Interim Results

Solid State Supplies PLC 05 December 2003 Solid State Supplies PLC Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2003 Chairman's Statement Results The unaudited profit before tax of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2003 was £57,000 (2002: £212,000) on a turnover of £4,154,000 (2002: £4,525,000). The basic earnings per share amounted to 0.6p (2002: 3.2p). The pre-tax profit is stated after goodwill amortisation of £17,000 (2002: nil). Trading Review Solid State Supplies Although market conditions in the electronic component distribution industry were difficult in the first half of our financial year, the Company was able to trade profitably. Confidence appears to be returning to the industry with both market commentators and component manufacturers reporting a significant increase in demand from the Asia Pacific region. Whilst this has yet to be felt in Europe, this upturn is bringing with it some increased lead times and hardening of prices for semiconductors here in the UK. We await firm evidence of an upturn, but are cautiously optimistic that we will see the benefits of our significant product design work during 2004. Steatite The relocation of the company into its new premises at Redditch in Worcestershire which took place in the first half of 2003 at a cost of approximately £80,000 is now complete, and the company is well established in its new base. Steatite has achieved a positive performance during a prolonged period of uncertainty in world markets both financially and in manufacturing. Whilst disappointing not to see growth year on year, we need to be aware that we are affected by the increasingly competitive market and the underlying rate of economic growth. Steatite has been able to produce a robust performance, maintaining and even improving its customer performance with a positive operating cash flow. In a climate that remains tough and somewhat uncertain with customers continuing to trade cautiously, there are positive signs of improvement. The book to bill ratio at Steatite is stronger than it has been for a number of years, with an outstanding order book that reflects increased order activity. We are optimistic in terms of achieving growth and thus continuing to improve performance on the back of recent large contract awards. Debtor under subcontract In the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts issued in June 2003 we reported that there was included in trade debtors an amount of £428,000 which related to the balance due under a sub-contract which would be payable when the main contractor had been paid. We stated that the Directors were satisfied that the contract had been satisfactorily completed in terms of the Group's commitments and were confident that the main contractor would be able to successfully complete the remaining work and that the debt would therefore be fully recoverable. Although none of this amount was received by the Group during the first half of the financial year, the Directors are pleased to report that the difficulties between the main contractor and the ultimate customer have now been largely resolved and during November £240,000 of the outstanding amount has been received by the Group. It is now anticipated that the balance of the monies due under the contract will be received during the next few months. Future acquisitions Following the successful acquisition of Steatite some eighteen months ago, the Group continues to look for suitable acquisitions within the electronics industry. Dividends The Directors have decided to declare an interim dividend of 1p per share, compared with 1.5p per share last year. The interim dividend will be paid on 9th January 2004 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 19th December 2003. Conclusion I would like to thank my fellow directors and all the staff of the group for their support over the past six months. Peter Haining Chairman 5 December 2003 Enquiries: Peter Haining Chairman Solid State Supplies plc 01892 667 466 INTERIM CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the six months ended 30 September 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 4,154 4,525 9,009 Cost of sales (2,803) (3,179) (6,249) ______ ______ ______ Gross profit 1,351 1,346 2,760 ______ ______ ______ Selling expenses and distribution costs (609) (553) (1,136) Administrative expenses (650) (558) (1,328) ______ ______ ______ (1,259) (1,111) (2,464) ______ ______ ______ Operating profit 92 235 296 Other income - 5 5 Interest payable (35) (28) (61) ______ ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 57 212 240 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (17) (11) (5) ______ ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 40 201 235 Dividends (62) (93) (218) ______ ______ ______ RETAINED(LOSS)/ PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (22) 108 17 ______ ______ ______ Earnings per share (see below) Basic 0.6p 3.2p 3.8p Diluted 0.6p 3.1p 3.7p All amounts relate to continuing operations. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at 30 September 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited As at As at As at 30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03 £'000 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 646 670 663 Tangible assets 581 521 560 ______ ______ ______ 1,227 1,191 1,223 ______ ______ ______ CURRENT ASSETS Stock 1,362 1,369 1,194 Debtors 2,009 2,644 2,049 Cash at bank and in hand 2 186 16 ______ ______ ______ 3,373 4,199 3,259 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year (2,009) (2,499) (1,815) ______ ______ ______ 1,364 1,700 1,444 ______ ______ ______ TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,591 2,891 2,667 CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year (534) (721) (588) ______ ______ ______ 2,057 2,170 2,079 ______ ______ ______ CAPITAL AND RESERVES Share capital 311 311 311 Capital redemption reserve 1 1 1 Share premium account 757 757 757 Profit and loss account 988 1,101 1,010 ______ ______ ______ SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS - EQUITY 2,057 2,170 2,079 ______ ______ ______ CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months ended 30 September 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 163 47 294 Return on investments and servicing of finance: Interest received - 5 5 Interest paid (35) (28) (61) ______ ______ ______ Net cash (outflow) (35) (23) (56) ______ ______ ______ Taxation: Corporation tax paid - - (32) ______ ______ ______ Net cash (outflow) - - (32) ______ ______ ______ Capital expenditure and financial investment: Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (114) (5) (119) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 12 33 31 ______ ______ ______ Net cash inflow/(outflow) (102) 28 (88) ______ ______ ______ Acquisitions and disposals: Purchase of business operation - (1,303) (1,312) ______ ______ ______ Net cash (outflow) - (1,303) (1,312) ______ ______ ______ Equity dividend paid (124) (187) (280) ______ ______ ______ Net cash (outflow) (124) (187) (280) ______ ______ ______ Financing: Medium term loan received - 750 750 Repayments of medium term loan (66) (66) (102) Hire purchase finance repaid: capital element (10) (25) (57) ______ ______ ______ Net cash inflow/(outflow) (76) 659 590 ______ ______ ______ Decrease in cash (174) (779) (884) ______ ______ ______ NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT for the six months ended 30 September 2003 1. Basis of preparation of interim financial information The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those set out in the company's Annual Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2003. The unaudited financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for year ended 31 March 2003 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' Report on these accounts was unqualified. 2. The earnings per share The earnings per share figures are based on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation as stated in the unaudited profit and loss account and the weighted average number of shares in issue during each period. The weighted average number of shares in issue during the period was 6,225,000 for the six months ended 30 Sepember 2003, 6,225,000 for the year ended 31 March 2003 and 6,225,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2002. The calculation of diluted earnings per share was based on 6,424,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2003, 6,404,000 for the year ended 31 March 2003 and 6,384,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2002. 3. Reconciliation of operating profits to net cash inflow/ (outflow) from operating activities Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating Profit 92 235 296 Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 17 - 30 Depreciation charges 89 84 146 (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets (8) (1) 2 (Increase)/decrease in stocks (168) 84 259 (Increase)/decrease in debtors 39 (725) (130) (Decrease)/increase in creditors 102 370 (309) ______ ______ ______ Net cash inflow from operating activities 163 47 294 ______ ______ ______ 4. Analysis and reconciliation of net cash Audited Cash Unaudited 31.03.03 Flow 30.09.03 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash at bank and in hand 16 (14) 2 Bank overdrafts (86) 23 (63) Short term borrowings (159) (183) (342) _______ _______ _______ (229) (174) (403) _______ _______ _______ 5. Further copies of this document are available both at the registered office of the Company and from the offices of Charles Stanley & Company Limited, 25 Luke Street, London EC2A 4AR. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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