Johannesburg - South Africa's investment holding firm Remgro Ltd expects a fall of between 66% to 70% in first-half headline earnings per share compared to the same period last year due to lower earnings in its holdings.

The company said headline EPS from continuing operations would fall by between 35-39 percent when excluding the equity accounted income of British American Tobacco to which it spun off its 10.7 percent stake as well as all non-recurring costs relating to the unbundling.

Headline EPS is the main profit gauge in South Africa and strips certain once-off, financial and non-trading items.

The group, which has interests in financial services, healthcare and mining, said lower earnings reported by First Rand, RMB, Total South Africa and lower dividends from Impala Platinum affected earnings.

Shares in the group, which is expected to release its results on or around November 30, closed 1.12% lower at R88.50.

- Reuters