Interim Results

TRAVIS PERKINS PLC 9 September 1999 TRAVIS PERKINS PLC INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 1999 SUMMARY Six months Six months Year 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Audited) Turnover £358.76m £304.45m £623.08m Operating profit before Reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill £36.93m £27.96m £61.84m Pre-tax profit £34.35m £26.12m £60.58m Basic earnings per share 22.4p 17.4p 39.9p Dividend per share 4.3p 3.8p 12.1p * Turnover up 17.8% * Operating profit before reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill up 32.1% * Pre-tax profit up 31.5% * Basic earnings per share up 28.7% * Interim dividend per share up 13.2% Tony Travis, chairman, reports: 'Good progress is being made with the integration of Keyline acquired at the beginning of June. During the half year we also acquired 20 smaller merchant branches in locations which enhance our existing distribution network. 'Greater consumer confidence in recent months has led to an increase in the demand for houses. New housing starts have also begun to increase and house prices are rising. Overall there is a gradual improvement in construction activity and we view the future for our enlarged group with confidence.' Enquiries: Tony Travis tel: 0171 820 0366 (7.45 am - 8.30 am and from 2.30pm) CHAIRMAN'S INTERIM STATEMENT I am pleased to report pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 June 1999 of £34.4 million, an increase of 31.5% over the £26.1 million reported for the first half of 1998. Group sales at £358.8 million were 17.8% ahead, reflecting a 1.8% growth in like for like sales with the remaining increase coming from acquisitions. Operating profit, before reorganisation costs and the amortisation of goodwill, was £36.9 million, a 32.1% increase on the previous year. The operating profit is equivalent to 10.3% of sales compared with 9.2% achieved in the first half of 1998. The half year under review has seen considerable development highlighted by the acquisition of Keyline Builders Merchants Limited from CRH plc at the beginning of June. At the time of acquisition Keyline was the fifth largest builders' merchant in the UK and brought Travis Perkins an additional 101 branches located throughout the country, generally focused on the supply of products in the heavyside building material range. As one of the three largest merchants, the group's UK market share has now risen to around 11.5%. Good progress is being made with the integration of the business. We have rebranded 32 Keyline branches as Travis Perkins and are broadening and re-merchandising their stock range. The remaining 69 branches are to remain branded as Keyline, trading nationally with their present product emphasis on civil engineering materials, cement, bricks, lintels, aggregates and roofing and insulation materials. These branches are being managed from Kirkintilloch near Glasgow, while central services are being transferred to our Head Office in Northampton. The integration and development of the Keyline business will continue to be our major task over the next twelve months. We are very pleased to welcome the staff of Keyline to our group and look forward to working with them in the future. We were also actively involved during the first half of the year with the acquisition of a number of smaller merchants in locations which enhance our existing distribution network. Altogether 20 such branches have been added. By the end of June 1999 the total number of branches in the group had risen to 410. We have also been developing our existing branches, completing a number of projects that have improved the presentation of our product range to the collecting customer, both in our yards and warehouses. We have continued the programme of opening tool hire outlets within certain branches, completing seven new openings in the six months under review. We have also acquired a further 10 tool hire outlets with Keyline, bringing the group total to 106 at the end of June. As we reported last March, FRS10, the accounting standard on goodwill, was implemented during 1998. Primarily as a result of the acquisition of Keyline the amount of goodwill capitalised in our balance sheet has increased from £12.9 million at the end of December 1998 to £119.6 million at the end of June 1999. The level of amortisation will increase in the future, the board having decided to amortise goodwill over 20 years. In the period under review, which includes Keyline's trading for one month only, the goodwill amortisation charge was £0.8 million. We are also disclosing separately in our accounts the costs associated with the reorganisation and integration of Keyline. At 30 June 1999 these amounted to £1.7 million. We anticipate the total figure will be within the £7.5 million announced at the time of the acquisition. The improvement in operating profit in the first half of this year has a number of welcome features. Despite a sluggish market and little or no inflation in the average cost price of the products we stock, our like for like sales moved ahead by 2% against the previous year. Timber, forest products and plumbing and heating products suffered an average cost price fall over the first half of 1998, while the average cost price for heavyside and lightside building materials rose. As a result of the programmes for margin improvement implemented in recent years, including a new purchase order management system, enhanced levels of staff training, investment in security systems and the continuing roll-out of a new stock management system, we have continued to deliver an improvement in our gross margin. This increased by 1.3% of sales against the first half of 1998. Rebates as a percentage of sales also increased, as our relationship with key suppliers continued to strengthen. All four Travis Perkins regions have improved their profitability, expressed both as a percentage of sales and as a return on capital. The businesses we have acquired over the past three years made a pleasing contribution. There was a modest increase in overheads as a percentage of sales against the first half of 1998. This reflected an increase in payroll costs, partly due to the well earned increase in management and staff bonuses following the higher level of profitability. The bad debt provision increased from 0.6% to 0.7% of credit sales. We also incurred a considerable increase in integration costs associated with the comparatively large number of smaller companies acquired in the first half of this year and in the latter part of 1998. The net cash flow from operating activities over the period was £39.0 million, well ahead of the £27.3 million in the first half of last year. A total of £197.7 million was invested in the purchase of businesses. The acquisition of Keyline was financed by a £200 million five year borrowing facility, provided by a syndicate led by HSBC Investment Bank plc and Commerzbank AG. This comprised a term loan facility of £150 million and a revolving credit facility of £50 million, £180 million of the total facility having been drawn down at 30 June. The rate of interest on these borrowings has been fixed at 6% until May 2002. Net debt at 30 June 1999 was £142.7 million compared with net cash of £31.1 million at 31 December 1998. A project which was initiated in 1996 to ensure that any necessary system modifications were planned and completed in time to achieve year 2000 compliance is on schedule. All business critical systems are now compliant, having been the subject of a comprehensive testing programme. The cost of this project has not been material to the group. Greater consumer confidence in recent months has led to an increase in the demand for houses. The level of total property transactions has reversed the pattern of decline seen throughout 1998 and the seasonally adjusted figure for July was the highest for some years. New housing starts have also begun to increase and house prices are rising. Overall there is a gradual improvement in construction activity and we view the future for our enlarged group with confidence. A Travis Chairman CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Six months 30 June 1999 Six months Year Continuing 30 June 31 Dec £'000 operations Acquisitions Total 1998 1998 (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Audited) Turnover 322,842 35,921 358,763 304,451 623,078 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Operating Profit Before Reorganisation Costs And Amortisation Of goodwill 34,617 2,314 36,931 27,960 61,838 Reorganisation costs - (1,668) (1,668) (3,200) (3,200) Amortisation of goodwill (336) (485) (821) (176) (481) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating Profit After Reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill 34,281 161 34,442 24,584 58,157 Profit on sale of properties 115 - 115 757 923 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Profit on Ordinary activities before interest 34,396 161 34,557 25,341 59,080 ====== ====== Net interest (payable)/ receivable (203) 776 1,501 ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 34,354 26,117 60,581 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (10,869) (7,850) (18,758) ------ ------ ------ Profit on ordinary Activities after taxation 23,485 18,267 41,823 Dividends paid and proposed (4,536) (3,985) (12,692) ------ ------ ------ Retained profit transferred to reserves 18,949 14,282 29,131 ====== ====== ====== Earnings per share Basic 22.4p 17.4p 39.9p Diluted 22.3p 17.3p 39.8p Before reorganisation costs, amortisation of goodwill and profit on sale of properties 24.1p 19.0p 41.6p ====== ====== ====== Dividend per share 4.3p 3.8p 12.1p ====== ====== ====== CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET £'000 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Audited) Fixed assets Tangible assets 149,420 92,171 96,329 Intangible assets - goodwill 119,625 10,801 12,927 Investments 3,251 3,387 3,387 ------ ------ ------ 272,296 106,359 112,643 ------ ------ ------ Current assets Stocks 120,147 82,774 82,868 Debtors 193,319 116,090 111,294 Properties held for resale 1,396 689 554 Cash at bank and in 37,689 23,838 31,730 hand ------ ------ ------ 352,551 223,391 226,446 ------ ------ ------ Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (207,156) (128,627) (122,469) ------ ------ ------ Net current assets 145,395 94,764 103,977 ------ ------ ------ Total assets less Current liabilities 417,691 201,123 216,620 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (180,132) (247) (206) Provisions for liabilities and charges (2,197) (493) (890) ------ ------ ------ 235,362 200,383 215,524 ====== ====== ====== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 10,519 10,480 10,489 Share premium account 16,774 15,595 15,915 Revaluation reserves 7,770 7,617 7,776 Profit and loss account 200,299 166,691 181,344 ------ ------ ------ Total equity shareholders' funds 235,362 200,383 215,524 ====== ====== ====== CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Six months Six months Year £'000 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Audited) Net cash inflow From operating activities 38,985 27,265 66,424 ------ ------ ------ Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 838 746 1,581 Interest paid (259) (46) (127) ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow for returns on investments and servicing of finance 579 700 1,454 ------ ------ ------ Taxation UK corporation tax paid (including A.C.T.) (672) (3,344) (14,682) ------ ------ ------ Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (7,909) (7,065) (13,121) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 710 1,535 2,374 Sale of current asset investments - 1 - ------ ------ ------ Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and financial investment (7,199) (5,529) (10,747) ------ ------ ------ Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of business undertakings (195,232) (17,488) (26,601) Net overdrafts acquired with business undertakings (2,441) (3,102) (2,843) ------ ------ ------ Net cash outflow for acquisitions and disposals (197,673) (20,590) (29,444) ------ ------ ------ Equity dividends paid (8,719) (8,066) (12,049) ------ ------ ------ Cash (outflow) / inflow before use of liquid resources and financing (174,699) (9,564) 956 Management of liquid resources Cash inflow from short term deposits 8,200 13,000 2,700 ------ ------ ------ Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 889 216 477 New bank loans 180,000 - - Repayment of unsecured loan notes - (298) (2,468) Capital element of finance lease rentals (141) 179 (474) ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow / (outflow) from financing 180,748 97 (2,465) ------ ------ ------ Increase in cash in the period 14,249 3,533 1,191 ====== ====== ====== RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Six months Six months Year £'000 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 (Reviewed) (Reviewed) (Audited) Shareholders' funds at 1 January 215,524 185,919 185,919 ------ ------ ------ Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company 23,485 18,267 41,823 Dividends (4,536) (3,985) (12,692) ------ ------ ------ 18,949 14,282 29,131 New share capital subscribed 889 216 477 Goodwill written off on acquisitions arising prior to 1998 - (34) (3) ------ ------ ------ Net addition to shareholders' funds 19,838 14,464 29,605 ------ ------ ------ Shareholders' funds at 30 June/ 31 December 235,362 200,383 215,524 ====== ====== ====== * Basis of preparation The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 1998. The requirements of Financial Reporting Standard 12 (Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets) are being implemented in the current year and have been reflected in this statement. Implementation of this Standard has no effect on the figures presented for either the current year or the prior year. The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 1999 and 30 June 1998 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. This information has been reviewed by Deloitte & Touche, the Group's auditors, and a copy of their review report appears on page 11 of these financial statements. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 1998 is extracted from the audited accounts for that period. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under s237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. * Statement of total recognised gains and losses The Group has no recognised gains or losses other than those included in the profit and loss account above. * Taxation The tax charge on ordinary activities for the six months ended 30 June 1999 has been calculated at the rate which it is expected will apply for the year ended 31 December 1999. * Earnings per share Six months Six months Year 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 Basic earnings per share are calculated from the following ratio: Profit on ordinary Activities after taxation £23,485,000 £18,267,000 £41,823,000 Average number of shares in issue 104,997,037 104,739,255 104,783,393 Diluted earnings per share are calculated from the following ratio: Profit on ordinary activities after taxation £23,485,000 £18,267,000 £41,823,000 Average number of shares including outstanding options 105,435,475 105,319,166 104,984,527 Earnings before reorganisation costs, amortisation of goodwill and profit on the sale of properties are presented in addition to the basic earnings per share calculated in accordance with FRS3 and FRS14 since, in the opinion of the Directors, this presents a better like-for-like comparison of the earnings of the Group between the relevant periods. Basic earnings per share may be reconciled to earnings per share before reorganisation costs, amortisation of goodwill and profit on the sale of properties as follows: Six months Six months Year Pence 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 Earnings per share before reorganisation costs, amortisation of goodwill and profit on the sale of properties 24.1p 19.0p 41.6p Reorganisation costs (1.1)p (2.1)p (2.1)p Amortisation of goodwill (0.7)p (0.2)p (0.5)p Profit on sale of properties 0.1p 0.7p 0.9p -------- -------- -------- Basic earnings per share - FRS 3 basis 22.4p 17.4p 39.9p ===== ===== ===== * Dividend per share The interim dividend of 4.3 pence (net) per ordinary share will be paid on 1 November 1999 to shareholders on the register on 8 October 1999. The shares will be quoted ex dividend on 4 October 1999. * Intangible assets - goodwill The movement of goodwill for the six months ended 30 June 1999 may be summarised as follows: £'000 At 1 January 1999 12,927 Amount arising from acquisitions completed during the period 107,519 Amortised during the period (821) ------ At 30 June 1999 119,625 ===== * Purchase of business undertakings The following table summarises the acquisitions made during the six months ended 30 June 1999. In certain cases, the consideration is subject to adjustment and includes net borrowings acquired. Effective date Company / business Number of of Acquisition branches £'000 Keyline Builders 4 June 1999 Merchants Limited 101 81,531 2 companies and Various 9 businesses 20 7,082 ------ ------ Provisional fair value of net assets acquired 121 88,613 Goodwill 107,519 ===== ------ Total amount payable 196,132 ===== The above figures are provisional insofar as the fair values of the fixed assets (and in particular the properties) and certain other items are still subject to detailed review. * Borrowings The acquisition of Keyline Builders Merchants Limited was financed by a new £200 million borrowing facility for five years provided by a syndicate led by HSBC Investment Bank plc and Commerzbank AG. This facility comprised a term loan of £150 million and a revolving credit of £50 million. The rate of interest on these borrowings has been fixed at 6% until May 2002. * Net cash flow from operating activities Six months Six months Year £'000 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 Operating profit before reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill 36,931 27,960 61,838 Reorganisation costs (369) (1,723) (2,740) Depreciation and amounts written off fixed assets 5,309 4,296 8,901 Profit on sale of fixed assets and investments (131) (210) (520) Increase in stocks (5,620) (7,329) (5,764) Increase in debtors (22,449) (9,185) (2,985) Increase in creditors 25,314 13,456 7,694 ------ ------ ------ Net cash inflow from operating activities 38,985 27,265 66,424 ====== ====== ====== * Reconciliation of cash flow to movement in net (debt) / cash Six months Six months Year £'000 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 Dec 1998 Net cash at 1 January 31,122 30,255 30,255 ------ ------ ------ Increase in cash in the period 14,249 3,533 1,191 New borrowings (180,000) - - Cash outflow to repay debt - 298 2,468 Cash inflow from short term deposits (8,200) (13,000) (2,700) Decrease / (increase) in finance leases 141 (179) (92) ------ ------ ------ Movement in net (debt) / cash (173,810) (9,348) 867 ------ ------ ------ Net (debt) / cash at 30 June / 31 December (142,688) 20,907 31,122 ====== ====== ====== Copies of the interim report will be sent to shareholders and made available to the public at the Company's registered office, Lodge Way House, Harlestone Road, Northampton, NN5 7UG. Independent Review Report to Travis Perkins plc Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information set out on pages 4 to 10 and 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. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The Listing Rules of the London Stock Exchange require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be 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 guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data, assessing whether accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as test of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on the interim financial information. Review Conclusion On the basis of our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June 1999. Deloitte & Touche 8 September 1999 Chartered Accountants St John's House East Street Leicester LE1 6NG
UK 100

Latest directors dealings