Interim Results

Buckland Investments PLC 20 September 2002 BUCKLAND GROUP PLC Report and financial statements for the six month period ended 30 June 2002 Chairman's Statement for the six month period ended 30 June 2002 I am pleased to present the interim results for Buckland for the six month period ended 30th June 2002 . The results show a consolidated profit before exceptional item and tax of £ 149,000 on sales of £ 2.29m .An exceptional charge of £ 210,000 has been taken as a provision against the potential final balance sheet write-downs relating to the liquidation of the Group's former operations in France. It should be noted that these are not cash costs. There is no tax liability for the period. Before the exceptional charge, earnings per share were 0.15p ; after the exceptional item, the attributable loss was equivalent to 0.11p per share. No interim dividend is proposed. Trading The trading results to 30th June 2002 reflect for the first time the benefits of the extensive restructuring of the Group's operations over the last few years and the cessation of all activities in France. Our principal product lines continue to be CRT sockets and SCART connectors, supplemented by steadily growing sales of power input sockets. We are also at an advanced stage in adding additional types of connectors to our product range, although their contribution to sales will be only modest to begin with. Like for like sales in the first half of 2002 compared with 2001 were marginally lower due to the depressed computer monitor market which affected our CRT sales. However, overall demand for CRTs for colour televisions and monitors now seems to have stabilized for the time being and we see various encouraging signs that we may pick up some market share over the rest of 2002/ 2003. Demand for Scarts has been impacted in recent months by the sharp fall in sales of set top boxes in Europe, for which the rapidly growing market for DVD players has not yet been able to fully compensate. However, we are now seeing a good seasonal upturn in demand and our customers' volume forecasts for 2003 look promising. Balance sheet Following the issue of new shares for cash earlier this year, the Group has a greatly strengthened balance sheet. Net assets at the end of June were in excess of £ 1.1m with net gearing being below 20%. Operating cash flow for the period was positive. Exceptional Item Although we ceased all activities in France in 2001, there still remain certain issues to be resolved concerning the liquidation of the French subsidiaries. Whilst these are expected to be insignificant in cash terms, there are various inter-group balances which previously were eliminated on consolidation of the group accounts which will need to be written down. As a provision against these balances, we have therefore thought it prudent to provide an exceptional item of £ 210,000 in the interim accounts. Outlook Prospects for the rest of 2002 look satisfactory for our existing operations and we continue to seek opportunities to develop the Group by further acquisition. Patrick Rogers Chairman 19th September 2002 Consolidated profit and loss account for the six month period ended 30 June 2002 Unaudited Unaudited Twelve month Six month Six month Period ended Period ended Period ended 31 December 2001 30 June 30 June 2002 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 2,289 3,064 5,808 Operating profit / (loss) before interest 163 116 178 Exceptional item (210) (100) Net Interest payable (14) (91) (164) Profit / (loss) on ordinary activities before taxation (61) 25 (86) Taxation - - - Profit / (loss) on ordinary activities after taxation (61) 25 (86) Minority Interests (30) - - Retained profit / (loss) for the period (91) 25 (86) Earnings /(loss) per ordinary share Before exceptional item, basic 0.15p 0.16p (0.14)p After exceptional item, basic (0.11)p 0.16p (0.58)p Notes to the Interim Results 1. The consolidated profit and loss account incorporates the unaudited results of Buckland Group Plc and all of its subsidiary undertakings made up to 30 June 2002, and has been prepared on a basis consistent with the accounting policies set out in the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2001. Earnings/ (loss) per share for the six months to June 2002 have been calculated based on the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period of 80.972m. 2. This Interim Report was approved by the board of directors on 19th September 2002. This interim financial information does not comprise statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the period ended 31 December 2001 is an extract from the latest company accounts. The accounts received an unqualified auditors report and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The financial information for the period ended 30 June 2002 has not been subject to review by the auditors. 3. Copies of this Interim Report are being sent to shareholders and are available from the Company Secretary at Buckland Group plc, 106 Ebury Street, London SW1W 9QD. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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