The Persimmon Directors have proposed to return 125 pence of surplus capital to shareholders for each ordinary share held on 6 March 2020 with payment made on 2 April 2020 as an interim dividend in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2019.
In addition, the Directors propose the payment of the regular annual capital return instalment of 110 pence per share, with payment scheduled for 6 July 2020 as a final dividend with respect to the financial year ended 31 December 2019, to shareholders for each ordinary share held on 12 June 2020. The total return to shareholders is therefore 235 pence per share (2019: 235 pence per share) in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2019.
Other financial highlights include:
-15,855 new homes sold (2018: 16,449) - 4% down on last year
-Total new homes average selling price of £215,709 (2018: £215,563)
-Total Group revenue 2.4% lower at £3.65bn (2018: £3.74bn)
-Underlying new housing operating margin of 30.3% (2018: 30.8%)
-Profit before tax of £1,041m (2018: £1,091m)
-Net free cash generation6 of £544m (2018: £478m)
-Basic earnings per share of 266.8p (2018: 283.3p)
-Return on average capital employed of 37.0% (2018: 41.3%)
-Return on equity8 of 26.3% (2018: 27.7%)
