Compass Group PLC recognises the importance of a dividend to its shareholders. Over the past year, it was necessary to prioritise protecting the business from the negative impact of the pandemic, which included the suspension of the dividend. With the positive momentum in rebuilding our revenues and margins, supported by strong cash generation of the business, we have been able to reach a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.6x1 by the end of the 2021 financial year. As a result, the Board was pleased to announce a final dividend of 14.0 pence per share for FY21. From FY22 the dividend policy is to pay out around 50% of underlying earnings through an interim and final dividend.
The final dividend of 14.0 pence will be paid gross and a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) will be available. The last date for receipt of elections for the DRIP will be 7 February 2022.
For details of past dividend payments or to calculate how much you have been paid, please click here.
Payment of dividends
You can have cash dividends paid directly to your bank or building society account, or receive a cheque at your registered address. If dividends are paid direct to your bank or building society account through the BACS system, it avoids the risk of cheques being lost in the post and your dividend will be in your account on the day the payment is made.
In previous years, normally in February of each year, Link Asset Services may have sent you a single consolidated tax voucher setting out details of all dividends paid in the previous tax year. From 6 April 2016 the Dividend Tax Credit was replaced with a new Dividend Allowance and, as a result, the single consolidated tax voucher has now been replaced by an annual Dividend Confirmation issued by Link Asset Services.
If you have not received your dividend or if your dividend cheque is out of date, please contact the registrar.
Dividend reinvestment plan
You can elect to use your cash dividend to buy more Compass shares under the DRIP. On or about each dividend payment date, Link will calculate the number of shares that can be bought with your dividend at current market prices (after deduction of costs and expenses) and then purchase this number of shares on your behalf. Any cash balance remaining after the purchase of shares will be retained, without interest, and added to your next dividend.
For more information and details of how to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan please contact Link Market Services Trustees Limited:
Telephone within the UK: Freephone 0800 029 4520 and from overseas: +44 333 300 1568
Email: [email protected]
Sign up online at www.signalshares.com
Tax
Dividends are announced net of tax.
From 6 April 2016 the Dividend Tax Credit has been replaced with a new Dividend Allowance. Please note that notwithstanding the change in tax regulations from April 2016, you will still need to retain all tax vouchers for the six years predating the change for the purpose of self-assessment. From 6 April 2016 onward, the dividend tax voucher has been replaced by a Dividend Confirmation which you will also need to retain for a period of six years for the purpose of self-assessment.
To understand how you are affected by the changes and for further information visit the HMRC website at: https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-dividends.
Tax legislation can change from time to time and if you are in any doubt as to your tax position, whether in relation to the receipt of a dividend or arising from your purchase of shares under the DRIP, you should contact a suitably qualified professional adviser.
If you lose your tax voucher or dividend confirmation, contact Link Asset Services, detailing which voucher(s)/confirmation(s) have been lost. Link will issue you with duplicates on payment of an administration charge. Other charges may also apply.
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