VituVingiSana wrote:Ericsson wrote:VituVingiSana wrote:Ericsson wrote:VituVingiSana wrote:Doesn’t KenGen have a lot of loans. Some may be concessional but doesn’t it make sense for KenGen to pay off the loans first before hiking the dividend?
Kengen in November will have successfully repaid the ksh.26bn bond taken in 2009 together with the 12.5% interest.
And they have also been paying dividends
Didn't KenGen go through a fund-raising via a huge Debt-to-Equity Conversion - done within a larger Rights Issue - not so long ago?
I am increasingly more attracted to firms that are dynamic but actively reducing their debt:equity ratios in these tough economic times.
KenGen has been paying off its bond over 9-10 years but it still carries a lot of debt as does KPLC.
That debt has been utilized well and enabled the firm to increase its market share of electricity generation even in the dry season when dams have low water levels.
This has had the effect of smoothening the revenue and profits,avoiding the wild swings when it rains,dams are full and during the dry season
That's good and has been 90%+ paid down will be completely paid off by Oct 2019.
I was talking of the future. Debt that comes due now.
Given KPLC is the #1 customer, if KPLC struggles in making payments, the cashflow problems escalate to KenGen as happened a few years ago and again last year.
The economy isn't doing too well and firms should try to lower their exposure to manageable levels.
First charge/payment/expense of what kplc gets as revenue is;
-Debt repayments both local and international
-Second is Kengen
-Other suppliers then follow.
After Olkaria I Unit 6 that comes on board in 2021 is completd,kengen will take a break in bringing on board additional power.
This is to allow demand to bridge the gap with supply.
Wealth is built through a relatively simple equation
Wealth=Income + Investments - Lifestyle