- Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $53.2 million, up from $38.8 million for 2003. The profit growth resulted from record exchange traded volumes, reductions in cash operating expenses and higher net interest income.
- Revenue from ordinary activities (excluding interest) of $117 million, an increase of 14% on the prior year.
- The 20% growth in exchange traded volumes from the prior year was accompanied by a reduction in the average cost of trading on SFE to $1.45 per matched contract, down 5% from $1.52 in the prior year. Total volumes for the year were a record 54.5 million contracts.
- A final, fully franked, dividend of 16.7 cents per share was declared, bringing the total dividend for the year to 48.9 cents per share (fully franked), an increase of 26.8 cents per share over the 2003 dividends, of which 15 cents represents a special dividend paid mid-year.
In releasing the results, SFE’s Managing Director and CEO, Robert Elstone said
“Very satisfactory operating performance for 2004 was underpinned by strong traded volume revenue growth, tight control of cash operating expenditure and high levels of technology performance and availability.
These factors facilitated lower average transaction fees to users as well as additional returns to shareholders during the year by way of the special dividend paid in October 2004 and the increased dividend payout ratio which stands at 85% of net profit after tax.
Since balance date 2005 trading volumes have been particularly strong, with year to date volumes up 30% over the comparable period in 2004.
We have continued with best practice in releasing the full Annual Report for 2004 today and recommend it to shareholders and analysts wishing to track SFE’s progress.”
For further information please refer to the full report on SFE's website - 2004 Annual Report.