Consumer group Fraser and Neave (F&N) lifted its numbers for the year, due to higher contributions from its beverages and dairies segments.
Earnings soared 23.5 per cent to $152.6 million for the 12 months to Sept 30, while revenue rose 3.7 per cent to $1.9 billion over last year.
Earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) for the beverages unit shot up from $400,000 last year to $6.7 million on the back of higher sales, cheaper sugar, and lower manufacturing overheads and marketing spend.
Ebit for the dairies segment rose 19.3 per cent to $275.5 million, due to higher profit contribution of about $118 million from Dairies Thailand and a greater earnings share of about $111 million from its Vietnam joint stock firm, Vinamilk.
The higher overall revenue figure was driven by increased contributions from beverages and dairies.
Beverages recorded turnover of $470.7 million, 6.5 per cent higher than last year, due to successful festive campaigns and the continued roll-out of new, healthier products in the core markets of Malaysia and Singapore.
Dairies revenue rose 3.6 per cent to $1.2 billion, due in large part to Dairies Thailand's marketing and branding campaigns backed by capacity expansion.
Only the printing and publishing arm saw a slight revenue decline - down 0.6 per cent to $277.4 million - after the maiden contribution from Print Lab, an acquisition this year, while improved distribution sales offset declines in other units.
-
AT A GLANCE
-
REVENUE: $1.9 billion (+3.7%)
NET PROFIT: $152.6 million (+23.5%)
DIVIDEND (PER SHARE): 4 cents
Earnings per share rose to 10.6 cents from 8.5 cents a year ago.
A final dividend of four cents a share has been proposed, to go with the interim dividend of 1.5 cents a share paid in June. The total payout of 5.5 cents is one cent over the previous year's sum.
F&N shares closed up 0.6 per cent at $1.70 yesterday.