Johannesburg – Chemical group Rolfes says, with 3 weeks
to the end of its half year, it expects profits to gain at least 25 percent.
In a statement issued to shareholders on Monday, the
listed company says headline earnings per share – a key measure of profitability
– will be at least 25 percent higher, which translates to more than 35.4c a
share.
In addition, it says, earnings per share – which does not
strip out non core items – will also be 25 percent higher at more than 35.4c.
Rolfes says it will provide further clarity once it has a
better idea of earnings.
The black-owned company says its focus over the past 5
months has been to increase markets share, better manage working capital,
improve operating profit margin performance and increase return on capital invested.
Read also: Rolfes bolsters profit
It notes its agriculture unit has benefitted from the
easing of the drought in November, while its food unit saw operating profit
gains being driven by market share gains in Gauteng and in coastal regions
established during the previous financial year, rising food prices and increased
staple demand.
Its industrial division benefitted from local market share
growth, good cost control and effective management of resources contributed, it
says.
In addition, says Rolfes, its water division, which
provides specialised water purification products and solutions into the water
filtration industrial and mining industries, benefitted from new management.
The company anticipates publishing its results on
February 20.
BUSINESS REPORT