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Whitbread plc (WTB.L) logo

Whitbread plc

EURO STOXX 600
WTB.L|Consumer Cyclical|Lodging|£24.10|P/E 19.8|MCap 40.2M|LSE

Last update: May 9, 2026 at 09:32

Dividend Safety Rating

43/ 100Caution

WTB.L's dividend shows some areas that warrant monitoring. Strengths include a 38.8% cfo payout ratio & 17.1% operating margin. Areas of concern: 3.0x interest coverage & 0.6x current ratio.

Based on 14 of 15 metrics

Strengths

  • Gross Margin: 67.6%High gross margin signals strong pricing power.
  • CFO Payout Ratio: 38.8%Operating cash flow strongly supports the payout.
  • Operating Margin: 17.1%Healthy operating margin provides a wide buffer.

Risks

  • Current Ratio: 0.6xLimited short-term liquidity to meet obligations.
  • Dividend Cut: YesDividend was cut or suspended in recent history.
  • Interest Coverage: 3.0xInterest coverage is thin relative to debt servicing.

Payout & Coverage

Caution
Earnings Payout Ratio
79.3%Caution
FCF Payout Ratio
67.6%Caution
CFO Payout Ratio
38.8%Safe
Interest Coverage
3.0xWarning

Balance Sheet

Warning
Net Debt / Total Assets
47.6%Caution
Current Ratio
0.6xDanger
Debt-to-Equity
174.3Caution

Profitability

Caution
Return on Equity
6.6%Warning
Operating Margin
17.1%Safe
Gross Margin
67.6%Very Safe
Profit Margin Stability
VolatileWarning

Dividend Track Record

Warning
Dividend Streak
4 yrsCaution
Dividend Cut
YesDanger
5-Year Dividend CAGR
N/AN/A
Earnings Stability
Mostly StableCaution

About Whitbread plc

Whitbread plc is a British multinational hospitality company, originally founded as a brewery in 1742 by Samuel Whitbread and evolved into a leading operator of hotels and restaurants. Its primary focus is Premier Inn, the UK's largest budget hotel brand, offering affordable, quality accommodation with over 86,000 rooms in the UK and more than 11,000 rooms in Germany, alongside a pipeline for further expansion aiming toward 125,000 rooms in the UK and market leadership abroad. The company also manages popular restaurant chains including Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, and Table Table, providing casual dining options integrated with its hotel operations. Headquartered in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, Whitbread employs around 34,000 people and emphasizes a vertically integrated model for efficient growth, superior customer experiences, and strong returns. Committed to sustainability through its Force for Good programme, it targets net zero carbon emissions by 2040, focusing on responsibility, opportunity, and community impact. Whitbread plays a pivotal role in the competitive hospitality sector, driving recovery and expansion post-pandemic via strategic investments in new hotels and operational efficiencies.

Dividend Overview

Dividend Yield

4.06%

Annual Dividend

£0.97

Frequency

Semi-Annual

Payout Ratio

79.25%

FCF Payout Ratio

67.59%

Stock Price

£24.10

52-Week Range

£20.98 £33.02

Dividend History (2016–2025)

WTB.L annual dividend per share and yield history

Earnings & Profitability

WTB.L earnings per share and net profit margin

Key Dates

Next Ex-Dividend Date

May 21, 2026

Next Payment Date

Dividend Growth

3-Year Dividend CAGR

17.96%

5-Year Dividend CAGR

N/A

10-Year Dividend CAGR

2.83%

3-Year Total Growth

64.13%

5-Year Total Growth

N/A

10-Year Total Growth

32.13%

Income Calculator

WTB.L Dividend Calculator

Total Investment

£2,410.00

Annual Income

£97.00

Quarterly Income

£24.25

Monthly Income

£8.08

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is WTB.L's current dividend yield?
Whitbread plc (WTB.L) currently has a dividend yield of 4.06%, based on a stock price of £24.10 and an annual dividend of £0.97.
When is WTB.L's next dividend payment date?
WTB.L's next ex-dividend date is 2026-05-21 and the next payment date is —. You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the upcoming payment.
How much does WTB.L pay in dividends per year?
Whitbread plc paid £0.97 per share in annual dividends in 2025. The dividends are paid semi-annual.
Has WTB.L been increasing its dividend?
Whitbread plc has grown its dividend at a 5-year CAGR of — and a 10-year CAGR of 2.83%.
Is WTB.L's dividend safe?
Whitbread plc has a payout ratio of 79.25%. The payout ratio is moderate. Monitor earnings to ensure sustainability.
How is WTB.L's Dividend Safety Rating calculated?
The Dividend Safety Rating evaluates Whitbread plc's dividend sustainability across four categories: Payout & Coverage (30%), Balance Sheet (20%), Profitability (20%), and Dividend Track Record (30%). Each metric is rated from "Very Safe" to "Danger" based on industry-standard thresholds, with sector-specific adjustments for consumer cyclical companies. The overall score ranges from 0 to 100.

Want to understand how we rate dividend safety? Read our full methodology

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This page is not investment advice. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Financial data, including dividend history, earnings, balance sheet metrics, and the Dividend Safety Rating, is provided for informational purposes only. Data may be delayed or differ from official filings. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always verify with official sources before making investment decisions.

Market data provided by Twelve Data.