OSLO, Norway, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Net Asset Value (“NAV”) of Aker ASA and holding companies (“Aker”) was NOK 57.0 billion at the end of the third quarter 2024, compared to NOK 63.9 billion at the end of the second quarter 2024. Aker’s Board of Directors has approved to pay an additional cash dividend of NOK 35.50 per share, for a total of NOK 2.6 billion, in the fourth quarter, bringing the total dividend to NOK 3.8 billion, or NOK 51 per share, for the full year.

“Aker ended the third quarter with a more streamlined and cash-generative investment portfolio. This enables us to pay an additional NOK 35.50 per share in cash dividend. Furthermore, for the first time, the Aker’s board is adjusting the dividend policy upward to 4-6% of NAV annually. Despite a decrease in our Net Asset Value this quarter, primarily due to lower oil prices, these actions reflect how we are playing to our strengths, including active ownership and transactional capabilities, to drive value creation,” said Øyvind Eriksen, President & CEO of Aker ASA.

Key financials – third quarter 2024

*incl. undrawn credit facilities

“All eyes are on the US this morning. Like the rest of the world, we are closely monitoring the outcome of the election. Despite the potential impact on global markets and trade dynamics, many aspects relevant to Aker are expected to remain unchanged. We anticipate a continued fragmented world, geopolitical uncertainty and conflicts, and significant incentives for the US to maintain its technology-leadership and energy self-sufficiency. At Aker, we are used to managing volatilities and remain committed to maintaining a steady course, continuing to deliver value to our shareholders.”

The third quarter of 2024 reflected high activity levels across the portfolio. Aker continued to progress on its strategy of a more streamlined investment portfolio, by over time focusing on fewer portfolio companies with potential for secular growth, profitability, and cash flow generation. Aker’s portfolio companies announced more than NOK 18 billion of total shareholder distributions during the quarter. Consequently, Aker has increased its estimated upstream dividends to more than NOK 11 billion in 2024, a significant increase from NOK 4.4 billion last year and NOK 2.8 billion in 2022. Recent dividend announcements across the portfolio include:

Aker Solutions: NOK 10 billion (OneSubsea JV transaction)Aker BP: USD 379 million quarterly dividendAker BioMarine: NOK 3.9 billion (Feed Ingredients transaction)Solstad Maritime: NOK 233 million for Q3 and initiated quarterly dividendsAMSC: increased quarterly dividends to NOK 43 million

Aker’s revised dividend policy of 4-6% of year-end NAV is rooted in a commitment to a balanced approach to capital allocation, maintaining a solid balance sheet, preserving financial flexibility and investment capacity, while delivering consistent returns to shareholders.

Despite a negative impact on Aker’s NAV in the quarter due to oil price fluctuations, Aker BP remains a cornerstone of the industrial investment portfolio. The company delivered strong operational performance, marked by high efficiency, low costs, and low emissions. Cognite continued its positive commercial development, with Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) reaching a new record high. SalMar Aker Ocean has successfully completed four production cycles showing stronger biological results compared to traditional fish farming.

For further information, or questions following the presentation, please email the relevant contact below. The quarterly presentation and materials are available at www.akerasa.com and www.newsweb.no

Media contact
Atle Kigen, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Aker ASA
Tel: +47 90 78 48 78
E-mail: atle.kigen@akerasa.com

Investor contact
Fredrik Berge, Head of Investor Relations, Aker ASA
Tel: +47 45 03 20 90
E-mail: fredrik.berge@akerasa.com

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This stock exchange announcement was published by Laila Hop, Paralegal, Aker ASA, on November 6, 2024, at 07:00 CET.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/aker-asa/r/aker-asa–third-quarter-results-2024—nav-of-nok-57-0-billion–dividend-of-nok-35-50-per-share,c4061675

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PUNE, India, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Opus Technologies has been recognized by Great Place To Work® India among – India’s Top 100 Best Workplaces for Women 2024

Opus Technologies has achieved a significant milestone, earning recognition as India’s Top 100 Best Workplaces™ for Women 2024 by Great Place to Work© India. This prestigious accolade underscores our commitment to creating an environment where women can thrive professionally and make substantial contributions.

At Opus, we recognize the immense value women bring to our organization. Our female employees consistently demonstrate leadership, drive innovation, and excel across all levels of the company. This recognition celebrates their achievements and reaffirms our dedication to fostering a workplace that empowers women in tech.

As a global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work has been studying employee experience and people practices across organizations for over three decades. Every year, more than 100 million employees from over 150 countries worldwide take the Great Place To Work for assessment, benchmarking, and planning of actions to strengthen their workplace culture.

In this year for India, based on a rigorous evaluation methodology, 200 organizations among India’s Best Workplaces for Women 2024 have been recognized. These organizations, among other practices, particularly excel both in people practices that they have crafted for their employees and proactively acting on the feedback to create a High Trust Culture. The report and the complete list (in alphabetical order) of India’s Best Workplaces for   2024 can be viewed on our website.

“In today’s dynamic business landscape, we’ve long recognized that when people feel truly supported and valued, businesses don’t just survive—they thrive. This rings especially true for women in the workplace. By fostering environments that prioritize flexibility, equity, and inclusion, we empower all employees to bring their full potential to work every day.

However, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Despite years of progress, women’s representation in the workforce has plateaued at 26%, with a mere 122% in executive or C-level positions. More concerning is the declining workplace sentiment among women, signaling a growing disconnect in their work environments.

Our research unequivocally shows that when women experience a sense of belonging, they are 6 times more likely to consider their workplace great. This stark statistic underscores the immense potential waiting to be unlocked in organizations that prioritize inclusivity and equality.

As we launch India’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2024 report, we celebrate the companies leading the charge in creating truly inclusive environments. These organizations understand that championing women isn’t just about meeting quotas—it’s about cultivating a culture where everyone can thrive.

To all the winners of India’s Best Workplaces for Women: congratulations on setting the gold standard. Your commitment to fostering environments where women feel valued, heard, and empowered serves as an inspiration and a call to action for us all. Together, let’s continue to build workplaces where every individual, regardless of gender, can reach their full potential.”

–          Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work®️ India

Praveen TM, CEO of Opus Technologies, stated, “Being recognized as one of the Best Workplaces™ for Women by Great Place to Work© India is a significant milestone for us. This honor highlights our commitment to building a workplace where every woman feels valued and empowered to lead. We firmly believe that our diverse workforce is key to our innovation and growth, and we will continue to champion equality and inclusivity in all aspects of our organization.”

Speaking about the achievement, Babitha P, Chief People Officer at Opus Technologies, said, “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Opus, we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone, particularly women, can thrive and feel empowered. Embracing diverse perspectives is at the heart of our culture and a key driver of our success.”

Backed by 30 years of data, Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Through its proprietary For All™ Model and Trust Index™ Survey, it gives organizations the recognition and tools to create a consistently positive employee experience. Its mission is to help every place become a great place to work for all, driving business growth, improving lives, and empowering communities. Through globally recognized and coveted Great Place To Work Certification™ and highly competitive Best Workplaces Lists, Great Place To Work enables employers to attract and retain talent, benchmark company culture, and increase revenue. Its platform enables leaders to truly capture, analyze and understand the experience of every employee and compare outcomes with data collected from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries worldwide.

About Opus Technologies:

With nearly three decades of experience, Opus Technologies is a global provider of outcome-driven payment strategies. Opus combines its deep technology proficiency with unmatched domain expertise in payments and fintech to deliver unparalleled quality and value in its work.

Visit https://opustechglobal.com/ to learn more. Follow Opus Technologies on LinkedIn.

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AHMEDABAD, India , Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —  Vasant Masala, a prominent name in the spices industry for over 54 years, is proud to unveil Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor as its new brand ambassador, alongside their new positioning: ‘Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha.’ The tagline encapsulates how Vasant Masala enhances the flavours of every dish, creating meals that not only satisfy taste buds but also strengthen the bonds of love within families, making every moment around the table one filled with warmth and togetherness.

An exciting collaboration will feature Anil Kapoor alongside his brother Sanjay Kapoor for the first time on-screen with Vasant Masala’s TVC. Their sibling bond exemplifies the essence of Vasant Masala’s new message: love isn’t just a sentiment, but an experience that unites us, especially in the context of family life and cherished traditions.

As part of this exciting evolution, Vasant Masala is also unveiling a refreshed brand identity, complete with a modernised logo. The revamped identity represents Vasant Masala’s dedication to connecting with the tastes and preferences of its customers.

Elaborating on Anil Kapoor’s association as Vasant Masala’s brand ambassadorship, Chandrakant Bhandari, CMD of Vasant Masala, stated, “For decades, delivering purity to Indian households has been the cornerstone of Vasant Masala. With ‘Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha,’ we are not only enriching this foundation but also strengthening the bond that goes beyond taste to touch the heart. Anil Kapoor’s association perfectly blends tradition, modernity, and universal appeal, resonating across generations. This campaign celebrates our legacy while reaching a wider audience, bringing Vasant Masala into more homes and fueling our growth for years to come.”

Anil Kapoor, expressing his excitement about this partnership, shared, “I am thrilled to be part of this new chapter in Vasant Masala’s journey. This brand is known for its uncompromising quality and I have complete faith in its commitment to delivering the best. This story is about more than just promoting a product; it’s a celebration of love, family, and the bonds we hold dear. What’s more, this will be the first time I’ll share the screen with my brother Sanjay, which makes this even more exciting for me. I can’t wait to see how this heartfelt campaign connects with people.”

About Vasant Masala:

As a leading brand in the Indian spices market, Vasant Masala remains dedicated to providing high-quality products while deepening its emotional connection with its consumers. Vasant Masala has been delighting millions of families across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond for the past 54 years. With its diverse range of products such as blended spices, Hing, basic spices, whole spices, and powdered spices, Vasant Masala has gained recognition on a global scale. Exported to five continents, Vasant Masala is known for its unparalleled quality and widespread popularity. This trusted brand has consistently provided consumers with the finest spices, making it the top choice of housewives for the last five decades due to its unmatched flavor and health benefits.

For Trade, Marketing & Other enquiries:
E-mail: info@vasantmasala.com
Call: +91 94265 06390
Know more about the brand at www.vasantmasala.com.

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