Interim Results-Replacement

Esporta PLC 11 August 2000 The issuer has made the following amendment to the Interim Results announcement released today at 07.00 under RNS No 3196P. In the 'Results' section of the Chairman's Statement, the first sentence of the second paragraph should read 'Revenues for clubs opened in 1998 and prior years have grown by 5% in the first six months of the year.' and not 'Revenues for clubs opened in 1999 and prior years have grown by 5% in the first six months of the year.' as previously stated. All other details remain unchanged. The full corrected version is shown below. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPORTA plc INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2000 Esporta plc, one of the UK's leading operators of health and fitness clubs, announces its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2000. Financial Highlights * Turnover up 25% to £38.5m (H1 1999: £30.9m before exceptional income) * EBITDA up 48% to £9.9m (H1 1999: £6.7m before exceptional items) * Operating Profit margins increased to 14% (H1 1999 11% before exceptional items) * Profit before tax up 73% to £4.5m (H1 1999: £2.6m) * Earnings per share up 93% to 2.12p (H1 1999: 1.10p) * Interim dividend of 0.45p per share Operational Highlights * Membership numbers up 22% to 126,000 * New openings to total seven by year end - seven more contracted for 2001 * Still on target for 46 clubs by end 2002 * Eden concept launched to segment premium end of the market John Grieves, Chairman, said: 'The business made good progress over the last six months in establishing the infrastructure and culture that we believe will differentiate Esporta in the UK marketplace. Revenues in the last month have continued the trends seen in the first half, and we have seen an improvement in both membership recruitment and retention. 'The majority of our new members are joining a health club for the first time which confirms our view that there is considerable unfulfilled demand for our premium product. We believe that the proportion of the population using health clubs and the amount they are prepared to spend will continue to increase over the longer term.' Enquiries: Esporta plc Brunswick Group Limited Graham Coles, Chief Executive Kathy Hannaford Mark Beadle, Finance Director William Cullum 0207 404 5959 today 0207 404 5959 0118 912 3503 thereafter Chairman's Statement I am pleased to present Esporta's first interim report following its listing on The London Stock Exchange on 1 February 2000. The business made good progress over the six months to 30 June 2000, and this has continued into the second half. Results Turnover for the first half was £38.5m (1999: £30.9m excluding exceptional income of £1.9m), representing an increase of 25%. Revenues for clubs opened in 1998 and prior years have grown by 5% in the first six months of the year. Revenues for clubs opened in 1999 grew by 23% on a comparable basis. Oxford, Edinburgh and Northampton which opened in 2000 are performing well. Operating profit rose by 62% to £5.5m (1999: £3.4m excluding exceptional profits). The interest charge of £1m (1999: £2.3m) was significantly down on last year due to the capitalisation of inter- company debt as part of the restructuring of First Leisure Corporation PLC and the formation of Esporta plc. Pre-tax profits were up 73% at £4.5m, with earnings per share, following a moderate increase in the tax rate to 22% (1999: 19%), up 93% to 2.12p on an FRS 14 basis. Our balance sheet remains strong, with net assets of £125.6m, net borrowings of £30.9m against committed facilities of £100m and gearing of 25%. The Board has declared a dividend in respect of the first six months of 0.45p per share to be paid on 11 October 2000 to shareholders on the register on 15 September 2000. Members Total membership of our clubs at 30 June 2000 stood at 126,000, an increase of 22% year on year. Of these 94,000 were adults (June 1999: 77,000). Our clubs have a relaxed, comfortable and child-friendly atmosphere and their membership reflects this. Some 75% of our adult members have joined as couples or in families. Their average age is 34 and 55% of them are women. The majority of our new members are joining a health club for the first time and this confirms our view that there is considerable unfulfilled demand for our premium product. We believe that the proportion of the population using health clubs, and the amount that they are prepared to spend, will continue to increase over the longer term. New Developments We opened three new Esporta clubs during the period. Our first Eden club opened at the beginning of this month in Chislehurst, taking our overall estate to 26 clubs. Eden represents an opportunity to attract those who seek a luxurious, tranquil and child-free environment. Our new clubs continue to open on time and within budget. Six further sites are under construction with Enfield, Friern Barnet and Lichfield due to open before the end of the year, and Wolverhampton, Repton Park (near Chigwell) and Chiswick Park due to open in the first half of 2001. There are four further sites conditionally contracted and scheduled to open in 2001. We believe that the availability of sites for new health clubs will enable us to meet our target of doubling the size of the estate over the three-year period to the end of 2002. Board Changes Mark Beadle joined the Board as Finance Director at the beginning of April. Mark started his career with Price Waterhouse in London, and spent four years as European Finance Director for Planet Hollywood before joining us. As announced in July, Patrick Henchoz, our Managing Director, will be leaving the Company at the end of the year to travel with his family. He leaves Esporta well-positioned to continue its rapid growth, and we wish him well. Douglas Waddell, currently UK Operations Director at Queens Moat Houses plc, will join the Board at the beginning of November as Operations Director. Douglas has spent 15 years in general and operational management at Queens Moat Houses. Prior to his current position he was responsible for developing and managing their health and fitness clubs. We are extremely pleased to have secured Douglas's services and are confident that with his energy, experience in the service sector, and the support of our strong operational management team, he will continue the progress we have made to date. Current Trading Revenues in the first few weeks of the second half have continued the trends seen in the first half. Sales in clubs opened in 1998 and prior years have grown by 5% on a comparable basis. Good progress was made in July on both membership recruitment and membership retention. Prospects The Health and Fitness market is showing very rapid growth, and we believe that this growth is set to continue. We are confident that our organic development programme, supported by our financial capacity and our management strengths, will enable the full potential benefits of this market growth to be realised. Our business is focused on improving membership loyalty and increasing spend per head, a focus which is reflected in incentive schemes for all of our staff. We have reinforced our commitment to service with a strict operating standards programme which was implemented during the period to promote consistent delivery of our product. Conclusion I am pleased with all that Esporta has achieved since flotation - our sales and profits continue to grow, the returns on our older units are maturing in line with expectations and our new units are performing well. We have made significant progress in establishing the infrastructure and culture that we believe will differentiate Esporta in the UK marketplace. Our objective is to provide premium facilities and service to our members, enjoyable and fulfilling jobs for our staff and strong returns for our shareholders. We look to the future with confidence. John Grieves Chairman 11 August 2000 Consolidated profit and loss account (unaudited) 6 Before Exceptional 6 months months Exceptional items to to items 30.06.1999 30.06.1999 30.06.2000 30.06.1999 Note £m £m £m £m ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Turnover 38.5 30.9 1.9 32.8 Cost of sales (30.0) (24.2) (0.4) (24.6) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Gross profit 8.5 6.7 1.5 8.2 Administrative expenses (3.0) (3.3) - (3.3) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Operating profit 5.5 3.4 1.5 4.9 ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ EBITDA 9.9 6.7 1.5 8.2 Depreciation (4.4) (3.3) - (3.3) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Operating profit 5.5 3.4 1.5 4.9 ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Net interest payable and similar charges (1.0) (2.3) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 4.5 2.6 Tax on profit on ordinary activities 4 (1.0) (0.5) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 3.5 2.1 Equity minority interests - (0.3) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Profit for the financial 3.5 1.8 period Dividends (1.9) - Retained profit for the financial period 1.6 1.8 ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share (FRS 14) 6 2.12p 1.10p Basic and diluted headline earnings per ordinary share (IIMR) 6 2.12p 1.10p Basic and diluted headline earnings per ordinary share before exceptional items 6 2.12p 0.46p ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ 6 Before Exceptional Year to months Exceptional items 31.12.1999 to items 31.12.1999 30.06.2000 31.12.1999 Note £m £m £m £m ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Turnover 38.5 64.0 3.9 67.9 Cost of sales (30.0) (48.6) (1.9) (50.5) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Gross profit 8.5 15.4 2.0 17.4 Administrative expenses (3.0) (6.4) (1.0) (7.4) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Operating profit 5.5 9.0 1.0 10.0 ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ EBITDA 9.9 16.1 2.1 18.2 Depreciation (4.4) (7.1) (1.1) (8.2) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Operating profit 5.5 9.0 1.0 10.0 ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Net interest payable and similar charges (1.0) (3.8) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 4.5 6.2 Tax on profit on ordinary activities 4 (1.0) (1.2) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 3.5 5.0 Equity minority interests - (0.3) ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Profit for the financial period 3.5 4.7 Dividends (1.9) - Retained profit for the financial period 1.6 4.7 ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share (FRS 14) 6 2.12p 2.83p Basic and diluted headline earnings per ordinary share (IIMR) 6 2.12p 3.49p Basic and diluted headline earnings per ordinary share before exceptional 6 2.12p 2.63p items ______________ ____ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ Note: EBITDA - Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. Consolidated cash flow statement (unaudited) 6 months 6 months to Year to to 30.06.1999 31.12.1999 30.06.2000 Note £m £m £m ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Net cash inflow from operating activities 7 5.5 10.1 23.0 ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Return on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 0.5 0.3 0.7 Interest paid (2.0) (2.7) (4.8) ___________________ ____ __________ __________ ____________ (1.5) (2.4) (4.1) ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ _____________ Taxation (0.2) (0.3) (1.3) Capital expenditure Purchase of tangible fixed assets (12.4) (16.7) (31.6) Sale of tangible fixed assets 0.7 - - ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ___________ _ (11.7) (16.7) (31.6) ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Equity dividends paid (1.2) - - ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Net cash outflow before financing (9.1) (9.3) (14.0) Financing New loans - 34.9 38.3 Repayment of loans (4.3) - - Repayment of inter- company loans - (21.6) (21.6) ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ (4.3) 13.3 16.7 ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period 8 (13.4) 4.0 2.7 __________________ ___ ________ _________ ___________ Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 6 months 6 months to Year to to 30.06.1999 31.12.1999 30.06.2000 Note £m £m £m ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (13.4) 4.0 2.7 Cash outflow/(inflow) from increase in debt 4.3 (13.3) (16.7) ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Movement in net debt resulting from cash flows (9.1) (9.3) (14.0) Net debt at beginning of period (21.8) (7.8) (7.8) ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Net debt at end of period 8 (30.9) (17.1) (21.8) ___________________ ____ __________ ____________ ____________ Consolidated balance sheet (unaudited) 30.06.2000 30.06.1999 31.12.1999 £m £m £m ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Fixed assets Tangible assets 173.5 155.1 166.2 ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ 173.5 155.1 166.2 Current assets Stocks 0.6 0.4 0.6 Debtors 5.4 3.6 5.8 Cash at bank and in hand 7.6 17.8 16.5 ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ 13.6 21.8 22.9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (26.1) (18.3) (25.9) ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Net current (liabilities)/asset s (12.5) 3.5 (3.0) Debtors: amounts falling due after one year 0.9 - 1.5 ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Total assets less current liabilities 161.9 158.6 164.7 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (36.3) (37.5) (40.7) ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Net assets 125.6 121.1 124.0 ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Capital and reserves Called up share capital 41.5 41.5 41.5 Merger reserve 70.0 70.0 70.0 Profit and loss account 14.1 9.6 12.5 ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Equity Shareholders' funds 125.6 121.1 124.0 ___________________ ___ ___________ ____________ ____________ Reconciliation of movement in Shareholders' funds 6 months 6 months to Year to to 30.06.1999 31.12.1999 30.06.2000 £m £m £m __________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Profit for the financial 1.6 1.8 4.7 period Acquisition of minority - 14.9 14.9 interests __________________________ __________ ___________ ____________ Net movement in Shareholders' funds 1.6 16.7 19.6 Opening Shareholders' funds 124.0 104.4 104.4 __________________________ __________ __________ ____________ Closing Shareholders' funds 125.6 121.1 124.0 __________________________ __________ __________ ____________ Notes (forming part of the financial statements) 1. Principal accounting policies The interim report has been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those adopted by the Group in its pro forma financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1999. 2. Segmental information Throughout the period the Esporta Group operated solely within the health & fitness market in the UK. 3. Exceptional items Turnover and operating profit for the six months to 30 June 1999 included £1.9m and £1.5m respectively reported as exceptional, principally relating to membership and joining fee income for certain clubs which, as a result of the legal structure of those clubs, was exempt from VAT. Customs and Excise introduced legislation, from 1 January 2000, which has rendered such income subject to VAT. The Directors believed that the resulting VAT charge could not be passed on to club members and therefore that this element of income was not sustainable. 4. Tax on profit on ordinary activities The taxation charge for the six months to 30 June 2000 is based on an estimate of the Group's effective rate of taxation for the current year of 22%. The effective rate of taxation for the year to 31 December 1999, after adjusting for the effect of exceptional items, was 10%. The difference compared to the mainstream corporation tax rate of 30% is principally due to capital allowances in excess of depreciation. This timing difference is not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future and therefore no provision has been made for deferred taxation. 5. Dividend A first interim dividend of 0.7p per share was paid to shareholders on 21 April 2000. A second interim dividend of 0.45p per share will be paid on 11 October 2000 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 15 September 2000. 6. Earnings per ordinary share The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profit after tax and minority interests divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue. Headline earnings per ordinary share, as based on the recommendations of the Institute of Investment Management and Research (IIMR), is stated below. Headline earnings per share excluding exceptional items is presented in order to give a better indication of the underlying performance of the Group. This measure is calculated by using earnings before exceptional items and adjusting for the tax effect of these transactions or charges. 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30.06.2000 30.06.1999 31.12.1999 Profit EPS Profit EPS Profit EPS £m pence £m pence £m pence _______________ ______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____ Basic earnings per ordinary share (FRS 14) 3.5 2.12 1.8 1.10 4.7 2.83 Add back: asset impairments - - - - 1.1 0.66 _______________ ______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____ Headline earnings per ordinary share (IIMR) 3.5 2.12 1.8 1.10 5.8 3.49 Deduct: Profit from other exceptional items - - (1.5) (0.92) (2.1) (1.26) Tax effect of other exceptional items - - 0.5 0.28 0.7 0.40 _______________ ______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____ Headline earnings per ordinary share excluding exceptional items 3.5 2.12 0.8 0.46 4.4 2.63 =============== ====== ===== ====== ===== ====== ===== 7. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 6 months 6 months to Year to to 30.06.1999 31.12.1999 30.06.2000 £m £m £m ______________________ __________ ___________ __________ Operating profit 5.5 4.9 10.0 Depreciation and other amounts written off fixed assets 4.4 3.3 8.2 Increase in stocks - - (0.2) Increase/(decrease) in debtors 1.6 2.0 (1.5) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (6.0) (0.1) 6.5 ________________________ __________ ___________ __________ Net cash inflow from operating activities 5.5 10.1 23.0 ________________________ __________ ___________ __________ 8. Analysis of movement in net debt At Cash flow At 01.01.2000 30.06.2000 £m £m £m _______________________ __________ _________ ___________ Cash at bank and in hand 16.5 (8.9) 7.6 Overdrafts - (4.5) (4.5) _______________________ __________ _________ ___________ Funds/(debt) due within one year 16.5 (13.4) 3.1 Debt due after one year (38.3) 4.3 (34.0) _______________________ __________ _________ ___________ Net debt (21.8) (9.1) (30.9) _______________________ __________ _________ ___________ 9. Borrowing facilities Prior to the reconstruction of First Leisure Corporation PLC on 30 January 2000 the subsidiaries of Esporta plc operated using the credit facilities of First Leisure Corporation PLC. Since this date, the Group has had unsecured overdraft facilities of £10m and unsecured revolving credit facilities of £100m. Interest is payable on amounts drawn down under these facilities at rates which vary with LIBOR. The unsecured revolving credit facility is repayable in November 2003. As at 30 June 2000 £34.0m of the revolving credit facility was drawn down. 10. Basis of preparation Esporta plc was formed as a result of the reconstruction of First Leisure Corporation PLC. The comparative half year figures provided in this announcement are those of First Leisure's Health and Fitness Division prepared on the same basis as the full year numbers shown in the 1999 pro forma financial statements. The interim figures to 30 June 2000 and 30 June 1999 are unaudited. The results for both periods have been formally reviewed and reported upon by our auditors. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 1999 has been extracted from the unaudited pro forma financial statements for that year. 11. Interim report and financial statements Copies of the 2000 interim report, which will be posted to shareholders in the week commencing 21 August 2000, may be obtained from the registered office at Trinity Court, Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 2PY. A presentation of the results will be made to analysts on 11 August 2000. Copies of the slides from the presentation are available from the Company's registered office.
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