Dividend Information
Recent Dividends
The Board recommended a final dividend for the year ended 2 February 2008 of 6.317 cents per share (2006/07: 6.317 cents) to be paid on 3 July 2008 to shareholders on the register on 23 May 2008.
The Board declared an interim dividend of 0.96 cents per share in respect of the year ending 2 February 2008 which was paid on 9 November 2007 to shareholders on the register on 28 September 2007.
| Y/e January | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Dividend | 0.47c(1) | 0.57c(1) | 0.70c(1) | 0.74c(1) | 0.84c(1) | 0.96c | |
| Paid | 8 Nov 02 |
7 Nov 03 |
5 Nov 04 |
4 Nov 05 |
3 Nov 06 |
9 Nov 07 |
|
| Record Date | 11 Oct 02 |
10 Oct 03 |
8 Oct 04 |
7 Oct 05 |
22 Sep 06 |
28 Sep 07 |
|
| Final Dividend | 2.76c(1) | 3.63c(1) | 4.88c(1) | 5.20c(1) | 6.317c(2) | 6.317c | |
| Paid | 14 Jul 03 |
2 Jul 04 |
8 Jul 05 |
7 Jul 06 |
6 Jul 07 |
3 Jul 08 |
|
| Record Date | 6 Jun 03 |
4 Jun 04 |
10 Jun 05 |
2 Jun 06 |
1 Jun 07 |
23 May 08 |
|
| Total Dividend | 3.23c(1) | 4.20c(1) | 5.58c(1) | 5.94c(1) | 7.16c(1) | 7.28c | |
| Dividend Cover* | 3.6x | 3.0x | 2.6x | 2.3x | 2.3x | 1.7x |
* Dividend Cover = Profit for the Periods/Dividends
(1) Historic dividends were payable in pounds sterling and have been translated at the average exchange rate applicable to the respective financial year.
(2) Based on the exchange rate on 1 June 2007, the final dividend of 6.317 cents was equivalent to 3.1899p.
As at 2 February 2008
Under English law, dividends can only be paid out of profits available for distribution (generally defined as accumulated realised profits less accumulated realised losses less unrealised losses) and not out of share capital or share premiums (generally equivalent in US terms to paid-in surplus). At 2 February 2008, after taking into account the subsequently recommended final dividend of 6.317 cents per share, the holding company had a distributable reserves balance of $283.2 million (3 February 2007: £199.0 million).
In order to make further distributions in excess of this figure, the holding company would first need to receive dividends from its subsidiaries. In addition to restrictions imposed at the time of the 1997 capital reduction on the distribution of dividends received from subsidiaries, the payments of dividends from other tax jurisdictions, such as the US, may not be tax efficient. Furthermore, there may be other reasons why dividends may not be paid by subsidiaries to the holding company.
If resolved by the Board (and, in the case of a final dividend, if declared in general meeting) dividends are paid to holders of shares as at record dates that are decided by the Board.
Policy
Given the substantial increase in economic and financial sector uncertainties, the Board will continue to evaluate the dividend policy in the light of the needs of the business, taking into consideration the significant competitive advantages of a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility. Account will also be taken of the primary stock market listing of the Company.
Given the earnings pattern of the Group, the split between the interim and final dividend payments are heavily weighted in favour of the latter.
Method of Payment
Dividends can be paid direct into your UK bank or building society, by completing a dividend mandate form (15kb pdf). For information on dividend taxation for US citizens, see ADR shareholders.
Cash dividends can be reinvested to purchase additional Signet shares through the Signet Group plc Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) (131kb pdf).