Dividends and earnings per share
The Group has retained the strength of its balance sheet during 2016 with an improved net cash position at year end. We delivered earnings per share of 90.1p with full year profits impacted by the shortfall in completions and increased costs including a one-off £7 million customer care provision. Given the strength of our balance sheet and our confidence in the future prospects of the business, a final dividend for 2016 of 30.0 pence per share will be recommended. When combined with the interim dividend this provides a total dividend of 45.0 pence for the year, an increase of 13% on 2015. The final dividend will be payable on 19 May 2017 to shareholders on the register on 24 March 2017.
Whilst there will inevitably be an impact on our earnings and cash flow from the actions we are taking in 2017, the Board intends to recommend maintaining the dividend for 2017 at the declared level for this year confirming its confidence in the future potential of the business
