SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
August 2, 1997
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):
SIGNET GROUP plc
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
England and Wales 0-16945 N.A.
(STATE OR OTHER (COMMISSION (I.R.S EMPLOYER
JURISDICTION) FILE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
Zenith House
The Hyde, Colindale,
London, NW9 6EW
England
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
(011) (44 181) 905 9000
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
Not Applicable
(FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)
<PAGE>
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
As at August 2, 1997, the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of Signet Group
plc ("Signet"), more than 50 per cent. of Signet's ordinary shares of 0.5p each
("Ordinary Shares") were held of record either directly or through American
Depositary Receipts by residents of the United States. Accordingly, Signet was
not a foreign private issuer as of that date. As a result, Signet will be filing
shortly a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with respect to its results of
operations for the six months ended August 2, 1997. Signet will also continue to
monitor the percentage of its Ordinary Shares held by United States residents.
On August 12, 1997, Signet announced that it would be changing the number of its
Ordinary Shares represented by each of its American Depositary Shares ("ADSs")
with effect from September 4, 1997. From September 4, 1997 each ADS will
represent 30 Ordinary Shares rather than 3 Ordinary Shares. A copy of the press
release announcing the change in Signet's ADS ratio is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99 .
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS
99. Press release entitled "Signet Group plc - Change in American Depositary
Share Ratio" issued on August 12, 1997
<PAGE>
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 of the
undersigned hereto duly authorised.
SIGNET GROUP PLC
DATE September 10, 1997 BY: /s/ Walker G. Boyd
-----------------------------
Walker G. Boyd
Group Finance Director
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
99. Press release entitled "Signet Group plc - Change in
American Depositary Share Ratio" issued on August 12, 1997
EXHIBIT 99
SIGNET
For immediate release 12th August, 1997
Signet Group plc
Change in American Depositary Share Ratio
-----------------------------------------
Signet Group plc ("the Company") announces that it will be changing the number
of its ordinary shares of 0.5p each ("Ordinary Shares") represented by each of
its American Depoistary Shares ("the ADSs") traded on the US Nasdaq Stock
Market.
Each ADS (symbol SGNNY) currently represents three Ordinary Shares. From 9:30am
(New York Time) on 4th September, 1997 each ADS will represent 30 Ordinary
Shares of 0.5p each (new symbol SIGYY). Any fractional ADSs arising from this
change in the ratio will be aggregated by the Bank of New York, in its capacity
as ADS depositary, and sold with the net proceeds being distributed for the
benefit of the holders of the fractional ADSs.
Dealings in the ADSs commenced on 21st July, 1997. Since that date the
cancellation fee payable to the Bank of New York upon surrender of each
American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") has been at a temporary concessionary rate.
Holders of ADRs should note that from 4th September, 1997 the cancellation fee
will revert to the rate of $5 per 100 ADSs or portion thereof (each ADS
representing 30 Ordinary Shares of 0.5p each).
Enquiries:
Mike Mitchell, Signet Group plc 0171 495 2643
Signet Group plc Zenith House, The Hyde, London NW9 6EW
Tel: 0181 905 5000 Fax: 0181 200 9466
Registered in England number 477692
Registered Office: Zenith House, The Hyde, London NW9 6EW
