Sector: Gas, Water & Multiutilities

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.  

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.

The Chesnara financial results support the continued growth of the interim dividend to 7.65p per share (2019 interim: 7.43p 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.

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.

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). 

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. 

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

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.

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.