Dividend
Ahead of changes to dividend taxation which will take effect on 6 April 2016, we are pleased to announce a second interim dividend for 2015 (the Second Interim Dividend) of 15.0 pence per share, in lieu of a final dividend for 2015. The Second Interim Dividend will be paid on 5 April 2016.
The dividend record date is set on Thursday 24 March 2016, and the shares will be marked ex-dividend on Wednesday 23 March 2016. This has been agreed with the London Stock Exchange, given that these dates fall outside its normal dividend procedure timetable.
Following the payment of a first interim dividend for 2015 of 6.4 pence per share on 16 October 2015, the total dividend per share for 2015 will be 21.4 pence per share. The total dividend per share for 2014 was 19.8 pence per share for those shares in existence immediately after the Share Consolidation. The Board has consistently applied the Company's Dividend Policy, which states that the total dividend paid will result in a dividend cover of 2 to 2.5 times. Further detail on the Company's Dividend Policy can be found with the Finance Director's report.
