WEDNESDAY, 14 APRIL 2010 By Moses Ebosele

Two quoted firms, Beta Glass Company Plc and Afromedia Plc have submitted their financial forecast for 2010, to the council of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). In its submission, Beta Glass Company Plc said measures are in place to achieve a turnover of N3.1billion and profit after tax of N334.3 million during the half year ending June 30, 2010.

Afromedia Plc on its part, explained that the firm is targeting a turnover of N2.9 billion and profit after tax of N1 billion during the third quarter ending June 30, 2010.Meanwhile, fourteen firms in the last one week have presented their score-cards to the council of the NSE and their shareholders.

Specifically, audited result of Benue Cement Company Plc for the year ended December 31, 2009 showed a turn over of N35 billion, as against N16 billion recorded in 2008, while the company's profit after tax rose to N14.4 billion compared to N4.1 billion in 2008.Based on the improved performance, the directors of the company are recommending a dividend of N1.00 per share due to every shareholder of the company.

The date of closure of register for members is slated for as April 26, 2010 while payment date would be announced later.Similarly, Roads Nigeria Plc's audited result for the year ended March 31, 2009 showed a turnover of N3.1 billion, higher than N2.6 billion in 2008, while profit after tax stood at N59.8 million, compared to N41.34 million in 2008.

The directors of the company are, however, recommending a dividend of N0.45 per share due to every shareholder of the company. The date of closure of register for members is slated for May 24, 2010, while payment date would be announced later.For Presco Nigeria Plc, its audited result of the year ended December 31, 2009 showed a turnover of N4 billion, up from N3.9 billion in 2008. The company's profit after tax stood at n239.4 million, compared to N674 million recorded in 2008.

Based on this, the directors of the company are recommending a dividend of N0.20 per share. The date of closure of register for members is stated as July 19, 2010 while payment is due for August 16, 2010. Audited result of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc for the year ended December 31, 2009, showed gross earnings of N162.5 billion, higher than N100.6 billion recorded during the 10 months ending December 2008, while its profit after tax stood at N23.7 billion, compared to N28.3 billion in 2008.

The directors of the company are recommended a dividend of N0.75 per share, and a bonus of one for every four shares held. The date of closure of register for members is stated as April 20, 2010, while payment is due for May 5, 2010.Depa Capital Management Plc's audited result for the year ended September 30, 2009, showed a turnover of N483.5 million, as against N1.3 billion in 2008, while loss after tax and exceptional items stood at N2.1 billion, compared to profit after tax of N343.8 million in 2008.

Starcomms Nigeria Plc's audited result for the year ended December 31, 2009, showed a turnover of N34.3 billion, as against N34.5 billion in 2008. Its loss after tax stood at N7.7 billion, compared to N8 billion in 2008. Unaudited result of Constain West Africa Plc for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009 showed a turnover of N5.8 billion, up from N4.3 billion in the comparable period in 2008, while profit after tax stood at N46.1 million, compared with N287.9 million in 2008.

(Source:Guardian)