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DHCOG records Dh 204 mn net profit in 2011

Dubai Holding Commercial Operations Group LLC (DHCOG) today announced its audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2011.

DHCOG comprises four business subsidiaries: Jumeirah Group (Jumeirah), Dubai Properties Group (DPG), TECOM Investments (TECOM) and Emirates International Telecommunications (EIT).

DHCOG’s net profit in 2011 reached AED 204 million, an increase of 60% compared to AED 127 million last year. Recurring revenues increased by 7 per cent to AED 6 billion, while total revenues stood at AED 8.8 billion.

The Net profit increase to AED 204 million, while recurring revenues increase to AED 6 billion; Total revenues amount to AED 8.8 billion. Total assets stand at AED 97.4 billion. Total debt decrease by AED 1.24 billion. Debt to Asset ratio improves to 0.13; Debt to Equity ratio improves to 0.93

Commenting on the steady performance, Ahmad Bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, said: “The positive results of 2011 demonstrate DHCOG’s resilience and strong business fundamentals across the portfolio. Despite continued challenging economic conditions globally, 2011 proved to be a good year for DHCOG. The deleveraging of our debt commitments has been one of the highlights of 2011 and will continue to be our priority in the years to come.”

He added that the recurring and sustainable revenues improved by 7 per cent in 2011. Total revenues for the year amounted to AED 8.8 billion, of which AED 6 billion were recurring revenues. In line with our strategy of strengthening the recurring income streams, properties and land sales represented only 31.6 per cent of total revenue in 2011, compared to 58.1 per cent in 2010.

Bin Byat commented: “The Group is well positioned, with long-term recurring revenues and a diverse portfolio of income-generating assets, to build on the healthy performance of our underlying businesses. We have a robust balance sheet, which provides us with the flexibility to support our businesses in delivering strong performance and revenues.”

DHCOG’s total assets stood at AED 97.4 billion. Current liabilities decreased from AED 31.2 billion in 2010 to AED 26.6 billion in 2011, down 15 per cent due to a decline in trade payables, customer advances and contractor liabilities. DHCOG concluded the year with a strong cash balance of AED 2.3 billion, an increase of 50.5 per cent compared to AED 1.5 billion in 2010.

Total debt decreased by AED 1.2 billion from AED 14 billion in 2010 to AED 12.8 billion in 2011, of which AED 2.4 billion is short- term borrowing. Debt to Asset ratio improved to 0.13 and Debt to Equity ratio improved to 0.93.

DHCOG deleveraged its debt commitments, by paying down the CHF 250 million bonds in July 2011 through cash generated from operations and from sales of non-core assets. It further paid down US$500 million bonds which matured in February 2012. Repayment of the bonds, along with consistent and strong operating performance, triggered positive rating actions by Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, both of which placed DHCOG on a stable outlook in February 2012.

Bin Byat added: “The Company has robust hotel management, telecommunications, free zone and property businesses that contribute a healthy cash flow. DHCOG is committed to meeting its financial obligations as and when they fall due.”

Jumeirah Group’s performance was driven by the strong occupancy rate of 78 per cent, above industry average rates. Jumeirah recorded a 5 per cent increase in its Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR), compared to 2010. Consequently, Jumeirah achieved strong growth of 9 per cent in its room revenue as well as 7 per cent in food and beverages revenue.

DPG significantly contributed to the Group’s revenue through its growing recurring revenues from leasing, land sales and facility management businesses, as well as from the handover of some of its projects. Its leasing portfolio saw strong increase in occupancy rates of up to 90 per cent in residential; while the facilities and property management business grew by 22.1 per cent.

TECOM’s revenue for 2011 was driven by strong occupancy rates across its mature business parks and a low churn rate of its partners. It continues to enjoy high occupancy rates averaging 88 per cent in Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai Media City, which represent superior levels compared to Dubai’s average commercial occupancy rate of 56 per cent.

EIT had a successful partial exit from Axiom Telecom at an attractive valuation. Despite a challenging political environment, Tunisie Telecom delivered a solid performance, while du captured 46 per cent mobile users market share in the UAE.

Bin Byat concluded: “The outlook for DHCOG and its subsidiaries remains promising on the back of stabilising economic conditions. DHCOG has made considerable strides to improve its balance sheet and reduce its debt position. We look ahead into 2012 with great optimism about the medium- and long-term outlook for our businesses as we continue to drive operational efficiencies to deliver even stronger operating performance.”