GraceKennedy blast profits higher

GraceKennedy earned a 12 percent rise in revenue to $63.4 billion, up from $54.4 billion in the 2020 corresponding period. Revenues for the June quarter rose 15.8 percent from $26.6 billion to $30.8 billion.
Profit before tax for the half year was up 20.4 percent to $5.4 billion, reflecting an improvement over the $2.5 billion in 2020 and climbed 15.6 percent to $2.9 billion for the quarter from $2.5 billion in 2020.
Profit after tax attributable to stockholders for the half year bolted 30.6 percent to $3.6 billion from $2.75 billion over 2020 and rose 35 percent from $1.42 billion to $1.9 billion in the June quarter. Earnings per share for the period was $3.62, compared to $2.77 in 2020, while the second quarter recorded earnings of $1.94, up from $1.44 in 2020. In its report on the six-month performance, the company stated, “GK’s Jamaican food distribution business (GK Foods – Domestic) performed well in the first six months of 2021, recording an increase in PBT and revenue over the prior year. GK’s Manufacturing Division recorded strong gains in the first half of 2021, with growth in revenue and PBT compared to the first half of 2020. This performance was primarily driven by significant demand in the Jamaican and international markets for our Jamaican manufactured products, including Tastee Cheese, Tropical Rhythms, canned vegetables, frankfurters and vienna sausages. GK’s International Foods business exceeded both its revenue and PBT half year targets, with all business units surpassing PBT over the prior year. GraceKennedy Financial Group reported strong growth in both revenue and pre-tax profit for the first half of 2021. GK’s Insurance segment also continues to yield positive results, with GK General Insurance recording double digit growth in revenues in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2020. GraceKennedy Money Services exceeded its revenue and pre-tax profits when compared with the corresponding period of 2020.”
The shares that are listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, traded with a 30 cents loss on Thursday ahead of the results to end at $99.70 but is up 55 percent for the year to date.