The Smith & Nephew Board has announced they plan to recommend a Final Dividend of 23.1¢ per share (46.2¢ per ADS). Together with an Interim Dividend of 14.4¢ per share (28.8¢ per ADS), this will give a total distribution of 37.5¢ per share (75.0¢ per ADS) for 2019, representing year-on-year growth of 4% in the declared full year dividend. The Final Dividend will be paid on 6 May 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 3 April 2020.
Other financial highlights include:
Underlying revenue growth up 4.4%, a substantial improvement year-on-year (2018: 2%); 4.8% reported growth includes -220bps FX headwind and 260bps acquisition benefit
All global franchises and regions positively contributed to growth, led by Sports Medicine & ENT (7.0%), and Emerging Markets (16.1%)
Trading profit margin of 22.8% includes impact of dilution from acquisitions; operating profit margin of 15.9% reflects restructuring and acquisition costs
Cash generated from operations $1,370 million (2018: $1,108 million)
