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

Wed 23 Aug 2006, 16:08 Caxton and CTP Publishers - Reviewed Results: Year
CAT   CATP
 CAT                                                                             
Caxton and CTP Publishers - Reviewed Results: Year Ended 30 June 2006           
Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Limited                                  
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa                                    
Registration number 1947/026616/06                                              
Share code: CAT & ISIN code: ZAE000043345                                       
Preference share code: CATP & ISIN code: ZAE000043352                           
("Caxton" or "the Company")                                                     
Highlights                                                                      
Turnover up 8,2%                                                                
Earnings per share up 14,3%                                                     
Capital expenditure R510 million                                                
Cash resources R859 million                                                     
REVIEWED RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2006                                
ABRIDGED INCOME STATEMENTS                                                      
                                                    Reviewed                    
Reviewed         IFRS                    
                                                    restated                    
R"000                                   30 June      30 June                    
                                           2006         2005                    
Turnover                              3 468 498    3 204 833                    
Other operating income                   80 511       73 857                    
                                      3 549 009    3 278 690                    
Changes in inventories                   11 817      (6 843)                    
Raw materials and consumables used    1 098 353    1 007 421                    
Staff costs                             674 929      609 473                    
Other operating expenses              1 031 160    1 018 356                    
Total operating expenses              2 816 259    2 628 407                    
PROFIT FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES        732 750      650 283                    
Depreciation and impairment           (126 818)     (94 024)                    
NET PROFIT FROM OPERATING               605 932      556 259                    
ACTIVITIES                                                                      
Finance income                          108 970       79 620                    
- dividends                              48 617       18 025                    
- net surplus on realisation of          25 037        3 665                    
investments                                                                     
- interest                               35 316       57 930                    
Income from associates                   19 032       12 139                    
PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION                  733 934      648 018                    
Taxation                              (208 136)    (199 845)                    
PROFIT AFTER TAXATION                   525 798      448 173                    
Attributable to minority interest         6 277        6 198                    
Attributable to ordinary                519 521      441 975                    
shareholders                                                                    
525 798      448 173                    
Earnings per share (cents)                  112           98                    
Diluted earnings per share (cents)          112           97                    
Headline earnings per share (cents)         109           96                    
Diluted headline earnings per share         109           95                    
(cents)                                                                         
Preference dividends per share              413          338                    
(cents)                                                                         
Reconciliation of headline                                                      
earnings:                                                                       
Earnings attributable to ordinary       519 521      441 975                    
shareholders                                                                    
Adjusted for non-trading items         (14 195)      (9 245)                    
Negative goodwill written off                 -      (2 882)                    
Surplus on realisation of              (23 373)            -                    
investments                                                                     
Net impairment in value of                7 227        4 926                    
property, plant and equipment                                                   
Net loss/(profit) on disposal of          (515)      (4 627)                    
assets                                                                          
Tax effect on above adjustments           1 443         (90)                    
Loss/surplus (on disposal of              1 023      (6 572)                    
subsidiaries)                                                                   
Headline earnings                       505 326      432 730                    
Number of shares in issue               494 939      453 450                    
                                            628          243                    
Weighted average number of shares       477 155      453 450                    
                                            923          243                    
Treasury shares                         (12 422       (2 973                    
                                           855)         242)                    
Share trust consolidation                     -    (983 954)                    
Earnings per share based on             464 733      449 493                    
068          047                    
Add: Share options outstanding          700 000    5 176 700                    
Diluted earnings per share based on     465 433      454 669                    
                                            068          747                    
Abridged segmental           Reviewed     %        IFRS    %                    
analysis                                       restated                         
                              30 June           30 June                         
                                 2006              2005                         
Revenue                                                                         
Publishing, printing and        3 213    93   2 879 540   90                    
distribution                      592                                           
Other                         979 149    28     946 035   29                    
Inter-group sales                (724  (21)   (620 742) (19)                    
                                 243)                                           
                                3 468   100   3 204 833  100                    
                                  498                                           
Operating income                                                                
Publishing, printing and      462 315    76     435 644   78                    
distribution                                                                    
Other                         143 617    24     120 615   22                    
605 932   100     556 259  100                    
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                     
                                                    Reviewed                    
                                       Reviewed         IFRS                    
Restated                    
R"000                                   30 June      30 June                    
                                           2006         2005                    
ASSETS                                                                          
NON-CURRENT ASSETS                                                              
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT         1 588 784    1 209 903                    
INTANGIBLE ASSETS                         6 182        7 076                    
ASSOCIATED COMPANIES                     94 021       55 419                    
OTHER INVESTMENTS AT FAIR VALUE         666 844      125 539                    
- LISTED                                252 203      109 725                    
- UNLISTED                              414 641       15 814                    
CURRENT ASSETS                                                                  
INVENTORIES                             461 935      361 814                    
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE                     670 874      532 793                    
CASH                                    307 466      778 587                    
BANK PREFERENCE SHARES AND OTHER        551 988      340 706                    
INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE                                                       
- LISTED                                551 988      205 706                    
- UNLISTED                                    -      135 000                    
TOTAL ASSETS                          4 348 094    3 411 837                    
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
EQUITY                                3 294 483    2 642 641                    
ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS" EQUITY         3 282 857    2 632 832                    
PREFERENCE SHAREHOLDERS                     100          100                    
MINORITY INTEREST                        11 526        9 709                    
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                         
DEFERRED TAXATION                       178 349      136 780                    
CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                             
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                        695 392      451 028                    
PROVISIONS                              106 138      105 503                    
TAXATION                                 73 732       75 885                    
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES          4 348 094    3 411 837                    
Net asset value per share (cents)           666          582                    
Directors" valuation of unlisted        508 662       71 233                    
investments and associated                                                      
companies                                                                       
Capital expenditure for the year        510 437      279 504                    
Capital expenditure committed            70 000      297 000                    
Cash and cash equivalents at fair       859 454    1 119 293                    
value                                                                           
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS                                               
                                                    Reviewed                    
                                       Reviewed         IFRS                    
                                                    restated                    
R"000                                   30 June      30 June                    
                                           2006         2005                    
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING                466 028      455 709                    
ACTIVITIES                                                                      
Cash generated by operations            717 322      633 956                    
Changes in working capital               17 742      108 840                    
Cash generated by operating             735 064      742 796                    
activities                                                                      
Less: Taxation paid                   (168 720)    (200 914)                    
Net interest received                    35 316       57 936                    
Dividends received                       48 617       18 025                    
Net cash inflow from operating          650 277      617 843                    
activities                                                                      
Dividends paid                        (184 249)    (162 133)                    
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENT                (1 015    (273 728)                    
ACTIVITIES                                 160)                                 
Property, plant and equipment                                                   
- additions to expand operations      (510 437)    (279 504)                    
- proceeds from disposals                 6 228       11 764                    
                                      (504 209)    (267 740)                    
Investments                                                                     
- acquisitions at cost                (559 550)      (5 988)                    
- proceeds from disposals                48 599            -                    
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING               278 010     (51 816)                    
ACTIVITIES                                                                      
Share trust consolidation                     -          232                    
Shares issued                           405 228            -                    
Own shares acquired                   (127 218)     (52 048)                    
Net increase/(decrease) in cash       (271 122)      130 165                    
and cash equivalents                                                            
Cash and cash equivalents at the      1 093 623      963 458                    
beginning of the year                                                           
Cash and cash equivalents at the        822 501    1 093 623                    
end of the year                                                                 
Fair value adjustment of                 36 953       25 670                    
preference shares and other                                                     
instruments                                                                     
Fair value of cash and cash             859 454    1 119 293                    
equivalents at the end of the year                                              
Note:                                                                           
Cash                                    307 466      778 587                    
Preference shares at fair value         551 988      340 706                    
and other instruments                                                           
Fair value of cash and cash             859 454    1 119 293                    
equivalents at the end of the year                                              
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                                 
                                                    Reviewed                    
                                       Reviewed         IFRS                    
restated                    
R"000                                   30 June      30 June                    
                                           2006         2005                    
Balance at beginning of the year      2 642 641    2 332 099                    
Minority interest and preference              -        7 534                    
shares                                                                          
Share based payments ("IFRS 2")               -        9 579                    
Restated balance at beginning of      2 642 641    2 349 212                    
period                                                                          
Attributable earnings                   525 798      448 173                    
Shares issued                           405 228            -                    
Share trust consolidation                 1 164          232                    
Own shares acquired                           -     (32 440)                    
Treasury shares                       (127 218)     (19 608)                    
Fair value adjustments - listed          19 837       33 530                    
investments                                                                     
Fair value adjustments -                 11 282       25 670                    
preference shares and instruments                                               
Dividends paid - ordinary             (179 789)    (158 205)                    
shareholders                                                                    
Dividends paid - minority               (4 460)      (3 923)                    
shareholders                                                                    
Balance at end of the year            3 294 483    2 642 641                    
COMMENTARY                                                                      
Basis of preparation and restatement of figures                                 
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial             
statements for the year under review are in accordance with the South           
African Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and the            
requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). To        
more correctly reflect the requirements of share-based payments as defined      
by IFRS 2 and to comply with the requirements of IAS 38 in respect of           
intangible assets, the results for the year ended 30 June 2005 have been        
restated. Arising from a first time adoption of IFRS 2 and IAS 38, the          
opening retained earnings has increased by an amount of R9,5 million and        
the earnings for the year ended 30 June 2005, by an amount of R8,7 million.     
Accordingly, the diluted headline earnings for                                  
The following amounts have been reclassified to more accurately reflect the     
nature of the investments:                                                      
- R40 million of unlisted investments have been transferred to preference       
shares(cash equivalents).                                                       
- R3,7 million surplus on realisation of investments have been separately       
disclosed as finance income, as opposed to other income.                        
In addition, income from associates has been reflected as pre tax and the       
tax charge has increased accordingly.                                           
Comments                                                                        
The company has once again produced good results for the year. The South        
African economy experienced strong growth throughout the period and             
retailers in particular achieved increased sales, in many instances, above      
their own expectations. Durable sales reached record levels and this            
environment created a climate for increased spending on advertising.            
It is only recently that the South African currency has weakened and the        
strength of the Rand during the year resulted in input costs remaining          
stable or in respect of certain raw materials, even decreasing. Turnover        
growth at 8,2% for the year was positive after having taken inflation into      
account, but the commercial printing market remained highly competitive.        
Market share has nevertheless been maintained or increased in all areas in      
which the company operates.                                                     
World economic growth appears to be faltering and inflation is again            
looming as one of the most demanding problems that have to be dealt with        
and this is once again putting pressure on interest rates, where throughout     
the globe, rates are now increasing. It is not inconceivable that the years     
of plenty that the South African consumer has been enjoying could be            
entering a new phase.                                                           
Shareholders will recall that a decision was taken some time ago to expand      
the gravure printing facilities in Durban and erect a new factory in            
Johannesburg. Unfortunately a foundation problem was encountered in Durban      
which has delayed this project by several months and this plant is now only     
planned to be operational by February 2007. The new factory in Johannesburg     
has, however, proceeded according to plan and the first phase of the            
project was commissioned in June and it is anticipated that the entire          
project will be completed towards the end of the calendar year.                 
With this vast amount of additional capacity having become available and in     
accordance with the requirements of International Financial Reporting           
Standards ("IFRS"), the useful life of the major items of equipment was         
examined and reassessed. This exercise has resulted in an additional amount     
of R20 million being written off by way of depreciation and impairment. The     
commensurate charge to the income statement will be somewhat larger in          
future years as a consequence of the useful life of this equipment having       
been reduced.                                                                   
The year under review has seen the finalisation of the capital upgrade          
programmes on the newspaper plants which were in different phases at the        
close of the previous financial year. Six regional newspaper factories have     
been totally re-equipped and major factories in Cape Town and Durban have       
been built, equipped and successfully commissioned. In addition the             
Johannesburg factory has been extensively upgraded.                             
This expenditure places newspaper publishing and printing in an extremely       
good position to deal with the printing of new national products and the        
expansion of the company"s own publications.                                    
Earnings                                                                        
Turnover for the year increased by 8,2% to R3,468 million. Operating profit     
grew by 12,7% from R650 million to R733 million. Depreciation increased         
substantially by R33 million to R127 million, which reflects the additional     
write off previously referred to and the start up of equipment installed        
during the year. Notwithstanding an intensely competitive trading               
environment and the increased write off of depreciation the trading margin      
reached a record level of 17,5%.                                                
Net finance income amounted to R109 million and includes the surplus on the     
disposal of investments considered to be non-core to the company"s ongoing      
operations.                                                                     
The share of income from associates before tax increased from R12 million       
to R19 million and reflects the improved performance of the majority of         
such associated investments. It also includes for the first time the            
company"s share of profits arising out of the investment in Ramsay Son &        
Parker (Pty) Limited.                                                           
Profit before taxation was up by 13,3% to R734 million. Taxation including      
Secondary Tax on Companies, which amounted to R208 million, fell from an        
effective rate of 31% to 28%. This decrease is mainly due to the change in      
the funding model of the company where a number of listed bank preference       
shares have been acquired and the dividends thereon are not taxable. The        
cash taxation rate was somewhat lower resulting from the allowances on the      
new equipment having been brought into operation.                               
After providing for profits attributable to outside shareholders and            
preference dividends, earnings attributable to shareholders amounted to         
R520 million. This is 17,5% up on the comparable figure in the previous         
financial year.                                                                 
In December 2005, forty million shares were issued in terms of the Equity       
Based Incentive Scheme for employees. This has led to the number of shares      
in issue having increased to 494 939 628. The weighted average number of        
shares in issue for the year calculates out at 477 155 923 and it is this       
number of shares which forms the basis for calculating the earnings per         
share. Additionally a subsidiary bought back 9 449 613 of the company"s         
shares during the year and these shares, which we hold as Treasury shares,      
together with those held at the commencement of the financial year amounts      
to a total of 12 422 855 shares. The amount of shares in issue for purposes     
of calculating earnings per share therefore amounts to 464 733 068.             
Accordingly, earnings per share were 112 cents per share which is 14,3% up      
on last year"s earnings per share of 98 cents. Diluted earnings per share       
rose to 112 cents which is a 15,5% increase.                                    
Headline earnings increased by 13,5% to 109 cents per share and diluted         
headline earnings were 109 cents per share, an improvement of 14,7%.            
Cash flow                                                                       
The generation of cash from operations was once again a major feature of        
the year"s achievements and grew to R717 million. Capital expenditure, rose     
substantially to R510 million. During the year the company spent R129           
million on acquiring shares in Johnnic Communications Limited (Johncom).        
Furthermore a similar amount of R127 million was expended on buying back a      
number of the company"s ordinary shares. Certain other investments were         
made including a 30% shareholding in Ramsay Son & Parker (Pty) Limited, one     
of South Africa"s foremost magazine publishers.                                 
Inventories and Accounts Receivable increased mainly due to the                 
accumulation of raw material stocks acquired to take advantage of the           
exchange rate that prevailed in the second half of the financial year, and      
the increased turnover of the company.                                          
Divisional performance                                                          
Once again the major contributor to the improvement in the company"s            
performance was newspaper publishing and printing. A further important          
feature was the reduction in the profitability of the commercial printing       
operations due to the pressure being placed on margins in a competitive         
environment and the costs associated with the start up of new equipment and     
the depreciation thereon.                                                       
The company"s investment in academic publishing through its 50% share in        
Maskew Miller Longman showed an excellent return with record profits having     
once again been achieved.                                                       
Publishing, Printing and Distribution                                           
Newspaper publishing and printing                                               
An excellent performance was yet again recorded with both Community and         
Regional newspapers having reached new heights. Advertising spend, spurred      
on by the consumer boom, was considerably greater and market share was          
gained. The roll out of the investment in the Caxton Urban newspapers was       
continued and these papers are performing in line with expectations.            
The investment in subsidiary and supplemental products also showed good         
results and "Auto Dealer" in particular had a very good year, especially        
for a fledging publication. Further investments in a number of associates       
occurred.                                                                       
The investment in replanting the regional factories will produce good           
yields in the future as additional capacity for printing not only our own       
publications, but also other regional products will be available.               
This division continued to successfully increase the number of publications     
under the "Get It" banner. These are regional community magazine                
publications which at this point in time are published monthly. At present      
there are 16 publications. It is the intention to substantially increase        
these highly successful publications in a market which serves a different       
consumer and advertiser compared with the existing newspaper offering.          
The Johannesburg main newspaper factory, which upgraded its mail room           
equipment, had an extremely successful year and produced profits ahead of       
expectations.                                                                   
A note of caution is that it would appear as though the two manufacturers       
of newsprint used for newspaper printing are running into serious capacity      
problems. With the growth in the industry, both of these manufacturers are      
showing signs of being unable to keep pace with demand and appear to be         
running out of supplies, especially at peak seasonal periods. This is of        
concern not only to the company, but to the industry and the country. In        
these circumstances it is critical that they undertake expansions of their      
facilities to cope with the country"s future requirements. It is of course      
possible to import newsprint, but, having regard to the vast quantities         
utilised, it is impractical for a country,which has the natural resources       
available, to waste currency importing this type of product. What also has      
to be considered is that South Africa, unlike developed countries, where        
the usage of the internet is impacting on newspaper readership in the           
printed format, has not reached anywhere near its full potential of             
newspaper publishing as its population becomes more literate.                   
The company"s daily newspaper "The Citizen" had a good year and here too        
market share gains in advertising revenues were made. Additional                
efficiencies were achieved and further investment was made into the             
editorial content of the publication.                                           
During the year a new newspaper factory was built in Port Elizabeth which       
is now being commissioned. This factory will be run as a joint venture with     
Johncom.                                                                        
Strong circulation growth, particularly in Community and Regional               
Newspapers continues and has necessitated further investments being made in     
increasing print orders to meet demand. It is interesting to note that          
despite an avalanche of competition from a variety of sources the overall       
demand for printed newspapers remains strong.                                   
Magazine Publishing                                                             
The progress this division is making is commendable having regard to the        
"Tidal Wave" of new titles being launched. Magazine circulation is growing      
in South Africa in line with the growth in Gross Domestic Product. What is      
however of concern, on a more general note, is that the growth in               
advertising revenue for magazine publications is not keeping pace with          
circulation growth. What this means is that as more and more publications       
keep competing for their share of the advertising "pie", reduced revenues       
are being achieved by individual publications. In due course this will          
force publishers to increase the selling price of their publication in          
order to remain viable.                                                         
In turn, this will negatively impact on the ability of the consumer to          
purchase as many magazines as they have purchased hitherto and could result     
in falling circulations.                                                        
Furthermore magazine publishers have had a friendly environment for some        
years now as competition amongst printers intensified and the currency          
firmed, all of which resulted in printing costs having decreased. With the      
fall in the value of the currency and the spectres of inflation and             
increases in interest rates now looming printing costs are expected to          
increase, possibly, by quite a large percentage. This must mean that            
publications will be under stress for survival and only the fittest will be     
able to take the strain of a change in circumstances.                           
Aided by increasing investment, the company"s well run and administered         
magazine distribution facility, which trades as RNA, and which took the         
form of land and buildings and extensive systems upgrades, experienced          
increased business.                                                             
RNA is also actively involved in the importation of magazine publications       
from sources outside of South Africa.                                           
"Woman & Home" has emerged as the leader in its field after only one year       
of having been launched and the company"s weekly magazines have also done       
well. This has resulted in the launch of "Mense", which is the Afrikaans        
equivalent of its glossy market leader sister publication, namely "People".     
A significant inhibiting factor apropos the sale of magazines in South          
Africa is the entire retail distribution channel. Unlike many Western and       
European countries and mainly due to a postal system that does not              
adequately work, subscriptions are low as an overall percentage of              
circulation sales. Publishers are therefore reliant on retail stores, where     
the supermarkets have become the major outlets. Only a small percentage of      
sales take place through book shops and unfortunately the supermarket           
chains do not provide sufficient shelf space for the expanding number of        
titles let alone existing titles.                                               
Commercial Printing                                                             
Web Printing                                                                    
As has been previously reported, this area of the company"s operations has      
had to deal with additional competition and it is therefore pleasing to         
report that no market share loss has been experienced and in fact volumes       
printed increased during the year. Not only have margins been depressed, as     
a result of the aggressive pricing by competitors, but additionally with        
the Rand having been as stable as it was throughout the year, raw material      
costs decreased as did selling prices, resulting in this division not being     
able to pass on its increase in costs.                                          
With the start up of the new presses much needed efficient capacity is now      
available to cater for our customers` requirements particularly over the        
seasonal periods when demand intensifies.                                       
Book Printing                                                                   
More than satisfactory results were achieved having regard to the large         
capital investments made over the past couple of years. This year saw the       
installation of a state of the art bindery, new presses and ancillary           
equipment. This will allow for the cost effective production of higher          
volumes of educational books where volumes have increased. The division has     
been able to maintain the very high level of quality printing for which it      
is renowned.                                                                    
Other                                                                           
Academic Publishing                                                             
The earnings growth of Maskew Miller Longman has proved to be exceptional       
and record earnings were again achieved. Over a ten year period, from           
relative obscurity, their earnings, even though only 50% of the equity is       
held - the other 50% being owned by the Pearson Group - the world"s largest     
educational publisher, have become a major contributor to the company"s         
profits.                                                                        
Their ever expanding share of the education market is quite remarkable as       
their publications capture more attention from educators. Further successes     
in higher grades as the curriculum introduction starts drawing to a close       
bodes well for future profitability.                                            
This success has been achieved not only in the Schools market in South          
Africa but also in the many countries in Southern Africa in which they          
publish.                                                                        
Local higher education has also become a major contributor and local            
publishing will over time become a critical success factor.                     
Packaging                                                                       
Benefits were derived from the consolidation of the Gravure printing            
operations at the revamped and modern factory in Elandsfontein and the high     
speed equipment which has been installed.                                       
The year saw the acquisition of a folded carton manufacturer and the move       
of the division"s existing folded carton business to Elandsfontein was          
started, where all the Gauteng packaging operations will now be housed.         
The niche packaging businesses in South Africa have generally seen falls in     
production and margins have been squeezed over the past number of years.        
The emphasis has therefore been focused on the need to become a least cost      
operator which objective, once all the moves have been completed, should be     
achieved. This will also include moving the new business, which was             
recently acquired and approved by the Competition Board, to Elandsfontein.      
The flexible packaging operation located in Cape Town produced good results     
and the long established quality label division, also located in Cape Town,     
is showing signs of achieving rated capacities and profitability                
commensurate therewith.                                                         
Stationery                                                                      
This is the area of the company"s activities which did not keep up with         
previous levels of profitability. In the absence of volume growth and with      
no respite on margin pressure, it was inevitable that budgeted growth could     
not be reached. With the effective devaluation of the Rand it should be         
possible for price increases, for the first time in many years, to be           
passed on to customers.                                                         
Acquisitions                                                                    
Reference has already been made in this commentary to the two acquisitions      
made during the year and reported on at the time of the release of the          
interim results. The acquisition of 30% in Ramsay Son & Parker (Pty)            
Limited is proving to be a highly strategic purchase and there has been a       
flurry of activity resulting from the acquisition. They have launched           
"Wegbreek" during the year and are launching "Nuwe Wiel" at the end of          
August. These new Afrikaans publications will bolster their presence in the     
magazine publishing industry. They also acquired a 50% interest in "Leisure     
Wheels" which will further add to their portfolio.                              
The printing and distribution of their titles is now being undertaken by        
the company and the changeover went well with no disruption of any nature       
having been experienced.                                                        
Directors                                                                       
It was reported at the time of the release of the interim results that          
there had been a number of changes in the composition of the Board of           
Directors and in view of the role that the directors who resigned played in     
the company it would be remiss not to restate this fact.                        
Messrs M W Short and Dr J M Buitendag, having reached retirement age,           
resigned.                                                                       
Mr. Short was one of the founders of the company and played a pivotal role      
in what Caxton is today, particularly in the formulation, implementation        
and management of the company"s IT systems. He will continue to assist the      
company within the ambit of the areas in which he contributed in the past.      
Dr Buitendag was the head of the Perskor Group with whom we merged in 1998      
and we remain indebted to him for helping to facilitate the merger and          
acknowledge the contribution made by him to the South African Media             
industry.                                                                       
Our most sincere thanks go to these two special gentlemen for the immense       
contribution not only to the company but to the industry as a whole. Their      
wise counsel and guidance will be missed and we wish them good health and a     
well earned retirement. Mr. C Molusi has also resigned as a director and we     
take this opportunity of thanking him for the contribution which he made        
during his tenure as a director.                                                
We are pleased to advise that Mr. T J W Holden has been appointed to the        
board.                                                                          
Review by Independent Auditors                                                  
The company auditors, PKF (JHB) Incorporated have reviewed these results.       
Their unqualified review is available for inspection at the registered          
offices of the company.                                                         
Separation of certain of the Company"s Assets                                   
The Board of Directors is considering the possibility of separating a           
number of the company"s assets into a separate vehicle which will be listed     
as a separate entity on the JSE. This is being looked at to encourage the       
possibility of future diversity of shareholding and an improved focus on        
the operations of the company. Any such unbundling and subsequent listing       
would be subject to appropriate regulatory requirements and the provision       
of further details to shareholders.                                             
Dividends                                                                       
The board has declared a dividend of 45 cents (2005 - 40 cents) per share       
payable to ordinary shareholders and a preference dividend of 413 cents         
(2005 - 338 cents) per preference share to preference shareholders. To          
comply with the procedures of STRATE the following dates are applicable:        
Date dividend declared:               Wednesday, 23 August, 2006                
Last date to trade "cum" dividend:    Friday, 13 October, 2006                  
Date to commence trading "ex"         Monday, 16 October, 2006                  
dividend:                                                                       
Record date:                          Friday, 20 October, 2006                  
Date of payment:                      Monday, 23 October, 2006                  
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between          
Monday, 16 October 2006 and Friday, 20 October 2006 both days inclusive.        
Prospects                                                                       
The company is entering into a slightly different phase in its history.         
Substantial capital expenditure has been incurred and for the first time in     
many years, capacity to cope with our customer requirements will no longer      
be an issue. No further large capital investments are anticipated and there     
will initially be surplus capacity in newspaper and commercial printing.        
We are also now in a position to print newspapers efficiently.With the          
considerable expenditure on capital goes a commensurate increase in the         
quantum of depreciation which factor has already affected this year"s           
result. The forthcoming years" results will be further impacted on as all       
plants and presses become fully operational.                                    
The economy remains the "Joker in the Pack" but there is no doubt that the      
monetary authorities are concerned about rising levels of inflation and the     
exuberant expenditure of the consumer. As they tighten the economy and          
increase interest rates there can be no doubt that the level of growth,         
particularly for retailers and wholesalers, will slow down.                     
In these circumstances, the company expects moderate earnings growth.           
By order of the Board                                                           
Dr F van Zyl Slabbert (Chairman)                                                
G M Utian (Managing Director)                                                   
T D Moolman (Chief Executive Officer)                                           
Johannesburg                                                                    
23 August 2006                                                                  
Dr. F van Zyl Slabbert* (Chairman), T D Moolman (Chief Executive Officer),      
G M Utian (Managing Director), P C Desai*, F T Gatefield*, P G Greyling, T      
J W Holden, P M Jenkins*, P Vallet*                                             
(* Non-executive directors)                                                     
Registered office:                                                              
16 Wright Street, Industria West, Johannesburg, 2093                            
Sponsor                                                                         
Sasfin Capital                                                                  
A division of Sasfin Bank Limited                                               
Date: 23/08/2006 04:08:17 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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: