Factual
Q2-17: Zee Learn declares maiden interim dividend
BENGALURU: The board of directors of the Essel group’s education company Zee Learn Limited (ZLL) have declared a first time ever dividend of 5 percent per equity share of Re 1 each for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). The dividend of just 5 paise (Rs 0.05) albeit small, could be precursor of better returns, given the fact that the company’s profit after tax (PAT) for the current quarter is more than seven-fold (7.05 times) year-over-year (y-o-y), with operating EBIDTA margins almost doubling y-o-y from 18.2 percent in Q2-16 to 34.9 percent in Q2-17.
ZLL CEO Debshankar Mukhopadyay said, “We are pleased to announce an interim dividend for the first time at Zee Learn Limited. This shows our commitment to the shareholders who beleived in us and continued to invest in the comoany. Q2 and H1-17 are remarkable for us and our strategy to focus on our strenghts has resulted in delivering profits which are multiple times more than profits delivered during the last financial year.”
ZLL reported PAT of Rs 7.59 crore (22.6 percent margin) for the current quarter versus PAT of Rs 1.08 crore (3.5 percent margin) in Q2-16. PAT in the immediate training quarter (Q1-17) was Rs 8.02 crore (19.1 percent margin). Operating EBIDTA in Q2-17 more than doubled (up 2.1 times) y-o-y to Rs 11.70 crore from Rs 5.57 crore, but was 9.8 percent lower q-o-q than Rs 12.97 crore (30.8 percent margin).
Other numbers
ZLL’s Total Income from Operations (TIO) in the current quarter increased 9.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 33.56 crore from Rs 30.60 crore in the correspondin year ago quarter, but declined 20.2 percent q-o-q from Rs 42.06 crore in Q1-17.
The company spent 14.5 percent less y-o-y towards purchase of Education goods and Television content in Q2-17 at Rs 4.91 crore (14.6 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 5.74 crore (18.8 percent of TIO) and 45.1 percent lower q-o-q than the Rs 8.93 crore (21.2 percent of TIO).
Employees Benefit Expense in the current quarter declined 18.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 5.94 crore (17.7 percent of TIO) from Rs 7.25 crore (23.7 percent of TIO) and declined 14.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 6.94 crore (16.5 percent of TIO).
Selling and marketing expense in Q2-17 increased 18.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 3.98 crore (11.9 percent of TIO) from Rs 3.37 crore (11 percent of TIO), but declined 33 percent q-o-q from Rs 5.95 crore (14.1 percent of TIO).
Mukhopadyay added, “ZLL through its varied forays including Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), K-12 Education, Youth and Vocational Education is playing a strong and transformational role in India’s education system. I am confident that ZLL will continue to grow its business and is commited to create long-term value for its franchisees, parents and students, shareholders, employees and all stakeholders.”
Note:The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
