GuruFocus -
- Revenue: Increased by 29.7% to ZAR10.95 billion.
- Operating Profit: Up 34.7% to ZAR846 million.
- Headline Earnings Per Share: Increased to ZAR284.3 per share.
- Cash Generated from Operations: Up 111.5% to ZAR1.54 billion.
- Capital Expenditure: Decreased to ZAR757.6 million.
- Operating Profit Margin: Healthy at 7.7%.
- Interim Dividend: Declared at ZAR0.94 per share.
- Return on Capital Employed: Increased to 17.1%.
- Profit After Tax: Up 34% to ZAR590 million.
- Effective Tax Rate: Increased to 28.1% from 26.7%.
- Net Finance Cost: Increased to ZAR31 million.
- Order Book: Holding at ZAR24.5 billion, a slight decline from ZAR25.5 billion.
- Debt to Equity Ratio: Slightly up to 27.7% from 26%.
- Net Asset Value per Share: Increased 5.5% to ZAR34.70 per share.
- Cash and Cash Equivalents: Increased to ZAR2.15 billion.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- Raubex (JO:RBXJ) Group Ltd (JSE:RBX) reported a 29.7% increase in revenue to ZAR10.95 billion and a 34.7% rise in operating profit to ZAR846 million for the six months ended August 2024.
- The company declared an interim dividend of ZAR0.94 per share, reflecting a strong return on capital employed of 17.1%.
- Raubex Group Ltd (JSE:RBX) maintained a healthy order book at ZAR24.5 billion, with increased tender activity and selective contract awards across all divisions.
- The Roads and Earthworks Division reported a 74% increase in operating profit, driven by strong performance in SANRAL projects and new contract awards.
- The Infrastructure Division secured several renewable energy projects, contributing to a 30% increase in revenue and a stable order book of ZAR8.5 billion.
- The Materials Handling and Mining Division experienced a decrease in operating profit margin from 10.9% to 8.4%, affected by weather conditions and operational delays.
- Bauba operations saw a 25.6% decrease in operating profit, with a significant drop in operating profit margin from 17.5% to 7.5%.
- The effective tax rate increased to 28.1% from 26.7% due to higher profits from operations in regions with higher corporate tax rates.
- The order book for the Roads and Earthworks Division decreased slightly to ZAR9.84 billion, despite improvements in project quality.
- The Construction Materials Division anticipates a softer second half of 2025 due to a construction break in December, impacting overall performance.
A: Ntombi Msiza, CEO, stated that there is a positive sentiment regarding planned infrastructure projects, especially post the establishment of the Government of National Unity (NYSE:U). Raubex anticipates significant awards from SANRAL and other infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater treatment plants. However, quantifying the impact in percentage terms is challenging.
Q: Can you comment on the yields at Bauba in the first half and expectations for the second half?
A: Samuel Odendaal, CFO, noted that yields at Kookfontein are down to about 43%, with expectations to improve in the second half. At Moeijelijk Mine, yields are around 54%, but production was affected by insufficient underground product.
Q: How has Raubex's interaction with SANRAL been regarding project awards?
A: CEO Ntombi Msiza mentioned that interactions with SANRAL have been positive. SANRAL revised their procurement policy and appointed a chief procurement officer, which should lead to finalizing pending awards by March 2025.
Q: What is the guidance on margins for the Infrastructure division in the second half?
A: CEO Ntombi Msiza indicated that margins for the Infrastructure division in the second half are expected to be similar to those in the first half of the financial year 2025.
Q: What is the status of Raubex's High Court application regarding the Clanwilliam Dam tender?
A: CEO Ntombi Msiza explained that Raubex won the challenge regarding the award to another contractor with costs. However, the judge ruled against Raubex on the larger project due to non-compliance with CIDB grading.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.