UPDC released its 2014 Q1 results showing a 3.7% drop in revenue to N2.6billion compared to N2.7billion a year before. Pre-tax profits for the period was N529million an 18% drop from N646million posted a year earlier. Key take outs of the results are as follows;
- Gross profits are down a huge 76% this quarter. This may suggest a rising cost in hotel operations. A margin of 7.5% is small by any standards
- Operating loss of N43million was a no brainer considering the drop in Gross profit
- As usual income from flipping of properties (the ones not in stock) came in handy. The earned N1.1billion from that helping the company achieve a pre-tax profit of N529million
- However, cash balance is very low at N38million, suggestive of a deal that is not backed by cash. No wonder trade receivables rose 41% to N7.3billion.
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