capital market
PAT: Presco reports 53% growth to N5.889bn in Q1
Presco PLC’s interim first quarter 2022 results released to the investing public on NGX, show that Q1 2022 profit after tax for the period ended March 31, 2022, grew by 53 per cent to N5.889 billion from N3.844 billion reported in Q1 2021 on top-line growth of 147 per cent compared to Q1 2021. Overall, earnings per share grew by 51 per cent to 582 kobo per share from 384 kobo reported in Q1 2021.
A cursory view of the company’s annual reports shows that the Oil palm producer Q1 2022 revenue growth deviated from its 4-year average growth of 38 per cent per year as revenue grew by 147 per cent to N19.613 billion from N7.927 billion reported in Q1 2022. Though the company’s revenue was higher in 2021 compared to 2020, the cost of generating the revenue was higher in 2021 than in 2020, as the cost of sales grew by 100.86 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020FY. It further grew by 281 per cent in Q1 2022 compared to Q1 2021.
The growth in revenue (including prior periods) is on a significant rise in the company’s main business segment; sale of crude oil palm and refined products. For instance, the rise in revenue in 2021 compared to 2020 was due to the significant rise in the sale of crude and refined products buoyed by the government border closure law during the period, as consumers have to heavily rely on locally produced oil palm products since imports of food and other commodities was hampered due to the closure. But the high cost of sales, overheads, finance costs, etc., have always dampened the margins. For example, cost of sales, admin expense, and finance costs grew by 281 per cent, 151 per cent and 400 per cent respectively compared to Q1 2021, sponsored by rising raw materials consumed, higher plant maintenance costs and high staff overhead.
The growth is however not surprising as the company has over the years embarked on massive expansion. In 2019, the company completed the construction of a new 350 tons per day palm kernel crushing plant and 30 tons palm kernel shell boiler. The expansion of its palm oil mill from 60 tons of fresh fruit bunches per hour to 90 tons per hour and 800 tons per day of vegetable oil refining was completed in 2020. In 2021, the company secured a N23 billion loan from three banks; GTCO, Zenith, and Stanbic IBTC to purchase SIAT shares in SNL.
No doubt, the company has been recording strong growth in revenue, margins, and earnings over the years, especially in recent years, but what is paramount now is how to manage its debt profile, as well as market risks in the midst of spiraling inflation, the recent hike in benchmark interest rate by CBN and negative impact of Federal government policy change.
The company’s massive expansion equally expanded the balance sheet size as the total assets of the company stood at N137.364 billion as of March 31, 2022, from N59.261 billion in 2018. The company’s borrowings have risen to N51.138 billion as of March 31, 2022, from N11.799 in 2018; with 45 per cent of the loans as a bridge to bond facility, which are likely to be impacted by market changes. Already the net debt to equity ratio is surging from 54 per centin 2020 to 115 per cent in 2021.
Also, foreign exchange risk is likely to impact the company’s earnings as the 2021 average rate of N456.59 to the dollar is expected to increase this year.
It appears Presco’s next step is to address its rising debt portfolio which could mean a possible rights issue or injection of capital from its majority shareholders. This will have a significant impact on its share price down the line.
The Naira appreciated against the dollar at the foreign exchange market on Friday to end the week on a positive note after nine days of depreciation.
FMDQ data showed that the Naira gained at N1505.30 against the dollar on Friday from N1510.10 traded on Thursday.
This represents an N4.8 gain against the dollar compared to the N1510.10 traded the previous day.
Similarly, the Naira saw a gain and traded N1515 against the dollar at the foreign exchange market on Friday.
This is the first time the Naira has appreciated since June 18, 2024, when it traded at N1482.72 per dollar at the official forex market.
The development comes as Nigeria’s external reserves rose to a record high of $34.07 billion on June 26, 2024.
By Esther Agbo
Consolidated Hallmark Holdings (CHH) Plc held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history.
CHH Chairman, Shuaibu Idris, In his address, highlighted the company’s impressive financial performance in the face of economic challenges.
He reported a 32 percent increase in insurance revenue, which rose from N11.9 billion in 2022 to N15.7 billion in 2023.
Total assets also saw substantial growth, jumping 44 percent from N18.2 billion in 2022 to N26.2 billion in 2023. Profit Before Tax (PBT) surged to N4.6 billion from N983 million, and total profit attributable to shareholders increased to N3.8 billion from N547 million in 2022.
Moreover, he stated the board’s commitment to shareholder returns was underscored by the announcement of a dividend of N0.05 per ordinary share, totaling N542 million.
Idris assured that qualifying shareholders who have updated their records with the Registrars would see their accounts credited by the end of the AGM.
Despite being a non-operating holding company, CHH is dedicated to maintaining control over its subsidiaries, making strategic investments, and protecting the Group’s assets.
He expressed optimism about the future, emphasising the role of technology in consolidating CHH’s position in the financial services sector.
“We remain optimistic of a more friendly operating environment in the years ahead, which we hope to take full advantage of and increase the market share of our member companies in all sectors where we are operational.
“The use of technology remains pivotal in our quest to continually consolidate our operations as one of the top players in the financial services sector and beyond,” he noted.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, CHH, Eddie Efekoha highlighted the company’s long-term growth, noting a 465 per cent increase in total assets of N4.6 billion since 2007. Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 589 per cent, reaching N3.7 billion in 2023, driven by improved premium rates and compliance efforts in motor insurance.
Efekoha, reflecting the Group’s commitment to prompt settlements, reported that the Group paid out N5 billion in claims in 2023, up from N4.4 billion in 2022. He also noted that this represents a 2,485 per cent increase compared to the N197.2 million paid in claims in 2007.
He said, “As a Group, we remain committed to prompt claims settlement whether in Health Insurance, Micro life Assurance or in our General Business and Special Risks Insurance. Our quest to significantly grow our market would continually receive a boost with the faith of our customers in our ability and preparedness to meet their needs when claims arise.”
He further explained that raising the premium rate for Motor Insurance and rigorous compliance measures led to higher income in this business sector.
He added that increasing the third-party motor insurance rate for private cars from N5,000 to N15,000 was necessary due to inflation and the industry’s long-standing failure to adjust rates in line with economic conditions.
The AGM featured praise from shareholders, including Chairman Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, ISAN, Sir Sunny Nwosu, who commended the seamless transition to a holding company and urged continued growth. Another shareholder, Nona Awo, echoed these sentiments, encouraging the board to build on its achievements.
Investors in the Nigerian equities market lost N250 billion at the close of trading on Tuesday.
This followed the dip in the share value of Oando, UPL, Academy, and others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalisation crashed to N56.1 trillion from N56.3 trillion posted by the bourse on Monday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) decreased to 99,217.60 from 99,651.67 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was negative as 26 stocks advanced, 23 declined, while 72 others remained unchanged in 8,511 deals.
Okomuoil, John Holt, and Conhall PLC led other gainers with 10 percent, 9.79 percent and 9.43 percent growth in share price to close at N291.50, N3.14, and N1.74 from the previous N265.00, N2.86, and N1.59 per share.
On the flip side, Oando, UPL, and Academy led other price decliners as they shed 9.75 percent, 9.09 percent, and 8.00 percent each to close at N12.50, N2.50, and N1.84 from the initial N13.85, N2.75, and N2.00 per share.
On the volume index, Transcorp led trading with 47.509 million shares valued at N581 million in 306 deals followed by GTCO which traded 37.853 million shares valued at N1.64 billion in 258 deals.
Veritaskap traded 34.950 million shares valued at N31 million in 173 deals.
On the value index, GTCO recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N1.64 billion in 258 deals followed by MTNN which traded equities worth N598 million in 427 deals.
Tinubu appoints eight new Permanent Secretaries
Naira records first appreciation against dollar in nine days
