JSE Limited: Profit up despite turbulent year

JSE Limited raised its earnings before interest and tax by 42 percent last year, delivering one of the best results yet for a year that proved turbulent for other listed companies. The operator of the JSE posted a net profit of R507 million, a 68 percent increase from the year before. Earnings a share increased by the same degree to R5.92, and headline earnings a share increased by 36 percent to R6.45. Earnings benefited from 14 percent revenue growth to R1.58 billion. Twelve new companies listed on the JSE last year, the same as in the previous year, while the total nominal listed bond value increased to R1.8 trillion from R1.6 trillion in 2012. The JSE returned R84m, 5 percent of its revenue, to its equity market clients, by way of a rebate last year, and it declared an ordinary dividend of R3.50 a share. It also declared a special dividend of 50c a share. Shares in JSE Limited gained 2.15 percent to close at R85.60 yesterday. – Londiwe Buthelezi