The Siam Cement Public Company Limited announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For the quarter, the company reported profit for the period of THB 12,478 million an increase of 9% year on year, attributed to healthy earnings from the chemicals associated companies. EBITDA increased 23% year on year to THB 24,459 million driving by higher dividend from chemicals associated companies. Revenue from sales decreased 6% year on year to THB 99,613 million largely due to lower chemicals sales volume. EBITDA from operations was THB 19,731 million and EPS was THB 10.4. Net debt registered THB 146,943 million, a decrease of THB 15,542 million from fourth quarter of 2015. Return on equity was 27% against 24% a year ago.

For the year the company reported, profit for the period registered a record of THB 56,084 million an increase of 24% year on year, attributed to the healthy chemicals earning, despite the domestic weakness in the Cement and Building Materials operations. Likewise, EBITDA increased 16% year on year to THB 96,227 million while revenue from sales dropped 4% year on year to THB 423,442 million on lower chemicals prices. EBITDA from operations was THB 86,098 million. Profit before finance costs and income tax expense was THB 81,320,704,000 compared to THB 68,869,251,000 a year ago. Profit before income tax expense was THB 75,337,118,000 compared to THB 59,793,007,000 a year ago. Profit for the year was THB 70,719,180,000 compared to THB 53,716,191,000 a year ago. Profit attributable to owners of the parent was THB 56,084,194,000 or THB 46.74 per basic share, an increase of 24% compared to THB 45,399,712,000 or THB 37.83 per basic share a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was THB 76,052,408,000 compared to THB 67,747,028,000 a year ago. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets were THB 32,013,697 compared to THB 43,069,678 a year ago. Revenue from sales was THB 423,442,369,000 against THB 439,613,704,000 a year ago. Profit from operations was THB 63,388,010,000 against THB 58,576,205,000 a year ago.

The forecasted fiscal year 2017 CAPEX & Investment is approximately THB 60,000 million to THB 70,000 million.

The board of directors of the company has approved a year-end 2016 dividend of THB 10.5 (47% of H2/16 earnings) that is payable on April 27, 2017. The total 2016 dividend paid amounts to THB 19.0 (THB 22,800 million), which is comprised of the H1/16 interim of THB 8.5 and the year-end THB 10.5. This compares to the 2015 dividend of THB 16.0.