Final Results
PZ CUSSONS PLC
10 September 2002
PZ CUSSONS PLC
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT
Highlights
- Operating profits increased by 27.0% to £46.8m from £36.9m
- Pre-tax profits increased by 12.3% to £49.2m from £43.8m
- Diluted earnings per share increased by 16.0% to 65.09p from
56.12p
- Net funds maintained in excess of £100m at £103.4m from
£120.9m
- Dividend increase for year proposed of 10.5% to 26.25p from
23.75p
Performance by region
Operating
Turnover (£m) profit (£m)
2002 2001 2002 2001
Europe 194.8 198.1 20.4 16.3 The focus on improving
operating margins and
Africa 150.5 119.7 19.5 14.7 pursuing growth in all
units, particularly
Asia 95.4 88.3 6.9 5.9 Nigeria and Indonesia,
------ ------ ------ ------ formed the basis of the
440.7 406.1 46.8 36.9 improved results.
======= ======= ======= =======
Europe
The UK business has performed strongly during the year with some
growth and much improved profitability. The relaunch of Imperial
Leather in 2001, emphasising lather delivery, has continued with
innovative new products - Shower Bar, Foamburst Foaming Handwash,
Foamburst Scent-sations Shower Gel and in recent weeks the
Bathtime Range. The Carex brand range has also been expanded with
Gentle Foaming Handwash and Family Soft Wipes.
To supplement television advertising, the UK unit has utilised
various avenues of communication with consumers including
sampling, extensive poster and radio campaigns and, this year, has
explored sports sponsorship with a major involvement with the
athletics and other events at the very successful Manchester
Commonwealth Games.
Poland has suffered a difficult year, with the market remaining
extremely competitive. The management of the marketing and sales
areas has been strengthened and relaunches of the major brands E
(detergents), Luksja (soaps), Makler and Graphite (men's) and
Kwiaty Polskie (skin care) are planned for this year.
Greece has performed strongly with sales and profits up on the
previous year. The Minerva and Horio olive oil and the Fast
margarine ranges continue to be extended successfully.
Africa
During the year to May 2002, the Nigerian subsidiary achieved a
28% increase in turnover and a profit increase of 36%. The
progress made by the civilian government has led to improved
consumer spending power and a relatively stable currency. The
company grew in all sectors with highlights being the launch of
Elephant Extra detergent, the relaunches of Joy soap and Venus
haircare and the introduction of the new HPZ refrigerators,
freezers and air conditioners. Investment continues to be made to
increase the capacity and the efficiency of all the factories. It
has been necessary to increase stocking levels to meet the higher
levels of demand and to cover for delays in the delivery of
imported materials through the ports.
The results in the other African units, Ghana, Kenya and Cameroun
are similar to last year.
Asia
Turnover has grown substantially in Indonesia with the ongoing
strategy of developing the distribution network by opening new
depots throughout the vast group of islands, enabling the unit to
access the population of over 200 million. The capacity of the
factory in Jakarta is being expanded to cope with the increase in
demand for the major brand ranges of Cussons Baby, Kids and Sweet
Seventeen.
Thailand also is now expanding rapidly by strengthening its
distribution network, focusing on developing the Imperial Leather
range and introducing certain of the Indonesian brands. The
capacity of the factory in Bangkok is being increased to meet
anticipated demand levels.
In Australia, the sales of the principal brands, Radiant, Morning
Fresh and Imperial Leather have been strong and profitability has
continued to improve.
The two smaller units of the region have reported contrasting
results with the Middle East improving profitability and China
remaining in loss.
Change of name
With effect from 31st May 2002 the company changed its name from
Paterson Zochonis plc to PZ Cussons Plc.
Investments
The overall fall in world stock markets has impacted on investment
gains which have reduced to nil from £3.1m. Since the year end
markets have continued to fall and this is impacting on the
current year. Interest receivable net has also reduced to £2.4m
from £3.8m with the generally low level of world interest rates.
Net funds have remained in excess of £100m despite investment in
factory production and working capital, and the £12.9m spent on
purchase of own shares.
Purchase of own shares
The company has continued to purchase its own shares in the market
with the objective of improving earnings per share. During the
year 1,468,000 ordinary and 1,154,000 'A' ordinary shares were
purchased at a total cost of £12.9m. It is proposed to ask
shareholders for authority to purchase up to a further 10% of the
shares now in issue.
Dividend
The board is recommending a dividend increase of 10.5%.
Outlook
PZ Cussons maintains a strong balance sheet with adequate funds to
finance planned opportunities for growth and to have the
flexibility to continue to purchase its own shares.
Increased sales are anticipated in:
- UK, with the launch of the new Imperial Leather products
- Nigeria, with new product ranges and increasing factory
capacities
- Indonesia and Thailand, with the development of new products,
increased distribution, and larger factories
Operating profit improvement will, however, be restricted by the
impact of the strength of sterling against the dollar and the
naira and also by increases of £3m in insurance premiums arising
from the liquidity crisis in the insurance industry.
Group focus remains to improve operating profitability and to
pursue growth in all units, in particular the UK, Nigeria and
Indonesia.
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account for the Year to 31st May 2002
2002 2001
£000 £000
Turnover 440,720 406,062
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 46,794 36,859
Net investment income / interest payable 2,380 6,935
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit on ordinary activities before
taxation 49,174 43,794
Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (16,285) (13,564)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 32,889 30,230
Equity minority interests (3,794) (2,973)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit for the financial year 29,095 27,257
Preference dividends (770) (770)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit attributable to ordinary capital 28,325 26,487
Ordinary dividends (10,840) (10,858)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit for the financial year retained 17,485 15,629
=====================================================================
Basic earnings per ordinary share 65.50p 56.32p
Diluted earnings per ordinary share 65.09p 56.12p
Dividend for the year per ordinary share 26.25p 23.75p
The results for both years arise from continuing operations
Balance Sheets as at 31st May 2002
The group Parent company
2002 2001 2002 2001
(restated) (restated)
£000 £000 £000 £000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets:
Goodwill 988 511 - -
Negative goodwill (2,388) (2,519) - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,400) (2,008) - -
Tangible assets 158,821 167,849 - -
Investments:
Subsidiary companies - - 94,730 92,559
Other investments - - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
157,421 165,841 94,730 92,559
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Current assets
Stocks 118,956 92,066 - -
Debtors falling due within one
year 50,810 51,489 65,801 39,720
Debtors falling due after one
year 8,220 8,037 1,656 2,046
Investments 106,757 131,290 44,478 40,101
Cash at bank and in hand 10,975 8,586 27 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
295,718 291,468 111,962 81,867
Creditors - amounts falling
due within one year (112,873)(119,342) (62,891) (46,710)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net current assets 182,845 172,126 49,071 35,157
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets less current
liabilities 340,266 337,967 143,801 127,716
Creditors - amounts falling
due after one year (19,578) (19,206) (8,391) (9,008)
Provisions for liabilities and
charges (15,846) (14,880) - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets 304,842 303,881 135,410 118,708
==========================================================================
Capital and reserves
Equity ordinary share capital 4,293 4,555 4,293 4,555
Non-equity preference share
capital 7,898 7,898 7,898 7,898
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Total called up share capital 12,191 12,453 12,191 12,453
Reserves attributable to
equity interests:
Capital redemption reserve 451 189 451 189
Revaluation reserve 37,303 43,688 - -
Profit and loss account 211,173 204,625 122,768 106,066
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Total shareholders' funds 261,118 260,955 135,410 118,708
Equity minority interests 43,724 42,926 - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
304,842 303,881 135,410 118,708
=========================================================================
Group Cash Flow Statement
2002 2001
£000 £000
Cash flow from operating activities 35,036 66,705
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance (545) 5,067
Taxation (16,026) (14,454)
Capital expenditure and financial
investment (11,720) (4,773)
Acquisitions and disposals (708) 1,488
Equity dividends paid (10,464) (10,305)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash (outflow) / inflow before use of
liquid resources and financing (4,427) 43,728
Management of liquid resources 24,060 (29,649)
Financing (19,106) (14,561)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase / (decrease) in cash in the
period 527 (482)
=======================================================================
2002 2001
£000 £000
Reconciliation of net cash flow to
movement in net funds
Increase / (decrease) in cash in the
period 527 (482)
Cash outflow from financing 6,162 6,723
Cash (inflow) / outflow from management of
liquid resources (24,060) 29,649
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net funds resulting from cash
flows (17,371) 35,890
Currency retranslation (80) (652)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Movement in net funds in the period (17,451) 35,238
Opening net funds 120,861 85,623
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing net funds 103,410 120,861
======================================================================
Group Cash Flow Statement continued
Analysis of net funds
At 31st May Cash Exchange At 31st May
2001 flow difference 2002
£000 £000 £000 £000
Cash in hand and at bank 8,586 2,396 (7) 10,975
Overdrafts (8,837) (1,869) 338 (10,368)
-------
527
Loans due within one year (10,178) 6,162 62 (3,954)
Deposits 107,658 (26,810) (461) 80,387
Other current asset investments 23,632 2,750 (12) 26,370
-------
(24,060)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
120,861 (17,371) (80) 103,410
==============================================================================
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
2002 2001
(restated)
£000 £000
Profit for the financial year 29,095 27,257
Currency retranslation 554 (3,707)
Deficit on revaluation (4,932) -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognised gains and losses relating to the
year 24,717 23,550
==========================================================================
Prior year adjustment (note 1) (768) -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognised gains and losses since the last
annual report 23,949 23,550
==========================================================================
NOTES
1 A prior year adjustment of £768,000 has been made in respect
of additional deferred tax provided on the adoption of Financial
Reporting Standard 19, 'Deferred Tax'. In addition, deferred tax
assets and liabilities previously shown net are now included in
debtors or provisions as appropriate. Comparative figures have
been restated accordingly. The implementation of FRS 19 had no
material effect on the profit and loss account in either the
current or the prior year, consequently prior year taxation
charges have not been restated.
2 Segmental reporting
Third party Profit before
turnover taxation
2002 2001 2002 2001
£000 £000 £000 £000
Geographical areas - by origin
Europe 194,827 198,092 20,387 16,296
Africa 150,536 119,723 19,522 14,656
Asia 95,357 88,247 6,885 5,907
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440,720 406,062 46,794 36,859
Investment income 4,444 8,941
Interest payable (2,064) (2,006)
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49,174 43,794
=============================================================================
3 AGM and dividend
The board is recommending a final dividend of 19.25p per share
which, together with the interim dividend of 7.00p gives a total
distribution of 26.25p, an increase of 10.5% over the total of
23.75p last year.
The date of the annual general meeting has been fixed for Monday
November 4th 2002 and dividend warrants in respect of the
proposed final dividend, subject to shareholders' approval, will
be posted on that day to members on the register at 5.00 pm on
4th October 2002.
4 Basis of accounts
The 2002 results are an abridged version of the statutory
accounts for the year ended 31st May 2002 which have been
approved by the board of directors and which carry an
unqualified audit report. The 2001 results are an abridged
version of the statutory accounts for the year ended 31st May
2001 which carry an unqualified audit report and which have been
filed with the Registrar of Companies. Neither accounts contain
a statement in respect of s.237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
1985.
Enquiries 10th September 2002
PZ Cussons Plc
0161 491 8000 Graham Calder
(Between 9.00 am and 5.15 pm) Finance Director
Weber Shandwick Square Mile
020 7950 2800 Terry Garrett/Josh Royston
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange