Alpha FMC raises full-year dividend following 'strong growth'

British consulting company Alpha FMC saw both revenues and earnings move ahead in its last trading year, leading it to up its full-year dividend on Wednesday.

Alpha FMC told investors that revenues had increased 15% to £76m for the year ended 31 March, pushing operating profits forward by 46.9% year-on-year to £12.6m.

EBITDA came in 18% higher at £16.5m and adjusted earnings per share shot up 23% to 12.05p.

The AIM-listed group also reported strong adjusted cash conversion of 101% for the year, up from the 83% seen a year earlier, with cash generation from operating activities of £16.4m.

As a result of the solid performance, Alpha FMC recommended a final dividend per share of 4.09p, bringing its total dividend for the year to 6.00p - an increase of 16.1% on the 5.17p returned to shareholders a year earlier.

Chief executive Euan Fraser said: "This strong growth comes despite the current political uncertainty and shows that Alpha is well positioned to help our clients respond to change in their industry."

Elsewhere, Alpha revealed it had acquired British consulting company Axxsys for a total of £9m cash - paid in four instalments over two years plus a performance-related earnout payable after three years.

Alpha said Axxsys would bring "highly complementary service propositions and skillsets" to the group and would also further strengthen its platform of serving clients in Europe and North America.

As of 1000 BST, Alpha shares had inched back 0.39% to 230.10p.