Jardine Matheson 2015 net profit up 5% to US$1.8b

JARDINE Matheson Holdings reported a 5 per cent increase in net profit for the year ended Dec 31, 2015, to US$1.8 billion.

Revenue was up 4 per cent to US$65.27 billion, with Dairy Farm and Astra contributing the bulk at US$17.91 billion and US$25.25 billion, respectively.

Earnings per share stood at US$4.82 - an increase from the US$4.62 the year before.

The board recommended a final dividend of US$1.07 per share - maintaining the full-year dividend at US$1.45.

Said its chairman, Henry Keswick, of the group's outlook: "While the current economic conditions in China and Indonesia are expected to continue to affect the group's profitability in 2016, we remain positive about the medium-term prospects for our companies. They all possess sound finances, have clear strategic objectives and are well positioned to benefit from the increasing spread of affluence in the region."