Preliminary Results

Colefax Group PLC 23 July 2007 CFX.L COLEFAX GROUP PLC ('Colefax' or 'the Group') Preliminary Results for the year ended 30 April 2007 Colefax is an international designer and distributor of furnishing fabrics & wallpapers and owns a leading interior decorating business. The Group trades under five brand names, which serve different segments of the soft furnishings marketplace; these are Colefax and Fowler, Cowtan & Tout, Jane Churchill, Manuel Canovas and Larsen. Highlights • Record sales and pre-tax profits due to favourable conditions in all main geographical markets • Pre-tax profit increased by 45% to £5.93m (2006 - £4.09m) • Sales up 4% to £71.01m (2006 - £68.36m) and up by 8% on a like for like basis • Earnings per share rose by 45% to 25.3p (2006 - 17.4p) • Strong cash generation of £4.36m before dividends and share buybacks • Borrowings eliminated - net funds at year end of £363,000 • Proposed final dividend of 2.55p (2006 - 2.37p), giving total dividend of 4.00p (2006 - 3.75p), an increase of 7% on last year • Market conditions remain healthy but weak US dollar will impact earnings in current year David Green, Chairman of Colefax, commented, 'The Group has achieved very good growth in most major markets this year reflecting the buoyant trading conditions which have continued into the current year' Enquiries: Colefax Group plc David B. Green, Chairman Tel: 020 7448 1000 (today) Robert M. Barker, Finance Director Biddicks Katie Tzouliadis Tel: 020 7448 1000 COLEFAX GROUP PLC CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Financial Results The Group's pre-tax profit for the year to 30th April 2007 increased by 45% to £5.93 million (2006 - £4.09 million) on sales up 4% at £71.01 million (2006 - £68.36 million). Earnings per share increased by 45% to 25.3p (2006 - 17.4p). Net funds at the year-end were £363,000 (2006 - net debt of £300,000). The increase in profitability resulted in strong cash generation during the year of £4.36 million before dividends and share buybacks. During the year the Group bought for cancellation 1.51 million shares at a total cost of £3.09 million, representing 9% of the issued share capital at the start of the year. The Board has decided to recommend that the final dividend is increased by 8% to 2.55p (2006 - 2.37p), making a total for the year of 4.00p (2006 - 3.75p), an increase of 7%. The final dividend will be paid on 11th October 2007 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 14th September 2007. The principal reason for the improvement in profitability was favourable trading conditions in all the Group's main geographical markets. This reflects growing demand for luxury household goods. On a constant currency basis Group sales increased by 8% (2006 - 3%). The increased profitability has been achieved in spite of a significant deterioration in the US dollar exchange rate which adversely impacts margins in the US, our major market which accounts for 43% of total Group sales (2006 - 46%). Product Division • Fabric - Portfolio of Brands: 'Colefax and Fowler', 'Cowtan & Tout', 'Jane Churchill', 'Manuel Canovas', and 'Larsen'. Sales in the Fabric Division, which represent 82% of Group sales, increased by 4% to £58.29 million (2006 - £56.01 million) and by 9% on a constant currency basis. Sales in the US, which represent 52% (2006 - 57%) of the Fabric Division's sales, increased by 5% on a constant currency basis (2006 - 6%). The continued growth in the US reflects the strength of the high end housing market which does not seem to have been affected by the housing slowdown in the wider economy. UK sales, which represent 21% (2006 - 18%) of the Fabric Division's turnover, increased by an exceptional 16% (2006 - 4%). The key factor driving sales growth has been the strength of the high end housing market. Sales in Continental Europe, which represent 24% (2006 - 23%) of the Fabric Division's turnover, increased by 11% (2006 - 2%) on a constant currency basis. In France, our largest European market, sales increased by just 4% on a constant currency basis and this has reduced the overall rate of increase in Europe. Most European countries are performing well reflecting the continued growth of the European economy. Sales in the rest of the world, which represents 3% (2006 - 2%) of the Fabric Division's sales, increased by 32% although it is still small proportion of overall sales. The majority of our sales growth came from Australia, Russia and the Middle East and we consider that there are good opportunities for further growth in these markets. • Furniture - Kingcome Sofas Sales of Kingcome furniture, which account for 4% (2006 - 3%) of Group sales, increased by 26% to £2.65 million (2006 - £2.09 million) and this growth has resulted in significantly improved profitability. The majority of furniture sales are in the UK and the exceptional sales growth reflects the very strong high end housing market, particularly in London. The current year has started well with a healthy level of deposits. • Accessories - Manuel Canovas Manuel Canovas is based in Paris and sales comprise beachwear and scented candles which account for 4% (2006 - 4%) of Group revenue. During the year, sales increased by 1% (2006 - 2%) to £2.82 million (2006 - £2.80 million). Approximately 35% of sales are invoiced in US dollars and the weakness of the US dollar has adversely impacted reported sales and margins although the division achieved a small profit for the year. Decorating Division Interior decorating and antique sales which together account for 10% of Group sales (2006 - 11%), decreased by 2% to £7.26 million (2006 - £7.40 million) during the year. Antiques sales increased by 9% which is encouraging after several years of difficult trading. Decorating sales decreased by 4% but this reflects the timing of the completion of contracts rather than market conditions. The decorating order book is extremely healthy with deposits up by 46% over last year. Prospects The Group has achieved very good growth in most major markets this year reflecting the buoyant trading conditions which have continued into the current year. We believe that the trend of rising interest rates in the UK and Europe will have some impact on the high end housing market and this is likely to impact our overall growth rates. In addition the extreme weakness of the US dollar will have a significant adverse impact on our margins in the US if it remains at this level for the remainder of the year. We will continue to invest in our strong portfolio of brands which will benefit the Group and its shareholders in the future. David B. Green Chairman 23rd July 2007 COLEFAX GROUP PLC GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the year ended 30th April 2007 Notes 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Turnover 71,013 68,361 Cost of sales 31,602 30,575 ----------------------- Gross profit 39,411 37,786 Operating expenses 33,465 33,367 ----------------------- Operating profit 3 5,946 4,419 Profit/loss on disposal of fixed assets 16 (177) ----------------------- Profit on ordinary activities before interest and taxation 5,962 4,242 Interest (36) (148) ----------------------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 5,926 4,094 ----------------------- Tax on profit on ordinary activities - UK (1,250) (933) - Overseas (705) (337) ----------------------- (1,955) (1,270) ----------------------- Profit for the financial year 3,971 2,824 ----------------------- Basic earnings per share 2 25.3p 17.4p Diluted earnings per share 2 24.3p 16.8p ----------------------- All activity has arisen from continuing operations. COLEFAX GROUP PLC GROUP BALANCE SHEET At 30th April 2007 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets: Tangible assets 5,135 5,403 ---------------------- Current assets: Stocks and contracts in progress 12,045 10,942 Debtors 11,384 11,498 Cash at bank and in hand 4,113 2,347 ---------------------- 27,542 24,787 ---------------------- Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16,831 14,493 ---------------------- Net current assets 10,711 10,294 ---------------------- Total assets less current liabilities 15,846 15,697 Provision for liabilities: Deferred taxation 35 57 ---------------------- Net assets excluding pension liability 15,811 15,640 Pension liability 120 134 ---------------------- Net assets including pension liability 15,691 15,506 ---------------------- Capital and reserves: Called up share capital 1,565 1,709 Share premium account 11,141 11,087 Capital redemption reserve 1,308 1,157 ESOP share reserve (157) (287) ESOP capital reserve 508 228 Profit and loss account 1,326 1,612 ---------------------- Shareholders' funds 15,691 15,506 ---------------------- The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 23rd July 2007. D. B. Green Director R. M. Barker Director COLEFAX GROUP PLC GROUP CASHFLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 30th April 2007 Notes 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 3 8,034 7,556 Returns on investments and servicing of finance: Interest received 129 80 Interest paid (150) (247) ---------------------- (21) (167) ---------------------- Taxation: UK Corporation tax paid (1,432) (988) Overseas tax paid (393) (411) ---------------------- (1,825) (1,399) ---------------------- Capital expenditure and financial investment: Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (1,648) (1,781) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 45 64 ---------------------- (1,603) (1,717) Equity dividends paid (600) (574) ---------------------- Cash inflow before financing 3,985 3,699 ---------------------- Financing: Purchase of own shares (3,093) - Repayment of long-term loans (500) (500) ---------------------- Net cash outflow from financing (3,593) (500) ---------------------- Increase in cash in the period 4 392 3,199 ---------------------- GROUP STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES For the year ended 30th April 2007 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial year 3,971 2,824 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (133) 127 Currency translation differences on foreign currency loans (753) 453 Deferred tax on long-term loan foreign currency movements 322 (189) --------------------- Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 3,407 3,215 --------------------- COLEFAX GROUP PLC NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 30th April 2007 1. Adoption of New Accounting Requirements In preparing these financial statements the Group has adopted for the first time UITF 44 'Group and Treasury Share Transactions'. UITF 44 requires the fair value of the award of share options to subsidiary employees to be treated as a capital contribution. The change in accounting policy has resulted in an increase of £439,000 in the cost of investments in subsidiaries at 30th April 2006 and a decrease in amounts due from subsidiary undertakings in the parent company's books. There is no impact on profit for the year or net assets at 30th April 2006. 2. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share have been calculated on the basis of profit on ordinary activities after tax of £3,971,000 (2006 - £2,824,000) and on 15,719,278 (2006 - 16,227,578) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Shares owned by the Colefax Group Plc Employees' Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trust are excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation. Diluted earnings per share have been calculated on the basis of profit on ordinary activities after tax of £3,971,000 (2006 - £2,824,000) and on 16,339,872 (2006 - 16,728,940) being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, calculated as follows: 2007 2006 Basic weighted average number of shares 15,719,278 16,227,578 Dilutive potential ordinary shares, including shares under option owned by the Colefax Group Plc ESOP Trust 620,594 501,362 ------------------------ 16,339,872 16,728,940 ------------------------ 3. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Operating profit 5,946 4,419 Depreciation charges 1,629 2,116 (Increase)/decrease in stocks (1,355) 1,442 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 394 (1,615) Increase in creditors 1,420 1,194 --------------------------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 8,034 7,556 --------------------------- 4. Cash and Financing Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Funds/(Debt) 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Increase in cash 392 3,199 Repayment of bank loan 500 500 ------------------------- Movement in net debt resulting from cash flows 892 3,699 Translation differences (229) 52 ------------------------- Movement in net debt in the period 663 3,751 Net debt at 1st May (300) (4,051) ------------------------- Net funds/(debt) at 30th April 363 (300) ------------------------- At At 1st May Exchange 30th April 2006 Cash flow differences 2007 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Analysis of Net Funds/(Debt) Cash at bank and in hand 2,347 1,995 (229) 4,113 Overdrafts (2,147) (1,603) - (3,750) --------------------------------------------- 200 392 (229) 363 Debt due within one year (500) 500 - - --------------------------------------------- Net funds/(debt) (300) 892 (229) 363 --------------------------------------------- 5. The above financial information, which has been prepared on the same basis as set out in the 2006 annual accounts, except for the adoption of the accounting standard described in note 1, does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the year ended 30th April 2007 has been extracted from the statutory accounts on which an unqualified audit opinion has been issued. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30th April 2007 will be delivered to the Registrar in due course. The comparative financial information is based on the statutory accounts for the financial year ended 30th April 2006. Those accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The annual accounts for the year ended 30th April 2007 are expected to be posted to shareholders shortly and will be available from the Company's website on www.colefaxgroupplc.com. 6. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of Colefax Group plc will be held at 19-23 Grosvenor Hill, London W1K 3QD on 18th September 2007 at 11.00 a.m. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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