Johannesburg - Steinhoff International Holdings NV said first-half earnings
rose 13 percent as the acquisitive retailer that was started in South Africa
reported revenue and margin growth across its household goods and general
merchandise business.
Operating profit increased to 903 million euros ($1 billion)
in the six months through March, the Amsterdam-based company said Wednesday in
a statement. Sales advanced 48 percent to 10.2 billion euros as the retailer
added companies including Mattress Firm. Excluding acquisitions, revenue rose 9
percent.
“We remain confident that the momentum in the business will
continue and that the group will perform in line with expectations,” Chief
Executive Officer Markus Jooste said in the statement.
Read also: SA's Steinhoff raises Poundland offer
The results are Steinhoff’s first since announcing plans to
list its African assets separately following an aggressive expansion outside
the continent, where it now generates about two-thirds of revenue.
The company has acquired UK
discount chain Poundland Group Plc, and Australia’s
Fantastic Holdings Ltd. as well as Mattress Firm of the US in the past
year, while an attempt to merge the African business with food retailer
Shoprite Holdings collapsed in February.
Steinhoff shares fell 0.3 percent by 8:33 a.m. in Frankfurt
on Wednesday, where it moved the primary listing from Johannesburg in late 2015, extending a 2.2
percent slide on Tuesday. That values the company at 21 billion Euros.