BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fluidra, the global leader in the pool and wellness equipment sector, continues generating shareholder value in 2022. The Board of Directors has agreed to propose to the General Shareholders’ Meeting a dividend payout of 0.85 euros per share charged to voluntary reserves. The proposal implies a 49% payout of 2021 Cash EPS, in line with Fluidra’s dividend policy.
The company continues its progressive shareholders remuneration and after a 90% dividend uplift in 2021 with the payment of 0.40 euros per share, the Board of Directors proposes a 112% increase for 2022. The payout will amount to a maximum of 166 million euros and is subject to approval by the General Shareholders’ Meeting to be celebrated on 5 May. If approved, Fluidra will execute a first payment of 0.43 euros per share on 5 July and another of 0.42 euros on 3 November.
This significant rise in the dividend distribution is backed by strong operational performance, high cash flow generation and a healthy balance sheet. Fluidra completed 2021 delivering 47% top line growth reaching 2,187 million euros of sales, and 549 million euros of EBITDA, a 25.1% EBITDA margin, implying 350 bps of margin expansion. In addition, the company continued executing accretive acquisitions, with five deals completed in 2021 for an aggregate amount of 494 million euros, while maintaining the leverage ratio at 1.9x.
“The payment of dividends to our shareholders is one of our hallmarks. The soundness of our business and balance sheet, together with a strong cash flow, allow us to finance initiatives that deliver value to our stakeholders, including both shareholder remuneration and inorganic growth operations”, highlighted Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s Executive President.
Fluidra announced in February its guidance for 2022. The company expects to grow sales between 12% and 17%, with the EBITDA margin standing above 25.5%, with 50 bps or more of margin expansion. The company is also forecasting an increase in Cash EPS of between 10% and 16%.