Strong trading performance building resilience and sustainable returns for shareholders, with a platform for future growth
Posted on: 23 May 2024
Braemar Plc (LSE: BMS), a leading provider of expert investment, chartering and risk management advice to the shipping and energy markets, announces its audited results for the year ended 29 February 2024 (“FY24”), which are in line with market expectations.
The board is delighted to report another strong performance for the Group, which demonstrates the Group’s strategy to grow the business, build resilience, and generate sustainable shareholder returns across the shipping cycle. Following the 51% increase in revenues in the prior year, FY24 revenues were sustained at £152.8 million (FY23: £152.9 million).
The strong performance from the acquisitions completed in FY23 and the Group’s growing securities business contributed to a more balanced revenue mix, offsetting weaker shipping rates in some sectors. Overall fixture volumes grew by 8% and the increased breadth and depth of the Group’s operations helped deliver both a strong financial result for the year, and build a platform for sustainable profitability in the years going forward.
The Group generated underlying operating profit of £16.5 million (FY23: £20.1 million), after a negative £2.6 million foreign exchange swing over the previous year and expensing £1.5 million of acquisition-related costs (£18.1 million before acquisition-related expenditure).
FY25 has started well, the Group has entered the year with a total forward order book at 29 February 2024 of $82.6 million (FY23: $56.2 million) and looks forward to continuing the successful execution of its growth strategy, through hiring talented individuals, geographic expansion and making selective acquisitions, while at all times maintaining a strong focus on cost efficiencies and improving operating margins, as the business continues to scale.
As a result, and reflecting the board’s confidence in the future of the business, the board has recommended a final dividend for FY24 of 9.0 pence per share. Total dividends for the year if approved will be 13.0 pence per share (FY23: 12.0 pence), an increase of 8%.
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