Interim Results - Turnover Up 28%

LIONTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC 26 October 1999 LIONTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE 6 MONTHS TO 30th SEPTEMBER 1999 Liontrust Asset Management PLC ('Liontrust'), the specialist UK equities fund management group, announced today its interim results for the six months to 30th September 1999, its first results since the Company's flotation on the London Stock Exchange in July 1999. Highlights * Successful listing on the London Stock Exchange * Funds under management at 25th October 1999 of £862 million. * Funds under management increased by 132% from £339 million in September 1998 and by over 19% from £661 million at the time of flotation to £789 million by 30th September 1999. * Turnover increased 28% to £2.68 million (September 1998: £2.09 million). * Consolidated operating profit and earnings per share (before exceptional costs) increased by 70% and 34% respectively. Commenting on the results, Nigel Legge, Joint Chief Executive, said: 'Our first set of results since flotation reflects satisfactory growth in funds under management and operating profits. Liontrust is well positioned to continue to benefit from changes taking place in the fund management industry and the increasing demand for smaller, focused operators providing a quality service to pension funds and professional investors.' For further information, please contact: Nigel Legge, Joint Chief Executive Liontrust Asset Management 0171 412 1700 Paul Downes/Melanie Toyne Sewell Merlin Financial 0171 606 1244 Liontrust Asset Management PLC Chairman's Statement The last six months have seen some exciting developments for Liontrust. The Company achieved a successful listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange and many of its new shareholders are existing clients. New appointments include William Pattisson, who joined Jeremy Lang as Joint Investment Director, and two new non-executive directors - Glyn Hirsch and Jim Sanger. These results are the first interim financial statements since the Company's flotation and satisfactory progress has been made so far. The consolidated operating profit (before exceptional costs) rose by 70% from £383,000 to £650,000 for the six months ended 30 September 1999, earnings per share (before exceptional costs) increased by 34% from 1.03p to 1.38p per share, funds under management continue to grow and the performance of the funds has been impressive. William Pattisson and Jeremy Lang have recently completed their research on large companies and Liontrust is ready to offer their documented core investment approach to prospective clients. On 14 October 1999, a new unit trust was launched for this purpose. The financial results for the period show that turnover was up 28% at £2.68 million whilst operating costs, which include William Pattisson's remuneration, increased by 19% to £2.03 million. The cost : income ratio for the period at 75.6% (before exceptional costs) continues to improve and has the potential to fall further as additional investment mandates are won. The exceptional costs of £1.94 million relate to the phantom options that became payable on admission of the Company's shares to the London Stock Exchange and had been fully allowed for in the Company's business plans and financing. The Directors do not propose to declare a dividend in respect of the half year, as stated in the flotation Prospectus. Funds under management stood at £789 million on 30 September, an increase of 132% on the figure at 30 September 1998 (£339 million) and 43% up on the position at the financial year end (£551 million at 31 March 1999). As at the date of this announcement funds under management have increased further to £862 million. The Directors continue to believe that there are significant opportunities for fund management groups that can demonstrate clear and coherent investment processes and also a growing acceptance that specialist fund managers can add value to client portfolios. The Liontrust Large Cap. Process, managed by William Pattisson, further strengthens the Company's available products and the Board is confident of the Company's prospects. Ellen Winser Chairman Liontrust Asset Management PLC Consolidated Profit & Loss Account Six months to 30 September 1999 Note Six Six Nine months months months to 30.9.99 to 30.9.98 to 31.3.99 unaudited unaudited audited £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 2,680 2,091 3,608 Operating costs (2,030) (1,708) (2,737) _______ _______ _______ Operating profit before exceptional costs 650 383 871 Exceptional cost 2 (1,935) - - ________ _______ _____ Operating profit/(loss) (1,285) 383 871 Net interest receivable/(payable) (21) 1 (61) _________ ________ ______ Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax (1,306) 384 810 Taxation 3 386 (13) (116) ________ _______ ______ Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after tax (920) 371 694 Provision for preference dividend - (62) (16) ________ _______ ______ Profit/(loss) for the period transferred to/(from) reserves (920) 309 678 ________ _______ ______ pence pence pence Basic Earnings per share 4 (2.91) 1.03 2.26 Basic Earnings per share (pre-exceptional costs and related tax credit) 4 1.38 1.03 2.26 Fully diluted Earnings per share 4 (2.74) 0.97 2.12 Fully diluted Earnings per share (pre- exceptional costs and related tax credit) 4 1.30 0.97 2.12 Liontrust Asset Management PLC Consolidated Balance Sheet At 30 September 1999 Note 30.9.99 30.9.98 31.3.99 unaudited unaudited audited £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets 300 297 319 Current assets Short term investments 21 27 42 Debtors 2,281 1,775 5,876 Cash at bank and in hand 1,426 2,066 2,416 _______ ______ _______ 3,728 3,868 8,334 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year (3,248) (3,455) (8,827) _______ _______ _______ Net Current Assets/ (Liabilities) 480 413 (493) _______ _______ _______ Total Assets less Current Liabilities 780 710 (174) Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year (1,310) (2,000) (650) _______ _______ _______ (530) (1,290) (824) _______ _______ _______ Capital and Reserves Called up Ordinary share capital 5 329 300 300 Share premium account 6 1,543 - - Reserve for Preference share dividend 5 - 358 358 Profit and loss account (2,402) (1,948) (1,482) _______ _______ ______ (530) (1,290) (824) _______ _______ ______ Liontrust Asset Management PLC Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 6 months to 30 September 1999 Six months Six months Nine to 30.9.99 to 30.9.98 months unaudited unaudited to 31.3.99 audited £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating profit/(loss) (1,285) 383 871 Depreciation charges 40 25 44 Decrease/(increase) in short term investments 21 103 (15) Decrease/(increase) in debtors 3,595 7,948 (3,859) Increase/(decrease) in creditors (6,530) (6,265) 4,644 _______ _______ _____ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities (4,159) 2,194 1,685 _______ _______ ______ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities (4,159) 2,194 1,685 Returns on investment and servicing of finance (379) (99) (161) Taxation (3) (2) (24) Capital expenditure and financial investment (21) (272) (308) _______ ______ _____ (4,562) 1,821 1,192 Financing 3,572 (320) (720) _______ _______ _____ Increase/(decrease) in cash (990) 1,501 472 _______ ________ _____ Liontrust Asset Management PLC Notes to the Financial Statements 1. Basis of preparation The unaudited interim financial information, which has been approved by the Board of Directors, has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's accounts for the nine months ended 31 March 1999. The financial information for the period to 31 March 1999 has been abridged from the financial statements which received an unqualified audit report and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 2. Exceptional costs Exceptional costs were incurred in respect of 'phantom option' arrangements which crystallised on the listing of the Company's shares on the London Stock Exchange, as disclosed in the Company's Prospectus. 3. Taxation The interim tax charge has been calculated at the Corporation Tax rate of 30% as the Directors believe that the loss incurred during the period will be fully offset by taxable profits earned in previous periods or expected to be earned in the foreseeable future. 4. Earnings per share The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profit after taxation and preference dividend provision and the weighted number of Ordinary shares in issue for each period. The weighted average number of Ordinary shares was 31,568,655 for the six months ended 30 September 1999 and 30,000,000 for both the six months ended 30 September 1998 and the nine months ended 31 March 1999. The calculation of fully diluted earnings per share is based on profit after taxation and preference dividend provision and the weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue for each period, as above, adjusted to reflect options in respect of 1,975,647 Ordinary shares as if they had been exercised at the start of each period. 5. Share capital Since 31 March 1999 the Company: * issued 9,000 'D' Ordinary shares of £1 each on 30 April for a consideration of £10.09 per share. * on 13 July 1999 re-registered the 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' Ordinary shares of £1 each and subdivided each of the issued and unissued Ordinary shares into 100 Ordinary shares of 1p each. * also on 13 July 1999 allotted 310,862 Ordinary shares of 1p each in consideration for the payment of the outstanding Preference dividend of £357,491. * on 20 July 1999 allotted 1,716,597 Ordinary shares of 1p each for a consideration of £1.15 per share. The Company's shares were admitted to listing on the London Stock Exchange on 21 July 1999. 6. Share premium The expenses incurred by the Company in issuing its prospectus and gaining admission for its shares to listing on the London Stock Exchange have been set off against the share premium arising from the issue of shares set out in Note 5. 7. Dividends The Directors do not propose to pay an interim dividend in respect of the current period. 8. Year 2000 All significant systems which are in the Group's control have been successfully tested for Year 2000 compliance. The Group has also received confirmation from all its key service providers and suppliers that there will be no interruption to services and supplies resulting from Year 2000 issues. As an added safeguard the Group has prepared contingency plans in case of critical systems failure. The Directors do not anticipate that the Year 2000 issue and related costs will have a materially adverse effect on the Group. 9. Interim Report The interim report for the six months ended 30th September 1999 will be sent to shareholders in due course and additional copies will be available from the Company Secretary's office: 24 Bevis Marks, London EC3A 7NR.
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