Final Results
Anglo Pacific Group PLC
28 February 2007
Anglo Pacific Group PLC
Preliminary Results 2006
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
Anglo Pacific Group PLC (APG), the natural resources royalties company, today
announces record preliminary results for the year ended 31st December 2006.
Financial Highlights
• Cash and strategic investments increase by 93% to £77.2 million (2005:
£39.9 million)
• Realised profits from mature mining interests increased by 102% to
£13.3 million (2005: £6.6 million)
• Earnings increased by 34% to 19.12p per share (2005: 14.31p)
• Proposed final dividend increased by 15% to 3.75p per share (2005: 3.25p)
• Total dividend for the year increased by 15% to 6.35p (2005: 5.50p)
• Profit before tax increased 30% to £22,109,000 (2005: £16,944,000)
• Coal royalties for the year of £10.5 million (2005: £11.5 million)
• Australian coal royalty independent valuation of £47.9 million
Operational Highlights
• Increased cash position
• Major expansion and increase in values of uranium projects
• Coking coal prices expected to remain buoyant
• Progress with Core Resources in Australia
• Coal tenancies in British Columbia increased
• Access delays at Groundhog joint venture drilling
Commenting on the Preliminary Results, Peter Boycott, Chairman of Anglo Pacific
Group PLC said:
'2006 has been another record year for Anglo Pacific Group. Strong royalty
receipts and record realised profits from mining interests have enabled the
Group to pay increased dividends to shareholders. The Group has increased its
exposure to uranium, gold and base metals whilst maintaining a higher level of
cash reserves than in previous years.
The Group's strategy remains to expand its royalty interests organically or by
acquisition. The Board expects the continuing expansion of the economies of
China, India and the Far East to sustain demand for base metals, coking coal and
energy products including uranium.'
Enquiries:
Brian Wides / Peter Boycott / Matthew Tack Anglo Pacific Group PLC
020 7318 6360
Stephen Scott / James Harris / James O'Shaughnessy Scott Harris
020 7653 0030
Website www.anglopacificgroup.com
Anglo Pacific Group PLC
Preliminary Results 2006
CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW
In 2006 many metal prices and selected mining markets rose substantially due to
the continued expansion of the world economy. Worldwide interest rates also rose
steadily on account of increased inflation fears due to higher energy and
commodity prices.
In recent months, however, these pressures appear to be easing due to the
decline in oil and some industrial metal prices, although these are still at
historically high levels. The gold price has remained buoyant mainly due to
currency worries, whilst the price of uranium has continued to rise to record
levels reflecting supply shortages and concern about future energy sources.
It is against this macroeconomic background that the Group in 2006 realised
substantial profits on some of its mature mining interests whilst further
increasing its exposure to uranium, base metals and gold. In Australia royalty
receipts remained buoyant during the year.
Realised capital gains for 2006 were a record £13.3 million whilst earnings of
19.12p and total dividends of 6.35p per share for the year were also at record
levels.
In addition to its royalty and other private coal interests, at 31st December
2006 the Group had over £77 million of cash and investments compared to £40
million a year ago and borrowings of £1 million six years ago.
This overall performance reflects the Group's successful continuing active
management of its mining interests.
Strategy and Progress
Anglo Pacific Group has three main components to its strategy :-
• To expand its strategic mining interests to maximise shareholder value.
• To expand its royalty interests by acquisition and by actively adding
value to its mining projects.
• To continue to pay a substantial proportion of its royalties as dividends
to shareholders.
Progress in achieving these goals is evidenced by the 15% increase in dividends
and the 93% rise in the value of cash and other mining interests. Moreover,
strategic stakes in the Group's main mining projects involve corporate support
and influence that are intended to lead to a substantial share of the cashflow
or royalties arising from future mining operations.
The Group maintains its active, merchant banking approach to each project by
providing specific business and financial support to management. This creates
more opportunities within projects whilst at the same time reducing the risks
associated with these mining ventures. Greater liquidity at the year end will
enable the Group to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
The increased value of strategic stakes in companies such as Platinum Australia,
Energy Metals Corporation, Omegacorp, Aquiline Resources and Indo Mines is
compelling evidence of this supportive approach to mining projects.
The London Stock Exchange now requires that quoted companies annually publish a
schedule of all their worldwide market announcements relating to disclosable
equity stakes. Almost all the Group's equity interests are listed on either the
LSE, TSXV or ASX where initial equity stake disclosure levels are 3%, 10% and 5%
respectively. For access to these announcements shareholders should refer to the
Group's website at www.anglopacificgroup.com.
Management
The Group has taken significant steps during the year to strengthen its Board.
Mr Matthew Tack was appointed Finance Director of the Company on 5th July 2006.
Mr Tack is a Chartered Accountant (Australia) who joined the Company as Group
Financial Controller in July 2004 and remains Group Company Secretary.
Mr Michael Atkinson, a previous Chairman of British Coal, was appointed
non-executive director on 9th February 2006.
Both of these appointments are welcome and useful additions to the Board.
Following these appointments, Mr Brian Wides has been appointed Chief Executive.
Mr Henry Michaelis, who resigned for health reasons on 20th June 2005, died of
cancer on 22nd October 2006 after a long illness. The Board wishes again to
record the thanks it owes to Mr Michaelis for his hard work and major
contribution to the development of the Group during the eight years that he was
a member of the Board.
Outlook
The Board, whilst expecting steady royalty flows in 2007, is optimistic about
the ability of its other strategic mining interests to produce further asset
appreciation and potential new royalty flows.
Finally, I wish to thank shareholders for their continued support, and the
directors and staff for another record set of results.
P.M. BOYCOTT
Chairman
28th February 2007
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Royalty income 10,472 11,479
Other operating income 266 91
Profit on sale of mining and exploration interests 13,322 6,626
Finance income 232 188
-------- --------
24,292 18,384
-------- --------
Net operating expenses (2,183) (1,440)
-------- --------
Profit before tax 22,109 16,944
Tax (2,811) (3,078)
-------- --------
Profit attributable to equity holders 19,298 13,866
======== ========
Basic earnings per share 19.12p 14.31p
-------- --------
Fully diluted earnings per share 19.11p 14.21p
-------- --------
Turnover and profit before tax are derived from the Group's continuing
operations.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property plant and equipment 838 847
Coal royalties 47,868 56,715
Mining and exploration interests 67,317 34,135
-------- --------
116,023 91,697
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 1,834 2,548
Cash at bank 9,836 5,797
-------- --------
11,670 8,345
-------- --------
Total assets 127,693 100,042
======== ========
Current liabilities
Taxation 1,414 1,386
Trade and other payables 255 595
-------- --------
1,669 1,981
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax 12,798 13,713
-------- --------
12,798 13,713
-------- --------
Total liabilities 14,467 15,694
-------- --------
Capital and reserves attributable to shareholders
Share capital 2,032 2,005
Share premium 12,112 11,338
Coal royalty revaluation reserve 33,879 42,017
Investment revaluation reserve 28,785 5,505
Share based payment reserve 27 12
Foreign currency translation reserve (381) 478
Special reserve 632 632
Retained Earnings 36,140 22,361
-------- --------
113,226 84,348
-------- --------
Total equity and liabilities 127,693 100,042
======== ========
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
Share Share Coal Investment Share Foreign Special Retained Total
capital premium royalty revaluation based currency reserve earnings equity
revaluation reserve payment translation
reserve reserve reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 1st
January 2005 1,891 4,741 42,964 7,805 2 164 632 11,910 70,109
Changes in equity for
2005
Coal Royalties:
Royalties valuation
movement taken to equity - - (933) - - - - - (933)
Deferred tax on valuation - - (14) - - - - - (14)
Available-for-sale
investments:
Valuation movement taken
to equity - - - 879 - 154 - - 1,033
Transferred to income
statement on disposal - - - (3,179) - - - - (3,179)
Foreign currency
translation - - - - - 160 - - 160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net expense recognised
direct into equity - - (947) (2,300) - 314 - - (2,933)
Profit for the period - - - - - - - 13,866 13,866
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognised income
and expenses - - (947) (2,300) - 314 - 13,866 10,933
Dividends - - - - - - - (3,415) (3,415)
Issue of share capital 94 5,640 - - - - - - 5,734
Scrip Dividend 20 957 - - - - - - 977
Equity share options
issued - - - - 10 - - - 10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 1st January
2006 2,005 11,338 42,017 5,505 12 478 632 22,361 84,348
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in equity for
2006
Coal Royalties:
Royalties valuation
movement taken to equity - - (8,847) - - - - - (8,847)
Deferred tax on valuation - - 709 - - - - - 709
Available-for-sale
investments:
Valuation movement taken
to equity - - - 28,349 - (575) - - 27,774
Transferred to income
statement on disposal - - - (5,069) - - - - (5,069)
Foreign currency
translation - - - - - (284) - - (284)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income recognised
direct into equity - - (8,138) 23,280 - (859) - - 14,283
Profit for the period - - - - - - - 19,298 19,298
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognised income
and expenses - - (8,138) 23,280 - (859) - 19,298 33,581
Dividends - - - - - - - (5,519) (5,519)
Scrip Dividend 9 580 - - - - - - 589
Issue of share capital
on exercise of options 18 194 - - - - - - 212
Equity share options
issued - - - - 15 - - - 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 31st December
2006 2,032 12,112 33,879 28,785 27 (381) 632 36,140 113,226
==============================================================================================
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
Group
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Cashflows from operating activities
Profit before taxation 22,109 16,944
Adjustments for:
Interest received (232) (188)
Unrealised foreign currency (gain) / loss (284) 160
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 10 9
(Gain) on disposal of mining and exploration interests (13,322) (6,626)
Share based payments 15 10
-------- --------
8,296 10,309
Decrease / (Increase) in trade and other receivables 715 (406)
(Decrease) / Increase in trade and other payables (340) 166
-------- --------
Cash generated from operations 8,671 10,069
Income taxes paid (2,990) (1,738)
-------- --------
Net cash from operating activities 5,681 8,331
-------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of mining and exploration interests 30,024 11,276
Purchase of mining and exploration interests (27,180) (20,744)
Interest received 232 188
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities 3,076 (9,280)
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital 212 5,734
Dividends paid (4,930) (2,440)
-------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities (4,718) 3,294
-------- --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,039 2,345
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 5,797 3,452
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 9,836 5,797
======== ========
NOTES
1. Earnings per ordinary share is calculated on the Group's profit
after tax of £19,298,000 (2005: £13,866,000) and the weighted average number of
shares in issue during the year of 100,949,018 (2005: 96,892,627).
The diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated on a profit after tax of
£19,298,000 (2005: £13,866,000) and 100,963,278 shares (2005: 97,612,472). The
dilutive effect is due to options outstanding under the Employee Share Option
Scheme at the year end.
2. The above figures do not constitute full accounts within the
meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The figures for the year ended
31st December 2005 constitute abridged accounts extracted from the published
accounts for the year which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and
on which the auditors' report was unqualified and did not contain a statement
under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The audit opinion on the
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2006 has not yet been signed.
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