Shares in Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited (LSE:SONG), the music investment company, sank over 11% in early trading after management confirmed parts of its royalties are set to be materially lower than expected, causing the group to cut its interim dividend.
Citrin Cooperman, the company’s portfolio valuer, confirmed retroactive royalty payments for songs released between 2018 and 2022, CRB III, would be dropping from US$21.7 million to US$9.9 million.
An interim dividend of 1.1325p per share was initially announced towards the end of September; however, the UK-listed group has been forced to cut the payout to remain compliant with its credit facilities' 'Fixed Charge Cover Ratio' covenant.
Hipgnosis is currently in talks with lenders and agents to reduce the negative impacts of the change in revenues, with the fund hoping to be able to pay out all future scheduled dividends should successful progress be made.
Shares in the music rights company are down a little over 25% in 2023, having opened on Monday at around 74p before dropping to around 66p.