PPC expects earnings to rise as Africa business grows

7th November 2017

By: Megan van Wyngaardt

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

JSE-listed construction materials company PPC, which is currently the takeover target of LafargeHolcim and AfriSam, on Tuesday reported that it expects an uptick in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of between 3% and 6% for the half-year ending September 30.

Ebitda had, however, been negatively impacted on by costs related to corporate action, legal costs and exchange rate fluctuations. Excluding these impacts, Ebitda would have risen by a further 5% to 10%.

Meanwhile, net profit attributable to PPC shareholders is expected to increase by between 180% and 200%.

PPC further reported that its group net debt levels have remained in line with that reported in September, while the group remained adequately capitalised to meet its debt repayment obligations.

Debt restructuring negotiations with its funders, relating to South African debt and the Democratic Republic of Congo funding agreements are progressing well. The group’s ability to generate strong cash flows has also improved, evidenced by cash and cash equivalents rising by between 50% and 60% on the prior comparable period.

Basic earnings a share are expected to rise by between 45% and 60%, or between 19c and 21c, while headline earnings a share are expected to rise by between 30% and 40%, or 18c to 20c higher for the six months under review.

The company attributed the expected growth to the rest of Africa cement business segment boosting Ebitda growth, owing to robust growth in Rwanda and Zimbabwe, paired with a significant reduction in finance costs mainly due to recapitalisation and one-off liquidity and guarantee facility agreement fees incurred in the previous reporting period.

PPC will release its interim results on November 23.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION