Globaltrans Investment PLC has announced its financial and operational results for 2017.
Total revenue rose 12% year-on-year to 78.1 bn rubles. Adjusted revenue increased 18% to 52.1 bn rubles.
Total operating cash costs reduced by 1%. Operating profit rose 86% to 20.2 bn rubles.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 46% to 25.8 bn rubles, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding to 50%.
Profit for the year was up 126% year-on-year to 13.8 bn rubles.
Leverage further improved with net debt to adjusted EBITDA at 0.4x compared to 0.7x at the end of 2016. Net debt declined 1% to 11.4 bn rubles.
The Board has proposed a final dividend of 4.2 bn rubles or 23.25 ruble per ordinary share/Global Depositary Receipt (GDR), which equates to 50% of the Group’s Attributable Free Cash Flow for the second half of 2017.
The Board has also proposed a special final dividend of 3.9 bn rubles or 21.60 ruble per ordinary share/GDR to maintain the Group’s efficient capital structure.
The proposed total final payment to shareholders therefore amounts to 8 bn rubles or 44.85 ruble per share/GDR.
Dividend payments are subject to shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting, which will take place on April 23, 2018.
The Group’s freight rail turnover (excluding engaged fleet) stood broadly unchanged year-on-year at 160.1 bn tons-km in 2017. The transportation volumes declined 1% to 91.9 mn tons.
Volume growth was recorded in priority bulk cargoes segments: metallurgical cargoes (ferrous metals, iron ore and scrap) were up 6% and coal (including coke) up 4%. Volumes in the oil products and oil segment were down 3% reflecting a 13% decline in the average number of rail tank cars in operation.
The average number of loaded trips per railcar was up 2% while the average distance of loaded trip remained stable.
The average rolling stock operated reduced by 3% reflecting an intended decrease in the number of leased-in rail tanks.