Ansell notes “steady dividend growth”

Ansell has continued its practice of “steady dividend growth”, its chairman has noted.

Peter Barnes made his comments as the company posted its full-year results for the 12-month period ended June 30th 2009.

The firm reported sales of $1 billion (611 million pounds), which represented a fall of 10.1 per cent year on year.

Ansell attributed this to the stronger US dollar and the ongoing effects of the global economic downturn.

Mr Barnes stated that the company has “not escaped” the recession, noting that it is something that has been “felt strongly” in its occupational business.

Nevertheless, he said that the firm’s strong balance sheet and product diversity stands Ansell “in good stead”.

“The board is pleased to have been able to continue with Ansell’s practice of steady dividend growth,” Mr Barnes concluded, explaining that the board has declared a total dividend for the financial year of 28 cents (14p)

In recent months, the company announced that its AnsellCares courses have been accepted by the European Operating Room Nurses Association.