Norilsk Nickel to pay $2 billion of dividends

Norilsk Nickel, shareholders of which have lost $600-700 million of dividends because of the devaluation of the ruble at the end of 2014, will increase the final payment for the year to 106 billion rubles or $2 billion at current exchange rates. UC Rusal, which repays debts from these money, is particularly interested in the payments, but other key shareholders of Norilsk Nickel also need funds for investment projects.

The Norilsk Nickel’s Board of Directors has recommended shareholders to pay 106 billion rubles of final dividend for 2014 (670.04 rubles per share), which is slightly more than $2 billion at the rate of April 10. Interros of Vladimir Potanin (which owns 30.3% of Norilsk Nickel) will have $663 million, $560 million will fall on UC Rusal of Oleg Deripaska (27.8%), and $118 million - on Crispian Investment Ltd. Of Roman Abramovich and Alexander Abramov (5.87%). The annual meeting of shareholders will be held on May 13, the registry will be closed on May 25.