Interim Results

RNS Number : 7994N
Portmeirion Group PLC
31 July 2014
 



31 July 2014

 

PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

('Portmeirion' or 'the Group')

 

Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2014

 

 

 

 

Portmeirion Group is pleased to announce a strong performance for the six months ended 30 June 2014 in line with market expectations, despite challenging global conditions.

 

Highlights

 

·    Revenue of £24.5 million up by 3% on the comparative period (2013: £23.8 million).

·    Profit before tax up by 42% to £1.2 million (2013: £0.9 million).

·    EBITDA up by 21% to £1.9 million (2013: £1.5 million).

·    Earnings per share up by 53% to 9.21p (2013: 6.03p).

·    Interim dividend increased by 10% to 5.50 pence per share (2013: 5.00 pence per share).

·    Sales growth of 7% in UK driven by increase in online sales of more than 50%.

·    Production at our Stoke-on-Trent factory continuing at record levels with average of 147,000 pieces per week for H1 (full year 2013: 128,000 pieces per week).

·     Strong order book for H2.

 

 

 

Dick Steele, Non-executive Chairman, commented:

 

"The performance of Portmeirion Group in the first six months of 2014 has been in line with our expectations and we remain confident of the outcome for the full year to 31 December 2014."

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Portmeirion Group PLC:

 

Dick Steele,

Non-executive Chairman  

+44 (0) 1782 744721

steele_clan@msn.com

Brett Phillips,

Group Finance Director  

+44 (0) 1782 744721

bphillips@portmeiriongroup.com




Bell Pottinger:

 

Dan de Belder

+44 (0) 207 861 3881

ddebelder@bell-pottinger.com

Kashara Taylor

+44 (0) 207 861 3032

ktaylor@bell-pottinger.com




Panmure Gordon:

(Nominated Adviser and Broker)                

+44 (0) 207 886 2500


Freddy Crossley / Nicola Marrin


Corporate Finance

Tom Salvesen / Maisie Atkinson


Corporate Broking

 

 

 

 

 

Interim Review

 

The performance of Portmeirion Group for the first six months of 2014 has been in line with our expectations.

We have previously commented on why our first half year is an inappropriate guide for the full year.  This is mainly because of the operational gearing inherent in a manufacturing business with a heavy reliance on second half sales. Our US market, which is particularly biased towards the second half and the Christmas trading period, is fundamental to the success of our business.

 

Dividend

The Board is proposing a dividend of 5.50 pence per share (2013: 5.00 pence per share), an increase of 10% which is in line with the percentage increase in the final dividend for 2013.

 

The interim dividend will be paid on 1 October 2014. The ex-dividend date will be 3 September 2014 with a record date of 5 September 2014.

 

We are continuing with our policy of having the interim dividend determined by the prior final dividend, rather than being a presage for the following final, subject to the needs of the business. The final dividend will be determined when we know the results for 2014. This approach allows us to better allocate dividend increases and payments taking account of our important second half year so as to provide optimum payments to shareholders.

 

The Board is committed to a progressive dividend policy.  It is a core part of our strategy.  Our longstanding aim is to maintain a sustainable level of dividend cover whilst increasing dividends whenever our prudent views of future trading conditions and business cash needs allow us so to do.  We have increased our dividend for five consecutive years.

 

Revenues

Our revenues for the first six months of 2014 were £24.5 million (2013 first half year: £23.8 million), 3.1% higher than the comparative period.  The 2013 full year revenues were £58.3 million. 

 

In the United States, our largest market on a full year basis, sales increased by 4.0% in local currency, however, when translated into sterling the sales were 3.8% lower as sterling has strengthened against the US dollar since last year. In the United Kingdom, our second largest market on a full year basis, sales increased by 6.9% and South Korea, our third largest market, was slightly down on last year by 1.2%.

 

We continue to generate revenue through online sales. In the UK, our own direct online sales increased by more than 50% in the period under review from £346,000 to £529,000 due to refined online marketing.  In the US we achieved US$400,000 of online sales having only launched this new website in the second half of 2013.

 

Profits

Profit before tax has increased by 42% over the comparative period to £1,213,000 (2013 first half year: £853,000, 2013 full year: £7,009,000); earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation are £1,872,000 (2013 first half year: £1,544,000, 2013 full year: £8,257,000).

 

We have continued to suffer from the protectionist Anti-Dumping Duty imposed on us by the European Commission.  This cost us over £300,000 in the first half of 2014, similar to the cost suffered during the same period last year.  We expect the full year costs to be at least double the first half figure.  This cost is manageable and we continue to explore opportunities to reduce it.

Balance Sheet

Our net cash balance at 30 June 2014 was £2.7 million; this compares with £5.9 million at 30 June 2013 and £6.2 million at 31 December 2013. In July 2013 we invested £3.9 million of cash in the long leasehold of our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse, so this amount is reflected in the reduction in cash balances compared to 30 June 2013.

 

As is normal in our trading pattern we are investing in our stock balances with our important second half year to deliver. Stocks at 30 June 2014 were £14.5 million which compares to £12.6 million at 30 June 2013 and £11.7 million at 31 December 2013. Our stock valuation policies are prudent, rigorous and consistently applied.

 

During the half year we have paid £716,000 to purchase our own shares at an average price of £7.45 each.  These are held to satisfy employee share and incentive scheme awards in future years.

 

We paid £0.4 million into our long closed defined benefit pension scheme in the first half year; this is the same amount as in the comparative period last year.  We will pay a total of £0.8 million in 2014.

 

Production

Our management team have once again achieved record levels of production from our Stoke-on-Trent factory. Average weekly output of best pieces amounted to 147,000 in the first six months of this year, this compares to the full year average of 128,000 per week in 2013 and 92,000 per week in 2008. We continue to set ourselves challenging targets and then surpass them.

 

Our Stoke-on-Trent factory produces the finest English earthenware, a product for which we have a worldwide reputation. We source our porcelain, bone china, cookware, glassware, fabrics, tablemats and cutlery from all over the world and from the best of factories - all of which are inspected by us. All the products which we sell with our brand names on are subject to our quality standards.

 

Products and Brands

Pictures of our current patterns can be found at www.portmeirion.co.uk, www.spode.co.uk, www.royalworcester.co.uk and www.pimpernelinternational.co.uk. Online purchasing is also available at these sites.

 

We have continued to develop new patterns and extensions to existing patterns. During the year we have launched Portmeirion Agapanthus and Portmeirion Agapanthus Stripe, we have added a wonderful Poppy motif to Portmeirion Botanic Garden and Sophie Conran for Portmeirion has enjoyed range extensions including a Christmas Collection and additional items for the exciting ceramic coated metal cookware range. Kiwi motifs now feature within Portmeirion Pomona. Ambiance and Coast are two new contemporary patterns.

Spode Delamere Rural takes the well established Spode Woodland pattern to a new colourway, and nearly two hundred years after it was first introduced we can still find exciting new items for the Spode Blue Italian pattern.

 

Outlook

Our second half year remains the key for our full year results. We have strong forward orders for the second half year. Our four brands are stronger than ever, our designs are world beating, our quality standards do not compromise, our financial position is robust and our people are ready.

 

We remain confident for the future; our strategy remains unchanged. 

 

Richard Steele                                      Lawrence Bryan

Non-executive Chairman                   Chief Executive

 

 

Independent Review Report to Portmeirion Group PLC

 

Introduction

We have been engaged by Portmeirion Group PLC to review the interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2014, which comprises the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of cash flows, the reconciliation of movement in shareholders' equity and related notes 1 to 7.  We have read the other information contained in the interim statement and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the interim financial information.

 

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 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 it 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.

 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors

The interim statement, including the interim financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors.  The directors are responsible for preparing the interim statement in accordance with the AIM Rules issued by the London Stock Exchange, which require that the interim statement must be prepared and presented in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the Company's annual accounts having regard to the accounting standards applicable to such annual accounts.

 

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the interim financial information in the interim statement based on our review.

 

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.  A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit.  Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial information in the interim statement for the six months ended 30 June 2014 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the AIM Rules issued by the London Stock Exchange.

 

Mazars LLP

Chartered Accountants

45 Church Street

Birmingham

B3 2RT

30 July 2014

 

Notes:

(a) The maintenance and integrity of the Portmeirion Group PLC website is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by us does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, we accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim statement since it was initially presented on the website.

(b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.



Consolidated Income Statement

Unaudited

 

 

 

 


Notes

Six months to 30 June 2014

 £'000

 

Six months to 30 June 2013

£'000

 

Year to

31 December

2013

£'000

Revenue

2

24,525

23,789

58,295

Operating costs


(23,293)

(22,809)

(51,233)

Operating profit


1,232

980

7,062






Investment revenue


46

22

52

Finance costs

3

(64)

(187)

(246)

Share of results of associated undertakings


(1)

38

141

Profit before tax


1,213

853

7,009

 





Tax

4

(241)

(220)

(1,400)

Profit for the period attributable to equity holders


972

633

5,609

 

Earnings per share

 

6

 

9.21p

 

6.03p

 

53.26p

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

6

 

9.17p

 

5.98p

 

52.84p

 

Dividends proposed and paid per share

 

5

 

5.50p

 

5.00p

 

24.00p

 

 

All the above figures relate to continuing operations.

 



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Unaudited

 

 

 

 

 

 


Six months to 30 June 2014

 £'000

 

Six months to 30 June 2013

£'000

 

Year to

31 December

 2013

£'000

Profit for the period

972

633

5,609

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

(249)

419

(156)

Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension scheme

-

-

1,947

Deferred tax on other comprehensive income

-

-

(688)

Other comprehensive income for the period

(249)

419

1,103





Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to equity holders


723


1,052


6,712

 



Consolidated Balance Sheet

Unaudited


 

30 June 2014

£'000

 

30 June 2013

£'000

 

31 December

 2013

 £'000

Non-current assets




Intangible assets

1,305

1,525

1,419

Property, plant and equipment

9,033

5,629

9,285

Interests in associates

1,656

1,734

1,778

Deferred tax asset

151

747

222

Total non-current assets

12,145

9,635

12,704

Current assets




Inventories

14,497

12,644

11,713

Trade and other receivables

8,332

8,792

10,889

Cash and cash equivalents

2,748

5,876

6,205

Total current assets

25,577

27,312

28,807

Total assets

37,722

36,947

41,511

Current liabilities




Trade and other payables

(5,365)

(5,450)

(6,465)

Current income tax liabilities

(633)

(549)

(1,141)

Total current liabilities

(5,998)

(5,999)

(7,606)

Non-current liabilities




Pension scheme deficit

(2,051)

(4,653)

(2,404)

Grant received

-

(20)

-

Total non-current liabilities

(2,051)

(4,673)

(2,404)

Total liabilities

(8,049)

(10,672)

(10,010)

Net assets

29,673

26,275

31,501

Equity




Called up share capital

549

548

548

Share premium account

6,456

6,375

6,375

Investment in own shares

(1,814)

(1,179)

(1,139)

Share-based payment reserve

829

674

742

Translation reserve

350

1,202

599

Retained earnings

23,303

18,655

24,376

Total equity

29,673

26,275

31,501


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Unaudited

 


Six months

to 30 June 2014

£'000

 

Six months

to 30 June

2013

£'000

Year to

31 December

2013

 £'000

Operating profit

1,232

980

7,062

Adjustments for:




Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

488

425

906

Amortisation of intangible assets

152

139

289

Contributions to defined benefit pension scheme

(400)

(400)

(800)

Charge for share-based payments

87

73

141

Exchange gain

9

64

37

Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets

-

(1)

(9)

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

1,568

1,280

7,626

Increase in inventories

(2,950)

(788)

(200)

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

2,593

920

(1,369)

(Decrease)/increase in payables

(1,034)

(390)

771

Cash generated from operations

177

1,022

6,828

Interest paid

(29)

(14)

(30)

Income taxes paid

(678)

(527)

(1,261)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

(530)

481

5,537

Investing activities




Interest received

12

14

76

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

-

34

46

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(257)

(370)

(4,579)

Purchase of intangible assets

(38)

(55)

(99)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(283)

(377)

(4,556)

Financing activities




Equity dividends paid

(2,008)

(1,842)

(2,376)

Shares issued under employee share schemes

86

722

722

Purchase of own shares

(716)

(577)

(577)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(2,638)

(1,697)

(2,231)

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(3,451)

(1,593)

(1,250)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

6,205

7,450

7,450

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

(6)

19

5

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

2,748

5,876

6,205

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders' Equity 

Unaudited

 

 

 

Six months

to 30 June 2014

£'000

Six months

to 30 June

2013

£'000

Year to

31 December 2013

 £'000





 

Opening balance

 

31,501

 

26,847

 

26,847

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

723

 

1,052

 

6,712

 

Dividends paid

 

(2,008)

 

(1,842)

 

(2,376)

 

Shares issued under employee share schemes

 

86

 

722

 

722

 

Purchase of own shares

 

(716)

 

(577)

 

(577)

 

Increase in share-based payment reserve

 

87

 

73

 

141

 

Deferred tax on share-based payment

 

-

 

-

 

32

 

Closing balance

 

29,673

 

26,275

 

31,501

 



Notes to the Interim Financial Information

 

1.   Basis of preparation

The interim financial information has not been audited and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 but has been reviewed by the auditors in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board.  The Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2013, prepared in accordance with accounting standards adopted for use in the European Union (International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)), have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

 

2.   Geographical segments

 

 

 

Six months

to 30 June

 2014

£'000

Six months

to 30 June

2013

£'000

Year to

31 December 2013

 £'000

 

United Kingdom

 

6,637

 

6,210

 

15,435

United States

5,784

6,015

19,854

South Korea

7,210

7,298

14,783

Rest of the World

4,894

4,266

8,223


24,525

23,789

58,295

 

 

3. Finance costs

 

 

 

Six months

to 30 June

 2014

£'000

 

Six months

to 30 June

2013

£'000

 

Year to

31 December

2013

 £'000

Interest paid

14

21

43

Realised losses on financial derivatives

3

8

7

Unrealised losses on financial derivatives

-

60

-

Defined benefit pension scheme - other finance costs

47

98

196


64

187

246

 

 

4.  Taxation

Tax for the interim period is charged at 19.9% (year to 31 December 2013: 20.0%) representing the best estimate of the weighted average annual corporation tax rate expected for the full year.  Deferred tax has been calculated at a rate of 20%.

 



Notes to the Interim Financial Information

Continued

 

 

5.  Dividend

A dividend of 5.50p (2013: 5.00p) per ordinary share will be paid on 1 October 2014 to shareholders on the register on 5 September 2014.

 

6.  Earnings per share

The earnings per share is calculated on profit after tax of £972,000 (June 2013: £633,000; December 2013: £5,609,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares of 10,556,134 (June 2013: 10,491,426; December 2013: 10,531,715) in issue during the period.  The share options in existence during the six months ended 30 June 2014 have a dilutive effect.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated on earnings of £972,000 (June 2013: £633,000; December 2013: £5,609,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares of 10,605,438 (June 2013: 10,581,509; December 2013: 10,614,087).

 

7.  Reconciliation of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

 

 

 

 

 

Six months

to 30 June

 2014

£'000

Six months

to 30 June

2013

£'000

Year to

31 December

2013

 £'000

Operating profit

1,232

980

7,062

Add back:




Depreciation

488

425

906

Amortisation

152

139

289

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation


1,872


1,544


8,257

 

 

8.  Availability of document

A copy of the interim results will shortly be available on the Company website at www.portmeiriongroup.com


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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