Final Results
Debt Free Direct Group PLC
27 June 2006
27 June 2006
DEBT FREE DIRECT GROUP PLC
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2006
ADJUSTED PBT UP 177% TO £5.13M
Debt Free Direct Group Plc, the leading debt advice and solutions company,
announces its results for the year ended 30 April 2006.
Michael Blackburn, Chairman, said:
'The Company has continued to deliver outstanding profitable organic growth.
With the benefit of a solid balance sheet and healthy cash position, the Board
is able to recommend a final dividend of 1.5p per share following on from the
maiden interim dividend of 1.5p per share announced in November 2005. It is the
Company's intention to grow the dividend payment progressively, in proportion
with the Company's future growth.'
Andrew Redmond, Chief Executive Officer, said:
'Our strong position in the rapidly growing IVA market is reflected in our 177%
increase in adjusted PBT to £5.13m, compared to the prior period. This success
has been built on very strong foundations and we are well positioned to continue
our profitable growth in the year ahead.
In addition to our increased capacity in the UK, we are also delighted to
announce the launch of our new business in Australia in the third quarter of
2006. Australian consumers' levels of over-indebtedness are running at record
levels and Debt Free Direct Australia is targeted to grow to represent in excess
of 20% of the Australian Debt Agreements (IVAs) market over the next 2 - 3
years.'
Highlights for the year include
• Financial growth on all fronts with an overall performance
ahead of expectations.
- Turnover up 93% to £16.23m (£8.4m in 2005)
- Gross profit up 104% to £12.29m (£6.0m in 2005)
- Adjusted PBT up 177% to £5.13m (£1.85m in 2005)
- PBT of £4.8m (£1.54m in 2005)
- PAT of £3.3m (£0.98m in 2005)
• Balance sheet strengthened as a result of trading profits.
- Net assets increased to £17.58m (£14.75m in 2005)
• Positive net cash from trading as a result of growth in supervisory
fee income.
• Reduced advertising cost per new IVA as a result of improved media
buying deals, new TV creative and increased conversion rate.
- Average cost per new IVA £807 (£1,252 in 2005)
• Increased operational efficiency
- Annual turnover per employee £90K (£68K in 2005)
- Adjusted PBT per employee £28K (£15K in 2005)
• Growth in IVA Run-rate and market share
- Annualised new IVA case run-rate has more than
doubled in the last 12 months and has increased
by 59% during the last 6 months.
- Whilst the IVA market continues to show dramatic
growth, Debt Free Direct has grown even faster
with its market share exceeding 20% again in May.
• Building upon a Successful Model
Volumes are continuing to grow rapidly. Planning ahead, the company has taken
steps to increase its capacity.
- In April 2006 the company brought on stream facilities in Northern
Ireland capable of completing 150 IVAs per month with immediate
effect. This capacity is expected to double over the next
12 months.
- In October 2006 the company will be taking on new leasehold
premises in Chorley which will more than double its capacity to
process IVAs.
Furthermore, we expect to develop new routes to market and new products in the
UK and we are excited about the long-term prospects of Debt Free Direct
Australia, which is being launched later this calendar year.
Enquiries:
Debt Free Direct Group plc
Andrew Redmond, Chief Executive Officer 01257 240599
Paul Latham, Finance Director 01257 240529
Numis Securities
Iain McDonald 020 7776 1500
Lee Aston
Financial Dynamics
Ed Gascoigne-Pees 020 7269 7132
Nick Henderson 020 7269 7114
Notes
The new IVA average monthly case run-rate has been calculated consistently with
previous announcements. An IVA is recognised on issue of a finalised IVA
proposal to the debtor which, based on historic experience and case data, is
subject to a provision for those cases that may not be approved by the meeting
of creditors. In addition, the total includes referred IVA cases.
Advertising cost per new IVA has been calculated as the gross advertising spend
in the year divided by total new IVAs in the year.
Debt Free Direct helps individuals find the best solution to their debt
problems, based upon an analysis of their particular financial circumstances.
Financial information on an individual is processed through a computer model
(the Best Advice Model) developed by Debt Free Direct in order to recommend a
solution suitable for that individual's particular financial circumstances. The
solutions offered range from basic advice, such as simply destroying credit
cards and curbing unnecessary expenditure, to the following solutions:
• consolidation loan
• re-mortgage
• informal arrangement
• individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)
• bankruptcy
Debt Free Direct is unique in the marketplace in that, unlike most of its
competitors who sell specific products, Debt Free Direct looks to provide the
best advice to the consumer and recommends them the most appropriate service.
Debt Free Direct is based in Chorley, Lancashire, and was admitted to AIM in
December 2002.
Chairman's Statement
Year Ended 30 April 2006
Financial Performance
In this, my first statement as your chairman, I am pleased to be able to report
on a strong period of growth in which turnover rose by 93% to £16.23million
(2005 £8.4million) and profit before tax, adjusted for goodwill amortisation
increased by 177% to £5.13million (2005 £1.85million). With the benefit of a
solid balance sheet and healthy cash position, the Board is able to recommend a
final dividend of 1.5p per share following on from the maiden interim dividend
of 1.5p per share (2005 nil) announced in November 2005. It is the Company's
intention to grow the dividend payment progressively, in proportion with the
Company's future growth.
Before the stock market correction in May 2006, our shares moved from 140.7p as
at 29 April 2005 to 431.5p per share as at April 28 2006. During the year,
institutional investors took advantage of an increased free float as the
founding directors re-balanced their personal portfolios. More recently, Debt
Free Direct became a constituent member of the Alternative Investment Market top
50 companies.
Market overview
Excessive optimism on the part of an increasing number of consumers allied to
some over-generous lending decisions have caused the market for individual
voluntary arrangements to develop and grow. Despite the appearance of new
entrants, our share of that market has increased even further. We welcome
competition as it allows us to differentiate our service which sets out to
provide best advice to individuals, which is crucial at a time when their
anxiety may not only be financial. Annual growth rates of some 140% in the
market also reflect a wider knowledge of this solution which our own advertising
has helped to propagate. Even without the mooted rise in interest rates later
this calendar year, the market will continue to show strong growth. In the
medium term, the introduction of a simplified IVA will give further impetus to
the marketplace.
Board and Management
Gren Folwell took the company through its flotation in 2002 and presided over
the platform for growth which is coming through now. Having been involved with
the business prior to its flotation, I was delighted to succeed Gren in
September 2005 and I thank him on behalf of the Board for his successful period
of service.
Derek Oakley joined the board in June 2005. Initially appointed as Insolvency
Director, he has recently taken responsibility for Operations as well, allowing
Andrew Redmond, the Chief Executive, to concentrate more on strategic and
development matters. Derek brings a wealth of insolvency and practical
experience to the business and is most welcome.
Our staff numbers grew from 152 as at 30 April 2005, to 214 at the year end.
Recruitment at all levels in the business has strengthened our capabilities. On
behalf of the Board, I extend our thanks to all employees for their sterling
efforts throughout the year, which has enabled the Company to turn in another
impressive performance.
Strategy and Outlook
We have a clear focus on growing our market share, profitability and shareholder
value by being the biggest and best in our marketplace. That does not mean that
we shall turn our back on diversification, however, we have much to do in our
core business. The Chief Executive Officer covers this area in his review.
Our new financial year has got off to a strong start and your Board is confident
of making further significant progress.
J M Blackburn
Chairman
26 June 2006
Chief Executive Officer's Review
Year Ended 30 April 2006
Financial performance
The past year has been one of significant growth in all aspects of our financial
performance:
- Turnover has grown by 93% to £16.23m
- Gross profit has grown by 104% to £12.29m
- PBT before goodwill amortisation has grown by 177% to £5.13m
- PAT has grown to £3.27m, compared to £978K last year
- Shareholders' funds have grown to £17.58m from £14.75m
The trading results for the year and the Group's financial position at the year
end are detailed in the financial statements which follow this review.
Further analysis of financial performance
Drilling down from the headline figures, impressive growth has been demonstrated
on all fronts:
Turnover
- IVA related turnover has grown by 95% to £15.26m
- Commission income has grown by 66% to £974K
The increase in IVA related turnover results from growth in both the new IVA
run-rate and supervisory fee income generated from live cases.
Whilst the market particularly focuses on the growth in new IVA cases, it is the
growth in the 'bank' of supervisory cases which is of greatest long term
significance. Last year that 'bank' grew to in excess of 5,500 live cases,
generating supervisory fee income of more then £4.65m. Supervisory fee income
now accounts for 38% of our direct profit (turnover less advertising and direct
labour costs).
Fundamentally, it is the growth in supervisory fee income, that has driven an
increase in net cash from trading for the first full financial year since we
were admitted to AIM. Those familiar with our business model will be aware that
the cashflow dynamics mean that cash flows out on a case before it flows in.
Historically this meant that as we grew new IVA run-rates we would experience
cash outflows. Today, given the large bank of contracted supervisory cases, the
impact of growth on cashflows is substantially outweighed by supervisory income.
Advertising cost per new IVA
- Average cost per new IVA has reduced by 36% this year to £807.
Over the last year we have benefited from media buying deals, which have allowed
us to increase our advertising spend, whilst improving our margins. Our new TV
creative launched in late 2005 has significantly increased our ability to
generate IVA leads.
In addition, we have focused on improving conversions, which allow us to
increase our new IVA run-rate without incurring additional advertising spend.
We anticipate that significant gains will be made in this area in the months
ahead.
Increased operational efficiency
Operational efficiency has improved significantly. This is perhaps best
demonstrated by the fact that although total employee numbers have grown, annual
turnover per employee has increased to £90K (an increase of 32%). More
importantly, Adjusted PBT per employee has increased to £28K (an increase of
87%).
Insights into a rapidly growing market
Last year we confidently predicted organic growth in the year ahead. This year
that message has not changed.
This market originally emerged against a long term backdrop of benign economic
conditions. Low interest rates and full employment, combined with readily
available credit and a buoyant housing market resulted in consumer spending
running well ahead of wage inflation. This increased spending was fuelled by
debt.
Whilst the debate continues with regard to exactly how many over-indebted
consumers are struggling with significant debts, nobody can be in any doubt that
the total is in excess of a million people. However, this number is set to grow
further.
Today, the growth in consumption continues to exceed the growth in earnings as
does the growth in debt levels. Falling interest rates have kept many
over-indebted consumers afloat so far, but interest rates are now moving in the
wrong direction from their perspective.
Meanwhile the supply side of the marketplace continues to evolve. However,
whilst many companies have moved towards being a multi-product supplier, we
strongly believe that only Debt Free Direct can truly claim to be a 'Best Advice
Company'.
Fee charging debt management companies are already in long-term decline, whilst
consolidation loan advertising spend has peaked and is now falling. This has
prompted more and more over-indebted consumers to move towards the IVA as the
most appropriate solution to their problem.
This is evidenced by the growth in the IVA market. Numbers doubled in 2005 and
are set to do so again in 2006. However, this only represents 'the tip of the
iceberg' and we believe that IVA numbers will continue to grow. We would in
particular point towards the following:
- awareness of the IVA will grow through advertising. Our
penetration of the market is set to treble over the forthcoming year.
- the USA continues to show the way. The US debt market developed
earlier than the UK and evidence there would suggest that, even
accounting for recent growth, the IVA market will more than treble.
- recent public opinion surveys suggest that the public will demand it.
We strongly believe that as a 'Best Advice Company', Debt Free Direct is well
placed to prosper in the years ahead. We are 'Regulation Ready' and our
long-term investment in IT means we can demonstrate scalability of the model.
Whilst we are delighted to have already grown our market share to in excess of
20% we do not believe that represents the limit of our potential.
Current trading and prospects
It is clear from the above analysis of the market that IVA providers have yet to
deliver anywhere near the number of IVAs that are needed by over-indebted
consumers.
The challenge, as it has been since we started, is threefold:
- find consumers who need IVAs in ever-increasing numbers
- build our capacity to deliver best advice and IVAs in
ever-increasing numbers
- do both the above in a cost-effective way so as to deliver maximum
profit to shareholders
In October we will move into new premises in Chorley, which combined with our
recent expansion into Northern Ireland will mean that we can expand capacity
significantly in the forthcoming year.
Notwithstanding the above, the potential exists to build upon our successful
model. We expect that the existing market will grow and that the potential
exists to maximise further the market opportunities. We expect to develop new
routes to market (albeit strategic advertising will always remain at our core).
Furthermore, we anticipate that there will be opportunities to explore new
markets beyond the confines of the UK market. In particular we are excited
about the prospect of launching Debt Free Direct Australia later this calendar
year.
However, we are as ever mindful of shareholder value. When we make any move it
will only be when we consider that the time and opportunity is right.
A Redmond
Chief Executive Officer
26 June 2006
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2006
Year Year
ended ended
30 April 30 April
06 05
Note £ £
TURNOVER 16,230,184 8,422,063
Cost of sales (3,937,504) (2,389,519)
GROSS PROFIT 12,292,680 6,032,544
Administrative expenses
Goodwill amortisation (311,737) (311,920)
Other administrative expenses (7,434,486) (4,165,676)
(7,746,223) (4,477,596)
OPERATING PROFIT 4,546,457 1,554,948
Interest receivable 288,796 72,275
Interest payable and similar charges (15,769) (83,972)
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
BEFORE TAXATION 4,819,484 1,543,251
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 1 (1,553,265) (564,815)
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 3,266,219 978,436
Dividends (557,988) -
RETAINED PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 2,708,231 978,436
Earnings per share - basic 2 8.79p 3.04p
Earnings per share - diluted 2 8.55p 2.97p
The group has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year
as set out above. All of the activities of the group are classed as continuing.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
30 APRIL 2006
2006 2005
£ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 1,942,193 2,250,584
Tangible assets 927,837 736,848
2,870,030 2,987,432
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors (including £1,389,647 due 11,964,511 6,668,952
after more than one year (2004:
£940,697))
Cash at bank 5,366,634 6,782,385
17,331,145 13,451,337
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within (2,558,890) (1,555,822)
one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS 14,772,255 11,895,515
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 17,642,285 14,882,947
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after
more than one year (25,202) (73,119)
PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES -
Deferred Tax (20,561)
Other provisions (18,000) (64,164)
17,578,522 14,745,664
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called-up equity share capital 373,294 369,492
Share premium account 13,576,979 13,456,154
Profit and loss account 3,628,249 920,018
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 17,578,522 14,745,664
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2006
Year Year
ended 30 ended 30
April April 2005
2006
£ £
NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 565,162 (1,617,260)
RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND SERVICING OF FINANCE
Interest received 288,796 72,275
Interest paid (575) (93,381)
Interest element of finance lease rental (10,896) (9,813)
payments
NET CASH INFLOW FROM RETURNS ON 277,325 (30,919)
INVESTMENTS AND SERVICING OF FINANCE
TAXATION (1,201,778)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (481,256) (248,021)
Payments to acquire intangible fixed assets (4,085) (4,855)
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (485,341) (252,876)
ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition of DFD Limited preference shares (68,462) (34,821)
(557,988) -
EQUITY DIVIDENDS PAID
CASH OUTFLOW BEFORE FINANCING (1,471,082) (1,935,876)
FINANCING
Issue of ordinary share capital 124,627 8,520,000
Issue costs charged to the share premium account - (200,209)
Capital element of finance lease rental payments (69,295) (61,599)
Repayment of loans - (711,106)
NET CASH INFLOW FROM FINANCING 55,332 7,547,086
DECREASE IN CASH (1,415,750) 5,611,208
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Year ended Year ended
30 Apr 06 30 Apr 05
£
Operating profit 4,546,457 1,554,948
Amortisation 312,476 311,920
Depreciation 288,785 160,076
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 1,483 -
Increase in debtors (5,305,718) (4,069,121)
Increase in creditors 721,679 424,917
Net cash inflow from operating activities 565,162 (1,617,260)
YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2006
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS
Year ended Year ended
30 Apr 06 30 Apr 05
£ £
Decrease in cash in the period (1,415,750) 5,611,208
Cash outflow from repayment of loans - 711,106
Cash outflow from decrease in lease financing 69,295 61,599
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (1,346,455) 6,383,913
New hire purchase agreement - (84,413)
Change in net funds (1,346,455) 6,299,500
Net funds at 30 April 2005 6,639,107 339,607
Net funds at 30 April 2006 5,292,652 6,639,107
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2006
1. TAX ON PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
Year ended Year ended
30 Apr 06 30 Apr 05
£ £
Current tax:
UK Corporation tax based on the results for the
period at 30% 1,522,545 522,779
Deferred taxation charge
- origination and reversal of timing differences 30,720 42,036
Total tax charge 1,553,265 564,815
2. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the profit of £3,266,219
(2005: £978,436) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
during the period of 37,143,181 (2005: 32,182,064). The calculation of diluted
earnings per share is based on the profit of £3,266,219 (2005: £978,436) and a
diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares of 38,185,719 (2005:
33,741,364).
3. STATUS OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The financial information set out in this report does not constitute the
company's statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April 2006, but is derived
from those accounts. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April 2006 will be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies shortly. The auditors have reported on
the statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April 2006 and their opinion was
unqualified for these financial statements.
END
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange