Singapore, 13 November 2007 – Main board listed Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd today announced another year of strong growth in revenue and organic profit for FY2007.
Attributable net profit before exceptional items (APBE) posted an organic growth of S$22.8 million or 20% to reach S$138.3 million. Taking into account non-recurring items, translation differences, gestation losses and reinvestment credit, APBE improved by S$0.9 million or 1% to S$132.6 million.
Organically, Group profit before interest and tax (PBIT) rose 17% or S$39.7 million to S$269.5 million. Including non-recurring items, translation differences, gestation losses and reinvestment credit, PBIT stood at S$255.2 million, representing an increase of S$5.5 million or 2% over last year.
Gestation losses refer to the first three years’ performance of greenfield operations. The non-recurring items refer to a one-time royalty adjustment in Vietnam which improved FY2006’s PBIT by S$20.7 million and APBE by S$16.5 million. For FY2007, a reinvestment credit was included and this added S$4.0 million to PBIT and APBE. This reinvestment credit was granted to APB for reinvesting dividends back into Vietnam for further business expansion.
Group revenue for the year increased by 17% to S$1.8 billion.
The earnings per share (before exceptional items) amounted to 51.3 cents compared with 51.2 cents in the previous year.
Directors have recommended a final net dividend of 18 cents per share, which together with interim dividend of 14 cents per share, brings total net dividend for the year to 32 cents per share. This final dividend, if approved by shareholders, will be paid on 22 February 2008.
As at 30 September 2007, net asset value per share rose 7.6% to S$3.69 as compared to S$3.43 the previous year.