Entrust Securities 1H profits swell by 111%

Entrust Securities plc has weathered challenging market conditions and volatile interest scenarios during the past few months has recorded a commendable profit of Rs. 56.5 million in the first half of FY13 compared with Rs. 26.8 million recorded a year earlier reflecting a significant growth of 111%.

“This laudable feat has been realized amidst the increasing trend of interest rates that prevailed, especially on one-year Government Securities,” Entrust Securities said.

With the Central Bank of Sri Lanka adopting measures to tighten the monetary policy during the first quartile of the year to be in line with the 2012 Budget, this adverse impact was deeply felt by the primary dealer industry, as a decline in transaction volumes was witnessed in the secondary market activities.

“However Entrust Securities PLC reacted in a prudent manner and also by adopting effective risk management techniques the company was able to increase its value to the shareholders,” the company said in a statement.

The company also continued to maintain its growth in the Shareholder’s funds reflecting a net assets per share price of Rs. 20.02 as at 30 September 2012. Recently published interim financials highlight the progress of the company, with Earnings per share (EPS) of Rs. 1.71 being recorded as at 30 September 2012 in comparison to Rs. 0.81 stated for September 2011.

Making a debutant entrant to the equity market on 29 November 2011, Entrust Securities PLC became the first regulated non-banking entity under the Public Debt Department of Central Bank of Sri Lanka to get listed on the Colombo Bourse.

A company set up in year 2000, Entrust Securities PLC made its presence felt in the financial market as a leading, licensed primary dealer dealing exclusively in Government securities such as Treasury bills and bonds. The company has been servicing an extended clientele ranging from Government entities, co-operative societies, captive sources, fund managers, listed and unlisted corporates, high net worth individuals, etc. with the intention of actively promoting investments and trading opportunities in Government securities.

Entrust Securities uses advance trading platforms such as Bloomberg to enhance the portfolio value of its valued clientele and also to forecast and benefit from trading opportunities. Under the umbrella of Entrust group of companies since inception, Entrust Securities has been in the forefront of the development of the local debt market by popularising investments in Government Securities, through many Investor Awareness seminars conducted islandwide.  

Over the years, the customer base of Entrust Securities has widened and the company has developed strong bonds with its loyal clientele, creating a niche as specialists in wealth forecasting.

With the guidance and stewardship of the new management of its holding company Entrust Limited, the primary dealer arm is geared to retain its dominancy in the market, as an aggressive market maker in Treasury bill and bond trading, Entrust Securities added.