Interim Results

CPL Resources PLC 15 September 2003 CPL RESOURCES PLC Interim Results for the year ended 30 June, 2003 Strong operational and financial performance by CPL Resources. CPL Resources plc, Ireland's leading employment services group, today 15 September, 2003 announced very strong results in a difficult trading environment, for the year ended 30 June, 2003. Highlights: • Strong operational and financial performance achieved in a difficult market • Profitable diversification resulting in improved financial performance • Turnover up 92% to €52.4 million • Profit before tax up 41% to €1.7 million • Earnings per share up 41% to 3.8 cent • Acquisition and integration of Multiflex and Techskills businesses • Change in business mix, with significant increases in fee income from temporary employees and contractors • Substantial improvement in working capital management • Significant improvement in cash, with net funds of €6.4 million at 30 June, 2003 (2002 - €4.3 million) Commenting on the group's performance, CPL Chief Executive, Anne Heraty, said: 'We are very pleased with these results, particularly coming as they do in a difficult business and economic climate. Our strategy of tactical diversification, together with tight cost control and prudent financial management is clearly bearing fruit,' she said. 'CPL retains a core competency in information technology, and has diversified into finance and accounting, healthcare, engineering and managed services & office support divisions. In September 2002, we acquired the business of Multiflex, a light industrial recruitment company, and Techskills, which provides skilled engineers to a broad range of clients. Both businesses have been successfully integrated into the group, benefiting from the management infrastructure already in place at CPL and at the same time enabling us to provide additional services to our existing CPL clients. 'CPL is committed to improving the competitiveness of our clients. We recognised a number of years ago that our clients would require a flexible approach to workforce management and we are now the leading provider of innovative and cost effective workforce solutions in Ireland. In June 2003 we had over 1500 temporary professionals working on client sites. Ms Heraty pointed out that the growth in workforce management solutions requires prudent financial management. 'As well as keeping control of our costs, we have strengthened the management of our working capital and maintain strong cash reserves, up to €6.8m from €4.3m last year. Our strong cash balance is helped by a significant reduction in average debtor days, and this is particularly welcome in the context of increased working capital demands arising out of the shift to managing temporary professionals.' CPL chairman, Mr John Hennessy, thanked the group's clients for their continued loyalty and support and also paid tribute to the team at CPL for their commitment and professionalism. 'Our position as Ireland's leading provider of employment services is the result of the skill and dedication of an excellent team throughout our organisation. I am very proud of their achievements and very grateful to them for their outstanding contributions, individually and collectively, to the success of our business. 'The outlook for the Irish economy in general, and many of the sectors in which we operate, remains somewhat uncertain and negative trends persist in employment across many industries. However, CPL will continue to take advantage of opportunities in the market place and diversify, where appropriate, with a view to continuing to achieve profitable growth.' A final dividend of 0.4 cent per share is proposed, bringing the total dividend for the year to 0.7 cent per share. Consolidated Profit and Loss account For the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 Group turnover - Continuing operations 37,949 27,298 - Acquisitions 14,487 - 52,436 27,298 Cost of sales (41,803) (18,470) Gross Profit 10,633 8,828 Administrative expenses (8,070) (6,785) Distribution expenses (925) (852) Group operating profit - Continuing operations 1,347 1,191 - Acquisitions 291 - 1,638 1,191 Interest, net 83 111 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,721 1,302 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (334) (319) Profit on Ordinary Activities after taxation 1,387 983 Dividends paid and proposed (255) (452) Retained Profit for the financial year 1,132 531 Profit and loss account, at beginning of year 10,286 9,755 Profit and loss account at end of year 11,418 10,286 Earnings per ordinary share 3.8 2.7 Fully diluted earnings per ordinary share 3.8 2.7 Consolidated Balance Sheet At 30 June 2003 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 Fixed Assets Intangible Assets - goodwill 5,096 4,595 Tangible Assets 907 1,117 6,002 5,712 Current Assets Debtors 7,197 6,645 Cash at bank and in hand 6,809 5,567 14,006 12,212 Creditors: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (5,950) (5,244) Net Current Assets 8,056 6,968 Total Assets less current liabilities 14,058 12,680 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (635) (418) Net Assets 13,423 12,262 Capital and Reserves Called up share capital 3,649 3,620 Capital conversion reserve fund 57 57 Share premium 1,656 1,656 Merger reserve (3,357) (3,357) Profit and loss account 11,418 10,286 Shareholders' Funds - all equity 13,423 12,262 Consolidated Cash flow Statement For the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 Net Cash Inflows from operating activities for the year ended 30 June 3,289 2,402 Returns on investments and servicing of finance 83 111 Taxation (345) (1,345) Capital expenditure and financial investment (47) (26) Acquisitions (628) (659) Equity dividends paid (344) (452) Net cash inflow before financing 2,008 31 Financing (766) (818) Increase / (decrease) in Cash 1,242 (787) Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt for the year ended 30 June 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 (Decrease)/Increase in cash in the period 1,242 (787) Cash outflow from decrease in debt and lease financing 795 818 Movement in Net Funds in the Period 2,037 31 Net funds at beginning of year 4,336 4,305 Net funds at end of year 6,373 4,336 Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement Reconciliation of operating profit to net operating cash flows 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 Operating profit 1,638 1191 Depreciation 293 256 Profit on disposal of fixed assets (6) - Amortisation of goodwill 310 213 (Increase)/ decrease in debtors (552) 658 Increase in creditors 1,606 84 Net Cash Inflows from Operating Activities 3,289 2,402 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest paid (22) (61) Interest element of finance lease payments (1) (7) Interest received 106 179 Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance 83 111 Taxation Corporation tax paid (345) (1,345) Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (47) (26) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Acquisition of Marlborough and Ann O'Brien (186) (616) Acquisition of Multiflex (163) Acquisition of Techskills (279) Acquisition of Careers Register (43) (628) (659) Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement Financing 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 Loan repayments (758) (758) Finance lease payments (37) (60) Net cash (outflow) from financing (795) (818) Issue of ordinary share capital 29 Net Cash outflows from financing (766) (818) Analysis of Net Funds Cash at bank Bank Loan Finance Net and in hand leases funds €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000 At 30 June, 2002 5,567 (1,193) (38) 4,336 Cash flow 1,242 758 37 2,037 At 30 June, 2003 6,809 (435) (1) 6,373 Dividends Paid & Proposed 2003 2002 €'000 €'000 Dividends paid of €0.3 cent (2002 €0.6 cent) per ordinary share 109 217 Dividends proposed of €0.4 cent (2002 €0.65 cent) per ordinary share 146 235 255 452 15 September, 2003 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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