In January 2025 the Pennon Board announced dividend policy to 2030 of growing the base dividend in line with CPIH. As a result, they have recommended a final dividend of 19.43 pence per share for the year ended 31 March 2025. Together with the interim dividend of 12.14 pence per share paid on 4 April 2025 this gives a total dividend per share for the year of 31.57 pence. Proposed dividends per share for the 2024 comparative period have been restated and adjusted for the bonus factor of 1.21 to reflect the bonus element of the February 2025 rights issue, in accordance with IAS 33 Earnings per Share. Pennon offers shareholders the opportunity to invest their dividend in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP).
The proposed total dividend for 2024/25 is increased by 5.4% year on year to £133.7 million (2023/24: £126.9 million adjusted for £2.4 million fines). This reflects an increase in line with CPIH on the 2023/24 dividend adjusted to remove the £2.4 million one off deduction in respect of the fine from the Environmental Agency paid by SWW. Current year dividends are covered 2.5 times by underlying EBITDA (2023/24: 2.7 times). Pennon Group plc has substantial retained earnings and a sustainable balance sheet to support its stated dividend policy. The strong fundamentals of its principal operating subsidiary, South West Water Limited, underpin this policy with its strong RORE and growing RCV. Dividends are charged against retained earnings in the year in which they are paid.
