South Port New Zealand Ltd’s reported after-tax profit for the June 2018 year is $9.66M, up 14% on last year’s result of $8.45M. South Port Chairman, Mr Rex Chapman said, “this is an excellent result for the Port, underpinned by a 13% increase in cargo flows.” Total cargo volume through Bluff set a further record of 3,445,000 tonnes (FY17 3,053,000 tonnes) due to strong growth in bulk cargoes and a positive development in shipping line connectivity.

“The mainstay of our business continues to be bulk cargoes representing 85% of all volumes handled across the Port wharves,” said Mr Chapman.

Revenue from port and warehousing operations equated to $40.7 million ($36.9 million), an increase of 10%. Higher volumes through the Port saw operating profit before financing costs and tax increase by 13% to $13.8 million ($12.3 million).

Net financing costs were $579,000 ($449,000). Earnings per share were 36.8 cents (32.2 cents per share). Net tangible asset backing per share equates to $1.53 ($1.42 per share). In establishing the dividend payment level, Directors took into account sustainable profit plus future maintenance expenditure.

Shareholders will receive a consistent final dividend of 18.5 cents, which sustains a full year dividend of 26.0 cents, fully imputed. The dividend payment represents a gross return of 5.2% (net 3.7%), based on a share price of $7.00 as at 30 June 2018.

A dividend payout ratio of 71% results for 2018 (using reported NPAT) and equates to 61% of free cash flow. Mr Chapman said that “South Port has recently been successful in renewing its insurance cover, including material damage, up to $250 million.” Insurance companies are now raising the issue of whether ports need to carry out additional strengthening work on critical assets in coming years to maintain insurance cover.

This could have significant cost implications for the Port and Management has started to investigate these requirements.

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