Interim Results

Carr's Milling Industries PLC 23 April 2007 CARR'S MILLING INDUSTRIES PLC- INTERIM ANNOUNCEMENT trading in line with current market expectations Carr's (CRM.L), the Cumbria-based agriculture, food and engineering group, announces a creditable performance for the 26 weeks to 3 March 2007 in the context of adverse external factors affecting the Food and Agriculture Divisions. The Group's pre-tax profit would have improved but for the impact of high wheat prices in the Food Division. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS •Revenue increased by 0.5% to £110.97m. •Pre-tax profit reduced by 10.1% to £3.57m (reported) and by 12.3% to £4.01m (adjusted*). •Basic earnings per share were lower by 11.8% at 30.6p (reported) and by 16.0% at 32.5p (adjusted*). •The interim dividend per share is unchanged at 5.5p. * Adjusted figures exclude the amortisation of intangible assets, but include share of operating profit in associate and joint ventures. COMMERCIAL HIGHLIGHTS •Agriculture, much the largest Division, increased its revenue and its profit. In the UK, the Caltech feed block business again traded well; the Carrs Billington Agriculture compound and blended feed business increased sales and market share through service and product innovation; but fertiliser revenue and margins again declined. In the USA, the Animal Feed Supplement feed block business increased sales volumes by 14%. •The Food Division's profit virtually halved following an unsuccessful attempt to pass on to customers the full cost of both the rapid and massive increase in wheat prices and significantly higher energy costs. •Engineering traded solidly, albeit with reduced revenue and with profits similar to the strong comparator period. With regard to prospects, Richard Inglewood, Chairman, stated ' Trading in our markets presents many challenges, but in the past the Group has succeeded in combating adverse conditions and achieving growth. Following the trading statement on 14 February 2007, the Company is trading in line with the market's expectations.' Presentation: Today, there will be a presentation to brokers' analysts and private client investment advisers between 13.00 and 14.00, over a sandwich lunch, at the offices of Bankside Consultants, 1 Frederick's Place, London EC2R 8AE. Those wishing to attend are asked to notify Charles Ponsonby of Bankside Consultants on 020-7367 8851 /charles.ponsonby@bankside.com Enquiries: Carr's Milling Industries plc 01228-554 600 Chris Holmes (Chief Executive Officer) Ron Wood (Finance Director) Bankside Consultants Limited Charles Ponsonby 020-7367 8851 CHAIRMAN'S INTERIM STATEMENT The unaudited Group result for the 26 weeks to 3 March 2007 is a creditable performance in the context of adverse external factors affecting the Food and Agriculture Divisions. Principal amongst these was the massive increase in wheat prices impacting the cost of flour, primarily, and animal feed, but other market difficulties continued to affect the UK compound feed and fertiliser businesses, in particular. FINANCIAL REVIEW Although revenue was marginally up at £110.97m (2006: £110.39m), reported pre-tax profit reduced by 10.1% to £3.57m (2006: £3.97m) and basic earnings per share was 11.8% lower at 30.6p (2006: 34.7p). The result for the period reflects a £0.14m increase in pension-related costs to £0.62m (2006: £0.48m). Adjusted Group pre-tax profit reduced by 12.3% to £4.01m (2006: £4.57m), with an adjusted operating margin of 4.1% (2006: 4.8%). Adjusted earnings per share was 16.0% lower at 32.5p (2006: 38.7p). Adjusted figures exclude the amortisation of intangible assets, but include the share of operating profit in associate and joint ventures. Period end shareholders' equity totalled £21.8m, as against £20.4m at 2 September 2006 and £22.1m at 4 March 2006. Net debt totalled £18.1m as against £13.9m and £21.7m, respectively, with gearing of 83%, as against 68% and 98%, respectively. Net finance costs of £0.44m (2006: £0.58m) were covered 7.6 times (2006: 7.3 times) by Group operating profit. INTERIM DIVIDEND The Board has declared an unchanged interim dividend per share of 5.5p, to be paid on 31 May 2007 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 4 May 2007, with an ex-dividend date of 2 May 2007. BUSINESS REVIEW The £0.56m decrease in adjusted Group pre-tax profit reflected the virtual halving of the Food Division's operating profit. Agriculture, much the largest Division, increased its profit, if the results of the associate and joint ventures are taken into account. Engineering, much the smallest Division, experienced a similar level of profit to the strong comparator period last year. The Group's pre-tax profit would have improved but for the impact of high wheat prices on the Food Division. Agriculture The Group's Agriculture business comprises, in the UK (primarily in the North West of England and South West of Scotland), four related activities - animal feed manufacture, fertiliser blending, agricultural retailing and oil distribution - and, in the USA and Germany, animal feed manufacture. Operating profit (before retirement benefit charge) of £2.57m (2006: £2.61m) was achieved on a revenue of £81.89m (2006: £80.46m). United Kingdom Agriculture's UK market place was even more challenging than last year. This reflected the continuance of a low farm gate milk price (with farmers receiving as little as 17 pence per litre during the period), high energy costs, and over-capacity in the animal feed market in the Group's trading area. Additionally, the high wheat prices impacted animal feed margins, as some of the cost increase could not immediately be passed on to customers, few of whom are arable farmers. In England, farmers experienced delays in receipt of the Single Farm Payment subsidy, albeit not as severe as in the previous year, causing uncertainty in their cash flow. The Group's low moisture feed block business in the UK is Caltech, with a plant at Silloth (Cumbria). This successful business traded well across the full product range and benefited from the launch of a trialled health product, Garlyx, for ruminant animals and the equine market. The Group's principal compound and blended feed block business in the UK is Carrs Billington Agriculture, in association with Edward Billington & Sons Limited. This business has four compound feed mills - at Carlisle (Cumbria), Lancaster (Lancashire), Langwathby (Cumbria) and Stone (Staffordshire) - and three blended feed mills - at Askrigg (North Yorkshire), Kirkbride (Cumbria) and Lancaster. In the period, Carrs Billington Agriculture increased sales and market share through service and product innovation. In November 2006, Afgritech, a 50:50 joint venture with Afgri Operations, one of the largest South African agriculture companies, launched AminoMaxTM, a patented innovative rumen bypass protein for feeding to cattle and sheep, produced at the Langwathby mill. Initially available only to customers of Carrs Billington Agriculture, Afgritech has assisted in winning new customers for the Group. Work is ongoing to extend the sale of AminomaxTM to the USA animal feed market. Bibby Agriculture is a joint venture company, 50% owned by Carrs Billington Agriculture (Sales). It was formed in 2005 to sell animal feed manufactured by its shareholders, fertiliser and other farming supplies in Wales and bordering counties. In the period, Bibby Agriculture traded well, ahead of budget. The Autumn sales of fertiliser from the three manufacturing and blending plants, at Invergordon (Easter Ross), Montrose (Angus) and Silloth (Cumbria), producing a wide range of fertilisers, were lower than last year. In the first half, revenue and margins declined, ahead of the March/April peak selling period, reflecting farmers' cautious approach to market conditions. Carr's agricultural retailing comprises 14 branches from Perth in the North to Leek (Staffordshire) in the South, selling farm supplies. Carr's Machinery distributes new and used agricultural and ground care machinery from six of these branches, in the North of England and the South West of Scotland. In the period, sales of farm inputs, machinery and parts exceeded budget. Wallace Oils, which was acquired in April 2005, supplies oils and lubricants to a broad customer base out of three depots, located at Carlisle, Dumfries and Stranraer, the latter two in Dumfries and Galloway. In the period, the oil business exceeded budget despite severe competition and the milder weather. In January 2007, the entire share capital of Johnstone Fuels and Lubricants Limited was acquired; Johnstone Fuels is an oil distribution business with three depots, at Dumfries, Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart, all of them in Dumfries and Galloway. In the year ended 30 April 2006, Johnstone Fuels reported an audited turnover of £13.5m and at that date it had shareholders' funds of approximately £0.9m. The integration of the Johnstone Fuels and Wallace Oils businesses is progressing well and it is planned to combine the two depots at Dumfries. Overseas The Group's principal overseas business is the wholly-owned Animal Feed Supplement Inc., which produces low moisture feed block at two plants in the USA, at Belle Fourche (South Dakota) and Poteau (Oklahoma). In the period, Animal Feed Supplement traded strongly, with sales volumes up 14% on last year. In January 2006, Crystalyx Products GmbH, a 50:50 joint venture with Agravis, one of Germany's largest agricultural companies, commissioned a new low moisture animal feed plant to manufacture Crystalyx in Oldenburg, North West Germany for the domestic market. In the period, Crystalyx Products traded ahead of expectations and expanded its market base with sales into Eastern Europe. Food Carr's principal food companies are the flour millers: Carr's Flour Mills at Silloth (Cumbria), Hutchisons at Kirkcaldy (Fife) and Greens at Maldon (Essex). Operating profit (before retirement benefit charge) of £0.92m (2006: £1.70m) was achieved on a revenue of £25.14m (2006: £24.53m). The feature of the period was the rapid and massive increase in wheat prices, with year-on-year prices higher by approximately £30/tonne or 40%. This rise in price was a global trend driven partly by a disastrous harvest in Australia and increased demand for cereals in the bio-fuel industry. Energy costs were also significantly higher than the previous year, with the last of the mills moving to a higher cost contract. In a highly competitive market, the flour industry has so far been unsuccessful in its attempt to pass on to customers the full cost of these increases, resulting in a significant deterioration in flour margins. Engineering Engineering comprises Bendalls and R Hind, both of which are based in Carlisle, and Carrs MSM, which is based in Swindon. Bendalls, whose specialism is precision welding, designs and manufactures process plant and equipment; R Hind provides vehicle bodybuilding and accident repairs for cars and commercial vehicles; and Carrs MSM designs and manufactures master slave manipulators, which are key components for many industries but notably the nuclear industry. Operating profit (before retirement benefit charge) of £0.59m (2006: £0.59m) was achieved on a revenue of £3.87m (2006: £5.32m). In the period, Engineering traded solidly, albeit with reduced revenue and with profit similar to the strong comparator period. The build-up of work on nuclear decommissioning for British Nuclear Group in West Cumbria is slow as the time from quotation to order is long. In the period, Bendalls completed its fabrication for the SeaGen next generation tidal energy device for installation in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland later this year. OUTLOOK Agriculture Market conditions are tough and the Division has traded well to achieve these results in the first half year. We do not expect to see much change in trading conditions for the remainder of 2007. However, development of the AminomaxTM product in the UK and the USA, and expansion of our market for Crystalyx in mainland Europe, is expected to achieve growth in the years ahead. Food The flour market remains highly competitive. Carrs Flour Mills is continuing to cut costs where this can be achieved without affecting the high quality of its products or service. Engineering The order book across the three businesses has improved in recent months, albeit that Bendalls will have a lower activity level in the third quarter. The result for the year is expected to be similar to 2006, which returned an enhanced performance over previous years. Overall Trading in our markets presents many challenges, but in the past the Group has succeeded in combating adverse conditions and achieving growth. Following the trading statement on 14 February 2007, the Company is trading in line with the market's expectations. Richard Inglewood Chairman 23 April 2007 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT for the 26 weeks ended 3 March 2007 26 weeks ended 26 weeks ended 52 weeks ended 3 March 4 March 2 September 2007 2006 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Continuing operations Revenue 110,970 110,388 242,576 Net operating expenses (107,632) (106,143) (235,460) Group operating profit 3,338 4,245 7,116 Analysed as: Operating profit before 3,540 4,719 7,987 non-recurring items and amortisation Non-recurring items and (202) (474) (871) amortisation Group operating profit 3,338 4,245 7,116 Interest receivable and similar 216 92 384 income Interest payable and similar (658) (671) (1,395) charges Share of post-tax profit in 669 299 218 associate and joint ventures Profit before taxation 3,565 3,965 6,323 Taxation (902) (1,130) (1,989) Profit for the period 2,663 2,835 4,334 Profit/(loss) attributable to 140 (14) 139 minority interest Profit attributable to equity 2,523 2,849 4,195 shareholders 2,663 2,835 4,334 Dividend per share (pence) Paid 12.5 11.0 16.5 Proposed 5.5 5.5 12.5 Earnings per share (pence) Basic 30.6 34.7 51.0 Diluted 30.1 34.3 50.4 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE for the 26 weeks ended 3 March 2007 26 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks ended ended ended 3 March 4 March 2 September 2007 2006 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Foreign exchange translation differences arising on translation of overseas (38) 153 (150) subsidiaries Actuarial (losses)/gains on retirement benefit obligation: - Group - (972) (3,900) - Share of associate - - 206 Taxation credit/(charge) on actuarial movement on retirement benefit obligation: - Group - 292 1,170 - Share of associate - - (62) Net expenses recognised directly in equity (38) (527) (2,736) Profit for the period 2,663 2,835 4,334 Total recognised income for the 2,625 2,308 1,598 period Attributable to minority interest 140 (14) 139 Attributable to equity 2,485 2,322 1,459 shareholders 2,625 2,308 1,598 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at 3 March 2007 As at As at As at 3 March 4 March 2 September 2007 2006 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Assets Non-current assets Goodwill 845 155 235 Other intangible assets 835 1,249 802 Property, plant and equipment 29,145 29,288 29,172 Investment property 766 818 794 Investment in associate 1,487 1,092 982 Interest in joint ventures 869 863 704 Other investments 254 255 254 Financial assets - Derivative financial 96 7 37 instruments - Non-current receivables 101 216 208 Deferred tax assets 5,061 4,286 5,162 39,459 38,229 38,350 Current assets Inventories 18,551 19,365 11,944 Trade and other receivables 38,729 39,787 33,546 Current tax assets 4 1 1 Cash and cash equivalents 716 94 2,292 58,000 59,247 47,783 Total assets 97,459 97,476 86,133 Liabilities Current liabilities Financial liabilities - Borrowings (12,408) (15,131) (9,682) - Derivative financial (1) - (27) instruments Trade and other payables (32,677) (31,959) (25,387) Current tax liabilities (1,564) (1,773) (1,324) (46,650) (48,863) (36,420) Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities - Borrowings (6,361) (6,641) (6,512) - Derivative financial - (33) - instruments Retirement benefit obligation (15,137) (12,905) (15,796) Deferred tax liabilities (3,647) (3,712) (3,600) Other non-current liabilities (1,787) (1,550) (1,524) (26,932) (24,841) (27,432) Total liabilities (73,582) (73,704) (63,852) Net assets 23,877 23,772 22,281 Shareholders' equity Ordinary shares 1,963 2,058 2,058 Share premium 5,073 5,004 5,004 Equity compensation reserve 46 - 22 Foreign exchange reserve (268) 73 (230) Other reserve 1,586 1,616 1,601 Retained earnings 13,401 13,325 11,895 Total shareholders' equity 21,801 22,076 20,350 Minority interests in equity 2,076 1,696 1,931 Total equity 23,877 23,772 22,281 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the 26 weeks ended 3 March 2007 26 weeks ended 26 weeks ended 52 weeks ended 3 March 4 March 2 September 2007 2006 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from/(used by) 585 (1,579) 11,069 operations Interest received 204 233 379 Interest paid (574) (888) (1,755) Tax paid (724) (1,011) (2,454) Net cash (used by)/generated from (509) (3,245) 7,239 operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of subsidiaries (net (1,049) - (3) of cash acquired) Investment in joint ventures - (685) (710) Net payment of loans to joint (90) - (280) ventures Receipt of non-current receivable 100 - - Purchase of intangible assets (5) - (9) Proceeds from sale of property, 139 111 192 plant and equipment Purchase of property, plant and (1,275) (1,488) (2,901) equipment Proceeds from sale of investments - - 1 Net cash used by investing (2,180) (2,062) (3,710) activities Cash flows from financing activities Net proceeds from issue of 75 32 32 ordinary share capital Net purchase of own shares held (101) - - in trust Net proceeds from issue of new 1,500 1,500 - bank loans and other borrowings Finance lease principal (486) (529) (1,047) repayments Repayment of borrowings (2,069) (618) (2,487) Dividends paid to shareholders (1,032) (905) (1,358) Net cash used by financing (2,113) (520) (4,860) activities Effects of exchange rate changes 3 36 (88) Net decrease in cash and cash (4,799) (5,791) (1,419) equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 1,084 2,503 2,503 beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents at end (3,715) (3,288) 1,084 of the period Cash and cash equivalents consists of: Cash and cash equivalents per the 716 94 2,292 balance sheet Bank overdrafts included in (4,431) (3,382) (1,208) borrowings (3,715) (3,288) 1,084 NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL RESULTS 1. Basis of preparation The financial information for the 26 weeks to 3 March 2007 does not constitute statutory accounts for the purposes of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 and has not been audited. No statutory accounts for the period have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The financial information in respect of the 52 weeks ended 2 September 2006 has been produced using extracts from the statutory accounts for this period. Consequently, this does not constitute the statutory information for the 52 weeks ended 2 September 2006, which was audited. The statutory accounts for this period have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under sections 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The annual financial statements of the Group, for the 52 weeks to 1 September 2007, will be prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted for use in the EU ('IFRS'). This Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority. The Group has chosen not to adopt IAS34, 'Interim financial statements', in preparing its 2007 interim statements. The directors approved the Interim Report on 23 April 2007. The interim financial information has been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for certain assets, which are held at deemed cost and derivative financial instruments and share-based payments, which are included at fair value. 2. Accounting policies The accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial information for the 26 weeks to 3 March 2007 have been consistently applied to all the periods presented and are set out in full in the Group's financial statements for the 52 weeks ended 2 September 2006. A copy of these financial statements is available from the Company's registered office at Old Croft, Stanwix, Carlisle, CA3 9BA. 3. Segmental information The segment results for the 26 weeks to 3 March 2007 are as follows: +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ | |Agriculture| Food|Engineering| Other| Group| | | £'000| £'000| £'000| £'000| £'000| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Total gross segment | 82,044| 25,142| 3,924| 79| 111,189| |revenue | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Inter-segment revenue| (157)| (7)| (55)| -| (219)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Revenue | 81,887| 25,135| 3,869| 79| 110,970| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Operating profit/ | | | | | | |(loss) before | 2,565| 919| 586| (112)| 3,958| |retirement benefit | | | | | | |charge | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Analysed as: | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Before non-recurring | | | | | | |items and | 2,608| 1,078| 586| (112)| 4,160| |amortisation | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Non-recurring items | | | | | | |and amortisation | (43)| (159)| -| -| (202)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ | | 2,565| 919| 586| (112)| 3,958| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Retirement benefit | | | | | (620)| |charge | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Net finance costs | | | | | (442)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | | | |profit of associate | | | | | 506| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | | | |profit of joint | | | | | 163| |ventures | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Profit before | | | | | 3,565| |taxation | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Taxation | | | | | (902)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Profit for the period| | | | | 2,663| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ The segment results for the 26 weeks to 4 March 2006 are as follows: +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ | |Agriculture| Food|Engineering| Other| Group| | | £'000| £'000| £'000| £'000| £'000| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Total gross segment | 80,611| 24,532| 5,366| 71| 110,580| |revenue | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Inter-segment revenue| (147)| (1)| (44)| -| (192)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Revenue | 80,464| 24,531| 5,322| 71| 110,388| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Operating profit/ | | | | | | |(loss) before | 2,614| 1,696| 590| (179)| 4,721| |retirement benefit | | | | | | |charge | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Analysed as: | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Before non-recurring | | | | | | |items and | 2,675| 2,109| 590| (179)| 5,195| |amortisation | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Non-recurring items | | | | | | |and amortisation | (61)| (413)| -| -| (474)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ | | 2,614| 1,696| 590| (179)| 4,721| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Retirement benefit | | | | | (476)| |charge | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Net finance costs | | | | | (579)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | | | |profit of associate | | | | | 293| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | | | |profit of joint | | | | | 6| |ventures | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Profit before | | | | | 3,965| |taxation | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Taxation | | | | | (1,130)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Profit for the period| | | | | 2,835| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ The segment results for the 52 weeks to 2 September 2006 are as follows: +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ | |Agriculture| Food|Engineering| Other| Group| | | £'000| £'000| £'000| £'000| £'000| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Total gross segment | 174,793| 55,703| 12,345| 213| 243,054| |revenue | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Inter-segment revenue| (301)| (3)| (174)| -| (478)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Revenue | 174,492| 55,700| 12,171| 213| 242,576| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Operating profit/ | | | | | | |(loss) before | 4,954| 2,506| 1,055| (325)| 8,190| |retirement benefit | | | | | | |charge | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Analysed as: | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Before non-recurring | | | | | | |items and | 4,998| 3,333| 1,055| (325)| 9,061| |amortisation | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Non-recurring items | | | | | | |and amortisation | (44)| (827)| -| -| (871)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ | | 4,954| 2,506| 1,055| (325)| 8,190| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Retirement benefit | | | | | (1,074)| |charge | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Net finance costs | | | | | (1,011)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | | | |profit of associate | | | | | 393| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | | | |loss of joint | | | | | (175)| |ventures | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Profit before | | | | | 6,323| |taxation | | | | | | +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Taxation | | | | | (1,989)| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ |Profit for the period| | | | | 4,334| +---------------------+-----------+-------+-----------+-------+--------+ 4. Taxation The tax charges for the 26 weeks ended 3 March 2007 and 4 March 2006 are based on the estimated tax charge for the applicable year. 5. Adjusted operating and pre-tax profit +---------------------------------+-------------------------------+ | | 26 weeks ended| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ | | 3 March 2007| 4 March 2006| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ | | £'000| £'000| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Reported group operating profit | 3,338| 4,245| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Amortisation of intangible assets| 202| 474| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Operating profit before | 3,540| 4,719| |non-recurring | | | |items and amortisation | | | +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Share of operating profit in | 1,009| 548| |associate and joint ventures | | | +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Adjusted operating profit | 4,549| 5,267| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Net finance costs - group | (442)| (579)| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Net finance costs - associate and| | | |joint ventures | (101)| (120)| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ |Adjusted pre-tax profit | 4,006| 4,568| +---------------------------------+-------------+-----------------+ 6. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings attributable to shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. The adjusted earnings per share figures have been calculated in addition to the earnings per share required by IAS33 - 'Earnings per Share' and is based on earnings excluding the effect of non-recurring items and amortisation. It has been calculated to allow the shareholders to gain an understanding of the underlying performance of the Group. Details of the adjusted earnings per share are set out below: +-----------------------------------+-------------------------+----------------+ | |26 weeks ended |52 weeks ended | | +------------+------------+----------------+ | |3 March 2007|4 March 2006|2 September 2006| | |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Earnings |2,523 |2,849 |4,195 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Non-recurring items and intangible | | | | |asset amortisation: | | | | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Immediate recognition of negative | | | | |goodwill |- |- |(77) | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Amortisation of intangible assets |202 |474 |948 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Amortisation of intangible asset | | | | |and impairment of goodwill | | | | |recognised in joint ventures, net | | | | |of tax |13 |- |129 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Taxation arising on non-recurring | | | | |items and amortisation |(61) |(142) |(284) | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Adjusted earnings |2,677 |3,181 |4,911 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Weighted average number of | | | | |ordinary shares in issue |8,244,122 |8,221,079 |8,227,329 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ |Potentially dilutive share options |150,206 |96,172 |101,237 | +-----------------------------------+------------+------------+----------------+ +----------------------------------+-------------+------------+----------------+ | |8,394,328 |8,317,251 |8,328,566 | +----------------------------------+-------------+------------+----------------+ +----------------------------------+-------------+------------+----------------+ |Basic earnings per share |30.6p |34.7p |51.0p | +----------------------------------+-------------+------------+----------------+ |Diluted earnings per share |30.1p |34.3p |50.4p | +----------------------------------+-------------+------------+----------------+ |Adjusted earnings per share |32.5p |38.7p |59.7p | +----------------------------------+-------------+------------+----------------+ 7. Dividends +---------------------------------------+-----------------------+--------------+ | |26 weeks ended |52 weeks ended| | +-----------+-----------+--------------+ | |3 March |4 March |2 September | | |2007 |2006 |2006 | | |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 | +---------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+ |Ordinary: Final dividend of 12.5p per | | | | |share |1,032 |905 |905 | |(2006: 11.0p) | | | | +---------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+ |Ordinary: Interim dividend of 5.5p per |- |- |453 | |share | | | | +---------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+ +---------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+ | |1,032 |905 |1,358 | +---------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+ The directors have approved an interim dividend of 5.5p per share (2006: 5.5p per share), which, in line with the requirements of IAS10 - 'Events after the Balance Sheet Date', has not been recognised within these results. This results in an interim dividend of £454,113 (2006: £453,000), which will be paid on 31 May 2007 to shareholders whose names are on the Register of Members at the close of business on 4 May 2007. The ordinary shares will be quoted ex-dividend on 2 May 2007. 8. Changes in shareholders' equity +--------------+---------------------------------------------------------------------+--------+-------+ | |Attributable to Equity Holders of the Company | | | | | | | | | | |Minority| | | | |Interest|Total | | | |£'000 |£'000 | | +-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+ | | | | |Share |Equity |Foreign | | |Total | | | | |Share |Premium|Compensation|Exchange|Other |Retained|Shareholders'| | | | |Capital|Account|Reserve |Reserve |Reserves|Earnings|Equity | | | | |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 | | | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |At 3 September|2,058 |5,004 |22 |(230) |1,601 |11,895 |20,350 |1,931 |22,281 | |2006 | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |Total | | | | | | | | | | |recognised |- |- |- |(38) |- |2,523 |2,485 |140 |2,625 | |income and | | | | | | | | | | |expense for | | | | | | | | | | |the period | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |Dividends |- |- |- |- |- |(1,032) |(1,032) |- |(1,032)| +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |Equity-settled| | | | | | | | | | |share-based | | | | | | | | | | |payment |- |- |24 |- |- |- |24 |5 |29 | |transactions, | | | | | | | | | | |net | | | | | | | | | | |of tax | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |Share issues |6 |69 |- |- |- |- |75 |- |75 | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |Purchase of | | | | | | | | | | |shares held in|(101) |- |- |- |- |- |(101) |- |(101) | |trust | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |Transfer |- |- |- |- |(15) |15 |- |- |- | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ |At 3 March |1,963 |5,073 |46 |(268) |1,586 |13,401 |21,801 |2,076 |23,877 | |2007 | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+-------+-------+------------+--------+--------+--------+-------------+--------+-------+ 9. Cash flow generated from/(used by) operating activities +------------------------+-----------------------------+-----------------+ | | 26 weeks ended | 52 weeks ended | | +------------+----------------+-----------------+ | |3 March 2007|4 March 2006 |2 September 2006 | | |£'000 |£'000 | £'000 | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Net profit |2,663 |2,835 | 4,334 | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Adjustments for: | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Tax |902 |1,130 | 1,989 | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Depreciation |1,807 |1,661 | 3,419 | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |(Profit)/loss on | | | | |disposal of property, |(67) |(14) |27 | |plant and equipment | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Profit on disposal of |- |- |(1) | |investments | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Immediate recognition of| | | | |negative |- |- |(77) | |goodwill | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Intangible asset |221 |490 |986 | |amortisation | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Net fair value (gains)/ | | | | |losses on |(26) |(80) |27 | |derivative financial | | | | |instruments in | | | | |operating profit | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Net fair value loss on | | | | |share-based |29 |- |27 | |payments | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Net foreign exchange |(16) |- |14 | |differences | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Interest income |(214) |(92) |(378) | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Interest expense and | | | | |borrowing |718 |675 |1,539 | |costs | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Net fair value gains on | | | | |derivative |(59) |- |(143) | |financial instruments in| | | | |interest | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Share of post-tax | | | | |profits from |(669) |(299) |(218) | |associate and joint | | | | |ventures | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ | | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Changes in working | | | | |capital | | | | |(excluding the effects | | | | |of acquisitions): | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |(Increase)/decrease in |(6,436) |(6,418) |1,003 | |inventories | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |(Increase)/decrease in |(3,564) |(4,725) |1,903 | |receivables | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Increase/(decrease) in |5,296 |3,258 |(3,382) | |payables | | | | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ |Cash generated from/ | | | | |(used by) | | | | |continuing operations |585 |(1,579) |11,069 | +------------------------+------------+----------------+-----------------+ 10 Acquisition On 8 January 2007, Carrs Billington Agriculture (Sales) Limited acquired the entire issued share capital of Johnstone Fuels and Lubricants Limited for a total consideration of £1,735,000. The total provisional adjustments required to the book value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired company in order to present the net assets at fair values and in accordance with group accounting principles were £175,000, details of which are set out below, together with the resultant amount of goodwill arising. From the date of acquisition to 3 March 2007, the acquisition contributed £2,006,000 to revenue and £53,000 to profit before interest. The acquired company utilised £137,000 of the Group's net operating cash flows, £77,000 for capital expenditure, and contributed £1,000 in respect of interest. In its last financial year to 30 April 2006, Johnstone Fuels and Lubricants Limited made an audited profit after tax of £217,000. For the period since that date to the date of acquisition, the management accounts of Johnstone Fuels and Lubricants Limited show: +-----------------------------------+-------------+ | | | | |£'000 | +-----------------------------------+-------------+ |Revenue |8,106 | +-----------------------------------+-------------+ |Operating profit |138 | +-----------------------------------+-------------+ |Profit before taxation |130 | +-----------------------------------+-------------+ |Taxation |(39) | +-----------------------------------+-------------+ |Profit attributable to shareholders|91 | +-----------------------------------+-------------+ +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ | |Book |Intangible |Provisional | | |Value |Assets |Fair value | | |£'000 |£'000 |£'000 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Intangible assets |- |250 |250 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Property, plant and equipment |315 |- |315 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Inventories |171 |- |171 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Trade and other receivables |1,512 |- |1,512 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Cash and cash equivalents |686 |- |686 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Current borrowings |(44) |- |(44) | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Trade and other payables |(1,467) |- |(1,467) | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Current tax liabilities |(94) |- |(94) | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Non-current borrowings |(96) |- |(96) | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Deferred tax liabilities |(33) |(75) |(108) | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Net assets acquired |950 |175 |1,125 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Goodwill | | |610 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Consideration | | |1,735 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Consideration satisfied by: | | | | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Cash | | |1,700 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ |Acquisition expenses | | |35 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ | | | |1,735 | +--------------------------------+---------+-----------+--------------+ The book values of assets and liabilities have been taken from the management accounts of Johnstone Fuels and Lubricants Limited at 8 January 2007 (the date of acquisition). The above fair values are provisional and will be finalised in the full year financial statements when the detailed acquisition investigation has been completed. 11 Analysis of net debt +----------------------------+---------------------------+---------------+ | | At | At | | +------------+--------------+---------------+ | |3 March 2007|4 March 2006 |2 September | | |£'000 |£'000 |2006 | | | | |£'000 | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ |Cash and cash equivalents |716 |94 | 2,292 | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ |Bank overdrafts |(4,431) |(3,382) | (1,208) | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ |Loans and other | | | | |borrowings: current |(7,315) |(10,753) | (7,634) | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ |Loans and other | | | | |borrowings: non-current |(5,394) |(5,887) | (5,640) | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ |Finance leases: current |(662) |(996) | (840) | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ |Finance leases: non-current |(967) |(754) | (872) | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ | |(18,053) |(21,678) | (13,902) | +----------------------------+------------+--------------+---------------+ 12 This Interim Report will be sent by post to all registered shareholders. Copies are also available to the public from the Company's registered office: Old Croft, Stanwix, Carlisle, CA3 9BA, or at www.carrs-milling.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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