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GROUP FIVE LIMITED - INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Release Date: 12/02/2003 08:29
Code(s): GRF
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GROUP FIVE LIMITED - INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 Group Five Limited Reg. No. 1969/000032/06 Share Code: GRF ISIN: ZAE 000027405 Registered Office 371 Rivonia Boulevard, Rivonia, 2128 Tel: (011) 806 0111 Fax: (011) 803 1324 E-mail: info@g5.co.za Website: www.g5.co.za Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2002 Salient Features Change 2002 2001
Revenue - R000`s +8,3% 2 115 6331 953 848 Earnings per share - cents +34,9% 56,0 41,5 Headline earnings per share - cents +50,4% 38,5 25,6 Dividend per share - cents +27,3% 14,0 11,0 GROUP INCOME STATEMENT (R`000) UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Year ended ended 31 Dec 30 June
2002 2001 2002 Revenue 2 115 633 1 953 848 4 020 756 Operating profit 63 749 49 727 124 573 Finance costs (13 926)(9 003) (26 397) Profit before taxation 49 823 40 724 98 176 Taxation (9 965) (10 352) (19 821) Profit after taxation 39 858 30 372 78 355 Minority interest (1 185) (1 695) (1 346) Attributable profit for the period 38 673 28 677 77 009 Deduct after tax effect of: Fair value increase in investment property (7 684) (8 683) (13 936) Profit on disposal of fixed assets (4 376) (2 271) (5 876) Headline earnings 26 613 17 723 57 197 Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting): Depreciation and amortisation 39 525 35 991 81 072 Foreign exchange losses/(gains) 2 621 (43 227) (64 201) ABRIDGED GROUP BALANCE SHEET (R`000) ASSETS Non-current assets Fixed assets 467 087 420 792 449 477 Investments in associates 16 463 20 917 16 652 Other investments 83 242 83 645 78 793 566 792 525 354 544 922 Current assets Bank balances and cash 337 629 332 328 299 873 Other current assets 1 185 495 967 619 1 428 161 1 523 124 1 299 947 1 728 034 Total assets 2 089 916 1 825 301 2 272 956 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Capital and reserves Ordinary shareholders` interest 406 662 372 364 381 813 Minority interest 8 182 5 068 5 949 414 844 377 432 387 762 Non-current liabilities Interest bearing borrowings 49 609 33 824 50 803 Provision for post-employment obligations 53 207 42 000 55 296 Deferred taxation - 4 076 - 102 816 79 900 106 099
Current liabilities Accounts payable 1 441 289 1 118 612 1 548 590 Taxation 20 691 38 111 19 078 Project finance - 29 585 104 321 Bank overdrafts 110 276 181 661 107 106 1 572 256 1 367 969 1 779 095 Total equity and liabilities 2 089 916 1 825 301 2 272 956 SUMMARISED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (R`000) Cash flow from operating activities Cash from operations 103 274 75 267 179 738 Working capital changes 135 365 141 (47 462) Cash generated from operations 238 639 75 408 132 276 Finance costs (13 926) (9 003) (26 397) Taxation and dividends paid (22 176) (27 669) (61 953) Net cash from operating activities 202 537 38 736 43 926 Fixed assets (net) (excluding non-cash items) (57 135) (60 816) (123 202) Investments (net) (4 262) (12 613) (9 540) Financing activities (106 554) 32 514 124 229 Net increase/(decrease) in cash equivalents 34 586 (2 179) 35 413 STATISTICS UNAUDITED AUDITED
Six months Year ended ended 31 Dec 30 June 2002 2001 2002 Number of ordinary shares 69 119 591 69 119 591 69 119 591 Shares in issue 73 573 023 73 573 023 73 573 023 Less: Treasury shares 4 453 432 4 453 432 4 453 432 Headline earnings per share - cents 38,5 25,6 82,8 Earnings per share - cents (basic and fully diluted) 56,0 41,5 111,4 Dividend cover 4,0 3,8 3,6 Dividend per share - cents 14,0 11,0 31,0 Interim 14,0 11,0 11,0 Final - - 20,0 Net asset value per share - cents 588,35 38,7 552,4 Current ratio 0,97 0,95 0,96 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (R`000) Balance at beginning of period 381 813 354 055 322 775 Attributable profit for the period 38 673 28 677 77 009 Dividends paid (13 824) (10 368) (17 971) Closing balance at end of period 406 662 372 364 381 813 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (R`million) Revenue Construction 1 672 1 546 3 180 Manufacturing 319 291 612 Operations and Maintenance 106 86 197 Infrastructural Development Services 19 31 32 Total revenue 2 116 1 954 4 021 Operating profit Construction 40 67 137 Manufacturing 13 (31) (52) Operations and Maintenance 4 6 25 Infrastructural Development Services 7 8 15 Total operating profit 64 50 125 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (R`000) Capital and investment expenditure for the period 85 611 84 383 172 046 Capital expenditure committed/authorized 62 436 49 178 77 303 CONTINGENCIES There are no legal or arbitration proceedings including any that are pending or that the Group is aware of or any obligations relating thereto, that have had or that may have, in the opinion of the directors, a material effect on the Group`s financial position and accordingly no contingencies or provisions have been raised therefor. Total guarantees given to third parties on behalf of subsidiary companies amounted to R1,1 billion as at 31 December 2002 as compared to R1,2 billion at 30 June 2002. The directors do not believe any exposure to loss is likely. ACCOUNTING POLICIES These consolidated condensed interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with AC127 and Schedule 4 of the South African Companies Act. The accounting policies used in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those used in the annual financial statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2002. The unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2001 have been adjusted for the change in accounting policy regarding the recognition of dividends paid. In terms of this accounting policy dividends paid are only accrued when approved by the Board of Directors. From a dividend per share point of view disclosure has been provided based on the period to which the dividends relate. The calculation of all headline earnings presented is based on the Interpretation of Statement of Investment Practice No. 1 issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in December 2002. COMMENTS Financial Overview Revenue increased by 8% to R2,1 billion (2001: R1,9 billion), earnings per share by 35% to 56 cents (2001: 41,5 cents) and headline earnings by 50% to 38,5 cents (2001: 25,6 cents). The 28% increase in operating profit to R63,7 million (2001: R49,7 million) was due to a significant improvement in the Manufacturing results. Finance costs increased due to higher levels of borrowings and interest rates relative to the comparative prior period. An interim dividend of 14 cents per share was declared, up 3 cents from the previous interim dividend of 11 cents per share. OPERATIONAL REVIEW Construction Although Construction revenue increased by 8% to R1,7 billion (2001: R1,5 billion), operating profit decreased from R67 million to R40 million primarily due to a poor performance by Roads. The strengthening of the SA Rand resulted in foreign exchange losses of R2,6 million compared to gains of R43 million in the comparative prior period. The consolidation of the Roads operations into a single business unit on a single site was completed during the current period. The costs of the consolidation, together with the run-out costs on problematic contracts completed during the period, resulted in a larger than expected loss. The appointment of a new managing director from within the Group during December, coupled with most of the problematic contracts being completed, should lead to an improvement in Roads` performance in the next six months. Both Civils and Engineering maintained the levels of profitability achieved in the comparative prior period due to continued levels of operational efficiencies in Civils and an increase in turnover in the case of Engineering. Buildings performed well but did not match the results of the previous period due to exchange losses and delays in contract awards in Angola. However, over-border activities continue to increase which should be positive in the medium term. Manufacturing Manufacturing revenue increased by 10% to R319 million (2001: R291 million) and operating results improved significantly from a loss of R31 million to a profit of R13 million. In Everite Building Products, the benefits of the appointment of a new managing director and senior staff during 2002 are evident in the significant reduction in operating losses achieved during the period. Production has increased, wastage decreased, and costs have been reduced despite incurring retrenchment costs of R6 million during the period. All Manufacturing operations are now asbestos free and new products are being developed for both the local and offshore markets. Vaal Sanitaryware has continued to improve its operational efficiencies. This, together with enhanced levels of service to customers, has resulted in a further improvement in operating profit relative to the comparative prior period. The benefits of the introduction of new technologies covering high pressure casting and drying currently being installed will further enhance future performance. DPI Plastics performed well during the period, increasing both sales and operating profit, and the investment in the Gemini Biax project should produce benefits in the second quarter of 2003. Operations and Maintenance Intertoll`s revenue for the period was below expectation due to delays in equipment supply on new projects. This resulted in a decrease in operating profit relative to the comparative prior period. Infrastructural Development Services Infrastructural Development Services achieved profitability in line with expectations and is now well positioned with several high-quality clients. PROSPECTS The future for Manufacturing is positive given the efficiencies now being achieved in the manufacturing processes and the relatively stable market conditions. Infrastructural spend coupled with expenditure by the resource and industrial sectors presents strong growth prospects for the construction sector. With an order book in excess of R3 billion the outlook for Construction is also positive. In the short term, delays in contract awards, particularly in Angola, and uncertainties surrounding the future strength of the SA Rand, remain a cause for concern. However, the Board is confident that the Group`s earnings over the next six months will exceed those of the comparable period in the prior year. On behalf of the board GM Thomas MH Lomas 11 February 2003 Dividend Declaration The directors have declared an interim dividend of 14 cents per ordinary share (2001: 11 cents) payable to shareholders. In order to comply with the requirements of STRATE the relevant details are: Event Date Last day to trade (Cum-dividend) 4 April 2003 Shares to commence trading ex-dividend 7 April 2003 Record date (date shareholders recorded in books)11 April 2003 Payment date 14 April 2003 No share certificates may be dematerialised or rematerialised between 7 April 2003 and 11 April 2003, both dates inclusive. Date: 12/02/2003 08:29:00 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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