Not logged in
  Home   Markets   Shares   Funds   Portfolio   Toolbox   Charting   Alerts   Directory   
 Admin   

Thu 21 Jun 2012, 16:39 ART - Argent Industrial Limited - Audited abridged results for the year
ART
ART                                                                             
ART - Argent Industrial Limited - Audited abridged results for the year         
ended 31 March 2012 and notice of Annual General Meeting                        
Argent Industrial Limited                                                       
Reg no 1993/002054/06                                                           
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
("The group" or "The company")                                                  
Share code: ART     ISIN code: ZAE000019188                                     
AUDITED ABRIDGED RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012                       
AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING                                            
Financial Highlights                                                            
REVENUE                            R1.797 billion                               
OPERATING PROFIT                   R121.4 million                               
NET ASSET VALUE per share (cents)  1,426.2                                      
GEARING                            17.3%                                        
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXATION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTISATION  "EBITDA"     
R 157 million                                                                   
The abridged financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis         
INCOME STATEMENT                             Actual     Actual                  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012             2012       2011                    
R 000                                                                           
                                                                                
Revenue                                      1,797,206  1,754,867               
Operating profit before finance costs        121,416    101,963                 
Finance income                               952        1,245                   
Finance costs                                (36,107)   (41,183)                
Profit before taxation                       86,261     62,025                  
Taxation                                     16,216     7,780                   
Profit for the year                          70,045     54,245                  
Attributable to non-controlling interest     272        284                     
Attributable to owners of the parent         69,773     53,961                  
                                                                                
Basic earnings per share (cents)             76.2       59.0                    
Diluted earnings per share (cents)           74.5       57.2                    
Headline earnings per share (cents)          77.1       55.3                    
Diluted headline earnings per share (cents)  75.4       53.6                    
Dividends per share (cents)                  7.0        4.0                     
                                                                                
                                                                                
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION                                                       
Shares in issue (000)                                                           
- at end of period                           91,540     91,540                  
- weighted average                           91,540     91,413                  
- diluted weighted average                   93,705     94,417                  
Cost of sales (R 000)                        1,349,166  1,354,784               
Depreciation and amortisation (R 000)        35,630     39,541                  
                                                                                
CALCULATION OF HEADLINE EARNINGS (R 000)                                        
Earnings attributable to ordinary            69,773     53,961                  
shareholders                                                                    
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property,       847        (3,395)                 
plant and equipment                                                             
Headline earnings attributable to ordinary   70,620     50,566                  
shareholders                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME            Actual     Actual                  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012             2012       2011                    
R 000                                                                           
                                                                                
Profit for the year                          70,045     54,245                  
                                                                                
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD,                                      
NET OF TAX                                                                      
Exchange differences on translating foreign  926        (2,056)                 
operations                                                                      
Realisation of revaluation reserve           (8,728)    (5,119)                 
Reversal of revaluation reserve              (41,809)                           
Change in tax rate on revaluation reserve    (1,593)                            
Transfer of reserve to retained earnings     8,728                              
Impairment of property                                  (783)                   
Total comprehensive income for the year      27,569     46,287                  
Attributable to equity holders of the                                           
- Parent                                    27,297     46,003                   
- Non-controlling interest                  272        284                      
                                            27,569     46,287                   
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE      Actual     Actual                  
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012                     2012       2011                    
R 000                                                                           
                                                                                
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Property, plant and equipment                830,764    865,177                 
Intangibles                                  294,679    288,444                 
Long term loan                               11,578     10,688                  
Deferred taxation                            14,693     18,799                  
                                            1,151,714  1,183,108                
                                                                                
Current assets                                                                  
Inventories                                  502,201    485,180                 
Trade and other receivables                  346,231    355,008                 
Taxation                                                92                      
Bank balance and cash                        287        257                     
                                            848,719    840,537                  
                                                                                
Non-current assets held for sale                        25,573                  

TOTAL ASSETS                                 2,000,433  2,049,218               
                                                                                
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Capital and reserves                                                            
Share capital and premium                    451,129    451,129                 
Reserves                                     59,278     122,720                 
Retained earnings                            795,116    708,946                 
Attributable to owners of the parent         1,305,523  1,282,795               
Non-controlling interest                     9,161      8,889                   
Total shareholders` funds                    1,314,684  1,291,684               
                                                                                
Non-current liabilities                                                         
Interest-bearing borrowings                  144,854    216,903                 
Deferred taxation                            72,378     75,228                  
                                            217,232    292,131                  

Current liabilities                                                             
Trade and other payables                     257,077    240,052                 
Taxation                                     193                                
Bank overdraft                               129,290    136,278                 
Current portion of interest-bearing          81,957     89,073                  
borrowings                                                                      
                                            468,517    465,403                  

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                 2,000,433  2,049,218               
                                                                                
Net asset value per share (cents)            1,426.2    1,401.3                 

                                                                                
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                      Actual     Actual                  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012             2012       2011                    
R 000                                                                           
                                                                                
Cash generated from operations               168,442    88,011                  
Finance costs                                (36,107)   (41,183)                
Finance income                               952        1,245                   
Dividends paid                               (6,408)    (3,662)                 
Normal taxation (paid)/refunded              (2,012)    386                     
Cash flows from operating activities         124,867    44,797                  
Cash flows from investing activities         (36,263)   (46,523)                
Cash flows from financing activities         (81,586)   (8,401)                 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash     7,018      (10,127)                
equivalents                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of    (136,021)  (125,894)               
year                                                                            
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year     (129,003)  (136,021)               
STATEMENT OF   Share     Share     Employee  Treasury    Reval-                 
CHANGES IN     capital   premium   Share     shares      uation                 
EQUITY FOR                         Incentive             reserve                
THE YEAR                           reserve                                      
ENDED 31                                                                        
MARCH 2012                                                                      
R 000                                                                           
Restated       4,825     540,818   11,413    (94,514)    124,397                
balance at 31                                                                   
March 2010                                                                      
Share-based    -         -         2,732     -           -                      
payments                                                                        
Total          -         -         -         -           (5,902)                
comprehensive                                                                   
income                                                                          
Dividends -    -         -         -         -           -                      
current                                                                         
interim and                                                                     
prior final                                                                     
Less dividend  -         -         -         -           -                      
on treasury                                                                     
shares                                                                          
Balance at 31  4,825     540,818   14,145    (94,514)    118,495                
March 2011                                                                      
Share-based    -         -         1,839     -           -                      
payments                                                                        
Transfer of    -         -         (14,077)  -           -                      
reserve to                                                                      
retained                                                                        
earnings                                                                        
Total          -         -         -         -           (52,130)               
comprehensive                                                                   
Income                                                                          
Dividends -    -         -         -         -           -                      
current                                                                         
interim                                                                         
Less dividend  -         -         -         -           -                      
on treasury                                                                     
shares                                                                          
Balance at 31  4,825     540,818   1,907     (94,514)    66,365                 
March 2012                                                                      
STATEMENT OF   Foreign   Retained  Total     Non-       Total                   
CHANGES IN     Currency  earnings  attribut- controll-                          
EQUITY FOR     trans-              able to   ing                                
THE YEAR       lation              owners of interest                           
ENDED 31       reserve             the                                          
MARCH 2012                         parent                                       
(continued)                                                                     
R 000                                                                           
Restated       (7,864)   658,647   1,237,722 8,605      1,246,327               
balance at 31                                                                   
March 2010                                                                      
Share-based    -         -         2,732     -          2,732                   
payments                                                                        
Total          (2,056)   53,961    46,003    284        46,287                  
comprehensive                                                                   
income                                                                          
Dividends -    -         (3,860)   (3,860)   -          (3,860)                 
current                                                                         
interim and                                                                     
prior final                                                                     
Less dividend  -         198       198       -          198                     
on treasury                                                                     
shares                                                                          
Balance at 31  (9,920)   708,946   1,282,795 8,889      1,291,684               
March 2011                                                                      
Share-based    -         -         1,839     -                                  
payments                                                1,839                   
Transfer       -         14,077    -         -          -                       
of reserve to                                                                   
retained                                                                        
earnings                                                                        
Total          926       78,501    27,297    272        27,569                  
comprehensive                                                                   
income                                                                          
Dividends -    -         (6,754)   (6,754)   -          (6,754)                 
current                                                                         
interim                                                                         
Less dividend  -         346       346       -          346                     
on treasury                                                                     
shares                                                                          
Balance at 31  (8,994)   795,116   1,305,523 9,161      1,314,684               
March 2012                                                                      
SEGMENTAL REVIEW                   Manufac-   Steel     Steel                   
                                  turing     trading   trading/                 
retail                   
R 000                                                                           
BUSINESS SEGMENTS                                                               
for the year ended 31 March 2012                                                
Revenue from external sales        989,454    463,578   245,687                 
Profit/(loss) before taxation      69,485     22,831    (14,350)                
Taxation                                                                        
Profit for the year                                                             
for the year ended 31 March 2011                                                
Revenue from external sales        967,865    446,258   264,076                 
Profit/(loss) before taxation      59,395     7,601     (11,920)                
Taxation                                                                        
Profit for the year                                                             
SEGMENTAL REVIEW                   Construc-  Proper-   Consoli-                
(continued)                        tion       ties      dated                   
R 000                                                                           
BUSINESS SEGMENTS                                                               
for the year ended 31 March 2012                                                
Revenue from external sales        96,657     1,830     1,797,206               
Profit/(loss) before taxation      2,460      5,835     86,261                  
Taxation                                                16,216                  
Profit for the year                                     70,045                  
for the year ended 31 March 2011                                                
Revenue from external sales        76,523     145       1,754,867               
Profit/(loss) before taxation      1,022      5,927     62,025                  
Taxation                                                7,780                   
Profit for the year                                     54,245                  
                                  South      Rest of   Consoli-                 
Africa     the world dated                    
                                                                                
GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS                                                           
for the year ended 31 March 2012                                                
Revenue from external sales        1,751,975  45,231    1,797,206               
Profit before taxation             86,148     113       86,261                  
Taxation                                                16,216                  
Profit for the year                                     70,045                  
for the year ended 31 March 2011                                                
Revenue from external sales        1,706,056  48,811    1,754,867               
Profit before taxation             61,085     940       62,025                  
Taxation                                                7,780                   
Profit for the year                                     54,245                  
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW                                                              
Argent Industrial Limited produced a significantly better set of results for    
the twelve months ended 31 March 2012. The results, although an improvement     
on the same period last year, were heavily affected by the July strike          
action in the steel, engineering and chemical industries that effectively       
closed three quarters of the group`s operations for a period of three weeks.    
The most significant improvement in the group as a whole is the better          
performance of most of the manufacturing entities, particularly those           
related to the retail and consumer markets.                                     
Our balance sheet remains strong and appropriately capitalised with gearing     
down to 17%.                                                                    
OPERATIONS REVIEW                                                               
The improvement in the group`s performance was due to the improved margin in    
manufacturing that was achieved through better sourcing of raw material from    
both local and international mills, and through careful management of           
operational expenses.                                                           
The group`s global sourcing policy has helped to improve margins in the         
carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium trading divisions. The steel        
trading market remains competitive with narrow margins, due to being            
overstocked at the trader level while being oversupplied by imports and the     
local mills.  The group`s spend on global sourcing of steel material has        
more than doubled in 2012 and this was assisted by favourable international     
prices and a relatively strong Rand.  This strategy will continue in 2013,      
whilst at the same time negotiating with local mills for competitive deals.     
The government`s expected spend on infrastructural projects should              
significantly boost the steel trading market in 2013.                           
Argent`s manufacturing companies performed well with the exception of           
Excalibur Vehicle Accessories which remains a challenge. A new business         
strategy has been implemented at Excalibur Vehicle Accessories, which should    
see the company return to profits in 2013.  The company has started to          
diversify its business and has introduced new product lines that include        
school and hospital furniture to take advantage of the government`s             
committed expenditure in these areas, as well as pit latrine structures for     
the low-cost housing market.  The bigger manufacturing entities such as         
Tricks Wrought Iron Services, Xpanda Security and Toolroom Services             
continued with impressive performance and have strong order books for 2013.     
Cedar Paint has secured the house brand paint supply for three large retail     
groups in the country, while its own branded products are gaining               
significant market share.  Hendor Mining Supplies also produced very good       
results, which would have been even better were it not for the protracted       
mine closures, particularly at Impala Platinum.                                 
The steel trading and distribution companies are based in the outlying          
regions and are typically steel trading companies that also market all of       
the other Argent brands from the same entity.  These businesses, being          
resellers, operate off low margins and as a result of being located in          
remote areas, don`t have a strong economic base and are battling in the         
current climate.  A number of strategies have been implemented to make these    
businesses more profitable, including right-sizing of the businesses and        
focusing on specific products suited to the local area. These initiatives       
are bearing fruit.                                                              
Megamix and Argent Industrial Engineering are seeing improved volumes in the    
Western Cape, with an increase in work originating from the low-cost housing    
market in particular.  This market is still very competitive and margins are    
under pressure.  There has been a consolidation in the suppliers of ready-      
mix and stone in the market in general, and this has resulted in a number of    
suitors for this business that Argent is currently investigating.               
OUTLOOK                                                                         
The growth experienced in Argent`s companies in the past year has been          
impressive and all signs are that this will be the trend for 2013.  A number    
of turnaround strategies that were initiated in 2012 are now starting to        
show real signs of success and Argent looks forward to having all of its        
loss-making businesses in 2012, turn to profit in 2013.  The anticipated        
infrastructure spend by the government will add further stimulus to the         
steel trading and manufacturing entities and some of this is expected to        
yield results in 2013, while most of it offers growth potential for 2014 and    
beyond.  Overall we expect that 2013 will show a continued growth trend for     
Argent as margins improve and business volumes expand.                          
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS                                                                
The ongoing and future success of the Argent group would not be possible        
without a dedicated, loyal and diligent workforce. I would therefore like to    
take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to each and      
every employee for your unwavering commitment and dedication.                   
DIVIDEND                                                                        
The directors have declared a final gross dividend of 6 cents per share for     
the year ended 31 March 2012.  Total ordinary dividends per share in respect    
of the financial year to 31 March 2012 therefore amounts to 10 cents (2011 -    
7 cents).                                                                       
The following dates will apply to the abovementioned final dividend:            
Last day to trade cum dividend:  Friday, 7 September 2012                       
Trading ex dividend commences:   Monday, 10 September 2012                      
Record date:                     Friday, 14 September 2012                      
Dividend payment date:           Monday, 17 September 2012                      
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or re-materialised between         
Monday, 10 September 2012 and Friday, 14 September 2012, both days              
inclusive.                                                                      
In determining the dividends tax (DT) of 15% to withhold in terms of the        
Income Tax Act (No 58 of 1962) for those shareholders who are not exempt        
from the DT, no secondary tax on companies (STC) credits have been utilised.    
Shareholders who are not exempt from the DT will therefore receive a            
dividend of 5.1 cents per share net of DT. The Company has 96 490 604           
ordinary shares in issue and its income tax reference number is                 
9096/002/71/3.                                                                  
The above dates are subject to change. Any changes will be released on SENS.    
Where applicable, dividends in respect of certificated shares will be           
transferred electronically to shareholders` bank accounts on the payment        
date. In the absence of specific mandates, dividend cheques will be posted      
to shareholders. Ordinary shareholders who hold dematerialised shares will      
have their accounts at their CSDP or broker credited/updated on Monday, 17      
September 2012.                                                                 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION                                                           
The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with        
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the presentation and        
disclosure requirements of IAS 34 - Interim Financial Reporting, AC 500 and     
in compliance with the Companies Act of South Africa (No. 71 of 2008) and       
the Listing Requirements of the JSE Limited. The accounting policies are        
consistent with those of the previous financial period, except for the          
adoption of improved, revised or new standards and interpretations. The         
aggregate effect of these changes in respect of the year ended 31 March 2012    
is nil. The condensed financial statements have been prepared under the         
supervision of the Financial Director, Ms S.J. Cox CA (SA). Any reference to    
future financial performance included in this announcement, has not been        
reviewed or reported on by the Company`s auditors.                              
EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD                                               
No matters which are material to the financial affairs of the group have        
occurred between the statement of financial position date and the date of       
this report.                                                                    
GOING CONCERN                                                                   
Shareholders are advised that the audited results for the year ended 31         
March 2012 have been prepared on the going concern concept. This basis          
presumes that funds will be available to finance future operations and that     
the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities, contingent             
obligations and commitments will occur in the ordinary course of business.      
ANNUAL REPORT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING                              
The annual report, including the group`s audited annual financial statements    
for the financial year ended 31 March 2012, is expected to be posted to         
shareholders on or about the 29 June 2012 ("the Annual Report").                
Notice is hereby given that Argent`s Annual General Meeting of shareholders     
will be held in the Argent Industrial Limited boardroom, First Floor, Ridge     
63, 8 Sinembe Crescent, La Lucia Ridge Office Estate, Umhlanga, on Monday,      
20 August 2012 at 14:00 to transact the business as stated in the notice of     
Annual General Meeting circulated together with the Annual Report.  The date    
on which shareholders must be recorded as such in the share register to be      
eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting is Friday, 10 August 2012,       
with the last day to trade being Thursday, 2 August 2012.                       
AUDIT OPINION                                                                   
The auditors, Grant Thornton, have audited the group`s financial statements     
for the year ended 31 March 2012 and their unqualified audit report is          
available for inspection at the company`s registered office.                    
On behalf of the board                                                          
T.R. Hendry CA (SA)                                                             
Chief executive officer                                                         
Umhlanga Rocks                                                                  
20 June 2012                                                                    
Registered Office:                                                              
First floor, Ridge 63, 8 Sinembe Crescent, La Lucia Ridge Office Estate,        
4019                                                                            
Tel: +27 31 791 0061                                                            
Auditors                                                                        
Grant Thornton                                                                  
21 June 2012                                                                    
Sponsors                                                                        
PSG Capital (Pty) Ltd                                                           
Transfer secretaries:                                                           
Link Market Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 13th floor, Rennies House, 19      
Ameshoff Street, Johannesburg, 2001                                             
Company secretary:                                                              
Mark du Toit                                                                    
Directors:                                                                      
MP Allen, MJ Antonic, Ms SJ Cox (Financial Director), PA Day (Independent       
Non-executive), TR Hendry (Chief Executive Officer), Mrs JA Etchells (Non-      
executive), AF Litschka, K Mapasa (Independent Non-executive), T                
Scharrighuisen (Non-executive Chairman), D Smith, GK Youngman (Alternate)       
Date: 21/06/2012 16:39:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or   
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,     
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,     
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
Other Profile Group sites: FundsData Online (unit trust data)  |  Profile Group corporate site
Terms of Use |  Privacy Policy |  PAIA manual |  FAQs/Help |  Site Map |  © Copyright Reserved 2026  ]
  


Powered by ProfileData

Profile Mobile App Google Play Store Apple App Store


Follow us on: