Half-yearly Report
Eco Animal Health Group Plc
ECO Animal Health Group plc
(AIM: EAH)
Results for the six months ended 30 September 2012
HIGHLIGHTS
Peter Lawrence, Executive Chairman of ECO Animal Health Group plc, commented:
“ECO Animal Health Group delivered a robust set of results for the six months ended 30 September 2012. The second half of the year is traditionally a stronger trading period as the incidence of respiratory disease increases and parasite numbers rise during the southern hemisphere spring and it is pleasing to note that our performance in the first two months of the second half has been strong. These traditional factors, coupled with the exciting sales opportunities offered by our entry into new markets for Aivlosin® in Canada, the USA and Russia, enable us to look forward with confidence and we expect to deliver another sound full year result for our shareholders.â€
Contacts:
ECO Animal Health Group plc | Â | Â | Â | |
Peter Lawrence | 020 8336 6190 | |||
Spiro Financial | ||||
Anthony Spiro | 020 8336 6196 | |||
Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated Adviser) | ||||
Stephen Keys | 020 7397 8926 |
ECO Animal Health Group plc is a leader in the development, registration and marketing of pharmaceutical products for animals. Our products for these global growth markets promote well-being. Our financial goals are achieved through the careful and responsible application of science to generate value for our shareholders.
Chairman’s statement
I am pleased to report that ECO Animal Health Group has delivered a robust set of results for the six months ended 30 September 2012. It is particularly encouraging that these results were achieved despite continuing general uncertainty in the major economies that we serve.
In July 2012 we were delighted to announce that the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted ECO a marketing authorisation in the United States for Aivlosin® 625 mg/g water soluble granules for swine. Our product development and regulatory teams had been working towards this approval for many years and shareholders may recall that progress reports have been a regular feature in our results announcements. The significance of this initial approval cannot be over stated as it allows ECO to enter a territory that represents one third of the global market for its products, which until now was closed to the company. It is pleasing to report that while we expected sales of Aivlosin® in the US to take time to gather momentum, the initial orders following launch in September, just before the period end, have been most encouraging and are already ahead of our expectations.
Financial
Gross profit in the period increased over 14 per cent to a record £5.05 million (2011: £4.40 million) and includes only a few weeks’ contribution in the US from Aivlosin®. This excellent outturn reflects a significant improvement in product mix with a greater focus on higher margin business. In the light of the many new opportunities opening up to the Group, we are concentrating our management and financial resources on those products and markets with the greatest potential for profitable growth and reducing exposure to those with limited margins and restricted growth potential. The success of this strategy is reflected in overall sales in the period of £11.45 million (2011: £11.88 million) which were a little lower than last year’s level, mainly due to Latin America where the timing of orders, coupled with the availability of foreign currency can be unpredictable but, in the medium term these issues have tended to unwind. Nevertheless, these factors were more than outweighed by the significant improvement in margin and gross profit.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, share based payments and foreign exchange movements, amounted to £2.0 million (2011: £2.3 million) despite the product launch costs of £0.3m in the US and Canada. During the period, we also invested heavily in our infrastructure in China and Mexico and expect to benefit from this as sales build during the year. The balance sheet remains strong with net cash at 30 September of over £7.3 million after investing around £2.4 million in our ongoing drug registration programme and a further £1.5 million in working capital required to prepare stock levels for new markets and increased sales.
Operations and markets
Demand for Aivlosin® continues to grow strongly and now represents some two thirds of total sales. Worldwide demand for animal health products for farmed animals is influenced by many factors ranging from levels of economic activity to outbreaks of disease. These factors were demonstrated again by the varying level of demand for our products across the many territories ECO serves. It is also worth noting that one of the weakest markets in the first half of last year, Japan, has now recovered and has once again shown solid growth, demonstrating that a strong presence in multiple markets and geographic regions is a key factor in spreading risk across our business. Europe remains sluggish (although sales were up by some 12 per cent), the South African business has been affected by the broader economic malaise in that country and Brazil has been impacted by intense price competition but overall demand for our products is buoyant.
The granting of the first marketing authorisation in the United States for Aivlosin® water soluble granules for pigs marked a long awaited and very important step in the Company’s development of its global veterinary product range. It further extended the marketing reach of Aivlosin®, which is used for the treatment of respiratory and enteric diseases in pigs and poultry. We anticipate that within the next few months we should receive a second Canadian registration for Aivlosin in a medicated premix formulation which should allow us to further increase sales in North America, without a corresponding rise in overheads.
Sales of Aivlosin® are already building steadily in Canada following the product’s launch in March 2012. We also experienced continued growth in India and from our Chinese subsidiary, Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products, which boosted margins and gross profit. ECOPHARMA in Japan has maintained its recovery from the effects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011 with sales now back at the level of 2010.
ECO’s strategy of direct entry into the new markets of North America and Mexico and the growth in China, while progressing well, have inevitably carried substantial start up costs. ECO began building its sales infrastructure, offices, personnel and accounting systems in North America some two years ahead of the FDA authorisation. This substantial expenditure is only now being offset by sales revenues but we believed it was essential to have a structure in place ready to move forward by the time the marketing authorisations were obtained. We are following a similar strategy in China by expanding the sales force in preparation of launches into the poultry sector to build on our success achieved to date in swine.
In line with our strategy of moving closer to end users in key markets, ECO has recently negotiated a termination of its long standing agreement with its Mexican distributor and has commenced trading through its wholly owned subsidiary, ECO Animal Health de Mexico, which will also allow us to benefit from the favourable North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) arrangements.
A local distributor has now been appointed in Russia, the seventh largest pig producing country and the first Aivlosin® marketing authorisation there was granted in November, after the period end. This latest development is another extremely encouraging and positive step in the establishment of Aivlosin® as a truly global brand and underlines ECO’s commitment to becoming a major force in the international market for veterinary pharmaceutical products. In Korea, another key pig producing country, the process of obtaining a first approval has commenced, with assistance from our newly appointed local distributor.
Work on developing products for companion animals continues and in the US our first companion product for this market is under review.
Research in partnership with a number of leading institutions remains ongoing as we seek to extend Aivlosin®’s label claims to include new species and new disease indications .
ECO’s recent investment in additional people and new offices, ahead of imminent further marketing approvals, reflects our confidence in the future of the business and its ability to drive growth.
Outlook
The second half of the year is traditionally a stronger trading period as the incidence of respiratory disease increases and parasite numbers rise during the southern hemisphere spring, and it is pleasing to note that our performance in the first two months of the second half has been strong. These factors, coupled with the exciting sales opportunities offered by our entry into new markets for Aivlosin® in Canada, the USA and Russia, enable us to look forward with confidence and we expect to deliver a sound full year result.
Peter Lawrence
Executive Chairman
11th December 2012
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT |
|||||||||
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 | |||||||||
 |  | Six months |  | Six months |  | Year ended | |||
to | to | ||||||||
30.09.12 | 30.09.11 | 31.03.12 | |||||||
Notes | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||
 | |||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||
Revenue | 3 | 11,455 | 11,880 | 28,322 | |||||
Cost of sales |
(6,400) |
(7,473) | (17,504) | ||||||
Gross Profit | 5,055 | 4,407 | 10,818 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Other operating income | 89 | 154 | 760 | ||||||
Administrative expenses | (3,167) | (2,324) | (5,157) | ||||||
Currency losses | (136) | (81) | (332) | ||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets | (1,469) | (1,756) | (3,593) | ||||||
Share based payments |
(162) |
(103) | (291) | ||||||
Profit from operating activities: | 210 |
297 |
2,205 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Net finance (expense)/income |
(78) |
17 | 115 | ||||||
Profit before income tax | 132 | 314 | 2,320 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Income tax (charge)/credit | (11) | 131 | 307 | ||||||
Profit for the period from |
121 | 445 | 2,627 | ||||||
Attributable to: | |||||||||
Owners | (83) | 278 | 2,218 | ||||||
Minority interest | 204 | 167 | 409 | ||||||
121 | 445 | 2,627 | |||||||
 | |||||||||
BASIC (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER |
6 | (0.16)p | 0.53p | 4.24p | |||||
 | |||||||||
FULLY DILUTED |
6 | (0.16)p | 0.52p | 4.19p | |||||
 | |||||||||
Earnings from continuing activities |
1,900 |
2,225 | 6,187 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Exclude foreign exchange differences | 136 | 81 | 332 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
EBITDA consistent with audited accounts | 2,036 | 2,306 | 6,519 |
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |  |  | Six months |  | Six months |  | Year ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
to | to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30.09.12 | 30.09.11 | 31.03.12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profit for the period | 121 | 445 | 2,627 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | (18) | 301 | 201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Defined benefit pension plan – actuarial gains/(losses) | - | - | (151) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revaluation of investment in Anpario plc |
- |
(51) | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax on revaluation of investment in Anpario |
- | 12 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer on disposal of investment | - | - | (59) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income for the period | (18) | 262 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period | 103 | 707 | 2,630 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attributable to: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owners | (73) | 441 | 2,140 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest | 176 | 266 | 490 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
103 | 707 | 2,630 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||
Share | Share | Other | Revaluation | Treasury | Retained | Total | Minority | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Capital | Premium | Reserves | Reserves | Reserve | Earnings | Interest | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
Account | Account | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At 1 April 2011 | 2,610 | 46,269 | 1,330 | 545 | - | 5,222 | 55,976 | 1,791 | 57,767 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | - | 2,218 | 2,218 | 409 | 2,627 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revaluation of investment | - | (2) | - | - | (2) | - | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer on disposal of |
- | - | - | (59) | - | - | (59) | - | (59) | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax effect of revaluation/disposal |
- | - | - | 15 | - | - | 15 | - | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation |
- | - | - | - | - | 120 | 120 | 80 | 200 | ||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial gains on pension |
- | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | (151) | Â | (151) | Â | - | Â | (151) | ||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
- | Â | - | Â | - | Â | (46) | Â | - | Â | 2,187 | Â | 2,141 | Â | 489 | Â | 2,630 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 CONTINUED.
Transactions with owners |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||
Arising on issue of shares in the period | 146 | 4,588 | - | - | - | - | 4,734 | - | 4,734 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (1,568) | (1,568) | (388) | (1,956) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Share based payments | - | - | 291 | - | - | - | 291 | - | 291 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer to retained earnings on option |
- | - | (97) | - | - | 97 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cancellation of share premium account | - | (13,250) | 3,250 | - | - | 10,000 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury Reserve arising from issue of |
- | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | (5,218) | Â | - | Â | (5,218) | Â | - | Â | (5,218) | |||||||||||||
Total transactions with owners |
146 | Â | (8,662) | Â | 3,444 | Â | - | Â | (5,218) | Â | 8,529 | Â | (1,761) | Â | (388) | Â | (2,149) | |||||||||||||
At 31 March 2012 | 2,756 | 37,607 | 4,774 | 499 | (5,218) | 15,938 | 56,356 | 1,892 | 58,248 | |||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Loss)/profit for the period | - | - | - | - | - | (83) | (83) | 204 | 121 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | 10 | Â | 10 | Â | (28) | Â | (18) | |||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the |
- | Â | - | Â | - | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | (73) | Â | (73) | Â | 176 | Â | 103 | |||||||||||||
Transactions with owners |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share based payments | - | Â | - | Â | 162 | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | 162 | Â | - | Â | 162 | |||||||||||||
Total transactions with owners |
- | Â | - | Â | 162 | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | 162 | Â | - | Â | 162 | |||||||||||||
At 30 September 2012 | 2,756 | Â | 37,607 | Â | 4,936 | Â | 499 | Â | (5,218) | Â | 15,865 | Â | 56,445 | Â | 2,068 | Â | 58,513 | |||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior interim period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At 1 April 2011 | 2,610 | 46,269 | 1,330 | 545 | - | 5,222 | 55,976 | 1,791 | 57,767 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | - | 278 | 278 | 167 | 445 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revaluation of investment | - | - | - | (51) | - | - | (51) | - | (51) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax effect of revaluations | - | - | - | 12 | - | - | 12 | - | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | Â | 202 | Â | 202 | Â | 99 | Â | 301 | |||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the |
- | Â | - | Â | - | Â | (39) | Â | - | Â | 480 | Â | 441 | Â | 266 | Â | 707 | |||||||||||||
Transactions with owners |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arising on issue of shares in the period | 11 | 395 | - | - | - | - | 406 | - | 406 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (1,567) | (1,567) | (389) | (1,956) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Share based payments | - | - | 103 | - | - | - | 103 | - | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer to retained earnings on option |
- | Â | - | Â | (96) | Â | - | Â | - | Â | 96 | Â | - | Â | - | Â | - | |||||||||||||
Total transactions with owners |
11 | Â | 395 | Â | 7 | Â | - | Â | - | Â | (1,471) | Â | (1,058) | Â | (389) | Â | (1,447) | |||||||||||||
At 30 September 2011 | 2,621 | Â | 46,664 | Â | 1,337 | Â | 506 | Â | - | Â | 4,231 | Â | 55,359 | Â | 1,668 | Â | 57,027 | |||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |  |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As at | As at | As at | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30.09.12 | 30.09.11 | 31.03.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes | £000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill and other intangibles | 9 | 40,056 | 38,734 | 39,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property,plant and equipment | 10 | 1,179 | 1,392 | 1,268 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment property | 11 | 153 | - | 155 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments | 9 | Â | 93 | Â | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
41,397 | 40,219 | 40,541 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Inventories | 6,176 | 4,947 | 4,417 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 9,262 | 8,660 | 10,756 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax recoverable | 17 | 303 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other taxes and social security | 224 | 196 | 292 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 8,033 | Â | 11,312 | Â | 14,002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
23,712 | Â | 25,418 | Â | 29,483 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | 65,109 | Â | 65,637 | Â | 70,024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trade and other payables | (5,384) | (4,370) | (6,706) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short term borrowings | (746) | (3,414) | (4,493) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax | (67) | (13) | (58) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other taxes and social security | (130) | (110) | (158) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | (30) | Â | (29) | Â | (31) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(6,357) | Â | (7,936) | Â | (11,446) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets less current liabilities | 58,752 | Â | 57,701 | Â | 58,578 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax | (239) | Â | (674) | Â | (330) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
58,513 | Â | 57,027 | Â | 58,248 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital and reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Called up share capital | 2,756 | 2,621 | 2,756 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share premium | 37,607 | 46,664 | 37,607 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury Reserve | (5,218) | - | (5,218) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revaluation reserve | 499 | 506 | 499 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other reserves | 4,936 | 1,337 | 4,774 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retained earnings | 15,865 | Â | 4,231 | Â | 15,938 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
56,445 | 55,359 | 56,356 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest | 2,068 | Â | 1,668 | Â | 1,892 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity | 58,513 | Â | 57,027 | Â | 58,248 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six months to | Â | Six months to | Â | Year ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30.09.12 | 30.09.11 | 31.03.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profit before tax | 132 | 314 | 2,320 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment for: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net finance (income)/costs | 78 | (17) | (115) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation of plant and equipment | 59 | 69 | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets | 1,469 | 1,755 | 3,593 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profit on disposal of investment | - | (46) | (28) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension payments | - | - | (64) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension operating costs | - | - | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share based payments | 162 | Â | 103 | Â | 291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating cash flow before movement in working capital | 1,900 | 2,178 | 6,098 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in inventories | (1,759) | (143) | 387 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in receivables | 1,562 | 882 | (1,396) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in payables | (1,351) | Â | (1,392) | Â | 991 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash generated from operations | 352 | 1,525 | 6,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest paid | (3) | (16) | (90) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (paid)/received | (94) | Â | (27) | Â | 140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash inflow from operating activities | 255 | 1,482 | 6,130 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of property plant and equipment | (14) | (165) | (140) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of investment property | - | - | (157) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale of investments | - | 253 | 309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Costs of acquiring drug registrations | (2,411) | (1,851) | (4,064) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest received | 35 | Â | 64 | Â | 127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) investing activities | (2,390) | Â | (1,699) | Â | (3,925) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of shares | - | 63 | 4,391 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid | - | (1,616) | (1,614) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of own shares | - | Â | - | Â | (5,218) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) financing activities | - | Â | (1,553) | Â | (2,441) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (2,135) | (1,770) | (236) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange movements | (87) | 250 | 327 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 9,509 | Â | 9,418 | Â | 9,418 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | 7,287 | Â | 7,898 | Â | 9,509 |
NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2012
1. Basis of preparation
The financial information for the period to 30 September 2012 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. It has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in, and is consistent with, the audited financial statements for the twelve months to 31 March 2012.
The Group applies revised IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements (2007)â€, which became effective as of 1 January 2009. As a result, the Group presents all non owner changes in equity in consolidated statements of comprehensive income and all owner changes in equity in consolidated statements of changes in equity.
2. Statement of compliance
The interim financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and do not comply with all of the disclosure requirements in IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reportingâ€. Accordingly, whilst the interim statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, they cannot be construed as being in full compliance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2012.
3. Revenue is derived from the Group’s animal pharmaceutical businesses.
4. Change in accounting estimate
Following the receipt of the marketing authorisation for Water Soluble Aivlosin in the USA in July, the directors have changed their estimate of the useful life of Aivlosin marketing authorisations from ten to twenty years and have therefore begun to amortise the remaining value of this asset over the extended remaining useful life with effect from 1st July 2012. The effect of this change in an accounting estimate has been to increase reported profit in the period by £441,864 and to increase the carrying value of marketing authorisations by the same amount. The expected effect on future results is an increase in profit before tax and the carrying value of marketing authorisations of £1,400,000 for the full year ended March 2013 and £1,900,000 for the year ended March 2014. No other authorisations are affected.
5. Principal risks and uncertainties were set out on pages 59-61 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012. The key exposures are to foreign currency exchange rates, potential delays in obtaining marketing authorisations and single sources of supply for some raw materials and have remained unchanged since the year end.
6. Earnings per share
 | Six months to |  | Six months to |  | Year ended | ||
30.09.12 | 30.09.11 | 31.03.12 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||
 | |||||||
 | |||||||
 | |||||||
Weighted average number of shares in issue (000’s) | 52,516 | 52,221 | 52,333 | ||||
Fully diluted weighted average number of shares in |
53,278 | 53,376 | 52,886 | ||||
 | |||||||
(Loss)/Profit attributable to equity holders of |
(83,572) | 277,573 | 2,217,627 | ||||
 | |||||||
Basic (loss)/ earnings per share (pence) | (0.16) | 0.53 | 4.24 | ||||
Fully diluted earnings per share (pence) | (0.16) | 0.52 | 4.19 |
7. Dividends
 | Six months to |  | Six months to |  | Year ended | ||
30.09.12 | 30.09.11 | 31.03.12 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||
 | |||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | |||||
 | |||||||
Dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2012 |
- | 1,567 | 1,567 | ||||
(2011: 3p) per share. Â |
- |
389 |
389 |
||||
- | 1,956 | 1,956 |
An interim dividend of 3.75p per share was paid on 5 October 2012 amounting to £2,066,970. The Employee Benefit Trust waived dividends of £84,270 resulting in a net dividend figure of £1,982,700.
8. Related party transactions
At the period end, ECO Animal Health Group plc owed P A Lawrence, a director of ECO Animal Health Group plc, and members of his family a balance amounting to £9,457 (30 September 2011: £478,199). During the period the Group provided management services to Anpario plc and C-Corp Limited, companies in which P A Lawrence is a director and holds equity interests. Fees charged were: Anpario plc £13,000 (2011: £13,000) and C-Corp Limited £21,726 (2011: £25,287).
During the period the Group made sales to Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited on an at arm’s length basis to the value of £634,435 (Six months to 30 September 2011: £1,096,382). At the end of this period there was an intercompany balance owing from this company of £591,033 (30 September 2011: £778,266).
The Group also made sales on an at arm’s length basis to ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Productos Veterinarios Ltda to the value of £1,098,457 (Six months to 30 September 2011: £1,095,032). At the end of the period there was an intercompany balance of £1,983,522 (30 September 2011: £1,515,949).
The Group also made sales on an at arm’s length basis to ECOpharma Inc to the value of £450,273 (30 September 2011: £85,220). At the end of the period there was an intercompany balance of £258,672 (30 September 2011: £486,361).
The Group also supported the operations of ECO Animal Health de Mexico during the period. At the end of the period there was an inter company balance of £173,539 (30 September 2011: £nil)
The Group also made sales on an at arm’s length basis to ECO Animal Health USA Corp to the value of £281,899 (six months to 30 September 2011: £nil). At the end of the period there was an inter company balance of £353,439 (30 September 2011: £nil).
The Group also made sales on an at arm’s length basis to Pharmgate Animal Health Canada Inc to the value of £56,250 (six months to September 2011: £nil). At the end of the period there was an inter company balance of £44,982 (30 September 2011: £nil).
All of the transactions have been eliminated on consolidation, as well as the whole of the balances relating to the subsidiaries and the group’s share of the balances relating to the US and Canadian joint ventures.
During the period ECO Animal Health Ltd and ECO Animal Health Group plc received no dividend (2011: £404,442) from Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited.
9. Intangible non current assets
 |  | Distribution |  | Development |  | ||||
Goodwill | Rights | Costs | Total | ||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | ||||||
Cost | |||||||||
Cost at 1 April 2011 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 35,460 | 54,425 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Additions | - | - | 1,851 | 1,851 | |||||
Cost at 30 September 2011 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 37,311 | 56,276 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Additions | - | - | 2,213 | 2,213 | |||||
Cost at 31 March 2012 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 39,524 | 58,489 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Additions | - | - | 2,411 | 2,411 | |||||
Cost at 30 September 2012 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 41,935 | 60,900 | |||||
Amortisation | |||||||||
Amortisation at 1 April 2011 | - | 371 | 15,418 | 15,789 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Charge for the period | - | 28 | 1,727 | 1,755 | |||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | - | (2) | (2) | |||||
Amortisation at 30 September 2011 | - | 399 | 17,143 | 17,542 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Charge for the period | - | 23 | 1,815 | 1,838 | |||||
Amortisation at 31 March 2012 | - | 422 | 18,958 | 19,380 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Charge for the period | - | 28 | 1,441 | 1,469 | |||||
Foreign exchange movement | - | - | (5) | (5) | |||||
Amortisation at 30 September 2012 | - | 450 | 20,394 | 20,844 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2012 |
17,930 |
585 |
21,541 |
40,056 |
|||||
Net book value at 1 April 2012 |
17,930 |
613 |
20,566 |
39,109 |
|||||
Net book value at 30 September 2011 |
17,930 |
636 |
20,168 |
38,734 |
|||||
Net book value at 1 April 2011 |
17,930 |
664 |
20,042 |
38,636 |
10. Property, plant and equipment
 |  |  |
Fixtures |
 |
Motor |
 | |||||
Freehold | Plant and | fittings & | Vehicles | ||||||||
Property | machinery | equipment | Total | ||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||
Cost | |||||||||||
Cost at 1 April 2011 | 650 | 1,135 | 552 | 42 | 2,379 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Additions | 157 | 3 | 5 | - | 165 | ||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | 56 | - | - | 56 | ||||||
Cost at 30 September 2011 | 807 | 1,194 | 557 | 42 | 2,600 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Additions | - | 3 | 70 | 60 | 133 | ||||||
Transferred to Investment Property | (157) | - | - | - | (157) | ||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | (12) | - | - | (12) | ||||||
Cost at 1 April 2012 |
650 | 1,185 | 627 | 102 | 2,564 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Additions | - | 7 | 7 | - | 14 | ||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | (14) | - | - | (14) | ||||||
Cost at 30 September 2011 | 650 | 1,178 | 634 | 102 | 2,564 | ||||||
Depreciation | |||||||||||
Depreciation at 1 April 2011 | 9 | 593 | 490 | 10 | 1,102 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Charge for the period | 5 | 41 | 17 | 6 | 69 | ||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | 37 | - | - | 37 | ||||||
Depreciation at 30 September 2011 | 14 | 671 | 507 | 16 | 1,208 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Charge for the period | 4 | (7) | 21 | 10 | 28 | ||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | 60 | - | - | 60 | ||||||
Depreciation at 1 April 2012 | 18 | 724 | 528 | 26 | 1,296 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Charge for the period | 5 | 16 | 21 | 15 | 57 | ||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | 32 | - | - | 32 | ||||||
Depreciation at 30 September 2012 | 23 | 772 | 549 | 41 | 1,385 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2012 | 627 | 406 | 85 | 61 | 1,179 | ||||||
Net book value at 1 April 2012 |
632 |
461 |
99 |
76 |
1,268 |
||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2011 |
793 |
523 |
50 |
26 |
1,392 |
||||||
Net book value at 1 April 2011 |
641 |
542 |
62 |
32 |
1,277 |
11. Investment property
 | Freehold Property |  | Total | ||
Cost | £000 | £000 | |||
Transfer from property, plant and equipment – March 2012 | 157 | 157 | |||
Cost at 31 March 2012 and at 30 September 2012 | 157 | 157 | |||
Depreciation | |||||
Charge for the period 31 March 2012 | 2 | 2 | |||
Depreciation at 31 March 2012 | 2 | 2 | |||
 | |||||
Charge for the period | 2 | 2 | |||
Depreciation at 30 September 2012 | 4 | 4 | |||
Net book value | |||||
Net book value at 30 September 2012 |
153 |
153 | |||
Net book value at 1 April 2012 | 155 | 155 |
12. This financial information was approved by the board on 11 December 2012.
Copies of this interim report are being sent to all of the Company’s shareholders. Further copies can be obtained from the Company’s registered office at 78 Coombe Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4QS.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | Â | PETER LAWRENCE | Â | (CHAIRMAN) | |
MARC LOOMES | (CHIEF EXECUTIVE) | ||||
KEVIN STOCKDALE | (FINANCE DIRECTOR) | ||||
JULIA TROUSE | (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND COMPANY SECRETARY) | ||||
BRETT CLEMO | (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) | ||||
DAVID DANSON | (NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) | ||||
JULIA HENDERSON | (NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) | ||||
 | |||||
REGISTERED OFFICE | 78 COOMBE ROAD, NEW MALDEN, SURREY KT3 4QS | ||||
TEL: 020-8336-2900 | FAX: 020-8336-0909 | ||||
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COMPANY NUMBER | 01818170 |