Final Results

Christie Group PLC 03 April 2003 CHRISTIE GROUP PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2002 HIGHLIGHTS • Pre-tax profits up 57% to £1.95 million (2001: £1.25 million) • Turnover increased by 6% to £46.5 million (2001: £43.8 million) • eps more than doubles to 3.06p (2001: 1.39p) • Christie & Co records its highest level of business sales activity for a decade • The acquisition of Orridge added 156 years' stocktaking experience to our growing portfolio of services and gives the Group a stocktaking foothold in mainland Europe • VcsTimeless Hospitality software solutions introduces its computerised admissions system for theme parks and visitor attractions • Over 40 new contracts for VcsTimeless Retail software *** Chairman's Statement I can report another year of progress. Pre-tax profits at £1.95 million were an increase of 57% on prior year with turnover increased by 6% to £ 46.5 million. Losses in our new business areas, namely our European Agency operations and our software solutions business, mask the fact that our established businesses collectively achieved record profits. The Board recommends a maintained final dividend for the year of 1.5p (2001: 1.5p). As shareholders are aware, it is our strategy to extend our activities, either in geographical or product terms, in order to achieve a satisfactory level of long-term growth. We continue to believe these aims are justified. At the year end, we purchased the stocktaking business of Orridge & Co, which, as the largest UK retail stocktaker, complements our Venners' licensed trade stocktaking business and gives us the most substantial UK businesses in these areas. It also brings with it a profitable European operation based in Brussels. The Group now has substantial platforms in stocktaking, information technology and business agency, together with its associated professional and financial skills, all of which are capable of further development. Since August 2001 we have undertaken substantial management reorganisations in both the Hospitality and Retail software solutions businesses. These moves are already showing benefits and the Retail business has returned to profit in the first periods of 2003. After adding the Orridge acquisition, the Group now has sales running at an annualised rate in excess of £55 million and more than 1,000 full-time employees. This has been achieved from a level of £17 million in March 1996 and represents a 19% per annum cumulative growth rate over that near seven-year period. Our gearing remains at a relatively modest 13%. This growth has been achieved largely from our own resources and the net increase in issued share capital over that entire period (mainly through the exercise of staff share options) has amounted to only 4%. During the year we used £236,000 of shareholders' funds to buy in shares in the market and advanced £278,000 to a newly formed Employee Share Option Scheme to enable it to purchase 617,500 shares. I would like to thank all our staff who have contributed so much during this period of growth. I would also like to thank Amanda Street who retires as a non-executive director after the expiry of her three-year term. Prospects Given that market conditions do not deteriorate, we expect to continue our good progress during the current financial year. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF AUDITED RESULTS AUDITED CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 Notes Continuing Acquisition 2002 2001 £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 1 46,425 48 46,473 43,833 Staff costs (23,766) (99) (23,865) (20,771) Other operating charges (19,937) (57) (19,994) (20,744) Trading profit/(loss) 2,722 (108) 2,614 2,318 Exceptional item 2 - - - (262) Goodwill amortisation (566) (495) (2) (497) Operating profit/(loss) 1 2,227 (110) 2,117 1,490 Finance charges net (164) - (164) (244) Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 2,063 (110) 1,953 1,246 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (1,182) (891) Profit on ordinary activities after tax 771 355 Dividends paid and proposed 3 (625) (637) Retained profit /(loss) for the year 146 (282) Earnings per share 4 3.06p 1.39p Earnings per share - fully diluted 4 3.08p 1.39p All amounts derive from continuing activities. AUDITED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 2002 2001 £000 £000 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 771 355 (Loss)/gain on foreign currency translation (146) 13 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 625 368 Prior year adjustment - 326 Total recognised gains and losses since last year's report and financial statements 625 694 AUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2002 2002 2001 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 2,749 2,568 Intangible assets 4,678 4,954 7,427 7,522 Current assets Stock 336 347 Debtors - due within one year 10,148 11,623 - due after one year 283 324 Cash at bank and in hand 3,051 2,226 13,818 14,520 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year (10,098) (9,670) Net current assets 3,720 4,850 Total assets less current liabilities 11,147 12,372 Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year (3,687) (3,736) Net assets 7,460 8,636 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 490 510 Share premium 3,718 3,705 Merger reserve 945 1,896 Capital redemption reserve 10 - Profit and loss account 2,289 2,525 Shareholders' funds - equity interests 7,452 8,636 Minority interest 8 - 7,460 8,636 AUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 2002 2001 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 4,309 2,692 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (216) (254) Taxation paid (687) (1,164) Capital expenditure (892) (827) Acquisitions (569) (229) Equity dividends paid (633) (637) Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 1,312 (419) Financing (521) 9 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 791 (410) Notes to the preliminary statement of audited results: 1. Segmental information 2002 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001 Turnover Operating Net assets Turnover Operating Net Profit/(loss) Profit/(loss) assets £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Professional Business 28,246 2,653 1,997 25,182 2,104 3,461 Services Information Systems and 18,227 (536) 1,625 18,651 (614) 3,131 Services Total 46,473 2,117 3,622 43,833 1,490 6,592 Cash 3,051 2,226 Dividends proposed (368) (382) Other 1,155 200 Net assets 7,460 8,636 2. Exceptional item 2002 2001 £000 £000 Reorganisation costs - 262 3. Dividend A final dividend of 1.5p (2001: 1.5p) per Ordinary Share has been proposed, which is in addition to the interim dividend of 1.0p (2001: 1.0p). The ex-dividend date is 21 May, the record date 23 May and the date payable 20 June 2003. 4. Earnings per share 2002 2001 Earnings per share Profit attributable to shareholders - £000 771 355 Average number of ordinary shares of 2p each in issue during the year 25,222,173 25,471,510 Earnings per share - fully diluted Profit attributable to shareholders - £000 771 355 Average number of ordinary shares of 2p each in issue during the year after 25,014,319 25,408,793 allowing for the exercise of outstanding share options 5. The financial information does not constitute the statutory accounts of the Company as defined by section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. It is an extract from the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2002, which have not yet been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report was unqualified. The auditors' report does not contain a statement under either Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The group's auditors have reported on the accounts as required by Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information in respect of the year ended 31 December 2001 has 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 Wednesday 18 June 2003 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, consultancy, financial services Christie & Co The leading firm of 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, agency, development and investment teams focused on its key sectors. Web site: www.christie.com Christie First 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. Web site: www.christiefirst.com Pinders The UK's leading independent specialist business appraisal company, undertaking valuations, consultancy, building surveying, project management and professional services for a broad range of clients in the leisure, care and retail sectors. Web sites: www.pinders.co.uk and www.pinderpack.com Information Systems and Services EPoS and head office systems, stock and inventory control Orridge Europe's oldest stocktaking company focused on the high street retail sector, and having a specialist pharmacy stocktaking division. Providing a full range of stocktaking and inventory management solutions in all operational environments for a wide range of clients throughout the UK and Europe. Web site: www.orridge.co.uk VcsTimeless (Hospitality) Specialists in software for leisure and hospitality (including cinemas, hotels and restaurants) with particular emphasis on providing touchscreen and kiosk solutions to customers internationally. Solutions include EPoS, stock control, back office, head office and ticketing software. Web site: www.vcstimeless.com VcsTimeless (Retail) Leading specialist in integrated software solutions and professional services for the retail industry (including fashion, sports and home improvement). Dedicated to single and multi-channel retailers, solutions include manufacturing, head-office, in-store and retail business intelligence software. Web site: www.vcstimeless.com Venners Leading supplier of stocktaking and inventory services in the leisure 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. Web site: www.venners.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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