Vodafone has announced dividends will continue to be declared in euros, aligning the Group's shareholder returns with the primary currency in which we generate free cash flow, and paid in euros, pounds sterling and US dollars. The foreign exchange rate at which future dividends declared in euros will be converted into pounds sterling and US dollars will be calculated based on the average World Markets Company benchmark rates over the five business days during the week prior to the payment of the dividend.
The Board has announced an interim dividend per share of 4.50 eurocents (H1 FY22: 4.50 eurocents). The ex-dividend date for the interim dividend is 24 November 2022 for ordinary shareholders, the record date is 25 November 2022 and the dividend is payable on 3 February 2023. Dividend payments on ordinary shares will be paid directly into a nominated bank or building society account.
Other financial hlighlights include:
Total revenue increased by 2.0% to €22.9 billion (FY22 H1: €22.5 billion), as service revenue growth and higher equipment sales was partly offset by unfavourable foreign exchange movements.
Adjusted EBITDAaL declined by 2.6%* to €7.2 billion (FY22 H1: €7.6 billion), with revenue growth offset by a prior year one-off legal settlement in Italy (1.4 percentage point drag year-on-year) and commercial underperformance in Germany. The Adjusted EBITDAaL margin was 2.0* percentage points lower year-on-year at 31.6%.
Operating profit increased by 12.0% to €2.9 billion, reflecting a higher share of income from associates and joint ventures and lower depreciation and amortisation. The Group made a profit for the period of €1.2 billion (FY22 H1: €1.3 billion) as an increase in operating profit and investment income was offset by a higher income tax charge, attributable to one-off deferred tax credits recognised in the prior period.
Basic earnings per share was 3.52 eurocents, compared to basic earnings per share of 3.40 eurocents in the prior year.
