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SHF - Steinhoff International Holdings Limited - Results of the

Release Date: 05/12/2011 16:37
Code(s): SHF
Wrap Text

SHF - Steinhoff International Holdings Limited - Results of the capitalisation share award, the Annual General Meeting and the chief executive officer`s statement STEINHOFF INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration no. 1998/003951/06) Ordinary share code: "SHF" ISIN: ZAE000016176 ("Steinhoff" or "the Company") RESULTS OF THE CAPITALISATION SHARE AWARD ("CAP AWARD"), THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ("the AGM") AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER`S STATEMENT CAP AWARD AND ELECTION TO RECEIVE A FINAL CASH DISTRIBUTION IN LIEU THEREOF Shareholders are referred to the announcements released on the Securities Exchange News Service ("SENS") on 17 November 2011, and published in the press on 18 November 2011, respectively. The offer to receive the cash distribution in lieu of the cap award made to shareholders recorded in the register on Friday, 2 December 2011, closed at 12:00 on that date. Elections to receive the cash distribution of 65 cents per share were made in respect of 207 118 350 ordinary shares (12.5% of the Steinhoff`s issued shares), totalling an aggregate cash distribution of R134 626 928. Accordingly, 49 554 404 new ordinary shares in the Company (being 87.5% of the maximum number of capitalisation shares that were the subject of the cap award) have been issued. An adjustment to the maximum number of shares listed in respect of the capitalisation award will be made on or about Tuesday, 6 December 2011. Share certificates in respect of the capitalisation shares and cheques in respect of the distribution entitlements are in the process of being dispatched to certificated shareholders. The Central Securities Depository Participant accounts of uncertificated Steinhoff shareholders have been updated or credited, as the case may be, on Monday, 5 December 2011. RESULTS OF AGM Shareholders are advised that all the ordinary and special resolutions proposed in the Notice convening the AGM dated 4 November 2011, were passed by the requisite majorities of shareholders present and represented by proxy and being entitled to vote at the AGM held earlier today (with assenting voting percentages ranging from 75.8% to 100.0%). Shareholders and/or their representatives holding or representing 78.8% of the issued share capital and being eligible to attend and vote, were present or represented at the AGM. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER`S STATEMENT OPERATIONS OVERVIEW Steinhoff had a strong first quarter under review. For the quarter 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2011, unaudited management accounts showed headline earnings at approximately R1 bn (2010: R0.6bn). This result is indicative of the underlying trading trends experienced in the various business units that include the results of Conforama, as well as the JD Group associate income. These results exclude the income of the Automotive and Steinbuild businesses which are now included in the JD Group results. STEINHOFF EUROPE AND STEINHOFF AFRICA Despite the European market being in a state of distress our mass-market discount segment continues to gain market share at the expense of the middle market segments. The Conforama, UK and Pacific Rim operations reported flat revenue for the first quarter of 2012. In an environment where the overall size of the market has shrunk, flat revenue is an indicator of increased market share for Steinhoff Europe. Within the UK, our core furniture brand, Harveys, reported an approximately 20% like-for-like revenue increase, which along with the effect of the UK unprofitable stores closures bodes well for the furniture retail results in the UK for the remainder of the financial year. Steinhoff Europe experienced strong results in the Germanic speaking markets (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) with revenue increasing by approximately 17% for the first quarter of 2012, largely driven by a resilient consumer in the retail environment and a good performance from our manufacturing division, as well as new store openings and market share gains. The Steinhoff African operations also displayed a robust performance by reporting revenue growth of approximately 10% increase in revenue growth for the first quarter of 2012. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT The group remains well capitalised as the result of the following: * Refinancing arrangements concluded in June 2011 * Gearing ratio maintained at 46% * Unutilised facilities and cash balances at R20bn STRATEGIC POSITIONING Steinhoff has an established track record of an active investment company. Since inception, its investment strategy has been focused on investing in complementary assets that could provide benefits to, or derive benefits from, the existing businesses within its portfolio. As announced at Steinhoff`s 2011 financial year results presentation (published on 6 September 2011), the group has firmly established the future strategic positioning of its constituent businesses into three distinct operating units: - Steinhoff Europe, an integrated mass market retailer of furniture and household goods, predominately serving the discount segment. Since Steinhoff`s initial investment in household goods manufacturing, this business unit has emerged as the world`s second biggest integrated retailer of furniture and household goods. A potential future listing of this business remains part of Steinhoff`s strategy. - Steinhoff Africa, a diversified industrial company operating in the logistics, integrated timber and industrial raw materials sectors, including its associate investment in KAP International Holdings Limited ("KAP"). As announced on SENS on 18 October 2011 (the "October Announcement"), Steinhoff will implement a reverse-takeover of KAP through the disposal of Steinhoff Africa`s Industrial Assets to KAP ("the KAP Transaction"). If implemented successfully, the KAP transaction will result in KAP becoming an 88% held subsidiary of Steinhoff; and - The associate company, JD Group Limited ("JD Group"), an emerging market retailer of furniture and household goods, motor vehicles and DIY products, supported by a consumer finance business. Subject to, inter alia, the implementation of the KAP Transaction and, if applicable, the exercise of call options referred to in the October Announcement, Steinhoff`s interest in KAP would reduce to approximately 62% and JD Group will similarly become a subsidiary of Steinhoff. The above investments are supplemented by a global property portfolio comprising commercial, industrial and retail real estate assets. Furthermore, Steinhoff has an in-house international Group Services team providing numerous services to its constituent businesses. CONCLUSION Despite tough European market conditions, we expect the group to deliver interim results in line with internal targets following the completion of the second quarter. I would like to thank our board, management teams and stakeholders across the world for their support during the year, and a special thanks to our shareholders for their support in approving the resolutions proposed at the AGM. The information in this announcement has neither been reviewed nor reported on by the Company`s external auditors. Steinhoff Africa Secretarial Services Company Secretary Sponsor: PSG Capital (Pty) Limited Wynberg, Sandton 5 December 2011 Date: 05/12/2011 16:37:01 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`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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