KAMCO AGM gives nod to 5% cash dividend

27/03/2018 05:24 AST

KAMCO Investment Company, a leading investment company with one of the largest AUMs in the region, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Chairman's Club in KIPCO Tower. The meeting provided shareholders with direct information on the Company's performance, and gave attendees the opportunity to take part in discussion with the executive management and vote on the resolutions submitted for approval by the Board of Directors.

KAMCO's AGM for the year ending Dec 31, 2017 was held alongside its Annual Shafafiyah (transparency) Investor's Forum 2018 dedicated to supporting ethical and responsible decision making, while safeguarding the integrity of financial reporting. In addition to meeting statutory obligations and the formalizing of board resolutions, the AGM and the Shafafiyah Forum are pre-eminent events at KAMCO, serving as platforms to review the Company's financial and operational performance, while allowing for focused discussion and member engagement on the future direction of the Company.

The AGM was an opportunity to review KAMCO's 2020 strategy in light of key market movements in 2017, fiscal year highlights and financial performance, including the Company's recent improvements made to its digital offerings and in-house operational efficiencies that have enhanced KAMCO's range of investment solutions and client offerings.

Dividends

Shareholders approved all proposed resolutions including the distribution of 5 percent cash dividends at 5 fils per share for the fiscal year ending in Dec 31, 2017.

Maintaining Stability Amid Volatility

During the AGM, KAMCO's Vice Chairman, Ms. Entisar Al-Suwaidi, reflected on both macroeconomic and microscale events that moved markets and shaped investor sentiments and activity at the local, regional and international levels throughout 2017. Critical events included US tax reform expected to spur momentum for economic growth, the advancement of BREXIT negotiations and its implications on both UK and EU financial markets, rebalancing of OPEC and non-OPEC oil production, geopolitical instability, and the upgraded status Kuwait achieved in 2017 entering the FTSE Russell Emerging Markets.

Financial Year 2017 Performance

Reviewing the operational results of the year, Vice Chairman Al-Suwaidi reported, "KAMCO recorded a net revenue of KD 9.6 million in 2017, an increase of 16 percent as compared to KD 8.3 million the previous year, while achieving targeted growth in our investment activity across diverse markets. Net profit attributable to the equity holders for the year stood at KD 1.14 million, compared to last year's profit of KD 1.27 million. KAMCO recorded earnings per share of 4.80 fils, compared to 5.36 fils in 2016. Fee Income reached KD 7.0 million, an increase of 9 percent from KD 6.4 million achieved in 2016. The Company continues to lead in the asset management space, increasing Assets Under Management (AUM) to KD 3.37 billion from KD 3.20 billion during the same period in 2016."

New Regional Headquarters

In discussing KAMCO's growing regional reach the Vice Chairman added, "We are very excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, expanding our reach along with our clientele and the dynamism of the region through our first UAE office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The office will serve the Company's growing international client base, and will anchor us for deeper engagement with emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA)."

2017. Sustainability through Value Creation

Chief Executive Officer of KAMCO, Faisal Mansour Sarkhou presented the Company's 2017 performance at the Shafafiyah Forum, and reflected on the Company's strategic performance over the year stating, "In an ever- changing economic landscape, our Company has maintained sustainable returns over the long-term by leveraging our market positioning as a local leader, with a solid regional network, and a global outlook. This approach is what gave us the flexibility to seize opportunities for new growth over 2017, while maintaining stewardship of our existing investments and client relationships. Amid both real and perceived market volatility over the year, we were well-positioned to seize market opportunities, and we did." The CEO also highlighted the success of KAMCO funds in light of their outperformance over the year.

The KAMCO Investment Fund (KIF), which invests in select companies listed on Boursa Kuwait was classified as the GCC's top performing equity fund based on YTD returns, outperforming benchmarks at 21.4 percent YTD as of 31 December 2017. Additionally, KAMCO's GCC Opportunistic Fund outperformed the S&P GCC Composite benchmark with a return of 5.9 percent vs. -0.5 percent (as of Dec 31, 2017). The Firm has also achieved a strong track record of 96 successful investment banking transactions worth around $15.2 billion since inception, with three debt capital market transactions amounting to around $1 billion during 2017.

2018 Outlook

Discussing KAMCO's strategic direction, the CEO described KAMCO's role as being a "firm hand in the regional and international markets with strategically executed investment banking activities that should pave the way for KAMCO's name to be amongst the major regional and international leagues." He also expects KAMCO's asset management services are expected to continue growing as the Company sets its sights on increasing market share regionally.

Sarkhou highlighted the importance of remaining innovative in an increasingly competitive marketplace that is fueled by technology, "Harnessing technology will be a major focus of the year ahead, as the financial and investment industry continue to face both challenges and immense opportunities with continual technological advancements that help to achieve more productivity and greater overall efficiency, ultimately driving a more engaging customer experience. We enter 2018 with a noticeably improved digital client interface through the launch of our enhanced digital Client Portal and website."

In a summary of expectations for 2018, the CEO assessed current market dynamics, stating "We expect global economic growth rates to moderate with the anticipation of additional rate hikes over the year, making it more costly for corporates to raise additional capital. The more cautious approach from investors has created a narrowing of yield spreads, and we assess this as a signal that good news may have already been factored in the current run up in markets.

We will be monitoring changes in key global centers - tax reforms in the US, economic stability in Europe, commodity markets' revival, and emerging markets run up - all of which point towards a positive trend in the near term." Sarkhou added, "Regionally, investment will be shaped largely by indirect and direct activity surrounding the oil sector and shifting energy dynamics and the projects market.

Although oil production remains volatile due to reductions in supplies, oil prices are up to their highest levels in 30 months, and demand for oil continues to be on the rise in the US and Europe, particularly driven by the transport sector. We see that the policy landscape in the GCC is in a crucial time of transition on the fiscal and spending front, particularly with the roll-out of VAT in all Gulf countries." He also said, "Public and private sector project activity is anticipated to drive economic growth rates in the region included investments in human capital development.

Arab Times