Mainfreight shares rise on 28% lift in FY net profit

UPDATE: Mainfreight shares rise on 28% lift in FY net profit, sees momentum

(Recasts lede to include share price reaction, updates share price in 3rd paragraph, adds broker comment from 7th paragraph)

By Rebecca Howard

May 28 (BusinessDesk) - Mainfreight's shares rose 4.2 percent after the company reported a 28 percent lift in full year net profit as it global network continues to strengthen across its three core services of domestic transportation, warehousing and international freight forwarding.

The Auckland-based company said net profit was $137.6 million in the year to March 31 versus $107.7 million in the prior year. Revenue lifted 12.9 percent to $2.95 billion and its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 19.5 percent to $257.1 million.

The shares were up $1.50 at $37.50 in early trading, and have climbed almost 22 percent so far this year.

Net profit before abnormal items was $141.1 million, up 26 percent. Abnormal costs after tax totalled $3.5 million. Of this, $2.9 million related to the further write-down of the European brand name, Wim Bosman, which is in the process of being discontinued. The balance is restructuring costs in Europe and the Americas.

Looking ahead, it said "we remain confident that the momentum of the year just concluded will continue." It noted, however, "there is a level of uncertainty in global trade and slowing economies".

"Whilst not immune to such external effects, we continue to position ourselves to counter the headwinds and look for ongoing growth."

Mainfreight will pay a final dividend of 34 cents a share on July 19 with a July 12 record date, taking the full year dividend to 56 cents a share, up 24.4 percent on the year.

"It was a good result across all geographies and it had a positive outlook statement, which is just reflective of the business' really good momentum currently," said Peter McIntyre, an investment adviser at Craigs Investment Partners.

"From an investor perspective it was good that their net debt was far lower, with good operating cash flows. It was pretty solid right across the board."

He noted, however, the company sounded a note of caution about increasing operating costs and the uncertain macro environment.

In New Zealand, ebitda was up 12.2 percent to a record $110.6 million and it now has a branch network across all three services which extends from urban centres into regional areas with populations under 20,000.

"Delivery times and quality have improved and we have been able to secure new customers, including providing import and export services from many regional locations never before serviced by Mainfreight," it said.

In Australia, ebitda was up 11 percent to A$55.4 million after a "relatively slow start," it said.

In Asia, revenue was down 11.2 percent to US$74.5 million but ebitda lifted 28.2 percent to US$6.3 million on improved margins. It is now in eight countries and has 21 branches in Asia. It is looking to add a further six regional sales desk locations in second tier cities across the region, boosting sales reach and capability.

Intra-Asian freight movements were a growing feature of trade in the region. Tariffs affecting China-US trade saw volumes fluctuate and "diversifying our trade focus will assist, alleviating dependency on the volatile USA trade lanes."

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