The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that all of the outstanding shares of its 5.875 percent mandatory convertible preferred stock will convert to shares of Goodyear common stock effective at the close of business on April 1, 2014. On the mandatory conversion date, each share of preferred stock, unless previously converted, will automatically convert into 2.7574 shares of common stock. The number of shares of common stock issuable on the mandatory conversion date was determined based on the average of the volume weighted average price per share of the company’s common stock over the 20-trading day period ending on March 27, 2014 and in accordance with customary anti-dilution adjustments in relation to cash dividends that were paid on the common stock, consistent with the terms of the preferred stock designation included in the company’s articles of incorporation.

In lieu of any fractional share of common stock, the company will pay an amount in cash determined in accordance with the preferred stock designation. In addition, a dividend of 73.44 cents per share of preferred stock is payable in cash to shareholders who present the preferred stock for mandatory conversion. From and after the mandatory conversion date, shares of the preferred stock not previously converted will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and dividends on the preferred stock will cease to accrue and accumulate. All rights of the holders with respect to such preferred stock will terminate, except for the right to receive the number of whole shares of common stock issuable upon mandatory conversion of the preferred stock, accrued and unpaid dividends, and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of common stock, as described above. The shares of preferred stock were previously included as eligible dilutive securities in the company’s calculation of diluted earnings per share. Upon conversion, the newly issued shares of common stock will be included in Goodyear’s basic and diluted earnings per share.

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 52 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.

Source: rubberworld.com