Interim Results

FEEDBACK PLC Interim Results for the six months ending 30 September 2003 1 DECEMBER, 2003 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT - The half-year to 30 September 2003 has been a very frustrating period for the Group. As reported at the Annual General Meeting and in the trading statement issued in October, business during the first half of the current year was below expectations. On a turnover of £4.22 million, a 17% reduction compared to the same period during the last financial year, the loss on ordinary activities at the half-year was £496,000. The Board, in the light of the recent and anticipated trading performance of Teknical, is of the opinion that there has been a permanent diminution in the carrying value of Teknical and therefore an impairment adjustment was made to write down the goodwill attributable to Teknical by £306,000 resulting in a total loss before preference share dividends at the half year of £802,000. Once again, this is a reflection on the erratic nature of many of the markets in which the Group operates. More potential business has been identified but delays in negotiations, for various reasons, have meant that several large contracts have not yet been closed. Feedback Instruments was once again the victim of delays in securing large contracts in overseas markets, notably the Middle East. It is anticipated that a number of these negotiations will be concluded shortly and the company should therefore be able to realise the benefits before the end of this financial year. The emphasis on mixed technology laboratories using hardware training systems, integrated with intranet and internet based management software, is gaining acceptance. A number of new developments and re-engineering of some established ranges is both improving margins and making the product range more widely acceptable. This, together with restructuring within the sales department and ongoing reviews in other areas, is already improving efficiency and should result in an up turn in the company's fortunes. Feedback Data together with its German subsidiary operated profitably during the first-year and largely in line with its budget. The core products in the data capture markets have maintained their position and sales, both direct and through resellers, have been ahead of expectations. The re-emphasis on customer care over recent years has continued to pay dividends and technical support has become a very profitable area of the Company. Feedback Incorporated broke even during the period. The first quarter was particularly encouraging but diversion of funds away from the education sector did have an adverse effect during the second quarter. A large order book carried forward, a pleasing prospect list and the appointment of a new sales manager, all provide encouragement for the second half-year. Teknical had a very disappointing half-year after the improved performance during the previous financial year. Although the underlying technology is well received and prospects exist, there has been a marked slow down in the UK Further Education market and this trend has continued into the second half. Subsequent to the year end Tom Charlton, a non executive director, has agreed to make an unsecured loan to the company of $1million to help provide working capital to support the fulfilment of large orders which it is anticipated will be received shortly. Overall the half-year performance of the Group has been very disappointing. The Board is currently undertaking a strategic review of the Group enabling it to re-focus on core products and markets, which should improve efficiency and ensure more success in the future. The Board expects that losses in the second half of the financial year should be much reduced. The Board also announces today that it intends to apply to cancel the listing of the Company's entire issued share capital from the Official List of the UK Listing Authority (the 'Official List') and simultaneously apply for the same to be admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange ('AIM'). It is expected that the shares will de-list from the Official List and commence trading on AIM on or about 31 December 2003. In deciding to transfer to AIM, the Board has been particularly influenced by the simplified ongoing administration and reporting requirements of that market, with a consequential reduction in the costs associated with having its shares listed on the Official List. The move to AIM will not impact upon the conduct of the Company's business, its corporate governance or its strategy. Shareholders should be reassured that, so far as is known to the directors, with the exception of shares held in a Personal Equity Plan or an Individual Saving Account, the transfer to AIM will in no way affect their ability to hold shares in Feedback and existing share certificates will remain valid. As an AIM company, Feedback will continue to be subject to the regulatory and disciplinary controls of the London Stock Exchange. Charles Stanley & Company Limited, the Company's existing financial adviser, has agreed to act as nominated adviser and broker to the Company. SUMMARISED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Results prior to Impairment 6 months to 6 months to Year to impairment adjustment 30 Sept 2003 30 Sept 2002 31 March 2003 £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Turnover 4,221.1 - 4,221.1 5,118.3 10,557.7 Operating (475.0) (306.0) (781.0) (83.3) 214.9 (loss) / profit Net interest (21.4) (21.4) (17.1) (36.4) (payable) (Loss) / (496.4) (306.0) (802.4) (100.4) 178.5 profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on (loss) - - - - (39.7) / profit on ordinary activities (Loss) / (496.4) (306.0) (802.4) (100.4) 138.8 profit on ordinary activities after taxation Preference (42.3) - (42.3) (43.2) (86.3) dividends Preference (6.0) - (6.0) - (12.3) share cost appropriation Retained (544.7) (306.0) (850.7) (143.6) 40.2 (loss) / profit for the period (Loss) / (7.12)p (1.20)p 0.34p earnings per share Diluted (7.12)p (1.20)p 0.34p (loss) / earnings per share SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET 6 months 6 months Year to to to 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2003 2002 2003 £'000s £'000s £'000s Fixed Assets 999.4 1,289.6 1,276.2 Current Assets Stock 1,483.2 1,555.7 1,356.6 Debtors 3,036.7 3,485.7 4,349.8 Cash at bank and in hand 608.7 775.8 360.7 5,128.6 5,817.2 6,067.1 Creditors: amounts falling due within one (2,689.8) (3,051.7) (3,011.7) year Net current assets 2,438.8 2,765.5 3,055.4 Total assets less current liabilities 3,438.2 4,055.1 4,331.6 Creditors: amounts falling due after more (207.2) (292.6) (249.9) than one year 3,231.0 3,762.5 4,081.7 Ordinary share capital 1,203.4 1,192.0 1,192.0 Preference share capital 840.5 863.2 863.2 Share premium account 378.7 367.3 367.3 Revaluation reserve 369.3 313.8 369.4 Capital reserve 299.9 299.9 299.9 Profit and loss account 139.2 726.3 989.9 Reserves 1,187.1 1,707.3 2,026.5 Shareholders' funds 3,231.0 3,762.5 4,081.7 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 2003 30 Sept 2002 31 March 2003 £'000s £'000s £'000s Net cash 73.2 31.8 412.5 inflow from operating activities Returns on (21.4) (17.1) (36.4) investments and servicing of finance Preference (42.3) (43.2) (86.3) dividend paid Corporation - 39.5 - tax recovered Capital (86.7) (13.9) (73.4) expenditure Financing (42.8) (24.3) (76.2) (Decrease) / (120.0) (27.2) 140.2 increase in cash Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Operating (781.0) (83.3) 214.9 (loss) / profit Depreciation 57.5 72.2 188.0 and amortisation charges Impairment 306.0 - - adjustment Loss on sale - - 7.9 of tangible fixed assets Exchange - 0.4 72.3 difference (Increase) / (126.6) 254.6 453.7 decrease in stock Decrease / 1,313.1 (219.8) (1,084.0) (increase) in debtors (Decrease) / (695.8) 7.7 559.7 increase in creditors Net cash 73.2 31.8 412.5 inflow from operating activities Notes The interim figures for the six months to 30 September 2003, which are unaudited, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2003. The financial information contained in this Interim Report does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The results for the year ended 31 March 2003 are extracted from the published accounts for that period on which the auditors gave an unqualified report under Section 235 of the Companies Act and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The loss per share for the six months ended 30 September 2003 is based on the Group loss on ordinary activities after taxation and preference dividends of £544,700 attributable to 11,943,047 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue. The diluted earnings per share is calculated allowing for the full conversion of the Preference Shares and the full exercise of outstanding share options. However, in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 14, as neither of these conversions have a dilutive effect the earnings per share figure remains unaltered.

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Feedback (FDBK)
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