Bahrain Duty Free sales post solid rise in first-half but profits fall sharply

BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free posted first-half sales (to 30 June) of US$36.6 million, an increase of +1.9% year-on-year.

Profits however fell sharply (-35.4%) from US$13.8 million a year ago to US$8.9 million in H1 2016. The company said that this was due mainly to the one-off impact of an asset disposal in last year’s figures.

Basic earnings per share amounted to 6.9 US cents compared 10.7 US cents last year.

Shareholder equity stands at US$128.2 million compared to US$129.5 million a year ago. The reduction in equity is mainly due to a dividend payment during the year.

In the three months ended 30 June, sales fell by -5% year-on-year to US$18.1 million with net profit sliding -45.8% to US$4.1 million due to the profit on last year’s asset disposal.

Chairman of the Board Farouk Al Moayyed said the Board of Directors has recommended a cash dividend of 20% to the shareholders, valued at 5.3 US cents per share.

Managing Director Abdulla Buhindi said that profit from investments was US$2,752,013 compared to US$5,730,210 last year, down because of the asset sale noted above.

The investment portfolio increased by +14.9 % to US$83.6 million.

Buhindi confirmed that the company has started the upgrade of all shops in the Departures area at Bahrain International Airport.

Bahrain Duty Free Chairman Farouk Almoayyed (left) and Managing Director Abdulla Buhindi

Bahrain Duty Free has begun its upgrade of shops in the Departures area at Bahrain International
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