21 Nov 2019 07:00
21 November 2019
Judges Scientific plc
("Judges Scientific", "the Company", or "the Group")
Special dividend
Β
The Board of Judges Scientific today announces that in order to prioritise the interests of its shareholders it has decided to pay a special dividend of Β£2.00 per ordinary share, totalling Β£12.4 million.
The Board has assessed the Group's cash resources, its robust cash generation and the Group's ability to borrow for acquisitions, which result from a sustained period of strong performance. The special dividend will absorb a modest proportion of the resources available to conduct acquisitions and the Board is therefore confident that this special dividend will not interfere with the execution of Judges' unchanged buy-and-build strategy.
Payment of the special dividend will be on Tuesday 10 December 2019 to shareholders on the register on Friday 29 November 2019. The shares will go ex-dividend on Thursday 28 November 2019. The special dividend will be funded from existing cash balances.
Β
Alex Hambro, Chairman of Judges Scientific, commented:Β
"The payment of this special dividend is a reflection of our constant focus on shareholders' interests. Following this payment, the Group will have returned to shareholders four and a half times the IPO price."
Β
For further information please contact:Β
Β
Judges ScientificΒ |
|
|
David Cicurel, CEOΒ Brad Ormsby, Group FDΒ | Tel: +44 (0)β―20 3829 6970Β |
|
Β Shore Capital (Nominated Adviser & Broker)Β |
| |
Stephane AutonΒ Edwardβ―MansfieldΒ | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090Β | |
Β Liberum (Joint Broker) | ||
Bidhi BhomaEuan Brown | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2222 | |
Β Media enquiries:Β Alma PRΒ (Financial Public Relations)Β |
| |
RebeccaΒ Sanders-HewettΒ Sam ModlinΒ β―Β | Tel: +44 (0)Β 20 3405 0205 judges@almapr.co.ukΒ | |
Β
Notes to editors:Β
Β
Judges Scientific plc (AIM: JDG), is a group involved in the buy and build of scientific instrument businesses. The Group currently consists of 16Β businesses acquired since it wasΒ re-admitted to AIM in 2005.Β
Β
The acquired companies are primarily UK-based with products sold worldwide to a diverse range of markets including: higher education institutions, the scientific communities, manufacturers and regulatory authorities. Theβ―UKβ―is a recognised centre of excellence for scientific instruments. The Group companies hold five Queen's Awards for innovation and export. Β
Β
The Group's companies predominantly operate inΒ globalΒ niche markets, with long term growth fundamentals and resilient margins.Β
Β
Judges Scientific maintains a policy of selectively acquiring businesses that generate sustainable profits and cash. Shareholder returns are created through the repayment of debt, organic growth and dividends. Β
Β
For further information, please visitβ―www.judges.uk.comΒ
Β
Follow the stocks