Taking into account the current financial position and future outlook, the Hansard Gobal Board has resolved to maintain its interim dividend at 1.8p per share (H1 2020: 1.8p per share). This will be paid on 20 April 2021 with an ex-dividend date of 11 March 2021.
Other financial highlights include:
Hansard's business remains resilient in light of the continuing challenges of Covid-19;
New business levels for the Group were £76.3m for H1 2021 on a Present Value of New Business Premiums ("PVNBP") basis, down 4.7% from H1 2020;
IFRS profit before tax was £2.9m for the period, up from £2.6m in H1 2020, primarily due to lower new business acquisition costs;
Revenue increased with £25.6m of fees and commissions earned in H1 2021 compared to £25.5m in H1 2020;
Value of in-force remained stable in the period at £149.9m, up from £147.9m at 30 June 2020;
Assets under administration increased to £1.17 billion, up 8.0% since 30 June 2020;
Continued investment in future growth; launch of first distribution agreement in Japan on track for Spring 2021;
