Hays (LON:HAS) Set to Pay Dividend of £0.0095: What Investors Need to Know

As an investor, keeping track of dividend payments is crucial for managing your portfolio and ensuring a steady income stream. Hays plc (LON:HAS), a leading recruitment firm, has announced that it will pay a dividend of £0.0095 per share on April 9, 2024. This article will delve into the details of this upcoming dividend payment, its implications for Hays' shareholders, and how it compares to the company's historical dividend payouts.

Dividend Details

The upcoming dividend payment of £0.0095 per share is scheduled to go ex-dividend on February 29, 2024, and will be paid on April 9, 2024. This dividend represents a significant decrease from the previous dividend payment of £0.0383 per share, which was paid in 2023. The ex-dividend date marks the point at which the dividend is no longer included in the share price, and the payment date is when the dividend is actually distributed to shareholders.

Historical Dividend Payouts

To better understand the significance of the upcoming dividend payment, let's take a look at Hays' historical dividend payouts:

| Year | Dividend (stock split adjusted) | Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2024 | £0.0095 | -5.96% |
| 2023 | £0.0383 | -61.52% |
| 2022 | £0.0995 | -7.17% |
| 2021 | £0.1072 | 36.54% |
| 2019 | £0.0785 | 7.92% |
| 2018 | £0.0728 | 16.31% |
| 2017 | £0.0626 | 79.66% |
| 2016 | £0.0348 | 5.07% |
| 2015 | £0.0331 | 4.94% |
| 2014 | £0.0316 | 5.20% |
| 2013 | £0.0300 | N/A |
| 2012 | £0.0300 | -56.90% |
| 2011 | £0.0696 | N/A |
| 2010 | £0.0696 | N/A |
| 2009 | £0.0696 | N/A |
| 2008 | £0.0696 | 16.00% |
| 2007 | £0.0600 | 14.94% |
| 2006 | £0.0522 | 27.94% |
| 2005 | £0.0408 | 13.33% |
| 2004 | £0.0360 | -44.24% |
| 2003 | £0.0646 | 14.96% |
| 2002 | £0.0562 | 14.99% |
| 2001 | £0.0489 | 14.97% |
| 2000 | £0.0425 | 15.12% |
| 1999 | £0.0369 | 14.95% |
| 1998 | £0.0321 | 15.05% |
| 1997 | £0.0279 | 14.81% |
| 1996 | £0.0243 | 15.71% |
| 1995 | £0.0210 | 14.75% |
| 1994 | £0.0183 | 15.09% |
| 1993 | £0.0159 | N/A |

As we can see from the table, Hays has a history of paying dividends since 1993, with varying payouts and growth rates over the years. The upcoming dividend of £0.0095 per share represents a significant decrease from the previous year, which is likely due to the recent dividend cut mentioned earlier.

Dividend Cover and Payout Ratio

Hays' dividend cover ratio, calculated as Earnings Per Share (EPS) divided by Total Dividends, is an important indicator of the sustainability and growth potential of its dividend payments. As of the information provided, Hays has a dividend cover ratio of 2.86, which means that on a trailing twelve month basis, the company has paid out approximately 35% of its earnings as dividend payments to shareholders. This indicates that Hays has a strong financial position and can sustain its dividend payments even in times of lower earnings.

The company's low payout ratio of 35% suggests that it is retaining a significant portion of its earnings to reinvest in its business, which could potentially limit the growth potential of the dividend. However, this also indicates that the company is prioritizing reinvestment and growth over distributing all of its earnings to shareholders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hays (LON:HAS) is set to pay a dividend of £0.0095 per share on April 9, 2024, which represents a significant decrease from the previous year's payout. This decrease is likely due to the recent dividend cut mentioned earlier. Hays has a history of paying dividends since 1993, with varying payouts and growth rates over the years. The company's strong dividend cover ratio of 2.86 indicates that it has a solid financial position and can sustain its dividend payments. However, the company's low payout ratio of 35% suggests that it is prioritizing reinvestment and growth over distributing all of its earnings to shareholders. As an investor, it is essential to stay informed about dividend payments and their implications for your portfolio. By doing so, you can make informed decisions and ensure a steady income stream.