Bodycote PLC (LON:BOY) rewarded shareholders with a 25p special dividend after everything went its way in 2017.
Profits climbed 27% to £117mln on revenue of £690mln, a 15% increase, on helpful currency movements, new car and plane contracts alongside growth in emerging markets.
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Ordinary dividends rose by 10% to 17p.
Stephen Harris, Bodycote chief executive, said 2018 had started well, but added that foreign currencies were now a head rather than a tailwind.
Harris also said that although inflation was picking up, the company tended to perform well in these situations.
He added: "Our business, by its nature, has limited forward visibility, but we have entered the year with good momentum."
Bodycote shares were up 2% in morning trading Tuesday at 929p.