Recent articles for private investors with a focus on dividend announcements

Big Yellow announces 17.0 pence per share interim dividend
Big Yellow have declared an interim dividend of 17.0 pence per share, which is a decrease of 0.6% on the prior period, broadly in line with adjusted earnings per share. This has all been declared as Property Income Distribution ("PID"). The total dividend for the full year will be determined in line with their stated policy.

Intermediate Capital announces interim ordinary dividend up 13% to 17.0p per share
In line with their stated policy that the interim dividend will equate to a third of the prior-year total, the Board has approved an interim dividend of 17.0p, an increase of 13%. The dividend will be paid on 8 January 2021 to shareholders on the register on 11 December 2020. They will continue to make the dividend reinvestment plan available.

Homeserve announces interim dividend up 7% to 6.2p
The interim dividend of 6.2p per share (HY20: 5.8p), an increase of 7%, will be paid on 8 January 2021 to shareholders on the register on 11 December 2020.

Experian announces first interim dividend of 14.5 US cents per ordinary share
A first interim dividend of 14.5 US cents per ordinary share will be paid by Experian on 5 February 2021 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 8 January 2021 and is not included as a liability in these interim financial statements. The first interim dividend for the six months ended 30 September 2019 was 14.5 US cents per ordinary share and the total dividend per ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2020 was 47.0 US cents, with a total full year cost of US$424m. Further administrative information on dividends is given in the Shareholder information section on page 46. Dividend amounts are quoted gross.

Redcentric announces the reinstatement of a dividend
Further to the business' good trading performance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of the restitution scheme, as detailed below, and the low levels of net debt, the Redcentric Board has decided to reinstate their dividend payments and with these results announces an interim dividend of 1.2p per share which will be paid on 31 December 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 November 2020. As part of its review of strategy going forward, the Board will consider its final dividend policy and will make its recommendation at the time of release of the Company's preliminary results for FY21.

Volex announces a reinstated interim dividend of 1.2p per share
Further to the business' good trading performance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of the restitution scheme, as detailed below, and the low levels of net debt, the Volex Board has decided to reinstate dividend payments and with these results announces an interim dividend of 1.2p per share which will be paid on 31 December 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 November 2020. As part of its review of strategy going forward, the Board will consider its final dividend policy and will make its recommendation at the time of release of the Company's preliminary results for FY21.

Qinetiq announces 2.2p interim dividend
The Qinetiq final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2020, usually payable in August, had been deferred whilst the impact of COVID-19 on the Company was being assessed. Due to the success of the Company's COVID-19 mitigating actions and a strong cash performance in the first half of 2021, the final dividend for 2020 will now be paid on 16 November 2020. The final dividend per share of 4.4p ensures that the total dividend for 2020 remains at the same level (of 6.6p) as the prior year.

Great Portland Estates announces an interim dividend maintained
The Great Portland Estates Board has declared an interim ordinary dividend of 4.7 pence per share (2019: 4.7 pence) which will be paid on 5 January 2021. All of this dividend will be a REIT Property Income Distribution (PID) in respect of the Group's tax-exempt property rental businesFRS and EPRA NTA per share of 800 pence, down 7.8% over six months

3i Infrastructure announces a 3.9pence interim dividend
The 3i Infrastructure Board is announcing the payment of an interim dividend of 4.9 pence per share, scheduled to be paid on 11 January 2021 to holders of ordinary shares on the register on 27 November 2020. The ex-dividend date will be 26 November 2020. As an investment trust, the Company is permitted to designate dividends wholly or partly as interest distributions for UK tax purposes. The Board is designating 3.9 pence of the 4.9 pence interim dividend as an interest distribution.

Land Securities announce a reinstated dividend of 12.0p per share
One of the first steps Land Securities took to manage the effects of Covid-19 was to suspend dividend payments in April in order to conserve cash in the face of significant uncertainty. Over the subsequent six months, they claim to have seen trading conditions, particularly in terms of rent collection and outlook, begin to improve and consequently they are pleased to be reinstating our dividend alongside these interim results. They are resuming quarterly dividends commencing with a 12.0p per share payment on 4 January 2021, representing an aggregated payment for the first two quarters of the year.

The Oxford Instruments board supports an interim dividend of 4.1p
Robust trading and positive cash generation through the period has resulted in the The Oxford Instrument Board declaring an interim dividend of 4.1p per share, following last year's declared interim dividend of 4.1p, which, during the early stages of the pandemic, the Board decided not to pay.

DCC plc interim dividend increased by 5.0% to 51.95 pence per share
Notwithstanding the uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic, DCC has traded strongly during the first half of the financial year, has a very resilient business model and an extremely strong and liquid balance sheet. As with the prior year final dividend and having regard to all relevant considerations, the Board has decided to pay an interim dividend of 51.95 pence per share, which represents a 5.0% increase on the prior year interim dividend of 49.48 pence per share. This dividend will be paid on 9 December 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 November 2020.

Electrocomponents announce dividend reinstated supported by strong free cash flow generation
Electrocomponents announce aividend payments resumed given increased confidence in business model and financial strength

Tate & Lyle announces an interim dividend maintained at 8.8p per share
The Tate & Lyle Board is recommending an unchanged interim dividend for the six months to 30 September 2020 of £41 million or 8.8p per share. This will be paid on 6 January 2021 to all shareholders on the Register of Members on 20 November 2020. In addition to the cash dividend option, shareholders will continue to be offered a Dividend Reinvestment Plan alternative.

RDI announces an interim dividend of 5.0pence per share
The RDI board of directors of the Company has approved an interim dividend (the "cash dividend") of 5.0 pence per share in respect of the year ended 31 August 2020.

AVEVA plc announces interim dividend maintained at 15.5 pence per share
AVEVA intends to pay an interim dividend of 15.5 pence per share. The interim dividend will be payable on 5 February 2021 to shareholders on the register on 8 January 2021. If, as expected, the proposed Rights Issue to facilitate the acquisition of OSIsoft has completed prior to the record date of 8 January 2021, then the Rights Issue shares will also be eligible to receive the interim dividend and the proposed dividend per share will be adjusted to reflect the bonus element of the Rights Issue. The revised dividend per share will be notified as soon as this is known.

Sainbury's announces an interim dividend of 3.2p, in line with policy of paying 30 per cent of prior full year dividend
In April the Sainsbury's Board chose, due to limited visibility at the time on the potential impact of COVID-19 on the business, to defer dividend payment decisions and did not pay a final dividend for the 2019/20 financial year. In the light of improved visibility, strong trading and a strong balance sheet position, the Board has chosen to pay a special dividend in lieu of a final dividend for the 2019/20 financial year. The dividend of 7.3p is aligned to policy of 1.9x full year dividend cover by underlying earnings. This will be paid on 18 December 2020 to shareholders on the Register of Members at the close of business on 13 November 2020.

Lok'NStore announces an annual dividend of 13 pence per share up 8.3%
The Lok’NStore Board is confident in the strength of the business and capacity of the management team to trade effectively through this period, on the basis of their results, and accordingly deems it appropriate to continue to pursue the Group's progressive dividend policy.

Diversified Gas & Oil has declared an interim dividend of 4.00 cents per share
Diversified Gas & Oil PLC (LSE: DGOC), the U.S. based owner and operator of natural gas, natural gas liquids, oil wells and midstream assets, has announced that the Board has declared an interim dividend of 4.00 cents per share in respect of 3Q20 for the three month period ended 30 September 2020, a 14% increase over 3Q19 (3.50 cents) and a 7% increase over 2Q20.

Airtel Africa announces an interim dividend
Airtel Africa plc ("Airtel Africa"), a leading pan-African provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries across Africa, today announces that the Board has confirmed an interim dividend of $1.5c per ordinary share which will be paid on or around 11 December 2020. The Interim dividend will be paid in U.S. Dollars, although Airtel Africa plc offer their shareholders the opportunity to elect to receive their dividend payments in Pounds Sterling or Naira via Currency Elections.

Hipgnosis Songs Fund announces interim dividend
Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited is to announce the Company's interim dividend (the 'Dividend') for the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 September 2020 in respect of the Ordinary shares.

Softcat announces reinstatement of dividend
Softcat announces a total ordinary dividend of 16.6p including the previously cancelled interim dividend of 5.4p. In aggregate the ordinary dividend is 11.4% up on the combined interim and final dividend of prior year (14.9p).

Bellway plc announces a dividend payment resumed, reduced to 50.0p per share
Bellway plc announces dividend payments resumed, with a Board proposal to pay a reduced final dividend of 50.0p per share (2019 - 100.0p). The Board expects to increase the quantum of future dividend payments over time, commensurate with the Group's recovery in earnings.

Vesuvius plc announces 3.1 pence per share
The Vesuvius Board has declared an interim dividend for 2020 of 3.1 pence per share (2019: 6.2 pence per share), to be paid on 4 December 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 30 October 2020. Any shareholder wishing to participate in the Vesuvius Dividend Reinvestment Plan needs to have submitted their election to do so by 13 November 2020.

Bioventix announces a second interim dividend of 52p per share and a special dividend of 53p per share
After a strong performance of the business during the year generating cash balances at the year-end of £8.1 million. Whilst considering the impact of the pandemic on the core business, the Bioventix Board has determined that is appropriate to maintain the established dividend policy in the immediate future. For the current year, the Board is pleased to announce a second interim dividend of 52 pence per share which, when added to the first interim dividend of 36 pence per share makes a total of 88 pence per share for the current year.

Tristel plc announce dividend per share for the full year increased by 12% to 6.18p
The Tristel Group has continued to be cash generative and on 30 June 2020 the cash balance was £6.2m (2019: £4.2m). During the year, the Group spent £0.6m to acquire 80% of Tristel Italia Srl from its local management. In line with the Company's ordinary dividend policy, the Board is recommending that the final dividend is 3.84 pence (2019: 3.50 pence), an increase of 10%. Including the interim dividend of 2.34 pence (2019: 2.04 pence), and the proposed final dividend, the total dividend for the year will be 6.18 pence (2019: 5.54 pence), an increase of 12%.

Netcall announces final ordinary dividend of 0.25p, an increase of 25%
The Netcall Board is proposing a final dividend for this financial year of 0.25p (FY19: 0.20p). If approved, the final dividend will be paid on 9 February 2021 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 29 December 2020

Tesco plc announces an interim dividend per share 3.20p
The interim dividend has been set at 3.20 pence per ordinary share, 20.8% higher year-on-year, in line with a pre-determined policy of setting an interim dividend at 35% of the prior year full-year dividend. The interim dividend was approved by the Board of Directors on 6 October 2020. As previously announced, Tesco plc expects to maintain a full year dividend pay-out ratio of 50% going forward.

Primary Health Properties announces quarterly interim dividend of 1.475
Primary Health Properties announces that the fourth quarterly interim dividend in 2020 of 1.475 pence per ordinary share of 12.5 pence each will be paid on 20 November 2020 to shareholders on the register on 9 October 2020. The dividend will comprise a Property Income Distribution (PID) of 1.0 pence per share and an ordinary dividend of 0.475 pence per share. The Company will be offering a scrip alternative with this dividend.

European Assets Trust PLC announces an October dividend of 1.755 pence per share.
European Assets Trust PLC announces that a dividend of 1.755 pence per share will be paid on 30 October 2020 to shareholders on the register on 9 October 2020, having an ex-dividend date of 8 October 2020.

James Halstead announces a final dividend of per ordinary share
Final dividend per ordinary share proposed of 10.0p (2019: 10.0p) which with the interim dividends of 4.25p (2019: 4.0p) takes the total dividend to 14.25p (2019: 14.0p) - an increase of 1.8% and once again a record dividend

Caledonia Mining announce an 18% increase from the previous quarterly dividend of 8.5 cents paid in July 2020
Caledonia's strategy to maximise shareholder value includes a quarterly dividend policy which the Board of Directors adopted in 2014. The Board will consider future increases in the dividend as appropriate and in line with its approach to risk management.

S & U announce interim dividend: 22p per ordinary share
Consistently rising profits and as having a historically conservative business approach has enabled over 10 years of steadily increasing dividends. Current trends and their desire for future sustainability demand an adjustment now. Therefore they propose to pay a first interim dividend this year of 22p per ordinary share (2019: 34p) to be followed by further payments in March and July next year. This dividend will be paid on the 20 November 2020 to shareholders on the register on the 30 October 2020. This payment represents a sensible balance between prudence in uncertain times and fundamental confidence in the business as the economy returns to a new normal.

888 have approved an interim dividend comprising 3.2¢ cents per share plus an additional one-off 2.8¢ cents per share bringing the total to 6.0¢ cent per share to holders of 888's ordinary shares.
888 announces with its interim results, that its board of directors have approved an interim dividend comprising 3.2¢ cents per share plus an additional one-off 2.8¢ cents per share bringing the total to 6.0¢ cent per share to holders of 888's ordinary shares.

Air Partner announces a recommended interim dividend of 0.80p per share
Early in the pandemic, the Air aprtner Board decided to suspend the declaration of dividends to shareholders to reflect the uncertain operating climate. Although that uncertainty persists, the Board considers it appropriate to recommence some payment now to recognise the importance of dividends to Air Partner's shareholders, many of whom are private investors. However, they believe it prudent to maintain the strength of the Group's balance sheet and to ensure that there are sufficient resources to fund future growth. Accordingly, the Board is recommending an interim dividend of 0.80p per share, down 55.6% from last year's 1.80p. The Board's objective is to establish a level of dividends that is sustainable, well covered by the Group's earnings, and that can be increased over time. The level of this interim dividend is consistent with this policy.

Animalcare have declared an interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share
On 25 March 2020, the Animalcare Group announced the deferral of its final dividend for 2019, preserving cash of £1.4m, with the aim of supporting financial strength and providing a platform to continue progressing opportunities during the global COVID-19 pandemic. They noted that the decision would be reviewed later in the financial year once they had more clarity about the ongoing effects of the pandemic business, at which time any decision will consider what actions are in the best interest of long-term shareholder value.

Ferguson Plc announce they are restoring total ordinary dividend to same level as 2018/19 of 208.2 cents per share.
ThFerguson e Board decided to withdraw the interim dividend for the year ended July 31, 2020 which was due for payment on April 30, 2020 due to the significant uncertainty around the impact and duration of the COVID-19 disruption.

Chesnara announce a 3.00% Increase of Interim dividend
The Chesnara financial results support the continued growth of the interim dividend to 7.65p per share (2019 interim: 7.43p per share)

Smiths Group announce total dividend of 35 pence per share reflecting delayed interim dividend of 11 pence per share and proposed final dividend of 24 pence per share
The Smiths Group Board maintains a progressive dividend policy, aiming to increase dividends in line with long-term underlying growth in earnings and cash-flow. The policy enables them to retain sufficient cash-flow to finance investment in the drivers of growth and meet financial obligations. In setting the level of dividend payments, the Board considers prevailing economic conditions and future investment plans, along with the objective to maintain minimum dividend cover* of around 2 times.

Hansard Global proposes a final dividend of 2.65p per share
The Hansard Board has proposed a final dividend of 2.65p per share, the same level as last year. In making this proposal, the Board has carefully considered its current financial position and future outcomes under a range of plausible adverse scenarios taking into account Covid-19.

PZ Cussons announce a full year dividend at 5.80p
The PZ Cussons Board is recommending a final dividend of 3.13p (2019: 5.61p) per share, making a total dividend for the year of 5.80p (2019: 8.28p) per share. The gross amount for the proposed final dividend is £13.1 million (2019: £23.5 million).

Alliance Pharma confirm an interim dividend payment of 0.536p
The Alliance Pharma board have announced that, after suspending the final dividend payment for 2019 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is declaring an interim dividend payment of 0.536p per share for 2020, in line with that for 2019. The Board will continue to assess the level of future cash distributions having regard to overall business performance and future outlook, in light of the global uncertainty created by COVID-19

Close Brothers are proposing a 40.0p dividend in respect of the full financial year
On 2 April 2020 the board announced that it had decided to cancel the 2020 interim dividend, which would have been paid on 22 April 2020, recognising the significant challenges faced by businesses and individuals and consistent with the purpose of helping the people and businesses of Britain.

North American Income Trust has declared a second quarterly dividend of 1.8p per share
The North American Income Trust revenue return per Ordinary share rose by 27.0% from 5.35p to 6.80p. The Board has declared a second quarterly dividend of 1.8p per share, giving total dividends for the first half of the year to 31 January 2021 of 3.6p (2020 - 3.4p), a 5.9% increase. The second quarterly dividend is payable on 30 October 2020 to shareholders on the register on 2 October 2020.

Brooks Macdonald announce total dividend increased by 3.9% to 53.0p
The Brooks Macdonald Board has recommended a final dividend of 32.0p (FY19: 32.0p) which, subject to approval by shareholders at the AGM, will result in total dividends for the year of 53.0p (FY19: 51.0p). This represents an increase of 3.9% on the previous year and reaffirms the Board's confidence in the strength of the business even in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a commitment to a progressive dividend policy. The final dividend will be paid on 6 November 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 25 September 2020.

Clinigen Group plc directors are proposing to increase the final dividend to 5.46p per share
The Clinigen Directors are proposing to increase the final dividend to 5.46p per share (2019: 4.75p), resulting in a 14% increase in the full year dividend to 7.61p per share (2019: 6.7p).

Supermarket Income REIT announces annnual increase in dividend of 3.8%
Supermarket Income REIT has declared four interim dividends for the year as follows:

Hilton Food announce an interim dividend increased from 6.0p to 7.0p, an increase of 16.7%
The Hilton Food Directors have approved the payment of an interim dividend of 7.0p per share payable on 27 November 2020 to shareholders who are on the register at 30 October 2020. This interim dividend, amounting to £5.7m has not been recognised as a liability in these interim financial statements. It will be recognised in shareholders' equity in the 53 weeks to 3 January 2021.

LXI plc has increased its quarterly dividend guidance by 4% to 1.35 pence per share.
The LXI Board has declared today an interim quarterly dividend in respect of the quarter ended 30 June 2020 of 1.30 pence per ordinary share, in line with the previous quarterly dividend guidance issued in May 2020.
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