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LONDON (Alliance News) - IG Design Group PLC said Wednesday its second half trading will lead to "overall progress and financial performance in line with management expectations" for the year ended March.
The greetings card company is considering increasing the ratio of its dividend payout to earnings in future periods to reflect both the "improved financial performance of the group and the positive outlook of the directors".
The company says its gross and net margins have increased due to strong performance across all of its global operations.
Net cash at the end of the year was positive after the acquisition completion of Biscay Greetings in Australia, the sale of part of the Hirwaun site in the UK, and record levels of capital expenditure invested during the year.
In America, the company has seen "significant overall profit growth" during the year - driven by increased revenue and margins from improvements in the product mix.
In continental Europe, IG Design said it saw record overall growth from strong sales and improved efficiencies. During the year a high-speed printing press was installed in March. This further improves capability and capacity, according to the company.
Chief Executive Officer Paul Fineman said: "We are delighted with our performance in FY18 and that we have such positive momentum across all areas of our Group.
"It is particularly pleasing to have achieved significant bottom line growth whilst also investing in the group. This achievement is testament to the global nature of our business and the extent to which we have diversified and de-risked the group.
"We look forward to continuing to build the business both organically and by compelling M&A."
Shares in IG Design were down 3.2% to 417.05 pence each Wednesday midday.
