The Smiths Group Board has a progressive dividend policy, aiming to increase dividends in line with long-term underlying growth in earnings and cash-flow. This policy enables them to retain sufficient cash-flow to finance investment in the drivers of growth and meet their financial obligations. In setting the level of dividend payments, the Board considers prevailing economic conditions and future investment plans, along with the objective to maintain minimum dividend cover of around 2.0x.
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 31.80p per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to 45.90p, a year-on-year increase of 3.0% (FY2018: 44.55p). The final dividend will be paid on 15 November 2019 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 18 October 2019.
