Operating expenses rose 20.5 percent for Trinidad’s Republic Bank and loans loss provisions more than doubled to $119 million from $57 million in 2013, to help keep profit virtually flat, for the 2014 financial year ending September.
These expenses, grew at a much faster pace than the 11 percent increase in revenues of $3.75 billion. In the end, profit after tax crawled to $1.2 billion from $1.15 billion in 2013. Republic declared a dividend of $3 per share which will results in a total payment for the year of $4.25. Earnings share for the year is $7.39 the stock traded last at TT$120, putting the PE to 16. increased profit going forward will be needed to make a major he stock price at this PE ratio.
Republic increased loan provisions in Guyana but suffered from weak economic conditions in Grenada and Barbados. The bank closed the year with total assets amounting to $59.4 billion and equity of $8.7 billion.
While on the surface 2015 should show improved results, the sharp drop in the price of oil below 80 per barrel, could create uncertainty for investors, who may want to be cautious in taking on debt in the Trinidad economy and it could create economic problems for the oil dependent nation if it remains low for a prolonged period.
Republic’s flat year
November 12, 2014 by
