Interim Results - 6 Months to 30 November 1999

Quadrant Group PLC 14 February 2000 Quadrant Group plc Interim Results for the half year to 30 November 1999 Half Year Statement Quadrant Group's overall result for the half year to 30 November 1999 was a profit before tax of £793,000 (1998/9: £21,000). Before interest and exceptional items, the Group recorded a loss of £328,000 (1998/9: profit £191,000). This result was dominated by two factors: - a re-orientation of Quadrant's flight simulation business, Quadrant Systems, following the strategic alliance agreement with FlightSafety Boeing Training International ('FSB'); and - a substantial temporary drop in the UK town centre CCTV security market, caused by the timing of new national government funding. The Quadrant Systems/FSB agreement was announced to shareholders and explained in detail last September. In summary, Quadrant sold its three full flight simulators to FSB (resulting in an exceptional gain of £1.2 million), and entered into a contract to maintain all simulators at FSB's Burgess Hill training centre for a minimum of five years. In addition, Quadrant Systems became FSB's Preferred Supplier for simulator upgrades and relocations worldwide. This move positions Quadrant Systems to benefit from accelerating changes in the third party airline flight training market, where heavy investment commitments have recently been made by FSB, now the market leader, and others. As a result, Quadrant Systems has the opportunity to focus its activities on simulation equipment and software services, where it now has a solid position in what is expected to be a continuing growth market. This reorganisation, together with investment in additional premises and staff, led to an operating loss of £165,000 at Quadrant Systems in the half year, before taking account of the exceptional profit on sale of the simulators. Recent contract wins should enable Quadrant Systems to produce an improved operating result in the second half. The second major factor affecting the half year related to new government funding in the town centre CCTV security market, where two of Quadrant's subsidiaries have leading positions: Quadrant Video Systems in installation and maintenance of overall systems, and Synectic Systems as a supplier of proprietary electronic control equipment. In March 1999 the Home Office announced £170 million of funding over 3 years available to local government for new or upgraded town centre CCTV systems, without matching funding requirements. Whilst this is excellent news for the industry, the announcement had the effect of delaying many planned projects until they could be brought within the ambit of the new funding. The first tranche of £35 million funding has now been released against specific proposals, and projects are underway. The impact of this was that Quadrant's CCTV businesses in aggregate recorded a sales decline of 16% against the same period last year, and a shortfall of over £300,000 against budgeted profits. Based on current order books and bids in process, the second half is expected to produce record results for these businesses. Elsewhere, the Audio Visual Presentation and Sales business completed its branch rationalisation programme and has begun to achieve a positive contribution on a monthly basis, though not yet consistently. More progress is still required. Quick Imaging Centre, Quadrant's design and printing subsidiary, produced another excellent result, with sales ahead 16%, net margins up from 9% to 10%, and operating profit up 26%. The Group balance sheet was materially strengthened by the FSB transaction, leaving net borrowings at 30 November 1999 of £374,000, down from £3.9 million at the previous year end. The immediate outlook for Quadrant's main electronics systems businesses is encouraging, for the reasons noted above. Overall, Quadrant Group's financial position and prospects are stronger than at any time in the recent past. A much more satisfactory operating result is anticipated in the second half. For further information contact: David Coghlan (Chief 01527 850080 Executive) Nigel Poultney (Finance 01527 850080 Director) Consolidated Profit and Loss Account For the half year to 30 November 1999 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Half year Half year Year to to to 30 30 31 May November November 1999 1998 1999 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover - continuing 1 8,226 8,988 17,427 operations Cost of sales 5,301 5,885 11,434 Gross profit 2,925 3,103 5,993 Net operating expenses 3,253 2,912 5,816 Operating profit/(loss) - (328) 191 177 continuing operations Exceptional items - continuing 2 1,235 - 63 operations Profit before interest 907 191 240 Net interest payable (114) (170) (300) Profit/(loss) before taxation 793 21 (60) Tax charge on ordinary - - - activities Profit/(loss) on ordinary 793 21 (60) activities after taxation Minority interests - - - Profit/(loss) attributable to 793 21 (60) shareholders Dividends - - - Profit/(loss) for the period 793 21 (60) Basic earnings/(loss) per 3 12.6p 0.3p (1.0)p ordinary share Diluted earnings/(loss) per 3 12.6p 0.3p (1.0)p ordinary share Consolidated Balance Sheet 30 November 1999 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 November 30 November 31 May 1999 1998 1999 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 47 49 48 Tangible assets 2,176 4,820 5,209 2,223 4,869 5,257 Current assets Stocks 1,182 1,077 981 Debtors 4,090 3,859 3,965 Cash at bank and in hand 7 5 10 5,279 4,941 4,956 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (including convertible debt) 3,840 5,508 5,319 Net current assets/(liabilities) 1,439 (567) (363) Total assets less current liabilities 3,662 4,302 4,894 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (including convertible debt) 65 1,314 2,036 Provisions for liabilities and charges 148 251 202 Net assets 3,449 2,737 2,656 Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 1,254 1,254 1,254 Share premium account 6,798 6,798 6,798 Other reserves 4,387 4,387 4,387 Profit and loss account (8,990) (9,702) (9,783) Equity shareholders' funds 3,449 2,737 2,656 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the half year to 30 November 1999 Restated Unaudited Unaudited Audited Half year to Half year to Year to 30 November 30 November 31 May 1999 1998 1998 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities (271) (76) 356 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (150) (157) (283) Net capital expenditure and financial investment 3,869 (731) (1,430) Acquisitions and disposals 4 - 509 509 Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 3,448 (455) (848) Financing (2,250) (104) 229 Increase/(decrease) in cash 1,198 (559) (619) Notes 1. Continuing operations comprise the businesses of Quadrant Systems, Quadrant Video Systems, Synectic Systems and Quick Imaging Centre. 2. Exceptional items in the half year ended 30 November 1999 arose from the disposal of Quadrant's three full flight simulators and certain other assets in September 1999. Exceptional items in the year ended 31 May 1999 also arose from profits on disposal of fixed assets. 3. The calculation of basic earnings/loss per ordinary share is based on profits of £793,000 (half year to November 1998: profits of £21,000; year to May 1999: losses of £60,000) and on 6,269,956 shares (half year to November 1998: 6,239,901; year to May 1999: 6,254,888), being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. There were no dilutive potential ordinary shares in the half year ended 30 November 1999 or in the year ended 31 May 1999. 4. Cash inflows from acquisitions and disposals in the year ended 31 May 1999 arose from the receipt of deferred consideration for Quadrant Precision Manufacturing, Inc., which was sold in May 1998, and the cash consideration paid by Quadrant Group to acquire the entire issued 'A' Ordinary share capital of Quadrant Video Systems plc. The presentation of the cash flows for the half year ended 30 November 1998 has been amended so that these items are treated on a basis which is consistent with that used for the year ended 31 May 1999. 5. The half year figures have not been audited nor reviewed by the Group's auditors and do not constitute statutory accounts. The comparative figures for 31 May 1999 have been abridged from the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 May 1999. The Auditors' opinion on these accounts was unqualified and the statutory accounts have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 6. Copies of this Interim Report will be distributed to all shareholders and will also be available to members of the public at the Company's Registered Office, North Court House, Morton Bagot, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7EL.

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