Interim Results

Fiske PLC 18 January 2001 FISKE PLC Unaudited interim results for 6 months to 30 November 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report that the net profits before taxation for the six months ended the 30th November, 2000 amounted to £1,108,804. This amount included a profit of £540,000 arising on the sale of 20,000 shares in the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Thus, after excluding this amount, the profit from ordinary activities for the period was £568,804 compared with a profit of £313,133 for the same period in the previous year. Adjusted earnings per share, excluding the aforementioned profit on the sale of the LSE shares, was 5.6p (3.5p in 1999). The period under review showed a significant improvement on the same period last year but, as expected, did not match the volumes of business and earnings achieved in the second half of last year. Nevertheless, we are pleased with our performance and in the strengthening of our balance sheet with its strong cash position, putting the Company in good stead for the future. Having regard to our improvement in earnings, also the non-trading profits on the sale of the LSE shares and in order to reduce the disparity between our interim and final dividends, your Directors have decided to raise the interim dividend from the equivalent of 1.25p to 2.00p per share. At the 30th November, 2000 our shareholding in the LSE was 80,000 shares. Since that date, a further 30,000 shares have been sold to realise an additional profit, before tax, of £698,000. The remaining 50,000 shares is held as a fixed asset investment at nil cost and value in our balance sheet and will be kept under continuing view. Our Finance Director, Sylvia Earp, left the Company to pursue other interests and we shall shortly be announcing her successor. Our best wishes go to Ms. Earp with our thanks for her past services to the Company. The outlook for the London Stock Market for the year 2001 contains elements of volatility and uncertainty. The market correction in the TMT sector as a result of the bubble from excessive demand and activity last year would appear to have further to go. The impact of abnormal Stock Exchange activity does not disappear quickly nor without cost and we can expect a quieter period ahead as a result. However, other sectors of the market offer attractions, especially in the 'old economy' equities and corporate bonds. Whilst our results will inevitably be influenced by market conditions, we look forward to the remainder of our financial year with confidence. The interim dividend of 2p will be paid on the 9th February, 2001 to shareholders on the register at the 26th January, 2001. The provisional ex-dividend date is the 22nd January, 2001. G. MAITLAND SMITH CHAIRMAN 18th January, 2001. FISKE PLC. KEY HIGHLIGHTS TO INTERIM STATEMENT FOR HALF-YEAR ENDED THE 30TH NOVEMBER, 2000 Net profits from ordinary activities: Before taxation £568,804 Increase on 1999 81% Additional profits from disposal of Fixed asset investments (1999 -nil) £540,000 Adjusted earnings per share, excluding Profits from disposal of fixed asset Investments 5.6p Increase on 1999 60% Interim Dividend per share 2.0p Equivalent increase on 1.25p paid in April 2000 60% Enquiries to or contact: Mr. Clive F. Harrison - Chief Executive 020-7448-4700. 18th January,2001. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the six months ended 30 November 2000 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2000 1999 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £ £ £ TURNOVER Gross commission receivable 2,798,480 2,246,178 6,915,531 Commission payable (1,212,992) (940,277) (2,882,395) Other income 241,209 178,600 484,530 OPERATING COSTS 1,826,697 1,484,501 4,517,666 Staff costs (565,772) (509,951) (1,352,352) Depreciation (46,592) (41,585) (98,083) Other operating charges (766,480) (646,203) (1,639,282) (1,378,844) (1,197,739) (3,089,717) OPERATING PROFIT 447,853 286,762 1,427,949 Gain on disposal of fixed asset 540,000 - - investment Other income from fixed asset 2,429 - 2,429 investments Interest receivable and similar 121,152 43,350 143,721 income Interest payable and similar charges (2,630) (16,979) (22,091) 660,951 26,371 124,059 PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE 1,108,804 313,133 1,552,008 TAXATION Taxation on profit on ordinary (366,500) (104,500) (519,000) activities PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER 742,304 208,633 1,033,008 TAXATION Dividends paid and proposed (130,000) (74,075) (317,825) Retained profit for the financial 612,304 134,558 715,183 year Retained profit brought forward 901,822 186,639 186,639 Retained profit carried forward 1,514,126 321,197 901,822 BALANCE SHEET For the six months ended 30 November 2000 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 31 May 30 November 30 November 2000 2000 1999 Audited Unaudited Unaudited £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 215,703 231,737 244,881 Investments 74,682 5 74,682 290,385 231,742 319,563 CURRENT ASSETS Market and client debtors 20,092,922 51,423,042 37,281,284 Other debtors 306,059 315,294 318,389 Cash at bank and in hand 4,362,439 1,946,734 3,039,510 24,761,420 53,685,070 40,639,183 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year Market and client creditors (19,874,773) (51,252,090) (36,422,393) Other creditors (1,691,669) (839,900) (1,663,294) (21,566,442) (52,091,990) (38,085,687) NET CURRENT ASSETS 3,194,978 1,593,080 2,553,496 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT 3,485,363 1,824,822 2,873,059 LIABILITIES PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES (3,617) (3,617) (3,617) 3,481,746 1,821,205 2,869,442 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 1,625,000 1,500,000 1,625,000 Share premium account 342,620 8 342,620 Profit and loss account 1,514,126 321,197 901,822 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 3,481,746 1,821,205 2,869,442 CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 November 2000 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 30 November 30 November 31 May 2000 1999 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £ £ £ Operating profit 447,853 286,762 1,427,949 Depreciation charges 46,592 41,585 98,083 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 17,200,692 (36,467,895) (22,329,232) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (16,772,801) 35,114,330 20,572,272 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 922,336 (1,025,218) (230,928) activities 30 November 30 November 31 May 2000 1999 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £ £ £ CASH FLOW STATEMENT Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 922,336 (1,025,218) (230,928) activities Returns on investment and servicing of 660,951 26,371 124,059 finance Taxation UK corporation tax paid - 13,246 (35,174) Capital expenditure (17,414) (31,091) (175,410) Equity dividends paid (242,944) (63,392) (137,467) Financing - 212,158 679,770 Increase/(decrease) in cash 1,322,929 (867,926) 224,850 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 1,322,929 (867,926) 224,850 Change in net cash 1,322,929 (867,926) 224,850 Net funds at 1 June 2000 3,039,510 2,814,660 2,814,660 Net funds at 30 November 2000 4,362,439 1,946,734 3,039,510 Earnings per ordinary share Headline earnings per share has been calculated in accordance with the definition in the Institute of Investment Management Research ('I I M R') statement of Investment Practice No. 1,'The definition of IIMR Headline Earnings',in order to take out the exceptional gain arising on disposal of London Stock Exchange shares as follows: Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 November 30 November 31 May 2000 1999 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £ £ £ Basic earnings per ordinary share 11.4p 3.5p 17.1p Adjustment: Gain on disposal of fixed asset investment 5.8p - - after taxation Headline earnings per ordinary share 5.6p 3.5p 17.1p Diluted Earnings per ordinary share 11.1p 3.5p 16.5p Adjustment: Gain on disposal of fixed asset investment 5.7p - - after taxation Headline diluted earning per ordinary share 5.4p 3.5p 16.5p

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