|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
change
%
|
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Revenue
|
73,851
|
102,670
|
-28%
|
171,247
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit
|
6,918
|
11,903
|
-42%
|
5,991
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted profit before taxation
|
7,101
|
14,023
|
-49%
|
8,843
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted earnings per share
|
7.8p
|
15.4p
|
-49%
|
9.3p
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
6,918
|
11,903
|
-42%
|
1,870
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
7,101
|
14,023
|
-49%
|
4,722
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
|
7.8p
|
15.4p
|
-49%
|
4.9p
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed dividend per share
|
4.00p
|
7.76p
|
-48%
|
7.76p
|
I am delighted to announce that the improvements in order intake and revenue previously reported for the first three months have accelerated throughout the second quarter ended 31st December 2009 with order intake now exceeding revenue in each of the last six months. This has resulted in the order book increasing from £9.7m at 30th June 2009 to £17.6m by 31st December 2009.
Total group revenue for the six months to 31st December 2009 amounted to £73.9m (2008 £102.7m), which, whilst contrasting adversely with that achieved for the same period last year (a reduction of 32% at previous year exchange rates), was 8% ahead of the £68.6m recorded in the second six months of the previous financial year.
Group operating profit amounted to £6.9m (2008 £11.9m), which, whilst also significantly lower than that reported for the same period last year, provided a substantial improvement over the pre-exceptional operating loss of £5.9m recorded in the second six months of the previous financial year, following the cost control measures introduced in February 2009.
After net financial income, the Group delivered profit before tax of £7.1m (2008 £14.0m), resulting in earnings per share of 7.8p compared with 15.4p in the previous year. Favourable currency movements benefited revenue and operating profits by £3.6m and £2.5m respectively.
Segmental analysis
This year the Group has divided its operating, research and development and reporting activities into two main segments:- the traditional metrology business, the cornerstone of Renishaw, and the smaller Healthcare activities into which parts of Renishaw have migrated or which have been established or acquired.
Revenue in our traditional Metrology product segment (probes and accessories for coordinate measuring machines (“CMM”) and machine tools, laser calibration systems and linear and angle encoder systems) was £65.9m (2008 £94.2m). Although there was a decline in revenue in most geographic areas, there was growth in the Far East, excluding Japan. Current indications are that growth in China, Korea and Taiwan is likely to continue, particularly in the production of electronic products and in the recovering Japanese machine tool market, which experienced strong order intake last month.
Investment continues (albeit at a lower level than last year) in the research and development of a range of new products and applications. New products introduced to the market this year include the RMP40 compact radio transmission spindle probe and the QC20-W wireless ballbar.
•Healthcare
The Healthcare segment comprises the neurosurgical, dental and spectroscopy products, which includes PulseTeq (coils for MRI scanners), D3 Technologies (surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy) and Renishaw Mayfield (surgical robots, which was acquired in November 2008). Revenue for this segment amounted to £8.0m (2008 £8.5m, of which £2.5m included non-recurring revenue). Excluding the non-recurring revenue, there was growth in all geographic markets, notably the Far East.
Investment continues in marketing the newly introduced products and meeting the associated regulatory compliance requirements. The Company provided further investment of £1m in D3 Technologies Limited, bringing its shareholding up to 80% (previously 75%).
Balance sheet
Capital expenditure was much reduced during this period and amounted to £1.1m, of which £0.6m was property and £0.5m was plant and machinery. There were further efficiencies achieved in inventories, which reduced by £4.2m in the six months. Trade receivables rose in line with increased activity in November and December. Cost containment measures continue.
Net cash balances at 31st December 2009 were £24.4m (30th June 2009 £20.5m, 31st December 2008 £15.7m).
The deficit in the pension fund has increased to £29.7m (£22.5m at 30th June 2009) reflecting a significant increase in liabilities (caused by a decrease in the AA Corporate Bond yield rate and an increase in the inflation assumption) offset partly by a strong investment performance
Prospects
After a serious and protracted global downturn we are encouraged by the progress in this first six months, particularly by the performance in this last quarter and the improvements in the rate of order intake. Overall we are cautiously optimistic for the full year and thereafter.
The Board has resolved to pay an interim dividend of 4.0p (covered 2 times by available earnings for the period) payable on 31st March 2010 to shareholders on the share register on 26th February 2010.
We are grateful for our employees’ understanding and continued commitment and look forward to returning to consistent growth for our shareholders.
|
Notes
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Audited
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Revenue
|
2
|
73,851
|
102,670
|
171,247
|
Cost of sales
|
|
(41,319)
|
(55,484)
|
(101,064)
|
Gross profit
|
|
32,532
|
47,186
|
70,183
|
Distribution costs
|
|
(17,149)
|
(22,748)
|
(41,559)
|
Administrative expenses including exceptional item
|
|
(8,465)
|
(12,535)
|
(26,754)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit excluding exceptional item
|
|
6,918
|
11,903
|
5,991
|
Exceptional item – redundancy costs
|
|
-
|
-
|
(4,121)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
6,918
|
11,903
|
1,870
|
Financial income
|
3
|
2,998
|
4,820
|
8,754
|
Financial expenses
|
3
|
(2,945)
|
(3,089)
|
(6,219)
|
Share of profits from associates
|
|
130
|
389
|
317
|
Profit before tax
|
4
|
7,101
|
14,023
|
4,722
|
Income tax expense
|
|
(1,420)
|
(2,805)
|
(1,124)
|
Profit for the period from continuing operations
|
|
5,681
|
11,218
|
3,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
Equity shareholders of the parent company
|
|
5,939
|
11,368
|
3,871
|
Minority interest
|
|
(258)
|
(150)
|
(273)
|
|
|
5,681
|
11,218
|
3,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pence
|
pence
|
Pence
|
Dividend per share arising in respect of the period
|
8
|
4.00
|
7.76
|
7.76
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share (basic and diluted)
|
5
|
7.8
|
15.4
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
At 31st December
2009
£’000
|
At 31st December
2008
£’000
|
Audited
At 30th June
2009
£’000
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
6
|
72,021
|
78,433
|
73,583
|
Intangible assets
|
7
|
28,564
|
26,478
|
27,683
|
Investments in associates
|
|
7,024
|
7,252
|
7,085
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
17,322
|
20,465
|
14,165
|
Other receivables
|
9
|
1,951
|
-
|
4,020
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
126,882
|
132,628
|
126,536
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
24,972
|
35,899
|
29,156
|
Trade receivables
|
|
30,389
|
40,247
|
24,057
|
Current tax
|
|
3,107
|
329
|
1,626
|
Other receivables
|
9
|
4,147
|
5,085
|
4,335
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
24,372
|
15,659
|
20,488
|
Total current assets
|
|
86,987
|
97,219
|
79,662
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
6,291
|
12,355
|
6,588
|
Current tax
|
|
841
|
2,570
|
910
|
Provisions
|
|
599
|
847
|
656
|
Other payables
|
9
|
16,602
|
29,895
|
13,339
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
24,333
|
45,667
|
21,493
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net current assets
|
|
62,654
|
51,552
|
58,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Employee benefits
|
10
|
29,728
|
10,771
|
22,458
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
10,624
|
12,410
|
10,618
|
Other payables
|
9
|
7,086
|
25,138
|
7,849
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
47,438
|
48,319
|
40,925
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets less total liabilities
|
|
142,098
|
135,861
|
143,780
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
8
|
14,558
|
14,558
|
14,558
|
Share premium
|
8
|
42
|
42
|
42
|
Currency translation reserve
|
8
|
2,610
|
1,149
|
1,822
|
Cash flow hedging reserve
|
8/9
|
(8,401)
|
(31,964)
|
(5,415)
|
Retained earnings
|
8
|
133,380
|
152,043
|
132,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent company
|
|
142,189
|
135,828
|
143,762
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
(91)
|
33
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders' funds
|
|
142,098
|
135,861
|
143,780
|
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Audited
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
5,681
|
11,218
|
3,598
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of development costs
|
2,220
|
1,276
|
4,433
|
Amortisation of other intangibles
|
897
|
1,100
|
1,441
|
Depreciation
|
4,050
|
4,056
|
8,890
|
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment
|
-
|
(6)
|
151
|
Share of profits from associates
|
(130)
|
(389)
|
(317)
|
Financial income
|
(2,998)
|
(4,820)
|
(8,754)
|
Financial expenses
|
2,945
|
3,089
|
6,219
|
Tax expense
|
1,420
|
2,805
|
1,124
|
|
8,404
|
7,111
|
13,187
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
|
4,184
|
(1,679)
|
5,064
|
(increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
|
(5,456)
|
14,819
|
28,167
|
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
|
102
|
(5,633)
|
(12,026)
|
(Decrease)/increase in provisions
|
(57)
|
23
|
(168)
|
|
(1,227)
|
7,530
|
21,037
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
(2,947)
|
(3,088)
|
(6,368)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
9,911
|
22,771
|
31,454
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
|
(1,103)
|
(6,540)
|
(11,005)
|
Development costs capitalised
|
(3,590)
|
(2,576)
|
(6,618)
|
Purchase of other intangibles
|
(235)
|
(6,863)
|
(7,503)
|
Investment in associates
|
-
|
(400)
|
(400)
|
Sale of property, plant and equipment
|
71
|
40
|
259
|
Interest received
|
132
|
956
|
1,161
|
Dividend received from associate
|
21
|
21
|
80
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
(4,704)
|
(15,362)
|
(24,026)
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
(117)
|
(67)
|
(255)
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
(12,833)
|
(15,649)
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
(117)
|
(12,900)
|
(15,904)
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
5,090
|
(5,491)
|
(8,476)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
|
20,488
|
38,183
|
38,183
|
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held
|
(1,206)
|
(17,033)
|
(9,219)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
|
24,372
|
15,659
|
20,488
|
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Audited
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
5,681
|
11,218
|
3,598
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange translation differences
|
788
|
(425)
|
248
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial loss in the pension schemes
|
(7,308)
|
(558)
|
(13,032)
|
|
|
|
|
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of recycling:
|
|
|
|
Amounts recycled during the period
|
(2,559)
|
(987)
|
(1,938)
|
Fair value of outstanding amounts
|
(1,588)
|
(37,502)
|
323
|
|
(4,147)
|
(38,489)
|
(1,615)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax on income and expense recognised in equity
|
3,155
|
10,440
|
3,614
|
|
|
|
|
Expense recognised directly in equity
|
(7,512)
|
(29,032)
|
(10,785)
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income and expense for the period
|
(1,831)
|
(17,814)
|
(7,187)
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent company
|
(1,573)
|
(17,664)
|
(6,914)
|
Minority interest
|
(258)
|
(150)
|
(273)
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income and expense for the period
|
(1,831)
|
(17,814)
|
(7,187)
|
Revenue
|
Metrology
|
Healthcare
|
Total
|
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 31st December 2009
|
65,876
|
7,975
|
73,851
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 31st December 2008
|
94,205
|
8,465
|
102,670
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 30th June 2009
|
152,894
|
18,353
|
171,247
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 31st December 2009
|
6,335
|
832
|
7,167
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 31st December 2008
|
5,571
|
861
|
6,432
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 30th June 2009
|
12,773
|
1,991
|
14,764
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 31st December 2009
|
9,029
|
(2,111)
|
6,918
|
Share of profits from associates
|
130
|
-
|
130
|
Net financial income
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
7,101
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 31st December 2008
|
13,878
|
(1,975)
|
11,903
|
Share of profits from associates
|
389
|
-
|
389
|
Net financial income
|
|
|
1,731
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
14,023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 30th June 2009
|
6,286
|
(4,416)
|
1,870
|
Share of profits from associates
|
317
|
-
|
317
|
Net financial income
|
|
|
2,535
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
4,722
|
|
6 months to 31st
December 2009 at
actual exchange rates
£’000
|
6 months to 31st
December 2008 at
actual exchange rates
£’000
|
6 months to 31st
December 2009 at previous
year's exchange rates
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
Continental Europe
|
22,565
|
38,690
|
22,550
|
Far East
|
26,649
|
32,179
|
24,224
|
North & South America
|
17,303
|
23,076
|
16,221
|
United Kingdom and Ireland
|
4,983
|
5,874
|
4,983
|
Other Regions ("ROW")
|
2,351
|
2,851
|
2,349
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,851
|
102,670
|
70,327
|
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
USA
|
15,114
|
21,341
|
38,618
|
Germany
|
12,556
|
18,277
|
31,020
|
China
|
12,365
|
10,575
|
19,458
|
Japan
|
7,665
|
15,031
|
23,165
|
|
At
31st December
2009
£’000
|
At
31st December
2008
£’000
|
At
30th June
2009
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
72,612
|
73,075
|
76,098
|
Overseas
|
36,948
|
39,088
|
36,273
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,560
|
112,163
|
112,371
|
Financial income
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Expected return on assets in the pension schemes
|
2,866
|
3,864
|
7,593
|
Bank interest receivable
|
132
|
956
|
1,161
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,998
|
4,820
|
8,754
|
Financial expenses
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Interest on pension scheme liabilities
|
2,828
|
3,022
|
5,964
|
Bank interest payable
|
117
|
67
|
255
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,945
|
3,089
|
6,219
|
|
Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000
|
Plant and
equipment
£’000
|
Motor
vehicles
£’000
|
Assets in the
course of construction
£’000
|
Total
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1st July 2009
|
65,066
|
76,133
|
5,129
|
480
|
146,808
|
Additions
|
590
|
444
|
22
|
47
|
1,103
|
Transfers
|
-
|
133
|
-
|
(133)
|
-
|
Disposals
|
-
|
(98)
|
(139)
|
-
|
(237)
|
Currency adjustment
|
1,409
|
710
|
171
|
-
|
2,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31st December 2009
|
67,065
|
77,322
|
5,183
|
394
|
149,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1st July 2009
|
13,541
|
56,226
|
3,458
|
-
|
73,225
|
Charge for the period
|
809
|
2,871
|
370
|
-
|
4,050
|
Released on disposals
|
-
|
(49)
|
(117)
|
-
|
(166)
|
Currency adjustment
|
342
|
392
|
100
|
-
|
834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31st December 2009
|
14,692
|
59,440
|
3,811
|
-
|
77,943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31st December 2009
|
52,373
|
17,882
|
1,372
|
394
|
72,021
|
At 30th June 2009
|
51,525
|
19,907
|
1,671
|
480
|
73,583
|
|
Goodwill on consolidation
|
Other intangible assets
|
Internally
generated
development costs
|
|
Software licences
|
Total
|
|
|
In use
|
In the course
of acquisition
|
|||||
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1st July 2009
|
5,569
|
5,416
|
28,973
|
11,252
|
-
|
51,210
|
|
Additions
|
149
|
69
|
3,590
|
17
|
-
|
3,825
|
|
Currency adjustment
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31st December 2009
|
5,718
|
5,485
|
32,563
|
11,287
|
-
|
55,053
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1st July 2009
|
-
|
1,150
|
15,829
|
6,548
|
-
|
23,527
|
|
Charge for the period
|
-
|
277
|
2,220
|
450
|
-
|
2,947
|
|
Currency adjustment
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
-
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31st December 2009
|
-
|
1,427
|
18,049
|
7,013
|
-
|
26,489
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31st December 2009
|
5,718
|
4,058
|
14,514
|
4,274
|
-
|
28,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 30th June 2009
|
5,569
|
4,266
|
13,144
|
4,704
|
-
|
27,683
|
6 months to 31st December 2009
|
Share
capital
£’000
|
Share
premium
£’000
|
Currency
translation
reserve
£’000
|
Cash flow
hedging
reserve
£’000
|
Retained
earnings
£’000
|
Total
£’000
|
Balance at the beginning of the period
|
14,558
|
42
|
1,822
|
(5,415)
|
132,755
|
143,762
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,939
|
5,939
|
Other recognised income and expense
|
-
|
-
|
788
|
(2,986)
|
(5,314)
|
(7,512)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the end of the period
|
14,558
|
42
|
2,610
|
(8,401)
|
133,380
|
142,189
|
6 months to 31st December 2008
|
Share
capital
£’000
|
Share
premium
£’000
|
Currency
translation
reserve
£’000
|
Cash flow
hedging
reserve
£’000
|
Retained
earnings
£’000
|
Total
£’000
|
Balance at the beginning of the period
|
14,558
|
42
|
1,574
|
(4,252)
|
154,403
|
166,325
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11,368
|
11,368
|
Other recognised income and expense
|
-
|
-
|
(425)
|
(27,712)
|
(895)
|
(29,032)
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(12,833)
|
(12,833)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the end of the period
|
14,558
|
42
|
1,149
|
(31,964)
|
152,043
|
135,828
|
Year ended 30th June 2009
|
Share
capital
£’000
|
Share
premium
£’000
|
Currency
translation
reserve
£’000
|
Cash flow
hedging
reserve
£’000
|
Retained
earnings
£’000
|
Total
£’000
|
Balance at the beginning of the year
|
14,558
|
42
|
1,574
|
(4,252)
|
154,403
|
166,325
|
Profit for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,871
|
3,871
|
Other recognised income and expense
|
-
|
-
|
248
|
(1,163)
|
(9,870)
|
(10,785)
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(15,649)
|
(15,649)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the end of the year
|
14,558
|
42
|
1,822
|
(5,415)
|
132,755
|
143,762
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid during the period were:
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
2008 final dividend of 17.63p per share
|
-
|
12,833
|
12,833
|
2009 interim dividend of 7.76p, net of waivers
|
-
|
-
|
2,816
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
12,833
|
15,649
|
|
At
31st December
2009
£’000
|
At
31st December
2008
£’000
|
At
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Included in other receivables in non-current assets
|
1,951
|
|
4,020
|
Included in other receivables in current assets
|
618
|
-
|
709
|
Included in other payables in current liabilities
|
(7,151)
|
(19,257)
|
(5,623)
|
Included in other payables in non-current liabilities
|
(7,086)
|
(25,138)
|
(6,627)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,668)
|
(44,395)
|
(7,521)
|
|
|
|
|
Included in deferred tax assets
|
3,267
|
12,431
|
2,106
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,401)
|
(31,964)
|
(5,415)
|
|
At
31st December
2009
£’000
|
At
31st December
2008
£’000
|
At
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Discount rate
|
5.7%
|
5.7%
|
6.2%
|
Inflation rate
|
3.8%
|
2.7%
|
3.4%
|
Expected return on equities
|
8.3%
|
9.1%
|
8.3%
|
Retirement age
|
64
|
64
|
64
|
|
At
31st December
2009
£’000
|
At
31st December
2008
£’000
|
At
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Market value of assets
|
86,246
|
70,371
|
70,168
|
Actuarial value of liabilities
|
(115,974)
|
(81,142)
|
(92,626)
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit in the schemes
|
(29,728)
|
(10,771)
|
(22,458)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax thereon
|
7,697
|
2,659
|
5,701
|
|
6 months to
31st December
2009
£’000
|
6 months to
31st December
2008
£’000
|
Year ended
30th June
2009
£’000
|
Balance at the beginning of the period
|
(22,458)
|
(11,055)
|
(11,055)
|
Expected return on pension schemes' assets
|
2,866
|
3,864
|
7,593
|
Interest on pension schemes' liabilities
|
(2,828)
|
(3,022)
|
(5,964)
|
Actuarial loss
|
(7,308)
|
(558)
|
(13,032)
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the end of the period
|
(29,728)
|
(10,771)
|
(22,458)
|
The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the business activities of the Group are considered to be:
Current trading levels and order book
The downturn in the global economic climate adversely affected the Group’s second half revenue and profits for last year and, whilst the first half of the current year has shown a significant improvement, with the Group showing a profit compared with last year’s second half loss, the transition from recessions around the world are expected to be gradual.
Orders from customers generally involve short lead-times with the outstanding order book at any time being around one month’s worth of revenue value. This limited forward order visibility leaves the annual revenue forecasts at risk.
The Chairman and Chief Executive’s statement in this Interim report includes a comment on the outlook for the Group for the remaining six months of the financial year.
Research and development
The Group invests heavily in research and development, to develop new products and processes to maintain the long-term growth of the Group. This research and development encompasses new innovative products within the core metrology and emerging healthcare businesses.
The development of new products and processes involves risk, such as with development time, which may take longer than originally forecast and hence involve more cost. Also, being at the leading edge of new technology in metrology and healthcare, there are uncertainties whether new developments will work as planned and in some cases, projects may need to be halted with the consequent non-recoverability of expenditure if the intended deliverables of the project are not forthcoming. Expenditure is only capitalised once the commercial and technical feasibility of a product is proven.
These risks are minimised by operating strictly managed research and development programmes with regular reviews against milestones achieved and against forecast business plans. Research and development also involves beta testing at customers to ensure that new products will meet the needs of the market at the right price.
Defined benefit pension schemes
The Group has previously closed its major defined benefit pension schemes for future accruals, so has eliminated the major risk of growth in liabilities for future accrual of salary increases above RPI and additional years of service. The fund is still subject to fluctuations arising from investment performance and actuarial assumptions. The UK defined benefit scheme is secured by a registered charge on certain of the Group’s UK properties.
Treasury
With the concentration of manufacturing in the UK, Ireland and India, but with over 90% of sales to countries elsewhere around the world, there is an exposure to fluctuating currencies on these export sales, mainly in respect of the US Dollar, Euro and Japanese Yen.
The Group has mitigated the risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates by the use of forward contracts to hedge a proportion of US Dollar sales and the majority of forecast Euro and Japanese Yen sales for the current year. It also has forward contracts in place going forward a further three years in respect of significant proportions of forecast Euro and Japanese Yen sales.
Tax
Significant judgement is required in determining the effective tax rate and in evaluating certain tax positions. Tax provisions are adjusted due to changing facts and circumstances, such as case law, progress of tax audits or when an event occurs requiring a change in tax provisions. Management regularly assesses the appropriateness of tax provisions.