steady growth despite market downturn, china everbright limited announces 2021 annual results | aum exceeds hk$200 billion, profit attributable to shareholders of the company reaches hk$2.573 billion
financial highlights of 2021 annual results
- hk$20.3 billion newly added aum brought total aum to hk$203.1 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.1%.
- total revenue amounted to hk$5.985 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 7%.
- the dividend payout ratio was 38%, with a final dividend of hk$0.58 per share in total for 2021, representing a year-on-year increase of 18%.
- profit attributable to shareholders of the company reached hk$2.573 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 14%.
china everbright limited ("cel" or "the company", together with its subsidiaries, collectively the "group", stock code: 165.hk) today announced its annual results for the year ended 31 december 2021.
during the reporting period, cel achieved excellent financial performance with total revenue of hk$5.985 billion, an increase of 7% year-on-year; the profit attributable to shareholders for the year was hk$2.573 billion, an increase of 14% year-on-year; basic earnings per share were hk$1.53, an increase of 14% year-on-year.
in 2021, cel added hk$20.3 billion of aum, bringing the total aum to hk$203.1 billion, a new record high.
during the reporting period, cel's total assets exceeded hk$100 billion, up approximately 5% from that at the end of last year; net assets surpassed hk$51 billion, up 3.2% from that at the end of last year.
in order to reward shareholders for their support, the board of directors has recommended to declare a final dividend of hk$0.30 per share. together with the interim dividend of hk$0.28 per share already paid, the aggregate dividend for the year was hk$0.58 per share, representing a year-on-year increase of 18%.
business highlights of 2021 annual results
1. realised quality and efficiency improvement, showcasing performance of strategic transformation
in 2021, cel firmly followed the route of high-quality growth, and proactively and carefully planned its overall deployment. during the year, the company achieved a number of breakthroughs in its operation and development, which improved both its quality and efficiency.
cel's pei 300 ranking for 2021 was 75th, up nine places from the previous year. assets under management (aum) hit a record high, exceeding hk$200 billion for the first time and representing a year-on-year increase of 11.1%. total assets increased by approximately 5% from the end of last year, surpassing hk$100 billion for the first time. revenue, profit, return on equity (roe) and other operating indicators rebounded strongly compared with those of the previous year. many projects invested by cel's managed funds floated on exchanges such as the shanghai stock exchange (sse) (star market), hkex, nyse and nasdaq.
2. focused on seeking new business growth momentum, achieving remarkable investment results in technology and universal healthcare field
during the reporting period, cel launched a "white paper on the new technology investment strategy", which clearly outlined its direction of pe investment. cel will establish a technology-driven "pe industry" cross-border asset management platform by centering on pe investment, while focusing on industry nurturing with science and technology support. according to its "four-orientation" strategy, the company continued to enhance its allocation of assets and invested in multiple outstanding companies in the semiconductor and technology sectors, among others, to facilitate the resolution of bottlenecks. the company has also continued to increase its investment in the healthcare sector to boost the development of universal healthcare. its investment strategy has proven effective so far. the company completed 15 ipo projects in 2021, with over 80% related to technology, environmental protection, and healthcare enterprises.
3. proactively implemented the strategy of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality ", demonstrating refreshing development in esg
during the reporting period, cel established an environmental, social and governance (esg) committee to carry out the company's esg governance and optimise the company's esg system in a comprehensive and systematic manner from the top down. the company's msci esg score rose significantly with the scores of several indicators hitting record highs. in addition, cel garnered several awards, including being named within the "top 10 demonstration companies of esg responsible investment in china's equity investment industry". cel set up the everbright belt & road green fund strategy advisory committee to strengthen the company's strategic guidance on green funds.
4. giving full play to own advantages and making significant progress in cross-border asset management services
during the reporting period, cel successfully issued rmb4 billion medium-term notes in china's interbank market, which was the largest panda bond issuance by a nonfinancial company in china's domestic bond market in the first half of 2021. cel worked with hong kong science & technology parks corporation to launch everbright hong kong innovation centre in the hong kong science park and built a cross-border "industry-university-research-business-investment" ecosystem. cel obtained a qdlp (qualified domestic limited partner) pilot quota of us$330 million in hainan to provide domestic investors with cross-border asset management services. cel also raised over hk$1 billion from top overseas investors at the fund and project level. in 2021, cel seized the market opportunity and withdrew from a series of overseas key projects at the right time with considerable exit returns.
5. incubating industry platforms and promoting distinctive integration of industry and finance
during the reporting period, cel also made good progress in the allocation of relevant key industries. calc steadily expanded its fleet to 152 aircraft, ranking 8th in icf's global ranking of aircraft lessors, up one place from that of the previous year. meanwhile, everbright senior healthcare now covers 51 cities across the country, with more than 30,000 registered beds, ranking among the top three in china and first among central soes. terminus, as one of twelve global chief partners, provided a series of technological support for expo dubai, such as the construction of smart parks, serving 25 million tourists from around the world and receiving high recognition of the aiot for technical strength in the industry.
6. actively undertaking responsibilities to contribute to the society
cel has actively undertaken its social responsibility as a central soe in hong kong in various aspects such as combating the pandemic, rural rejuvenation, disaster aid and charity donations, to promote the prosperity and stability of the city. the company launched the "china everbright voice of the stars story-telling scheme" public welfare project, which accumulated an audience of about 280,000 by the end of 2021, enabling hong kong youth to better understand chinese history. cel sponsored the hksar delegation to 14th national games, the hong kong spartan jumping competition and the hong kong ballet, among others, to promote the development of hong kong's cultural and sporting activities.
in mainland china, cel supported rural revitalisation work and flood and disaster control in henan through donations and other forms, addressing our social responsibilities as a central soe.
dr. zhao wei, chairman of china everbright limited, said: "the company's tremendous performance in 2021 was attributed to the strong support of shareholders, investors and all sectors of society, as well as that from its invested companies and partners. in 2022, the board of directors and management of cel will continue to carry out its strategic goals, steadily implement its strategy and continue to build up its corporate brand of 'responsibility, accountability, quality and reliability'. we will strive to create greater value for shareholders and investors, and work towards our vision of becoming 'a world-leading cross-border asset manager'".
mr. zhang mingao, president of china everbright limited, said: "the year 2022 is a crucial year that marks cel's transformation, and we are tasked with a challenging operational and development environment. cel will resolutely implement the requirements of the group and the board of directors, striving to achieve 'stability, progress and excellence'. we will strengthen our accountability, concentrate on our main responsibility and main business and strive to complete various tasks in business development, while welcoming the company's 25th anniversary with solid performances."
