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Fontana Reporting Revenues For Q2 Increased To $1.85B, A 20.2% increase Over The $1.54B For The Previous Year Q2. Anne Chang

Despite the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, our revenues for the quarter increased to $1.85 billion,
representing an increase of 20.2% over the $1.54 billion of the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

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Fontana Limited is pleased to present our unaudited financial statements for the second quarter ended December 31, 2021, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Despite the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, our revenues for the quarter increased to $1.85 billion, representing an increase of 20.2% over the $1.54 billion of the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Our newest store, Waterloo continued to show very positive year over year growth. In a period of major disruptions in Jamaica and across the globe, our focus on early ordering and careful management of shipping logistics enabled Fontana to remain fully stocked before and during the busy holiday season.

As all stores have been open for over 2 years, this 20.2% increase can be considered organic growth, not reflecting any temporary boosts. It also compares favourably to the 9.6% reported by PIOJ for the island-wide ‘Wholesale & Retail, Repairs; Installation of Machinery & Equipment’ sector for October to December 2021 compared to October to December 2020.
(https://www.pioj.gov.jm/product/review-of-economic-performance october-december-2021/).

Our cost of sales grew by 24%, impacted primarily by an unprecedented 500% plus increase in global container freight charges over the past 18 months caused by world-wide supply chain challenges. (https://www.cato.org/blog/why-shipping-prices-have-recently-increased)

Recognizing the challenges faced by consumers in a Covid-19 affected economy, Fontana chose to absorb a percentage of these unexpected and unavoidable cost increases in order to minimize the impact on our customers. As a result, gross profit margin fell from 40.3% last year to 38.7% this year. Gross profits, however, increased by 15% from $622 million to $717 million mainly attributable to volume growth.

Our operating expenses increased by 14% to $392 million, up from $344 million over prior year. Staff costs were the main driver here, as we increased man-hours worked in line with the increased operating hours due to the relaxation of Covid-19 protocols. Despite this, our operating profit increased by 17% to $325 million this quarter.

Finance costs were impacted primarily by the foreign exchange losses recorded in relation to the revaluation of the lease liability (IFRS 16), which resulted in an additional cost of $36.8 million when compared to the same period last year.

Net profit for the quarter was $248.8 million, compared with $248.6 million recorded in the prior year. This represented $0.20 earnings per share for both periods. This flat result was primarily due to unavoidable external factors: large increases in freight charges added to exchange rate losses due to the lease assessment under the IFRS16 accounting principle. The health of core operations is demonstrated through the increase in cash on hand during the quarter (excluding bond issue) by 59%, from $223.5 million to $364 million.

Total assets at the end of the quarter stood at $4.8 billion, up from $3.4 billion in the previous comparative period, reflecting an increase of 41%. Cash on hand (including bond issue) more than doubled from $823 million to $1.72 billion, an increase of 109%, putting us in a solid position to build inventories and finance the upcoming Portmore expansion and warehouse in Kingston. Shareholder’s Equity grew to $1.99 billion, up from $1.69 billion or 18% over the prior year.

Despite the Covid-19 restrictions Fontana continues to focus on community and nationally related sponsorships.
Among our successful partnerships were:
• The National Tourism Debate Competition
• Yaad Hunt Competition
• “The Psychology Of…” TV Show
• Zoo Lights Sponsorship
• WPYC Health and Wellness Fair
• IrieFM Christmas Treat
• Mello Fm 12 Days of Christmas
• Suncity 12 Days of Christmas

For the 6th straight year, we staged our annual Christmas “Wishing Tree”. Each of our six branches selected a children’s home and customers were given the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for their wards. Over 200 gifts were given in this initiative. We also donated gift certificates to Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club for their Gifts Nursing Fraternity of Cornwall Regional Hospital initiative.

CEO, Anne Chang said ‘we are encouraged by the level of growth in revenues and the expansion of our customer base this quarter. Fontana is increasingly being chosen as the preferred pharmacy and retail provider by Jamaican consumers. We continue to focus on expanding our product offerings and improving our customers’ shopping experience. We are looking forward to bringing Fontana to the Portmore community, providing the same level of retail excellence as our existing locations. We also are pleased to have played a role in helping to protect our fellow Jamaicans from Covid-19 by partnering with the Ministry of Health & Wellness and to make vaccinations available in our stores. We would like to thank our superb team and other stakeholders for their role in bringing another successful quarter to a close’
Anne Chang
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fontana Limited

https://www.jamstockex.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FTNA-2nd-Quarter-Unaudited-Financials-2021-22.pdf

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ANSA McAL Group Announces Formation Of Joint Venture Company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, With Globus Spirits Limited In India.

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A. Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies has announced the formation of the joint venture company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, with Globus Spirits Limited in India.

In a release posted on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ANSA McAL confirmed that with effect from 4th April 2024, ANSA McAL Limited (“ANSA McAL”) entered into a joint venture agreement with Globus Spirits Limited (“GSL”) to establish Globus ANSA Private Limited (“GAPL”).

Each party will hold fifty percent (50%) of the issued and allotted ordinary share capital of GAPL.

“This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘

“Globus ANSA Private Limited will specialise in manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverages across the Indian subcontinent, leveraging the strength of both ANSA McAL and Globus Spirits Limited,” said Mr. Shekhar Swarup, Managing Director for Globus Spirits Limited. “This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘he stated

 

 

 

Globus Spirits Ltd is one of the leading players in the Alcohol industry in North India distributing brands in the Consumer Segment including:
• GR8 Times.
• Rajputana.
• Globus Spirits Dry Gin.
• White. Lace.
• Governors’ Reserve Red.
• Governors’ Reserve Blue.
• Oakton.
• Laffaire. Napoleon.

Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate ANSA McAL Group has over 142 years of rich history representing many world-renowned brands, including some of their own home-grown successes. The partnership marks a significant milestone in ANSA McAL Group’s journey, merging cultures and expertise to revolutionise the beer industry in India, with their icon Carib brand and leading the charge.

Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, highlighted the immense opportunities in India and their commitment to delivering unparalleled value through this partnership.

“We are confident that our collaboration will allow us to seize the growing demand for high quality beverages by captivating palates with our distinctive products” he said

ANSA McAL is now poised to be an equal Shareholder of GAPL, an Indian company which
would produce, market, sell, distribute and retail beer and other beverages.

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Jamaica Broilers Group Reporting Strong Top and Bottom Line Performance for January 2024 Quarter

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Christopher E. Levy Group President & CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited now release the following unaudited financial results for the quarter ended January 27, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The Group produced a net profit attributable to shareholders of $1.3 billion, for the quarter ended January 27, 2024. The operations of the Group continue to be strong, and our gross margins are consistent with expectations.

Quarterly Group revenues amounted to $23.6 billion, a 4% increase above the $22.7 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter.

Our gross profit for the quarter was $5.9 billion, a 7% increase above the $5.5 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter in the prior year.

Jamaica Operations reported a segment result of $5.9 billion which was $448 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. Total revenue for our Jamaica Operations showed an increase of 2% over the prior year nine-month period. This increase was primarily driven by the growth in the sale and export of poultry and implementation of cost containment efforts.

Our US Operations reported a segment result of $3 billion which was $226 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. This increase was driven by increased volumes of poultry meat and eggs, as well as the implementation of cost management initiatives.
Total revenue for the US Operations increased by 3% over the prior year nine-month period.

We have begun to realise additional volumes through the US operations, which has resulted in increased financing requirements primarily around working capital.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Main Event Reporting Net Profit Of JA$100M For Quarter Ended January 2024

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Solomon Sharpe Chief Executive Officer of Main Event Entertainment Group Limited has released the following unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 (Q1).

The company continues to have solid results in an increasingly competitive and largely difficult environment. The company’s performance was anchored by diversifying our client base through strategic targeting and efficient management of our operations.

The company reported net profit of $100.254M for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, representing a decline of 15% or $17.695M relative to the corresponding period of 2023. Consequently, earnings per share decreased by 15% to $0.33 per share.

Total revenues for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 declined by $59.235M to $567.752M, reflecting a decrease of 9% over the corresponding period. This was mainly due to a one-off event for one of our major clients which is not likely to reoccur in subsequent periods.

The company was strategic in its efforts to protect the margins and the gross profit for the quarter was $315.822M compared to the $312.611M earned in 2023. This demonstrates the company’s ability to be alert and responsive to market conditions. Gross margins improved to 56%, up from 50% in the corresponding period.

The company continues to generate revenues from activities requiring reduced external support.

For more information CLICK HERE

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The LAB Reporting Higher Net Profits Based On Strong Focus On Agency Segment

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Kimala Bennett Chief Executive Officer for Limners and Bards Limited (The LAB) has released the following unaudited financial statements for the three months ended January 31, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The consolidated results include the subsidiary Scope Caribbean Limited (Scope) whose principal business is the scouting, placement and management of talent while expanding and maintaining a database of quality talent.

The LAB achieved higher net profits when compared to the corresponding period last year. This was based on the strong focus on the Agency Segment of the business for this quarter, as the company continued to build brands. The Agency Segment provides the highest profit margin and as such bolstered the results for the period. The company also implemented cost containment measures, which resulted in a 19.2% reduction in administrative expenses when compared to prior period. We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and our cash position grew stronger over the period. Our asset base increased, as we reinvested in the business through further upgrading film studio facilities.

Revenue for the three months ended January 31, 2023, was $219.4 million, down 11.4% relative to the prior period. This decline was primarily attributable to a reduction in production during the period due to its cyclical nature. Notwithstanding this, the Agency segment outperformed the comparable period. The revenue achieved was derived from the company’s core business lines: Media totalling $118.3 million, followed by Production with $29.3 million and Agency with $71.6 million.

The company remains fully focused on executing its strategy of diversifying its income, through engaging new clients and the introduction of new service lines. These strategic endeavours are aligned with our company’s expansion strategy into emerging markets, all aimed at fostering sustainable growth, increased revenues, enhanced profitability; while proactively anticipating the evolving needs of our valued clients and enhancing shareholders’ value.

Gross Profit for the three months was $88.9 million, down 3.3% when compared to the corresponding period. Net Profit achieved was $26.2 million, up 295.7% relative to the comparable period. due to higher gross profits from the agency segment and lower administrative expenses. Administrative expenses decreased by $16.3 million or 19.2% in comparison to the corresponding period last year. These decreases are primarily due to reduction in contractor and staff cost.

The consolidated Balance Sheet saw total assets increasing by $119 million or 15.1% to $909.3 million compared to $790.2 million in the corresponding period. This increase in assets is driven by building and film studio facilities improvement and purchases of new production equipment to facilitate future growth.

Current Assets amounted to $731.7 million, increasing by $107.6 million over the prior year, primarily due to a 43.6% increase in cash and cash equivalent. Management continues to maintain tight monitoring and control over receivables. Cash and cash equivalent increased by $142.4 million over the corresponding period last year. Shareholders’ equity grew to $624 million, up from $548.1 million or 13.9% over the corresponding period last year.

The LAB is pleased to report significant progress in our strategic initiatives. We have successfully completed the pilots for two TV/web series, “SEEN” and “Jenna In Law,” as outlined at our last Annual General Meeting (AGM). Additionally, Pre-production for our first feature film, “Love Offside,” is currently underway, with production scheduled to commence in June 2024.

In line with our strategic objectives, we are actively engaging with international networks and digital streaming platforms to secure distribution opportunities for our content upon production completion. This proactive approach ensures that our creative endeavours have a suitable platform to reach global audiences.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Maximum Participating Voting Share Capital Of Companies Listed On The Junior Stock Exchange Moving From JA$500 Million To JA$750 Million

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“Utilizing equity capital is an effective avenue to stimulate innovation and reduce operating costs thereby allowing companies to drive growth, improve productivity and increase their chances of sustainability. We commend the Government for this decision and encourage small and medium sized companies to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has announced that they have increased the participating share capital limit from $500 million to $750 million for companies on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

“This is very exciting news for the Exchange,” commented Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. “This is an exceptionally good move by the Government as this will allow small and medium sized companies to come to market to raise additional capital for business expansion and assist new companies to raise capital and to consider this capital raising option as viable. She stated that “Utilizing equity capital is an effective avenue to stimulate innovation and reduce operating costs thereby allowing companies to drive growth, improve productivity and increase their chances of sustainability. We commend the Government for this decision and encourage small and medium sized companies to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Junior Market was established in 2009 to allow small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to raise a maximum of $500 million dollars during an initial public offering (IPO). The Government’s new initiative towards companies listed on the Junior Market now allows them to raise up to $750 million dollars, an increase of $250 million dollars.

Source Jamaica Stock Exchange

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