The PageGroup Plc Board has announced an interim dividend of 4.91 pence per share, an increase of 4.5% over last year. In addition, in line with their policy of returning surplus capital to shareholders, the Group is to announce today a special dividend of 26.71 pence per share (2021: 26.71 pence per share) totalling £84.9m. Taking these two dividend payments together, this amounts to a cash return to shareholders of £100.5m. This is in addition to the 2021 final dividend paid in June of £32.7m, meaning a total of £133.2m, or 41.92 pence per share, returned to shareholders in 2022.
Other financial highlights include:
Group operating profit of £115.3m (H1 2021: £64.3m)
Conversion rate increased to 21.4% (H1 2021: 15.9%)
Gross profit per fee earner up 9.2% on H1 2021 to £82.8k (H1 2021: £75.8k)
Total headcount increased by 830 (10.6%) to 8,668 at the end of June
Strong Balance Sheet, with net cash of £136.2m (H1 2021: £163.8m)
Outlook unchanged: Full year operating profit expected to be in line with company compiled consensus of £206m
