Interim Results

M&C Saatchi PLC 28 September 2006 M&C Saatchi plc Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2006 M&C Saatchi plc, the international marketing communications group, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2006. Group Highlights - Revenues (gross profit) up 8.7% to Â£34.7m (2005: Â£31.9m) - Strong organic growth from all regions driven by significant new business wins - Successful launch of second continental European office, M&C Saatchi Germany - Profit before tax* down 29.8% to Â£2.9m (2005: Â£4.1m) following short-term investment to support revenue growth - Interim dividend per share held at 0.77 pence - Full year profit expectations significantly ahead * excluding amortisation Commenting on the results, David Kershaw, Chief Executive, said: 'This has been an encouraging year with the business showing real momentum. We have seen strong organic revenue growth driven by several new business wins and our continued expansion into new markets. Although our profits have been impacted by further investment to support revenue growth and expansion into new markets, this leaves us well placed to build on our position. The new business pipeline remains strong and we expect profits for the full year to be significantly ahead of our previous expectations. The outlook into 2007 is good.' For further information please contact M&C Saatchi plc 020 7543 4500 David Kershaw, Chief Executive Tulchan Communications 020 7353 4200 Miranda Acland Peter Hewer Overview The Group has made good progress during the last six months, winning new business and growing revenues across all regions. Group revenues were up 8.7% to Â£34.7m (8.0% on a constant currency basis), comfortably replacing the lost revenue from British Airways. The UK has been the strongest driver of growth, particularly from the media planning and buying, direct marketing and PR businesses. Our offices in Australia and Los Angeles also provided good growth and our France office is now making a contribution. In July, we opened the doors to M&C Saatchi Germany, adding to our European offering. New business performance from many of our smaller Asia Pacific offices has also been strong in the first half. Group profits have been impacted temporarily by increased costs to support our new offices in India, Thailand and Europe and our offices in New Zealand and Singapore which have been effected by account losses. This profit impact is expected to reverse in the second half, and we are confident that profits for the full year will be significantly ahead of our previous expectations. Financial review Reported revenues (gross profit) increased by 8.7% to Â£34.7m (8.0% on a constant currency basis). All regions reported an increase in revenues - the UK up 6.6% to Â£20.3m, Asia and Australia up 7.2% to Â£12.3m, America up 11.3% to Â£1.6m and Europe at Â£0.5m. Revenues in the UK have shown strong organic growth. The growth has been most notable at Walker Media, but we have also seen strong growth from our direct marketing and PR businesses. The growth in Asia and Australia is being driven by Malaysia (up 35%) but more significantly in terms of absolute contribution, from Australia on the back of the Tourism Australia account won in the second half of last year. The new offices in Thailand and India are making a revenue contribution for the first time, adding Â£0.3m. Overall growth in the Asia and Australia region has been significantly held back by account losses in New Zealand (following the Tourism Australia win) and Singapore, reducing year on year growth across the region to a net 5.7%. Our office in Los Angeles has maintained its new business momentum into the first half of 2006. Revenue is up 43%, more than offsetting the loss of the BA revenue suffered in New York. We opened the first of our planned new offices in continental Europe in France in September last year. It has had an excellent start with revenues in the first half of 2006 at Â£0.5m. The first half profitability has been impacted by the investments we have made to support our future revenue growth. The most significant of these are the start up costs associated with opening new offices in India, Thailand and France , but we have also needed to support short term losses in our Singapore and New Zealand offices. The Board has declared an interim dividend of 0.77 pence per share (2005: 0.77 pence) to be paid on 25th October 2006 to shareholders on the register as at 6th October 2006. Review of Operations UK The UK operations have reported an excellent first half performance, benefiting from several account wins during 2005 and in the first half of 2006. Revenues from the UK Group are up 6.6%, comfortably replacing lost revenues from British Airways, giving an organic growth rate of over 14% when adjusted to exclude these revenues. New business growth has exceeded our expectations and we are on track to deliver revenue growth for the full year despite the significant loss of revenues from British Airways. The table below list some of our new account wins during 2005 and 2006 which will be contributing to revenue growth during this year. 2005 2006 to date ------ -------------- Direct line - Advertising Allied Bakeries - Advertising RBS Retail - Advertising Lucozade Energy - Advertising NatWest mortgages - Advertising CB Richard Ellis - Advertising Ribena - Advertising Swiss One - Direct Marketing Mini - Direct Marketing Cosmopolitan - Talk PR Weetabix - Walker Media Ind' News and Media - Walker Media Halfords - Walker Media Growth in the first half has been driven by our businesses outside the creation of advertising, particularly media planning and buying (Walker Media), Direct Marketing (LIDA) and PR (Talk PR). Around 47% (2005: 40%) of the UK's revenues are now derived from these businesses. Digital and on-line activities are becoming increasingly important and have been driving growth in both LIDA and Walker Media, following the launch of Walker-i last year. The overall advertising environment in the UK remains challenging and competition is intense. We continue to see downward pressure exerted by the procurement community on prices and consequently margins, and expect to see this continue for the foreseeable future. Asia and Australia The Asia and Australia region has had a mixed performance. Revenues in this region were up 7.2%, with particularly strong growth in Australia and Malaysia. New account wins included Sydney Water, KFC Hong Kong and Pizza Hut New Zealand. However, performance from our New Zealand and Singapore offices has been impacted by the loss of some key accounts, including the award-winning Tourism New Zealand account which had to be sacrificed as a result of winning the Australia Tourism account last year. These offices are strategically important - New Zealand to support trans Tasman business, and Singapore as an Asian hub. We have therefore not reduced operating costs in response to the loss of revenue, and because these offices are relatively small this has had a significant impact on short term profitability. Following a change in management New Zealand is making good progress and Singapore will be back into profit in the second half. Profitability has also been impacted by our investment in new offices in Thailand and India which will support further growth opportunities. The new business performance in the first half has been very encouraging and we are confident that the second half will show a significant recovery. America The headline numbers for America, which show an operating loss of Â£0.2m on revenues of Â£1.6m, hide the significant progress that has been made to offset the impact of the loss of BA last year. Revenue has grown by 11.3%, driven by significant account gains. In Los Angeles, important wins have been City National Bank and Network Omni, while New York is also making steady progress with important contributions coming from PODS, won in June 2005, and AIG, won in May 2006. More recently Los Angeles has won the $30 million Petco account and an assignment from the John Paul Getty Trust. Profitability of the region is being impacted by our continued investment in the New York office, which is offsetting the excellent performance in Los Angeles. Based on the success of the Los Angeles office we believe that the US market still offers significant growth opportunities for the Group. Europe M&C Saatchi GAD, our first office in continental Europe, opened in France in September last year and has made an excellent start with revenues of Â£0.5m in the first half. Amongst their key new business wins, Pernod Ricard in particular is proving to be a strong pan-European account which can be serviced from France . Other wins include S'miles, Branly Museum, Bordeaux Wines and more recently Yves Rocher. In July, we launched our second European office, M&C Saatchi Germany, following the acquisition of a majority stake in local agency International GMBH. International was founded by Todd Schulz in 2003 and has already built up an impressive array of clients including K-Swiss Europe, Coca-Cola, Ferrero for various KINDER products, MTV, VIVA and HypoVereinsbank. In Spain we are in negotiation with our preferred partners. These negotiations are unlikely to be completed before the end of this year. The setting up of our continental European business has been led by Nick Hurrell , Chairman, Europe. Nick is leaving M&C Saatchi at the end of October to start his own agency, and we wish him well. Europe including the UK will now be managed as one region under the leadership of Moray MacLennan, Chairman, UK Group. This will further facilitate our ability to pitch for pan-European accounts. Outlook As we approach the fourth quarter we now have good visibility through to the end of the year. New business performance continues to be strong across the Group, with organic growth rates which are comfortably offsetting the loss of the BA account last November. In the Asia and Australia region, start-up losses in India and Thailand should reduce in the second half, while our offices in Singapore and New Zealand are now making significant progress. In America our office in Los Angeles is doing well, and we are planning to strengthen the team in New York to capitalise on the potential we see there. In continental Europe our French office is making good progress in winning new business, our German office is now fully operational, and negotiations in Spain are continuing. The growth of M&C Saatchi is a function of our ability to win new clients and additional assignments from existing clients, to expand our range of services and to expand the geographical footprint to enable us to compete for regional and global business. We are making good progress on all counts. In summary, the business has regained momentum, and we now expect profits for the full year to be significantly ahead of our previous expectations. The outlook into 2007 is good. M&C SAATCHI PLC CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT OF THE GROUP SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Note Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Turnover 2 150,255 128,172 298,284 Cost of sales (115,600) (96,290) (230,283) -------- -------- -------- Gross profit 2 34,655 31,882 68,001 Administrative expenses - ordinary (32,275) (28,263) (61,639) - share based payment (188) (56) (185) - amortisation of goodwill (854) (821) (1,688) -------- -------- -------- (33,317) (29,140) (63,512) -------- -------- -------- Operating profit 2 1,338 2,742 4,489 -------- -------- -------- Share of operating profit / (loss) of associates 3 (143) (75) Interest receivable 675 657 1,384 Interest payable (14) (10) (29) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2 2,002 3,246 5,769 Taxation on profits from ordinary activities (1,293) (1,373) (2,690) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 709 1,873 3,079 Minority interests (445) (326) (663) -------- -------- -------- Profit for the financial 264 1,547 2,416 period ======== ======== ======== Earnings per share 3 - Basic 0.49p 2.85p 4.46p - Diluted 0.48p 2.83p 4.41p All amounts relate to continuing activities The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Profit for the financial period - Group 261 1,690 2,497 - Associates 3 (143) (81) -------- -------- -------- 264 1,547 2,416 Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments (272) (158) (50) -------- -------- -------- Total recognised gains and losses for the financial period (8) 1,389 2,366 ======== ======== ======== Consolidated reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Profit for the financial period - Group 261 1,690 2,497 - Associates 3 (143) (81) Dividend (965) (629) (1,045) -------- -------- -------- (701) 918 1,371 Exchange differences (272) (158) (50) Non cash share based incentive plans (including options) 119 28 85 Net (reduction) / addition to shareholders' funds (854) 788 1,406 Opening shareholders' funds 31,616 30,210 30,210 -------- -------- -------- Closing shareholders' funds 30,762 30,998 31,616 ======== ======== ======== The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC BALANCE SHEET AT 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 13,773 15,119 14,592 Tangible assets 3,363 3,048 3,194 Investments 55 15 100 -------- -------- -------- 17,191 18,182 17,886 Current assets Work in progress 1,759 1,890 3,277 Debtors - within one year 40,654 26,434 50,552 Debtors - greater than one year 819 817 578 Cash in hand and bank 23,742 25,314 20,486 -------- -------- -------- 66,974 54,455 74,893 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (51,327) (39,967) (58,969) Net current assets 15,647 14,488 15,924 Total assets less current liabilities 32,838 32,670 33,810 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (568) (758) (868) Provisions for liabilities and charges (556) (241) (404) -------- -------- -------- Net assets 31,714 31,671 32,538 ======== ======== ======== Capital & reserves Share capital 542 542 542 Share premium 9,618 9,618 9,618 Merger reserve 14,144 15,361 14,756 Share option reserve 718 542 599 Profit & loss account 5,740 4,935 6,101 -------- -------- -------- Equity shareholders' funds 30,762 30,998 31,616 Equity minority interests 952 673 922 -------- -------- -------- 31,714 31,671 32,538 ======== ======== ======== The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Operating profit 1,338 2,742 4,489 Amortisation on intangible fixed assets 854 821 1,688 Depreciation 573 558 1,183 Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets 1 57 59 Decrease in work in progress 1,394 1,575 224 Decreases / (Increase) in debtors 9,356 20,212 (3,003) (Decrease) / Increase in creditors (7,262) (16,383) 2,399 Non cash share based incentive plans (including options) 119 - 85 Exchange differences (19) (105) (78) -------- -------- -------- Cash inflow from operating activities 6,354 9,477 7,046 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 675 657 1,384 Interest paid (9) (2) (8) Interest element of finance lease rental payments (5) (8) (15) Minority interest dividend paid (471) (232) (428) Taxation (1,130) (926) (2,544) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (760) (591) (1,289) Sale of tangible fixed assets - 44 37 Acquisitions & disposals Investment in subsidiary (8) - (369) Cash acquired with subsidiary undertaking - - 187 Equity dividends paid (965) (629) (1,045) -------- -------- -------- Net cash inflow before financing 3,681 7,790 2,956 Financing Shares issued to minorities - 116 124 Repayment of overdraft (29) - - Capital elements of finance lease rental payments (53) (57) (142) -------- -------- -------- Increase in cash in the period 3,599 7,849 2,938 ======== ======== ======== The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (continued) SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Increase in cash in the period 3,599 7,849 2,938 Cash outflow from payment of overdraft 29 - - Cash outflow from decrease in lease finance 53 57 142 Inception of finance leases (15) (15) (14) Exchange differences (337) 132 184 -------- -------- -------- Movement in net funds in the period 3,329 8,023 3,250 Net funds at start of year 20,329 17,079 17,079 -------- -------- -------- Net funds at end of period 23,658 25,102 20,329 ======== ======== ======== Analysis of changes in net funds Balance at 1 Cash Finance Exchange Balance at 30 January 2006 inflow lease Movements June 2006 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Cash at bank and in hand 20,486 3,599 - (343) 23,742 Overdraft (29) 29 - - - Finance leases (128) 53 (15) 6 (84) -------- ------ ------ -------- ---------- Total 20,329 3,681 (15) (337) 23,658 ======== ====== ====== ======== ========== The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 1. Accounting policies The financial information included in this report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The interim accounts for the six months to 30 June 2006 and 30 June 2005 are unaudited. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2005 has been extracted from the statutory accounts for that period, a copy of which has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The interim accounts for the six months ended 30 June 2006 have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2005. 2. Profit and net assets UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Turnover Turnover arises from the principal activity of the Group. An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 118,339 101,840 245,926 Asia and Australia 27,201 23,352 45,636 America 3,341 2,980 6,417 Europe 1,374 - 305 -------- -------- -------- 150,255 128,172 298,284 ======== ======== ======== The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2006 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Gross profit (Revenue) An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 20,278 19,026 39,470 Asia and Australia 12,281 11,458 25,084 America 1,556 1,398 3,211 Europe 540 - 236 -------- -------- -------- 34,655 31,882 68,001 ======== ======== ======== Operating profit / (loss) before amortisation of goodwill An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 3,376 3,352 5,811 Asia and Australia 9 882 2,117 America (238) (149) (322) Europe (955) (522) (1,429) -------- -------- -------- 2,192 3,563 6,177 ======== ======== ======== Operating profit / (loss) An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 2,522 2,531 4,123 Asia and Australia 9 882 2,117 America (238) (149) (322) Europe (955) (522) (1,429) -------- -------- -------- 1,338 2,742 4,489 ======== ======== ======== Profit before taxation (before amortisation of goodwill) An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 3,988 3,816 7,006 Asia and Australia 64 921 2,202 America (234) (148) (319) Europe (962) (522) (1,432) -------- -------- -------- 2,856 4,067 7,457 ======== ======== ======== Profit before taxation An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 3,134 2,995 5,318 Asia and Australia 64 921 2,202 America (234) (148) (319) Europe (962) (522) (1,432) -------- -------- -------- 2,002 3,246 5,769 ======== ======== ======== The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements M&C SAATCHI PLC NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2006 UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Â£'000 Â£'000 Â£'000 Net assets An analysis by geographical market. By origin UK 34,409 31,466 32,008 Asia and Australia 2,668 3,143 3,646 America (3,377) (2,514) (1,950) Europe (1,986) (424) (1,166) -------- -------- -------- 31,714 31,671 32,538 ======== ======== ======== 3. Earnings per share UNAUDITED UNAUDITED AUDITED Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Earning per share before amortisation of goodwill - Basic 2.06p 4.37p 7.57p - Diluted 2.04p 4.33p 7.50p Earnings per share - Basic 0.49p 2.85p 4.46p - Diluted 0.48p 2.83p 4.41p The accompanying notes form part of the unaudited financial statements This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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