Hays Plc business model remains highly cash generative. The Board's free cash flow priorities are to fund the Group's investment and development, maintain a strong balance sheet, deliver a progressive, sustainable and appropriate core dividend and to return any surplus cash to shareholders through a combination of special dividends and share buybacks subject to the economic outlook.
The Board has declared an unchanged interim core dividend of 0.95 pence per ordinary share, reflecting their strong cash flow and the Board's confidence in the Group's strategy. The dividend is covered 0.9x by pre-exceptional EPS.
The interim dividend will be paid on 9 April 2025 to shareholders on the register on 28 February 2025. A Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) is provided by Equiniti Financial Services Limited. The DRIP enables the Company's shareholders to elect to have their cash dividend payments used to purchase the Company's shares.
