Main Event was the 4th best performing Junior Market stock for 2017.
The improvement in the topline, was sufficient to deliver a strong 79 percent increase in profit for the year, to reach $101 million after tax, up from $56.5 million, as the company made profit in the last half compared to a loss in 2016. For the final quarter, in spite of the reduction in revenues to $234 million versus $277 million in 2016, a small profit of $7 million was achieved versus a break even position in 2016.
Cash flow from operation provided $188 million up from $118 million in 2016, but the company purchased fixed assets of $137 million and reduced net liabilities having received proceeds from the issue of shares amounting to $103 million.
Importantly, direct cost fell by $94 million for the year compared to 2016, but administrative and depreciation cost rose by the same amount. With the rise in revenues, gross profit margin improved leading to a strong increase profit for the year. Some of the improved gross profit seemed to have been achieved by cost ending in administrative and depreciation expenses.
The company’s working capital has improved over 2016 with current assets at $292 million compared to current liabilities of $184 million, in 2016 it was $186 million to $212 million. Equity capital is up to $446 million from $242 million in 2016 while borrowings are down to $170 million versus $204 million, with cash funds of $91 million.
Earnings per share adjusted for tax is 38 cents and IC Insider.com projects 55 cents for 2018.
The stock traded at $5.80 on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close on Thursday for a PE ratio of 11.
The nature of the business exposes it to possible swings in revenues some of it being weather related and others based on the timing of major entertainment events. The effect of such movements suggest that investors may be best rewarded based on a longer term investment posture to benefit from positive surprises in increased business.
