Update on Minor International

RNS Number : 0329T

Symphony International Holdings Ltd

15 November 2013

 



Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

15 November 2013

Symphony International Holdings Limited ("SIHL" or the "Company")

Update on Minor International Pcl

The Company is pleased to announce that one of its portfolio companies, Minor International Pcl ("MINT"), released third quarter results for the 2013 financial year.

MINT made an announcement on 13 November 2013, which is reproduced below.

MINOR INTERNATIONAL PCL
PRESS RELEASE - 13 November, 2013	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINT REPORTED A 31% Y-Y INCREASE IN NET PROFIT

TO THB 707 MILLION IN 3Q13

Minor International ("MINT") reported net profit of Baht 707 million in 3Q13, an increase of 31% from net profit of Baht 538 million in 3Q12, as a result of robust performance of both hospitality and restaurant businesses. For the first nine months ending September 2013, MINT's net profit rose by 22% to Baht 2,545 million from net profit of Baht 2,083 million recorded in the same period of last year. The increase was attributable to improved performance of all three businesses, as well as the consolidation of Beijing Riverside & Courtyard in China since the acquisition in December 2012. MINT also remains confident in the outlook of the high-season fourth quarter despite the current political demonstrations, which are taking place peacefully in a very limited area of Bangkok. All of MINT's hotels and resorts in and outside of Bangkok have been unaffected while all airports, tourist and commercial zones are open and fully operational as usual. Additionally, MINT has increasingly diversified its portfolio outside Bangkok and Thailand over the past few years.

In 3Q13, net profit of MINT's hospitality business increased by 54%, driven by improved performance of hotel operations, including the Company-owned hotels and hotel management contracts, as well as stronger profitability of both residential development and Anantara Vacation Club compared with that of 3Q12. The hospitality business saw an impressive growth in 3Q13 despite the temporary closure of Anantara Bophut Samui Resort & Spa, Anantara Veli Resort & Spa in the Maldives and Royal Garden Plaza Bangkok for renovation since April 2013 and permanent closure of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa since July 2012. In 9M13, MINT's hospitality business achieved a 24% increase in net profit. Strong tourist arrivals together with MINT's own efforts to strengthen sales of its hotel rooms to existing and new markets through various distribution channels have helped propel organic occupancy of owned hotels to 69% in 9M13 from 64% in 9M12. Improved occupancy coupled with a further 7% increase in organic ADR contributed to a 16% increase in organic revenue per available room (RevPar) of owned hotels, which contributed 43% of total hospitality revenue, in 9M13. Real estates business remained an important contributor to the hospitality business with its profit increasing 78% y-y in 3Q13 and 20% y-y in 9M13. The proceeds of the St. Regis' sold units are expected to be recognized within 2013, while the remaining two units are expected to be sold in 2014. MINT expects the hospitality business to continue to perform well in the coming high-season 4Q13, with the continued momentum of the performance of the Company-owned hotels portfolio, managed hotels and the expansion plans.

In 3Q13, net profit of MINT's restaurant business increased by 17% from the same period of last year, driven primarily by 13.2% increase in system wide sales and the consolidation of Beijing Riverside & Courtyard ("Riverside") in China. In 9M13, MINT's restaurant business saw its net profit improve by 20% on the back of 13.6% increase in system wide sales. The successful re-structuring of menu strategy and marketing plans to increase traffic in 1H13 resulted in The Pizza Company's gradual and consistent improvement in its same-store sales growth figures six months consecutively during April to October of 2013, with double-digit growth in October 2013 underscoring the effectiveness of such successful strategy. MINT believes that the opening of new restaurant outlets alongside business expansion of major retail operators, together with continued growth of the Company's franchised business, will contribute to strong performance of the restaurant business in the remainder of this year.

In 3Q13, net profit of retail trading fell slightly by 7% as MINT recorded a flood insurance claim in 3Q12. Excluding insurance claim, core net profit of retail trading improved significantly, primarily driven by the better performance of the higher contribution fashion business, together with fully operational Navasri Manufacturing plant. In 9M13, net profit of retail trading increased 28% y-y, while core net profit (excluding insurance claim from the flood received in 9M12) increased by much larger magnitude due to the same reason.

About Minor International: Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three primary businesses including restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is one of Asia's largest restaurant companies with over 1,400 outlets operating system wide in 20 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express, the Coffee Club, Ribs and Rumps and Riverside brands. MINT is also a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 100 hotels and serviced suites under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Per Aquum, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana and Minor International brands in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Mozambique. MINT is one of Thailand's largest distributors of lifestyle brands focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics and contract manufacturing. Its brands include Gap, Esprit, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Pedro, Red Earth, Tumi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, ETL Learning and Thaisale. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com.

Performance (Bt m)

	3Q13	3Q12	% Change	9Q13	9Q12	% Change
Total Revenues	8,954	7,842	14%	26,842	24,134	11%
Cost of Sales	3,320	3,065	8%	9,720	9,194	6%
Selling & Administrative	3,942	3,291	20%	11,516	9,898	16%
EBITDA	1,692	1,486	14%	5,606	5,042	11%
Depreciation & Amort.	613	548	12%	1,765	1,623	9%
EBIT	1,079	938	15%	3,841	3,419	12%
Interest Expenses	251	277	-9%	785	824	-5%
Earnings Before Tax	828	661	25%	3,056	2,595	18%
Corporate Tax	100	125	-20%	459	513	-11%
Minority Interest	21	(2)	1150%	52	(2)	2700%
Net Profit as Reported	707	538	31%	2,545	2,083	22%
Fully Diluted EPS as Reported (Bt)	0.1771	0.1440	23%	0.6504	0.5644	15%
Fully Diluted Shares (mn)	3,992	3,735	7%	3,913	3,691	6%

Note: Share of Profit is included in total revenues

For further information:

Chaiyapat Paitoon / Jutatip Adulbhan              [phone]

Minor International

Neil Doyle/ Tom Willetts 
                                 [phone]/ 7175

FTI Consulting

About Symphony International Holdings

Symphony International Holdings (LSE:SIHL) is a London listed strategic investment company that invests in consumer businesses and develops luxury branded real estate, hospitality and healthcare ventures which are principally in Asia. It offers a way for investors to gain exposure to the rising disposable incomes and wealth in fast growing economies. Symphony's objective is to provide superior capital growth by investing in high quality companies and forming long-term business partnerships with talented entrepreneurs. Symphony is managed by Symphony Investment Managers which has a team of investment professionals with a broad range of expertise - many of them have been working in Asia for more than 25 years. For more information please visit our website at www.symphonyasia.com

No representation or warranty is made by the Company as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this announcement and no liability will be accepted for any loss arising from its use.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decisions.

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The Company's securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States.

Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Document.

The Company and the Investment Manager are not associated or affiliated with any other fund managers whose names include "Symphony", including, without limitation, Symphony Financial Partners Co., Ltd

End of Announcement

 

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