Main Event revenues growing nicely profit stalls.
Sales climbed 29 percent for the quarter to $469 million from $364 million in 2018 but increased cost melted away the revenue gains leaving 40 percent less profit in the July quarter at $15 million, down from $25 million reported in 2018 for Main Event.
The third quarter’s performance is in stark contrast to the second-quarter performance. With $31 million lower revenues, profit in the April 2019 quarter was $62 million, well up on the July quarter’s outcome.
The company, an entertainment production and planning agent, recorded a strong 28 percent growth in revenues for the nine months to July of $1.36 billion, up from $1.07 billion in 2018. Very little of the increased income percolated into more profit for the nine months to July, as profit increased slightly by 2 percent to $108 million from $105 million in 2018.
The strong increase revenue is attributed to the company’s focus on diversifying its income stream that includes M-Style experience that focuses on the wedding market, expansion to the western end of the island and M Academy project, the company directors advised investors.
Gross profit margin in the nine-month period fell to 44 percent from 48 percent in 2018 and was also down in the July quarter by 42 percent, from 45 percent in 2018. Direct expenses climbed 37 percent in the nine months ending July to $761 million from $556 million in 2018, and by 36 percent in the quarter ending July to $271 million from $200 million. Gross profit rose slower than revenues by 21 percent in the quarter to $198 million from $164 million but increased 18 percent for the year to date to $604 million from $510 million in 2018.
Three directors of Main Event, including the mentor who is responsible to ensure compliance with the JSE rules.
Operating and administrative expenses rose a sharp 35 percent to $182 million in the quarter and 25 percent in the nine months to $492 million. Finance cost declined in the quarter to $8 million from $5 million in 2018 and from $14 million to $18 million for the nine-month period. “We have taken note of increased prices in third party inputs and increased inefficiency internally”, the directors indicated.
Gross cash flow from operating activities brought in $213 million, payables of $146 million and dividends of $18 million. At the end of July, shareholders’ equity was $631 million, long term loans of $139 million, net current assets ended the period at $470 billion inclusive of receivables of $375 million, cash and bank balances of $50 million and current liabilities of $240 million.
Earnings per share came out at 4 cents for the quarter and 36 cents for the nine months. IC Insider.com is forecasting 40 cents per share for PE of 14 times earnings, importantly, with the 2019 fiscal year ending in October investors should be looking at the 2020 results to deliver increased profits and stock price appreciation. Continued strong top-line growth and implementation of cost control measures will enhance gains in 2020 and should see earnings hitting 85 cents per share for a PE of 7. The shares are listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and last traded at $5.72.
