Final Results

RNS Number : 4369B
M. P. Evans Group PLC
17 April 2012
 



M.P. EVANS GROUP PLC

 

M.P. Evans Group PLC ("MP Evans" or "the Group"), a producer of Indonesian palm oil and Australian beef cattle, announces its unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

Highlights

 

Financial

 

   Profit for the year increased by 62% to US$39.70 million (2010 US$24.45 million)

 

    Earnings per share increased by 61% to US cents 66.39 (2010 US cents 41.17)

 

    Final dividend for the year increased to 5.75 pence per share (2010 - 5.50 pence).

      2.25 pence interim already paid (2010 - 2.00 pence)

 

Indonesian palm oil

 

    Plantation profits 19% higher at US$25.83 million (2010 US$21.68 million)

 

    Palm-oil price averaged US$1,123 per tonne (cif) (2010 US$905 per tonne)

 

    Indonesian crops of oil palm fresh fruit bunches ("f.f.b.") from new

      projects and established estates, at 249,300 tonnes, 27% higher than in 2010;

      9% higher on associates' estates, at 401,200 tonnes

 

    Group's total planted area, including its share of associates' areas, increased 5%

      to 29,800 hectares (28,400 hectares at end 2010)

 

●    Palm-oil market has picked up sharply in 2012, currently around US$1,175 per tonne

 

●    Completion of Group's palm-oil mill in East Kalimantan allowing capture of additional sales value

 

●    Group remains on track for f.f.b. production of 300,000 in 2012 and 500,000 in 2015

 

 

Australian beef cattle

 

    Increased profit contribution from associate NAPCo, and small trading profit repeated for Woodlands

 

    Australian beef-cattle prices remained steady in 2011

 

    Good rainfall in early 2012 has benefited Woodlands and NAPCo properties

     

Malaysian property and other asset disposals

 

    Much-improved development profits by associate, Bertam Properties, with

      minimal land disposals in 2011

 

    Bertam Estate valuation benefiting from Bertam Properties' development activity

 

  

Commenting on the results, Peter Hadsley-Chaplin, Chairman of MP Evans, said:

 

"An excellent year which saw substantially-higher profits following a sharp increase in crops from both the new projects and the established estates and strong palm-oil prices.  Progress continues with the new projects - the new palm-oil mill and bulking installation in Kalimantan were successfully commissioned at the end of 2011.  A significant improvement in profits was achieved by the Australian associated company, NAPCo, after a good season."

 

 

Enquiries:


M.P. Evans Group PLC

Telephone: 020 7796 4133 on 17 April only.


Thereafter - 01892 516333

Peter Hadsley-Chaplin

Chairman

Philip Fletcher

Managing director

Tristan Price

Finance director



Hudson Sandler

Telephone: 020 7796 4133

Charlie Jack

Katie Matthews




Peel Hunt LLP

Telephone: 020 7418 8900

Dan Webster

Matthew Armitt




 

An analysts' meeting will be held today at 9:30 a.m. at the offices of Hudson Sandler, 29 Cloth Fair, London EC1A 7NN.

 

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

The Group delivered a very strong performance in 2011 with a profit for the year increasing 62% to US$39.70 million (2010 US$24.45 million).  Earnings per share increased to US cents 66.39 (2010 US cents 41.17). Strong palm-oil prices and increasing crops of oil palm fresh fruit bunches ("f.f.b.") on both the new projects and the established estates (both majority owned and in the associated companies) were the prime reason for the improved results.

 

DIVIDEND

The board recommends an increased final dividend for the year of 5.75p per share which compares with last year's final dividend of 5.50p per share.  Together with the interim dividend of 2.25p per share paid in November 2011 (November 2010 - 2.00p), the total for the year amounts to 8.00p, an increase of 0.50p from the previous year.  A scrip-dividend alternative is again being offered.

 

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

Indonesia

The Group continued in 2011 on its course towards completing the development of the two new projects, in East Kalimantan and Bangka.  As at the end of the year, a total of 17,100 hectares had been planted on these projects of which 5,000 hectares were on behalf of the smallholders' cooperatives.  These cooperatives are managed by the Group and, in East Kalimantan, their f.f.b. is already being processed in the Group's mill (see below).  The upward trend of crops continues on both projects as new areas mature and yields increase on those areas that have already matured.  A total of 2,020 hectares were planted on the new projects in 2011 of which 560 hectares were for the cooperatives. 175 hectares of Group land were sold to smallholder cooperatives during the year.

 

The palm-oil mill and the jetty, bulking and warehousing installation in East Kalimantan were completed on time at the end of 2011.  The mill has had a successful start, achieving good extraction rates from the f.f.b. supplied by the project and from f.f.b. purchased from the associated cooperatives and other nearby estates. Processing of the f.f.b. by the Group's own mill adds considerably more value than can be achieved by selling the fruit to third-party mills.

 

As a result of the increasing crops that will be generated by the two new projects, the Group is on track to produce 300,000 tonnes of f.f.b. from its majority-owned plantations in 2012 and 500,000 tonnes in 2015, from palms that have been planted to date.  The overall crop was approximately 250,000 tonnes in 2011.  These increased crops will generate significantly higher revenues and cash flows but the level of these will, of course, depend upon palm-oil prices.

 

Agreeing terms with local people to release land for planting remains a time-consuming task, as does the process of finalising and obtaining the ultimate land title, the hak guna usaha (HGU).  Nevertheless, management's latest estimate is that, on the East Kalimantan project, a further 3,200 hectares in total may be available of which 1,000 hectares would be allocated to the smallholder schemes.  On the Bangka project, a further 5,600 hectares in total are thought to be possibly available for planting of which 2,600 hectares would be allocated to the smallholders' cooperatives. 

 

Appropriate land is not easy to come by but the Group will only consider areas with acceptable agricultural features which are environmentally suitable. However, management is actively seeking to secure further land, preferably near the East Kalimantan project. 

 

Australia

The Group's 34.37% shareholding in The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Limited ("NAPCo") remained unchanged during the year.  However, the board continues to review any opportunities to acquire additional shares in the company as and when they arise.

 

Further progress at NAPCo was made during the year towards the achievement of two significant strategic initiatives.  First, the expansion of the company's feedlot, Wainui, was completed.  This has enabled greater economies of scale and also more flexibility of timing, in terms of bringing cattle into the feedlot at younger ages when conditions warrant it.  The second initiative is the ongoing programme of drilling new boreholes on the company's main breeding property, Alexandria Station.  The water improvements of recent years have enhanced the safe-carrying capacity of the property and enabled the number of calves branded annually to be increased in the last decade from some 32,000 to 40,000 today.  The water-development programme on Alexandria will continue in 2012, after which NAPCo's board will review the prospective benefits of continuing with the programme.

 

In addition to the two strategic initiatives described above, the company, for a second successive year and as a result of the favourable season, took the opportunity to acquire additional steers for fattening.   Whilst 14,000 head were purchased in 2010, the limited number of good-quality cattle available for purchase and consequent high prices resulted in a lesser number, 8,500, being purchased in 2011.

 

Notwithstanding the favourable prospects for Woodlands resulting from the increase in its herd and the development of its pastures, it remains the board's intention in the longer term to sell the property. 

 

Malaysia

The Group's two principal remaining interests in Malaysia are the 70-hectare Bertam Estate and its 40% share of Bertam Properties Sdn. Berhad ("Bertam Properties").  Whilst the board ultimately plans to sell both of these, this is not considered an urgent priority.  It is expected that in the next two to three years Bertam Properties will continue to generate significant cash flows from land sales and from its successful property-development activities.  The value of Bertam Estate is likely to continue to escalate as a result of the continuing development of the (adjoining) Bertam Properties project. 

 

PALM-OIL ACTIVITIES AND MARKET

The palm-oil market held up above the historically-high price of US$1,000 per tonne (Rotterdam cif) throughout most of the year, although it was on a generally declining trend.  World stocks of palm oil increased during the year and the prices of agricultural commodities eased in the wake of the European debt crisis.  Palm oil was no exception.  However, concerns towards the end of 2011 that dry weather in South America would adversely affect the soybean crop added upward pressure on vegetable-oil prices and, accordingly, palm oil has strengthened markedly to the current level of around US$1,175 per tonne.

 

F.f.b. crops from the majority-owned Indonesian estates, at 249,300 tonnes, were 27% ahead of last year's 196,400 tonnes.  The crops from the new projects, in East Kalimantan and Bangka, were, as expected, sharply higher (by 99%) than in 2010 as new areas mature and yields increase on those areas which have already reached maturity.  Yields on the established estates in Sumatra increased further (by 16%) with the investment in upgraded infrastructure and improved harvesting standards starting to pay off.  A further small improvement in the extraction rate (to 23.2%) at the Pangkatan mill was also achieved.

 

Majority-owned estates

Crops and production   

 

                                                  2011   Increase    2010

                                                Tonnes          %  Tonnes

 

Crops - f.f.b. - Pangkatan group               149,300            130,200

               - Simpang Kiri                   50,200             41,200

               - East Kalimantan                23,100              6,100

               - Bangka                         26,700             18,900

                                               -------            -------

                                               249,300        27  196,400

                                               =======       ===  =======

 

Production  - crude palm oil                

              - Pangkatan mill                  34,700        16   30,000

              - Kalimantan mill                    900         -        -

                                               -------            -------

                                                35,600        19   30,000

                                               =======       ===  =======

 

            - palm kernels    

              - Pangkatan mill                   8,500        16    7,300

              - Kalimantan mill                    200         -        -

                                               -------            -------

                                                 8,700        16    7,300

                                               =======       ===  =======

 

 

                                                     %                  %

 

Extraction rate - crude palm oil

                  - Pangkatan mill                23.2               23.0

                  - Kalimantan mill               23.2                  -

                                               =======            =======

 

 

                - palm kernels                                          

                  - Pangkatan mill                 5.7                5.6

                  - Kalimantan mill                4.4                  -

                                               =======            =======

 

 

 

The Bangka project recorded an increased profit from its operations as its crop is on an upward trend and palm-oil prices were at good levels.  As would be expected from a project at a very early stage, the East Kalimantan operations recorded a loss.  This was in part due to its f.f.b. being sold at unfavourable levels to a third-party mill until the new mill was able to process the f.f.b. at the end of the year.  The revenue from early yields does not outweigh the costs of field maintenance and harvesting.  However, with the f.f.b. crops expected to increase significantly year by year, and with the new palm-oil mill now operating, profitability and positive cash flows are expected in the near future.  The initial production in the last weeks of 2011 of 900 tonnes of palm oil and 200 tonnes of palm kernels were retained in stock before being sold in early 2012. 

 

The gross profit achieved by the Indonesian plantation operations amounted to US$25.83 million, 19% higher than the US$21.68 million achieved in 2010.  This significant improvement was as a result of markedly higher crops of f.f.b. on both the new projects and the established estates and continuing robust palm-oil prices.

 

BEEF-CATTLE ACTIVITIES AND MARKET

Prices for lighter-weight cattle, such as those fattened on Woodlands, traded at firm levels during the course of 2011.  Favourable seasonal conditions across most parts of Australia underpinned strong competition for limited  supplies of cattle.  Prices for the grain-finished, heavier cattle, such as those produced by NAPCo, which are more export-orientated, also traded at historically-strong levels but were a little more volatile in response to the fluctuations of the Australian Dollar.  The strength of the market was further supported by the continuing decline of the US cattle herd.

 

On Woodlands, plentiful rain in the early part of 2011 produced good pastures.  The herd numbers at the end of the year (10,400 head) were similar to that at the end of 2010 (10,200 head) although the average weight per head was markedly higher (+16%).  Because of more advantageous prices for heavier cattle, it was decided to let some of the herd achieve higher weights before selling.  The price used for valuing the year-end herd at the end of 2011 was similar to that at the end of the previous year.    

 

Unfortunately, although there was abundant rain during the year, some of it came at the wrong time for the forage-oats planting.  As a result, the quality of the forage oats was not up to standard and the extra weight gains that would normally be achieved by cattle on such areas were disappointingly not able to be achieved.  However, because a large herd was maintained on the property, Woodlands achieved a small gross profit for the year of US$0.11 million (2010 US$0.25 million).

 

GROSS PROFIT

As a result of the above, the Group gross profit amounted to US$25.92 million (2010 US$21.89 million).

 

BEARER  BIOLOGICAL-ASSET ADJUSTMENT

Even though the price of crude palm oil broadly fell during 2011, it nevertheless remained at high levels seen in an historical context. As a result, the 20-year average price used in the valuation of biological assets rose sharply from US$533 per tonne to US$572 per tonne. This increase in value was partly eroded by an increase in costs. Some of these arose as a result of initiatives to drive up field standards that are expected to lead, in due course, to upward revisions in expected future yields. Overall, the increase in prices outweighed the increase in costs, and the valuation of palms already planted at the beginning of the year increased by US$13.71 million. In addition, new hectarage planted during 2011 added US$4.23 million to the value of the Group's biological assets, whilst the sale of 175 hectares to the cooperative schemes attached to the Group's development in East Kalimantan removed US$1.37 million. In total, therefore, the Group's biological assets increased by US$16.57 million during the year under review.

 

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Other administrative expenses, at US$2.70 million, were substantially lower than for 2010 (US$4.93 million).  This was primarily due to a reduction in the provision for impairment of the amounts deemed recoverable from the smallholder cooperative schemes in East Kalimantan and Bangka.  The finance for planting the land allocated to the cooperatives is provided, in the first instance, by the Group.  At a later stage, bank finance is provided to the cooperatives, whereupon most of the loans from the Group are repaid.  A review of the recoverability of these loans is carried out twice a year and the 2011 reviews indicated that more was recoverable than was thought to be the case in 2010.  Accordingly, the provision was reduced in 2011 by US$0.96 million, compared with an increase in the provision made in 2010 of US$1.35 million, a movement of US$2.31 million.

 

The Company's share price was lower at 31 December 2011 than it was at the end of 2010.  As a consequence, the provision for UK National Insurance on the future exercise of options under the executive option scheme was reduced at 31 December 2011 by US$0.13 million, compared with the increase in the provision in 2010 of US$0.62 million, a movement of US$0.75 million.

 

ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

The Group's share of its associated companies' profits for the year, including the share of biological bearer-asset adjustments in the Indonesian oil-palm plantation companies,  compared with last year were as follows:-

 

                                  Post-tax                    Post-tax

                                     profit                      profit

                                     before                       after

                                 biological    Biological    biological

2011                           bearer-asset  bearer-asset  bearer-asset

                                 adjustment    adjustment    adjustment

                                    US$'000       US$'000       US$'000

 

PT Agro Muko (36.84%)                13,912         2,357        16,269

PT Kerasaan Indonesia (38.00%)        1,880           472         2,352

                                     ------        ------        ------

Total Indonesia                      15,792         2,829        18,621

 

NAPCo (34.37%)                        4,231             -         4,231

Bertam Properties (40.00%)            1,786             -         1,786

                                     ------        ------        ------

Total                                21,809         2,829        24,638

                                     ======        ======        ======

 

                                   Post-tax                    Post-tax

                                     profit                      profit

                                     before                       after

                                 biological    Biological    biological

2010                           bearer-asset  bearer-asset  bearer-asset

                                 adjustment    adjustment    adjustment

                                    US$'000       US$'000       US$'000

 

PT Agro Muko (36.84%)                 9,029        (2,933)        6,096

PT Kerasaan Indonesia (38.00%)        1,745           (68)        1,677

                                     ------        ------        ------

Total Indonesia                      10,774        (3,001)        7,773

 

NAPCo (34.37%)                        2,365             -         2,365

Bertam Properties (40.00%)            2,987             -         2,987

                                     ------        ------        ------

Total                                16,126        (3,001)       13,125

                                     ======        ======        ======

 

 

                                                                                                                                                     

Indonesia

Crops and production from the estates owned by PT Agro Muko (36.84%) and PT Kerasaan Indonesia (38.00%) were as follows:-

 

                                           Increase/

                                          2011     (decrease)      2010

                                        Tonnes              %    Tonnes

 

F.f.b. crops - PT Agro Muko

               - own                   354,100             11   317,900

               - outgrowers             14,400            (11)   16,100       

                                       -------                  -------

                                       368,500             10   334,000      

 

             - PT Kerasaan Indonesia    47,100             (2)   48,200

                                       -------                  -------

                                       415,600              9   382,200

                                       =======             ==   =======

 

Production (PT Agro Muko)

   - crude palm oil                     88,200             16    75,800

   - palm kernels                       19,200             12    17,100

                                       =======             ==   =======

 

                                             %                        %

 

Extraction rate - crude palm oil          23.9                     22.7

                - palm kernels             5.2                      5.1

                                       =======                  =======

 

                                        Tonnes                   Tonnes

 

Rubber crops (PT Agro Muko) - own        1,546             30     1,189

                                       =======             ==   =======

 

The combination of PT Agro Muko's increased crops, both f.f.b. and rubber, improved palm-oil extraction rates and robust selling prices for both palm oil and rubber resulted in a markedly-improved profit when compared to 2010.  Favourable weather and better access resulting from the extensive road-improvement programme of the last few years gave rise to increased f.f.b. yields and a sharply-higher extraction rate.  Because of very favourable rubber prices which, for PT Agro Muko, were, as an average, over 40% higher in local currency in 2011 than the previous year, the replanting programme was again delayed.  The trees were intensively tapped resulting in a crop 30% higher than in 2010.  The crop will fall in 2012.  As referred to above, rubber prices were, as an average, much higher for 2011 than 2010, although they fell quite sharply towards the end of 2011 partly because producers in the world's largest rubber market, Thailand, ran into difficulty as a result of the severe flooding that was widely reported.  They have since recovered some of the lost ground.

 

PT Kerasaan's f.f.b. crop for 2011 was similar to that of 2010.  However, as a result of the higher palm-oil prices referred to above, profits increased in 2011.

 

Australia

NAPCo enjoyed another excellent year, as a result both of widespread rainfall across all of its properties, giving rise to lush pastures and good weight gains and of firm cattle prices throughout the year.  Despite the sharp increase in the number of cattle sold of 57,200, compared with 36,800 in 2010, the herd increased slightly from 195,300 to 197,600 head.  As a consequence, the Group's share of NAPCo's profit for the year was US$4.23 million, compared with US$2.37 million in 2010.  The Group's share of NAPCo's dividends for 2011 amounted to US$0.96 million (gross), compared with US$0.48 million (gross) in 2010.

  

Malaysia

2011 was a successful year for the Bertam Properties Sdn. Berhad group's ("Bertam Properties") property-development activities with continuing strong demand for its housing and other commercial-property products.  The Malaysian property market has remained reasonably robust.  There was a small compulsory acquisition of the group's land during 2011 but, unlike in 2010, there were no land sales, although a number of transactions are on their way through and are expected to be completed, and taken to account, in 2012.  The group's post-tax profit for the year amounted to US$4.47 million, compared with US$7.47 million in 2010 (of which US$6.68 million related to land sales).  The Group's share of the post-tax profit amounted to US$1.79 million (2010 US$2.99 million).  The Group's share of Bertam Properties' dividends in 2011 amounted to US$2.61 million (2010 US$3.73 million).

 

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

As a result of all of the above, the Group profit for the year amounted to US$39.70 million, a 62% increase over 2010's US$24.45 million.

 

CURRENT TRADING AND PROSPECTS

Palm-oil prices were on a downward trend for most of 2011, albeit still at historically-high levels, but there has been a sharp upturn in the first part of 2012 to the current level of around US$1,175 per tonne (Rotterdam cif).  With weather concerns in South America affecting sentiment in respect of soybean oil, competition for land between corn and soybeans in the US and an upturn in demand for vegetable oils, price prospects in the short term appear to be encouraging.

 

F.f.b. crops have made a good start in 2012, with 66,500 tonnes harvested from the majority-owned estates up to 31 March 2012, a 20% increase over the same period last year. The Group remains on track to produce 300,000 tonnes of f.f.b. in 2012. The new mill is performing well and additional sales value is being captured.

 

Cattle prices have eased from the higher levels seen in 2011, but nonetheless remain at historically-firm levels.  Growing demand in Asia and the continuing decline of the US cattle herd would indicate that the medium-to-long-term outlook for Australian beef-cattle markets remains positive.

 

 

Peter Hadsley-Chaplin

Chairman

 

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2011

 

                              Result before                        Year

                                 biological    Biological         ended

                               bearer-asset  bearer-asset   31 December

                                 adjustment    adjustment          2011

                                    US$'000       US$'000       US$'000

 

Revenue                              57,756             -        57,756

Cost of sales                       (33,636)        1,799       (31,837)

                                     ------        ------        ------

Gross profit                         24,120         1,799        25,919

Gain on biological

 assets (note 4)                          -        17,936        17,936

Planting expenditure                      -       (15,619)      (15,619)

Foreign-exchange gains                  528             -           528

Other administrative expenses        (2,470)         (230)       (2,700)

Other income                            143             -           143

                                     ------        ------        ------

Operating profit                     22,321         3,886        26,207

 

Finance income                        1,078             -         1,078

Finance costs                        (2,361)         (574)       (2,935)

                                     ------        ------        ------

Group-controlled profit

 before tax                          21,038         3,312        24,350

Tax on profit on ordinary

 activities (note 2)                 (8,450)         (842)       (9,292)

                                     ------        ------        ------

Group-controlled profit

 after tax                           12,588         2,470        15,058

 

Share of associated companies'

 Profit after tax                    21,809         2,829        24,638

                                     ------        ------        ------

Profit for the year                  34,397         5,299        39,696

                                     ======        ======        ======

 

Attributable to:

Owners of M.P. Evans Group PLC       30,340         5,182        35,522

Minority interests                    4,057           117         4,174

                                     ------        ------        ------

                                     34,397         5,299        39,696

                                     ======        ======        ======

 

                                                             (US cents)

Basic earnings per 10p share                                      66.39

                                                                 ======

 

                                                             (US cents)

Diluted earnings per 10p share                                    65.64

                                                                 ======

 

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2010

 

                              Result before                        Year

                                 biological    Biological         ended

                               bearer-asset  bearer-asset   31 December

                                 adjustment    adjustment          2010

                                    US$'000       US$'000       US$'000

 

Revenue                              42,091             -        42,091

Cost of sales                       (21,215)        1,011       (20,204)

                                     ------        ------        ------

Gross profit                         20,876         1,011        21,887

 

Gain on biological assets                 -        17,589        17,589

Planting expenditure                      -       (15,204)      (15,204)

Foreign-exchange gains                  739             -           739

Other administrative expenses        (4,934)            -        (4,934)

Other income                            218             -           218

                                     ------        ------        ------

Operating profit                     16,899         3,396        20,295

 

Finance income                          711             -           711

Finance costs                        (1,647)            -        (1,647)

                                     ------        ------        ------

Group-controlled profit

 before tax                          15,963         3,396        19,359

Tax on profit on ordinary

 activities  (note 2)                (7,459)         (577)       (8,036)

                                     ------        ------        ------

Group-controlled profit

 after tax                            8,504         2,819        11,323

Share of associated companies'

 profit/(loss) after tax             16,126        (3,001)       13,125

                                     ------        ------        ------

Profit/(loss)for the year            24,630          (182)       24,448

                                     ======        ======        ======

 

Attributable to:

Owners of M.P. Evans Group PLC       21,636           271        21,907

Minority interests                    2,994          (453)        2,541

                                     ------        ------        ------

                                     24,630          (182)       24,448

                                     ======        ======        ======

 

                                                              (US cents)

Basic earnings per 10p share                                      41.17

                                                                 ======

 

                                                              (US cents)

Diluted earnings per 10p share                                    40.52

                                                                 ======

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 31 December 2011

                                                     2011          2010

                                                  US$'000       US$'000

Other comprehensive (expense)/income

Previously unrealised profit on sale of land

 to associated undertaking released to the      

 consolidated income statement on sale of

 that land by the associate                           (54)         (327)

Exchange differences on translation of

 foreign operations                                   (70)       14,203

                                                   ------        ------

Other comprehensive (expense)/income (net of

 tax) for the year                                   (124)       13,876

Profit for the year                                39,696        24,448

                                                   ------        ------

Total comprehensive income                         39,572        38,324

                                                   ======        ======

 

 

Attributable to:

Owners of M.P. Evans Group PLC                     35,398        35,777

Minority interests                                  4,174         2,547

                                                   ------        ------

                                                   39,572        38,324

                                                   ======        ======

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

at 31 December 2011                   Before

                                 biological    Biological

                               bearer-asset  bearer-asset   31 December

                                 adjustment    adjustment          2011

                                    US$'000       US$'000       US$'000

Non-current assets

Goodwill                              1,157             -         1,157

Biological assets                         -       127,428       127,428

Property, plant and equipment       161,700       (65,670)       96,030

Investments in associates           106,026        25,633       131,659

Investments                             145             -           145

Deferred-tax asset                    2,808             -         2,808

Non-current debtor                    2,189             -         2,189

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                    274,025        87,391       361,416

                                    -------       -------       -------

Current assets

Biological assets                     9,878             -         9,878

Inventories                           8,582             -         8,582

Trade and other receivables          14,439             -        14,439

Current-tax asset                     6,300             -         6,300

Cash and cash equivalents            52,755             -        52,755

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                     91,954             -        91,954

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Total assets                        365,979       87,391        453,370

                                    =======       =======       =======

Current liabilities

Borrowings                           25,255             -        25,255

Trade and other payables             14,814             -        14,814

Current-tax liability                 4,322             -         4,322

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                     44,391             -        44,391

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Net current assets                   47,563             -        47,563

                                    -------       -------       -------

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings                           31,450             -        31,450

Deferred-tax liability                3,213        15,440        18,653

Retirement-benefit obligations        2,963             -         2,963

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                     37,626        15,440        53,066

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Total liabilities                    82,017        15,440        97,457

                                    =======       =======       =======

 

Net assets                          283,962        71,951       355,913

                                    =======       =======       =======

Equity

Share capital                         9,093             -         9,093

Other reserves                       84,320        25,633       109,953

Retained earnings                   180,187        38,742       218,929

                                    -------       -------       -------

Equity attributable to the owners

 of M.P. Evans Group PLC            273,600        64,375       337,975

 

Minority interests                   10,362         7,576        17,938

                                    -------       -------       -------

Total equity                        283,962        71,951       355,913

                                    =======       =======       =======

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

at 31 December 2010

                                     Before

                                 biological    Biological

                               bearer-asset  bearer-asset   31 December

                                 adjustment    adjustment          2010

                                    US$'000       US$'000       US$'000

Non-current assets

Goodwill                              1,157             -         1,157

Biological assets                         -       110,862       110,862

Property, plant and equipment       120,476       (52,416)       68,060

Investments in associates           106,776        22,803       129,579

Investments                             149             -           149

Deferred-tax asset                      808             -           808

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                    229,366        81,249       310,615

                                    -------       -------       -------

Current assets

Biological assets                     7,991             -         7,991

Inventories                           7,921             -         7,921

Trade and other receivables          24,388             -        24,388

Current-tax asset                     1,962             -         1,962

Cash and cash equivalents            35,399             -        35,399

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                     77,661             -        77,661

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Total assets                        307,027        81,249       388,276

                                    -------       -------       -------

Current liabilities

Borrowings                           25,255             -        25,255

Trade and other payables              8,278             -         8,278

Current-tax liability                 2,611             -         2,611

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                     36,144             -        36,144

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Net current assets                   41,517             -        41,517

                                    -------       -------       -------

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings                           10,175             -        10,175

Deferred-tax liability                3,178        14,597        17,775

Retirement-benefit obligations        1,840             -         1,840

                                    -------       -------       -------

                                     15,193        14,597        29,790

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Total liabilities                    51,337        14,597        65,934

                                    -------       -------       -------

 

Net assets                          255,690        66,652       322,342

                                    =======       =======       =======

Equity

Share capital                         8,987             -         8,987

Other reserves                       82,250        22,803       105,053

Retained earnings                   157,149        36,389       193,538

                                    -------       -------       -------

Equity attributable to the owners

 of M.P. Evans Group PLC            248,386        59,192       307,578

 

Minority interests                    7,304         7,460        14,764

                                    -------       -------       -------

Total equity                        255,690        66,652       322,342

                                    =======       =======       =======

 

 

CONSOLIDATED CASH-FLOW STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2011

                                               Year ended    Year ended

                                              31 December   31 December

                                                     2011          2010

                                                  US$'000       US$'000

 

Net cash generated by operating activities         48,339        19,417

                                                   ------        ------

Investing activities

Interest received                                   1,078           711

Proceeds on disposal of assets                        598           690

Proceeds on disposal of investments                     -         3,255

Purchase of property, plant and equipment         (31,789)       (9,920)

Planting expenditure                              (15,619)      (15,204)

Investment in associated undertaking                    -        (7,310)

                                                   ------        ------

Net cash used from investing activities           (45,732)      (27,778)

                                                   ------        ------

Financing activities

Dividends paid to Company shareholders             (6,064)       (5,064)

Repayment of borrowings                                 -        (2,011)

Proceeds on issue of shares                         1,034         1,301

Dividend paid to minorities                        (1,000)            -

Loan drawdown                                      20,921        10,175

                                                   ------        ------

Net cash generated from financing

 activities                                        14,891         4,401

                                                   ------        ------

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and

 cash equivalents                                  17,498        (3,960)

Net cash and cash equivalents 1 January            10,144        15,784

Effect of foreign-exchange rates on

 cash and cash equivalents                           (142)       (1,680)

                                                   ------        ------

Net cash and cash equivalents 31 December          27,500        10,144

                                                   ======        ======

 

 

 

NOTES

 

1.  Dividends paid and proposed

                                                     2011          2010

                                                  US$'000       US$'000

2011 interim dividend - 2.25p per 10p share

 (2010 interim dividend - 2.00p)                    1,887         1,663

2010 final dividend - 5.50p per 10p share

 (2009 final dividend - 5.00p)                      4,725         3,993

                                                   ------        ------

                                                    6,612         5,656

                                                   ======        ======

 

Following the year end the board has proposed a final dividend for 2011 of 5.75p per 10p share amounting to US$4.94 million. Shareholders will again have the option to elect to receive the dividend in shares rather than in cash. The calculation period will be 25 April to 1 May 2012. The dividend will be paid on or after 21 June 2012 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on 27 April 2012, as follows:

 

                                                   2011            2010

 

Ex-dividend date                           25 April 2012  27 April 2011

Record date                                27 April 2012    3 May 2011

Final date for receipt of election

 instruction                               29  May 2012     26 May 2011

Definitive share certificates posted       20 June 2012    16 June 2011

First day of dealing in the new shares     21 June 2012    17 June 2011

Dividend payable on or after               21 June 2012    17 June 2011

 

 

 

2.  Tax on profit on ordinary activities

                                                     2011          2010

                                                  US$'000       US$'000

 

United Kingdom corporation tax charge

 for the year                                         342           303

Relief for overseas taxation                         (342)         (303)

                                                   ------        ------

                                                        -             -

 

Overseas taxation                                  10,523         6,865

Adjustments in respect of prior years                  (5)            9

                                                   ------        ------

Total current tax                                  10,518         6,874

 

Deferred taxation - origination and reversal

 Of temporary differences                          (1,226)        1,162

                                                   ------        ------

                                                    9,292         8,036

                                                   ------        ------

 

 

3.  Basic and diluted earnings per share

The calculation of earnings per 10p share is based on:-

 

                               2011        2011        2010        2010

                            US$'000   Number of     US$'000   Number of

                                         shares                  shares

Profit for the year

 attributable to the owners

 of M.P. Evans Group PLC     35,522                  21,907

                             ======                  ======

 

Average number of shares

 in issue                            53,502,656              53,206,617

Diluted average number of

 shares in issue*                    54,116,145              54,059,915

                                     ==========              ==========

 

*    The difference between the number of shares in issue and the diluted number of shares relates to unexercised share options held by directors and key employees of the Group.

 

 

4.  Biological assets

Non-current biological assets comprise plantation bearer assets. The Group values these plantation assets using a discounted cash flow over the expected 25-year economic life of the asset. The discount rate used in this valuation is 14%.  The price of the crop (oil-palm fresh fruit bunches) is taken to be the 20-year average based on historical selling prices or, where the plantation has its own mill, an inference based on the widely-quoted commodity price for crude palm oil delivered c.i.f. Rotterdam.  The directors have concluded that using a 20-year average provides the best estimate of the prices to be achieved over the valuation period.

 

In the balance sheet, the adjustment column shows that the recognition of the biological-asset valuation replaces depreciated-historical-planting costs of US$65.67 million (2010 US$52.42 million) which, prior to the adoption of IFRS, were included in the carrying value of property, plant and equipment.  These costs are now replaced by the biological bearer-asset adjustment which, including the Group's share of the asset recognised by associates, together with the related deferred tax, amounts to US$137.62 million (2010 US$119.07 million).

  

 

5.  Financial information

The information in this preliminary results announcement has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies which have been set out in the Group accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010 and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. No additional standards or amendments to existing standards have been adopted by the Group with effect from 1 January 2011. Full accounts of M.P.Evans Group PLC for the year ended 31 December 2010, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU, have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.  The report of the auditors was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain statements under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.


The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement. The auditors anticipate issuing an unmodified opinion.


 

6.  International Financial Reporting Standards

This announcement is based on the Group's financial statements which are being prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as adopted for use in the EU.

 

Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The Group expects to publish full financial statements that comply with IFRS on or after 26 April 2012.

 

 

7.  Timetable

The report and financial statements will be available on the Group's website on or after 26 April 2012 and despatched to shareholders shortly thereafter. The annual general meeting will be held on 8 June 2012.

 

 

8.  Distribution

Copies of the full report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 will be available from the Company, 3 Clanricarde Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1HQ.

 

 

 

By order of the board

Mrs Claire Hayes

Secretary

 

17 April 2012

 


This information is provided by RNS
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