By Adedapo Adesanya

Shareholders of Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc have been assured sustainable value as the company saw its profit after tax grow year-on-year by 41.4 per cent to N6.9 billion in the year 2020.

In the audited financial results of the firm released recently, the group improved its profit before tax by 22.3 per cent y-o-y to N7.4 billion from the N6.0 billion recorded in 2019, while the total income went up by 31.3 per cent year-on-year to N12.1 billion compared to N9.2 billion in 2019, with investment income growing by 61.4 per cent to N7.4 billion from N4.6 per cent in the preceding year.

The company also recorded an operating expense of N4.7 billion compared to N3.2 billion, this indicated a year-on-year growth of 46.0 per cent partly, reflecting investments in technology and human capital.

Return on Average Equity (ROAE) grew by 20.3 per cent compared to 15.3 per cent in 2019 while Earnings Per Share (EPS) grew to N1.39 from 98 Kobo in 2019, indicating a 41.8 per cent year-on-year growth.

The group delivered a 20.3 per cent return on average equity for the 2020 financial year, compared to 15.3 per cent in 2019.

According to the statement, total assets grew to N41.4 billion compared to N36.6 billion as at 2019, showing that there was a 13.1 per cent year-on-year growth.

Property, Plant and Equipment (plus intangibles) grew 25.0 per cent in the year under review to N1.4 billion, reflecting continued investments in infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and resilience.

Equally, shareholders’ funds rose to N35.5 billion, up 7.9 per cent between the period under review, reflecting strong capacity for organic capital growth.

Commenting on the group’s performance, Mr Oscar Onyema, the Chairman, Board of Directors of CSCS, said, “It is exciting to report these stellar results.

“Defying the unprecedented challenges that characterised 2020 financial year, CSCS emerged stronger, delivering outstanding growth in top and bottom-lines, and executing far-reaching initiatives that would sustainably strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the business.

“Having grown profit by over 41.4 per cent in such a challenging year to deliver 20.3 per cent return on average equity, the board of directors and management are upbeat about the value-accretive prospects of CSCS and we are enthusiastic that the progress made thus far in repositioning the business to efficiently play a more active and leading role in deepening the Nigerian capital market will be sustained.

“With continuous investments in new technologies, talent, and work environment, we are optimistic on the productivity of CSCS going forward.

“Subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM), the board is recommending a dividend of N5.85 billion or dividend per share of N1.17, representing a growth of 36 per cent over the 86 kobo dividend per share paid from the 2019 financial year earnings.”

While commenting on the Group’s results, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the Chief Executive Officer, said; “Amidst the COVID-19 twin threat to lives and livelihoods, and more importantly the attendant challenges in an economic and business environment, we outperformed budget, reinforcing our commitment to delivering superior value to our shareholders irrespective of the odds.

“These impressive results reflect our enhanced collaboration with different stakeholders and their unflinching support and loyalty to CSCS, as the core infrastructure for the Nigerian capital market.

“Hence, my colleagues and I are excited to dedicate this performance to our esteemed participants, regulator and the Board of Directors, whose support kept us stronger through the pandemic.

“We would continue to invest in our collective objective of deepening the capital market and broader financial system, even as we seek new and efficient ways of enhancing our partnerships for mutual prosperity.

“Having laid a solid foundation over the past three years, we are more than ever-optimistic on the prospect of our business, especially as we diversify the business for enhanced resilience against macro and market volatilities. We will sustain our disciplined cost-efficiency culture, in our commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders over the long term.

“We are excited at the 39.0 per cent cost-to-income ratio, despite the impact of exchange rate volatilities and rising headline inflation on our cost base. The years ahead look challenging, albeit more promising than ever, as we reinforce our commitment to leveraging best-in-class technologies and our continuous investments in human capital in delivering value to all stakeholders.”

Also commenting on CSCS’ financial performance, the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Peter Medunoye noted “We recorded impressive double-digit growth in revenue and profitability, and more importantly recorded continuous improvement across all key performance indicators.

“We recorded decent growth in income from our CSD and ancillary services whilst also leveraging our ingenuity in effectively positioning the proprietary investment portfolio for growth.

“Delivering 17.7 per cent and 20.3 per cent return on average assets and return on average equity respectively, we are excited at the capacity of the business in generating internal capital to fund the exciting growth ahead.”