RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENTS RESULTS Notes: 2. Exceptional
items DHBG, the Group's 70% owned listed subsidiary in Hong
Kong recorded a consolidated profit attributable to shareholders of HK$
1,098 million, an increase of 62.7% over the same period last year. As
of 31.12.96, DHBG's's loan to deposit ratio was 60.3% while the cost to
income ratio was 37.3%. Dao Heng Bank Limited ("Dao Heng") has recently
had two public issues, a HK$1.5 billion FRCD in December 1996 and a ten
year US$350 million Yankee bond in January 1997. The latter is considered
to be a landmark issue for the entire Yankee sector due to its size, which
was the largest Yankee issue to date by an Asian bank outside of Japan,
and since it was the first subordinated issue by a Hong Kong based bank.
This has enabled Dao Heng to source additional Tier II capital and to develop
a yield curve extending out to ten years at very competitive effective
rates. DHBG's local branch network has reached 95 branches. Rapid
growth continues to take place in our credit card company. In the
Philippines, DHBG's 60% subsidiary Dao Heng Bank, Inc. has expanded its
branch network to 7 domestic branches in order to capture the opportunities
arising from the increasingly promising Philippine market. The Group recently completed the acquisition of Lap Heng
Company, Limited, a listed company in Hong Kong and changed its name to
Guoco Land Limited. Subject to approval by its shareholders, First
Capital Corporation Ltd will acquire 20% from the Group's present holding
of 70% of the share capital of GLL. The management of GLL is currently reviewing joint venture
opportunities with other major property developers in respect of Government
Land auctions and other development projects both for commercial and residential
properties. FCC, the Group's 58% listed subsidiary in Singapore, achieved
satisfactory results during the period with profit before tax recorded
at S$ 145.4 million (HK$ 803.4 million) representing an increase of 53%
over the corresponding period last year. The directors of FCC have declared
an interim dividend of 5% or 5 cents per ordinary share less 26% income
tax, amounting to approximately S$10.7 million (HK$59.1 million) for the
financial year ending 30th June, 1997.. FCC's primary business activities
continue to be in property investment and development both in and outside
Singapore. FCC enlarged its land bank by acquiring 5 additional plots of
land totalling approximately 71,200 sq. metres at Nathan Road, Paterson
Road, Tanjong Rhu, Robinson Road and Bishan. In October 1996, FCC entered
into an Agreement to acquire a 33.7% interest in Benchmark Group PLC, a
company listed in the London Stock Exchange, which has a property portfolio
of 15 properties in Central London valued at £144 million. The Group's 20% owned Malaysia listed associated company
reported a consolidated profit before tax for the six months ended 31st
December, 1996 of RM261.6 million (HK$ 800.5 million), an increase of 34%
over the previous financial year's corresponding period figure of RM195
million. GHPI, the Group's 37% owned listed associated company
in the Philippines recorded consolidated income after tax of Peso335.1
million (HK$98.6 million), a satisfactory 104% increase over the corresponding
period last year. Retained earnings as at 31st December, 1996 amounted
to about Peso 1.9 billion (HK$0.56 billion). GHPI has signed a Memorandum of Agreement recently to
acquire a 53% interest in Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. The Group's insurance, stockbroking and fund management
business recorded satisfactory results during the period under review.
Dao Heng Securities Limited achieved substantial increase in earnings from
its share margin finance business and corporate finance activities. Dao
Heng Fund Management Limited is focusing its marketing activities on the
"Dao Heng Pooled Retirement Plan" in view of the imminent enactment
of the Mandatory Provident Fund legislation by the Government. In an effort
to further diversify its product range, Dao Heng Insurance Co., Limited
has introduced new products such as "Home Care" and "Accident
Care" and has obtained the requisite licence from the Insurance Authority
to engage in medical insurance business. Guoco Investments (China) Limited
has disposed of its entire stake in the optic cable factory and the disposal
of its ceramic tiles factory is pending completion. China's inflation rate has now been contained at a single
digit level and its economy is forecast to grow on a sound sustainable
basis. With the transition to Chinese sovereignty now well underway, Hong
Kong's own economy is also expected to achieve sound growth and the Group
is confident that it is well positioned to participate in that growth. The Board of Directors of the Company is pleased to announce
that Mr. Harry Richard Wilkinson has been appointed as an independent non-executive
director of the Company with effect from 24th March, 1997. The Board of Directors of the Company also announces that
Mr. Adel Mohammad A.H. Al-Roumi resigned as a director of the Company with
effect from 24th March, 1997. The Directors of the Company would like to
thank him for his contribution to the group in the past. The Directors have declared an interim dividend of HK$
0.25 per share amounting to HK$106,658,000 (1995/96 interim dividend: HK$0.23
per share amounting to HK$98,125,000) for the financial year ending 30th
June, 1997 which will be payable on 15th April, 1997 to the shareholders
whose names appear on the Register of Members on Monday, 14th April, 1997.
. During the period, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries had purchased, sold or redeemed any of the Company's listed
shares. The Register of Members will be closed from 8th April,
1997 to 14th April, 1997, both days inclusive, during which period no transfer
of shares can be effected. In order to qualify for the above dividend, all share
transfers accompanied by the requisite share certificates must be lodged
with the Company's Branch Share Registrars in Hong Kong, Central Registration
Hong Kong Limited, at 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East,
Hong Kong, for registration not later than 4:00 p.m. on 7th April, 1997.
1996/97 Interim Announcement
The Board of Directors of Guoco Group Limited ("the
Company") is pleased to announce the unaudited consolidated net profit
of the Group, after exceptional items, taxation and minority interests,
for the six months ended 31st December, 1996 together with comparative
figures for the corresponding period last year as follows :
Six months Six months
ended 31.12.96 ended 31.12.95
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Note HK$'000 HK$'000
Turnover 1 6,663,066 5,229,343
=========== ===========
Operating profit before
exceptional items 1,595,850 1,286,278
Exceptional items 2 355,090 47,509
----------- -----------
Operating profit after
exceptional items 1,950,940 1,333,787
Share of profits of
associated companies 241,046 120,466
----------- -----------
Profit before taxation 2,191,986 1,454,253
Taxation 3 (512,655) (347,104)
----------- -----------
Profit after taxation 1,679,331 1,107,149
Minority interests (624,348) (298,799)
----------- -----------
Profit attributable to
shareholders 1,054,983 808,350
Dividend (106,658) (98,125)
----------- -----------
Retained profit for the
period 948,325 710,225
=========== ===========
Earnings per share 4 HK$2.47 HK$1.89
=========== ===========
Six months Six months
ended 31.12.96 ended 31.12.95
HK$'000 HK$'000
Net profit on disposal of
investments in subsidiary
and associated companies - 207,920
Net profit on disposal of investments - 99,819
Net profit on disposal of premises 251,504 -
Written back/(loss) on compulsory
acquisition of land 103,586 (260,230)
---------- ----------
355,090 47,509
========== ==========
3.
Taxation
Six months Six months
ended 31.12.96 ended 31.12.95
HK$'000 HK$'000
Hong Kong profits tax 198,617 130,084
Overseas taxation 432,840 36,938
Deferred taxation (197,248) 127,161
Share of associated companies'
taxation 78,446 52,921
---------- ----------
512,655 347,104
========== ==========
Hong
Kong profits tax is provided on the estimated assessable profits for the
period at the
Deferred
taxation is provided using the liability method in respect of the taxation
effect arising
4.
Earnings per share
The
calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit attributable to
shareholders for
5.
The accounts of the Company are maintained in United States dollars. The
accounting figures
6. Certain
comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the current
period's
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
The Group's profit for the six months ended 31st December, 1996 rose
by 30.5% to HK$1,055 million. The following is a review of the operation
of the major members of the Group.
Dao Heng Bank Group Limited ("DHBG")
Guoco Land Limited ("GLL")
First Capital Corporation Ltd ("FCC")
Hong Leong Credit Berhad ("HLC")
Guoco Holdings (Philippines), Inc. ("GHPI")
Other Subsidiaries
Outlook
APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR
DIVIDEND
PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF THE COMPANY'S LISTED SHARES
CLOSURE OF REGISTER OF MEMBERS
By Order of the Board
Hong Kong, 24th March, 1997