Interim Results

Dart Group PLC 18 November 2004 DART GROUP PLC Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 September 2004 Dart Group PLC, the aviation services and distribution group, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2004. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report on the Group's trading for the six months ended 30 September 2004. Profit before tax and amortisation of goodwill has risen to £11.1m (2003 - £7.4m) on turnover of £140.4m (2003 - £119.7m). It is anticipated that the seasonal pattern of profitability seen last year will be repeated this year as Jet2.com is profitable in the summer months and will make a loss in the weaker winter period. First half capital expenditure amounted to £22.8m, and primarily related to the purchase of three Boeing 737-300 aircraft. A fourth aircraft was delivered in October 2004. Net borrowings at 30 September 2004 were £14.4m (31 March 2004 - £15.0m), representing gearing of 30.5% (31 March 2004 - 37%). The Group's policy is to borrow US dollars in order to finance its US dollar denominated Boeing 737 aircraft fleet. This provides a natural balance sheet hedge as assets are largely equal and opposite to liabilities. At 30 September 2004 US dollar assets and liabilities amounted to US$ 130.9m. This structure has also contributed to the net interest receivable in the profit and loss account as the Group has been able to deposit sterling at higher rates of interest than its US dollar borrowing costs. All known fuel requirements for Jet2.com have been hedged for the rest of this financial year together with a significant proportion of the current forecast requirements for 2005/6, at average rates lower than the current market price. Neither the Aviation Services Division's contract charter operations nor the Distribution Division currently has any material exposure to oil price risk, as this is substantially covered in fuel escalation clauses in our commercial contracts. The Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend of 2.04p per share (2003 - 1.85p), an increase of 10.3%. The dividend will be paid on 6 January 2005 to shareholders on the register as at 26 November 2004. Aviation Services The Aviation Services Division comprises Channel Express (Air Services) and Benair Freight International, the Group's freight forwarder. Channel Express operates contract charter passenger and freight air services and, trading as Jet2.com, scheduled low cost services from the North of England and Northern Ireland. The company's aircraft fleet consists of Airbus A300B4 Eurofreighters and Boeing 737-300 passenger and Quick Change aircraft. The final three Fokker F27 freighters will be withdrawn from service in January 2005. The Eurofreighters are contracted to leading express parcel companies and operate night freight services into their European hubs. The Boeing 737-300 Quick Change aircraft fly night freight services for Royal Mail, after which they are quickly changed back into passenger configuration for daytime operations. We have experienced a stronger than expected demand for these aircraft from our passenger charter customers which has contributed to the improved results. The company's Jet2.com scheduled low cost services have also experienced higher than expected demand at its Leeds Bradford and Belfast International Airport bases. Over half a million passengers were flown between the UK and city break and Mediterranean sun destinations during the six months to 30 September 2004. Capacity at Leeds Bradford and Belfast International Airports is being increased for the summer of 2005 in order to serve more destinations with greater frequency. On 29 September we announced a third base, at Manchester Airport, where initially six aircraft will serve at least ten European destinations by May 2005. Additionally, a three times daily low cost Manchester - London Gatwick service will commence on 17 January 2005. We expect to continue to develop Jet2.com services in the North, providing our customers with a friendly and efficient low cost service. It is very pleasing to be able to report Benair Freight International's continued success. Profitable growth has been sustained in both its core freight operations and specialist ornamental fish importing business. This is a reflection of the competitive and customer focused service the company offers. Distribution Fowler Welch-Coolchain, the Group's temperature-controlled distributor of fresh produce, horticulture and food products, primarily on behalf of supermarkets and their suppliers, trades in a challenging market. Pricing is always under pressure whilst service levels must remain high. However, the company is organised to deliver excellent transportation services at competitive rates and is continually seeking new business for both its UK and European operations. The trend for supermarkets to source direct from overseas producers is helping the division's European business and relationships are being formed with continental hauliers to meet this demand cost-effectively. To bring further efficiencies, the division's businesses continue to be streamlined and costs reduced, lowering the fixed cost base. Incremental volumes, which our enthusiastic distribution team wins, directly enhance the division's profitability. Fowler Welch-Coolchain has recently won additional business that requires storage and picking services prior to onward distribution. We are currently competing for further opportunities of this nature. There is considerable optimism for the future profitable growth of our distribution business. Outlook Each of the markets in which the Group trades is, of course, extremely competitive. However, I believe that shareholders will be encouraged by our anticipated full year financial performance. Philip Meeson, Chairman 18 November 2004 www.dartgroup.co.uk Enquiries: Philip Meeson, Chairman Tel: 01202 597676 Mobile: 07785 258666 Mike Forder, Group Finance Director Tel: 01202 597676 Mobile: 07721 865850 UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED RESULTS for the half year to 30 September 2004 Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover - continuing operations 1 140,381 119,661 228,200 Net operating expenses, excluding amortisation of goodwill (129,365) (112,496) (219,195) Amortisation of goodwill (248) (248) (497) Net operating expenses (129,613) (112,744) (219,692) Operating profit - continuing operations 10,768 6,917 8,508 Profit on disposal of fixed assets 40 446 365 Net interest receivable/(payable) 2 60 (237) (353) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 10,868 7,126 8,520 Taxation (3,535) (2,368) (2,868) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 7,333 4,758 5,652 Dividends (701) (636) (2,099) Retained profit for the period 3 6,632 4,122 3,553 Earnings per share - basic 21.34p 13.86p 16.46p - basic, excluding the amortisation of goodwill 22.06p 14.58p 17.91p - diluted 21.27p 13.83p 16.43p Dividend per share 2.04p 1.85p 6.11p STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 7,333 4,758 5,652 Foreign exchange movement on foreign equity investments 19 (13) (63) Total gains and losses recognised in the period 7,352 4,745 5,589 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 30 September 2004 30 September 31 March 2004 2004 (unaudited) (audited) Note £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 7,532 7,780 Tangible assets 86,353 75,264 93,885 83,044 Current assets Stock 1,648 2,216 Debtors 34,118 31,221 Cash at bank and in hand 18,409 13,362 54,175 46,799 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (61,131) (55,793) Net current liabilities (6,956) (8,994) Total assets less current liabilities 86,929 74,050 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (29,554) (25,093) Provision for liabilities and charges (10,055) (8,293) (39,609) (33,386) Net assets 47,320 40,664 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,718 1,718 Share premium account 7,707 7,702 Profit and loss account 3 37,895 31,244 Shareholders' funds - equity interests 47,320 40,664 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the half year to 30 September 2004 Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 4 24,369 19,939 36,111 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest paid: bank and other loans (282) (333) (853) Interest received: bank 292 96 302 10 (237) (551) Taxation Corporation and overseas tax paid (479) (1,462) (506) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (22,812) (19,008) (28,156) Disposal of tangible fixed assets 1,885 453 2,137 (20,927) (18,555) (26,019) Equity dividends paid (1,464) (1,463) (2,099) Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 1,509 (1,778) 6,936 Financing Ordinary share capital issued 5 15 30 Other loans repaid (4,794) (5,777) (18,553) Other loans advanced 8,842 12,941 16,052 4,053 7,179 (2,471) Increase in cash in the period 5 5,562 5,401 4,465 NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS at 30 September 2004 1. Turnover Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Distribution 51,048 58,005 112,076 Aviation Services 89,333 61,656 116,124 140,381 119,661 228,200 Turnover arising within: The United Kingdom and the Channel Islands 137,091 116,374 222,804 Mainland Europe 2,777 2,753 4,368 The Far East 513 534 1,028 140,381 119,661 228,200 Analyses of profit before taxation and net assets between the different segments of the Group are not given as, in the opinion of the directors, such analyses would be seriously prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Group. 2. Net interest receivable/(payable) Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 On bank loans and overdrafts (50) (178) (21) On other loans (232) (265) (835) Other interest payable - - (5) (282) (443) (861) Interest receivable 292 96 303 10 (347) (558) Interest capitalised within tangible fixed assets 50 110 205 60 (237) (353) 3. Profit and loss account reserve Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at the beginning of the period 31,244 27,754 27,754 Retained profit for the period 6,632 4,122 3,553 Currency translation differences 19 (13) (63) 37,895 31,863 31,244 NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS at 30 September 2004 4. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating profit 10,768 6,917 8,508 Depreciation 10,861 13,033 18,759 Amortisation of goodwill 248 248 497 Decrease in stock 568 153 236 (Increase) in debtors (2,897) (2,265) (309) Increase in creditors 4,802 1,866 8,480 Exchange differences 19 (13) (60) 24,369 19,939 36,111 5. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Half year to Half year to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2004 2003 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Increase in cash in the period 5,562 5,401 4,465 Cash (inflow)/outflow from (increase)/decrease in net debt in the period (4,048) (7,164) 2,501 Change in net debt resulting from cashflows in the period 1,514 (1,763) 6,966 Exchange differences (933) 1,467 6,196 Net debt at 1 April (15,032) (28,167) (28,167) Net debt at end of period (14,451) (28,463) (15,032) 6. Other matters The financial information for the year to 31 March 2004 does not constitute statutory accounts, as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985, but is based on the statutory accounts for the year then ended. Those accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The accounts to 30 September 2004 have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those adopted for the year to 31 March 2004. Basic earnings per share has been calculated by reference to earnings of £7,333,000 (2003: £4,758,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue of 34,358,217 (2003: 34,340,047). This report is being sent to all shareholders and copies are available from the Company Secretary at the registered office of the Company, Building 470, Bournemouth International Airport, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6SE. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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