Preliminary results for year ended 31 March 2013

RNS Number : 8593H

Carphone Warehouse Group PLC

26 June 2013

 



 

 

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Embargoed until 8h01

Carphone Warehouse Group plc

Preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2013

CPW Europe

·     Revenue growth of 11.5% to £3,694m (2012: £3,313m)

·     Significant UK market share gains across all categories

·     Like-for-like revenue growth of 4.6% for the full year; strong momentum in H2

·     Headline EBIT £137m, in line with guidance (2012: £135m)

·     Strong operating free cash flow of £245m (2012: outflow of £40m)

Virgin Mobile France

·     Revenue growth of 4.2% at constant currency

·     Postpay customer base growth of 11,000 customers

·     Headline EBIT of £12m (2012: £22m) reflecting investment in quad-play of £5m (2012: nil) and a competitive marketplace in France

Group

·     Headline PAT broadly flat at £58m (2012: £58m)

·     Statutory PAT of £4m (2012: £763m) with prior year reflecting gain on disposal of Best Buy Mobile

·     Headline EPS 12.3p (2012: 12.6p), within guidance range of 11.5p to 13.0p

·     Final dividend of 3.25p taking the full year dividend to 5p per share

·     Completion of acquisition of Best Buy's 50% interest in CPW Europe

A reconciliation of Headline results to statutory results is provided in note 5 to the financial review.

European developments

·     Partnership in Netherlands with Media Markt / Saturn to progress nationwide full operational business model

·     Further potential agreements with Media Markt / Saturn

·     Intention to establish Connected World Services partnerships in Germany with Metro Group

·     Potential to roll out similar Metro/Makro 'B2B' opportunities in other markets

Management

·     Roger Taylor to become deputy chairman at the annual general meeting on 24 July 2013

·     Andrew Harrison to become chief executive officer at the annual general meeting

Outlook and guidance for the year to March 2014

·     CPW Europe: Headline EBIT in the range £140m to £160m, including plc

·     Virgin Mobile France: Headline EBIT broadly flat, in the range of £11m to £13m

·     Group: Headline EPS in the range 17p to 20p

Roger Taylor, CEO, said:

"Carphone Warehouse has had another good year, during which we made key strategic moves and delivered on our guidance. In the UK, we have grown our market share in both the postpay and prepay segments through 'Smart Deals' and excellent customer service, continuing to build our trusted brand. The acquisition of Best Buy's 50% share of CPW Europe is now complete and we are excited to regain full control of the business, with the clarity and focus of management that the business deserves.

"Virgin Mobile France has proved its resilience in a tough marketplace through excellent management, continuing to grow its postpay base, and with around half its customers on the Full MVNO platform as at the year end.

"Looking ahead, we see many opportunities for which I believe the business is well-positioned, including a continued focus on growing market share, replicating the UK's excellent operational execution across Europe and delivering on our strategy of bringing our Connected World capabilities to other business partners. Today we announce the formalisation of our relationships with Media Markt / Saturn and Metro Group. With Media Markt / Saturn we are now pressing ahead across the Netherlands, following successful store trials and, with Metro Group, we formally announce an intention to roll out the Connected World in Germany across the Metro/Makro Cash & Carry, Real and Galeria Kaufhof brands. These are exciting opportunities with the potential to develop both of these relationships in other marketplaces.

"Lastly, the completion of our acquisition of Best Buy's 50% share of CPW Europe means that once again Carphone Warehouse's retail operation forms the core of the Group's business. It is logical, therefore, that Andrew Harrison, who has run this business for several years, should step up to become chief executive officer for the Group. Andrew has worked for Carphone Warehouse for over 17 years and has been an important part of many of our growth strategies including our Best Buy Mobile venture and Connected World strategy. I will move to become deputy chairman, maintaining many of my existing responsibilities, and welcome Andrew to his new role."

Group operational overview

We have now completed the acquisition of Best Buy's interest in CPW Europe. This review, however, is reporting on the Group's 50% interest in CPW Europe, together with our 46% interest in France's leading MVNO, Virgin Mobile France, and our properties and other assets.

CPW Europe

Retail

CPW Europe revenue was up 11.5% to £3,694.3m (2012: £3,313.1m) reflecting significant postpay growth in our UK business and growth in our dealer businesses, particularly in Germany. We delivered Headline EBIT of £136.6m (2012: £135.0m) in line with our guidance and slightly up year-on-year. Within this overall performance, our UK business stands out, with like-for-like revenue growth of over 10%, despite a continued weak prepay market. We have invested in our offering and driven market share. Our 'Smart Deal' promotions and compelling propositions on key handsets, coupled with our investment in our store environment and online platforms, have increased our share in both the postpay and prepay segments.

Our businesses in mainland Europe generally performed well given the challenging consumer environment. We were particularly pleased with the performance of our businesses in the Netherlands and in Spain, where we saw increasing momentum in the second half of the year. In contrast, the French market has been extremely difficult and while our Phone House business was profitable for 2012-13, there has been an increasing lack of visibility of returns going forward. We therefore undertook a strategic review and have decided to manage an orderly exit through store disposals and some store closures, as announced in April.

 Connected World Services

Over the years CPW Europe has developed sophisticated technology platforms and operating processes, as well as bespoke customer relationship management tools. It is our aspiration that these assets, together with the expertise of our employees, can be leveraged through commercial partnerships and service provision arrangements with third parties. Connected World Services is a developing part of the CPW Europe business, incorporating the Global Connect business, which is already providing managed services in relation to mobile phone insurance and technology solutions and is active in exploring further opportunities both within its existing markets and elsewhere in the world.

Virgin Mobile France

Competition in the French market amongst network operators has been intense. However, Virgin Mobile France has proved resilient, growing revenue and its postpay customer base. Its Full MVNO infrastructure enables it to participate more fully in revenue streams, including termination revenues, and to reduce costs, as well as giving it greater tariff flexibility. At the end of the year over 850,000 customers were on this platform, representing 50% of the base, and we will continue to focus on customer migration in the coming year.

The total customer base was down year-on-year at 1.71m customers (2012: 1.92m), partly due to a deliberate reduction in focus on the low-value prepay market, from which there is less visibility of returns on investment. The postpay base increased by 11,000 customers year-on-year to 1.35m (2012: 1.34m) and almost 80% of the customer base is now higher value postpay customers.

On a constant currency basis, we grew revenue by 4.2%, reflecting the growth of mobile termination revenue. On a Sterling basis, revenue was broadly flat for the year at £385.0m, compared to £390.2m in the prior year. Headline EBIT was down year-on-year from £21.5m to £11.9m, affected by an investment of £4.9m (2012: nil) in the development of a quad-play proposition. While this proposition remains in its infancy, it has potential to be a valuable retention tool, whilst also offering opportunities to develop the business' customer reach.

Property and other assets

We took action to sell one of our freehold properties in Acton towards the end of the year for £40.5m, followed by the sale of a second Acton freehold after the year end for £10.5m.

The Group had cash balances of £116.9 million and loans receivable from Virgin Mobile France with a value of £20.5 million as at 31 March 2013.

Board changes

Following the completion of the acquisition of Best Buy's 50% of CPW Europe we are making a logical change in the management of Carphone Warehouse Group plc. As from our annual general meeting on 24 July 2013, Roger Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, will become deputy chairman, and Andrew Harrison, who has been chief executive officer of CPW Europe, will become chief executive officer of the Group. Andrew has worked for Carphone Warehouse for over 17 years. He epitomises the unique culture and values of Carphone Warehouse and is ideally placed to lead the business through the next phase of its journey. Andrew will be joining the board following a formal appointment. Roger will, alongside Andrew, continue to develop and execute the group strategy. The Company also intends to announce the appointment of two additional non-executive directors in the year ahead.

Partnerships in the Netherlands and Germany

We are committed to building our scale and profitability in European markets where we see potential for growth. Following the successful trial of stores with Media Markt / Saturn in the Netherlands, both parties have now signed a letter of intent and expect to have negotiated a full commercial agreement in respect of this market in the coming months. There is potential for this arrangement to be replicated in other Media Markt / Saturn markets in the future. In Germany, as jointly announced today, there is also intent to enter into commercial agreements with Metro Group, which will include business-to-business and business-to-customer propositions. Stores-within-a-store will be rolled out under the Makro/Metro Cash & Carry, Real and Galeria Kaufhof brands. Both parties see potential to roll out similar Metro/Makro business-to-business opportunities in other markets. Further announcements will be made in due course.

Outlook and guidance for the year to March 2014

We expect the consumer environment in Europe to remain challenging in the year ahead. Against this, the more widespread development and promotion of 4G services may provide a stimulus to the handset replacement cycle and an opportunity for network operators to develop pricing structures to reflect higher quality services and higher levels of data consumption. CPW Europe's investment in expert consultants and in its store formats positions the business well to help customers through the additional choice and complexity of this advancing Connected World.

We plan to continue to drive volume growth in the postpay segment, and anticipate further like-for-like revenue growth in the coming year. We also plan to continue to develop the tablet category, both through standalone sales and handset/tablet bundled propositions. The development of 4G services is expected to improve download speeds significantly and to stimulate demand for tablets with connectivity to mobile networks as well as wi-fi services.

Following the completion of the Group's acquisition of Best Buy's interest in CPW Europe, the results of CPW Europe will be consolidated in full from that date. We will be required to perform a fair valuation exercise of the CPW Europe balance sheet. This exercise has not yet been undertaken, but we provisionally expect to see some reduction in the value of existing non-current assets and a resultant reduction in ongoing depreciation and amortisation. From an earnings perspective, we expect that this will largely offset the loss of profits associated with our French business, which continued to deliver a positive contribution until towards the end of last year, and our Swiss telecoms business, which was sold in April 2013.

The business will benefit from the restructuring programme undertaken in 2012-13, although some of the cost savings associated with this programme will be offset by underlying cost inflation, the integration of plc costs and by investment in new business development.

We will operate CPW Europe and the current wholly-owned group as one following completion, and expect Headline EBIT for the enlarged wholly-owned group in the coming year to be between £140m and £160m, with the ultimate outturn likely to depend on the volume of postpay connections, and the level of investment in the tablet category and in new business development.

Cash generation will remain a key priority for the business. We expect further growth in the postpay category to absorb some working capital in the coming year and we expect increased levels of capex investment, particularly in IT, to support the continued development of the retail proposition and to facilitate the development of the Connected World Services business.

Virgin Mobile France

The French mobile market is expected to remain highly competitive, with continued pressure on ARPU. We aim to maintain the postpay base at a similar level year-on-year, and expect some year-on-year reduction in revenues, particularly in the earlier part of the year.

We will continue to move customers onto our Full MVNO infrastructure, and expect to have the large majority of the base on this platform by the end of the year, providing the business with improved margins and greater strategic flexibility.

These improved margins will help to counter downward pressure on ARPU, and we therefore expect Headline EBIT to be broadly flat year-on-year.

Group

The acquisition gives rise to additional interest costs and has resulted in an increase in the number of ordinary shares in issue from 472.8m throughout the year ended 31 March 2013 to 562.1m immediately after completion. Against this, the Group will benefit from 100% of CPW Europe's profits following completion, providing a significant improvement in Headline Group earnings. On this basis, our guidance range of £140m to £160m Headline EBIT for the enlarged wholly-owned group in the year to March 2014 translates into a basic Headline EPS range of 17p to 20p, compared to a basic Headline EPS of 12.3p for the year to March 2013.

Performance review

CPW Europe (50% interest)

Headline income statement (100% basis)*

	2013 £m	2012 £m
Revenue	3,694.3	3,313.1
Gross margin	914.0	947.4
GM %	24.7%	28.6%
Operating expenses	(697.8)	(727.8)
EBITDA	216.2	219.6
Depreciation and amortisation	(79.6)	(84.6)
EBIT	136.6	135.0
EBIT%	3.7%	4.1%
Interest	(8.7)	(16.4)
Tax	(25.7)	(22.0)
PAT	102.2	96.6
Group share	51.1	48.3

* Headline results exclude exceptional items and the results of businesses which have been discontinued. For further details on the construction of Headline results see notes 3 and 7 of the financial review.

CPW Europe generated revenues of £3,694.3m, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year (2012: £3,313.1m). This increase was driven principally by growth of approximately £250m in our dealer business, together with strong like-for-like revenue growth in our retail and online channels. Additional growth in non-like-for-like revenues largely offset the effects of a weaker Euro and the absence of revenues from Phone House Belgium, which was sold in December 2011.

Full year like-for-like revenue growth was 4.6%, with particularly strong performance in the second half of the year. This performance was driven primarily by significant postpay growth in our UK business, which recorded significant year-on-year market share gains in this category. Alongside growth in the high-end smartphone category, the UK business has been particularly successful in driving volume in the low-tier postpay segment, bringing new postpay customers into the segment for the first time.

Outside the UK, several of our businesses performed strongly, despite a highly challenging consumer environment. In France, however, our business faced the combined challenges of a difficult consumer and regulatory backdrop, and an intensely competitive mobile market. As a result of these challenges, the prospects of positive cash generation in that market have become increasingly remote, and we therefore took the decision after the end of the financial year to exit the French market on a progressive basis in the coming months.

As anticipated, the prepay market remained subdued throughout the year, reflecting reduced subsidies from network operators following regulatory cuts to mobile termination rates in 2011. Whilst increasingly attractive prepay smartphone propositions have started to permeate this segment, the network operators remain principally focused on postpay. Against this backdrop, CPW Europe increased its share of the prepay market year-on-year.

As a result of continued weakness in the prepay segment, connection volumes dropped year-on-year by 2.7% from 9.8m to 9.5m.

CPW Europe opened or re-sited 127 stores during the year, acquired 38 new stores in Portugal, and closed 181 stores, with the largest closure programmes in France and Germany. CPW Europe ended the year with 2,377 stores, down from 2,393 at March 2012. Within this portfolio, 340 were franchise stores, up from 338 at March 2012.

CPW Europe's gross margin percentage decreased by approximately 390 basis points year-on-year to 24.7% (2012: 28.6%). Part of this reduction reflects increased dealer activity, which drives scale benefits but operates at very low gross margins. Gross margins on the core business were down by approximately 310 basis points. This decrease reflects a combination of changes in the product mix, together with continued investment in gross margin to drive market share in a highly competitive market. The product mix effect reflected an increase in the proportion of tablet sales, both on a standalone basis and as part of a bundled proposition with a connected handset, together with low-end postpay connections, on which the cash gross margin and the gross margin percentage is typically lower than on other postpay connections. Additionally, while average cash margins on other postpay connections were broadly flat year-on-year, the weighting of high-end handsets within the mix increased year-on-year, resulting in a reduction in the gross margin percentage.

Operating expenses decreased by 4.1% year-on-year to £697.8m (2012: £727.8m), largely reflecting the effects of a weaker Euro and the absence of operating expenses from Phone House Belgium, together with the first effect of the Group's restructuring programme. Operating expenses also benefited from a gain on the disposal of an associate investment during the year; CPW Europe recorded profits of £9.1m in relation to its investment in Mobile Money Network ("MMN"), representing profits on disposal, offset by its share of MMN's operating losses prior to disposal. The net profits from MMN were substantially offset during the year by investment within the retail business to drive awareness and the sales of MMN, together with other non-core business development costs.

Depreciation and amortisation reduced by 5.9% from £84.6m to £79.6m year-on-year, in part reflecting the first effect of outsourcing contracts, through which responsibility for capital investment has transferred to third parties.

CPW Europe's Headline EBIT increased from £135.0m to £136.6m and its Headline EBIT margin reduced from 4.1% to 3.7%, reflecting the factors noted above.

The interest charge for the year was £8.7m (2012: £16.4m). The prior year includes the write-off of facility fees relating to a receivables financing arrangement, which was replaced by a new revolving credit facility in July 2011, together with investment of £2.9m in the start-up costs of an associate. The reduction in the underlying interest charge year-on-year largely reflects lower margins payable under the new facility.

CPW Europe had an effective tax rate of 20.1% on Headline earnings (2012: 18.5%). The effective rate in both years reflects the resolution of various uncertainties.

CPW Europe undertook a review of its UK and group organisational structure during the year, with a view to simplifying group functions and giving more autonomy and accountability to individual business units. The business also reviewed its European operations during the year and announced plans to reduce its store portfolio and operating cost base across certain markets. As a result of this exercise, the business booked an exceptional pre-tax charge of £25.1m in relation to redundancies, lease exit costs and other cash restructuring costs. We expect these programmes to provide ongoing annualised pre-tax savings of between £20m and £25m.

The large majority of store closures within this exercise were in France, reflecting highly challenging mobile market conditions there, and the provision includes the costs of exiting approximately 75 stores. A strategic review was undertaken in the second half of the year, involving extensive employee consultation, as a result of which the closure of these stores has not yet been completed. We announced in April 2013 that we had concluded the strategic review; as a result we intend to pursue an orderly exit from the French retail market by means of store disposals and some further store closures. The ultimate costs of this exit programme will depend on the mix of store disposals and store closures, the duration of the employee consultation process, and the extent to which value can be realised for the assets of the business, but our provisional estimate is that net cash exit costs will be in a range around £30m. Since there was no commitment to the exit programme at 31 March 2013, associated costs will be recorded as non-Headline charges in the forthcoming year.

In light of the situation in France, the goodwill associated with the French business was written off during the year, alongside various other non-current assets in the business. Together with asset write-downs associated with the store closures committed during the year, total non-cash asset write-downs of £94.1m were booked in the year.

A tax credit of £12.3m has been recognised against these charges, principally in respect of relief anticipated on the exceptional cash costs and the derecognition of deferred tax liabilities.

Cash flow (100% basis)

	2013 £m	2012 £m
Headline EBITDA	216.2	219.6
Working capital	89.1	(170.8)
Capex	(60.8)	(88.3)
Operating free cash flow	244.5	(39.5)
Best Buy Mobile	-	45.0
Best Buy UK	(44.5)	(124.5)
Other	(50.2)	(42.1)
Movement in net funds (debt)	149.8	(161.1)
Opening net (debt) funds	(29.4)	131.7
Closing net funds (debt)	120.4	(29.4)

Headline EBITDA was broadly flat year-on-year at £216.2m (2012: £219.6m).

As anticipated, the business saw a significant working capital inflow during the year, despite substantial growth in its postpay volumes. The inflow of £89.1m (2012: outflow of £170.8m) principally reflected renegotiated commercial terms and improved stock management.

Capex spend reduced to £60.8m (2012: £88.3m), reflecting particularly high levels of investment in the store estate in the previous year, and the outsourcing arrangements noted above. Capex for the year is offset by proceeds of £7.0m in relation to the disposal of CPW Europe's interest in MMN.

Cash outflows associated with Best Buy UK were £44.5m, predominantly reflecting the cash costs of completing the process of assigning store leases, the charge for which was booked during 2011-12.

Other cash flows principally reflect interest and tax payments, the settlement of incentive plans associated with the disposal of Best Buy Mobile, the cost of which was booked during 2011-12, and cash costs associated with the restructuring programmes noted above.

At the end of the year, CPW Europe had net funds of £120.4m, against net debt of £29.4m at the start of the year, reflecting the net cash generation described above.

Virgin Mobile France (46% interest)

Headline income statement (100% basis) *

	2013 £m	2012 £m
Revenue	385.0	390.2
EBITDA	19.7	25.7
Depreciation and amortisation	(7.8)	(4.2)
EBIT	11.9	21.5
EBIT %	3.1%	5.5%
Interest	(1.4)	(2.5)
Tax	(3.9)	(6.7)
PAT	6.6	12.3
Group share	3.2	6.1

* For further details of the construction of Headline results see note 7 to the financial review.

Virgin Mobile France revenue was broadly flat year-on-year on an actual currency basis at £385.0m (2012: £390.2m) reflecting underlying revenue growth offset by a weakening of the Euro year-on-year. Revenue at a constant currency was up by 4.2%, driven by growth in the average postpay base and by mobile termination revenue, which was earned for the first time towards the end of the prior year. These factors helped to offset the effects of downward pressure on outbound ARPU caused by a highly competitive market.

While Virgin Mobile France's total customer base was down year-on-year at 1.71m customers (2012: 1.92m) the postpay base, which is of significantly higher value, was marginally up year-on-year to 1.35m (2012: 1.34m). The market remains intensely competitive and the business maintains its focus on innovative propositions and high quality customer service to provide differentiation.

Virgin Mobile France has deliberately reduced focus on the low value prepay market, in which there is less visibility of returns on investment.

The business launched a quad-play proposition during the first half of the year. While the proposition remains in its infancy and has to date principally been used as a retention tool, it provides the business with opportunities to develop its customer reach. EBIT investment in this channel was £4.9m (2012: nil), reflecting customer acquisition costs, limited marketing, and depreciation and amortisation of the infrastructure developed to support the proposition.

Virgin Mobile France continued to develop its Full MVNO infrastructure during the year and had half its customer base on this platform at 31 March 2013. The Full MVNO infrastructure enables the business to participate more fully in customer revenue streams, including termination revenues, and to reduce its costs.

The business produced a Headline EBIT margin of 3.1% (2012: 5.5%). Excluding EBIT investment in quad-play, the EBIT margin was 4.4%, with the year-on-year reduction largely due to increased depreciation and amortisation on the Full MVNO infrastructure. The intensely competitive market has put downward pressure on gross margins and has required a greater level of investment in customer acquisition and retention. This has been offset by the migration of customers to the Full MVNO platform and by tight control of operating costs.

Interest decreased year-on-year from £2.5m to £1.4m, reflecting lower average debt following loan repayments over the last two years.

The tax charge decreased to £3.9m (2012: £6.7m), primarily reflecting the lower level of pre-tax earnings described above.

Virgin Mobile France recorded amortisation on acquisition intangibles arising on the acquisition of Tele2 France, of which the Group's post-tax share is £0.5m (2012: £1.3m). This charge is excluded from Headline results to avoid distortion of underlying performance.

Cash flow (100% basis)

	2013 £m	2012 £m
Headline EBITDA	19.7	25.7
Working capital	4.6	8.9
Capex	(19.1)	(12.5)
Operating free cash flow	5.2	22.1
Other	(5.2)	1.1
Movement in net debt	-	23.2
Opening net debt	(40.4)	(63.6)
Closing net debt *	(40.4)	(40.4)

* Comprises shareholder loans of £42.4m (2012: £50.5m) and net cash of £2.0m (2012: £10.1m).

EBITDA decreased from £25.7m to £19.7m for the reasons described above. Capex increased year-on-year to £19.1m (2012: £12.5m), reflecting investment in the Full MVNO infrastructure, some of which was deferred from the previous year.

The working capital inflow of £4.6m (2012: £8.9m) reflected some one-off items which are not expected to be repeated. Other cash flows reflect interest and tax payments and the impact of foreign exchange, which had a positive effect in 2011-12.

Other Group financials

Headline income statement

	2013 £m	2012 £m
Revenue	10.7	6.4
Operating expenses	(7.9)	(5.4)
Joint ventures
- CPW Europe	51.1	48.3
- Virgin Mobile France	3.2	6.1
Interest	1.9	2.9
Profit before tax	59.0	58.3
Taxation	(0.9)	(0.6)
Profit after tax	58.1	57.7
Earnings per share	12.3p	12.6p

Revenue increased to £10.7m (2012: £6.4m) reflecting consultancy income associated with the disposal of the Group's interest in Best Buy Mobile. Operating expenses were £7.9m (2012: £5.4m) with the increase primarily reflecting incremental investment in new business development.

Net interest income for the year decreased to £1.9m (2012: £2.9m) principally reflecting a reduction in loans to Virgin Mobile France.

A tax charge of £0.9m arose in the year (2012: £0.6m) increasing due to higher pre-tax profits from wholly-owned operations.

Earnings per share decreased marginally from 12.6p to 12.3p, reflecting a higher average number of shares in issue year-on-year.

Statutory results

	2013 £m	2012 £m
Headline PAT	58.1	57.7
Best Buy Mobile Disposal
Initial consideration	-	813.0
Operating expenses (post-tax)	-	(19.7)
Share of CPW Europe
Discontinued businesses	-	(9.8)
Exceptionals	(53.4)	(77.4)
Share of Virgin Mobile France
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles	(0.5)	(1.3)
Statutory PAT	4.2	762.5

Exceptional charges within CPW Europe reflect the restructuring programmes noted above, together with the impairment of non-current assets associated with our French business.

Prior year results reflect Best Buy UK closure costs and profits associated with the disposal of the Group's interests in Best Buy Mobile, which have subsequently been distributed to shareholders.

Discontinued businesses within CPW Europe in the prior year represent Best Buy Mobile and Best Buy UK. The results of these businesses have been excluded from Headline results in order to provide visibility of the performance of the continuing business.

A reconciliation between Headline results and statutory results is provided in note 5 to the financial review.

Net funds and dividends

The Group closed the year with net funds of £116.9m, up from £102.7m at March 2012, and loans receivable from Virgin Mobile France of £20.5m, down from £24.3m at March 2012. Cash inflows during the year include proceeds of £40.5m on the disposal of one of the Group's freehold properties which, together with the settlement of receivables from CPW Europe, helped to offset aggregate distributions to shareholders of £56.6m during the year.

The Board is proposing a final dividend of 3.25p per share, taking the total dividend for the year to 5p, in line with last year's distribution. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday 10 July 2013, with a record date of Friday 12 July 2013 and an intended payment date of Friday 9 August 2013.

CPW Europe Acquisition

Today the Group completes the acquisition of Best Buy's interest in CPW Europe, for a net consideration of £471m. Gross consideration of £500m has been offset by payments from Best Buy of approximately £29m in respect of the prepayment or termination of the Group's other interests with Best Buy. The Company completed the placing of 47.2m shares at a price of £2.22 per share on 3 May 2013, providing net proceeds of £103.2m, and agreed a new £250m four-year amortising Sterling term loan facility.

The proceeds of the placing and term loan were used to fund initial cash consideration of £341m, which is being paid on completion. A further £80m of consideration was settled through the issue on completion of 42.1m shares to Best Buy, at a price of £1.90 per share. The remaining consideration of £50m is deferred and is payable in two equal instalments of £25m on the first and second anniversaries of completion. The deferred consideration bears interest at a rate of 2.5% per annum.

The Group has the right to sell the consideration shares issued to Best Buy in the 12 months following completion, if it determines that there is sufficient demand in the market. The Group will retain any proceeds on disposals above the issue price if the aggregate of the disposal proceeds and the value of any shares that have not been sold exceeds £80m. If the total value of disposal proceeds and shares

that have not been sold is lower than £64m, the Group is obliged to compensate Best Buy for any shortfall on £64m. If the value is between £64m and £80m, the Group is obliged to settle any dividends accruing to Best Buy during the 12 months post-completion, which would otherwise be waived.

The acquisition will give the Group full control of CPW Europe. The Group will therefore derecognise its joint venture interest in CPW Europe and will instead consolidate its net assets, together with its profits, in full.

The acquisition gives rise to additional interest costs and has resulted in an increase in the number of ordinary shares in issue from 472.8m throughout the year ended 31 March 2013 to 562.1m immediately after completion. Against this, the Group will benefit from 100% of CPW Europe's profits following completion, providing a significant improvement in Headline Group earnings. On this basis, our guidance range of £140m to £160m Headline EBIT for the enlarged wholly-owned group in the year to March 2014 translates into a basic Headline EPS range of 17p to 20p, compared to a basic Headline EPS of 12.3p for the year to March 2013.

Analysts' presentation and webcast

There will be a presentation for investors and analysts at 9.00 am this morning at the offices of Bank of America Merrill Lynch - King Edward Hall, 2 King Edward Street, London, EC1A 1HQ.

The event will be audio webcast and the presentation slides will be available on our website, www.cpwplc.com.

Dial-in details:

UK/International: [phone]

USA: [phone]

Passcode: 5717861

7 day replay:

UK/International: [phone]

USA: [phone]

Passcode: 5717861

Next announcement

 

The Group will give a full trading update for the first quarter of the current financial year on 24 July 2013. 

 

For further information

For analyst and institutional enquiries                 

Kate Ferry, IR Director                                               07748 933 206

Kerry Becker, IR Manager                                          07748 910 861

For media enquiries

Kerry Becker                                                               07748 910 861 

Anthony Carlisle (Citigate Dewe Rogerson)               07973 611 888

                                                                                    020 7638 9571

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Condensed consolidated income statement for years ended 31 March 2013 and 31 March 2012

		Headline	Non-Headline*	Statutory	Headline	Non- Headline*	Statutory
		2013	2013	2013	2012	2012	2012
	Notes	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Revenue	2	10.7	-	10.7	6.4	-	6.4
Cost of sales		-	-	-	-	-	-
Gross profit		10.7	-	10.7	6.4	-	6.4
Operating expenses	3	(7.9)	-	(7.9)	(5.4)	(20.6)	(26.0)
Share of results of joint ventures	2,3,7	54.3	(53.9)	0.4	54.4	(88.5)	(34.1)
Profit (loss) before interest, investment income and taxation		57.1	(53.9)	3.2	55.4	(109.1)	(53.7)
Interest income		1.6	-	1.6	2.9	-	2.9
Interest expense		-	-	-	(0.2)	-	(0.2)
Investment income	3	0.3	-	0.3	0.2	813.0	813.2
Profit before taxation		59.0	(53.9)	5.1	58.3	703.9	762.2
Taxation	3	(0.9)	-	(0.9)	(0.6)	0.9	0.3
Net profit for the year		58.1	(53.9)	4.2	57.7	704.8	762.5
Earnings per share
Basic	6	12.3p		0.9p	12.6p		167.0p
Diluted	6	12.1p		0.9p	12.1p		159.6p

* Non-Headline items comprise exceptional items, the results of businesses which have been discontinued by the Group's joint ventures, and amortisation of acquisition intangibles (see note 3). A reconciliation of Headline results to statutory results is provided in note 5.

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31 March 2013 and 31 March 2012

			2013	2012
			£m	£m
Net profit for the year			4.2	762.5
Currency translation			2.2	(11.9)
Total recognised income and expenses for the year			6.4	750.6

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 31 March 2013

	Share capital	Share premium reserve	Accumulated profits	Translation reserve	Demerger reserve	Capital redemption reserve	Total
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
At the beginning of the year	33.4	170.0	697.8	0.1	(750.2)	556.9	708.0
Total recognised income and expenses for the year	-	-	4.2	2.2	-	-	6.4
Redemption of shares	(32.9)	-	(32.9)	-	-	32.9	(32.9)
Equity dividends	-	-	(23.7)	-	-	-	(23.7)
Capital reduction	-	-	589.8	-	-	(589.8)	-
Share of other reserve movements of joint ventures	-	-	2.7	-	-	-	2.7
Net movement in relation to share schemes	-	-	0.1	-	-	-	0.1
At the end of the year	0.5	170.0	1,238.0	2.3	(750.2)	-	660.6

For the year ended 31 March 2012

	Share capital	Share premium reserve	Accumulated profits	Translation reserve	Demerger reserve	Capital redemption reserve	Total
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
At the beginning of the year	0.5	754.0	741.7	12.0	(750.2)	-	758.0
Total recognised income and expenses for the year	-	-	762.5	(11.9)	-	-	750.6
Issue of shares	589.8	(584.0)	-	-	-	-	5.8
Redemption of shares	(556.9)	-	(556.9)	-	-	556.9	(556.9)
Equity dividends	-	-	(253.6)	-	-	-	(253.6)
Net purchase of own shares	-	-	(16.0)	-	-	-	(16.0)
Tax on items recognised directly in reserves	-	-	(0.2)	-	-	-	(0.2)
Share of other reserve movements of joint ventures	-	-	0.7	-	-	-	0.7
Net movement in relation to share schemes	-	-	19.6	-	-	-	19.6
At the end of the year	33.4	170.0	697.8	0.1	(750.2)	556.9	708.0

Condensed consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2013 and 31 March 2012

		2013	2012
	Notes	£m	£m
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment		26.7	66.1
Non-current asset investments		0.1	0.1
Interests in joint ventures	7	537.2	535.5
Deferred tax assets		1.0	1.3
		565.0	603.0
Current assets
Trade and other receivables		2.8	21.3
Cash and cash equivalents		116.9	102.7
		119.7	124.0
Total assets		684.7	727.0
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		(17.3)	(10.1)
Provisions		(6.8)	(8.9)
Total liabilities		(24.1)	(19.0)
Net assets		660.6	708.0
Equity
Share capital		0.5	33.4
Share premium reserve		170.0	170.0
Accumulated profits		1,238.0	697.8
Translation reserve		2.3	0.1
Demerger reserve		(750.2)	(750.2)
Capital redemption reserve		-	556.9
Funds attributable to equity shareholders		660.6	708.0

Approved by the Board of Carphone Warehouse Group plc on 25 June 2013.

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement for the years ended 31 March 2013 and 31 March 2012

		2013	2012
		£m	£m
Operating activities
Profit (loss) profit before investment income, interest and taxation		3.2	(53.7)
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Share-based payments		0.1	14.9
Non-cash movements on joint ventures		(0.4)	34.1
Depreciation		1.3	1.0
Impairment		1.0	0.8
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(3.3)	-
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital		1.9	(2.9)
Decrease (increase) in trade and other receivables		18.9	(4.2)
Increase in trade and other payables		7.2	-
Decrease in provisions		(2.5)	(4.3)
Cash flows from operating activities		25.5	(11.4)
Taxation paid		(0.6)	(0.9)
Net cash flows from operating activities		24.9	(12.3)
Investing activities
Investment income received		0.3	813.2
Interest received		1.6	2.9
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		40.5	-
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(0.1)	(0.5)
Net receipts from joint ventures		3.8	9.9
Cash flows from investing activities		46.1	825.5
Financing activities
Settlement of financial instruments		(0.2)	1.5
Net purchase of own shares		-	(27.7)
Equity dividends paid		(23.7)	(253.6)
Shares redeemed		(32.9)	(556.9)
Interest paid		-	(0.2)
Repayment of VES loans		-	5.8
Cash flows from financing activities		(56.8)	(831.1)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		14.2	(17.9)
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the year		102.7	120.6
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		116.9	102.7

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies

Directors' responsibilities

The directors of Carphone Warehouse Group plc are responsible, in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, for preparing and issuing this preliminary announcement, which was approved on 25 June 2013.

Basis of preparation

This financial information does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013 and year ended 31 March 2012, but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 have been delivered to the registrar of companies and those for the year ended 31 March 2013 will be delivered in due course. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006.

This financial information included in this preliminary announcement does not contain sufficient information to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). However it has been prepared using accounting policies and methods of computation consistent with IFRS as adopted for use in the EU and specifically those set out on pages 55 to 60 of the Carphone Warehouse Group plc annual report for the year ended 31 March 2012. The definitions used within this financial review are consistent with those that are set out on page 85 of the same document.

The financial information reflects the Group's results for the period from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 ("the year").

Going concern

At 31 March 2013 the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £116.9m (2012: £102.7m).

The directors have reviewed the future cash and profit forecasts of the Group's joint venture investments and other businesses, which they consider to be based on prudent assumptions. This review considered the implications of the acquisition of Best Buy's interest in CPW Europe ("CPW Europe Acquisition") after the year end (see note 9), including the effect on forecast cash flows and changes to the Group's financing facilities. The directors are of the opinion that the forecasts, which reflect both the current uncertain economic outlook and reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that these businesses and the Group should be able to operate within their facilities and comply with their banking covenants.

Accordingly the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future and consequently the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in the preparation of the financial statements.

2 Segmental reporting

Segmental results are analysed as follows:

	Best Buy Europe (see note 7)	Virgin Mobile France  (see note 7)	Wholly-owned operations	Total
2013	£m	£m	£m	£m
Revenue	-	-	10.7	10.7
Headline EBIT before share of results of joint ventures	-	-	2.8	2.8
Share of Headline results of joint ventures (post-tax)	51.1	3.2	-	54.3
Headline EBIT	51.1	3.2	2.8	57.1
Share of joint venture exceptional items (post-tax)*	(53.4)	-	-	(53.4)
Share of amortisation of joint venture acquisition intangibles (post-tax)*	-	(0.5)	-	(0.5)
Statutory EBIT (segment results)	(2.3)	2.7	2.8	3.2
Assets	523.5	13.7	147.5	684.7
Liabilities	-	-	(24.1)	(24.1)
Net assets	523.5	13.7	123.4	660.6

* See note 3 for further details

	Best Buy Europe (see note 7)	Virgin Mobile France  (see note 7)	Wholly-owned operations	Total
2012	£m	£m	£m	£m
Revenue	-	-	6.4	6.4
Headline EBIT before share of results of joint ventures	-	-	1.0	1.0
Share of Headline results of joint ventures (post-tax)	48.3	6.1	-	54.4
Headline EBIT	48.3	6.1	1.0	55.4
Exceptional items*	-	-	(20.6)	(20.6)
Share of operating results of discontinued businesses within joint ventures (post-tax)*	(9.8)	-	-	(9.8)
Share of joint venture exceptional items (post-tax)*	(77.4)	-	-	(77.4)
Share of amortisation of joint venture acquisition intangibles (post-tax)*	-	(1.3)	-	(1.3)
Statutory EBIT (segment results)	(38.9)	4.8	(19.6)	(53.7)
Assets	521.0	14.5	191.5	727.0
Liabilities	-	-	(19.0)	(19.0)
Net assets	521.0	14.5	172.5	708.0

* See note 3 for further details

3 Non-Headline items

Non-Headline items comprise:

-       exceptional items, which have been disclosed separately given their size and one-off nature;

-       the Group's share of discontinued businesses within joint ventures; and

-       the Group's share of joint venture amortisation of acquisition intangibles.

Non-Headline items for the year ended 31 March 2013 are grouped into the following two categories: CPW Europe reorganisation costs and Virgin Mobile France amortisation.

Non-Headline items for the year ended 31 March 2012 are grouped into the following three categories: Best Buy Mobile Disposal, Best Buy UK closure and Virgin Mobile France amortisation.

		2013	2012
	Notes	£m	£m
Operating expenses:
Best Buy Mobile Disposal
Costs associated with the Best Buy Mobile Disposal	i)	-	(20.6)
		-	(20.6)
Share of results of joint ventures (post-tax):
Best Buy Europe
CPW Europe reorganisation costs
Reorganisation costs and non-cash asset write-downs	ii)	(53.4)	-
Best Buy Mobile Disposal
Best Buy Mobile operating profits	iii)	-	16.7
Costs associated with the Best Buy Mobile Disposal	iv)	-	(16.9)
Best Buy UK closure
Best Buy UK operating losses	v)	-	(26.5)
Closure costs of Best Buy UK	vi)	-	(60.5)
Virgin Mobile France
Virgin Mobile France amortisation
Virgin Mobile France amortisation of acquisition intangibles	vii)	(0.5)	(1.3)
		(53.9)	(88.5)
Investment income:
Best Buy Mobile Disposal
Consideration from the Best Buy Mobile Disposal	viii)	-	813.0
		-	813.0
Taxation:
Best Buy Mobile Disposal
Tax credit on costs associated with the Best Buy Mobile Disposal	ix)	-	0.9
		-	0.9
		(53.9)	704.8

Exceptional items within joint ventures are further analysed as follows:

		2013	2012
		£m	£m
CPW Europe reorganisation costs		(25.1)	-
CPW Europe non-cash asset write-downs		(94.1)	-
Costs associated with the Best Buy Mobile Disposal		-	(28.4)
Closure costs of Best Buy UK		-	(146.8)
Tax		12.3	20.4
		(106.9)	(154.8)
Group share		(53.4)	(77.4)

Best Buy Europe

CPW Europe reorganisation costs

ii)     During the year, CPW Europe undertook a review of its UK and group operations, with a view to simplifying group functions and giving more autonomy and accountability to individual business units. CPW Europe also reviewed its European operations, and announced plans to reduce its store portfolio and operating cost base across certain markets. As a result of this exercise, the business booked an exceptional charge of £25.1m in relation to redundancies, lease exit costs and other cash restructuring costs.

Subsequent to the year end, CPW Europe completed a strategic review of its French business, as a result of which, given a lack of visibility of returns in the French market, CPW Europe plans to pursue an orderly exit. Since there was no commitment to this programme at 31 March 2013, no provision for the anticipated costs of exit was made at that date.

In light of the situation in France, the goodwill associated with the French business was written off towards the end of the year, alongside various other non-current assets in the business. Together with asset write-downs associated with the store closures committed during the year, total non-cash asset write-downs of £94.1m were booked in the year.

A tax credit of £12.3m has been recognised against these charges, principally in respect of relief anticipated on cash reorganisation costs and the derecognition of deferred tax liabilities.

Best Buy Mobile Disposal

During the year ended 31 March 2012 the Group disposed of its interest in Best Buy Mobile for an initial consideration of £813.0m. The initial consideration was returned to shareholders in February and April 2012 via the B/C Share Scheme. As a result of this transaction a number of long-term incentive schemes either vested or were replaced, resulting in cash costs and non-cash accounting charges. Other costs were also incurred as a result of this transaction by both the Group and Best Buy Europe.

i)      Costs incurred by the Group comprise cash costs of £7.2m and other accounting charges of £13.4m.

As a result of the Best Buy Mobile Disposal, existing Best Buy Europe incentive schemes were cancelled, and in recognition of the value that had built up in relation to Best Buy Mobile, the Company gifted 7.0m shares to senior Best Buy Europe executives. This gift resulted in a non-cash accounting charge of £11.4m and employer taxes of £1.6m for the Group as Best Buy Europe agreed to pay cash compensation of £11.7m to satisfy the cost of the remaining shares. Certain Group incentive schemes were allowed to vest early in order to facilitate the Best Buy Mobile Disposal and to avoid a substantial loss in value. This resulted in cash costs of £2.5m and non-cash accounting charges of £2.0m.

Professional fees of £3.1m were also incurred in relation to the disposal.

iii)    The Group's share of the results of Best Buy Mobile has been excluded from Headline results in order to provide visibility of the performance of the continuing business.

iv)    The cancellation of existing incentive plans, the share gift described above, associated employment taxes and bonuses paid as a result of the transaction resulted in cash costs of £26.7m and non-cash accounting charges of £0.7m within Best Buy Europe, including the compensation to the Group described above.

Best Buy Europe also incurred fees of £1.0m in relation to the transaction.

A tax credit of £7.2m was recognised in respect of these charges. This was offset by the derecognition of £12.7m of deferred tax assets which were expected to be irrecoverable due to the Best Buy Mobile Disposal

viii)  The Group received initial consideration of £813.0m for its interest in Best Buy Mobile in the form of a dividend.

ix)    The Group recognised a tax credit of £0.9m in relation to costs associated with the Best Buy Mobile Disposal.

Best Buy UK closure

During the year ended 31 March 2012 Best Buy Europe closed its Best Buy UK business. While the 11 stores that had been opened had delivered positive customer satisfaction scores, they did not have the national reach to achieve scale and brand economies.

v)     The Group's share of the results of Best Buy UK has been excluded from Headline results in order to provide visibility of the performance of the continuing business.         

vi)    The total costs of closure were £146.8m, against which a tax credit of £25.9m was recognised.

Virgin Mobile France

Virgin Mobile France amortisation

vii)   Amortisation of acquisition intangibles within Virgin Mobile France relates to the acquisition of Tele2 France in December 2009.

4 Equity dividends and other distributions

The following dividends and distributions were paid during the year:

		2013	2012
		£m	£m
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2011 of 5.0p per ordinary share		-	22.7
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2012 of 1.75p per ordinary share		-	7.9
Dividend of 172p per C share through the B/C Share Scheme		-	223.0
Redemption of 172p per B share through the B/C Share Scheme		32.9	556.9
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2012 of 3.25p per ordinary share		15.4	-
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2013 of 1.75p per ordinary share		8.3	-
		56.6	810.5

The following distribution is proposed but had not been effected at 31 March 2013:

		2013
		£m
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2013 of 3.25p per ordinary share		16.9

The proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2013 is subject to shareholders' approval at the forthcoming annual general meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. The expected cost of this dividend reflects the placing by the Group of 47.2m shares, which completed on 3 May 2013, the fact that Best Buy has agreed to waive its rights to dividends payable on the consideration shares issued in relation to the CPW Europe Acquisition ("Consideration Shares") (see note 9) and the fact that the Group's ESOT has agreed to waive its rights to receive dividends.

5 Reconciliation of Headline results to statutory results

	Profit before interest, investment income and taxation	Profit before taxation	Net profit for the year
2013	£m	£m	£m
Headline results	57.1	59.0	58.1
Share of joint venture exceptional items (post-tax)*	(53.4)	(53.4)	(53.4)
Share of amortisation of joint venture acquisition intangibles  (post-tax)*	(0.5)	(0.5)	(0.5)
Statutory results	3.2	5.1	4.2

* See note 3 for further details

	Profit (loss) before interest, investment income and taxation	Profit before taxation	Net profit for the year
2012	£m	£m	£m
Headline results	55.4	58.3	57.7
Group exceptional items*	(20.6)	792.4	793.3
Share of operating results of discontinued businesses within joint ventures (post-tax)*	(9.8)	(9.8)	(9.8)
Share of joint venture exceptional items (post-tax)*	(77.4)	(77.4)	(77.4)
Share of amortisation of joint venture acquisition intangibles  (post-tax)*	(1.3)	(1.3)	(1.3)
Statutory results	(53.7)	762.2	762.5

* See note 3 for further details

Headline information is provided because the directors consider that it provides assistance in understanding the Group's underlying performance.

 

 

6 Earnings per share

	2013	2012
Headline earnings (£m)	58.1	57.7
Statutory earnings (£m)	4.2	762.5
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Average shares in issue	472.8	460.1
Less average holding by Group ESOT	(0.1)	(3.5)
For basic earnings per share	472.7	456.6
Dilutive effect of share options and other incentive schemes	6.7	21.1
For diluted earnings per share	479.4	477.7
Basic earnings per share
Headline	12.3p	12.6p
Statutory	0.9p	167.0p
Diluted earnings per share
Headline	12.1p	12.1p
Statutory	0.9p	159.6p

Dilution in the prior year relates to incentive schemes which vested in that year.

Dilution in the current year relates to an incentive scheme for senior Best Buy Europe employees, the Group's obligations for which are expected to be met using the Company's shares. Under the scheme, participants have the opportunity to share in earnings in excess of minimum growth targets, against the year ended 31 March 2009.

A minimum value of the pool was agreed in the year ended 31 March 2012, in recognition of the value that had already accrued in the scheme in relation to Best Buy Mobile, which was disposed of in January 2012. The dilution reflected in the current year relates to this minimum value and reflects the Group's obligations under the scheme during the year.

Further to the CPW Europe Acquisition, the Remuneration Committee has allowed the scheme to vest based on performance achieved to 31 March 2013. In addition to the Group's obligations under the scheme in relation to earnings in excess of minimum growth targets for the years ended March 2010 to March 2013 and the minimum value agreed in relation to Best Buy Mobile, the Group has also agreed to satisfy Best Buy's obligations under the scheme. In total, further dilution of up to 9.6m shares has been approved by shareholders in addition to the 6.7m shares included within the earnings per share calculations above, although this may be mitigated by the use of cash instead of shares.

7 Interests in joint ventures

Interests in joint ventures are as follows:

Business	Principal activities	2013 interest	2012 interest
Best Buy Europe	Retail, distribution, insurance, telecoms services	50.0%	50.0%
Virgin Mobile France	MVNO	46.3%	46.6%

The Group's interest in Virgin Mobile France reduced from 46.6% to 46.3% during the year, following the exercise of share options by management of Virgin Mobile France. In addition to share options, management hold warrants that give them the right to acquire new shares at a price based on the value of existing shareholder funding and an additional amount which increases with the quantity of shares being acquired. The maximum potential dilution to the Group's stake if all existing share options and warrants were exercised is approximately 5.2%, although the value of this dilution would be partially offset by cash inflows in relation to the proceeds on exercise.

a)    Group balance sheet interests

The Group's interests in joint ventures are analysed as follows:

	Net assets (liabilities)	Goodwill	Loans	Total
2013	£m	£m	£m	£m
Opening balance	408.3	102.9	24.3	535.5
Share of results	0.4	-	-	0.4
Loans repaid (net)	-	-	(4.0)	(4.0)
Share of other reserve movements	2.7	-	-	2.7
Acquisition of shares	-	0.2	-	0.2
Foreign exchange	2.2	-	0.2	2.4
Closing balance	413.6	103.1	20.5	537.2
Best Buy Europe	420.6	102.9	-	523.5
Virgin Mobile France	(7.0)	0.2	20.5	13.7
Closing balance	413.6	103.1	20.5	537.2

	Net assets (liabilities)	Goodwill	Loans	Total
2012	£m	£m	£m	£m
Opening balance	453.6	102.9	35.7	592.2
Share of results	(34.1)	-	-	(34.1)
Loans repaid (net)	-	-	(9.9)	(9.9)
Share of other reserve movements	0.7	-	-	0.7
Foreign exchange	(11.9)	-	(1.5)	(13.4)
Closing balance	408.3	102.9	24.3	535.5
Best Buy Europe	418.1	102.9	-	521.0
Virgin Mobile France	(9.8)	-	24.3	14.5
Closing balance	408.3	102.9	24.3	535.5

The Group has no formal funding commitments to Best Buy Europe, which is funded principally through a £400m RCF from its core bank group. As at 31 March 2013 this facility was due to mature in July 2015. Further to the CPW Europe Acquisition, agreement has been reached with the Group's core relationship banks for the provision of a new £400m RCF which will mature in April 2017. CPW Europe also has a number of overdrafts and other uncommitted facilities which are used for cash management purposes.

Loans are provided to Virgin Mobile France under a shareholder agreement; funding requirements are agreed between the shareholders on a regular basis and are provided in proportion to each party's shareholding. Virgin Mobile France also has an overdraft facility and since the year end has agreed a third party three-year financing arrangement to provide funding up to €25.0m in respect of capital expenditure.

b)    Analysis of profits and losses

The Group's share of the results of its joint ventures is as follows:

 

	2013	2012
Best Buy Europe	£m	£m
Revenue	3,694.3	3,313.1
Headline EBITDA*	216.2	219.6
Depreciation and amortisation	(79.6)	(84.6)
Headline EBIT	136.6	135.0
Net interest expense**	(8.7)	(16.4)
Taxation on Headline results	(25.7)	(22.0)
Headline profit after taxation	102.2	96.6
Group share of Headline profit after taxation	51.1	48.3
Group share of operating results of discontinued businesses (post-tax) (see note 3)	-	(9.8)
Group share of exceptional items (post-tax) (see note 3)	(53.4)	(77.4)
Group share of loss after taxation	(2.3)	(38.9)

* Headline EBITDA includes the unwinding of discounts for the time value of money on network commissions receivable over the life of the customer. This unwind has a value of £8.6m in the year ended 31 March 2013 (2012: £8.0m) and is treated as interest income in the joint venture's statutory results.

** Net interest expense in the year ended 31 March 2012 includes a post-tax loss of £2.9m in relation to CPW Europe's share of the start-up costs of an associate. Ongoing trading losses from this associate have been included within EBITDA in the year ended 31 March 2013.

 

	2013	2012
Virgin Mobile France	£m	£m
Revenue*	385.0	390.2
Headline EBITDA	19.7	25.7
Depreciation and amortisation	(7.8)	(4.2)
Headline EBIT	11.9	21.5
Net interest expense	(1.4)	(2.5)
Taxation on Headline results	(3.9)	(6.7)
Headline profit after taxation	6.6	12.3
Group share of Headline profit after taxation before change in share ownership	3.1	5.8
Gain on reduction of % share ownership	0.1	0.3
Group share of Headline profit after taxation	3.2	6.1
Group share of amortisation of acquisition intangibles (post-tax)	(0.5)	(1.3)
Group share of profit after taxation	2.7	4.8

* Revenue excludes contributions towards subscriber acquisition costs from network operators and customers, as the directors consider that this provides a better representation of underlying performance. These items, which had a value of £73.7m in the year ended 31 March 2013 (2012: £71.0m) are netted off against acquisition costs within Headline EBITDA.  Reported revenue on a statutory basis for the year ended 31 March 2013 is £458.7m (2012: £461.2m).

	2013	2012
Total Group share	£m	£m
Headline	54.3	54.4
Statutory	0.4	(34.1)

c) Analysis of assets and liabilities

The Group's share of the assets and liabilities of its joint ventures is as follows:

 

	2013	2012
Best Buy Europe	£m	£m
Non-current assets	548.3	662.4
Cash and overdrafts (net)	123.6	165.3
Other borrowings	(3.2)	(194.7)
Other assets and liabilities (net)	172.6	203.2
Net assets	841.3	836.2
Group share of net assets	420.6	418.1

 

	2013	2012
Virgin Mobile France	£m	£m
Non-current assets	100.0	127.4
Cash and overdrafts (net)	2.0	10.1
Loans from the Group	(20.5)	(24.3)
Other borrowings	(21.9)	(26.2)
Other assets and liabilities (net)	(74.8)	(107.9)
Net liabilities	(15.2)	(20.9)
Group share of net liabilities	(7.0)	(9.8)
	2013	2012
Total Group share	£m	£m
Total Group share of net assets and liabilities of joint ventures	413.6	408.3

8 Related party transactions

During the year, the Group had the following disclosable transactions with its joint ventures:

	Best Buy Europe	Virgin Mobile France	Best Buy Europe	Virgin Mobile France
	2013	2013	2012	2012
	£m	£m	£m	£m
Revenue for services provided	3.6	-	3.1	-
Net interest and other finance income	-	0.8	0.3	1.2
Loans owed to the Group	-	20.5	-	24.3
Other amounts owed to the Group	1.4	-	15.4	-
Other amounts owed by the Group	(6.4)	-	-	-

Revenue for services provided relates to investment property rental income. Amounts owed to the Group by Best Buy Europe at 31 March 2012 primarily reflect amounts due in relation to shares gifted to senior Best Buy Europe executives, as detailed in note 3, which were settled in April 2012.

9 Post balance sheet events

On 26 June 2013 the Group will complete the CPW Europe Acquisition for a net consideration of £471m, at which point Best Buy Europe will become a 100% owned subsidiary of the Group. £341m of the net consideration will be paid in cash on completion, with the balance satisfied by the issue of the Consideration Shares and £50m of deferred cash consideration payable in two equal instalments of £25m in June 2014 and June 2015.

The primary reasons for the acquisition were to bring a simplified ownership structure, making day-to-day management easier, the strategic decision-making process more streamlined and the ability to better leverage CPW Europe's asset base and know-how. Such a structure will provide full ownership of growth opportunities across Europe and other potential markets.

On 30 April 2013 the Group placed 47.2m ordinary shares at a price of 222 pence per share. The placing raised net proceeds of £103.2m, which were used to fund part of the cash consideration for the acquisition.

Additional funding for the cash consideration was provided through a new £250m Sterling term loan facility, provided by the Group's core relationship banks. This facility matures in April 2017, and has amortisation of £25m and £50m respectively in June 2015 and June 2016. Interest on the facility is at margins over LIBOR. The actual margin depends on the level of fixed charges cover (based on interest and operating lease expenditure) in the most recent accounting period. The facility has covenants limiting the ratio of net debt to EBITDA and requiring a minimum level of fixed charges cover.

On 25 June 2013 the Group issued 42.1m Consideration Shares to Best Buy. Best Buy has agreed to waive any rights to dividends payable on these shares subject to certain conditions.

An acquisition accounting exercise in relation to the CPW Europe Acquisition has not yet been undertaken, and details will therefore be provided in due course.

On 15 April 2013 the Group completed the sale of a freehold property in Acton, London, for £10.5m in cash. The net book value of this property at 31 March 2013 was £10.5m and the transaction did not result in a profit or loss on disposal. Following the disposal the market value of properties owned by the Group was £20.0m.

10 Risks and uncertainties

The principal risks of the Group are as follows:

Risks within the CPW Europe business

Risk	Mitigation
Consumer environment
CPW Europe's major markets have suffered low or negative economic growth since 2009, and there is uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook, particularly in the Eurozone markets in which the business operates. Some of the products and services offered by the business may be viewed as discretionary, and may therefore be particularly affected by customer confidence.	The business continues to focus on its structure and on strong cost control to try to ensure that it is well-positioned to deal with an uncertain environment.
Dependence on key suppliers and customers
CPW Europe's principal revenue streams are from mobile network operators, and any change in their strategy could affect the revenues and profits of the business. Changes in network ARPU could also have an adverse effect on the revenues and profits of the business. The business is also dependent on relationships with key suppliers to source products on which availability may be limited.	The business has moved towards commercial arrangements that provide a closer alignment of interests with the network operators, whereby the risks and rewards of customer ownership are shared, and has focused on the high value postpay and smartphone segments to help to drive economic value for the networks. The business seeks to increase and leverage the scale of its operations to support global strategic relationships.
Competition
CPW Europe operates in markets that are highly competitive, in which the behaviour of competitors may damage revenues and margins. In some markets CPW Europe may not have the scale to compete effectively against increased competition.	The business has sought to differentiate itself through innovative propositions, high quality customer service, and a good supply of scarce products. The business is working to build partnerships with other retailers in certain territories in order to achieve additional scale.
Regulation
CPW Europe is subject to regulation in a number of areas, including insurance operations, information security and customer management. Non-compliance with regulation could result in financial loss and/or reputational damage to the business.	The business has internal committees and control structures to manage these requirements, to ensure appropriate compliance, and to react swiftly should issues arise.
Operations
CPW Europe's operations are dependent on internal and external IT systems which could fail or be unable to keep pace with the needs of the business.	A significant investment has been made over recent years in the IT infrastructure of the business, supported by testing processes and ongoing business continuity planning.
Foreign exchange
A material part of CPW Europe's earnings are denominated in Euros, giving rise to exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.	The business may hedge a proportion of such earnings, to provide certainty of their value.

Risks within the Virgin Mobile France business

Risk	Mitigation
Consumer environment
Consumer confidence in France remains relatively low, which may affect the level of customer spending and the ability of the business to acquire new customers.	The business is focused on improving the quality of its proposition through a wider product and service offering, increased distribution channels and ongoing brand development.
Dependence on key suppliers
The business is reliant on third parties for the provision of its network infrastructure and on key suppliers to source products for which availability may be limited.	Virgin Mobile France has a strong relationship with its key suppliers, with its scale supporting its commercial position. The business has developed a Full MVNO infrastructure to reduce dependency and improve flexibility over time.
Competition
Since 2012 the mobile market in France has been fiercely competitive, putting downward pressure on industry ARPUs, a trend which could continue going forward.	The business continues to invest in the quality of its proposition, brand and distribution channels to try to improve its scale and competitive position. The business seeks to use innovative and differentiated propositions in order to remain competitive.
Operations
The business is reliant on internal and external IT systems which could fail or be unable to keep pace with the needs of the business. The Full MVNO infrastructure and quad-play proposition place further reliance on these IT systems.	A significant investment has been made over recent years in the IT infrastructure of the business, supported by ongoing business continuity planning.

Other risks within the Group

Risk	Mitigation
The Group does not exercise control over Virgin Mobile France and therefore material decisions can only be made with the consent of our joint venture partner. Inability to reach consensus on such decisions could have an adverse effect on the growth, business and financial results of this business.	Such risks are mitigated through agreed strategies, defined and documented processes and regular communication.

11 Statement of directors' responsibilities

The audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2013 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. The management report herein includes a fair review of the important events during the year, a description of current principal risks and uncertainties and a fair review of disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein.

The directors of Carphone Warehouse Group plc are listed on the Group's website www.cpwplc.com.

By order of the Board

Nigel Langstaff

Chief Financial Officer

25 June 2013

 

END

 

 

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