Interim Results

First Derivatives PLC 16 October 2003 FIRST DERIVATIVES plc UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2003 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT The Company announces an increased interim pre-tax profit of £251,000 for the six months ended 31st August 2003 on revenues of £1,207,000. In the six months ended 31st August 2002 the Company had a pre-tax profit of £125,000 on revenues of £689,000. Earnings per share for the six months was 1.5p against 0.8p for the corresponding period of the previous year. The Board has not recommended an interim dividend but intends to review the appropriateness of a dividend when the outcome for the full year is known. Growth in turnover has been achieved in the Company's core areas of activity, which are systems support, software development and consultancy. During the period under review new long term contracts were signed with two of the worlds largest investment banks. The growth in profits for the first six months of the financial year has been achieved despite a first time charge of £90,000 for the amortisation of the IPR rights arising on the E-hub acquisition in February this year. All areas of the business have performed satisfactorily during the period and the Company continues to explore joint venture opportunities. On 10th October it was announced that Cardiff Broadband Centre had launched a pilot scheme aiming to provide a broadband focus for SMEs in Cardiff through BT e-business Manager (http://www.btebusinessmanager.com/) our joint venture with BT Group plc. A number of other similar opportunities are being explored but the Company believes it will be some time before the Directors are able to assess fully the earnings potential of this area of activity. Our interim figures have been published nearly two months earlier than in 2002 and it is too early to give any indication of the outcome for the second half of the year. However, management accounts for the first month of the second half show figures in line with budget. Profit and Loss Account (unaudited) For the period ended 31 August 2003 6 months ended 6 months ended 12 months ended 28 February 2003 31 August 2003 31 August 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 1,207 689 1,649 Cost of sales (790) (630) (1,186) Gross profit/(loss) 417 59 463 Administrative expenses (242) (69) (284) Other income 86 135 236 Operating profit - continuing operations 261 125 415 Interest receivable 3 4 9 Interest payable and other similar charges (13) (4) (18) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 251 125 406 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (65) (31) (113) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 186 94 293 Retained profit brought forward 600 307 307 786 401 600 Dividends paid - - - Transfer from reserves - - - Retained profit carried forward 786 401 600 Pence Pence Pence Earnings per Share Basic 1.5 0.8 2.4 Balance Sheet (unaudited) As at 31 August 2003 31 August 2003 31 August 2002 28 February 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets Intangible assets 810 0 900 Tangible assets 798 28 313 1,608 28 1,213 Current Assets Debtors 812 1,095 741 Cash at bank and in hand 393 412 555 1,205 1,507 1,296 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (697) (348) (913) Net current assets 508 1,159 383 Total assets less current liabilities 2,116 1,187 1,596 Creditors Amounts falling due after more than one year (549) - (215) Provision for liabilities and charges (5) (10) (5) Net assets 1,562 1,177 1,376 Share capital and reserves Called up share capital 61 61 61 Share premium 715 715 715 Profit and loss account 786 401 600 Equity Shareholders' funds 1,562 1,177 1,376 Cash Flow Statement (unaudited) For the period ended 31 August 2003 6 months ended 31 6 months ended 31 12 months ended 28 August 2003 August 2002 February 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash inflow from operating activities 130 83 694 Return on investment and servicing of finance (10) - (9) Taxation (184) (178) (170) Capital expenditure (82) - (412) Equity dividend - - - Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing (146) (95) 103 Financing (16) 774 720 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period (162) 679 823 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt (unaudited) For the period ended 31 August 2003 6 months ended 31 6 months ended 31 12 months ended 28 August 2002 August 2001 February 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period (162) 679 823 Decrease in debt 15 - 8 Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (147) 679 831 Long term loan (375) (237) Movement in net funds/(debt) in the period (522) 679 594 Net debt at start of the period 323 (271) (271) Net debt at end of the period (199) 408 323 Notes to the Interim Results 1. Basis of Preparation The results for the six months ended 31st August 2003 are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the auditors. They have been prepared on accounting bases and policies that are consistent with those used in the preparation of the financial statements of the company for the period ended 28th February 2003. The financial statements contained in this report do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 248 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (as amended by Article 12 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1990). The results for the period ended 28th February 2003 were reported on by the auditors and received an unqualified audit report. Full accounts for the period ended 28th February 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Dividends No dividend is proposed for the period ended 31st August 2003. 3. Earnings per Share The earnings per share for the six months ended 31 August 2003 has been calculated on the basis of the profit after taxation. The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit on ordinary activities. Earnings per share has been calculated based on 12,296,158 shares outstanding. 4. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 6 months ended 6 months ended 31 12 months ended 31 August 2003 August 2002 28 February 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating profit 251 125 415 Depreciation on tangible fixed assets 108 9 20 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 77 419 224 (Decrease)/increase in creditors (306) (470) 35 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 130 83 694 5. Analysis of net changes in debt during the period 28 February 2003 31 August 28 February 2003 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash in hand and bank 393 - 556 Bank overdraft - (267) - Debt due within one year (108) (4) (18) Debt due after one year (484) (215) (199) (271) 323 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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