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Dangote Cement Plc. Q1:2023 Earnings Note: Taking the Lead | Strong YoY Growth in Profit After Tax

Cash Crunch and Election Activities Weigh on Sales Volume

Q1:2023 started on a rather bumpy note for Dangote Cement Plc. following a (-1.56% YoY) slowdown in Revenue from NGN413.18bn in Q1:2022 to NGN406.72bn in Q1:2023.  Also, Group Sales Volume declined 13.5% to 6.3Mt, (vs 7.2Mt in Q1:2022) an offshoot of Naira scarcity and electioneering activities that permeated the first quarter.  Nonetheless, Pan-African Volumes edged higher by 8.9% to 2.6Mt. Nevertheless, when compared to the negative year-on-year profit after tax (PAT) of BUACement (-19.13% YoY to NGN26.8bn) and Lafarge (-14.94% YoY to NGN14.93bn), Dangote Cement was able to achieve a respectable bottom-line performance with a 3.45% YoY growth in PAT to NGN109.50bn from NGN105.85bn in Q1:2022.

OPEX Surge Amid Higher Haulage Expenses

Administrative expenses (adjusted for depreciation) increased by 25.83% YoY to NGN15.20bn. This growth can be attributed to the significant increases in bank charges (+222.43% YoY to NGN1.75bn), travel expenses (+32.81% YoY to NGN1.26bn), and general administrative expenses (+21.46% YoY to NGN1.91bn).Selling and Distribution Expenses (adjusted for depreciation) rose 13.61% YoY to NGN67.00bn during the quarter.  This is on the back of the increase in Haulage Expenses (+17.97% YoY to NGN58.43bn) and Other Expenses (+63.78% YoY to NGN963mn).

Based on our analysis of various factors, we are reiterating our target price of NGN348.34 for Dangote Cement Plc. We anticipate continued solid growth in revenue despite the high pricing environment, and we also project a boost in sales volume in the second half of 2023 as economic activities rebound from the impact of cash scarcity and election uncertainties. In addition, the establishment of new grinding plants in Ghana (operation expected to commence by end of May 2023) and Cote d'Ivoire (operation expected to commence by Q4:2023) as well as the operation of the planned 6Mta Itori Plant, are expected to contribute to this growth.

Underlying
Dangote Cement PLC

Provider
ARM Securities Limited
ARM Securities Limited

ARM Securities Limited is a full-service brokerage house that offers best-in-class brokerage services to local as well as foreign private and institutional investors. Formerly known as Hamilton Hammer, the Company commenced operation in 1994 and was acquired by ARM Investment Managers in 2008--an acquisition which has successfully re-positioned the company as a recognized brokerage firm in Nigeria. The Company is a dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and is regulated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). ARM Securities research team provides insightful commentaries on the Nigerian economy and its equity and debt markets using an approach which incorporates a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the industries and companies under coverage. The research therefore adopts an integrated methodology of top-down analysis and bottom-up stock selection, which focuses on publicly quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange that are judged to offer the highest potential for earnings growth. In addition, its analysts provide periodic commentaries on a range of topical global and local issues which provide investing clients with a holistic view of the opportunities and risks in today’s financial market landscape. ​

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