Interim Results

Reliance Security Group PLC 7 December 2000 RELIANCE SECURITY GROUP PLC INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE 6 MONTHS TO 27 OCTOBER 2000 * Profit Before Tax of £3.9m (1999 - £3.4m), increase of 13.0% * Earnings per share up 14.3% * Operating cashflow £2.2m (1999 - £3.4m) * Dividend increase to 2.8p per share (1999 - 2.5p), up 12.0% Commenting on the results, the Chairman, Brian Kingham, said: * The security, support services and facilities management markets have continued to enjoy strong growth * £90m over 30 years PFI Success with the Police Service Investment in a 37% stake in Command Security Corporation Inc. in the United States, our first move outside the UK * We acquired a 16% stake in Chesterton International PLC, a leading provider of property related services, including facilities management For further information: Brian Kingham, Chairman 020 7730 9716 Geoff Haslehurst, Finance Director 01895 205 000 Notes to the Editors: Reliance is an established market leader in the provision of contract security, electronic surveillance, facilities management and support services. Reliance employs over 8,000 people from a network of offices throughout the UK. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Results Sales for the six months to 27 October 2000 increased by 13% to £83.7m (1999 - £74.1m) and pre-tax profits rose by 13% to £3.9m (1999 - £3.4m) with EPS rising to 11.58p (1999 - 10.13p). Net cash generated from operations was £2.2m (1999 - £3.4m). Review The security, support services and facilities management markets have continued to enjoy strong growth. We have invested heavily to position ourselves to sustain significant expansion in the longer term, placing emphasis on the specialist and higher value added areas of our markets. The first six months have been characterised by mobilisation and building of management, organisation and structures to support and deliver a broad range of high quality business services and products. Our security and electronic surveillance businesses also enjoyed strong sales growth. In our first move outside the UK, we announced in September our investment in a 37% stake in Command Security Corporation Inc. in the United States. This provides an important window on 40% of the world security market as well as opportunity to benefit from transatlantic co-operation. Also in September, we invested in Safe Estates Services Limited, a start up specialist, electronic and physical security provider to the void property market. In October, our secure task management partnership with Ballast plc and Charterhouse Project Equity achieved preferred supplier status to Sussex Police for the design, construction and operation of a contract for over £90m over 30 years which we believe is the largest yet PFI by the Police Service. Reliance Integrated Services Limited, our specialist facilities management operation, in partnership with Carillion and Haden have now commenced the mobilisation of the £500m, over 5 years, facilities management contract for the British Telecom 8,500 property estate announced in May. As announced yesterday, we acquired a 16% stake in Chesterton International PLC, a leading provider of property related services, including facilities management. We view this as a strategic investment in a business area which we know well. These moves place the group in a strong position to meet the changing and increased demands of existing and new customers. They are calculated to place us at the forefront of markets which are in a state of dynamic change. Dividend The directors have pleasure in declaring an interim divided of 2.8p (1999 - 2.5p), payable on 26 January 2001 to shareholders on the register on 12 January 2001. Outlook Our investment in new businesses, in specialist market segments and in geographic expansion of our core security business provides a powerful base from which to generate increased business and profits. The mixture of organic growth, new business start-up, partnerships and strategic investment provides a balanced capability to meet the needs of our customers in markets which are in a state of change and convergence. We remain optimistic about future prospects. Brian Kingham Chairman December 2000 Group profit & loss account for the six months ended 27 October 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 27 October 29 October 28 April 2000 1999 2000 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 83,713 74,088 152,888 Cost of sales (67,843) (59,885) (123,498) Gross profit 15,870 14,203 29,390 Administrative Expenses (12,141) (10,976) (21,276) Operating profit 3,729 3,227 8,114 Net interest Receivable 124 183 391 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,853 3,410 8,505 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (1,233) (1,125) (2,840) Profit for the period 2,620 2,285 5,665 Dividends (646) (575) (2,378) Retained profit for the Period transferred to reserves 4 1,974 1,710 3,287 Earnings per share Basic 3 11.58p 10.13p 25.08p Diluted 3 11.48p 10.06p 24.81p Dividend per share 2.80p 2.50p 10.50p Shares issued and fully paid 23,059,768 23,005,354 23,055,497 There were no unrecognised gains or losses in the period under review. Group balance sheet as at 27 October 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 27 October 29 October 28 April 2000 1999 2000 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets Intangible assets - Goodwill 1,312 1,368 1,348 Tangible assets 5,604 6,571 5,920 Investments 1,429 925 925 8,345 8,864 8,193 Current Assets Stocks and work in Progress 1,451 1,466 523 Debtors 26,042 17,830 21,597 Cash at bank and in Hand 5 6,955 8,498 8,172 34,448 27,794 30,292 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (23,746) (21,065) (21,350) Net current assets 10,702 6,729 8,942 Total assets less current liabilities 19,047 15,593 17,135 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (210) (326) (272) Net Assets 18,837 15,267 16,863 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,153 1,151 1,153 Share premium account 1,844 1,827 1,844 Revaluation reserve 152 152 152 Profit and loss account 15,688 12,137 13,714 Equity shareholders' funds 4 18,837 15,267 16,863 Group cash flow statement for the six months ended 27 October 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 27 October 29 October 28 April 2000 1999 2000 Notes £'000s £'000s £'000s Net cash inflow from operating activities 6 2,165 3,392 5,588 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 142 222 433 Interest paid 0 (9) (12) Interest element on finance lease repayments (18) (30) (30) Net cash inflow from returns on investment and servicing of finance 124 183 391 Taxation UK corporation tax paid (732) 0 (3,193) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed Assets (423) (2,288) (2,700) Purchase of ESOP shares (95) (398) (398) Purchase of trade investments (409) 0 0 Sale of tangible fixed assets 61 37 970 Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (866) (2,649) (2,128) Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of subsidiary Undertaking 0 (550) (550) Equity dividends paid (1,845) (1,563) (2,097) Net cash outflow before Financing (1,154) (1,187) (1,989) Financing Issue of Ordinary Share Capital 0 76 95 Increase in short term Borrowings 0 0 417 Capital element on finance lease repayments (63) (120) (59) Net cash outflow from Financing (63) (44) 453 Decrease in cash in the period (1,217) (1,231) (1,536) NOTES 1 Preparation of unaudited interim financial information The unaudited interim financial information which does not comprise full accounts,has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts of the group for the year ended 28 April 2000, from which the results for the year have been extracted. These statutory accounts received an unqualified audit opinion and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 2 Taxation Corporation tax for the six months to 27 October 2000 has been calculated at the rate of 30% (1999: 30%). 3 Earnings per share The basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months to 27 October 2000 have been calculated using the profit after tax and on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period less shares held by the ESOP trust of 22,616,068 and 22,831,268 respectively. 4 Reconciliation of movement in equity shareholders' funds 27 October 29 October 28 April 2000 1999 2000 £'000s £'000s £'000s Profit on ordinary activities after tax 2,620 2,285 5,665 Dividends (646) (575) (2,378) 1,974 1,710 3,287 New share capital subscribed 0 76 95 Net movement in equity shareholders' funds 1,974 1,786 3,382 Opening equity shareholders' funds 16,863 13,481 13,481 Closing equity shareholders' funds 18,837 15,267 16,863 5. Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents as shown in the balance sheet 27 October 29 October 28 April 2000 1999 2000 £'000s £'000s £'000s Cash at bank and in hand 6,955 8,498 8,172 Bank Overdrafts 0 (21) 0 6,955 8,477 8,172 6 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 27 October 29 October 28 April 2000 1999 2000 £'000s £'000s £'000s Operating profit 3,729 3,227 8,114 Depreciation charges 680 550 1,101 Profit on the sale of fixed assets (2) (7) (213) Amortisation of goodwill 36 0 60 Increase in stocks (928) (1,268) (264) Increase in debtors (4,445) (1,224) (4,422) Increase in creditors 3,095 2,114 1,212 2,165 3,392 5,588 7 Analysis and reconciliation of net debt 28 April Cash flow 27 October 2000 2000 £'000s £'000 £'000s Cash at bank and in hand 8,172 (1,217) 6,955 8,172 (1,217) 6,955 Debt due within one year (967) (95) (1,062) Finance Leases (588) 63 (525) (1,555) (32) (1,587) Net funds 6,617 (1,249) 5,368 8 Distribution A copy of the financial information will be sent to all shareholders. copies are available to the public from the Company's registered office at Boundary House, Cricketfield Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1QG
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