Tristel ups dividend as first-half profits jump

(Sharecast News) - Disinfectants manufacturer Tristel raised its interim dividend by 8% after a double-digit increase in profits in its first half, though sales growth in the UK has slowed dramatically. The company, whose products contain proprietary chlorine dioxide technology, reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £4.9m for the six months to 31 December, up 19% on the year before. The adjusted pre-tax profit margin improved to 21% from 20%.

Revenues were 8% higher at £22.6m, with UK sales up 7% at £8.8m and overseas sales rising 9% to £13.8m.

Following a 31% surge in UK sales in the last financial year ended 30 June 2024, chief executive Matt Sassone said Tristel's largest market "has now returned to a more typical trading pattern" following an exceptional performance.

Nevertheless, Sassone labelled the first half as a "strong financial performance" for the company, "driven by higher first-half revenues, maintained gross margin, and disciplined cost control".

"As outlined in our AGM statement, we remain on track to meet our internal revenue growth target of 10-15% CAGR over the three years to 30 June 2025," he said.

Tristel declared an interim dividend of 5.68p per share, up from 5.24p paid out last year.

Shares were down 2% at 340p in afternoon trade, extending the year-to-date loss to 20%.