Half-yearly Report
Arsenal Holdings plc
Results for the six months ended 30 November 2012
ARSENAL ANNOUNCE HALF YEAR RESULTS
* Group profit before tax was £17.8 million (2011 - £49.5 million).
* Profit on sale of player registrations amounted to £42.5 million (2011 -
£63.0 million).
* £40.9 million of investment in new players and extended contracts pushed
amortisation charges up to £19.9 million (2011 - £17.3 million).
* The resulting profit from player trading was £23.2 million (2011 - £46.1
million).
* Turnover from football fell to £106.1 million (2011 - £113.5 million) as a
consequence of there being four fewer home fixtures.
* As a result of this change in football turnover and increased wage costs,
operating profits (before depreciation and player trading) from football
decreased to £5.0 million (2011 - £15.2 million).
* Property revenues were boosted to £32.3 million (2011 - £3.2 million) by
the sale of the market housing site at Queensland Road. However, the
Queensland Road sale was essentially at break even in profit and loss
terms. Overall operating profits from property increased to £1.9 million
(2011 - £0.5 million).
* The Group has no short-term debt and continues to have a robust financial
platform from cash reserves of £123.3 million (2011 - £115.2 million).
* Confirmed extension to Emirates partnership worth up to £150 million.
Commenting on the results for the six months, Peter Hill-Wood, non-executive
Chairman, said:
"Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is
underpinned by our financial performance which gives the club strength and
independence. Our desire is to make everyone connected with Arsenal proud of
the Club. We know that comes through winning trophies but also through the way
we do things and that will remain our constant guide."
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I would like to start by thanking all of you who have sent me your best wishes
in recent weeks. I am glad to report I am recovering well. This is due in no
small part to the support of my family, friends and Arsenal colleagues who have
been a wonderful source of strength.
Despite being unable to attend matches recently due to my health, I have been
following the team's fortunes closely and am looking forward to another
exciting end to the season. We are competing for a place in the top four of the
Premier League and, for a tenth consecutive season, are involved in the UEFA
Champions League Round of 16.
Whilst we have our sights set on a 16th straight season in the Champions
League, our aims are higher; our ambition is to win trophies. No-one is more
focussed on that than our manager Arsène Wenger, our majority shareholder Stan
Kroenke and the Board and it is what we work towards every day.
Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is underpinned
by our financial performance. The financial results are covered in more detail
later in this report but show a total pre-tax profit of £17.8 million for the
six month period to November 30th 2012.
Player sales in the summer 2012 transfer window contributed £42.5 million. Let
me be quite clear that our intention is to keep our best players and recruit
new talent to make us stronger.
Although we were disappointed to see Robin van Persie leave the club, we have
taken steps to secure our best players going forward and have recently signed
Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson to new long-term contracts. During this
financial period we also invested £40.9 million in the acquisition of new
players, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud, and the extension of
other player contracts. More recently we added Nacho Monreal to our ranks from
Malaga.
This is a strong indicator of our ambition to compete and win trophies and,
looking ahead, this will be further underpinned financially as a result of our
extended partnership with Emirates. This will be worth up to £150 million over
the next five years. It is one of the biggest sponsorship deals in the game and
is an endorsement of the commercial approach we are taking. Emirates know us as
well as anyone and the fact they have been prepared to invest this substantial
sum over this period of time shows their strong belief in what we are trying to
achieve and our way of working. Our financial position will be further
strengthened as a result of the new Premier League broadcast rights deal.
Central to our ethos is our self-sustaining model which gives the club strength
and independence. The Board remains fully committed to this path and the rest
of the football world is increasingly realising the strength of this model. As
an early proponent, we welcome the development of Financial Fair Play rules in
the Premier League, in addition to those adopted by UEFA. These new rules will
be good for us, good for the Premier League and good for the game as a whole.
It is important that we maintain the quality and level of competition if the
game is to continue being a compelling spectacle and we believe the
introduction of tighter financial regulation will assist all clubs to compete
while remaining financially responsible.
Once again we have been delighted by the level of support we have received home
and away. My thanks go to all supporters for their continued support for the
Club.
We fully recognise the time and money it takes for supporters to follow us,
particularly in the current economic circumstances, and this has played a big
part in our decision to hold our ticket prices at this year's level for next
season (2013/14). It also informed our decision to introduce a new pricing
structure at the start of this season which has created 90,000 cheaper tickets
for home and away supporters.
Looking further afield we continue to make excellent progress in developing our
supporter base all over the world. Last summer's tour of Malaysia and China was
a great success and we have already announced a game in Indonesia this summer
with more to follow.
In all this, our aim is to bring Arsenal supporters together to share their
passion for the Club wherever they may be in the world. Our Facebook following
has passed 13 million while we have 2 million people following us on Twitter.
We have recently launched a new version of our website www.Arsenal.com. In
addition we have a website running in China http://arsenal.qq.com/ and have
more than 1 million followers on Weibo - China's equivalent of Twitter.
As we move towards the centenary of the Club's arrival in Islington, we
continue to ensure we play a prominent role in making a difference in the
community through the work of The Arsenal Foundation, which focuses on raising
money and giving grants to help transform the lives of young people. In any
given week 2,160 young people are engaged through Arsenal in the Community
projects in the Islington area and in addition we continue to work with our
global charity partner, Save the Children to make a difference both here in
London and further afield in China. Once again many of you have provided great
support to our fundraising activities for which we are very grateful. To learn
more about our activities or to make a donation please visit http://
www.arsenal.com/thearsenalfoundation/donate.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial results for the six months ended 30 November 2012, show a profit
before tax of £17.8 million (2011 - full year profit of £36.6 million).
Once again the half year results have been significantly influenced by the
changes in the squad which occurred in the summer transfer window. Profits from
sale of player registrations contributed an amount of £42.5 million although
this was significantly lower than the £63.0 million gain accounted for in the
comparative period last year.
During the period we invested £40.9 million in the acquisition of new players
and, to a lesser extent, extended contracts for certain existing players. The
cost of this investment will be charged against profit over the life of the
underlying player contracts and, as a consequence, the amortisation charge for
the six month period has again increased to £19.9 million (2011 - £17.3
million).
The changes in playing personnel have also contributed to an increased wage
bill. However, the full wage impact of the revised contracts awarded to a
number of key young players - including Walcott, Wilshere, Ramsey, Gibbs,
Jenkinson and Oxlade-Chamberlain - will not come through until the second half
of the year and subsequent periods.
2012 2011
£m £m
Turnover
Football 106.1 113.5
Property development 32.3 3.2
Total turnover 138.4 116.7
Operating profits*
Football* 5.0 15.2
Property development 1.9 0.5
Total operating profit* 6.9 15.7
Player trading 22.6 45.8
Depreciation (5.6) (5.8)
Joint venture 0.4 0.5
Net finance charges (6.5) (6.7)
Profit before tax 17.8 49.5
*= operating profits before depreciation and player trading
Broadcasting revenues for the period were slightly down on the previous year at
£40.1 million (2011 - £40.6 million) which reflects the fact we were not
involved in the qualifying Champions League round and a reduction in the UEFA
market pool for English clubs for this season.
The first six months of the year saw continued growth in our Commercial revenue
line with the addition of Airtel and Malta Guinness to our partnership
portfolio and additional sponsorships connected to the pre-season tour. In the
second half of the year Commercial revenues will increase significantly as we
will start to account for the extended partnership contract with Emirates;
revenues from the £150 million contract extension will be combined with the
remaining revenues from the original contract and spread evenly over the
revised contract term.
Compared to the same period for last year, there were four fewer home games (1
Premier League, 1 UEFA Champions League (qualifying round) and 2 Capital One
Cup) although the Premier League fixture is only a scheduling difference with
that game being played in the second half of the year. At the half year stage
we had played 10 of the 26 fixtures we are so far certain of playing for the
full season. As a result of the lower number of home games the Club's match day
revenues for the half year fell by £8.1 million and this is the principal
factor behind lower total football revenues of £106.1 million (2011 - £113.5
million).
The impact of the new player signings and contract extensions previously
referred to is an increase in our player wage costs. The Group's employment
costs are the principal driver for the increase in football operating costs to
£101.1 million (2011 - £98.4 million). Operating profits from football (before
depreciation and player trading) were decreased to £5.0 million from £15.2
million for the prior half year.
Revenues from the Group's property business were significantly increased to £
32.3 million (2011 - £3.2 million).
This included the completion of the sale of the north-east section of
Queensland Road to Barratts for a consideration of some £27 million and
Barratts have subsequently started work to construct three towers of market
residential accommodation. This site had previously been re-valued in the
Group's books, to reflect its expected sale price, and as such the transaction
is effectively at break-even in profit and loss terms. Of the proceeds, £20
million is receivable in instalments over a two year period.
At Highbury Square we completed the sale of three apartments to leave a single
remaining unit, which is currently expected to be retained by the Group. The
final phase of the Highbury development, a mix of 21 new / refurbished property
units with addresses on Avenell Road, Gillespie Road and Highbury Hill, is also
progressing well and 8 apartment sales were completed in the half year
generating revenue of £2.9 million. 10 houses will be released for sale in the
near future as the final stage of this project.
The property business made an overall contribution to operating profits of £1.9
million (2011 - £0.5 million). There is an ongoing dialogue with Islington
Council in relation to the planning consents for our remaining property sites
on Hornsey Road and Holloway Road.
The Group continues to have a strong balance sheet. £6.5 million of stadium
finance bonds were repaid in the period and, other than next year's annual
instalment on the bonds, the Group has no short-term debt. Cash balances at
30th November amounted to £123.3 million (2011 - £115.2 million).
The Group enters into a number of transactions, relating mainly to its
participation in European competition (UEFA Champions League distributions are
paid in €) and player transfers, which create exposure to movements or
volatility in foreign exchange, including €. The Group monitors this foreign
exchange exposure on a continuous basis and will usually hedge any significant
exposure in its currency receivables and payables.
SUMMARY
The Group's overall after tax profit for the six months was £14.9 million (2011
- profit of £38.0 million).
Historically the financial results of the football business are better for the
second half of the year as the timing differences around gate and broadcasting
revenue come back in balance. As always, the actual outcome for the second half
will be strongly influenced by the extent of progress in the knock-out
competitions and final Premier League position. We expect the overall result
for the year to be fully compliant with the requirements of UEFA's financial
regulatory regime and to provide a strong base for any further financial
regulations imposed within the Premier League. They will also put us in a good
position for further re-investment in the team.
In closing, I repeat our desire is to make everyone connected with Arsenal
proud of the Club. We know that comes through winning trophies but also through
the way we do things and that will remain our constant guide.
Thank you again for your continued support and your best wishes for my health.
I hope you all enjoy the rest of the season.
P D Hill-Wood
Chairman
25 February 2013
Arsenal Holdings Plc
Consolidated profit and loss account
For the six months ended 30 November 2012
Six months
to 30 Year ended
November 31 May
Six months to 30 November 2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Operations
excluding
player Player
trading trading Total Total Total
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover of the Group 139,000 564 139,564 118,001 245,478
including its share of
joint ventures
Share of turnover of (1,132) - (1,132) (1,276) (2,465)
joint ventures
________ ________ _______ ________ ________
Group turnover 4 137,868 564 138,432 116,725 243,013
Operating expenses
- other (137,190) - (137,190) (106,817) (217,018)
- amortisation of player - (19,904) (19,904) (17,266) (42,319)
registrations
Total operating expenses 5 (137,190) (19,904) (157,094) (124,083) (259,337)
________ ________ _______ ________ ________
Operating profit/(loss) 678 (19,340) (18,662) (7,358) (16,324)
Share of operating 403 - 403 528 952
profit of joint venture
Profit on disposal of - 42,501 42,501 63,010 65,456
player registrations
________ ________ _______ ________ ________
Profit on ordinary
activities before net
finance charges 1,081 23,161 24,242 56,180 50,084
________ ________
Net finance charges 6 (6,467) (6,717) (13,496)
________ ________ ________
Profit on ordinary
activities
before taxation 17,775 49,463 36,588
Taxation 7 (2,873) (11,414) (6,995)
________ ________ ________
Profit after taxation
retained for
the financial period 14,902 38,049 29,593
________ ________ ________
Earnings per share 8 £239.52 £611.55 £475.64
________ ________ ________
All trading resulted from continuing operations.
There are no recognised gains or losses other than those included in the profit
and loss account and, accordingly, no consolidated statement of total
recognised gains and losses is presented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Arsenal Holdings Plc
Consolidated balance sheet
At 30 November 2012
Notes 30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 424,890 430,357 427,157
Intangible assets 10 104,951 107,159 85,708
Investment in joint venture 2,677 2,176 2,326
________ ________ ________
532,518 539,692 515,191
________ ________ ________
Current assets
Stock - Development properties 11 14,783 36,815 37,595
Stock - Retail merchandise 2,694 3,024 1,681
Debtors - Due within one year 12 69,739 52,652 52,332
Debtors - Due after one year 12 21,075 5,905 5,201
Cash and short-term deposits 13 123,374 115,150 153,625
________ ________ ________
231,665 213,546 250,434
Creditors: Amounts falling due 14 (141,454) (123,321) (145,159)
within one year
________ ________ ________
Net current assets 90,211 90,225 105,275
________ ________ ________
Total assets less current 622,729 629,917 620,466
liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due after 15 (255,754) (263,181) (268,066)
more than one year
Provisions for liabilities 16 (54,525) (60,732) (54,852)
________ ________ ________
Net assets 312,450 306,004 297,548
________ ________ ________
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 62 62 62
Share premium 29,997 29,997 29,997
Merger reserve 26,699 26,699 26,699
Profit and loss account 17 255,692 249,246 240,790
________ ________ ________
Shareholders' funds 18 312,450 306,004 297,548
________ ________ ________
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated balance sheet.
Arsenal Holdings Plc
Consolidated cash flow statement
For the six months ended 30 November 2012
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating (5,767) (21,822) 27,694
activities
Player registrations (8,061) 399 (1,785)
Returns on investment and servicing of (6,279) (6,629) (13,071)
finance
Taxation (5) (4,681) (4,624)
Capital expenditure (3,591) (6,138) (8,610)
________ ________ ________
Cash (outflow) before financing (23,703) (38,871) (396)
Financing (6,548) (6,208) (6,208)
Management of liquid resources 17,481 (61,319) (79,633)
________ ________ ________
Change in cash in the period (12,770) (106,398) (86,237)
Change in short-term deposits (17,481) 61,319 79,633
________ ________ ________
(Decrease) in cash and short-term deposits (30,251) (45,079) (6,604)
________ ________ ________
Arsenal Holdings Plc
Notes to the cash flow statement
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
a) Reconciliation of operating loss to net
cash (outflow)/inflow from operating
activities
Operating loss (18,662) (7,358) (16,324)
Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets (14) - (12)
Depreciation (net of grant amortisation) 5,629 5,780 11,391
Amortisation of player registrations 19,904 17,266 36,802
Impairment of player registrations - - 5,517
Decrease/(increase) in stock 21,799 (5,265) (4,702)
(Increase) in debtors (18,354) (10,478) (11,894)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (16,069) (21,767) 6,916
________ ________ ________
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating (5,767) (21,822) 27,694
activities
________ ________ ________
b) Reconciliation of net cash flow to
movement in net debt
(Decrease) in cash and short term deposits (30,251) (45,079) (6,604)
Cash outflow from decrease in debt 6,548 6,208 6,208
________ ________ ________
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (23,703) (38,871) (396)
Increase in debt resulting from non cash (345) (349) (695)
changes
Net debt at start of period (98,918) (97,827) (97,827)
________ ________ ________
Net debt at close of period (122,966) (137,047) (98,918)
________ ________ ________
c) Analysis of changes in net debt
At 1 June Non cash Cash At 30 November
2012 changes flows 2012
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand 29,272 - (12,770) 16,502
Short-term deposits 124,353 - (17,481) 106,872
_______ _______ _______ _______
153,625 - (30,251) 123,374
Debt due within one year ( (5,937) - (364) (6,301)
bonds)
Debt due after more than one (219,496) (166) 6,909 (212,753)
year (bonds)
Debt due after more than one
year
(debenture subscriptions) (27,110) (179) 3 (27,286)
_______ _______ _______ _______
Net debt (98,918) (345) (23,703) (122,966)
_______ _______ _______ _______
Non cash changes represent £306,000 in respect of the amortisation of costs of
raising finance, £179,000 in respect of rolled up, unpaid debenture interest
for the period less £140,000 in respect of amortisation of the premium on
certain of the Group's interest rate swaps.
d) Gross cash flows
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Player registrations:
Payments for purchase of players (37,116) (50,299) (57,406)
Receipts from sale of players 29,055 50,698 55,621
_______ _______ _______
(8,061) 399 (1,785)
_______ _______ _______
Returns on investment and servicing of
finance:
Interest received 567 416 832
Interest paid (6,846) (7,045) (13,903)
_______ _______ _______
(6,279) (6,629) (13,071)
_______ _______ _______
Capital expenditure:
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (3,615) (6,138) (8,629)
Receipts from sale of tangible fixed assets 24 - 19
_______ _______ _______
(3,591) (6,138) (8,610)
_______ _______ _______
Financing:
Repayment of borrowings (6,548) (6,208) (6,208)
_______ _______ _______
Total debt repayment (6,548) (6,208) (6,208)
_______ _______ _______
Arsenal Holdings Plc
Notes to the interim accounts
30 November 2012
1 Basis of preparation of Group financial statements
The Group financial statements consolidate the assets, liabilities and results
of the company and its subsidiary undertakings made up to 30 November 2012. The
Group has two classes of business - the principal activity of operating a
professional football club and property development.
The interim results have been prepared, in accordance with United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, on the same basis and using the same
accounting policies as those used in the preparation of the full year's
accounts to 31 May 2012. The status of the Group's financing arrangements is
reported in notes 14 and 15 and is summarised in the Chairman's Statement. The
directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources
to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and the
financial statements continue to be prepared on the going concern basis.
2 Significant accounting policies
Income recognition
Gate and other match day revenue is recognised over the period of the football
season as games are played and events are staged. Sponsorship and similar
commercial income is recognised over the duration of the respective contracts.
The fixed element of broadcasting revenues is recognised over the duration of
the football season whilst facility fees for live coverage or highlights are
taken when earned at the point of broadcast. Merit awards are accounted for
only when known at the end of the financial period. UEFA pool distributions
relating to participation in the Champions League are spread over the matches
played in the competition whilst distributions relating to match performance
are taken when earned; these distributions are classified as broadcasting
revenues. Fees receivable in respect of the loan of players are included in
turnover over the period of the loan.
Income from the sale of development properties is recognised on legal
completion of the relevant sale contract. Where elements of the sale price are
subject to retentions by the purchaser the retained element of the sale price
is not recognised until such time as all of the conditions relating to the
retention have been satisfied.
Player registrations
The costs associated with acquiring players' registrations or extending their
contracts, including agents' fees, are capitalised and amortised, in equal
instalments, over the period of the respective players' contracts. Where a
contract life is renegotiated the unamortised costs, together with the new
costs relating to the contract extension, are amortised over the term of the
new contract. Where the acquisition of a player registration involves a
non-cash consideration, such as an exchange for another player registration,
the transaction is accounted for using an estimate of market value for the
non-cash consideration. Under the conditions of certain transfer agreements or
contract renegotiations, further fees will be payable in the event of the
players concerned making a certain number of First Team appearances or on the
occurrence of certain other specified future events. Liabilities in respect of
these additional fees are accounted for, as provisions, when it becomes
probable that the number of appearances will be achieved or the specified
future events will occur. The additional costs are capitalised and amortised as
set out above.
3 Segmental analysis
Class of business Football
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 106,145 113,541 235,329
_______ _______ _______
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 15,616 48,864 34,089
_______ _______ _______
Segment net assets 278,023 275,761 265,280
_______ _______ _______
Class of business Property development
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 32,287 3,184 7,684
_______ _______ _______
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2,159 599 2,499
_______ _______ _______
Segment net assets 34,427 30,243 32,268
_______ _______ _______
Class of business Group
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 138,432 116,725 243,013
_______ _______ _______
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 17,775 49,463 36,588
_______ _______ _______
Net assets 312,450 306,004 297,548
_______ _______ _______
4 Turnover
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gate and other match day revenues 37,785 45,954 95,212
Player trading 564 394 2,901
Broadcasting 40,108 40,642 84,701
Retail and licensing income 9,813 9,776 18,303
Commercial 17,875 16,775 34,212
Property development 32,287 3,184 7,684
_______ _______ _______
138,432 116,725 243,013
_______ _______ _______
5 Operating costs
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Football - amortisation and depreciation 25,533 23,046 48,193
Football - impairment - - 5,517
Football - other operating costs 101,136 98,353 200,164
Property development - operating costs 30,425 2,684 5,463
_______ _______ _______
157,094 124,083 259,337
_______ _______ _______
6 Net finance charges
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Interest payable and similar charges: £'000 £'000 £'000
Bank loans and overdrafts (1) (4) (16)
Fixed/floating rate bonds (6,571) (6,614) (13,265)
Other (179) (175) (385)
Costs of raising long-term finance (359) (393) (785)
_______ _______ _______
Total interest payable and similar charges (7,110) (7,186) (14,451)
Interest receivable 643 469 955
_______ _______ _______
Net finance charges (6,467) (6,717) (13,496)
_______ _______ _______
7 Taxation
The charge for taxation is based on the estimated effective tax rate for the
year as a whole.
Six months to 30 November Year ended
31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Corporation tax on result for the period at (52) (2,607) (483)
23.83%
Movement in deferred taxation (2,821) (8,807) (6,512)
_______ _______ _______
Total tax charge (2,873) (11,414) (6,995)
_______ _______ _______
From 1 April 2013 the rate of UK corporation tax will reduce from 24% to 23%.
The Group's deferred tax liabilities have been revalued based on the 23% rate.
The impact of the rate change is a deferred tax credit of £1.62 million.
The comparative rates of corporation tax were 25.83% for the six months ended
30 November 2011 and 25.67% for the year ended 31 May 2012.
8 Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit for the period
divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue being 62,217
(period to 30 November 2011 - 62,217 shares and year to 31 May 2012 - 62,217
shares).
9 Tangible fixed assets
Freehold Leasehold Plant and
property property equipment Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 June 2012 400,956 6,608 92,498 500,062
Additions 709 68 2,654 3,431
Disposals - - (89) (89)
_______ _______ _______ _______
At 30 November 2012 401,665 6,676 95,063 503,404
_______ _______ _______ _______
Depreciation
At 1 June 2012 34,565 3,087 35,253 72,905
Charge for period 2,811 154 2,723 5,688
Disposals - - (79) (79)
_______ _______ _______ _______
At 30 November 2012 37,376 3,241 37,897 78,514
_______ _______ _______ _______
Net book value
At 30 November 2012 364,289 3,435 57,166 424,890
_______ _______ _______ _______
At 31 May 2012 366,391 3,521 57,245 427,157
_______ _______ _______ _______
10 Intangible fixed assets
£'000
Cost of player registrations
At 1 June 2012 189,685
Additions 40,889
Disposals (13,071)
_______
At 30 November 2012 217,503
_______
Amortisation of player registrations
At 1 June 2012 103,977
Charge for the period 19,904
Disposals (11,329)
_______
At 30 November 2012 112,552
_______
Net book amount
At 30 November 2012 104,951
_______
At 31 May 2012 85,708
_______
11 Stock - Development properties
Properties are held for resale and are recorded at the lower of cost and net
realisable value. The directors consider the net realisable value of
development property stocks to be greater than their book value.
12 Debtors
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Amounts recoverable within one year:
Trade debtors 15,443 5,897 20,394
Other debtors 23,973 16,392 14,347
Prepayments and accrued income 30,323 30,363 17,591
_______ _______ _______
69,739 52,652 52,332
_______ _______ _______
Amounts recoverable after more than one year:
Trade debtors 10,000 - -
Other debtors 9,480 3,799 3,570
Prepayments and accrued income 1,595 2,106 1,631
_______ _______ _______
21,075 5,905 5,201
_______ _______ _______
Other debtors of £33.5 million, include £31.4 million in respect of player
transfers (30 November 2011 £19.0 million and 31 May 2012 £16.5 million) of
which £8.4 million is recoverable after more than one year.
13 Cash at bank and in hand
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Debt service reserve accounts 23,696 23,056 33,538
Other accounts 99,678 92,094 120,087
_______ _______ _______
123,374 115,150 153,625
_______ _______ _______
The Group is required under the terms of its fixed and floating rate bonds to
maintain specified amounts on bank deposit as security against future payments
of interest and principal. Accordingly the use of these debt service reserve
accounts is restricted to that purpose. Included in other accounts is a balance
of £1.2 million (30 November 2011 £2.3 million and 31 May 2012 £1.0 million)
which is held in connection with the site works at Queensland Road. The use of
this deposit is restricted to that purpose and Newlon Housing Trust is a joint
signatory.
The Group uses short-term bank treasury deposits as a means of maximising the
interest earned on its cash balances.
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand 16,502 9,111 29,272
Short-term deposits 106,872 106,039 124,353
_______ _______ _______
123,374 115,150 153,625
_______ _______ _______
14 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed rate bonds - secured 6,301 5,928 5,937
Trade creditors 10,527 11,309 10,983
Corporation tax 195 2,537 200
Other tax and social security 6,181 5,190 17,312
Other creditors 32,070 23,627 23,915
Accruals and deferred income 86,180 74,730 86,812
_______ _______ _______
141,454 123,321 145,159
_______ _______ _______
Other creditors, above and as disclosed in note 15, include £31.6 million (30
November 2011 £22.9 million and 31 May 2012 £23.6 million) in respect of player
transfers.
15 Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed rate bonds - secured 159,968 166,406 166,640
Floating rate bonds - secured 52,785 52,928 52,856
Debentures 27,286 26,935 27,110
Other creditors 6,181 4,323 4,772
Grants 3,930 4,063 3,989
Deferred income 5,604 8,526 12,699
_______ _______ _______
255,754 263,181 268,066
_______ _______ _______
The fixed rate bonds comprise:
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed rate bonds 170,674 177,220 177,220
Costs of raising finance (4,405) (4,886) (4,643)
_______ _______ _______
166,269 172,334 172,577
_______ _______ _______
Due within one year (see note 14) 6,301 5,928 5,937
Due after more than one year 159,968 166,406 166,640
_______ _______ _______
166,269 172,334 172,577
_______ _______ _______
The fixed rate bonds bear interest at 5.1418% per annum.
The floating rate bonds above comprise:
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Floating rate bonds 50,000 50,000 50,000
Interest rate swap 5,225 5,505 5,365
Costs of raising finance (2,440) (2,577) (2,509)
_______ _______ _______
52,785 52,928 52,856
_______ _______ _______
Due within one year - - -
Due after more than one year 52,785 52,928 52,856
_______ _______ _______
52,785 52,928 52,856
_______ _______ _______
The floating rate bonds bear interest at LIBOR for three month deposits plus a
margin of 0.22% and the Group has entered into interest rate swaps which fix
the LIBOR element of this cost at 5.75%. The fixed rate bonds and floating rate
bonds are guaranteed as to scheduled payments of principal and interest by
certain members of the Group and by Ambac Assurance UK Limited. The Group pays
Ambac Assurance UK Limited annual guarantee fees at a rate of 0.65% of the bond
principal outstanding.
The costs of raising debt finance, in the form of fixed and floating rate
bonds, are amortised to the profit and loss account over the term of the debt.
The amortisation charge for the period was £306,000 (period to 30 November 2011
£315,000 and year ended 31 May 2012 £626,000).
The Group's fixed rate bonds and floating rate bonds are secured by a mixture
of legal mortgages and fixed charges on certain freehold and leasehold property
and certain plant and machinery owned by the Group, by fixed charges over
certain of the Group's trade debtors and the related bank guarantees, by fixed
charges over £27.5 million (30 November 2011 £28.5 million, 31 May 2012 £
49.6 million) of the Group's bank deposits, by legal mortgages or fixed charges
over the share capital and intellectual property rights of certain subsidiary
companies and fixed and floating charges over the other assets of certain
subsidiary companies.
The Group's financial liabilities/debt is 30 November 31 May
repayable as follows:
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Between one and two years 7,274 6,900 6,900
Between two and five years 24,274 23,026 23,026
After five years 209,647 217,995 218,170
__________ __________ __________
241,195 247,921 248,096
Within one year 6,900 6,545 6,545
__________ __________ __________
248,095 254,466 254,641
__________ __________ __________
Interest rate profile
After taking into account interest rate swaps, the interest rate profile of the
Group's financial liabilities at 30 November 2012 was as follows:
Weighted
average
Fixed Floating Interest Weighted period for
rate rate free Total average which rate
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited fixed is fixed
rate
2012 2012 2012 2012 Unaudited Unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 % Yrs
Bonds - fixed rate 170,674 - - 170,674 5.8 16.5
Bonds - floating 50,000 - - 50,000 6.6 18.5
rate
Debentures 12,991 - 14,430 27,421 2.8 15.5
_______ _______ _______ _______
233,665 - 14,430 248,095
_______ _______ _______ _______
Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps, which are used as hedges, are
not recognised in the financial statements until the hedged position matures.
At 30 November 2012 the total unrecognised loss on the Group's interest rate
swaps was £19.8 million (31 May 2012: £18.1 million).
The interest rate profile at 30 November 2011 for comparative purposes was:
Weighted
average
Fixed Floating Interest Weighted period for
Rate rate free Total average which rate
is
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited fixed fixed
rate
2011 2011 2011 2011 Unaudited Unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 % Yrs
Bonds - fixed rate 177,220 - - 177,220 5.8 17.5
Bonds - floating 50,000 - - 50,000 6.6 19.5
rate
Debentures 12,816 - 14,430 27,246 2.8 16.5
_______ _______ _______ _______
240,036 - 14,430 254,466
_______ _______ _______ _______
The interest rate profile at 31 May 2012 for comparative purposes was:
Weighted
average
Fixed Floating Interest Weighted period for
rate rate free Total average which rate
is
Audited Audited Audited Audited fixed fixed
rate
2012 2012 2012 2012 Audited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 % Yrs
Bonds - fixed rate 177,220 - - 177,220 5.8 17
Bonds - floating rate 50,000 - - 50,000 6.6 19
Debentures 12,991 - 14,430 27,421 2.8 16
_______ _______ _______ _______
240,211 - 14,430 254,641
_______ _______ _______ _______
16 Provisions for liabilities
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Pensions provision 2,834 867 2,993
Transfers provision 10,114 18,810 13,103
Deferred taxation 41,577 41,055 38,756
__________ __________ __________
54,525 60,732 54,852
__________ __________ __________
The pensions provision relates to the expected contribution required towards
making good the Minimum Funding Requirements deficit which exists in the
Football League Pension and Life Assurance Scheme less payments made to the
scheme in this respect.
The transfers provision relates to the probable additional fees payable based
on the players concerned achieving a specified number of appearances.
17 Profit and loss account
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
At start of period 240,790 211,197 211,197
Profit for the period 14,902 38,049 29,593
__________ __________ __________
Balance at end of period 255,692 249,246 240,790
__________ __________ __________
18 Reconciliation of shareholders' funds
30 November 31 May
2012 2011 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Opening shareholders' funds 297,548 267,955 267,955
Profit for the period 14,902 38,049 29,593
__________ __________ __________
Closing shareholders' funds 312,450 306,004 297,548
__________ __________ __________
19 Contingent liabilities
Under the conditions of certain transfer agreements in respect of players
purchased, further transfer fees will be payable to the vendors in the event of
the players concerned making a certain number of First Team appearances or in
the event of certain other future events specified in the transfer agreements.
The maximum unprovided potential liability is £7.8 million (30 November 2011 £
11.0 million, 31 May 2012 £7.8 million).
The Group has commitments outstanding under letters of credit, issued to
guarantee its performance of certain future contractual obligations in relation
to its new stadium and property development projects, of £0.3 million (30
November 2011 £0.3 million, 31 May 2012 £0.3 million).
20 Additional information
a) The interim financial statements do not constitute statutory financial
statements within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The
financial information for the year ended 31 May 2012 has been extracted from
the statutory accounts for the year then ended which have been filed with the
Registrar of Companies. The audit report on these accounts was unqualified and
did not contain any statements under Section 498 (2) or (3) Companies Act 2006.
b) These results will be announced to ICAP Securities & Derivatives Exchange
(ISDX Growth Market) on 25 February 2013 and posted to all shareholders on the
register at 22 February 20 13. Copies of this interim report will be available
from the company's registered office at Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, London
N5 1BU.
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO ARSENAL HOLDINGS PLC
We have been engaged by the company to review the interim financial statements
in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 November 2012
which comprises the consolidated profit and loss account, the consolidated
balance sheet, the consolidated cash flow statement, the notes to the cash flow
statement and related notes 1 to 20. We have read the other information
contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it
contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the
information in the interim financial statements.
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 issued by the Auditing
Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the
company those matters we are required to state to it in an independent review
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do
not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company, for our
review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been
approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the
half-yearly financial report in accordance with the ISDX Growth Market Rules
for Issuers and the ASB Statement Half-Yearly Financial Reports. As disclosed
in note 1, the annual financial statements of the company are prepared in
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The
interim financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report have
been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies the group intends to
use in preparing its next annual financial statements.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the interim
financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review
Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information
Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing
Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial
information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for
financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review
procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and
consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware
of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly,
we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to
believe that the interim financial statements in the half-yearly financial
report for the six months ended 30 November 2012 is not prepared, in all
material respects, in accordance with the ISDX Growth Market Rules for Issuers
and the ASB Statement Half-Yearly Financial Reports.
Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
London, United Kingdom
25 February 2013