TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
At the Annual General Meeting of Transport International Holdings
Limited (TIH) today (Thursday, 17 May 2007), the Group's Chairman, Sir
Sze-yuen Chung, reported the financial results for 2006. For the year
ended 31 December 2006, the TIH Group's profit attributable to equity
shareholders was HK$1,838.0 million and earnings per share were HK$4.55,
both representing an increase of 214.6 per cent compared to 2005. The
increase in profit for 2006 was mainly attributable to the sales of
245 residential units of Manhattan Hill, which is owned and developed
by TIH's wholly-owned subsidiary, Lai Chi Kok Properties Investment
Limited.
Sir Sze-yuen said, "Under the principle of prudent financial management,
the Board has decided that proceeds arising from the sales of residential
units of Manhattan Hill should first be applied towards the repayment
of bank loans obtained for financing the construction costs of the development.
The Directors therefore have proposed to maintain the final dividend
for 2006 at the same amount as that for 2005 of HK$1.58 per share. Together
with the interim dividend of HK$0.45 per share paid on 13 October 2006,
total dividends for the year 2006 will amount to HK$2.03 per share or
HK$819.4 million in total. Barring unforeseen circumstances and taking
into account the likely proceeds from further sales of the residential
flats of our Manhattan Hill development, the Board will consider proposing
a special dividend or dividends for the year ending 31 December 2007.
"2006 was again a very challenging year for the Group. In sharp
contrast to the encouraging results of these property sales, the operating
environment for our franchised public bus operations was the most difficult
that we have experienced in the past decade. The surge in international
fuel prices, increased tunnel tolls, staff salaries and interest costs,
and the continued loss of patronage due to intense competition from
the railways, exerted considerable pressure on the financial performance
of our franchised public bus operations. Despite the ongoing rationalisation
of our bus network, and the innovative approach to enhancing the quality
of our services, the 2006 profit of our major wholly-owned subsidiary,
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited ("KMB"), decreased
by 54.5% to HK$216.3 million compared to HK$475.5 million for 2005.
"On the positive side, there were several encouraging factors
during the year. KMB successfully renewed its franchise for operating
franchised public bus services in Hong Kong until 1 July 2017. Long
Win Bus Company Limited continued to benefit from the ongoing population
growth in Tung Chung New Town, as well as the increasing number of passengers
travelling to and from Hong Kong International Airport, the new Asia
World-Expo and Hong Kong Disneyland."
Non-franchised operations also continued to perform well in 2006. The
Sun Bus Holdings Group showed a steady increase both in revenue and
earnings during the year. The extension of the Individual Visit Scheme
to additional Mainland cities boosted the performance of our cross-boundary
shuttle bus service.
Results of the RoadShow Group's media advertising business showed improved
net profits and revenues as a result of business growth in Hong Kong
and key Mainland cities. The Mainland Transport Operations Division
reported satisfactory growth in patronage and profit in 2006.
The first phase of the sales campaign for the residential flats of
the Manhattan Hill development was launched at the end of last year
and the second phase of sales started in March 2007. The market response
to these residential flats was overwhelming and over 90% of the units
have been sold. It is expected that this luxury development will generate
considerable profit for the Group in 2007.
Sir Sze-yuen said, "2006 witnessed the further successful implementation
of our vision: to be an innovative and international Group seeking opportunities
across the Greater China region. That is what our new identity and name
represent. This past year, we have been focusing on two aspects of our
vision: innovation in order to manage change, and expansion of our operations.
As the Group moves forward with strategies at various levels of implementation,
I believe that we will continue to meet the challenges of the current
operating environment, and become a stronger and more diversified organisation."
Sir Sze-yuen added, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank
our management team and our highly committed staff within all companies
in the Group for their concerted efforts. I look forward to continuing
to work with the team to maintain our position as a world-class provider
of public transport and related services."
(17 May 2007)
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