TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) shares are ending the week with a huge decline.
At the time of writing, the telco's shares are down a massive 30% to $3.91.
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Why are TPG Telecom shares crashing deep into the red?
Despite what you might think based on its share price decline, today's decline is arguably not a bad thing for shareholders.
That's because today's weakness has been driven by TPG Telecom's shares going ex-dividend for a major capital return.
When this happens, it means the rights to an upcoming payout have now been settled and new buyers of its shares will not be entitled to receive it on pay day.
Given that you wouldn't want to pay for something that you won't receive, a company's share price will tend to drop in line with the value of the dividend on the ex-dividend date.
What is TPG paying?
In August, TPG Telecom announced a range of capital management initiatives following the receipt of approximately $4.7 billion in net proceeds from the sale of its fibre assets and Enterprise, Government, and Wholesale (EGW) business to Vocus.
Its capital management plan included the return up to $3 billion to shareholders through a pro rata capital reduction and cash distribution of up to $1.61 per share. This comprises a $1.52 per share capital reduction and a 9 cents per share unfranked special dividend. It also used the funds to make a $1.7 billion repayment of bank borrowings.
Unsurprisingly, earlier this month at an extraordinary general meeting, shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of its capital return.
With TPG Telecom shares ending yesterday's session at $5.60, this capital return offered an incredible 28.75% dividend yield. This is broadly in line with its share price decline today.
Commenting on the return, TPG Telecom's CEO, Iñaki Berroeta, said:
The proposed capital return marks a significant milestone in TPG Telecom's transformation into a simpler, mobile-led business – one that delivers a more efficient cost structure and a solid foundation for growth, both now and into the future.
When is payday?
Eligible shareholders won't have to wait long until payday. TPG Telecom intends to pay this capital return in a touch under two weeks on 24 November.
Though, shareholders also have the option to receive their consideration in TPG Telecom shares. Berroeta said:
As well as this, we will also be offering minority shareholders the opportunity to reinvest their proceeds into new TPG Telecom shares through a Reinvestment Plan. Importantly, this will help increase minority ownership, improve trading liquidity, and increase our free float market capitalisation.
