Interim Results

Portmeirion Group PLC 14 August 2003 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC RESULTS FOR 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2003 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Financial Highlights:- First Half First Half Decrease 2003 2002 % £000's £000's Turnover 13,211 14,395 (8.2) ------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Profit before tax 506 1,015 (50.1) ------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Earnings per share - Basic 3.07p 6.56p (53.2) ------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Interim dividend per share 3.30p 3.30p - ------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Results First half sales decreased by 8.2% compared to last year's. Profit before tax decreased by 50.1% and earnings per share decreased by 53.2% Dividend The Board has decided to declare an unchanged interim dividend of 3.30p payable on 1 October 2003, to shareholders on the register on 12 September 2003. Trading Performance The first half sales were severely affected by the impact of the uncertain political situation in Iraq early in the year, and the outbreak of the SARS virus. These factors resulted in first quarter Group sales being 15% lower than the previous year mainly due to sales in the USA being particularly badly affected. However, with the overall economic climate improving as these negative factors diminished, sales in the second quarter improved and were level with the previous year. As a result, first half sales in the UK were in line with the Group performance, at 7% below the previous year. In the USA, which accounts for approximately 30% of turnover, dollar sales in the first half were 24% below the previous year. Our Far Eastern sales performance continues to offset some of the decline in the USA, with sales in the first half increasing by 24% and representing 15% of Group turnover. There was also a welcome turnaround in sales to Europe, with first half sales increasing by 62%. Despite the overall reduction in production volumes, improvements in manufacturing efficiency continued and overall gross margins were maintained. The Group is faced with an intensely price competitive environment in the UK and the USA. Average retail prices have moved ever lower, and greater volumes of ceramic products have been sourced in low-cost countries in the Far East. Supermarkets and lower priced national retailers are increasing their market share each year, directly affecting the market segment in which we operate. Recognising this as a permanent trend, the Group has developed a lower cost range, still incorporating our design and quality standards, under the new brand of PS portmeirion studio. This new range has been successfully launched in the USA, and will be selling into the market this autumn. I believe that the PS portmeirion studio range can be developed for our other important markets. Another important strategic development is the introduction of additional gift merchandise in both ceramic and glassware ranges which, I believe, will benefit sales in the second half of the year. Investment Besides achieving continuous cost reductions, the Group's production staff have investigated and planned a fundamental re-organisation of our equipment and working methods. We are now convinced that this is the way to make our ceramic products fully competitive and profitable, even in recession. At present an urgent problem is to meet the growing calls from our retail customers for ever quicker delivery of orders and for greater flexibility in labelling and packaging. As a first step in our long-term plan, the Board, after careful research, has approved the construction of a new warehousing and distribution centre. A newly built modern warehouse and distribution centre, using up-to-date, high efficiency, handling equipment, will be cost effective and give all our products a real competitive advantage. The warehousing and distribution centre will cost approximately £6 million, which can be met from existing cash resources. In the short term, I believe we can only be cautious about prospects for the second half of this year. However, if there is an improvement in the economic climate, particularly in the USA, the Group is well prepared with new product ranges to take advantage, and therefore improve on the Group's first half performance. A Ralley Chairman 13 August 2003 INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2003 which comprises the consolidated profit and loss account, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated cash flow statement, the statement of total recognised gains and losses, the reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds and related notes 1 to 9. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures are consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with the guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June 2003. Deloitte & Touche LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors Birmingham 13 August 2003 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Notes Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's Turnover - 6 13,211 14,395 30,712 continuing operations Raw materials and (12,885) (13,539) (28,174) operating costs -------- ------- ------- Operating profit - 326 856 2,538 continuing operations Share of profit of 87 81 230 associated undertakings Interest receivable 93 78 155 and similar income -------- ------- ------- Profit on ordinary 506 1,015 2,923 activities before taxation Taxation on profit (187) (333) (870) on ordinary activities -------- ------- ------- Profit for the 319 682 2,053 period Dividends (344) (343) (1,378) -------- ------- ------- Retained (loss)/ (25) 339 675 profit for the ======== ======= ======= period Earnings per 4 3.07p 6.56p 19.75p share ======== ======= ======= Diluted earnings 4 3.06p 6.55p 19.71p per share ======== ======= ======= Dividend per 5 3.30p 3.30p 13.25p share ======== ======= ======= See notes on pages 8 and 9 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET As at 30.6.03 As at 30.6.02 As at 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's Fixed assets Tangible 7,984 8,694 8,249 assets Investments 1,632 1,448 1,503 ------- ------ ------ 9,616 10,142 9,752 Current assets Stocks 7,104 7,410 6,195 Debtors 5,265 5,712 5,715 Cash at bank 6,142 5,413 7,678 and in hand ------- ------ ------ 18,511 18,535 19,588 Creditors: (3,548) (3,980) (4,732) amounts ------- ------ ------ falling due within one year Net current 14,963 14,555 14,856 assets ------- ------ ------ Total assets 24,579 24,697 24,608 less current liabilities Provisions for (162) (240) (261) liabilities and charges ------- ------ ------ Net assets 24,417 24,457 24,347 ======= ====== ====== Capital and reserves Called up 521 520 520 share capital Share premium 4,580 4,547 4,547 account Profit and 19,316 19,390 19,280 loss account ------- ------ ------ Equity 24,417 24,457 24,347 shareholders' ======= ====== ====== funds PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Notes Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's Cash flow from 8 (244) 1,645 5,053 operating activities Returns on 9 99 72 175 investments and servicing of finance Taxation (176) (164) (827) Capital expenditure 9 (214) (323) (563) and financial investments Equity dividends (1,035) (1,034) (1,377) paid -------- ------- -------- Cash (outflow)/ (1,570) 196 2,461 inflow before use of liquid resources and financing Management of 1,155 (345) (1,824) liquid resources Financing 9 34 12 12 -------- ------- -------- (Decrease)/increase (381) (137) 649 in cash in the ======== ======= ======== period Note to consolidated cash flow statement: Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds (Decrease)/increase (381) (137) 649 in cash in the period Cash (inflow)/outflow from (1,155) 345 1,824 (decrease)/increase in liquid resources Net funds at 1st 7,678 5,205 5,205 January -------- ------- -------- Net funds at period 7 6,142 5,413 7,678 end ======== ======= ======== See notes on pages 8 and 9 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's Profit for the period 319 682 2,053 Currency translation 61 (162) (608) differences -------- -------- -------- Total recognised gains and 380 520 1,445 losses for the period ======== ======== ======== RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's Profit for the period 319 682 2,053 Dividends (344) (343) (1,378) Currency translation 61 (162) (608) differences Shares issued under employee 34 12 12 share schemes -------- -------- -------- Net addition to shareholders' 70 189 79 funds Opening shareholders' funds 24,347 24,268 24,268 -------- -------- -------- Closing shareholders' funds 24,417 24,457 24,347 ======== ======== ======== PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC NOTES 1. The consolidated profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 June 2003, the consolidated balance sheet at that date, the consolidated cash flow statement, the statement of total recognised gains and losses, the reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds and the notes to the financial information, have been reviewed by the auditors but not audited. The consolidated profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 June 2002 and the consolidated balance sheet at that date have also been reviewed by the auditors but not audited. 2. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2002 are not the Group's statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Group's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 3. This Interim Statement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the Group's 2002 Report and Accounts. 4. The earnings per share are calculated on earnings of £319,000 (2002 - £682,000) and the weighted average number of Ordinary shares of 10,406,114 (2002 - 10,392,147) in issue during the period. The options in existence during the six months ended 30 June 2003 have a dilutive effect as defined by FRS 14. The diluted earnings per share under FRS 14 are calculated on earnings of £319,000 (2002 - £682,000) and a weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential Ordinary Shares which is 10,409,295 (2002 - 10,417,861). 5. A dividend of 3.3p (2002 - 3.3p) per Ordinary share will be paid on 1 October 2003 to shareholders on the register on 12 September 2003. 6. Turnover by destination Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's United Kingdom 5,337 5,759 12,820 North America 4,255 5,932 12,108 European Union 1,402 865 1,792 Far East 1,938 1,560 3,448 Rest of the World 279 279 544 -------- --------- -------- 13,211 14,395 30,712 ======== ========= ======== 7. Analysis of net funds As at As at As at 30.6.03 30.6.02 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's Cash in hand, at bank 813 408 1,194 Short term money market 5,329 5,005 6,484 deposits -------- --------- -------- Total 6,142 5,413 7,678 ======== ========= ======== 8. Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's Operating profit 326 856 2,538 Depreciation 487 573 1,231 Exchange gain/(loss) 11 (103) (478) (Profit)/loss on sale of tangible (30) 8 9 fixed assets (Increase)/decrease in stocks (909) 181 1,396 Decrease in debtors 415 592 461 Decrease in creditors (544) (462) (104) -------- --------- -------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from (244) 1,645 5,053 operating activities ======== ========= ======== All of the above relate to continuing operations. 9. Analysis of cash flows for headings netted in the cash flow statement Six Months Six Months Year to 30.6.03 to 30.6.02 to 31.12.02 £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 99 72 175 ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of 99 72 175 finance ====== ====== ======= Capital expenditure and financial investments Purchase of tangible (285) (335) (611) fixed assets Sale of tangible fixed 71 12 48 assets ------ ------ ------ Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and financial (214) (323) (563) investments ====== ====== ======= Financing Issue of Ordinary shares under share option schemes 34 12 12 ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow from 34 12 12 financing ====== ====== ======= For further information please contact Arthur Ralley (Chairman), Brett Phillips (Finance Director) on: 01782 744721 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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