University Press Plc has launched its H1 2026/2027 outcomes reporting a pre-tax profit of N747.07 million for the six months ended September 30, 2026, representing a 7.22% decline from N805.17 million recorded within the corresponding interval of 2025/2026
The unaudited report additionally reveals that within the second quarter of its 2027 monetary 12 months, overlaying July to September 2026, pre-tax profit declined by 8.48% to N900.76 million from N984.29 million within the corresponding quarter of 2025.
However, this represented a restoration from the N153.69 million pre-tax loss recorded within the previous quarter.
Also, the corporate’s half-year income declined by 3.53% to N2.67 billion from N2.76 billion, whereas profit after tax fell by 7.46% to N496.97 million.
Key Highlights
- Revenue: N2.67 billion (Down 3.53% YoY from N2.76 billion).
- Gross profit: N1.66 billion (Down 1.17% YoY from N1.68 billion).
- Operating profit: N716.13 million (Down 8.32% YoY from N781.10 million).
- Pre-tax profit: N747.07 million (Down 7.22% YoY from N805.17 million).
- Profit after tax: N496.97 million (Down 7.46% YoY from N537.03 million).
- Earnings per share: 115 kobo (Down 7.26% YoY from 124 kobo).
- Cost of gross sales: N1.01 billion (Down 7.18% YoY from N1.08 billion).
- Total belongings: N5.75 billion (Up 21.49% from N4.73 billion).
- Cash and money equivalents: N899.89 million (Down 5.22% from N949.44 million).
- Total fairness: N3.98 billion (Up 11.79% from N3.56 billion).
Driving the numbers
University Press’ half-year efficiency displays weaker e book gross sales throughout two of its three working zones, though decrease manufacturing prices helped cushion the decline in income.
- Revenue from printed books declined by 3.53% to N2.67 billion, with the Western Zone remaining the corporate’s largest market.
- Sales from the Western Zone declined by 7.44% to N1.20 billion from N1.29 billion, accounting for roughly 44.85% of complete income.
- The Northern Zone contributed N855 million, down 1.53% from N868.29 million, representing 32.08% of complete income.
- However, the Eastern Zone recorded development of 1.97% to N614.74 million from N602.87 million, contributing 23.07% of income.
Despite the decline in gross sales, the price of gross sales fell quicker, reducing by 7.18% to N1.01 billion from N1.08 billion.
Consequently, gross profit margin improved to 62.24% from 60.76%, though gross profit declined marginally to N1.66 billion.
Operating bills, nevertheless, continued to weigh on profitability
Marketing and distribution bills elevated by 8.52% to N420.68 million from N387.66 million, whereas administrative bills rose by 2.89% to N527.64 million from N512.82 million.
- These will increase contributed to an 8.32% decline in working profit to N716.13 million.
Finance revenue supplied some assist, rising by 28.55% to N30.95 million from N24.07 million. The firm didn’t individually report finance prices.
- Consequently, pre-tax profit declined by 7.22% to N747.07 million, whereas profit after tax fell by 7.46% to N496.97 million.
The second-quarter figures however revealed a big restoration from the primary quarter, with pre-tax profit reaching N900.76 million in contrast with a first-quarter lack of N153.69 million.
Balance sheet
On the stability sheet, complete belongings elevated by 21.49% to N5.75 billion as of September 2026, from N4.73 billion at March 2026, pushed largely by greater commerce receivables and inventories.
- Trade receivables rose to N969.63 million from N25.44 million, whereas inventories elevated to N1.97 billion from N1.87 billion.
- The enhance in receivables was notably vital for money technology. Although the corporate reported N496.97 million in profit after tax, web working money circulation amounted to solely N3.28 million, reflecting substantial working-capital necessities.
Cash and money equivalents consequently declined to N899.89 million from N949.44 million, whereas complete liabilities elevated to N1.77 billion from N1.17 billion.
Market response
University Press shares closed at N4.55 on Thursday, October 29, 2026, reflecting a 24.2% year-to-date loss in contrast to its opening value of N6.00, rating 114th on the Nigerian Exchange when it comes to year-to-date efficiency.
