Recent articles for private investors with a focus on dividend announcements
Petrofac maintains its 2014 interim dividend at 22 cents
Most successful year for new awards, with ECOM order intake of US$7.2 billion in 1H 2014; backlog up 35% to stand at record levels of US$20.3 billion at 30 June 2014 (31 December 2013: US$15.0 billion), giving very good revenue visibility for the rest of this year and beyond
WPP increases its 2014 interim dividend by 10%
Reported revenues up 2.7% at £5.469 billion in sterling, up 11.3% at $9.135 billion in dollars and up 6.5% at €6.663 billion in euros
Premier Oil maintains 2014 final dividend at 5p
Highlights
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Production averaged 64.9 kboepd (2013: 58.6 kboepd), up 11 per cent and ahead of guidance; new production from Dua (Vietnam), Kyle (UK) and the gas swap (Indonesia)
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Materially rising operating cash flows, up 35 per cent at US$499.4 million (2013: US$371.0 million); profit after tax of US$172.7 million (2013: US$161.1 million)
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Significant momentum across development portfolio: installation of the Solan facilities under way; government sanction of the Catcher project received; and FEED on Bream and Sea Lion progressing well
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Exploration success in Indonesia and Pakistan, including the 100 mmboe (gross) oil and gas discovery at Kuda Laut/Singa Laut on the Tuna Block
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US$190 million of non-core asset sales announced and on track to deliver stated US$300 million disposal programme
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Renewal of principal bank facility completed on improved terms and increased in size to US$2.5 billion
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Continued distributions to shareholders - paid full-year dividend of 5 pence per share and ongoing buyback programme - reflecting confidence in future cash flow profile
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Appointment of Tony Durrant as Chief Executive and Richard Rose as Finance Director
Outlook
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Full-year guidance maintained at 58-63 kboepd including disposal adjustments and pending completion of summer maintenance programmes
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Timing of first oil from Solan is dependent on the successful completion of offshore installation activities within the weather window and progress of the offshore commissioning programme
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Play-opening wells planned in the next 12 months include Badada, onshore Kenya, Myrhauk, offshore Norway and Isobel Deep in the Falkland Islands
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Rising cash flows and strong funding position fully finance forward development spend, exploration expenditure, dividend plans and buyback programme
UK Commercial property trust maintains its 2014 interim dividend
Financial Highlights
* NAV per share of 78.1p (31 December 2013: 73.1p), a rise of 6.8% mainly due
to a 6.0% like-for-like increase in the capital value of the property
portfolio, which is now £1.1billion;
* NAV total return of 10.1% in the six month period to 30 June 2014, ahead of
the IPD benchmark (8.3%) and the FTSE All-Share Index (1.6%) and in-line
with the FTSE REITs Index (10.2%);
* Strong share price performance with a total return of 9.0% in the period
resulting in the Company's shares continuing to trade at a premium toNAV
(4.5%);
* Consistent longer term outperformance with 5 year share price total return
ahead of the IPD benchmark;
* Issue of 40,755,022 treasury shares raising proceeds of £32 million which
has been used for acquisitions;
* Gross gearing of 19.1% continues to be the lowest in the Company's peer
group;
* Attractive dividend yield of 4.5%, underpinned by quality portfolio of diversified properties and above that of the FTSE REIT Index (3.3%) and the FTSE All-Share Index (3.3%).
John Wood posts a 25% 2014 interim dividend increase in dollar terms
Half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2014
Benefitting from strong US shale activity; overall growth outlook for 2014
unchanged
Financial Summary
Total revenue1 of $3,801.2m up 10% and Total EBITA in line with H1 2013 at $243.9m
Continue to anticipate full year Total EBITA to be in line with expectations and up on 2013
Revenue from continuing operations on an equity accounting basis up 16% at $3,224.4m (2013: $2,788.7m)
Profit from continuing operations on an equity accounting basis before tax and exceptional items up 15% at $182.4m (2013: $159.0m)
Adjusted diluted EPS of 44.4 cents (2013: 44.5 cents)
Interim dividend of 8.9 cents (2013: 7.1 cents) up 25%
Bovis Homes posts massive 200% interim dividend increase for 2014
54% increase in legal completions to 1,487 homes (H1 2013: 963 homes)
Serco maintains 2014 interim dividend at 3.1p
Adjusted Operating Profit of £50.7m, equivalent to £59.9m at constant currency, and after charging a loss of £14m in relation to the COMPASS contract
Balfour Beatty maintains its 2014 interim dividend at 5.6p
Overall first-half results are in line with our most recent trading update.
Synthomer increases its 2014 interim dividend by 25%
Europe and North America: Reported operating profit slightly down but 1.9% up on a constant currency basis, with higher volumes and cash margins firming from H2 2013 levels.
Alent increases its 2014 interim dividend by 3.8% and pays special dividend of 15p
Modest improvement in key markets, underpinned by early signs of improved global consumer confidence
Direct line increases its 2014 interim dividend by 5% and pays special dividend of 10p
Paul Geddes, CEO of Direct Line Group, commented
Diageo increases 2014 final dividend by 9%
Net sales, up 0.4%, reflecting mixed performance; growth in North America, stability in Western Europe and weakness in emerging market economies
Weir group increases its 2014 interim dividend by 70% in a rebasing exercise
10% order growth year on year and 9% up on H2-2013
Positive aftermarket momentum across the Group: 15% order input growth
Strong growth in upstream Oil & Gas: divisional input up 40% year on year
Adverse foreign currency exchange rate movements: £23m (11%) operating profit impact
Mining market remains challenging, margins impacted by industrial action in South Africa
New products performing well: £51m input from HPGRs and premium fluid ends
Dividend rephased: Interim up 70% to represent approximately one-third of full year dividend
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