Kenmare generated profit after tax of US$48.0 million in H1 2021 (H1 2020: US$12.7 million). The Board has therefore approved an interim 2021 dividend of USc7.29 (H1 2020: USc2.31) per share, for a total distribution of US$8.0 million (H1 2020: US$2.6 million). The 2021 interim dividend has been calculated as 66.6% of 25% of H1 2021 profit after tax (US$48.0 million), in line with the intention to target a one-third/two-thirds interim/final dividend split. The financial statements do not reflect this interim dividend.
The Company will pay the interim dividend on 22 October 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 24 September 2021. Irish Dividend Withholding Tax (25%) must be deducted from dividends paid by the Company, unless a shareholder is entitled to an exemption and has submitted a properly completed exemption form to the Company’s Registrar.
The dividend timetable is as follows:
| Announcement of interim dividend | 18 August 2021 |
| Ex-Dividend Date | 23 September 2021 |
| Record Date | 24 September 2021 |
| Currency election cut-off date | 28 September 2021 |
| Payment Date | 22 October 2021 |
Other financial highlights include:
- Revenues (FOB) of US$167.8 million in H1 2021, up 51% compared to H1 2020 (US$111.2 million), benefitting from higher volumes shipped and higher prices
- EBITDA of US$82.3 million, a 121% increase compared to H1 2020 (US$37.2 million), due to higher pricing and shipments combined with lower unit costs. Profit after tax of US$48.0 million, up 278% (H1 2020: US$12.7 million) setting a new half-yearly record
- Average received free on board (“FOB”) price for all finished products of US$282 per tonne in H1 2021, a 5% increase compared to H1 2020 (US$269 per tonne), benefitting from strong market conditions but impacted by a lower proportion of zircon and rutile sales, which is expected to reverse in H2
- Cash operating cost per tonne of finished product fell by 22% to US$143 per tonne (H1 2020: US$183 per tonne), as higher cash operating costs were more than offset by increased production volumes
- At the end of H1 2021, cash and cash equivalents were US$56.5 million and gross debt was US$132.7 million, resulting in net debt of US$76.2 million (31 December 2020: US$64.0 million), which is mainly due to the timing of capital expenditure payments and a reduction in the use of invoice factoring
- Strong ilmenite market conditions continued in H1 2021 and this is expected to continue in Q3 2021, with higher prices agreed and a strong order book in place
- The outlook for zircon market has improved, with received prices rising in Q2 2021
