Net debt at December 31, 2023, amounted to 9,221 million euros, a decrease of 1,040 million euros compared with December 31, 2022. Indeed, cash flows from operating activities allowed to reduce the net debt after the payment of over 3.4 billion euros in industrial investments and 1.6 billion euros in dividends.
The return on capital employed after tax (ROCE) was 9.8% in 2023. The recurring ROCE (1) stood at 10.6%, an improvement compared to 10.3% in 2022 and aligned with the ADVANCE strategic plan’s double-digit objective.
Industrial and financial investment decisions reached a high level of 4.3 billion euros in 2023, up sharply from 4.0 billion euros in 2022. The investment backlog hit a record high of 4.4 billion euros in 2023, a sharp increase from 3.5 billion euros in 2022.
At the General Meeting on April 30, 2024, the payment of a dividend of 3.20 euros per share will be proposed to Shareholders for the 2023 fiscal year, representing an increase of +8.5% compared with the previous year. The ex-dividend date has been set for May 20, 2024, and the payment is scheduled for May 22, 2024. Moreover, a free share attribution, on the basis of one free share for every 10 shares held, as well as the application of a loyalty bonus, are planned for June 2024.
€3.08bn
