NYSE listing FAQ
Euronav NV
Frequently Asked Questions
relating to the dual listing and repositioning of Euronav’s shares
Set forth below are a number of frequently asked questions relating to the dual listing of shares of Euronav and the process required to reposition your shares so that they may be traded on Euronext Brussels or on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), as applicable. If you have additional questions relating to the process for repositioning of your shares, please contact your financial intermediary or custodian, who should in turn contact Euroclear Belgium or Computershare, Euronav’s U.S. transfer agent.
The following defined terms will be used throughout these FAQ:
“European Shares”: Euronav shares tradable on Euronext Brussels identified by ISIN BE0003816338.
“U.S. Shares”: Euronav shares tradable on the NYSE identified by CUSIP B38564 108.
“Euronav Shares”: means both the European and the U.S. Shares.
By listing its shares on both Euronext Brussels and the NYSE, Euronav (1) is expanding its shareholder base, (2) has made its shares available to the largest pool of capital (namely the United States) and (3) has increased its analyst coverage. Currently 23 analysts are covering the Euronav share.
Thanks to the dual listing, the Euronav shareshave gained more international visibility, which in turn has enhanced the daily volume of shares traded on both Euronext Brussels and the NYSE.
The U.S. Shares are identified by CUSIP B38564 108. These shares are reflected in the U.S. component of Euronav’s share register that is maintained by Computershare and are tradable on the NYSE.
The European Shares are identified by ISIN BE0003816338. These sharesare reflected in the Belgian component of Euronav’s share register maintained by the Company (or Euroclear Belgium), and are tradable on Euronext Brussels.
Both U.S. Shares and European Shares are identical and are entitled to identical voting and economic rights. Hence, the U.S. Shares and the European Shares have the same dividend entitlement. However, the U.S. Shares are denominated in USD and are eligible to receive dividends in USD, as opposed to the European Shares, which are denominated in EUR and are eligible to receive dividends in Euros.
All Euronav Shares are listed on both the NYSE and on Euronext Brussels. However, unless otherwise restricted, only the U.S. Shares may be traded on the NYSE and only the European Shares may be traded on Euronext Brussels. Holders of Euronav shares may in principle reposition their shares from one component of the share register to the other after completing a simple procedure for repositioning.
Shareholders who wish to reposition their shares from one listing exchange to the other must contact their financial intermediary or custodian, who should in turn contact Euroclear Belgium (Euronav’s Belgian transfer and clearing agent) or Computershare (Euronav’s U.S. transfer and clearing agent). They are responsible for providing assistance. For questions about managing your account, please contact your financial intermediary. You can also find an overview of the procedure here.
This procedure for repositioning (from European Shares into U.S. Shares or vice versa) should normally be completed within three trading days, but this timing cannot be guaranteed by Euronav. Based on this timing and the expected timing for settlement in the case of a purchase or sale, investors may be able to buy and sell their shares on either Euronext Brussels or the NYSE without delay. In the framework of corporate events (including the payment of dividends or shareholders’ meetings), Euronav may suspend the repositioning of shares for a period of time. In such case, Euronav will inform its shareholders about such event on its website. As mentioned above, Euronav cannot guarantee how long it will take to complete the repositioning or settlement process and recommends that you allow sufficient time for such processes to be completed before trading.
Retail investors who wish to reposition their shares must contact their financial intermediary or custodian, who should in turn contact Euroclear Belgium Euronav’s Belgian transfer agent or Computershare, Euronav’s U.S. transfer agent. They are responsible for providing assistance. For questions about managing your account, please contact your financial intermediary. You can also find an overview of the procedure here.
Professional investors who wish to reposition their shares must contact their financial intermediary or custodian, who should in turn contact Euroclear Belgium or Computershare, Euronav’s U.S. transfer agent. They are responsible for providing assistance. For questions about managing your account, please contact your financial intermediary. You can also find an overview of the procedure here.
To reposition your Euronav shares from Euronext Brussels to the NYSE, you will need to be able to take delivery of your shares in the United States . This means that you need a U.S. securities account or a direct account with Computershare, Euronav’s U.S. transfer agent. Please contact your financial intermediary to make the necessary arrangements to enable you to reposition your shares.
To reposition your Euronav shares from the NYSE to Euronext Brussels, you will need to be able to take delivery of your shares in Europe. This means that you need a European securities account or an account with Euroclear Belgium. Please contact your financial intermediary to make the necessary arrangements to enable you to reposition your shares.
Investors must ask their financial intermediary about possible handling fees associated with the repositioning of shares and possible additional costs associated with holding and trading U.S. Shares through a U.S. securities account, or, as the case may be, holding European Shares through a European securities account.
The repositioning of European Shares into U.S. Shares, or vice versa, is not expected to have any U.S. or Belgian income tax consequences.
Shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of the shareholder’s investment in Euronav shares before repositioning their shares.
Belgian tax resident shareholders that reposition their shares are expected to be taxed in the same manner following the repositioning as before the repositioning in respect of any dividends received on their Euronav shares.
A Belgian tax resident shareholder that holds shares traded on the NYSE may be subject to Belgian withholding tax, which would be levied by Euronav, on the dividends received.
This Belgian withholding tax will be the final taxation on the dividend for Belgian tax resident individuals who hold these shares as part of their private estate and for legal entities subject to the legal entities income tax. However, for Belgian tax resident companies subject to Belgian corporate income tax, this Belgian withholding tax will not be the final tax imposed on the dividend.
Furthermore, Belgian tax resident shareholders that were not subject to U.S. withholding taxes on dividends paid on their Euronav shares prior to the repositioning will continue to not be subject to such taxes following the repositioning. Under current law, there are not any U.S. withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid on Euronav shares, provided that a Belgian tax resident shareholder provides the necessary identifying information (generally on an applicable IRS Form W-8) to any U.S. paying agent of Euronav’s dividends (such as Computershare).
Shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of their investment in Euronav shares before repositioning their shares.
The U.S. Shares may be traded and sold on Euronext Brussels after completing the procedure for repositioning into European Shares. To effect such a repositioning, investors may send a request to their financial intermediary. Please see Question 4 above.
The European Shares may be traded and sold on the NYSE after completing the procedure for repositioning into U.S. Shares. To effect such a repositioning, investors may send a request to their financial intermediary. Please see Question 4 above