South African discount retail group Pepkor Holdings reported a 14.8 percent increase in full-year headline earnings, supported by strong expansion in its fintech operations, according to a Reuters report. According to the outlet, Pepkor’s headline earnings per share from continuing operations climbed to 161 cents for the year ended September 30, up from 140.2 cents a year earlier.
The company’s fintech division remained the standout performer. MarketScreener reported that revenue in the segment rose to 16.6 billion rand, driven by a 61.4 percent surge in financial services and a 13.7 percent increase in Pepkor’s Flash platform serving informal traders.
Pepkor also recorded an improvement in profitability, with gross margins expanding by 150 basis points to 39.8 percent, a shift the company attributed to the continued strength of its fintech offerings, according to the same report.
Executives said the group intends to deepen its presence across retail, financial services, and the informal economy to sustain growth.
