The Vertu Motors Plx Board recommends a final dividend in respect of the year ended 28 February 2026 of 1.15p per share to be approved at the Annual General Meeting on 24 June 2026. This dividend will be paid, subject to shareholder approval, on 24 July 2026. The ex-dividend date will be 25 June 2026 and the associated record date 26 June 2026. This final dividend brings the total dividend in respect of FY26 to 2.05p per share (FY25: 2.05p). Against adjusted, fully diluted EPS of 5.30p, the total dividend for the year is covered 2.6 times.
Other financial highlights include:
Adjusted profit before tax of £24.5m ahead of market expectations delivered despite weak new vehicle markets due to the Government's Zero Emission Mandate (ZEV) and related margin pressure.
£3.4m of insurance proceeds recognised as other income in FY26 in underlying earnings offsetting losses from the JLR cyber-attack of £3.9m.
Aftersales delivered strong growth, with like‑for‑like revenue and gross profit growth, now generating over 46% of Group gross profit and underpinning earnings resilience.
Modest used car volume growth, with pricing stability and stable gross profit per unit.
Disciplined cost control, with Core Group operating costs up just 1.1% year‑on‑year despite wage inflation, and a further £10m cost efficiency programme delivered to aid FY27 results.
Robust cash generation, with £30.7m of free cash flow, bolstering an already strong balance sheet.
Net debt of £61.3m as at 28 February 2026 (FY25: Net debt: £66.6m)..
