Interim Results

Barr(A.G.) PLC 24 September 2003 24 September 2003 A.G.BARR p.l.c. INTERIM RESULTS A.G.Barr p.l.c. the Scottish based manufacturer of soft drinks including the popular Irn-Bru, Tizer and Orangina brands, announces its interim results today for the 6 months ended 26 July 2003. Key Points • Profit on ordinary activities before tax increased by 16% to £7. 2 million (2002: £6.2 million). • Turnover increased 6% to £65. 9 million (2002: £62.2 million). • Interim dividend of 8.50p per share in respect of the year to January 2004 (2002: 7.35p) • A further double digit increase in litreage achieved on Irn-Bru in England and Wales. The brand also achieved a satisfactory volume increase in Scotland. • Better weather has proved most significant to our citrus based and non-carbonate portfolio, sales of Orangina, Lipton Ice Tea, Simply Citrus and Findlays Natural Mineral Water have all responded exceptionally to peak temperatures. Commenting Robin Barr, the Executive Chairman, said: 'This excellent result reflects a continuation of the improvement achieved during the last full year to January 2003 and was boosted by the very favourable weather conditions this summer with a consequential increase in sales volumes. 'We are in a market segment where demand has been buoyant this year and is forecast to continue to rise long term. Although competition is aggressive, we believe our business is well placed to drive forward our unique portfolio of branded products and thereby achieve future success.' For further information: A.G. Barr Robin Barr, Chairman or Roger White, Managing Director or Iain Greenock, Finance Director Tel: 0141 554 1899 Buchanan Communications Tim Thompson/Nicola Cronk Tel: 020 7466 5000 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Chairman's Statement Profit on ordinary activities before taxation for the 6 months to 26 July, 2003 was £7.2 million compared with £6.2 million for the same period last year - an increase of 16%. This excellent result reflects a continuation of the improvement achieved during the last full year to January 2003 and was boosted by the very favourable weather conditions this summer with a consequential increase in sales volumes. Our overall margins have improved, benefiting from both customer and product mix movements and modest gains in pricing which offset higher sugar costs. Turnover for the six months to July 2003 was £65.9 million an overall increase of 6% which was achieved despite a drop in contract packing volumes. Our planned promotional campaigns in respect of our Irn-Bru brand in England and Wales have again been weighted towards the first half of the year and enabled us to record a further double digit increase in litreage south of the border compared with the same period last year. Irn-Bru also achieved a satisfactory volume increase in Scotland. The much better weather has naturally proved of most significance to our citrus based and non-carbonate portfolio where sales of Orangina, Lipton Ice Tea, Simply Citrus and Findlays Water have all responded exceptionally to peak temperatures. Reflecting the improved results of the current half year and, in order to reduce the imbalance which has grown over the last three years between the interim and final dividends, your directors have declared an interim dividend of 8.5p per share, payable on 24 October, 2003, in respect of the year to January 2004. This compares with the dividend of 7.35p per share which was paid at the same time last year. Our sales and marketing director, Jim Dawson, left our employment after twenty one years service and we thank him for his contribution to the company. The cost of his termination payments has been reflected in these accounts. The recruitment process in respect of a replacement is currently nearing completion. In June Ronnie Hanna joined the board as a non-executive director. He was, until recently, chief executive of Bett p.l.c. and I am confident that he will make a substantial contribution to our company's affairs. We will sadly lose the services of John Goodwin as a non-executive director when his contract expires at the end of November after 10 years on our board. This year's fine summer weather continued into August and our sales volumes remained at a high level albeit, on a year-on-year comparison, they came up against the only sustained spell of high temperatures during 2002. Total turnover for the first seven weeks of the second half of the year has been 2% up compared with the same period last year. Our costs during the second half of the year are likely to mirror our first half experience and our focus will be to maintain margins against a backdrop of intense market place competition and particularly during the important festive season. We are in a market segment where demand has been buoyant this year and is forecast to continue to rise long term. Although competition is aggressive, we believe our business is well placed to drive forward our unique portfolio of branded products and thereby achieve future success. Robin Barr, Chairman 24 September, 2003 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Consolidated Profit and Loss Account 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 26.07.03 27.07.02 25.01.03 £000 £000 £000 Turnover (note 2) 65,885 62,216 120,005 Operating profit 6,922 6,038 11,873 Interest 259 137 340 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 7,181 6,175 12,213 Taxation (note 3) 2,247 1,817 3,693 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 4,934 4,358 8,520 No separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has been presented as all such gains and losses have been dealt with in the Consolidated Profit and Loss Account. Earnings per share on issued share capital (note 4) 25.35 p 22.39 p 43.78 p Basic earnings per share 26.41 p 23.21 p 45.36 p Fully diluted earnings per share 24.95 p 21.98 p 43.20 p Dividend per share 8.50 p 7.35 p 23.10 p Dividend (£000) 1,654 1,430 4,496 Record date: 3 October, 2003 Ex-div date: 1 October, 2003 Payment date of dividend: 24 October, 2003 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Consolidated Balance Sheet As at As at As at 26.07.03 27.07.02 25.01.03 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets (note 5) 41,150 42,711 42,255 Current assets Stocks 10,370 11,083 12,185 Debtors 26,746 23,074 20,269 Investment 2,742 2,609 3,092 Cash at bank 18,168 10,013 15,545 58,026 46,779 51,091 Creditors: Due within one year 29,981 24,607 27,282 Net current assets 28,045 22,172 23,809 Total assets less current liabilities 69,195 64,883 66,064 Provisions for liabilities and charges Deferred credit 632 640 636 Deferred taxation 4,866 4,922 5,011 5,498 5,562 5,647 63,697 59,321 60,417 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 4,865 4,865 4,865 Share premium account 905 905 905 Profit and loss account 57,927 53,551 54,647 63,697 59,321 60,417 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Notes to the Consolidated Accounts 1. Non-statutory accounts These interim financial statements, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the company's 2003 published accounts, do not constitute statutory accounts and are unaudited. Comparative figures for the year ended 25 January, 2003 have been extracted from the statutory accounts of the company on which the auditors gave an unqualified report and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. A copy of this announcement is distributed to all registered shareholders of the company and is available for members of the public upon application to the Company Secretary at 1306 Gallowgate, Glasgow G31 4DS and on our corporate website at www.agbarr.co.uk. 2. Turnover The figure for turnover includes exports of £418,000 (2002 - £380,000 ; Year 2003 - £560,000). 3. Taxation Corporation tax is provided at the anticipated rate of taxation for the group's current financial period. 4. Earnings per share The calculation is based on the group profit after taxation and the numbers of ordinary shares of 25p each in issue at 26 July, 2003. 5. Movement in tangible fixed assets 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 26.07.03 27.07.02 25.01.03 £000 £000 £000 Beginning of period 42,255 42,580 42,580 Additions 1,995 3,316 6,065 Disposals (129) (227) (371) Depreciation (2,971) (2,958) (6,019) End of period 41,150 42,711 42,255 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 26.07.03 27.07.02 25.01.03 £000 £000 £000 Net cash flow from operating activities (note 1) 9,062 8,407 19,737 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 260 142 352 Interest paid (1) (5) (12) 259 137 340 Taxation Corporation tax paid (1,853) (1,304) (3,349) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (1,936) (2,733) (5,411) Sale of tangible fixed assets 172 191 328 (1,764) (2,542) (5,083) Dividends paid (3,065) (2,773) (4,204) Increase in cash 2,639 1,925 7,441 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 1. Net cash inflow from operating activities 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 26.07.03 27.07.02 25.01.03 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit 6,922 6,038 11,873 Depreciation 2,971 2,958 6,019 (Gain)/loss on sale of tangible assets (43) 36 44 Government grants written back (4) (4) (9) Decrease/(increase) in stocks 1,815 452 (649) (Increase) in debtors (6,886) (2,750) (228) Decrease/(increase) in investment 350 14 (469) Increase in creditors 3,803 1,662 3,147 Pension provision release 134 1 9 9,062 8,407 19,737 2. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Increase in cash in the period 2,639 1,925 7,441 Net funds at 25 January, 2003 15,529 8,088 8,088 Net funds at 26 July, 2003 18,168 10,013 15,529 3. Analysis of changes in net funds At Cash At 25.01.03 Flows 26.07.03 £000 £000 £000 Cash in hand and at bank 15,545 2,623 18,168 Overdrafts (16) 16 - Total 15,529 2,639 18,168 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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