a5411g
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the
Month of: March 2020
Commission
File Number: 001-38187
MICRO FOCUS INTERNATIONAL PLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
The Lawn, 22-30 Old Bath Road
Newbury, Berkshire
RG14 1QN
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1635-565-459
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate
by check mark whether this registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K
in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K
in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(7): ☐
CONTENTS
Exhibit No.
|
Exhibit Description
|
99.1
|
Update
on COVID-19 in regards to dividend and AGM, dated 18 March
2020
|
18
March 2020
Micro Focus International plc
Update on COVID-19 in regards to dividend and annual general
meeting
Micro Focus International plc ("Micro Focus" or "the Company")
today announces that the Board is no longer recommending a final
dividend for the year ended 31 October 2019 and therefore it
intends to withdraw resolution number 2 as set out in the Notice of
Annual General Meeting dated 18 February 2020 (the "Notice")
relating to the approval of a proposed final dividend of 58.33
cents per ordinary share at its forthcoming Annual General
Meeting.
Today's announcement is made in the context of the current
increased macro uncertainty, which has been uniquely impacted by
the global spread of COVID-19. While there has been no material
impact on Micro Focus' business to date, the ultimate impact on the
global economy is unknown. As a minimum we believe it
appropriate to be prepared for a level of disruption to
our new sales activity even though the majority of our revenues are
contractual and recurring in nature. As a result, we think it
is right to approach the next twelve months with a reduced risk
appetite and heightened sense of caution.
The Board will consider paying a second interim dividend in respect
of the year ended 31 October 2019 (in lieu of the final dividend)
once there is some visibility on the effects of the COVID-19 on the
Company's business.
This decision not to pay a final dividend in no way alters the
Board's view that the group remains appropriately capitalised, with
robust profits underpinned by recurring strong cash flows. Micro
Focus has cash on hand of in excess of $600 million at 29 February
2020. However, in the current extraordinary climate the board
believes it is prudent to use every tool at its disposal to
maximise the group's resilience in the face of
exogenous shocks and to minimise any real or
perceived financial risks arising from the current
crisis.
As previously announced, the Company's Annual General Meeting
("AGM") will be held at 15:00 GMT on 25 March 2020 at its
offices at The Lawn, 22-30 Old Bath Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14
1QN.
In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Micro Focus is
encouraging shareholders to appoint the Chairman as their proxy
(either electronically or by post) with their voting instructions
rather than attend the AGM in person. The deadline for doing this
is by 15:00 GMT on Monday 23 March 2020 for shareholders and 13:00
EST on Wednesday 18 March 2020 for ADR shareholders. In order
to reduce the risk of infection, the meeting will end immediately
following the business of the AGM and there will be no
refreshments. The Company is taking these precautionary measures to
safeguard its shareholders' and employees' health and make the AGM
as safe and efficient as possible.
Instructions on proxy voting are attached to the Notice of Meeting
enclosed with the 2019 Annual Report already sent out to
shareholders and which can be found on the Company's
website:
https://investors.microfocus.com/investors-media/shareholder-information/general-meeting-information/
The COVID-19 pandemic is complex, fast moving and, at times,
unpredictable. Micro Focus is continuously monitoring
the situation and will continue to update shareholders on material
corporate and business developments in the usual way, via a
Regulatory Information Service.
Enquiries:
Micro
Focus
Tel: +44 (0)1635 32646
Stephen Murdoch, CEO
Investors@microfocus.com
Brian McArthur-Muscroft, CFO
Ben Donnelly, Investor relations
Brunswick
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
Sarah
West
MicroFocus@brunswickgroup.com
Jonathan
Glass
Notes to Editors:
About Micro Focus
Micro
Focus (LSE: MCRO.L, NYSE: MFGP) is a global enterprise software
company supporting the technology needs and challenges of the
Global 2000. Our solutions help organizations leverage
existing IT investments, enterprise applications and emerging
technologies to address complex, rapidly evolving business
requirements while protecting corporate information at all times.
Our product portfolios are Security, IT Operations Management,
Application Delivery Management, Information Management &
Governance and Application Modernization & Connectivity. For
more information, visit: www.microfocus.com
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
Date:
18 March 2020
Micro
Focus International plc
|
By:
|
/s/
Brian McArthur-Muscroft
|
|
Name:
|
Brian
McArthur-Muscroft
|
|
Title:
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|