STOCKS | Fairwood Profit Rises 17% to HK$41.6 Million; Final Dividend Up 47.1%

Fairwood Holdings (0052) said profit for the year ended March 31 rose 17% to HK$41.6 million, according to Ming Pao, and declared a final dividend of HK$0.25 per share, up 47.1% year on year. Basic earnings per share increased 17% to HK$0.3208. Including an interim dividend of HK$0.05, full-year dividends totaled HK$0.30 per share, up 36.4% from HK$0.22 a year earlier, implying a payout ratio of about 94%. The group said it will continue using data analytics to guide site selection to help improve returns on new stores. With its Hong Kong store network already relatively mature, it expects a more cautious expansion plan and forecasts adding 4 to 8 fast-food outlets in the coming year.