Dual-listed information and communications technology (ICT) group Dimension Data (Didata) on Wednesday posted adjusted earnings per share of 0,9 United States cents for the year ended September 30, from a 2,7 US cents loss reported a year ago.
The group’s turnover rose to $2,368-billion from $2,014-billion previously.
“Dimension Data’s dividend policy has been to utilise cash generated by the group to fund working capital requirements and to continue the roll-out of group strategy. The board will continue to review this policy on an annual basis or as necessary,” the group said.
The group reported adjusted operating profit of $33,009-million from an adjusted operating loss of $9,012 million in 2003. Its adjusted profit for the year rose to $11,434-million compared with an adjusted loss of $36,356-million for last year.
In terms of geographical analysis, Africa’s turnover jumped to $445,172-million from $365,428-million, Asia increased to $362,280-million from $328,725-million, and Australia came in at $481,078-million from $380,526-million.
The US operations’ turnover hit $416,811-million from $356,051-million and the UK’s rose to $218,260-million from $205,918-million.
“The implementation of our growth strategies, including improved focus and investment in solutions and services, coincided with an upturn in market conditions. This resulted in pleasing progress in a number of areas,” Didata CEO Brett Dawson said.
“We have achieved strong growth in revenues at improved gross margins, a return to operating profitability for the group, good progress in turning around underperforming geographies and an excellent performance from our solutions lines of business where revenues increased by 28%.
“Effective cost controls and benefits of scale drove a return to operating profitability and a steady improvement in the operating margin.”
Didata chairperson Jeremy Ord said: “During the period under review, demand for IT services started to pick up and a number of the markets in which we trade showed signs of recovering from the downturn of recent years.
“Over the past 12 months we have refined our strategy, improved our focus, aligned our global solutions offerings and invested in enhancing the efficiency of our services delivery platform. Considerable progress was made in turning around unprofitable regions and our cost base was closely controlled.”
In September, Didata South Africa (DDSA) achieved black economic empowerment (BEE) credentials when it finalised a deal worth R380-million rand with a broad-based BEE consortium led by Andile Ngcaba.
“We feel confident that this exciting new chapter in our lives will enhance our growth prospects through removing barriers to participating in key growth markets in South Africa and unlocking opportunities in Africa,” said Ord.
Ngcaba, an ICT entrepreneur, is DDSA chairperson-designate and a former director general of communications.
Going into the new financial year, Dawson said the demand outlook is tempered by global macro-economic uncertainties. However, he said, Didata is well-positioned for growth due to ongoing investment in its value propositions and solutions offerings. — I-Net Bridge