Preliminary Results
Falkland Islands Holdings PLC
25 July 2001
Falkland Islands Holdings plc
Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2001
Chairman's Statement
Financial Summary
Turnover at £10.0 million was lower than the previous year figure
of £10.4 million due, for the most part, to lower shipping agency
revenues and reduced hotel activity as was reported in the Interim
Statement. However, the financial performance for the year was
badly affected by exceptional items mainly relating to the write-
off of sums outstanding from HR Holdings Limited which has
recently been put into receivership.
Operating profit at £967,000 (before exceptional items) was lower
than last year's figure of £1.33 million. After adjusting for the
exceptional items mentioned above, operating profit before tax and
interest was reduced to £392,000.
Earnings per share at 2.0p compared to 15.4p in the previous year.
However, the Company's cash flow from operating activities remains
positive and the Directors are recommending an increase in the
final dividend to 4.6p (2000: 4.4p) payable on 8 November 2001 to
shareholders on the register on 12 October 2001. The dividend
will absorb £279,000 and as a result £154,000 will be deducted
from reserves.
Review of Activities
The turnover from our retail services continued to grow in spite
of an extremely quiet winter season. Cruise vessel activity began
well but was hampered later by bad weather which prevented several
of the larger vessels from making their scheduled visit.
Whilst the Company represented an increased number of fishing
vessels, the season was disappointing in that the catching rate of
Ilex Squid did not reach the exceptional levels of the previous
year. This had a marked effect on the financial performance of
the fishing agency operation substantially reducing the
contribution from this important business.
As reported in the interim statement, the Company's hotel
operation also suffered from the quiet winter season and was
unable to recover early losses with reduced demand for
accommodation continuing into the summer period.
Activity at Darwin Shipping showed some recovery in the second
half with five voyages being completed in the twelve months, the
same number as the previous year, and cargo levels were slightly
higher. This activity was hit very hard by the huge increase in
fuel oil prices which were largely responsible for reducing its
contribution by £80,000.
The Company commenced a fresh contract to manage the port facility
on behalf of the Falkland Islands Government and this, together
with expanded stevedore facilities provided to the fishing fleet,
enabled this sector to improve its financial performance.
During the period the Company disposed of its remaining farming
interest, George and Barren Islands farm together with the
livestock, to a local agricultural operation.
The long drawn out discussions with HR Holdings Limited eventually
proved to be unsuccessful. We had contracts with this company
regarding the reimbursement of our abortive acquisition costs and
the payment to us of shipping agency fees. HR Holdings Limited
chose to dispute the implementation of these contracts.
Consequently, we issued writs against that company and matters
were proceeding to Court when HR Holdings Limited was placed into
receivership. We understand from the receiver that there is
little likelihood of a dividend for the ordinary creditor and
therefore we have had to write-off abortive acquisition and
associated costs of £449,000.
The focus of the Company's mineral joint venture exploration
during the year was the bulk sampling of the streams and rivers
not sampled in the previous year. Gold and other minerals were
recovered supporting the presence of host rocks that normally
occur with gold mineralisation. However, as the benefits likely
to occur from this operation are still some way off, we have
thought it prudent to write-off, as an exceptional item, our costs
to date of £126,000.
Current Trading and Prospects
The current year performance to date is broadly in line with that
of the previous year with no exceptional items.
The Company's new retail outlet was recently completed and this
facility, aimed specifically at the tourist trade, is now open. A
range of company branded as well as indigenous products will be
available for the tourist traffic which is expected to increase
further in the coming season and more specifically late 2002 when
a number of activities marking the twentieth anniversary of the
conflict are expected to attract many visitors.
Fishing agency activities have continued to be depressed by the
low level of the Ilex catch and did not improve by the end of the
season (July 2001). We must, therefore, wait and see what the new
season brings when it commences early in 2002.
Demand for rental property, both domestic and commercial, remains
strong and the Company is actively planning to expand its property
portfolio.
We have also recently been awarded a sub-contract for the
maintenance of the Ministry of Defence mechanical handling
equipment and plant at the Mount Pleasant complex and we continue
to seek opportunities to bid for more contracts at this location.
The Ministry of Defence may be implementing several other
outsourcing initiatives which could provide opportunities in the
future.
The Falkland Islands Government has produced an Islands plan in
which it states the desire to change the balance of public and
private sector spending by encouraging entrepreneurial activity
and reducing public sector dominance. There are several areas
being reviewed and the Company is well placed to derive benefits
from this policy. Private house building is to be stimulated by
investment in the infrastructure which should also stimulate
economic activity.
The next stage of onshore mineral development, which will be aimed
at locating the source rock of the gold and possibly Titanium
gravel, is currently being planned. Test work has already been
conducted on high grade Titanium gravel occurring within the
streams and rivers on East Falklands in the same area as the gold.
As far as offshore oil exploration is concerned, the Company has
recently taken a 10% interest in the Falkland Hydrocarbon
Consortium which is being led by Dana Petroleum. The Consortium
is currently negotiating with the Falkland Islands Government for
licensing in the Falkland Islands offshore designated area. It is
anticipated that a firm application will be lodged in early
August. In our view, this initiative could represent a
significant opportunity for the Company.
We continue to seek acquisition opportunities to expand the
commercial activities of the Company but to date no suitable
candidates, at the correct price, have been identified. The Board
have always kept in mind not to dilute the equity unnecessarily.
The general reverse in the stock market and the dramatic change in
valuations in certain sectors should ensure that more interesting
opportunities are presented to us in the future.
On behalf of the Board I would like to thank our employees for the
positive efforts in achieving a creditable trading performance in
spite of difficulties which have been largely outside their
control.
Enquiries
Falkland Islands Holdings plc 01279 461 630
John Gainham, Chairman
Square Mile BSMG Worldwide 020 7601 1000
Kevin Smith
FALKLAND ISLANDS HOLDINGS plc
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For the year ended 31 March 2001
2001 2000
£'000 £'000
Turnover - continuing operations 9,984 10,443
Cost of sales (6,861) (7,038)
__________________________________________ _____ _____
Gross profit 3,123 3,405
__________________________________________ _____ _____
Administrative expenses excluding exceptional items (2,496) (2,428)
Exceptional items:
Abortive acquisition and associated costs (449) -
Costs of mineral exploration venture (126) -
___________________________________________ _____ _____
Administrative expenses including exceptional items (3,071) (2,428)
Other operating income 340 349
__________________________________________ _____ _____
Operating profit before exceptional items 967 1,326
Exceptional items (575) -
_________________________________________ _____ _____
Operating profit on ordinary activities 392 1,326
Net interest payable and similar charges (37) (33)
__________________________________________ _____ _____
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 355 1,293
Tax on profit on ordinary activities (230) (355)
__________________________________________ _____ _____
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 125 938
Dividend (279) (269)
__________________________________________ _____ _____
(Deficit)/retained profit for the financial period (154) 669
__________________________________________ _____ _____
Earnings per share 2.0p 15.4p
__________________________________________ _____ _____
FALKLAND ISLANDS HOLDINGS plc
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
At 31 March 2001
2001 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 3,125 3,010
Investments - 62
_________________________ _____ _____
3,125 3,072
Current assets
Stocks 2,629 2,441
Debtors 1,566 1,789
Cash at bank and in hand 646 1,603
_________________________ _____ _____
4,841 5,833
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year (3,664) (3,953)
_________________________ _____ _____
Net current assets 1,177 1,880
_________________________ _____ _____
Total assets less current liabilities 4,302 4,952
Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year (750) (1,289)
Provisions for liabilities and charges (962) (919)
_________________________ _____ _____
Net assets 2,590 2,744
_________________________ _____ _____
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 611 611
Other reserves 703 703
Profit and loss account 1,276 1,430
_________________________ _____ _____
Equity shareholders' funds 2,590 2,744
_________________________ _____ _____
FALKLAND ISLANDS HOLDINGS plc
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 March 2001
2001 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash flow from operating activities 404 1,384
Returns on investments and servicing
of finance
Interest received 60 73
Interest paid (107) (93)
_________________________ _____ _____
(47) (20)
Taxation
UK Corporation tax paid (43) (25)
Overseas taxation paid (362) (375)
_________________________ _____ _____
(405) (400)
Capital expenditure
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (393) (275)
Disposal of fixed assets 64 17
_________________________ _____ _____
(329) (258)
Acquisitions
Investment in unincorporated
joint venture (64) (62)
Equity dividends paid (266) (244)
_________________________ _____ _____
Cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (707) 400
Financing
Repayment of secured loan (250) (500)
_________________________ _____ _____
(Decrease) in cash (957) (100)
_________________________ _____ _____
FALKLAND ISLANDS HOLDINGS plc
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
2001 2000
£'000 £'000
(i) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
(Decrease) in cash in the period (957) (100)
Cash outflow from decrease in debt 250 500
_______________________________________________ _____ _____
Movement in net debt in period (707) 400
Net cash/(debt) at start of period 353 (47)
_______________________________________________ _____ _____
Net (debt)/cash at 31 March (354) 353
_______________________________________________ _____ _____
(ii) Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows
Operating profit 392 1,326
Depreciation charges 214 196
(Increase)/decrease in stocks (188) 222
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 220 (134)
(Decrease) in creditors and provisions (360) (226)
Investment in mineral exploration written off 126 -
_______________________________________________ _____ _____
Net cash inflow from operating activities 404 1,384
_______________________________________________ _____ _____
(iii) Analysis of changes in net debt
Other
31 March Cash non cash 31 March
2000 flows changes 2001
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand 1,603 (957) - 646
Debt due within one year (250) 250 (250) (250)
Debt due after one year (1,000) - 250 (750)
____________________ ______ ____ _______ ________
Total 353 (707) - (354)
____________________ ______ ____ _______ ________
Notes
1. All significant turnover, profits and net assets are generated
from general trading in the Falkland Islands.
2. The taxation charge based on the profit for the year
comprises:
2001 2000
£'000 £'000
U.K. corporation tax at 30% (2000:30%) 187 275
Less double tax relief (128) (212)
_____ _____
59 63
Overseas tax 178 298
Adjustment in respect of prior years (7) (6)
_____ _____
230 355
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3. The Directors recommend a dividend of 4.6 pence per share
(2000: 4.4 pence) payable on 8 November 2001 to shareholders
on the register at close of business on 12 October 2001.
4. The calculation of earnings per ordinary share is based on a
profit of £125,000 (2000: £938,000) and ordinary shares of
6,110,037 (2000: 6,110,037) being the weighted average number
of shares in issue during the year. The share options do not
have a dilutive effect.
5. The financial information set out above does not constitute
the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 March
2001 or 2000. The financial information for 2000 is derived
from the statutory accounts for 2000 which have been delivered
to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors have reported on
the 2000 accounts; their report was unqualified and did not
contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for 2001 will be
finalised on the basis of the financial information presented
by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the
Company's Annual General Meeting.
6. Copies of Falkland Islands Holdings plc annual report and
financial statements will be sent to shareholders at the end
of August.