Science Group's shares rise after 'very satisfactory' FY performance

Science Group's shares are up more than 3% thanks to an improved full-year pre-tax profit and dividend resulting from what it called a "very satisfactory" performance.

Science said revenue rose to £36.9m, from £31.2m, and statutory pre-tax profit improved to £3.0m, from £2.4m. Its total dividend was 4.2p a share, up from 4.0p a share.

"In summary, the financial performance for the year was very satisfactory with continued strong adjusted operating margins and operating cash flow, enhanced by the devaluation of sterling," said chairman Martyn Ratcliffe.

He said that, operationally, some market sectors were more challenging than the prior year and others were stronger, typical of the profile of a multi-sector, project-based consultancy group.

"Diversification of market/industry sector revenue sources increases the resilience of the group and this continues to be a key component of the group's strategy."

At 10:52 GMT, shares in AIM-quoted Science were up 3.35% to 185p each.