The Bloomsbury Group has a progressive dividend policy aiming to keep dividend earnings cover in excess of two times, supported by strong cash cover. The Board is recommending a final dividend of 7.58 pence per share, totalling £6.2 million. Together with the interim dividend, this makes a total dividend for the year ended 28 February 2021 of 8.86 pence per share, an 8% increase on the 8.17 pence value of the dividend for the year ended 29 February 2020.
The Board are also proposing a special dividend of 9.78 pence per share, totalling £8.0 million.
Other financial highlights include:
Revenues increased by 14% to £185.1 million (2019/20: £162.8 million)
Profit before taxation and highlighted items grew by 22% to £19.2 million, up from £15.7 million in 2019/20
Profit before taxation grew by 31% to £17.3 million (2019/20: £13.2 million)
Diluted earnings per share, excluding highlighted items, grew by 15% to 18.68 pence (2019/20: 16.23 pence)
Diluted earnings per share grew by 25% to 16.71 pence (2019/20: 13.40 pence)
Net cash of £54.5 million at 28 February 2021, up 74% (2020: £31.3 million)
Cash conversion of 142% (2019/20: 111%)
