Henderson confirms it will pay first-quarter dividend

Ahead of their agreed merger, Henderson Group and Janus Capital have both confirmed they will pay their shareholders an extraordinary dividend

After Janus announced its intention on Tuesday to pay a first-quarter 2017 dividend to its shareholders prior to the closing of the merger, Henderson said it also intended to do the same in order to ensure "equality of treatment" for both sets of shareholders.

Henderson shareholders will receive a payment reflecting first-quarter earnings, prior to the closing of the merger, with the anticipated dividend payment "of commensurate value to any Janus first quarter 2017 dividend" and remaining subject to final approval from the directors.

The FTSE 250 company said it will release further information regarding the quantum and timing of payment of the dividend in its 19 April trading statement.

Before then, Henderson is scheduled to post its 2016 final results and proposed final dividend on 9 February.