Synergy Health increases 2014 interim dividend by 8.5%

DividendMax Ltd.

Synergy Health increases 2014 interim dividend by 8.5%

Financial Highlights

Strong reported growth of 12.0%, increasing revenue to £192.1 million

Underlying revenue growth, excluding currency effects, increased by 9.0%

Adjusted operating profit increased by 9.8% to £29.2 million

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 10.4% to £51.2 million

Interim dividend increased by 8.5%, reflecting growth in underlying earnings

Net debt decreased to £168.8 million from £177.3 million at 31 March 2013

Operational Highlights

Four new contract wins in UK & Ireland linen business valued at £2.1 million per annum.

Strong growth in AST in Europe & Middle East. Facility closures, process re-engineering and management changes in response to continued weakness of Dutch linen market

As preferred bidder, negotiations with a large US hospital organisation for an HSS outsourcing contract are at an advanced stage

Signed an outsourcing contract with Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, contributing to HSS China revenue growth of 20.1%. Good progress on other opportunities and widening of commercial relationship with Sinopharm

Investing in innovation to further differentiate our offering and improve competitive advantage

Outlook

Our strategy to invest in the US and Asia is showing signs of working well, supported by positive progression of opportunities

Continued investment in business development expected to support future growth

The Group is proceeding in line with the Board's expectations for the full year

Richard Steeves, Chief Executive of Synergy Health, said:

"The progression of opportunities in the US and in Asia supports our ability to grow and develop our HSS business in these regions, which I believe will be a catalyst to future strong organic growth. In parallel, we continue our expansion of our global AST network through organic growth and acquisition."

Companies mentioned