JOHANNESBURG – Omnia Holdings, a South African chemicals and fertiliser maker, reported a 12 percent rise in full-year profit on Tuesday, boosted by improved performance in its agriculture unit.
Omnia said its gross profit was helped by higher revenue in its local agricultural unit and increased margins in its international agricultural business that was boosted by renewed growth in Zimbabwe.
“An exceptional performance in Zimbabwe where the change in political leadership and renewed focus on the agriculture sector which coupled with significant inflation, boosted margins in the retail business,” Omnia said.
Headline earnings per share (HEPS) rose to 991 cents in the year ended March 31, from 881 cents in the previous year.
HEPS is the main profit measure used in South Africa that strips out certain one-off times.
The firm, which also produces explosives, said its chemical division’s operating profit of 146 million rand ($10.8 million) had marginal growth and its mining division’s operating profit fell 1 percent to 387 million rand.
Omnia declared a final dividend of 150 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to 350 cents per share compared with 340 cents in the previous year.
($1 = 13.4946 rand)(Reuters)