Highlights
Gross written premiums up 22.8% to £393.3m (1H 2016: £320.4m)
In-force policies up 8.8% to 2.258 million (1H 2016: 2.076 million)
Profit before tax from continuing operations up 44.6% to £45.1m (1H 2016: £31.2m)
Combined operating ratio improved 2.6ppts to 96.6% (1H 2016: 99.2%)
Interim dividend of 4.1p per share (1H 2016: 3.0p per share) reflects a payout ratio of 70% of earnings per share, inclusive of a 20% special dividend
Solvency coverage at 153% (FY 2016: 152%)
Dividend per share
An interim dividend of 4.1 pence per share (1H 2016: 3.0 pence per share) has been declared and approved by the Board. The interim dividend is comprised of a base dividend of 2.9 pence per share and a special dividend of 1.2 pence per share. The dividend has been set with reference to the Group's profit after tax and allows for the approximate proportion of one-third (interim dividend) and two-thirds (final dividend), respectively.
The ex-dividend date is 31 August 2017, the record date is 1 September 2017 and the payment date is 13 October 2017. These dates are in respect of both the base and special interim dividend.
