Kogan doubles earnings for third year in a row

Dean Blake

17th Aug 2018

Online marketplace Kogan has doubled earnings for the third year in a row, reaching a net profit after tax of $14.1 million, up 110.4 per cent on the previous period.

A gross transaction value of $492.6 million, an increase of 47.3 per cent year over year, pushed gross revenue to $412.3 million, 42.4 per cent higher than 2017.

“In financial year 2018, we have significantly invested in and improved our customer offering,” Kogan CEO and founder Ruslan Kogan said. “We now operate in more industries than ever with a very compelling offer in each industry.

“While earnings from the business have more than doubled over the prior year, our consumer offer is now stronger than ever.”

Kogan noted that the company was focused on maintaining a position of price leadership, while delivering earnings growth to shareholders through digital efficiency and low overheads.

The online retailer’s consumer base grew by 45.3 per cent, holding 1.38 million active customers by 30 June 2018, and noted that return on investment (ROI) “on marketing expenditure continues to exceed expectations.”

Product divisions achieved year-on-year revenue growth of 40.5 per cent due to an expanding offering of product lines and new and market-leading brands joining the marketplace. The exclusive brands division is noted to be the largest contributor to gross profit, representing 44.2 per cent, while partnered brands now contribute a larger slice than global brands.

Kogan Mobile delivered 233.3 per cent gross profit growth year over year, resulting in a contribution of $12 million. Kogan Insurance, Kogan Health, Kogan Pet, Kogan Life and Kogan Internet were launched in FY18, and contributed a gross profit of $800,000, with $600,000 of this coming from Kogan Internet.

The board declared a fully franked final dividend of 6.1 cents per share, resulting in total dividends per share in FY18 of 13 cents, a 68.8 per cent increase above the 7.7 cents per share paid in FY17.

Additionally, the board did not provide formal guidance for FY19, but will provide an update at the company’s AGM in November.