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Wynnstay Group PLC on Monday proposed a higher dividend as it said it enters the new financial year with ‘strong operational capability and a robust balance sheet’ as it posted a lower annual statutory profit and revenue. The Powys, Wales-based agricultural supplies and services company said pretax profit fell 15% to £3.5 million in the financial year ended October 31, from £4.1 million a year ago. Adjusted pretax profit jumped 21% to £9.2 million from £7.6 million, while adjusted operating profit rose 17% to £9.2 million from £7.9 million. Wynnstay said adjusted pretax profit excludes amortisation of acquired intangibles, share based payment expenses, losses on mark to market of derivatives, non-recurring items and the share of tax incurred by joint ventures. Meanwhile, it said adjusted operating profit excludes amortisation of acquired intangibles, share based payment expenses, losses on mark to market of derivatives and non-recurring items. Revenue declined 4.8% to £583.4 million from £613.1 million. Cost of sales were 5.8% lower at £502.9 million from £533.8 million, while administrative costs were down 9.0% at £10.9 million from £11.9 million. Manufacturing, distribution and selling costs increased 1.7% to £60.8 million from £59.8 million. The cost of non-recurring items more than doubled to £5.9 million from £2.3 million. Wynnstay said financial year 2025 had significant operational challenges and was marked by transition. The firm said: ‘Through Project Genesis, we set out to reshape the foundations of the business by simplifying our structures, removing inefficiencies, strengthening commercial execution, and creating a more integrated and scalable operating model. It is a credit to colleagues across the group that the first year of Project Genesis has delivered such strong early results, both operationally and financially, while also making the business more resilient and better aligned behind a shared purpose.’ The company proposed a final dividend of 12.1 pence per share, up 1.7% from 11.90p a year ago. This brings the total payout for financial 2025 to 17.8p, up 1.7% from 17.5p. Wynnstay said early trading in financial year 2026 is in line with the firm’s own expectations, with the focus remaining on delivering further margin, cost and efficiency gains. Meanwhile, Chair Steve Ellwood will step down from his role at the company’s annual general meeting on March 24. Wynnstay promoted Senior Independent Non-Executive Director Steven Esom to succeed Ellwood as chair. Outgoing Chair Ellwood said: ‘FY25 has been a year of significant progress for Wynnstay, with a stronger underlying performance and clear early benefits from the operating changes delivered during the year. The business enters FY26 in a materially strengthened position, with a robust balance sheet, and a clearer platform for growth under Wynnstay Strategy Genesis.’ Looking ahead, Chief Executive Officer Alk Brand said: ‘We enter FY26 with a clear strategy, strong operational capability and a robust balance sheet. Trading in the early part of the new financial year is in line with the Board’s expectations, and we look forward with confidence as we progress into Wynnstay Strategy Genesis and pursue sustainable growth and improved returns.’ Wynnstay shares fell 0.6% to 400.00 pence each on Monday afternoon in London. Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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