Provident Financial Posts Rise In Profit, Lifts Dividend

Provident Financial PLC FPLPY reported a gain its profit for 2014 and raised its total dividend by 15.3%. Provident Financial posted statutory pretax profit of 224.6 million pounds ($345.8 million) for the year, up from GBP182.4 million, in the year-ago period. Excluding certain items, the company's pretax profit came in at GBP234.4 million. Profit to equity shareholders climbed to 175.6 million pounds, compared to 171.0 million pounds, while earnings per share gained to 124.5 pence from 102.2 pence. Adjusted earnings per share jumped to 130.5 pence, from 109.8 pence last year. Its revenue dropped to 1.075 billion pounds versus 1.078 billion pounds. The company lifted its total dividend to 98.0 pence per share from 85.0 pence per share. Provident Financial shares gained 0.26% to close at $42.66 yesterday.