Pre-Close Trading Update

RNS Number : 1356Y

Equals Group PLC

12 January 2022

 

For immediate release

12 January 2022

Equals Group plc

('Equals' or the 'Group')

Pre-Close Trading Update

'Strong finish to FY-21 with revenue up 52% on prior year'

Equals (AIM:EQLS) , the fintech payments group focused on the SME marketplace, is pleased to announce a strong trading performance for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 ('FY-21') resulting in unaudited revenue of £44.1 million, an increase of 52% on FY-20.

FY-21 ended strongly with revenue for Q4-21 at £15.3 million, up 96% on Q4-20 and up 28.1% on Q3-21. Revenue from the Solutions product stream (at its core the 'own-name multi-currency IBAN' capability) generated £3.5 million since its introduction in May 2021, demonstrating the revenue potential of the investments made in technology and product in FY-19 and FY-20.  Overall earnings in FY-21 are in line with management expectations.

The Group is also in a robust financial position with £13.2 million of cash at bank as at 31 December 2021.

Early trading in FY-22 has continued the strong trend seen in FY-21 and despite the well-publicised cost inflationary pressures (particularly on payroll and utilities), the Group expects to continue to manage its costs effectively.

The Group will continue to invest between 20% and 25% of its headcount costs into further technology and product developments for FY-22 but expects this to drop below 20% in FY-23 as the core capabilities are delivered.  In addition, the Group will be increasing its sales and marketing activities to maximise B2B revenue growth from its payments platforms - Equals Money, targeted at SME's, and Equals Solutions, targeted at larger corporates.

'Travel Money' (travel cash and personal pre-paid debit cards) averaged 5% of revenue in Q4-21, and the Group sees opportunities for a potential bounce-back this year from the FY-21 levels of revenue (approximately £2.8 million) towards FY-19 levels (approximately £8.0 million).

Ian Strafford-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our repositioning as a B2B focused fintech off the back of our technology and product developments has differentiated us from our peers.  We are now monetising these capabilities, as can be clearly seen by the rapid rise in our revenues.  Without the need for additional investment capital, we are able to grow revenues, profits and cash balances whilst continuing to invest in further product developments.  Accordingly, we are extremely excited and confident in the future of the Group."

- Ends -

This announcement contains inside information.

For more information, please contact:

Equals Group plc
Ian Strafford-Taylor, CEO Richard Cooper, CFO	Tel: [phone] www.equalsplc.com
Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor / Broker)
Bobbie Hilliam / Georgina McCooke Alex Aylen (Sales)	Tel: [phone]
Buchanan (Financial Communications)
Henry Harrison-Topham / Steph Whitmore / Toto Berger [e-mail]	Tel: [phone] www.buchanan.uk.com

Notes to Editors:

Equals Group is a technology-led international payments group augmented by highly personalised service for the payment needs of SME's whether these be FX, card payments or via Faster Payments. Founded in 2007, the Group listed on AIM in 2014 and currently employs around 250 staff across sites in London and Chester.  For more information, please visit www.equalsplc.com .

 

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