The SSP Group Plc Board has declared an interim dividend of 1.6 pence per share (H1 2025: 1.4 pence per share), with a view to maintaining the pay-out ratio for the full year at between 30% and 40% of underlying pre-IFRS 16 earnings per share, and with the interim dividend representing approximately one third of the expected full year dividend. The interim dividend will be paid, subject to shareholder approval, on 26 June 2026 to shareholders on the register on 29 May 2026
Other financial highlights include:
Revenue: £1.8bn, up 6% (on a constant currency basis) incl. LFL growth of 5% and net gains of 2%
Operating profit: £50m at actual FX rates; £52m on a constant currency basis, up 18% with margin accretion of 30 bps YoY
Free cash flow: £(176)m (pre-dividend and pre-buy back) after £(124)m seasonal & planned one-off working capital outflows and capex of £93m (£130m LY)
Net Debt/EBITDA: 2.2x; expected to be at lower end of 1.5-2.0x guided range at FY
EPS: 1.1p, up by 1.5p from loss per share of (0.4)p LY; includes benefit of targeted reduction in minority interest
Capital allocation: £100m share buyback now c.60% complete; 4% of share capital bought back
IFRS operating profit: £63m (LY: £15m); YoY increase largely reflects lower net charge for non-underlying items
