Interim Results

John Lewis Of Hungerford PLC 02 May 2006 JOHN LEWIS OF HUNGERFORD PLC HIGHLIGHTS . Revenues decrease 22% to £1,431,000 (2005 - £1,849,000). . Losses before and after taxation £289,000 (2005 - £229,000 loss). . Net cash inflows from operating activities £138,000 (2005 - £211,000 inflows). . New Managing Director appointed January 2006. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Review of Operations We indicated in our annual report for the year to 31 August 2005 that trading was exceptionally difficult in the first quarter of the current financial year. Order input improved significantly in the second quarter but was too late to be reflected in sales revenues for the six months to 28 February 2006. As a result of the above sales declined and losses increased compared to the same period in the prior year. During the period your Board has made a number of significant management changes to improve the performance of the Company. As previously announced, Malcolm Hepworth joined the Board as Managing Director in January 2006 and in November 2005 Roy Hawthorne joined the Company as Production Manager. Your Board is now looking at ways to enhance sales growth within the Company's present cost base. Summary of Financial Results Turnover for the period was £1,431,000 against £1,849,000 for the comparable period last year. Gross profit margins improved considerably to 63.0% against 52.6% same period prior year. This improvement reflects reduced sales discounts, efficiency improvements in manufacturing and selling price increases. However against this Administration Costs (a significant part of which represents selling expenses) increased to 70.8% of sales against 51.6% for the prior period. Total selling expenses increased in absolute terms by 5.7% to 31.8% of sales (2005 - 23.3%) mainly as a result of payroll and occupancy cost increases. Distribution expenses fell to 11.7% of sales (2005 - 13.0 %) due in the main to reductions in advertising and store rental commissions. Losses before and after taxation were £289,000 (2005 - £229,000 loss). As in the prior year due to uncertainties as to the outcome of the current year, no tax credit has been booked in these interim statements against current period losses. Capital expenditures in the period were £31,000 (2005 - £125,000) representing expenditures to upgrade production facilities. Cash inflows from operating activities were £138,000 (2005 - £211,000) As at 28 February 2006 the Company had cash balances of £472,000 (2005 - £443,000) and unused overdraft facilities amounting to £250,000. Outlook for the Future Although order input at the end of the second quarter was very strong, business remains highly challenging. We remain cautious as to the outcome for the full year. John Lewis Chairman 2 May 2006 PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months ended ended ended 28 February 28 February 31 August 2006 2005 2005 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 1,431 1,849 4,351 Cost of sales (529) (876) (1,854) -------- -------- -------- Gross profit 902 973 2,497 Distribution costs (167) (240) (727) Administration costs (1,014) (954) (1,773) -------- -------- -------- Operating (loss) (279) (221) (3) Interest receivable 0 2 2 Interest payable (10) (10) (24) -------- -------- -------- (Loss) on ordinary activities before taxation (289) (229) (25) Taxation - - 7 -------- -------- -------- (Loss) on ordinary activities after taxation (289) (229) (18) Dividends - - - -------- -------- -------- Retained (loss) (289) (229) (18) ===== ===== ===== (Loss) per share (0.19)p (0.15)p (0.01)p ===== ===== ===== BALANCE SHEET AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 28 Feb 2006 29 Feb 2005 31 Aug 2005 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 27 32 30 Tangible assets 1,833 1,964 1,908 ----- ----- ----- 1,860 1,996 1,938 Current assets Stocks 512 451 356 Debtors 100 135 74 Cash at bank and in hand 472 443 390 ----- ----- ----- 1,084 1,029 820 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,237) (1,209) (751) ----- ----- ----- Net current (liabilities)/assets (153) (180) 69 ----- ----- ----- Total assets less current Liabilities 1,707 1,816 2,007 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (316) (334) (327) Provisions for liabilities and charges (58) (71) (58) ----- ----- ----- Total net assets 1,333 1,411 1,622 ===== ===== ===== Capital and Reserves Called up share capital 149 149 149 Other reserves 1 1 1 Share premium account 825 825 825 Profit and Loss account 358 436 647 ----- ----- ----- Shareholders funds - all equity 1,333 1,411 1,622 interests ===== ===== ===== CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months ended ended ended 28 February 29 February 31 August 2006 2005 2005 £000 £000 £000 Operating (loss) (279) (221) (3) Depreciation 108 104 232 (Increase)/decrease in Stock (156) 40 135 (Increase) in Debtors (25) (49) (1) Increase/(decrease) in Creditors 490 337 (127) -------- -------- --------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 138 211 236 Returns on investment and servicing of finance (10) (8) (22) Corporation tax paid (5) - 14 Capital expenditure (31) (125) (195) Equity dividends paid - - - Financing (10) (9) (17) -------- --------- --------- Increase in cash 82 69 16 ===== ===== ===== NOTES: 1. The interim accounts, which are unaudited, have been prepared under the historical cost convention using the accounting policies set out in the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2005. 2. The loss per share is calculated on the loss after taxation of £289,000 and on the basis of 148,745,519 shares in issue. The loss per share for the 6 months ended 28 February 2005 is calculated on the loss after taxation of £229,000 and on the basis of 148,745,519 shares in issue. The loss per share for the year ended 31 August 2005 is calculated on the loss after taxation of £18,000 and on the basis of 148,745,519 shares in issue. 3. Copies of the 2006 interim accounts will be available to shareholders on the Company's website www.john-lewis.co.uk, 4. Copies of the announcement will be available from the Nominated Adviser, Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, 25 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6AY for one month from the date of this announcement. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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