East African Breweries Limited (EABL) #ticker:EABL net profit has more than doubled in the six months to December on the back of higher alcohol sales as Covid-19 restrictions eased, and bars re-opened.
The brewer’s net earnings jumped 130 percent to Sh8.7 billion from Sh3.79 billion booked in a similar period in 2020.
EABL Group chief executive Jane Karuku said the re-opening of bars in the second quarter boosted its total sales, which jumped to Sh54.9 billion, or 23 percent, for the period from Sh44.4 billion a year earlier.
“EABL’s performance for the half-year ended 31 December 2021 demonstrates a strong recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that affected the last two financial years,” said the brewer in a statement on Thursday.
Revenues from Kenya grew 27 percent, followed by Uganda 18 percent and Tanzania at 15 percent.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm has declared an interim dividend of Sh3.75 per share, resuming the payout after it had for the first time withheld it to conserve cash following the pandemic.