Interim Results

Future PLC 13 June 2007 13 June 2007 FUTURE PLC Interim results for the half-year ended 31 March 2007 Future plc (LSE: FUTR), the international special-interest media group, today announces its interim results for the half-year ended 31 March 2007. An analyst presentation will be held today at 10.00am at the offices of UBS, 1 Finsbury Avenue, London EC2M 2PP. Good progress on strategic turnaround • Improvement in normalised EBITAE margin (8.2% vs 7.0%) • Further annualised cost savings identified of over £1.0m being reinvested • Normalised EBITAE up 12% to £7.7m (H1 2006: £6.9m) • Statutory EBITAE up 39% to £7.9m (H1 2006: £5.7m) • Statutory profit before tax of £8.6m (H1 2006: loss of £1.6m) • Net debt down 24% to £29.1m (31 March 2006: £38.3m) EBITAE represents operating profit before exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangible assets. The normalised results exclude revenues and costs of activities closed or divested between 1 October 2005 and 31 March 2007. • Online investment targeted to accelerate in H2 • Significant growth in online advertising revenue - up 66% year on year • Further successes in customer publishing with revenues up 59% year on year • All new senior hires now in post Other news today • Appointment of Seb Bishop as non-executive Director Commenting on the results and outlook, Stevie Spring, Chief Executive said: 'I am pleased with what we have achieved in the first half and the steps we have taken to strengthen the business. 'We have focus back in the Group. 'We have stabilised revenues and improved margins to fund investment for our future revenue streams. Today's results demonstrate that the turnaround is working and I would like to thank everyone at Future for their contribution to this progress. There is clearly more to do, but I am confident that we are moving in the right direction. 'With our key online hires now in place, the second half will see the bulk of our planned online investment, some of which had originally been expected in the first half. We also anticipate continuing declines at Future France as we have not been investing in this part of the business. 'Despite this and although the backdrop remains challenging for media generally, we are encouraged by the progress we have made to date and remain on track to deliver full-year results in line with existing expectations.' Financial summary Statutory results H1 07 H1 06 Change £m (restated) % £m Revenue 95.3 107.0 -11% EBITAE 7.9 5.7 +39% EBITAE margin 8.3% 5.3% +57% Operating profit/(loss) 10.0 (0.3) - Pre-tax profit/(loss) 8.6 (1.6) - Earnings/(loss) per share - Continuing (p) 2.2 (0.4) - Earnings/(loss) per share - Total (p) 2.3 (3.6) - Dividend per share (p) 0.5 0.5 - Normalised results H1 07 H1 06 Change £m (restated) % £m Revenue 94.1 98.7 -5% EBITAE 7.7 6.9 +12% EBITAE margin 8.2% 7.0% +17% Adjusted earnings per share (p) 1.5 1.1 +36% EBITAE represents operating profit before exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangible assets. Normalised results are presented to reflect better the current size and structure of the business, which is consistent with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. The normalised results exclude revenues and costs of activities closed or divested between 1 October 2005 and 31 March 2007. Adjusted earnings per share are based on normalised results, but exclude exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangibles and related tax effects. Enquiries: Future plc Stevie Spring, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7042 4007 John Bowman, Group Finance Director Tel: 020 7042 4031 Hogarth Partnership James Longfield / Ian Payne Tel: 020 7357 9477 Chief Executive's Statement Twelve months ago, Future announced an interim loss, a revision of strategy and a change of CEO. Six months ago, we set out the steps we were taking to strengthen the business, including a series of actions to create significant cost savings for re-investing in the business. We also provided an outline of the six key areas of focus for 2007 and beyond. Today, one year after my appointment and following a busy first half-year, I can report that we have made good progress on all fronts: better visibility in the business; a significant improvement in operating margin; additional cost savings secured; investment in product development; further successes in partnership publishing, growth in online advertising and a further significant reduction in debt. We are also announcing the appointment of Seb Bishop as a non-executive Director (see separate announcement). We continue to operate in a fast-changing media landscape and in seeking to strengthen our business we have been increasingly focused on leveraging our core competence of 'English-language content, produced by and for enthusiasts, cross-platform'. During the first half-year, we have significantly re-shaped the business. In focusing on basics, we have continued to emphasise editorial and design excellence. During the last twelve months, we have redesigned 20 magazines across the portfolio, most recently Total Film. We have also continued our programme of cover-price experimentation and in the last six months have increased volumes and revenues on titles such as Digital Camera, PC Plus and PC Format through tactical price decreases. Further price testing continues across the portfolio. In managing our cost base, in addition to the savings from titles we sold or closed last year, we have negotiated new contracts covering a substantial part of our external cost base, with significant annual cost savings in paper, print and covermounts, amounting to a further £1.0m+ - in addition to the £4.5m previously announced. In line with our strategy, these additional savings will be re-invested in the business. Total Group headcount at 31 March 2007 was 1,429. In March 2006, excluding Italy and divestments, the comparable headcount was 1,417. The consistent level belies the fact that many roles have changed and migrated to growth areas. In support of our requirement for greater flexibility from our employees, we have also increased our training budget by 40%. We have also made good progress in reducing our property overhead. In April, we negotiated a surrender of the lease in respect of our previous London office and this, together with sub-lets of other surplus property, has allowed us to make a substantial reduction in property provisions. This is the largest factor in exceptional credits totalling £4.1m. We have delivered further successes in partnership publishing, including our licensed magazines. During the last six months we launched Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK and France, ahead of the successful launch of the PlayStation3 console in Europe in March. We also launched the Official Windows Vista magazine across 12 territories in early 2007: the largest international magazine launch ever. We secured a further three year licence to publish the UK Official Tour de France Guide and won a new licence to publish the Tour of Britain magazine. Within partnership publishing, customer publishing (non-newsstand) revenues were up 59% year on year, following the commencement of new contracts for Sky Movies, BT Vision, The Musicians Union, DSG and PC World. New wins secured in the first half included HMV, Nvidia, Microsoft, Cingular and Comcast. In the US, this source of revenue doubled in the half-year. Partnership publishing overall contributed £5.0m on revenues of £19.5m in the first half, representing approximately 20% of our business revenues. To drive our online development, we have made four new online senior management hires and have also appointed a new Chief Technology Officer for the Group. In the half-year, online advertising revenues were up 66% in the UK/US, representing 13% of advertising revenues compared with 6% a year ago. Gamesradar.com, which is the world's third-largest computer games website, achieved revenue growth of 102% year on year. Our US games online advertising revenue now represents 26% of total Future US games advertising. Our other areas of online focus are technology, cycling, music-making and action sports and our new websites in these areas are also being launched this year. With our new online management team now in place, we will increase our online investment in the second half, including some investment that had originally been expected to be incurred in the first half. Our US business has more than doubled its EBITAE margin compared with the previous half-year, reflecting lower operating costs, shut-down of our Atlanta office and closure of a number of marginal or loss-making titles last year. More recently, we have also reorganised the music group behind a single brand focus: Guitar World, the world's largest and leading guitar magazine. Music-listening in the US is based around last year's acquisition of Revolver - a noteworthy integration success. Against a purchase price of $4m the title generated a contribution of more than $1.1m in its first 12 months. Future France faced even tougher trading conditions throughout the period with revenues down by 14% and EBITAE down 25%. This reflects the fact that we do not have any significant online presence in France and thus our ability to mitigate pressure on print revenue is very restricted. As previously announced, we have not been investing in this part of the business. Future has some strong market positions and these will continue to be our main areas of focus going forward. We will exploit our English-language content strength in print, online and face-to-face: wherever we can monetise our content or consumers' interest. I am pleased with what we have achieved in the first half and the steps we have taken to strengthen the business. We have a strong and enthusiastic team, full of creative ideas and passionate about their subject. There is clearly more to do and I look forward to updating shareholders on our continuing progress at the year end. For now, I would like to thank everyone at Future for their contribution through a particularly demanding transition. Stevie Spring Chief Executive 13 June 2007 Financial Review Statutory results for half-year to 31 March 2007 The statutory results for the Group are set out on pages 13 to 23. First half-year revenue was £95.3m (2006: £107.0m) and the business generated EBITAE of £7.9m (2006: £5.7m) representing a strengthened EBITAE margin of 8.3% (2006: 5.3%). The half-year income statement includes net exceptional credits of £4.1m (2006: exceptional costs £3.5m), a charge for amortisation of intangible assets of £2.0m (2006: £2.5m) and net financing costs of £1.4m (2006: £1.3m), leading to pre-tax profits of £8.6m (2006: loss of £1.6m) for the period. --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Statutory results 2007 2006 £m (restated) £m --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Revenue 95.3 107.0 EBITAE 7.9 5.7 EBITAE margin 8.3% 5.3% Operating profit/(loss) 10.0 (0.3) Pre-tax profit/(loss) 8.6 (1.6) Earnings/(loss) per share - Continuing (p) 2.2 (0.4) Earnings/(loss) per share - Total (p) 2.3 (3.6) Dividend per share (p) 0.5 0.5 --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Normalised results for half-year to 31 March 2007 Normalised results are presented to reflect better the current size and structure of the business, which is consistent with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. The normalised results exclude revenues and costs of activities closed or divested between 1 October 2005 and 31 March 2007. Normalised first half revenue was £94.1m (2006: £98.7m) generating EBITAE of £7.7m (2006: £6.9m). This result gives rise to an increase in the EBITAE margin from 7.0% to 8.2% for the normalised business, enhanced by online revenues ahead of expectation and online investment weighted towards the second half, following our senior management appointments. --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Normalised results 2007 2006 £m £m --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Revenue 94.1 98.7 EBITAE 7.7 6.9 EBITAE margin 8.2% 7.0% Adjusted earnings per share (p) 1.5 1.1 --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Review of operations The review of operations is based on normalised results. Group revenue fell by 5% (2% in constant currencies) to £94.1m. Revenues in the UK and US were broadly flat compared with the previous year (in constant currencies) with expected softness in some games, computing and performance car revenues compensated for by growth in online and customer publishing. Revenues in France, where the group had no online revenue during the period, fell by 15%. The Group's top 10 titles in the half-year accounted for 26% of revenue (2006: 32%). Margin improvement has arisen from tight control of direct costs across the Group and strong margins in growth areas. Central costs remained below their 2006 level. Analysis of revenue for half-year to 31 March ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- % of 2007 2006 Change Group £m £m £m ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- UK 62% 58.5 58.8 (0.3) US 26% 24.4 27.0 (2.6) France 12% 11.5 13.6 (2.1) Intra-group - (0.3) (0.7) 0.4 ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total revenue 100% 94.1 98.7 (4.6) ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Analysis of EBITAE for half-year to 31 March -------------- --------- --------- --------- 2007 2006 Change £m £m £m -------------- --------- --------- --------- UK 7.3 7.0 0.3 US 1.1 0.4 0.7 France 0.8 1.1 (0.3) Central costs (1.5) (1.6) 0.1 -------------- --------- --------- --------- Total EBITAE 7.7 6.9 0.8 -------------- --------- --------- --------- UK performance in half-year ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 2007 2006 Change £m £m % ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Circulation revenue 38.1 38.5 - 1% Advertising revenue 18.0 18.1 - 1% Other revenue 2.4 2.2 + 9% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Revenue 58.5 58.8 - 1% EBITAE 7.3 7.0 + 4% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- EBITAE margin 12.5% 11.9% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- UK revenue for the half-year fell by £0.3m or 1% reflecting a reduction in revenues from some games, computing and performance car titles, offset by growth in customer publishing and an increase in online advertising revenue. UK ABC circulation statistics published in February for our titles confirmed that, with the exception of certain games titles (prior to the launch of our new PlayStation titles) and the particular area of performance cars (where we have two titles in a segment that has experienced a sector-wide reduction in sales) the circulation volume of the rest of our audited portfolio actually increased by 1% in 2006 compared with 2005. While newsstand remains the dominant sales channel for our business in the UK, subscription revenues were up 10% year on year and represented 19% of total UK circulation revenues (16% in H1 2006). We now have over 346,000 paying subscribers for our magazines, with 60% of new subscription orders sourced and processed online, an increase of eight percentage points on last year. Operating costs remained under tight control during the period with new contracts being negotiated for print and DVD covermounts. In addition overhead costs were reduced resulting in an improved margin. As a result of the divestment process last year and other distribution initiatives, overall UK newsstand efficiency increased by 6% in the half-year. With effect from 1 May 2007, distribution of all our UK magazines has been moved to Seymour, one of the UK's largest magazine distributors. This is expected to benefit the business from 2008. In our continuing UK business, approximately 35% of revenues and approximately 53% of contribution was generated by the top 15 titles. US performance in half-year ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 2007 2006 Change $m $m % ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Circulation revenue 20.9 22.3 - 6% Advertising revenue 25.4 24.2 + 5% Other revenue 1.0 0.7 + 43% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total revenue 47.3 47.2 - EBITAE 2.1 0.6 + 250% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- EBITAE margin 4.4% 1.3% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- US revenue for the half-year in US dollars was broadly flat reflecting advertising weakness in games and certain music titles. The impact of this was offset by the growth of online games advertising, customer publishing and the inclusion of Revolver this half-year. We have taken a number of actions to improve operating performance in the US. The normalised results presented above exclude the impact of the six titles and Atlanta office closed last year. However, the results still show margins improving from 1.3% to 4.4% as a result of higher revenues in action sports and stronger margins achieved on increased customer publishing and online business. There is more to be done and we have recently renegotiated printing and DVD purchasing agreements which will be beneficial to the business going forward. We have also recently re-organised our US music business around our lead brand, Guitar World. Guitar One, Acoustic and Bass are being merged into Guitar World, which has reduced our underlying costs and should enhance revenues of Guitar World over time. France performance in half-year ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 2007 2006 Change €m €m % ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Circulation revenue 12.5 14.1 - 11% Advertising revenue 4.6 5.8 - 21% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total revenue 17.1 19.9 - 14% EBITAE 1.2 1.6 - 25% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- EBITAE margin 7.0% 8.0% ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- French revenue for the half-year in euros was down 14% reflecting tough newsstand and advertising conditions throughout the period. Tight control of operational costs and overheads have been a key focus during the half-year, however EBITAE fell by 25% and the EBITAE margin reduced. Exceptional items Exceptional credits totalling £4.1m relate to property and other provisions and disposals. The largest single element of £1.4m reflects the release of the provision held in respect of the Group's previous offices in London. In April 2007 the Group negotiated a surrender of the entire lease, which was due to expire in 2012. During the period, the Group realised profits on disposal of businesses of £1.0m comprising £0.1m in relation to the sale of Future Media Italy, shown in discontinued operations, and £0.9m in relation to other disposals. Leasehold property and related balance sheet provisions All previously unoccupied property has now been either assigned, sub-let or the lease surrendered. Property provisions carried at 31 March 2007 totalled £1.5m (2006: £3.7m), of which £1.1m has since been paid. Taxation The tax charge for the half-year was £1.4m (2006: tax credit of £0.3m) which represents an estimated effective tax rate of 30% applied to profit before tax and exceptional items. This is the effective rate estimated to apply to taxable profits of the Group for the full financial year. Cash flow and net debt Net debt at 30 September 2006 was £32.8m. Future continues to be cash-generative and the major inflows during the period were cash generated from operations of £6.9m (2006: £12.7m), proceeds from disposals of £1.0m (2006: £nil) and net tax received of £0.7m (2006: paid £0.6m). During the period the Group paid out £1.6m (2006: £4.2m) in dividends and £0.8m (2006: £3.3m) in respect of capital expenditure. Net debt at 31 March 2007 was £29.1m, a reduction of 24% compared with the position at 31 March 2006. Interim dividend An interim dividend of 0.5p per share (2006: 0.5p) will be paid on 12 July 2007 to all shareholders on the register on 22 June 2007. The ex-dividend date is 20 June 2007. Board On 13 June 2007, Future announced that Seb Bishop (32) has been appointed to the Board as an independent non-executive Director with effect from 14 June 2007. Seb's creative background, extensive internet business experience and Anglo-American focus, fits perfectly with our strategy and we look forward to working with him in the years ahead. Current trading and prospects With our key online hires now in place, the second half will see the bulk of our planned online investment, some of which had originally been expected in the first half. We also anticipate continuing declines at Future France as we have not been investing in this part of the business. Despite this and although the backdrop remains challenging for media generally, we are encouraged by the progress we have made to date and remain on track to deliver full-year results in line with existing expectations. Roger Parry, Chairman Stevie Spring, Chief Executive John Bowman, Group Finance Director Michael Penington, senior independent non-executive Director Patrick Taylor, independent non-executive Director John Mellon, independent non-executive Director 13 June 2007 Statutory results Consolidated income statement for the six months ended 31 March 2007 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March 2006 September 2006 (restated) (restated) Note £m £m £m -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Continuing operations Revenue 1 95.3 107.0 211.7 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Operating profit before exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangible assets 7.9 5.7 13.4 Exceptional items 3 4.1 (3.5) (9.0) Impairment of intangible assets 2,10 - - (33.0) Amortisation of intangible assets 2,10 (2.0) (2.5) (5.8) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Operating profit/(loss) 1,2 10.0 (0.3) (34.4) Finance income 5 0.4 0.2 0.5 Finance costs 5 (1.8) (1.5) (3.1) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Net finance costs 5 (1.4) (1.3) (2.6) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 8.6 (1.6) (37.0) Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities 6 (1.4) 0.3 1.8 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations 7.2 (1.3) (35.2) Discontinued operations Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations 9 0.2 (10.5) (12.0) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Profit/(loss) for the period 7.4 (11.8) (47.2) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Earnings per 1p Ordinary share -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Note 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March 2006 September 2006 pence pence pence -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Basic earnings/(loss) per share - Total Group 8 2.3 (3.6) (14.5) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share - Total Group 8 2.3 (3.6) (14.5) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Basic earnings/(loss) per share - Continuing operations 8 2.2 (0.4) (10.8) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share - Continuing operations 8 2.2 (0.4) (10.8) -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 31 March 2007 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Share Share Merger Treasury Retained Total capital premium reserve reserve earnings equity Note £m £m £m £m £m £m ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Balance at 1 October 2006 3.3 24.5 109.0 (1.1) (72.1) 63.6 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Profit for the period - - - - 7.4 7.4 Currency translation differences - - - - (0.4) (0.4) ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Total recognised income for the period - - - - 7.0 7.0 Final dividend relating to 2006 7 - - - - (1.6) (1.6) Share option schemes - Value of employees' services 4 - - - - 0.6 0.6 Transfer between reserves - - - 0.4 (0.4) - ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Balance at 31 March 2007 3.3 24.5 109.0 (0.7) (66.5) 69.6 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Balance at 1 October 2005 3.3 24.4 109.0 - (19.2) 117.5 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Loss for the period - - - - (11.8) (11.8) Currency translation differences - - - - 0.2 0.2 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Total recognised loss for the period - - - - (11.6) (11.6) Final dividend relating to 2005 7 - - - - (4.2) (4.2) Share option schemes - Value of employees' services 4 - - - - 0.3 0.3 New share capital subscribed - 0.1 - - - 0.1 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Balance at 31 March 2006 3.3 24.5 109.0 - (34.7) 102.1 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Balance at 1 October 2005 3.3 24.4 109.0 - (19.2) 117.5 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Loss for the year - - - - (47.2) (47.2) Currency translation differences - - - - (0.4) (0.4) ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Total recognised loss for the year - - - - (47.6) (47.6) Final dividend relating to 7 2005 - - - - (4.2) (4.2) Interim dividend relating to 2006 7 - - - - (1.7) (1.7) Share option schemes - Value of employees' services 4 - - - - 0.7 0.7 - Deferred tax on options - - - - (0.1) (0.1) Treasury shares acquired - - - (1.1) - (1.1) New share capital subscribed - 0.1 - - - 0.1 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Balance at 30 September 3.3 24.5 109.0 (1.1) (72.1) 63.6 2006 ------------------------- ---- ------- ------ ------ -------- -------- ----- Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2007 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September 2006 Note £m £m £m ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 5.7 6.4 6.2 Intangible assets - goodwill 10 104.1 138.5 104.7 Intangible assets - other 10 5.2 10.8 6.9 Deferred tax 3.4 2.2 3.5 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total non-current assets 118.4 157.9 121.3 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Current assets Inventories 5.0 7.1 4.9 Corporation tax recoverable 1.4 2.9 2.6 Trade and other receivables 34.8 42.2 36.8 Cash and cash equivalents 9.7 19.4 20.0 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total current assets 50.9 71.6 64.3 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total assets 169.3 229.5 185.6 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Equity and liabilities Equity Issued share capital 3.3 3.3 3.3 Share premium account 24.5 24.5 24.5 Merger reserve 109.0 109.0 109.0 Treasury reserve (0.7) - (1.1) Retained earnings (66.5) (34.7) (72.1) ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total equity 69.6 102.1 63.6 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities - interest-bearing loans and borrowings 23.8 27.8 25.8 Deferred tax 2.0 2.3 1.9 Provisions 2.1 3.7 5.6 Other non-current liabilities 2.5 2.2 2.6 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total non-current liabilities 30.4 36.0 35.9 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Current liabilities Financial liabilities - interest-bearing loans and borrowings 15.0 29.9 27.0 Trade and other payables 53.1 61.3 58.9 Corporation tax payable 1.2 0.2 0.2 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total current liabilities 69.3 91.4 86.1 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total liabilities 99.7 127.4 122.0 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Total equity and liabilities 169.3 229.5 185.6 ------------------------ ------- --------- --------- --------- Consolidated cash flow statement for the six months ended 31 March 2007 --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March 2006 September 2006 £m £m £m --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 6.9 12.7 24.0 Interest received 0.4 0.2 0.5 Tax received 1.5 0.2 0.2 Interest paid (1.7) (1.1) (3.2) Tax paid (0.8) (0.8) (0.9) --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Net cash generated from operating activities 6.3 11.2 20.6 --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (0.8) (3.3) (4.2) Purchase of magazine titles and trademarks (0.1) (2.4) (2.4) Purchase of computer software and website development (0.4) - (0.9) Disposal of magazine titles and trademarks 0.3 - - Disposal of subsidiary undertaking 0.7 - - Costs of business disposals (0.3) - - Net cash disposed with subsidiary undertaking (0.6) - - --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities (1.2) (5.7) (7.5) --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issue of Ordinary share capital - 0.1 0.1 Purchase of own shares by Employee Benefit Trust - - (1.1) Draw down of bank loans 4.0 7.4 7.3 Repayment of bank loans (17.5) - (4.0) Rearrangement fees for bank loans (0.2) - - Equity dividends paid (1.6) (4.2) (5.9) --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities (15.3) 3.3 (3.6) --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (10.2) 8.8 9.5 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 20.0 10.7 10.7 Exchange adjustments (0.1) (0.1) (0.2) --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 9.7 19.4 20.0 --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Amount attributable to - Continuing operations 9.7 19.4 20.0 - Discontinued operations - - - --------------------------- --------- --------- --------- Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement for the six months ended 31 March 2007 A. Cash flows from operating activities The reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to cash flows generated from operations is set out below: ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March September 2006 £m 2006 £m £ ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Operating profit/(loss) for the period - Continuing operations 10.0 (0.3) (34.4) - Discontinued operations 0.2 (10.5) (12.0) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Operating profit/(loss) for the period - Total Group 10.2 (10.8) (46.4) Adjustments for: Depreciation charge 1.1 0.9 2.0 Profit on disposal of subsidiary (0.1) - - Profit on disposal of magazine titles and trademarks (0.9) - - Amortisation of intangible assets 2.0 2.6 5.9 Impairment of intangible assets - 11.0 45.0 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Share option schemes - Value of employees' services 0.6 0.3 0.7 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Operating profit before changes in working capital and provisions 12.9 4.0 7.2 Movement in provisions (3.5) 1.5 3.4 (Increase)/decrease in inventories (0.8) (0.9) 1.2 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (1.6) 4.0 8.2 (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (0.1) 4.1 4.0 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Cash generated from operations 6.9 12.7 24.0 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- B. Analysis of net debt ----------------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- At 1 October Cash flows Disposals Non-cash Exchange At 31 March changes movements 2007 2006 £m £m £m £m £m £m ----------------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Cash and cash equivalents 20.0 (9.6) (0.6) - (0.1) 9.7 Debt due within one year (27.0) 13.5 - (2.0) 0.5 (15.0) Debt due after more than one year (25.8) - - 2.0 - (23.8) ----------------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net debt (32.8) 3.9 (0.6) - 0.4 (29.1) ----------------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- C. Reconciliation of movement in net debt ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March 2006 September 2006 £m £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Net debt at start of period (32.8) (39.5) (39.5) (Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (9.6) 8.8 9.5 Cash disposed with subsidiary (0.6) - - Movement in borrowings 13.5 (7.4) (3.3) Exchange movements 0.4 (0.2) 0.5 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Net debt at end of period (29.1) (38.3) (32.8) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Basis of preparation This condensed interim financial information for the 6 months ended 31 March 2007 has been prepared in accordance with the listing rules of the Financial Services Authority and IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2006. The Interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 and has not been audited. A copy of the statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2006 has been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified. The auditors have carried out a review of the Interim results and their report will be set out in the printed Interim Report. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those set out in the Group's statutory accounts for the financial year ended 30 September 2006. The Group has restated its income statement for the 6 months ended 31 March 2006 and the year ended 30 September 2006 for the presentation of Future Media Italy as a discontinued operation, in accordance with IFRS 5 'Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations'. Notes to the financial information 1. Segmental reporting The Group is organised and managed primarily by geographical segment which is based on the economic environment in which an entity operates. a) Revenue by segment ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September £m (restated) 2006 £m (restated) £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- United Kingdom 59.5 64.2 128.3 United States 24.6 29.9 60.1 France 11.5 13.6 24.4 Revenue between segments (0.3) (0.7) (1.1) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total 95.3 107.0 211.7 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- b) Operating profit/(loss) by segment ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September 2006 £m (restated) (restated) £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- United Kingdom 8.2 0.9 (19.7) United States 1.1 (0.7) (10.2) France 2.2 1.1 (0.5) Central costs (1.5) (1.6) (4.0) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total 10.0 (0.3) (34.4) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Additional analysis of the Group's revenue by type and destination is set out below: i) Revenue by type ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to March 2007 £m 31 March 2006 30 September 2006 (restated) (restated) £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Circulation 58.1 64.5 129.5 Advertising 34.7 40.4 77.1 Other 2.5 2.1 5.1 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total 95.3 107.0 211.7 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ii) Revenue by destination ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September 2006 £m (restated) (restated) £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- United Kingdom 49.3 53.5 104.4 United States 26.3 31.5 63.5 Mainland Europe 15.6 18.4 35.1 Rest of the world 4.4 4.3 9.8 Revenue between segments (0.3) (0.7) (1.1) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total 95.3 107.0 211.7 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 2. Operating profit/(loss) on continuing operations ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September 2006 £m (restated) (restated) £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Revenue 95.3 107.0 211.7 Cost of sales (65.4) (77.3) (148.7) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 29.9 29.7 63.0 Distribution expenses (6.1) (7.4) (14.9) Administration expenses (including exceptional items) (11.8) (20.1) (43.7) Impairment of intangible assets - - (33.0) Amortisation of intangible assets (2.0) (2.5) (5.8) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Operating profit/(loss) 10.0 (0.3) (34.4) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 3. Exceptional items ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30September 2006 £m (restated) (restated) £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Property costs 1.8 (2.8) (4.0) Restructuring and redundancy costs - (0.7) (3.6) Other items 1.4 - (1.4) Profit on disposal of magazine titles and trademarks 0.9 - - ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total 4.1 (3.5) (9.0) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- The property costs credit consists mainly of the release of vacant property provisions previously made in respect of office space in London and Bath. The restructuring and redundancy costs in 2006 related to the costs incurred as a result of the continued integration and subsequent restructuring of businesses and titles acquired during the year ended 30 September 2005. The other items relate to historic provisions released in respect of other contractual matters where the level of exposure is considered to have reduced. 4. Employees ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30September 2006 £m £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Wages and salaries 22.9 24.8 50.4 Social security costs 3.6 4.0 7.9 Other pension costs 0.4 0.6 1.2 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Share option schemes 0.6 0.3 0.7 - Value of employees' services ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total 27.5 29.7 60.2 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- IFRS 2 (Share-based payments) requires an expense for equity instruments granted to be recognised over the appropriate vesting period, measured at their fair value at the date of grant. The Group has used the Black Scholes model to value instruments with non market-based performance criteria such as earnings per share. For instruments with market-based performance criteria, notably total shareholder return, the Group has used a Monte Carlo model to determine the fair value. The expense for the 6 months ended 31 March 2007 of £0.6m (2006: £0.3m) has been credited to reserves. 5. Finance income and costs ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September 2006 £m £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Interest receivable 0.4 0.2 0.5 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total finance income 0.4 0.2 0.5 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Interest payable on interest-bearing loans and borrowings (1.6) (1.4) (3.1) Net foreign exchange losses - (0.1) - Rearrangement fees for bank loans (0.2) - - ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total finance costs (1.8) (1.5) (3.1) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Net finance costs (1.4) (1.3) (2.6) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6. Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities The tax charge for the six months ended 31 March 2007 is based on the estimated tax charge for the full year to 30 September 2007 including the impact of exceptional items. The half-year tax charge of £1.4m (2006: tax credit of £0.3m) represents an effective rate of 30% of profit before tax and exceptional items. 7. Dividends ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Equity dividends 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 30 September ------------------------------ --------- --------- 2006 --------- Number of shares in issue at end of period (million) 326.5 326.5 326.5 Dividends paid in period (pence per share) 0.5 1.3 1.8 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Dividends paid in period (£m) 1.6 4.2 5.9 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- In accordance with IFRS interim dividends are recognised in the period in which they are paid and final dividends are recognised in the period in which they are approved. The dividend of £1.6m paid during the period ended 31 March 2007 relates to the final dividend of 0.5 pence per share declared for the year ended 30 September 2006. The dividend of £4.2m paid during the period ended 31 March 2006 relates to the final dividend of 1.3 pence per share declared for the year ended 30 September 2005. The dividends totalling £5.9m paid during the year ended 30 September 2006 relate to the interim dividend for the six month period to 31 March 2006 of 0.5 pence per share (£1.7m) and the final dividend declared for the year ended 30 September 2005 of 1.3 pence per share (£4.2m). 8. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share have been calculated by taking into account the dilutive effect of shares that would be issued on conversion into Ordinary shares of options and awards held under employee share schemes. ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total Group 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to March 2007 31 March 30 September 2006 2006 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period: - basic 324,447,025 326,404,239 325,697,195 - dilutive effect of share options 3,096,068 181,529 1,435,955 - diluted 327,543,093 326,585,768 327,133,150 Basic earnings/(loss) per share (in pence) 2.3 (3.6) (14.5) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share (in pence) 2.3 (3.6) (14.5) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Continuing operations 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to March 2007 31 March 30 September 2006 2006 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period: - basic 324,447,025 326,404,239 325,697,195 - dilutive effect of share options 3,096,068 181,529 1,435,955 - diluted 327,543,093 326,585,768 327,133,150 Basic earnings/(loss) per share (in pence) 2.2 (0.4) (10.8) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share (in pence) 2.2 (0.4) (10.8) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- The share options do not have a dilutive effect where there is a loss. 9. Assets held for sale and discontinued operations During the period the Group disposed of its interest in Future Media Italy and as such the results of Future Media Italy have been presented as 'discontinued operations'. The business was sold for cash proceeds of £0.7m, resulting in a profit on disposal of £0.1m. During the period Future Media Italy reduced the Group's operating cash flows by £1.3m, paid £nil in respect of investing activities and paid £nil in respect of financing activities. The results of the discontinued operations are set out below: ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March 2006 September 2006 £m £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Revenue 2.3 7.7 13.2 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Operating profit/(loss) 0.1 (10.5) (12.0) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 0.1 (10.5) (12.0) Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary - - - activities ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Profit/(loss) after tax of discontinued operations 0.1 (10.5) (12.0) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Gain on sale of operations 0.1 - - Tax on sale of operations - - - ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Gain on sale of operations after tax 0.1 - - ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations 0.2 (10.5) (12.0) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- An analysis of the assets and liabilities of Future Media Italy at the disposal date of 1 December 2006 is set out below: £m ----------------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment 0.1 Inventories 0.6 Trade and other receivables 3.3 Cash and cash equivalents 0.6 Trade and other payables (4.2) ----------------------- ------------- Net assets at disposal 0.4 ----------------------- ------------- 10. Intangible assets ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Goodwill Magazine Other Total related £m £m £m £m ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Cost At 1 October 2006 363.6 15.1 2.5 381.2 Additions - 0.1 0.4 0.5 Disposals (22.8) (1.8) (0.2) (24.8) Exchange adjustments (1.0) (0.1) - (1.1) ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- At 31 March 2007 339.8 13.3 2.7 355.8 ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Amortisation At 1 October 2006 (258.9) (9.0) (1.7) (269.6) Charge for the period - (1.6) (0.4) (2.0) Disposals 22.8 1.8 - 24.6 Exchange adjustments 0.4 0.1 - 0.5 ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- At 31 March 2007 (235.7) (8.7) (2.1) (246.5) ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net book amount at 31 March 2007 104.1 4.6 0.6 109.3 ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net book amount at 30 September 2006 104.7 6.1 0.8 111.6 ----------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Normalised results for the six months ended 31 March 2007 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March 2007 March 2006 September 2006 Note £m £m £m -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Revenue 1,2 94.1 98.7 196.5 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Operating profit before exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangible assets (EBITAE) 7.7 6.9 15.1 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Adjusted earnings per 1p Ordinary share -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Note 6 months to 31 6 months to 31 12 months to 30 March March 2006 September 2006 2007 pence pence pence -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Adjusted basic earnings per share 2 1.5 1.1 2.7 -------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------- Normalised results are presented to reflect better the current size and structure of the business, which is consistent with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. The normalised results exclude revenues and costs of activities closed or divested between 1 October 2005 and 31 March 2007. Adjusted earnings per share are based on normalised results, but exclude exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangibles and related tax effects. Notes to the normalised results for the six months ended 31 March 2007 1. Normalised segmental reporting a) Revenue by segment ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 30 September £m 2006 2006 £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- United Kingdom 58.5 58.8 118.8 United States 24.4 27.0 54.4 France 11.5 13.6 24.4 Revenue between segments (0.3) (0.7) (1.1) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total normalised revenue 94.1 98.7 196.5 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- b) EBITAE by segment ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to 31 March 2007 31 March 30 September 2006 £m 2006 £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- United Kingdom 7.3 7.0 14.5 United States 1.1 0.4 2.8 France 0.8 1.1 1.2 Central costs (1.5) (1.6) (3.4) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total normalised EBITAE 7.7 6.9 15.1 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Additional analysis of the Group's normalised revenue by type is set out below: i) Revenue by type ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to March 2007 £m 31 March 30 September 2006 2006 £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Circulation 57.2 60.9 122.7 Advertising 34.4 35.9 69.0 Other 2.5 1.9 4.8 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Total normalised revenue 94.1 98.7 196.5 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 2. Reconciliation of statutory results to normalised results a) Reconciliation of statutory revenue to normalised revenue ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to 30 March 2007 September 2006 31 March 2006 £m £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Statutory revenue - Continuing operations 95.3 107.0 211.7 Adjustment: UK closed and divested activities (1.0) (5.4) (9.5) Adjustment: US closed and divested activities (0.2) (2.9) (5.7) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Normalised revenue 94.1 98.7 196.5 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- b) Reconciliation of statutory operating profit before exceptional items, impairment and amortisation of intangible assets (EBITAE) to normalised EBITAE ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to 30 March 2007 September 2006 31 March 2006 £m £m £m ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- EBITAE - Continuing operations 7.9 5.7 13.4 Adjustment: UK closed and divested activities - 0.6 0.7 Adjustment: US closed and divested activities (0.2) 0.6 1.0 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Normalised EBITAE 7.7 6.9 15.1 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- c) Reconciliation of basic earnings/(loss) per share to adjusted earnings per share ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- 6 months to 31 6 months to 12 months to 30 March 2007 September 2006 31 March 2006 pence pence pence ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Basic earnings/(loss) per share - Continuing operations 2.2 (0.4) (10.8) UK closed and divested activities - 0.2 0.2 US closed and divested activities - 0.2 0.3 Amortisation of intangible assets 0.6 0.8 1.8 Impairment of intangible assets - - 10.1 Exceptional items (1.3) 1.1 2.8 Tax effect of the above adjustments - (0.8) (1.7) ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- Adjusted basic earnings per share 1.5 1.1 2.7 ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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