Newspaper distributor Smiths News announces final dividend

The historic South West business delivers to more than 2,000 customers across England and Wales every day

Historic magazine and newspaper wholesaler Smiths News says its full-year results are set to be in line with expectations. The Swindon-headquartered company made the announcement ahead of its annual general meeting on Thursday (January 29).

The UK’s largest news wholesaler, which delivers daily to more than 22,000 customers across England and Wales, said its strategy of maintaining shareholder returns alongside the development of additional revenue streams remained “on track”.

As a result, Smiths News said it would pay a final dividend for the 2025 financial year of of 3.8p and a special dividend of 3.0p to shareholders on February 5, 2026, bringing the total for FY2025 to 8.55p per ordinary share held. The dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the AGM later today.

Smiths News is due to announce its full-year results on August 29, 2026.

Jon Bunting, chief executive of Smiths News, said: “Smiths News has performed strongly since the start of the year, and I am pleased to report that we are on track to meet market expectations.

“We continue to make progress in broadening our market reach, whilst ensuring we maintain our best class service across our newspaper and magazine activities.

“I look forward to providing a further update to shareholders at the half year results in May.”

In November, Smiths News announced plans to expand its UK operating footprint following its “strong” performance.

The company’s news finance chief – appointed last summer – is also set to join the business next month. Richard Clay is currently interim CFO and UK and Ireland group finance director at FTSE-250 vehicle hire firm Zigup.

Smiths News announced in March its former finance chief, Paul Baker, had quit to join a large unnamed private firm in another sector.