(Hong Kong, 11 August 2018) – China Resources Cement Holdings Limited ("China Resources "Group"), the largest and the most competitive cement, clinker and concrete producers in Southern China, announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018 (the "Period").
During the Period, the Company's consolidated turnover amounted to HK$18,513.9 million, representing an increase of 40.4% over the corresponding period last year. Profit attributable to owners of the Company amounted to HK$4,026.0 million, representing an increase of 145.5% over the corresponding period of last year. Basic earnings per share reached HK$0.615. The Board has resolved to declare an interim dividend of HK$0.275 per share for the Period (1H17: HK$0.115). The dividend payout ratio was 47.7% (1H17: 45.8%). As at 30 June 2018, the total assets of the Group were HK$61,499.9 million, the net gearing ratio was 15.7% and the net assets per share was HK$5.31.
In the first half of 2018, China Resources Cement's external sales volume of cement, clinker and concrete reached approximately 38.1 million tons, 2.1 million tons, and 6.9 million m3, representing an increase of 13.3%, a decrease of 48.6% and an increase of 12.5% respectively from the corresponding period last year. During the year, the Group's utilization rates of cement, clinker and concrete production lines were 96.7%, 108.5% and 38.0% respectively. During the Period, the average selling price of cement and clinker was HK$391.4 per ton and HK$327.5 per ton, representing an increase of 32.9% and 32.0% respectively over the corresponding period of last year. The average selling price of concrete was HK$423.5 per m3, representing an increase of 14.0% over the corresponding period last year. The consolidated gross profit was 39.4%, representing an increase of 9.9 percentage points as compared to the same period of last year. Net profit margin reached 21.8%, which was 9.6 percentage points higher as compared to the same period of last year.
