James Hardie Industries Plc (JHX) has reported 13.13 percent rise in profit for the year ended Mar. 31, 2017. The company has earned $276.50 million, or $0.62 a share in the year, compared with $244.40 million, or $0.55 a share for the last year.

Revenue during the year grew 11.19 percent to $1,921.60 million from $1,728.20 million in the previous year. Gross margin for the year contracted 147 basis points over the previous year to 35.11 percent. Total expenses were 79.54 percent of annual revenues, up from 79.52 percent for the last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 2 basis points in operating margin to 20.46 percent.

Operating income for the year was $393.20 million, compared with $354 million in the previous year.

The company has spent $109 million cash to meet investing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $66.60 million in the last year.

The company has spent $212.70 million cash to carry out financing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $154.40 million in the last year period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $78.90 million as on Mar. 31, 2017, down 26.33 percent or $28.20 million from $107.10 million on Mar. 31, 2016.

Debt moves up
James Hardie Industries Plc has witnessed an increase in total debt over the last one year. It stood at $616.90 million as on Mar. 31, 2017, up 11.66 percent or $64.40 million from $552.50 million on Mar. 31, 2016. Interest coverage ratio improved to 13.80 for the year from 13.31 for the same period last year.