Mpact expects its underling earnings per share (EPS) for the year ended December 31, to be between 22.1% and 28.1% higher year-on-year at between 203c and 213c.
EPS are expected to be between 180c and 190c – an increase of between 11% and 17.2% compared with the prior year’s EPS of 162.1c.
Headline earnings per share (HEPS) are expected to be between 190c and 200c – an increase of between 15.5% and 21.6% when compared with the HEPS of 164.5c reported for 2017.
Group revenue is expected to increase by about 5% year-on-year, while earnings before interest, taxes and special items (underlying Ebit) are estimated to increase by between 44% and 50% year-on-year.
Special items of R53-million, which are excluded from underlying Ebit relate mainly to an impairment charge and restructuring costs.
The company’s financial performance for the period improved owing to better trading in the paper business, which was partially offset by a decline in the plastics business.
Mpact’s full-year results will be released on or about March 13.