15th Jan 2020 09:17
(Alliance News) - 1PM PLC on Wednesday said interim profit has been hurt by planned investment, though it has boosted its dividend nearly 30% nonetheless.
The AIM-listed funding facilities provider reported a pretax profit of GBP3.0 million for the six months to the end of November, down 22% compared to GBP3.9 million a year earlier, as revenue fell by 2.5% to GBP15.6 million from GBP16.0 million.
Administrative expenses increased by 2.4% to GBP6.8 million from GBP6.6 million year-on-year, reflecting planned investment in both personnel and operations in its current financial year.
Despite this, Bath-based 1PM has upped its interim dividend by 29% to 0.36 pence a share versus 0.28p paid a year prior.
The company said new business origination increased 7% to GBP87.8 million in the first half, compared with GBP82.3 million for the same period in the prior year.
"Given the macro-economic and political uncertainty experienced in the UK throughout 2019, including the run-up to December's general election, which clearly dampened business activity levels, we are satisfied with the trading momentum maintained across the group during the first half," said Non-Executive Chair John Newman.
He added: "The group remains strategically and operationally well positioned to deliver future growth."
1PM shares were trading 6.7% lower in London on Wednesday morning at 34.99 pence each.
By Evelina Grecenko; [email protected]
Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
OPM.L