The Cranswick plc Board is proposing a final dividend of 85.5 pence per share, an increase of 12.5 per cent on the 76.0 pence paid last year. Together with the interim dividend of 27.0 pence per share, this brings the total dividend for the year to 112.5 pence per share, an increase of 11.4 per cent, extending the period of consecutive annual dividend growth to 36 years.
Subject to Shareholder approval, the final dividend will be paid on 28 August 2026 to Shareholders on the register at the close of business on 17 July 2026. Shares will trade ex-dividend from 16 July 2026.
Other financial highlights include:
Strong revenue growth of 9.5% with like-for-like3 revenue 6.8% ahead:
o UK food revenue grew 9.4% underpinned by strong volume growth of 8.3% and record Christmas trading
o Poultry revenue up 13.9% and now represents 20.3% of reported Group revenue
o Gourmet Products revenue increased 15.3% with a strong contribution from Blakemans
o Pet Products revenue 29.8% ahead reflecting expansion of the Pets at Home relationship
Adjusted operating margin increased by 35bps to 7.9%, driven by the performance of their integrated poultry supply chain, investment in automation, operational leverage, excellent capacity utilisation and disciplined cost control
Free cash conversion of 120.6%, reflecting record cash generated from operations of £322.3m
ROCE3remained strong at 18.5% on record investment
Net debt (excluding IFRS 16) of £65.0m with Net debt (excluding IFRS 16)/Adjusted EBITDA just 0.2x
Performance across all financial measures well ahead of medium-term targets
