Final Results

4imprint Group PLC 10 March 2006 Press Release 10 March 2006 4imprint Group plc Preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2005 4imprint Group plc announces today its results for the year ended 31 December 2005 Highlights • Total sales £99.03m, 6% ahead of prior year, continuing operations at £96.48m, 8% ahead. Sales of the web/catalogue based US Direct Marketing business increased by 28% over prior year • Operating profit before exceptional items £6.50m, 57% ahead of prior year, continuing operations at £5.70m, 81% ahead • Total profit before tax and exceptional items at £6.77m is 53% ahead of prior year • Total profit before tax, after exceptional net income of £2.18m (2004 : £0.53m expense), is £8.95m (2004 : £3.90m) • Cash is £9.01m at the end of 2005; following £10.83m of own share purchases, £1.98m spent on acquisitions, £1.00m capital expenditure and £1.61m dividends paid. This was partly offset by £4.85m generated from operating activities in the year and £5.26m generated from the sale of Adventures in Advertising Corporation • Final proposed dividend of 4.50p per share, an increase of 28% on prior year. Total dividend, paid and proposed, 33% ahead of 2004 • Basic EPS is 30.94p compared to 22.97p in 2004, an increase of 35% • Adventures in Advertising Corporation, a US subsidiary, was sold on 21 July 2005 for US$11.3m cash consideration Commenting on the results, Ken Minton, Executive Chairman said: 'The Group has performed well in 2005, and the results reflect the benefits of value generating initiatives executed during this period. Cash generation was excellent and the Group's financial, managerial resources together with market strength provide a strong base for further progress.' -Ends- For further information, please contact: Ken Minton, Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 20 7299 7201 4imprint Group plc Chairman's Statement In my statement to Shareholders in the 2005 half year report, I set out several initiatives which were being actively pursued in our drive for sustained growth of Shareholder value. Shareholders will recall that these initiatives were as follows:- (a) The completion of the disposal of the US Franchising business. (b) In the US Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division, the exploitation of the rapid growth opportunity in the web/catalogue sector, where our business is already a market leader. (c) In the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division to restore to full profitability the Corporate Programmes sector, and to put new impetus behind the web/catalogue business and remodel it using the successful and proven template of the US Division. (d) To integrate the European Premium Promotions Division into the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division, streamline the cost base, and refocus it on customer service and growth. For the 4imprint Group, 2005 was a very successful year. Group sales (including that of US Franchising, which was sold in July) were £99.03m, 6% ahead of 2004, while profit before tax, finance income and exceptional items, on the same basis, at £6.50m was 57% better than last year. Indeed, for continuing businesses, the performance was even more impressive with profit before tax, finance income and exceptional items at £5.70m, 81% ahead of 2004. Total profit before tax and exceptional items is £6.77m (2004 : £4.42m) and after exceptional items is £8.95m (2004 : £3.90m). The divisional performances were as follows:- (a) The European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division achieved sales growth of 10% while operating profit before exceptional items was 76% ahead of 2004. This excellent result reflected strong improvements in profitability in all component sectors. (b) The US Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division also delivered an outstanding performance with sales up 14% and operating profit 53% ahead of last year. The Direct Marketing business which represents the majority of this Division delivered sales growth of 28%, while the Corporate Programmes sector was downsized but delivered better profits on lower sales. (c) At the European Premium Promotions Division sales and profits were lower than in 2004 but as stated earlier, this Division has been refocused and integrated with the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division with substantial reductions in administration costs. This has allowed the whole thrust of this Division to be concentrated on customer service and growth. At the Corporate level, costs have remained under tight control, and before defined benefit pension charges and share option charges, headquarter costs were 24% below those of last year. Net interest income at £0.27m was similar to last year. The Group taxation charge at £0.99m comprises £1.69m tax charge relating to continuing operations, £1.05m tax credit on the disposal of the US Franchising business, £0.16m tax charge on the profits of the US Franchising business to the date of disposal and £0.19m tax charge relating to the US Supplier business sold in 1999. Total Group profit after tax, including profit arising from the disposal of the US Franchising business, amounted to £7.96m (2004 : £6.57m). Basic earnings per share for all operations at 30.94p was 35% ahead of last year. Acquisitions and capital investment The Group made one acquisition in 2005, the purchase of MT Promotions Limited, a speciality supplier of golf related promotional products, which has been a valuable addition to the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division. The total consideration was £1.98m. Capital investments amounted to £1.00m. Cash management Cash is £9.01m at the end of 2005; following £10.83m of own share purchases, £1.98m spent on acquisitions, £1.00m capital expenditure and £1.61m dividends paid. This was partly offset by £4.85m generated from operating activities in the year and £5.26m generated from the sale of Adventures in Advertising Corporation Dividend The Board is recommending a final dividend of 4.50p which will bring the total dividend, paid and proposed, to 7.00p (2004 : final dividend 3.50p, total dividend, paid and proposed, 5.25p). People It is often stated in Annual Reports of Companies that much of the success of an enterprise is due to the people employed in it. I am absolutely certain that this is the case of 4imprint which is a business requiring very modest capital, and whose success relies totally on the energy, creativity, and commitment to customer service, of our people. On behalf of the Board I thank everyone for their contribution to the success we have enjoyed in 2005. Outlook Although we are only two months into 2006, the initial trading results and the general level of activity in the markets we serve suggests that this year will be another year of growth for the 4imprint Group. Ken Minton Executive Chairman 10 March 2006 Finance Director's Report • Sales from continuing operations are 8% ahead of prior year and total sales are 6% ahead of prior year. • Operating profit before exceptional items from continuing operations at £5.70m is 81% ahead of prior year. • Total operating profit before exceptional items at £6.50m is 57% ahead of prior year. • Total profit before tax and exceptional items is £6.77m (2004 : £4.42m); total profit before tax is £8.95m (2004 : £3.90m). Summary of results As previously reported, the Financial Statements have been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union. In this year of transition, presented below, is a summary of results in a UK GAAP format. 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Sales: Continuing operations 96,481 88,965 Discontinued operations 2,546 4,626 Total 99,027 93,591 Operating profit before exceptional items: Continuing operations 5,703 3,150 Discontinued operations 797 980 Total 6,500 4,130 Operating profit after exceptional items: Continuing operations 5,388 2,625 Discontinued operations 3,294 980 Total 8,682 3,605 Net finance income 269 291 Total profit before tax after exceptional items 8,951 3,896 Total profit before tax and exceptional items 6,769 4,421 Exceptional items 2,182 (525) Total profit before tax after exceptional items 8,951 3,896 Taxation (989) 2,676 Total profit after tax 7,962 6,572 Sales Sales from continuing operations at £96.48m increased by 8% compared to 2004. Sales growth in the US Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division was 14%, with the US Direct Marketing business 28% ahead. Sales growth in the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division was 10%. Sales in the European Premium Promotions Division were 13% below prior year. Operating profit Operating profit before exceptional items for discontinued operations represents the operating profit of the US Franchising business up to the date of sale, 21 July 2005. Charges for the closed defined benefit pension scheme under IAS 19 'Employee Benefits' are £0.50m (2004: £0.64m) and for employee share benefits under IFRS 2 'Share Based Payments' are £0.50m (2004: £0.02m). Excluding the impact of these items, operating profit before exceptional items has increased to £7.50m from £4.79m in 2004, an increase of 57%. Exceptional Items 2005 2004 Exceptional charge/(income) £'000 £'000 Continuing operations 315 525 Discontinued operations (2,497) - (2,182) 525 Continuing operations The exceptional charge of £0.32m comprises two items: (a) Exceptional costs of £0.44m relate to the further reorganisation of the European Premium Promotions Division and its integration into the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division, together with the integration of MT Promotions Limited into the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division. (b) Exceptional income of £0.13m relates to insurance income net of costs which was received in 2005 for the product recall in the European Premium Promotions Division in 2004. The costs of the product recall were recognised as exceptional in 2004. Discontinued operations The exceptional income of £2.50m comprises the following items: (a) On 21 July 2005 the Group sold its US based Franchising business to a US Private Investment Group for total cash consideration of US$11.3m. The net cash inflow (after costs of disposal) in the year was £5.26m and £0.58m (US$1.0m) of deferred consideration is due on 21 July 2006. Exceptional profit on disposal of the US Franchising business is £1.81m. The net assets of this business at the date of disposal were £4.05m. (b) Exceptional income of £0.13m relates to a bad debt provision release in the US Franchising business following a review earlier in the year. (c) During the year the Group received the final instalment of consideration relating to the disposal of a US Supplier business in 1999. A provision of £0.55m was released in relation to this receipt and is shown as exceptional. Pensions 2005 2004 Pension charges £'000 £'000 Defined contribution schemes 298 247 Closed defined benefit scheme 498 640 796 887 Most employees are members of defined contribution schemes which have a regular annual cost to the company of around £0.3m. The Group also has a defined benefit scheme which is closed to new members. Membership of the scheme at the date of its last accounts (April 2005) was 5 active members, 1,498 deferred pensioners and 1,017 pensioners. The last full scheme valuation in April 2004 showed a pre-tax deficit of £11.3m. The Company accounts for pension costs for the defined benefit scheme in accordance with the amendment to IAS 19 'Employee benefits - actuarial gains and losses, group plans and disclosures' with the deficit recognised in full on the balance sheet. The profit and loss charge in the year is £0.50m (2004: £0.64m). Employer's cash payments into the scheme are £1.16m (2004:£1.44m). At the beginning of the year pension liabilities were £86.38m. This increased to £98.02m at the end of the year, primarily due to the reduction in the discount rate to 4.9% from 5.5% as a consequence of reduced bond yields. In the same period assets of the scheme increased from £68.39m to £77.09m. The deficit of £20.93m is included in the balance sheet as a non current liability, with an associated deferred tax asset included within non current assets. Share option charges The Group adopted IFRS 2 'Share based payments' in the year. There is a £0.50m (2004:£0.02m) charge to operating profit for SAYE, Executive Directors and Senior Management schemes. The charge has been calculated using the Monte Carlo and Binomial valuation models and the charge is spread over the vesting period of the options. Net finance income Net finance income from continuing operations is £0.25m in 2005, compared to £0.19m in 2004. The majority of the group cash balance is held and invested in the UK. The average month end cash balance during 2005 was £8.42m (2004:£8.12m). Finance income from discontinued operations is £0.02m in 2005, compared to £0.11m in 2004 and principally represents the interest receivable on the deferred consideration relating to the disposal of a US Supplier business in 1999. Taxation The tax charge on continuing operations is £1.69m, an effective rate of 30%. £1.22m of this charge relates to current overseas tax, £1.1m is in the US business and is offset for payment by available credits from discontinued operations. There is a tax credit of £0.70m for discontinued operations. This is principally due to the acceleration and crystallisation of tax deductions relating to goodwill associated with the US Franchising business, offset by £0.19m deferred tax charge relating to the disposal of a US Supplier business in 1999, and a £0.16m tax charge on the US Franchising business profits to the date of disposal. Acquisitions The Group acquired MT Promotions Limited for total consideration (including costs) of £1.98m on 3 August 2005. £0.70m of the consideration is deferred for one year and is held in escrow. MT Promotions Limited is a speciality supplier of golf related promotional products. Segment reporting Results have been presented consistently with the 2004 financial statements, showing four separate Divisions of the Group. Following the disposal of the US Franchising business in 2005 as well as the integration of the European Premium Promotions Division into the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division during 2005, results going forward will be presented in two separate segments in accordance with the way the business is managed. Earnings per share 2005 2004 Basic p p Continuing operations 15.35 11.54 Discontinued operations 15.59 11.43 30.94 22.97 Total basic earnings per share (under UK GAAP) in 2004 were 21.53p and the move to International Financial Reporting Standards increased this to 22.97p. In 2005, continuing operations have a 30% tax charge which deducts 6.57p from EPS and in 2004 there was a tax credit which contributed 1.72p to continuing operations EPS. In both years discontinued operations include significant tax credits which contribute 2.73p to EPS in 2005 and 7.63p in 2004. In 2005 the average number of shares decreased as a result of the share buyback. This contributed 2.95p to total basic EPS. Dividend The Board proposes a final dividend of 4.50p which together with the interim dividend of 2.50p gives 7.00p (2004 : 5.25p) for the year; dividend cover based on profits from continuing operations and calculated using the interim dividend paid in the year and the final dividend proposed is 2.3x (2004 : 2.2x). Cash flow The Group net cash balance at 31 December 2005 was £9.01m. At 30 June 2005 the Group had net cash of £3.39m following a share buyback of £9.90m and the receipt of £1.65m deferred proceeds on disposal of a US Supplier business in 1999. Following the disposal of the US Franchising business in July, cash increased by £5.26m. Cash generated from operating activities in the second half of the year is £4.64m, therefore following routine investment in capital expenditure of £0.47m and payment of dividends of £0.62m in the second half, the cash balance would have been around £12m. Following the purchase of own shares for £0.93m and the acquisition of MT Promotions Limited for £1.98m the cash balance reduced to £9.01m. Deferred proceeds on the US Franchising business disposal are £0.58m (US$1m) and are due in July 2006. This amount is currently held in escrow. Balance sheet and Shareholders' funds Equity Shareholders' funds have decreased to £15.96m (2004: £21.86m), after own share purchases in 2005 totalling £10.83m. Reported Shareholders' funds in 2004 under UK GAAP were £34.88m and, the transition to IFRS reduced this to £21.86m. This reduction was principally a result of including the defined benefit pension fund deficit as a liability on the balance sheet offset by the associated deferred tax asset. Exchange and cash management The average US dollar exchange rate through the year used to translate the profit and loss accounts of overseas subsidiaries is $1.8144 (2004: $1.8312) to the pound. The exchange rate at the balance sheet date, used to translate assets and liabilities in dollars was $1.7168 (2004: $1.9031). This resulted in an increase of US dollar denominated assets of £1.65m. The Group does not currently hedge the translation exposure of profits and assets of its US subsidiaries. Treasury policy Treasury policy is centrally to manage the financial requirements of the Divisions which arise in relation to business needs. The Group operates cash pooling arrangements on currency accounts for its US operations and separately for its UK and European operations. The Group matches currency requirements in its UK Divisions with currency cash flows arising in its subsidiaries and actively seeks to hold the majority of cash in the UK on deposit to maximise interest income. Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards The Group is required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the first time in its financial statements to 31 December 2005. The principal adjustments to UK GAAP relate to: • Adoption of the amendment to IAS 19 'Employee benefits - actuarial gains and losses, group plans and disclosures' recognising employee benefit obligations, particularly pensions, on the balance sheet. • Goodwill is no longer amortised, but is subject to impairment review, in line with IFRS 3 'Business Combinations' and IAS 36 'Impairment of assets'. • Recognition of the cost of share based payments granted after 7 November 2002, which had not vested by 1 January 2005, in line with IFRS 2 'Share-based payment'. • Dividends are recognised in the period in which they are approved in line with IAS 37 'Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets'. • Tax implications of the adjustments outlined above in accordance with IAS 12 'Income taxes'. The Group's estimate of its results using UK GAAP accounting policies and standards applicable in 2004 have been included for Shareholder information. UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP IFRS 2004 2004 2005 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Continuing operations Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items 5,847 5,703 2,937 3,150 Goodwill amortisation (276) - (276) - Exceptional items (315) (315) (525) (525) Operating profit 5,256 5,388 2,136 2,625 Basic earnings per share - continuing operations 15.00p 15.35p 10.09p 11.54p Discontinued operations Operating profit including profit on disposal 3,342 3,294 984 980 Basic earnings per share - all operations 30.70p 30.94p 21.53p 22.97p Net assets 30,546 15,960 34,877 21,864 2005 2004 Continuing operations £'000 £'000 Operating profit under UK GAAP 5,256 2,136 IFRS 2 share option charge (495) (18) IAS 19 holiday pay accrual 26 (7) Write off of deferred charges, which do not meet (84) (29) the IFRS definition of an asset Write back of goodwill amortisation 276 276 Adjustment of pension charges on an IAS 19 basis 409 267 Operating profit under IFRS 5,388 2,625 2005 2004 Discontinued operations £'000 £'000 Operating profit under UK GAAP including profit on disposal 3,342 984 IFRS 2 share option charge (3) (2) IAS 19 holiday pay accrual (45) (2) Operating profit under IFRS including profit on disposal 3,294 980 31 December 31 December 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Net assets under UK GAAP 30,546 34,877 IAS19 recognition of pension liability (20,930) (17,989) Write off of UK GAAP pension prepayment (1,802) (1,549) Write back of goodwill amortisation 552 276 Write off of deferred charges, which do not meet the IFRS definition of an (735) (582) asset IAS 19 holiday pay accrual (60) (90) Tax on IFRS adjustments 7,287 5,929 Dividend Recognition 1,102 992 Net assets under IFRS 15,960 21,864 Net assets at 31 December 2005 include the impact of the share buyback, which reduced net assets by £9,898,000. Gillian Davies Group Finance Director 10 March 2006 Operating Review European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Sales 39,160 35,727 Operating profit before exceptional items 3,257 1,850 Operating profit 3,222 1,682 The Manchester based business, which accounts for 81% of this Division's sales, comprises:- (a) Trade - supplies a wide range of promotional products on a regular basis to end user suppliers. It provides bespoke printing and engraving services through its own 'in-house' production facilities. This business has continued its excellent sales growth with a 9% like-for-like increase in sales on a record performance in 2004 whilst maintaining strong margins. In August, the acquisition of MT Promotions Limited (MT Golf) added a further dimension to this division, supplying personalised golf products to end user suppliers and the sports club market. MT Golf has been fully integrated into the existing infrastructure in Manchester. (b) Corporate Programmes - builds on its client base by providing sophisticated design, product development and additional support functions, including warehousing, distribution and product range consultancy, delivering a fully out-sourced solution for specific corporate promotional programmes. Sales have increased by 9% over prior year and this, together with tight overhead control, has contributed significantly to the increased profitability of the Manchester based business in 2005. (c) Direct Marketing - uses integrated catalogue, telephone and web selling techniques. In 2005 it has aligned its strategy for growth with the successes that have been evident in the US Direct Marketing business. This began to impact in the second half of 2005. Sales in the last quarter of 2005 were 45% ahead of the same period in 2004. Continued investment in catalogues and the website, as well as advanced skills and techniques employed in the US business are being used to generate increased sales growth in 2006 and beyond. (d) Field Sales - supplies promotional merchandise to a range of corporate entities on either a preferred supply or 'ad hoc' basis through a number of sales account managers. Sales finished at 96% of prior year and following a reorganisation and a recruitment drive within this team, 2006 has started with a stronger and more experienced sales team. Kreyer Promotions, in Germany, comprises: Corporate Programmes and Field Sales. The business increased its sales by 32% compared to prior year. The majority of growth stemmed from Corporate Programmes, which added a number of major new customers. This, together with tight cost control has resulted in the doubling of profits from prior year in this business. European Premium Promotions 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Sales 11,595 13,328 Operating profit before exceptional items 638 880 Operating profit 358 523 This Division comprises the Product Plus International (PPI) company based in London, which specialises in the supply of bespoke promotional products and services to a range of blue chip clients. Sales for the Division were only 87% of prior year. The airline, cosmetic and retail groups in the Division all performed ahead of prior year, however publishing was significantly below 2004 levels. During the year the Division has been further reorganised and is now integrated and managed as part of the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division. This has reduced administration costs and focused resources on customer service and sales growth. An exceptional charge of £409,000, resulting from the reorganisation, has been partly offset by £129,000 net income arising from the insurance settlement on the prior year product recall. US Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 2005 2004 US$'000 £'000 US$'000 £'000 Sales 82,965 45,726 73,083 39,910 Operating profit 6,561 3,616 4,276 2,335 This Division comprises: the core Direct Marketing operation serving the US and Canada, and a smaller Corporate Programmes operation. Considerable progress was made in both during 2005. Direct Marketing sales increased by 28% over 2004. Total orders received grew more than 26% while orders received from new customers grew 37% over prior year. Orders via the web now represent nearly 40% of order intake. This excellent performance was driven by an aggressive expansion of our prospect catalogue mailings, an increased investment in internet-based selling methods, principally website technology and search engine advertising, and continuous improvements in customer retention activities. Added resource and focus in merchandising and market segmentation capabilities enhanced the result. This method of marketing and selling takes advantage of an increasing number of business-to-business buyers who embrace a web/telephone purchasing process. The same techniques have been employed in the Canadian market which helped to drive sales up by 60% over 2004, on a more modest increase in prospect catalogues mailed. The restructuring of our US Corporate Programmes activities was successfully completed in the year. As planned, revenue decreased, but contribution to site profitability increased over 2004. US Franchising Up to Up to 21 July 21 July 2005 2005 2004 2004 US$'000 £'000 US$'000 £'000 Fee income 4,706 2,546 8,471 4,626 Operating profit before exceptional items 1,473 797 1,795 980 Operating profit 1,721 931 1,795 980 The US Franchising business, Adventures in Advertising Corporation was sold on 21 July 2005. Fee income and operating profit is included up to this date. The exceptional item relates to the release of a bad debt provision following a review undertaken earlier in the year. Ken Minton Executive Chairman 10 March 2006 Income statement for the year ended 31 December 2005 2005 2004 Note £'000 £'000 Continuing operations Sales 2 96,481 88,965 Operating expenses (91,093) (86,340) Operating profit 2 5,388 2,625 Operating profit before exceptional items 5,703 3,150 Exceptional items 4 (315) (525) Operating profit 2 5,388 2,625 Finance costs (47) (140) Finance income 300 325 Profit before tax 5,641 2,810 Taxation 5 (1,691) 492 Profit for the year from continuing operations 3,950 3,302 Profit for the year from discontinued operations 6 4,012 3,270 Profit attributable to equity shareholders 7,962 6,572 Earnings per share for all operations Basic 8 30.94p 22.97p Diluted 8 29.46p 22.21p Earnings per share from continuing operations Basic 8 15.35p 11.54p Diluted 8 14.62p 11.16p Statement of recognised income and expense for the year ended 31 December 2005 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial year 7,962 6,572 Exchange adjustments offset in reserves net of tax 413 (614) Actuarial losses taken to reserves net of tax (2,721) (761) Net losses not recognised in income statement (2,308) (1,375) Total recognised income for the year 5,654 5,197 Balance sheet at 31 December 2005 2005 2004 Note £'000 £'000 Non Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 1,370 1,656 Goodwill 4,341 4,341 Intangible assets 3,556 2,743 Investments 8 8 Deferred income tax assets 8,921 8,407 18,196 17,155 Current Assets Inventories 5,663 4,640 Trade and other receivables 19,864 22,919 Cash and cash equivalents 9,103 15,310 34,630 42,869 Current Liabilities Trade and other payables 14,737 16,077 Current tax 823 697 Borrowings 91 2,565 Provisions 285 832 15,936 20,171 Net Current Assets 18,694 22,698 Non Current Liabilities Retirement benefit obligations 3 20,930 17,989 Net Assets 15,960 21,864 Shareholders' Equity Share capital 9 9,634 11,063 Share premium reserve 9 37,684 37,659 Capital redemption reserve 9 208 208 Cumulative translation differences 9 (210) (614) Retained earnings 9 (31,356) (26,452) Total Equity 15,960 21,864 The US dollar to sterling exchange rate at the balance sheet date was $1.7168 (2004 : $1.9031). Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 2005 2005 2004 Note £'000 £'000 Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 10 4,662 7,151 Tax (paid)/received (179) 470 Interest received 409 339 Interest paid (47) (141) Net cash generated from operating activities 4,845 7,819 Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of subsidiary 11 (1,975) - Disposal of subsidiary 6 5,263 - Deferred consideration on disposal of US Supplier business 6 1,653 546 in 1999 Purchases of property, plant and equipment (457) (289) Purchases of intangible assets (544) (946) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 131 - Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities 4,071 (689) Cash flows from financing activities Movements in borrowings • Net proceeds from the issue of new borrowings - 345 • Repayment of borrowings (2,015) (546) Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 98 48 Purchase of own shares for cancellation (9,898) - Purchase of own shares (933) (889) Dividends paid to shareholders (1,608) (1,364) Net cash used in financing activities (14,356) (2,406) Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and bank overdrafts (5,440) 4,724 Cash and bank overdrafts at beginning of the period 14,666 9,905 Exchange (losses)/gains on cash and bank overdrafts (214) 37 Cash and bank overdrafts at end of the period 9,012 14,666 Analysis of cash and bank overdrafts Cash at bank and in hand 9,103 15,310 Bank overdraft (91) (644) 9,012 14,666 1 Basis of preparation The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Group statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2005 or 31 December 2004, but is derived from these accounts. The statutory accounts for the Group for the year ended 31 December 2005 and 2004 were reported on by the auditors without qualification and as such did not contain any statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. From 1 January 2005, 4imprint Group plc is required to prepare its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union. The financial information set out in this preliminary statement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies under IFRS published on the 4imprint website 'www.4imprint.co.uk'. The Group had previously reported under UK GAAP. A full reconciliation between the figures presented under UK GAAP and IFRS will be provided in the Annual Report and Accounts. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates. The full Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2005 will be posted to shareholders shortly and, after adoption at the Annual General Meeting, delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2 Segmental reporting Primary reporting format - business segments At 31 December 2005, the Group is reported in three main business segments (following the sale of the US Franchising business on 21 July 2005). The segmental results for the year ended 31 December 2005 are as follows: Sales 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Continuing operations European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 39,160 35,727 European Premium Promotions 11,595 13,328 US Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 45,726 39,910 Total 96,481 88,965 Discontinued operations US Franchising 2,546 4,626 Total Operations 99,027 93,591 Operating profit Pension Share option Operating profit/ Exceptional Operating /(loss) before charges charges (loss) before items profit/(loss) exceptional exceptional items items, pension and share option charges 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Continuing operations European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 3,412 1,910 (85) (57) (70) (3) 3,257 1,850 (35) (168) 3,222 1,682 European Premium 718 925 (51) (45) (29) - 638 880 (280) (357) 358 523 Promotions US Direct Marketing 3,801 2,452 (113) (109) (72) (8) 3,616 2,335 - - 3,616 2,335 and Corporate Programmes Unallocated costs (952) (1,253) (532) (655) (324) (7) (1,808) (1,915) - - (1,808) (1,915) Total 6,979 4,034 (781) (866) (495) (18) 5,703 3,150 (315) (525) 5,388 2,625 Net finance income totalling £253,000 (2004 : £185,000) and taxation charge of £1,691,000 (2004: £492,000 credit) cannot be separately allocated to individual segments. A review of the segments is included in the Operating Review. Unallocated costs comprise head office costs and costs relating to the closed defined benefit pension scheme. Operating Pension Share option Operating profit Exceptional Operating profit before charges charges before items profit exceptional exceptional items items, pension and share option charges 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Discontinued operations Profit for the period from US Franchising business 815 1,003 (15) (21) (3) (2) 797 980 134 - 931 980 Profit before tax 1,809 - 1,809 - on disposal of US Franchising business Profit before tax 554 - 554 - on disposal of US Supplier business in 1999 Total 815 1,003 (15) (21) (3) (2) 797 980 2,497 - 3,294 980 Finance income totalling £16,000 (2004 : £106,000) and a tax credit of £702,000 (2004: £2,184,000) is attributable to discontinued operations. Other segment items Assets Liabilities Capital Depreciation Amortisation expenditure 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Continuing operations European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 19,269 14,909 (7,811) (6,183) 283 404 (235) (340) (472) (509) European Premium Promotions 6,222 5,861 (1,451) (1,780) 13 187 (39) (41) (7) (4) US Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes 8,406 6,467 (4,785) (3,400) 445 482 (201) (263) (463) (476) Unallocated assets/ (liabilities) and costs 9,244 8,486 (22,728) (19,652) 102 - - - - - Cash/(bank overdrafts and loans) 9,103 15,310 (91) (2,565) Total 52,244 51,033 (36,866) (33,580) 843 1,073 (475) (644) (942) (989) Discontinued operations Deferred consideration from US Supplier business disposed in 1999 - 1,854 - (542) - - - - - - US Franchising Business 582 7,137 - (4,038) 158 162 (27) (65) (118) (188) Total 582 8,991 - (4,580) 158 162 (27) (65) (118) (188) Total Operations 52,826 60,024 (36,866) (38,160) 1,001 1,235 (502) (709) (1,060) (1,177) Unallocated assets, liabilities and costs relate to head office items, including Group tax and the liability and deferred tax asset relating to the closed defined benefit pension scheme which cannot be allocated to individual segments. Secondary reporting format - geographical segments Assets Capital Sales expenditure 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Continuing operations Europe 50,755 49,055 33,183 27,311 398 591 US 45,726 39,910 9,958 8,412 445 482 Unallocated assets - Group cash 9,103 15,310 Total 96,481 88,965 52,244 51,033 843 1,073 Discontinued operations US 2,546 4,626 582 8,991 158 162 Total operations 99,027 93,591 52,826 60,024 1,001 1,235 3 Employee pension schemes The Group operates defined contribution plans for the majority of its UK and US employees. The regular contributions are charged to the income statement as they are incurred. The Group also operates a funded UK defined benefit scheme which is closed to new members. The funds of the scheme are administered by a Trustee Company and are independent of the Group's finances. 2005 2004 Continuing and discontinued operations £'000 £'000 Net pension costs: Defined contribution plans 298 247 Defined benefit scheme: Current service cost 89 75 Net interest cost 409 565 796 887 The whole of the above charge was included within operating expenses. Defined benefit plan In the most recent actuarial review of the 4imprint Group plc defined benefit plan the principal assumptions made by the actuaries were: 2005 2004 Rate of increase in pensionable salaries 3.90% 3.70% Rate of increase in pensions in payment and deferred pensions 2.80% 2.70% Discount rate 4.90% 5.50% Inflation assumption 2.80% 2.70% Expected return on plan assets 5.89% 6.59% The post-retirement mortality assumptions used are based on the 'PA 92' standard tables with some allowance for future mortality improvements. The assumptions are such that a current non-pensioner member who later retires at age 65 will live on average for a further 19 years after retirement if they are male and a further 22 years after retirement if they are female. A current pensioner member aged 65 will live on average for a further 18 years if they are male and for a further 21 years if they are female. The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are determined as follows: 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Present value of funded obligations (98,023) (86,379) Fair value of plan assets 77,093 68,390 Net liability recognised in the balance sheet (20,930) (17,989) The major categories of plan assets as a percentage of total plan assets are as follows: 2005 2004 Equities 40% 53% Bonds 44% 46% Property 14% nil Cash 2% 1% The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows: 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Current service cost 89 75 Interest cost 4,657 4,506 Expected return on plan assets (4,248) (3,941) Total included in staff costs 498 640 Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows: 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Defined benefit obligation at start of year 86,379 83,718 Current service cost 89 75 Interest cost 4,657 4,506 Contributions by plan participants 2 5 Actuarial loss 10,616 1,743 Benefits paid (3,720) (3,668) Defined benefit obligation at end of year 98,023 86,379 Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows: 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Fair value of assets at start of year 68,390 66,016 Expected return on assets 4,248 3,941 Actuarial gains 7,013 656 Contributions by employer 1,160 1,440 Contributions by plan participants 2 5 Benefits paid (3,720) (3,668) Fair value of assets at end of year 77,093 68,390 Analysis of the movement in the balance sheet liability: 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 At start of year 17,989 17,702 Total expense as above 498 640 Contributions paid (1,160) (1,440) Actuarial losses taken directly to equity 3,603 1,087 31 December 20,930 17,989 The actual return on plan assets was £11,261,000 (2004: £4,597,000). 4 Exceptional items 2005 2004 Continuing operations £'000 £'000 Product recall income/(charge) 129 (267) European reorganisation charge (444) (258) (315) (525) The product recall charge in 2004 relates to the cost of a product recall issue in the European Premium Promotions Division which has been disclosed separately due to its rare occurrence and size. In 2005 insurance income net of costs was received. The European reorganisation charge in 2005 relates to the ongoing integration of the European Premium Promotions Division into the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division, and the integration of MT Promotions Limited, acquired in the period, into the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division. In 2004 the charge relates to reorganisation in the European Premium Promotions Division and the European Direct Marketing and Corporate Programmes Division. 5 Taxation 2005 2004 Continuing operations £'000 £'000 Analysis of charge/(credit) in the period: UK tax - current - - Overseas tax - current 1,225 (21) Deferred tax 466 (471) Taxation 1,691 (492) The tax for the year is different to the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (30%). The differences are explained below: 2005 2004 Continuing operations £'000 £'000 Profit before tax 5,641 2,810 Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by rate of UK corporation tax of 30% (2004 : 30%) 1,692 843 Effects of: Adjustments in respect of foreign tax rates 222 (85) Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 145 43 Timing differences and other differences (368) (1,293) Total taxation 1,691 (492) 6 Discontinued operations 2005 2004 Note £'000 £'000 Profit after tax on disposal of US Franchising business a 2,866 - Profit after tax for the period from US Franchising business b 770 1,279 Profit after tax attributable to disposal of US Supplier business in 1999 c 376 1,991 4,012 3,270 a) Disposal of US Franchising business On 21 July 2005, the Group completed the sale of Adventures in Advertising Corporation ('AiA') to The Riverside Company, a US Private Investment Group for consideration of US$11.3m. AiA constitutes the US Franchising business in note 2 and being the only franchise business in the Group did not fit with the long term strategy, which is to concentrate on the core activities of providing products and support services for Corporate and Product Promotions, using 'in house' resources. 2005 £'000 £'000 Net cash consideration (after costs of disposal) 5,263 Deferred cash consideration 582 Total consideration 5,845 Total assets carrying value at date of disposal (8,655) Total liabilities carrying value at date of disposal 4,610 Net assets on disposal (4,045) Cumulative exchange gain transferred from reserves 9 Profit before tax 1,809 Tax credit arising on disposal 1,057 Profit on disposal of US Franchising business 2,866 The tax credit arising on disposal relates principally to the acceleration and crystallisation of tax deductible goodwill. This goodwill would otherwise have been deductible over the next ten years. b) Profit for the period from US Franchising business 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Sales 2,546 4,626 Operating expenses (1,615) (3,646) Operating profit 931 980 Operating profit before exceptional item 797 980 Exceptional item 134 - Operating profit 931 980 Finance income 2 14 Profit before tax 933 994 Taxation (163) 285 Profit after tax 770 1,279 The exceptional item relates to the release of a bad debt provision following a review undertaken in this business. c) Profit attributable to disposal of US Supplier business in 1999 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Exceptional operating profit 554 - Finance income 14 92 Profit before tax 568 92 Taxation (192) 1,899 Profit after tax 376 1,991 The exceptional operating profit relates to the release of a provision during the year. In addition to the profit above, the Group received £1,653,000 of deferred consideration during the year. This is included in cash generated from investing activities in the cash flow. d) Cash flows arising from discontinued operations 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Net cash generated from operating activities 731 1,492 Net cash generated from disposal of subsidiary 5,263 - Deferred consideration on disposal of US Supplier business in 1999 1,653 546 7,647 2,038 7 Dividends 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Equity dividends - ordinary shares Interim paid: 2.50p (2004: 1.75p) 616 503 Final paid: 3.50p (2004: 3.00p) 992 861 In addition, the Directors are proposing a final dividend in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2005, of 4.50p per share which will absorb an estimated £1.10m of Shareholders' funds. It will be paid on 21 April 2006 to Shareholders who are on the register of members on 24 March 2006. 8 Earnings per share Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary Shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, excluding those held in the Employee Share Trust (note 9) which are treated as cancelled. For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all potential dilutive ordinary shares. The potential dilutive ordinary shares relate to those share options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company's ordinary shares at the balance sheet date. Reconciliations of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below: 2005 2004 Weighted Weighted average average number number Earnings of shares Pence per Earnings of shares Pence per £'000 '000 share £'000 '000 share Earnings attributable to 7,962 6,572 ordinary shareholders Ordinary shares in issue 26,217 28,742 Shares held by employee (481) (135) share trust Basic EPS 7,962 25,736 30.94 6,572 28,607 22.97 Effect of dilutive securities Options 1,291 (1.48) 980 (0.76) Diluted EPS Adjusted earnings 7,962 27,027 29.46 6,572 29,587 22.21 Earnings per share from continuing operations Basic EPS 3,950 25,736 15.35 3,302 28,607 11.54 Diluted EPS 3,950 27,027 14.62 3,302 29,587 11.16 Earnings per share from discontinued operations Basic EPS 4,012 25,736 15.59 3,270 28,607 11.43 Diluted EPS 4,012 27,027 14.84 3,270 29,587 11.05 9 Statement of changes in Shareholders' equity Retained earnings Share Capital Cumulative Profit Share premium redemption translation Own and Total capital reserve reserve differences shares loss Equity £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 28 December 2003 11,044 37,630 208 - (7) (30,030) 18,845 Profit for the period 6,572 6,572 Exchange adjustments net of (614) (614) tax Own shares issued 7 7 Own shares purchased (889) (889) Shares issued 19 29 48 Employee share options 20 20 Actuarial losses taken to (1,087) (1,087) reserves Deferred tax on actuarial 326 326 losses taken to reserves Dividends (1,364) (1,364) Balance at 31 December 2004 11,063 37,659 208 (614) (889) (25,563) 21,864 Balance at 1 January 2005 11,063 37,659 208 (614) (889) (25,563) 21,864 Profit for the period 7,962 7,962 Exchange adjustments net 413 413 of tax Exchange adjustment (9) (9) previously taken to reserves, transferred to income statement on disposal of subsidiary Own shares purchased (933) (933) Shares issued 73 25 98 Own shares purchased and (1,502) (8,396) (9,898) cancelled Employee share options 498 498 Deferred tax on employee 294 294 share options taken to reserves Actuarial losses taken to (3,603) (3,603) reserves Deferred tax on actuarial 882 882 losses taken to reserves Dividends (1,608) (1,608) Balance at 31 December 9,634 37,684 208 (210) (1,822) (29,534) 15,960 2005 The cumulative goodwill written off to the reserves in respect of subsidiary companies and businesses currently held amounts to £15,297,000 (2004 : £15,297,000). Purchase of own shares represents the cost of 875,000 of the Company's ordinary shares held at 31 December 2005 (2004 : 440,000). These shares were acquired by the 4imprint Group plc Employee Share Trust in 2005 and 2004 to meet obligations under the Executive Share Option Scheme using funds provided by 4imprint Group plc. The costs of funding and administering the schemes are charged to the income statement of the Company in the period to which they relate. Dividend income from and voting rights in respect of the shares held under Trust have been waived and the shares have been excluded from the earnings per share calculation. The market value of the shares at 31 December 2005 was £2,620,625 (2004 : £838,201). 10 Cash generated from operations 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 Continuing operations Net profit 3,950 3,302 Adjustments for: Taxation 1,691 (492) Depreciation charge 475 644 (Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (13) 44 Amortisation of intangibles 942 989 Finance income (300) (325) Finance costs 47 141 Share option charge 495 18 IAS 19 pension charge for defined benefit scheme 498 640 Contributions to defined benefit pension scheme (1,160) (1,440) Changes in working capital: (Increase)/decrease in inventories (944) 1,261 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (2,194) 2,459 Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables 474 (1,466) Decrease in provisions (30) (116) Cash generated from continuing operations 3,931 5,659 Discontinued operations Net profit 4,012 3,270 Adjustments for: Taxation (702) (2,184) Depreciation charge 27 65 Profit on disposal of subsidiary undertaking (1,809) - Amortisation of intangibles 118 188 Finance income (16) (106) Share option charge 3 2 Changes in working capital: Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 170 (127) (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (518) 618 Decrease in provisions (554) (234) Cash generated from discontinued operations 731 1,492 Cash generated from operations 4,662 7,151 11 Acquisition of MT Promotions Limited The Group purchased MT Promotions Limited on 3 August 2005 for a total consideration of £1,975,000 (including acquisition costs) of which £700,000 will be paid on 3 August 2006. This purchase has been accounted for as an acquisition. Prior to its acquisition by the Group, MT Promotions Limited earned £318,000 of profit before interest and £317,000 after interest for the period 1 January 2005 to 2 August 2005. All of the voting shares were acquired. From 3 August 2005 to 31 December 2005 the acquisition contributed £484,000 to sales, £110,000 to profit before and after interest and £100,000 to the Group's net operating cashflows. MT Promotions Limited utilised no capital expenditure from 3 August 2005 to 31 December 2005. Assets acquired are recognised at their respective provisional fair values. Carrying values pre Provisional acquisition fair value £'000 £'000 Intangible fixed assets - brand name - 1,775 Property, plant and equipment 10 - Inventories 200 200 Cost of acquisition 1,975 Cash flow in the year for the cost of acquisition is as follows: £'000 Cash used in investing activities 1,975 £700,000 deferred consideration is due to be paid on 3 August 2006 and is held in escrow. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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