Profit18 Feb 2014 07:34
Operational Highlights
· Online visitors grew 22%, reflecting the growth of Evanshalshaw.com, Stratstone.com and Quicks.co.uk generating 13.3 million website visitors.
· Aftersales, our largest area of profitability, grew retail sales by 3% in the second half following the trend in new car sales.
· Used performance continued to outperform the market with volume up 7% on a like for like basis and stable margins.
· New UK retail sales grew on a like for like basis by 18%.
Financial Highlights
· Underlying earnings per share of 2.3p, up from 2.0p in the prior year (+15%).
· Underlying profit before tax up £7.8 million to £44.2 million (+21%).
· Proposed final dividend of 0.3p per share, following an interim dividend of 0.1p per share represents a 300% increase on the 2012 final and interim dividend.
· Profit before tax up £4.9 million to £38.9 million (+14%).