|
Hi, verfolge das board schon länger, möchte Allen hier danken, die die Arbeit hier machen, besonders P.M, Optimaxx und Laurents. Hier etwas zu C.K. (hoffentlich kein doppelposting) von finet:22:05 23-MAR-2000 FOCUS-Cheung Kong group <0001.HK>1999 profits soar By Kathleen Kearney HONG KONG, March 23 (Reuters) - Diversified conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Ltd <0013.HK> and parent company Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd on Thursday posted 1999 earnings 10 times higher than 1998 and indicated 2000 would be another year of exceptional profits. Hutchison reported 1999 net profit of HK$117.35 billion ($15.07 billion), derived chiefly from the HK$118 billion earned on the sale of its 44 percent stake in Orange Plc . This was more than 13 times higher than the HK$8.71 billion it reported in the previous year. Earnings per share vaulted to HK$30.28, up from HK$2.25 in the previous year. Hutchison also proposed a bonus share issue of one bonus share for every 10 shares held, in addition to a final dividend of HK$1.15 per share. Parent Cheung Kong said its 1999 net profit leaped to HK$59.37 billion, almost 10 times higher than its HK$6.11 billion in 1998, due chiefly to Hutchison`s contribution. Earnings per share soared to HK$25.84 from HK$2.66. A final dividend declared was HK$1.38, up from HK$1.16 in the previous year. With its balance sheet and capital base bolstered by the gain on the Orange stake sale, Hutchison took the opportunity to make large provisions against other operations, Chairman Li Ka Shing said. "The company made a good profit last year so it is a prudent accounting policy to make provisions against our investments," Li told a results briefing. "We made about HK$10 billion in provisions. It is all for our Hong Kong projects," Li added, but gave no further details. The company made provisions of HK$2.06 billion against the accumulated capitalised costs of acquiring new Hong Kong cellular subscribers and HK$7.8 billion against certain investment in joint ventures and other projects. BIG TELECOM PROFITS IN 2000 In 2000, the group would again reap the profits of its global investment in telecommunications and information technology. Already on the books was a HK$50 billion gain on the exchange of Hutchison`s 10 percent stake in Mannesmann for an approximate five percent holding in Vodafone AirTouch Plc , the chairman said. An additional gain was realised on Wednesday when Hutchison placed 925 million Vodafone shares for 3.2 billion pounds (HK$39 billion), generating a profit of HK$1.6 billion, it said. The sale of a 19 percent interest in Hutchison`s Hong Kong cellular operation to NTT Docomo <9437.T> earlier this year would contribute, after provisions for future losses, HK$2.20 billion to its 2000 results. The company said this would be booked in the first half. "The group will continue its strategy of making investments overseas in telecommunications projects to further enhance shareholders` value," Li said in a statement. Cheung Kong would continue to build its land bank of developable properties, but it would let Hutchison continue "its strategic investment...(to) underpin our drive for globalisation and diversification," he said. The property company had seven real estate development projects in progress, all in Hong Kong, and scheduled for completion in 2000. Hutchison is a diversified conglomerate with core businesses in port, properties, telecommunications, retail and manufacturing, energy and infrastructure in 24 countries. The telecommunications division, including the information technology and e-commerce, would be a focal point for the group again in 2000. The group`s strategic position in the U.S. mobile telephone market would be strengthened with the merger of Voicestream Wireless Corp and Aerial Communications Inc in April 2000. "Upon the completion of this merger, the group will increase its effective equity interest in the merged entity to approximately 23 percent," Li said. The company has also said it would be seeking to acquire licences to operate in third generation mobile telephone markets in Europe and the United States. The ports division was also expanding. In November, the group established a continental European presence with the acquisition of an effective 31.5 percent interest in Europe Combined Terminals (ECT) in Rotterdam. Work to expand its Balboa facility in Panama was expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year, Li said. Hutchison closed HK$6.50 or 4.69 percent higher at HK$145.00 and Cheung Kong gained HK$4.00 or 3.57 percent to HK$116.00. ($1=7.785 Hong Kong Dollar) ((Hong Kong Newsroom +852 2843-6441, Fax +852 2845-0636 hongkong.newsroom@reuters.com)) . Next News: U.S. hides weekly export sales highlights - USDA Previous News: FTSE lacks direction as Wall St set for weak start Copyright(C) Reuters Limited 1999. All rights reserved |
|
| aus der Diskussion: | * O T I * NEUE * INFOS * EXTRA * |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | sebmail (23.03.00 17:32:33) |
| Beitrag: | 64 von 153 (ID:681819) |
| Alle Angaben ohne Gewähr © wallstreetONLINE | |