Dividends and Earnings per Ordinary Share
The Board proposes paying an interim dividend of 1.20p (2014: 1.15p) per ordinary share, an increase of 4.3%. This dividend will be paid on 8 January 2016 to shareholders on the register as at close of business on 4 December 2015. Given the positive return that we are seeing from our investments in the core JD fascia, we believe it is in the longer term interests of all shareholders to keep dividend growth restrained so as to maximise the available funding for our ongoing growth opportunities.
The adjusted earnings per ordinary share before exceptional items have increased by 81% to 18.62p (2014: re-presented 10.27p).
The basic earnings per ordinary share have increased by 88% to 17.62p (2014: re-presented 9.38p).
