Interim Results - 6 Months to 31 December 1999

Northamber PLC 8 February 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Interim Results for the six months ended 31st December 1999 Ahead of the Millennium, it was commonly believed there would be a significant and prolonged downturn in demand for computer systems. The poor trading conditions encountered during the second calendar quarter of 1999, proved to be the low point of the year. Our pre-tax profits for the six months to 31st December were £3.4 million. In view of the Year 2000 concerns, this compares quite favourably with the £4.6 million for the equivalent period of 1998 and more particularly the £1.7 million recorded for the second half of our financial year ended 30th June 1999. Earnings per share for the period reduced to 6.7p from last year's 8.6p and sales declined from £141 million to £133 million. The revenue decrease during this period, reflected price erosion. With further improvements in stock-turns and the associated reduction in stock exposure, net cash increased to £5.9 million as against net borrowings a year ago of £36,000. The net asset value per share has increased to 96.6p compared to 92.2p as at the same period last year. Dividend With the increase of our cash balances and a degree of confidence for the second half of the year the Board recommends an increase of 33% in the interim dividend to 2.0p (net), which is payable on 4th May 2000 to members on the register as at 14th April 2000. Trading Much has already been made of the pre millennium 'lock down' by many corporate users. During that period we focussed on enhancing our involvement and facilitation management expertise providing support for a number of major Internet based initiatives. We have been particularly active in enhancing our involvement in and facilitation of those newly emerging e-commerce channels dealing with the smaller corporate user. We believe that your company is now one of the few organisations in the UK that can efficiently and effectively handle the facilitation requirements of the now fast evolving IT distribution e-business market. Whilst developing and investing in these new services, overheads increased slightly and were an additional factor in the lower pre-tax profits for the half year. The Board Marilyn Lee, after many years with the company and Financial Director from 1997, left at the end of December and we wish her every success in her new venture. The board is currently seeking a successor to continue our requirement for the tight control of overheads and working capital. Outlook Second half trading has started well and we are seeing an improvement in gross margins. Also, the fast evolving e-commerce facilitation business opportunities now emerging offer considerable additional opportunities. This coupled with our strong cash resources, expectations for renewed growth in our core activities, gives the board confidence for the remainder of the year. D.M.Phillips Chairman February 8th 2000 CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the six months ended 31st December 1999 After Before Exceptional item Exceptional item 6 months 6 months 6 months 12 months ended ended ended ended 31st December 31st December 31st December 30th June 1999 1998 1998 1999 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 133,424 140,851 140,851 277,727 Cost of sales (122,467) (128,795) (128,795) (253,675) _______ _______ _______ _______ Gross profit 10,957 12,056 12,056 24,052 Net operating expenses (7,632) (7,206) (7,206) (17,441) Exceptional item (see Note 6) (277) (277) _______ _______ _______ _______ Operating profit 3,325 4,573 4,850 6,334 Interest receivable 94 88 88 130 Interest payable (83) (219) (219) (426) _______ _______ _______ _______ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,336 4,442 4,719 6,038 Taxation (1,067) (1,465) (1,465) (1,971) _______ _______ _______ _______ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 2,269 2,977 3,254 4,067 Equity dividends (680) (517) (517) (1,724) _______ _______ _______ _______ Retained profit for period 1,589 2,460 2,737 2,343 ======= ======= ======= ======= Earnings per ordinary share 6.7p 8.6p 9.4p 11.8p _______ _______ _______ _______ All operations are continuing There is no difference between the profit on ordinary activities before taxation and the retained profit for the period stated above, and the historical cost equivalents. CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED INTERIM BALANCE SHEET At 31st December 1999 At 31st December At 31st December At 30th June 1999 1998 1999 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 2,747 3,136 3,121 Investments 2,833 2,833 2,833 ______ ______ ______ 5,580 5,969 5,954 ______ ______ ______ Current assets Stocks 17,445 25,775 12,896 Debtors 38,774 41,532 34,216 Cash at bank and in hand 5,910 2,395 4,984 ______ ______ ______ 62,129 69,702 52,096 Current liabilities Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 33,808 42,733 25,331 ______ ______ ______ Net current assets 28,321 26,969 26,765 ______ ______ ______ Total assets less current liabilities 33,901 32,938 32,719 Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year 1,058 1,138 1,062 ______ ______ ______ Net Assets 32,843 31,800 31,657 ====== ====== ====== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,701 1,725 1,724 Share premium account 5,710 5,706 5,706 Capital redemption reserve 48 46 47 Profit and loss account 25,384 24,323 24,180 ______ ______ ______ Equity Shareholders' Funds 32,843 31,800 31,657 ====== ====== ====== Net assets per share 96.6p 92.2p 91.8p CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 31st December 1999 6 months 6months 12 months ended ended ended 31st December 31st December 30th June 1999 1998 1999 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash flow from continuing operating activities 2,583 (1,050) 7,803 ______ ______ ______ Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 94 88 130 Interest paid (159) (263) (495) Income from fixed asset investments 89 55 189 ______ ______ ______ Net cash inflow / (outflow) from returns on investments and servicing of finance 24 (120) (176) ______ ______ ______ Taxation UK corporation tax paid (26) (114) (2,812) ACT paid - - (51) ______ ______ ______ (26) (114) (2,863) ______ ______ ______ Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (79) (629) (1,104) Sale of tangible fixed assets 23 127 165 ______ ______ ______ Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (56) (502) (939) ______ ______ ______ Equity dividends paid (1,190) (1,035) (1,552) ______ ______ ______ Cash inflow / (outflow) before financing 1,335 (2,821) 2,273 ______ ______ ______ Financing Purchase of shares (409) - (26) Issue of ordinary share capital 5 - - Debt due beyond a year: (Repayment) / increase on secured loan (4) (48) (98) _______ ______ ______ Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from financing (408) (48) (124) _______ ______ ______ Increase / (decrease) in cash in the period 927 (2,869) 2,149 ======= ======= ======= NORTHAMBER PLC Unaudited Interim Statement for the six months ended 31st December 1999. NOTES 1. The Directors have declared an interim net dividend of 2p per ordinary share ( 1998 - 1.5p ) which will be paid on 4th May 2000 to shareholders on the register on 14th April 2000. The ex-dividend date for the shares will be 10th April 2000. 2. The tax charge for the six months ended 31st December 1999 has been based on the expected tax rate for the year of 32% (1998-31% on the profit before exceptional item). 3. The calculation of earnings per share is based on profits of £2,269,000 (1998 - £3,254,000 before charging the exceptional item and £2,977,000 after charging the exceptional item) and on 34,014,000 (1998 - 34,498,696) ordinary shares. 4. The calculation of net assets per ordinary share is based on 34,014,000 ( 1998 - 34,498,696 )ordinary shares being the number of shares in issue at the end of the period. 5. The interim financial statements for the six months ended 31st December 1999 are unaudited. They have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those adopted for the year ended 30th June 1999. The results for the year ended 30th June 1999 have been summarised for comparative purposes within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The full financial statements for the year ended 30th June 1999 were reported on by the auditors without qualifications or statements under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 6. The exceptional item reflected in the accounts for the year ended 30th June 1999 represented the permanent reduction in value of an investment property in Southampton. The carrying value of the property was reduced to £350,000 resulting in a loss of £277,000 that was charged to the profit and loss account as an exceptional item. 7. A copy of the Interim Statement is being sent to all shareholders and is available to the public from the Company's trading office at 1 Lion Park Avenue, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 1ST. 8. These interim results were approved by the Board of Directors on 7th February 2000.

Companies

Northamber (NAR)
UK 100