Rightmove RMV describes its 2016 performance as outstanding and is raising its final dividend to 27p per share to give a total increase in the yearly dividends of 19%. Revenue and underlying operating profit both rose by 15%, whilst basic earnings per share were up by 18%. Strong traffic growth of 10% meant that visitors rose to 120m per month. The Board expects more success in 2017.
Intl Con Airline Group IAG That you will remember is the airline which used to have a short sensible name which everyone could remember but swopped it for one which is so long it has to make silly abbreviations to it. CEO Willie Walsh says it put in a good performance in a challenging year and the full year dividend is being increased by 17.5% from 20 to 23.5 cents per share. Passenger revenue fell by 2% and total revenue by 1.3% but operating profit managed a rise of 8.6%. Currency movements were unfavorable and produced an adverse impact of 460m. Euro. 2017 is expected to show a year on year improvement.
William Hill WMH faced a challenging year in 2016 but believes the corner has been turned with positive strength shown in all four divisions in the 7 weeks to 14th February with UK net gaming revenue up by 8% and UK sportsbook wagering by 10%. Profit before tax for the year to 27th December rose a smidgeon by 1% but earnings per share were down by 13%
IMI plc IMI Claims 2016 was a year of significant progress in difficult market conditions. Preliminary results for the year to 31st December show a rise of 6% in revenue, although on a like for like basis, it was down by 5%. Operating profit and profit before tax each rose by 1% and basic earnings per share was up by 2%. The final dividend is being raised by 1%, although there is a warning that the first half of 2017 is expected to see revenue fall by a similar amount to that experienced in the first half of 2016