Strong performances from the energy sector bolstered the National Enterprises Limited’s (NEL) financial performance for 2022, its chairman Ingrid Lashley has said.
Lashley said the company recorded a net profit of $1.98 billion for the financial year ended September 30, 2022.
This represented an increase of over $2 billion compared to a loss of $270 million in the previous financial year, Lashley explained at the company’s annual general meeting at the Hyatt Regency yesterday.
“A significant turnaround in our net profits and dividend income arose from increased profitability in our investing portfolio in the energy sector. This has allowed us to consider a dividend flow that will give shareholders access to their returns in the shortest possible time. We expect our energy portfolio to continue to provide solid performance on the basis of market strategies of companies like Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited whose penetration into new international markets has established a platform for successful growth and profits,” Lashley said.
She said the company’s returns were promising particularly given the various economic pressures being faced globally.
Lashley noted there were mixed returns from other state agencies under the umbrella of NEL.
“We aim to strike a balance in determining our own investment strategy. In the face of these factors. NEL’s non-energy sector has faced the headwinds of the uncertainties prevailing in most economies with National Flour Mills, and Telecommunication Services of T&T both experiencing fair value decline. Both companies are in the process of executing well-developed plans for the realisation of cost savings and upskilling of their workforce.
The consistent and stable financial results from the Power Generation Company of T&T anchored returns from this sector,” said Lashley.
Lashley confirmed that the company has successfully transitioned its financial reporting period from the year ended April 31 to September 30, leading to the financial performance reflecting the performance over an 18-month period.
She confirmed the company would return to the traditional annual reporting schedule starting this fiscal year.