MEDIA RELEASE PR36043
China Yurun Food Group Limited Announces Its Interim Results For The Six Months Ended
30 June 2009
HONG KONG, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall-AsiaNet/ --
Significant margin growth a result of foresight and strategic planning
Optimization of production to capture opportunities arising from economic recovery
For the six months ended 30 June
Financial Highlights (HK$ in million)
2009 2008 Change (%)
Turnover 5,834 6,043 -3.5%
Gross profit 976 821 +18.9%
(Gross profit margin) (16.7%) (13.6%)
Profit attributable to
shareholders 841 615* +36.9%
(Net profit margin) (14.4%) (10.2%)
Diluted earnings per share HK$0.545 HK$0.398* +36.9%
Proposed interim dividend
per share HK$0.150 HK$0.110 +36.4%
* Revised based on 2008 FY audited report
China Yurun Food Group Limited ("Yurun Food" or the "Company", and together with
its subsidiaries, the "Group" (SEHK: 1068), a leading vertically-integrated meat-
product processor and supplier in China, announced today its interim results for the
six months ended 30 June 2009 (the "Period").
During the Period, the Group recorded HK$5,834 million (1H2008: HK$6,043 million)
in turnover, representing a 3.5% decrease over the same period last year. The prices
of upstream chilled pork and frozen pork were determined according to market prices
of live hogs. In the face of significant price decrease of live hogs, the Group was
able to increase its sales volume by 35.1% through its well-established sales network
which has, to a large extent, offset the adverse impact of market price fluctuations.
During the Period, the Group's gross profit and net profit were HK$976 million
(1H2008: HK$821 million) and HK$841 million (1H2008: HK$615 million) respectively,
representing an increase of 18.9% and 36.9% respectively. The Group's gross profit
margin and net profit margin increased significantly to 16.7% (1H2008: 13.6%) and
14.4% (1H2008: 10.2%) respectively. The increase in gross margin was largely achieved
due to a strong underlying foundation built by the Group. In the past few years,
based on its foresight and deep understanding of the pricing trends and cycles of
live hogs, the Group has prudently expanded its capacity and implemented strategic
policies. As a result, it is now reaping the benefits of economies of scale, enhanced
capacity utilization, and significant reduction in unit cost. Furthermore, sales of
relatively higher margin LTMP (Low Temperature Meat Product) and chilled meat
products during the Period were proportionally higher, aiding to lift the overall
gross margin.
The board of directors of the Company has resolved to declare an interim dividend
of HK$0.150 per share for the Period. (1H2008: HK$0.110).
Mr. Zhu Yicai, Chairman of Yurun Food, said, "Despite the challenging economic
environment, we are pleased to announce our satisfactory 2009 interim results.
Leveraging on its stringent quality control systems, strong brand recognition and
successful strategic planning, the Group's core business was not affected by the H1N1
influenza during the Period; hog slaughtering volume increased by 35.6% as compared
to the same period last year. Furthermore, the fluctuation of hog price in the first
half of the year affected the Group's total turnover, but profit maintained
satisfactory growth as a result of economies of scale, prudent live hog procurement
and flexible inventory management. Looking forward, in view of the supportive
policies implemented by the central government to consolidate the industry, Yurun
Food, as a leading enterprise in the meat products industry will continue to increase
market share, and thereby strengthen market leadership through prudent capacity
expansion. Given the economic recovery and rebounding hog price, the Group is
confident that its business will maintain steady growth in order to maximize
shareholders' returns."
Business Review
The Group's business is divided into downstream processed meat products and
upstream chilled and frozen meat segments.
For the six months ended 30 June
(HK$ in million)
Revenue Change Proportion to Total
Revenue
2009 2008 % 2009 2008
Downstream Processed
Meat Products,
inter alia:
- LTMP 1,536 1,273 +20.6% 94.5% 90.6%
- HTMP* 90 132 -31.7% 5.5% 9.4%
- Segment Total 1,626 1,405 +15.7% 100% 100%
Upstream Chilled and
Frozen Meat,
inter alia:
- Chilled Pork 3,926 3,728 +5.3% 82.0% 72.4%
- Frozen Pork 863 1,425 -39.4% 18.0% 27.6%
- Segment Total 4,789 5,153 -7.1% 100% 100%
Inter-segment
Elimination (581) (515) -- -- --
Total Revenue 5,834 6,043 -3.5% -- --
For the six months ended 30 June
Gross Margin Change
2009 2008 Percentage Points
Downstream Processed Meat
Products, inter alia:
- LTMP 28.4% 27.5% +0.9 ppt
- HTMP* 20.5% 18.5% +2.0 ppt
- Overall 28.0% 26.7% +1.3 ppt
Upstream Chilled and Frozen Meat,
inter alia:
- Chilled Pork 11.9% 9.5% +2.4 ppt
- Frozen Pork 6.5% 6.4% +0.1 ppt
- Overall 10.9% 8.6% +2.3 ppt
*High Temperature Meat Product
During the Period, despite the competitive environment, the Group achieved
satisfactory growth in its downstream business due to strong brand recognition,
marketing promotion, optimized product mix and the launch of new products with higher
profit margins. With respect to its upstream business, the Group relieved the
pressure on selling price brought by the lowered hog price through increasing
slaughtering volume significantly and proportion of sales of chilled pork with higher
margins. Therefore, the adverse impact of hog price fluctuation was minimized.
Production Capacity
During the Period, the Group acquired several slaughtering plants. One of the
slaughtering plants has commenced trial production in May 2009 and other plants will
commence production in the second half of the year and next year, which lays a solid
foundation for sustaining growth in production capacity. As at 30 June 2009,
slaughtering capacity of the Group reached 19.3 million heads per year, representing
an increase of 1.25 million heads as compared to that as at 31 December 2008.
Significant Subsequent Events: Issuance of shares
The Company issued 130 million new ordinary shares at a price of HK$13.23 per
share in late July, 2009. The net proceeds was HK$1.675 billion and will be used for
capacity expansion in order to capture the business opportunities offered by the
sufficient hog supply to cope with the market demand and the industry consolidation.
The Group's net debt/total equity ratio will be improved significantly and net cash
position will be restored upon the issuance of new ordinary shares.
Prospects
Given the overall economic outlook seems to be promising for the second half of
2009, it is expected that with a continued abundant supply of hogs, the Group is in a
strong position to steadily expand its business operations. Meanwhile, given the
expectation that hog price has reached a bottom and will rebound in the second half
of 2009, the Group plans to expand its capacity in order to capture the business
opportunities offered by the increasing hog price. Besides, the Group will strive to
capture business opportunities offered by industry consolidation and strengthen its
upstream and downstream businesses.
Looking forward, the Group will continue to ensure the finest quality products by
monitoring the development of the H1N1 influenza and maintaining stringent quality
control systems. The Group will also strive to capture the business opportunities in
the market, continue to enhance its brand competitiveness, expand market share,
accelerate its business development and maximize shareholders' returns by leveraging
on the Group's strong brand recognition, superior corporate image, strategic sales
and distribution channels, successful capacity expansion plan, seasoned management
team and strong government support.
About China Yurun Food Group Limited (Stock Code: 1068)
Leveraging on its vertically-integrated business model and strategically located
production plants, Yurun Food is the leading meat-processor and meat products
supplier in China. With its well-established food brands, state-of-the-art production
facilities and diversified distribution channels, Yurun Food has achieved a solid
track record with robust growth for five consecutive years. By further enhancing its
brand names and product quality, Yurun Food will further strengthen its leading
market position. Yurun Food was included in MSCI Global Standard Index (MSCI China
Index) on 29 August, 2008, which is an important recognition of Yurun Food as a
leading company in the meat processing industry by the investment community.
For further information, please contact:
China Yurun Food Group Limited
Email: ir@yurun.com.hk
Fax: +852-3927-3300
Elite Investor Relations Limited
Investor Relations:
Ms Cindy Xin
Tel: +852-3183-0226
Fax: +852-2155-9165
Email: cindy.xin@elite-ir.com
Media Relations:
Mr Bunny Lee
Tel: +852-3183-0282
Fax: +852-2155-9165
Email: bunny.lee@elite-ir.com
SOURCE China Yurun Food Group Limited
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