JKH sees 4% EBITDA growth in 3Q25, driven by performance in key sectors

• Group revenue up 12% recording Rs. 81.25 bn
• Group PBT recorded at Rs.6.06 billion, a 11% YoY increase

Premier blue chip, John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) reported steady earnings growth in the third quarter, the financial year ending 2025 (3Q25), supported by improved performances across key sectors and a stabilising macroeconomic environment. 
The Group revenue recorded at  Rs.81.25 billion for the quarter under review, an  increase of 12 percent against the comparative period of last year, whereas the cumulative Group revenue for the first nine months of the year under review reached Rs.227.87 billion. This is a 14 percent increase against the revenue of Rs.200.15 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the financial year 2023/24.
Group EBITDA at Rs.14.28 billion in the 3Q25 period saw an increase of 4 percent against Group EBITDA of Rs.13.74 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. 
Group EBITDA includes substantial costs pertaining to the pre-opening and operations of the ‘Cinnamon Life’ hotel. Group EBITDA for the quarter under review includes fair value gains on investment property while Group EBITDA in the third quarter of the previous year includes a deferred tax credit at South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra said in a commentary that followed the release of its interim financial statement.
Excluding these impacts, Group EBITDA for the third quarter of 2024/25 recorded an increase of 10 percent to Rs.14.89 billion.
Cumulative Group EBITDA for the first nine months of the financial year 2024/25 recorded Rs.29.94 billion. This is a decrease of 4 percent against the EBITDA of Rs.31.03 billion recorded in the same period of the financial year 2023/24. Cumulative Group EBITDA for the first nine months of the financial year 2024/25, excluding the impacts, is at Rs.32.51 billion, an increase of 6% over the EBITDA of Rs.30.54 billion for the same period of the financial year 2023/24.

Group recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs.6.06 billion in the quarter under review, which is an increase of 11 percent against the Group PBT of Rs.5.49 billion recorded in corresponding period the previous year. Cumulative Group PBT for the first nine months of the financial year 2024/25 stood at Rs.8.13 billion a 21 percent YoY increase.
The 687-key ‘Cinnamon Life’ hotel, restaurants and banquet facilities commenced operations on 15 October 2024. All the food and beverage offerings, including the unique outdoor locations and wellness centre were progressively launched over the last few months with all outlets and spaces at the hotel now operational. Demand and bookings for the various event spaces at the property have exceeded expectations. The integrated resort’s residential and office towers have witnessed resurgence in interest in the recent months, Balendra said.
Fit-out work of the gaming space is progressing well and is expected to be operational along with the retail mall in the third quarter of CY2025.
The construction and installation work on the West Container Terminal at the Port of Colombo is progressing well with all civil works pertaining to the first phase of the project being completed. All operating equipment relating to the first phase has been received and is being commissioned. The terminal will be completed by February 2025 and expected to receive its inaugural test vessel, thereafter, signalling the commencement of its first phase of operations.
The profitability of SAGT recorded an increase driven by a growth in volumes and an improvement in the mix. While Lanka Marine Services recorded a volume growth, profitability was impacted due to a contraction in margins on account of intensified local competition and the temporary oversupply of inventory and the appreciation of the Rupee.
The Beverages and Frozen Confectionery businesses recorded a strong growth in profitability driven by double-digit volume growth and a sustained improvement in margins.
The Supermarket business recorded a strong performance during the quarter, with same store sales recording a growth of 14%, resulting in growth in profitability and margins.
The performance of the Leisure industry group was impacted by the pre-opening and operating costs pertaining to the ‘Cinnamon Life’ hotel, together with the decline in profitability mainly attributable to the Colombo Hotels and the Maldivian Resorts segments due to the translation impact of a stronger Rupee as compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year.
Nations Trust Bank recorded a strong growth in profitability aided by a net gain on the disposal of international sovereign bonds, steady margins, assets growth, impairment reversals and gains on government securities. Union Assurance maintained a steady profitability, recording double digit growth in both first year premiums and renewal premiums.
In January 2025, HWIC Asia Fund exercised its option to convert the final remaining balance debentures and, accordingly, JKH issued and listed 1,079,375,000 new ordinary voting shares of the Company.
The Group’s carbon footprint per million rupees of revenue decreased by 1.8% to 0.41 MT, and water withdrawal per million rupees of revenue decreased by 3.5% to 6.88 cubic meters, compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
The public holding percentage of the company as of 24 January 2025 was 74.93 percent, a decrease of 4.88 percent from the 79.81 percent disclosed in the company’s interim report for the quarter ended 30 September 2024.