Interim Results

4Less Group plc (The) 23 November 2005 The 4Less Group plc. 160 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1HW Tel. 020 7594 0584 Fax. 020 7534 0560 www.the4lessgroup.com The 4Less Group Plc Interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2005 Key Points . The Group returned to profitability with a profit before tax of £2,000 compared to a loss of £476,000 before tax in the comparable period in 2004. . Administration costs have been reduced by almost £850,000 to £1.4 million from £2.3 million in the comparable period in 2004. . Net cash of £0.4m (2004: £1.2m). . There is a clear focus on the Group's core businesses. Contacts The 4Less Group Plc 020 7594 0515 Eric Peacock, Chairman Richard Collier, Chief Executive Corporate Synergy Plc 020 7448 4400 Justin Lewis Oliver Cairns Chairman's Statement The 6 month period to 30 September 2005 has been characterised by management changes and by significant on-going investment in the core businesses. The break-even position at September is considered satisfactory in the context of the pre-tax loss of £476,000 for the comparable period last year and the pre-tax loss of £968,000 for the year ended March 2005. Interims For the 6 months ended 30 September 2005 the Group made a profit before tax of £1,617 (2004: Loss £475,887) on a turnover of £168m (2004: £181m). As at 30 September 2005 the Group had gross cash balances of £5.1m of which £0.4m represented cash resources available to the Group. Review At the end of March 2005 the trade finance division was closed and the Car Finance Company sold to Charles McLeod, a non-executive director. In the period under review, the Group has concentrated on its core businesses which are the provision of specialist foreign exchange services for retail and corporate customers, the provision of overseas mortgages, insurance products primarily for the owners of overseas properties, and the provision of services to facilitate regular payments to cover mortgages, pensions and other payments. A number of board changes have taken place following the restructuring of the business. Charles McLeod became a non-executive director with effect from 1 April 2005. On 15 August 2005 David Haddon was appointed executive marketing director and James Corsellis resigned from his position as non-executive director. On 26 September 2005 Richard Collier was appointed Chief Executive Officer in place of Nigel Paul, who resigned from the Board. I would like to offer my thanks to James for his contribution over the years, and to Nigel whose services were invaluable to us during the difficulties that we experienced over the last year. Outlook The business environment is becoming increasingly competitive and, although reliable statistics are difficult to obtain, various commentators have pointed to a 30 per cent decline in the number of overseas property acquisitions. Nonetheless, the Currency Division is performing admirably in a highly competitive market and it continues to provide significant savings to the medium size corporations, individuals and introducers who use our services. I am delighted that, following its restructuring, the Property Finance Division is performing above target. We have entered into a number of agreements with overseas banks, highly reputable financial institutions, Independent Financial Advisor groups and Real Estate Property Services Groups. Coupled with the Group's ability to facilitate regular overseas payment plans and overseas insurance, the Group provides a completely integrated financial services solution for clients who are looking to purchase, or who already own properties overseas. The Company will require further investment in its core businesses including customer relationship management, innovative online registration and related compliance systems, and technology across all the divisions. This investment is being expensed and by year end we will have incurred in excess of some £200,000 in infrastructure and marketing investment. We are confident that our concentration on our core activities coupled with the fresh marketing and management initiatives will enable the Group to increase its market share and maintain its highly professional service in the market place. However the Group believes that the benefit from the investment and the anticipated returns will only be fully felt in the next financial year. Given this £200,000 investment in the future of the Company and that the period from December to March are seasonally poor trading periods, we anticipate that the results for the full year to 31 March 2006 will be a loss but very much less than that incurred in the comparative period last year and that we will have a satisfactory cash position. As can be seen from the results, we have much to do but the turn-around from the position last year is encouraging, and the benefits of our new investment should be seen in the financial year commencing in April 2006. Eric Peacock Chairman 23 November 2005 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Six months ended Six months ended Twelve months ended 30th September 2005 30th September 2004 31st March 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) TURNOVER Continuing Operations 168,017,316 181,047,698 355,048,877 Discontinued 0 102,852 184,403 168,017,316 181,150,550 335,233,280 Cost of sales Continuing Operations (166,645,459) (179,390,777) (332,166,149) Discontinued Operations 0 (6,717) (38,525) (166,645,459) (179,397,494) (332,204,674) GROSS PROFIT Continuing Operations 1,371,857 1,656,921 2,882,728 Discontinued Operations 0 96,135 145,878 1,371,857 1,753,056 3,028,606 Administrative expenses Continuing Operations (1,483,755) (2,188,806) (3,628,056) Discontinued Operations 0 (142,095) (412,699) (1,483,755) (2,330,901) (4,040,755) OPERATING (LOSS) Continuing Operations (111,898) (531,885) (745,328) Discontinued Operations 0 (45,960) (266,821) (111,898) (577,845) (1,012,149) Interest receivable and similar income Continuing Operations 113,845 101,779 208,737 Discontinued Operations 0 1,765 4,499 113,845 103,544 213,236 Interest payable and similar charges Continuing Operations (330) (1,573) (5,511) Discontinued Operations 0 (13) (13) (330) (1,586) (5,524) 1,617 (475,887) (804,437) EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS Profit on sale of 0 0 35,269 subsidiary Reorganisation 0 0 (199,221) PROFIT / (LOSS) BEFORE INTEREST & TAX 1,617 (475,887) (968,389) TAXATION 0 (68,000) (85,221) PROFIT / (LOSS) FOR THE 1,617 (407,887) (883,168) PERIOD (Loss) / Earnings per share 0.02p (5.26)p (11.23)p - basic - diluted 0.02p (4.83)p (11.23)p CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET At 30th September 2005 At 30th September 2004 At 31st March 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) FIXED ASSETS Tangible Investments 178,583 285,688 247,084 178,583 285,688 247,084 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 627,938 983,853 597,393 Cash at Bank 5,139,656 7,148,455 5,594,089 5,767,594 8,132,308 6,191,482 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year (5,104,123) (7,102,280) (5,598,128) NET CURRENT ASSETS 663,471 1,030,028 593,354 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 842,054 1,315,716 840,438 CREDITORS: amounts falling due after one year 0 0 0 NET ASSETS 842,054 1,315,716 840,438 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 79,762 79,762 79,762 Share premium account 1,414,187 1,414,187 1,414,187 Profit and loss account (651,895) (178,233) (653,511) EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS 842,054 1,315,716 840,438 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Six months ended Six months ended Twelve months ended 30th September 2005 30th September 2004 31st March 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash (outflow) Operating loss (111,898) (577,845) (1,012,149) Reorganisation costs 0 0 (199,221) Disposal of assets to 0 0 10,896 subsidiary Depreciation of tangible 75,097 77,910 157,333 fixed assets Increase in debtors (30,545) (375,634) 49,917 Decrease in creditors (494,006) (1,207,930) (2,556,248) Net cash (outflow) from operating activities (561,352) (2,083,499) (3,549,472) CASH FLOW STATEMENT Net cash (outflow) from operating activities (561,352) (2,083,498) (3,549,472) Returns of investment & servicing of finance 113,515 101,958 207,712 Taxation 0 68,000 0 Capital expenditure (6,596) (64,082) (121,231) Disposal of subsidiary 0 0 (68,998) Cash (outflow) before (454,433) (1,977,623) (3,531,989) financing Financing: Proceeds of AIM 0 1,700,000 1,700,000 flotation Less associated costs of 0 (418,285) (418,285) flotation (Decrease) in cash for (454,433) (695,908) (2,250,274) the period Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds (Decrease) in cash in (454,433) (695,908) (2,250,274) the period Change in net funds (454,433) (695,908) (2,250,274) Net funds at 1 April 5,594,089 7,844,363 7,844,363 2005 Net funds at 30 5,139,656 7,148,455 5,594,089 September 2005 1. Nature of Information The interim accounts for the six months ended 30 September 2005 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 30 September 2004 are unaudited. The comparative figures for the twelve months ended 31 March 2005 are not the Company's statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 but are abridged from such accounts which have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on such accounts was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Sections 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. The interim accounts and the Comparative figures are prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the accounts of the Group for the twelve months ended 31 March 2005. 2. Segmental Information NB: The discontinued businesses consist of the FLG Corporate Services division of The 4Less Group Plc which ceased operating, and www.Car-Finance4Less.com Ltd, which was sold, both with effect from 31 March 2005. An analysis of turnover and profit before tax by class of business is given below: Six months ended Six months ended Twelve months ended 30th September 2005 30th September 2004 31st March 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Turnover Continuing Operations: Provision of foreign 167,950,580 180,886,129 334,900,534 currency Arranging property 50,672 157,881 141,452 finance Arranging of insurance 16,064 3,688 6,891 168,017,316 181,047,698 335,048,877 Discontinued Operations: Arranging car finance 0 90,013 161,440 Arranging trade finance 0 12,839 22,963 0 102,852 184,403 Total Turnover 168,017,316 181,150,550 335,233,280 All turnover arose within the United Kingdom Profit / (Loss) before tax Continuing Operations: Provision of foreign 59,504 (369,592) (461,435) currency Arranging property (56,079) (6,895) (131,041) finance Arranging of insurance (1,808) (55,205) (61,905) 1,617 (431,692) (654,381) Discontinued Operations: Arranging car finance 0 15,357 (110,038) Arranging trade finance 0 (59,552) (203,970) 0 (44,195) (314,008) Total Profit / (Loss) 1,617 (475,887) (968,389) before tax 3. Taxation Based on the results of the period, the Group believe that no provision for taxation is required. 4. Earnings Per Share Both basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are based on a profit after tax of £1,617 (March 2005: Loss after tax £883,168 - September 2004: Loss after tax £407,887). The basic earnings per share has been calculated on a weighted average of 7,976,183 (March 2005: 7,867,507 - September 2004: 7,759,425) ordinary shares in issue. Diluted earnings and loss per share is calculated on the same basis as basic earnings and loss per share because the average market price of the shares for the six month period was below the option price of the shares. For September 2004 the diluted loss per share was calculated on a weighted average of 8,436,300 of ordinary shares in issue and the dilutive potential ordinary shares from options and warrants. Copies of this interim announcement will be available from the Company's registered office, 160 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1HW. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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