Thursday 26 January 2017

Teejay ends Q3 with a revenue growth of 33-pct despite challenges

Press Release: The Teejay Group which recently consolidated its operations in Sri Lanka and the region under the single brand ‘Teejay,’ announced a strong revenue growth of 33 percent over the nine months ended 31st December 2016.

The Group recorded a revenue of 16.4 Billion compared to the Rs. 12.3 Billion during the corresponding period last year and announced a 66 percent growth in dividends to shareholders.

Chairman of Teejay, Bill Lam said that this was achieved through continually operating at optimal capacity, with a full order booking during the period; and that the growth in top line was a result of additional orders being canvassed to cater to the future growth stage of the Company.

Even though there were higher sales, the Gross Profit growth was only 27% percent with Rs. 2.4 Billion compared to that of last year’s Rs. 1.9 Billion, he added.

The Chairman further said that a combination of factors had affected the Group’s gross profit, including the acceptance of extra lower margin orders in preparation for growth; price competition, early investments towards future expansion, the product mix, and the overall impact of steep short term price hikes in raw material.

The Group’s profit before tax (PBT) is reported as Rs 1.6 Billion compared to the Rs. 1.4 Billion last year, an increase of 16 percent. This result has been diligently supported by solid Cost management and control across the entire group.

Another impacting factor was taxation, as Teejay Lanka’s tax holiday ended in September 2016; while both Teejay India and Teejay Prints are subject to tax. The tax bill grew by 281 percent, going up to Rs. 150 Million from Rs. 39 Million the previous year.

Despite this situation the Group reported an absolute profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 1.5 Billion compared to the Rs. 1.3 Billion last year; showing an increase of 9 percent during the same period.

“The Teejay Group continues to keep a sharp eye on its cash flow disciplines and has carried through a strong balance sheet from the previous quarter with a cash balance of LKR 4 Billion. The consolidated Earnings per Share for the Group recorded SL Rs. 2.10 on a year on year basis showing a growth of 3 percent, although there was a 34 percent drop in growth during the quarter under review, due to the challenges discussed above” says Lam.

The Chairman said “ The Group is embarking on its final lap of the second half, setting the foundation for its long-term growth plans. The business is watchful of future market challenges, with a close eye on price fluctuations in the market and increasing changes in the product mix. Despite these short-term impacts which have been somewhat overcome now, our aspirations remain ambitious and aggressive, as we continue to explore new ways of further extending our footprint.”

On a quarterly basis the Group reported a revenue growth of 6.3 Billion compared to the Rs. 5.6 Billion recorded last quarter, showing a growth of 14 percent. However, Gross profits dropped by 15 percent for the third quarter, to Rs. 832 Million.

Apart from the above, a temporary countrywide stock outage in coal was also a contributory factor, with energy costs rising due to the coal plant not being able to function at maximum capacity, during some of the period under review.

This resulted in a further deterioration of PBT for the quarter, recording a 20 percent drop in operating profits. Since the impact of GP could not be adequately mitigated by the tighter overhead controls in place, the Group reported a net profit of Rs. 473 Million compared to Rs. 672 Million, during the same quarter last year.

However, CEO of Teejay, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne says that despite minor setbacks, Teejay will forge ahead with new plans for expansion and growth. “Our aggressive enhancement in Divided with this interim Rs. 1.00 per share payment, is a clear indication of our confidence in the future potential we possess. We aspire to develop a culture of Service in Manufacturing, by creating bonds that matter.

We are already investing further in automation and technology, and innovation is at our core. We are preparing to embrace the future dynamics and trends in the textile industry, especially with the new demand for synthetics and digital prints and we are poised and ready to benefit from those changes. Our Expansion plans are moving according to plan, and the Company will benefit from added capacity in the near future.”, he stated.

“The prospects of GSP Plus in the near future would further augment the Group’s progress, as all our added capacity in India and Sri Lanka will become eligible for this benefit,” he added.

Sri Lanka's John Keells Holdings net up 32-pct

ECONOMYNEXT - Profits at Sri Lanka's John Keells Holdings rose 32 percent to 5,149 billion rupees in the December 2016 quarter from a year earlier, the firm said with bunkering sales growing.

The group reported earnings of 3.73 rupees per share for the quarter. In the nine months to December the group reported earnings of 8.24 rupees per share on total profits of 11.2 billion rupees, which grew 18 percent.

Profits at transportation almost doubled to 817 million rupees from 418 million helped by bunkering and container transhipment.

Tourism sector profits rose slightly from 1,088 million to 1,197 million. Occupancy was up in both Maldives and Sri Lanka, Chairman Susantha Ratnayake told shareholders.

Profits from property fell to 190 million from 541 million.

Profits from consumer foods rose to 908 million from 759, profits in financial services rose to 1,143 million from 972 million and information technology from 69 million to 152 million.

There was also steep rise in 'other' sector to 1,247 million from 544 with helped by an unspecified 'adjustment' of 1,131 million.

Sri Lankan shares end higher as investors pick large caps

Reuters: Sri Lankan stocks recovered from a near-10-month low to end slightly firmer on Thursday as investors bought large-cap shares while concerns over political instability and the rally in interest rates weighed on market sentiment.

The Colombo stock index ended up 0.05 percent at 6,130.05. In the previous session, it hit 6,127.08, its lowest since April 4.

Market heavyweight John Keells Holdings Plc rose 0.29 percent, before it posted a 32 percent rise in its December quarter profit to 5.1 billion rupees.

"We expect good results in December quarter, but the results are unlikely to move the market because of the uncertainty factor," said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Equities (Pvt) Ltd.

Yields on treasury bills rose 2-5 basis points at a weekly auction on Wednesday to a near five-month high after the central bank governor signalled reduced intervention to defend the rupee.

Rising market interest rates, which move in tandem with T-bill yields, have been a cause for concern, brokers said.

Foreign investors net bought 106.8 million rupees ($711,051.93) worth of equities on Thursday, but they have been net sellers of 1.65 billion rupees worth shares so far this year.

The day's turnover was 287.7 million rupees.

Investors are also concerned about possible political uncertainty as the main coalition partners in the government are contesting local polls separately, analysts said.

($1 = 150.2000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

Colombo Stock Exchange Market Review – 26th Jan 2017


Colombo stock market snapped the three day losing streak on Thursday and closed in green despite thin volumes. Benchmark index edged up 2.97 index points (0.05%) to 6,130.05 while high cap constituent, S&P SL20 index gained 4.98 index points or 0.14% to close at 3,479.39.

Market breadth was neutral where out of 238 stocks, 61 advanced, 65 slipped while 112 remained unchanged. Index decline was led by telcos, Dialog Axiata (closed at LKR 10.70, -2.7%) and Sri Lanka Telecom (closed at LKR 34.30, -1.7%) along with Ceylon Guardian Investment (closed at LKR 100.40, -4.8%) and Seylan Bank (closed at LKR 96.00, -1.5%).

Daily market turnover was LKR 279mn. Negotiated deals in Watawala Plantations (2.0mn shares at LKR 23.50), Access Engineering (LKR 25.20) and Tokyo Cement (0.40mn shares at LKR 59.00) represented 39% of the turnover.

Hemas Holdings (LKR 53mn) and Watawala Plantations (LKR 50mn) contributed majority of the turnover. Further John Keells Holdings (LKR 47mn), Access Engineering (LKR 39mn) and Tokyo Cement (LKR 24mn) made notable contributions to the day’s activity.

John Keells Holdings, Watawala Plantations and Teejay Lanka were among highly traded counters. After the trading session, John Keells Holdings declared an interim dividend of LKR 2.00 per share.

Foreign investors stood on buy side with a net foreign inflow of LKR 107mn. Net foreign inflows were seen in Hemas Holdings (LKR 50mn), Access Engineering (LKR 38mn), Tokyo Cement (LKR 24mn) while net foreign outflow was mainly seen in Watawala Plantations (LKR 21mn). Foreign participation was 44%.
Source: LSL