Imperial Brands and WAM Leaders report strong dividend yields

Imperial Brands Plc is highlighted as a potential income stock within the FTSE 100, offering a 6.2% dividend yield. The tobacco company reported a 5.3% rise in underlying earnings per share, supported by robust pricing that offset declining cigarette volumes. The company maintained a 98% cash conversion rate, which funded a 4% dividend increase and an £809 million share buyback during the first half of the year.

In Australia, the WAM Leaders Ltd fund reported a 7.2% dividend yield following a year in which its investment portfolio returned 14%. The fund's total shareholder return reached 24.7% for the year. Strong investment performance contributed to a 153.5% increase in operating profit after tax, totaling $161.8 million. Portfolio management noted that the fund outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index despite market volatility and geopolitical tensions.