Brands
Q1-2016: HT Media revenue up 7.5%; radio revenue up 2.3%, PAT down
BENGALURU: HT Media Limited (HT Media) reported 7.5 per cent growth in total income from operations (TIO) for the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 (Q1-2015) at Rs 587.18 crore as compared to the Rs 546.41 crore in Q1-2014 and 1.8 per cent higher than the Rs 576.92 crore in Q4-2015.
Its radio segment also reported a 2.3 per cent increase in revenue to Rs 24.52 crore (4.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 23.97 crore (4.4 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter, but five per cent less than the Rs 25.82 crore (4.5 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.
Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore
(2) The figures mentioned in this report are consolidated figures unless stated otherwise.
The company’s consolidated profit after tax (PAT) in Q1-2016 fell 23.6 per cent to Rs 24.95 crore (4.2 percent of TIO) from Rs 32.67 crore (6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and fell 36.5 per cent from Rs 39.28 crore in Q4-2015.
Advertising and Circulation revenue
HT Media’s advertising revenue grew by five per cent in Q1-2016 to Rs 467.5 crore (79.6 per cent of TIO) from Rs 445.4 crore (81.5 per cent of TIO); Circulation revenues grew by 6.3 per cent in Q1-2016 to Rs 72.9 crore (12.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to the Rs 68.6 crore (12.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014.
Let us see how the segments performed
Three segments contribute to HT Media’s numbers – (1) Printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals (Publishing) (2) Radio and (3) Digital.
HT Media’s publishing segment reported 6.2 per cent growth in revenue to Rs 532.44 crore (90.7 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016 from Rs 501.54 crore (91.8 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and was 1.8 per cent more than the Rs 522.85 crore (90.6 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2015.
The publishing segment reported operating profit of Rs 79.29 crore in Q1-2016, 22.8 per cent more than the Rs 64.55 crore in Q1-2015 and 11.6 per cent more than the Rs 70.12 crore in Q4-2015.
HT Media has four FM radio stations – Fever 104 in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Radio segment revenue numbers have been mentioned above. HT Media’s radio segment reported operating profit of Rs 6.68 crore in Q1-2016 was 46.2 per cent higher than the Rs 4.57 crore in Q1-2015 but 22 per cent lower than the Rs 8.56 crore in Q4-2015.
The company’s digital segment reported 28.8 per cent growth in revenue to Rs 30.56 crore (5.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 23.72 crore (4.3 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and 6.9 per cent more than the Rs 28.60 crore (five per cent of TIO) in Q4-2015. Digital segment reported higher loss of Rs 23.88 crore in Q1-2016; loss of Rs 12.19 crore in Q1-2015; loss of Rs 14.02 crore in Q4-2015.
The company reported unallocated losses of Rs 20.01 crore in Q1-2016; loss of 22.28 crore in Q1-2015 and loss of Rs 39.49 crore in Q4-2015.
Company Speak
HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobana Bhartia said, “The year started well for us although economic growth is still slow and there are mixed signals on account of global macroeconomic concerns. Our English dailies saw volume-led growth across markets. Hindustan maintained its upward growth trajectory, driven by our investments in both UP and Bihar. Our digital assets are increasingly gaining a foothold in their markets. The Radio business continues to be profitable and we aim to add to our portfolio of stations in Phase- III auctions. As the year progresses, we believe that we will continue on the growth path and deliver positive results even as the economic environment improves.”
Click here for financial results
Click here for earnings presentation
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.
