Ladbrokes to maintain dividend

​Ladbrokes, Britain’s second biggest bookmaker, said it intend​s​ to maintain its dividend in 2015, defying some analysts’ expectations of a cut to help fund marketing costs, as it posted a ​nine​ per​ ​cent fall in annual profit.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Feb 2015, 08:24 BST
Ladbrokes sponsors rugby league's Challenge CupLadbrokes sponsors rugby league's Challenge Cup
Ladbrokes sponsors rugby league's Challenge Cup

The firm has struggled to keep pace with rivals such as ​the biggest player ​William Hill and ​to ​establish itself in a growing online sector, with investment in marketing and product lagging others.

In December Ladbrokes kicked off a search to replace current chief executive Richard Glynn to lead a greater push online, with analysts expecting a further restructuring and a clearer strategy to follow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A dividend cut will not happen this year, however, with the firm saying on Thursday it intended to maintain an 8.9​p dividend per share for 2015.

The company, ​which has over 2,000 retail outlets, said operating profit fell to ​£​125.4​m for 2014, slightly below a company compiled consensus forecast of ​£​128.8​m.

Profits from its UK retail business, its largest division, fell 11 per​ ​cent, hurt in particular by weak industry-wide football results in January and December, but rose 71 per​ ​cent at its digital division.

Ladbrokes closed 89 loss or near loss making shops in 2014 and said on Thursday the impending rise in Machine Gaming Duty and new UK regulations meant more closures would be inevitable, with 60 slated for 2015.

“Whilst recognising there are regulatory headwinds, Ladbrokes is confident in its plans for 2015,” ​Mr ​Glynn said.

Related topics:Britain