Recent articles for private investors with a focus on dividend announcements
Our latest research 23/03/2015
When building a strong portfolio of dividend stocks it is important to consider not only the raw yield, but to look at those stocks that can deliver sustained dividend increases over a period of time. We have looked at the end of 2014 fiscal year / first half of 2015 and picked 5 companies for your consideration.
GVC Holdings increases its quarterly dividend by 12% in Euro terms
Dividend and returns to shareholders
Next increases its 2014 full year dividend by 16.3%
PROFIT and EPS
January 2015 £m
January 2014 £m
NEXT Retail
383.8
347.7
+10.4%
NEXT Directory
376.8
358.5
+5.1%
NEXT BRAND
760.6
706.2
+7.7%
Other
51.5
16.6
Operating profit
812.1
722.8
+12.3%
Net interest
(29.9)
(27.6)
Profit before tax - underlying
782.2
695.2
+12.5%
Exceptional disposal gains
12.6
-
Taxation
(159.9)
(142.0)
Profit after tax
634.9
553.2
+14.8%
EPS - underlying
419.8p
366.1p
+14.7%
Ordinary dividends per share
150.0p
129.0p
+16.3%
Premier Farnell maintains its 2014 full year dividend at last years level
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
- Underlying sales growth of 3.3% year on year
- Adjusted operating profit of £88.0m flat at constant currency
- Operating margin at 9.2% down 40bps
- Gross profit up 1.4% at constant currency
- SG&A as a % of sales down 40bps at constant currency
- Adjusted profit before tax of £74.0m down 3.0%
- Adjusted free cash flow at 3.7% of sales reflecting inventory investments
- Board recommends an unchanged full year dividend of 10.4p per share
Smiths group increases its 2015 interim dividend by 2%
Underlying revenue growth driven by Smiths Medical, Flex-Tek and John Crane
JD Wetherspoon maintains its 2015 interim dividend
In the 26 weeks ended 25 January 2015, like-for-like sales increased by 4.5%, with total sales increasing by 9.0% to £744.4m (2014: £683.2m). Like-for-like bar sales increased by 1.5% (2014: 3.4%), food by 10.1% (2014: 10.5%) and fruit/slot machines by 1.1% (2014: decreased by 9.5%).
Morrisons increases its 2014 full year dividend by 5%, signals a reduction next year.
Financial summary
Serco 2014 final results
Revenue and profitability in line with revised expectations as set out on 10 November 2014; guidance for 2015 maintained
Centaur media increases its 2014 final dividend by 24%
Financial highlights for the reporting period:
G4S increases its 2014 final dividend by 5%
G4S Chief Executive Officer Ashley Almanza said, "The group made good progress with its strategic plan, delivering commercial, operational and financial progress during 2014. This is reflected in a 7.9% increase in underlying PBITA and a 11.7% increase in underlying earnings and a 25% increase in cash flow from the group's operating businesses. The group's progress and prospects are reflected in the board's recommendation to increase the final dividend by 5%. There remains much to be done to realise the full potential of our strategy and we expect to make further progress in 2015." Financial highlights on an underlying basis:
Prudential increases its 2014 full year dividend by 10%
Group Performance Highlights (on constant exchange rate basis):
4901-4950 of 7435
