Winn-Dixie to distribute stock Dec. 21
By MARK BASCH, The Times-Union
Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 21, said it anticipates issuing its new stock on Dec. 21 As part of its bankruptcy reorganization plan, the Jacksonville-based supermarket chain wiped out its former shareholders and is issuing new stock to creditors to pay off its debts.
The company expects to issue 54.5 million shares of new stock but not all of them will be distributed on Dec. 21. Some shares are being held in reserve for disputed claims that need to be resolved. But all creditors with agreed claims should get their stock in the initial distribution.
Under the reorganization plan, Winn-Dixie had 45 days to distribute the stock after emergence, giving it until Jan. 5. The company also said that date could be extended by the Bankruptcy Court.
When the shares are distributed, the stock is expected to begin trading in the Nasdaq market under the ticker symbol "WINN." But the stock is already trading on a "when-issued" basis under the symbol "WINNV."
The when-issued stock traded at a price of about $11 for the first week after Winn-Dixie emerged. But the stock began rising during the second week of trading and reached a high of $15.99 last week. That put the stock near the top of the estimated value set by Winn-Dixie's financial advisers.
According to the reorganization plan, the advisers valued the company between $615 million and $880 million. Based on 54.5 million shares, that would put the value of the stock at $11.28 to $16.15 each.