/ 16 January 2007

Distell interim HEPS seen up

The Distell Group advised on Tuesday that basic earnings per share (HEPS) and headline earnings per share for the six months ended December will be between 55% and 65% higher than the corresponding reporting period of the previous year.

Adjusted headline earnings per share, which is headline earnings excluding the non-recurring BEE share-based payment incurred during the previous financial year, will be between 20% and 30% higher than the corresponding period of the previous year.

This is largely attributable to an improvement in trading income and reduced financing costs, the group said.

Distell is currently finalising its interim results, which should be released on or about 14 February, it said.

The company’s share price was up 2,93%, or R1,35, to R47,50 in early trade on the JSE. – I-Net Bridge