Final Results

Feedback PLC 20 August 2004 Feedback plc Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2004 Chairman's Statement The financial year ended 31 March 2004 has seen considerable change for the Group. Although the overall result for the year is very disappointing, due largely to the costs associated with restructuring and the disposal of loss-making activities, the Board believes that there are certain factors which provide some encouragement and optimism for the future. The Group reported a total loss of £2.3 million on a turnover of £8.7 million, 18% down on the previous year (2002: £10.6 million). The loss on ordinary activities for continuing operations was £1.37 million (including a SSAP 24 pension charge of £882K). The remainder is due primarily to the substantial goodwill adjustment arising on the disposal of the Group's subsidiary TekniCAL, which was sold in December 2003. This resulted in the elimination of distributable reserves and therefore no dividend was paid on the Company's Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares for the 6 months ended 31 March 2004. The Board recognises that many shareholders will have been disappointed with the decision to dispose of TekniCAL, but although prospects had appeared promising at certain times in recent years, the company never generated the sales required to sustain profitability and latterly became an enormous drain on the Group's resources that could no longer be tolerated. The company moved from the Official List of the London Stock Exchange to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on 31 December 2003. This was a strategic decision that reflected the Board's view that the profile of the Company was more suited to a listing on AIM. The move will not impact upon the conduct of the Company's business or its corporate governance but will have certain advantages in relation to its ongoing requirements with a consequential reduction in associated costs. Following the actuarial valuation in March 2003 which showed a very large deficit in the funding of the Company's defined benefit pension scheme it was decided that this scheme should be closed and that a defined contribution pension would be offered to active members. An application has been made to the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) to extend the period required to address the serious shortfall in the funding of the existing scheme. A final decision from Opra is awaited. Feedback Data Limited This company together with its German subsidiary produced an increase in turnover and trading profit for the year. Some of the newer products, introduced in recent years, for staff scheduling had not gained the acceptance or market share that had been anticipated. The intellectual property rights of these products were disposed of in January 2004 and the company was subsequently restructured. This has resulted in a significantly lower cost base and a marked improvement in focus. In addition the Feedback Data offices were closed and the staff moved into the main facility in Park Road, Crowborough. The concentration on core products and markets has hastened the introduction of key products such as the new IP Terminal. This next generation terminal for time and attendance monitoring incorporates a number of innovative features including internet based communication and control and has been well received by potential customers and resellers. There is considerable potential in the access control market for the Microtrak product range. Enhancements to this and new features incorporating biometric validation are very promising. Feedback Instruments Limited The company had a very difficult year with sales falling well below expectations, resulting in a large loss, a situation that was exacerbated by the significant weakening of the US dollar. Performance in the UK was satisfactory with a number of large orders being received from Centres of Vocational Excellence. In export territories, sales in Latin America and Europe declined dramatically although the Middle East and Far East produced some encouraging results. In particular, as announced on 4 March 2004, a large contract was won to provide equipment for the College of the North Atlantic in Qatar, although protracted negotiations meant that the main impact of this contract will be felt during the current financial year. A concentration of marketing efforts in the Middle East has produced some encouraging prospects and it is hoped that there will be significant rewards in Iraq which historically has been an important market, although this will depend largely on a return to political and economic stability within the country and the region as a whole. New products, some of which are a direct result of the Qatari order, are being introduced including a multi-process trainer for the oil and gas industry. A new Development Manager has been appointed to coordinate these efforts. A number of orders were received during the final weeks of the year which has allowed the company to take a healthy order book into the new financial year. Feedback Incorporated Order levels during the year were in line with those for the previous year but the marked weakening of the exchange rate between the US dollar and the pound put significant pressure on margins and the company therefore reported a small loss. Some restructuring and reorganisation was performed which produced a noticeable reduction in costs towards the end of the year. Sales through representatives continued to increase as did sales of products from suppliers outside the Group. It is hoped that this will continue and that new developments from Feedback Instruments will also assist an increase in sales. Dividend Your Board is not recommending that a dividend be paid on the ordinary shares (2003 - nil). As detailed earlier, the Company was not in a position to pay the dividend on the Company's Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares for the 6 months ended 31 March 2004 as a result of the elimination of distributable reserves associated with the disposal of TekniCAL. The Board expects that this situation will prevail until the Company returns to significant profitability. Directors and Staff We owe our thanks to all the Directors and Staff for their great efforts and loyalty during this difficult year. David Sawyer, during his first full year as Group Managing Director, has become very conversant with the Group's activities and has been decisive in recommending and implementing restructuring where appropriate. It has been decided to change his title to that of Chief Executive as a better indication of his responsibilities. Tom Charlton has also completed his first full year as a non-executive Director. His advice and perspective have been very helpful to us and we are most appreciative of the assistance given by making the unsecured loan of $1 million to which I referred in the Interim Statement. Our company secretary Gerard Bushell has worked hard and effectively over the difficult recent past. He has today been appointed to the Board as an executive director and shareholders will be asked to confirm this appointment at the forthcoming AGM. There is no other information required to be disclosed under Schedule 2, paragraph (f) of the AIM Rules. Andrew Whiteley, who has been a director of the company and the managing director of Feedback Instruments for a number of years, has resigned with immediate effect. We appreciate his efforts over the years and wish him every success in the future. Current Trading and Future Prospects In the current year to date the Group has made a small operating profit but following the application of the SSAP 24 pension provision incurred a small loss. The pattern of trade and profitability at Feedback Instruments is becoming increasingly dependent on obtaining substantial contract business overseas. It has also become clear that the management costs are too high in relation to the current level of trading. A strategic review is to be carried out of all the activities of the Group in order to encourage the generation of more consistent profits. This review will be far reaching and include the product range, staffing and management, the suitability of the company's premises and future funding requirements. The restructuring changes made at Feedback Data and Feedback Incorporated are producing satisfactory results and it is anticipated that similar benefits will be obtained from the review described above. DH Harding Chairman 20 August 2004 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account Year ended 31 March 2004 Notes Continuing Discontinued Total Total operations operations 2004 2003 £000 £000 £000 £000 TURNOVER 8,145.0 543.8 8,688.8 10,557.7 Cost of Sales (5,119.1) (8.0) (5,127.1) (5,111.6) Gross profit 3,025.9 535.8 3,561.7 5,446.1 Other Operating ( 4,395.0) (1,014.1) (5,409.1) (5,231.2) Expenses Operating (loss) / profit before additional SSAP 24 (487.1) (478.3) (965.4) 214.9 pension charge Additional SSAP 24 (882.0) - (882.0) pension charge Operating (loss)/ (1,369.1) (478.3) (1,874.4) 214.9 profit, after exceptional costs Loss on sale of trade (365.5) 0.0 Net interest payable (24.3) (36.4) (LOSS)/PROFIT ON (2,237.2) 178.5 ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION Tax on (loss)/profit 28.7 (39.7) on ordinary activities (LOSS)/PROFIT ON (2,208.5) 138.8 ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION Dividends (100.2) (98.6) (non-equity) RETAINED (LOSS)/ (2,308.7) 40.2 PROFIT (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER 1 SHARE (pence) Basic (19.27) 0.34 Diluted (19.27) 0.34 Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 March 2004 2004 2003 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets - 656.7 Tangible assets 598.9 619.5 598.9 1,276.2 Current assets Stocks 1,692.4 1,356.6 Debtors 4,019.2 4,349.8 Cash at bank and in hand - 360.7 5,711.6 6,067.1 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Borrowings (206.7) (132.3) Other creditors (2,916.9) (2,879.4) (3,123.6) (3,011.7) Net current assets 2,588.0 3,055.4 Total assets less current liabilities 3,186.9 4,331.6 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Borrowings (657.0) (249.9) Provisions for liabilities and charges (882.0) - 1,647.9 4081.7 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 2,042.7 2,055.20 Share premium account 379.8 367.3 Revaluation reserve 369.4 369.4 Capital reserve 299.9 299.9 Profit and loss account (1,443.9) 989.9 Total reserves (394.8) 2,026.50 Shareholders' funds 1,647.9 4081.7 Included within shareholders' funds is an amount of £781,915 ( 2003 - £789,626) in respect of non-equity interests. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Year ended 31 March 2004 2004 2003 £000 £000 £000 £000 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating 1 (1,010.4) 412.5 activities Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received - 0.4 Interest paid (24.3) (36.8) Non equity dividends paid (42.3) (86.3) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (66.6) (122.7) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (61.0) (83.7) Sale of tangible fixed assets 3.4 10.3 Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (57.6) (73.4) Acquisitions and disposals Net consideration from sale of trade 334.0 - Financing New loan from Director 572.7 - Repayments of bank and other loans (243.0) (67.0) Capital element of finance leases and rental payments (5.7) (9.2) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 324.0 (76.2) (Decrease)/increase in cash in the year 2 (476.6) 140.2 Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Year ended 31 March 2004 Total recognised gains and losses for the year Group Company 2004 2003 2004 2003 Notes £000 £000 £000 £000 (Loss)/profit for the financial year - parent and subsidiaries (2,208.5) 138.8 (1,387.9) 3.2 Unrealised surplus on revaluation of land and buildings - 100.5 - 100.5 Total (losses)/gains for the year before currency adjustments (2,208.5) 239.3 (1,387.9) 103.7 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (183.0) 67.6 - - Total recognised (losses)/gains for the year (2,391.5) 306.9 (1,387.9) 103.7 NOTES: 1. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 March 2004 is based on the Group loss on ordinary activities after taxation and preference dividends of £2,308,700 (2003 - profit of £40,200) attributed to 11,961,854 Ordinary Shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue throughout the year (2003 - 11,920,181). The diluted earnings per share is calculated allowing for the full conversion of the Preference Shares. However, in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 14, as these conversions would not have a dilutive effect, the earnings per share figure remains the same. 2. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2004 is extracted from the Group's financial statements to that date which received an unqualified auditors' report and have been filed with the registrar of companies. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2004 is extracted from the Group's financial statements to that date which received an unqualified auditors' report and will be filed with the registrar of companies. 3. The Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in due course and the Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00 am on 29 September 2004. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Companies

Feedback (FDBK)
UK 100

Latest directors dealings