The JSE has announced notable earnings growth for its 2024 financial year during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions and muted economic growth in the first half of 2024.
The robust performance for the bourse was supported by business resilience and stability as well as increased revenue diversification through its non-trading business segments.
The group reported an increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) of 10,4% to R918-million with a return on equity (ROE) of 20,2%, up from 19,4% in the prior year.
The JSE’s share price outperformed headline indices, delivering 30% year on year growth during 2024. The JSE continues to be cash-generative with net cash generated from operations of R1,09-billion, which enabled the Board to declare an ordinary dividend of 828 cents per share for 2024 (2023: 784 cents), generating a total shareholder return of 40% for the year.
“We recorded revenue growth across most of our asset classes off the back of sustained positive market sentiment following the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Our strategy to build a diversified and resilient exchange group resulted in non-trading income increasing to R1 170-million and it now contributes 37,8% of operating income (2023: 36,8%),” says Leila Fourie, JSE Group CEO.
“I am particularly pleased with the structural reductions in our cost base, which helped restrain total expenditure growth to 6,2%. This performance was underpinned by robust and resilient systems and operational processes and uptime of 99,97% across all our systems – above our long-term average.
“The group is committed to its growth and diversification strategy. These solid results demonstrate the value of our investments across the value-chain, in our technology and our people, and provide further momentum for future growth,” Fourie adds.
The group has exhibited a healthy cash generation and robust balance sheet. At the end of December 2024, the cash balance stood at R2,8-billion (including bond investments) with net cash generated from operations at R1,09-billion (2023: R1,11-billion).
Total income increased by 6,5% to R3,167-billion which was supported by the diversified asset classes in the business. The diversification of revenues at the bourse protected operating income from a year of muted equity market activity, with most business segments reporting growth in revenue for the financial period. The JSE Investor Services (JIS) revenue was up 20.2%, Primary Markets revenue up by 15,6%, commodity derivatives revenue up 11,6% and revenue from bonds and financial derivatives up 6,6% YoY.
The JSE made meaningful strides in driving its strategic priorities in 2024. Uptime across the markets was at an all-time high at 99,97% versus 99,89% in 2023. In line with its technology enablement journey, the bourse has made progress in the modernisation of its BDA system and further launched new technology services such as Colo 2.0.
The Group is in the process of developing a central clearing solution for the bond electronic trading platform (ETP).
Our future prospects and long-term strategic objectives are underpinned by operational resilience, diversified revenue streams and innovative technology advances. Building a future-fit and diversified financial market infrastructure backed by innovation and modern infrastructure is the Group’s apex focal point,” Fourie says.