Diluted HEPS 542.6cps (+49.1% y-y).
Revenue up 13.6%% y-y to R4.3bn.
Merchandise GPM up 20bps to 40.9%.
Expenses grew 11.2% y-y, with expense-to-sales decreasing by 130bps to 57.0%.
OPM increased by 280bps to 10.9%.
LEW gross debt increased to R300m (1H24: nil), with net cash falling to -R961m (1H24: -R465m).
Dividend of 300cps (1H24: 200cps).
Repurchased 0.9m shares at a cost of R43.9m during the period, at an average price of R47.00 per share.
Credit sales grew by 16.9% y-y while cash sales declined by 6.7% y-y.
The performance of UFO is stabilising, but sales fell 1.9% y-y. However, comparable store sales increased by 3.3% y-y. UFO reported an operating profit of R1.5 million, compared to a loss of R9.8 million in the prior period.
LEW acquired Real Beds, a cash retailer operating 13 stores, with a further four stores acquired in Botswana on 1 Nov 2024.
