Economy

Dangote Cement: Q3-17 PAT; Below Expectation, But Strong

Published

9 years ago

21/10/2017

By Cordros Research

Dangote Cement released its Q3-17 results on Friday, showing revenue (27.4% y/y), EBITDA (95.1% y/y), and PAT (63.1% y/y) all grew strongly at the Group level. Revenue was below our estimate by 6% while EBITDA (on lower other incomes) and PAT (on significantly higher tax charge) lagged by 12% and 16% respectively. Compared to Q2-17, decline was recorded across all line items –revenue (-6.7%), EBITDA (-10%), and PAT (-33%).

The revenue growth was underpinned by higher average prices (40% y/y), which more than compensated for the decline in volume (9% y/y). Compared to Q2-17, volume was lower by 12% while price increased by 6%.

Expectedly, the Group volume was dragged mainly by the Nigerian operation, wherein sales fell by 11.8% y/y and 10% q/q on (1) still higher prices (55% y/y, but-0.3% q/q), (2) weak construction activities nationwide, and (3) longer rainy days.

The non-Nigerian volume fell by 5% y/y and c.15% q/q, amidst 19% increase (y/y and q/q apiece) in average realized prices.

The Group gross margin (GM) of 56.9% – consistent with our estimate – was ahead of Q3-16’s (38.3%), and slightly improved from the 56.1% reported in Q2-17.

Gross margin in Nigeria remained well-above the previous year’s figure, but declined marginally relative to Q2-17, on lower price and slightly higher per tonne production cost.

To be specific, raw materials cost in Nigeria increased by 30% q/q. On the other hand, Non-Nigerian gross margin increased by more than 800 bps y/y and q/q apiece, as higher price more than offset the marginal increase (5% y/y and q/q each) in per tonne production cost.

Group opex rose by 14% y/y and 16% q/q. In Nigeria, opex remained well contained while sharp increases (27% y/y and 51% q/q) were recorded overseas.

At the Group level, the EBITDA margin of 47.5% was higher by 1649bps y/y, with Nigerian realized 62.4% EBITDA margin coming above Q3-16 (38.5%) but lower than Q2-17 (63.7%) rates. Notably, both EBITDA and EBITDA margin grew y/y and q/q for the Non-Nigerian operation.

Group net finance cost of N5 billion was reported, comprising pan-African net cost of N12.5 billion (vs. N26.4 billion in Q2-17) and Nigerian net income of N7.4 billion (vs. N24.4 billion in Q2-17).

The Nigerian operation reported forex gain of N5.4 billion (vs. N21 billion in Q2-17) during the period. The Group finance income and cost items reflect the movement in the naira exchange rate from N245/USD average in 9M-16 to N314/USD in 9M-17.

A tax charge of N15.5 billion was reported by the Group during the three months period, from a credit of N6.3 billion the previous year. This equates to an effective rate of 24%, the Group’s highest since Q2-16, and is linked to the Nigerian business, wherein effective tax rate was c.18% (highest since Q4-14), from 5% in Q2-17.

Management had guided to a higher Nigerian ETR over 2017 (with some plants having come out of pioneer status), but the rate reported during the review period is surprising.

Notwithstanding the lower-than-expected Q3 earnings, DANGCEM’s performance over the nine months of 2017 was very strong, and consistent with the broadly expected impressive year for the Group. We look for positive investor reaction to the result. Our estimates are under review.

Economy

Nigerian Stocks Chalk up 0.33% on Positive Market Breadth Index

Published

1 hour ago

09/06/2026

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

Renewed buying interest raised the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited by 0.33 per cent on Monday, with gains recorded in almost all the major sectors of the bourse at the close of transactions.

According to data harvested by Business Post, the insurance counter expanded by 0.62 per cent, the banking index grew by 0.59 per cent, the energy sector appreciated by 0.40 per cent, and the consumer goods space improved by 0.10 per cent, while the industrial goods segment closed flat.

When the closing gong was struck by 4 pm to signify the close of business on Customs Street, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up by 1,113.76 points to 243,707.07 points from 242,593.31 points, and the market capitalisation chalked up N714 billion to close at N156.308 trillion compared with the previous session’s N155.594 trillion.

Interest in Nigerian stocks yesterday resulted in a rise in the activity level, with the trading volume soaring by 17.86 per cent to 717.2 million units from 608.5 million units. The trading value advanced by 77.19 per cent to N56.7 billion from N32.0 billion, and the number of deals surged by 36.22 per cent to 73,321 deals from 53,826 deals.

FCMB was the busiest stock during the trading day, with a turnover of 152.3 million units worth N1.8 billion, Premier Paints exchanged 61.0 million units valued at N135.3 million, Dangote Cement traded 34.7 million units for N29.7 billion, The Initiates sold 32.8 million units worth N1.0 billion, and Jaiz Bank transacted 32.6 million units valued at N293.3 million.

Yesterday, the market breadth index was positive after the exchange closed with 37 price gainers and 28 price losers, representing strong investor sentiment.

International Energy Insurance gained 9.92 per cent to settle at N7.98, the Initiates added 9.91 per cent to its share price to quote at N32.15, ABC Transport garnered 9.68 per cent to trade at N6.80, Abbey Mortgage Bank grew by 9.63 per cent to close at N10.25, and Linkage Assurance soared by 9.36 per cent to N1.87.

On the flip side, Fidson Healthcare gave up 10.00 per cent to finish at N122.85, Academy Press crashed by 9.70 per cent to N7.45, RT Briscoe depreciated by 9.43 per cent to N13.45, SUNU Assurances tumbled by 9.37 per cent to N4.06, and Learn Africa decreased by 8.70 per cent to N10.50.

Economy

NASD OTC Exchange Opens Week Lower as Valuation Dips N1.27bn

Published

1 hour ago

09/06/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a marginal 0.05 per cent drop on Monday, June 8, depleting the market capitalisation by N1.27 billion to N2.606 trillion from N2.607 trillion, and cutting the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 2.12 points to 4,356.20 points from the previous 4,358.32 points.

The contraction witnessed during the session was triggered by a price loser, which overpowered that gains recorded by two securities on the trading platform.

Data indicated that MRS Oil Plc lost N6 at the close of business to settle at N165.00 per share compared with last Friday’s price of N171.00 per share.

Conversely, Lighthouse Financial Services Plc added 9 Kobo to sell at N1.03 per unit versus 94 Kobo per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc appreciated by 8 Kobo to N78.48 per share from N78.40 per share.

The volume of securities traded by investors yesterday soared by 51.9 per cent to 213,188 units from 140,345 units, and the value of securities increased by 12.6 per cent to N20.2 million from N17.9 million, while the number of deals executed fell by 7.4 per cent to 25 deals from 27 deals.

Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 64.8 million units exchanged for N4.4 billion.

GNI Plc also remained as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units transacted for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units traded for N415.7 million.

Economy

Naira Loses Against Dollar Official, Black Markets

Published

4 hours ago

09/06/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Naira opened the new trading week on a negative note on Monday at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) and the black market.

At the parallel market, the Nigerian currency weakened against the US Dollar by N5 to sell for N1,380/$1 compared with the preceding session’s rate of N1,375/$1, and at the GTBank FX desk, it shed N1 to trade at N1,373/$1 versus N1,372/$1.

At the official market, it lost 63 Kobo or 0.05 per cent against the Dollar during the session to close at N1,362.84/$1, in contrast to last Friday’s value of N1,362.21/$1.

However, the Nigerian Naira gained N2.30 against the Pound Sterling at the spot market yesterday, quoting at N1,821.29/£1 compared with the previous rate of N1,823.59/£1, and improved against the Euro by 23 Kobo to settle at N1,574.35/€1 versus N1,574.58/€1.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that interbank forex turnover increased to $92.248 million across 90 deals, from $73.565 million last Friday.

On the policy front, participants believed that the application of the fourth edition of the Foreign Exchange Manual of the central bank, which introduces updated guidelines for foreign exchange transactions and tightening compliance requirements for authorised dealers and market participants, will enhance market flexibility and ease previous restrictions.

Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market snapped from recent declines, jolted by Strategy’s purchase of 1,550 Bitcoin for approximately $101 million, increasing its total holdings to 845,256 BTC. The company raised $181 million through common stock sales, using the proceeds to fund the bitcoin purchase and increase its cash reserves to $1 billion, pushing the price of the coin higher by 3.2 per cent to $63,731.69.

Cardano (ADA) appreciated by 8.4 per cent to $0.1738, Ethereum (ETH) rose by 5.2 per cent to $1,711.54, Solana (SOL) expanded by 5.1 per cent to $67.82, and Ripple (XRP) improved by 4.9 per cent to $1.18.

Further, Dogecoin (DOGE) jumped by 4.3 per cent to $0.0873, Binance Coin (BNB) soared by 2.7 per cent to $609.50, and TRON (TRX) increased by 0.7 per cent to $0.3274, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $0.9997 and $0.9998, respectively.