Intercontinental Hotels have increased their interim dividend from 36.3¢ to 39.9¢, a 10% increase.
Other financial highlights include:
Underlying operating profit up 2% (up 5% excluding the result from the UK portfolio transaction and adjusting for $6m of cost phasing benefit in H1 2018); underlying EPS up 2%.
Net system size growth of 5.7%, the highest in over a decade, with 30k room additions, up 38% YoY. Removed 10k rooms, in line with a continued focus on the long-term health of established brands, leaving 856k rooms across the global estate.
First half signings of 48k rooms (up 3% YoY), highest in over a decade and includes record performance in Greater China. Total pipeline now stands at 282k rooms.
Continued progress optimising our brand portfolio for future growth, with 5 signings for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas since acquisition in February, and the launch of our new upper midscale brand Atwell Suites in H1.
Rollout of voco continuing at pace with 21 hotels signed to date (8k rooms); expected to reach ~30 signings (10k rooms) by the end of the year. Almost 200 avid hotels signed in less than 2 years with 3 open and more than a quarter under construction or with planning approved.
