Hamilton, Bermuda – June 28, 2019 – In a filing with the Bermuda Stock Exchange Bermuda Press (Holdings) Limited (“BPHL”; Ticker: BPH.BH) announced six-month results to March 31, 2019.  The full filing reads:

 

 

 

Interim Report

 

The Board of Directors is reporting on unaudited financial matters relating to the first six months of your Company’s financial year ending 30 September 2019 in accordance with the BSX listing regulations (Section II A, chapter 6.9(2)).

 

 

Six Months ended 31st March                                       2019                       2018

 

(in 000’s of Bermuda dollars)

 

Operating revenue                                                                          $11,223           $13,173

 

Profit                                                                                                     285               1,430     

 

Less: Profit attributable to non-controlling interests   

                                                                                                                         -                  216

 

Profit attributable to Equity holders of the company                      

                                                                                                                $285             $1,214

 

Dividends paid per share                           

                                                                                                               14 cents           10 cents

 

Earnings per share: 

Profit attributable to common shareholders                        $285             $1,214     

 

Average number of common shares outstanding               1,425               1,425

 

Basic and fully diluted earnings per share                  

                                                                                                 20 cents           85 cents

                                                                                                   

      Your Company’s net income decreased to $285,000 for the six months e     ended 31 March 2019, as compared to $1,425,000 for the same period in 2018.  This decrease in profitability is a result of the year over year decline in operating revenues of $1,950,000 for the first six months ended 31 March 2019.  The decrease in operating revenue by segment is as follows: 

 

·         Publishing and retail division saw a 17% or $1,583,000 decrease as a result of the slowdown in the Bermuda economy and changing consumer behaviors.

 

·         Rental revenue saw a 16% or $244,000 decrease mainly due to the long term lease renewal of the primary tenant at Crown House and vacant space on the 2^nd floor of the Roger Davidson building.

 

·         Commercial printing experienced a 4% or $73,000 decrease, as the printing industry continues to feel downward pressure on the traditional printing market.

 

Your Company’s management is working tirelessly to find operating efficiencies and ways to further reduce operating costs to offset the most recent slowdown in the economy.  Year to date, management have reduced costs by $852,000, as compared to the same six month period last year.  In previous annual reports, we have noted that the Board will not continue to fund operations that are loss-making at the expense of shareholders.  In 2018, the difficult decision was made to exit the commercial stationary supply business.  Your Company’s management and Board continue to review operating results of all divisions to ensure that loss-making businesses are not being funded at the expense of our shareholders.

The Company’s local real estate holdings remain the most profitable segment with an overall occupancy rate at March 31, 2019 of 96%, of which 57% is occupied by third party tenants.

 

Basic earnings per share decreased to $0.20 for the six months ended 31 March 2019, down from $0.85 in the previous year.  The market price for BPHL’s shares was $7.00 at 31 March 2019 up from $6.15 at 30 September 2018.   The Board has continued to declare and pay dividends at $0.07 per for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and the Board will continue to review the Company’s performance and the ability to increase dividend payments to shareholders.

 

Other key highlights since the annual report include:

 

·         Acquisition of the 20% minority interest in Crown House Properties was completed in October 2018, The Bermuda Press (Holdings) Limited now owns 100% of the company.

 

·         A new tenant was secured for 1^st floor space at Crown House that was vacated March 31, 2019.  A significant renovation to modernize the space was successfully completed in a short timeframe to ensure the new tenant took possession on June 1, 2019.

 

·         Renovation of the vacant 2^nd floor space at Roger Davidson is nearing completion and will be ready for market July 1^st, 2019.

 

 

·         Investing in the community by taking key sponsorship roles in the MS Amlin ITU World Triathlon, Bermuda International Film Festival, Bermuda End to End and Bermuda Festival.

 

·         Successfully supplied and installed the signage solution for the MS Amlin ITU World Triathlon, re-solidifying Bermuda Press Digital as a key player in the sign printing and solutions business.

 

·         Video product has been launched for the Royal Gazette to enhance customer engagement.

 

·         Implemented cost cutting measures which have resulted in a year-over-year cost reduction of $852,000 during the six month period ended March 31. 

 

The total number of shares owned or influenced by Directors and Officers of the Company at 31 March 2019 amounts to 104,165.  No rights to subscribe for shares in the Company have been granted to or exercised by any Director or Officer.

 

The Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and thank our employees for their commitment, hard work and dedication.  

 

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For more information on the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX), contact Nancy Vieira at 1-441-292-7212 or nvieira@bsx.com . Information is also available at www.bsx.com and on Bloomberg at BSX . Established in 1971 the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) is now the leading fully electronic offshore securities market. The BSX specializes in listing and trading of capital market instruments such as equities, debt issues, funds, hedge funds, derivative warrants and Insurance Linked Securities. The BSX, recognised by the US SEC as a Designated Offshore Securities Market, is a member of the World Federation of Exchanges and is located in an O.E.C.D. member nation. The BSX has Approved Stock Exchange status under Australia’s Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) taxation rules; Designated Investment Exchange status by the UK’s Financial Services Authority; Recognised Stock Exchange by the UK HM Revenue and Customs; Designated Exchange status under Canada’s Income Tax Act and is a member of America’s Central Securities Depository Association.