Brands
Hindustan Media YoY PAT up 28% on higher ad revenue
BNEGALURU: A 19 per cent YoY and a 7.8 per cent QoQ increase in advertising revenue ramped up Hindustan Media Ventures Limited (HMVL) total revenue by 28.2 per cent during the quarter ended 30 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter). The publisher that publishes Hindi newspaper Hindustan, Hindi socio cultural magazineKadambini and children’s Hindi magazine Nandan among others, reported ad revenue of Rs 181.2 crore in Q3-2016 as compared to the Rs 152.2 crore in Q3-2015 and Rs 168.2 crore in Q2-2016.
HMVL total revenue in the current quarter increased to Rs 251.6 crore, 12.8 per cent more YoY than the Rs 223 crore and 2.3 per cent more QoQ than Rs 245.9 crore. The company’s PAT in the current quarter increased 28.2 per cent (18.6 per cent margin) YoY to Rs 46.9 crore (16.4 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 36.6 crore and was 4.1 per cent more QoQ than Rs 45 crore (18.3 per cent margin).
Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore
Circulation revenue in Q3-2016 increased 6.3 per cent YOY to Rs 54.2 crore as compared to Rs 51 crore and increased 1.5 per cent as compared to Rs 53.4 crore.
HMVL EBIDTA in the current quarter increased 26.8 per cent YoY to Rs 71.2 crore (28.3 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 56.2 crore (25.2 per cent margin) and was almost flat (0.2 per cent higher QoQ) as compared to Rs 71.1 crore (28.9 per cent margin).
Total Expenditure in the current quarter increased eight per cent to Rs 180.3 crore as compared to the Rs 166.8 crore in Q3-2015 and was almost flat QoQ as compared to Rs 180.2 crore.
Cost of raw materials consumed increased 3.4 per cent YoY to Rs 89.6 crore as compared to Rs 86.7 crore and was 4.5 per cent more QoQ than Rs 85.75.
Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) increased 25.3 per cent YOY to Rs 31.2 crore as compared to Rs 24.9 crore and was 4.3 per cent higher than the Rs Rs 29.88 crore in Q2-2016.
Company speak
HMVL chairperson Shobana Bhartia said, “We are pleased to report another quarter where our revenue growth was faster than the industry’s. Growth was powered by a good festive season that fuelled advertising spends across most sectors, state elections in Bihar as well as our internal initiatives. Benign raw material prices and operational efficiencies contributed to higher profitability. We continue to build on the momentum of the previous quarters, strengthening our presence in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand while retaining our dominant market position in Bihar and Jharkhand. We are confident that the steps we are taking to move to the next level of growth will continue to deliver value to our shareholders.”
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
