Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited
Thursday, January 29, 2009 06:16 PM IST (12:46 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy; Business: Banking & financial services, Business services, Clothing & accessories, Financial Analyst, Information technology, Major diversified industrial groups, Stock exchanges, Textiles
Release no: 19094
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Aditya Birla Nuvo Reports Results for the Third Quarter Ended 31st December 2008
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Thursday, January 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Aditya Birla Nuvo continued to work on its defined strategy of building a strong foundation for all the businesses entailing
-- Achieving pan India presence in the Telecom business;
-- Expanding customer reach and augmenting portfolio in the Financial Services business;
-- Transformation from a wholesale garment company to a "High-end apparel retailing" company through continued expansion of retail space and
-- Improving operating efficiency through full utilisation of existing capacity and supporting business through cost effective sites and locations in the BPO business.
-- Expanding capacities in manufacturing businesses to tap sector growth.
As a result, while the company grew in net sales, profitability was strained due to: -
a) The gestating impact of the aggressive growth initiatives bunched together
b) The nature of Life Insurance business where new business premium, though profitable in the long run, causes strain in the first year due to the accounting procedure.
c) The global economic slowdown impacting India Inc., which has affected few of our businesses as well:
-- Carbon black industry was impacted by the sharp volatility in crude oil prices and slowdown in demand from the auto / tyre sector
-- Garment industry witnessed weak consumer demand and higher discounting
-- Growth rates in Life insurance and Mutual Fund industry softened due to volatile stock markets
The Company's standalone net sales in the third quarter grew by 9% to Rs. 1,172.5 Crores from Rs. 1075.4 Crores, largely driven by the Fertilisers business.
The Company's consolidated net sales rose by 17% to Rs. 3,429 Crores from Rs. 2,931.1 Crores. The Telecom and Life Insurance businesses contributed significantly.
-- The Telecom business registered a 60% rise in revenues at Rs. 2,728.6 Crores up from Rs. 1,708.1 Crores. Spice results since 16th Oct'08 are consolidated at 41.09% as a joint venture. Idea is now operational in 15 service areas with 38.01 million subscribers after "Spice" being rebranded as "Idea" in Punjab and Karnataka service areas. Idea ranks 5th with 11% all India market share as on 31st December 2008. Idea has received spectrum for the remaining five service areas and is targeting Pan India presence by the end of calendar year 2009.
During the quarter, a sum of Rs. 21 billion was received from Providence as capital infusion in Idea's subsidiary Aditya Birla Telecom. The Debt-equity ratio (net of cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 8160.6 Cr.) stood at 0.19 as on 31st December 2008.
-- The Life Insurance business recorded a 23% growth in new business premium income at Rs. 614.4 Crores supported by expanded distribution reach and strengthened product portfolio. During April-December 2008, Birla Sun Life Insurance achieved 62% growth in first year premium compared to 26% growth attained by private players and ranked 5th with a market share of 8.5%. It has launched 261 new distribution centres during the half year itself to reach a total of 600 centres. In view of the current slow down in the financial services sector, the business from existing branches will be strengthened and new branch openings will be re-aligned with the growth outlook. During the quarter, direct sales force grew from about 132,000 agents to over 150,000 agents.
-- The BPO business revenues grew from Rs. 403.1 Crores to Rs. 416 Crores. Growth could have been higher but for the global slowdown.
-- In the Garments business, revenues grew to Rs. 293.3 Crores from Rs. 278.8 Crores. Continued weak demand and discounted sale offerings affected growth particularly in the wholesale channel. Sales from retail channel registered a robust 26% growth. Controlled retail space stands expanded to 7.6 lacs square feet across 328 Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs), five 'Peter England People' stores and one 'The Collective' store.
Investment phase of growth businesses coupled with impact of economic slowdown on few businesses constrained profitability
Standalone net profit, during the quarter, reduced to Rs. 4.1 Crores from Rs. 84 Crores. Besides lower off take from tyre customers, Carbon black business was severely impaired by high priced stock due to sharp fall in CBFS prices linked to crude oil.
At the consolidated level, the Company has reported a net loss of Rs. 156.4 Crores against net profit of Rs. 30.2 Crores attained in the corresponding quarter of the preceding year.
-- The Telecom business reported lower net profit at Rs. 219.5 Crores vis-à-vis Rs. 236.7 Crores largely due to start up costs in Mumbai and Bihar coupled with its share in losses of Spice. Going forward, the business will benefit from new roll outs and cash inflows from TM International and Providence.
-- In the Life insurance business, the net loss is higher at Rs. 165.8 Crores vis-à-vis Rs. 125.8 Crores. This was largely due to the growing share of new business premium and higher spends on expansion of distribution network, which are key growth drivers of the business. The new business is fully profitable. However, income from it will accrue over the policy period, as is the nature of this business. The new ramp up will lay a strong foundation for the future growth of the business. The proposed acquisition of Apollo Sindhoori will drive significant synergies through cross selling.
-- In the BPO business, the net loss is reduced to Rs. 37.8 Crores from Rs. 38.2 Crores despite site closure costs of Rs. 7.5 Crores and forex loss. Efforts are on to plough back profitability by enhancing operating efficiencies, increasing share of high paying KPO segment and migration to low cost locations.
-- Profitability in the branded garments business was constrained due to the gestating impact of new store launches and higher discounting. In the apparel retail subsidiaries, the pre-launch expenses of stores and branding costs constrained the bottom-line; the benefit of which will accrue going forward.
In the contract manufacturing business, weak order flow / order cancellation resulted in lower capacity utilisation and forex loss, impacting its profitability for which corrective actions have been taken.
Most of our businesses are progressing on the designed path to leverage growth opportunities. Aditya Birla Nuvo is optimistic about meeting the challenges of strategic growth initiatives and enhancing its revenues and earnings. The investments pumped, more specifically into the Life Insurance, BPO and Garments businesses, which have created a stretch on profitability in the short term in line with the plan, will go a long way towards value creation for shareholders.
Statements in this "Press Release" describing the Company's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or predictions may be "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company's operations include global and Indian demand supply conditions, finished goods prices, feed stock availability and prices, cyclical demand and pricing in the Company's principal markets, changes in Government regulations, tax regimes, economic developments within India and the countries within which the company conducts business and other factors such as litigation and labour negotiations. The Company assume no responsibility to publicly amend, modify or revise any forward looking statement, on the basis of any subsequent development, information or events, or otherwise.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Dr. (Mrs.) Pragnya Ram, Group Executive President - Corporate Communications, Aditya Birla Management Corpn. Private Ltd, +91 (022) 66525000, pragnya.ram@adityabirla.com
KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CLOTHING, Financial Analyst, IT, GROUPS, STOCK EXCHANGES, TEXTILES
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