Seaworld cuts and suspends dividend
SeaWorld Entertainment (SEAS) will lower its next quarterly dividend by 52% from $0.21 to $0.10 per share.
Also the company announced the suspension of its dividend following this last payment.
The company expects to redeploy this additional capital to shareholders by opportunistically repurchasing the company's shares in the open market during the remainder of 2016. The Board has also decided to suspend the company's quarterly dividend subsequent to this dividend declaration.
"We believe our 5-point strategy to stabilize the business to drive sustainable growth is taking hold, and we are optimistic about SeaWorld's long-term future. After careful and thorough deliberation, the Board has determined that, consistent with the financial discipline pillar of the company's strategy, the best way to support the long-term development of the business and deliver value to shareholders is to suspend future dividends at this time. Doing so will give us the greatest flexibility to deploy capital to the opportunities that offer the greatest long term returns to our shareholders. In the near-term, we believe that returning capital from the current reduced dividend payment by opportunistically buying back SeaWorld shares, offers the best return to shareholders. In the longer term, we will remain disciplined and regularly assess our allocation of capital," said Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company.
Also the company announced the suspension of its dividend following this last payment.
The company expects to redeploy this additional capital to shareholders by opportunistically repurchasing the company's shares in the open market during the remainder of 2016. The Board has also decided to suspend the company's quarterly dividend subsequent to this dividend declaration.
"We believe our 5-point strategy to stabilize the business to drive sustainable growth is taking hold, and we are optimistic about SeaWorld's long-term future. After careful and thorough deliberation, the Board has determined that, consistent with the financial discipline pillar of the company's strategy, the best way to support the long-term development of the business and deliver value to shareholders is to suspend future dividends at this time. Doing so will give us the greatest flexibility to deploy capital to the opportunities that offer the greatest long term returns to our shareholders. In the near-term, we believe that returning capital from the current reduced dividend payment by opportunistically buying back SeaWorld shares, offers the best return to shareholders. In the longer term, we will remain disciplined and regularly assess our allocation of capital," said Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company.
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