Interim Results
Expro International Group PLC
30 November 2006
30 November 2006
EXPRO INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC
("Expro" or "the Group")
Interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2006
Expro International Group PLC, the oilfield services company, today announces
interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2006.
Highlights
• Strong results
- Robust organic growth
- Three months contribution from Power Well Services ("PWS")
- Operating margin increased to 13%
- Continued EPS growth
• Successful acquisition of PWS
- Integration proceeding ahead of plan and cost synergies higher than planned
- Expro's technology offering well received by existing PWS customers
- Materially enhanced position in key geographic markets
• Dividend maintained
• Outlook positive with continued growth momentum in upstream oil and gas sector
Year ended 31
Six months ended 30 September March
2006 2005 2006
Revenue £226.4m £131.6m £300.7m
Operating profit £29.4m £13.6m £34.1m
Operating margin 13.0% 10.3% 11.3%
Basic EPS* 16.5p 9.7p 36.6p
Underlying EPS*(a) 17.9p 10.0p 24.8p
Headline EPS (b) 16.5p 9.7p 24.2p
Net cash from
operating activities £25.7m £9.0m £58.4m
Free cash flow (c) £2.6m (£13.4m) £10.4m
Dividend per share 3.8p 3.8p 10.9p
Net bank borrowings (d) £193.2m £52.8m £17.1m
Notes:
* All references to earnings per share (EPS) are based on continuing and
discontinuing operations and are calculated using the basic number of
shares. The denominator for the purposes of calculating basic earnings per
share has been adjusted to reflect the bonus element of the rights issue
(see note 9)
(a) Underlying statistics reflect the performance of the continuing and
discontinued operations before significant non recurring items and
amortisation of intangible assets which arise from acquisitions, as
calculated under Note 6
(b) Headline statistics reflect the performance of the continuing and
discontinued operations before significant non recurring items, as
calculated under Note 6. Previously published headline earnings per share
were on a continuing only basis
(c) As calculated under note 13
(d) Bank loans of £230.0m (30 September 2005 - £62.3m; 31 March 2006 - £62.7m)
less cash of £36.8m (30 September 2005 - £9.5m; 31 March 2006 - £45.6m), as
extracted from the consolidated balance sheet
Commenting on the results, Graeme Coutts, Chief Executive, said, "I am pleased
to report a strong set of results for the first six months of the financial
year, reflecting the successful execution of our strategy and sustained growth
momentum across the recently expanded Expro business. These results include
three months of contribution from the PWS acquisition which marks a "step
change" in the development of the Expro Group. Importantly this acquisitive
growth has been complemented by robust organic growth from both the existing
Expro business and PWS. The integration of PWS is progressing well and ahead
of our initial plans. The market outlook for the second half and beyond remains
positive."
- Ends -
For further information please contact:
Expro International Group PLC On 30 November: 020 7067 0700
Graeme Coutts, Chief Executive Thereafter: 0118 959 1341
Michael Speakman, Finance Director
Ed Cutts, Investor Relations
Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700
Kirsty Raper/Rachel Taylor/Stephanie Badjonat
An analyst meeting will be held at 09.30 this morning at the offices of Weber
Shandwick Square Mile, Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8WS.
Financial calendar
Ex dividend date 27 December 2006
Record date 29 December 2006
Interim dividend payable 26 January 2007
EXPRO INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC
("Expro" or "the Group")
Interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2006
Chairman's and Chief Executive's Statement
Summary
The Board is delighted to report a strong set of results for the first six
months of the financial year, reflecting the successful execution of our
strategy and sustained growth momentum across the recently expanded Expro
business. These results include three months of contribution from the Power Well
Services ("PWS") acquisition which marks a "step change" in the development of
the Expro Group. Importantly this acquisitive growth has been complemented by
robust organic growth from both the existing Expro business and PWS. This
combined growth has generated an adjusted earnings per share of 17.9 pence, on
an underlying basis(a), a 79% increase on the same period last year. On a
headline basis(b) earnings per share of 16.5p grew by 70% compared to the same
period last year. The Board has declared the interim dividend at 3.8 pence.
--------------------------
(a) Underlying EPS reflects the performance of the continuing and discontinuing
operations before significant non-recurring items and the amortisation of
acquisition intangibles, as calculated under Note 6.
(b) Headline EPS reflects the performance of the continuing and discontinuing
operations before significant non-recurring items as calculated under Note 6.
Previously published headline earnings per share were on a continuing only
basis.
Market Conditions
Market conditions for upstream oil and gas services have continued to strengthen
over the last six months, continuing the progressive momentum of the last two
years. Demand for upstream services has been very high, driven by global
economic growth and numerous factors which have restricted supply of oil and
natural gas. World economies continue to increase energy demand to meet growth.
Supply of oil and gas is the only real answer to demand for the foreseeable
future. However, supply remains subject to a combination of geopolitical
disruption and strong production discipline by the Organisation of Petroleum
Exporting Countries ("OPEC"). The effect has been to keep supply and demand
keenly balanced supporting global oil prices which are consistently well above
USD 50 per bbl.
This environment has provided a strong platform for Expro to implement its
growth strategies, the most significant during the period being the acquisition
of PWS. This has materially enhanced all aspects of Expro's capabilities,
particularly our geographic penetration into key markets where the Group has to
date had limited participation.
As anticipated in the trading statements made throughout the period, our
progress has been strong in the first half of the financial year. This has been
assisted in part by the smooth integration of the PWS business but mainly as a
result of Expro's focused strategy.
Integration of PWS
In July we completed the acquisition of PWS. This strategic move was a step
change in the global development of Expro, adding markets and technologies to
our portfolio, whilst at the same time bringing synergies to the Group and
enhancing our existing growth strategies. The integration of PWS is progressing
well and ahead of our initial plans. The cost synergies identified have been
higher than originally assumed and although significant progress has also been
made with revenue synergies they inevitably take longer to crystalise. The PWS
portfolio fits predominantly within Expro's Regional businesses segment where it
complements our existing capabilities and adds critical mass to our operations.
Our customers have welcomed our enhanced capability and the benefits are already
being seen. PWS has brought to us a strong business platform in Norway and the
increasingly important markets of the Middle East and Brazil. The technology
within Power Chokes is benefiting our domestic U.S. business, as well as
providing good international growth prospects.
In the former market, our Choke products play an essential role in the
development of unconventional land based gas reserves where flow management in
association with rock fracturing is critical to commercialisation of tight gas
prospects. This type of gas field is increasingly important within the domestic
U.S. market which is becoming service intensive as more complex reservoirs are
exploited.
Business Strategy
Expro's strategy has established many of our product lines as market leaders. We
position ourselves as a safe, innovative and focused provider of services to our
customers in all the areas we operate in. In a business environment where our
customers are paying record amounts for rig operations, these are increasingly
important features for successful service providers. During the period Expro was
awarded the Oil & Gas Sector RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents) award for occupational health and safety performance. This
prestigious award marks a first for any upstream oil and gas service company and
is clear recognition of our efforts to create and maintain safe working
environments for our customers and employees.
As part of our business review process we continually challenge and refine our
strategy. The implementation and evolution of our four point strategy, first
published in 2004, has been a major contributor to our success.
Four Point Strategy
• Customer care, backed by investment in skilled personnel and
sophisticated intelligence systems, are critical to delivering sustained
success as well as positioning for future market developments.
• Technology development backed by investment in world class people and
facilities, designed at keeping all Expro product lines in a leading
position.
• Geographic optimisation to create areas of critical mass capable of
effectively and profitably serving local markets throughout the business
cycle.
• Strategic acquisitions and divestments which focus and enhance Expro's
global market positions.
Segmental Review
Regional Businesses
Expro provides products and services which are critical to the maintenance and
commissioning of oil and gas wells through a comprehensive footprint of
international locations. These products fall under the technology categories of
Cased Hole Services ("CHS") and Surface Welltesting ("SWT"). The largely
call-off nature of the products and services requires supporting infrastructure
which, in many areas, is expensive to maintain. These infrastructure costs are
the focus of our strategy of creating areas of critical mass where we fully
leverage across our product and service lines. Our acquisition of PWS, completed
in July, added materially to our Regional businesses' capabilities. Including
the period of ownership of PWS, total revenues for our Regional businesses were
£138.6m an increase of 80% over the corresponding prior period. Expro's
management structure was reorganised following the acquisition. Our Regional
businesses are now structured under two hemispheres; Western, managed from
Houston (North America, Canada and Latin America), and Eastern, managed from
Aberdeen (North Sea, FSU, West Africa, North Africa/Middle East and Asia). The
PWS acquisition has greatly enhanced all aspects of Expro's strategy execution
without compromising our market identity or customer perception.
In the Western Hemisphere, traditionally confined to North America and Brazil,
the PWS acquisition has brought Power Chokes flow management which provides a
very strong technology position in the unconventional domestic gas markets of
North America. This acquired capability is entirely complementary to our
existing strategy of providing advanced, high value services where the market
demands a "Best in Class" supplier. The strong platform the Chokes business
provides, will enable the pull-through of our products and services into areas
which are an increasingly significant source of energy to the United States.
Progress in our Gulf of Mexico business continues in line with the positive
outlook for deepwater subsea developments, an area which plays strongly to
Expro's technology strategy. In Latin America, Expro is now active in several
countries. By far the biggest is Brazil where the PWS acquisition has provided
us with an excellent position with Petrobras, and increasingly the incoming
international oil and gas companies involved in offshore developments. We
believe that our relationship with Petrobras will develop to enable us to assist
their international growth plans in areas such as offshore Angola and deep water
Gulf of Mexico. As a predominantly former PWS territory we see the opportunity
to bring many of Expro's broader capabilities into Latin America on a selective
basis.
In the Eastern Hemisphere where Expro has for some time been regarded as a
market leader in the combined markets of the North Sea area, the PWS acquisition
has reinforced our position and critical mass through the addition of a strong
Norwegian SWT presence. This also positions Expro in a closer operating
environment with Statoil and Norsk Hydro as they look to internationalise their
capabilities. The relatively high oil price has greatly helped the UK North Sea
support strong reinvestment in this aging province, which is important again to
our major international customers as a safer investment area in an increasingly
difficult global environment.
The FSU has performed well for Expro in the first half of the financial year and
West Africa continued to deliver strongly throughout the period. The majority of
revenues came from offshore deepwater activities all along the West African
coast, but predominantly Angola where we have established critical mass to
capitalise on our strong technology position. Our regional service portfolio
continued to expand in this area with high demand for our welltest equipment to
commission the technically demanding deepwater fields.
The newly formed region of North Africa and the Middle East has also been
strengthened through the PWS acquisition. These markets are dominated by gas
projects in North Africa, particularly in Algeria and Egypt, and the increase in
Saudi-Arabian rig activity. The latter two locations are new for Expro giving us
a valuable position in the major producing areas of the world and new outlets
for many of our high value niche technologies. Finally, in Asia we are working
to establish our new position and take advantage of the critical mass
opportunities offered by the acquisition while building on excellent positions
in Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Global Businesses
The Global businesses segment, consisting of the deepwater businesses of
TronicMatre and subsea safety tools ("SST") and our capital intensive early
production facilities ("EPF") business has benefited from increased customer
capital expenditure. The main driver has been our customers refocusing towards
subsea fields, and in particular deep water developments. Due to the project
based nature of this segment we manage our resources on a centralised, global
basis. However, during project execution we leverage the comprehensive
international infrastructure provided by our in-country Regional businesses to
deliver a local product. PWS did not add materially to the portfolio of our
Global businesses, therefore the overall revenues of £87.7m to 30 September 2006
represent organic Expro growth which on a like for like basis is 60% ahead of
the corresponding prior period.
Tronic and Matre, both leading brands, are used to market our technical
leadership in the areas of subsea connectors and instrumentation. These
businesses are fully integrated and offer the only integrated solution to
customers looking to increase capacity and efficiency. Demand for TronicMatre
products has increased in line with the global dynamics for subsea production.
The high cost of operating in the subsea environment is increasingly driving our
customers towards reliability, a hallmark of TronicMatre and the wider Expro
Group.
In the area of SST where Expro has a material position, global demand has been
strong. Prior period investments to increase capacity have allowed us to meet
the current demand for safety systems throughout the deepwater provinces of the
world. In this area we are now marketing products and services within legacy PWS
contracts to customers who have a requirement to develop their subsea reserves.
Finally, our EPF group has been actively engineering potential field development
solutions for customers looking to exploit the high oil price on a fast track
basis. Two major projects have been ongoing in the period. One has been under
construction for a major customer in West Africa which is due for commissioning
in the second half of this financial year, while the other is the highly
successful Chayvo plant which has produced commercial oil and gas for ExxonMobil
in Sakhalin Island throughout the period. This method of small field
exploitation is relatively fast when project sanction is approved, however the
overall gestation period between enquiry and sanction can be prolonged.
Technology
During the first half of the financial year record levels of investment were
made supporting our strategy of technology development and commercialisation.
Our focus clearly remains on developing technologies in order to meet our
customers' evolving business needs, further enhancing our corporate
differentiation.
All business segments benefited from technology enhancements, particularly those
where Expro continues to demonstrate leadership. The cableless telemetry system
"CATs" is operating in its first field installation, a suspended North Sea
subsea well, providing our customer with valuable new reservoir data. As part of
the PWS combination, Expro acquired a 50% interest in a company developing new
drilling technology aimed at reducing overall drilling cost while facilitating
greater safety during operations. The managed pressure drilling ("MPD") process
utilises state of the art metering and choke technology from within the former
PWS portfolio. Field trials in the US during the period were very positive and
well received. The second phase of our AX-S rigless technology project made good
progress in the period with the joint partners continuing to provide excellent
support to this potentially transformational technology. The business
environment for this system continues to strengthen, driven by our customers
increasing reliance on subsea wells and the inflated cost of semi-submersible
operations.
Outlook
The outlook for the upstream services sector remains positive, driven by the
continuing increase in oil and gas demand. In the medium term this position is
maintained by the continued discipline of OPEC in regulating supply rather than
a fundamental shortage in oil and gas. The long term dynamics are not in doubt,
oil and gas remains the only real answer to demand, and the world will need to
find and produce materially more oil and gas than is currently capable of being
produced. Within this environment the outlook for Expro is positive. Our
investment supporting our four point strategy has positioned Expro to take
advantage of these conditions. The outlook for the remainder of this financial
year is favourable and our long term objectives remain unchanged; to benefit
shareholders with profitable growth beyond the cycle.
Dr Chris Fay, CBE Graeme Coutts 29 November 2006
Chairman Chief Executive Officer
Consolidated income statement
Six months ended 30 September 2006
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 September 30 September 31 March
Note 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Underlying Special Total Underlying Special Total Underlying Special Total
items items items
Continuing
operations
Revenue 3 226,362 - 226,362 131,647 - 131,647 300,727 - 300,727
Cost of sales (184,952) (1,993) (186,945) (109,714) (455) (110,169) (254,516) (735) (255,251)
________ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ______
Gross profit 41,410 (1,993) 39,417 21,933 (455) 21,478 46,211 (735) 45,476
Administrative
expenses (10,018) - (10,018) (7,881) - (7,881) (11,360) - (11,360)
________ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ______
Operating
profit 3 31,392 (1,993) 29,399 14,052 (455) 13,597 34,851 (735) 34,116
Investment
income 3,123 - 3,123 1,847 - 1,847 3,855 - 3,855
Finance costs (8,293) - (8,293) (4,140) - (4,140) (8,409) - (8,409)
________ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ______
Net finance
costs (5,170) - (5,170) (2,293) - (2,293) (4,554) - (4,554)
Profit before
tax 26,222 (1,993) 24,229 11,759 (455) 11,304 30,297 (735) 29,562
Tax 4 (9,938) 755 (9,183) (4,387) 172 (4,215) (11,483) 279 (11,204)
________ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ______
Profit after
tax 16,284 (1,238) 15,046 7,372 (283) 7,089 18,814 (456) 18,358
Discontinued
operations
Post tax
profit from
joint ventures - - - 348 - 348 441 - 441
Post tax gain
from disposal
of joint
ventures - - - - - - - 9,661 9,661
________ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ______
Profit for the
period 16,284 (1,238) 15,046 7,720 (283) 7,437 19,255 9,205 28,460
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======
Attributable
to:
Equity holders
of the parent 16,266 (1,238) 15,028 7,650 (283) 7,367 19,206 9,205 28,411
Minority
interest 18 - 18 70 - 70 49 - 49
________ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ______
16,284 (1,238) 15,046 7,720 (283) 7,437 19,255 9,205 28,460
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======
Earnings per
share
From
continuing and
discontinuing
operations
Basic 6 17.9p 16.5p 10.0p 9.7p 24.8p 36.6p
Diluted 6 17.5p 16.2p 9.9p 9.5p 24.4p 36.1p
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======
From
continuing
operations
Basic 6 16.5p 9.2p 23.6p
======= ======= ======
Diluted 6 16.2p 9.1p 23.3p
======= ======= ======
Underlying numbers reflect the performance of the continuing and discontinuing
operations before special items. Special items comprise significant
non-recurring items and the amortisation of acquisition intangibles
Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense
Six months ended 30 September 2006
Six months ended Year ended
30 september 31 March
2006 2005 2006
Note £'000 £'000 £'000
Losses on cash flow hedges (2,136) (2,200) (2,951)
Exchange differences on
translation of foreign operations (5,044) 4,250 5,672
Actuarial (losses)/gains on
defined benefit pension schemes (1,180) (2,586) 4,451
Tax on items taken directly to
equity 326 673 567
______ ______ ______
Net (expense) / income recognised
directly in equity (8,034) 137 7,739
Transferred to profit and loss on
disposal of joint venture foreign
operations - - (365)
Transferred to profit and loss on
maturity of cash flow hedges (1,155) - 1,815
Profit for the period 15,046 7,437 28,460
______ ______ ______
Total recognised income and
expense for the period 5,857 7,574 37,649
====== ====== ======
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 5,839 7,504 37,600
Minority interest 18 70 49
______ ______ ______
5,857 7,574 37,649
====== ====== ======
Consolidated balance sheet
At 30 September 2006
30 September 30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
Note £'000 £'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Goodwill 189,892 20,954 20,511
Intangible assets 107,743 10,535 9,221
Property, plant and equipment 7 187,853 89,236 95,423
Interests in associates 187 - -
Deferred tax assets 6,719 5,367 6,365
Derivative financial instruments - 72 -
______ ______ ______
492,394 126,164 131,520
Current assets
Inventories 36,053 16,971 19,237
Trade and other receivables 165,252 91,414 95,577
Cash 36,839 9,573 45,642
Assets in disposal group held for
sale - 3,786 -
______ ______ ______
238,144 121,744 160,456
______ ______ ______
Total assets 730,538 247,908 291,976
______ ______ ______
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (105,966) (51,345) (73,159)
Current tax liabilities (23,397) (8,964) (12,549)
Finance leases (768) (688) (768)
Derivative financial instruments (43) (1,417) (295)
Provisions (188) (115) (188)
______ ______ ______
(130,362) (62,529) (86,959)
Non-current liabilities
Bank loans 8 (230,006) (62,331) (62,699)
Retirement benefit obligation (21,728) (26,836) (19,348)
Deferred tax liabilities (35,921) (3,109) (2,428)
Finance leases (7,869) (8,049) (7,972)
Derivative financial instruments - (235) (138)
Provisions (2,775) (2,754) (2,882)
______ ______ ______
(298,299) (103,314) (95,467)
______ ______ ______
Total liabilities (428,661) (165,843) (182,426)
______ ______ ______
Net assets 301,877 82,065 109,550
====== ====== ======
Equity
Share capital 9 10,905 7,319 7,328
Share premium account 1,993 281 570
Other reserves 60,677
Hedging and translation reserve (5,264) 894 3,099
Own shares - (407) (352)
Equity reserve 1,467 640 1,032
Retained earnings 232,049 73,201 97,841
______ ______ ______
Equity attributable to equity
holders of the parent 301,827 81,928 109,518
Minority interest 50 137 32
______ ______ ______
Total equity 301,877 82,065 109,550
====== ====== ======
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised
for issue on 29 November 2006. They were signed on its behalf by:
G Coutts M Speakman
Director Director
29 November 2006
Consolidated cash flow statement
Six months ended 30 September 2006
Six months ended Year ended
30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
Note £'000 £'000 £'000
Operating profit 29,399 13,597 34,116
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and
equipment 21,594 11,134 30,445
(Gain)/loss on disposal of
property, plant and equipment (1,126) 397 1,771
Amortisation of intangible assets 2,264 873 1,469
Impairments 434 - 718
Share-based payments 435 223 615
Retirement benefit charge 124 (285) 251
______ ______ ______
Operating cash flows before
movements in working capital 53,124 25,939 69,385
Increase in inventories (4,423) (704) (2,611)
Increase in receivables (21,901) (16,934) (21,263)
Increase in payables 11,954 5,034 25,589
______ ______ ______
Cash generated by operations 38,754 13,335 71,100
Income taxes paid (7,868) (2,513) (9,209)
Interest paid (5,180) (1,834) (3,534)
______ ______ ______
Net cash from operating activities 25,706 8,988 58,357
______ ______ ______
Investing activities
Interest received 1,034 273 614
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment 7 (26,935) (22,758) (49,288)
Proceeds on disposal of property,
plant and equipment 2,915 314 846
Purchases of intangible assets (67) (213) (100)
Net cash outflow on acquisition of
subsidiaries 10 (171,682) (5,988) (6,075)
Investment in associates (185) - -
Payment on disposal of joint
ventures (996) - -
Proceeds on disposal of joint
ventures - 4,797 20,116
Payment of deferred consideration (79) (291) (334)
______ ______ ______
Net cash used in investing
activities (195,995) (23,866) (34,221)
______ ______ ______
Financing activities
Issue of share capital 9 128,195 25,258 25,555
Dividends paid 5 (5,192) (5,182) (7,956)
Drawing of new loans 8 272,090 - -
Repayment of loans 8 (231,849) - -
Repayments of finance leases (712) (634) (1,305)
______ ______ ______
Net cash from financing activities 162,532 19,442 16,294
______ ______ ______
Net (decrease)/increase in cash (7,757) 4,564 40,430
Cash at beginning of period 45,642 5,009 5,009
Effect of foreign exchange rate
changes (1,046) - 203
______ ______ ______
Cash at end of period 36,839 9,573 45,642
====== ====== ======
Notes to the condensed consolidated accounts
Six months ended 30 September 2006
1. Basis of preparation
The unaudited financial information contained in this interim report has been
prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, and with the
Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority. The Group's auditors have
not performed a review of this interim report. These condensed consolidated
accounts do not include all of the information required for full annual
financial statements. The interim report does not constitute statutory accounts
as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985, and should be read in
conjunction with the annual report 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for
the year ended 31 March 2006 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
The auditors' report on those accounts was not qualified and did not contain
statements under section 237 (2) and (3)of the Companies Act 1985.
2. Significant accounting policies
The condensed financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention.
The accounting policies are consistent with those followed in the preparation of
the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2006, with
the addition of IFRIC 4 Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease.
IFRIC 4 came into effect from 1 January 2006 and provides guidance on whether
complex arrangements include a lease. This becomes effective for the Group for
the year ending 31 March 2007. The Group has reviewed its contracts and the
interpretation does not have a material impact on the Group.
The following standards which have not been applied in these financial
statements were in issue but not yet effective:
IFRS 7 Financial instruments: Disclosures; and the related amendment to IAS 1 on
capital disclosures.
The Group anticipates that the adoption of this standard in future periods will
have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group except for
additional disclosures on capital and financial instruments when the relevant
standard comes into effect for periods commencing on or after 1 January 2007.
3. Business segments
For management purposes, the Group is organised into two operating divisions -
Regional businesses and Global businesses. These divisions are the basis on
which the Group reports its primary segment information.
Principal activities are as follows:
Regional businesses provide services which are primarily driven by customer
operating expenditure. Customer requirements are often for a short period of
time, and delivery is made through, and supported by, the Group's locally
established infrastructure.
Global businesses provide products and services which are primarily driven by
customer capital expenditure. These products and services, which are often based
upon bespoke engineering or technology based solutions, are delivered remotely
over a long term and are typically for offshore projects.
The following is an analysis of the revenue and results for the period, analysed
by business segment.
Six months ended Year ended
30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£000 £000 £000
Segment revenue
Global businesses 87,748 54,804 131,245
Regional businesses 138,614 76,843 169,482
______ ______ ______
Total revenue 226,362 131,647 300,727
Segment result
Global businesses 17,844 11,053 26,107
Regional businesses 21,573 10,425 19,369
______ ______ ______
Total result 39,417 21,478 45,476
Unallocated corporate expenses (10,018) (7,881) (11,360)
______ ______ ______
Operating profit 29,399 13,597 34,116
====== ====== ======
4. Tax
Six months ended Year ended
30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£'000 £'000 £'000
Current tax:
UK corporation tax 1,386 1,687 1,638
Foreign tax 7,471 3,100 11,821
______ ______ ______
8,857 4,787 13,459
Deferred tax: 326 (572) (2,255)
______ ______ ______
Total 9,183 4,215 11,204
====== ====== ======
The tax charge for the six months to 30 September 2006 has been based on an
estimated effective rate for the year to 31 March 2007 of 37.9%. This compares
with the UK standard rate of 30%, with the difference largely attributable to
foreign profits taxed at rates higher than the UK rate and expenses not
deductible for tax purposes.
5. Dividends
Six months ended Year ended
30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£'000 £'000 £'000
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity
holders in the period:
Interim dividend paid for the year ended
31 March 2006 of 3.8p per ordinary share
(2005: 3.8p per share) - - 2,774
Final dividend paid for the year ended 31
March 2006 of 7.1p per ordinary share
(2005: 7.1p per share) 5,192 5,182 5,182
______ ______ ______
5,192 5,182 7,956
====== ====== ======
The proposed interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2007 is 3.8p per
ordinary share. This was approved by the Board after 30 September 2006 and has
not been included as a liability in these financial statements.
6. Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the
following data:
Six months ended Year ended
30 September 31 March
200 2005 2006
£'000 £'000 £'000
Earnings
Profit for the period 15,046 7,437 28,460
Less minority interest (18) (70) (49)
______ ______ ______
Earnings attributable to equity
holders of the parent - continuing
and discontinued 15,028 7,367 28,411
Less post tax gain from disposal of
joint ventures - - (9,661)
Less post tax profit from
discontinued joint venture
operations - (348) (441)
______ ______ ______
Earnings for the purpose of basic
earnings per share - continuing 15,028 7,019 18,309
Adjustments
Post tax profit from discontinued
joint venture operations - 348 441
______ ______ ______
Earnings for the purpose of headline
earnings per share 15,028 7,367 18,750
Amortisation of intangible assets
arising from acquisitions 1,993 455 735
Less tax on the above (755) (172) (279)
______ ______ ______
Earnings for the purpose of
underlying earnings per share 16,266 7,650 19,206
====== ====== ======
Number of shares
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares for the purposes of basic
earnings per share 91,080,778 76,126,186 77,480,885
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary
shares:
Share options 1,701,623 1,124,478 1,252,641
______ ______ ______
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares for the purposes of diluted
earnings per share 92,782,401 77,250,664 78,733,526
=========== =========== ===========
6. Earnings per share
Earnings per share
From continuing and discontinued operations
Basic 16.5p 9.7p 36.6p
====== ====== ======
Diluted 16.2p 9.5p 36.1p
====== ====== ======
From continuing operations
Basic 16.5p 9.2p 23.6p
====== ====== ======
Diluted 16.2p 9.1p 23.3p
====== ====== ======
From discontinued operations
Basic - 0.5p 13.0p
====== ====== ======
Diluted - 0.5p 12.8p
====== ====== ======
Headline
Basic 16.5p 9.7p 24.2p
====== ====== ======
Diluted 16.2p 9.5p 23.8p
====== ====== ======
Underlying
Basic 17.9p 10.0p 24.8p
====== ====== ======
Diluted 17.5p 9.9p 24.4p
====== ====== ======
The denominator for the purposes of calculating both basic and diluted earnings
per share has been adjusted to reflect the bonus element of the rights issue
(see note 9). Headline earnings per share reflect the performance of the
continuing and discontinuing operations before significant non-recurring items.
Significant non-recurring items include gains on disposal of discontinued
operations. Previously published headline earnings per share were on a
continuing only basis. Underlying earnings per share reflect the performance of
the continuing and discontinuing businesses before significant non-recurring
items and the amortisation of acquisition intangibles.
7. Property, plant and equipment
During the period, the Group incurred additions of £27.0m of property, plant and
equipment. A further £95.6m was acquired through the acquisition of PowerWell
Services, see note 10 for further details.
8. Bank loans
During the period, the Group settled its existing bank loans (£60.9m), as well
as the debt acquired on the acquisition of PWS (£135.2m).
In order to partially finance the acquisition of PWS, the Group entered into a
new $550m facility repayable over 5 years. An initial amount of £271.5m was
drawn, and £35.7m was repaid during the period, resulting in a balance at the
period end of £230.0m after the effects of foreign exchange rates. Interest
payable on this facility is dependent on LIBOR plus a margin.
9. Share capital
Allotted,
called up and
Authorised fully paid
Ordinary share capital £'000 £'000
At 1 April 2005 8,100 6,646
Increase in authorised share
capital 1,900 -
Employee share option
schemes - options exercised - 9
Shares issued - 664
______ ______
At 30 September 2005 10,000 7,319
Employee share option
schemes - options exercised - 9
______ ______
At 1 April 2006 10,000 7,328
Increase in authorised share
capital 4,000 -
Employee share option
schemes - options exercised - 45
Shares issued - 3,532
______ ______
At 30 September 2006 14,000 10,905
====== ======
The Group has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.
On 26 July 2006, 26,170,121 ordinary shares of 10 pence each were issued at a
price of 500 pence per share under a rights issue. The premium arising on this
share issue was credited against the merger reserve offset by costs of
£3,271,265, which arose from the issue. The remaining balance of the merger
reserve was transferred to retained earnings. On 31 July 2006 a further
9,155,961 ordinary shares of 10 pence each were issued to First Reserve as part
consideration for the acquisition of Power Well Services. These shares were
issued at a price of 673 pence per share. The premium arising on this share
issue was credited to other reserves.
These share issues were credited as fully paid and ranked pari passu in all
respects with the Group's existing ordinary shares.
10. Acquisition of subsidiary
During the period the Group acquired Power Well Services "PWS", with an
acquisition date of 3 July 2006. PWS is a leading supplier of well testing and
other flow management products and services to the global oil and gas industry.
The acquisition comprised a 100% interest in Power Well Services Inc (registered
in the USA) and a 100% interest in Power Well Services Holdings LP (registered
in the Cayman Islands), and their respective subsidiaries.
All intangible assets were recognised at their respective fair values. The
residual excess over net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill in the
financial statements.
Provisional Provisional Provisional
Book Fair value Fair
value adjustments value
£'000 £'000 £'000
Intangible assets 18,487 86,137 104,624
Property, plant and equipment 95,583 - 95,583
Inventories 14,133 - 14,133
Trade and other receivables 57,471 (2,680) 54,791
Cash 3,837 - 3,837
Trade and other payables (23,678) - (23,678)
Current tax liabilities (12,514) - (12,514)
Finance leases (381) - (381)
Bank loans (135,212) - (135,212)
Retirement benefit obligation (737) - (737)
Deferred tax liabilities (4,357) (30,148) (34,505)
_______ ______ ______
12,632 53,309 65,941
Goodwill 174,489
______
Total consideration 240,430
======
Satisfied by:
Cash 168,757
Shares 61,593
Directly attributable costs 10,080
______
240,430
======
Net cash outflow arising on
acquisition:
Cash
consideration 168,757
Directly attributable costs (paid) 6,762
Cash acquired (3,837)
______
171,682
======
The values set out above are provisional pending finalisation of the fair values
attributable, and will be finalised in subsequent periods. Shares issued were
valued at market price at the date of acquisition.
The goodwill arises through the strengthening of the Group's geographical
footprint, product pull-through opportunities with new clients and the value of
the acquired workforce.
The revenue and operating profit of PWS for the period has not been disclosed as
integration has made this impracticable.
If the acquisition had been completed on 1 April 2006, total Group revenue for
the period would have been £269.4m, and operating profit for the period would
have been £34.7m.
11. Events after the balance sheet date
There were no subsequent events between the balance sheet date and the date the
financial statements were authorised for issue that require disclosure.
12. Related party transactions
No related party transactions requiring disclosure occurred in the period to 30
September 2006.
13. Free cash flow
Free cash flow is calculated as follows:
Six months ended Year ended
30 September 31 March
2006 2005 2006
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash from operating activities 25,706 8,988 58,357
Interest received 1,034 273 614
Proceeds on disposal of property,
plant and equipment 2,915 314 846
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment (26,935) (22,758) (49,288)
Purchases of intangible assets (67) (213) (100)
______ ______ ______
Free cash flow 2,653 (13,396) 10,429
====== ====== ======
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