South Africa’s Imperial Holdings on Thursday reported a 34% increase in headline earnings per share to 616,9 cents for the six months ended December 2005, up from 460 cents a year earlier. On a fully diluted basis, headline earnings per share (Heps) were 578,2 cents from a previous 431,4 cents.
A capital distribution of 230 cents per share was declared — up 31% from a year ago. Revenue grew 27% to R26,2-billion, while net attributable profit was 23% higher at R1,157-billion. The group presented its first set of interim results under International Financial Reporting Standards.
The company said it had an excellent first half in revenue and profit terms, further strengthening the group’s base for long-term earnings growth. Headline earnings per share were up 34%, reflecting a strong performance by the consumer-facing vehicle operations and supported by a solid performance throughout the group.
This was achieved against favourable, but highly-competitive, trading conditions in most of the group’s markets, Imperial said. Consumer demand during the period remained strong, led by a continuation of high growth in motor vehicle sales, even from a high base.
Imperial’s capital expenditure, net of recoupments, for the six-month period amounted to R2,11-billion, of which R1,328-billion was for expansion.
Revenue increased by 27% against a background of little or no inflation in its high turnover-vehicle businesses. While cost of sales and operating expenses increased by a similar rate, depreciation (net of recoupments) increased by 30%, reflecting the higher vehicle fleets, as well as lower recoupments.
The operating margin reduced slightly from 8,5% to 8,1%. Operating profit increased by 22% to R2,132-billion.
Looking ahead, Imperial said it does not expect to show the same growth in Heps for the full year, as the convergence of high vehicle-sales growth, seasonal business in some parts of the group, and strong equity markets are not expected to be repeated.
However, market conditions and Imperial’s operations have exceeded its expectations and the group should deliver a rewarding set of results to shareholders.
Economic conditions in South Africa are favourable and are expected to remain good, as confidence in the economic and social transformation has settled in. The economic environments in which the group’s international businesses operate are also conducive to the achievement of satisfactory results.
“Imperial has high long-term growth targets and we believe we can meet them,” the group concluded. — I-Net Bridge