An initial interim dividend of 4.95p per share (2018: 4.8p) amounting to £6.7m was paid on 2 October 2019, and a final ordinary dividend of 12.05p (2018: 10.8p) is recommended, making the ordinary dividend 17.0p for the year (2018: 15.6p).
In addition, a supplemental interim dividend of 15.0p (2018: 15.6p) is declared, based upon the underlying performance of their Transaction Advisory business. Taken together, the ordinary and supplemental interim dividends comprise an aggregate distribution for the year of 32.0p per share, representing an increase of 2.6% on the 2018 aggregate dividend of 31.2p. The final ordinary dividend of 12.05p per ordinary share will, subject to shareholders' approval at the AGM on 6 May 2020, be paid alongside the supplemental interim dividend of 15.0p per share on 12 May 2020 to shareholders on the register at 14 April 2020.
Other financial highlights include:
Group revenue up 10% to £1.93bn (2018: £1.76bn), driven by a strong performance (+16%) in our Less Transactional business lines (57% of 2019 revenue)
Underlying* profit before tax maintained at £143.4m (2018: £143.7m), despite a £3.5m reduction in profit from the implementation of IFRS 16
Statutory profit before tax increased 6% to £115.6m (2018: £109.4m)
Underlying basic earnings per share ('EPS') in line at 78.0p (2018: 77.8p)
Statutory basic EPS increased 8% to 60.6p (2018: 56.2p)
