Perpetual board announces special dividend
08 May 2002
Perpetual Trustees Australia Limited is to pay shareholders a special dividend of 50 cents per share, fully franked at 30 percent, payable on 24 June (record date 5 June). The special dividend will be in addition to the interim dividend paid to shareholders in February and the final dividend to be paid following the full year profit announcement in August.
Mr Charles Curran, chairman of Perpetual, said that the board was confident that the full year results will reflect a further increase in operating profits in the six months ending 30 June 2002.
In a letter to shareholders, Mr Curran said subject to satisfactory performance and prospects the board expects to pay a similar special dividend at this time next year (in addition to any interim and final dividends) and will then consider a continuation of this special dividend in 2004.
Commenting on the group's operations and prospects Mr Graham Bradley, managing director of Perpetual, said that continued strong funds inflows and growing operating earnings provide a confident outlook for the group.
"As at 30 April 2002 Perpetual Investments reported total funds under management had increased to $19.5 billion - an increase of $1.9 billion since 31 December 2001," he said.
"Since then Perpetual Investments has made further progress in extending its product range, with the recent introduction of additional features in its super and pension plans as well as the launch of its first ethical style fund (Perpetual's Wholesale Ethical SRI fund).
"Our Personal Financial Services and Corporate Trust businesses have also continued to perform well," Mr Bradley said.