Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) ended 2017 with a net income of PHP21.6 billion, 4% lower than last year’s P22.5 billion. The biggest income contribution came from its power business (69%), while its Banking & Financial Services, Food, Land, and Infrastructure strategic business units (SBUs) contributed 18%, 7%, 3%, and 3%, respectively.

The company recognized non-recurring losses of PHP2.3 billion (versus last year’s figure of P347 million), primarily due to asset impairment and debt prepayment costs, which were partially reduced by a one-off recognition of lower interest expense from an acquired loan.

Stripping out one-off charges, AEV’s core net income in 2017 was 5% higher year-on-year (YoY), rising PHP22.8 billion to PHP23.9 billion. AEV also recorded an 18% YoY increase in consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, which rose from PHP48.1 billion to PHP57 billion.

“While we faced challenges that tested the resilience of our portfolio, these results still showed the underlying strength of our core operating businesses, prompting our optimism on the long-term fundamentals of our businesses,” Erramon I. Aboitiz, AEV President and Chief Executive Officer said.

Power

Aboitiz Power Corporation’s (AboitizPower’s) income contribution to AEV increased by 2% YoY, rising from PHP15.4 billion to PHP15.7 billion, while core net income increased 13% YoY to P23.3 billion from P20.6 billion.

A non-recurring loss of P2.9 billion (versus last year’s losses of P611 million) primarily due to impairment and refinancing costs relating to Aseagas and GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co., respectively, was partially offset by a one-off recognition of lower interest expense from an acquired loan, bringing AboitizPower’s net income to P20.4 billion, 2% higher YoY.

Banking & Financial Services

Union Bank of the Philippines’ (UnionBank’s) income contribution to AEV decreased by 16% YoY, from P4.9 billion to P4.1 billion as the bank posted a 2017 net income of P8.4 billion, 17% lower than P10.1 billion the year previous in the absence of one-off trading gains. Excluding this one-off trading gain, core income surged 31% to P8.2 billion from P6.2 billion.
Food

AEV’s non-listed food subsidiaries (Pilmico Foods Corporation, Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation and Pilmico International Pte. Ltd.) reported a net income of P1.70 billion, 2% lower than 2016’s P1.73 billion. The drop in Feeds Philippines and Flour was driven by higher cost of raw materials and operating expenses, while Farms rose, thanks to higher-than-expected rise in live hogs’ selling prices.

Meanwhile, Pilmico International’s income surged in 2017 from P7 million to P98 million due to the aggressive growth of commercial and export product lines and foreign exchange gains.

Land

AEV’s real estate segment Aboitiz Land, Inc. reported a net income of P744.2 million – an increase of 295% from 2016. The significant increase was due to exceptional business performance of its units and recognized fair valuation gains on investment properties.
Infrastructure
From the infrastructure group, Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc.’s income contribution to AEV decreased 57% YoY from P1.6 billion in 2016 to P671 million in 2017. Cement demand grew modestly in 2017, but this was offset by lower prices as well as increased fuel and power costs.