The Pennon Group Board has recommended a final dividend of 29.77 pence per share for the year ended 31 March 2023. Together with the interim dividend of 12.96 pence per share paid on 5 April 2023 this gives a total dividend for the year of 42.73 pence. This represents an increase of 10.9% (March 2023 CPIH + 2%) on 2021/22. Pennon offers shareholders the opportunity to invest their dividend in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP).
The proposed dividends totaling £111.7 million are covered 2.8 times by underlying EBITDA (2021/22 3.8 times). The reduction in EBITDA dividend cover was expected given the significant near-term pressures on earnings from elevated power pricing. Pennon Group plc has substantial retained earnings and a sustainable balance sheet to support its stated dividend policy. The strong fundamentals of its principal operating subsidiary, South West Water Limited, underpin this policy with its strong RORE and growing RCV. Dividends are charged against retained earnings in the year in which they are paid.
