WBHO announces a 39% higher dividend as financial performance strengthens

Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) said margins improved across most business units in the year to June 30, 2025, and a 39% higher final dividend of 320 cents per share was declared compared with the 230 cents paid out at the same time the year before.

Revenue from continuing operations from the construction and engineering group increased by 4% to R28.5bn. The order book of R37.6bn represented a 22.8% increase from the R30.6bn at the end of the last financial year.

Headline earnings from continuing operations per share increased 12.7% to 2,278 cents. The net asset value of the group amounts to R5.6bn, up from R4.7bn in 2025.

“The group delivered a strong performance for the financial year ended 30 June 2025 and all businesses performed well over the period. The South African business specifically continues to demonstrate increased activity within certain sectors,” said [insert name or title if available].

Revenue from South Africa increased by 1% to R19.2bn, while revenue from the rest of Africa increased by 14.6% to R3.7bn. Activity in South Africa comprised 9% growth from the Roads and Earthworks division, while activity from the Building and Civil Engineering division declined by 5%, primarily associated with lower volumes of building projects available in Gauteng.

Revenue from the UK operations increased by 5% to R5.7bn, where Byrne Bros. and Ellmers Construction within the Byrne Group had a good year.

Operating profit from continuing operations increased by 13.5% to R1.4bn. Segment operating profit from the African operations increased from R1.2bn to R1.4bn at a combined operating margin of 6.1%. The operating profit from the UK increased from R183m to R187m.

The share price fell 1.42% to R167.97 on the JSE on Tuesday afternoon.

BUSINESS REPORT