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EOH HOLDINGS LIMITED - Trading statement for the year ended 31 July 2021

Release Date: 05/10/2021 16:30
Code(s): EOH     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Trading statement for the year ended 31 July 2021

EOH HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1998/014669/06)
JSE share code: EOH ISIN: ZAE000071072
(“EOH” or “the Group”)


TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021


Salient features

      -    EOH generated an operating profit between R125 million to R175 million from continuing and
           discontinued operations for the year ended 31 July 2021 (“FY2021”) following a R1.3 billion
           operating loss for the year ended 31 July 2020 (“FY2020”).

      -    An improvement of between 93% and 99% to the previously reported total headline loss per share
           (“HLPS”) (FY2020: 495 cents).

      -    Significant improvement in adjusted EBITDA of over R500 million compared to previously
           reported (FY2020: R72 million) and an improvement in the adjusted EBITDA margin to between
           7.6% and 9.3% compared to 0.6% in FY2020.

      -    Net cash balance at 31 July 2021 of R537 million. The Group had gross leverage of c. R2 billion
           with unutilised short-term facilities of R400 million.

Trading statement

Shareholders are advised that, EOH anticipates an improvement of between 79% and 86% to the total loss
per share (“LPS”) and an improvement of between 93% and 99% to HLPS for the Group for FY2021
compared to FY2020. In addition, EOH wishes to provide shareholders with guidance with regards to
adjusted EBITDA in FY2021 compared to FY2020 as detailed in the table below:

Total operations                             FY2021                                               FY2020
                                             Anticipated                                        Reported
LPS                                          Between 133 cents to 199                961 cents per share
                                             cents per share
HLPS                                         Between 7 cents to 37 cents             495 cents per share
                                             per share
Adjusted EBITDA*                             Between R600 million to                         R72 million
                                             R734 million
*
 Adjusted EBITDA is defined as profit/(loss) before depreciation, amortisation, share-based payment expense, 
 gain/loss on disposal of subsidiaries and equity-accounted investments, impairments of nonfinancial assets, 
 share of profit/loss of equity-accounted investments, remeasurement gain/losses on vendors for acquisition 
 liability, interest income, interest expense and current and deferred tax. 

Operational overview

The 2021 financial year was characterised by the ongoing impact of COVID-19, load shedding and the
devastating rioting and looting that occurred in July. Despite this challenging backdrop, EOH was able to
achieve an operating profit between R125 million to R175 million for FY2021 compared to a c.R1.3 billion
operating loss in FY2020. The Group further delivered on its strategic objectives through progress made in
its disposal strategy as well as driving continued cost optimisation across the organisation

The EOH business is now stable, following the reorganisation of the Group’s operating structure and
rationalisation of its operating areas, and the impact is reflected in the Group’s significantly reduced
normalisation adjustments, resulting in a negligible difference between adjusted EBITDA and normalised
EBITDA – as a result, going forward, EOH will guide the market on adjusted EBITDA as a performance
measure. The realisation of the Group’s turnaround strategy can be seen in the meaningful improvement in
the adjusted EBITDA margin from 0.6% in FY2020 to between 7.6% and 9.3% in FY2021. The
improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin is tracking strongly with management’s long-term goal of 10%.

Cash management and deleveraging remain a strategic priority for the Group and the management team as
evidenced by the proactive and positive engagement with lenders.

Over the past two years, EOH has actively focused on its turnaround strategy, which was focused on
credibility, liquidity and transparency. The management team has closed out inherited legacy issues, refined
and revised the corporate structure and positioned the business for growth. EOH’s growth profile is
underpinned by the ability to continually meet the evolving technology needs of 5 000 + clients across its
growing international footprint.

EOH will further update shareholders on the progress made to date with its reorganisation and optimisation
plans, post the release of the full year results.

Deleverage plan and liquidity

The Group continues to closely manage its working capital and liquidity and reported a net cash balance of
R537 million as at 31 July 2021. Cash generation from business as usual (before finance costs and once off
legacy costs) for the full year remains positive with a significant reduction in one-off legacy costs in H2
FY2021 compared to the first six months of FY2021.

Following the disposal of Syntell in November 2020 for a consideration of R211 million, EOH concluded
the disposal of Sybrin in June 2021 for a base cash consideration of R334 million. The deal is currently
awaiting competition approvals in various African countries and is expected to be concluded by December
2021.

The delay in the disposal of Sybrin, due to COVID-19, has resulted in the Group’s current gross debt
balance remaining at c. R2 billion, which is similar to that reported at H1 FY2021. The Group’s interest
burden has adversely impacted the Group’s cash resources, however, the proceeds from the Sybrin disposal
will be used to immediately reduce leverage, cut interest costs and contribute to the strengthening of the
capital structure.

The EOH Board and management team are actively engaged with stakeholders to reduce the Group’s legacy
debt quantum and optimise the capital structure. This will allow EOH to execute on its growth strategy and
unlock it’s long term intrinsic value for shareholders.

Annual results

EOH will publish its results for FY2021 on or about 28 October 2021.

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

5 October 2021


Sponsor
Java Capital

Date: 05-10-2021 04:30:00
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