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RBW - Rainbow Chicken - Unaudited Results For The Six Months Ended 30 September

Release Date: 19/11/2008 17:10
Code(s): RBW
Wrap Text

RBW - Rainbow Chicken - Unaudited Results For The Six Months Ended 30 September 2008 And Cash Dividend Declaration RAINBOW CHICKEN LIMITED (Registration number 1966/004972/06) JSE share code: RBW ISIN: ZAE000019063 ("Rainbow" or "the Group") UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 AND CASH DIVIDEND DECLARATION salient features - Revenue UP 15.9% - Chicken realizations UP 15.4% - Feed cost UP 38.0% - Operating profit DOWN 44.6% - Headline earnings per share DOWN 40.2% - Interim dividend maintained CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT Six months Six months ended ended Year ended 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March R`000 2008 2007 2008 Revenue 3 326 724 2 871 448 5 955 327 Operating profit before non- recurring items, depreciation and amortisation 247 085 380 908 925 808 Feed claim recovery 40 000 BEE expense (49 368) Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation 247 085 380 908 916 440 Depreciation and amortisation (72 324) (65 211) (136 426) Operating profit 174 761 315 697 780 014 Finance costs (1 428) (1 144) (2 566) Finance income 13 768 14 604 34 248 Profit before taxation 187 101 329 157 811 696 Taxation (61 789) (118 630) (272 730) Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of the company 125 312 210 527 538 966 HEADLINE EARNINGS Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of the company 125 312 210 527 538 966 Net asset impairment provision released (1 914) (11 170) Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 439 (300) 269 Headline earnings 125 751 208 313 528 065 Feed claim recovery (28 400) BEE expense 49 368 Adjusted headline earnings 125 751 208 313 549 033 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March R`000 2008 2007 2008 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 1 309 425 1 103 468 1 243 670 Goodwill 287 444 287 444 28 7 444 Deferred taxation 15 285 1 596 869 1 406 197 1 531 114 Current assets Inventories 680 622 482 122 521 945 Biological assets 436 219 336 451 369 224 Trade and other receivables 950 619 757 823 862 591 Derivative financial instruments 16 727 36 394 16 768 Taxation receivable 32 621 21 688 Cash and cash equivalents 379 967 556 624 509 894 2 496 775 2 169 414 2 302 110 Total assets 4 093 644 3 575 611 3 833 224 EQUITY Capital and reserves 2 351 719 2 028 074 2 337 130 LIABILITIES Non-current liabilities Deferred taxation 240 174 186 876 240 041 Post-retirement medical obligation 84 138 78 647 80 862 324 312 265 523 320 903 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1 348 953 1 178 533 1 126 210 Provisions 41 622 41 025 43 251 Derivative financial instruments 1 394 Finance lease liability 176 177 Taxation payable 27 038 62 280 4 159 1 417 613 1 282 014 1 175 191
Total liabilities 1 741 925 1 547 537 1 496 094 Total equity and liabilities 4 093 644 3 575 611 3 833 224 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Stated Share-based Retained
R`000 capital payments earnings Total Balance at 1 April 2007 1 127 285 22 248 771 356 1 920 889 Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of the company 210 527 210 527 Ordinary dividend paid (139 202) (139 202) Employee share option scheme: Proceeds from shares issued 29 807 29 807 Value of employee services 6 053 6 053 Balance at 30 Sept 2007 1 157 092 28 301 842 681 2 028 074 Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of the company 328 439 328 439 Ordinary dividend paid (69 601) (69 601) BEE share-based payments charge 45 468 45 468 Employee share option scheme: Value of employee services 4 750 4 750 Balance at 1 April 2008 1 157 092 78 519 1 101 519 2 337 130 Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of the company 125 312 125 312 Ordinary dividend paid (127 859) (127 859) BEE share-based payments charge 1 716 1 716 Employee share option scheme: Proceeds from shares issued 7 405 7 405 Value of employee services 8 015 8 015 Balance at 30 Sept 2008 1 164 497 88 250 1 098 972 2 351 719 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW INFORMATION Six months Six months ended ended Year ended
30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March R`000 2008 2007 2008 Operating profit 174 761 315 697 780 014 Non-cash items 84 141 68 760 185 125 Operating profit before working capital requirements 258 902 384 457 965 139 Working capital requirements (92 312) (135 788) (347 905) Cash generated by operations 166 590 248 669 617 234 Net finance income 12 341 13 460 31 682 Taxation paid (49 710) (74 181) (239 641) Cash available from operating activities 129 221 187 948 409 275 Dividends paid (127 859) (139 202) (208 803) Net cash flows from investing activities (138 517) (112 051) (310 509) Net cash flows from financing activities 7 228 29 593 29 595 Net movement in cash and cash equivalents (129 927) (33 712) (80 442) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 509 894 590 336 590 336 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 379 967 556 624 509 894 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Capital expenditure contracted and committed 72 231 188 045 94 165 Capital expenditure approved but not contracted 137 235 66 141 119 258 Contingent liabilities 49 830 53 802 50 078 STATISTICS Ordinary shares in issue (000`s) 291 191 290 004 290 004 Weighted average ordinary shares in issue (000`s) 290 574 287 898 288 951 Diluted weighted average ordinary shares in issue (000`s) 290 574 293 136 292 028 Basic earnings per share (cents) 43.1 73.1 186.5 Basic earnings per share - diluted (cents) 43.1 71.8 184.6 Headline earnings per share (cents) 43.3 72.4 182.8 Headline earnings per share - diluted (cents) 43.3 71.1 180.8 Net asset value per share (cents) 807.6 699.3 805.9 Ordinary dividends: Interim dividends declared/paid (cents) 24.0 24.0 24.0 Final dividend paid (cents) 44.0 BASIS OF PREPARATION The unaudited results have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 (Interim Financial Reporting) and in compliance with the Companies Act of South Africa of 1973 and the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited. The accounting policies are consistent with those of the previous financial period and comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). OVERVIEW AND MARKET CONDITIONS The Group`s results for the six months ended 30 September 2008 reflect a headline earnings decline of 39.6%. South Africa`s macroeconomic environment has continued to deteriorate with slower economic growth and higher interest and inflation rates. Household consumption growth has slowed further with consumer durables particularly hard hit. This slowing is understandable in the light of consumers` disposable income being impacted by both higher inflation and debt service costs as well as concerns about the spill-over effects of the current global financial crisis. Feed raw material prices peaked at historically high levels during the past six months and remain exceptionally volatile. This together with the crude oil price and exchange rate volatility, uncertainty over the US crop size and the impact of the credit crisis on world markets has translated into significant challenges for raw material procurement. Despite these difficult market conditions Rainbow has consistently applied its feed raw material procurement strategy. The local chicken market is estimated to have grown by 10% in the past twelve months to R17.7 billion. Total chicken imports (excluding turkey and mechanically deboned meat) have decreased by approximately 42% to September 2008, largely due to the weakening of the rand and exporters diverting product into other more profitable markets. Chicken imports currently represent 5% of the local market. The poultry industry`s petition to oppose ITAC`s proposed scrapping of the US anti-dumping tariff is ongoing. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS Supply chain Agricultural performance during the winter months improved on last year despite the higher than normal incidence of disease in the industry and the particularly cold winter experienced in some areas. This improvement can be attributed to the continued investment in upgrading facilities and good husbandry and bio-security practices. Rainbow remains focused on producing the right bird at the lowest cost. Feedmilling operating costs have been well managed during the period, however, significant cost increases have been experienced in all commodity inputs. Sourcing reasonably priced raw materials will remain a challenge as it is anticipated that the volatility in the commodity markets will continue for the foreseeable future. The graph below depicts the feed cost increases for the six-month periods ended 30 September since 2003, with significant increases having been experienced in the past two years. SEE PRESS FOR GRAPH In response to the input cost pressure, the agricultural and feed management teams have collaborated in challenging the current feed specification and where possible reformulated diets to derive a lower feed cost at an acceptable performance level. The processing plants remain focused on delivering the required mix whilst ensuring costs are well contained. A number of opportunities have been identified that will further improve efficiencies, yield and product mix. Rainbow`s outbound supply chain has been further streamlined with the completion of the new plant-based cold storage facility at the Hammarsdale plant which Vector operates. In addition to the capacity benefit, process efficiency and integration improvements are anticipated with this change. Vector Primary Transport, which commenced as a new service offering in August 2007, delivered further financial benefits whilst reducing risk to Rainbow. New distribution contracts entered into during the period under review include Wimpy and FishAways. Brands Rainbow`s focus on innovation, differentiation and communication continues to prove successful. The Rainbow range of products can be classified as `core` and `added value`. A significant amount of work has gone into invigorating the core Rainbow products. This will serve to further entrench the existing consumer perceptions of offering better quality and consistency. Added value products, which now include Rainbow Viennas and Polonies, Rainbow Crumbed, Rainbow Grill and Braai as well as Farmer Brown Fully Cooked and Tenderbreasts, have shown tremendous growth and now contribute a meaningful percentage to total retail sales. A number of new launches across all ranges are planned for the second half of the financial year. As anticipated, with the tighter economic conditions placing pressure on consumers` level of disposable income, the volume growth rate of the Rainbow FoodSolutions brand has slowed over this period. In response the FoodSolutions team have continued to focus on innovation and building strong relationships with key customers. Rainbow`s brand strategy has been effective in delivering an acceptable margin during a period of extreme input cost pressure. IT infrastructure Rainbow has made further progress with the implementation of its IT and Enterprise Resource Planning strategy. An increased focus has been placed on supply chain excellence and customer service initiatives. The leveraging of our IT systems remains a key enabler within the business with specific attention on the analysis of customer and product profitability. Culture For the past eighteen months Rainbow`s entire leadership team have participated in a process called the "Good to Great" journey aimed at jointly defining Rainbow`s strategy and aligning the business and its people behind the company vision of "Rainbow chicken at the heart of every meal". The journey has galvanised and empowered the leadership team, provided strategic clarity and given significant impetus to the strategic effort in the business. FINANCIAL REVIEW Revenue - Rm 2008 2007 % Chicken 2 561.1 2 217.3 15.5 Other 765.6 654.1 17.0 Reported revenue 3 326.7 2 871.4 15.9 Chicken revenue for the six months was 15.5% higher than the same period of the previous year. Rainbow`s average price realisation increased by 15.4% and despite four less trading days (3.1% impact) volumes were marginally higher. Group revenue increased by 15.9% to R3.3 billion (2007: R2.9 billion). The table below depicts headline EBIT after applying the impact of IAS 39 (Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement). As previously reported, reporting the financial effects of certain financial instruments used in the feed raw material procurement strategy introduces volatility to the Group`s financial results. For this reporting period, the pre-taxation impact of applying IAS 39 on the Group`s results is a negative impact of R52.9 million (2007: R31.5 million negative). The decline in headline EBIT margin is in line with the forecast made at the previous year-end and reflects the 38.0% feed cost increase not being entirely recovered in chicken pricing. 2008 2007 % Headline EBIT (Rm) pre - IAS 39 228.1 344.7 (33.8) post - IAS 39 175.2 313.2 (44.1) Headline EBIT margin (%) pre - IAS 39 6.9 12.0 post - IAS 39 5.3 10.9 The effective taxation rate of 33.0% (2007: 36.0%) is lower as a result of the 1% reduction in the taxation rate and a lower STC charge on the reduced final dividend. Net finance income decreased by R1.1 million due to the lower cash balances during the period. Headline earnings decreased by 39.6% to R125.8 million (2007: R208.3 million) with diluted headline earnings per share reducing by 39.1% to 43.3 cents per share (2007: 71.1 cents per share). Cash generated by operations decreased by 33.0% to R166.6 million (2007: R248.7 million) by virtue of the lower trading results and increased working capital investment. Inventories and receivables have been impacted by the higher feed costs, however, underlying days` cover is marginally improved on the previous year. Capital expenditure was R139.6 million (2007: R116.4 million). A further amount of R72.2 million (2007: R188.0 million) has been contracted and committed, but not spent, whilst a further R137.2 million (2007: R66.1 million) has been approved, but not contracted. The Group continues to follow a policy of upgrading its facilities and funding normal levels of replacement capital expenditure from its own resources. Return on equity on a 12-month rolling basis decreased to 20.7% (2007: 27.8%). BEE TRANSACTION Rainbow`s BEE transaction was concluded on 30 July 2008 with the issue of the 15% shares to the consortium. As noted in the 2008 annual report, for accounting purposes the transaction is treated as an option and therefore does not impact the per share calculations. The only impact on Rainbow`s results will be STC payable on dividends declared in respect of the 15% BEE shares. PROSPECTS Consumer spending is expected to continue to soften over the next six months as a consequence of the higher inflation and interest rate environment. Maize and soya prices and the exchange rate are likely to remain volatile over the next few months. Prices are expected to remain at the current higher levels translating into significantly higher feed input costs than the 2008 financial year. Other inflationary and supply pressures are likely to continue. As in the period to date, sales realisations are unlikely to fully recover all the anticipated production cost increases. As a result earnings for the full year on a pre-and post-IAS39 basis are likely to be lower than 2008. DIRECTORATE Following the implementation of the BEE transaction, with effect from 31 July 2008, Gcina Zondi was appointed as a non-executive director. CASH DIVIDEND DECLARATION Notice is hereby given that on 19 November 2008 the Board declared an interim dividend (number 71) of 24.0 cents per ordinary share in respect of the six months ended 30 September 2008 (2007: 24.0 cents). The salient dates of the declaration and payment of this dividend are as follows: Last date to trade ordinary shares cum dividend Friday, 9 January 2009 Ordinary shares trade ex dividend Monday, 12 January 2009 Record date Friday, 16 January 2009 Payment date Monday, 19 January 2009 Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 12 January 2009 and Friday, 16 January 2009 (both dates inclusive). For and on behalf of the Board MH Visser M Dally Non-executive Chairman Chief Executive Officer Durban 19 November 2008 Directors: MH Visser (Non-executive Chairman), M Dally (CEO)*, RH Field*, M Griessel JB Magwaza, MM Nhlanhla, DW Vale, G Zondi, DG Zwiegelaar *Executive directors Company secretary: JMJ Maher Registered office: Rainbow Chicken Limited One the Boulevard, Westway Office Park, Westville, 3629 Transfer secretaries: Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited 70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg 2001 Auditors: PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc Sponsor: RAND MERCHANT BANK (a division of FirstRand Bank Limited) Bankers: ABSA Bank Limited Website: www.rainbowchicken.co.za Date: 19/11/2008 17:10:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). 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