Update on Minor International

RNS Number : 6085E

Symphony International Holdings Ltd

14 May 2013

 



Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

14 May 2013

Symphony International Holdings Limited ("SIHL" or the "Company")

Update on Minor International Pcl

Symphony International Holdings Limited ("SIHL" or the "Company") (LSE: SIHL.L), a leading investor in consumer-related businesses, primarily in the healthcare, hospitality, lifestyle, and lifestyle/real estate sectors in the Asia-Pacific region, is pleased to announce that one of its portfolio companies, Minor International Pcl ("MINT"), released first quarter results for the 2013 financial year.

MINT made an announcement on 10 May 2013, which is reproduced below.

MINOR INTERNATIONAL PCL
PRESS RELEASE - May 10, 2013	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINT REPORTS RECORD QUARTERELY NET PROFIT

OF BAHT 1.4 BILLION IN 1Q13

Minor International (MINT) reported another record-high quarterly net profit of Baht 1.4 billion in 1Q13, an increase of 13% from Baht 1.2 billion in the same period last year. Excluding insurance claim received in 1Q12, net profit increased more significantly by 19% in 1Q13. The increase in net profit was attributable to improvement in the performance of hospitality, restaurant and retail trading businesses. The solid foundation built over the years and the management's proactive efforts to reap the benefits of the positive and changing environment resulted in growth for all of MINT's three business units.

In 1Q13, owned hotels, which accounted for 48% of hospitality revenues, saw revenue per available room (RevPar) increase by 23% on an organic basis, without the effect of the exchange rate. Systemwide, including new hotels and Baht appreciation, RevPar increased by 19%, which was the primary reason for the increase in net profit of MINT's hospitality business of 9% y-y. During 1Q13, MINT acquired two hotels in Hoi An and Quy Nhon, Vietnam which will be rebranded into Anantara and Avani, and launched Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa in China, a hotel under management contract. In the current pipeline, MINT plans to open three company-owned and joint-venture hotels and six hotels under management contract and Oaks' management letting rights in the remaining of 2013. MINT continues to look for new opportunities in additional management contracts as well as acquisitions or joint venture. Revenues of Anantara Vacation Club increased by over 42% y-y, and is becoming another important contributor to the hospitality business. MINT expects the hospitality business to continue to perform well into the remainder of 2013, with the continued momentum of the performance of the company-owned hotels portfolio, managed hotels and the expansion plans.

The restaurant business reported 1Q13 net profit growth of 25% y-y. Same store sales grew by 4.1%, while number of outlets expanded by 11% y-y, resulting in system-wide sales growth of 14.6%. The domestic business, which accounted for 76% of the restaurant business revenues, reported sales growth on the back of the continued robust domestic consumption, together with MINT's marketing and promotional campaigns such as buy-one-get-one campaign of The Pizza Company and the promotion of Swensen's Mango Sundae in 1Q13. MINT has all along adjusted and launched various marketing and promotional campaigns to cope with rapidly changing consumer behaviour, resulting in the sustainable growth of the restaurant business in the long term. While all restaurant hubs, including Thailand, Australia and Singapore reported profit improvement, margin of the restaurant business was further propelled by the turnaround of the China business. Since the 49% acquisition of Riverside at the end of 2012, MINT's restaurant business in China has turned around and already break-even at the operation level. In addition, as at the end of 1Q13, MINT has increased its stake to 10% in "Breadtalk", the Singapore-based operator of bakery, restaurant and food atriums.

The retail trading business reported an impressive net profit growth by 6 times in 1Q13, excluding insurance claim from the floods received in 1Q12. Same store sales of retail trading saw growth of 10.3% in 1Q13, mainly attributable to the fashion business. Together with new store opening, total system sales grew by 23% y-y. In addition, contract manufacturing of consumer goods is in full operation in 1Q13 compared to partial operation in 1Q12 because of the floods in the end of 2011.

About Minor International: Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three primary businesses including restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is one of Asia's largest restaurant companies with over 1,400 outlets operating system wide in 17 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express, the Coffee Club, Ribs and Rumps and Riverside brands. MINT is also a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 45 hotels and 40 serviced suites under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana and Minor International brands in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. MINT is one of Thailand's largest distributors of lifestyle brands focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics and contract manufacturing. Its brands include Gap, Esprit, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Pedro, Red Earth, Tumi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, ETL Learning and Thaisale. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com

Performance (Bt m)

	1Q13	1Q12	% Change
Total Revenues	9,636	8,767	10%
Cost of Sales	3,310	3,197	4%
Selling & Administrative	3,776	3,326	14%
EBITDA	2,550	2,245	14%
Depreciation & Amort.	574	533	8%
EBIT	1,976	1,712	15%
Interest Expenses	276	271	2%
Earnings Before Tax	1,700	1,442	18%
Corporate Tax	276	189	46%
Minority Interest	15	8	82%
Net Profit as Reported	1,409	1,245	13%
Fully Diluted EPS as Reported (Bt)	0.3657	0.3434	7%
Fully Diluted Shares (mn)	3,853	3,625	6%

                                Note: Share of Profit is included in total revenues

For further information:

Chaiyapat Paitoon / Jutatip Adulbhan              [phone]

Minor International

Neil Doyle/ Tom Willetts                                     [phone]/ 7175

FTI Consulting

About Symphony International Holdings

Symphony International Holdings (LSE:SIHL) is a London listed strategic investment company that invests in consumer businesses and develops luxury branded real estate, hospitality and healthcare ventures which are principally in Asia. It offers a way for investors to gain exposure to the rising disposable incomes and wealth in fast growing economies. Symphony's objective is to provide superior capital growth by investing in high quality companies and forming long-term business partnerships with talented entrepreneurs. Symphony is managed by Symphony Investment Managers which has a team of investment professionals with a broad range of expertise - many of them have been working in Asia for more than 25 years. For more information please visit our website at www.symphonyasia.com

No representation or warranty is made by the Company as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this announcement and no liability will be accepted for any loss arising from its use.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decisions.

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The Company's securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States.

Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Document.

The Company and the Investment Manager are not associated or affiliated with any other fund managers whose names include "Symphony", including, without limitation, Symphony Financial Partners Co., Ltd

End of Announcement

 

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