Interim Results

Sportech PLC 15 September 2004 Sportech PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2004 Highlights •Turnover of £254.5m (2003: £157.8m) reflecting significant growth in internet casino products. Casino stakes are now accounted for on a gross cash basis to ensure consistency with the rest of our Betting business, and comparatives have been restated accordingly. •Operating profit* increased by 3% to £9.2m (2003: £8.9m). •Profit before tax* increased by 7% to £5.9m (2003: £5.5m). •Resilient Football Pools performance, generating operating profit* of £12.9m (2003: £13.0m). •Improved Betting business performance, with overall operating loss* of £1.0m (2003: loss of £1.6m), reflecting strong growth in gross gaming win (up 74%) across sports betting and casino products. •Major relaunch of Football Pools with £4m advertising campaign to coincide with start of football season. •Raft of interactive gaming launched on ITV, major new games including 'X Factor' and major ITV launch planned for October 2004. •Earnings per share* of 0.71p (2003: 0.67p). •Net debt at £114.8m reduced by £4.2m (2003: £119.0m). *Before amortisation of goodwill and exceptional items. George Rushton, Managing Director, Sportech said: 'I am pleased with the progress made in the first six months of the year. Importantly, we have now established a comprehensive betting and gaming service across the new direct channels, including ITV, providing future growth opportunities for both Soft Gaming and Betting. We look forward to the full launch and marketing of the ITV interactive service, in conjunction with ITV, next month.' - Ends - Enquiries: Sportech PLC Suzanne Judge 0151 288 3059 Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial David Rydell / Charlotte Kirkham 020 7861 3232 OPERATING & FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial Overview I am pleased to report that operating profit, before amortisation of goodwill, moved 3% ahead to £9.2m (2003: £8.9m). This profit was achieved after an investment of £2.8m in interactive development, £0.9m higher than last year. In prior periods, the Company's internet casino products have been reported in Soft Gaming. Recognising the link with internet sports betting, and in common with many others in the industry, it has been decided to report it within the Betting business. As a result of this decision, it is consistent to report all Betting turnover on the basis of gross stakes and comparatives have been restated accordingly. The strong growth of casino products has increased Betting turnover to £206.0m (2003: £106.4m) and total Group turnover to £254.5m (2003: £157.8m). Total operating profit before restructuring costs and amortisation of goodwill was £9.5m (2003: £9.3m). Restructuring costs incurred relate to the ongoing realisation of efficiencies in merging all football pools, lotto and spot the ball operations. We continue to focus on removing cost from the business and have started to rationalise costs relating to the interactive operations following completion of the initial development stage. Further rationalisation of interactive operations is currently taking place, ahead of the full ITV launch in Q4 2004. A breakdown of the operating performance of the constituent businesses within the Group follows: Turnover Operating Profit 2003 2004 re-stated 2004 2003 £m £m £m £m Soft Gaming Football Pools 40.2 45.7 12.9 13.0 Games & Lotteries 3.7 4.5 0.4 (0.2) --------- --------- --------- --------- Established Soft Gaming 43.9 50.2 13.3 12.8 Interactive Development 4.6 1.2 (2.8) (1.9) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total Soft Gaming 48.5 51.4 10.5 10.9 Betting (including Casino) Telephone 38.6 41.4 (1.3) (1.6) Interactive 167.4 65.0 0.3 0.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total Betting 206.0 106.4 (1.0) (1.6) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total pre-restructuring & goodwill 254.5 157.8 9.5 9.3 --------- --------- --------- --------- Restructuring (0.3) (0.4) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total before amortisation of goodwill 254.5 157.8 9.2 8.9 --------- --------- --------- --------- Interest payable was marginally lower at £3.3m (2003: £3.4m), following a reduction in net debt, down £4.2m at £114.8m (2003: £119.0m). Profit before taxation, goodwill amortisation and exceptionals was £5.9m, £0.4m ahead of last year (2003: £5.5m). The effective rate of taxation was 30% giving rise to a charge of £1.7m in line with the prior year. Net cashflow from operating activities was reduced to £6.3m (2003: £9.5m) mainly due to further payments to ITV of £2.7m in the period making £6m in total to date, which can be offset against future net profit share. Pre-financing, there was a net cash inflow of £0.2m (2003: £2.9m). Soft Gaming Operations The Littlewoods Gaming Soft Gaming portfolio comprises entertainment led products with mass market appeal. It includes Littlewoods and Zetters Football Pools, Lotteries and Instant Win Games, distributed via internet, telephone, direct mail, collector and retail networks, and ITVi. Soft Gaming turnover for the first half of 2004 was £48.5m, £2.9m lower than 2003. Operating profit from Soft Gaming, excluding the investment in interactive developments, was up 4% to £13.3m (2003: £12.8m). This reflected resilient Football Pools profits and improved profits from off line games such as Spot the Ball and Lotto. The rate of decline in Football Pools turnover was reduced further to 12% (2003: 14% like for like), whilst net profit margins improved by 3.5% to 32%. A £4m marketing campaign commenced in August to coincide with the start of the new football season, leading with the Littlewoods Football Pools product and the sub-brand 'Be Lucky'. The campaign includes an interactive call to action, which directs viewers from the live television advert to the ITVi service. We are hopeful that forthcoming industry deregulation will assist us to complement our existing range of established distribution channels with the introduction of electronic scanners in retail outlets throughout the UK. Customer research indicates a strong propensity towards this method of playing Football Pool products. Accordingly we are in talks with potential distribution partners and development of a new easy play football based product, linked to the Premiership and suited to an expanded range of distribution channels, is already underway. Growth in interactive games turnover was principally driven by our Littlewoods Game On internet site and increased by nearly 300% to £4.6m. We have continued to invest heavily in interactive television in order to extend our Soft Gaming offer and there has been regular delivery of new content to the ITVi service during this year. In May we introduced the This Morning Daily Lottery game, closely followed by the introduction of two football themed games, Three Lions Quiz and Million £ Hot Shot, together with the launch of the Littlewoods Bet Direct sportsbook, in conjunction with ITV's Euro 2004 coverage in June. These were followed by the launch of three additional games, Champions Reels, Barnets United and Five Line Fever. August then saw the introduction of Littlewoods Football Pools on ITVi, ahead of the start of the new football season. As ITVi is not yet fully launched, promotion of the service and thus its use has been limited. Therefore we are looking forward to ITV's full consumer launch of the interactive service next month and plan to roll-out further themed games throughout the Autumn, as well as developing Rapid Application Development templates which will enable the re-theming of games swiftly and at low cost. In addition we plan to link up with a third party shortly, in a royalty based non exclusive deal to supply additional product for our service. The link up with ITV represents an exciting medium-term opportunity over a potential seven year term. In the first two years of the contract to March 2006, when we have a break option under certain circumstances, we are committed to payments to ITV totalling a further £5m (£11m in total). This £11m investment and additional allowable co-operation costs would require an aggregate gross win of c.£50m to achieve pay back within two years, although it is important to note that the payments to ITV can be off set against profit share throughout the term of the deal (up to seven years). The ITVi consumer launch commences 20 October, and will include national TV advertising, supported by a major PR campaign. Betting Operations Our Betting portfolio comprises sports betting, fixed odds games, casino and poker products available via the direct channels of telephone, internet and television. All major distribution channels are now active, following the introduction of Littlewoods Bet Direct on ITVi, in conjunction with ITV's coverage of Euro 2004 in June. Littlewoods Bet Direct remains the principal brand but is now complemented by Littlewoodscasino.com and Littlewoodspoker.com. Telephone turnover was 7% lower than H1 03, reflecting the lack of televised UK racing in April and May during the temporary shutdown of the attheraces (ATR) television channel. The channel re-launched on 11 June 2004 and volumes have now been augmented by our recent acquisition of the Bet ATR customer base. Gross gaming win from Betting (including casino), in the first half of the year was up 74% on prior year with sports betting margins averaging 10% across all channels. We were particularly pleased with the performance of our internet casino products where the gross gaming win was £4.3m, 170% higher than prior year (2003: £1.6m). This contributed significantly to interactive betting which generated a £0.3m operating profit (2003: nil) whilst telephone betting reduced its operating loss to £1.3m (2003: £1.6m loss). Overall, Betting reduced its operating loss by 38% to £1.0m (2003: £1.6m loss). During the second half of 2004, we are extending the Littlewoods Bet Direct brand appeal to football followers, building on the 17% increase in football gross win in the first half of the year. The Bet Direct brand has increased football marketing activity from the start of the 2004/05 season and this will be further complemented by the availability of our Littlewoods Bet Direct betting service on ITVi. Littlewoods Bet Direct will also be extended into popular television programming related betting, such as 'X Factor', through the exclusive ITV arrangement. Along with the new interactive betting opportunities, we continue to focus on operational efficiencies and our telephone betting cost base will be reduced significantly following the scheduled move to our own call centre during Q4 2004. Outlook / Current Trading The Soft Gaming business, which accounts for the majority of Sportech's profits and cashflow, continues to trade in line with market expectations. Maximising the potential of the football pools marketing campaign and the ITVi launch present key challenges for the remainder of the year. Margins from horse racing have been weaker over the first eight weeks of H2 '04 which together with new channel costs has reduced materially the H1 year on year profit gains from our Betting business. We remain excited by the opportunities across the breadth of the business, particularly Soft Gaming, and while future returns from the interactive investment remain difficult to quantify, implementation of our strategy is on track. We continue to invest to establish a broad-based interactive gaming platform. David Mathewson Chairman 15 September 2004 Consolidated Profit & Loss Account 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited, (Audited, restated) restated) Notes £m £m £m Group turnover 5 254.5 157.8 330.4 Cost of sales (225.5) (129.2) (275.5) --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 29.0 28.6 54.9 Net operating expenses 6 (24.4) (24.3) (45.4) --------- --------- --------- Operating profit before restructuring costs and amortisation of goodwill 5 9.5 9.3 19.9 Restructuring costs (0.3) (0.4) (1.3) --------- --------- --------- Operating profit before amortisation of goodwill 9.2 8.9 18.6 Amortisation of goodwill (4.6) (4.6) (9.1) --------- --------- --------- Operating profit 5 4.6 4.3 9.5 Profit on sale of Technology Patents 3 - 0.6 0.6 Net interest payable 7 (3.3) (3.4) (6.6) --------- --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1.3 1.5 3.5 Tax on profit on ordinary activities 8 (1.7) (1.7) (3.7) --------- --------- --------- Loss for the financial period (0.4) (0.2) (0.2) ========= ========= ========= Earnings per share 9 Basic and diluted (0.06)p (0.04)p (0.04)p ========= ========= ========= Pre amortisation of goodwill 0.71p 0.73p 1.49p ========= ========= ========= The Group has no recognised gains or losses other than the loss for the period stated above. The results for the previous period have been re-stated for the change of accounting policy detailed in Note 4. 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m Profit on ordinary activities before goodwill and exceptional items 5.9 5.5 12.0 Goodwill (4.6) (4.6) (9.1) Profit on sale of Technology Patents - 0.6 0.6 - --------- --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1.3 1.5 3.5 ========= ========= ========= Reconciliation of Movement in Group Shareholders' Funds 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m Shareholders' funds at start of period 31.3 31.5 31.5 Loss for the financial period (0.4) (0.2) (0.2) --------- --------- --------- Shareholders' funds at end of period 30.9 31.3 31.3 ========= ========= ========= Consolidated Balance Sheet 30 June 30 June 31 December Note 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets - goodwill 140.6 149.7 145.2 Intangible assets - other 1.5 1.0 1.2 Tangible assets 8.9 8.8 9.1 --------- --------- --------- 151.0 159.5 155.5 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - due within one year 11.2 7.5 9.5 - due after more than one year 0.7 1.0 0.7 Cash at bank and in hand 10 2.9 5.9 4.1 --------- --------- --------- 14.8 14.4 14.3 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year (27.7) (42.4) (44.3) --------- --------- --------- NET CURRENT LIABILITIES (12.9) (28.0) (30.0) --------- --------- --------- TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 138.1 131.5 125.5 CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year (107.2) (100.2) (94.2) --------- --------- --------- NET ASSETS 30.9 31.3 31.3 ========= ========= ========= CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 29.6 29.6 29.6 Profit and loss account 1.3 1.7 1.7 --------- --------- --------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 30.9 31.3 31.3 ========= ========= ========= The interim accounts on pages 6 to 14 were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 September 2004 and were signed on its behalf by Gary Speakman Director Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Notes £m £m £m Net cash inflow from operating activities 11 6.3 9.5 18.6 Returns on investments and servicing of finance: Interest received 0.2 0.1 0.2 Interest paid (3.4) (3.5) (6.5) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (3.2) (3.4) (6.3) Taxation (1.6) (1.5) (3.1) Capital expenditure and financial investment: Purchase of tangible fixed assets (1.0) (1.5) (2.6) Purchase of intangible fixed assets (0.3) (0.2) (0.4) Sale of tangible fixed assets - - 0.1 Net proceeds from sale of Technology Patents - - 0.6 Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (1.3) (1.7) (2.3) --------- --------- --------- Cash inflow before management of liquid resources and financing 0.2 2.9 6.9 Financing: Net loans drawn/(repaid) 2.0 (4.0) (10.0) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 2.0 (4.0) (10.0) --------- --------- --------- Increase/(decr ease) in net cash 12 2.2 (1.1) (3.1) ========= ========= ========= Notes to the interim report 1. Accounting policies The results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2003, with the exception of the changes set out in note 4 below. a) Basis of consolidation The results include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries drawn up for the 26 week period from 3 January 2004 to 2 July 2004 (2003: 26 week period). 2. Non-statutory accounts The results for the half year to 30 June 2004 are neither audited nor reviewed by the auditors. The financial information on pages 6 to 14 does not amount to full accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended). The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2003 do not constitute statutory accounts. Apart from the re-statement of turnover (see note 4), these figures have been extracted from the audited accounts for that period which have been delivered to the registrar of companies and on which the auditors issued an unqualified report which did not contain a statement under either section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies act 1985. 3. Profit on sale of Technology Patents During the six months ended 30 June 2003 the Company sold its portfolio of Technology Patents for $1.5m (£0.9m). Disposal costs of £0.3m resulted in a profit on sale of £0.6m. 4. Changes in accounting policy During the six months ended 30 June 2004, the Company has made changes to its accounting policies with respect to segmental reporting and to turnover. a) In prior periods, the Company's online casino has been reported within Soft Gaming. The Company has reviewed the playing patterns on its online casino and concluded that it would be more appropriate to report it within Betting. This change will only affect the segmental reporting note, and will not change the profit and loss account in aggregate. In respect of the prior half year, the impact is to move £1.6m of turnover and £0.2m of operating profit from Soft Gaming to Betting. In respect of the prior full year, the impact is to move £3.7m of turnover and £0.6m of operating profit from Soft Gaming to Betting. b) At the same time, the basis of turnover disclosure for the online casino business has been reviewed. Previously turnover for this business was defined as the gross win achieved; following a review of the rationale underlying this basis and to bring on-line casino turnover into line with other similar internet based games that the Company offers, as well as that for non-internet based products, the basis of reporting turnover is now believed to be best defined as the amounts customers spend with the business, rather than the amount of customer spend net of winnings returned to them. In respect of the prior half year, the impact is to add £51.5m to both turnover and cost of sales; the impact for the prior full year is to add £122.5m to both turnover and cost of sales. There is no impact on profit for either the prior half year or the prior full year. The impact for the current half year is to add £150.4m to turnover and cost of sales. The effect of these changes in accounting policy on the comparatives for the six months ended 30 June 2003 is as follows: As originally Adjustment As restated stated £m £m £m Turnover Soft Gaming 53.0 (1.6) 51.4 Betting 53.3 53.1 106.4 --------- --------- --------- 106.3 51.5 157.8 ========= ========= ========= Cost of sales 77.7 51.5 129.2 ========= ========= ========= Operating profit before restructuring costs and amortisation of goodwill Soft Gaming 11.1 (0.2) 10.9 Betting (1.8) 0.2 (1.6) --------- --------- --------- 9.3 - 9.3 ========= ========= ========= The effect of this change in accounting policy on the comparatives for the year ended 31 December 2003 is as follows: As originally AdjustmentAs restated stated £m £m £m Turnover Soft Gaming 106.2 (3.7) 102.5 Betting 101.7 126.2 227.9 --------- --------- --------- 207.9 122.5 330.4 ========= ========= ========= Cost of sales 153.0 122.5 275.5 ========= ========= ========= Operating profit before restructuring costs and amortisation of goodwill Soft Gaming 23.0 (0.6) 22.4 Betting (3.1) 0.6 (2.5) --------- --------- --------- 19.9 - 19.9 ========= ========= ========= 5. Segmental reporting 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited, (Audited, restated) restated) £m £m £m Turnover Soft Gaming 48.5 51.4 102.5 Betting 206.0 106.4 227.9 --------- --------- --------- Total Littlewoods Gaming 254.5 157.8 330.4 ========= ========= ========= Profit before tax Soft Gaming 10.5 10.9 22.4 Betting (1.0) (1.6) (2.5) --------- --------- --------- Operating profit before restructuring costs and amortisation of goodwill 9.5 9.3 19.9 Restructuring costs (principally Soft Gaming) (0.3) (0.4) (1.3) --------- --------- --------- Operating profit before amortisation of goodwill 9.2 8.9 18.6 Amortisation of goodwill (principally Soft Gaming) (4.6) (4.6) (9.1) --------- --------- --------- Operating profit 4.6 4.3 9.5 Profit on sale of Technology Patents - 0.6 0.6 Net interest payable (3.3) (3.4) (6.6) --------- --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1.3 1.5 3.5 ========= ========= ========= All turnover and profits arise in the United Kingdom 6. Net operating expenses 6 months to 30 June 6 months to 30 June Year to 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m Distribution costs 0.1 0.1 0.1 --------- --------- --------- Other administrative expenses 19.4 19.2 34.9 Restructuring costs 0.3 0.4 1.3 Amortisation of goodwill 4.6 4.6 9.1 --------- --------- --------- Administration expenses 24.3 24.2 45.3 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net operating expenses 24.4 24.3 45.4 ========= ========= ========= 7. Net interest payable and similar items 6 months to 30 June 6 months to 30 June Year to 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m Interest receivable 0.2 0.1 0.2 Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts (3.4) (3.4) (6.5) Amortisation of interest rate cap premium (0.1) (0.1) (0.3) --------- --------- --------- Net interest payable and similar items (3.3) (3.4) (6.6) ========= ========= ========= 8. Taxation Taxation is provided on taxable profits at 30.0% being the anticipated rate of taxation for the Group's current financial year. 9. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on the net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of £0.4 m (2003: £0.2m) divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period - 592.1 m (six months to 30 June 2003 - 592.1 m; year to 31 December 2003 - 592.1 m). Basic and diluted EPS are identical. 10. Cash £0.8m of the cash and bank balances are committed security against deferred payments due under a contractual obligation of a subsidiary company. 11. Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows 6 months to 30 June 6 months to 30 June Year to 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m Operating profit 4.6 4.3 9.5 Depreciation on tangible fixed assets 1.2 1.4 2.1 Amortisation of goodwill 4.6 4.6 9.1 Decrease in stocks - 0.1 0.1 (Increase)/ decrease in trade debtors (0.8) 0.8 0.4 Decrease in other debtors 0.8 0.4 - (Increase)/ decrease in prepayments (1.8) 0.3 (1.9) Increase/ (decrease) in trade creditors 0.4 (0.3) (1.0) (Decrease) in other taxes (0.8) (0.8) (0.2) (Decrease)/ increase in accruals and deferred income (1.9) (1.3) 0.5 --------- --------- --------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 6.3 9.5 18.6 ========= ========= ========= 12. Analysis and reconciliation of net debt At 31 December Cash Non-cash At 30 June 2003 flow changes 2004 £m £m £m £m Cash at bank and in hand excluding charity cash balances 2.3 (0.5) - 1.8 Bank overdrafts (6.9) 2.4 - (4.5) --------- ------- ------- --------- (4.6) 1.9 - (2.7) --------- ------- ------- --------- Debt due within one year (15.9) 1.0 10.0 (4.9) Debt due after one year (94.0) (3.0) (10.0) (107.0) Lease agreement (0.2) - - (0.2) --------- ------- ------- --------- (110.1) (2.0) - (112.1) --------- ------- ------- --------- (114.7) (0.1) - (114.8) ========= ======= ======= ========= 6 months to 6 months to Year to 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £m £m £m Increase/(decrease) in cash in period 2.2 (1.1) (3.1) Movement in charity cash (0.3) (0.4) (0.1) --------- --------- --------- Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 1.9 (1.5) (3.2) New hire purchase contracts - (0.2) (0.2) Cash inflow from increase in loans (3.0) (4.0) (6.0) Cash outflow from repayment of loans 1.0 8.0 16.0 --------- --------- --------- Movement in net debt for the period (0.1) 2.3 6.6 At start of period (114.7) (121.3) (121.3) --------- --------- --------- At end of period (114.8) (119.0) (114.7) ========= ========= ========= This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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