Half-year Report

EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC
17 September 2024
 

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc

("EKF", the "Company", or the "Group")

 

Half-year Report

 

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM-listed global diagnostics business, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 ("H1 2024"), a period showing strong improvement in gross margins, earnings growth and cash generation, in-line with management expectations.

 

Guidance for the full year performance remains unchanged from the 24 July 2024 Trading Update.

 

In 2023 EKF focussed on simplifying its business around key product lines within its two divisions, Point-of-Care and Life Sciences, as well as reducing and stabilising its cost base. The first half has seen the results of these efforts as the Company successfully focussed on its higher margin product ranges and core operations, with benefits continuing into the second half.

 

Financial highlights

 

Revenue from continuing operations of £25.2m (H1 2023: £26.9m)

 

- Reflecting winding down of non-core and low margin product lines and services

- Revenues (excluding COVID-related and clinical chemistry sales) of £24.5m (H1 2023: £24.4m)

Gross profit of £12.1m (H1 2023: £11.8m)

Gross margins further improved to 48% (H1 2023: 44%; FY 2023: 45%)

Adjusted EBITDA* up 22.7% to £5.4m (H1 2023: £4.4m)

Profit before tax of £3.1m (H1 2023: loss before tax of £0.03m)

Net cash generated from operations of £7.9m (H1 2023: £2.5m) including effect of £2.1m US tax refund

Cash and cash equivalents net of bank borrowing as at 30 June 2024 of £9.8m (30 June 2023: £9.1m; 31 December 2023: £4.7m)

- Revolving credit facility of £3.0m repaid in full

- £2.2m held by EKF's Russian subsidiary and subject to regulatory restrictions (30 June 2023: £2.4m; 31 December 2023: £1.7m), with £0.3m in further dividends received in the period


* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation adjusted for exceptional items and share-based payments

 

Operational highlights

 

Business division revenues:

 

- Point-of-Care: £15.2m (H1 2023: £15.6m)

- Life Sciences: £8.6m (H1 2023: £8.1m)

- Other: £0.7m (H1 2023: £0.7m)

- Other (products being phased out): £0.7m (H1 2023: £2.5m)

Life Sciences division's fermentation business revenues up 41% year-on-year with increased revenue generation from new facility in South Bend

Ongoing operational efficiency measures to further benefit FY 2024 performance

Continued review of product portfolio to maximise margin improvements

 

 

Julian Baines, Executive Chair of EKF, commented: "The Board remains confident in the outlook for the business overall and with orders already in house for the second half we are very confident that the Point of Care performance in Europe, Middle East and Africa will improve significantly. The actions we've taken are expected to yield further improvements in gross margins, earnings growth and cash generation, and as a result of our efficiency drive we now have a leaner business, with a cost base correctly aligned to a more focussed higher-margin product mix.

 

"The Company expects the improvement in performance to continue in H2 2024 and remains confident that full year results will be in-line with market expectations."

 

 

Copies of the interim results and associated investor presentation are available here:

https://www.ekfdiagnostics.com/documents-reports.html

 

Investor Presentation

EKF Diagnostics will be hosting a live online presentation open to all existing and potential investors on Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 4.30pm (BST), via the Investor Meet Company platform. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet EKF Diagnostics via:

 

https://www.investormeetcompany.com/ekf-diagnostics-holdings-plc/register-investor

 

Investors who already follow EKF on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically be invited.

 

A recording of the presentation, a PDF of the slides used, and responses to the Q&A session will be available on the Investor Meet Company platform afterwards.

 

 

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc

www.ekfdiagnostics.com

Julian Baines, Executive Chair / Stephen Young, CFO

via Walbrook PR



Singer Capital Markets (Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 3000

Phil Davies / Oliver Platts




Walbrook PR (Media & Investor Relations)

Tel: +44 (0)20 7933 8780 or ekf@walbrookpr.com

Paul McManus / Charlotte Edgar

Mob: +44 (0)7980 541 893 / +44 (0)7884 664 686




 

The persons responsible for arranging the release of this announcement
on behalf of the Company are Julian Baines, Executive Chair, and Stephen Young, CFO.

 

 

About EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (www.ekfdiagnostics.com)

 

EKF is an AIM-listed global diagnostics business focussed on:

 

Point-of-Care analyzers in the key areas of Hematology and Diabetes

 

Life Sciences services provide specialist manufacture of enzymes and custom products for use in diagnostic, food and industrial applications.

 

EKF has headquarters in Penarth (near Cardiff) and operates five manufacturing sites across the US and Germany, selling into over 120 countries world-wide.

EXECUTIVE CHAIR'S STATEMENT

 

In the previous financial year we simplified the business by removing non-core, low-margin products from our portfolio, focussing on key product lines within our Point-of-Care and Life Sciences divisions. At the same time, we also reduced and stabilised our cost base in order to drive further margin improvement and enhance cash generation. I'm delighted to report that these actions are bearing fruit with our half year results showing strong improvement in gross margins, earnings growth and cash generation, in-line with management expectations.

 

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Total revenues for the six months ended 30 June 2024, from core operations (excluding COVID-related, clinical chemistry and testing revenues), were £24.5m (H1 2023: £24.4m). Gross Margins improved further to 48.1% (H1 2023: 44.0%) and adjusted EBITDA was £5.4m (H1 2023: £4.4m).

 

Promised efficiencies delivered in H1

For much of last year we focussed on delivering efficiencies across both our operations and within our product portfolio and these have delivered improved gross margins, earnings growth and cash generation. By optimising efficiencies within our operations we were able to reduce the cost base by £1.9m and have established headcount at a sustainable level. We have cancelled low margin contracts, reviewed suppliers, and identified outsourcing opportunities. In terms of our external production needs, we have brought one process in-house at our facility in Magdeburg, Germany and have consolidated all of our liquid chemistry production into our in-house facility in Boerne, Texas. These actions have helped reduce costs, improve margin and allow us to manage raw material costs more effectively. A newly implemented electronic Quality Management System and upgraded IT infrastructure is expected to deliver further efficiencies and support further growth.

 

Within the portfolio we have discontinued several low margin product lines including the entire Clinical Chemistry range. We had committed to adding new features and functionality to our POC range and we expect to see the benefit of this in H2 as new tender opportunities are now available to us due to the connectivity that EKF LinkTM provides across a number of products. Within Life Sciences we have been able to significantly increase the yield for β-HB production having reviewed processes and run cycles to deliver better value. We have also looked to cancel or renegotiate all non-preferential partner agreements which will have a positive impact on overall product margins as the mix improves.

 

Further margin improvement expected

We expect that the adjusted EBITDA margin will improve in the second half following the delivery of efficiencies above, change of product mix and the increased weighting of higher margin product sales. Margins should continue to benefit further from the ramp-up in higher margin enzyme fermentation revenues within Life Sciences as utilisation of our additional capacity builds.

 

These improvements do not come at the expense of investment into capital expenditure, but allows us to focus on a core product range and we have an R&D roadmap in place which will deliver product improvements and cost reductions, as well as new product introductions. Further investment in injection moulding tool requirements and planned upgrades to existing production lines are expected to provide improved efficiencies and additional capacity to support growth. We also expect to benefit from further efficiencies driven by planned investment in automation in production and packing.

 

The first half shows broadly flat performance from Point-of-Care ("POC"), which is a reflection of the changing of product mix and the timings of a number of tender awards, such that we expect to see performance improve across a number of our POC product lines in the second half. The Life Sciences division has benefitted from continued growth in β-HB sales, and a ramp-up in fermentation revenues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divisional revenues

£ millions

H1 2024

H1 2023

 

 

% Change

Point-of-Care (POC) - hematology and diabetes

14.0

14.2

-1.4%

Point-of-Care (POC) - other *

1.2

1.4

-14.3%

Life Sciences (β-HB and Fermentation)

8.1

7.2

+12.5%

Life Sciences - other **

0.5

0.9

-44.4%

Other ***

0.7

0.7

0.0%

Other - products being phased out

0.7

2.5

-72.0%

Total Revenues (exc. COVID-related & clinical chemistry revenues)

24.5

24.4

+0.4%

Total Revenues (inc. COVID-related & clinical chemistry revenues)

25.2

26.9

-6.3%

* POC - other, relating to other diagnostics tests.

** Life Sciences - Other, relating to contract manufacturing.

*** Other revenue relating to shipping and handling recharges, repairs and other sundries.

 

(1)  Point-of-Care

 

EKF continues to maintain a strong position within the global market for hematology and diabetes testing, with over 12,000 Point-of-Care analyzers and over 95 million individual test consumables sold in 2023.

 

·    Hematology

 

Total sales of our hematology analyzers and consumables were up 4% year-on-year. Our largest contributor to hematology revenues, Hemocontrol, grew by 10% reversing the declines we saw in FY 2023 (down 5%) and driving the overall performance of this product group. We expect this performance to continue into the second half as new tenders are now available to us due to the connectivity that our EKF LinkTM data management platform now provides for this product.

 

Revenues in our second largest hematology product, Diaspect Tm, were broadly flat year-on-year although the timing of sales related to our ongoing support of Egypt's Vision 2030 programme will deliver an improved performance in the second half, as these orders will be fulfilled entirely using in-house resources.

 

We continue to grow our presence in the global blood bank market and secured two new contract wins from the Red Cross in Hong Kong and in Thailand post-period end.

 

·    Diabetes

 

Our diabetes product portfolio saw an overall 11% decline in year-on-year sales, with all three key product lines (Biosen, Quo-Test and Quo-Lab) down compared to H1 2023. We are also seeing some movement in our user base for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) testing products as customers transition away from Quo-Lab to our higher margin Quo-Test; however, we expect to see this positively impact performance in the second half as we see greater consumable pull-through, particularly from a substantial tender in South Africa where analyzers have already been shipped, and many installed, but there has been a delay for diagnostic programmes using this equipment in becoming operational.

 

Biosen sales, our largest contributor within diabetes, were impacted by the greater effect of sanctions in Russia, and other customers have refrained from ordering new systems ahead of the launch of the new and enhanced Biosen C-Line, which offers improved connectivity and usability. Post-period end this updated product was made available to customers.

 

Whilst we expect to see a stronger performance from Quo-Test and Biosen in H2 2024, we don't expect overall revenues across the Diabetes product portfolio to exceed those levels seen in 2023.


(2)  Life Sciences

 

·    β-HB

 

Sales of our β-HB LiquiColor® reagent rose by 6% year-on-year as we continue to benefit from the White Label ("WL") contract with Thermo Fisher. Thermo Fisher has now depleted its pre-existing EKF-branded stock and regular stock ordering, and replenishment of the inventory with the new WL β-HB reagent has resumed.

 

Following the discontinuation of our STAT-Site M β-HB, we have been focussing on growing our userbase for our STAT-Site WB Analyzer, a handheld device for the quantitative determination of β-HB in whole blood. The roll-out of this product is continuing to develop well with a 50% increase in total sales year-on-year. We expect further sustained growth in consumables for the STAT-Site WB driven by the heavy push for initial analyzer sales in H2 2023.

 

·    Fermentation

 

Having opened the South Bend site in October 2023, we have seen a steady increase in revenues in the first half as we scale up output for our customers. Revenues for H1 2024 are up 41% through sales to new and existing customers compared to a low base in H1 2023 and we continue to aim to operate the site closer to optimal capacity by the beginning of 2026.

 

Russia and Ukraine

 

EKF owns 60% of O.O.O. EKF Diagnostika, a distribution subsidiary located in Moscow which sells EKF POC products and other third-party products into Russia and neighbouring states. As expressed earlier, sales continue to be impacted by the increased effect of sanctions in the region, even for essential medical supplies.

 

Cash held in Russia totalled £2.2m at the period end. Restrictions remain in place regarding the payment of foreign dividends in Russia and so this cash remains partly inaccessible, although £0.3m of further dividends were received from Russia during the period.

 

Outlook

 

Life Sciences has seen good growth in fermentation revenues and β-HB sales have continue to perform well. Within Point of Care, Hematology has delivered a robust performance and we expect to see this improve in H2 based on new shipments to Egypt confirmed and a number of additional wins relating to blood bank centres going live since the period-end. We should see improvements with Diabetes in the second half but as highlighted previously, it is unlikely that these products will reach the revenue levels seen in 2023. It is the nature of a business with a wide variety of products to see mixed performances across this portfolio.

 

The Board remains confident in the outlook for the business overall and with orders already in house for the second half we are very confident that the Point of Care performance in Europe, Middle East and Africa will improve significantly. All of the actions described above are expected to yield further improvements in gross margins, earnings growth and cash generation, and as a result of our efficiency drive we now have a leaner business, with a cost base correctly aligned to a more focussed higher-margin product mix.

 

The Company expects the improvement in performance to continue in H2 2024 and remains confident that full year results will be in-line with market expectations.

 

Julian Baines

Executive Chair

 

17 September 2024

 

Financial review

 

Revenue

 

Revenue for the period was £25.2m (H1 2023: £26.9m). During H1 2023, Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL), the Group's former testing business, was sold and UK contract manufacturing and testing ceased. These businesses had a combined revenue in H1 2023 of £1.2m. In H2 2023 we announced that we were winding down our Clinical Chemistry business due to its low margins, and had discontinued our STAT-Site M β-HB product line. These had a combined revenue in H1 2023 of £1.4m.

 

Revenue by Business Unit:

 


 

Unaudited

6 months ended 30 June 2024

£'000


 

Unaudited

6 months ended 30 June 2023

£'000


 

 

 

 

+/- %

 

 





Point-of-care

15,191


15,641


(2.9%)

Life sciences

8,599


8,083


6.4%

Other*

667


642


3.8%

Revenue from core operations

24,457


24,366


0.4%

Testing and UK manufacture

-


1,155


(100%)

Clinical chemistry

755


1,018


(25.8%)

STAT-Site M β-HB

-


333


(100%)

Total revenue

25,212


26,872


(6.2%)

 

Revenue from core operations (excluding testing, clinical chemistry and STAT-Site M β-HB revenues) increased by 0.4%, with Point-of-care revenues affected by customers holding off on placing orders for the new Biosen product that is being launched in H2 2024.

 

* Other revenue relating to shipping and handling recharges, repairs and other sundries

 

Revenue by Geographical Segment:


 

Unaudited

6 months ended 30 June 2024

£'000


 

Unaudited

6 months ended 30 June 2023

£'000


 

 

 

 

+/- %

Continuing business

 





Germany

9,916


11,014


(10.0%)

USA

13,658


13,376


+2.1%

Russia

1,638


1,690


(3.1%)

UK

-


792


(100%)

Total revenue

25,212


26,872


(6.2%)

 

 





Revenue in Germany was down, due to the Biosen launch previously highlighted, Quo-Lab, and an element of COVID related product sales.

 

In the USA, H1 2023 included Testing revenue achieved by ADL, plus higher levels of sales of the low margin products that are being phased out, however growth overall was still achieved.

 

The Group's Russian subsidiary, which is 60% owned by the Group, is consolidated in full in accordance with accounting standards. The interest of the minority shareholders is included as a separate item in the Consolidated Income statement.

Gross profit

 

Gross profit was £12.1m (H1 2023: £11.8m). The gross profit margin was 48.1% (H1 2023: 44.0%). The gross profit has increased marginally mainly as a result of the mix of products and services. The gross profit margin on an Adjusted Earnings basis (i.e. excluding depreciation, amortisation, exceptional items and share-based payments included in cost of sales) was 51.5% (H1 2023: 47.8%).

 

Administrative expenses

 

In H1 2024, administration expenses (excluding exceptionals) further reduced to £9.2m (H1 2023: £10.9m), representing 36.3% of revenue for the period (H1 2023: 40.7%, FY 2023: 37.4%). The decrease is largely due to cost savings and lower amortisation. The Boards expects that the cost savings and efficiency measures that have been  implemented will continue to benefit in the second half of the year.

 

The charge for depreciation of fixed assets and for the amortisation of intangibles is £2.4m (H1 2023: £3.3m).

                                      

Headcount

 

The Group had an average of 309 employees during H1 2024 (H1 2023: 345)

 

 

Operating profit and adjusted earnings before interest tax and depreciation

 

The Group generated an operating profit of £3.1m (H1 2023: loss of £0.07m). We continue to consider that adjusted EBITDA gives a more meaningful measure of performance which for H1 2024 was £5.4m (H1 2023: £4.4m).

 

In H1 2024 adjusted EBITDA excludes an exceptional credit of £0.03m (H1 2023: charge of £1.2m). The exceptional credit relates mainly to the reversal of provisions against inventory originally charged to exceptional items.

 

Finance income

 

Net finance cost is £0.01m (H1 2023: income of £0.04m). The charge is largely because of bank interest on loans offset by higher interest income on funds held in Russia. The £3m drawn down on the revolving credit facility has been repaid during the period.

 

Tax

 

There is a tax charge of £0.8m (H1 2023: £0.1m). The increase largely reflects the increase in profit. A tax refund relating to the USA of £2.1m has been received during the period.

 

Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations has increased to 0.46 pence (H1 2023: 0.08 pence loss). There are no dilutive effects.

 

Balance sheet

 

Fixed assets

 

We have capitalised £2.0m (H1 2023: £3.4m) of property, plant and equipment. The expenditure includes continuing work on adding capacity for Life Sciences in South Bend, and the effect of the capitalisation of new operating leases including the renewal of the lease on the Group's headquarters in Penarth. While some further expenditure in Life Sciences to complete the new facility in South Bend is planned for the second half of the year, the bulk of the expenditure has now been completed.

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

The value of intangible fixed assets is £29.5m (31 December 2023: £30.2m). The decrease is mainly the result of amortisation. An amount of £0.3m (H1 2023: £0.1m) has been capitalised during the first half, largely for R & D expenses.

 

Investments

 

Investments are held at fair value which has been calculated based on the market value of the shares for Verici Dx. The value of the Group's investment in Llusern Scientific was decreased following a further fund raising in which the Group did not participate.

 

 

Cash and working capital

 

The gross cash position at 30 June 2024 was £9.8m (31 Dec 2023: £7.7m), and the Group had cash net of bank borrowings of £9.8m (31 Dec 2023: £4.7m). During the period the loan from HSBC UK which at 31 December 2023 was £3m was repaid in full.

 

Cash generated from operating activities in H1 2024 is £7.9m (H1 2023: £2.5m). A tax repayment of £2.1m has been received in the USA and there has been further benefit from lower payments on account.

 

Cash and cash equivalents held by the Russian subsidiary as at 30 June 2024 totalled £2.2m (31 Dec 2023: £1.7m). These deposits are subject to regulatory restrictions, and therefore may not be available for general use by the other entities within the Group. We have been able to organise further dividends from Russia during the period of £0.3m which have limited our exposures.

 

 

Share capital

 

1,200,000 ordinary shares were returned to the Company in April 2023 by the acquirer of ADL. These shares remain in treasury. We have maintained shareholder authority to buy back shares, however we currently have no plans to make any further purchases.

 

Dividend

 

In December 2023, the Company paid a final dividend of 1.2p per ordinary share. Based on the need for continued investment in our core areas the Board has decided that it would be prudent to discontinue dividend payments. The Board will however consider recommencing the payment of dividends if and when appropriate.

 

Going concern

 

The Directors have considered the applicability of the going concern basis in the preparation of these financial statements. This included the review of internal budgets and financial results which show, taking into account reasonably plausible changes in financial performance, that the Group will be able to operate within the level of its current funding arrangements.

 

The Group has revenues from customers in Russia which are serviced by our entity based in Moscow. As a result of the continuing sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU, the USA and other countries, there are enhanced risks in respect of our Russian entity, including regulatory restrictions and credit risk to cash balances, its ability to collect debtors, and EKF's ability to import products into Russia. In addition, while we have been able to make some dividend payments out of Russia, action by the Russian Government continues to restrict the Russian entity's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders. In preparing a downside going concern forecast we have discounted future sales and cash from this region entirely.

 

The strength of the Group's balance sheet aligned to the continuing performance of the business gives the Directors confidence that the business can continue to meet its obligations as they fall due, even under our worst-case scenarios, for at least the next 12 months. The Group has unutilised facilities of £3m from HSBC UK and a further £3m from the North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust, both of which are available until 2026, which can be drawn down if necessary. Accordingly, the Directors are satisfied they can prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.

 

 

Stephen Young

Chief Financial Officer

 

17 September 2024



 

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT







FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024



Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023



 

 

 

Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2024

 

 

Audited Year ended 31 December 2023

 

Notes

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Continuing operations

 

 

 

 


 

 

Revenue

3


25,212


26,872


52,611

Cost of sales

 


(13,150)


(14,855)


(28,175)

Exceptional items - other credited/(charged) to cost of sales

 


58


(196)


(577)

Gross profit

 


12,120


11,821


23,859

Administrative expenses

 


(9,160)


(10,939)


(19,680)

Exceptional items - impairment of assets

 


-


(671)


(961)

Exceptional items - other

 


(29)


(341)


(1,295)

Other income

 


139


63


158

Operating profit/(loss)

 


3,070


(67)


2,081

Depreciation and amortisation

 


(2,382)


(3,274)


(5,472)

Share-based payments

 


-


-


2

Exceptional items

4


29


(1,209)


(2,833)

EBITDA before exceptional items and share-based payments

 


5,423


4,416


10,384

Finance income

 


98


59


125

Finance costs

 


(111)


(18)


(75)

Profit/(loss) before income tax

 


3,057


(26)


2,131

Income tax charge

5


(837)


(144)


600

Profit/(loss) for the period

 


2,220


(170)


2,731


 

 

 

 




Profit/(loss) is attributable to:

 

 

 

 




Owners of the parent

 


2,066


(358)


2,352

Non-controlling interest

 


154


188


379


 


2,220


(170)


2,731

 

 

Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share attributable to the owners of the parent during the period

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pence

 

Pence

 

Pence

 

 


 





Basic

 


0.46


(0.08)


0.52

 

 


 





Diluted

 


0.46


(0.08)


0.52



 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME





FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024








 








 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

6 months ended 30 June 2024

 

6 months ended 30 June 2023

 

Year ended 31 December 2023

 

 

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000




 



 

 

Profit/(loss) for the period

 

 

2,220


(170)


2,731

 

 

 

 





Other comprehensive (expense)/income:

 

 

 





Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Changes in fair value of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (net of tax)

 

 

(29)


437


489

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

 

 

 





Currency translation differences

 

 

(300)


(3,502)


(3,564)

Other comprehensive (loss)/income (net of tax)

 

 

(329)


(3,065)


(3,075)

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

 

 

1,891


(3,235)


(344)

 

 

 

 





Attributable to:

 

 

 





Owners of the parent

 

 

1,684


(3,139)


(438)

Non-controlling interests

 

 

207


(96)


94

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

 

 

1,891


(3,235)


(344)

 



 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION




 

AS AT 30 JUNE 2024







 

 

 

Unaudited as at 30 June 2024

 

Unaudited as at 30 June 2023

 

Audited as at 31 December 2023

 

 

Notes

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

Assets

 

 





 

Non-current assets







 

Property, plant and equipment

7

23,696


21,576


23,744

 

Right-of-use assets

7

1,212


507


1,031

 

Intangible assets

8

29,466


31,163


30,224

 

Investments

 

226


1,556


276

 

Deferred tax assets

 

17


878


18

 

Total non-current assets


54,617


55,680


55,293

 

 


 





 

Current Assets


 





 

Inventories

 


            8,157


9,414


8,766

 

Trade and other receivables


            6,600


7,979


6,787

 

Corporation tax receivable


               133


13


2,277

 

Cash and cash equivalents *

 

            9,820


9,165


7,726

 

Total current assets

 

 24,710


26,571


25,556

 

Total assets


 79,327


82,251


80,849

 

 


 





 

Equity attributable to owners of the parent


 





 

Share capital


4,537


4,537


4,537

 

Share premium


7,375


7,375


7,375

 

Other equity - Ordinary shares held in treasury


12


-


12

 

Other reserve


51


(182)


80

 

Foreign currency reserves


6,003


6,129


6,356

 

Retained earnings

 

50,823


46,326


48,757

 

 


68,801

 

64,185

 

67,117

 

Non-controlling interest


1,134

 

1,081

 

1,100

 

Total equity


69,935

 

65,266

 

68,217

 

 


 





 

Liabilities


 





 

Non-current liabilities


 





 

Lease liabilities


1,009


223


618

 

Deferred tax liability


3,006


2,140


2,517

 

Total non-current liabilities


4,015


2,363


3,135

 

 


 





 

Current liabilities


 





 

Trade and other payables


4,844


11,702


5,512

 

Lease liabilities


237


400


495

 

Current income tax liabilities


296


2,476


504

 

Borrowings


-


44


2,986

 

Total current liabilities


5,377


14,622


9,497

 

Total liabilities


9,392


16,985


12,632

 

Total equity and liabilities


79,327


82,251

 

80,849

 

 

*including restricted cash of £2,229 (June 2023: £2,366  & Dec 2023: £1,706)





 

 

 

FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024





 

 

Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2024

 

Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023

 

 Audited Year to 31 December 2023


£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Cash flow from operating activities






Profit/(Loss) before income tax

3,057


(26)


2,131

Adjustments for

 





- Depreciation

1,733


1,590


3,276

- Amortisation and impairment charges

649


1,684


2,196

- Exceptional items - other, charged to cost of sales

58


196


577

- Exceptional items - impairment

-


671


961

- Exceptional items - other

(29)


342


1,295

- Loss on disposal of assets

67


5


-

- Share-based payments

-


-


(2)

- Cash outflows relating to exceptional items

(18)


(157)


(721)

- Foreign Exchange

(104)


-


(5)

- Bad debt written (back)/down

(28)


174


214

- Finance income

(98)


(59)


(125)

- Finance costs

111


18


75

Changes in working capital

 





- Inventories

922


(445)


(745)

- Trade and other receivables

343


1,708


2,495

- Trade and other payables

(715)


(2,862)


(2,799)

Cash generated from operations

5,948


2,839


8,823

Interest received

98


59


125

Interest paid

(89)


(3)


(47)

Income tax received/(paid)

1,908


(389)


(2,590)

Net cash generated from operating activities

7,865


2,506


6,311

Cash flow from investing activities

 





Payment for property, plant and equipment (PPE)

(1,495)


(3,345)


(6,598)

Payment for intangibles

(263)


(138)


(377)

Proceeds from sale of PPE

-


59


1,333

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,758)


(3,424)


(5,642)

Cash flow from financing activities

 





Dividend paid to company shareholders

-


-


(5,445)

Repayments of borrowings

(3,000)


(93)


(137)

Proceeds from new borrowings

-


-


3,000

Fees for borrowing

-


-


(14)

Principal elements of lease payments

(897)


(507)


(879)

Dividends payment to non-controlling interests

(173)


-


(171)

Net cash used in financing activities

(4,070)


(600)


(3,646)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

2,037


(1,518)


(2,977)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

7,726


11,578


11,578

Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents

57


(895)


(875)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

9,820


9,165


7,726




















 

At 30 June 2024 cash and cash equivalents totalling £2.2m (31 Dec 2023: £1.7m) are held by the Group's 60% owned Russian subsidiary. As a result of action by the Russian Government following international sanctions being imposed on Russia, access to this cash is currently restricted.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY








FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024









Share Capital

Share Premium

Other Equity

Other Reserve

Foreign Currency Reserve

Retained earnings

Total

Non-controlling interest

Total equity


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2023

4,549

7,375

-

(629)

9,590

52,461

73,346

1,177

74,523

Comprehensive income/(expense)

 






 


 

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(358)

(358)

188

(170)

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

 






 


 

Changes in fair value of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

437

-

-

437

-

437

Currency translation differences

-

-

-

(2)

(3,461)

12

(3,451)

(284)

(3,735)

Total comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

435

(3,461)

(346)

(3,372)

(96)

(3,468)

Transactions with owners

           






 


 

Acquisition of own shares

(12)

-

12

-

-

(344)

(344)

-

(344)

Dividends to owners

-

-

-

-

-

(5,445)

(5,445)

-

(5,445)

Dividends to non-controlling interest

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

(12)

-

12

-

-

(5,789)

(5,789)

-

(5,789)

At 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

4,537

7,375

12

(194)

6,129

46,326

64,185

1,081

65,266

Comprehensive income/(expense)







 


 

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

2,710

2,710

191

2,901

Other comprehensive income/(expense)







 


 

Changes in fair value of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

52

-

-

52

-

52

Reserves transfer

-

-

-

262

-

(262)

-

-

-

 

Currency translation differences

-

-

-

1

227

(56)

172

(1)

171

Total comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

315

227

2,392

2,934

190

3,124

Transactions with owners







 


 

Acquisition of own shares

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Share based payment reserve

-

-

-

-

-

(2)

(2)

-

(2)

Dividends to non-controlling interest

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(171)

(171)

Reserve transfer

-

-

-

(41)

-

41

-

-

-

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

-

-

-

(41)

-

39

(2)

(171)

(173)

At 31 December 2023

4,537

7,375

12

80

6,356

48,757

67,117

1,100

68,217

Comprehensive income

 






 


 

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

2,066

2,066

154

2,220

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

 






 


 

Changes in fair value of equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

(29)

-

-

(29)

-

(29)

Currency translation differences

-

-

-

-

(353)

-

(353)

53

(300)

Total comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

(29)

(353)

2,066

1,684

207

1,891

Transactions with owners

 






 


 

Dividends to non-controlling shareholders

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(173)

(173)

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(173)

(173)

At 30 June 2024 (unaudited)

4,537

7,375

12

51

6,003

50,823

68,801

1,134

69,935















NOTES FORMING PART OF THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.              General information and basis of presentation

 

EKF Diagnostics Holdings Plc is a company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office is Avon House, 19 Stanwell Road, Penarth, Cardiff CF64 2EZ.

 

The principal activity of the Group is the development, manufacture, and supply of products and services into the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) market place. The Group has presence in the UK, USA, Germany, and Russia, and sells throughout the world including Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.

 

The financial statements are presented in British Pounds Sterling, the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company's headquarters is operated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss and certain financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

 

The financial information in these interim results is that of the holding company and all of its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2024. It has been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards. The accounting policies applied by the Group in this financial information are the same as those applied by the Group in its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 and which will form the basis of the 2024 financial statements except for a number of new and amended standards which have become effective since the beginning of the previous financial year. These new and amended standards are not expected to materially affect the Group. The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. There has been no material change either in relation to the critical accounting estimates used or the judgement required.

 

Certain statements in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in this announcement that is not a statement of historical fact including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future expectations, operations, financial performance, financial condition and business is a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, amongst other factors, changing economic, financial, business or other market conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described in this announcement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update its view of such risks and uncertainties or to update the forward-looking statements contained herein. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

 

The financial information presented herein does not constitute full statutory accounts under Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and was not subject to a formal review by the auditors. The financial information in respect of the year ended 31 December 2023 has been extracted from the statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Group's Independent Auditor's report on those accounts was unqualified, did not include references to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the half years ended 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 is unaudited and the twelve months to 31 December 2023 is audited.

 


 

2.               Significant accounting policies

 

Going concern

 

The Directors have considered the applicability of the going concern basis in the preparation of these financial statements. This included the review of internal budgets and financial results which show, taking into account reasonably plausible changes in financial performance, that the Group will be able to operate within the level of its current funding arrangements.

 

The Group has revenues from customers in Russia which are serviced by our entity based in Moscow. As a result of the continuing sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU, the USA and other countries, there are enhanced risks in respect of our Russian entity, including regulatory restrictions and credit risk to cash balances, its ability to collect debtors, and EKF's ability to import products into Russia. In addition, while we have been able to make some dividend payments out of Russia, action by the Russian Government continues to restrict the Russian entity's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders. In preparing a downside going concern forecast we have discounted future sales and cash from this region entirely.

 

The strength of the Group's balance sheet aligned to the continuing performance of the business gives the Directors confidence that the business can continue to meet its obligations as they fall due, even under our worst-case scenarios, for at least the next 12 months. The Group has unutilised facilities of £3m from HSBC UK and a further  £3m from the North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust, both of which are available until 2026, which can be drawn down if necessary. Accordingly, the Directors are satisfied they can prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.

 

3.              Segmental reporting

 

Management has determined the Group's operating segments based on the monthly management reports presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM'). The CODM is the Executive Directors and the monthly management reports are used by the Group to make strategic decisions and allocate resources.

 

The principal activity of the Group is the design, development, manufacture and sale of diagnostic instruments, reagents and certain ancillary products, as well as central laboratory reagents, primarily into the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) market. This activity takes place across various countries, such as the USA, Germany, Russia, and the UK, and as such the Board considers the business primarily from a geographic perspective. Although not all the segments meet the quantitative thresholds required by IFRS 8, management has concluded that all segments should be maintained and reported. In addition, the CODM considers the segmental revenue performance of business segments.

 

The reportable segments derive their revenue primarily from the manufacture and sale of medical diagnostic equipment and reagents. Other services include the servicing and distribution of third party company products under separate distribution agreements. Transactions between segments consist of the sale of products for resale. The basis of accounting for these transactions is the same as for external revenue.

 

Currently the key operating performance measures used by the CODM are Revenue and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, adjusted for exceptional items and share-based payments).



The segment information provided to the Board for the reportable geographic segments is as follows:

 

Period ended 30 June 2024 unaudited


Germany

USA

Russia

UK

Total


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Income statement






Revenue

12,012

13,658

1,638

-

27,308

Inter-segment

 (2,096)

-

-

-

 (2,096)

External revenue

9,916

13,658

1,638

-

25,212

Adjusted EBITDA*

2,415

4,656

417

 (2,065)

5,423

Exceptional items

46

13

-

 (30)

29

EBITDA

2,461

4,669

417

 (2,095)

5,452

Depreciation

 (430)

 (1,234)

 (28)

 (41)

 (1,733)

Amortisation

 (468)

 (134)

-

 (47)

 (649)

Operating profit/(loss)

1,563

3,301

389

 (2,183)

3,070

Net finance costs





 (13)

Income tax





 (837)

Profit for the period

 




2,220

Segment assets






Operating assets

31,160

78,430

812

(25,466)

84,936

Inter-segment assets

233

 (23,250)

-

7,588

 (15,429)

External operating assets

31,393

55,180

812

(17,878)

69,507

Cash and cash equivalents

1,995

5,342

2,229

254

9,820

Total assets

33,388

60,522

3,041

(17,624)

79,327

Segment liabilities






Operating liabilities

 (6,905)

22,675

282

8,769

24,821

Inter-segment liabilities

10,639

 (18,819)

-

 (7,249)

 (15,429)

Total liabilities

3,734

3,856

282

1,520

9,392

Other segmental information






Non-current assets - PPE

6,242

16,131

137

1,186

23,696

Non-current assets - Right-of-use assets

222

734

5

251

1,212

Non-current assets - Intangibles

17,513

7,828

72

4,053

29,466

Intangible assets -additions

258

5

-

-

263

PPE - additions

266

1,229

1

3

1,499

Right-of-use assets - additions

156

73

23

265

517

 


 

Year ended December 2023 audited

 


Germany

USA

Russia

UK

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Income statement






Revenue

27,122

26,133

3,568

816

57,639

Inter-segment

(5,027)

-

-

(1)

(5,028)

External revenue

22,095

26,133

3,568

815

52,611

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

 

 

6,459

 

 

6,851

 

 

1,092

 

 

(4,018)

 

 

10,384

Exceptional items - impairments

(677)

(120)

-

(164)

(961)

Exceptional items - other

(86)

(1,186)

-

(23)

(1,295)

Exceptional items - other to cost of sales

205

(775)

-

(7)

(577)

Share-based payments

-

-

-

2

2

 

EBITDA

 

5,901

 

4,770

 

1,092

 

(4,210)

 

7,553

Depreciation

(907)

(2,065)

(37)

(267)

(3,276)

Amortisation

(1,182)

(929)

-

(85)

(2,196)

 

Operating profit/(loss)

 

3,812

 

1,776

 

1,055

 

(4,562)

 

2,081

Finance income





125

Finance cost





(75)

Income tax





600

Profit for the year

 

 

 

2,731

 

Segment assets

 

 

 

 

 

Operating assets

42,131

53,717

1,271

9,304

106,423

Inter-segment assets

(10,818)

(20,493)

(210)

(1,779)

(33,300)

External operating assets

31,313

33,224

1,061

7,525

73,123

Cash and cash equivalents

1,269

3,955

1,706

796

7,726

Total assets

32,582

37,179

2,767

8,321

80,849

 

Segment liabilities






Operating liabilities

4,959

23,125

160

14,701

42,945

Inter-segment liabilities

(770)

(19,184)

-

(13,346)

(33,300)

External operating liabilities

4,189

3,941

160

1,355

9,645

Borrowings (excluding lease liabilities)

-

-

-

2,986

2,986

Total liabilities

4,189

3,941

160

4,341

12,631

 

Other segmental information






Non-current assets - PPE

6,176

15,834

138

1,596

23,744

Non-current assets - Right-of-use assets

148

884

-

(1)

1,031

Non-current assets - Intangibles

18,117

7,650

68

4,389

30,224

PPE - additions

1,240

5,495

56

8

6,799

Intangible assets - additions

314

63

-

-

377

Right-of-use assets - additions

67

544

-

-

611

 

 


 

Period ended 30 June 2023 unaudited


Germany

USA

Russia

UK

Total


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Income statement






Revenue

13,419

13,376

1,690

792

29,277

Inter-segment

(2,405)

-

-

-

 (2,405)

External revenue

11,014

13,376

1,690

792

26,872

Adjusted EBITDA*

2,765

3,059

546

(1,954)

4,416

Share-based payment

-

-

-

-

-

Exceptional items

37

(719)

-

(527)

(1,209)

EBITDA

2,802

2,340

546

 (2,481)

3,207

Depreciation

 (418)

 (967)

(25)

 (180)

(1,590)

Amortisation

 (880)

(125)

-

(679)

(1,684)

Operating profit/(loss)

1,504

1,248

521

(3,340)

(67)

Net finance costs





41

Income tax





(144)

Loss for the period

 

 

 

 

(170)

Segment assets






Operating assets

32,860

74,876

578

(21,265)

87,049

Inter-segment assets

254

(18,662)

-

4,445

(13,963)

External operating assets

33,114

56,214

578

(16,820)

73,086

Cash and cash equivalents

2,592

4,100

2,388

85

9,165

Total assets

35,706

60,314

2,966

(16,735)

82,251

Segment liabilities






Operating liabilities

(3,824)

21,217

324

13,187

30,904

Inter-segment liabilities

9,494

(17,775)

-

(5,682)

(13,963)

External operating liabilities

5,670

3,442

324

7,505

16,941

Borrowings

44

-

-

-

44

Total liabilities

5,714

3,442

324

7,505

16,985

Other segmental information






Non-current assets - PPE

6,043

14,143

95

1,295

21,576

Non-current assets - Right-of-use assets

197

288

2

20

507

Non-current assets - Intangibles

18,554

8,292

68

4,249

31,163

Intangible assets -additions

112

26

-

-

138

PPE - additions

428

2,910

-

7

3,345

Right-of-use assets - additions

52

-

-

-

52

 

*      Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation adjusted for exceptional items and share-based payments

Russian operations

In the context of an increased level of uncertainty, the Group has exercised critical judgements in applying its accounting policies in whether the Group should continue to consolidate its Russian business. The Group has applied judgement in regards to whether the Group continues to control its Russian subsidiary due to the restrictions imposed by the Russian government or any other authority. Control exists when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. The Russian government introduced various sanctions, including restrictions on the payment of dividends to "unfriendly states" that require consent from the Ministry of Finance of Russia. Since the Group continued to direct the operations and the Russian regulations currently do not prohibit the declaration and payment of dividends, the Group has taken the view that it has retained control through the six months ended 30 June 2024. Were the Group to conclude that it no longer retains control, the Russian operations would be treated as if they had been disposed of, with the associated assets and liabilities derecognised.

In July 2023, the Group sought and gained permission for its Russian entity to commence limited dividend payments, totalling around €140,000 per quarter, paid in two tranches per quarter each of around €70,000. Four such payments  were received during H1 2024. There is no certainty how long these payments will be able to continue.

 

 

 



 

Disclosure of Group revenues by geographic location



Unaudited

6 months

ended 30

June 2024

 

Unaudited

6 months

ended 30

June 2023

 

Audited

Year ended

31 December 2023



£000

 

£000

 

£000








Americas







United States of America


11,215


10,832


21,187

Rest of Americas


1,421


1,689


3,791

Europe, Middles East and Africa (EMEA)







Germany


3,689


4,248


8,231

United Kingdom


402


374


767

Ireland


142


1,006


1,277

Rest of Europe


2,084


2,207


4,094

Russia


1,638


1,690


3,568

Middle East


449


859


1,656

Africa


1,436


1,340


2,805

Asia and Rest of World

 


 


 


China


625


640


1,246

Rest of Asia and Oceania


2,111


1,987


3,989

Total Revenue

 

25,212

 

26,872

 

52,611

 

 

4.              Exceptional items

 

Included within administration expenses and cost of sales are exceptional items as shown below:

 



Unaudited
6 months ended 30 June 2024

 

Unaudited
6 months ended 30 June 2023

 

Audited
year ended 31 December 2023


Note

£000

 

£000

 

£000

 







Exceptional items include:


 





- Business reorganisation costs - other credited/(charged) to cost of sales

 

a

58


(196)


(577)

- Business reorganisation costs - Impairment

b

-


(671)


(961)

- Business reorganisation costs - other charged to operating expenses

 

c

(29)


(342)


(1,295)

Exceptional items


29


(1,209)


(2,833)

 

a.

Costs associated with the transition and restructure of certain operations in the US, UK and Germany, which have been charged to cost of sales. The costs include provisions against certain COVID-19 related and other inventory and provisions for certain onerous contracts following the decision to focus on its other businesses. In 2024 some of these provisions have been released.

 

b.

Impairments associated with the transition and restructure of certain operations in the US, UK and Germany, which have been charged to operating expenses.

 

c.

Costs associated with the transition and restructure of certain operations in the US, UK and Germany, which have been charged to operating expenses.

5.   Income tax

 



Unaudited

6 months

ended 30

June 2024

 

Unaudited

6 months

ended 30

June 2023

 

Audited

Year ended

31 December 2023



£000

 

£000

 

£000

Current tax







Current tax on profit for the period


350


431


1,182

Adjustments for prior periods

 

(9)

 

(9)

 

(2,729)

Total current tax

 

341

 

422

 

(1,547)

 

 

 

 


 

 

Deferred tax

 

 

 


 

 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences


496


(278)


947

Total deferred tax


496


(278)


947

Income tax charge


837


144


(600)

 

 

 

 

6.   Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

 

Diluted profit per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding assuming conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company no longer has any dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company is holding 1,200,000 ordinary shares in treasury. These shares have therefore been excluded from the earnings per share calculation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audited year ended 31 December 2023

 

Unaudited
 6 months ended 30 June 2024

Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023


 

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the parent

 

 

2,066


(358)


2,352

Weighted average number of ordinary shares
in issue



453,730,564


454,492,995


454,105,359

Assumed conversion of share awards



-


-


-

Weighted average number of ordinary shares - diluted



453,730,564


454,492,995


454,105,359




 








Pence

 

Pence

 

Pence




 





Basic



0.46


(0.08)


0.52




 





Diluted



0.46


(0.08)


0.52

 



 

7.   Property, plant and equipment

Group

 

 

 

Land and buildings
£'000

 

Fixtures and fittings

£'000

Plant and machinery

£'000

 

Motor vehicles

£'000

Assets under construct-ion

£'000

 

Right-of-use assets

£'000

 

 

 

Total

£'000

 

Cost









 

At 1 January 2023

12,150

1,972

14,877

210

6,415

3,322

 

38,946

Additions

1,033

23

1,432

  -  

857

52


3,397

Transfers

  88  

-

636

  -  

   (724)  

  -  


-

Disposal

-  

  (403)  

  (92)

  -  

   (8)  

(1,136)


(1,639)

Disposal of subsidiary

(5)

-

(1,584)

-

-

-


(1,589)

Exchange differences

(435)

  (48)

   (516)

  (44)

(296)

(127)


(1,466)

At 30 June 2023

12,831

1,544

14,753

166

6,244

2,111

 

37,649

Additions

1,548

85

747

55

1,019

559


4,013

Transfers

107

(22)

5,933

-

(6,075)

-


(57)

Disposals

-

(180)

(224)

(13)

4

669


256

Exchange differences

27

10

58

-

(4)

(16)


75

At 31 December 2023

14,513

1,437

21,267

208

1,188

3,323

 

41,936

Additions

918

80

390

-

111

517


2,016

Transfers

73

-

940

-

(1,013)

-


-

Disposal

-

(1)

(20)

(10)

(45)

(1,053)


(1,129)

Exchange differences

(35)

(18)

(187)

10

(19)

4


(245)

At 30 June 2024

15,469

1,498

22,390

208

222

2,791

 

42,578

 









 

Depreciation









 

At 1 January 2023

3,344

1,371

10,397

77

-  

2,043


17,232

Exchange differences

(143)

(31)

 (351)

(16)

-

(74)


(615)

Disposal

-      

   (378)  

(89)

  -  

-

(1,112)


(1,579)

Disposal of subsidiary

(5)

-

(1,410)

-

-

-


(1,415)

Impairment

-

-

-

-

-

353


353

Transfers

  18  

-

(18)

   -  

    -  

-  


-

Charge for the period

310

193

682

  11

-  

394


1,590

At 30 June 2023

3,524

1,155

  9,211

72

  -  

1,604

 

15,566

Exchange differences

(2)

6

43

-

-

(1)


46

Disposal

-

(202)

(236)

(9)

-

645


198

Impairment

-

-

-

-

-

(278)


(278)

Transfers

(18)

-

(39)

-

-

-


(57)

Charge for the period

366

106

883

9

-

322


1,686

At 31 December 2023

3,870

1,065

9,862

72

-

2,292

 

17,161

Exchange differences

(5)

(15)

(145)

3

-

-


(162)

Disposal

-

(1)

(11)

(10)

-

(1,040)


(1,062)

Charge for the period

383

94

920

9

-

327


1,733

At 30 June 2024

4,248

1,143

10,626

74

-

1,579

 

17,670












 

Net book value








 

30 June 2024

11,221

355

11,764

134

222

1,212

24,908

31 December 2023

10,643

372

11,405

136

1,188

1,031

24,775

30 June 2023

9,307

389

5,542

94

6,244

507

22,083












 

 

 

 

 

8.   Intangible Fixed Assets

Group

 

 

 

Good-will
£'000

 

Trademarks trade names & licences

£'000

Customer relationships

£'000

 

Trade secrets

£'000

 

Develop-ment costs

£'000

 

 

 

Software

£'000

 

 

 

Total

£'000

 

Cost








 

At 1 January 2023

4,632

17,273

14,050

6,166

3,731


75,228

Additions

15

-

-

118

5


138

Disposal

-

-

-

(427)

-


(427)

Disposal of subsidiary

(517)

(1,293)

-

-

(2,975)


(8,946)

Transfer

726

-

(520)

(206)

-


-

Exchange differences

(211)

(739)

(366)

(182)

(94)


(2,503)

At 30 June 2023

24,304

4,645

15,241

13,164

5,469

667

 

63,490

Additions

(7)

-

-

251

(5)


239

Disposal

-

-

-

(212)

-


(212)

Exchange differences

40

30

92

31

2


316

At 31 December 2023

24,425

4,678

15,271

13,256

5,539

664

 

63,833

Additions

6

-

257

-


263

Disposal

-

-

(1,816)

-


(1,816)

Transfer

-

-

-

-


-

Exchange differences

(280)

(58)

(45)

(229)

(83)

1


(694)

At 30 June 2024

24,145

4,626

15,226

13,027

3,897

665

 

61,586

 









 

Amortisation








 

At 1 January 2023

4,047

15,586

12,014

2,211

3,344

 

41,456

Exchange differences

(154)

(668)

(323)

(129)

(78)


(1,445)

Disposal

-

-

-

(423)

-


(423)

Disposal of subsidiary

(517)

(1,293)

-

-

(2,975)


(8,946)

Charge for the period

-

208

620

191

584

81


1,684

At 30 June 2023

-

3,584

14,245

11,882

2,243

372

 

32,326

Exchange differences

0

(8)

26

80

47

(5)


140

Disposal

-

-

-

-

(256)

-


(256)

Impairment

-

-

-

-

887

-


887

Charge for the period

221

388

152

(297)

48


512

At 31 December 2023

-

3,797

14,659

12,114

2,624

415

 

33,609

Exchange differences

(39)

(44)

(202)

(38)

1


(322)

Disposal

-

-

-

(1,816)

-


(1,816)

Charge for the period

-

162

168

94

173

52


649

At 30 June 2024

-

3,920

14,783

12,006

943

468

 

32,120













 

Net book value









30 June 2024

24,145

706

443

1,021

2,954

197

 

29,466

31 December 2023

24,425

881

612

1,142

2,915

249

 

30,224

30 June 2023

24,304

1,061

996

1,282

3,226

295

 

31,164

 

 


 

9.   Dividends

 

In December 2023, the Company paid a final dividend of 1.2p per ordinary share. Based on the need for continued investment in our core areas the Board has decided that it would be prudent to discontinue dividend payments. The Board will however consider recommencing the payment of dividends if and when appropriate.

 

10.          Availability of this announcement

 

This announcement and the Group's Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 are available from the Company's website, www.ekfdiagnostics.com. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Interim Report, please contact the EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc offices on +44 (0)29 2071 0570 to request a copy.

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
UK 100

Latest directors dealings