Spark resets future dividend ratios, outlines new strategy

Spark resets future dividend ratios, outlines new strategy
The company will refocus and stop paying dividends that exceed free cash flow. (Image: NZME)
Pattrick Smellie
Spark New Zealand is resetting its dividend policy to between 70% and 100% of free cash flow, in a move to quell disquiet in the investment community about payouts to shareholders that exceeded cash generated by the business.At the same time, the telco is moving to a new definition of free cash flow (fcf) to include changes in working capital and capital expenditure used to operate Spark’s core business.The initiatives are part of what chief executive Jolie Hodson described as a “renewed commitment to disciplined capital management&...

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