Interim Results

AMCO Corporation PLC 25 September 2003 AMCO CORPORATION PLC UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2003 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT RESULTS There was an operating loss of £353,000 for the first half of 2003. This was mainly due to a) contracting activities - continuing losses on the two problem contracts in Scotland, each of which is subject to a substantial claim against the client. These claims have not yet been agreed and, in accordance with our accounting policies, have not been brought into these financial statements. In addition our rail activities have been adversely affected by large increases in employer's liability insurance, which on fixed term fixed price contracts cannot be recovered from the client; b) tunnelling and allied equipment manufacture due to the timing of the completion of manufacture of orders; and c) structural steel activities due to losses on the supply of structural steel for an office block in London. The property development business was profitable in the half year following the joint venture's sale of land in Sheffield for residential development. The loss before tax for the half year was £628,000 compared with a profit of £1,117,000 for the first half of 2002 and £1,582,000 for 2002. The loss per share was 4.2 pence for the half year compared with a profit of 6.3 pence for the first half of 2002 and 9.8 pence for 2002. DIVIDEND We do not intend to pay an interim dividend for 2003. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES There was nil gearing at 30 June 2003 compared with 23% at 30 June 2002 and 12% at 31 December 2002. PROSPECTS The client has accepted that there are changed geological conditions on one of the two problem contracts in Scotland. However, it is unlikely that the claim will be settled in 2003. The fixed term fixed price rail contracts are renegotiated from 1 January 2004 and there should be no further shortfall in the recovery of employer's liability insurance after that date. Dosco has secured a substantial volume of work for the second half of 2003 and this should result in improved figures for the second half of the year. We look for improved results in structural steel and contracting activities for the second half of 2003. A number of property development projects are underway although it is unlikely that any will crystalise profits in the second half. MR. HENRY SCHMILL As already reported, Henry Schmill died on 14 September 2003 after a long illness at the age of 77. He founded the AMCO Group in December 1970 and remained a director until his death. He was much respected by clients and employees and will be greatly missed especially for his energy and enthusiasm. A memorial service will be held at Wakefield Cathedral on Friday 24 October 2003 at 11 a.m. to which all who knew him are welcome. Stuart N. Gordon 25 September 2003 Consolidated profit and loss account (Unaudited) Six months to 30th Six months to 30th Twelve months to June 2003 June 2002 31st December 2002 £000 £000 £000 Turnover including share of joint ventures 48,696 46,093 91,485 Share of turnover of joint ventures (1,352) (733) (849) Group turnover 47,344 45,360 90,636 Group operating (loss)/profit (870) 495 468 Share of operating profit of joint ventures 517 9 24 Operating (loss)/profit including joint ventures (353) 504 492 Profit on sale of fixed asset investments 0 497 743 Net interest payable (106) (160) (206) Other finance (costs)/income (169) 276 553 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before (628) 1,117 1,582 taxation Taxation on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities 130 (387) (432) Retained (loss)/profit for the period (498) 730 1,150 (Loss)/earnings per share (4.2p) 6.3p 9.8p Consolidated balance sheet (Unaudited) 30th June 2003 30th June 2002 31st December 2002 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 12,411 14,223 13,856 Investments 588 622 600 12,999 14,845 14,456 Investments in joint ventures: Share of gross assets 4,560 3,131 3,142 Share of gross liabilities (3,449) (2,379) (2,385) 1,111 752 757 14,110 15,597 15,213 Current assets Stock and work in progress 11,841 9,368 8,720 Amounts recoverable on contracts 3,614 5,003 2,812 Debtors 11,136 11,377 12,567 Cash at bank and in hand 4,619 4,043 4,571 31,210 29,791 28,670 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (25,878) (25,362) (23,698) Net current assets 5,332 4,429 4,972 Total assets less current liabilities 19,442 20,026 20,185 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (2,459) (2,837) (2,667) Provisions for liabilities and charges (191) 0 (191) Net assets excluding pension liability 16,792 17,189 17,327 Pension liability (13,738) (7,192) (12,559) Net assets including pension liability 3,054 9,997 4,768 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,293 1,293 1,293 Share premium 1,864 1,864 1,864 Capital redemption reserve 132 132 132 Profit and loss account (235) 6,708 1,479 Shareholders' funds 3,054 9,997 4,768 Summary consolidated cashflow statement (Unaudited) Six months to 30th Six months to 30th Twelve months to June 2003 June 2002 31st December 2002 £000 £000 £000 Operating (loss)/profit (870) 495 468 Depreciation on tangible fixed assets 1,681 1,291 2,946 Difference between pension charge and cash contributions (293) (953) (942) Profit on sale of fixed assets (172) (25) (121) Movement in working capital 1,743 (1,624) (172) Net cashflow from operating activities 2,089 (816) 2,179 Net cashflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (97) (154) (191) Taxation 169 (162) (326) Net cashflow from capital expenditure and financial investment 625 503 810 Net cashflow before financing 2,786 (629) 2,472 Net cashflow from financing (1,183) 404 (873) Increase/(decrease) in cash 1,603 (225) 1,599 Notes 1. Reconciliation of net cashflow to movement in net funds/(debt) Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 1,603 (225) 1,599 Net cashflow on bank loans 186 (1,106) (900) Cash outflow on finance leases 997 702 1,773 Change in net debt resulting from cashflows 2,786 (629) 2,472 Inception of finance leases (677) (1,150) (2,381) Movement in net debt in the period 2,109 (1,779) 91 Net debt at start of period (2,057) (2,148) (2,148) Net funds/(debt) at end of period 52 (3,927) (2,057) 2. Analysis of net funds/(debt) Cash at bank and in hand 4,619 4,043 4,571 Bank overdrafts 0 (2,851) (1,555) 4,619 1,192 3,016 Bank loans (1,676) (2,068) (1,862) Finance leases (2,891) (3,051) (3,211) Net funds/(debt) 52 (3,927) (2,057) 3. Gearing 0% 23% 12% Statement of total recognised gains and losses (Unaudited) Six months to 30th Six months to 30th Twelve months to June 2003 June 2002 31st December 2002 £000 £000 £000 (Loss)/profit for the period (498) 730 1,150 Actuarial loss recognised in the pension schemes (1,825) (3,494) (11,427) Movement on deferred tax relating to pension liability 521 679 2,979 Current tax relating to pension liability 88 286 270 Total recognised losses for the period (1,714) (1,799) (7,028) Note Actuarial loss recognised in the pension schemes Actual return less expected return on pension 662 (4,343) (9,909) scheme assets Experience gains and losses arising on the scheme 35 849 175 liabilities Changes in assumptions underlying the present (2,522) 0 (1,693) value of the scheme liabilities (1,825) (3,494) (11,427) Notes: 1. The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2003 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 30 June 2002 are unaudited and have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2002 and have been approved by the Board. This financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2002 received an unqualified audit report and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Earnings per ordinary share have been calculated on the basis of profit for the period after tax, divided by the weighted average of ordinary shares in issue in the period, excluding those held in the ESOP Trust, of 11,801,058. The comparatives are calculated by reference to the weighted average of shares in issue which were 11,596,644 for the period to 30 June 2002 and 11,778,408 for the year ended 31 December 2002. 3. This statement is being sent to the shareholders of the Company and will be available at the Company's Registered Office at Amco House, 25 Moorgate Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 2AD. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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