Interim Results and Directorate Change

RDF Group PLC ("RDF" or "the Group") Interim Results and Directorate Change RDF Group plc (AIM: RFG), the I.T. services group, with offices in Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh and London, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 September 2008. Key Points * Revenue increased 8.4% to £15.975m (2007: £14.735m) * Operating profit, before aborted sale costs, is £0.402m (2007: £0.136m) * Operating profit is £0.348m (2007: £0.136m) * Profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent company is £0.157m (2007: £0.020m) * Earnings per share 1.51p (2007: 0.19p) * Cash generated from operations is £0.830m (2007: Cash utilised by operations £0.717m) * Net assets per share are 23.13p (2007: 22.32p) * Managed Services division returned to profit, contributing £0.222m (2007: loss £0.541m) with strong growth in revenues: £6.887m (2007: £4.507m) In addition, RDF announces that Jim Carr, Chairman, has resigned from the board of directors with effect from today. Robert Weir, who joined the board as a non-executive director in August 2008, will take over the role as Chairman with immediate effect. The board extends its best wishes to Mr Carr for the future and wishes to record its thanks for his contribution to the company. For further information, please contact: RDF Group plc David Wood 01273 200100 Smith & Williamson Corporate Azhic Basirov/Siobhan 020 7131 4000 Finance Sergeant Editor's Notes Founded in 1994, RDF Group plc is a company specialising in IT related business solutions for a wide range of organisations. From a standing start, the company currently has a turnover in excess of £30 million and this has more than trebled in the last three trading years, mainly through organic growth. RDF is divided into several areas of expertise, with two areas dominant. RDF's Managed Services division (encompassing software development and testing services and data management solutions) and Recruitment Services are key areas of growth, where a strategy of long-term investment is boosting both productivity and profits. RDF Group is very proud to include Northern Rock, Visa, American Express, National Australia Group and Sky TV amongst their clients as well as a range of other blue chip and smaller companies who share the same goals - to achieve quality IT solutions that are effective, on time and on budget. Headquartered in Brighton and with four offices throughout the UK, including Bristol, Livingston and London. For further information on the Group, visit www.rdfgroup.com or telephone 01273 200100. Chairman's Statement Introduction I am pleased to present the results for RDF Group plc ("the Group") for the six months to 30 September 2008. This will be my final statement on behalf of the Group as I will be resigning from the board with effect from today. Having been involved with the Company since its introduction to AIM in 1999 and having personally supported the initial share offering I remain a shareholder of the Company as I retire and I wish the Company every good fortune for the future. Robert Weir will take over the role of Chairman. The first half of the current financial year has seen a return to profitability for the Group as a whole, with growing demand in the Managed Services business. Results Total revenue for the period is £15.975m (2007: £14.735m). The Managed Services division has seen an increase in turnover of 53% over the same period last year, to achieve sales of £6.887m for the period (2007: £4.507m). There has been a slowing in demand for Recruitment Services, largely driven by uncertainty over staffing levels as a result of the credit crunch. This resulted in a small reduction in sales in this division to £9.088m (2007: £ 10.228m). Operating profit, before aborted sale costs, is £0.402m (2007: £ 0.136m) and operating profit, after aborted sale costs, is £0.348m (2007: £ 0.136m). As a result, the earnings per share have increased to 1.51p (2007: 0.19p). Strategic Developments During the last quarter of 2007-8, the Board reviewed the current strategy of the Group's investment in both its Managed Services and Recruitment divisions. As a result of this review, the Board concluded that its Managed Services division should be sold, subject to achieving an acceptable price. As announced to the market in September, the Board decided to suspend the sale process due to the current economic climate and has continued with its plans to turn the division around. This strategy has been effective and it is now contributing to the Group's profitability. Outlook In the prevailing economic climate, all companies face new and unusual challenges and the Group is no different. There continues to be downward pressure on margins in the Recruitment Services business and the Group's management is redoubling its efforts to increase sales volumes in this area. The Managed Services division has a strong prospect pipeline, some exciting new opportunities and a strong baseline set of contracts with established companies. Your Board is confident that the Group has the product set, business agility and financial support to deliver continued operating profitability in the second half of this year. Jim Carr Chairman 3 December 2008 Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited) 6 months 6 months 12 months to to 30 to 30 Sept Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 Note £000 £000 £000 Revenue 3 15,975 14,735 30,489 Cost of sales 13,828 12,665 26,272 Gross profit 2,147 2,070 4,217 Administrative expenses 1,745 1,934 4,055 Operating profit before aborted sale 402 136 162 costs Aborted sale costs 4 (54) - - Operating profit 348 136 162 Finance cost (91) (93) (204) Finance income 1 1 2 Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities 258 44 (40) before taxation Income tax expense 5 (101) (24) (29) Profit/(loss) for the period 157 20 (69) attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company Earnings / (loss) per Share 6 Basic 1.51p 0.19p - 0.66p Diluted 1.51p 0.18p - 0.64p The operating profit for the period arises from the Group's continuing operations. Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) As at As at As at 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 £000 £000 £000 ASSETS NON CURRENT ASSETS Goodwill 538 538 538 Other intangible assets 174 377 192 Property, plant and equipment 359 491 400 Deferred tax asset - - 13 1,071 1,406 1,143 CURRENT ASSETS Trade and other receivables 6,099 6,208 6,441 Cash and cash equivalents 28 40 100 6,127 6,248 6,541 TOTAL ASSETS 7,198 7,654 7,684 EQUITY Share capital 208 208 208 Share premium account 103 103 103 Equity options reserve 135 119 121 Retained earnings 1,959 1,891 1,802 TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY 2,405 2,321 2,234 SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY LIABILITIES Other non-current liabilities Borrowings - 40 32 Deferred tax liabilities 70 91 88 70 131 120 CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 2,911 2,744 2,857 Current income tax liabilities 142 344 12 Borrowings 1,670 2,114 2,461 4,723 5,202 5,330 TOTAL LIABILITIES 4,793 5,333 5,450 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 7,198 7,654 7,684 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) Attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent company Share Share Equity Retained Total capital premium option earnings reserve £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 At 1 April 2007 208 103 101 2,001 2,413 Profit for the financial - - - 20 20 period Dividends paid - - - (130) (130) Total recognised income and (110) (110) expense Share based payment expense - - 18 - 18 At 1 October 2007 208 103 119 1,891 2,321 Loss for the financial - - - (89) (89) period Dividends paid - - - - - Total recognised income and (89) (89) expense Share based payment expense - - 2 - 2 At 1 April 2008 208 103 121 1,802 2,234 Profit for the financial - - - 157 157 period Dividends paid - - - - - Total recognised income and 157 157 expense Share based payment expense - - 14 - 14 At 30 September 2008 208 103 135 1,959 2,405 All of the above are attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (unaudited) Note 6 months 6 months 12 months to to 30 to 30 Sept Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 £000 £000 £000 Cash Flows From Operating Activities Cash generated / (utilised by) from 8 830 (717) (534) operations Net interest paid (90) (92) (202) Income tax received / (paid) 22 (2) (357) Net cash from /(used in) operating 766 (811) (1,093) activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (12) (140) (139) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant - - 3 and equipment Net cash flow used in investing activities (12) (140) (136) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Repayment of finance leases (5) (4) (9) Equity dividends paid - (130) (130) Net cash flow used in financing activities (5) (134) (139) Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash 745 (1,085) (1,368) equivalents for the period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning (2,350) (982) (982) of the period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the (1,605) (2,067) (2,350) period Cash and cash equivalents 28 40 100 Bank overdrafts and invoice discounting (1,633) (2,107) (2,450) facilities (1,605) (2,067) (2,350) Notes to the interim report (unaudited) 1 Authorisation of Interim Financial Statements The Group's interim financial statements for the period ended 30 September 2008 were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 3 December 2008. RDF Group PLC is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales and its ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange's AIM. The comparative financial information for the year ended 31 March 2007 has been extracted from the published financial statements of RDF Group PLC. The consolidated interim financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. These interim results are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the Group's auditor. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 have been reported on by the Group's auditor and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report of the auditor was unqualified and did not contain the statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. Further copies of the Interim Report may be obtained from RDF Group PLC's registered office at 2 Bartholomews, Brighton, BN1 1HG. 2 Basis of preparation RDF Group PLC prepares its Annual Report and Accounts on the basis of IFRS as adopted for use by the EU. The financial information presented in this Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies expected to be used in preparing the 2009 Annual Report and Accounts which do not differ significantly from those used in the preparation of the 2008 Annual Report and Accounts. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2008 presentation. The interim financial statements are presented in sterling and have all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£000) except when otherwise indicated. 3 Segmental Reporting Primary Business Segment Segmental information is presented in respect of the Group's business segments. The primary business segments are based on the Group's reporting structures. Segmental results include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly corporate and head office items. All the Group's sales are in the United Kingdom. 6 months ended 30 September 2008 Managed Recruitment Unallocated Total Services Services Group £000 £000 £000 £000 Revenue 6,887 9,088 - 15,975 Sales to external customers Results 222 346 (148) 420 Operating profit before aborted sale costs and amortisation of intangible assets Aborted sale costs - - (54) (54) Amortisation of intangible assets - (18) - (18) Profit before interest and tax 222 328 (202) 348 Net finance expense (90) Profit before tax 258 Taxation (101) Profit after taxation 157 6 months ended 30 September 2007 Managed Recruitment Unallocated Total Services Services Group £000 £000 £000 £000 Revenue 4,507 10,228 - 14,735 Sales to external customers Results (466) 902 (189) 247 Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets Amortisation of intangible assets (75) (36) - (111) Profit before interest and tax (541) 866 (189) 136 Net finance expense (92) Profit before tax 44 Taxation (24) Profit after taxation 20 Year ended 31 March 2008 Managed Recruitment Unallocated Total Services Services Group £000 £000 £000 £000 Revenue 10,426 20,063 - 30,489 Sales to external customers Results 5 1,340 (377) 968 Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets Exceptional items (510) - - (510) Amortisation of intangible assets (149) (72) - (221) Exceptional amortisation of (75) - - (75) intangible assets Profit before interest and tax (729) 1,268 (377) 162 Net finance expense (202) Loss before tax (40) Taxation (29) Loss after taxation (69) 4 Aborted Sale Costs During the period the Group incurred costs in relation to the proposed sale of its Managed Services Division which was suspended during the period. The Board believes that highlighting these items provides a better understanding of the Group's underlying performance in this period. 5 Taxation 6 months 6 months 12 months to to to 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 £000 £000 £000 Current Tax Expense UK Corporation tax 106 9 55 Adjustment in respect of prior years 1 1 (35) Total current tax 107 10 20 Deferred Tax Origination and reversal of timing differences (6) 14 - Adjustment in respect of prior years 9 Total taxation in income statement 101 24 29 Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate The tax assessed for the year is higher (2007: higher) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 28% (2007: 30%). The differences are explained below: 6 months 6 months 12 months to to to 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 £000 £000 £000 Profit / (loss) on ordinary activities before 258 44 (40) taxation Profit / (loss) on ordinary activities multiplied by 72 13 (12) the standard rate of tax Expenses not deductible for tax purpose 33 31 70 Depreciation for period in excess of capital 6 6 - allowances IFRS2 Share based payment expense 4 6 Origination and reversal of timing differences - 14 10 Other adjustments (15) (41) (10) Adjustment in respect of prior years 1 1 (35) Total tax expense 101 24 29 Effective tax rate 39.1% 54.6% -72.5% 6 Earnings Per Share Earnings per Ordinary Share: 6 months 6 months 12 months to to to 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 pence pence pence - basic 1.51 0.19 - 0.66 - diluted 1.51 0.18 - 0.64 The basic earnings per share amounting to 1.51 pence (September 2007: 0.19 pence; March 2008: -0.66 pence) for the year have been calculated on a profit of £157,000 (September 2007: £20,000; March 2008: loss £69.000) being the consolidated profit on ordinary activities after taxation attributable to members of the company for the 6 months ended 30 September 2008, and are based on the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue of 10,400,000 (September 2007: 10,400,000; March 2008: 10,400,000). The fully diluted earnings per share amounting to 1.51pence (September 2007: 0.18 pence; March 2008: -0.64 pence) for the year have been calculated on the basis of adding 0 shares (September 2007: 382,508; March 2008: 320,950) to the weighted average number of shares in issue, to take account of the dilutive effect of the outstanding share options to give 10,400,000 (September 2007: 10,782,508; March 2008: 10,720,950) shares being in issue, assuming that all options are exercised. 7 Dividends The following dividends have been paid in respect of the year: 6 months 6 months 12 months to to to 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 £000 £000 £000 Interim 2007-8 0.00 pence per share (2006-7 - - 104 1.00 pence per share) Final 2006-7 1.25 pence per share (2005-6 1.00 - 130 104 pence per share) Dividend paid on Ordinary Shares - 130 208 The directors are recommending a final dividend of 0.75p per Ordinary Share in respect of the year totalling £78,000 (2007 - 1.25p per Ordinary Share totalling £130,000). If approved at the reconvened Annual General Meeting, the dividend will be paid to shareholders on the register at 5 September 2008. 8 Reconciliation of Profit Before Tax to Net Cash Flow from Operations 6 months 6 months 12 months to to to 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March 2008 2007 2008 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit 258 44 (40) Finance cost 91 93 204 Finance income (1) (1) (2) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 52 89 177 Amortisation of intangible assets 18 111 296 Share based payment expense 14 18 20 Operating cash flows before movements in 432 354 655 working capital Increase /(decrease) in receivables 344 (921) (1,152) Decrease /(increase) in payables 54 (150) (37) Cash generated / (utilised by) from operation 830 (717) (534)
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