BT : SC Global gets boost from AVJ consolidation

Business Times - 26 Feb 2010

SC Global gets boost from AVJ consolidation

By UMA SHANKARI

SC Global Developments saw a near eight-fold jump in fourth-quarter net profit to $33.2 million - from just $4.2 million a year ago - as it consolidated the results of new subsidiary AV Jennings Ltd (AVJ).

Group revenue for the quarter ended Dec 31, 2009, rose almost ten-fold to $274.5 million from $28 million in Q4 2008.

In December 2008, SC Global increased its stake in AVJ to 50.03 per cent and, as a result, AVJ became a subsidiary. The inclusion of revenue from AVJ pushed up the developer's topline for Q4.

Turnover also included progressive revenue recognition of the group's Singapore development projects - including The Marq on Paterson Hill, Hilltops and Martin No. 38 - based on progress of construction. In addition, revenue was also recognised from its development project in China, Kairong International Gardens in Shenyang.

Earnings per share for Q4 2009 rose to 8.36 cents from 1.07 cents a year ago.

For the full 2009 financial year, SC Global's net profit rose by 28 per cent to $56.9 million from $44.5 million in 2008. This was mainly due to higher profit recognition from the group's Singapore development projects and the return to profitability for AVJ.

Revenue for 2009 hit a record $804.7 million, a significant 524 per cent increase from $129.1 million in 2008. The group's net debt to equity ratio fell to 2.18 times at end-2009 from 2.84 times at end-2008. It proposed a final dividend of 1.5 cents per ordinary share.

'Despite the challenging conditions in 2009 brought by the global financial crisis, the group posted its highest year of revenue and net profit since its inception as a real estate developer in 2000,' said chief executive Simon Cheong.

SC Global will continue to sell units in projects it has already launched over the year, Mr Cheong said. 'We are very positive about the high-end market in Singapore given the forecasted growth of 4.5-6.5 per cent in the economy.' SC Global, which holds a land bank of over 1.1 million square feet of developable gross floor area in the prime areas of Orchard Road and Sentosa Cove in Singapore, is well-positioned as the market continues to improve, Mr Cheong added.

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