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Interim Results

Date : 09/08/2011 @ 07:00
Source : UK Regulatory (RNS & others)
Stock : The Share Centre (SHRE)
Quote : 23.0  0.0 (0.00%) @ 07:39

Interim Results

TIDMSHRE

RNS Number : 9731L

Share PLC

09 August 2011

Share plc - Press Release

Interim Results announcement for the six months to 30 June 2011

Share plc (AIM: SHRE.LN), parent company of The Share Centre (a leading independent retail stockbroker and operator of Sharemark, the trading platform for growing companies) and Sharefunds (the Group's investment management and fund administration subsidiary), announces its unaudited results for the six months to 30 June 2011.

Highlights

-- Revenue decreased 2% to GBP7.4m (2010: GBP7.5m).

-- Operating profit decreased by 40% to GBP0.9m (2010: GBP1.5m)

-- Excluding the impact of the Group's Interest Rate Floor Policy (IRFP) (*) revenues increased 19% to GBP7.4m (2010: GBP6.2m) and operating profit increased 703% to GBP0.9m (2010: GBP0.2m)

-- Benchmarked market share of peer group revenues increased to 6.12% in the first half of 2011 (2010: 5.08% excluding the IRFP)

-- Underlying (**) basic and diluted earnings per share 0.6p (2010: 0.8p)

-- Strong balance sheet with GBP11.4m in cash (2010: GBP15.0m)

(*) The Interest Rate Floor Policy (IRFP) was taken out by the Group to protect interest income. It ensured the Group received 3.5% interest on GBP90 million of deposits when base rates fell below that level. It expired on 1 November 2010.

(**) Excludes the impact of some items, in particular any large non-recurring items and share based payment charges as defined in note 6. Basic and diluted earnings per share were 0.5p (2010: 0.7p)

Sir Martin Jacomb, Chairman, commented on the results:

"I am pleased to be able to report that the Group continues to deliver strong underlying growth, albeit this is masked in the headline performance by the fact that our unique interest rate floor policy which protected our interest income in a low rate environment ended last November.

The first half of the year has been a period of economic uncertainty characterised by a range of global sovereign debt crises. This has resulted in volatile markets testing the patience of personal investors who continue to look to the markets for a return on capital in the face of prolonged low interest rates.

The Group continues to innovate and I am pleased to note we have launched new services in recent weeks and to announce today that we have signed an agreement to deposit funds with another building society, replicating the arrangement we announced last December. I am also delighted to welcome Francesca Ecsery to the Board as a new non-executive director.

Notwithstanding current market conditions, we look forward with confidence and trading continues at a satisfactory level."

Gavin Oldham - Chief Executive 01296 439 100 / 07767 337 696

Richard Stone - Finance Director 01296 439 270 / 07919 220 599

Guy Wiehahn 0207 418 8900

Peel Hunt LLP - Nominated advisor and broker

Inez de Konig - Lansons Communications 0207 294 3623

Risk Warning:

This document is not intended to constitute an offer or agreement to buy or sell investments and does not constitute a personal recommendation. The investments and services referred to in this document may not be suitable for every investor and if in doubt independent financial advice should be sought. No liability is accepted whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any information in this document subject to the rules of the Financial Services Authority or the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Share prices, values and income can go down as well as up and investors may get back less than their initial investment. The Share Centre is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority under reference 146768. Sharemark constitutes a Multilateral Trading Facility and is not a recognised investment exchange, clearing house or regulated market within the meaning of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.

Notes for Editors:

1. Share plc is the parent holding company of The Share Centre Ltd and Sharefunds Limited and its shares are traded on Sharemark (www.sharemark.com), the auction-based trading platform designed especially for growing companies, as well as on AIM and PLUS Markets.

2. The Share Centre was formed in 1990 and provides a range of account-based services to enable investors to share in the wealth of the stock market.

3. Retail services include ISAs, CTF accounts and SIPPs, all with the benefit of investment advice, and dealing in a wide range of investments.

4. Services available to corporate clients include Share plan administration, Fund administration and 'white-label' dealing platforms.

5. For more details contact 0800 800 008, or visit www.share.com.

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Chairman's statement

I am pleased to present the results of Share plc for the half year to 30 June 2011, a period which saw our principal trading company, The Share Centre, celebrate its 20(th) Anniversary.

In particular, I am pleased to report that the Group continues to show strong growth characteristics - albeit this is masked in the headline figures by the ending of the interest rate floor policy which we put in place to protect our interest income, and which ended on 1 November 2010. The steps we have taken to help mitigate some of the impact of the ending of that policy have included seeking innovative ways to improve our interest income whilst always giving priority to the protection and security of our clients' funds. To that end we announced in December agreement with a building society for a secured deposit. I am pleased to be able to announce today that we have now reached agreement with a second building society for a similar arrangement which will further improve our interest income.

I am also delighted to welcome to the Board Francesca Ecsery as a new Non-Executive Director. Francesca, who was previously the Global Business Development Director at Cheapflights, will bring valuable experience to the Board especially in the field of online marketing. This area is of great importance to our core retail stockbroking business - The Share Centre - since the internet (www.share.com) now provides the gateway through which the majority of our new customers come to us and transact the majority of their account activity.

Market conditions

At a summary level, the market (FTSE All Share) ended the half year pretty much where it started. However, this overlooks what has been a period of two distinct quarters. The first was characterised by volatile markets but an overall sense of renewed optimism as the 2010 year end reporting season progressed. Dealing volumes were high continuing the pattern seen in the previous two years. This was overtaken in the second quarter by a return of anxiety and in particular concern over stability in the Eurozone, with the risk of potential contagion beyond Ireland and Greece, and the strength of the UK recovery.

We reported on our trading in the first quarter back in April, noting strong year on year growth in dealing commission and fees. The second quarter started with a flurry of bank holidays and dealing volumes fell back quite sharply across the market. Activity levels have remained subdued as caution has got the upper hand in the face of renewed economic uncertainty, giving investors no particular impetus to increase trading activity ahead of the usually quieter summer period.

As we enter the second half, questions regarding the Eurozone economies have again come to the fore. In addition, in the UK, further retail sector company failures and profits warnings, along with inflation figures, give weight to the view that the economic recovery is at best anaemic. As a result we continue to see volatile markets, cautious investors and no particular triggers for volumes or market values to increase significantly beyond the Q2 levels.

Headline performance

Overall revenues for the first half of the year were GBP7.4 million (2010 GBP7.5 million), a fall of just under 2% on the same period in 2010. Excluding the interest rate floor policy (IRFP), which protected our interest income until its expiry in November 2010 and which we have discussed in previous reports, revenues showed growth of 19% to GBP7.4 million from GBP6.2 million in the prior year.

Operating profit was GBP0.9 million (2010: GBP1.5 million) and overall profit after tax was GBP0.8 million (2010: GBP1.2m). The impact of the IRFP on revenues - which had no associated costs - naturally has a direct impact on profitability as well and excluding that from operating profit and profit after tax in the prior year would result in both measures demonstrating significant growth in the current period.

Underlying earnings per share (i.e. excluding one-off items and share-based payments) were 0.6 pence per share as compared to 0.8 pence per share in 2010. Basic and diluted earnings per share were 0.5 pence per share (2010: 0.7 pence per share). Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Chairman's statement (continued)

Operating performance - revenues

As noted above, in the first half of 2011 headline revenues were marginally lower than in the same period last year. As a result of the impact of the IRFP this does not reflect the true picture of the Group's performance and if each revenue stream is looked at in turn a more representative view emerges.

In terms of dealing commission, as we stated in April, the first quarter saw strong volumes and growth in dealing commission revenue. Much of that growth was given up on the back of weaker second quarter activity levels and when compared to very strong second quarter comparables from 2010. The overall result for the first half was that dealing commission showed growth of just under 5% to GBP3.1 million (2010: GBP3.0 million).

Fees showed much stronger performance year on year as market values held the levels achieved in the recovery seen during the second half of 2010. Indeed, by way of illustration, the FTSE 100 closed the first half of 2010 below 5,000 and the first half of 2011 just below 6,000. In addition, the Group's fees were helped by the growth in account numbers, increase in customers taking our frequent trading option and growth in the Group's Sharefunds business: this did not start to have a material impact on the Group's revenues until the second half of 2010. Overall fee revenues showed growth of more than 23% to reach GBP3.3 million (2010: GBP2.7 million).

The growth in dealing commission and fee revenue streams - which reflect the increased level of overall customer engagement and activity combined with higher market values (and thus overall funds under administration) - was offset by the sharp decline in interest income resulting from the ending of the IRFP. Overall interest income was GBP0.9 million (2010: GBP1.9 million) a fall of 50% on the prior year. We have taken steps to mitigate some of the impact of the ending of the IRFP including our secured deposit with a building society and the use of some longer term deposits. These steps have resulted in an increase in underlying interest income of 79% from GBP0.5 million to GBP0.9 million, but clearly in the environment of continued low interest rates this has not been sufficient to replace the policy in full.

Operating performance - market share

The principal measure the Group uses to assess its performance in the market is the benchmark revenue share indicator based on data collected by Compeer from nine other companies in addition to Share plc (*). We have consistently reported this value on a quarterly basis for several years. In the second quarter of 2011 the benchmark revenue share increased slightly to 6.13% when compared to the first quarter (6.10%). Overall for the first half of 2011 the benchmark revenue share was 6.12%, the same as in the first half of 2010. The fact that the Group's market share has held up in the face of the ending of the IRFP indicates the strength of the Group's relative performance in terms of dealing commission, fees and underlying interest income. Indeed, excluding the IRFP from the prior year comparative the market share value was 5.08%.

By way of comparison:

- Share plc has delivered growth in dealing commission of 5% compared to the first half of 2010, for the peer group this revenue stream fell by 8% over the same period.

- Share plc has delivered growth in fees of 23% compared to the first half of 2010, for the peer group fee revenues grew by just 6% over the same period.

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Chairman's statement (continued)

Operating performance - other metrics

During the first half of 2011 The Share Centre - Share plc's principal trading subsidiary - welcomed over 8,000 new accounts. We transacted just over 290,000 trades on behalf of our customers (2010: 301,000) and received a total of just 1.1 complaints per 1,000 accounts (2010: 0.8).

Total customer funds under administration within The Share Centre were just over GBP1.6bn an increase of 6% since the end of 2010.

Operating performance - costs and operating profit

As detailed above, revenues excluding the IRFP increased by 19%. Costs have not shown a commensurate increase, rising by just over 6% to GBP6.4 million (2010: GBP6.1 million).

This increase in costs principally reflects increased salary costs as we have expanded some areas - in particular our Sharefunds and systems teams. Overall headcount at the end of June 2011 was 148 staff and directors as compared to 136 a year earlier.

The net impact of the increased costs when compared to the slight reduction in overall revenues has been a fall in operating profit to GBP0.9 million from GBP1.5 million in the first half of 2010. Dividend income and interest on our own cash balances is largely in line with the prior year so that the fall in operating profit flows directly through to profit before tax which was GBP1.1 million (2010: GBP1.6 million).

The overall operating margin was 12.6% (2010: 19.3%), below the level we believe is achievable as the business gains further scale and interest rates return to higher levels.

Outlook and trading update

The second half of the year has started with further concerns being expressed over Eurozone stability, the US budget deficit and hence global growth prospects with consequent volatility in stockmarkets. As already noted, the result of this is that volumes remain subdued and we believe they will continue to do so through the summer months and until issues regarding Greece and other sovereign debt concerns are resolved.

With the UK recovery also looking fragile, the path for interest rates remains uncertain but the persistence of rates at very low levels continues to help boost interest in the market. This is because investors increasingly turn, through the internet, to self-select brokers such as The Share Centre in order to derive an income from capital. This in some way helps to counteract the extent of any nervousness arising from the state of markets more generally.

The second half of the year has also already seen our Group launch two new initiatives.

The first is a new tariff from The Share Centre aimed particularly at high frequency trading personal investors. The all in tariff of GBP2,500 + VAT per annum, with no additional dealing or administration fees, or GBP3,500 + VAT per annum if the customer wishes to benefit from additional information services, is simple, clear and, we believe, unique within the market.

The second initiative is a new primary fund-raising service launched by Sharemark. This is designed to offer companies a low cost means of raising equity capital, particularly targeted at companies seeking to raise sums up to EUR5m. The government has made clear the need to support small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as it will be these organisations which will drive growth and employment in the UK economy. SMEs have always found capital raising complex and costly to the extent that it is often prohibitive, stifling expansion and growth opportunities. We believe our new service, which can have a linked loan component, may help unlock some of those difficulties as well as giving retail investors better access to investment opportunities in SME companies which historically have been the preserve of institutional investors.

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Chairman's statement (continued)

Finally, I am delighted to be able to announce today that the Group has reached agreement with a second building society to replicate the deposit arrangement we announced with a society in December 2010. This arrangement will involve the deposit of GBP15 million of customer monies secured by a charge over mortgage assets with a value of at least GBP22.5 million. The interest rate receivable on this deposit is a variable rate above and linked to the base rate. In addition to improving our return on cash deposits this also therefore serves to ensure our interest income increases in line with any increase in rates and does not suffer a lag which would be evident with more typical longer term deposit arrangements.

Notwithstanding current market conditions, our new initiatives and the agreement with a further building society all combine to the effect that we enter the second half of the year confidently. We will give a further update when we announce our third quarter benchmark revenue share data in October 2011.

Sir Martin Jacomb

Chairman

8 August 2011

(*) Benchmarked revenue peer group includes: Alliance Trust Savings, Barclays Stockbrokers, Equiniti, Halifax Sharedealing, HSBC Stockbrokers, NatWest Stockbrokers, SAGA Personal Finance, Selftrade and TD Waterhouse Investor Services Europe. Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Consolidated income statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2011

 
                                                                          Year 
                                      Half Year       Half Year    31 December 
                                   30 June 2011    30 June 2010           2010 
                          Notes     (unaudited)     (unaudited)      (audited) 
                                        GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                                  7,373           7,521         15,591 
 
 Administrative 
  expenses                              (6,442)         (6,066)       (12,548) 
 
 
 Operating profit                           931           1,455          3,043 
 
 Investment revenues                        122             135            217 
 
 Other gains and losses                       -             (6)            (6) 
 
 
 Profit before taxation                   1,053           1,584          3,254 
 
 Taxation                   5             (307)           (428)          (978) 
 
 
 Profit for the period                      746           1,156          2,276 
 
 
 Basic earnings per         6              0.5p            0.7p           1.5p 
  share* 
 
 
 Diluted earnings per       6              0.5p            0.7p           1.5p 
  share* 
 
 

All results are in respect of continuing operations.

* The Directors consider that the underlying earnings per share as presented in note 6 represent a more consistent measure of the underlying performance of the business as this measure excludes 'Other gains and losses' and one-off items of income or expense.

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the six months ended 30 June 2011

 
                                                                          Year 
                                      Half Year       Half Year    31 December 
                                   30 June 2011    30 June 2010           2010 
                                    (unaudited)     (unaudited)      (audited) 
                                        GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Profit for the year                        746           1,156          2,276 
 
 
 (Losses)/gains on revaluation 
  of available-for-sale 
  investments taken to equity               156           (343)            197 
 
 Tax on gains/(losses) on 
  revaluation of 
  available-for-sale 
  investments at 26%                       (16)              97           (26) 
 
 Exchange gains on 
  available-for-sale 
  investments taken directly to 
  equity                                     50           (134)           (32) 
 
 Tax on exchange (losses)/gains 
  on available-for-sale 
  investments taken directly to 
  equity at 26%                             (9)              37             12 
 
 Recycled from equity to income 
  in respect of the cash flow 
  hedge                                       -         (1,339)        (2,249) 
 
 Tax on income recycled from 
  equity to income in respect 
  of the cash flow hedge                      -             375            629 
 
 (Losses)/Gains on revaluation 
  of cash flow hedge taken 
  directly to equity                          -             243            222 
 
 Tax on gain on revaluation of 
  cash flow hedge taken 
  directly to equity                          -            (71)           (40) 
 
 Net (loss)/income recognised 
  directly in equity                        181         (1,135)        (1,287) 
 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                                927              21            989 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Attributable to equity 
  shareholders                              927              21            989 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2011

 
                                                                                          Attributable 
                                                                                             to equity 
                                  Capital     Share   Employee                                 holders 
                       Share   redemption   premium    benefit   Retained   Revaluation         of the 
                     capital      reserve   account    reserve   earnings       reserve        company 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2010           804           19     1,072      (487)     14,233         3,079         18,720 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                                                            1,059       (1,038)             21 
 
 Dividends                                                          (396)                        (396) 
 Purchase of 
  Employee Share 
  Ownership Plans 
  (ESOP) shares                                          (130)                                   (130) 
 Sales of ESOP 
  shares                                                    53                                      53 
 Cost of matching 
  and free shares 
  in SIP                                                    71       (71)                            - 
 Profit on sale of 
  ESOP shares and 
  dividends 
  received                                                (18)         18                            - 
 Share-based 
 payment credit 
 Deferred tax on 
  share-based 
  payment                                                            (11)                         (11) 
 Other Deferred 
 tax 
------------------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------- 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2010 
  (unaudited)            804           19     1,072      (511)     14,832         2,041         18,257 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                                                            1,197         (229)            968 
 (Buyback)/Issues 
  of share 
  capital               (85)           85        26               (3,837)                      (3,811) 
 Purchase of ESOP 
  shares                                                 (423)                                   (423) 
 Sales of ESOP 
  shares                                                   139                                     139 
 Cost of matching 
  and free shares 
  in SIP                                                    71       (71)                            - 
 Profit on sale of 
  ESOP shares and 
  dividends 
  received                                                  38       (21)                           17 
 Share-based 
  payment credit                                                      295                          295 
 Deferred tax on 
  share-based 
  payment                                                             (5)                          (5) 
 Other Deferred 
 tax 
------------------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------- 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2010 
  (audited)              719          104     1,098      (686)     12,390         1,812         15,437 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                                                              787           140            927 
 Dividends                                                          (422)                        (422) 
 Purchase of ESOP 
  shares                                                 (224)                                   (224) 
 Sales of ESOP 
  shares                                                    33                                      33 
 Cost of matching 
  and free shares 
  in SIP                                                    78       (78)                            - 
 Profit on sale of 
  ESOP shares and 
  dividends 
  received                                                  16       (16)                            - 
 Share-based 
  payment credit                                                      107                          107 
 Deferred tax on 
  share-based 
  payment                                                             (9)                          (9) 
 Other Deferred 
 tax 
------------------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------- 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2011 
  (unaudited)            719          104     1,098      (783)     12,759         1,952         15,849 
------------------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------- 
 

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Consolidated balance sheet

 
                                                                          Year 
                                      Half Year       Half Year    31 December 
                                   30 June 2011    30 June 2010           2010 
                          Notes     (unaudited)    (unaudited))      (audited) 
                                        GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
-----------------------  ------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Non-current assets 
 
 Intangible assets                          270              86            126 
 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                                 189             235            213 
 
 Available-for-sale 
  investments                             3,736           2,888          3,530 
 
 Deferred tax assets                        111             157            148 
 
                                          4,306           3,366          4,017 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                            16,254          15,026         16,832 
 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents               7            11,382          14,963         11,999 
 
 Derivative financial 
  instruments                                 -             932              - 
 
                                         27,636          30,921         28,831 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Total assets                            31,942          34,287         32,848 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 
 Trade and other 
  payables                             (15,001)        (14,696)       (16,110) 
 
 Current tax 
  liabilities                             (261)           (424)          (494) 
 
                                       (15,262)        (15,120)       (16,604) 
 
 Net current assets                      12,374          15,801         12,227 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Non-current 
 liabilities 
 
 Deferred tax 
  liabilities                             (831)           (910)          (807) 
 
 Total liabilities                     (16,093)        (16,030)       (17,411) 
 
 Net assets                              15,849          18,257         15,437 
-----------------------  ------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Equity 
 
 Share capital                              719             804            719 
 
 Capital redemption 
  reserve                                   104              19            104 
 
 Share premium account                    1,098           1,072          1,098 
 
 Employee benefit 
  reserve                                 (783)           (511)          (686) 
 
 Retained earnings                       12,759          14,832         12,390 
 
 Revaluation reserve                      1,952           2,041          1,812 
 
 
 Equity shareholders' 
  funds                                  15,849          18,257         15,437 
-----------------------  ------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

This condensed set of financial statements was approved by the Board on 8 August 2011

Signed on behalf of the Board

Sir Martin Jacomb

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Consolidated cash flow statement

 
                                                                          Year 
                                      Half Year       Half Year    31 December 
                                   30 June 2011    30 June 2010           2010 
                          Notes     (unaudited)     (unaudited)      (audited) 
                                        GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
-----------------------  ------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Net cash from 
  operating activities      8             (141)           1,247          2,088 
 
 
 Investing activities 
 
 Interest received                           50              64            118 
 
 Dividend received from 
  trading investments                        72              71             99 
 
 Purchase of property, 
  plant and equipment                      (18)            (33)       (56) 
 Purchase of intangible 
  investments                             (158)       (59)           (112) 
 Purchase of 
  available-for-sale 
  investments                                 -       (473)              (473) 
                                 --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Net cash received from 
  investing activities                    (195)             430          (424) 
 
 
 Financing activities 
 
 Equity dividends paid      9             (422)           (396)          (396) 
 Issue of new shares                                          -             26 
 Share buyback                                                -        (3,837) 
 
 Net cash used in 
  financing                               (422)           (396)        (4,207) 
 
 Net 
  (decrease)/increase 
  in cash and cash 
  equivalents                             (617)             421        (2,543) 
                                 --------------  -------------- 
 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents at the 
  beginning of the 
  period                                 11,999          14,542         14,542 
 
 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents at the 
  end of the period                      11,382          14,963         11,999 
 
 

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Notes to the accounts

1 Basis of preparation

The financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. However, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs. The Group's published full financial statements comply with IFRSs.

The directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these condensed financial statements.

2 Accounting policies

The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in this condensed set of financial statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited financial statements.

3 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the Group's accounting policies the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Allowance for bad debts

The Group makes a provision for the element of fees which it believes will not be recovered from customers. This is based on past experience and detailed analysis of the outstanding fees position particularly with regard to the value of customers' portfolios relative to the fees owed.

Fair value of investments

The Group currently holds investments in the London Stock Exchange plc, Euroclear plc, WAY Group Limited, Eirx Therapeutics plc and Investbx Limited. These are held as available-for-sale financial assets and are measured at fair value at the balance sheet date.

London Stock Exchange plc shares trade in an active market and the fair value is readily determined by market price. The Euroclear plc shares do not trade in an active market, although a bulletin board system periodically collates buy and sell interest amongst shareholders. A view is therefore formed as to fair value based on the most recently traded price and the net asset value of the business adjusted for liquidity considerations. WAY Group Limited shares are carried at cost as the shares are not traded and there is no other means of determining a reliable and timely fair value based on the limited publicly available information. Both the Eirx Therapeutic plc shares and Investbx Limited shares are carried at nil value given the financial position of the companies and there recent history.

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Notes to the accounts (continued)

3 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)

Share-based payments

The Company's shares have been traded on Sharemark since 2000 and on AIM since May 2008. This provides a market price to help determine the fair value of equity-settled share-based payments but, in addition to this, estimations are made as to price volatility, risk free interest rate and expected life. These estimations enable the Black-Scholes model to then be used to determine the fair value of these equity-settled share-based payments.

Impairment

The assets on the balance sheet are reviewed for any indications of impairment. This is done with reference to the recoverability and market value of the assets concerned but may involve an element of judgement or estimation in determining whether there are any indications of impairment and the extent of any impairment loss.

4 Business and geographical segments

The Group is required to disclose segment information in its annual financial statement as required by IFRS 8 and so we have provided equivalent half year disclosure below.

 
                     The Share Centre       Sharefunds             Total 
                        2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010 
-----------------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
                     GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 Revenue               6,954     7,328       419       193     7,373     7,521 
 Operating 
  profit/(loss)        1,066     1,425     (135)        30       931     1,455 
-----------------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

It should be noted that the accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies and that there were no major customers contributing more than 10% of revenues in the Group as a whole.

5 Taxation

Tax for the six month period is charged at 26.5% (six months ended 30 June 2010: 28%), representing the best estimate of the average annual effective tax rate expected for the full year. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. In 2011 this was 26% (2010: 27%).

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Notes to the accounts (continued)

6 Earnings per share

 
                                                     Half Year            Year 
                                     Half Year         30 June     31 December 
                                  30 June 2011            2010            2010 
                                   (unaudited)     (unaudited)       (audited) 
                                       GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
 Earnings 
 Earnings for the purpose of 
  basic and diluted earnings 
  per share, being net profit 
  attributable to equity 
  holders of the parent 
  company                                  746           1,156   2,276 
 Other gains and losses                      -               6               6 
 Non recurring expense - FSCS 
  interim Levy                              70               -             207 
 Share based payments                      107             160             295 
 Related profit share paid                (22)            (21)           (106) 
 Taxation impact of the above 
  adjustments                             (41)             (6)            (29) 
 
 Earnings for the purposes of 
  underlying basic and diluted 
  earnings per share                       860           1,295           2,649 
                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Number of shares                Number ('000)   Number ('000)   Number ('000) 
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares                      147,227         163,386         157,357 
 Non-vested shares held by 
  employee share ownership 
  trust                                (3,041)         (2,256)         (2,858) 
                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Basic earnings per share 
  denominator                          144,186         161,130         154,499 
 Effect of potential dilutive 
  share options                            108             838             845 
                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Diluted earnings per share 
  denominator                          144,294         161,969         155,344 
                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 
 Basic earnings per share 
  (pence)                                  0.5             0.7             1.5 
 
 Diluted earnings per share 
  (pence)                                  0.5             0.7             1.5 
                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Underlying basic earnings per 
  share (pence)                            0.6             0.8             1.7 
 
 Underlying diluted earnings 
  per share (pence)                        0.6             0.8             1.7 
                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Notes to the accounts (continued)

7 Cash at bank and in hand

 
                                                                          Year 
                                      Half Year       Half Year    31 December 
                                   30 June 2011    30 June 2010           2010 
                                    (unaudited)     (unaudited)      (audited) 
                                        GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 
 Cash                                    10,494          13,775         11,023 
 
 Cash held in trust for clients 
  (a)                                       888           1,188            976 
 
 
                                         11,382          14,963         11,999 
 
 
 

(a) This amount is held by The Share Centre Limited in trust on behalf of clients but may be used to complete settlement of outstanding bargains and dividends due.

(b) At 30 June 2011 segregated deposit amounts held by the Group on behalf of clients in accordance with the client money rules of the Financial Services Authority amounted to GBP115.7 million (30 June 2010: GBP111.1 million). The Group has no beneficial interest in these deposits and accordingly they are not included on the balance sheet.

8 Cash flow

Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities

 
                                                                          Year 
                                        Half Year      Half Year   31 December 
                                     30 June 2011   30 June 2010          2010 
                                      (unaudited)    (unaudited)     (audited) 
                                          GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
Operating profit                              931          1,455         3,043 
 
Other gains and losses                      (192)            (6)         (204) 
Depreciation of property, plant 
 and equipment                                 43             50            96 
Amortisation of intangible 
 assets                                        14              8            22 
Share-based payments                          107           (71)           153 
                                    -------------  -------------  ------------ 
Operating cash flows before 
 movement in working capital                  903          1,436         3,110 
 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables            579        (5,478)       (7,283) 
(Decrease)/increase in payables           (1,109)          5,579         6,993 
                                    -------------  ------------- 
Cash generated by operations                  373          1,537         2,820 
 
Income taxes paid                           (514)          (290)         (732) 
                                    -------------  -------------  ------------ 
Net cash from operating activities          (141)          1,247         2,088 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

Share plc

Interim report and accounts 2011

Notes to the accounts (continued)

9 Distribution to shareholders

 
                                                       30 June   31 December 
                                        30 June 2011      2010          2010 
                                             GBP'000   GBP'000       GBP'000 
-------------------------------------  -------------  --------  ------------ 
 
 2010 Final Dividend paid in current 
  year of 0.30p per ordinary share 
  - 2010 0.5p (2010 Interim Dividend 
  paid of 0.25p per ordinary share)              431       402           402 
 
 Less amount received on shares 
  held via ESOP                                  (9)       (6)           (6) 
 
 
                                                 422       396           396 
 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR LLFEETDITIIL

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