Company news in brief

Clicks staff set for US$108 mln payoutNearly 6 000 workers at Clicks Group will share a R1.26 billion windfall from a share ownership scheme launched seven years ago as part of the South African retailer's efforts to meet quotas on black ownership.On Friday, employees from cashiers and pharmacists to managers at the drug store chain sold 7.6 million shares at R166 rand each – locking in a four-fold increase in the share price since 2011 when the scheme was launched.Clicks launched the scheme in 2011 when it sold 10% of the group's shares to its staff through a trust. Some 5 882 employees are in the scheme, 88% of whom are black.Under black economic empowerment rules, South African companies are required to meet quotas on black ownership, employment and procurement as part of a drive to reverse decades of exclusion under apartheid. –Nampa/ReutersCoca-Cola sales boosted by vitamin waterCoca-Cola Co reported better-than-expected quarterly profit and sales on Friday as it sold more teas, coffees and vitamin water.Organic sales, which exclude the impact of the company's ongoing efforts to refranchise its bottling operations, rose 6%, helped by demand for products such as Georgia Coffee and Glaceau vitamin water.Net operating revenue fell to US$7.51 billion from US$9.41 billion a year earlier. Global volume growth remained unchanged even as North America volumes increased 1%.The Fanta and Diet Coke maker reported a net loss of US$2.75 billion, or 65 US cents per share, in the fourth quarter ended December. 31, mainly due to a US$3.6 billion charge related to the new tax law. A year earlier the company had posted a profit of US$550 million, or 13 US cents per share. – Nampa/ReutersKraft Heinz quarterly profitKraft Heinz Co's quarterly profit and sales missed analysts' estimates on Friday, hurt by lower shipments for nuts, natural cheese and cold cuts in the US.Net income of the company, which is backed by billionaire-investor Warren Buffett and private equity firm 3G Capital, rose to US$8 billion, or US$6.52 per share, in the fourth quarter ended December. 30, from US$944 million, or 77 US cents per share, a year earlier. Sales in the US, the company's biggest market, fell 1.1% to US$4.79 billion, declining for the seventh straight quarter and also missing analysts' average estimate of US$4.81 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The company, which owns brands such as Velveeta cheese and Heinz ketchup, said net sales inched up 0.3% to US$6.88 billion, missing estimates of US$6.92 billion. – Nampa/ReutersGlobal dividends hit record in 2017Global dividends rose 7.7% to an all-time high of US$1.25 trillion last year boosted by a buoyant world economy and rising corporate confidence, Janus Henderson said on Monday, predicting another record year ahead.The surge – the strongest since 2014 – was driven by increases in every region and almost every industry with record showings in 11 countries including the United States, Japan, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Netherlands, the investment manager added.For 2018 Janus Henderson expects dividends to keep the same 7.7% growth rate to reach around US$1.35 trillion, as corporate and economic growth remains strong even in more volatile financial markets.Royal Dutch Shell kept its position as the world's biggest dividend payer. China Mobile rose to second from 19th last year and was followed by Exxon Mobil, Apple and Microsoft, the report said.The top 20 payers accounted for 15.7% of the total payout. – Nampa/ReutersEuronext's core profit beats expectations Pan-European exchange Euronext reported higher-than-expected full-year core earnings, as cost discipline helped offset an environment of low volatility.Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 4.9% to 297.8 million euro (US$369.6 million) in the year ended Dec. 31, from a year earlier, said Euronext, which operates bourses in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Lisbon.Revenue rose 7.2% to 532.3 million euro in the year, while cash trading revenue increased 5.3% to 190.3 million euro, as strong market share and improving volumes helped battle low volatility, Euronext said.Analysts were expecting core earnings of 292.75 million euro and revenue of 534.38 million euro, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.Market volatility was relatively lower in 2017, following increased activity in 2016 after the US presidential election and Britain's decision to exit the European Union. – Nampa/Reuters

Company news in brief

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Republikein 2025-12-17

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