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Trading Statement
Grindrod Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1966/009846/06)
Share code: GND & GNDP
ISIN: ZAE000072328 & ZAE 000071106
(“Grindrod” or “the Company”)
TRADING STATEMENT
The Grindrod board completed its strategic review during the first half of 2019 providing clear
direction on the future of the company. The Freight Services business will focus on trade corridors
supported by key infrastructure and Financial Services will refocus on the core banking function and
develop the retail business offering. The Marine Fuels and Agricultural investments do not form part
of the strategic focus and are therefore held for sale.
Shareholders are advised that continuing businesses demonstrated good performance despite a
constrained economic growth environment. In addition, the prior year earnings reduced through the
retrospective application of IFRS 16 Leases standard. As a result, Grindrod expects headline
earnings and earnings from continuing operations, for the six months ended 30 June 2019 to be
between R127 million and R147 million. This represents an increase in excess of 100 percent,
compared to headline earnings from continuing operations of R62.7 million, generated for the six
months ended 30 June 2018 (“comparative period”), and a turnaround in excess of 100 percent
compared to the losses from continuing operations of R418.1 million recorded in the comparative
period.
Shareholders are further advised that headline earnings per share from continuing operations for the
six months ended 30 June 2019, are expected to be between 21.6 cents and 18.7 cents, an increase
in excess of 100 percent, compared to the revised headline earnings per share from continuing
operations of 8.3 cents achieved in the comparative period. Earnings per share from continuing
operations of between 21.6 cents and 18.7 cents are expected, an increase in excess of 100 percent
compared to the revised loss per share from continuing operations of 55.8 cents reported in the
comparative period.
The Marine Fuels and Agricultural investments do not form part of the strategic focus and are
therefore held for sale. As a consequence of impairments these discontinued operations are
expected to report a loss, of between R659 million and R639 million, compared to earnings of
R2 836.7 million reported in the comparative period, a deterioration in excess of 100 percent. Prior
year discontinued operations include the Shipping division and results for that period include the
foreign currency translation gain of R2 830.3 million that arose on the separate listing of the Shipping
division.
For the six months ended 30 June 2019 the total loss is expected to be between R532 million and
R492 million, a decline in excess of 100 percent from the earnings of R2 418.5 million reported in
the comparative period. Total headline losses for the six months ended 30 June 2019 are expected
to be between R141 million and R101 million, a decline in excess of 100 percent from the reported
total headline earnings of R347.0 million in the comparative period. Total headline loss per share
are expected to be between 20.7 cents and 14.8 cents, a decline in excess of 100 percent compared
to the total headline earnings per share of 46.1 cents reported in the comparative period. A total loss
per share of between 78.2 cents and 72.3 cents are expected, a decline in excess of 100 percent
from the total earnings per share of 321.4 cents reported in the comparative period.
The information contained in this trading statement has not been reviewed nor reported on by the
company’s external auditors.
Grindrod will release its results to shareholders on or about Friday, 23 August 2019 and will present
to the investors in Johannesburg on that day.
By order of the board
16 August 2019
Sponsor: Grindrod Bank Limited
Date: 16/08/2019 04:00:00
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