Ashtead Group plc has a progressive dividend policy, which considers both profitability and cash generation, and results in a dividend that is sustainable across the cycle. Its intention has always been to increase the dividend as profits increase and be able to maintain it when profits decline. This, combined with the Board's decision to rebalance the split between the interim and final dividend, to broadly one third interim, two thirds final, and reflecting its confidence in the future, the Board is recommending a final dividend of 72.0¢ per share, making 108.0¢ for the year. If approved at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 10 September 2025 to shareholders on the register on 8 August 2025.
The dividend is declared in US dollars but will be paid in sterling unless shareholders elect to receive their dividend in US dollars. Those shareholders who wish to receive their dividend in US dollars and have not yet made an election may do so by contacting Equiniti on +44 (0) 371 384 2085. The last day for election for the proposed final dividend is 22 August 2025.
Other financial highlights:
· Record Group rental revenue up 4%; revenue down 1%, impacted by lower sales of used
equipment
· Operating profit of $2,557m (2024: $2,654m), with $142m lower gains on disposal
· Adjusted profit before taxation of $2,128m (2024: $2,230m)
· Adjusted earnings per share of 369.5¢ (2024: 386.5¢)
· $2.4bn of capital invested in the business (2024: $4.3bn)
· Free cash inflow of $1,790m (2024: $216m)
· Net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage of 1.6 times (2024: 1.7 times)
