Collection House maintains the momentum

John Kavanagh
Debt buyer Collection House has maintained the steady growth in its debt acquisition program which has fuelled earnings growth over the past few years.

Collection House spent A$40.5 million on debt ledger purchases during the six months to December, compared with $38.4 million in the previous corresponding period and $33.9 million in the December half in 2012.

Cash collections on debts were $64.4 million - an increase of 25 per cent over the previous corresponding period.

The company made a net profit of $11.2 million for the December half - an increase of 19 per cent over the previous corresponding period. Return on equity was up from 13.2 per cent in the December half in 2013 to 14 per cent in the latest half.

The company's debt-to-equity ratio increased from 36.9 per cent to 40.4 per cent but chief executive Matthew Thomas said in a statement that he expected the business to generate sufficient cash flow in future to fund its purchases.

The company is making a big investment in a business centre in Manilla, where it now employs 110 people. It expects to make significant efficiency gains from this investment in future.