Interim Results

Holders Technology PLC 20 July 2004 HOLDERS TECHNOLOGY PLC ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD TO 31 MAY 2004 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Results Turnover for the six month period to 31 May 2004 was £7,845,000 as compared with £6,748,000 for the comparable period in the preceding year. Pre-tax profit increased to £421,000 from a loss of £71,000 last year. This resulted in earnings per share of 6.23p as against a loss per share of 0.93p in 2003. Net assets at 31 May were £4,384,000 (31 May 2003 £4,242,000). Dividend A net interim dividend of 2.0p per share (2003: 2.0p) will be paid on 21 September 2004 to shareholders on the Register of Members at the close of business on 27 August 2004. The shares will go ex-dividend on 25 August 2004. Activities The turnover growth of 16% in this year's first half reflects, in part, the inclusion of Screen Circuit for a full six months, whereas the preceding year benefited from only four months turnover from this subsidiary. Like-for-like turnover in continuing operations grew by 13%. A favourable sales mix led to some improvement in gross margins and this, combined with the continuing drive to contain costs, resulted in a much improved pre-tax profit being achieved. The majority of the programme to restructure our European operations has now been completed and this has enabled us to agree terms to dispose of two surplus properties. The first half's results have benefited from a profit on the sale of the two properties of £42,000. The impact of this on our cash position will be significant, as the proceeds will amount to £551,000, net of expenses, which will be received in the second half. Positive operating cashflow of £524,000 has lead to a reduction in net debt to £260,000 at 31 May 2004 compared with £889,000 at 31 May 2003 and £503,000 at 30 November 2003. In general, our operations have performed above plan in the first half with a somewhat weaker performance from Screen Circuit being more than offset by the strong performance of UK and German operations. Although not without risk, we continue to regard China as an area of significant opportunity. We expect to lift our stake in the Hong Kong-based associate, Topgrow Technologies Limited, from 35% to 60% at an estimated initial cost of £130,000 with up to £100,000 of deferred consideration. This will be the subject of a further announcement in due course. Outlook Provided that we do not experience more serious supply shortages than those which we encountered in the first half, we expect to maintain the improved sales performance in the second half with the benefit of the lower cost base being maintained. Rudolf W. Weinreich Chairman and Chief Executive 20 July 2004 GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the half-year ended 31 May 2004 Unaudited Unaudited Audited half-year half-year full-year ended 31 May ended 31 May ended 30 Nov 2004 2003 2003 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover Continuing operations 1 7,845 6,702 14,155 Discontinued operations - 46 46 7,845 6,748 14,201 Operating profit Continuing operations 427 44 460 Discontinued operations - (76) (76) Group operating profit / (loss) 427 (32) 384 Share of associates operating loss (1) (16) (22) Total operating profit/(loss) 426 (48) 362 Profit on disposal of subsidiary - 2 12 - 26 discontinued operation Profit / (loss) on ordinary activities before 438 (48) 388 interest and tax Net interest payable and similar charges (17) (23) (60) Profit / (loss) before taxation 421 (71) 328 Taxation 3 (163) 25 (218) Profit / (loss) after taxation 258 (46) 110 Minority interests - equity - 8 - Profit / (loss) for the period 258 (38) 110 Dividends 4 (83) (86) (190) Transfer to / (from) reserves 175 (124) (80) Earnings / (loss) per share 5 6.23p (0.93)p 2.67p Diluted earnings / (loss) per share 5 6.13p (0.93)p 2.63p STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Profit / (loss) for the financial year 258 (38) 110 Currency translation differences (81) 269 200 Total recognised gains and losses 177 231 310 GROUP BALANCE SHEET at 31 May 2004 Unaudited Unaudited Audited half-year half-year full-year ended 31 May ended 31 May ended 30 Nov 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets Intangible assets 197 194 209 Tangible assets 632 1,171 1,136 Investment in associated undertaking 202 204 207 1,031 1,569 1,552 Current Assets Stocks 2,272 2,384 2159 Debtors 3,862 3,061 2,813 Cash at bank and in hand 428 316 394 6,562 5,761 5,366 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (3,159) (2,974) (2,566) Net current assets 3,403 2,787 2,800 Total assets less current liabilities 4,434 4,356 4,352 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year (39) (64) (51) Provision for liabilities and charges Deferred taxation (11) (50) (11) 4,384 4,242 4,290 Capital and Reserves Called up share capital 414 414 414 Share premium account 1,525 1,525 1,525 Capital redemption reserve 1 1 1 Profit and loss account 2,444 2,375 2,350 Equity shareholder's funds 4,384 4,315 4,290 Minority interests - equity - (73) - 4,384 4,242 4,290 GROUP CASH FLOW for the half-year ended 31 May 2004 Unaudited Unaudited Audited half-year half-year full-year ended 31 May ended 31 May ended 30 Nov 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities1 524 (186) 327 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 7 4 6 Interest paid (20) (24) (59) Finance lease interest (4) (3) (7) Net cash flow from returns on investment and servicing of (17) (23) (60) finance Taxation (57) 24 17 Capital expenditure Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (115) (36) (168) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets - 7 49 (115) (29) (119) Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of subsidiary undertaking - (125) (125) Net overdraft acquired with subsidiary undertaking - (186) (186) Payment in respect of existing subsidiaries - (190) (206) Investment in associated undertaking - (220) (234) Sale of subsidiary undertaking 12 - 120 12 (721) (631) Equity dividends paid (104) (104) (187) Cash flow before financing 243 (1,039) (653) Financing Capital element of finance leases (12) (5) (13) Draw-down of bank loan - - 598 Repayment of bank loan (465) - - (477) (5) 585 (Decrease) / increase in cash2 (234) (1,044) (68) 1. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash outflow from operating activities £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating profit / (loss) 427 (32) 384 Depreciation 90 145 253 Amortisation of goodwill 12 5 19 Currency translation (57) 199 142 (Profit) / loss on sale of tangible fixed assets (42) - - Change in stocks (113) (243) (24) Change in debtors (475) (459) (381) Change in creditors 682 199 (66) Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities 524 (186) 327 2. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net (debt) / funds Decrease in cash (234) (1,044) (68) Cash flow from change in debt and lease finance 477 5 (585) 243 (1,039) (653) Opening net (debt) / funds (503) 150 150 Closing net (debt) / funds (260) (889) (503) Notes: 1. The interim results are prepared on the basis of accounting policies set out in the financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2003. 2. The profit on disposal of subsidiary represents deferred consideration from the sale of Justfone Limited in 2003, which is recognised when received. 3. The tax charge for the six months ended 31 May 2004 is calculated based on the tax rates applicable in the country in which each company operates. The effective rate of tax is 38.7% (2003: 35.2%). Taxation includes a charge of £142,000 (2003: credit of £62,000) relating to overseas operations. 4. The dividend payment of 2.0p per share is payable on the total issued share capital of 4,144,551 10p ordinary shares. 5. The earnings per ordinary share (basic and diluted) for the six months ended 31 May 2004 have been calculated using Financial Reporting Standard 14. The calculation of basic earnings per share, for the six months, is based on the profit attributable to equity shareholders of £258,000 (2003: loss of £38,000) and on 4,144,551 ordinary shares (2003: 4,101,014) being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based on 4,209,551 ordinary shares (2003: 4,101,014), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares after an adjustment of 65,000 shares (2003: nil) in relation to share options. 6. The results for the half year to 31 May 2004 are unaudited. The results for the year ended 30 November 2003 are taken from the full accounts filed with the Registrar of Companies, which contained an unqualified audit report and did not contain statements under s237 (2) or (3). 7. A copy of this interim report is being sent to shareholders and is available for inspection at the Company's registered office, Northway House, 1379 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 9LP. Website: http://www.holders.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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