DIVIDEND AND RETURN OF SURPLUS CASH TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Group's dividend policy is to target dividend cover of between 2.5x and 3x, with one third of the previous year's dividend being paid as an interim dividend each year.
In light of this policy, given the operational performance of the business in 2015, the Board has decided to recommend to shareholders a final dividend of 7.1p, giving a total dividend for the year of 9.9p (2014: 8.4p). This equates to a dividend cover of 2.75x.
As previously stated, the Board intends to target a capital structure that is both prudent and recognises the benefits of operational and financial leverage, and, after considering our capital requirements, to return surplus cash to shareholders as appropriate. The Group has significant property leases for the depot network, and continues to have a material deficit in the Group pension fund and a small number of remaining legacy liabilities related to the Group's former ownership of MFI. Taking into account this underlying level of gearing, the Board believes it is appropriate for the Group to be able to operate through the annual working capital cycle without incurring bank debt.
The Board has reviewed the cash balances in light of the Group's future investment opportunities, expected peak working capital requirements and trading outlook. As a result, it has decided to return an additional £55m of cash to shareholders by way of a share repurchase programme. This will be implemented over the course of the next two years.
