Hum Network Could Issue Right Shares of Rs. 140 Million to Fund Hum Mart Expansion

Hum Network Limited (HNL), along with its fiscal year results, has announced that it is contemplating the issue of right shares worth Rs. 140 million to meet its expansion and working capital requirements of Hum Mart (Private) Limited (HM).

During its board meeting held on October 2nd, 2018, HNL was considering an issue of further right shares to meet its expansion and working capital requirements.

The suggested amount of the proposed right shares issue is Rs. 140 million, which would ultimately raise the paid-up capital of HM to Rs. 200 million, read the notification.

The board has approved further investment in HM of Rs. 80 million, effectively reducing its percentage shareholding in HM to 70%.

Accordingly, HNL will proportionately renounce the shares offered by HM. Thus, after right shares are issued, HM will not remain a wholly owned subsidiary of HNL.

In February, HNL had announced the incorporation of HM as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HNL. The company announced that it was venturing into an online grocery business, to be operated through a separate private limited company named Hum Mart (Private) Limited.

Hum Network Limited (HNL) has posted a 27.82% decline in its unconsolidated profits to just Rs. 729.50 million for the year ended June 30th, 2018, as compared to Rs. 1.01 billion in the same period last year.

Earnings per share of the company decreased to Rs. 0.77 from Rs. 1.07.

The company’s revenue for the year almost remained flat with a mere increase of 0.04% to Rs. 4.6 billion as compared to Rs. 4.64 billion.

The decline in profits was mainly due to a rise in the cost of production, finance costs and tax provisions.

The cost of production increased to 7.14% to Rs. 2.85 billion and the transmission cost went up by a massive 105.81% to Rs. 177 million this year.

The distribution cost saw a surge of 24.18% this year to Rs. 339 million and unfortunately, the finance cost went up by 59% to Rs. 33.14 million this year.

HUMNL’s script at the bourse was trading at Rs. 5.99, down by 4.01% with a turnover of 797,500 shares.

Hum Network Limited is engaged in the business of electronic media. Its broadcasting portfolio consists of satellite channels, such as Hum TV, Hum Sitaray, Hum Masala and Hum World (including separate beams for North America, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East).