The International Personal Board is to declare a 23% increase in the interim dividend to 2.7 pence per share (H1-21: 2.2 pence). The interim dividend is in line with the Group's progressive dividend policy and is set at 33% of the prior year's full-year dividend payment. The interim dividend will be paid on 30 September 2022 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 2 September 2022. The shares will be marked ex-dividend on 1 September 2022.
Other financial highlights include:
Reported first-half profit before tax of £33.8m (H1-21: £43.3m), with all businesses delivering profitable performances.
Underlying first-half profit before tax grew by 45%, after excluding Covid-19 impairment provision releases in H1-21 of £20m.
