PBT up 11.5% to £18.5m, Dividends Increase by £84m

  • Fred Perry PBT jumps 11.5% to £18.5m
  • Turnover increases by 10% to £154.1m
  • European and International business improves
  • Dividends up from £6m to £90m
  • Stronger gross margin due to improved sales mix and freight costs
  • Challenges faced include Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and interest rates on borrowing

Fred Perry, the clothing and sportswear retailer founded by Wimbledon champion, has reported a significant increase in profit-before-tax of 11.5%, reaching £18.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2023. The company’s turnover also increased by 10% to £154.1 million due to improved performance in its European and International business. Dividends issued have risen from £6 million to £90 million compared to the previous year. Despite facing challenges such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and interest rates on borrowing, the company has managed to maintain a healthy profit percentage and strong net asset position with large cash reserves. The growth in key margin-rich products and improvements in freight costs contributed to the strengthened gross margin.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Fred Perry’s financial performance, including profits, turnover, dividends, and the factors affecting their business. It also includes relevant comments from the company regarding its growth and challenges faced. However, it contains some minor repetition in mentioning ‘2023’ instead of ‘2022.’
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Fred Perry’s financial performance and highlights the factors that contributed to its growth, but it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of long-term trends or consequences of decisions on those who bear the risks. It also does not offer actionable insights or new knowledge for readers.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The financial performance of Fred Perry impacts its stock price and the retail sector.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the company’s profit-before-tax, turnover, dividends, and its impact on the retail sector.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no mention of an extreme event in the last 48 hours.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk