Final Results

Christie Group PLC 4 April 2001 Christie Group plc Preliminary Results for the year to 31 December 2000 - Progress on strategic aims and increased organic growth investment despite weaker technology market - Continued European expansion, with Spanish office opened - Stronger second half with new business wins - Continued advances with online initiatives - Dividend maintained Overview The year 2000 saw the Group make progress in its strategic aims, and although profits were affected by weaker demand for technology services, there was increased investment for future organic growth. The Group's second half performance was substantially better than the first. Turnover for the year was £40.1 million, up from £35.2 million in 1999, including 41 weeks' contribution from new acquisitions of £6.3 million. Operating profits were £1.8 million (1999 - £3.4 million). Losses included in the above relating to the start-up of new activities (including the three overseas Christie & Co offices opened from 1998 onwards) increased from £0.4 million in 1999 to £1.8 million in 2000, on a turnover increasing from £1.8 million in 1999 to £2.3 million, leaving established businesses before start-up losses at £3.6 million operating profit against £3.8 million in 1999. Our expectation is that losses from these new activities for 2001 will be significantly lower. We have continued to grow the Group and to fulfil our international ambitions through the acquisition of a Paris based IT company, Groupe Timeless SA, and the continued opening of European business agency offices. Substantial strategic progress was achieved in the development of new complementary services and products across the leisure, retail and care sectors, and the profitable use of our own branded websites. The directors propose an unchanged final dividend of 1.5p (1999 - 1.5p) bringing the dividend for the year to 2.5p (1999 - 2.5p) per share. We continue to attract a very high calibre of staff and benefit from their skills and enthusiasm. Outlook The year to date has seen performance across all business segments ahead of last year. However, we are mindful of issues currently facing the UK's rural economy, and of reported slowness affecting both overseas and domestic tourism, which could yet have an impact on the outcome for the year. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF UNAUDITED RESULTS UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 Notes Continuing Acquisition 2000 1999 Total £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 1 33,846 6,258 40,104 35,161 Staff costs (16,728) (2,729) (19,457) (14,625) (15,784) (3,061) (18,845) (17,092) Other operating charges 2 500 - 500 - Exceptional item - (460) (460) - Goodwill amortisation Operating profit 1 1,834 8 1,842 3,444 Net interest (147) 1 (146) 53 Profit on ordinary 1,687 9 1,696 3,497 activities before tax Tax on profit on ordinary (658) (1,218) activities Profit on ordinary 1,038 2,279 activities after tax Dividends 3 (646) (608) Retained profit for the 392 1,671 year Earnings per share 4 4.12p 9.42p Earnings per share - 4 4.04p 9.28p fully diluted All amounts derive from continuing activities. UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 2000 1999 £000 £000 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 1,038 2,279 Gain on foreign currency translation - 14 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 1,038 2,293 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000 2000 1999 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 2,992 2,778 Intangible assets 5,553 247 8,545 3,025 Current assets Stock 448 207 Debtors 9,876 7,785 Cash at bank and in hand 2,687 3,318 13,011 11,310 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year (9,713) (7,969) Net current assets 3,298 3,341 Total assets less current liabilities 11,843 6,366 Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year (3,274) (150) Net assets 8,569 6,216 Capital and Reserves Called up share capital 509 487 Share premium 3,696 3,653 Merger reserve 1,896 - Profit and loss account 2,468 2,076 Shareholders' funds - equity interests 8,569 6,216 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 2000 1999 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,490 4,273 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (146) 53 Taxation paid (1,010) (1,240) Capital expenditure (1,039) (1,094) Acquisitions (4,923) (331) Equity dividends paid (629) (601) Cash(outflow)/inflow before financing (4,257) 1,060 Financing 3,420 (158) (Decrease)/increase in cash in the year (837) 902 Notes to the preliminary statement of unaudited results: 1. Segmental Information 2000 2000 2000 1999 1999 1999 Turnover Operating Net Turnover Operating Net Profit/ assets Profit assets (loss) £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Professional Business 22,919 2,430 4,395 23,275 2,587 1,953 Services Information Systems and 17,185 (588) 1,087 11,886 857 1,789 Services Total 40,104 1,842 5,482 35,161 3,444 3,742 Cash 2,687 3,318 Dividends proposed (378) (365) Other 778 (479) Net assets 8,569 6,216 The turnover of Information Systems Services for the year ended 31 December 2000 includes £6,258,000 in respect of Groupe Timeless SA. Groupe Timeless SA contributed £468,000 to operating profit before goodwill amortisation. 2. Exceptional Item The exceptional item represents amounts accrued in prior years no longer required. 3. Dividend A final dividend of 1.5p (1999 - 1.5p) per Ordinary Share has been proposed, which is in addition to the interim dividend of 1.0p (1999 - 1.0p). The ex-dividend date is 16 May, the record date 18 May and the date payable 15 June 2001. 4. Earnings per Share 2000 1999 Earnings per Share Profit attributable to shareholders - £000 1,038 2,279 Average number of ordinary shares of 2p each 25,209,226 24,195,511 in issue during the year Earnings per Share - fully diluted Profit attributable to shareholders - £000 1,038 2,279 Average number of ordinary shares of 2p each in issue during the year after allowing for the exercise of outstanding share options 25,693,929 24,558,493 5. The financial information set out above does not comprise the Company's statutory accounts. The Company's auditors have not as yet reported on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000 nor have such accounts been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The results for the period ended 31 December 1999 have been abridged from the published group accounts for which an unqualified audit report was issued and did not contain any statements under Section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985 and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 6. The Report and Accounts are scheduled to be posted to shareholders in early May. The Annual General Meeting of the Company is scheduled to take place at 10.00 am on Thursday 7June 2001 at: 50 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0NW Enquiries: Christie Group 020 7227 0707 Philip Gwyn, Chairman David Rugg, Chief Executive Robert Zenker, Finance Director Brunswick 020 7404 5959 Charlotte Elston or Michael Webster Web site www.christiegroup.com Christie Group plc Professional Business Services Business sales and valuations, quality assurance and improvements, financial services: Christie & Co The leading firm of independent surveyors, valuers and agents specialising in the leisure, care and retail sectors. International operations based in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Barcelona. Offices throughout the UK with valuation and agency teams focused on its key sectors. Pinders Professional & Consultancy Services The UK's leading independent specialist business appraisal company, undertaking valuations, consultancy and professional services for a broad range of clients in the leisure, care and retail sectors. Quest for Quality Specialises in providing a full range of consultancy services for the long-term care industry. Quest for Quality has contracts with clients in both the private and 'not-for-profit' sectors. These range from small operators to high-profile owners of multi-million pound developments. RCC The market leader in finance and insurance for the leisure, care and retail sectors. Services include finance for business purchase or re-financing arranged in conjunction with major financial institutions, and tailored insurance schemes. Information Systems and Services EPoS and head office systems, stock and inventory control: Venners Leading supplier of stocktaking and inventory services to the hospitality and retail sectors. Proprietary software and up-to-date technology enables on-site problem investigation and direct provision of data to clients' management information systems. VCS Timeless Specialists in enterprise (ERP) management and EPoS systems in retail (including fashion, sports and speciality sectors) and leisure and hospitality (including cinemas, hotels and restaurants) with particular emphasis on touchscreen and kiosk solutions on a national and international basis. Designers of web-based management solutions. ******
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