Interim Results

Character Group PLC 24 April 2007 Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd, Birmingham Date: Tuesday, 24 April 2007 Embargoed: 7.00am The Character Group plc Interim Results for the six months ended 28 February 2007 Highlights • Continuing Business (Toys, Games and Gifts) 6 months to 6 months to 28 February 2007 28 February 2006 £m £m Turnover 56.0 40.7 Operating profit 6.6 3.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings per share - basic 10.05p 5.69p -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • Dividend Interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share, an increase of 21.2% over last year (2006 1.65 pence). This dividend is covered approximately 5 times by earnings • Cash at Bank on 28 February 2007 was £11.86 million (2006: £10.3 million). This is after taking account of share buy-backs undertaken during the period totalling £3.4 million • New Licences Secured include: The Master Licence for the Sarah Jane Adventures TV Series (as a spin-off from the Doctor Who series) Pan European Master Toy Contract for Dork Hunters from Outer Space • New Products include: Doctor Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Helmet Spidersapien, a fusion of Spiderman 3 and our 2005 award winning Robosapien, which is expected to be our lead line for our range of Spiderman 3 toys • New Ranges include: Bindeez Movin' & Groovin' Flowers This Is Me (a new range of soft body dolls) Dragonfly Roboquad (our new Robotic introductions) • Toy of the Year accolade for Doctor Who Cyberman Helmet 'Taking into account the on-going strong demand for our continuing lines and our new introductions, we are very excited about our prospects and expect to see further exciting growth as we continue to build our existing brands and develop new ones.' Richard King, Chairman FULL STATEMENT ATTACHED Enquiries: Richard King, Chairman Richard Thompson Kiran Shah, Group Finance Director & Joint MD Fiona Tooley, Director Philip Davies The Character Group plc Citigate Dewe Rogerson Charles Stanley Securities Tel: +44 (0) 20 8949 5898 Tel: +44 (0) 121 455 8370 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7149 6000 Mobile: +44 (0) 7836 250150 (RK) Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 703523 Mobile: +44 (0) 7956 278522 (KS) -2- The Character Group plc Interim Results for the six months ended 28 February 2007 STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN, RICHARD KING Introduction As we indicated in our trading updates on 31 January and 23 March 2007, Group sales and profitability have been substantially ahead of last year, exceeding Management's original budgets and expectations for the period. This very creditable performance has been achieved through increased exposure and brand support by our major trade partners and we believe also reflects our strategic focus in the on-going development of our own range of exciting, innovative products which meet the market's needs and consumer demand. Product Review The Group is fortunate to have within its product portfolio its strongest range of toys and games to date, and we are very encouraged by the demand at retail for the Group's products. We are very pleased to say that the trend of our recent strong trading has continued with encouraging reactions to our new and existing ranges coming from the trade in general and specifically from all our major customers. Looking at the range, shareholders will be pleased to learn that Character has been very successful in building brands such as Peppa Pig, Disney Princess, Scooby Doo, GR8 Art, and the new launches of Dragonfly and Movin' & Groovin' Flowers as well as the highly successful Dr Who product line which is probably the hottest boys range for 2007. Looking ahead, new to our offering under our Spiderman 3 licence, we have developed Spidersapien, a fusion of Spiderman 3 and our 2005 award winning Robosapien, which is expected to be our lead line for our range of Spiderman 3 toys. Also, we believe the biggest Doctor Who toy this Christmas will be the Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Helmet. Shareholders may have witnessed in last Saturday evening's episode of Doctor Who, the Dalek Sec coming out of his iron shell and the mutant inside taking on a human form, thus becoming a 'hybrid'. The Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Helmet developed by Character is yet to be released to retail but we expect it to be one of the most popular products in the range which include the Cyberman Voice Changer which won 2006 Toy of the Year Award and the Best Boys Toy Concept of the year award for Doctor Who. With the Doctor Who Series 3 just released, we expect further growth in the brand and our range in particular. We are also to be undertaking another project with BBC Worldwide relating to the television programme The Sarah Jane Adventures, which has developed as a spin-off from the Doctor Who series and which we believe will be very successful in its own right. Taking into account the on-going strong demand for our continuing lines and our new introductions, we are very excited about our prospects and expect to see further exciting growth as we continue to build our existing brands and develop new ones. continued... -3- Financials Based on continuing activities, in the six months ended 28 February 2007, turnover increased 37.6% to £56.03 million from £40.72 million, whilst operating profits, on the same basis, were up approximately 80% from £3.67 million to £6.59 million. The Group's profit before tax increased from £2.96 million to £6.3 million. Basic earnings per share in the period were 10.05 pence, against 5.04 pence in the comparable six months in 2006. Cash at bank on 28 February 2007 was £11.86 million (2006: £10.3 million). This is after taking account of share buy-backs undertaken during the period of £3.4 million and £0.95 million proceeds from sale of treasury shares. Stocks at the six-month period end were £5.4 million compared to £10.7 million at last year-end of 31 August 2006; this clearly reflects the very successful Autumn/Winter trading period for the Group. Dividend In light of these strong results and to further underpin the Board's confidence in the Group's portfolio of product and the anticipated outcome for the remainder of the year, the Directors have declared an interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share, an increase of 21.2% over last year (2006 1.65 pence). This dividend is covered approximately 5 times by earnings. The interim dividend will be paid on 25 May 2007, to Shareholders on the Register as at 4 May 2007. The ex-dividend date is 2 May 2007. Share Buy-Backs During the six months under review, the Group purchased 3,470,322 ordinary shares in the Company at an aggregate price of £3.4 million and an average price of 97.2 pence. This represents approximately 7.24% of the issued share capital of the Company as at 1 September 2006 (excluding shares held in treasury). As at 1 September 2006, 1,125,000 ordinary shares in the Company were held in treasury. Of the shares purchased by the Company in the period under review, 754,322 were purchased to be held in treasury and the balance for cancellation. In the period, 775,000 shares were sold by the Company from treasury at a price of 123.5 pence per share. The Directors continue to focus on ways to enhance shareholder value further through our on-going plans to implement a progressive dividend policy, whilst at the same time monitoring the position in the market with a view to continuing to buy-back shares for treasury and cancellation, when considered appropriate. As at 20 April 2007, the Group had 45,619,837 ordinary shares in issue excluding 979,322 ordinary shares held in treasury, compared with the position as at 28 February 2006 when there were 52,830,909 shares in issue and no shares held in treasury. Update relating to the Discontinued Digital Products Division In our trading update to Shareholders on 23 March 2007, we made reference to two matters that remained unresolved following the sale of the Group's Digital business in February 2006. continued... -4- With regard to the action against Petters Consumer Electronics LLC ('Petters'), our subsidiary World Wide Licenses Limited ('WWL') issued proceedings in Delaware, USA and served process on Petters in March 2007. Petters has failed to file a defence within the prescribed time and WWL has now filed a motion for default in those proceedings. In relation to our claim against Flextronics Sales & Marketing (A-P) Limited, we are in discussions which we hope will lead to a satisfactory conclusion. Although we do not believe that either of these matters will have any material impact on the on-going business of the Group, which continues to go from strength to strength, our intention is vigorously to pursue them through the appropriate channels. Current Trading and Prospects The Group expects demand to remain strong for both its continuing ranges and new introductions. Taking this into account, coupled with the strength of our product portfolio, the Board is confident that the business shall continue to achieve further sustainable growth for the foreseeable future. -5- The Character Group plc CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Notes 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 28 February 31 August 2007 2006 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) restated (note 1) £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover - continuing 56,026 40,718 69,546 - discontinued - 25,851 25,986 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56,026 66,569 95,532 Cost of sales (33,692) (49,735) (66,543) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit 22,334 16,834 28,989 Net operating expenses Selling and distribution costs (7,262) (7,477) (11,737) Administration expenses (8,501) (8,468) (13,894) Other operating income 18 204 261 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating profit/(loss) - continuing 6,589 3,667 6,912 - discontinued - (2,574) (3,293) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating profit 6,589 1,093 3,619 Exceptional item - discontinued activity -------------------------------------- Gain before goodwill write back - 4,300 4,053 Goodwill charge - (1,897) (1,897) ---------------------------------------- - 2,403 2,156 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit on ordinary activities before interest 6,589 3,496 5,775 Interest (293) (538) (644) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 6,296 2,958 5,131 Taxation 2 (1,675) (308) (2,139) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 4,621 2,650 2,992 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings/(loss) per share 5 Basic - continuing 10.05p 5.69p 8.49p - discontinued - (0.65p) (2.56p) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10.05p 5.04p 5.93p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - fully diluted 9.81p 5.02p 5.77p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividend per share 2.00p 1.65p 3.3p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA 6,873 3,888 7,456 (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 28 February 31 August 2007 2006 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial period 4,621 2,650 2,992 Currency translation differences on foreign net investment 8 122 18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial period 4,629 2,772 3,010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -6- The Character Group plc CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET Note 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 28 February 31 August 2007 2006 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 restated £'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 300 624 400 Tangible assets 1,534 1,553 1,609 Investments 2 2 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,836 2,179 2,011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current assets Stocks 5,404 8,667 10,671 -------------------------------------------- Trade debtors subject to finance arrangements 4,766 5,223 11,813 Factor advances (4,264) (3,685) (6,275) -------------------------------------------- 502 1,538 5,538 Trade and other debtors 4,852 8,155 9,474 Cash at bank and in hand 11,860 10,298 7,369 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22,618 28,658 33,052 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (10,980) (15,675) (23,324) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net current assets 11,638 12,983 9,728 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total assets less current liabilities 13,474 15,162 11,739 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets 13,474 15,162 11,739 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital and reserves Called up share capital 2,329 2,642 2,452 Shares held in treasury (635) - (665) Investment in own shares (908) (908) (908) Capital redemption reserve 385 40 243 Share premium account 12,517 11,821 11,917 Share based payment reserve 192 - 68 Merger reserve 651 651 651 Profit and loss account 3 (1,057) 916 (2,019) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity shareholders' funds 13,474 15,162 11,739 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -7- The Character Group plc CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Notes 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 28 February 31 August 2007 2006 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash flow from operating activities 6 8,150 4,101 5,995 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest paid (net) (293) (538) (644) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash outflow for returns on investments and servicing of finance (293) (538) (644) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taxation (240) (458) (228) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (132) (658) (876) Sale of tangible fixed assets 19 432 397 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and financial investment (113) (226) (479) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acquisitions and disposals Sale of business - exceptional item - 4,143 3,178 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity dividend paid (733) (473) (1,258) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash inflow before use of liquid resources and financing 6,771 6,549 6,564 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares held in treasury (including expenses) (472) - (672) Disposal of shares held in treasury (net) 952 - - Issue of new shares 169 1 110 Purchase of own shares (2,929) - (2,381) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (2,280) 1 (2,943) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase in cash in the period 7 4,491 6,550 3,621 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Decrease in net debt in the period 8 4,491 6,550 3,621 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -8- The Character Group plc NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1 BASIS OF PREPARATION The financial information for the six months ended 28 February 2007 has not been audited, nor has the financial information for the six months ended 28 February 2006. However, the interim report includes a review report signed by the auditors. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 August 2006 do not constitute the company's statutory accounts for that year, but have been extracted from the statutory accounts filed with the Registrar of Companies, and which carried an unqualified audit report. The report has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards on a consistent basis using the accounting policies that will be applied in the 2007 Annual Report. This has led to the adoption of FRS 20 Share Based Payment, as described below. FRS20: Share Based Payment During the period the Group adopted FRS 20 'Share Based Payment' which applies to AIM listed companies for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2006. The fair value of employee share option plans is measured at the date of grant of the option using a binomial valuation model taking into account the terms and conditions under which the option was granted. The fair value determined is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period based upon the Group's estimate of the number of shares that will vest. The charge in respect of the share based payments is matched by an equal and opposite adjustment to profit and loss reserves, thereby having no net impact on the Group's closing reserves. The adoption of FRS 20 has resulted in a change in accounting policy for share based payments. A prior year adjustment has been made to the financial information for the year ended 31 August 2006 as detailed below: 6 months 6 months 12 months ended ended ended 28 February 2007 28 February 2006 31 August 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Charge for share based payment 124 - 68 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Group has taken advantage of the transitional provisions of FRS 20 in respect of the fair value of equity settled awards so as to apply FRS 20 only to those equity settled awards granted after 7 November 2002 that had not vested before 1 September 2006. 2 TAXATION The tax charge for the half year is estimated on the basis of the anticipated tax rates applying for the full year. continued... -9- 3 PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT £'000 At 1 September 2006 as previously reported (1,951) Share based payment (68) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At 1 September 2006 restated (2,019) Exchange difference 8 Profit after tax for the period 4,621 Dividends (733) Shares cancelled and capitalised (2,934) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At 28 February 2007 (1,057) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The profit and loss account for prior periods is restated in accordance with FRS 20 as follows: 6 months 12 months ended ended 28 February 2006 31 August 2006 (unaudited) £'000 £'000 At 31 August 2006 as previously reported 2,650 3,060 Share Based Payment - (68) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit and loss account restated 2,650 2,992 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 DIVIDENDS The interim dividend declared for the six months ended 28 February 2007 is 2.00 pence per ordinary share and is expected to be paid on 25 May 2007 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on 4 May 2007. This dividend was declared after 28 February 2007 and the liability of £906,000 has not been recognised in the interim results in accordance with FRS21. The interim dividend paid for the six months ended 28 February 2006 was 1.65 pence per ordinary share and the final dividend paid for the year ended 31 August 2006 was 1.65 pence per ordinary share, making a total of 3.3 pence per ordinary share. continued... -10- 5 EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings per share have been calculated in accordance with FRS 22 Earnings per share. The calculations are based on the following: 6 months to 28 February 2007 Profit Weighted Pence after taxation average per share £ number of ordinary shares Basic earnings per share 4,620,545 45,980,878 10.05 Impact of share options - 1,140,385 (0.24) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted earnings per share 4,620,545 47,121,263 9.81 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 months to 28 February 2006 Basic earnings per share 2,650,000 52,543,290 5.04 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Impact of share options - 206,512 (0.02) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted earnings per share 2,650,000 52,749,802 5.02 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 months to 31 August 2006 Basic earnings per share 2,992,000 51,629,312 5.80 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Impact of share options - 221,975 (0.03) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted earnings per share 2,992,000 51,851,287 5.77 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 2007 28 February 2006 31 August 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 restated £'000 Operating profit 6,589 1,093 3,619 Depreciation, impairment and amortisation 284 392 774 Share Based Payment 124 - 68 (Profit)/Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets (3) 161 168 Decrease/(increase) in stocks 5,267 1,143 (861) Decrease in debtors 8,137 15,260 8,411 (Decrease) in creditors (12,256) (14,070) (6,225) Exchange differences 8 122 41 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 8,150 4,101 5,995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECONCILIATION OF EXCEPTIONAL PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM EXCEPTIONAL ITEM 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 2007 28 February 2006 31 August 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Exceptional profit - 2,403 2,156 Write back of goodwill previously written off - 1,897 1,897 (Increase) in debtor - (1,027) (948) Increase in creditors - 870 73 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash inflow from exceptional item - 4,143 3,178 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- continued... -11- 7 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 28 February 2007 28 February 2006 31 August 2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Increase in cash in the period 4,491 6,550 3,621 Net debt at 1 September 2006 7,369 3,748 3,748 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt at 28 February 2007 11,860 10,298 7,369 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT Cash at bank and in hand £'000 1 September 2005 3,748 Cash flow 6,550 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 February 2006 10,298 Cash flow (2,929) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 August 2006 7,369 Cash flow 4,491 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 February 2006 11,860 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 A copy of the interim results will be posted to shareholders. Further copies will be available from the Company's Office: 2nd Floor, 86-88 Coombe Road, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4QS or info@charactergroup.plc.uk or character@citigatedr.co.uk and will be posted on the Company's website at www.thecharacter.com. -12- INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 28 February 2007, which comprises the consolidated profit and loss account, the consolidated statement of recognised gains and losses, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated cash flow statement and the notes to the accounts. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the Company for the purposes of its interim report. We do not, therefore, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. Directors' Responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The AIM Rules require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those that will be adopted in the annual accounts having regard to the accounting standards applicable to such annual accounts, except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. Review Work Performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review Conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 28 February 2007. HLB Vantis Audit plc Chartered Accountants London 23 April 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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