vested
Mengniu won't be pushed into price cuts
by Avery Chen
Jeffrey Lu says the company is maintaining its full-year revenue targets. Sing Tao
China Mengniu Dairy (2319) will not be reducing prices of its products despite facing intense competition in the mainland market, chief executive Jeffrey Lu Minfang said. But it is seeking merger and acquisition opportunities, he added.
He spoke as shares of the mainland dairy giant were slumping 5.83 percent to HK$31.5 yesterday after it posted a lower-than-expected first-half result, which made it the worst performer among blue-chip stocks.
Mengniu's first-half net profit rose 33 percent to 2.08 billion yuan (HK$2.28 billion) and revenue grew 15.6 percent to 39.86 billion yuan.
Basic earnings per share were 53.1 fen against a market expectation of 55 fen. No interim dividend was declared.
The gross profit margin was reduced by 0.1 percentage points to 39.1 percent. Lu said the decline was due to a 5-6 percent increase in raw milk prices.
Lu also said the company is maintaining a full-year revenue target of double-digit growth, and the operating profit margin is expected to increase by 50 basis points.
Mengniu said last month that it would be selling its 51 percent stakes in Shijiazhuang Junlebao Dairy for 4.01 billion yuan cash to strengthen its financial position.
Chief financial officer Zhangping said excluding Junlebao's contribution, Mengniu's revenue growth rose 13 percent year-on-year - still in line with the company's target.
Source: The Standard
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-n ... 0830&sid=2
