PGW feeling the pinch

PGW’s operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (ebitda) fell by 24% to $36.6m and total revenue decreased nearly $25m, or 4%, to $560.9m.

Revenue from its retail and water business dropped $21.7m to $478.3m with operating ebitda down $9m to $40m. Its agency business – comprising livestock, wool, and real estate – produced an operating ebitda of $1.4m, down $2.2m, with revenue dropping $3.1m to $81.6m.

The company says both areas of the business have been impacted by decreased on-farm spending and weak commodity prices.

Net interest-bearing debt was up $1.4m to $96.9m compared to December 31, 2022.

The company also renewed and extended its bank facilities in December, with total facility limits of $185m. That’s up $25m, allowing for “future growth opportunities including GOSTOCK.”

Meanwhile, PGW’s shareholders will have to wait until the end of its financial year to see whether they’ll get a dividend.

Following its half-year result, the rural retailer suspended the interim dividend, saying it doesn’t want to add debt “in the face of rising interest rates”.

The company believes it is “prudent” to wait until the full year before reviewing the dividend payout ratio – “if any”.

Last financial year, PGW paid a full year dividend of 10 cents per share.

This half-year report noted that given the “current challenges” faced in the sector as well as the broader economy and the impact on the business, the board had determined not to pay an interim dividend.

“The board considers that this is an appropriate and prudent measure to take at the present time.”

PGW’s board is also looking at its ongoing dividend payout ratio, given the need to “strike the right balance” between sustainable distributions for shareholders while retaining sufficient earnings in the best interests of the company.

PGW also updated its full-year guidance, expecting it to be around $50m – down from the $52m it issued in October last year.