The Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) dividend just increased for a sixth consecutive year thanks to higher copper and gold prices.
The mining giant released an encouraging FY21 result on Thursday, when its share price closed 1.07% higher to $25.54.
How did Newcrest perform in FY21?
Contrary to the performance of the Newcrest share price, which is down 5% year-to-date, the company delivered a well-rounded financial performance with key highlights including:
- Revenue up 17% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) to $4.6 billion.
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 33% to $2.4 billion.
- Underlying and statutory profit of $1.2 billion. Underlying profits increased 55% and statutory profit surged 80%.
- Basic earnings per share (EPS) of US $1.425 — up 71% on the pcp.
- Gold production of 2.1 million tonnes and record copper production of 142.7 thousand tonnes.
- Realised gold price up 17% to US$1,796/oz.
- Realised copper price up 42% to US$3.66/lb.
The company also advanced a number of organic growth options at its flagship Cadia gold and copper mine in New South Wales, as well as emerging mines Red Chris in Canada and Havieron in Western Australia.
Newcrest dividend more than doubles in FY21
Newcrest managing director and CEO Sandeep Biswas commented on the increase in shareholder returns:
Our dividend policy targets total dividends for a financial year to be in the range of 30-60% of that financial year's free cashflow, with a minimum annual dividend of US 15 cents per share. Given our record free cash flow generation for FY21, strong balance sheet and positive outlook the Board has approved a final dividend of US 40 cents per share, which is 129% higher than last year's final dividend. This equates to a record total full-year dividend of US 55 cents per share which represents a 41% payout of FY21's free cashflow and marks our sixth consecutive year of increasing dividends to shareholders.
Newcrest dividend key dates
The Newcrest share price will go ex-dividend on Thursday, 26 August, and be paid out on Thursday, 30 September.
Shares in the mining giant suffered a drop in early trade today, down 2.23% to $24.97.
