Dividend (Scrip)
The Scrip Dividend Scheme enables shareholders, if they so wish, to receive new ordinary shares instead of cash for future dividends.
The renewal of the Scrip Dividend Scheme is being put to shareholders for approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on 7 May 2019.
If you would like to join the Scheme for future dividends, including the 2018 final dividend to be paid on 17 May 2019 subject to shareholder approval at the AGM, you need to return a completed scrip dividend mandate form to the registrar, Equiniti.
To be effective for a particular dividend you must complete and return your mandate so as to be received by Equiniti no later than 15 business days before the dividend payment date.
You can download the scrip dividend mandate form and the scrip dividend booklet or alternatively obtain them from Equiniti by telephoning 0371 384 2268* or +44(0) 121 415 7173 if calling from outside the UK.
*Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and Wales.
Dividends
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018
| Ex-dividend date: | 11 April 2019 |
| Record date: | 12 April 2019 |
| Dividend payment date: | 17 May 2019 |
| Dividend amount: | 10.0p |
| Scrip dividend reference price*: | tbc |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2018
| Ex-dividend date: | 13 September 2018 |
| Record date: | 14 September 2018 |
| Dividend payment date: | 19 October 2018 |
| Dividend amount: | 5.15p |
| Scrip dividend reference price*: | 434.10p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017
| Ex-dividend date: | 12 April 2018 |
| Record date: | 13 April 2018 |
| Dividend payment date: | 18 May 2018 |
| Dividend amount: | 9.25p |
| Scrip dividend reference price*: | 456.0p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2017
| Ex-dividend date: | 14 September 2017 |
| Record date: | 15 September 2017 |
| Dividend payment date: | 20 October 2017 |
| Dividend amount: | 4.75p |
| Scrip dividend reference price*: | 437.0p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016
| Ex-dividend date: | 06 April 2017 |
| Record date: | 07 April 2017 |
| Dividend payment date: | 19 May 2017 |
| Dividend amount: | 8.4p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 456p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2016
| Ex-dividend date: | 15 September 2016 |
| Record date: | 16 September 2016 |
| Dividend payment date: | 21 October 2016 |
| Dividend amount: | 4.3p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 344.45p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015
| Ex-dividend date: | 14 April 2016 |
| Record date: | 15 April 2016 |
| Dividend payment date: | 20 May 2016 |
| Dividend amount: | 7.25p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 326.35p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2015
| Ex-dividend date: | 17 September 2015 |
| Record date: | 18 September 2015 |
| Dividend payment date: | 23 October 2015 |
| Dividend amount: | 3.75p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 369.40p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014
| Ex-dividend date: | 16 April 2015 |
| Record date: | 17 April 2015 |
| Dividend payment date: | 22 May 2015 |
| Dividend amount: | 6.25p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 322.45p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2014
| Ex-dividend date: | 17 September 2014 |
| Record date: | 19 September 2014 |
| Dividend payment date: | 24 October 2014 |
| Dividend amount: | 3.25p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 284.65p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2013
| Ex-dividend date: | 12 March 2014 |
| Record date: | 14 March 2014 |
| Dividend payment date: | 25 April 2014 |
| Dividend amount: | 7.75p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 263.65p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2013
| Ex-dividend date: | 18 September 2013 |
| Record date: | 20 September 2013 |
| Dividend payment date: | 25 October 2013 |
| Dividend amount: | 3.75p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 263.10p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012
| Ex-dividend date: | 17 April 2013 |
| Record date: | 19 April 2013 |
| Dividend payment date: | 24 May 2013 |
| Dividend amount: | 7.25p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 284.10p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2012
| Ex-dividend date: | 19 September 2012 |
| Record date: | 21 September 2012 |
| Dividend payment date: | 26 October 2012 |
| Dividend amount: | 3.50p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 241.30p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2011
| Ex-dividend date: | 18 April 2012 |
| Record date: | 20 April 2012 |
| Dividend payment date: | 25 May 2012 |
| Dividend amount: | 6.75p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 216.15p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2011
| Ex-dividend date: | 21 September 2011 |
| Record date: | 23 September 2011 |
| Dividend payment date: | 28 October 2011 |
| Dividend amount: | 3.25p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 222.95p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2010
| Ex-dividend date: | 13 April 2011 |
| Record date: | 15 April 2011 |
| Dividend payment date: | 20 May 2011 |
| Dividend amount: | 6.25p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 233.35p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2010
| Ex-dividend date: | 22 September 2010 |
| Record date: | 24 September 2010 |
| Dividend payment date: | 29 October 2010 |
| Dividend amount: | 3.0p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 217.35p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2009
| Ex-dividend date: | 21 April 2010 |
| Record date: | 23 April 2010 |
| Dividend payment date: | 21 May 2010 |
| Dividend amount: | 0.55p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 24.3p |
Dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2009
| Ex-dividend date: | 23 September 2009 |
| Record date: | 25 September 2009 |
| Dividend payment date: | 30 October 2009 |
| Dividend amount: | 0.275p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 28.55p |
Dividend for the year ended 31 December 2008
| Ex-dividend date: | 22 April 2009 |
| Record date: | 24 April 2009 |
| Dividend payment date: | 22 May 2009 |
| Dividend amount: | 0.5p |
| Scrip reference price*: | 25.3p |
* The Scrip Reference Price is the average of the mid-market share price for the five consecutive days commencing on the relevant ex-dividend date.
** Before 1 for 10 share consolidation completed on 10 May 2010.