The Royal Mail Board has reviewed the performance of the Group during the past year and concluded that it is appropriate to pay a one-off final dividend of 10 pence per share in respect of FY2020-21, payable on 6 September 2021 to shareholders on the register at 30 July 2021, subject to approval at the 2021 AGM on 21 July 2021.
Other financial highlights:
Full year performance well above initial expectations driven by strong parcel growth at both Royal Mail and GLS.
Group adjusted operating profit up 116.0% with a broadly equal contribution from Royal Mail and GLS.
Royal Mail parcels revenue up 38.7%, partly offset by letters decline of 12.5%. Operating costs up 9.2%.
GLS adjusted operating margin increased 230 basis points to 8.9%. Improved performance in focus countries, Spain, France and the US.
April 2021 trading: Royal Mail revenue up 24.1%, GLS up 22.3% year on year. Royal Mail parcel volumes down 2% and addressed letters (excluding elections) volume up 25%. Parcel volume growth at GLS remained strong until mid-April, with a subsequent slowdown given the high volumes observed last year.
Strong Group in-year trading cash flow of £762 million (2019-20: £556 million).
