Interim Results

Premier Management Holdings PLC 23 December 2002 For release at 07.00 on 23 December 2002 PREMIER MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS PLC Interim results for the six months ended 31 October 2002 Premier Management Holdings plc (the 'Company'), the AIM-listed football agency presents interim results for the six months ended 31 October 2002 for itself and its subsidiaries (together, the 'Group'). Key points • Turnover up 33% to £1,002,000 (2001: £753,000). • First player investment realised showing a gain of £202,000. • Operating contribution up 29% to £248,000 (2001: £192,000). • Provisions for exceptional bad debts and strengthening of the Euro have contributed to a pre-tax loss for the period of £735,000 (2001: £168,000 profit). No dividend is being recommended. • Market remains difficult with new transfer window system constraining activity, although the Group has had a substantial market share of transfers for cash consideration during November 2002. • Group hopes to benefit from reopening of transfer window in January 2003 and expects higher activity levels during the summer window. However, without a strong January trading in the second half of the year may be below Group's previous expectations. • Group has restructured cost base to make it more flexible and responsive to market conditions. • New offices have been opened in Turkey and the Netherlands and existing office in Hungary has been strengthened. Chairman, Stuart Lucas said today, 'We are working ever more closely with various clubs. Our discussions with these clubs have suggested that foreign transfers will become increasingly more important, which will leverage the investment in our offices abroad. We recently signed a contract with a First Division club to undertake their scouting abroad for young players and several other clubs outsource a number of their player issues to us. We continue to seek and sign quality young players on a selective basis in order to maintain the standards of service that such players require. We are now well placed to benefit from any recovery in the market, which we anticipate starting in January and improving during the summer window.' For further enquiries contact: Barry Gold (Joint Managing Director - Premier Management Holdings plc) 0207 456 0490 Chairman's statement I am pleased to be able to report turnover for the six months ended 31 October 2002 of £1,002,000 (2001: £753,000) an increase of 33 per cent. over the corresponding period of last year. Whilst the core operating contribution of the Group has increased 29 per cent. to £248,000 (2001: £192,000), the impact of the convertible bond, amortisation of goodwill and provisions for potential bad debts has resulted in a loss before taxation for the period of £735,000 (2001: £168,000 profit). No dividend is being recommended. During the first quarter of the Group's financial year we benefited from acting in the transfer of Jay-Jay Okocha to Bolton Wanderers and from the realisation of £202,000 from our investment in Paulo Ferreira upon his transfer to Porto from Vittoria Setubal during the summer. However, following the closure of the Premier League transfer window at the end of August, player movements within the Nationwide League were also scarce. With the well publicised financial difficulties of many clubs in this league following the collapse of the ITV Digital contract there are few funds available to maintain transfer activity. Accordingly, our growth in turnover for the period under review reflects the first contribution from Sports Player Management Ltd, which was acquired at the end of last year. It has also crystallised a goodwill amortisation charge for the first time during the period under review of £212,000. Several Nationwide League clubs have been placed in administration over the previous six months and in most cases their future remains, at present, unresolved. In this environment we have decided to make full provision against all amounts due from clubs presently in administration or in financial difficulties although we would expect to make partial recovery in most cases. The recent strengthening of the Euro against Sterling has required the Group to provide for the potential foreign exchange loss on the Convertible Bond of £124,000, which has impacted our results for the six months ended 31 October 2002. Without this exchange loss and the exceptional bad debt charge I would have been able to report that the Group's progress was in line with market expectations for the full year. The third quarter of our financial year has started slowly. On 3 December 2002 the Daily Telegraph published a list of transfers which took place during November. The continuing quiet state of the Nationwide League transfer market was demonstrated clearly by the fact that during that month only four transfers were recorded for a fee. The two largest fees involved were for £250,000 and £50,000. Although we can take comfort from the fact that the Group acted on these two larger transactions, it is evident that there are very few deals being pursued by a large number of agents. Looking ahead, we hope to benefit from the re-opening of the transfer window during January when Premiership clubs will come back into the market. We believe that activity will increase during the summer transfer window when clubs release out of contract players and try to sign cheaper replacements. However, without a strong January we consider it likely that trading in the second half of the year will be below our previous expectations. In the light of current market conditions we have carried out a thorough review of our cost base and implemented cuts designed to reduce our overhead base by at least 30 per cent. in a full year. We have reduced headcount and base pay levels and increased the performance related element of the remuneration packages of our remaining staff and Directors to bring them in line with the way our overseas offices are structured. I would like to thank our staff and Directors who have appreciated the difficulties in our market place and have accepted revisions to their contracts. We are grateful to them all. As part of this review we have also refocused resources where we consider that they may be employed more beneficially. To this end we have increased the size of our office in Hungary and have opened new offices in Turkey and the Netherlands. We are working ever more closely with various clubs. Our discussions with these clubs have suggested that foreign transfers will become increasingly more important, which will leverage the investment in our offices abroad. We recently signed a contract with a First Division club to undertake their scouting abroad for young players and several other clubs outsource a number of their player issues to us. On the player representation side of the Group's business we continue to seek and sign quality young players on a selective basis in order to maintain the standards of service that such players require. We are now well placed to benefit from any recovery in the market, which we anticipate starting in January and improving during the summer window. Stuart Lucas Chairman 23 December 2002 Profit and loss account For the six months ended 31 October 2002 Six months to Six months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2002 2001 2002 Notes (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 Turnover 1,002 753 1,683 Surplus on sale of investments 202 - - 1,204 753 1,683 Fees paid out to sub-agents (324) (14) (17) Gross profit 880 739 1,666 Administration expenses (632) (547) (1,326) Operating contribution 248 192 340 Exchange loss on convertible loan stock (124) - (3) Amortisation on goodwill (212) (9) (24) Provisions for bad debts (433) - (28) Operating profit/(loss) (521) 183 285 Interest received 10 37 73 Interest paid (125) (52) (191) Amortisation of finance costs (99) - (149) Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax (735) 168 18 Taxation - (37) (25) Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after tax (735) 131 (7) Transfer to share premium account 99 - 149 Profit/(loss) for the period (636) 131 142 Basic earnings/(loss) per share 2 (3.01)p 0.66p (0.03)p Adjusted earnings per share 2 (1.78)p N/a 0.70p Fully diluted earnings per share 2 (1.56)p 0.78p 0.71p All amounts are derived from continuing operations There are no recognised gains or losses other than shown in the profit and loss account for each period. Balance sheet As at 31 October 2002 As at As at As at 31 October 31 October 30 April 2002 2001 2002 Notes (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 Fixed asset Intangible assets 3,941 152 3,729 Tangible assets 171 185 186 Investments 3 2,628 2,245 3,045 6,740 2,582 6,960 Current assets Debtors 2,833 1,334 2,168 Cash at bank and in hand 361 3,152 1,320 3,194 4,486 3,488 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,710) (184) (1,515) Net current assets 1,484 4,302 1,973 Total assets less current liabilities 8,224 6,884 8,933 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (5,629) (4,381) (5,603) Total assets less liabilities 2,595 2,503 3,330 Capital and reserves Share capital 244 200 244 Share premium account 2,769 2,096 2,868 Profit and loss account (418) 207 218 2,595 2,503 3,330 Movement in shareholders' funds For the six months ended 31 October 2002 Six months to Six months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2002 2001 2002 Notes (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 Opening shareholders' funds 3,330 2,372 2,372 Shares issued - 1,320 Costs of shares issued written of to share premium account - (355) Profit/(loss) for the period (735) 131 (7) Closing shareholders' funds 2,595 2,503 3,330 Cash flow statement For the six months ended 31 October 2002 Six months to Six months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2002 2001 2002 Notes (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 Net cash movement on operating activities (541) (391) (148) Return on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 10 37 73 Interest paid (125) - (191) (115) 37 (118) Taxation - - (7) Capital expenditure Payments to acquire intangible assets (225) (4) (133) Receipts from disposal of intangible assets - - 4 Payments to acquire tangible assets (8) - (30) Payments to acquire investments (102) - (2,447) Receipts from disposal of investments 563 - - 228 (4) (2,606) Acquisitions and disposals Payments to acquire subsidiary undertakings (199) - (982) Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources (627) (358) (3,861) Management of liquid resources Fixed asset investments - (1,851) - Short term investments 936 - (186) Financing Convertible bond issue - 4,938 4,938 Costs of bond issue (20) (589) (595) Capital element of hire purchase (10) - (22) Purchase of shares by employee trust (102) - (210) Payment of deferred consideration (175) - - Movement in cash during period 2 2,140 64 Notes to the interim accounts For the six months ended 31 October 2002 1. Basis of preparation The results for the six months ended 31 October 2002 are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the auditors. They have been prepared on accounting bases and policies that are consistent with those used in the preparation of the audited financial statements of the company for the year ended 30 April 2002. The financial statements contained in this report do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The results for the year ended 30 April 2002 were reported on by the Auditors and received an unqualified audit report. Full accounts for the year ended 30 April 2002 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Earnings per share The calculation of the basic earnings/(loss) per share is based on the loss after tax of £735,000 (2001: £131,000) and on 24,433,333 ordinary shares (2001: 20,000,000), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. The calculation of adjusted earnings/(loss) per share is based on the basic loss per share adjusted for the amortisation of goodwill and finance costs. The calculation of diluted earnings/(loss) per share is based on the profit/ (loss) after tax adjusted for expense savings that would result from conversion of the convertible bond and 31,447,971 ordinary shares (2001: 22,484,142) being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue together with the assumed conversion of all the options and convertible bond. 3. Fixed asset investments Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less provision for diminution in value. The company invests in the future value of players' transfer fees. Fixed asset investments in footballers represents monies provided to clubs to finance transfers of players. An impairment review is carried out on the carrying value of the investment at the end of each accounting period. 4. Interim statement The interim statement will be posted to shareholders during January 2003. Copies of the interim statement may be obtained from the company by writing to the Company Secretary at 50 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7PR. ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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