Preliminary Results

RNS Number : 1296W

Best of the Best PLC

23 July 2009

 



BEST OF THE BEST PLC

Preliminary Group audited results for the year ended 30th April 2009

Best of the Best plc displays luxury cars as competition prizes within airport terminals and online

Key points:

• Turnover £7.5m (2008: £7.3m)

• Profit Before Tax £0.52m (2008: £0.86m) 

• Strong balance sheet with £2.0m of cash (2008: £1.7m) and net assets of £4.1m (2008: £3.8m) 

• Board recommending 10% increase in dividend to 1.1p per share (2008: 1.0p)

• One new site opened in Bristol during the period

• Ongoing discussions with domestic and international airport sites

• Major strategic investment in IT development and website

• Database at approximately 400,000 and growing at approximately 7,000 new players per month

• Current trading is in line with expectations

William Hindmarch, Chief Executive, said:

'In what has been a difficult year for both the retail and travel industries, I am pleased to report full year results in line with current expectations. We have benefited from reacting quickly to the early signs of a macro economic slowdown and we secured significant cost savings during the second half of the period. The Company has ended the year with increased cash balances of £2.0m million. The Group is well placed to increase the scope, size and contribution of its online business, as well as seeking to open new physical outlets over the coming months. '

Enquiries:

Best of the Best plc               William Hindmarch, Chief Executive               T: 020 7371 8866
                                                 Rupert Garton, Commercial Director    

Biddicks                                  Shane Dolan                                                      T: 020 7448 1000

Charles Stanley Securities    Mark Taylor                                                        T: 020 7149 6000
(Nominated Adviser)              Freddy Crossley    

Please visit www.botb.com for further information  

Chief Executive's Statement

In what has been a difficult year for both the retail and travel industries, I am pleased to report full year results in line with current market expectations. On broadly flat revenues for the year, pre-tax profits fell by 39.4% reflecting the tough economic climate, as well as an increased cost base due to new site openings, and continued disruption from major building projects at several airports. Despite reduced passenger numbers at the majority of our sites, income per passenger has remained stable. We have also benefited from reacting quickly to the early signs of a macro economic slowdown and we have seen the effects of our cost savings during the second half of the period. The Company has ended the year with increased cash balances of £2.0m million. 

We have successfully renegotiated our contracts with BAA to reflect their changing corporate structure and we have renewed two long term agreements with Manchester Airport during the period. We opened one new site during the period and we are in discussions with operators of both domestic and international airports with a view to securing further sites.

Our online business continues to perform well, representing approximately 23% of total sales during the year and our database of registered players has reached approximately 400,000. We have allocated substantial resources towards the development of our IT systems, website and online marketing capabilities over the past six months, which the Directors believe will bring significant new opportunities in this area.

Results

During the year ended 30th April 2009 turnover increased by 2.8 per cent to £7.5m (2008: £7.3m) with profit before tax decreasing by 39.4 per cent to £0.52m (2008: £0.86m). Reported earnings per share has decreased from 4.69p in 2008 to 2.98p per share. 

The cash position of the Group remains solid at £2.0m, with inventory valued at £1.7m. Net Assets have increased to £4.1m (2008: £3.8m).

Dividend

The Board is recommending a final dividend payment of 1.1 pence per share for the full year ending 30th April 2009 subject to shareholder approval at the AGM on 17th September 2009. The final dividend is covered 2.7 times by earnings per share and will be paid on 17th October 2009 to shareholders on the register on 18th September 2009.

Business

The first half of the financial year started strongly, but unsurprisingly trading became increasingly tougher as the effects of the global economic slowdown led to a reduction in passenger numbers, and reduced business and leisure travel. This effect was exaggerated at some of the smaller regional airports. Given the operational gearing of the business, margins and profitability were affected especially in the second half of the year. Recent site openings have contributed to a modest increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, but the costs associated with maintaining our smaller sites have reduced our operating margin.

Despite reduced passenger numbers at the majority of our sites, however, income per passenger has remained broadly stable. We have also benefited from reacting quickly to the early signs of a macro economic slowdown and we secured significant cost savings during the second half of the period.

It has been a disruptive year for trading at many of our airport sites, with major terminal refurbishments underway at Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Copenhagen. We have just reinstalled brand new, redesigned sites at both Manchester Terminal 1 and 2, and at Glasgow, and we look forward to completing new sites at Heathrow Terminal 4, Edinburgh and Copenhagen during the year.

In recent months, it has become clear that BAA will be required to sell Gatwick Airport, and potentially one or more of its other UK airports during 2009/10. By successfully renegotiating our contracts with the individual airports, we have taken active steps to ensure that we are not adversely affected. During the year, we also entered into new long term agreements for our sites at Manchester Airport.

I would like to thank Non-executive Directors Nick Ziebland and William Henbrey who are stepping down from the Board on August 1st 2009 to pursue other business interests. Their contribution and insight over several years has been most valuable as they helped the Company through its IPO and first years as a public Company, and we wish them every success in the future. 

Online Business

The online business representing 23% of total turnover has performed in line with expectations. The database of registered players has increased to 400,000 and we have successfully migrated to a new online marketing platform. As previously communicated, we have also invested substantial resources towards the complete redevelopment of our IT systems and website, which is due for completion in the second quarter. We believe this new platform will bring significant growth opportunities for the online business.

Outlook

In spite of the prevailing economic climate and unpredictable outlook, the Board remains optimistic about the trading prospects for the Group in the coming year. The Group continues to trade profitably, maintaining a £2.0 million cash balance and has £4.1 million of net assets. It is therefore well placed to execute its strategy of increasing the scope, size and contribution of its online business, as well as seeking to open new physical outlets over the coming months.

We look forward to updating shareholders with further progress in due course.

William Hindmarch

Chief Executive

23rd July 2009

BEST OF THE BEST PLC
Consolidated Income Statement
For The Year Ended 30th April 2009
		2009		2008
	Notes	£'000		£'000
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue	5	7,462		7,260
Cost of sales		(2,986)		(2,842)
		_______		_______
GROSS PROFIT		4,476		4,418
Administrative expenses		(4,012)		(3,655)
		_______		_______
OPERATING PROFIT		464		763
Finance costs		-		-
Finance income		55		93
		_______		_______
PROFIT BEFORE TAX		519		856
Tax	6	(139)		(259)
		_______		_______
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR		380		597
		_______		_______
Earnings per share expressed
in pence per share:	7
Basic		2.98		4.69
Diluted		2.92		4.61

BEST OF THE BEST PLC
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense
For The Year Ended 30th April 2009
		2009		2008
	Notes	£'000		£'000
PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR		380		597
		_______		_______
TOTAL RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE RELATING TO THE YEAR		380		597
		_______		_______

BEST OF THE BEST PLC
Consolidated Balance Sheet
30th April 2009
		2009		2008
	Notes	£'000		£'000
ASSETS NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment		1,172		1,072
Deferred tax		3		16
		_______		_______
		1,175		1,088
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventories		1,739		1,988
Trade and other receivables		115		137
Cash and cash equivalents		1,988		1,706
		_______		_______
		3,842		3,831
TOTAL ASSETS		5,017 _______		4,919 _______
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital	8	636		636
Share premium	9	1,783		1,783
Share-based payment reserve	9	145		106
Retained earnings	9	1,514		1,261
		_______		_______
TOTAL EQUITY		4,078		3,786
		_______		_______
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITES
Trade and other payables		799		873
Tax payable		140		260
		_______		_______
TOTAL LIABILITIES		939		1,133
		_______		_______
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES		5,017 _______		4,919 _______

BEST OF THE BEST PLC
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For The Year Ended 30th April 2009
		2009		2008
Cash flows from operating activities		£'000		£'000
Cash generated from operations	1	960		561
Tax paid		(246)		(155)
		_______		_______
Net cash from operating activities		714		406
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets		(382)		(561)
Sale of tangible fixed assets		22		-
Interest received		55		93
		_______		_______
Net cash from investing activities		(305)		(468)
Cash flows from financing activities
Equity dividends paid		(127)		-
		_______		_______
Net cash from financing activities		(127)		-
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		282		(62)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		1,706		1,768
		_______		_______
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		1,988		1,706
		_______		_______

BEST OF THE BEST PLC

Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For The Year Ended 30th April 2009

1.	RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAX TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

			2009		2008
			£'000		£'000
	Profit before tax		519		856
	Depreciation charges		253		187
	Loss on disposal of fixed assets		7		2
	Employee share based payment		38		79
	Finance income		(55)		(93)
			_______		_______
			762		1,031
	Decrease/(Increase) in inventories		249		(453)
	Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables		22		(87)
	(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables		(73)		70
			_______		_______
	Cash generated from operations		960		561
			_______		_______

BEST OF THE BEST PLC

Notes to the Preliminary Announcement

For The Year Ended 30th April 2009

1.        BASIS OF PREPARATION

The financial information has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (Adopted IFRS's).

The financial information set out above does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 30th April 2009 or 2008. The statutory accounts for 2009 will be delivered to the registrar of companies in due course.

2.         BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiary undertakings). Where necessary adjustments are made to the financial statements of the subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

3.         ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preliminary financial information has been prepared using accounting policies set out in the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 30th April 2009. 

FRS 20 'Share-based payment' was adopted for the first time during the 2007 year end. Under this standard, an expense is recognised in the income statement when the Group receives goods for services in exchange for shares or where the valuation of those goods or services incorporates the performance of the Group's share price. The income statement includes a charge for share-based payments of £38,555 (2008: £79,279).

Revenue represents the value of tickets sold in respect of competitions which have been completed at the accounting date. A competition is completed when the Group closes entries.

4.         SEGMENTAL REPORTING

The directors consider that the primary reporting format is by business segment and that there is only one such segment being that of competition operators. This disclosure has already been provided in this preliminary report.

All of the Group's material operations are located in the United Kingdom.

5.        EXCEPTIONAL ITEM

During the year the company received £82,000 with respect to overpaid VAT on foreign internet sales. This amount has been included in turnover for the year ended 30th April 2009

6.        TAX

    Analysis of the tax charge

		2009		2008
		£'000		£'000
Current tax:
Tax		136		260
Overprovision in prior year		(10)		(4)
		_______		_______
Total current tax		126		256
Deferred tax		13		3
Total tax charge in income statement		139		259
		_______		_______

7.        EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares adjusted to assume the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Group has one category of dilutive potential ordinary shares: share options. For the share options a calculation is performed to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average annual market share price of the Group's shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise of the share options.

Reconciliations are set out below.

		Earnings £'000	2009 Weighted average number of shares	Pre-share amount price
Basic EPS
Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders		380	12,718,254	2.98
Effect of dilutive securities
Options		-	262,367	-
		_______	_______	_______
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings		380	12,980,621	2.92
		_______	_________	_______
		Earnings £'000	2008 Weighted average number of shares	Pre-share amount price
Basic EPS
Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders		597	12,718,254	4.69
Effect of dilutive securities
Options		-	216,756	-
		_______	_______	_______
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings		597	12,935,010	4.61
		_______	_________	_______

8.       CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised number:	Class:	Nominal value:			2009 £'000	2008 £'000
30,000,000	Ordinary shares	5p			1,500	1,500
					_______	_______
Allotted, issued and fully paid:
Number:	Class:	Nominal Value:			2009 £'000	2008 £'000
12,718,254	Ordinary shares	5p			636	636
					_______	_______

    No shares have been issued during or subsequent to the year ended 30th April 2009.

9.       RESERVES

	Retained earnings	Share premium	Share-based payment reserve	Totals
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
At 1st May 2008	1,261	1,783	106	3,150
Profit for the year	380			380
Dividends	(127)			(127)
Employee benefits			39	39
	_______	_______	_______	_______
At 30th April 2009	1,514	1,783	145	3,442
	_______	_______	_______	_______

10.      RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS

	2009	2008
	£'000	£'000
Profit for the financial year	380	597
Dividends	(127)
	_______	_______
	253	597
	_______	_______
Employee share schemes adjustment	39	79
	_______	_______
Net addition to shareholders' funds	292	676
Opening shareholders' funds	3,786	3,110
	_______	_______
Closing shareholders' funds	4,078	3,786
	_______	_______

11.     The financial information set out above for the years ended 30th April 2009 and 2008 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for 30th April 2008 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 30th April 2009 will be delivered following the Company's annual general meeting. The Company's auditors have reported on the full accounts for both years and have accompanied each year with an unqualified report.

12.     The annual report and accounts will be posted to shareholders shortly and will be available for members of the public at the Company's registered office, 2 Plato Place, St Dionis Road, London, SW6 4TU.

13.    The Annual General Meeting will be held on 17th September 2009 at the offices of Charles Stanley Securities, 25 Luke Street, London, EC2A 4AR.

 

END

 

 

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