Lanka Ashok Leyland declares 300% dividend after strong performance in FY17

Lanka Ashok Leyland ended another successful year with improved results touching total revenue Rs. 11.4 billion owing to an excellent 4th quarter where revenue reached Rs. 3.8 billion. Lanka Ashok Leyland’s foray into export markets made significant gains this year which contributed in expanding the gross profit margin to 9% against 8.4% a year earlier. 

Non-recurring expenses relating to tax charges and an impairment provision amounting to approximately Rs. 120 million drove up operating expenses by 44% to Rs. 502.7 million from Rs. 348.7 million in 2015. Higher interest rates during the year drove up net finance expense by 64% to Rs. 91.1 million against Rs. 55.7 million in 2015 while interest bearing liabilities fell almost 9% to Rs. 1.8 billion from Rs. 2 billion a year ago. Inventory levels rose 3% to Rs. 3.9 billion for the same period. 

Profit before tax grew 12% to Rs. 351.6 million compared to Rs. 314 million posted for 2015. Taking into consideration the non-recurring expenses and the improved performance, the board of directors have declared Rs. 30.0 per share as a dividend representing a 20% increase over last year. 

Commenting on the results, Lanka Ashok Leyland CEO Gautam highlighted, that despite of frequent changes in the import duties, restricted leasing facilities and adverse market conditions, this year’s performance has been a reflection of the prudent financial management, collective effort by management and all our employees. The bottom line remains healthy, notwithstanding the extraordinary line items on the firms’ operating expenses. 

For another year, the key macro variables trended against us as average weighted lending rates rose approximately 200 basis points impacting demand while the Lankan Rupee lost around 4.5% against the US Dollar driving import prices up and negatively impacting our margins.  However the depreciation was not as severe as 2015, where the LKR fell over 9%, and we were able to navigate the risks better.

In focusing on the variables within our control, Gautam says, “I am proud of the marketing team’s innovation, industry, and effort throughout the year to increase our market share and sales in the midst of a challenging environment. Overall unit sales increased 10% year on year despite rising costs, partly driven by the construction sector which continues to be a driving contributor for national output.”

We remain well capitalised as interest bearing liabilities fell almost 9% while inventories rose 3%. During the year, we were granted better terms of import through our principal Ashok Leyland, greatly helping our working capital positions. 

Looking ahead, we continue to see strong demand emanating from key economic sectors such as the construction industry going into next year despite a challenging external environment for the rest. Interest rates may start to fall in the latter part of the yearl; however it depends on other economic factors and the success of government reform to tackle its foreign debt position. Addressing our overreliance on domestic vehicle sales as a disproportionate portion of revenue, our export push has grown over 700% in the last year and we hope to make further gains.”