Indies shareholders exposed to tax risk

Indies Pharma reported lower profit for the year to October as slower gains in second half revenues and a more meager profit margin sapped the contribution from the increased sales.
While the company needs to sort out the loss in profit margin. There is also another big issue directors need to deal with. Included in receivables is shareholders’ loan of $136 million with no movement in the year and no information in the audited statements of terms relating thereto including the date for liquidation. IC insider.com source suggest that the recent two large blocks of shares of approximately 115 million units traded in the market this week, is a move to clear off the balance and that should show in the March quarterly report.
Additionally, directors owe the company $37 million, an amount that increased during the year. The company needs to clean up the balance sheet as it could be subject to taxes on distribution for the amount owed to the company by directors and possibly the shareholders. The other factor is that it appears that these amounts are free of interest. Other related party indebtedness also needs regularising with specific terms for transparency.
Profit for the full year is down to $120 million after tax, from $137 million in 2017. At the half way mark, profit was $54 million versus $52 million in 2017, the growth in profit for the 2018 second half was less than in 2017.
Revenues from sales grew just 2.5 percent for the year, down from 9.9 percent at the half-year mark. Cost of sales rose 16.6 percent for the full year compared to the 17.5 percent at April, but with sharply differing sales growth. The net effect is a fall in gross profit for the full year to $393 million from $412 million in 2017. Gross profit improved to $187 million at the 2018 half-way mark, from $177 million in 2017.
Administrative cost was virtually flat at the end of April at $110 million versus $108 million and climbed 6.7 percent to $240 million for the year. Finance cost, inclusive of foreign exchange losses, was flat at $16 million for the year.
As the company listed on the Junior Market, the corporate tax bill is down to $18 million, from $35 million in 2017.
The statement of financial position reflects pretty strong financials, with equity capital of $668 million, strong working capital including $102 million of liquid funds.
Indies last traded at $3.35 on the Junior Market, based on these results the PE ratio would be 37 but investors are looking for a brighter 2019 results.