Galliford Try sparkles

House-building and construction firm Galliford Try saw profits soar last year, paving the way for its full-year dividend pay-out to almost double.

House-building and construction firm Galliford Try saw profits soar last year, paving the way for its full-year dividend pay-out to almost double.

Group revenue in the year ended June 30th rose 17% to £1,504m from £1,284m the year before.

Profit before tax surged 80% to £63.1m from £35.1m the previous year, while earnings per share jumped 89% to 60.9p from 32.2p last year. The divi rose in line with earnings, from 16p to 30p.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

The current order book is more or less stable at £1.65bn, versus £1.7bn at the end of June 2011.

"Against a background of challenging and uncertain economic conditions I am very pleased to report that we have exceeded the objectives of our three year transformational housebuilding plan, delivering a substantial increase in profits and return on capital. In addition, we have maintained a high quality construction order book," said Greg Fitzgerald, the firm's Chief Executive.

"We have a strong balance sheet and a disciplined growth strategy with a clear focus on improving margins that positions us well to deliver further profitable growth in the new financial year and beyond," he added.

More to follow ...

JH