Any investor who held the stock before the ex-dividend date is entitled to the declared dividend. Though the market is guided by many forces, which might increase the price of a stock, generally, the market drives down the stock price on its ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend.
Bunzl Plc
Bunzl PLC (BNZL) is a specialist distribution company engaged in the distribution of non-food consumable products to markets such as grocery, foodservice, cleaning and hygiene, healthcare, non-food retail and safety. The company offers its products with a unique business concept to its customers.
Trading Statement (Q1 FY 2019)
Revenue during the first quarter of FY19 surged by 4% at actual currency rate. However, on a constant currency basis, revenue rose by 2.5% approximately. In the trading statement, the group also announced that it had acquired a Netherland based distributor, Coolpack, which is primarily engaged in the supply of specialist packaging to supermarkets and food service and pharma sector.
Financial Highlights – Financial Year 2018 (£m)
(Source: Company Filings)
The company’s top-line grew by 6% to £9,079.4m on account of strong organic growth and benefit from acquisitions in North America. Adjusted operating profit stood at £614 million, up by 4%, while adjusted earnings per share were 129.6 pence, up by 12%. During the FY18, the company reported strong cash conversion of 94%. Dividend for FY18 stood at 50.2 pence and increased by 9.13% on a year-on-year basis.
Dividend Update
The company recommended a final dividend of 35.0p, after paying an interim dividend of 15.2p. This brought the total dividend for the year to 50.2p, surged by 9.13% over the year and representing a growing dividend over the past 26 years. The ex-dividend is 24 May 2019, while the dividends will be paid on 1 July 2019.
Share Price Commentary
Daily Chart as at May-28-19, before the market closed (Source: Thomson Reuters)
On 28th May 2019, at the time of writing (before the market closed, GMT 09:10 am), BNZL shares were trading at GBX 2,118, up by 1.34 per cent against the previous day closing price. Stock's 52 weeks High and Low is GBX 2,554.60/GBX 2,026.00. The company’s stock beta was 0.77, reflecting less volatility as compared to the benchmark index. Total outstanding market capitalisation was around £7.05 billion with a dividend yield of 2.40 per cent.
Carnival Plc
Carnival PLC (CCL) is engaged in providing travellers around the globe with extraordinary vacations and is the world's largest leisure travel company. The group operates a portfolio of 10 leading brands which offer a wide range of vacation experiences, appealing to travellers of all kinds with many preferences.
Key Financial Highlights (Q1 FY2019, in $m)
(Source: Company Filings)
Driven by revenue growth from higher capacity and improved onboard spending, Carnival reported gross cruise revenues of $4.7 billion as compared to $4.2 billion for the corresponding period of last year. Due to the cost increases and negative impact of fuel price and currency, income before income taxes declined to $338 million from $390 million recorded in Q1 of FY2018. The group reported net income of $336 million in Q1 of FY19 against the corresponding period of 2018 of $391 million. In Q1 FY2019, basic and diluted EPS stood at $0.48.
Dividend Update
The company declared an interim dividend of $0.50 on Apr 17, 2019. The dividend will be payable on 14 June 2019, while the record date was May 23, 2019.
Share Price Commentary
Daily Chart as at May-28-19, before the market closed (Source: Thomson Reuters)
On 28th May 2019, at the time of writing (before the market closed, GMT 09:20 am), CCL shares were trading at GBX 3,949, up by 0.61 per cent against the previous day closing price. Stock's 52 weeks High and Low is GBX 5,030.00/GBX 3,611.00. The company’s stock beta was 0.76, reflecting less volatility as compared to the benchmark index. Total outstanding market capitalisation was £27.89 billion with a dividend yield of 4.05 per cent.
DCC Plc
DCC PLC (DCC) is a leading international sales, marketing and support services company, operating primarily in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. The company is split into four divisions: Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Retail & Oil, Healthcare, and Technology.
Trading Statement (FY 2019)
(Source: Company Filings)
Revenue from continuing operations increased by 16.0% to £15.2 billion, while adjusted operating profit from continuing operations rose to £460.5 million, representing a rise of 20.1%. Despite the mild weather conditions experienced during the year, growth in profit was driven by contribution from acquisitions and organic growth. Profit before tax increased to £326.7 million and adjusted basic earnings per share rose by 12.8% to 358.16 pence.
Dividend Update
The company recommended a final dividend of 93.37 pence per share, after paying an interim dividend of 44.98 pence per share. This brought the total dividend for the year to 138.35 pence per share, up by 12.5% and representing 25 years of unbroken dividend growth. The ex-dividend date is 23rd May 2019, while the dividends will be paid on 18 July 2019.
Share Price Commentary
Daily Chart as at May-28-19, before the market closed (Source: Thomson Reuters)
On 28th May 2019, at the time of writing (before the market closed, GMT 09:25 am), DCC shares were trading at GBX 6,780, down by 0.11 per cent against the previous day closing price. Stock's 52 weeks High and Low is GBX 7,450.00/GBX 5,555.00. The company’s stock beta was 0.97, reflecting roughly the same volatility as compared to the benchmark index. Total outstanding market capitalisation was around £6.69 billion with a dividend yield of 2.04 per cent.
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