Profit distribution

This form of a dividend payment by Swiss companies to private shareholders (i.e. not brokers) resident in Switzerland are subject neither to income tax nor to withholding tax. Shareholders resident abroad do not have to pay withholding tax either, while the issue of income tax is handled differently according to the country of residence.

The payment date was on 28 March 2013.

No, it depends on how well the company has performed in the fiscal year just ended, its future prospects and various other parameters (see annual report).

In principle, profits can be distributed in the form of either a dividend or a par value repayment. In the latter case, the par value of each share is reduced by a certain amount, which is then paid out to shareholders in lieu of a dividend. The share capital is then reduced by the relevant amount. Unlike dividends, par value repayments by Swiss companies to private shareholders (i.e. not brokers) resident in Switzerland are subject neither to income tax nor to withholding tax. Shareholders resident abroad do not have to pay withholding tax either, while the issue of income tax is handled differently according to the country of residence. 

Shareholders have to hold the share at the ex date (in 2013: 27 March 2013) in order to receive the payment.

If the shares are held by a custodian bank, the sum due will be paid to this bank. Registered shareholders who keep their shares at home or in a bank vault will receive the sum due at the address for dividend payments they themselves have provided.