Interim Results-Replacement
Power Leisure PLC
24 July 2001
The issuer advises that the following amendment has been made to the interim
results announcement released today at 07.34 hours under RNS No. 3722H. In
paragraph 1, the first sentence has been changed to read, 'Power Leisure plc,
trading as Paddy Power Bookmaker, the leading bookmaker in Ireland with
on-line betting services in both Ireland and the UK, announces its Interim
Results for the half year ended 30 June 2001'.
All other details remain unchanged and the fully corrected version is shown
below.
POWER LEISURE PLC
INTERIM RESULTS REPLACEMENT
Power Leisure plc, trading as Paddy Power Bookmaker, the leading bookmaker in
Ireland with on-line betting services in both Ireland and the UK, announces
its Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2001.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Turnover Euro206.4m up 18.6% (H1 2000: Euro174.1m)
- 11.2% growth in LBO (Licensed Betting Office) turnover
- 10.3% increase in telebetting turnover
- Growth in online registrations to 26,846 from 12,437 (31
December 2000)
- Ongoing investment in online operations following UK launch
in March 2001
- Online turnover at Euro14m represents 7% of Group turnover, up
from 2% of Group turnover for full year 2000
- Operating profit excluding online operations Euro9.8m, up 60.7%
(H1 2000:Euro6.1m)
- Operating profit including online operations Euro4.0m (H1 2000: Euro5.5m)
- Interim dividend 1.7c per share
Commenting on the results, Group Chief Executive, Stewart Kenny said:
'Good progress was made across all our businesses. The launch of online
betting services into the UK market was a particular highlight and is
performing satisfactorily. Our telephone betting service continues to expand
attracting new customers and increased revenues. Our licensed betting offices
traded exceptionally well. The opening of four new offices in Ireland and one
in West London brings our total network to 124.
The outlook for all our operations remains positive. Our focus is to ensure
the continuing development of our three businesses: LBOs, on-line and
telephone betting services and the successful development of our online
services in the UK.'
- End -
24 July 2001
For enquiries contact:
Stewart Kenny Peter O'Grady Walshe
Chief Executive, Power Leisure plc Finance Director, Power Leisure plc
Tel: +353 86 255 6770 Tel: +353 86 255 5460
Issued on behalf of Power Leisure plc
By: Drury Communications Ltd Holborn Public Relations
Contact: Mark Cahalane, Marie Therese Duffy Trevor Phillips
Tel: +353 1 260 5000 Tel: +4420 7929 5599
Interim Report 2001 Highlights
Six months ended Six month ended
30 June 2001 30 June 2000
Euro'000 Euro'000 % Change
Turnover
Licensed betting offices 170,368 153,189 +11.2%
Telephone betting 22,055 19,988 +10.3%
On-line interactive betting 13,993 926
Total Group turnover 206,416 174,103 +18.6%
Operating Profit/(Loss)
Licensed betting offices 9,363 5,777 +62.1%
Telephone betting 480 349 +37.5%
On-line interactive betting (5,833) (582) nm
Total Operating Profit 4,010 5,544 -27.7%
Profit after taxation 3,492 3,974 -12.1%
Profit retained for the period 2,691 2,768 -2.8%
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share 7.41c 9.08c -18.4%
Diluted earnings per share 6.90c 8.33c -17.2%
Dividends per Share
Interim paid nil 1.02c
Interim payable 1.70c 1.74c
1.70c 2.76c
Net Assets 28,499 18,975
Chairman's Statement
To all our Shareholders
I am pleased to report to shareholders growth in operations and underlying
earnings in the six months ended 30 June 2001. Your Company's turnover grew by
18.6% from Euro174.1 million in H1 2000 to Euro206.4 million in H1 2001. As a
result of continuing investment in our on-line betting operations profits
after tax declined 12.1% from Euro3.97 million in H1 2000 to Euro3.49 million
in H1 2001. This resulted in a 17.2% decline in diluted earnings per share
from 8.33c in H1 2000 to 6.90c in H1 2001. This was accomplished
notwithstanding the impact of cancelled sporting events caused by movement
restrictions resulting from foot and mouth disease.
We remain pleased with progress in our on-line betting service
('paddypower.com') since its establishment in April 2000 and its launch in the
UK market in March 2001 ('paddypower.co.uk'). These internet-based services
were followed by the launch of interactive TV services through ntl and
Telewest in March and May 2001 respectively. Monthly turnover through our
on-line interactive operations exceeded Euro3 million for the first time in
June 2001.
The Board has decided to pay an interim dividend of 1.70c per share on 13
August 2001 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 3
August 2001.
In the following pages of this Interim Report you will find a brief review of
the operations and finances of your Company during the first six months of
2001.
We remain encouraged by progress in all areas of our business since 30 June
2001 and look forward to being in a position to report further progress to you
early next year.
John Corcoran
Chairman
24 July 2001
Operating Review
Power Leisure remains focused as a small-stake, fixed-odds sports bookmaker
operating under the Paddy Power name. The Company has added to its licensed
betting offices ('LBO') and telephone betting operations with the formal
launch in June 2000 of our internet-based service, paddypower.com, followed in
March 2001 by the launch of online services into the UK market.
Licensed Betting Offices
During the first six months of 2001 the Company opened a further four (H1
2000: two) Paddy Power LBOs bringing the total number of outlets in operation
in Ireland at the period end to 122. In addition, a second LBO was opened in
the UK in west London in May 2001. We continue to operate four racecourse LBOs
(H1 2000: three). Our relocation program continued during the period with one
LBO (H1 2000: one) relocated to larger and better-positioned premises. A
further three (H1 2000: five) LBOs were refurbished.
Telephone Betting
Our telephone betting service ('Dial-a-bet') continued its expansion during
the first six months of 2001 and ended the period with 22,042 registered
customers (31 December 2000: 19,967) and 8,644 active customers (31 December
2000: 7,390). (note: active customers are defined as those that have bet with
us in the previous three months). We have achieved measurable increases in our
customer call handling response times since December 2000 following the
relocation of the operation to larger premises.
On-line Betting
In June 2000 our internet-based betting service ('paddypower.com') was
formally launched. Based on our initial marketing campaign in Ireland we
achieved a total of 12,433 account registrations by 31 December 2000. Further
intensive marketing and advertising followed from March 2001 in the UK to
coincide with the launch of our UK resident site paddypower.co.uk and
interactive TV services through the cable systems of ntl Group and Telewest.
As a result the number of account registrations has grown to 26,846 by 30 June
2001. Of these 5,064 accounts at 31 December 2000 and 12,497 at 30 June 2001
are active (note: active accounts are those that have placed a bet within the
previous three months). Turnover through our on-line interactive services in
the first half of 2001 of Euro14.0 million was generated on an average bet
size of Euro29.72. This average excludes turnover derived from our lottery
results-based product, Lucky Numbers, which has an average bet size of Euro
2.77. During June 2001 active on-line customers each bet, on average, 8.2
times during a four-week period.
Our on-line service is now offered, together with the services of other
bookmakers, to the interactive (digital) TV customers of ntl Group and
Telewest, the two largest cable TV operators in the UK. Account registrations
through these services amounted to 1,031 at 30 June 2001. As of 31 March 2001
ntl Group had 757,000 (31 December 2000: 530,000) interactive TV customers in
the UK and a target of 1,250,000 by the end of 2001. Telewest announced that
on 4 June 2001 it had 532,000 interactive TV customers. We launched our
service on the ntl system in March 2001 at the same time as the launch of our
internet-based service, paddypower.co.uk, to UK customers. We launched our
Telewest-based service in May 2001. The Group substantially increased the
level of its expenditure on advertising and marketing in support of the UK
launch of our on-line interactive services in H1 2001. We continue to review
the results from this expenditure as our UK launch progresses.
Financial Review
Turnover
The Group's turnover increased by 18.6% over H1 2000 to Euro206.5 million.
Like for like turnover in our LBOs increased by 7.6%, while aggregate LBO
turnover grew by 11.2% which includes the impact of five additional LBOs
opened during the period. During the period the average slip value within the
LBOs increased by 11.4% from Euro11.57 in H1 2000 to Euro12.89. Telephone
betting turnover growth remained strong recording a 10.3% increase in turnover
over H1 2000. Average transaction size per call remained virtually unchanged
moving from Euro79.79 in H1 2000 to Euro79.49 in H1 2001. Turnover through
our on-line interactive operations grew substantially to Euro14 million.
Margin
Gross margin, measured as bets placed (excluding betting duty and levies) less
winnings returned to customers, increased by 32.2% over H1 2000 to Euro28.1
million. Expressed as a percentage of turnover by delivery channel the
following margins were achieved:
Gross Margins H1 2001 H1 2000 2000
LBOs 14.9% 12.8% 13.4%
Telephone betting 9. 8% 8.1% 8.9%
On-line 4.5% (2.6%) 8.1%
Group Total 13.6% 12.2% 12.8%
The gross margins achieved in our LBO and telephone betting operations are
higher than we would normally expect to achieve. Gross margin of 4.5% which
was achieved on on-line turnover was disappointing. We have taken steps to
improve on this performance. Our gross margins must be measured against the
burden of Irish government betting duty and levies borne by the Group, which
represented 5.3% of turnover (likely to reduce to 5% with effect from 1 July
2001). The willingness and the ability of the Group to bear this taxation
burden, which is necessary to maintain competitiveness with operators located
in jurisdictions which levy a nominal tax on bets, is now very limited. As a
result of the prospective reduction in betting duty in the UK from 6 October
2001 the Group plans to take advantage of this change to offer tax-free
betting to our Irish telephone and on-line customers.
Operating Profit
Operating profit of Euro4.0 million is stated after charging significant
launch costs for our on-line-based operations which resulted in a loss of Euro
5.8 million in this segment of our business. These costs include Euro0.8
million in respect of betting duty and levies incurred on behalf of customers
and an allocated share of marketing and advertising expenditure amounting to
Euro3.2 million.
Tax Rate
Corporation tax charge for the six months ended 30 June 2001 amounted to Euro
0.8 million (H1 2000: Euro1.7 million) which represents an effective tax rate
of 19.3% (H1 2000: 30.0%) against the standard rate of 20% (H1 2000: 24%). The
historical difference between the standard rate and our effective rate of tax
was primarily due to significant investment in computer equipment which we
depreciate over a three year period and depreciation on premises which is not
tax deductible.
Cash Flow
Net cash flow from operating activities fell by 44.9% over H1 2000 to Euro4.9
million. This cash was partially utilised in payments amounting to Euro3.6
million (H1 2000: Euro3.1 million) to acquire fixed assets. Cash balances
amounted to Euro14.3 million at 30 June 2001 (30 June 2000: Euro8.7 million).
This increase partly reflects the Euro3.6 million net proceeds of the share
placing in December 2000. Cash balances include Euro0.9 million held on behalf
of customers.
Dividends
The Board has approved an interim dividend of 1.7c per share. This is the
first interim dividend payable since the Company was floated and is not
directly comparable to interim dividends paid in previous years. It is the
Board's intention to adopt a progressive dividend payment policy mindful of
the short-term requirements of our UK launch of on-line services and possible
acquisition opportunities. It is also the Board's intention that final
dividends will tend to be approximately twice the size of interim dividends.
Outlook
The outlook for all our operations remains positive. Our biggest challenge for
2001 remains to ensure the successful development of our internet-based
paddypower.co.uk together with the interactive service on the ntl and Telewest
digital cable TV systems in the UK. We look forward to the benefits of the
shift (in the UK) from a turnover-based tax to a gross profits-based tax with
effect from 6 October 2001.
Euro
The Group continues to review the future impact of the introduction of the
Euro to its business and in particular cash handling and processing procedures
during early 2002. The costs associated with the introduction of the Euro are
not expected to be material.
Management
Ross Ivers has been appointed finance director designate and will assume the
position of finance director during September 2001 when Peter O'Grady Walshe
steps down as finance director and resumes his role as a non-executive
director of the Company. Ross Ivers worked in a number of senior financial
positions with Viapay Limited, Astec (BSR) plc and the Jardine Matheson Group.
John O'Reilly has been appointed chief operations officer with responsibility
for all day-to-day operations of the Group including on-line interactive
operations. This appointment will allow the CEO to increase his focus on the
strategic development of the Group and the marketing and development of the
Paddy Power brand.
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
Six months ended 30 June 2001 (unaudited)
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended
30 June 2001 30 June 2000 31
December
Euro'000 Euro'000 Euro'000
(unaudited) (audited) (audited)
Turnover 206,416 174,103 362,825
Cost of winning bets paid (178,340) (152,865) (316,511)
Gross profit 28,076 21,238 46,314
Operating expenses (24,066) (15,694) (35,685)
Operating profit 4,010 5,544 10,629
Interest payable and similar charges (12) (15)
Interest receivable and similar income 315 144 336
Profit on ordinary activities before 4,325 5,676 10,950
taxation
Tax on profit on ordinary activities (833) (1,702) (2,937)
Profit on ordinary activities after 3,492 3,974 8,013
taxation
Dividends (801) (1,206) (1,756)
Retained profit for the period 2,691 2,768 6,257
Retained profit brought forward 16,867 10,610 10,610
Retained profit carried forward 19,558 13,378 16,867
Earnings per Share
Basic 7.41c 9.08c 18.20c
Diluted 6.90c 8.33c 16.87c
Dividend per share 1.70c 2.76c 3.92c
Consolidated Balance Sheet
30 June 2001 (unaudited)
30 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
Euro'000 Euro'000 Euro'000
(unaudited) (audited) (audited)
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 22,565 16,968 21,336
Intangible asset 1,206 1,327 1,267
23,771 18,295 22,603
Current assets
Debtors 1,168 415 671
Cash at bank and in hand 14,318 8,738 16,054
15,486 9,153 16,725
Creditors (amounts falling due within one (10,758) (8,473) (13,240)
year)
Net current assets 4,728 680 3,485
Total assets less current liabilities 28,499 18,975 26,088
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 4,714 4,630 4,714
Share premium 3,305 305 3,585
Capital redemption reserve fund 662 662 662
Capital conversion reserve fund 260 - 260
Profit and loss account 19,558 13,378 16,867
Shareholders' funds 28,499 18,975 26,088
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Six months ended 30 June 2001
Six months ended Six months Year ended
30 June 2001 ended
31 December
30 June 2000
2000
Euro'000 Euro'000 Euro Euro Euro Euro
'000 '000 '000 '000
Net cash inflow from operating 4,897 8,887 20,104
activities
Returns on investments and
servicing of finance
Interest received 315 144 336
Interest element of finance - (12) (15)
lease payments
315 132 321
Taxation
Corporation tax paid (2,556) (1,906) (2,216)
Capital expenditure & financial
investments
Acquisition of tangible fixed (3,632) (3,150) (9,612)
assets
Sales proceeds on disposal of 69 62 61
fixed assets
(3,563) (3,088) (9,551)
Equity dividends paid (550) (888) (1,650)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before (1,457) 3,137 7,008
financing
Financing
Capital element of finance lease (239) (418)
payments
Issue of new shares including (279) 3,624
share premium less costs of
issue
Net cash (outflow)/inflow (1,736) 2,898 10,214