CONTAINER terminals are the main focus of analyst attention when looking at Hutchison Whampoa's stream of earnings in the future.
After 1995 and 1996, property development profits run out and an earnings gap will need to be filled.
More strategic investments generating recurring income in the future are expected for the company in power, infrastructure and container ports in Hong Kong and China, along with property investment.
Analysts speculated whether in 1996 the company might choose to sell off the British Personal Communications Network to plug the earnings gap.
Concern that there would be a slowdown in earnings in 1994 was allayed.
The lack of disclosure made it difficult for some analysts to get a clear picture of what was happening. Some brokers who were well out on their forecasts suggest it was because the company was bringing forward development gains, expected in 1993, into 1994.
The range for net profit in 1994 was between $6.9 billion, up 9.5 per cent, and $7.74 billion, up 22.85 per cent. Earnings per share might rise $1.90 or $2.08.