Final Results
Mercury Group PLC
30 March 2005
Mercury Group Plc
Preliminary statement of final results for the year ended 30 September 2004
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am delighted to be able to announce the results for the Group for the year
ended 30 September 2004. The last twelve months has seen significant progress in
achieving our stated objectives, although the results for the period ended 30
September 2004 do not reflect the impact of the new strategy and are not
therefore representative of the Group in the future.
In the year ended 30 September 2004, turnover fell to £246,970 (2003:£944,263).
Administrative costs have reduced to £631,277 (2003:£1,032,028). Loss before
taxation has reduced significantly to £916,827 (2003:£6,926,244) and loss per
share amounted to 0.08p (2003:0.87p)
Shareholders funds increased to £1,424,618 (2003:£350,650). This increase has
resulted from the issue of new shares during the year to fund the acquisitive
initiatives of your Group.
Since I was appointed Chairman on 17 February 2004 to lead the movement into the
property services sector, there has been a strengthening of the Board. Anthony
McFarland was appointed Director with interim responsibility for the Group's
finance functions on 6 May 2004, Alex Moss was appointed a non-Executive
Director on 27 September 2004 and Ronald Franks joined the Board as an Executive
Director on 1st March 2005, following the acquisition of Smith Melzack Pepper
Angliss.
Over the last year there have been a number of positive corporate developments.
In November 2003 the Board of Mercury Group Plc agreed to acquire a 40 per cent
shareholding in Navitas Hemway Limited, a company which provides facilities
management and maintenance services across a range of business sectors, with an
option to acquire the balance of 60%. In May 2004 the Company announced that it
had been granted an option to acquire 100% of Telco Solutions Limited, a company
which provides specialist project management services to the commercial property
sector. Since the year end both of these options have been exercised and the
companies have been fully integrated into the Mercury Group. The initial
consideration for Telco Solutions was subject to finalisation of completion
accounts. This has now occurred, and the initial consideration determined to be
£534,549 to be satisfied by the issue of 106,909,800 ordinary shares to the
vendors. Application will shortly be made for the shares to be allotted to be
admitted for dealing on AIM, and trading is expected to commence on 6th April
2005.
In addition, on 1st March 2005, the company completed the acquisition of Smith
Melzack Pepper Angliss, a commercial property agency, and announced that it had
been granted an option to acquire Lee Baron, also a commercial property agency,
which expires on 31st May 2005.
These three acquisitions represent significant progress towards achieving our
strategy of building a group providing a wide range of professional services to
the real estate industry in the UK and Continental Europe. Your Board continues
to actively pursue a number of other significant acquisition targets in the real
estate industry.
The Board is excited about the opportunities to develop the Group both by
organic growth and acquisition and on behalf of the Board I wish to thank the
staff and the Group's advisors for their continued support and advice.
David Williams
Chairman
30th March 2005
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Year ended 30 September 2004
Notes 2004 2003
Total (Restated)
£ £
TURNOVER - Continuing - 336,910
- Discontinued 246,970 607,353
COST OF SALES (189,616) (120,344)
-------- --------
GROSS PROFIT 57,354 823,919
Administrative expenses (631,277) (1,032,028)
-------- --------
OPERATING LOSS (573,923) (208,109)
- Continuing operations (529,762) (249,683)
- Discontinued operations (44,161) 41,574
Share of loss of associate (149,024) -
Amortisation of goodwill arising
on acquisition of associate 9 (28,138)
Loss on fixed asset investments 5 (214,839) (6,718,737)
Profit on disposal of subsidiary 6 12,555
Interest payable and similar (3) (24,349)
charges
Interest receivable and similar 36,545 24,951
income -------- --------
LOSS ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION (916,827) (6,926,244)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities 7 - -
-------- --------
LOSS ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION (916,827) (6,926,244)
Minority interest - 39,128
-------- --------
Retained LOSS for the financial
YEAR (916,827) (6,887,116)
======== ========
Earnings per ordinary share 8 (0.08)p (0.87p)
======== ========
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
30 September 2004
Note 2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets - 11,183
Investments in associates 9 233,096 -
Investments 1 261,975
------------- -------------
233,097 273,158
------------- -------------
CURRENT ASSETS
Trade investments - 365,245
Debtors 10 492,920 418,001
Cash at bank and in hand 951,894 101,175
------------- -------------
1,444,814 884,421
CREDITORS: amounts falling due
within one 11 (253,293) (686,143)
ear ------------- -------------
NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,191,521 198,278
------------- -------------
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,424,618 471,436
CREDITORS: amounts falling due
after more 12 - (42,656)
than one year
Equity minority interest - (78,130)
------------- -------------
NET ASSETS 1,424,618 350,650
============= =============
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital 8,446,493 7,862,386
Share premium account 14 1,406,688 -
Other reserve 14 156,953 156,953
Profit and loss account 14 (8,585,516) (7,668,689)
------------- -------------
EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 1,424,618 350,650
============= =============
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Year ended 30 September 2004
2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
Net cash outflow from operating (309,194) (654,720)
activities
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest received 36,545 24,951
Interest paid (3) (24,349)
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
Net cash inflow from returns on 36,542 602
investments and servicing of
finance ------------- -------------
Taxation Paid (40,194) -
------------- -------------
Capital expenditure and
financial
Investment
Payments to acquire tangible - (2,209)
fixed assets
Receipts from sales of tangible - 31,420
fixed assets
Payments to acquire investments - (1,857,826)
Receipts from sales of 47,135 3,077,826
investments ------------- -------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing 47,135 1,249,211
activities ------------- -------------
Acquisitions and disposals
Purchase of subsidiary - (185,806)
undertakings
Purchase of associate (147,592) -
Proceeds of part disposal of 172,028 280,000
subsidiary
Cash disposed of with subsidiary (116,654) -
undertaking ------------- -------------
------------- -------------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from (92,218) 94,194
acquisitions and disposals
------------- -------------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before (357,929) 689,287
financing ------------- -------------
Financing
Issue/(cancellation) of ordinary 1,254,759 (9,903)
share capital
Debt finance (repaid) (42,656) (96,859)
------------- -------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 1,212,099 (106,762)
financing ------------- -------------
Increase in cash in the year 854,170 582,525
============= =============
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
30 September 30 September
2004 2003
£ (Restated)
£
Loss for the financial year (916,827) (6,835,854)
Prior year adjustment (see note 23) - (51,262)
------------- -------------
Total recognised gains and losses
relating to the year (916,827) (6,887,116)
============= =============
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
30 September 30 September
2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
Loss for the financial year (916,827) (6,887,116)
Costs of cancellation of share
premium written off to other
reserve - (9,903)
Increase in share capital 584,107 -
Premium on shares issued 1,406,688 -
------------- -------------
Net movement in shareholders' funds 1,073,968 (6,897,019)
------------- -------------
Opening shareholders' funds 350,650 7,247,669
(originally £401,912 before deducting prior year
adjustment of £51,262 - see note 23) ------------- -------------
Closing shareholders' funds 1,424,618 350,650
============= =============
Notes to the preliminary results
1. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
Operating loss (573,923) (208,109)
Depreciation charge 362 2,865
Goodwill impairment - 19,600
Profit on disposal of fixed assets - (8,240)
(Increase) in debtors (87,194) (53,095)
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors 351,501 (407,741)
------------- -------------
Net cash outflow from operating activities (309,194) (654,720)
============= =============
2. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS
£ £
Increase in cash in the year 854,170 582,525
Decrease in debt in the year 42,656 96,859
------------- -------------
Movement in net funds in the year 896,826 679,384
Opening net funds/(debt) 55,068 (624,316)
------------- -------------
Closing net funds 951,894 55,068
============= =============
3. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
30 September Cashflows 30 September
2003 2004
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 101,175 850,719 951,894
Bank overdraft (3,451) 3,451 -
----------- ----------- -----------
97,724 854,170 951,894
Debt due after one year (42,656) 42,656 -
----------- ----------- -----------
55,068 896,826 951,894
=========== =========== ===========
4. PURCHASE OF ASSOCIATED UNDERTAKING
£
Cost of investment in associated undertaking 410,258
===========
===========
Satisfied by:
Shares Allotted 262,666
Cash 147,592
-----------
410,258
===========
5. LOSS ON FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
2004 2003
£ £
Provision against cost of investments (247,038) (3,836,671)
Profit/(loss) on disposal of investments 32,199 (2,882,066)
----------- -----------
(214,839) (6,718,737)
=========== ===========
6. PROFIT ON DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY
On 5 December 2003, the company disposed of its entire shareholding in Cater
Barnard (USA) plc.
The loss before tax for the period to the date of disposal, included in Cater
Barnard's Profit and Loss Account was £44,152.
The disposal is analysed as follows:
Net assets disposed of:
£
Fixed assets 10,857
Current asset investments 365,245
Debtors 12,275
Bank 116,654
Creditors (267,428)
Equity minority interest (78,130)
-----------
159,473
Profit on disposal 12,555
-----------
Net disposal proceeds 172,028
===========
Satisfied by:
Cash 172,028
===========
7. TAX ON LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
2004 2003
£ £
UK Corporation tax - -
=========== ===========
Factors affecting the tax charge
The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of Corporation tax
in the UK. The difference is explained below:
2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
Loss on ordinary activities before tax (916,827) (6,926,244)
========== ==========
Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard
rate of corporation tax in the UK of 30% (2003: 30%). 275,048 2,077,873
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes (primarily
provisions against shares still held and
entertainment) (78,754) (1,165,292)
Tax losses carried forward for future utilisation (196,294) (912,581)
---------- ----------
Current tax charge - -
========== ==========
8. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE
The figures for earnings per share are calculated on a loss of £916,827 (2003 -
£6,887,116). The basic earnings per share calculation is based on a weighted
average number of ordinary shares of 0.1p each of 1,099,620,129 (2003:
786,238,648).
9. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
£
Share of net liabilities of associate (414,084)
Goodwill arising on acquisition of associate (a) 647,180
----------
233,096
==========
(a) Goodwill arising on acquisition of associate
Addition 675,318
Amortisation (28,138)
----------
647,180
==========
The addition represents:
Name Country of Business activity Class of Proportion held
incorporation shares held
Navitas
Hemway England Facilities maintenance Ordinary 40%
Limited
Since the year end the Company has acquired the remaining 60% shareholding in
Navitas Hemway Limited.
10. DEBTORS
Group
2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
Trade debtors - 195,280
Amounts owed by associate 296,055 -
Amounts owed by subsidiary - -
Other debtors 14,529 215,713
Prepayments 182,336 7,008
--------- ---------
492,920 418,001
========= =========
Amounts owed by associate relate to a loan advanced to Navitas Hemway Limited
which is receivable after more than one year. The loan attracts interest at a
rate of 7.8% per annum.
Other debtors represents an amount owed by David Williams, director. This loan
will be repaid in the near future.
11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2004 2003
(Restated)
£ £
Bank overdraft - 3,451
Trade creditors 105,530 27,078
Corporation tax - 40,194
Other taxation and social security 35,027 57,082
Accruals and deferred income 112,736 85,000
Other loans 473,338
--------- ---------
253,293 686,143
========= =========
12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
2004 2003
£ £
Director's loan account - 42,656
--------- ---------
- 42,656
========= =========
This relates to amounts due to Adrian Stecyk, who retired as a Director of
Mercury Group Plc on 21 November 2003.
13. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
At 30 September 2004 the Group had annual commitments under operating leases as
set out below:
Land & Land &
Buildings Buildings
2004 2003
£ £
Lease expires:
Within two to five years - 80,850
---------- ----------
- 80,850
========== ==========
14. MOVEMENT ON CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called Up Share Share Premium Other Reserve Profit and Loss
Capital Account Account
(Restated)
£ £ £ £
As at 1
October 2003 7,862,386 - 156,953 (7,617,427)
Prior year
adjustment - - - (51,262)
Share Issues 584,107 1,406,688 - -
Loss for the
year - - (916,827)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
8,446,493 1,406,688 156,953 (8,585,516)
========= ========= ========= =========
The prior year adjustment was made as a result of an error in accounting for VAT
resulting in the understatement of the VAT creditor by £51,262 at 30 September
2003.
15. General
The figures for 2004 are extracted from those shown in the statutory financial
statements on which the auditors will issue an unqualified report today and
which will not contain a statement under s237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
1985. A copy of the full financial statements for 2003 on which the auditors
have issued an unqualified report, has been filed with the Registrar of
Companies.
Audited financial statements will be posted on the company's website
www.mgplc.co.uk. on 31st March 2005, sent to shareholders on 5th April 2005 and
will be available to members of the public at the Company's Registered Office,
Hilden Park House, 79 Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, Kent TN11 9BH for a period
of 30 days from today's date..
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the offices of Jones Day, 21 Tudor
Street, London EC4Y ODJ at 10.00am on 14th June 2005.
This information is provided by RNS
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