Teejay 6-mth net profit up 20% to Rs. 705 m despite challenges
View(s):Teejay Lanka PLC, Sri Lanka’s only multinational textile manufacturer, has reported sales of Rs. 14.4 billion and profit after tax of Rs. 704.8 million at group level for the six months ending September 2018, reflecting healthy growth of 25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, for the period.
Group profit before tax improved by 15 per cent to Rs. 848.6 million, the Weft knit fabric specialist with manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka and India, said in a statement to the media.
Revenue in the second quarter of 2018-19 was up 25 per cent to Rs. 7.6 billion, profit before tax grew 11 per cent to Rs. 500.2 million and net profit increased by 15 per cent to Rs. 425.5 million over the corresponding three months of the previous year.
Teejay Lanka Chairman Bill Lam said this was the fourth consecutive quarter of revenue and net profit growth for the company in the face of stiff challenges, and was made possible by expanded capacity in the group and a strong order book arising from the GSP facilities that it enjoys.
He disclosed that although margins were impacted by raw material and utility cost increases in the second quarter, Teejay had been able to improve its gross margin to 11.3 per cent from 10.2 per cent in the corresponding quarter as a result of better loading and an improved mix, with its US and EU business units increasing sales volumes.
The Teejay Group has a carried forward cash balance of Rs. 3.4 billion at the end of the quarter reviewed despite a dividend payment of Rs. 632 million. “The increase in working capital was driven by inventories to support expanded capacity and a strong order book in the coming quarters which have historically been the group’s peak months,” Mr Lam said.
Looking ahead, he said cotton price volatility is expected to ease out towards the end third quarter while utility costs and the prices of dyes and chemicals are projected to increase. Amidst these challenges, the group is gearing up for its peak quarters with the GSP benefit, an anticipated surge in EU business, a strengthened customer portfolio, plans to bring in more business and fully exploit its expansion in India in the second half of the financial year.