here's an article on London Biscuits...
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/lond...tle-rm983m-loanDo note that I am not implying anything on Serba but just that I want to point out why this article is worth noting/reading...
Quote: The company cited cash flow constraints for the default, which has raised eyebrows, as its books show that it is asset rich. As at March 31, 2019, total assets amounted to RM845.83 million, which translated into a net asset value per share of RM1.57.
Quote: From FY2014 to FY2018, London Biscuits’ asset acquisition ranged from RM23 million to RM59 million, averaging at RM43.25 million per year. The bulk of the asset additions to the company is found in its plant and machinery, with the additions averaging RM23.97 million per year.
By comparison, Oriental Food’s asset acquisition over its last five financial years averaged RM16.51 million while that of Apollo Food averaged RM7.64 million.
It is worth noting that London Biscuits’ external auditors gave a qualified opinion on its financial statements for FY2018.
The auditors said that they were unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence in respect of acquisitions of plant and machinery totalling RM52.46 million that year.The auditors also highlighted that they were unable to ascertain the correctness of the ageing data of its trade receivables as well as the related information used to calculate and measure the expected credit loss required under MFRS 9.
Quote:
London Biscuits’ trade receivables more than doubled from RM100.55 million in FY2014 to RM212.82 million in FY2018. However, revenue contracted 14.2% to RM308.7 million over the same period.
Revenue did increase between FY2014 and FY2016 to RM436.51 million from RM356 million previously. However, it fell to RM426.02 million in FY2017 and then to RM308.7 million in FY2018.
It is worth noting that trade receivables surged 76% to RM177.13 million in FY2015 from RM100.55 million in the previous year. A total of RM62.24 million in allowance for bad debts was made in FY2018. This came alongside a RM1.99 million impairment of trade receivables and RM1.57 million worth of bad debts being written off.
The allowance for bad debts of RM62.24 million was the highest over the five years. Prior to that, there were hardly any allowances and no bad debts were written off.
Quote: It is safe to say that one of London Biscuits’ main sources of cash flow is borrowings. From its statement of cash flow, it appears that the group’s operations have been financed by loans in three out of the last five financial years.
Cash flow from operating activities for FY2018, FY2017 and FY2015 were in negative territory of RM12.52 million, RM109.27 million and RM27.13 million respectively. Meanwhile, its cash flow from financing activities amounted to RM72.34 million (FY2018), RM83.63 million (FY2017) and RM57.07 million (FY2015).
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too bad the article did not mention how London Biscuits debts soared .....
But yes... rocketing receivables is something one should keep an eye on.
Aiyoooo... boon3 dug out this gem... hahahaha
I did invest in London Biscuit before. I think I sold for a small profit back then. It was quite okay at first until they bought Nutriplus.
Just rechecked my past posts... it seem to go downhill after they sold their stakes in Lay Hong and then change to TPC (Nutriplus). Also cant confirm whether I make profits or losses.