Section 742 | Abnormal dividends: the excessive accrual condition

(1)The excessive accrual condition is that the dividend substantially exceeds the amount which the recipient would have received if—

(a)the dividend had accrued from day to day, and

(b)the recipient had been entitled to only so much of the dividend as accrued while the recipient held the securities.

(2)But the excessive accrual condition is treated as not being met if during the period of 6 months beginning with the purchase of the securities the recipient does not—

(a)sell or otherwise dispose of any of the securities or any securities similar to them, or

(b)acquire an option to sell any of the securities or any securities similar to them.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) securities are taken to be similar if they entitle their holders—

(a)to the same rights against the same persons as to capital and interest, and

(b)to the same remedies for the enforcement of those rights.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) rights guaranteed by the Treasury are treated as rights against the Treasury.

(5)Subsection (3) applies despite any differences—

(a)in the total nominal amounts of the respective securities,

(b)in the form in which they are held, or

(c)in the way in which they can be transferred.