Interim Results

RNS Number : 7970S
Frenkel Topping Group PLC
13 July 2015
 

13 July 2015

Frenkel Topping Group plc

("Frenkel Topping" or "the Company")

 

Interim Results

 

Frenkel Topping (AIM:FEN), a leading provider of specialist independent financial advice on the investment of personal injury damages and clinical negligence awards, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2015.  The period has been one of continued growth in revenues and funds under management, combined with investment in the Company's network of Fee Earning Consultants to accelerate growth in 2016.

 

Financial Highlights

·     Revenue up 9% to £2.94m (H1 2014: £2.71m)

§ Recurring revenue of £2.27m (H1 2014: £2.04m), representing 77% of total revenue

·     Gross profit of £1.80m (H1 2014: £1.84m)

·     Operating profit (before share based payments) of £0.61m (H1 2014: £0.74m)

·     Pre-tax profit of £0.57m (H1 2014: £0.65m) - reflecting stated investment strategy

·     Basic EPS of 0.71p (H1 2014: 0.86p)

·     Assets under management up 11% to £640m (as at 30 June 2014: £584m)

·     Cash from operations of £0.41 (as at 30 June 2014: £0.27m)

·     Net cash at the period end of £1.74m (as at 31 December 2014: £1.70m)

·     Interim dividend of 0.19p per share (H1 2014: 0.17p)

 

Operational Highlights

·     New offices opened in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Bristol

·     Now have a total of 15 revenue generating fee earning consultants targeting a growing number of markets

·     Renewed focus on expert witness work to establish good relationships pre-settlement

·     Strengthened key relationships with injury claims handlers and lawyers

·     Continued 99% client retention for investment management services

 

David Southworth, Chairman of Frenkel Topping, commented: "This was a pivotal period for the Company as we developed our investment strategy with a view to delivering higher growth rates in order for operating profits, AUM and cash to grow significantly from 2016 onwards. We took the decision to build on traditionally consistent growth, which has been underpinned by 99% client retention for our investment management services. We are delighted by the calibre of fee earners we have added to our growing regional footprint and are well placed to further grow our reach.

 

"We are focused on further developing our core market expertise and also see scope to provide asset protection services to a growing number of other potential markets. We will continue to explore opportunities that will enable us to grow our assets under management as we build on our strong foundations for accelerated growth."

 

For further information:

Frenkel Topping Group plc

www.frenkeltopping.co.uk

Richard Fraser, Managing Director

Tel: 0161 886 8000

Julie Dean, Finance Director




Shore Capital

Tel: 020 7408 4090

Pascal Keane / Patrick Castle




Walbrook PR Ltd

Tel: 020 7933 8780 or frenkeltopping@walbrookpr.com

Paul McManus

Mob: 07980 541 893

Nick Rome

Mob: 07748 325 236

 

About Frenkel Topping: www.frenkeltopping.co.uk

 

Frenkel Topping provides specialist independent financial advice focussed on asset protection for clients. The specialist independent financial adviser has a market leading position providing advice and fund management services for personal injury trusts and clinical negligence awards and is well placed to provide services to a wider customer base.

 

The Company provides a range of wealth management services including bespoke investment portfolios, financial and tax planning. It is focused on increasing its assets under management by growing the number of fee earners who are qualified to provide benefits protection for a variety of needs as the Company adds to its personal injury and clinical negligence specialism.

 

It has a national presence with offices on Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London and Leeds and has relationships and infrastructure in place to further grow its reach and target markets.

 

Chairman's Statement

 

Results

 

I am delighted to report that we firmly set the foundations for our accelerated growth strategy during the first half of the year, having expanded our geographic footprint and AUM. As expected, increasing the fee earning staff has impacted profitability for the period with profit before tax falling to £568,206 (H1 2014: £652,745; FY 2014 £1.57 million). Profit from operations, before share based compensation, fell to £608,379 (H1 2014: £740,215; FY 2014: £1.75 million).

 

However, with 15 revenue generating fee earners as at 30 June 2015, compared to 9 on 30 March 2014, AUM grew 9% to £640 million from £584 million as at 30 June 2014 while revenues increased 9% to £2.94 million (H1 2014: £2.71 million; FY 2014: £5.69 million).

 

The Group generated £553,688 of cash from its operating activities during the period (H1 2014: £423,340; FY: 2014 £1.41 million).  The closing cash balance at the period end was £1,742,114 (H1 2014: £1,282,506, FY 2014: £1,703,715).  The closing cash balance is after paying £327,833 to shareholders by way of final dividend in respect of FY14.

 

The net asset value of the Group, before non-controlling interests, at 30 June 2014 was £8,354,764 (H1 2014: £7,651,969; FY 2014: £8,215,878). 

 

The Group's gross profit margin for the period was 61% (H1 2014: 68%; FY 2014: 68%) and the profit before tax margin was 19% (H1 2014: 24%; FY 2014: 28%).

 

Dividend

In June 2015 the Company paid a final dividend in respect of FY14 of £327,833.  This represents a total dividend for 2014 of 0.71 pence per share (2014: 0.58 pence) to shareholders.  The Company is pleased to announce that it will be paying an interim dividend of £115,347 representing 0.19 pence per share (2014: 0.17 pence). The interim dividend will be paid on 14 August 2015 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 3 August 2015 and the shares will trade on an ex-dividend basis from 31 July 2015.

 

Operations

As stated at the year-end, we see this as an inflexion point for the Company and we are focusing on increasing expert witness fee income and building relationships with Private Client Departments, with a view to underpinning the pipeline for further AUM growth (currently £640 million). The key drivers here are increasing the number of revenue generating fee earners, expanding our geographic footprint and strengthening key relationships with injury claims handlers and lawyers.

 

Having opened offices in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Bristol during the period, we now have 15 revenue generating fee earners. The nature of our model, which is driven by each fee earner's relationships and their ability to generate expert witness fee income, means that the new offices are effectively virtual and have relatively low overheads. We also increased marketing and branding initiatives during the period. As a result of our expansion there was a 31% increase in costs of sales to £1.14 million (H1 2014 £861,961) during the period while administrative expenses increased 10% to £1.2 million (H1 2014: £1.1 million).

 

During the period we continued to host events aimed at further strengthening our relationships with advisers and we see this as an integral part of our growth strategy. As a result of our efforts we increased the value of higher claims represented while strengthening our position as preferred supplier for expert witness, personal injury trust and investment advice.

 

 

Outlook

This was a pivotal period for the Company as we developed our investment strategy with a view to delivering higher growth rates in order for operating profits, AUM and cash to grow significantly from 2016 onwards. We took the decision to build on traditionally consistent growth, which has been underpinned by 99% client retention for our investment management services. We are delighted by the calibre of fee earners we have added to our growing regional footprint and are well placed to further grow our reach.

 

We are focused on further developing our core market expertise and also see scope to provide asset protection services to a growing number of other potential markets. We will continue to explore opportunities that will enable us to grow our assets under management as we build on our strong foundations for accelerated growth.

 

I would like to thank all of our staff and shareholders for their continued support and look forward to providing further updates.

 

David Southworth

Chairman

13 July 2015

 

 

Frenkel Topping Group plc


6 Months

6 Months

Year

Group income statement

 


 ended

30-Jun-15

ended

30-Jun-14

ended

31-Dec- 14



Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited


Note

£

£

£






REVENUE


2,942,861

2,705,946

5,693,266






Direct staff costs


(1,142,071)

(861,961)

(1,796,734)






Gross Profit


1,800,790

1,843,985

3,896,532






ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES





Share based compensation


(38,772)

(84,571)

(174,142)

Other


(1,192,411)

(1,103,770)

(2,146,721)






TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES


(1,231,183)

(1,188,341)

(2,320,863)






Profit from operations before share based compensation


608,379

740,215

1,749,811

Share based compensation


(38,772)

(84,571)

(174,142)











PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS


569,607

655,644

1,575,669






Finance costs


(1,401)

(2,899)

(6,972)






PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

568,206

652,745

1,568,697






Income tax expense


(140,259)

(129,967)

(203,646)






PROFIT AND TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD

427,947

522,778

1,365,051






PROFIT AND TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO:





Owners of parent undertakings


427,947

522,778

1,365,051

Non controlling interest

-

-

-



427,947

522,778

1,365,051






Earnings per share - basic (pence)

3

0.71

0.86

2.269

Earnings per share - diluted (pence)

3

0.68

0.83

2.190






 

 

The results for the period are derived from continuing activities.

 

 

Frenkel Topping Group plc





Group Statement of Financial Position


30-Jun-15

30-Jun-14

31-Dec-14

As at 30 June 2015


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited



£

£

£

ASSETS





NON CURRENT ASSETS





Goodwill


5,095,287

5,095,287

5,095,287

Property, Plant and equipment


9,566

32,427

12,990

Deferred tax


 

202,627

 

61,610

 

202,627



5,307,480

5,189,324

5,310,904

CURRENT ASSETS





Accrued income

Short term investments


937,225

40,000

856,522

-

933,428

-

Trade receivables


968,669

993,080

882,249

Other receivables


198,500

186,071

158,634

Cash at bank and in hand


2,392,233

1,735,131

1,959,556



4,536,627

3,770,804

3,933,867






TOTAL ASSETS


9,844,107

8,960,128

9,244,771






EQUITY AND LIABILITIES





EQUITY





Share capital

Merger reserve


319,186

929,577

319,186

929,577

319,186

929,577

Own share reserve

Other reserve


(774,197)

(341,174)

(515,549)

(341,174)

(774,197)

(341,174)

Retained earnings


8,221,372

7,259,929

8,082,486

EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDER OF PARENT

Non controlling Interests

TOTAL EQUITY


8,354,764

490

8,355,254

7,651,969

490

7,652,459

8,215,878

490

8,216,368






NON CURRENT LIABILITIES





Obligations under finance lease


-

12,310

-








-

12,310

-

CURRENT LIABILITIES





Bank overdraft

650,119

452,625

255,841

Current taxation


240,677

115,261

140,252

Trade and other payables


598,057

727,473

632,310

Provisions


-

-

-



1,488,853

1,295,359

1,028,403






TOTAL LIABILITIES


1,488,853

1,307,669

1,028,403

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


9,844,107

8,960,128

9,244,771






 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the period to 30 June 2015


 

 

 

Share Capital

 

 

 

Merger

Reserve

 

 

 

Other

Reserve

 

 

Own share

Reserve

 

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Total controlling interest

 

 

Non controlling interest

 

 

 

 

Total


£

£

£

£

£

£

£

£

Balance 1 January 2014

 

316,161

 

929,577

 

(341,174)

 

(367,125)

 

6,999,524

 

7,536,963

 

-

 

7,536,963

 

Share based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

84,571

 

 

84,571

 

 

-

               

 

84,571

 

New shares issued

 

3,025

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

3,025

 

-

 

3,025

 

Own shares purchased

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(148,424)

 

 

-

 

 

(148,424)

 

 

-

 

 

(148,424)

 

Dividend paid to shareholders

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(354,444)

 

 

 

(354,444)

 

 

 

-

 

 


_______

_______

_______

_______

________

________

________

________

Total transactions with owners recognised in equity

 

 

 

319,186

 

 

 

929,577

 

 

 

(341,174)

 

 

 

(515,549)

 

 

 

6,729,651

 

 

 

7,121,691

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

7,121,691

 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

527,778

 

 

 

 

527,778

 

 

 

 

-





      527,778

 

Employee Share scheme

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,500

 

2,500

 

490

 

2,990


_______

_______

_______

_______

________

________

________

________

Balance 30 June 2014

 

319,186

 

929,577

 

(341,174)

 

(515,549)

 

7,259,929

 

7,651,969

 

490

 

7,652,459

 

Share based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

89,571

 

 

89,571

 

 

-

 

 

89,571

 

Dividend paid to shareholders

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(104,287)

 

 

 

(104,287)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(104,287)

 

Own shares purchased

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(258,648)

 

 

-

 

 

(258,648)

 

 

-

 

 

(258,648)


_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

________

Total transactions with owners recognised in equity

 

 

 

319,186

 

 

 

929,577

 

 

 

(341,174)

 

 

 

(774,197)

 

 

 

7,245,213

 

 

 

7,378,605

 

 

 

490

 

 

 

7,379,095

 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

837,273

 

 

 

 

837,273

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

837,273


_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

Balance 31 December 2014

 

319,186

 

929,577

 

(341,174)

 

(774,197)

 

8,082,486

 

8,215,878

 

490

 

8,216,368

 

Share based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

38,772

 

 

38,772

 

 

-

 

 

38,772

 

Dividend paid to shareholders

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(327,833)

 

 

 

(327,833)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(327,833)


_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

________

Total transaction with owners recognised in equity

 

319,186

 

929,577

 

(341,174)

 

(774,197)

 

7,793,425

 

7,926,817

 

 

490

 

 

7,927,307

 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

427,947

 

427,947

 

-

 

427,947


_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

________

 

Balance 30 June 2015

 

 

319,186

 

 

929,577

 

 

(341,174)

 

 

(774,197)

 

 

8,221,372

 

 

8,354,764

 

 

 

490

 

 

 

8,355,254


============

 

 

==============

 

 

==============

 

 

=============

 

 

=============

 

 

=============

 

 

=============

 

 

===============

 

 

 

·      The share capital represents the number of shares issued at nominal price.

·      The merger reserve represents the cost of the shares issued to purchase the non controlling interest at market value at the date of the acquisition.

·      The other reserve represents the excess paid for the non controlling interest over the book value at the date of the acquisition.

·      The own shares reserve represents the cost of 3,128,016 (2014: 2,490,541) shares held by an employee benefit trust.  The open market value of the shares held at 30 June 2015 was £1,219,926 (2014: £996,216).

·      Retained earnings represents the profit generated by the Group since trading commenced, together with dividends paid, share premium cancelled and share based payment and credits.

·      The non controlling interests represents the value of the part of the subsidiary owned outside the Group.

·      The Group has conformed with all capital requirements as imposed by the FCA.

 

Frenkel Topping Group plc


6 Months

6 Months

Year

Group Cash Flow Statement

For the period to 30 June 2015


ended

30-Jun-15

ended

30-Jun-14

ended

31-Dec -14



Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited



£

£

£





Profit before tax


568,206

652,745

1,568,697

Adjustments to reconcile profit for the year to cash generated from operating activities





 

Finance cost

Share based compensation


 

1,401

38,772

 

2,899

84,571

 

6,972

174,142

Depreciation

Subsidiary share award


3,424

-

7,172

-

13,936

2,500

(Increase)/decrease in accrued income,

trade and other receivables

(129,889)

157,023

210,396

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

71,774

(481,070)

(570,411)

Cash generated (used in)/from operations

553,688

423,340

1,406,232

Income Tax paid


(146,056)

(156,104)

(346,424)

Cash generated (used in)/from operating activities

407,632

267,236

1,059,808






Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

-

(2,521)

(5,948)

Cash used in investing activities


-

(2,521)

(5,948)






Financing activities





Shares issued

Investments


-

(40,000)

3,025

-

3,025

-

Dividend paid

Purchase own shares

Finance lease payments


(327,833)

-

-

(354,444)

(148,424)

(4,018)

(458,731)

(407,072)

(8,035)

Interest on loans and borrowings


(1,400)

(2,899)

(3,883)

Cash used in financing


(369,233)

(506,760)

(874,696)






Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

38,399

 

(242,045)

 

179,164

 

Opening cash and cash equivalents


1,703,715

1,524,551

1,524,551

Closing cash and cash equivalents


1,742,114

1,282,506

1,703,715






 

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalent










Cash at bank and in hand


2,392,233

1,735,131

1,959,556

Overdraft


(650,119)

(452,625)

(255,841)

Closing cash and cash equivalent


1,742,114

1,282,506

1,703,715

 

Cash and cash equivalents are held at National Westminster Bank Plc.

 

Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

 

1.    Basis of preparation and accounting policies


Basis of preparation

The Group's interim result consolidates the results of the Frenkel Topping and its subsidiary undertakings up to 30 June 2015.  Frenkel Topping is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in England & Wales and whose shares are quoted on AIM, a market operated by The London Stock Exchange. The consolidated financial information of Frenkel Topping is presented in Pounds Sterling (£), which is also the functional currency of the parent.

 

The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. It does not therefore include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements as at 31 December 2014 which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS's as adopted by the European Union.

 

The financial information for the 6 months ended 30 June 2015 is also unaudited.

 

The Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2014 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The Group has not applied IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, which is not mandatory for UK Groups, in the preparation of these interim financial statements.

 

Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2015 are in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union and are consistent with those which will be adopted in the annual statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20143.

 

2.            Revenue Segmental Reporting

All of the Group's revenue arises from activities within the UK.  Management consider there to be only one operating segment within the business based on the way the business is organised and the way results are reported internally.

3.            Earnings per ordinary share

 


6 months

6 months

Year ending


June 2015

June 2014

December 2014

Earnings




Earning for the purpose of basic earnings per share (net profit for the year attributable to equity holder of the parent)

£427,947

£522,778

£1,365,051

 

Earning for the purpose of diluted earnings per share

£427,947

£522,778

£1,365,051

 

Number of shares




Purpose for basic earnings per share

Less: own shares held

63,837,067

 

(3,128,016)

----------------

 

60,709,051

63,281,887

 

(2,490,541)

---------------

 

60,791,346

63,281,887

 

(3,128,016)

--------------

 

60,153,871

 

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares - share options

2,260,000

2,255,979

2,294,873


---------------

------------------

----------------

Purpose of diluted earnings per share

62,969,051

63,047,325

62,373,744


---------------

---------------

---------------





 

4.            Dividend

A dividend of £327,833 representing 0.54 pence per share was approved by the Shareholders at the AGM on 19 May 2015 and has not been included as a liability as at 31 December 2014.  The dividend was paid on 12 June 2015.

5.            The Board of Directors approved the interim report on 10 July 2015.

6.            Copies of this report are available from the company website on www.frenkeltopping.co.uk

 

 

- Ends -


This information is provided by RNS
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