Новости за 06.12.2021

JSE-listed packaging manufacturing multinational Nampak achieved headline earnings a share of 62.3c, a 109% year-on-year increase in trading profit to R1.4-billion and a 24% increase in revenue to R14-billion for the financial year ended September 30. These numbers reflect the company's achievement of its focus on reducing risks and improving profits, Nampak CEO Erik Smuts said on December 6.

JSE-listed cannabis holdings group Labat Africa’s share price on the JSE rose by 56% on Monday after the company announced it had been approved for a listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE). Labat is one of two cannabis businesses listed in South Africa, with a focus on pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis.

JSE-listed Italtile says the trading conditions for the five months to November 30 were challenging, taking account of the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, including severe global supply chain disruptions; civil unrest in July; notable price inflation of imported raw materials and finished products; and the adverse impact of load-shedding, specifically on the group’s manufacturing operations. Moreover, competition across the industry intensified as stock availability improved and beleaguered... Читать дальше...

Diversified natural resources group Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has joined the first conference by Russian bank Sberbank (Sber) to establish the environmental, social and governance (ESG) Alliance. The alliance will aim to facilitate the transition to sustainable economic development by strengthening environmental protection, supporting social development and enabling business growth, while reducing the consumption of natural resources.

Researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU) have been involved in the first ever paper to be published containing practical guidelines and a suggested ethical protocol on how to cause as little disturbance as possible to elephants when flying over them with drones. The paper, in the journal Koedeo – African Protected Area Conservation and Science, was authored by Wesley Hartmann – a recent MSc student in conservation ecology at SU, Dr Vicky Fishlock of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in Kenya... Читать дальше...

The attractiveness of renewable energy, even in the face of using gas as a bridging fuel to take off from where coal is being disused, is continuing to increase, the World Wide Fund for Nature senior climate specialist James Reeler has said. During a webinar titled ‘Fossil gas: decarbonisation solution, detour or dead end?’, on December 2, he said Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme had shown that the price of renewables was lower than what was previously forecast to occur only in 2050.

Logistics company OneLogix’s earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months ended November 30 are expected to decrease by between 75% and 95%, and 85% and 105%, respectively. This means that EPS will be between 50c and 250c, while HEPS will be between a loss of 50c and a profit of 150c.

The Garob Wind Farm, in the Siyathemba municipality of the Northern Cape, has successfully started commercial operations. The 145 MW facility was awarded to Enel Green Power South Africa in April 2015 as part of Bid Window 4 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

MTN has joined a growing number of South African companies that have implemented a vaccine mandate amid the battle with the fourth wave of Covid-19 and the new Omicron variant.  Africa's largest mobile network operator said that those employees who refuse vaccinations, without a valid reason, will be fired. The policy will start in January. "The science is clear. Vaccination against Covid-19 reduces rates of serious infections, hospitalisation, and death," MTN group president and CEO Ralph Mupita said in a statement.

The world's first electric and self-propelled container ship – Yara Birkeland – has completed its maiden voyage in the Oslo fjord, Norway. “We are proud to be able to showcase the world's first fully electric and self-propelled container ship,” says Yara CEO Svein Tore Holsether.

The Energy Regulator has approved five site licences for the importation and storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by black-owned energy company DNG Energy. The Energy Regulator approved the site licences, along with the licence conditions and reasons for decision, at its meeting on December 6, following a recommendation by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) Petroleum Pipelines Subcommittee.

JSE-listed Grindrod continues to focus its efforts on executing the Port and Terminals, Logistics and Bank strategies and disposal of noncore businesses, it notes in a pre-close business update. Its Port and Terminals segment has reported healthy volume growth with record performances in the third quarter.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday while it is not yet known what impact the Omicron variant will have on hospital admissions government has been preparing hospitals to admit more patients. He said government is also investigating how it can quickly secure medication for treating Covid-19. The Omicron variant that was brought to global attention by South African scientists nearly two weeks ago appears to be dominating new infections in most provinces. “In the coming days and weeks we will know more about the Omicron variant. Читать дальше...

The majority of respondents to the FNB/Bureau for Economic Research (BER) Civil Confidence Index are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions, as evidenced by the index slipping to 15 in the fourth quarter. This followed a rise to 17 points during the third quarter of the year.

Property company Hyprop says it has strengthened its balance sheet since the financial year ended June 30, as a result of asset sales and shareholder reinvestments. It currently holds R1.6-billion of cash and R900-million of unused revolving credit facilities.

A new generation of ultra-large container vessels has been sailing the oceans in recent years. Container ships such as the Madrid Maersk, COSCO Shipping Universe, OOCL Hong Kong and Ever Golden can carry more than 20 000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). These vessels measure around 400 m in length, with beams of between 49 m and 59 m, and a draft of 15 m.

The National Treasury says it is aware of Eskom’s concerns regarding the application of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) at the power utility and reports that there are ongoing engagements in an effort to address these concerns. The matter, it adds, is still being deliberated on and some of the concerns will be addressed through a legislative review, which is currently under way.

The South African Future Trust has partnered with business development service Raizcorp to launch Scaffold, a pilot programme focused on developing high growth potential small businesses in the Alexandra and Tembisa townships that operate in the manufacturing sector. Over time, the strategy will be to build value chains within a township context.

Independent fast-moving consumer goods producer Tiger Brands is celebrating its centenary this year and joins few of the country’s oldest ongoing businesses, with brands in its repertoire such as Jungle Oats, All Gold, KOO, Fatti’s and Moni’s and Black Cat. “We are humbled that, through our brands, well-entrenched in the fabric of South African society, we have been part of special and memorable events in the lives of so many South Africans over a hundred years. As we start our next century, we look... Читать дальше...

Agriculture and agroprocessing business Tongaat Hulett has continued to make steady progress in the implementation of its turnaround strategy and in restoring the group on a sustainable growth path. During the six months ended September 30, the group experienced strong local demand across all sugar businesses and achieved good market share gains.

Businesses in South Africa must do everything possible to encourage employees and the wider public to get vaccinated, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso says in her weekly newsletter. “There has obviously been much debate about vaccine mandates. Companies like Discovery have shown how powerful they can be, having now got its staff vaccination rate up to 94%. Other companies have followed the example, though there will be legal tests of the principles, I am sure. Читать дальше...

JSE-listed ARB Holdings has received a nonbinding expression of interest for the acquisition of a minority shareholding in the company. The possible transaction, if successful, would result in the offeror acquiring all the issued shares in ARB excluding those held by the current controlling shareholder and its’ associates by way of a scheme of arrangement and the subsequent delisting of the company.

Telecommunications giant MTN Group has started the construction of headquarters for its MTN Côte d’Ivoire operations. The group is also starting a local trial of fifth-generation (5G) services in Abidjan.