Regulatory Alerts2016-04-18
Added · Updated
Circular to All Issuers of Securities and Listed Companies at NSE on Profit Warnings
The Capital Markets Authority requires all public securities issuers and Nairobi Securities Exchange listed companies to promptly announce profit warnings when projected earnings drop by at least 25 percent compared to the prior financial year. These announcements must be submitted to the Authority for pre-distribution approval, published in at least two national newspapers within twenty-four hours of the triggering event, and released independently of audited account publications to avoid regulatory breaches. Company boards and management bear direct accountability for ensuring timely, factual disclosures and proactive risk oversight to prevent late or inaccurate profit warnings.
CMA CIRCULAR NO. 6 OF 2016
April 18, 2016
To: All issuers of securities to the public and Listed Companies at the Nairobi Securities Exchange
RE: PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF PROFIT WARNING
Paragraph G.05 (1) (f) of the Fifth Schedule to The Capital Markets (Securities) (Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures) Regulations, 2002 states that “An issuer shall disclose all material information and make a public announcement of any profit warning, where there is a material discrepancy between the projected earnings for the current financial year and the level of earning in the previous financial year.” Material discrepancy in relation to projected earnings for a financial year means that such earnings are at least 25% lower than the level of earning in the previous financial year.
Paragraph G.05 (3) of the Fifth Schedule to The Capital Markets (Securities) (Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures) Regulations, 2002 states that “Unless otherwise stated, all public announcements which an issuer is required to make under these Regulations shall be made within 24 hours of happening of the events.”
Further Regulation 63 (1) and (7) of the Capital Markets (Licensing Requirements) (General) Regulations, 2002 require that any communication to the public and to shareholders should be factual and shall be submitted to the Authority for approval prior to distribution.
The Authority notes that issuers who issue their profit warnings either at the same time they release their audited accounts or immediately prior to releasing their audited accounts shall be deemed to be in breach of the above requirements. Good Corporate Governance
practices dictate that companies prepare prudent periodic management accounts and projections and a company's management and board ought to be aware of the declining level of profits well before commencement of the external audit. Where the decline in profits is caused by substantial audit adjustments, the board and management shall be held to account for the omissions and commissions giving rise to such adjustments.
The purpose of this circular is to guide all issuers of securities to the public to issue profit warnings as soon as management becomes aware of a likely drop in earnings. The Board will be held accountable for failures or lapses in providing effective oversight and ownership of risk management where they fail to ensure management provides adequate and timely disclosures on financial performance.
All public announcements shall be made in at least two newspapers of national circulation in addition to other applicable mediums of communication.
Kindly ensure compliance and do not hesitate to contact the Authority in case you require further clarification.
Yours faithfully
[Signature]
Paul M. Muthaura Ag. CHIEF EXECUTIVE
We promote and facilitate the development of orderly, fair and efficient capital markets in Kenya All correspondence should be addressed to the Chief Executive