Company Reports £61m Pre-Tax Profit, Announces Final Dividend of 9.1p per Share

  • WH Smith reports a £61m pre-tax profit for the year to August, up from a £104m loss last year
  • Revenue increased to £1.4bn from £886m in 2021
  • Final dividend of 9.1p per share announced
  • Travel revenue at 148% of 2019 levels in the 10 weeks to 5 November
  • 150 new stores set to open, including 70 in North America
  • CEO Carl Cowling: ‘We enter the new financial year with the group in its strongest ever position’

WH Smith has reported a significant increase in profits as global travel recovers, with pre-tax profit reaching £61 million for the year ending August. Revenue also increased to £1.4 billion from £886 million in 2021. The company announced a final dividend of 9.1p per share and expects continued growth opportunities across the world. Travel revenue has reached 148% of pre-pandemic levels, with plans to open 150 new stores, including 70 in North America. CEO Carl Cowling expressed confidence in the company’s current trading and future prospects.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about WH Smith’s financial performance, including profits, revenue growth, and future plans for store expansion. It also includes quotes from the group chief executive, Carl Cowling, which adds credibility to the report.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about WH Smith’s financial performance and future growth plans, but it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of the factors contributing to their success and potential challenges they may face.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: WH Smith’s strong performance impacts its stock price and the retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses WH Smith’s financial results, including profit increase and new store openings, which can affect the company’s stock price and the overall retail industry.
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