In its recently released financial report for the third-quarter (Q3) period ended December 31, 2018, Chellarams Plc grew its group Loss Before Tax (LBT) to N1.12billion, which represents about 600percent as against LBT of N157.776million it reported in the corresponding Q3 period of 2017.

This disappointing bottom-line figure by the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM)-listed company comes despite its group revenue growing by 236percent to N8.493billion, from N2.525billion in Q3 period of 2017.

The principal activities of Chellarams Plc are trading and distribution of fast moving consumer goods, ingredients and consumer durables and industrial chemicals.

The group increased administrative expenses and finance costs impacted negatively on its third-quarter bottom-line figures.

For instance, Chellarams Plc group administrative expense increased by 186.16 percent to N1.520billion in Q3’2018 from N531.164million recorded in Q3’2017.

Administrative expenses are the expenses that this organisation incurred not directly tied to a specific function such as manufacturing, production or sales. Salaries of senior executives and costs of general services such as accounting are examples of administrative expenses.

Also, the group finance cost in Q3’18 increased by 343.65percent to N416.810million from N93.950million in Q3’17.

Chellarams poor outing in the third-quarter under review was shown in its financial statements released at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday January 25.  At N3.08 per share, Chellarams Plc has market capitalisation of N2.226billion with shares outstanding of 722,925,000 units.

The directors said they assessed the Group’s future performance and financial position on a going concern basis “and have no reason to believe that the Group will not be a going concern in the year ahead.” For this reason, the financial statements were prepared on the basis of accounting policies applicable to a going concern.

Chellarams Plc comprises three subsidiaries namely: Dynamic Industries Limited, United Technical and Allied Services Limited and Chellarams DMK Limited. United Technical and Allied Services Limited is wholly owned subsidiary while the Company has 77.71percent and 74percent shareholding in Dynamic Industries Limited and Chellarams DMK Limited respectively.

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date

Open In Whatsapp