Aspen rallies despite earnings decline

The pharmaceuticals group expects to report a fall in annual earnings but has slashed debt following asset disposals.

WBHO held back by Australian losses

The engineering and construction group says a number of new large public sector contacts could reignite the local industry.

DRDGold’s strategy pays dividends

The mine tailings retreatment specialist has quadrupled its dividend due to rising production and a stronger gold price.

Cashbuild feels the pinch

The building materials retailer expects trading conditions to remain challenging but will continue with its store expansion and relocation strategy.

Foschini holds back on credit sales

The retailer says cash turnover has grown strongly as the year gets underway but it is closing the credit taps.

Fortress lowers distribution guidance

Holders of the B shares will get less than previously forecast next year due to impairments on development land.

Old Mutual - Softness in the H1 F2019 result

Ingham Analytics says that the reported results for the six months ended 30 June 2019 are weak and are off an already tepid historic base.

Transaction Capital heads for A2X

The group will retain its primary JSE listing and its share capital will not be affected by the secondary listing.

The Week Ahead 2 September 2019

Global political uncertainty remains high, markets shrug it off for the time being.

Bidvest overcomes difficult economy

The industrial group has grown earnings following strong performances from its services businesses.

Tough conditions hold Old Mutual back

The life assurer doesn’t expect a significant financial impact from litigation over its decision to fire Peter Moyo as its CEO.

RCL's earnings sour on sugar tax

The branded food producer has impaired its Sugar business due to what it sees as a permanent reduction in local demand.

Sun International reveals a mixed hand

The hotels and casinos group plans a comprehensive review of Sun City due to falling occupancies.

Sea Harvest reels in a big rise in earnings

Growth at the seafood and fisheries group has been supported by the addition of Viking Fishing and Ladismith Cheese to its operations.

Brimstone narrows its losses

A big rise in earnings at subsidiary Sea Harvest helped offset the cost of exiting the consortium that is taking Clover private.

The Week Ahead 2 September 2019

Global political uncertainty remains high, markets shrug it off for the time being.

Discovery on the mend

After a big first-half decline, the financial services group’s full-year earnings won’t be down as much.

ARM raises dividend despite impairments

The diversified miner says it continues to benefit from portfolio diversification with a strong performance from its iron ore operations.

Grand Parade sells Slots stake to Sun

Shareholders could be in for a special dividend or buyback as the group exits its investment in the limited payout machine operator.

Balwin takes cautious approach as sales rise

The property developer plans to preserve cash even as sales of its sectional title units improve.

Northam spends R1 billion on Zambezi prefs

The platinum producer bought 13.7 million preference shares from the Public Investment Corporation in a move that should benefit shareholders.

Cartrack’s subscribers top a million

The fleet management and vehicle recovery group says it will grow full-year revenue in the double digits.

Woolies sends Moir to sort out David Jones

The retail group has more than halving the value of its investment in the Australian chain, which has been hit by a cyclical downturn.

Hail and fire ignite claims at Santam

After a relatively benign start to 2018, the insurer faced big claims for fire and hail damage this year.

Sanlam - “A sound result from Sanlam’s Santam stake”

Ingham Analytics issues a note entitled "A sound result from Sanlam's Santam stake" following the release of interim results from the short-term insurer, which Sanlam owns...

Who’s doing what this week in the South African M&A space?

Weekly roundup of M&A activity by South African companies

Who’s doing what in the African M&A space?

Weekly roundup of all M&A activity from across Africa (excluding South Africa)

Massmart sees no end to weak environment

The mass retailer and wholesaler has swung to a loss due to constrained consumers and internal missteps.

Steinhoff may sell businesses to save them

The retailer has reported a rise in revenue despite current challenges thanks to Pepkor Europe and Pepkor Africa.

ADvTECH affected by emigration

The private education group is growing its mid-fee schools as emigration and affordability impact premium campuses.

Sibanye-Stillwater shakes off gold strike

With the strike over and the inclusion of Lonmin, the group says it may resume dividend payments next year.

Weekly corporate finance activity by SA exchange-listed companies

Weekly summary of corporate finance activity by South African exchange listed companies

Thorts - Virtual-only AGMs and e-Voting: an inevitable reality?

Should SA-listed companies embrace virtual-only annual general meetings (AGM) where shareholders attend the AGM exclusively using a web-based platform allowing participation and electronic voting in real-time?

Dis-Chem bounces back from strike

The discount pharmacy chain has also benefitted from a bigger increase in the Single Exit Price for drugs.

Motus steers its way through tough conditions

The automotive group expects solid financial results for 2020, subject to stable currencies and SA retaining its investment grade rating.

Bidcorp dishes up higher earnings

The food services group says the UK and Eastern Europe delivered strong performances, while SA showed a recovery.

Adcock gets a clean bill of health

Shares in the pharmaceuticals manufacturer jumped after it reported a strong increase in annual earnings.

Murray and Roberts on track with strategy

The engineering and construction group is positioning itself for more big contract wins in the natural resources sector.

Distell hurt by currency devaluations

The wine and spirits group has reported strong growth in Africa but was hit by currency issues in Angola and Zimbabwe.

Dis-Chem bounces back from strike

The discount pharmacy chain has also benefitted from a bigger increase in the Single Exit Price for drugs.