  •   world-wide economic conditions, and

 

  •   other risks described in our 2013 Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the First Quarter 2014 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Having in mind these and other factors, investors and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. They are not a substitute for the exercise of one’s own due diligence and judgment. The outcomes anticipated in forward-looking statements may not occur and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.

- end -

For further information, contact:

Sandra Daycock

Director, Investor Relations

Tel: 604 661-2600

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  METHANEX CORPORATION
Date: April 29, 2014   By:  

/s/ KEVIN PRICE

    Name:   Kevin Price
    Title:   Vice President, Legal Assistant General Counsel & Corporate Secretary