The Bidvest Group Limited

Bidvest has delivered a pleasing result against the backdrop of significant and continuing market challenges. The quality of earnings is evident in the performance of the South African trading operations, which delivered solid results. Despite the competitive and difficult operating environment, five of the divisions managed to maintain or increase margins through enhanced efficiencies and cost control.

South African operations delivered a good trading profit, increasing by 6,2% notwithstanding revenue only increasing 3,6%. Bidvest Namibia continued to be impacted by declining fish quotas and tough economic conditions in that country. Numerous options are being considered to improve the current situation and return these assets to profitability.

Basic earnings per share increased by 39,6% to 587,4 cents (H1 2016: 420,9 cents) and headline earnings per share by 4,4% to 510,3 cents (H1 2016: 489,0 cents). The difference in the increase between basic earnings and headline earnings per share is primarily due to the reversal of impairments arising from an increase in the market values of associate companies, Adcock Ingram Holdings Limited (Adcock Ingram) and Comair Limited (Comair), due to strong profitability gains.

Group revenue increased 4,1% to R36,0 billion (H1 2016: R34,6 billion).

Gross profit margin was stable. Portfolio mix benefits were achieved by replacing low profit margin companies, with Brandcorp, which is a better margin business. Bidvest Namibia’s margin continued to diminish as a result of increased fishing quota costs. Operating expenses were well controlled, increasing by a modest 2,1%. The operating expense ratio reduced to 20,1% (H1 2016: 20,5%).

All the divisions apart from Office and Print and Bidvest Namibia contributed positively to the 7,5% growth in the trading result and stable trading profit margin. Mark-to-market adjustments on our investments reduced the growth in trading profit to 3,2% or R2,8 billion (H1 2016: R2,7 billion).

The investments in Adcock Ingram, Comair and Cullinan benefited from positive mark-to-market adjustments of R319,8 million, relative to negative adjustments of R216,9 million in the corresponding period and R760,8 million for the full 2016 financial year.

Net finance charges were 15,4% higher at R521,3 million (H1 2016: R451,8 million), driven by a 1% increase in the prime interest rate and an increase in net debt due to the Brandcorp acquisition.

Income from associates more than doubled to R200,9 million (H1 2016: R93,8 million), due to significant improvements in the financial results of Adcock Ingram and Comair.

Bidvest’s headline earnings increased by 5,6% to R1,7 billion (H1 2016: R1,6 billion).

Cash generated by operations at R1,8 billion was, on a like-for-like basis, 30,1% higher than the R1,4 billion generated in the prior year. The Group absorbed R1,9 billion of working capital in the current period compared to R2,0 billion in the prior period.

The balance sheet remains robust and net debt levels are acceptable at R8,4 billion given Brandcorp’s recent inclusion. Net debt to equity at 42,7% (H1 2016: 41,3%) and EBITDA interest cover of 7,0 times (H1 2016: 7,9 times), are comfortably above the Group’s conservative self-imposed targets, providing ample capacity for further expansion.

Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the Bidvest Group’s local currency global and national scale long-term issuer ratings of Baa2/Aa1.za and short-term ratings of P-2/P-1.za, with a negative outlook, in December 2016. The negative outlook relates to the challenging and low growth economic environment in South Africa.

The Brandcorp acquisition was finalised with effect from 1 October 2016 and the focus is currently on the integration of this business into the Commercial Products fold. Several small bolt-on acquisitions have been bedded down.

It is anticipated that current trading conditions will continue for the remainder of the year, although a gradual improvement is anticipated, supported by drought relief and improved business confidence.

Expense control and asset management remain essential pillars of our high-performance philosophy and will continue to be closely monitored.

The Group is continuously assessing and implementing plans for real growth and pursuing selective local and international opportunities to complement existing product and service offerings. This growth drive is supported by Bidvest’s sound financial position and strong cash generation, which provides adequate headroom to accommodate expansion opportunities.

Bidvest Namibia (52% share)

Difficult macro-economic factors in Namibia contributed to a disappointing overall performance, with trading profit declining by 80,6%. All operations apart from Properties, reported a decline in profitability, with Bidfish and Food and Distribution generating losses for the six months. The extremely difficult trading conditions are expected to continue in the short term. Various initiatives have been implemented to improve the operating performance. The size of the vessel fleet is being reduced and cost reduction programmes have been put in place.

Bidvest Corporate

Bidvest Properties performed well with a 12,7% increase in trading profit. Mark-to-market adjustments negatively impacted the performance of investments. Ontime Automotive and the DH Mansfield Group, reduced their losses and robust action plans are in place to further improve performance.

There were no changes to the board during the period.

For and on behalf of the board

27 February 2017