Dolphin Cove seems to have reached a stage of relative maturity in the Jamaican Market as evidenced by a moderate revenues increase of 9 percent in the March quarter this year compared to the prior year. Management indicates that the level of increase experienced is due largely to their marketing and selling efforts.
This increase in revenue primarily contributed to a 7 percent increase in net profits when compared to Q1 of 2012. In the quarter, profits of $117.5 million was made while the 2012 figure was $110 million. The company delivered total revenues of $395 million in the quarter and in 2012 $363 million.
Expenses increased at a higher rate than the increase in revenues, particularly at the Hanover Park due to the allocation of more of the central administrative and marketing costs to that operation than in the prior period. Overall, team member costs increased by 10 percent as of May 2012 which affected Q1 2013 and not Q1 in 2012. The other parks recorded an increase in profits of 67 percent as the Half Moon Hotel’s new management has delivered better attendance, the company stated in a release with the results.
Management expects that the reopening of several hotels which have been closed for renovation or expansion and the change of hotel brands such as Breezes Runaway Bay and Hedonism 3 to Jewel and also Ritz Carlton to Playa, (operators of the Secrets and Barcelo brands) should have a very positive effect on park attendance . The planned reopening of the Starfish Hotel in Trelawny and the expansion of RIU in Montego Bay to open later this year should give a further boost.
Financial Finances are in a very healthy state even after funding expansion from internal sources. Cash funds held at $150 million, current assets exceed current liabilities 2 to 1, which means they are in a great position to fund short commitments. Equity is $1.2 billion and debt capital is around $120 million.
Expansion overseas | The company has acquired land overseas for another park, which is where most of the future growth will come from.
The stock is currently priced in the $8 region, a bit pricey based on other stocks in the market but time will allow the valuation of others to catch up with Dolphin.
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