JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – PT Astra International Tbk (ASII) booked net profit of Rp19.42 trillion in 2013, flat compared to 2012’s profit. Earning per share (EPS) was Rp480.
Net revenue increased 3% to Rp193.88 trillion from previous Rp188.05 billion, primarily due to higher automotive sales that were partly offset by a decline in heavy equipment sales.
Astra’s wholesale car sales rose by 8%, while Astra’s wholesale motorcycle sales rose by 15%. The amount financed through the Group’s automotive-focused consumer finance operations grew by 13%, driven by affordable interest rates an d strong consumer demand.
Komatsu unit sales declined by 32% as a consequence of lower the rmal coal prices, while contract coal production increased by 11% and overburden removal fell by 1%. Crude palm oil sales increased by 11%.
Overall net debt, exclusive of the Group’s financial services subsidiaries, was Rp 3.7 trillion, compared to net debt of Rp 8.9 trillion at the end of 2012, a 59% decrease.
A final dividend of Rp 152 per share (2012: Rp 150 per share) will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to be held in April 2014. The proposed final dividend together with the interim dividend of Rp 64 per share (2012: Rp 66 per share) will bring the total dividend for the year to Rp 216 (2012: Rp 216).
“The Group produced satisfactory results in 2013, particularly as a number of our businesses faced challenging conditions. The outlook for 2014 remains sound, although it is expected that there will continue to be heightened competition in the car market and weakness in coal prices, while concerns remain about potential increases in interest rates and rupiah volatility, Prijono Sugiarto, ASII’s president director, commented in a statement.