Interim Results

Animalcare Group PLC 31 March 2008 ANIMALCARE GROUP PLC ('Animalcare' or 'the Company') Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 31 December 2007 Animcalcare, the supplier of pharmaceutical and other premium products and services to the veterinary industry and the manufacturer and supplier of premium quality livestock products to agricultural retailers to announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2007. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT The unaudited results for Animalcare Group plc for the six months to 31 December 2007, the period prior to the acquisition of Animalcare Ltd., when the Company was trading as Ritchey plc ('Ritchey'), show group turnover of £3,406,000 (2006 - £3,684,000) and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation) of £122,000 (2006 - £287,000). As a result of the fall in group turnover, there was a small pre-tax loss for the period. The Company is not declaring an interim dividend. On 15 January 2008 we announced the acquisition of Animalcare Ltd, the successful placing of new shares with institutional investors to raise £6.4 million net of expenses and the commencement of trading on AIM under our new name of Animalcare Group plc. I am pleased to report that the integration of Animalcare Ltd, which has transformed the profitability and growth prospects of the group, is proceeding smoothly and that trading at Animalcare Ltd is also in line with management expectations. Trading, in what is traditionally the Company's slower half of the year, has been challenging due to the damage suffered by the livestock industry, arising from the disruption to livestock movements following the Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue outbreaks. The restriction on livestock movements resulted in a substantial reduction in livestock trading volumes and much lower selling prices, particularly in the sheep industry. Furthermore, the business is seasonal with the second half of the year traditionally yielding the majority of profitability, largely due to the lambing season which runs from January to April. A trading arrangement with a major supplier was changed during the period, with the effect that sales which were previously invoiced by Ritchey, have been invoiced directly by the supplier, with Ritchey receiving a commission. This has resulted in a reduction in sales of £100,000 during this period and we estimate that the effect across the full financial year will be a reduction in sales of £420,000. The increase in Gross Profit margin during this period from 57.4% to 59.6% is almost entirely due to the removal of the dilutive effect on gross margin of these sales. For the six months to 31 December 2007 the Company's profits were almost neutral, making a small loss after taxation of £5,000 versus a small profit of £110,000 during the same period in 2006. Net cash outflow from operating activities across the period was -£133,000 (2006 - cash inflow of £275,000); this broadly reflects the different trading performances in the two periods and the movements in working capital. Despite this the Company retained a net cash balance of £230,000 at the end of the period. The livestock industry has shown encouraging signs of improvement across recent months behind increased trading volumes and higher livestock selling prices. However the trading environment remains highly challenging with significant reductions in livestock numbers anticipated. I am, however, pleased to report that trading in the second half of the year is showing signs of improvement and that the outlook for the balance of the year appears favourable and in line with market expectations. Overall, we are confident that the integration of Animalcare Ltd will be completed during 2008 and that we will make good progress in establishing a platform for future, profitable growth. J.S. Lambert Chairman For further information: Animalcare plc James Lambert (Chairman) 01765 689541 Simon Riddell (Chief Executive) Brewin Dolphin (NOMAD) 0845 270 8610 Neil Baldwin Bankside Consultants (Financial PR) 020 7367 8888 Simon Bloomfield or Andy Harris CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT Six months ended 31 December 2007 Condensed consolidated income statement Note 6 month 6 month 12 month period ended period ended period ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 2007 2006 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue 3,406 3,684 8,286 Cost of sales (1,376) (1,571) (3,504) ----------------------------------- Gross profit 2,030 2,113 4,782 Distribution costs (164) (173) (362) Administrative expenses (1,870) (1,781) (4,101) ----------------------------------- Operating (loss)/profit (4) 159 319 Investment income 12 9 15 Finance costs (15) (25) (32) ----------------------------------- (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAX (7) 143 302 Tax 3 2 (33) (52) ----------------------------------- (LOSS)/PROFIT FOR THE YEAR (5) 110 250 =================================== Basic (loss)/earnings per share 4 (0.1)p 1.9p 4.4p Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 4 (0.1)p 1.9p 4.4p The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE Six months ended 31 December 2007 Condensed consolidated statement 6 month period 6 month period 12 month of recognised income and expenses ended ended period ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 2007 2006 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £'000 £'000 £'000 (Loss)/profit for the financial year (5) 110 250 --------------------------------- Total recognised income and expense (5) 110 250 ================================= CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 31 December 2007 Condensed consolidated balance sheet 31 December 31 December 30 June 2007 2006 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £'000 £'000 £'000 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Goodwill 2,677 2,916 2,677 Other intangible assets 94 140 115 Property, plant and equipment 1,670 1,548 1,670 ---------------------------------- 4,441 4,604 4,462 CURRENT ASSETS Inventories 1,352 1,237 1,118 Trade and other receivables 1,200 1,449 1,400 Cash and cash equivalents 377 99 562 ---------------------------------- 2,929 2,785 3,080 ------------------------------------ TOTAL ASSETS 7,370 7,389 7,542 =================================== CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables (709) (891) (915) Current tax liabilities (31) (98) (33) Obligations under finance leases - (5) - Bank overdraft and loans (147) (23) (60) Deferred consideration (65) (110) (111) --------------------------------- CURRENT LIABILITIES (952) (1,127) (1,119) ---------------------------------- NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,977 1,658 1,961 ---------------------------------- NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Deferred consideration (34) (66) (34) Deferred tax liabilities (252) (232) (252) ----------------------------------- (286) (298) (286) ----------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES (1,238) (1,425) (1,405) ------------------------------------ NET ASSETS 6,132 5,964 6,137 ==================================== CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 1,132 1,132 1,132 Share premium account 943 943 943 Profit and loss account 4,057 3,889 4,062 ----------------------------------- EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT 6,132 5,964 6,137 ==================================== CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Six months ended 31 December 2007 Condensed consolidated cashflow 6 month period 6 month period 12 month statement ended ended period ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 2007 2006 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating (loss)/profit (4) 159 319 Adjustments for: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortisation of intangible fixed assets 126 128 257 Impairment of goodwill - - 237 Share based payment award - - 33 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment - - 21 ---------------------------------- Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 122 287 867 Increase in inventories (234) (280) (161) Decrease in receivables 200 349 390 Decrease in payables (206) (56) (32) ----------------------------------- Cash (utilised)/generated by operations (118) 300 1,064 Income taxes paid - - (57) Interest paid (15) (25) (22) ---------------------------------- Net cash from operating activities (133) 275 985 ---------------------------------- Investing activities: Interest received 12 9 15 Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (105) (78) (325) Receipts from sale of property, plant and equipment - 2 4 Acquisition of Marabo Limited's trade - - (40) Acquisition of Travik Chemicals Limited (46) (75) (75) Receipts from issue of ordinary share capital - 88 88 ---------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (139) (54) (333) ---------------------------------- Financing: Equity dividends paid - (102) (102) Repayment of bank loan - (214) (214) Capital element of finance lease repayments - - (5) --------------------------------- Net cash outflow used in financing activities - (316) (321) --------------------------------- Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (272) (95) 331 Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 502 171 171 --------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 230 76 502 =================================== Comprising: Cash and cash equivalents 377 99 562 Bank overdrafts (147) (23) (60) ----------------------------------- 230 76 502 ================================== CONDENSED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 December 2007 1. BASIS OF PREPARATION The unaudited financial information contained in this interim report has been prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These condensed consolidated accounts do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements. The interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The information contained herein has not been reviewed by the company's auditors, nor has it been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The financial information for the year ended 30 June 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements of Animalcare Group plc (formerly Ritchey PLC) as delivered to the Registrar of Companies and as restated in accordance with IFRS as described in note 5. The report of the auditors on those statutory accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The financial information contained in this Interim Report has been prepared under the historical cost convention. The accounting policies are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the AIM admission document which has been published on the Group's website at: http://www.animalcaregroup.co.uk/ corporate-documents-and-shareholders-communications/default.aspx except as described in note 3. In addition, the following standards which have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective: IFRS 8 Operating segments IAS 23 Amendment to borrowing costs IFRIC 11 IFRS 2: Group and treasury share transactions IFRIC 12 Service concession arrangements The Group anticipates that the adoption of these standards in future periods will have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group. 3. TAX ON PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES The charge for taxation is based on an estimate of the likely effective tax rate for the full year. 4. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. The following table reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations. No diluted loss per share has been calculated for the 6 month period ended 31 December 2007 as the share options are anti-dilutive: 4. EARNINGS PER SHARE (continued) 6 month period 6 month period 12 month ended ended period ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 2007 2006 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited £'000 £'000 £'000 Net (loss)/profit attributable to equity holders of the parent (5) 110 250 ================================== 6 month period 6 month period 12 month ended ended period ended 31 December 31 December 30 June 2007 2006 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited No. No. No. Basic weighted average number of shares 5,660,257 5,593,953 5,626,628 Dilutive potential ordinary shares: Employee share options - 38,590 64,242 ------------------------------------- Diluted weighted average number of shares 5,660,257 5,632,543 5,690,870 ======================================== 5. FIRST TIME ADOPTION OF IFRS The last statutory financial statements presented under UK GAAP were for the year ended 30 June 2007. The Group first presented its consolidated financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in its AIM admission document which has been published on the Group's website at http:// www.animalcaregroup.co.uk/corporate-documents-and-shareholders-communications/ default.aspx. These consolidated financial statements were for the year ended 30 June 2007 and the date of the Group's transition to IFRS was 1 July 2004. The disclosures required in the period of transition are therefore contained within the AIM admission document. 6. EVENTS OCCURING SUBSEQUENT TO THE YEAR END On 15 January 2008 the company acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Animalcare Limited and the company commenced trading on AIM with its new name Animalcare Group plc. ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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