Wesfarmers has more than quadrupled its full-year profit to a record $5.51 billion, on the back of post-tax gains of $3.17 billion on the demerger of Coles and other divestments during the year.
Wesfarmers has more than quadrupled its full-year profit to a record $5.51 billion, on the back of post-tax gains of $3.17 billion on the demerger of Coles and other divestments during the year.
Disregarding asset sales and profit from its 15 per cent stake in Coles, Wesfarmers’ profit from its continuing operations rose 13.5 per cent to $1.94 billion.
The conglomerate's Bunnings, Officeworks and chemicals divisions drove 4.3 per cent increase in revenue from continuing operations to $27.9 billion.
Statutory revenue for the 12 months to June 30 dropped by 36 per cent to $44.7 billion, reflecting the spin-off of Coles in November and the sales of Bengalla, Kmart Tyre and Auto Service, and Quadrant Energy.
Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney and managing director Rob Scott told shareholders they were pleased with the company's strong results during a year of portfolio renewal.
"Given the diversity and resilience of the group's portfolio, it remains well placed for a range of economic conditions," the pair said in a release today.
The Kmart Group weighed on Wesfarmers' result as the company had expected, with earnings down 13.7 per cent to $540 million.
Wesfarmers said Target's trading results in particular highlighted the need for ongoing repositioning of the business.
Target's total sales fell by 1.5 per cent following ongoing store rationalisation and lower sales in lifestyle, entertainment and beauty, with comparable sales down 0.8 per cent.
Total sales at Kmart were up 1.5 per cent but comparable sales were flat, with the womenswear result particularly poor and the brand's planned exit from DVDs also weighing.
Bunnings, however, appeared to have weathered the worst of what Wesfarmers said were subdued economic conditions, with total sales at the hardware giant up 5 per cent to $13.2 billion.
Earnings increased 8.1 per cent to $1.63 billion on same-store sales growth of 3.9 per cent, with 17 new locations opened during the year including 10 replacement stores.
Bunnings, which accounts for 57 per cent of Wesfarmers' earnings, remains "well positioned for continued growth in FY20" despite an expected continuation of moderated trading conditions.
Mr Scott and Mr Chaney said Wesfarmers would also continue to pursue growth opportunities both inside and outside its current stable.
Wesfarmers already completed a deal for Catch Group in August for $230 million, which will be rolled into the Kmart Group.
Kidman Resources shareholders will vote on September 5 on whether the proposed $776 million sale to Wesfarmers will go through.
Mr Scott said the dowturn in the lithium spot price was "nothing in the market that we didn't anticipate", and Kidman remained a long-term investment.
A $1.5 billion tilt at rare earths miner Lynas was snuffed out last week.
Wesfarmers will pay a fully franked final dividend of 78 cents per share, down from $1.20 a year ago, bringing the full-year dividend to $2.78, up from $2.23 in FY18.
Shares in the company were 2.2 per cent lower at $37.84 after 20 minutes of trade on Tuesday, still 21 per cent higher on the $31.33 price immediately after the Coles demerger.
Wesfarmers shares hit a record high of $40.05 on July 29.
WESFARMERS PROFIT UP ON DIVESTMENTS
* Statutory revenue down 36pct to $44.7b
* Revenue from continuing operations up 4.3pct to $27.9b
* Statutory profit $5.51b vs $1.2b pcp
* Net profit from continuing operations up 13.5pct to $1.94b
* Final dividend 78 cents per share, fully franked, down from $1.20 pcp
* Full-year dividend $2.78 per share, fully franked, vs $2.23 pcp.
