Singapore-listed property group, Heeton Holdings, has announced a significant increase in earnings for the second half of its financial year 2024, which ended on December 31, 2024. The company saw a y-o-y increase of 221% in earnings, amounting to $3.85 million.
However, despite the strong performance in the second half, the group remained loss-making for the full year FY2024. For the second half, Heeton Holdings reported earnings per share of 0.79 cents per ordinary share. This is an improvement from the previous year’s figure of 0.28 cents per share, which was a loss.
The increase in earnings was driven by the group’s revenue growth, which recorded a 10.5% y-o-y increase to $41.1 million for the second half of the year. The full year revenue also saw a 15.2% y-o-y increase to $78.2 million.
According to Heeton Holdings, the increase in revenue was due to higher occupancies in the United Kingdom and an increase in rental rates for the group’s investment properties. The turnover for the year also included rental income from investment properties, hotel operation income, and management fees.
During the year, the company disposed of some of its subsidiaries, resulting in a net gain of $3.78 million. The group’s property, plant, and equipment, which mainly comprised hotel properties, also saw an increase of $16.92 million in FY2024 due to the acquisition of a hotel in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The appreciation of Pound Sterling and the reversal of impairment changes offset the effects of the disposal of hotels in Japan and the United Kingdom and depreciation charges recognized.
In terms of cash flow, the group saw a decrease of $32.70 million in cash and cash equivalents due to major cash inflows and outflows. This included proceeds from the disposal of property, plant, and equipment of $26.43 million and proceeds from the disposal of subsidiaries of $11.37 million.
However, the group also had cash outflows, which included a net repayment of loans from associated and joint venture companies of $24.45 million, additions to property, plant, and equipment of $40.36 million, and restricted cash pledge for a bank facility of $22.98 million.
Given the current uncertain economic outlook of Singapore and the uncertain geopolitical climate under the Trump administration, Heeton Holdings has stated that it will maintain a prudent and steady strategic expansion.
In the face of challenges such as high operating and labor costs, elevated interest rates, and an uncertain macroeconomic environment, Heeton Holdings plans to stay focused on being a bespoke boutique brand offering high-quality, experiential stays for its guests.
The company will also continue to participate in land tenders in the local residential market and has been part of a consortium for government housing schemes. Additionally, Heeton Holdings’ two retail malls are expected to continue generating steady and recurring income for its property investment business.
The group has declared a final dividend of 0.5 cents per share for the current financial period. As of February 20, shares in Heeton Holdings closed at 27 cents, down 0.5 cents or 1.818%.