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CLOVER INDUSTRIES LIMITED - Updated trading statement

Release Date: 07/09/2017 09:00
Code(s): CLR     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Updated trading statement

Clover Industries Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 2003/030429/06)
Share code: CLR ISIN No: ZAE000152377
NSX Ordinary Share code: CLN
(“Clover” or “the Company”)

UPDATED TRADING STATEMENT

Shareholders are referred to the trading statement released on the
Stock Exchange News Service (“SENS”) on 29 May 2017, whereby
shareholders were advised that:

- Headline earnings per share (“HEPS”) is expected to be between
  50.0% and 65.0% lower than that reported for the year ended 30
  June 2016 (“the previous corresponding period”). Accordingly,
  HEPS is expected to be between 66.12 and 94.42 cents compared
  to 188.9 cents reported for the previous corresponding period;
  and

- Earnings per share (“EPS”) is expected to be between 40.0% and
  55.0% lower than that reported in the previous corresponding
  period. Accordingly, EPS is expected to be between 83.58 and
  111.56 cents compared to 185.9 cents reported for the previous
  corresponding period.

In terms of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, if after
publication of a trading statement but before publication of the
relevant periodic financial results, an issuer becomes reasonably
certain that its previously published number, percentage or range
in the trading statement is no longer correct, then the issuer must
publish another trading statement providing the revised number,
percentage or range in accordance with paragraph 3.4(b).

The Company is finalising the approval and release of its financial
results for the year ended 30 June 2017 (“financial results”), and
given the “new normal” constrained economic environment that
impacted heavily on the financial results, shareholders are hereby
advised that:

- HEPS is expected to be between 65.0% and 67.0% (62.4 and 66.1
  cents) lower than the HEPS of 188.9 cents reported for the
  previous corresponding period. and

- EPS is expected to be between 54.0% and 56.0% (81.8 and 85.5
  cents) lower than the EPS of 185.9 cents reported in the
  previous corresponding period.

Clover needed to contend with many complex challenges during the
current period, and the major disruptors have been the prolonged
drought and rand volatility that resulted in above inflation input
costs which could not be recovered through revenue increases as
consumer sentiment remains subdued. Clover’s price increases during
April 2016 and a comparatively wetter and cooler summer negatively
impacted sales volumes overall, except for the new yoghurt and
custard categories.

While Clover’s brands did not trade in line with volume expectations,
the results were further negatively impacted by a decrease in
services rendered income. The liquidation of a recently signed
principal and the constrained economic environment contributed to
the muted principal revenue.

Stagnant and falling selling prices and rising input costs is forcing
Clover to make difficult decisions to sustain short-term operations,
while still aligning these decisions with long-term growth
objectives.

While the after effects of the prolonged drought will be felt for
some time, a gradual recovery in milk and fruit production volumes
is expected. The once off restructuring costs and the impact of the
drought are seen as non-recurring anomalies, and given the recent
improvement in the economy and strengthening of the rand, management
is optimistic for a reduction in input cost inflation.

Despite the challenging economic and operating environment,
management is optimistic about the company’s future and is confident
that the actions taken to date should benefit the business in the
longer term. These actions are already evident by the general
improvement of market shares in the last three months of the
financial year.

The forecast financial information on which this trading statement
is based has not been reviewed and reported on by the Company’s
external auditors.

The Company expects to release its annual financial results for the
year ended 30 June 2017 on SENS on or about 12 September 2017.

Johannesburg
7 September 2017

Sponsor
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)

NSX Sponsor
IJG SECURITIES

Date: 07/09/2017 09:00:00 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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