Saft Groupe SA 2009 Dividend Payment: Stock Dividend Option

PARIS, June 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At their Annual Meeting held on June 9, 2010 in Bagnolet, France, Saft Groupe SA's shareholders approved the recommended dividend payment for 2009 amounting to EUR0.68 per share, and resolved that each shareholder will have the option of receiving their dividend in the form of cash or newly-issued ordinary shares of the Company.

The price of the new ordinary shares issued for the purpose of the dividend payment is set at EUR22.64. This corresponds to 90% of the average of the opening prices quoted for the Company's shares during the twenty trading days preceding the date of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, less the amount of the dividend and rounded up to the nearest euro cent.

These new shares will carry dividend and voting rights as from January 1, 2010 and will rank pari passu with the Company's existing shares. The ex-dividend date has been set at June 16, 2010.

Shareholders may exercise their option between Wednesday June 16 and Wednesday June 30, 2010. Any shareholder who has not exercised their option within this period will receive their dividend in cash.

If the amount of the dividend to which a shareholder is entitled does not correspond to a whole number of shares when their stock dividend option is exercised, they may receive (i) either the whole number of shares immediately above their entitlement, provided a cash payment for the difference is lodged when the option is exercised, or (ii) the whole number of shares immediately below their entitlement plus a cash payment for the difference.

The 2009 dividend will be payable from July 9, 2010, based on shareholdings recorded at the close of business on June 15, 2010.

For further information please call the following number: +33(0)1-40-14-04-00

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications, such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialised advanced technologies for the defence and space industries and world leader in lithium-ion satellite batteries. Saft is also delivering its lithium-ion technology to the emerging applications of clean vehicles and renewable energy storage. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. Saft is listed in the SBF 120 index on the Paris Stock Market.

    For more information, visit Saft at http://www.saftbatteries.com

    Press contacts:

    Jill Ledger
    Saft Communications Director
    Tel: + 33-1-49-93-17-77
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Yannick Duverge
    Financial Dynamics
    Corporate Press contact
    Tél.: +33-1-47-03-68-10
    [email protected]

SOURCE Saft