Ocean Wilsons falls on profit warning

Ocean Wilsons Holdings tanked in early morning trade on Monday following a profit warning delivered in a third-quarter update.

The company, which controls a Brazilian maritime services and logistics company known as Wilson Sons, as well as an investment portfolio said "profit for the full year may fall significantly short of current market forecasts".

Consensus estimates for the full year ending 31st December had been for revenues of £441.76m and pre-tax profits of £51.4m.

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Wilson Sons' revenue for the nine months ended September 30th at $468.6m was 10% down on the previous nine months, which it blamed on the devaluation of the Brazilian Real against the US dollar.

Operating profit for the period plummeted by 29% to $55.8m, hit by lower revenues, as well as higher employee and depreciation expenses.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the period at Wilson Sons was $105.6m (2011: $120.9m). Wilsons Sons adjusted EBITDA (excluding the share based payment expense) for the period was $107.9m (2011: $113.2m).

Capital expenditure for the nine months of $135.6m (2011: $191.9m) was spent principally on the expansion of Tecon Salvador, the new Guaruj shipyard and vessel construction.

At September 30th, Wilson Sons' borrowings (including obligations under finance leases) was $549.1m (December 31st 2011: $491.1m) of which $504.5m is non-current.

At October 31st, the investment portfolio including cash under management amounted to $233.6m. The investment portfolio represents $6.61 (£4.09) per Ocean Wilsons share.

CM