CGNU and Aviva history

retiredinfrance

After getting cash from the Aviva repayment of capital, I have to pay tax on my gain here in France. Problem is that my start years ago - 1995 with shares in Commercial Union and General Accident. By 2002 these were CGNU  and later Aviva. Something happened in 2002 because I discovered that my shareholding seemed to have doubled. I have written to the Registrars but they replied with a standard letter to consult the website.
No joy, so , hoping someone here can help. If not, I’ll have to overpay the tax at maximum to avoid problems.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

maybe a share consolidation in 2002.

Searches only found the following,

CGNU

AVIVA

NEWS

retiredinfrance

Tried all the searches and found nothing . I also traced the history of GA and CU but got nowhere . Maybe there is someone out there who came along the same share path.
Thanks, much appreciated, Frugalmacdugal.

Linton

2002 was when the company changed its name from CGNU to AVIVA.  But it would appear that shareholdings were not affected.

Perhaps the shares were reorganised in 2000 when CGU merged with NU?

retiredinfrance

Thanks for that , Linton. I have a feeling that after many days internet searching  that my shares just carried on regardless through the name changes from CU and GA to become CGU and then CGNU and finally Aviva. 

LHW99

Aviva FAQ's states:

"As a member of the Aviva Share Account you can register or log into the Computershare Investor Centre, the shareholder services website, to view your current holding and its indicative value."

https://www.aviva.com/investors/managing-your-shares-faq/

Would Computershare help you to track things?

wmb194

To get to Aviva there were a few steps:

1. General Accident and Commercial Union merged in 1998 to create CGU.

"CU stockholders (sic) will retain their stock in the new company, while General Accident shareholders will receive 1,233 shares of CGU for every 1,000 shares held of General Accident."

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB888413884754700500

2. CGU merged with Norwich Union in 2000 to create CGNU.

"CGU shareholders will retain their shares in CGU (to be renamed CGNU) and Norwich Union shareholders will receive: for every 100 Norwich Union shares 48 new CGNU shares and so on in proportion for any other number of Norwich Union shares."

https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2000/05/merger-of-cgu-and-norwich-union-832/

3. CGNU changed its name to Aviva in 2002.

https://www.aviva.co.uk/services/about-our-business/about-us/previous-companies/


Other than the one last year I cannot see that there have been any other share splits or share consolidations. Your increased number of shares in c.2002 may have come earlier through the CU/GA merger and have you ever taken scrip dividends or reinvested cash dividends to obtain new shares?

https://in.investing.com/equities/aviva-historical-data-splits

retiredinfrance

Thanks, @LHW99, I have been through the Investorcentre stuff and got nowhere. That’s what prompted me to turn to this forum. Basically , their FAQ didn’t cover my query, though I agree with you, they would be a first port of call. 

retiredinfrance

Thanks, @wmb194. Your reply has it solved. It was the shares given to General Accident shareholders on the merger that increased my holding. I sold this GA portion and then later on bought more Aviva. My worries are over and I can now account for my capital gain here. 

Thanks again.