The Cohort Plc Board is recommending a final dividend of 10.10 pence per ordinary share (2023: 9.15 pence), making a total dividend of 14.80 pence per ordinary share (2023: 13.40 pence) for the year, a 10% increase. The dividend has been increased every year since the Group's IPO in 2006. The final dividend will be payable on 2 October 2024 to shareholders on the register at 23 August 2024, subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting on 24 September 2024.
Other financial highlights:
- Record revenue, adjusted operating profit, order intake, closing order book and net funds, exceeding market expectations.
- Adjusted operating profit up 11% on revenue up 11%.
- Communications and Intelligence reported a weaker year overall.
- Order book exceeded half a billion pounds for the first time, with deliveries now extending out to 2037.
- Order intake of £392.1m (2023: £220.9m), including the £135m Royal Navy contract awarded to SEA in March 2024.
- Net funds above market expectations at £23.1m (2023: £15.6m).
