Interim Results

Wilmington Group Plc 16 March 2006 Embargoed until 0700 16 March 2006 WILMINGTON GROUP PLC ('Wilmington', 'the Group' or 'the Company') Interim Results for the six months to 31 December 2005 Wilmington Group plc, the information and training group, today announces its interim results for the six months to 31 December 2005. Highlights • A period of significant progress • Good levels of trading activity • Strong financial performance: - Revenue up 8% to £40 million - Pre-tax profit up 41% to £3.5 million - Adjusted EPS up 10% to 3.74p - Dividend per share up 13% to 1.3p • Continued development of business portfolio • Outlook continues to be encouraging Charles Brady, Chief Executive, commented: 'Wilmington's strategy is to generate sustainable and growing profits from servicing the information and training requirements of key professional business markets. In the six months to 31 December 2005 we have made substantial progress in creating a focused dynamic group. At the same time we achieved adjusted earnings per share growth of 10% and have increased our interim dividend by 13%. 'The outlook for the full year continues to be encouraging. As in previous years we expect that the Group's performance will be weighted to the second half of the financial year.' - ends - For further information, please contact: Wilmington Group Plc On the day: 020 7422 6804 Charles Brady, Chief Executive Thereafter: 0121 355 0900 Basil Brookes, Finance Director Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700 Nick Oborne, Kirsty Raper or Yvonne Alexander Note to Editors Wilmington Group plc is one of the UK's leading providers of information and training for professional business markets. The Group provides training, arranges industry events and publishes magazines, directories, databases, and special reports focused primarily on its four principal sectors of Legal & Regulatory, Healthcare, Media and Entertainment and Design and Construction. Capitalised at approximately £157 million, Wilmington floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1995. Embargoed until 0700 16 March 2006 WILMINGTON GROUP PLC ('Wilmington', 'the Group' or 'the Company') Interim Results for the six months to 31 December 2005 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to announce the results for Wilmington Group plc for the six months to 31 December 2005, which are presented under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') for the first time. In a pleasing first half, our trading performance was ahead of the corresponding period in 2004. Revenue in the six months to 31 December 2005 from continuing operations increased by 8% to £40m (2004: £37m). Profit on ordinary activities before taxation and amortisation increased by 32% to £4.6m (2004: £3.5m) and profit before taxation increased by 41% to £3.5m (2004: £2.5m). Adjusted basic earnings per share from continuing operations (before amortisation and non-recurring costs) increased by 10% to 3.74p (2004: 3.40p); noting that in the six months to 31 December 2004 non-recurring costs of £917k were incurred relating to restructuring and reorganisation. Basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 58% to 2.64p (2004: 1.67p). Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (including the aggregate profit from disposals), increased by 94% to 2.80p per share (2004: 1.44p). An interim dividend for the current year of 1.3p per share (2004: 1.15p per share) will be paid on 7 April 2006 to shareholders on the register on 24 March 2006. Business Review Wilmington has made significant progress during the six months to 31 December 2005 and this is illustrated by the level of activity during the last few months. Our Legal and Regulatory Division has seen considerable momentum. Turnover increased by 16% with profits marginally ahead of the corresponding period in the prior year. A series of internal investments in new products and systems have been made which have resulted in extra costs in the current period which should benefit the division this year and beyond. The one-off benefit from the Immigration and Asylum accreditation scheme that assisted our performance last year has been compensated for by other new activity. We acquired Quorum Training in May 2005 and an 85% stake in the Ark Group in October 2005. The Healthcare division has made good progress in the six months to 31 December 2005, benefiting from previous investment in the development of new products. New launches continue and include APM Health Europe, a news service providing information on the major European health markets aimed at senior executives in pharmaceutical, financial and PR companies. Approximately £300k of development expenditure will be spent on APM Health Europe in the current financial year. Notwithstanding this we remain on track to achieve our full year profit expectations. In Media and Entertainment a challenging trading environment has had an adverse impact on revenues and margin. We anticipate some recovery in the second half of our financial year with continued growth from our music information activities. At this time last year I indicated changes to the management structure and substantial property reorganisation in our Design and Construction division. Accordingly, I am pleased to report this division has made a contribution before amortisation of £0.2m compared to break even in the prior year. In September 2005 we disposed of our portfolio of Drinks magazines and events for £2.2m and in October 2005 we disposed of TMSS, the royalty reporting service. In the six months to 31 December 2005 there was an aggregate profit after taxation from discontinued operations (including disposal profits) of £126,000. During the period under review we also acquired the outstanding minority interests in Bond Solon Training, Pendragon Professional Information and Hollis Directories. All of these acquisitions of minority interests will benefit the Group going forward. In February 2006 we acquired Smee & Ford, a subscription information business which provides legacy information to charities and a database business relating to deceased mailing lists and related identity fraud. Smee & Ford further strengthens our Legal and Regulatory division's activities within the charity and financial markets. During the six months ended 31 December 2005 we have invested £10.3m in acquisitions and the purchasing of minority interests, recouping £2.4m from disposals. At the end of the period net debt was £16.4m compared to £8.2m at the beginning of the period. This is part of the ongoing investment strategy whereby Wilmington is focusing on high quality professional information and training businesses. Outlook Wilmington's strategy is to generate sustainable and growing profits from servicing the information and training requirements of key professional business markets. We aim to develop strong positions in those markets by focused investment, both acquisitive and organic, and by adding new products and delivery channels in key areas of expertise. The growing requirement for high quality information and training amongst the professional business communities we serve provides the board with confidence in its ability to deliver continued growth. The outlook for the full year continues to be encouraging. As in previous years we expect that the Group's performance will be weighted to the second half of the financial year. David L Summers Chairman Wilmington Group plc Consolidated Income Statement Six months Six months Twelve Months ended ended ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 2 40,048 37,033 80,505 Cost of sales (15,453) (13,242) (27,463) ____________________________________________ Gross profit 24,595 23,791 53,042 Administration expenses (19,509) (19,832) (40,876) Amortisation and impairment (1,143) (1,038) (3,433) ____________________________________________ Profit from operations 3,943 2,921 8,733 Finance costs (458) (452) (896) ____________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,485 2,469 7,837 Income tax expense 3 (1,121) (812) (2,361) ____________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 2,364 1,657 5,476 Profit/(loss) on discontinued operations after taxation 4 126 (193) (283) ____________________________________________ Net profit for the period 2,490 1,464 5,193 ____________________________________________ Attributable to equity holders of the parent 2,337 1,201 4,480 ____________________________________________ Minority interest 153 263 713 ____________________________________________ Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent Continuing operations: 6(a) Basic earnings per share 2.64p 1.67p 5.71p Diluted earnings per share 2.63p 1.67p 5.69p Continuing and discontinued operations: 6(b) Basic earnings per share 2.80p 1.44p 5.37p Diluted earnings per share 2.78p 1.44p 5.35p Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense Six months Six months Twelve months ended 31 ended 31 ended 30 December December June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 3 25 (16) Actuarial gain taken directly in equity 74 39 120 Tax on items taken directly in equity (22) (12) (35) _______________________________________ Net income recognised directly in equity 55 52 69 Net profit for the period 2,490 1,464 5,193 _______________________________________ Total recognised income and expense for the period 2,545 1,516 5,262 _______________________________________ Attributable to Equity holders of the parent 2,392 1,253 4,549 Minority interests 153 263 713 _______________________________________ 2,545 1,516 5,262 _______________________________________ Wilmington Group plc Consolidated Balance Sheet As at As at As at 31 December 31 December 30 June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill 48,302 37,701 41,734 Intangible assets 24,208 29,152 26,926 Property, plant and equipment 11,424 12,338 11,830 Deferred tax asset 148 180 234 ____________________________________ 84,082 79,371 80,724 ____________________________________ Current assets Inventories 1,948 2,039 1,557 Trade and other receivables 16,328 15,803 17,803 Cash 3,181 1,668 1,841 ____________________________________ 21,457 19,510 21,201 ____________________________________ Total assets 105,539 98,881 101,925 ____________________________________ Current liabilities Trade and other payables (22,887) (24,941) (27,715) Tax liabilities (1,128) (855) (1,501) Bank overdrafts and loans (3,601) (3,405) (37) ____________________________________ (27,616) (29,201) (29,253) Non-current liabilities Bank loans (16,000) (9,000) (10,000) Retirement benefit obligation (292) (453) (378) Deferred tax liability (2,602) (3,492) (2,775) ____________________________________ (18,894) (12,945) (13,153) ____________________________________ Total liabilities (46,510) (42,146) (42,406) ____________________________________ Net assets 59,029 56,735 59,519 ____________________________________ Equity Share capital 4,180 4,167 4,180 Share premium account 42,658 42,363 42,658 Capital reserve 949 949 949 Translation reserve (13) 25 (16) Share option reserve 74 40 57 Retained earnings 9,823 7,104 9,481 ____________________________________ Equity shareholders' funds 57,671 54,648 57,309 Minority interests 1,358 2,087 2,210 ____________________________________ Total equity 59,029 56,735 59,519 ____________________________________ Wilmington Group plc Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Six months Six months Twelve ended 31 ended 31 months December December ended 30 2005 2004 June 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash flow from operating activities 8 1,660 2,025 10,711 Investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets (314) (1,758) (2,314) Sale of tangible fixed assets 9 11 150 Purchase of subsidiary undertakings and minority interests (10,338) (3,215) (8,735) Cash acquired on purchase of 1,137 - 214 subsidiary undertakings Sale of subsidiary undertakings 2,414 - 450 Purchase of goodwill and intangible assets (228) (516) (623) ____________________________________ Net cash used in investing activities (7,320) (5,478) (10,858) ____________________________________ Financing activities Dividends paid to equity holders of the parent (2,048) (1,667) (2,627) Dividends paid to minority shareholders in subsidiary undertakings (516) (79) (192) Issue of ordinary shares - - 308 Repayment of loan notes - (1,000) (1,000) Increase in long term loans 6,000 2,000 3,000 Increase/(decrease) in bank overdrafts 3,564 2,913 (455) ____________________________________ Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities 7,000 2,167 (966) ____________________________________ Net increase/(decrease) in cash 1,340 (1,286) (1,113) Cash at beginning of the period 1,841 2,954 2,954 ____________________________________ Cash at end of the period 3,181 1,668 1,841 ____________________________________ Notes to the Accounts 1. Statement of Accounting Policies The significant accounting policies applied in preparing the financial statements are as follows: a) Basis of preparation The unaudited financial information presented in this document has been prepared on the basis of the expected accounting policies which the Group will comply with in the accounts to 30 June 2006 and on the basis of all International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'), including International Accounting Standards ('IAS') and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') and its committees, and as adopted by the EU. These are subject to ongoing amendment by the IASB and subsequent endorsement by the European Commission and are therefore subject to possible change. As a result, information contained within this release will require updating for any subsequent amendment to IFRS required for first time adoption or those new standards that the Group may elect to adopt early. Attached as an Appendix to these statements is a document issued on 9 November 2005 setting out the effects of restatement of the Group's accounts under IFRS. Certain figures in this Appendix have subsequently been amended to reflect a further discontinued operation. i) IFRS 1 exemptions IFRS 1, 'First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards' sets out the procedures that the Group must follow when it adopts IFRS for the first time as the basis for preparing its consolidated financial statements. The Group is required to establish its IFRS accounting policies as at 30 June 2005 and, in general, apply these retrospectively to determine the IFRS opening balance sheet at its date of transition, 1 July 2004. This standard provides a number of optional exceptions to this general principle. The most significant of these are set out below, together with a description in each case of the exception adopted by the Group. • Business combinations that occurred before the opening IFRS balance sheet date (IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations') The Group has elected not to apply IFRS 3 retrospectively to business combinations prior to 1 July 2004. • Employee Benefits - actuarial gains and losses (IAS 19, 'Employee Benefits') The cumulative net deficit on defined benefit pension schemes and similar benefits at the transition date has been recognised in full in equity. • Share-based Payments (IFRS 2, 'Share-based Payment') IFRS 2 has been applied to all grants of equity instruments after 7 November 2002 that had not vested at 1 January 2005. • Foreign Currency Translation differences (IAS 21, 'The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates') The Group has taken advantage of the IFRS 1 exemption allowing the cumulative translation difference on retranslation of subsidiaries' net assets to be set to zero (for all subsidiaries) at the date of transition to IFRS. ii) Presentation of financial information The primary statements within the financial information contained in this document have been presented in accordance with IAS 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements'. However, this format and presentation may require modification in the event that further guidance is issued and as practice develops. b) Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial information combines the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Where, on the acquisition of a business prior to 1 July 2004, all of the specific criteria for the combination to fall within the definition of a merger are met, merger accounting has been applied. In all other instances prior to 1 July 2004, acquisition accounting is applied. Fair values are attributed to the Group's share of net assets. Where the cost of acquisition exceeds the fair values attributable to such net assets, the difference is treated as purchased goodwill and is capitalised (see note 1(f)). From 1 July 2004, business acquisitions have been accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations'. In the case of subsequent/ acquisitions of minority interests in subsidiaries, the difference between the consideration payable for the additional interest in the subsidiary and the minority interest's share of the assets and liabilities reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at the date of acquisition of the minority interest has been treated as goodwill. Results are consolidated from the date of acquisition of a subsidiary or to the date of disposal of a subsidiary as appropriate. c) Revenue Revenue represents the invoiced value of goods sold and services provided during the period, stated net of Value Added Tax. Subscription revenue is allocated to the relevant accounting periods covered by the subscription. Event revenue is recognised in the month that the event takes place. Advertising revenue is recognised on publication. Subscriptions and fees in advance are carried forward in trade and other payables. d) Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is not provided on freehold land. On other assets it is provided at the following annual rates, on a straight line basis, in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Freehold buildings 2 per cent. per annum Leasehold properties over the term of the lease to a maximum of 50 years Leasehold improvements 10 per cent. per annum or over the term of the lease if less than 10 years Motor vehicles 25 per cent. per annum Computer equipment 25-33 per cent. per annum Fixtures and fittings 10-20 per cent. per annum e) Intangible assets Intangible assets are capitalised and amortised through the income statement over their estimated useful lives not exceeding 20 years. Computer software that is integral to a related item of hardware is included as property, plant and equipment. All other computer software is recorded as an intangible asset. f) Goodwill Goodwill is not amortised. Instead it is subject to an annual impairment review using discounted cash flows based on an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. g) Investments Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less provision for any impairment in value. h) Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes materials, direct labour, and overheads appropriate to the relevant stage of production. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less all the further costs to completion and all relevant marketing, selling and distribution costs. i) Foreign currencies Assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the end of the financial period. Trading activities are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Any resultant gain or loss on exchange is shown as part of the period's profit or loss from ordinary activities. Profits and losses of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated into sterling at average rates for the year. The balance sheets of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated at the rate ruling at the balance sheet date. Differences arising from the translation of Group investments in overseas subsidiary undertakings are dealt with in equity. Net exchange differences classified as equity are separately tracked and the cumulative amount disclosed as a translation reserve. j) Taxation Corporation tax has been provided on profit for the period at appropriate rates. k) Deferred taxation Deferred taxation is provided on all temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the accounting and tax balance sheets except where IAS 12 'Income Taxes' specifies that it should not. Deferred taxation is measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which temporary differences reverse, based on tax rates or laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred taxation is provided in respect of the Group's liabilities under its post employment benefit arrangements and on other employee benefits such as share and share option schemes. l) Financial instruments Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group's balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. (i) Trade receivables Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. (ii) Borrowings Interest-bearing loans and bank overdrafts are recorded at the proceeds received. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accrual basis to the income statement using the effective interest method. (iii) Trade payables Trade payable are not interest-bearing and are stated at their nominal value. m) Operating leases Rentals incurred in respect of operating leases are charged in the income statement on a straight line basis. n) Pension scheme arrangements The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme, for a limited number of employees, which requires contributions to be made to a separately administered fund. The fund is actuarially valued every three years. The Group also contributes to defined contribution pension arrangements for a limited number of other employees. Contributions to these arrangements are charged in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred. The Group accounts for its pension scheme arrangements in accordance with IAS 19 'Employee benefits'. Actuarial gains and losses are taken directly in full to equity. The Group's balance sheet reflects the assets less liabilities of the Group's defined benefit schemes. o) Share-based Payments An expense for equity instruments granted is recognised in the financial statements based on their fair value at the date of grant. This expense which is in relation to employee option and performance share schemes is recognised over the vesting period of the scheme. IFRS 2 has been applied to all options granted after 7 November 2002 and not vested by 1 January 2005. The Group has adopted the Black Scholes model for the purposes of computing fair value. 2. Segmental information Six months Six months ended 31 ended 31 Twelve months December December ended 30 June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue: Legal and Regulatory 21,933 18,941 43,228 Healthcare 4,847 4,740 10,738 Media and Entertainment 3,229 3,336 6,810 Design and Construction 5,594 5,651 11,444 Other 4,445 4,365 8,285 ________________________________________ 40,048 37,033 80,505 ________________________________________ To allow shareholders to gain a better understanding of the trading performance of the Group, segmental results are shown both before and after allocating non-recurring costs and amortisation. Six months Six months ended 31 ended 31 Twelve months December December ended 30 June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Segmental results (before allocating non-recurring costs and amortisation): Legal and Regulatory 4,383 4,354 10,901 Healthcare 744 529 1,944 Media and Entertainment 231 411 1,142 Design and Construction 205 5 254 Other 278 226 267 ________________________________________ Total segmental results 5,841 5,525 14,508 Less: unallocated central overheads (755) (649) (1,425) ________________________________________ Profit from operations before non-recurring costs and amortisation 5,086 4,876 13,083 Less: unallocated non-recurring costs - (917) (917) ________________________________________ Profit from operations before amortisation 5,086 3,959 12,166 Less: finance costs (458) (452) (896) ________________________________________ Profit before taxation and amortisation 4,628 3,507 11,270 Less: amortisation (1,143) (1,038) (3,433) ________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,485 2,469 7,837 Income tax expense (1,121) (812) (2,361) Profit/(loss) on discontinued operations after taxation 4 126 (193) (283) ________________________________________ Net profit for the period 2,490 1,464 5,193 ________________________________________ Segmental results (after allocating non-recurring costs and amortisation): Legal and Regulatory 4,153 4,151 10,439 Healthcare 411 138 1233 Media and Entertainment (5) 218 699 Design and Construction (45) (769) (779) Other 184 (108) (1374) ________________________________________ Total segmental results 4,698 3,630 10,218 Less: unallocated central overheads (755) (709) (1,485) ________________________________________ Profit from operations 3,943 2,921 8,733 Less: finance cost (458) (452) (896) ________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,485 2,469 7,837 Tax on ordinary activities (1,121) (812) (2,361) Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations 4 126 (193) (283) ________________________________________ Net profit for the period 2,490 1,464 5,193 ________________________________________ Non-recurring costs in the six months to 31 December 2004 and twelve months to 30 June 2005 comprised restructuring costs of £917,000. 3. Income tax expense Six months Six months Twelve months ended 31 ended 31 ended 30 December December June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 The tax charge comprises: UK corporation tax at current rates 1,198 801 3,066 Adjustment to previous year 8 11 (17) ________________________________________ 1,206 812 3,049 Foreign tax 133 184 366 ________________________________________ 1,339 996 3,415 Deferred tax credit (218) (184) (1,054) ________________________________________ 1,121 812 2,361 ________________________________________ 4. Profit / (loss) for the period from discontinued operations The results of the discontinued operations, which have been included in the consolidated income statement, were as follows: Notes Six months Six months Twelve months ended 31 ended 31 ended 30 December December June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 316 2,682 4,575 Expenses (528) (2,767) (4,597) _________________________________________ Loss before amortisation and taxation (212) (85) (22) Amortisation (84) (134) (269) _________________________________________ Loss before taxation (296) (219) (291) Attributable tax credit 64 26 8 _________________________________________ Net operating loss attributable to discontinued operations (232) (193) (283) ___________ ___________ ___________ Profit on disposal of discontinued operations 462 - - Attributable tax charge (104) - - ___________ ___________ ___________ 358 - - _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Profit / (loss) on discontinued operations after taxation 126 (193) (283) _________________________________________ 5. Dividends Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period. Six months Six months Twelve months Six months Six months Twelve months ended ended ended ended ended ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 31 December 31 December 30 June 2005 2004 2005 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Pence per share Pence per share Pence per share £'000 £'000 £'000 Final dividends recognised as distributions in the period 2.45 2.00 2.00 2,048 1,667 1,667 Interim dividends recognised as distributions in the period - - 1.15 - - 960 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Total dividends paid 2.45 2.00 3.15 2,048 1,667 2,627 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Dividend proposed 1.30 1.15 2.45 1,087 960 2,048 _______________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Earnings per share To allow shareholders to gain a better understanding of the trading performance of the Group, an adjusted earnings per ordinary share has been calculated using an adjusted profit after taxation and minority interests but before amortisation of intangible assets and post-taxation non-recurring costs. (a) From continuing operations The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data: Six months Six months Twelve ended 31 ended 31 months December December ended 30 2005 2004 June 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Earnings from continuing operations for the purpose of basic earnings per share excluding discontinued operations 2,211 1,394 4,763 Add: Amortisation (net of minority interest effect and deferred tax) 918 799 2,467 Non-recurring costs after taxation - 638 638 _____________________________________ Earnings for the purposes of adjusted earnings per share 3,129 2,831 7,868 _____________________________________ Number Number Number Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic and adjusted earnings per share 83,600,179 83,351,679 83,394,158 Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares Exercise of share options 554,211 325,463 387,373 _____________________________________ Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share 84,154,390 83,677,142 83,781,531 _____________________________________ Basic earnings per share 2.64p 1.67p 5.71p Diluted earnings per share 2.63p 1.67p 5.69p Adjusted basic earnings per share 3.74p 3.40p 9.43p Adjusted diluted earnings per share 3.72p 3.38p 9.39p _____________________________________ (b) From continuing and discontinued operations Six months Six months Twelve ended 31 ended 31 months December December ended 30 2005 2004 June 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Earnings from continuing operations for the purpose of basic earnings per share excluding discontinued operations 2,211 1,394 4,763 Adjustments to include the profit/ (loss) for the period from discontinued operations 126 (193) (283) _____________________________________ Earnings from continuing and discontinued operations for the purpose of basic earnings per share 2,337 1,201 4,480 Add: Amortisation (net of minority interest effect and deferred tax) 1,012 861 2,638 Non-recurring costs after taxation - 638 638 _____________________________________ Earnings for the purposes of adjusted earnings per share 3,349 2,700 7,756 _____________________________________ Basic earnings per share 2.80p 1.44p 5.37p Diluted earnings per share 2.78p 1.44p 5.35p Adjusted basic earnings per share 4.01p 3.24p 9.30p Adjusted diluted earnings per share 3.98p 3.23p 9.26p _____________________________________ 7. Acquisitions In October 2005 the Group acquired 85 per cent of Ark Group Limited for an initial cash consideration of £5,355,000. At this stage the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired has not yet been finalised. Full details will be given in the Group's accounts for the year ending 30 June 2006. Since acquisition Ark Group Limited has generated revenue of £1,947,000 and made a profit from operations of £94,000. Had the Group owned Ark Group Limited for the whole six months since 30 June 2005 it would have generated revenue of £3,377,000 and made a profit from operations of £69,000. 8. Net Cash from Operating Activities Six months Six months Twelve ended 31 ended 31 months ended December December 30 June 2005 2004 2005 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit from operations 3,943 2,921 8,733 Operating loss from discontinued operations (296) (219) (291) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 808 797 1,621 Amortisation of intangible assets 1,227 1,172 3,702 (Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (28) (5) 36 Exchange translation differences 3 25 (16) Share option charge 17 17 34 ____________________________________ Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 5,674 4,708 13,819 (Increase)/decrease in inventories (441) (165) 251 Decrease/(increase) in receivables 2,575 1,951 (189) (Decrease)/increase in payables (3,939) (2,870) 657 ____________________________________ Cash generated by operations 3,869 3,624 14,538 Tax paid (1,786) (1,158) (2,930) Interest paid (423) (441) (897) ____________________________________ Net cash flow from operating activities 1,660 2,025 10,711 ____________________________________ 9. Nature of Information The interim accounts for the six months ended 31 December 2005 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 31 December 2004 are neither audited nor reviewed by the Company's auditors. The comparative figures for the twelve months ended 30 June 2005 are not the Company's statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 but are abridged from such accounts and then restated under IFRS. The financial statements for the twelve months ended 30 June 2005 have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on such accounts was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Sections 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. Copies of this report are available from the Company's registered office at Paulton House, 8 Shepherdess Walk, London N1 7LB. Appendix Key Impact Analysis The analysis below sets out the most significant adjustments arising from the transition to IFRS for the year ended 30 June 2005. Similar adjustments arise from the transition to IFRS for the six months ended 31 December 2004. 1) Presentation of Financial Statements The format of the Group's primary financial statements has been presented in accordance with IAS 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements'. IFRS 5 'Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations' requires the presentation of a single amount on the face of the income statement relating to discontinued operations. The results of the Group's discontinued operations in the year ended 30 June 2005 have been shown as a single amount in the Group's income statement for that period. 2) Intangible Assets (a) Goodwill and acquired intangible asset amortisation IFRS 3 'Business Combinations' requires that goodwill is not amortised. Instead it is subject to an annual impairment review. As the Group has elected not to apply IFRS 3 retrospectively to business combinations prior to the opening balance sheet date under IFRS, the UK GAAP goodwill balance at 30 June 2004 (£34.7m) has been included in the opening IFRS consolidated balance sheet and is no longer amortised. From 1 July 2004, business acquisitions have been accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations'. In the case of subsequent acquisitions of minority interests in subsidiaries, the difference between the consideration payable for the additional interest in the subsidiary and the minority interest's share of the assets and liabilities reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at the date of acquisition of the minority interest has been treated as goodwill. (b) Computer software Under UK GAAP, all capitalised computer software is included within tangible fixed assets on the balance sheet. Under IFRS, only computer software that is integral to a related item of hardware should be included as property, plant and equipment. All other computer software should be recorded as an intangible asset. Accordingly, a reclassification has been made in the opening balance sheet of £0.3m between property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. 3) Deferred and Current Taxes The scope of IAS 12, 'Income Taxes' is wider than the corresponding UK GAAP standards, and requires deferred tax to be provided on all temporary differences rather than just timing differences under UK GAAP. In particular this has resulted in deferred tax assets and liabilities being set up in respect of differences between the accounts net book value and tax base cost of intangible assets. It also does not allow the deferred tax liability to be discounted which was the Group's policy under UK GAAP. IAS 12 also requires deferred tax to be provided in respect of the Group's liabilities under its post employment benefit arrangements and on other employee benefits such as share and share option schemes. The tax impact of these and other IFRS adjustments is quantified in the relevant section of this release. 4) Share-based Payments IFRS 2, 'Share-based Payment' requires that an expense for equity instruments granted be recognised in the financial statements based on their fair value at the date of grant. This expense which is in relation to employee option and performance share schemes is recognised over the vesting period of the scheme. IFRS 2 has been applied to all options granted after 7 November 2002 and not vested by 1 January 2005. The Group has adopted the Black Scholes model for the purposes of computing fair value under IFRS. 5) Post Employment Benefits The Group currently applies the provisions of SSAP 24 under UK GAAP and provides detailed disclosure under FRS 17 in accounting for pensions and other post-employment benefits. The Group's opening IFRS balance sheet reflects the assets less liabilities of the Group's defined benefit schemes totalling a net liability of £0.5m. The transitional adjustment of £0.5m to opening reserves comprises the reversal of entries in relation to UK GAAP accounting under SSAP 24 less the recognition of the net liabilities of the Group's defined benefit schemes. The impact on the Group's income statement arising from the adoption of the IAS 19 is a charge of £20k. A related tax credit of £6k was recognised for the year ended 30 June 2005. A movement of £120k in respect of actuarial gains has been recognised as a change in equity for the year ended 30 June 2005. 6) Foreign Exchange Differences Under IAS 21, net exchange differences classified as equity must be separately tracked and the cumulative amounts disclosed. SSAP 20 does not require separate tracking. 7) Holiday Pay Under IAS 19, accruals for holiday pay should be made. 8) Post Balance Sheet Events IAS 10, 'Events after the Balance Sheet Date' requires that dividends declared after the balance sheet date should not be recognised as a liability at that balance sheet date as the liability does not represent a present obligation as defined by IAS 37, 'Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets'. The final dividends proposed in relation to the financial years ended 30 June 2004 and 30 June 2005 (including those payable to minority shareholders in subsidiaries) of £1.7m and £2.2m respectively have been reversed in the relevant balance sheets and have been or will be charged to equity in the balance sheets at 30 June 2005 and 30 June 2006. Wilmington Group plc Reconciliation of UK GAAP to IFRS consolidated balance sheet as at 1 July 2004 (date of transition) IFRS2 UK GAAP IAS 38 Share IAS19 IAS12 IAS19 IFRS format Intangible Based Employee Deferred IAS 10 Holiday IFRS (unaudited) Assets Payments Benefits Tax Dividends Pay (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill 34,681 - - - - - - 34,681 Intangible assets 29,772 106 - - - - - 29,878 Property, plant and equipment 11,665 (281) - - - - - 11,384 Deferred tax asset - - 9 143 - - 89 241 _____________________________________________________________________________________ 76,118 (175) 9 143 - - 89 76,184 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Current Assets Inventories 1,874 - - - - - - 1,874 Trade and other receivables 17,802 - - - - - - 17,802 Cash 2,954 - - - - - - 2,954 _____________________________________________________________________________________ 22,630 - - - - - - 22,630 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Total Assets 98,748 (175) 9 143 - - 89 98,814 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Current liabilities Trade and other payables (30,312) - - - - 1,746 (296) (28,862) Tax liabilities (1,028) - - - - - - (1,028) Bank overdrafts and loans (492) - - - - - - (492) _____________________________________________________________________________________ (31,832) - - - - 1,746 (296) (30,382) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Non-current liabilities Bank loans (7,000) - - - - - - (7,000) Retirement benefit obligation - - - (478) - - - (478) Deferred tax liability (604) - - - (3,136) - - (3,740) _____________________________________________________________________________________ (7,604) - - (478) (3,136) - - (11,218) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Total liabilities (39,436) - - (478) (3,136) 1,746 (296) (41,600) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Net Assets 59,312 (175) 9 (335) (3,136) 1,746 (207) 57,214 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Capital and Reserves Share capital 4,167 - - - - - - 4,167 Share premium account 42,363 - - - - - - 42,363 Capital Reserve 949 - - - - - - 949 Share option reserve - - 23 - - - - 23 Retained Earnings 9,743 (175) (14) (335) (3,136) 1,667 (207) 7,543 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Equity Shareholders' Funds 57,222 (175) 9 (335) (3,136) 1,667 (207) 55,045 Minority interests 2,090 - - - - 79 - 2,169 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Total equity 59,312 (175) 9 (335) (3,136) 1,746 (207) 57,214 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Wilmington Group plc Reconciliation of UK GAAP to IFRS consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2004 UK GAAP IFRS2 IFRS IAS38 IFRS3 Share IAS 19 IAS12 IAS 21 IAS 19 format Intangible Business Based Employee Deferred IAS 10 Foreign Holiday IFRS (unaudited) Assets Combinations Payments Benefits Tax Dividends Exchange Pay (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill 34,542 - 3,159 - - - - - - 37,701 Intangible assets 30,854 182 (1,884) - - - - - - 29,152 Property, plant and equipment 12,666 (328) - - - - - - - 12,338 Deferred tax asset - - - 15 136 - - - 29 180 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 78,062 (146) 1,275 15 136 - - - 29 79,371 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Current Assets Inventories 2,039 - - - - - - - - 2,039 Trade and other receivables 15,803 - - - - - - - - 15,803 Cash 1,668 - - - - - - - - 1,668 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19,510 - - - - - - - - 19,510 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total Assets 97,572 (146) 1,275 15 136 - - - 29 98,881 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Current liabilities Trade and other payables (25,804) - - - - - 959 - (96) (24,941) Tax liabilities (855) - - - - - - - - (855) Bank overdrafts and loans (3,405) - - - - - - - - (3,405) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ (30,064) - - - - - 959 - (96) (29,201) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Non-current liabilities Bank loans (9,000) - - - - - - - - (9,000) Retirement benefit obligation - - - - (453) - - - - (453) Deferred tax liability (578) - - - - (2,914) - - - (3,492) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ (9,578) - - - (453) (2,914) - - - (12,945) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total liabilities (39,642) - - - (453) (2,914) 959 - (96) (42,146) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Net Assets 57,930 (146) 1,275 15 (317) (2,914) 959 - (67) 56,735 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Equity Share capital 4,167 - - - - - - - - 4,167 Share premium account 42,363 - - - - - - - - 42,363 Capital Reserve 949 - - - - - - - - 949 Translation reserve - - - - - - - 25 - 25 Share option reserve - - - 40 - - - - - 40 Retained Earnings 8,364 (146) 1,275 (25) (317) (2,914) 959 (25) (67) 7,104 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Equity Share-holders' Funds 55,843 (146) 1,275 15 (317) (2,914) 959 - (67) 54,648 Minority interests 2,087 - - - - - - - - 2,087 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total equity 57,930 (146) 1,275 15 (317) (2,914) 959 - (67) 56,735 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wilmington Group plc Reconciliation of UK GAAP to IFRS consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2005 UK GAAP IFRS2 IFRS IAS38 IFRS3 Share IAS 19 IAS12 IAS 21 IAS 19 format Intangible Business Based Employee Deferred IAS 10 Foreign Holiday IFRS (unaudited) Assets Combinations Payments Benefits Tax Dividends Exchange Pay (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill 37,413 - 4,321 - - - - - - 41,734 Intangible assets 28,315 344 (1,733) - - - - - - 26,926 Property, plant and equipment 12,291 (461) - - - - - - - 11,830 Deferred tax asset - - - 22 113 - - - 99 234 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 78,019 (117) 2,588 22 113 - - - 99 80,724 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Current Assets Inventories 1,557 - - - - - - - - 1,557 Trade and other receivables 17,803 - - - - - - - - 17,803 Cash and cash equivalents 1,841 - - - - - - - - 1,841 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21,201 - - - - - - - - 21,201 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total Assets 99,220 (117) 2,588 22 113 - - - 99 101,925 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Current liabilities Trade and other payables (29,556) - - - - - 2,170 - (329) (27,715) Tax liabilities (1,501) - - - - - - - - (1,501) Bank overdrafts and loans (37) - - - - - - - - (37) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ (31,094) - - - - - 2,170 - (329) (29,253) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Non-current liabilities Bank loans (10,000) - - - - - - - - (10,000) Retirement benefit obligation - - - - (378) - - - - (378) Deferred tax liability (528) - (37) - - (2,210) - - - (2,775) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ (10,528) - (37) - (378) (2,210) - - - (13,153) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total liabilities (41,622) - (37) - (378) (2,210) 2,170 - (329) (42,406) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Net Assets 57,598 (117) 2,551 22 (265) (2,210) 2,170 - (230) 59,519 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Equity Share capital 4,180 - - - - - - - - 4,180 Share premium account 42,658 - - - - - - - - 42,658 Capital reserve 949 - - - - - - - - 949 Translation reserve - - - - - - - (16) - (16) Share option reserve - - - 57 - - - - - 57 Retained Earnings 7,723 (117) 2,551 (35) (265) (2,210) 2,048 16 (230) 9,481 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Equity Shareholders' Funds 55,510 (117) 2,551 22 (265) (2,210) 2,048 - (230) 57,309 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minority interests 2,088 - - - - - 122 - - 2,210 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Total equity 57,598 (117) 2,551 22 (265) (2,210) 2,170 - (230) 59,519 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wilmington Group plc Reconciliation of UK GAAP consolidated profit and loss account to IFRS consolidated income statement for the six months ended 31 December 2004 IFRS 5 UK GAAP IFRS 5 IFRS3 IFRS2 Additional IFRS Discon- IAS 38 Business Share IAS19 IAS12 IAS19 Discon- IFRS format tinued Intangible Combin- Based Employee Deferred Holiday IFRS tinued (Unaudited) (unaudited) Operations Assets ations Payments Benefits Tax Pay (unaudited) Operations (restated) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 39,715 (2,563) - - - - - - 37,152 (119) 37,033 Cost of sales (13,774) 489 - - - - - - (13,285) 43 (13,242) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gross profit 25,941 (2,074) - - - - - - 23,867 (76) 23,791 Admini- stration expenses (22,325) 2,124 87 - (17) (12) - 200 (19,943) 111 (19,832) Amorti- sation and impair- ment (2,389) 71 (58) 1,275 - - - - (1,101) 63 (1,038) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Profit from opera- tions 1,227 121 29 1,275 (17) (12) - 200 2,823 98 2,921 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Finance costs (450) - - - - (2) - - (452) - (452) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 777 121 29 1,275 (17) (14) - 200 2,371 98 2,469 Income tax expense (959) (15) - - 6 5 222 (60) (801) (11) (812) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities after taxation (182) 106 29 1,275 (11) (9) 222 140 1,570 87 1,657 Loss on discontinued operations after taxation - (106) - - - - - - (106) (87) (193) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Net profit for the period (182) - 29 1,275 (11) (9) 222 140 1,464 - 1,464 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Attributable to Equity holders of the parent (445) - 29 1,275 (11) (9) 222 140 1,201 - 1,201 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minority interest 263 - - - - - - - 263 - 263 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wilmington Group plc Reconciliation of UK GAAP consolidated profit and loss account to IFRS consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 2005 IFRS 5 UK GAAP IFRS 5 IFRS3 IFRS2 Additional IFRS Discon- IAS 38 Business Share IAS19 IAS12 IAS19 Discon- IFRS format tinued Intangible Combin- Based Employee Deferred Holiday IFRS tinued (Unaudited) (unaudited) Operations Assets ations Payments Benefits Tax Pay (unaudited) Operations (restated) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 85,080 (4,384) - - - - - - 80,696 (191) 80,505 Cost of sales (28,471) 925 - - - - - - (27,546) 83 (27,463) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gross profit 56,609 (3,459) - - - - - - 53,150 (108) 53,042 Admini- stration expenses (44,555) 3,379 173 - (34) (16) - (33) (41,086) 210 (40,876) Amorti- sation and impair- ment (6,138) 142 (115) 2,551 - - - - (3,560) 127 (3,433) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Profit from opera- tions 5,916 62 58 2,551 (34) (16) - (33) 8,504 229 8,733 Finance costs (892) - - - - (4) - - (896) - (896) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 5,024 62 58 2,551 (34) (20) - (33) 7,608 229 7,837 Income tax expense (3,307) 24 - - 13 6 925 10 (2,329) (32) (2,361) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 1,717 86 58 2,551 (21) (14) 925 (23) 5,279 197 5,476 Loss on discontinued operations after taxation - (86) - - - - - - (86) (197) (283) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Net profit for the period 1,717 - 58 2,551 (21) (14) 925 (23) 5,193 - 5,193 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Attributable to Equity holders of the parent 1,004 - 58 2,551 (21) (14) 925 (23) 4,480 - 4,480 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minority interest 713 - - - - - - - 713 - 713 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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