The Caltex Australia Limited (ASX: CTX) share price could come under pressure today after the automobile fuel refiner and 'servo' store operator flagged that its replacement cost net operating profit (RCOP) for the first half of its financial year ending June 30 2019 is expected to come in between $120 million to $140 million, compared to $296 million in the prior corresponding period.
Julian Segal, Caltex CEO said "Caltex has delivered a fair underlying performance in a very challenging market. The industry continues to experience difficult macro-economic conditions arising from the slowing Australian economy, low refining margins and high crude prices combined with a low FX rate."
The announcement went on to claim the first half of calendar 2019 has presented "extraordinary challenges" across its industry including a weaker economy hurting demand across the transport, agriculture and transportation sectors.
The company also warned that interest expenses were expected to rise to $65 million over the first half on net debt that has ballooned to $1,200 million from $955 million in the prior period due to the recent completion of a $260 million off-market share buy back.
As far as I remember this off-market buy-back was completed in the expectation that the Labor party would win the May Federal election and subsequently wind back franking credit benefits available to certain investors.
