Investors in Micro Focus International (MCRO), which helps businesses modernise their IT systems, won't be losing sleep ahead of its full-year results. The software company steered expectations towards year-on-year sales growth of about 6 per cent in a statement last month.
Higher licensing sales probably account for that increase. But shareholders may also hope to see gains in maintenance, the company's largest business. Sales there rose 6 per cent to about $119m (£70.9m) in the six months ended 31 October, but were flat in the following three months.
An increased final dividend is also on the cards, after Micro Focus raised it by a fifth to 28.1¢ last year. It also bumped up its half-year dividend this year and returned 60p a share to investors in November, promising a total yield upward of 10 per cent. Broker Numis Securities expects pre-tax profit of $176m, giving EPS of 95.2¢, rising to $179m and 103.2¢ in the year to 30 April 2015.
