Interim Results

Cohen(A.) & Co PLC 1 September 2000 Chairman's report on the half Year results The un-audited Group results of A.Cohen. & Co plc for the half year ended 30th June 2000 with the corresponding period to 30 June 1999 are shown below together with the results for the year ended 31st December 1999. The results which are a profit of £226,000 represent a considerable improvement in the performance of the Group over that of the corresponding period last year and recent times. The performance reflects the considerable change which has been made to the Group in the UK and overseas and has brought to an end the significant operating losses which the Group has been experiencing. Whilst the costs and losses have been arrested and operating profits are now being made, the long period of preceding losses and costs of existing unprofitable operations have been substantial. This led to the restructure announced on 24th July 2000 including the sale of the balance of the 52% holding in Nonferral Recylers Ltd. The sale which was necessary to generate the cash flow for the Group to continue was made at market value which was in excess of the cost in the parent company accounts and will result in a profit to the parent company. It was however below the consolidated value in the accounts of the company and the Group will report a loss on the sale in the second half. A full report will be provided to the shareholders in a circular being prepared to ratify and approve the sale. The profits for the period reflect a return to profitability of the wholly owned subsidiary A.Cohen & Co (Great Britain) Ltd. This was achieved from the phosphor copper activities which is the residual manufacturing activity at Woolwich and was a very good contribution and the trading activities now located at 34 Queen Anne Street, London which made a modest contribution. Jacobs Metals Ltd also made a small contribution however this performance was below that of the previous year. The balance of the profit was made from non-recurring benefits net of costs achieved as a result of the restructuring. The result was also achieved notwithstanding the continuing high corporate and overhead costs of operating from Oxendon Street in London which have since the end of June been reduced significantly by relocation of the Head Office to Purland Road, Woolwich and the trading operations to Queen Anne Street, London. The results also benefited by a contribution after minority interests from Nonferral Recyclers Ltd of £ 141,000 for the period. No contribution was brought to the account from the Group investments in Metal Sales Pty Ltd in Zimbabwe, and Speedmark Industries in South Africa. The Directors are now seeking to improve the performance and returns from the continuing activities and investments and further reduce the ongoing costs of the group to improve both profits and working capital of the Group. In conjunction with this the directors are also investigating the addition of other activities to contribute and assist in the above. The directors in accordance with the authority given to them by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on the 10th August 1999, approved a placement of 70,000 shares in A.Cohen & Co Plc at the current market value of 55pence. Royce Ritchie Chairman For further information please contact Royce Richie (Executive Chairman) or the Company Secretary on (Telephone ) 020 8320 4210 (Fax ) 020 8310 1506. A. Cohen & Co. half year results to 30th June 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Half Year to Half Year to Year to 30th June 30th June 31st December 2000 1999 1999 Group turnover from 38,393 31,126 65,324 continuing operations Group turnover from 1,204 3,117 5,943 Discontinued operations Operating profit(loss) 397 (924) (3,852) from continuing operations after interest Profits from interests 0 57 - In associated undertakings Profits on sale Fixed Assets 0 0 31 Cost of Fundamental 0 0 (824) Organisation Profit(Loss) on 397 (867) (4,645) ordinary Activites before taxation Taxation 0 (5) (52) Minority Interest (171) - 82 Profit (Loss) on ordinary Activites, after taxation Attributable to Shareholders 226 (872) (4,615) Profit(Loss) per share 13.7p (52.8p) (279.4)
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