SThree PLC (LON:STEM) has resumed dividend payments while chief financial officer Alex Smith announced he will step down from the board, with the search for a successor now underway.
The science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) recruiter proposed a final payout for the year to December 31 of 5p per share, after skipping it for 2019.
READ: SThree reports 8% decline in net fees for the year due to pandemic effects
The firm said it continues to see uncertainty ahead in several of its markets as restrictions wax and wane across the globe, but expects trends of STEM and flexible working to “only become more powerful over the next year”.
“We see the world's 'winning' organisations embracing STEM skills in order to thrive, just as those businesses less well suited to the current environment appreciate that they must adapt for the new world quickly to be able to survive,” the company commented.
In 2020, revenue fell 9% to £1.2bn but profit before tax halved to £30mln, after contract net fees reduced by 8% as demand for staffing was hit by the pandemic.
On November 30, the group had total accessible liquidity of £154mln, comprising £50mln of net cash, a £50mln revolving credit facility, a £5mln overdraft and £50mln under the Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility available until March 2021.
Analysts at house broker Liberum raised its target price to 475p from 450p and said they expect the positive momentum to continue.
Shares rose 1% to 331p early on Monday.
--Adds analyst comment, shares--