Interim Results

RNS Number : 0212J
Latham(James) PLC
27 November 2008
 




JAMES LATHAM PLC


HALF YEARLY RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008



Chairman's statement


I am pleased to report satisfactory results for the six months to 30 September 2008 despite increasingly difficult trading conditions. It should be noted that this period's results are being compared with an exceptional equivalent period last year when margins in particular were very strong.


Results


Revenue for the six months to 30 September 2008 was £61,883,000 compared with £59,326,000 the same period last year, a 4.3% increase. The operating profit was £3,167,000, down from £4,209,000 last year. Profit before tax was £3,208,000, down from last year's £4,578,000. Earnings per ordinary share were 7.7p (2007: 16.0p). The IFRS treatment of Industrial Building Allowances for deferred taxation purposes, as explained in note 2, has contributed to the sharp fall in earnings per share. On a like for like basis with the equivalent period earnings per share would have been 11.8p.


As at 30 September 2008 shareholder funds were £39.9m (30.9.2007: £45.5m) with cash and cash equivalents of £4.6m (30.9.2007: £7.9m).


Interim dividend


The Board has declared an interim dividend of 2.0p per Ordinary Share (2007: 2.5p), which is covered 3.9 times (2007: 6.4 times). The dividend is payable on 22 January 2009 to ordinary shareholders on the Company's Register at close of business on 5 January 2009. The ex-dividend date is 31 December 2008.


Six months trading to 30 September 2008.


Group revenue held up well in the six months and represents an increase compared with the equivalent period last year even after the contribution from the new Scottish branch, which started trading in April 2008. This is in spite of big decreases in some market sectors, notably transport and the national merchants. During the period, the Group experienced a fall in revenue in panel products where prices were significantly lower for a major item, medium density fibreboard. However, the Group increased revenue for its solid timber products.


As expected, trading margins were weaker in all areas as a result of decreasing prices and increased competition. Margins for the period were similar to those achieved in the six months to 31 March 2008 although they are below the equivalent period last year, which was exceptionally strong. These figures include non-recurring costs of £300,000 in moving from the old sites at Eastleigh and Dudley and start up costs for Scotland.


Pension scheme


The triennial actuarial valuation of the pension scheme as at 31 March 2008 shows a deficit of £5.1m, in line with the IFRS19 deficit shown in the accounts to 31 March 2008. The Trustees and the Company have agreed a recovery plan of payments over seven years. In the period to 30 September 2008, there has been an increase in the deficit, net of deferred tax gain, of £1.7m.

 

Current & future trading


The management accounts show a small reduction in revenue for October when compared with last year and a further slowdown in November. Reduced levels of activity in many sectors and the climate of general uncertainty that pervades the UK economy are resulting in less business. Some sectors remain busy but customers are unwilling to commit forward and are placing smaller orders. The Scottish branch is making steady progress towards profitability and the moves to bigger premises at Fareham and Dudley will take time to repay the investment made in them. Based on current trading we would expect to meet market expectations for the year but with the rapidly changing state of the UK economy it is difficult to predict far ahead.


Peter Latham

Chairman

27 November 2008

  


For Further Enquiries:


James Latham Plc


Peter Latham, Chairman

Tel: 01442 849 100

David Dunmow, Finance Director

Tel: 01442 849 100



Blue Oar Securities Plc


Mike Coe, Director, Corporate Finance

Tel: 0117 933 0020


  

JAMES LATHAM PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

For the six months to 30 September 2008



Six months to 

30 Sept 2008 unaudited

Six months to 30 Sept 2007 unaudited

Year to

31 March 2008 audited


£000

£000

£000





Revenue

61,883

59,326

117,188





Cost of sales (including warehouse costs)

(51,634)

(48,323)

(96,635)





Gross profit

10,249

11,003

20,553





Selling and distribution costs

(4,870)

(4,423)

(9,160)

Administrative expenses

(2,256)

(2,390)

(5,013)

Other operating income

44

19

232


(7,082)

(6,794)

(13,941)

Operating Profit

3,167

4,209

6,612





Finance income

191

424

642

Finance costs

(150)

(55)

(130)





Profit before tax

3,208

4,578

7,124





Tax expense

(1,728)

(1,388)

(2,068)





Profit after tax attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company

1,480

3,190

5,056





Earnings per ordinary share (basic)

7.7p

16.0p

25.7p

Earnings per ordinary share (diluted)

7.7p

15.9p

25.6p


All results relate to continuing operations


  

JAMES LATHAM PLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As at 30 September 2008



As at 30 Sept 2008

unaudited

As at 30 Sept 2007

unaudited

As at 31 March 2008

audited 


£000

£000

£000

Assets




Non-current assets




Goodwill

237

237

237

Intangible assets

150

-

149

Property, plant and equipment

18,290

11,323

17,515

Other receivables

-

500

333

Total non-current assets

18,677

12,060

18,234





Current assets 




Inventories

19,744

18,178

18,181

Trade and other receivables

26,659

31,010

24,826

Cash and cash equivalents

4,606

7,906

8,625

Total current assets

51,009

57,094

51,632

Total assets

69,686

69,154

69,866





Current liabilities




Trade and other payables

18,591

19,563

18,681

Current portion of interest bearing loans and borrowings

21

735

378

Current tax payable

-

1,199

-

Total current liabilities

18,612

21,497

19,059





Non-current liabilities




Interest bearing loans and borrowings

1,030

1,052

1,041

Retirement and other benefit obligation

7,447

240

5,108

Other payables

639

227

644

Deferred tax liabilities

2,035

683

1,893

Total non-current liabilities

11,151

2,202

8,686

Total liabilities

29,763

23,699

27,745





Net assets

39,923

45,455

42,121





Capital and reserves




Issued capital

5,040

5,040

5,040

Share-based payment reserve

-

75

95

Own shares

(107)

(349)

(429)

Capital reserve

3

3

3

Retained earnings

34,987

40,686

37,412

Total equity

39,923

45,455

42,121


  

JAMES LATHAM PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

For the six months to 30 September 2008



Six months to 

30 Sept 2008 unaudited

Six months to 30 Sept 2007 unaudited

Year to 

31 March 2008

audited






£000

£000

£000

Net cash flow from operating activities




Cash generated from operations

(515)

64

5,163

Interest paid

(92)

(19)

(70)

Income tax paid

(799)

(336)

(1,237)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

(1,406)

(291)

3,856





Cash flows from investing activities




Interest received and similar income

175

276

792

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(1,058)

(313)

(6,792)

Purchase of intangible asset

(5)

-

(150)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

-

7

48

Proceeds from prior year sale of property and investment in subsidiary undertaking


500


1,019


5,438

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities

(388)

989

(664)





Cash flows before financing activities




Bank loans repaid during the period

(357)

(357)

(714)

Finance leases repaid during the period

(11)

(13)

(23)

Equity dividends paid

(1,179)

(1,076)

(1,572)

Preference dividend paid

(39)

(39)

(79)

Purchase of own shares

(150)

(188)

(259)

Sale of own shares

310

9

-

Purchase of treasury shares

(799)

-

(792)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(2,225)

(1,664)

(3,439)

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents for the period

(4,019)

(966)

(247)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

8,625

8,872

8,872

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

4,606

7,906

8,625


  

JAMES LATHAM PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED

INCOME AND EXPENSE

For the six months to 30 September 2008



Six months to

30 Sept 2008

unaudited

Six months to

30 Sept 2007

unaudited

Year to

31 March 2008

audited


£000

£000

£000

Profit after tax

1,480

3,190

5,056

Actuarial (losses)/gains on pension scheme

(2,677)

2,631

(2,024)

Deferred tax effect of actuarial (losses)/gains on pension scheme

750

(811)

567

Deferred tax on share-based payment

-

-

12

Total income and expense, attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company


(447)


5,010


3,611



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the six months to 30 September 2008



Six months to

30 Sept 2008

unaudited

Six months to

30 Sept 2007

unaudited

Year to

31 March 2008

audited


£000

£000

£000





Profit attributable to shareholders

(447)

5,010

3,611

Dividends

(1,179)

(1,076)

(1,572)


(1,626)

3,934

2,039





Purchase of treasury shares

(799)

-

(792)

Change in investment in own shares

322

(179)

(259)

Change in Share-based payment reserve

(95)

19

39

Movement in the period

(2,198)

3,774

1,027

Opening shareholders' funds

42,121

41,681

41,094

Closing shareholders' funds

39,923

45,455

42,121


  

Notes to the preliminary financial information


1.  The results presented in this report are unaudited and they have been prepared in accordance with the IFRS accounting policies set out in the Group accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 and those expected to apply in the year ended 31 March 2009.


2. During 2007 proposed amendments to the Industrial Buildings Allowances regime were announced. Substantive enactment took place on 2 July 2008. The effect of this enactment has increased the deferred tax liability in the consolidated balance sheet of these half yearly accounts by £803,000, with a corresponding charge to the consolidated income statement.


3.  The directors propose a final dividend of 2.0p per ordinary share which will absorb £385,000 (2007: 2.5p absorbing £504,000), payable on 23 January 2009 to shareholders on the Register at the close of business on 5 January 2009. The ex-dividend date is 31 December 2008.


4.  This half yearly report does not constitute financial statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 were prepared and filed with the Registrar of Companies and received an unqualified audit report and did not contain a statement under section 237 (2) and (3) of the Companies Act 1985.


5.  Copies of this statement will be sent to shareholders and will also be available on written application to the Company Secretary, James Latham plc, Unit 3 Swallow Park, Finway Road, Hemel Hempstead, HertsHP2 7QU, and on the company's website, www.lathams.co.uk.



This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR FKAKNABDDODB
UK 100

Latest directors dealings