Look at those results today.Superbly run business, funding good growth from own cash generation. Regular increases in dividend. Have held for many years within PEP - not one to double overnight, but IMO one for serious investors to lock away for the long term. 10 for 1 share split may help marketability going forward.Always DYOR etc.

StockMarketWire.com
Consumer goods group PZ Cussons posted a 23% fall in annual profit after subdued market conditions in Nigeria and the UK squeezed its margins.

Pre-tax profit for the year through March declined to £66.6m, as revenue fell 5.8% to £762.6m.

Adjusted pre-tax profit fell 22% to £80.1m, in line with the company's most recent guidance for a figure at the bottom end of a £80m-to-£85m range.

PZ Cussons held its annual dividend steady at 8.28p per share.

Adjusted operating profit in the African division fell 78%, while rising 17% in the Asian division and coming in broadly flat in the European division.

In Nigeria, the company said a sustained lack of liquidity at both consumer and trade level had resulted in a significant contraction in the size of the market, resulting in lower volumes, prices and margins.

'In the absence of an indication as to when liquidity in Nigeria may improve ahead of the February 2019 general elections, we are taking steps to optimise further our overall product portfolio and to reduce our cost base,' the company said.

In the UK, growth in the beauty division partially offset more challenging trading conditions faced in the UK washing and bathing division.

'We remain focused on innovation but with a sharpened lens on fewer, bigger, higher margin product launches which will differentiate further our brands, as well as a reduction in overheads through optimising our operating model, chairman Caroline Silver said.

'The group's balance sheet remains strong and we will continue to evaluate growth opportunities utilising the group's brand portfolio and distribution capability.'

'Whilst we expect another challenging year ahead, the business is well placed to return to growth and consequently the board has maintained the full year dividend.'

StockMarketWire.com
Consumer goods firm PZ Cussons said trading in Nigeria, currently weak due to the uncertain economic situation, would determine the performance of the business in its financial year to May 2018.

The group highlighted a good performance in Europe driven by product innovation and a similarly 'good' showing in Asia, though partly offset by the weakness of Asian currencies against sterling.

Currency weakness was part of the problem in Nigeria with the naira declining 15% against the US dollar in the first half of PZ Cussons financial year.

The company also noted that consumer disposable income had remained weak ahead of the February 2019 general election. As a result first half profit from the country will be down year-on-year.