Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) announced that its Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $2.50 per share for shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7, payable on November 14. This is a 9.3% dividend yield on this payout at current stock prices.
Its Board also expects to declare an additional special cash dividend of $1.50 per share, payable in January.
Analyst consensus has Viad growing EPS by 34% to $1.71 per share in 2014. Based on this projected EPS, Viad has a 12-month price target of $30.00. First Call has a strong buy recommendation on Viad Corp.
Viad Corp. is comprised of operating companies and a division which constitute a diversified services business. Most of Viad’s services are provided to businesses for use by their customers. Accordingly, the corporation markets its services through retail and financial locations, primarily in the U.S., to numerous trade show organizers and exhibitors, and others.
Viad Corp announced third quarter 2013 income from continuing operations of $10.8 million, or $0.53 per diluted share. Viad’s income before other items of $14.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, excludes restructuring charges of $0.02 per diluted share and non-cash impairment charges of $0.14 per diluted share. This compares to the company’s prior guidance of income before other items in the range of $0.54 to $0.64 per share and 2012 third quarter income before other items of $1.01 per share. The expected decline from 2012 was driven primarily by negative show rotation in the Marketing & Events Group.
- Revenue was $236.5 million as compared to $307.5 million in 2012.
- Segment operating income was $24.6 million as compared to $34.2 million in 2012.
- Free cash flow was $21.8 million as compared to $45.2 million in 2012.
- Cash and cash equivalents were $120.1 million at September 30, 2013.
- Debt was $1.7 million, with a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.4% at September 30, 2013.