Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 9402D

Marlowe Holdings Limited

30 October 2015

 

30 October 2015

Marlowe Holdings Limited ("Marlowe")

Half-Year Results 2015

Marlowe (AIM:MRL), the AIM listed cash shell, today issues its half-year results for the period to 30 September, 2015.

Summary:

·    Placing of £5.2m completed in May to pursue investment opportunities; total cash currently available for acquisitions of £8.3m;

·    Potential platform and bolt-on acquisition targets identified;

·    Strategy fine-tuned to focus on annuity-type recurring asset maintenance services underpinned by the customer's obligation to meet stringent regulatory and legislative requirements;

·    Acquisitions team strengthened by new appointments; attractive pipeline of investment opportunities;

·    Half-year results show a broadly break-even performance (loss of £2k) for the 6 months to September.

Commenting on progress Alex Dacre, Chief Executive, said:

"Since the appointment of the new Board on 15 May 2015, and the completion of an oversubscribed share placing, we have been encouraged by the progress made in developing Marlowe's buy-and-build growth strategy.

During the period, we have identified attractive potential platform and bolt-on targets in line with our investment strategy. We believe that the targets identified could form the foundations of a dynamic B2B service group, focused on delivering essential annuity-type recurring asset maintenance services underpinned by the customer's obligation to meet stringent regulatory and legislative requirements. These requirements can result in a high level of forward revenue visibility. The targets occupy large, fragmented and operationally complex markets which we believe are poised for consolidation, offer attractive economies of scale and have growing barriers to entry. We look forward to executing our strategy and are confident that significant further progress will be made in the coming months.

Since May, as we have fine-tuned this strategy, we have made key appointments to the acquisitions team and have developed an attractive pipeline of investment opportunities. These represent the kind of deals that members of the Marlowe Board have a proven track record in completing. The markets that we are targeting offer significant scope for further growth through bolt-on acquisitions which can be executed at fair valuations and frequently fall below the radar of private equity or the large US owned multi-nationals who often occupy these types of markets. And, as a UK focused specialist with short lines of communication and the ability to move decisively and quickly, we believe we have a significant competitive advantage.

Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders for their continued support. I would only add that I and my fellow directors have, as a demonstration of our commitment to the success of your company, been working without remuneration since the Board's appointment. We look forward to updating shareholders of Marlowe's progress in due course."

Suspension of shares to trading on AIM

The Company notes the announcement made yesterday concerning the movement in share price and that it is contemplating a potential acquisition which would constitute a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules.  As a result, trading in the Company's shares will be suspended until such time as an admission document is published in relation to the potential acquisition or the talks otherwise conclude. The Company will update shareholders with further information in due course. There can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to any transaction completing.

Enquires and further information:

Marlowe Holdings Limited

Alex Dacre, Chief Executive                           [e-mail]

Derek O'Neill, Group Finance Director           [phone]

Cenkos Securities

Nicholas Wells                                                [phone]

Summarised Income Statement (unaudited)
Six months ended September 30	2015	2014
	£000	£000
Interest Income	65	48
Administrative expenses	(67)	(35)
Net profit/(loss) before and after taxation	(2)	13
Earnings per ordinary share (basic and diluted)	(0.02)	0.20
(in pence)
Summarised Balance Sheet	30 September	31 March
	2015 (unaudited)	2015 (audited)
	£000	£000
Fixed Assets
Property, plant and equipment	6	-
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	8,293	3,156
Other receivables	21	26
Total assets	8,320	3,182
Current liabilities
Other payables	(10)	(21)
Net assets	8,310	3,161
Shareholders' equity
Share capital	7,292	3,000
Share premium	859	-
Retained earnings	159	161
Total shareholders' equity	8,310	3,161

Summarised Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) Six months ended September 30	2015	2014
	£000	£000
Net cash generated from operating activities	(20)	39
Net cash generated from investing activities	6	-
Net cash generated from financing activities	5,151	-
Net increase in cash for the period	5,137	39
Cash at beginning of period	3,156	3,128
Cash at end of period	8,293	3,167

Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity	Called up share capital			Total shareholders' equity
		Share premium	Retained earnings
	£000	£000	£000	£000
Balance as at 1 April 2015	3,000	-	161	3,161
Net loss for the period	-	-	(2)	(2)
Placing of new shares during the period	4,292	859	-	5,151
Balance as at 30 September 2015	7,292	859	159	8,310

 

END

 

 

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