“In 1Q07 BME’s net profit grew to 50.1 million euros, an increase of 53.8% over the 32.6 million euros generated in 1Q06” announced Antonio Zoido, Chairman of the Board of BME at the General Shareholders’ Meeting.
The Chairman of Bolsas y Mercados Españoles also stated that “the Spanish stock market enjoyed the best year in its history in 2006. BME generated net profit of 130.5 million euros, 28% more than in 2005, reinforcing the value of the company and enabling it to maintain its generous shareholder remuneration policy.”
Zoido stated at the General Meeting that “BME occupies an important position on the global stage.” It is seventh by equity trading volumes (fourth in Europe), ninth by market capitalisation, first in fixed income trading, fifth in single futures contracts and sixth in terms of corporate financing.”
At the General Shareholders’ Meeting, BME’s first as a listed company, a final dividend of 50 million euros, which is in addition to the interim dividend of 50 million euros, was approved. In total this represents double the ordinary dividend paid in 2005. In four years, the company has paid out more than 500 million euros in dividends.
“In cumulative terms the efficiency ratio has gone from 38.2% in 2005 to 33.5% at the end of 2006. It currently stands at around 24% which makes the company one of the most efficient in the world”, Zoido informed shareholders.
According to the Chairman of BME, the company’s capitalisation is now in excess of 3.2 billion euros and it is highly competitive in the area of project development and service provision.
Antonio Zoido emphasised that “BME is perfectly equipped to compete in any circumstance or scenario. Making business to build for the future.
Earnings momentum, financial strength, critical mass, generous shareholder remuneration and a dynamic management approach are all yardsticks against which we measure our ability to compete in the global marketplace and on which our ability to position ourselves to face whatever trends emerge in global equities is founded”, remarked the Chairman of BME.
BME has significant strategic resources such as its presence in Latin America, its cutting edge technology and integrated structure, coupled with a level of diversification that makes it one of the most well-rounded financial market operators in terms of business lines.
The Chairman concluded that any future option contemplated by BME going forward would safeguard the interests of its shareholders, the securities industry and the Spanish economy as a whole.
In his speech, BME Finance Director Javier Hernani highlighted “the 21.4% rise in group revenues to 287.7 million euros, up 21.4% on 2005, when, in turn, revenues rose 17% over 2004”
With regard to the company’s shareholder remuneration policy, the finance director reminded shareholders that, following the Board’s approval of an ordinary final gross dividend of 0.598 euros per share, and added to the interim dividend paid on 26 January, the total ordinary dividend stands at 1.196 euros per share, a total of 100 million euros. This is double the ordinary dividend paid out in 2005 and almost triple the 2004 dividend.
This means BME will distribute 77% of its 2006 net profit, one of the highest pay-out ratios in the sector, the highest among leading listed Spanish companies and 2.7 times the average IBEX 35® pay-out.
Javier Hernani also underlined that “BME’s strong share price performance coincided in January with the end of the 180 day lock-up period following the IPO. Since then the stock’s liquidity has risen sharply. During 1Q07 the average daily trading volume exceeded 21 million euros, double the volume of 4Q06.”
In her speech to the General Meeting, the Chairwoman of BME’s Audit Committee, Margarita Prat, an independent director of the company, reviewed the committee’s activities in 2006. She highlighted the committee’s approval of the company’s annual accounts and management report – both individual and consolidated – for 2006.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, Manuel Olivencia, an independent director of the company, provided information on the committee’s activities during the year. He highlighted the reports in favour of the appointment by co-option of Javier Alonso Ruiz-Ojeda and José Antonio Álvarez as new non-independent directors and the reappointment of Ignacio Benjumea Cabeza de Vaca as director.
These three new appointments today were approved at the General Meeting today.
