Interim Results

Feedback PLC 03 December 2004 FEEDBACK PLC Interim Results for the six months ending 30September 2004 Chairman's Interim Statement 2004 The first six months of the financial year has seen the Group produce an operating profit before reorganisation costs and pension charges of £32,100 (2003: Operating Loss £475,000) on turnover of £5 million, up 19.4% against the same period in 2003. Taking into account reorganisation costs of £139,300 and additional pension costs of £305,200, the resulting total loss before tax was £422,400 I referred in my Statement in the 2004 Report and Accounts to the strategic review which was being carried out by the Board and I can confirm that progress has been made. Restructuring has already resulted in the departure of a number of staff members and there have been changes in internal reporting structures. The product range, the Company's premises and our likely future funding requirements are receiving ongoing active consideration and the Board will of course keep shareholders up to date with developments. As announced on 1 December, the terms of the loan advanced to the Company by Mr. Tom Charlton, a former Non-executive Director, have been renegotiated, the principal change being that the date of repayment is now 30 September 2009. Turning to the performance at our various divisions: Feedback Instruments has seen the main impact of the order from the College of the North Atlantic, Qatar, in the first half of this year, but it has been generally difficult to secure business. This difficulty continues but there are indications that activity will improve toward the latter part of the second half year. Feedback Data, together with its German subsidiary, has traded profitably before taking into account its share of the additional pension costs. The reduced cost base is having a beneficial effect, and prospects for both the data capture business and access control products are encouraging. Feedback Incorporated incurred a small loss in the period, largely due to a low level of business in the summer months, but entered the second half with a pleasing order book. Pensions The company is still awaiting confirmation from the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) that its application for an extended period to address the shortfall in the funding of its defined benefit pension scheme has been approved. This scheme was closed to new entrants and to future benefits accrual on 31st July 2004, and a new defined contribution scheme has been set up in its place. The company's liabilities under the new scheme are considerably lower than previously. Board Changes It was announced on 12 November that Tom Charlton resigned as a non executive director in order to devote more time to his other investment activities. The Board is grateful for the significant contribution he made during his time as a director. Dividends The Company was unable to pay a dividend on its Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares due to the continued lack of distributable reserves. Outlook The benefits of the restructuring have begun to have a positive impact although, as previously stated, business at Feedback Instruments continues to be slow. It is, however, hoped that the situation will improve toward the year end. David Harding Chairman 03 December 2004 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 2004 30 Sept 2003 31 March 2004 £'000s £'000s £'000s Unaudited Unaudtied Audited SUMMARISED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Turnover 5,041.0 4,221.1 8,688.8 Operating profit /(loss) before additional pension charges 32.1 (475.0) (965.4) and exceptional items Impairment adjustment - (306.0) - Reorganisation costs (139.3) - - Additional pension charge (305.2) - (882.0) Operating loss (412.4) (781.0) (1,847.4) Loss on sale of trade - - (365.5) Net interest payable (10.0) (21.4) (24.3) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (422.4) (802.4) (2,237.2) Tax on loss on ordinary activities - - 28.7 Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (422.4) (802.4) (2,208.5) Dividends (47.9) (48.3) (100.2) Retained loss for the period (470.3) (850.7) (2,308.7) Basic and diluted loss per share (3.90)p (7.12)p (19.27) 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 2004 30 Sept 2003 31 March 2004 £'000s £'000s £'000s Unaudited Unaudtied Audited SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET Fixed Assets 566.4 999.4 598.9 Current Assets Stock 1,013.7 1,483.2 1,692.4 Debtors 2,718.8 3,036.7 4,019.2 Cash at bank and in hand 428.9 608.7 0.0 4,161.4 5,128.6 5,711.6 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,935.8) (2,689.8) (3,123.6) Net current assets 2,225.6 2,438.8 2,588.0 Total assets less current liabilities 2,792.0 3,438.2 3,186.9 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (671.9) (207.2) (657.0) Provisions for liabilities and charges (974.1) - (882.0) 1,146.0 3,231.0 1,647.9 Ordinary share capital 1,204.6 1,203.4 1,204.6 Preference share capital 838.1 840.5 838.1 Share premium account 379.8 378.7 379.8 Revaluation reserve 369.4 369.3 369.4 Capital reserve 299.9 299.9 299.9 Profit and loss account (1,945.8) 139.2 (1,443.9) Reserves (896.7) 1,187.1 (394.8) Shareholders' funds 1,146.0 3,231.0 1,647.9 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 2004 30 Sept 2003 31 March 2004 £'000s £'000s £'000s Unaudited Unaudtied Audited CASH FLOW STATEMENT Net cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities 611.6 73.2 (1,010.4) Returns on investments and servicing of finance (10.0) (21.4) (24.3) Preference dividend paid - (42.3) (42.3) Capital expenditure (10.6) (86.7) (57.6) Net consideration from sale of trade - - 334.0 Financing (15.0) (42.8) 324.0 Increase / (decrease) in cash 576.0 (120.0) (476.6) Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Operating (loss) (412.4) (781.0) (1,847.4) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 43.1 57.5 100.7 Amortisation of and provision against intangible fixed assets - 306.0 26.0 Sale of tangible fixed assets - - 3.3 Exchange difference (93.5) - (198.0) Decrease / (increase) in stock 678.7 (126.6) (335.8) Decrease / (increase) in debtors 1,300.4 1,313.1 321.4 (Decrease) / increase in creditors (904.7) (695.8) 919.4 Net cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities 611.6 73.2 (1,010.4) Notes: 1) Basis of the Report The interim figures for the six months to 30 September 2004, which are unaudited, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2004. The financial information contained in this Interim Report does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The results for the year ended 31 March 2004 are extracted from the published accounts for that period on which the auditors gave an unqualified report under Section 235 of the Companies Act and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 2) Going concern The group operates a defined benefit scheme which currently has a significant Minimum Funding Requirement deficit. This scheme was closed to new entrants and to future benefit accrual with effect from 31 July 2004. Under Minimum Funding Requirement regulations, the scheme actuary has calculated that the group needs to make contributions equivalent to £850,000 per annum over a three year period in order to clear 90% of the deficit. The directors have made an application to the Occupational Pension Regulatory Authority to effect an extension to the payment period under Regulations 25 and 26 of the Occupational Pensions Scheme (Minimum Funding Requirements and Actuarial Valuations) Regulations 1996. The application is currently being considered by the Occupational Pension Regulatory Authority and the directors are awaiting a decision. In the meantime the Occupational Pension Regulatory Authority has agreed that the group can reduce the contributions payable on a temporary basis in accordance with the application. The financial forecasts prepared by the directors indicate that the group would be unable to trade within its current banking facilities should an extension not be granted. Should an extension not be granted the directors would need to obtain additional sources of finance. The directors believe that a satisfactory outcome of the OPRA application will be reached. Consequently the directors consider that it is appropriate to prepare the financial information on a going concern basis. This financial information does not include any adjustments that would arise if the group were unable to finance the contribution requirements of the Occupational Pension Regulatory Authority. 3) Loss per Share The loss per share for the six months ended 30 September 2004 is based on the Group loss on ordinary activities after taxation of £473,300 attributable to 12,045,846 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue. 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 do not have a dilutive effect, the earnings per share figure remains unaltered. 4) Copies of the Interim Report will be mailed to shareholders shortly and will also be available from the Company's registered office at Park Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2QR. Auditor Review of the accounts Independent review report to Feedback plc Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2004. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment Market which require that the half-yearly report be presented and prepared in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the company's annual accounts having regard to the accounting standards applicable to such annual accounts. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom by auditors of fully listed companies. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Fundamental Uncertainty In arriving at our review conclusion, we have considered the adequacy of the disclosures made in the financial information concerning the possible outcome of the application by the directors to the Occupational Pension Regulatory Authority to extend the period required to clear the current Minimum Funding Requirement Deficit relating to the defined benefit pension scheme. Should an extension of the Minimum Funding Requirement Deficit not be granted the directors would need to obtain additional sources of finance. Details of the circumstances relating to this fundamental uncertainty are described in note 2. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 September 2004. BDO STOY HAYWARD LLP Chartered Accountants Bromley Date: 03 December 2004 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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