Interim Results

S & U PLC 19 September 2003 S&U PLC Providers of Consumer Credit and Motor Finance INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR TO 31st JULY 2003 HALF-YEAR PROFITS £4.2m (£4.5m) ON BUSINESS TRANSACTED £41.5m (£43.1m) 'NORMAL TRADING SHOULD NOW INCREASINGLY BE THE ORDER OFTHE DAY'. RECOVERY IN PROFITABILITY ON COURSE INTERIM DIVIDEND 8p PER ORDINARY SHARE (UNCHANGED) ADVANTAGE FINANCE ON LINE TO REACH BUDGET TARGET FOR YEAR OF £1.6M HOME CREDIT SHOWING SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT. 'SECOND HALF SHOULD BE MUCH BETTER' Enquiries: Derek Coombs or Anthony Coombs Executive Chairman Managing Director S&U PLC S&U PLC Tel: 020 7353 8906 Tel: 07767 687150 (mobile) CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I report that the pre-tax profits for the six months to 31st July are £4,206,000 as against £4,466,000 for the comparative half-year period last year. Business transacted in the period totalled £41,478,000 compared to £43,122,000 for the comparable period. Earnings per share are 24.5p compared to 26.0p. Our Home Collected credit division profit was £3,369,000 (£3,871,000). Home credit is now showing signs of improvement and the second half should be much better. Advantage Finance providing hire purchase finance for motor vehicles increased profitability again this year with a profit before tax of £768,000 (£649,000). Advantage is on line to reach its budget target for the year of £1.6m. Advantage has set aside £7,984,606 of deferred revenue profit to future periods in respect of advances already made. The interim dividend for the period is 8p per ordinary share the same as last year. This will be paid on 14th November 2003 to ordinary shareholders on the register at 17th October 2003. The shares will go ex-dividend on 15th October 2003. We have still suffered from the effects of last year but normal trading should now increasingly be the order of the day. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Redford as Financial Controller from 13th October 2003. Christopher Redford who has had a successful career as Financial Director of Advantage will also succeed David Maiden as Company Secretary following his retirement in June 2004. DM Coombs Chairman 18 September 2003 MANAGING DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT In my Managing Director's report on S & U's full year results, I outlined a raft of changes which, following the serious problems in our South East home credit operations last year, would 'prevent a recurrence, and strengthen home credit debt quality' so as to produce 'a strong recovery in Group profitability in the current financial year'. I am pleased to say that these results strongly confirm that this recovery is on course. Although half-year group operating profits are 6% lower at £4.5m, both their make up and current trading point to strong growth in profitability in the second half producing annual results consistent with our Broker's estimate. Thus whilst our home credit division saw half-year operating profits at £3.4m versus £3.9m a year ago, this fall was primarily due to a reduction of £3.3m in business transacted at our S & U home-credit operation. Tighter credit control and security procedures, as well as a more cautious economic climate have constrained sales there compared to the pre-fraud expansion of a year ago. At full year I stressed our determination that 'quality rather than volume will drive the business'. The reduction of our home credit bad debt to within budget in the past six months is proof of this. Home credit expenses are actually lower than last year whilst gross margins are being maintained. S & U's two northern home credit subsidiaries continue to perform satisfactorily, in S D Taylor's case after a record year. The latter has taken advantage of a more realistic market for home credit book debt by acquiring Jubilee Finance, a small finance company based in the Wirral. Further acquisitions, together with a pilot autumn marketing campaign, should bolster home credit customer numbers, whilst enabling us to focus on transacting more business with better quality, aspirational customers. Current home credit trading is encouraging and on budget. Our motor finance subsidiary, Advantage Finance, continues to go from strength to strength. Profit before tax has risen from £649,000 last year to £768,000 now and remains firmly within budget. The better market for used cars, supported by record new car registrations, has seen an increase in average loan values thus attracting better quality custom and therefore increased future interest income. Some pressure on insurance margins has been off-set by improved revenue from Advantage's brokerage activities; collection rates remain both consistent and impressive whilst arrears have actually been held at year end levels despite a growth in advances. As indicated at our year end, our hosiery operation, A E Holt has now been closed and its property in Leicester sold. Its remaining stock and machinery have been written down and as these are sold there should be some scope for reducing the current closure loss over the full year. As expected during a period when investment in book debt has slowed, the Group's financial position has continued to strengthen; our net debt is within budget and £398,000 better than last year. This gives us considerable headroom, within existing facilities, for the book debt growth and possible acquisitions we anticipate in the second half of this year. Further, as the economy recovers, we insured against higher medium term interest rates by arranging swap facilities against an additional £5m of bank debt. Since the half-year ended these positions have been unwound at a profit; however we will arrange further swap facilities when the opportunity arises. In conclusion the steps outlined above will provide a sound platform for what I am confident will be a significant rebound in profitability in the current financial year. A M V Coombs 18 September 2003 INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO S&U PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 31 July 2003 which comprises the profit and loss account, the balance sheet, the cash flow statement and related notes 1 to 7. 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 polices 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 31 July 2003. Deloitte & Touche LLP Chartered Accountants Birmingham 18 September 2003 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Six months ended 31 July 2003 Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Note Business transacted 41,478 43,122 88,828 ====== ====== ====== Turnover 2 16,297 17,501 34,996 ====== ====== ====== Group operating profit 2/3 4,498 4,849 8,793 Profit on sale of property 297 214 214 Net interest payable (589) (597) (1,161) ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 4,206 4,466 7,846 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (1,254) (1,340) (2,293) ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation being profit for the financial period 2,952 3,126 5,553 Preference dividends paid On 6% cumulative shares (6) (6) (12) On 31.5% cumulative shares (71) (71) (142) ------ ------ ------ Profit after preference dividends 2,875 3,049 5,399 Dividend on ordinary shares (939) (939) (3,286) ------ ------ ------ Retained profit for the financial period 1,936 2,110 2,113 ====== ====== ====== Earnings per ordinary share 4 24.5p 26.0p 46.0p ====== ====== ====== Dividends per ordinary share 5 8.0p 8.0p 28.0p ====== ====== ====== All activities derive from continuing operations. There are no recognised gains and losses for the six months ended 31 July 2003 and comparative periods other than the retained profit of £1,936,000 (for the period ended 31 July 2002 - £2,110,000, and the year ended 31 January 2003 £2,113,000) shown above. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 31 July 2003 31.07.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 Note £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 2,529 2,767 2,646 ------ ------ ------ Current assets Amounts receivable from customers 61,214 60,001 60,949 Stocks 168 273 214 Debtors 1,224 766 946 Cash at bank and in hand 87 92 106 ------ ------ ------ 62,693 61,132 62,215 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (12,823) (13,439) (14,398) ------ ------ ------ Net current assets 49,870 47,693 47,817 ------ ------ ------ Total assets less current liabilities 52,399 50,460 50,463 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ------ ------ ------ Total net assets 2 37,399 35,460 35,463 ====== ====== ====== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 2,117 2,117 2,117 Share premium account 2,136 2,136 2,136 Revaluation reserve 595 609 600 Profit and loss account 32,551 30,598 30,610 ------ ------ ------ Total shareholders' funds 37,399 35,460 35,463 ====== ====== ====== Attributable to equity shareholders 36,749 34,810 34,813 Attributable to non-equity shareholders 650 650 650 ------ ------ ------ 37,399 35,460 35,463 ====== ====== ====== These interim statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 18 September 2003. Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors D M COOMBS A M V COOMBS Directors CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Six months ended 31 July 2003 Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Note Cash flow from operating activities 6 4,775 3,847 7,366 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (658) (633) (1,232) Taxation (1,275) (1,393) (3,035) Capital expenditure and financial investment (232) (122) (248) Equity dividends paid (2,350) (2,343) (3,357) ------ ------ ------ Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing being increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 260 (644) (506) ====== ====== ====== Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period being movement in net debt in the period 260 (644) (506) Net debt at start of period (23,683) (23,177) (23,177) ------ ------ ------ Net debt at end of period (23,423) (23,821) (23,683) ====== ====== ====== NOTES TO THE INTERIM STATEMENTS Six months ended 31 July 2003 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The financial information within the interim report has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and are consistent with those policies disclosed in the 31 January 2003 financial statements. Turnover Turnover is exclusive of value added tax and comprises: • Home collected instalment Credit charges received or receivable credit agreements • Monthly instalment credit Credit charges received or receivable agreements (consumer credit) • Monthly instalment credit Credit charges received or receivable agreements (car finance) • Hire purchase agreements Gross amount received or receivable, less deferred revenue • Goods and services Gross amounts of goods and services supplied • Insurance Net commission received and receivable on premiums paid by customers Business Transacted In order to provide further comparative information, the directors have included a memorandum figure at the top of the profit and loss account, 'Business Transacted'. This represents the total amount that the customer has contracted to pay subject to the deferral of revenue attributable to a later period and VAT. 2. ANALYSES OF TURNOVER, OPERATING PROFIT/LOSS AND NET ASSETS All operations are situated in the United Kingdom. Analyses by class of business of turnover, operating profit and net assets are stated below: <------------Turnover---------> Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Class of business Consumer credit, rentals and other retail trading 12,465 13,960 27,647 Car finance 3,745 3,264 6,676 Hosiery 87 277 673 ------ ------ ------ 16,297 17,501 34,996 ====== ====== ====== <----Operating profit/(loss)----> Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Class of business Consumer credit, rentals and other retail trading 3,369 3,871 6,745 Car finance 1,192 1,061 2,126 Hosiery (63) (83) (78) ------ ------ ------ 4,498 4,849 8,793 ====== ====== ====== <-----------Net assets---------> Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Class of business Consumer credit, rentals and other retail trading 35,672 33,837 33,850 Car finance 1,404 1,259 1,220 Hosiery 323 364 393 ------ ------ ------ 37,399 35,460 35,463 ====== ====== ====== 3. GROUP OPERATING PROFIT Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Group operating profit is stated after charging: Provision for doubtful debt 2,345 2,814 6,762 The provision for six months to 31 July 2002 and year ended 31 January 2003 include the financial effects of a fraud that occurred in a branch in the South East. 4. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE The calculation of earnings per Ordinary share is based on profit after tax of £2,952,000 (for the period ended 31 July 2002- £3,126,000 and the year ended 31 January 2003 - £5,553,000) from which is deducted Preference dividends of £77,000 (for the period ended 31 July 2002 - £77,000, and the year ended 31 January 2003 - £154,000) giving earnings of £2,875,000 (for the period ended 31 July 2002 - £3,049,000 and the year ended 31 January 2003 - £5,399,000). The number of shares used in the calculation is the average number of shares in issue during the year of 11,737,228 (for the period ended 31 July 2002 and the year ended 31 January 2003 - 11,737,228). Diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share as there are no dilutive shares. 5. DIVIDENDS The directors have declared an interim dividend of 8p per share (2002: 8p per share). The dividend, which amounts to approximately £939,000 (2002: £939,000), will be paid on 14 November 2003 to shareholders on the register at 17 October 2003. The shares will be quoted ex dividend on 15 October 2003. 6. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Six months Six months Financial ended ended year ended 31.7.03 31.7.02 31.1.03 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit 4,498 4,849 8,793 Depreciation 279 309 584 Loss on sale of fixed assets 8 29 - Decrease /(increase) in stocks 46 (35) 44 Increase in amounts receivable from customers (265) (709) (1,657) Decrease / (increase) in debtors 82 113 (8) Increase/(decrease) in creditors 127 (709) (390) ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow from operating activities 4,775 3,847 7,366 ====== ====== ====== 7. INTERIM REPORT The figures for the year ended 31 January 2003 are extracted from the audited accounts for that period, on which the auditors to the Group have issued an unqualified audit report which did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of Companies Act 1985, and which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. A copy of this Interim Report will be posted to all shareholders and will be made available to the public at the Company's registered office at Royal House, Prince's Gate, Solihull, B91 3QQ. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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