WH Smith investors to reap first dividend in three years as sales soar

Firm reports 63m profit in year to August and prepares for strong Christmas sales at travel hubs

WH Smith will pay a dividend for the first time in three years as it expects a strong Christmas after a return to foreign holidays helped the books-to-stationery retailer return to the black.

The company reported a 63m profit in the year to August, after a loss of 116m a year earlier, as sales soared 58% to 1.4bn.