Listed furniture, electronic and electric appliances retailer JD Group has reported a 36% rise in its headline earnings per share for the year to the end of August 2005 to 704,7 cents, from 518,5 cents a year earlier. The group declared a final dividend of 167 cents per share, for a total dividend of 352 cents per share for the year, representing a 47% increase on the 240 cents per share distributed in 2004.
The result is in line with the company’s own estimate of an increase of between 32% and 37% in headline earnings per share for the year as announced on October 24, and is higher than the I-Net Bridge consensus forecast of 696,3 cents, according to a survey of seven investment analysts. The range of analysts’ forecasts was for headline earnings per share from 670 cents to 699 cents.
JD Group owns retail chains including Joshua Doore, Bradlows, Morkels, Hi-Fi Corporation, Price ‘n Pride, Electric Express and Barnetts, as well as Abra in Poland.
Announcing its final results on Thursday, JD Group said revenue rose by 10% to R9,9-billion versus R9,1-billion in 2004, while total merchandise sales were also 10% higher at R6,8-billion, representing like-for-like growth of 12%. Merchandise sales again accounted for 68% of total revenue, with the balance coming from finance charges, financial and other services.
The group’s operating income was up by 40% to R1,8-billion, with its operating margin improving to 17,7% from 13,9% previously.
Headline earnings rose by 40% as well, to R1,2-billion from R865-million a year earlier, and the group’s arrears percentage fell to 8,6% from 12,5% in 2004.
Credit sales were up slightly at 51,1% of total merchandise sales, reflecting a 13% increase in merchandise sales from the group’s credit chains.
Although the operating margin was higher, JD Group’s average product margin fell slightly to 31,6% due to lower margins at Hi-Fi Corporation and only a small increase at the group’s credit chains. Retail prices of the group’s electrical goods declined by 7% over the year thanks to the strength of the rand and a decline in dollar selling prices, which affected Hi-Fi Corporation as well as the electrical-goods component of the group’s Southern African credit chains.
Furniture price inflation was 2,5% for the year, and the group experienced overall deflation of 4,1%.
Finance charges earned were flat at R1,45-billion in a declining interest-rate environment, while earnings from financial services rose by 15% to R1,26-billion.
Bad debts written off decreased from 10,4% to 6,4% of gross receivables, with arrears down a similar percentage to 8,6% of gross receivables, or down from R798-million to R600-million year-on-year. The average length of the book was down to 13,5 months from 14,3 months in 2004.
Inventories increased by 10,6% in line with the anticipated growth in the sale of merchandise.
JD Group currently has no net gearing, it added. Cash generated by trading increased to R1,9-billion, from R1,5-billion a year earlier.
Commenting on the operating environment, executive chairperson David Sussman noted: “Much has been said about the buoyancy in the retail market. Growth in disposable income resulting from low interest rates and low inflation has provided a very strong tailwind in consumer spending, reflected in company results across the board.
“The question is just how robust and for how long this tailwind will persist. Current trends suggest a drop-off in velocity, but if the momentum persists, we would be more than satisfied.
“Trading after the year-end in our credit chains is ahead of expectations, while Hi-Fi Corporation, faced with price deflation of 9%, continues to match year-on-year sales.”
Sussman highlighted the increased number of new customers being served by the group’s chains.
He believed nothing suggests consumers are over-extended in credit.
“In fact, the performance of our receivables shows the opposite. Gross receivables have grown by R570-million, accounting largely for the increase in working capital. This growth is despite arrears falling below 9% and unprecedented collection rates. Bad debts written off were in line with our expectation.”
Commenting on prospects, Sussman said: “The ongoing challenge for South Africa is to sustain an increased growth rate. There is no doubt that the political will exists to help achieve the targeted growth rate.
“However, the ultimate long-term stability of our democracy will stand or fall on the creation of jobs and the alleviation of poverty. We have every confidence that delivery will gain momentum as we get closer to 2010. There is cause for optimism and the next few years should provide an environment conducive to above-average growth for the group.” — I-Net Bridge