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Future Energy Source Records Best Quarterly Performance To Date.

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Jeremy Barnes Managing Director For Future Energy Source Company Limited Has Released The Following Report For The Third (3rd) Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 For The Financial Year April 1, 2023 To March 31, 2024

Overview
We are pleased to report that the Company has achieved its best quarterly performance to date. The Company’s performance reflects an increase in gross profit, operating profit (EBIT) and EBITDA whilst acquiring and integrating an additional LPG filling plant (FESGAS Naggo Head), improving its brand awareness, and increasing its advertising, depreciation and interest expenditures.

The Company achieved:
1. Gross profit: J$423.21 million up J$182.82 million or 76.0% vs Q3 December 2022
2. EBIT: J$190.66 million up J$35.07 million or 22.5% vs Q3 December 2022
3. EBITDA: J$248.15 million up J$85.56 million or 52.6% vs Q3 December 2022
4. Net profit: J$149.25 million down J$4.07 million or 2.7% vs Q3 December 2022
5. YTD (9 month’s) Net Profit: J$465.95 million up J$31.56 million or 7.3%
6. Book value of equity: J$1.768 billion, which is up 35.8% since the last financial year ended March 31,2023 and up 51.8% or J$602.92 million when compared to Q3 December 30, 2022.

Further, the Company was able to:
1. Add its 21st FESCO branded retail service station to its network, FESCO Port Maria, in mid-December;
2. Acquire, integrate and operate its 2nd LPG filling plant facility, FESGAS Naggo Head;
3. Secure approval for its 2nd company owned and company operated service station, FESCO OVAL on Spanish Town Road;
4. Become the authorised distributor of Castrol motor oils for Jamaica;
5. Continue its service station network expansion efforts and work-in-progress Capex/investments.

Financial Highlights:

For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, FESCO recorded Turnover/Revenues of J$7,589.02 million which reflects a 13.0% or J$875.65 million year over year increase. Several factors affect revenue/turnover with the supply price of fuel being a major component.

On average, this quarter’s refinery prices have remained relatively flat for gasoline and have decreased significantly for diesel. Gasoline prices increased by between 0.75% and 1.9% or J$1.35- J$3.47 per litre and decreased by J$33.38 – J$34.04 for diesel relative to the similar period last year Q3 ending December 31, 2022.
Accordingly, FESCO’s growth in Turnover for the quarter (Q3) ended December 2023, relative to Q3 December 2022, reflects significant growth in litres of fuel sold.

FESCO recorded gross profit of J$423.21 million for the quarter which reflects growth of 76.0% or J$182.82 million year over year. The Company’s YTD Q3 2023/2024 gross profit of J$1,141.72 surpasses the gross profits earned for the entire year ended March 2023 by 28.6% or J$253.91 million and exceeds its YTD Q3 2022/2023 gross profits by J$495.08 million. The improvement in gross profit reflects both increasing throughput
(measured in litres of fuel sold) and diversification of product offerings (fuel types including LPG) and services (increased retail presence).

Operating Expenses of J$232.56 million, for the period, is up J$147.75 million versus the similar period last year or 174.2%.

This expansion of expenses directly reflects the expanded:
1. Operating locations including the additions of: FESCO Kitson Town, FESGAS Bernard Lodge and FESGAS Naggo Head;

2. Asset base which includes significant LPG and service station assets;

3. Operational scope (which now includes increased retailing and manufacturing);

4. Early stage new business costs including but not limited to:
a. business acquisition;
b. property acquisition and development costs; and
c. business integration costs.

The Company is committed to and has expanded its Marketing and Advertising expenditure to create brand awareness for its “FESGAS” branded LPG products, among other initiatives.

For the quarter, the Company’s advertising expenditure was J$14.06 million which is up 149.4% or J$8.43 million compared to Q3 December 2022. The Company’s Q3 (2023) YTD advertising expenditure of J$42.92 million exceeds last year’s Q3 (2022) YTD expenditure by J$29.62 million.

A look ahead
FESCO continues to monitor the moderating inflationary forces within the economy, the recent interest “freeze” by the central bank, the near full employment in many sectors of the economy, a resilient and expanding tourism product among other factors affecting consumer consumption as well as our allocation of investment capital. The Company must also navigate industry-related margin contractionary forces and consolidation within the industry. The Company remains mindful of opportunities for growth and further investment. Internal or self-funding via profit generation, profit retention, at this time, has proven to be the most efficient and cost-effective source of capital to fund growth.

The Company recently received approval for its proposed service station on Spanish Town Road, FESCO Oval. FESCO Oval will be a company owned and company operated service station (COCO) and will increase our retail presence within the Kingston and St Andrew (KSA) region. The development promises to showcase the creativity, forward thinking, mindfulness, commitment to community and the immense potential of Jamaica and Jamaicans and we believe it exemplifies our tag line and motto, “Proudly Jamaican”. The development will take approximately fifteen (15) months to execute and we anticipate its opening during Q2 2025 (i.e. July 2025 – September 2025).

Finally, the Company will continue to make investments in real assets and equipment to support expanding its service station businesses and network, its industrial client base, and LPG business.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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CAC 2000 Reporting A 41% Improvement In Net Income For Period Ending July 31, 2024.

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Gia Abraham Chief Executive Officer for CAC 2000 has released the following Unaudited Third Quarter results for period ending July 31, 2024

The Results:
Year -to-date we saw an increase of 18% in Sales for the period ending July 31, 2024, over the same period last year ($752,812,566 vs. $637,763,300), along with a 41% or $28,980,191 improvement in our net income. We continue to contain our overall operating expenses by 1.8% or $4,416,661 over the same period last year.

Whilst we are still experiencing longer shipment times due to the movement of manufacturing to China, we have been able to realize a reduction in our inventory days from 398 days to 300 days, in our debtor days from 225 to 206 days, as well as a decrease in our creditor days from 108 days to 77 days over the same period last year.

Retail Update
We continue to utilize our retail store located at 3U Village Plaza to improve the delivery of product offerings and services to our customers, while building the Team in Montego Bay, which is becoming the hub for the projects we are presently executing on that side of the island. As a company we are encouraged by this positive trajectory.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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PBS Expects 2024 Revenue, EBITDA And Profitability To Closely Align With Full Year Budgetary Expectations.

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Pedro M. París C. Director and Group CEO For Productive Business Solutions Limited Has Released The Following Unaudited Interim Report For Q1 2024

Q1 2024 Financial Performance Overview
In the first quarter of 2024, Productive Business Solutions (PBS) reported revenues of US$65.9 million, a decrease of US$21.6 million compared to the same period in 2023.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) for the quarter was US$8.5 million, down from US$10.2 million in the first quarter of the previous year.

Additionally, our Profit After Tax (PAT) for the first quarter was US$0.4 million, as compared to US$1.7 million during the corresponding period in 2023.

Notably, our first quarter results in 2023 were impacted by a large transaction in which PBS provided laptops to the government in El Salvador. The transaction
produced a significant revenue contribution to PBS in that period but carried a lower than-average gross margin. As a result, PBS recorded higher gross profit in in Q1 2024 relative to Q1 2023 despite a reduction in revenue. PBS’ gross margin for the first quarter of 2024 improved to 35.5% from 26.5%, which is more representative of our business without the influence of any large, non-recurring sales.

Historically, the fourth quarter represents the strongest financial period for PBS, while the first quarter typically exhibits the lowest earnings. Our performance in Q1 2024 reflects this seasonal trend.

Strategic Acquisition Announcement
We are delighted to share a significant milestone in our company’s journey. During this quarter, we successfully initiated the strategic acquisition of Xerox operations in Ecuador and Peru and expect to close the transaction by the end of the second quarter of 2024. This acquisition is a testament to our commitment to expanding our market presence and enhancing our service offerings in the Latin American region.

The integration of Xerox operations in these key markets strengthens our capabilities in delivering expanded product/service and industry-leading solutions to a broader client base and offers a deeper Latin American footprint for our regional and global customers. We expect that this transaction will close in the coming months subject to regulatory approvals.

PBS expects to file its Audited Financial Statements for 2023 by June 30, 2024. The audit has been delayed as a result of accounting corrections which impact revenue, cost of goods sold, and contract assets primarily in periods before 2023.

Outlook

Our company’s pipeline of sales opportunities for the remainder of the year is strong.
We expect PBS’ 2024 revenue, EBITDA and profitability to closely align with our full year budgetary expectations.

PBS connects the largest enterprise software companies in the world to the leading firms and governments in our region. Our business is increasingly diversified by country, customer and supplier. Moreover, our growth reflects the enduring longterm trends of digital transformation to meet the needs of businesses and consumers. As we look ahead, we expect PBS to continue its trajectory of profitable growth.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Main Event Entertainment Group Reporting 14% Drop In Nine Months Gross Profits

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Solomon Sharpe,  Chief Executive Officer for Main Event Entertainment Group Limited is reporting that the company recorded revenues of $440.064 million for the three months ended 31 July 2024 relative to the $428.056 million earned in the same period in 2023. This represents an increase of $12.007 million or 3% over the corresponding period of 2023. Despite the improvement in our year-over-year third quarter performance, the company saw a decrease of 10% to $1,426.391 million in its revenues year-to-date relative to the corresponding period in 2023 of $1.586.931 million.

Gross profit for the quarter was $205.678 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2023, this represents a decrease of $18.081 million or 8%; while for the nine months ended 31 July 2024, gross profits fell by $119.538 million or 14% to $719.565 million. Gross margins also fell for the quarter and the nine months results to 47% and 50% from 50% and 53%, respectively. The decline in gross margin is attributable to sales distribution with lower margins and maintenance exercises which were undertaken earlier in the year.

Despite the improvements in our third quarter results, the impact from the second quarter results continues to be shown in the year-to-date totals.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Limners and Bards Make Big Bets On Management Of Talent And Content

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Kimala Bennett  Chief Executive Officer  for Limners and Bards Limited (The LAB) has released the following report to Shareholders of its unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended July 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 compared to the corresponding period last year, with net profit reaching $83.5 million, a 46.7% increase over the comparable period. This growth was driven by our strong emphasis on the Agency Segment of the business for this quarter, as we continued to build brands. While revenues were down compared to the prior period, the company implemented cost containment measures, resulting in an 18% reduction in administrative expenses.

Shareholders’ equity grew to $681.4 million, up from $597.5 million or 14.0% over the corresponding period last year. We maintained a strong balance sheet, with an improved cash position over the period. Additionally, our asset base increased as we reinvested in the business, upgrading film studio facilities.

Revenue for the nine months ended July 31, 2024, was $752.7 million, down 17.6% relative to the prior period. This decline was primarily attributable to a reduction in Media during the period. Notwithstanding this, the Agency segment outperformed the comparable period. The revenue achieved was derived from the company’s core business lines: Media totalling $407.6 million, followed by Production with $190.5 million and Agency with $154.6 million.

Gross Profit for the nine months was $284.5 million, down 9.6% when compared to the corresponding period. Administrative expenses were also lower when compared to the comparable period. Administrative, selling and distribution expenses decreased by $47.5 million or 18% 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 $161.2 million or 17.1% to $1.1 Billion compared to $941.2 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 $846.7 million, increasing by $59.9 million over the prior year.

Cash and cash equivalent increased by $25.5 million over the corresponding period last year. Management continues to maintain tight monitoring and control over receivables

Outlook
As the LAB continues to grow and diversify, our strategic initiatives are positioning us to capitalize on the booming global film industry and the increasing demand for fresh, international content.

We have successfully completed filming our first feature film, “Love Offside,” a sports romantic comedy that showcases the vibrant culture and dynamic talent of Jamaica. The film, features an impressive cast and has now entered the editing phase is slated for a February 2025 release, perfectly timed to meet the growing appetite for diverse and engaging content.

The global film market is experiencing a significant surge, with demand for international content at an all-time high. Industry reports indicate that streaming services and traditional distributors alike are increasingly seeking diverse narratives that resonate with a global audience. This trend presents a significant opportunity for the LAB, as “Love Offside” is poised to attract viewers with its unique storyline and cultural richness. Over the next 12 months, the Company plans to produce three films and three web series.

We are pleased to announce that our Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Head of Production, Tashara Lee Johnson, recently represented us at the MIP Africa Content Market in South Africa as a part of the Jamaican delegation organized by JAMPRO, a premier event in the global film industry. This market is a critical platform for forging connections, understanding market trends, and securing partnerships that will enhance our film’s reach and profitability.

In parallel, our agency arm is gearing up for our regional expansion strategy, where we will engage with various businesses and explore strategic partnerships across the Caribbean. Our goal is to solidify our presence in these markets, leveraging the region’s growing influence in the global media landscape.

Our commitment remains steadfast in delivering value to our shareholders by expanding our content portfolio, exploring new markets, and forging strategic alliances that will drive growth and profitability. The steps we are currently taking are designed to position the LAB at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry, ensuring we capitalize on the opportunities presented by the global demand for fresh, compelling content.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Trinidad and Tobago NGL’s Investment In Phoenix Park Gas Processors Delivers Robust Revenue and Profit Performance For Six Months Of 2024

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Dr. Joseph Ishmael Khan, Chairman Trinidad and Tobago NGL Limited has released the following Condensed Interim Financial Statements For The Six Months Ended 30 June 2024.

Trinidad and Tobago NGL Limited delivered a robust performance for the first half of 2024, posting a profit after tax of TT$46.7 million. This represents an outstanding turnaround from the corresponding 2023 period, where a loss of TT$2.8 million was recorded and signifies an impressive year-on-year improvement of TT$49.5 million.

Earnings per share reached TT$0.30, a substantial recovery from the loss per share of TT$0.02 for the same period in 2023.

The driving force behind TTNGL’s strong performance was the enhanced profitability of its investment in Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL). This achievement was principally due to increased production of natural gas liquids (NGL), higher sales volumes, and improved NGL prices at Mont Belvieu.

Enhanced NGL production was facilitated by a 4.4% increase in natural gas volumes processed at Point Lisas in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023. Moreover, the gas stream’s NGL content saw a significant rise of 15.5% over the previous year, a result of deliberate efforts by The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited to enrich gas supplies. As a result, NGL production from gas processing increased notably, even when accounting for the extended plant downtime experienced in the first half of 2023.

Additionally, NGL volumes delivered from Atlantic LNG also increased by 3.2%, over the comparative period in 2023.

NGL prices rose by 11.5% compared to the same period in 2023, driven mainly by increased global demand and strategic positioning by market participants for future arbitrage opportunities.

The combination of higher NGL production and increased sales revenues, supported by improved NGL product prices, underscores PPGPL’s strong operational safety and its market leadership as the preferred NGL marketer locally and regionally.

Moreover, PPGPL has maintained high levels of operational efficiency within its processing plants, complemented by a strong commitment to safe operations and effective cost management.

During the first half of the year, Phoenix Park Trinidad and Tobago Energy Holdings Limited (PPTTEHL), PPGPL’s North American subsidiary, also delivered strong performance. PPTTEHL experienced significant trading volumes and benefited from improved margins on its sales contracts.
We anticipate continued earnings growth from this business segment moving forward.

TTNGL’s cash position at the end of June 2024 remained strong at TT$139.1 million, up from TT$113.0 million in 2023, reflecting the Company’s solid liquidity. TTNGL continues to explore all options to address its accumulated deficit and move towards a position where it can resume dividend distributions to shareholders.

Outlook
As we look ahead, we remain ever – optimistic about the positive price forecasts, while PPGPL continues to monitor market uncertainties and implement value-added strategies. PPGPL is unwavering in its commitment to strategic growth, prioritising the following: safe operations; high plant reliability and availability; meeting customer needs and sustaining market presence across all territories. These efforts are critical to delivering long-term shareholder value.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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