Franco-Nevada impresses with earnings surprise; lifts dividend

Canadian gold royalties and streaming firm Franco-Nevada Corp has reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings on the back of strong output in the period, prompting it to revise upwards its quarterly dividend for the tenth consecutive year since it went public in 2007. Toronto-based Franco-Nevada reported net earnings of $45.6-million, or $0.26 a share, which was a 52% increase when compared with the same period of 2016.