27 February 2014 – final results
Results for 2013 were broadly as anticipated. Revenue was up 1% at £237.5m and profit before tax improved by 9% to £30.0m (2012: £27.6m), translating into earnings per share of 14.4p versus 12.8p a year earlier. A final dividend of 2.4p per share takes the total for the year to 3.55p (2012: 2.75p). Net debt was slightly higher at £97.7m, having increased by £0.4m over the year. On balance we continue to rate the shares as a BUY, with trading since the year end said to be in line with expectations.