Smiths News PLC (LSE:SNWS) said trading for the financial year ending 29 August 2026 remains in line with market expectations, reflecting a solid start to the year and continued stability in its core newspaper and magazine distribution operations.
The board reiterated its strategy of maintaining attractive shareholder returns while investing in the development of additional revenue streams that leverage the group’s nationwide logistics infrastructure. Subject to approval at the upcoming AGM, Smiths News plans to pay a final dividend of 3.8p per share for FY2025 alongside a special dividend of 3.0p per share. This would bring total dividends for the year to 8.55p per share, underlining management’s confidence in the company’s cash generation and its ability to fund growth into adjacent markets.
Overall, the outlook is supported by favourable valuation metrics, including a low earnings multiple and a high dividend yield, as well as positive technical indicators that point to constructive market sentiment. These strengths are balanced against more moderate underlying financial performance, with ongoing concerns around leverage levels and negative equity remaining areas to monitor.
More about Smiths News PLC
Smiths News PLC is the UK’s largest news wholesaler and a leading provider of early-morning, end-to-end supply chain services. The group distributes newspapers and magazines for major national and regional publishers and, by leveraging its dense delivery network and logistics expertise, has expanded into additional services such as waste recycling collections and the distribution of books and home entertainment products, serving more than 22,000 customers across England and Wales.
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