Interim Results

Feedback PLC 19 December 2000 FEEDBACK plc INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2000 CHAIRMAN'S INTERIM STATEMENT The Group experienced a challenging first half-year which resulted in a pre-tax loss of £352,000 for the six months to 30 September 2000 of which £218,000 related to our share of losses in our joint venture company, TekniCAL. Group turnover increased marginally to £4,626,000 but increased development and marketing costs, together with significant reductions in margins at Feedback Instruments adversely affected the results. Whilst I had forewarned at the AGM in August of the likely outcome for the first half year, it is never-the-less very disappointing. TekniCAL's disappointing results for the first half year were, in part, due to continuing delays in the release of UK Government funding to prospective customers, which is now anticipated to be available in Spring 2001. However, the results do not reflect the potential for this business. Future financing strategies for TekniCAL, which is a joint venture company with University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, are currently under consideration to ensure we maximise the opportunities for this company. In the educational sector, TekniCAL is a core member of working groups on standards and specification bodies and is well placed in the UK markets. The TekniCAL Virtual Campus (VC) product has now been sold overseas. Foreign language versions of the VC have been installed in China and also in Mexico, where the initial ten site project could lead to a roll out to over two hundred sites. The Virtual Training Manager (VTM), which uses Virtual Campus technologies for corporate training activity, has been launched and the first sales have been secured, with other pilot projects already underway, including one with a major financial institution. The opportunities in this market sector are considerable. In addition to the established VC and VTM products, TekniCAL is currently working in a partnership arrangement with BT Education to deliver 'The Classroom of the Future' which will be launched at the BETT Conference and Exhibition, the largest educational exhibition in the world, to be held in London in January 2001. The prospects for this section of the business remain very encouraging. I have indicated in the past that Feedback Instruments is very dependent on larger, export orientated, packaged-deal business. Often these projects require the supply of both the standard Instruments manufactured products, together with factored products from other suppliers. The balance of these two clearly affects margins and in the first half the adverse product mix resulted in an overall reduction in margins achieved. At both Feedback Instruments and TekniCAL substantial increases in product development and marketing have been made and these additional costs are reflected in the first half results. Product development focused on the market's expectations of ever increasing computer support for laboratory teaching equipment operating within a Managed Learning Environment. This has been expensive to achieve, but essential, for Feedback and TekniCAL to remain leaders in their areas. The investments considerably strengthen both companies for the future and further enhances the integration of software with existing hardware. Feedback Incorporated has had a good first half-year. Both turnover and profits increased and the current level of business continues to meet expectations. Results at Feedback Data were significantly below expectations, although this subsidiary continues to be profitable. In common with other IT equipment providers, the company has seen a weakening in the market over recent months, although business delayed by Y2K project implementation is now re-emerging. The German subsidiary operated broadly in line with expectations. The Data company continues to develop new, related Data Capture and Access Control/Security hardware and software products designed to meet future market requirements. The level of activity in all subsidiaries of the Group remains encouraging. As was the case at the time of the AGM, order book levels and prospects for a number of overseas projects within the educational sector are positive. Forecasting the timing of this potential business remains difficult, although the product mix of these projects is more favourable than in the first half-year. D H Harding, Chairman 19 December 2000 Note: The interim figures for the six months to 30 September 2000, which are unaudited, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31March 2000. The Financial information contained in this Interim Report does not amount to full accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The results for the year ended 31 March 2000 are extracted from the published accounts for that period on which the auditors gave an unqualified report and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The deficit per share for the six months ended 30 September 2000 is based on the Group loss on ordinary activities after taxation and preference dividends of £398,300 attributed to 11,604,129 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue. The diluted earnings per share is calculated allowing for both the full conversion of the Preference Shares and the full exercise of outstanding share options. However, in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 14, as neither of these conversions have a dilutive effect the earnings per share figure remains unaltered. SUMMARISED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 00 30 Sept 99 31 March 00 £'000s £'000s £'000s Turnover 4,625.9 4,334.5 9,294.4 Operating (loss)/profit (140.0) 193.1 585.4 Share of operating (loss)/profit of joint venture (218.6) 103.1 28.3 Net interest receivable/(payable) 6.4 1.8 (2.0) (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities (352.2) 298.0 611.7 Tax on profit on ordinary activities -- (89.4) (207.6) (Loss)/profit for the period after taxation (352.2) 208.6 404.1 Ordinary dividends paid and proposed -- -- -- Preference dividends paid and proposed (46.1) (58.2) (105.6) Preference share costs appropriation (2.1) (57.6) (86.6) Retained (loss) / profit for the period (400.4) 92.8 211.9 (Deficit)/ earnings per share (3.43)p 1.64p 2.10p Diluted (deficit)/ earnings per share (3.43)p 1.29p 2.10p SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 00 30 Sept 99 31 March 00 £'000s £'000s £'000s Fixed assets 579.2 530.6 483.0 Investment in Joint Venture (71.5) 228.1 147.1 Investment in Joint Venture 507.7 758.7 630.1 Current assets Stock 1,787.7 1,314.7 1,444.7 Debtors 4,649.1 3,557.6 4,222.3 Cash at bank and in hand 915.1 1,304.5 787.2 7,351.9 6,176.8 6,454.2 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (3,780.6) (2,509.2) (2,599.1) Net current assets 3,571.3 3,667.6 3,855.1 Total assets less current liabilities 4,079.0 4,426.3 4,485.2 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (182.9) (250.7) (190.9) Net assets 3,896.1 4,175.6 4,294.3 Ordinary share capital 1,164.1 1,057.4 1,157.0 Preference share capital 919.1 1,129.8 933.2 Reserves 1,812.9 1,988.4 2,204.1 Shareholders' funds 3,896.1 4,175.6 4,294.3 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 Sept 00 30 Sept 99 31 March 00 £'000s £'000s £'000s Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (417.3) (107.3) 24.2 Returns on investments and servicing of finance 6.4 1.8 (2.0) Preference dividend paid (46.1) (58.2) (105.6) Corporation tax recovered/(paid) 83.3 (7.8) (31.8) Capital expenditure (128.6) (51.5) (68.8) Financing (18.7) (22.7) (37.4) Management of liquid resources 650.0 500.0 200.0 Increase/ (decrease) in cash 129.0 254.3 (21.4) Reconciliation of operating (loss)/profit to operating cash flow Operating (loss)/profit (140.0) 193.1 585.4 Depreciation charges 57.5 67.1 138.6 (Profit) on sale of tangible fixed assets (13.5) -- (6.4) Exchange difference (8.8) (53.9) (87.6) (Increase)/ decrease in stocks (343.0) 162.9 32.9 (Increase) in debtors (502.1) (413.8) (1,003.2) Increase/(decrease) in creditors 532.6 (62.7) 364.5 Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities (417.3) (107.3) 24.2 REVIEW REPORT BY THE AUDITORS TO FEEDBACK plc We have reviewed the interim financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2000 set out on pages 4 to 6, which is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. Our responsibility is to report on the results of our review. Our review was carried out having regard to the Bulletin 'Review of Interim Financial Information', issued by the Auditing Practices Board. This review consisted principally of applying analytical procedures to the underlying financial data, assessing whether accounting policies have been consistently applied and making enquiries of management responsible for financial and accounting matters. The review excluded audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets and liabilities, and was therefore substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the interim financial information. On the basis of our review: - in our opinion the interim financial information has been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those adopted by Feedback plc in its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2000; and - we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the interim financial information as presented. Copies of the interim statement will be sent to all shareholders in due course.

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