Vitec Group PLC - Richmond-based photography & video products manufacturer - For 2020, posts pretax loss of GBP7.7 million, swinging from profit of GBP27.6 million recorded for 2019. This is as revenue dives 23% year-on-year to GBP290.5 million from GBP376.1 million as the Covid-19 pandemic hurt customer demand and resulted in film and scripted TV productions shutting down, sporting events been postponed and retail outlets closing. Vitec declares a dividend of 4.5 pence per share, down from the 12.3p paid in 2019. Looking ahead, however, the company notes a recovery stating its performance in the second quarter was better than the first quarter.
"Our markets are recovering well, our end market drivers remain intact and we have seen many areas of growth. We have had a strong start to 2021. Although there remains some uncertainty about the duration of the impact of Covid-19, our confidence that underlying trading conditions will continue to improve has increased. 2021 will be a year of recovery and investment, but we believe our markets will grow faster longer-term than we previously expected, and that we will deliver strong margin recovery," says Chief Executive Stephen Bird.
Current stock price: 970.00p
Year-to-date change: up 5.8%
By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com
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