Gift packaging group International Greetings plc (LON:IGR) reported a better-than-expected annual financial performance and said dividends would be higher than anticipated.
International Greetings, which makes and distributes packaging, greetings, stationery and creative play products, said earnings per share rose in double digits again in the year to the end of March.
It pledged to pay a final dividend ahead of market expectations at 1.75p, resulting in an overall full year dividend of 2.5p in 2015/16 against 1p in 2014/15.
The group said operational cash flow and debt reduction continued to reduce leverage significantly ahead of expectations.
All regions increased business year-on-year and would achieve an overall outcome ahead of market expectations.
In the UK and China, record sales combined with excellent manufacturing boosted profitability more than expected.
In continental Europe, higher sales and effective mix management mitigated anticipated foreign exchange transaction head-winds.
Trading in the second half of the year in Australia helped to significantly increased overall total profit.
In the US, commercial, operational and financial performance has been extremely encouraging, helped by manufacturing investment.
Chief executive Paul Fineman said: "It is especially pleasing that we can report profits growth throughout all regions of the group.
“This is a particularly exciting stage of our development in which we remain well positioned for organic growth and continue to seek compelling acquisition opportunities.”