-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, AtAMU6hJHu7mab8ZKrwTIS1EMfVH8C7ogBhv2wVxuSx4kcC+c4xbmiYUDzOMEff5 HzlaBztrAix0t/f7s0YBrQ== 0001169232-07-001776.txt : 20070403 0001169232-07-001776.hdr.sgml : 20070403 20070403165038 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001169232-07-001776 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070402 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070403 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070403 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STEWART W P & CO LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000750443 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211] IRS NUMBER: 980201080 STATE OF INCORPORATION: X0 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-16245 FILM NUMBER: 07745122 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: TRINITY HALL 43 CEDAR AVE PO BOX 2905 STREET 2: HAMILTON HM LX CITY: BERMUDA STATE: X0 ZIP: 10022 BUSINESS PHONE: 4412958585 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O W P STEWART & CO INC STREET 2: 527 MADISON AVE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: STEWART W P & CO INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980320 6-K 1 d71508_6k.txt REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of April, 2007 Commission File Number: 011-16245 W.P. STEWART & CO., LTD. (Translation of Registrant's Name Into English) Trinity Hall 43 Cedar Avenue P.O. Box HM 2905 Hamilton, HM LX Bermuda (Address of Principal Executive Offices) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F |X| 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: |_| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes |_| No |X| If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-______. W.P. STEWART & CO., LTD. Form 6-K: Table of Contents 1. Exhibit - Press release dated March 29, 2007 2. Exhibit - Press release dated April 2, 2007 EXHIBITS See press release attached hereto dated March 29, 2007 regarding updates on the Company's business developments in the first quarter of 2007 and change in dividend policy. See press release attached hereto dated April 2, 2007 regarding revised April dividend dates of the Company. SIGNATURES 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, thereunto duly authorized. W.P. STEWART & CO., LTD. Date: April 3, 2007 By: /s/ Michael W. Stamm ----------------------------------- Name: Michael W. Stamm Title: Deputy Managing Director - General Counsel EX-99.1 2 d71508_ex99-1.txt PRESS RELEASE DATED MARCH 29, 2007 Exhibit 99.1 [LETTERHEAD OF W. P. STEWART & CO., LTD.] PRESS RELEASE Contact: Fred Ryan telephone: 441.295.8585 29 March 2007 Hamilton, Bermuda W. P. Stewart Provides Update on Business Developments in First Quarter 2007 Board of Directors Changes Dividend Policy Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.15 per share payable 28 April 2007 Following a meeting of the Company's Board of Directors, W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. announced updates to its business activities in the first quarter of 2007 and announced a change in the dividend policy. First Quarter Update Performance in the W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. U.S. Equity Composite (the "Composite") is lagging slightly behind the S&P 500 Index for the year to date. Preliminary indications are that assets under management ("AUM") as of 23 March 2007 were approximately $7.0 billion, compared with approximately $8.1 billion at 31 December 2006. "While these remain challenging times for our Company," Bill Stewart, Chairman, said, "I am confident we are on the right path to restore our company's legacy. We have initiated a process of renewal as we explore a range of opportunities to significantly enhance our business for the future benefit of our clients and shareholders. "Most importantly," he continued, "we are focusing our analysts and managers on achieving absolute returns and have reaffirmed our stretch goal of 15 percent compounded annual returns over a five to ten year horizon. This goal should be achievable given the quality, growth and the current low valuation of the companies that make up our investment universe and in which we invest our clients' accounts. We will also focus on adding more highly successful investors to our team in the coming year." The North American investment group has thoroughly reviewed all company coverage in the U.S. universe, adding two new investment names and removing two from the universe. In March, the team - now including Bill Stewart, Bob Kahn, a founding partner and portfolio manager and Mark Phelps, Managing Director - Global Investments - rebalanced the portfolios, placing more emphasis on the highest quality companies within the universe. The U.S. equity team will be expanded to nine senior professionals on 10 April 2007, when a new analyst joins the Company. As expected following the management changes announced on 1 February 2007, AUM for the quarter to date reflects net outflows of approximately $1.1 billion. Further, there will be additional outflows of at least $325 million in the current quarter, as one large sub-advised fund notified the Company of its decision to close their account by 31 March 2007. In commenting on these developments, Mr. Stewart said; "Virtually all clients have been contacted and meetings have been held or scheduled with many. While it is too soon to say what the final flows will look like this year, I am encouraged by the general response of many of the clients we have met with recently. Our sense is that many of the balance of our clients, especially those high net worth clients with whom we have worked for many years, remain committed to sustaining their relationships with W.P. Stewart." During the month of February 2007, the Company entered into agreements with certain employees whose employment with the Company terminated in the first quarter. In accordance with the terms of these agreements, the Company will incur one-time, non-recurring cash expenses of approximately $1,600,000 and non-cash charges related to restricted shares of approximately $4,200,000 in the first quarter of 2007. Combined, these one-time, non-recurring charges will equate to approximately $0.11 per share, diluted, on a tax effected basis and will reduce first quarter earnings accordingly. Change in Dividend Policy The Board of Directors has decided to change the way the Company pays its dividend, moving from the historic pattern of four equal quarterly amounts to a new policy of paying lower amounts in the first three quarters and a final, fourth payment in January, based on cash earnings for the year, including any performance fees received in the fourth quarter. This new policy allows the Company better to cope with the unpredictability associated with market appreciation, which is always hard to forecast in the short term and the related uncertainty about the amount of performance fee income for the year. As always, the Board will continue to review the dividend on a quarterly basis and while non-recurring cash charges, extraordinary transactions and other developments could affect the amount of the dividend payment in any quarter, the Company's long-standing policy of paying dividends approximating substantially all its yearly cash earnings remains in effect. Reflecting the new policy, the Board today declared a regular quarterly dividend of US$0.15 per common share, payable on 28 April 2007, to shareholders of record on 14 April 2007. Mr. Stewart noted the Company continues to develop new growth opportunities. "Internationally," Mr. Stewart continued, "with a global investment platform in place, we are developing our global and regional investment services as a complement to our traditional U. S. equity services, positioning W.P. Stewart where investment management demand is rising strongly, and which we anticipate will be a very profitable business over the next several years. "In summary, we are working hard to reestablish and strengthen relationships with our exceptional client base and to focus investment management on our proven investment philosophy. I appreciate the support our clients have shown the firm and look forward to repaying their loyalty with strong investment results over the longer-term." W.P. Stewart is an asset management company that has provided research- intensive equity management services to clients throughout the world since 1975. The Company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda and has additional operations or affiliates in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company's shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WPL) and on the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX: WPS). For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.wpstewart.com, or call W.P. Stewart Investor Relations (Fred M. Ryan) at 1-888-695-4092 (toll-free within the United States) or +441-295-8585 (outside the United States) or e-mail to IRINFO@wpstewart.com. EX-99.2 3 d71508_ex99-2.txt PRESS RELEASE DATED APRIL 2, 2007 Exhibit 99.2 [LETTERHEAD OF W. P. STEWART & CO., LTD.] PRESS RELEASE Contact: Fred Ryan telephone: 441.295.8585 April 2, 2007 Hamilton, Bermuda W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. April Dividend Dates Revised W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. today issued a correction to the release dated 29 March, 2007 regarding the April dividend payment date and record date of its common shares. The common share dividend of US$0.15 per common share will be paid on 27 April, 2007 to shareholders of record on 13 April 2007. The original release incorrectly said the dividend is payable on 28 April, 2007 to shareholders of record as of 14 April, 2007. W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. is an asset management company that has provided research-intensive equity management services to clients throughout the world since 1975. The Company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda and has additional operations or affiliates in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company's shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WPL) and on the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX: WPS). For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.wpstewart.com, or call W.P. Stewart Investor Relations (Fred M. Ryan) at 1-888-695-4092 (toll-free within the United States) or +441-295-8585 (outside the United States) or e-mail to IRINFO@wpstewart.com. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----