ROSH HA’AYIN, Israel - (Business Wire) Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner" or "the Company") (Nasdaq:PTNR)(TASE:PTNR), a leading Israeli mobile communications operator, announced today that its Board of Directors approved the distribution of a dividend for the third quarter of 2009 of NIS 1.94 (US 52 cents) per share or ADS (in a total of approximately NIS 300 million or US$ 80 million) to shareholders and ADS holders of record on November 25, 2009. The dividend is expected to be paid on December 10, 2009. The Company is currently reviewing its dividend policy for 2010. The Company is also considering a capital reduction in order to distribute a one-time dividend of over NIS 1 billion. If approved by the Board of Directors and the applicable court, the contemplated capital reduction will likely take place during the first quarter of 2010.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "project", "goal", "target" and similar expressions often identify forward-looking statements but are not the only way we identify these statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding our future performance, plans to increase revenues or margins or preserve or expand market share in existing or new markets, reduce expenses and any statements regarding other future events or our future prospects, are forward-looking statements.
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, consumer habits and preferences in cellular telephone usage, trends in the Israeli telecommunications industry in general, the impact of current global economic conditions and possible regulatory and legal developments. For a description of some of the risks we face, see "Item 3D. Key Information - Risk Factors", "Item 4. - Information on the Company", "Item 5. - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects", "Item 8A. - Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information - Legal and Administrative Proceedings" and "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in the form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 27, 2009. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur, and actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The convenience translations of the Nominal New Israeli Shekel (NIS) figures into US Dollars were made at the rate of exchange prevailing at September 30, 2009: US $1.00 equals NIS 3.758. The translations were made purely for the convenience of the reader.
About Partner Communications
Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner") is a leading Israeli provider of telecommunications services (cellular, fixed-line telephony and internet services) under the orange™ brand. The Company provides mobile communications services to over 3 million subscribers in Israel (as of September 30, 2009). Partner’s ADSs are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market™ and its shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR).
Partner is an approximately 45%-owned subsidiary of Scailex Corporation Ltd. ("Scailex"). Scailex's shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol SCIX and are quoted on "Pink Quote" under the symbol SCIXF.PK. Scailex currently operates in three major domains of activity: 1) the exclusive import, distribution and maintenance of Samsung mobile handset and accessories products primarily to the three major cellular operators in Israel; 2) distribution and sale of various manufacturers' mobile handsets, accessories and provision of maintenance services, through a chain of retail stores and booths ("Dynamic"), to end customers of Cellcom Israel (as part of the acquisition of the controlling stake in Partner, Scailex announced to Cellcom the termination of the distribution agreement through Dynamic, effective July 1, 2010) and; (3) management of its financial assets.
For more information about Scailex, see http://www.scailex.com
For more information about Partner, see http://www.orange.co.il/investor_site/.
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
Mr. Emanuel Avner
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +972-54-7814951
Fax: +972-54-7815961
E-mail: emanuel.avner@orange.co.il
or
Mr. Oded Degany
V.P. Corporate Development, Strategy and IR
Tel: +972-54-7814151
Fax: +972-54 -7814161
E-mail: oded.degany@orange.co.il
