In line with their policy of providing a progressive dividend, having regard to both underlying profit and cash generation and to sustainability through the economic cycle, the Ashtead Board has maintained the interim dividend at 7.15p per share (2019: 7.15p per share). This will be paid on 3 February 2021 to shareholders on the register on 15 January 2021.
Other financial highlights include:
Strong market outperformance during the COVID-19 pandemic
Revenue down 3%; rental revenue down 4%1
Operating profit of £614m (2019: £771m)
Pre-tax profit of £538m (2019: £690m)
Earnings per share of 89.0p (2019: 111.8p)
Record free cash flow of £822m (2019: £228m)
Net debt to EBITDA leverage of 1.7 times (2019: 1.9 times)
Expect full-year results ahead of our previous expectations
