Time Warner Inc. Completes Spin-off of AOL Inc.
New York : Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) has announced that it has completed the previously announced spin-off of AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL). Effective 11:59 p.m. on December 9, 2009, one share of AOL common stock was distributed for every eleven shares of Time Warner common stock held as of 5:00 p.m. on the record date of November 27, 2009. Stockholders will receive a cash payment instead of any fractional AOL shares.
Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes said: “With the separation of AOL, we’ve returned to our roots as one of the leading content companies in the world. We’re now better positioned to focus even more closely on driving the best possible performance at our content businesses in the most efficient way. I’m confident that Time Warner is on track to generate steady, attractive financial results and improve returns to our stockholders. At the same time, we believe that AOL will have greater operational and strategic flexibility as a standalone company.”
No action or payment is required by Time Warner stockholders to receive the shares of AOL common stock. Stockholders who held Time Warner common stock on the record date will receive a book-entry account statement reflecting their ownership of AOL common stock or their brokerage account will be credited with the AOL shares.
The AOL spin-off has been structured to qualify as a tax-free dividend to Time Warner stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for the cash received in lieu of fractional shares. Time Warner stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the AOL spin-off.
Allen & Company LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. served as financial advisers to Time Warner.