Interim Results
Solid State Supplies PLC
05 December 2003
Solid State Supplies PLC
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2003
Chairman's Statement
Results
The unaudited profit before tax of the Group for the six months ended 30
September 2003 was £57,000 (2002: £212,000) on a turnover of £4,154,000 (2002:
£4,525,000). The basic earnings per share amounted to 0.6p (2002: 3.2p). The
pre-tax profit is stated after goodwill amortisation of £17,000 (2002: nil).
Trading Review
Solid State Supplies
Although market conditions in the electronic component distribution industry
were difficult in the first half of our financial year, the Company was able to
trade profitably. Confidence appears to be returning to the industry with both
market commentators and component manufacturers reporting a significant increase
in demand from the Asia Pacific region. Whilst this has yet to be felt in
Europe, this upturn is bringing with it some increased lead times and hardening
of prices for semiconductors here in the UK.
We await firm evidence of an upturn, but are cautiously optimistic that we will
see the benefits of our significant product design work during 2004.
Steatite
The relocation of the company into its new premises at Redditch in
Worcestershire which took place in the first half of 2003 at a cost of
approximately £80,000 is now complete, and the company is well established in
its new base.
Steatite has achieved a positive performance during a prolonged period of
uncertainty in world markets both financially and in manufacturing. Whilst
disappointing not to see growth year on year, we need to be aware that we are
affected by the increasingly competitive market and the underlying rate of
economic growth. Steatite has been able to produce a robust performance,
maintaining and even improving its customer performance with a positive
operating cash flow.
In a climate that remains tough and somewhat uncertain with customers continuing
to trade cautiously, there are positive signs of improvement. The book to bill
ratio at Steatite is stronger than it has been for a number of years, with an
outstanding order book that reflects increased order activity.
We are optimistic in terms of achieving growth and thus continuing to improve
performance on the back of recent large contract awards.
Debtor under subcontract
In the 2003 Annual Report and Accounts issued in June 2003 we reported that
there was included in trade debtors an amount of £428,000 which related to the
balance due under a sub-contract which would be payable when the main contractor
had been paid. We stated that the Directors were satisfied that the contract
had been satisfactorily completed in terms of the Group's commitments and were
confident that the main contractor would be able to successfully complete the
remaining work and that the debt would therefore be fully recoverable.
Although none of this amount was received by the Group during the first half of
the financial year, the Directors are pleased to report that the difficulties
between the main contractor and the ultimate customer have now been largely
resolved and during November £240,000 of the outstanding amount has been
received by the Group. It is now anticipated that the balance of the monies due
under the contract will be received during the next few months.
Future acquisitions
Following the successful acquisition of Steatite some eighteen months ago, the
Group continues to look for suitable acquisitions within the electronics
industry.
Dividends
The Directors have decided to declare an interim dividend of 1p per share,
compared with 1.5p per share last year. The interim dividend will be paid on
9th January 2004 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on
19th December 2003.
Conclusion
I would like to thank my fellow directors and all the staff of the group for
their support over the past six months.
Peter Haining
Chairman
5 December 2003
Enquiries:
Peter Haining
Chairman
Solid State Supplies plc
01892 667 466
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
for the six months ended 30 September 2003
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03
£'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 4,154 4,525 9,009
Cost of sales (2,803) (3,179) (6,249)
______ ______ ______
Gross profit 1,351 1,346 2,760
______ ______ ______
Selling expenses and distribution costs (609) (553) (1,136)
Administrative expenses (650) (558) (1,328)
______ ______ ______
(1,259) (1,111) (2,464)
______ ______ ______
Operating profit 92 235 296
Other income - 5 5
Interest payable (35) (28) (61)
______ ______ ______
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 57 212 240
Tax on profit on ordinary activities (17) (11) (5)
______ ______ ______
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 40 201 235
Dividends (62) (93) (218)
______ ______ ______
RETAINED(LOSS)/ PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (22) 108 17
______ ______ ______
Earnings per share (see below)
Basic 0.6p 3.2p 3.8p
Diluted 0.6p 3.1p 3.7p
All amounts relate to continuing operations.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
as at 30 September 2003
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at As at As at
30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03
£'000 £'000 £'000
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 646 670 663
Tangible assets 581 521 560
______ ______ ______
1,227 1,191 1,223
______ ______ ______
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock 1,362 1,369 1,194
Debtors 2,009 2,644 2,049
Cash at bank and in hand 2 186 16
______ ______ ______
3,373 4,199 3,259
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year (2,009) (2,499) (1,815)
______ ______ ______
1,364 1,700 1,444
______ ______ ______
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,591 2,891 2,667
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year (534) (721) (588)
______ ______ ______
2,057 2,170 2,079
______ ______ ______
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Share capital 311 311 311
Capital redemption reserve 1 1 1
Share premium account 757 757 757
Profit and loss account 988 1,101 1,010
______ ______ ______
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS - EQUITY 2,057 2,170 2,079
______ ______ ______
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the six months ended 30 September 2003
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 163 47 294
Return on investments and servicing of finance:
Interest received - 5 5
Interest paid (35) (28) (61)
______ ______ ______
Net cash (outflow) (35) (23) (56)
______ ______ ______
Taxation:
Corporation tax paid - - (32)
______ ______ ______
Net cash (outflow) - - (32)
______ ______ ______
Capital expenditure and financial investment:
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (114) (5) (119)
Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 12 33 31
______ ______ ______
Net cash inflow/(outflow) (102) 28 (88)
______ ______ ______
Acquisitions and disposals:
Purchase of business operation - (1,303) (1,312)
______ ______ ______
Net cash (outflow) - (1,303) (1,312)
______ ______ ______
Equity dividend paid (124) (187) (280)
______ ______ ______
Net cash (outflow) (124) (187) (280)
______ ______ ______
Financing:
Medium term loan received - 750 750
Repayments of medium term loan (66) (66) (102)
Hire purchase finance repaid: capital element (10) (25) (57)
______ ______ ______
Net cash inflow/(outflow) (76) 659 590
______ ______ ______
Decrease in cash (174) (779) (884)
______ ______ ______
NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT
for the six months ended 30 September 2003
1. Basis of preparation of interim financial information
The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting
policies consistent with those set out in the company's Annual Report and
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2003. The unaudited financial
statements do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section
240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for year ended 31 March 2003
have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' Report on these
accounts was unqualified.
2. The earnings per share
The earnings per share figures are based on the profit on ordinary activities
after taxation as stated in the unaudited profit and loss account and the
weighted average number of shares in issue during each period. The weighted
average number of shares in issue during the period was 6,225,000 for the six
months ended 30 Sepember 2003, 6,225,000 for the year ended 31 March 2003 and
6,225,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2002. The calculation of
diluted earnings per share was based on 6,424,000 for the six months ended 30
September 2003, 6,404,000 for the year ended 31 March 2003 and 6,384,000 for the
six months ended 30 September 2002.
3. Reconciliation of operating profits to net cash inflow/
(outflow) from operating activities
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 September 03 30 September 02 31 March 03
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating Profit 92 235 296
Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 17 - 30
Depreciation charges 89 84 146
(Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets (8) (1) 2
(Increase)/decrease in stocks (168) 84 259
(Increase)/decrease in debtors 39 (725) (130)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors 102 370 (309)
______ ______ ______
Net cash inflow from operating activities 163 47 294
______ ______ ______
4. Analysis and reconciliation of net cash
Audited Cash Unaudited
31.03.03 Flow 30.09.03
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand 16 (14) 2
Bank overdrafts (86) 23 (63)
Short term borrowings (159) (183) (342)
_______ _______ _______
(229) (174) (403)
_______ _______ _______
5. Further copies of this document are available both at the registered
office of the Company and from the offices of Charles Stanley & Company Limited,
25 Luke Street, London EC2A 4AR.
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