Halma PLC (LSE:HLMA) reported a 44th consecutive year of dividend growth of 5% or more as it unveiled a jump in revenue and underlying profit.
In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, revenue rose 21% to £1.85bn, adjusted profit before tax grew 14% to £361.3mln while the full-year dividend was boosted 7% to 20.20p.
Chief executive Marc Ronchetti said: “We delivered record revenue and profit, achieving our 20th consecutive year of profit growth and our 44th consecutive year of dividend per share growth of 5% or more.”
Growth was broadly spread across Halma's sectors, regions and companies, with adjusted profit rising in all sectors.
Ronchetti also reported a positive start to the new financial year.
“We have a strong order book, and order intake in the year to date is broadly in line with revenue and ahead of the comparable period last year.”
He expects to deliver good organic revenue growth in the year ahead with the return on sales set to increase to approximately 20%.