Preliminary Results
Prime People PLC
02 March 2005
PRIME PEOPLE PLC
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
KEY POINTS
• Profit on ordinary activities before taxation of £0.67m compared to a loss
of £0.53m in 2003
• Sale of principle subsidiary, Portfolio International, realised a profit on
disposal of £1.25m before writing off goodwill of £641,006 which had
previously been deducted from reserves
• Sales from continuing operations £0.71m (2003 £0.71m)
• Diluted earnings per share has increased from a loss per share of 1.21p to
earnings per share of 1.82p
• Our share of the profit of our associate business for the year is £87k
against a loss of £205k in 2003
• The balance sheet remains strong with net funds of £2.8m, equivalent to
7.6p per share
• No dividend payment as the company wish to conserve cash for any potential
acquisition
• The company has implemented the move from the Official List to AIM
Commenting on the results, chairman Richard Lee said, 'Following the successful
disposal of Portfolio International and the move from the Official List to AIM,
we will now be broadening the base of the group's operations through acquisition
when a suitable opportunity arises.'
Press enquiries:
Richard Lee, chairman 0161 832 6644
Chris Heayberd, finance director 020 7831 5297
PRIME PEOPLE Plc
Chairman's statement
________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
I am pleased to report on the results of Prime People Plc for the year to 31
December 2004.
Results
Turnover from continuing operations during the year remained very similar to the
previous year showing a slight improvement to £708,653 (2003 - £705,220),
although the resulting operating loss from continuing operations was £283,243,
as they now bear the group operating costs, compared to a profit of £62,800 in
the previous year.
Harper Craven Associates
Our training business, having had a strong first quarter, closed with
disappointing results reporting a fall in profit before tax from £39,940 to
£17,101. Whilst sales have remained flat, costs have increased.
The future for the business remains difficult to predict, and whilst we will
monitor costs closely the main focus centres on the need to improve sales.
Cameron Kennedy Resources
Our associate business, Cameron Kennedy, reported a return to profit and our
share of their operating profit for the year of £87,133 is a significant
improvement on the previous year's operating loss of £205,343.
Disposal of Portfolio International Limited
On 4 August 2004 we sold the entire share capital of our recruitment business
Portfolio International Limited to PSD Group Plc. This sale has realised a
profit on disposal of £1,250,850 before writing off goodwill of £641,006 which
had previously been deducted from reserves and which we are now required to
deduct from the profit on disposal. The overall effect on the net asset position
of the company as a consequence of the accounting entries relating to goodwill
is nil.
Head Office Costs
Following the disposal of Portfolio International we have undertaken a review of
our head office cost base and we have taken the necessary steps to reduce head
count.
We will continue to monitor costs closely.
Earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share has increased from a loss per share of 1.21p to
earnings per share of 1.82p.
Alternative Investment Market
As advised in our Interim Announcement the company has implemented the move from
the official list of the London Stock Exchange to AIM. As a consequence, our
shares are no longer eligible to be held in PEPs or ISAs and shareholders with
such arrangements are again advised to consult their financial advisors.
Prospects
We do not anticipate any significant changes to the performance of the training
business in the coming year. Our associate business continues to report
improved sales activities and we are reasonably optimistic that the business
will continue its positive performance.
We continue to look at new businesses and our ambition is to broaden the
business base of the company, through acquisition, in the short to medium term.
We will not be making a dividend payment this year as we wish to conserve cash
for any potential acquisition.
Net cash at the year end was £2.8m , equivalent to 7.6p per share.
Richard E M Lee
Non Executive Chairman
1 March 2005
PRIME PEOPLE Plc
Consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December 2004
________________________________________________________________________________
Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total
Note 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003
£ £ £ £ £ £
Turnover 708,653 705,220 1,585,895 2,384,662 2,294,548 3,089,882
Cost of sales (179,571) (149,174) (7,240) (11,305) (186,811) (160,479)
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Gross profit 529,082 556,046 1,578,655 2,373,357 2,107,737 2,929,403
Administrative
expenses (812,325) (493,246) (1,384,934) (2,773,940) (2,197,259) (3,267,186)
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Group operating
(loss)/profit (283,243) 62,800 193,721 (400,583) (89,522) (337,783)
Share of operating
profit/(loss) in
associates 87,133 (205,343) - - 87,133 (205,343)
Amortisation of
goodwill (12,000) (12,000) - - (12,000) (12,000)
75,133 (217,343) - - 75,133 (217,343)
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
(Loss)/profit
on ordinary
activities
before interest (208,110) (154,543) 193,721 (400,583) (14,389) (555,126)
Profit on disposal
of subsidiary 609,844 -
Interest receivable and
similar income (group) 79,530 29,382
Interest payable and
similar charges (487) -
________ ________
(Loss)/profit
on ordinary
activities before
taxation 674,498 (525,744)
Taxation on
(loss)/profit
on ordinary activities (2,112) 82,576
________ ________
(Loss)/profit
on ordinary
activities after
taxation
and transferred
to reserves 672,386 (443,168)
________ ________
Earnings (loss) per share
- Basic 2 1.82p (1.21)p
- Diluted 2 1.82p (1.21)p
________ ________
All recognised gains and losses are included in the profit and loss account.
PRIME PEOPLE Plc
Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2004
________________________________________________________________________________
Note 2004 2004 2003 2003
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 44,028 61,656
Investments:
Investment in associate 411,676 336,544
________ ________
455,704 398,200
Current assets
Debtors 262,052 1,122,697
Cash at bank and in hand 2,835,981 996,494
________ ________
3,098,033 2,119,191
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 200,903 490,446
________ ________
Total assets less current assets 2,897,130 1,628,745
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year 12,497 -
________ ________
Net assets 3,340,337 2,026,945
________ ________
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 368,467 368,467
Share premium account 909,925 909,925
Merger reserve 173,077 173,077
Profit and loss account 1,888,868 575,476
________ ________
Equity shareholders' funds 3,340,337 2,026,945
________ ________
PRIME PEOPLE Plc
Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 2004
________________________________________________________________________________
Note 2004 2004 2003 2003
£ £ £ £
Net cash outflow from operating
activities 3 (93,986) (233,078)
Dividend from associated undertaking - 83,700
Returns on investment and
servicing of finance
Interest received 79,530 29,382
Interest paid (487) -
________ ________
79,043 29,382
Taxation 74,350 (107,873)
Capital expenditure and financial
investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (37,592) (28,375)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 1,800 17,388
________ ________
(35,792) (10,987)
Acquisitions and disposals
Sale of subsidiary undertaking 1,905,284 -
Net cash disposed with subsidiary (53,986) -
________ ________
1,851,298 -
________ ________
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before
management of liquid resources
and financing 1,874,913 (238,856)
Management of liquid resources
(Purchase)/sale of deposits (1,647,000) 104,000
Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital - 30,000
Capital element of finance leases (2,501) -
________ ________
Increase/(decrease) in cash 4 225,412 (104,856)
________ ________
PRIME PEOPLE Plc
Notes to the preliminary announcement for the year ended 31 December 2004
________________________________________________________________________________
1 Accounting Policies
The final results have been prepared on the same basis and using the same
accounting policies as those used in the preparation of the accounts for
the year ended 31 December 2003.
2 Earnings per share
The earnings per share is calculated based on a weighted average number of
shares of 36,846,692 (2003 - 36,680,025) and the profit of £672,386 (2003-
loss £443,168), giving a profit per share of 1.82p (2003 - loss per share
1.21p).
The effect of all potential ordinary shares in anti-dilutive.
3 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash outflow from operating
activities
2004 2003
£ £
Group operating loss (89,522) (337,783)
Depreciation 33,784 83,709
Loss/(profit) on sale of
tangible fixed assets (1,800) 8,071
Decrease in debtors (155,561) 187,274
Decrease in creditors 119,113 (174,349)
________ ________
Net cash outflow from operating activities (93,986) (233,078)
________ ________
PRIME PEOPLE Plc
Notes to the preliminary announcement for the year ended 31 December 2004
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Reconciliation of net cash outflow to movement in net funds
2004 2004 2003 2003
£ £ £ £
Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 225,412 (104,856)
Cash outflow from decrease in debt
and lease financing 2,501 -
Cash outflow/(inflow) from
(increase)/decrease in
liquid resources 1,647,000 (104,000)
________ ________
Increase/(decrease) in net funds
resulting from cash flows in
the year 1,874,913 (208,856)
New finance leases (22,496) -
________ ________
Increase/(decrease) in net
funds in the year 1,852,417 (208,856)
Opening net funds 947,770 1,156,626
________ ________
Closing net funds 2,800,187 947,770
________ ________
5 Nature of the financial information
The financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined
in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for
the year ended 31 December 2004 is extracted from the group's financial
statements to that date which received an unqualified auditors' report and
will be filed with the Registrar of Companies. The financial information
for the year ended 31 December 2003 is extracted from the financial
statements to that date which received an unqualified auditors' report and
have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
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