Ordinary dividends
Lincat Group has a long history of paying an interim and final dividend to it shareholders. Since 1995, the combined ordinary dividends per share paid have been as follows (figures relate to calendar years):

1995    8.2p
1996    8.7p
1997  10.8p
1998  13.2p
1999  15.3p
2000  16.3p
2001  17.3p
2002  17.7p
2003  18.7p
2004  19.9p
2005  21.8p
2006  22.7p
2007  28.0p
2008  29.0p
2009  30.0p

Lincat changed its accounting reference date from 30 June to 31 December with effect from 2007, since when the Company has paid its interim dividend in October and its final dividend in May.

Capital returns
In addition to the payment of ordinary dividends as above, shareholder returns have been enhanced through returning capital to shareholders (a total of £21.87m since 1998) where it has been deemed surplus to the Group’s requirements:

1998 £1.91m special dividend
2001 £2.58m share buy-back
2002 £2.25m share buy-back
2003 £2.13m share buy-back
2007 £13.00m tender offer