Company News in Brief
Trelidor reports 1/4 climb in profit for half-year ended
Durban-based security group Trellidor Holdings reported an almost one-quarter climb in operating profit in its six months to end December, when profit after tax lifted about 40% to R28.2 million. Operating profit jumped for its Trellidor security barriers business, underpinned by the now complete major project work in the UK and cost reduction in the SA operations. Its Taylor's blinds business also benefitted from a strategic focus of supporting and adding to its distribution network, it said, while NMC, which is an importer and distributor of premium cornicing and skirting products, benefitted from increased inventory and selling capacity.-FIN24
Wealth management firm Quilter profut jumps 17%
Old Mutual's former wealth management business Quilter reported a 17% increase in adjusted profit before tax to £196 million (R4.6 billion) for its year to end December, and a two-percentage-point improvement in operating margin to 29%. The group announced a 13% rise in its full-year dividend, while total assets under management and administration (AuMA) increased 12% in the year to £119.4 billion. This followed a 3 374% rise in net inflows of £4.8 billion, from just £100 million, helped by supportive conditions in financial markets.-FIN24
Curro announces hike in dividend and share buybacks
Curro, on Wednesday announced a hike in its final dividend and continued share buybacks, as it reported a strong operational performance despite a lack of major pupil growth. Moderating inflation and interest rate relief hasn't been enough to boost enrolments, Curro said, but revenue still increased 8% to R5.1 billion in its year to end December, while profit after tax just over tripled to R97 million. Weighted average number of learners for 2024 increased marginally by 1% to 72 638 but were only at 72 109 as of February. School impairments eased to R365 million from R378 million, but margins improved as well and headline earnings per share grew 13%. Curro raised its final dividend by 13% to 16.60c per share and said it would continue share buybacks, with 2024 marking the second consecutive year it generated more cash from operations than its capital expenditure, with an increase of 23% to R197 million in free cash.-FIN24
Spur headline earnings rise 11.5%
Spur, which also owns brands such as John Dory's and The Hussar Grill, reported that headline earnings rose 11.5% to R144 million in its six months to end December, which came "as the battle for market share intensified in the highly competitive casual dining restaurant sector." The group saw a stellar result from Panarottis, which is making a play for small towns, while the group upped its interim dividend by 11.6% to R1.06 per share. Spur added it benefitted from customer loyalty, and despite the mounting pressure on disposable income, it continues to focus on attracting customers into restaurants with its distinct and differentiated value proposition.-FIN24
Durban-based security group Trellidor Holdings reported an almost one-quarter climb in operating profit in its six months to end December, when profit after tax lifted about 40% to R28.2 million. Operating profit jumped for its Trellidor security barriers business, underpinned by the now complete major project work in the UK and cost reduction in the SA operations. Its Taylor's blinds business also benefitted from a strategic focus of supporting and adding to its distribution network, it said, while NMC, which is an importer and distributor of premium cornicing and skirting products, benefitted from increased inventory and selling capacity.-FIN24
Wealth management firm Quilter profut jumps 17%
Old Mutual's former wealth management business Quilter reported a 17% increase in adjusted profit before tax to £196 million (R4.6 billion) for its year to end December, and a two-percentage-point improvement in operating margin to 29%. The group announced a 13% rise in its full-year dividend, while total assets under management and administration (AuMA) increased 12% in the year to £119.4 billion. This followed a 3 374% rise in net inflows of £4.8 billion, from just £100 million, helped by supportive conditions in financial markets.-FIN24
Curro announces hike in dividend and share buybacks
Curro, on Wednesday announced a hike in its final dividend and continued share buybacks, as it reported a strong operational performance despite a lack of major pupil growth. Moderating inflation and interest rate relief hasn't been enough to boost enrolments, Curro said, but revenue still increased 8% to R5.1 billion in its year to end December, while profit after tax just over tripled to R97 million. Weighted average number of learners for 2024 increased marginally by 1% to 72 638 but were only at 72 109 as of February. School impairments eased to R365 million from R378 million, but margins improved as well and headline earnings per share grew 13%. Curro raised its final dividend by 13% to 16.60c per share and said it would continue share buybacks, with 2024 marking the second consecutive year it generated more cash from operations than its capital expenditure, with an increase of 23% to R197 million in free cash.-FIN24
Spur headline earnings rise 11.5%
Spur, which also owns brands such as John Dory's and The Hussar Grill, reported that headline earnings rose 11.5% to R144 million in its six months to end December, which came "as the battle for market share intensified in the highly competitive casual dining restaurant sector." The group saw a stellar result from Panarottis, which is making a play for small towns, while the group upped its interim dividend by 11.6% to R1.06 per share. Spur added it benefitted from customer loyalty, and despite the mounting pressure on disposable income, it continues to focus on attracting customers into restaurants with its distinct and differentiated value proposition.-FIN24
