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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