SOCO International Lifts Profits 134%

Updated

LONDON -- The shares of SOCO International climbed 8 pence to 385 pence during early London trade this morning after the company revealed its annual profits had advanced 134%.

The FTSE 250 oil group confirmed earnings had improved from $89 million to $207 million during 2012. The increase followed the company's first full year of production at its main Te Giac Trang field in Vietnam. Revenue climbed 166% to $626 million while operating cash flow surged 271% to $335 million.

SOCO ended 2012 with net cash of $211 million, up from $114 million, despite spending $95 million buying out a minority interest and $33 million on share buybacks. The firm also claimed its cash pile had gained a further $61 million so far during 2013.

Ed Story, SOCO's chief executive, said:

"The financial and operating results for 2012 demonstrate the transformation of this Company. With the TGT field's average gross production now over 50,000 barrels of oil a day, the record revenues, cash flow and profitability speak for themselves. Moreover, higher rates of production over continued sustained periods support our earlier views of the size of this major oilfield. Further, as we look forward into 2013, SOCO is now poised to take advantage of more substantial future growth opportunities."


Story also expected SOCO to recommend a "sustainable return of capital" to shareholders during 2013, suggesting the firm may declare a long-awaited maiden dividend later this year.

Based on today's results, SOCO's shares are valued at eight times profits adjusted for the group's net cash pile.

Of course, whether the current 1.2 billion-pound market cap, the chances of a dividend, and the wider prospects of the oil sector all combine to make SOCO a buy remains your decision. But SOCO's long-term share-price performance -- anyone buying at just 10 pence back in 1999 is now sitting on a 38-bagger -- emphasizes the immense rewards from pinpointing major oil winners.

So if you are looking for the sector's next multibagger, you may wish to consult this free Motley Fool report, which explains the factors you need to consider -- and the risks you might encounter -- when evaluating possible oil wonderstocks.

You never know -- there could be another SOCO out there right now... ready to gush 38-fold. If such opportunities tempt you, please click here to read the Fool's exclusive oil and gas report before you hit the buy button.

The article SOCO International Lifts Profits 134% originally appeared on Fool.com.

Maynard Paton owns shares of SOCO International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Advertisement