Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company Surged by 81% to HK$25.7 Million
Hong Kong, Mar 18, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - ETS Group Limited ("ETS" or the "Group") (Stock Code: 8031) announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2013 (the "Year").
Result Highlights-- Revenue recorded an increase to approximately HK$169.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2013 -- Profit attributable to owners of the Company surged by 81% to HK$25.7 million-- Gross profit margin increased from 21.8% to 27.4% -- Net current assets increased by 7.3% to approximately HK$66.7 million, including cash and bank balances of approximately HK$34.5 million-- Current ratio and gearing ratio were 3.3% and 6% respectively -- Declared a final dividend of HK1.5 cents per ordinary share (2012: HK1.1 cents)
During the year under review, the Group recorded total revenue of HK$169.7 million (2012: HK$164.6 million). The increase was mainly attributed to the significant increase in contribution from the PRC's operation from the outsourcing inbound and outbound contact services, as well as the sales and licensing income of WISE-xb Systems and software. The Group's profit attributable to owners of the Company surged by 81% to HK$25.7 million, mainly contributed by the increase of revenue and the decrease of employee benefits expense. Earnings per share for the year were HK9.2 cents (2012: HK5.1 cents). The Board has resolved to recommend the payment of a final dividend of HK1.5 cents per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2013 (2012: HK1.1 cents per ordinary share).
Mr. Wong Wai Hon, Telly, Chairman and Executive Director of the Group, said, "The local business environment remained challenging in the year of 2013. However, we recognize the vital need to keep abreast of the latest technology developments in communications and maintain the competitiveness of the WISE-xb System as well as our contact services which are implemented through the WISE-xb System platform. We have further invested in the research and development of the WISE-xb System in order to enhance functionalities that can further improve the management and efficiency of the contact service centre operation."
Business reviewThe Group is continuously engaged in the business of providing comprehensive multimedia contact services and contact centre systems. The Group's principal services comprise five categories, namely outsourcing inbound contact service, outsourcing outbound contact service, staff insourcing service, contact service centre facilities management service and others, which accounted for approximately 9.9%, 44.3%, 25.8%, 16.2% and 3.8% of the Group's total revenue respectively during the year under review.
In order to capture different market segments as well as expand and diversify the Group's business coverage, the Group opened its first business center in February 2013. To increase its competitiveness and strengthen its research and development capability, the Group entered into an acquisition agreement with Epro BPO Services Limited. The acquisition is expected to generate significant synergies and can strengthen the ongoing development of the Group's WISE-xb Systems at a lower cost resulting in more competitive pricing. In addition, the combined expertise of the Hong Kong and the PRC development teams enables the Group to better explore and tap any IT outsourcing opportunities in the region. Besides, the control agreements that the Group has entered with Guangzhou Junfeng Network Technology Limited will enable to Group to acquire the ability to offer comprehensive multi-media contact services in both Hong Kong and the PRC.
ProspectRiding on a well established comprehensive contact centre business in Hong Kong, the Group aims to expand that business, particularly in the PRC, in order to sustain business growth momentum. Through the control agreement arrangement with Guangzhou Junfeng Network Technology Limited, the Group is able to allocate contact centre services to different geographic locations, particularly Hong Kong and Guangzhou, based on the clients' needs in the most efficient and effective manner to bolster its market competitiveness as well as capture the arising opportunities resulting from growth in the PRC market.
Mr. Wong concluded, "Riding on our sizable contact centre operation, management experience, R&D and systems development capability, our sales network enhanced by our well-established reputation and listed status complemented by the local PRC operation establishment, we are in a very competitive position to attract both local as well as overseas corporations in the outsourcing contact centre service market. Thus, we believe we can eventually benefit from the opportunities arising from the growth in the PRC market and domestic demand. Besides, we are evaluating the transfer of our listing from the GEM to the Main Board in order to enhance the trading liquidity of the shares and raise our corporate profile and recognition from investors as well as potential partners. We believe that the transfer of listing will be beneficial to the future growth, financing, flexibility and business development of the Group."
About ETS Group Limited
Incorporated in 1990 as a pioneer in the local outsourcing business, ETS Group is now one of the largest multi-media contact centre service providers in Hong Kong. ETS is principally engaged in providing comprehensive multi-media contact services and contact centre system. It's running a multi-media outsourcing contact centre operation in Hong Kong and the PRC with ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certification, providing professional outsourcing inbound and outbound contact centre services, staff insourcing services and contact centre facilities management services to corporate clients in banking, insurance, telecommunications, government departments, etc. The Group's self developed multi-media WISE-xb Contact Centre System supports the operation of the Group's contact centre services and also has been marketed through distributors.
Source: ETS Group Limited
Contact:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited Vicky Lee Tel: 2864 4834 Email: vicky.lee@sprg.com.hk Katrina Leung Tel: 2864 4857 Email: katrina.leung@sprg.com.hk Naomi Dryden Tel: 2114 4915 Email: naomi.dryden@sprg.com.hk Fax: 2527 1196 Website: www.sprg.com.hk
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