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Highlights
- Qantas shares jump 5% to $9.35, nearing a record high.
- Half-year profit before tax rises 11% to $1.39 billion.
- Dividend returns after 5 years, with a combined payout of 26.4 cents per share.
Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX:QAN) shares surged 5% on Thursday morning, trading at $9.35 and approaching a record high. The sharp rise came after the airline unveiled its half-year results, showcasing solid revenue growth and the return of dividends after a five-and-a-half-year hiatus.
The Flying Kangaroo reported a 9% increase in revenue to $12.1 billion, driven by gains across multiple segments:
- Qantas Domestic: Up 7%
- Qantas International: Up 6%
- Jetstar: Up 16%
- Qantas Loyalty: Up 5%
The company’s bottom line also impressed, with half-year profit before tax climbing 11% to $1.39 billion. Jetstar was a standout performer, recording a 35% surge in segment EBIT to $439 million, thanks to strong demand, fleet upgrades, operational improvements, and lower fuel costs.
Dividend Returns with a Bang
In light of its strong financial performance, Qantas announced the return of dividends for the first time since 2019. Shareholders will receive a fully franked base dividend of 16.5 cents per share, along with a special dividend of 9.9 cents per share, totaling 26.4 cents per share.
This represents a 3% dividend yield based on the airline’s last closing price. For investors who bought shares a year ago at $5.17, the yield on cost jumps to an attractive 5.1%.
Important Dates for Shareholders
To qualify for the dividend, investors must hold Qantas shares before the ex-dividend date on 11 March. The dividends will be paid out on 16 April 2025
