Against a backdrop of sound growth, financial-services group RMB Holdings (RMBH) lifted headline earnings by 30% from R2,1-billion to R2,8-billion for the year to the end of June.
This translated into headline earnings per share of 234,9 cents, compared with 180,6 cents for the previous year.
The group lifted its total dividend for the year to 94 cents from 77,5 cents previously — a 21% increase.
GT Ferreira, group chairperson, commented: “These excellent results highlight the sweet spot in which the South African financial-services sector currently finds itself.”
Against a backdrop of lower inflation, as well as lower interest rates, substantially all of RMBH’s businesses were well positioned to benefit from continued growth in consumer spending, increased corporate output and rising fixed investment by businesses.
The group announced on Wednesday that an additional R1,2-billion (100 cents per share) will be returned to shareholders.
“At year-end, RMBH itself had no material funding obligations and had net cash resources of some R1,9-billion, partly as a result of the FirstRand BEE [black economic empowerment] transaction completed during May 2005.
“All of RMBH’s investments are adequately capitalised and the group has access to the full
array of equity and funding instruments available in the South African financial markets, should the need arise.
“Consequently, RMBH has resolved to return some R1,2-billion of its surplus cash resources to shareholders. The balance remaining will be applied within the group,” RMBH said.
Said Ferreira: “We constantly evaluate possible additions to RMBH’s portfolio of investments. None of the projects currently under consideration has reached a stage of development where its capital requirements can be crystallised. However, we believe that the group’s existing capital base is adequate to support most projects upon which we may choose to embark.
“Clearly, for any new project, our existing capital backing will allow us to access an appropriate mix of debt and, if necessary, equity instruments. By optimising such mix, we would be able to maximise the return to our shareholders.
“It therefore makes sense to return the capital, which is surplus to our current requirements, to shareholders.”
Subject to the approval of RMBH shareholders, the RMBH board has approved a reduction of the company’s share capital, by repaying to shareholders from the company’s share premium account an amount of 100 cents per ordinary share. Should shareholders approve the proposed repayment of share premium, it is anticipated that payment will be made to shareholders by middle November this year.
RMBH expects the increased economic activity experienced in South Africa during the year ended June 30 to continue. Interest rates, it says, are expected to remain at current levels for the next financial year and affect credit demand and consumer spending positively, albeit at a slower rate than what was experienced during this financial year.
Ferreira believes that “given the context of the current strong economic growth in South Africa and barring any unforeseen external shocks, the existing strategies of the RMBH group and diversified income streams generated by our underlying business units will ensure that we are well positioned to achieve our stated objective of 10% real growth”. — I-Net Bridge