Booker increases its 2015 interim dividend by 16%

DividendMax Ltd.

Booker increases its 2015 interim dividend by 16%

Financial Highlights

Total sales £2.3bn, +1.9%

Booker like-for-like sales (excluding Makro) up 2.4%. Non tobacco sales up 3.4% and tobacco sales up 0.6%

Operating profit (pre £7.0m prior year exceptional credit related to Makro acquisition) +15% to £68.1m

Profit before tax (pre exceptionals) £67.4m, +16%

Profit after tax (post exceptionals) £55.3m, +3%

Underlying earnings per share up 16% at 3.17 pence

Basic earnings per share up 2% at 3.17 pence

Net cash of £107.2m

Interim dividend of 0.52 pence per share, up 16%

As previously indicated, intended return of capital in July 2015

Operational Highlights

Our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group continues to make progress

Makro integration is on track

Booker customer satisfaction improved during the period

Internet sales up 12% to £413m in the half

Plan to increase delivery capacity over the next two years by 80%

Booker Direct, Ritter Courivaud, Classic and Chef Direct continue to make good progress

Booker India is on track

Companies mentioned