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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC | AQSE:BMY.GB | Aquis Stock Exchange | Ordinary Share | GB0033147751 | Ordinary Shares 1.25p |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.00 | 0.00% | 570.00 | 550.00 | 590.00 | 570.00 | 564.84 | 570.00 | 163 | 15:40:00 |
Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
TIDMBMY
RNS Number : 0790B
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
31 May 2023
BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING PLC
("Bloomsbury" or "the Company")
Audited Preliminary Results for the year ended 28 February 2023
Record sales and profit ahead of recently upgraded expectations
Final dividend up 10%
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (LSE: BMY), the leading independent publisher, today announces audited results for the year ended 28 February 2023.
Commenting on the results, Nigel Newton, Chief Executive, said :
"We are delighted to have achieved these record results with sales up 15% to GBP264.1 million and profit up 16% to GBP31.1 million. Compared to two years ago, sales are up 43% and profits up 62%. Our growth outperformed the industry which was up 4%(1) . These results demonstrate the strength of our strategy to publish for both the consumer and the academic markets, unusual in our industry, and to grow digital revenues while expanding globally.
In challenging economic times, readers are turning to books as affordable as they cut back on more expensive forms of diversion.
Our long-term strategy to invest in digital content, which has delivered strong growth and cash, which enables future strategic investment in both our academic and consumer markets and potential acquisitions - the flywheel of Bloomsbury.
Bloomsbury Digital Resources ("BDR") continues to deliver high margin, quality, repeatable revenues, with sales growth of 41% driven by organic and acquired assets. This drove the Non-Consumer division's revenue growth of 19% and a 43% increase in profit before tax and highlighted items(2) to GBP13.1 million. Resilient demand for our books saw the Consumer division revenue grow by 12%, achieving a 2% increase in profit before tax and highlighted items(2) to GBP18.1 million.
We have signed a further four book contract with Sarah J. Maas on top of the three books already under contract, as announced in March. Also, in April, HBO Max announced a new Harry Potter television series, over a decade, with each season dedicated to one of the seven books. A Bollywood streaming version of William Dalrymple's The Anarchy is being planned and The Three-Body Problem, the bestselling trilogy by Cixin Liu, is in production at Netflix.
In recognition of our strong performance and in line with our progressive dividend policy, the Board proposes a 10% increase in our final dividend to 10.34 pence per share.
Trading for 2023/24 has started in line with the Board's expectations and the Board is confident in its ability to achieve continued long-term success. Bloomsbury plans to invest in further acquisitions and organic growth."
Note
The Board considers current consensus market expectation for the year ending 29 February 2024 to be revenue of GBP272.1 million and profit before taxation and highlighted items of GBP32.2 million.
Financial Highlights
2022/23 2021/22 2020/21 Growth Growth 2022/23 2022/23 vs 2021/22 vs 2020/21 Revenue GBP264.1m GBP230.1m GBP185.1m 15% 43% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Organic revenue(3) GBP231.6m GBP212.7m GBP185.1m 9% 25% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Profit before taxation and highlighted items(2) GBP31.1m GBP26.7m GBP19.2m 16% 62% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Profit before taxation GBP25.4m GBP22.2m GBP17.3m 15% 46% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Adjusted diluted earnings per share 30.56p 25.94p 18.68p 18% 64% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Diluted earnings per share 24.54p 20.33p 16.71p 21% 47% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Net cash GBP51.5m GBP41.2m GBP54.5m 25% (5)% --------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Final dividend per share 10.34p 9.40p 7.58p 10% 36% --------- --------- --------- ----------- -----------
Operational Highlights
Non-Consumer Division
-- Non-Consumer revenue growth of 19% to GBP97.4 million (2021/22: GBP81.9 million). Organic revenue growth was 3%
-- Non-Consumer profit before taxation and highlighted items(2) increased by 43% to GBP13.1 million (2021/22: GBP9.1 million)
-- Academic & Professional revenue growth of 28% to GBP75.7 million (2021/22: GBP59.3 million) and profit before taxation and highlighted items(2) up 37% to GBP12.4 million (2021/22: GBP9.1 million), with prior year acquisitions contributing GBP21.5 million revenue (2021/22: GBP8.4 million)
-- Bloomsbury Digital Resources ("BDR") revenue growth of 41% to GBP26.2 million (2021/22: GBP18.6 million) driven by strong demand for existing BDR products and growth from the acquisition of ABC-CLIO. Organic revenue growth was 18%
-- New BDR target is to achieve further 40% organic revenue growth over the five years to 2027/28, to reach turnover of approximately GBP37 million
Consumer Division
-- Consumer revenue growth of 12% to GBP166.7 million (2021/22: GBP148.2 million). Organic revenue growth was 12%, with the prior year acquisition contributing GBP11.0 million revenue (2021/22: GBP9.0 million) to Adult Trade
-- Consumer profit before taxation and highlighted items(2) up 2% to GBP18.1 million (2020/21: GBP17.8 million)
-- Adult Trade revenue up 5% to GBP57.8 million (2021/22: GBP55.2 million) and profit before taxation and highlighted items(2) of GBP1.0 million (2021/22: GBP2.0 million)
-- Children's Trade revenue growth of 17% to GBP108.9 million (2021/22: GBP93.0 million) and profit before taxation and highlighted items(2) up 9% to GBP17.2 million (2021/22: GBP15.8 million)
-- Sales growth of Sarah J. Maas' titles of 51%; Harry Potter sales were strong 26 years after it was first published
Notes
(1) Publishers Association: 2022 UK market up 4% year-on-year.
(2) Highlighted items comprise amortisation of acquired intangible assets and legal and other professional costs relating to ongoing and completed acquisitions and restructuring costs.
(3) Organic revenue for the year is defined as total revenue less revenue attributable to the acquisitions of Head of Zeus ("HoZ"), Red Globe Press ("RGP") and ABC-CLIO LLC ("ABC-CLIO"), completed during 2021/22.
For further information, please contact:
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Nigel Newton, Chief Executive nigel.newton@bloomsbury.com Penny Scott-Bayfield, Group Finance penny.scott-bayfield@bloomsbury.com Director Hudson Sandler +44 (0) 20 7796 4133 Dan de Belder / Amelia Craddock / bloomsbury@hudsonsandler.com Emily Brooker
Certain statements, statistics and projections in this announcement are or may be forward looking. By their nature, forward--looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or assumptions that may or may not occur and actual results or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any particular expectation will be met and reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are based on the knowledge and information available only at the date of this announcement's preparation.
The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or keep current the information contained in this announcement, including any forward--looking statements, or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent and any opinions expressed in it are subject to change without notice.
References in this announcement to other reports or materials, such as a website address, have been provided to direct the reader to other sources of information on Bloomsbury Publishing Plc which may be of interest. Neither the content of Bloomsbury's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks from Bloomsbury's website nor any additional materials contained or accessible thereon, are incorporated in, or form part of, this announcement.
Chief Executive's statement
Overview
Bloomsbury achieved its best ever performance in the year ended 28 February 2023, with revenue growth of 15% to GBP264.1 million (2021/22: GBP230.1 million) and a 16% increase in profit before taxation and highlighted items to GBP31.1 million (2021/22: GBP26.7 million). Profit before taxation increased by 15% to GBP25.4 million (2021/22: GBP22.2 million).
Growth in organic revenue was 9%, with the three strategic acquisitions completed during 2021/22, ABC-CLIO, RGP and HoZ, contributing revenue of GBP32.5 million (2021/22: GBP17.4 million).
The strength of demand for Bloomsbury titles and the excellent sales of our digital products, reflects our long-term growth strategy, the publishing judgement of our editors and the quality of our sales and marketing teams and infrastructure.
Our strategy of diversification, across channels and markets, continues successfully. Our international revenues have increased to 73% of total revenue - our highest ever. Our digital strategy ensures increasing publishing through digital channels, and we continue to expand our academic as well as consumer markets, most recently to the lucrative US schools market.
We continue to deliver success with the Bloomsbury Digital Resources ("BDR") growth strategy of building high margin, high quality, repeatable revenues from our market leading Academic and Professional IP. BDR achieved 41% year-on-year revenue growth, and an 18% increase in organic revenue. This highly scalable business has grown its sales from GBP4.7 million in 2017/18 to GBP26.2 million this year, through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Our academic customer renewal rate remained above 90%.
Our strategy enables us to continue to deliver growth from the ongoing shift to digital learning, accelerating the breadth and depth of our excellent digital products and the quality of our platforms and infrastructure. In addition, we accelerated our growth by leveraging last year's ac quisitions of ABC-CLIO and RGP, through global sales as well as cross-selling existing digital products to ABC-CLIO's US schools market. Given the momentum behind the BDR strategy, Bloomsbury is setting a new growth target of further 40% organic revenue growth over the five years to 2027/28, to reach approximately GBP37 million turnover. Further acquisitions would augment this growth. This new, ambitious, target reflects the opportunities, synergies and integration of our acquisitions, particularly ABC-CLIO.
Bloomsbury won the 2022 Master Investor Company of the Year award.
The highlighted items of GBP5.7 million (2021/22: GBP4.6 million) consist of the amortisation of acquired intangible assets of GBP5.2 million (2021/22: GBP2.8 million), one-off legal and other professional fees relating to acquisitions and restructuring costs of GBP0.5 million (2021/22: GBP1.8 million). The effective rate of tax for the year was 20% (2021/22: 24%). The adjusted effective rate of tax, excluding highlighted items, was 19% (2021/22: 19%). Diluted earnings per share, excluding highlighted items, grew 18% to 30.56 pence (2021/22: 25.94 pence). Including highlighted items, profit before tax was GBP25.4 million (2021/22: GBP22.2 million) and diluted earnings per share grew 21% to 24.54 pence (2021/22: 20.33 pence).
We have increased our international revenues, in particular from the US, during the year. In 2022/23, changes in exchange rates, mainly the relative strength of the US dollar, increased revenues by GBP12.2 million and profit before taxation and highlighted items by GBP2.2 million.
Strategy
Bloomsbury's long-term growth strategy is aimed at continuing our success in investing in high-value intellectual property and building digital channels, increasing quality revenues and earnings. To achieve this, we are focused the following long-term strategic objectives:
-- Non-Consumer
o Goal: Grow Bloomsbury's portfolio in Non-Consumer publishing. Non-Consumer publishing is characterised by higher, more predictable margins, is less reliant on retailers and presents greater digital and global opportunities.
Achieved 2022/23: delivered 19% growth in Non-Consumer revenue.
o Goal: New BDR target is to achieve further 40% organic revenue growth over the five years to 2027/28, to reach approximately GBP37 million turnover.
Achieved 2022/23: Achieved 41% revenue growth, of which 18% was organic.
-- Consumer
o Goal: Discover, nurture, champion and retain high-quality authors and illustrators, while looking at new ways to leverage existing title rights.
Achieved 2022/23: Delivered 12% growth in Consumer revenue. Bestsellers included A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, Bake by Paul Hollywood, Tom Kerridge's Real Life Recipes and Trespasses by Louise Kennedy.
o Goal: Grow our key authors through effective publishing across all formats alongside strategic sales and marketing.
Achieved 2022/23: 51% growth in sales of Sarah J. Maas title sales and seven new titles contracted.
o Goal: As the originating publisher of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, ensure that new children discover and read it for pleasure every year.
Achieved 2022/23: Harry Potter title sales remain strong, 26 years after first publication. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was the 3(rd) bestselling children's book of the year on UK Nielsen Bookscan.
-- International Expansion
o Goal: Expand international revenues. Continue our international growth and take advantage of the biggest academic market in the US.
Achieved 2022/23: Increased overseas revenues to 73% of Group revenue. US revenues increased to 48% of Group revenue.
-- Employee Experience and Engagement; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our success is driven by the expertise, passion and commitment of our employees, highlighting the importance of attracting, supporting and engaging our colleagues. We value diversity of thought, perspectives and experience in shaping our culture and strategy, driving our long-term success and informing the ways in which we fulfil our social purpose.
o Goal: Be an attractive employer for individuals seeking a career in publishing, regardless of background or identity, adding cultural value to our business operations and performance.
o Goal: Focus on initiatives to create an environment that promotes diversity, nurtures talent, stimulates creativity and collaboration, supports well-being and is inclusive and respectful of difference.
o Goal: Implement Bloomsbury's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan ("DEIAP").
Achieved 2022/23:
o All employees received a one-off GBP1,250 payment in February 2023, in addition to a permanent salary increase of GBP1,000 per annum from 1 October 2022, to help with the cost of living.
o Shortlisted for the IPG Diversity and Inclusivity Award and the LBF Inclusivity in Publishing Award for the second year running.
o Shortlisted for the Small Cap Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement award.
o Our DEIAP set targets for Black and minority ethnic groups to represent 20% of new UK recruits and 35% of new US recruits by 2024. In 2022/23, Black and minority ethnic groups represented 31% of UK applications and 20% of UK offers made. 15% of UK employees are from ethnic minority groups (2021/22: 13%). In the US, Black and minority ethnic groups represented 40% of applications and 59% of offers made. 26% of our US employees are from ethnic minority groups (2021/22: 20%).
o Official partner of The Runnymede Trust's Lit in Colour initiative, supporting student access to books by writers of colour and from minority ethnic backgrounds, drawing on our world-leading drama list from Methuen Drama.
o Ran a series of 'In Conversation' author interviews for over 700 schools, with live interviews with our authors Tanika Gupta, Benjamin Zephaniah and Khaled Hosseini.
o Founding signatory of the Publishers Association's Inclusivity Action Plan, to promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the industry's workforce.
-- Sustainability
o Goal: Maximise our use of sustainable resources while seeking to reduce carbon emissions in line with our science-based targets. We recognise our responsibility to conserve the Earth's resources and we are committed to monitoring and improving the environmental impact of our operations.
Achieved 2022/23:
o Awarded the IPG Sustainability Award and winner of the inaugural London Book Fair Sustainability Initiative Award .
o Reduction of 80% in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from base year of 2019/20.
o Removed plastic shrink wrap from all Harry Potter paperback boxsets, piloted removing dust jackets and plastic finishes and introduced changes to backlist printing to reduce carbon emissions.
o Completed the CDP Climate Change questionnaire, receiving the second highest score of B, demonstrating our coordinated response to climate change.
o Completed our quantitative analysis of select climate-related risks and progressed our Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") reporting.
Non-Consumer Division
The Non-Consumer division consists of Academic & Professional, including BDR, and Special Interest. Revenues in the division grew by 19% to GBP97.4 million (2021/22: GBP81.9 million). Profit before taxation and highlighted items for the Non-Consumer division increased by 43% to GBP13.1 million (2021/22: GBP9.1 million). Profit before taxation increased by 25% to GBP8.2 million (2021/22: GBP6.6 million). Organic revenue growth was 3% with ABC-CLIO and RGP, acquired in December 2021 and June 2021 respectively, contributing GBP21.5 million revenue (2021/22: GBP8.4 million).
Academic & Professional
Academic & Professional revenues increased by 28% to GBP75.7 million (2021/22: GBP59.3 million) and profit before taxation and highlighted items increased by 37% to GBP12.4 million (2021/22: GBP9.1 million). Profit before taxation increased by 15% to GBP7.8 million (2021/22: GBP6.7 million). This was driven by the strength of our BDR strategy, with a 41% increase in revenue from both excellent organic growth in our existing digital products and leveraging recent acquisitions. BDR organic growth was 18%.
Our BDR growth strategy is to build high margin, high quality, repeatable digital revenue from our market leading Academic and Professional IP. The acquisition of ABC-CLIO increased the depth and breadth of our portfolio of digital products. Through this, we accelerated growth through global sales as well as cross-selling existing digital products to both schools and academic institutions. We increased the number of academic institution customers by 20% and maintained our existing customer retention rate at over 90%. We continue to see significant opportunities for further growth in both the global academic institution and US school markets.
The Academic & Professional profit margin increased to 16% (2021/22: 15%), predominantly driven by BDR growth and improved sales mix. Our BDR success delivers high margin incremental revenue, with gross margin of over 70%, created from our IP which is also sold through print and ebooks.
Special Interest
Special Interest revenue was GBP21.7 million (2021/22: GBP22.6 million), and profit before taxation and highlighted items increased to GBP0.6 million (2021/22: break even). Bestsellers during the year included Wisden Cricketers Almanack, Reeds Nautical Almanac, Putin's Wars by Mark Galeotti and Osprey Games' Undaunted: Stalingrad and Stargrave.
Consumer Division
The Consumer division consists of Adult and Children's trade publishing. The Consumer division generated revenue growth of 12% to GBP166.7 million (2021/22: GBP148.2 million). Organic revenue growth was 12%. Profit before taxation and highlighted items increased by 2% to GBP18.1 million (2021/22: GBP17.8 million). Profit before taxation increased by 2% to GBP17.8 million (2021/22: GBP17.5 million). The strong performance was driven by the Children's divisions, across front and backlist titles, and includes GBP11.0 million revenue (2021/22: GBP9.0 million) from HoZ, completed in June 2021.
Bloomsbury's Consumer growth outperformed the rest of the UK market, in both print and digital formats; the Publishers Association reported Consumer growth of 2% for 2022.
Adult Trade
The Adult division achieved a 5% increase in revenue to GBP57.8 million (2021/22: GBP55.2 million) and profit before taxation and highlighted items of GBP1.0 million (2021/22: GBP2.0 million). Profit before taxation was GBP0.6 million (2021/22: GBP1.7 million). Revenue growth was driven by the strength of the backlist and includes GBP11.0 million (2021/22: GBP9.0 million) revenue from HoZ, completed in June 2021.
Sunday Times bestsellers in the year included Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, Bake by Paul Hollywood, Tom Kerridge's Outdoor Cooking and Real Life Recipes, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, Illuminations by Alan Moore and A Visible Man by Edward Enninful. New York Times bestsellers in the year included Bake by Paul Hollywood and Dirtbag, Massachusetts by Isaac Fitzgerald.
Recognition for our authors continued with Louise Kennedy's Trespasses shortlisted for the Women's Prize 2023 and winning the British Book Awards 2023 Book of the Year - Debut Fiction, both Olivia Sadjic and Saba Sams being named as Granta's best young novelists, Tom Benn winning The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year for Oxblood, and Isaac Blood winning the National Book Critics Circle 2022 Award for Nonfiction for The Method.
Children's Trade
Children's revenue increased by 17% to GBP108.9 million (2021/22: GBP93.0 million). Profit before taxation and highlighted items increased by 9% to GBP17.2 million (2021/22: GBP15.8 million). Profit before taxation was GBP17.2 million (2021/22: GBP15.8 million). High demand for our strong titles continued the momentum from last year, with excellent sales of Sarah J. Maas' titles.
Sales of the Harry Potter titles were strong. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was the 3(rd) bestselling children's book of the year on UK Nielsen Bookscan, 26 years after it first began, showing the enduring appeal of this classic series.
Sarah J. Maas' sales grew by 51%, reflecting her latest bestselling frontlist title, Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath, published in February 2022, and strong backlist sales. House of Sky and Breath, House of Earth and Blood, A Court of Silver Flames and the Throne of Glass series were all New York Times bestsellers during the year. All 15 of Sarah J. Maas' titles have been published by Bloomsbury since her first novel, Throne of Glass, in 2012.
Revenues for the rest of the Children's division were also good. Other highlights in the Children's list included October, October, which won the Yoto Carnegie medal, Sunday Times bestsellers We're Going on a Sleigh Ride, We're Going on an Egg Hunt and Five Little Easter Bunnies, New York Times bestsellers This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron, Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson and Forging Silver into Stars and Defy the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer.
Three Bloomsbury children's books were included in the BBC's global poll of the best 100 books of all time: two of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
Cash and Financing
Bloomsbury's cash generation was strong with cash at the year end of GBP51.5 million (2022: GBP41.2 million) and cash conversion of 107% (2021/22: 194%).
The Group has an unsecured revolving credit facility with Lloyds Bank Plc. The facility comprises a committed revolving loan facility of GBP10.0 million and an uncommitted incremental term loan facility of up to GBP6.0 million. At 28 February 2023, the Group had no draw down (2022: GBPnil) of this facility.
Acquisitions
Bloomsbury has a successful track record in strategic acquisitions, with 19 completed since 2008. We are actively targeting and assessing further acquisition opportunities in line with our long-term growth strategy, particularly in Academic and Professional.
Dividend
The Group has a progressive dividend policy aiming to keep dividend earnings cover in excess of two times, supported by strong cash cover. The Board is recommending a final dividend of 10.34 pence per share, totalling GBP8.4 million. Together with the interim dividend, this makes a total dividend for the year ended 28 February 2023 of 11.75 pence per share, a 9% increase on the 10.74 pence value of the dividend for the year ended 28 February 2022.
Subject to Shareholder approval at our AGM on 18 July 2023, the final dividend will be paid on 25 August 2023 to Shareholders on the register on the record date of 28 July 2023.
Including the proposed 2022/23 final dividend, over the past ten years, the dividend has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 8%.
Future Publishing
In Non-Consumer, we are focused on our BDR growth by continuing the global sales and marketing of ABC-CLIO's 34 databases. We have successfully expanded the customer base for these in the global academic market, as well as extending our reach in the US school market, and we will increase our cross selling of existing school and university level digital resources. We will expand Bloomsbury Collections to include ABC-CLIO titles, as well as investing in new ABC-CLIO high school products and expanding BDR products with ABC-CLIO content.
Our strong Consumer publishing list for 2023/24 includes the next new Sarah J. Maas novel, House of Flame and Shadow, the third in the Crescent City series, which will be published in January 2024. The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac, the official magical companion to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, will be published in October 2023. We are also publishing The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan, Pub Kitchen by Tom Kerridge, Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, and the next titles in our bestselling children's series, We're Going on a Ghost Hunt and We're Going to a Birthday Party, by Martha Mumford and Cherie Zamazing.
As previously announced, we have signed a further four book contract with Sarah J. Maas, on top of the three books already under contract.
Moreover, on 12 April 2023, HBO Max's streaming service announced an original Harry Potter scripted television series with Warner Bros. Discovery and J.K. Rowling as Executive Producer. The series will be a faithful and authentic adaptation of the books and will be available globally. The stories from J.K. Rowling's books will become a decade-long series with each season dedicated to one of the seven books, full of the much-loved characters that fans have adored for over 25 years. A new cast will lead a new generation of fandom, and the series will stand alongside the original classic and beloved films. As with other high-profile Harry Potter productions, we believe that the series will stimulate further interest in Harry Potter titles.
Outlook
Our digital strategy continues apace and despite the economic uncertainty, readers continue to turn to books. Bloomsbury is on solid foundations, with significant financial resources available to augment organic growth and invest in future acquisitions. We have continued to expand globally, with almost 75% of our revenues now generated internationally. Diversification in channels and markets continues to serve us well. It is all these factors combined - our customers, our consistent performance, and the scale and resilience of our business - that underpin the confidence we have in the future.
Trading for 2023/24 has started in line with the Board's expectations.
Audited Consolidated Income Statement
FOR THE YEARED 28 FEBRUARY 2023
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Revenue 2 264,102 230,110 Cost of sales (119,191) (107,948) ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Gross profit 144,911 122,162 Marketing and distribution costs (32,529) (29,808) Administrative expenses (86,551) (69,675) Share of result of joint venture (228) (117) ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Operating profit before highlighted items 31,286 27,112 Highlighted items 3 (5,683) (4,550) ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Operating profit 25,603 22,562 Finance income 270 105 Finance costs (458) (486)
---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Profit before taxation and highlighted items 31,098 26,731 Highlighted items 3 (5,683) (4,550) ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Profit before taxation 25,415 22,181 Taxation 4 (5,171) (5,291) ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company 20,244 16,890 ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Company Basic earnings per share 6 24.94p 20.72p Diluted earnings per share 6 24.54p 20.33p ---------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------
Audited Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
FOR THE YEARED 28 FEBRUARY 2023
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 ----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Profit for the year 20,244 16,890 Other comprehensive income Items that may be reclassified to the income statement: Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 7,464 1,497 Items that may not be reclassified to the income statement: Remeasurements on the defined benefit pension scheme - (10) ----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Other comprehensive income for the year net of tax 7,464 1,487 Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the owners of the Company 27,708 18,377 ----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Items in the statement above are disclosed net of tax.
Audited Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2023
28 February 28 February 2023 2022 Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Assets Goodwill 48,656 47,910 Other intangible assets 38,243 40,323 Investments - 45 Property, plant and equipment 2,503 2,319 Right-of-use assets 9,126 10,628 Deferred tax assets 7,928 7,168 Trade and other receivables 7 934 923 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Total non-current assets 107,390 109,316 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Inventories 43,364 33,816 Trade and other receivables 7 112,819 104,879 Cash and cash equivalents 51,540 41,226 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Total current assets 207,723 179,921 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Total assets 315,113 289,237 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Liabilities Deferred tax liabilities 3,115 3,696 Lease liabilities 8,570 9,961 Provisions 334 297 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Total non-current liabilities 12,019 13,954 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Trade and other liabilities 111,620 103,028 Lease liabilities 2,082 2,265 Current tax liabilities 790 433 Provisions 764 588 Total current liabilities 115,256 106,314 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 127,275 120,268 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Net assets 187,838 168,969 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Equity Share capital 1,020 1,020 Share premium 47,319 47,319 Translation reserve 15,591 8,127 Other reserves 10,870 8,765 Retained earnings 113,038 103,738 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ Total equity attributable to owners of the Company 187,838 168,969 ------------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------
Audited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2023
Capital Share-based Own shares Share Share Translation Merger redemption payment held by Retained Total capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve EBT earnings equity GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- At 28 February 2021 1,020 47,319 6,630 1,803 22 7,945 (147) 103,657 168,249 --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- Profit for the year - - - - - - - 16,890 16,890 Other comprehensive income Exchange differences on translating foreign operations - - 1,497 - - - - - 1,497 Remeasurements on the defined benefit pension scheme - - - - - - - (10) (10) --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- Total comprehensive income for the year - - 1,497 - - - - 16,880 18,377 Transactions with owners Dividends to equity holders of the Company Purchase of shares by the - - - - - - - (15,157) (15,157) Employee Benefit Trust - - - - - - (4,489) - (4,489) Share options exercised - - - - - - 2,084 (2,050) 34 Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions - - - - - - - 408 408 Share-based payment transactions - - - - - 1,547 - - 1,547 Total transactions with owners of the Company - - - - - 1,547 (2,405) (16,799) (17,657) --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- At 28 February 2022 1,020 47,319 8,127 1,803 22 9,492 (2,552) 103,738 168,969 --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- Profit for the year - - - - - - - 20,244 20,244 Other comprehensive income Exchange differences on translating foreign operations - - 7,464 - - - - - 7,464 Remeasurements - - - - - - - - - on the defined benefit pension scheme --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- Total comprehensive income for the year - - 7,464 - - - - 20,244 27,708 Transactions with owners Dividends to equity holders of the Company Purchase of shares by the - - - - - - - (8,752) (8,752) Employee
Benefit Trust - - - - - - (1,669) - (1,669) Share options exercised - - - - - - 2,539 (2,273) 266 Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions - - - - - - - 81 81 Share-based payment transactions - - - - - 1,235 - - 1,235 --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- Total transactions with owners of the Company - - - - - 1,235 870 (10,944) (8,839) --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- At 28 February 2023 1,020 47,319 15,591 1,803 22 10,727 (1,682) 113,038 187,838 --------------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- --------
Audited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
FOR THE YEARED 28 FEBRUARY 2023
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Cash flows from operating activities Profit for the year 20,244 16,890 Adjustments for: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 659 512 Depreciation of right-of-use assets 2,114 1,889 Amortisation of intangible assets 9,687 7,505 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 13 - Loss on disposal on intangible assets 107 65 Finance income (270) (105) Finance costs 458 486 Share of loss of joint venture 228 117 Share-based payment charges 1,601 2,054 Tax expense 5,171 5,291 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ 40,012 34,704 (Increase) in inventories (7,557) (2,745) (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (3,226) 1,205 Increase in trade and other liabilities 4,033 14,572 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Cash generated from operating activities 33,262 47,736 Income taxes paid (6,640) (7,927) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Net cash generated from operating activities 26,622 39,809 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (818) (644) Purchase of intangible assets (5,165) (3,693) Purchase of business, net of cash acquired (72) (22,913) Purchase of rights to assets (633) (3,650) Purchase of share in a joint venture (183) - Interest received ------------------------------------------------------ 253 92 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Net cash used in investing activities (6,618) (30,808) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Cash flows from financing activities Equity dividends paid (8,752) (15,157) Purchase of shares by the Employee Benefit Trust (1,669) (4,489) Proceeds from exercise of share options 266 34 Repayment of borrowing - (1,097) Repayment of lease liabilities (2,226) (1,862) Lease liabilities interest paid (390) (419) Other interest paid - (55) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Net cash used in financing activities (12,771) (23,045) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 7,233 (14,044) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 41,226 54,466 Exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents 3,081 804 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 51,540 41,226 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
NOTES
1. Accounting policies
a) Basis of Preparation
The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 28 February 2023 or 28 February 2022 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2022 have been delivered to the registrar of companies, and those for 2023 will be delivered in due course. The auditor has reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The Group financial statements were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards ("UK-adopted IFRS") and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Except as described below, the accounting policies applied in the year ended 28 February 2023 are consistent with those applied in the financial statements for year ended 28 February 2022 with the exception of a number of new accounting standards and amendments which have not had a material impact on the Group's results.
b) Going concern
The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence at least 12 months from the date of this preliminary announcement, being the period of the detailed going concern assessment reviewed by the Board, and therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Board has modelled a severe but plausible downside scenario. This assumes:
-- Print revenues are reduced by 20% during 2023/2024, with recovery during 2024/2025; -- Digital revenues are reduced by 20% during 2023/2024, with recovery during 2024/2025;
-- Print costs are increased by 3% from 2023/2024 and staff costs are increased by 3% from 2023/2024;
-- Downside assumptions about extended debtor days during 2023/2024, with recovery during 2024/2025;
-- Cash preservation measures implemented and variable costs reduced.
At 28 February 2023, the Group had available liquidity of GBP61.5m, comprising central cash balances and its undrawn GBP10.0m Revolving Credit Facility (RCF). The RCF agreement is to October 2024. Under the severe but plausible downside scenario, the Group would maintain sufficient liquidity headroom even before modelling the mitigating effect of actions that management would take in the event that these downside risks were to crystallise.
The Group has an unsecured revolving credit facility with Lloyds Bank Plc. At 28 February 2023, the Group had GBPnil draw down (2022: GBPnil) of this facility with GBP10.0 million of undrawn borrowing facilities (2022: GBP10.0 million) available.
The facility comprises a committed revolving credit facility of GBP10 million, and an uncommitted incremental term loan facility of up to GBP6 million. The facilities are subject to two covenants, being a maximum net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.5x and a minimum interest cover covenant of 4x.
2. Revenue and segmental analysis
The Group is comprised of two worldwide publishing divisions: Consumer and Non-Consumer, reflecting the core customers for our different operations. The Consumer division is split into two operating segments: Children's Trade and Adult Trade, and Non-Consumer is split into two operating segments: Academic & Professional and Special Interest.
Each reportable segment represents a cash-generating unit for the purpose of impairment testing. We have allocated goodwill between reportable segments. These divisions are the basis on which the Group primarily reports its segment information. Segments derive their revenue from book publishing, sale of publishing and distribution rights, management and other publishing services.
The analysis by segment is shown below:
Children's Adult Consumer Academic Special Non-Consumer Unallocated Total Trade Trade & Interest Professional Year ended 28 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 February 2023 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------ ---------- External revenue 108,897 57,796 166,693 75,749 21,660 97,409 - 264,102 Cost of sales (56,205) (30,473) (86,678) (22,578) (9,935) (32,513) - (119,191) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Gross profit 52,692 27,323 80,015 53,171 11,725 64,896 - 144,911 Marketing and distribution costs (14,882) (9,455) (24,337) (5,364) (2,828) (8,192) - (32,529) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Contribution before administrative expenses 37,810 17,868 55,678 47,807 8,897 56,704 - 112,382 Administrative expenses excluding highlighted items (20,497) (16,835) (37,332) (35,296) (8,240) (43,536) - (80,868) Share of result of joint venture - - - - - - (228) (228) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Operating profit/(loss) before highlighted items/segment results 17,313 1,033 18,346 12,511 657 13,168 (228) 31,286 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets - (352) (352) (4,660) (214) (4,874) - (5,226) Other highlighted items - - - - - - (457) (457) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Operating profit/(loss) 17,313 681 17,994 7,851 443 8,294 (685) 25,603 Finance income - - - 50 - 50 220 270 Finance costs (144) (81) (225) (125) (40) (165) (68) (458) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Profit/(loss) before taxation and highlighted items 17,169 952 18,121 12,436 617 13,053 (76) 31,098 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets - (352) (352) (4,660) (214) (4,874) - (5,226) Other highlighted items - - - - - - (457) (457) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Profit/(loss) before taxation 17,169 600 17,769 7,776 403 8,179 (533) 25,415 Taxation - - - - - - (5,171) (5,171) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Profit/(loss) for the year 17,169 600 17,769 7,776 403 8,179 (5,704) 20,244 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------ ---------- Operating profit/(loss) before highlighted items/segment results 17,313 1,033 18,346 12,511 657 13,168 (228) 31,286 Depreciation 930 659 1,589 950 234 1,184 - 2,773 Amortisation of internally generated intangibles 487 629 1,116 3,023 322 3,345 - 4,461 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- EBITDA before highlighted items 18,730 2,321 21,051 16,484 1,213 17,697 (228) 38,520 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Children's Adult Consumer Academic Special Non-Consumer Unallocated Total Trade Trade & Interest Professional Year ended 28 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 February 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------ ---------- External revenue 93,039 55,157 148,196 59,328 22,586 81,914 - 230,110 Cost of sales (46,759) (29,106) (75,865) (20,945) (11,138) (32,083) - (107,948) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Gross profit 46,280 26,051 72,331 38,383 11,448 49,831 - 122,162 Marketing and distribution costs (12,812) (8,271) (21,083) (5,335) (3,390) (8,725) - (29,808) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Contribution before administrative expenses 33,468 17,780 51,248 33,048 8,058 41,106 - 92,354 Administrative expenses excluding highlighted items (17,506) (15,732) (33,238) (23,907) (7,980) (31,887) - (65,125) Share of result of joint venture - - - - - - (117) (117) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Operating profit/(loss) before highlighted items/ segment results 15,962 2,048 18,010 9,141 78 9,219 (117) 27,112 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets - (272) (272) (2,349) (214) (2,563) - (2,835) Other highlighted items - - - - - - (1,715) (1,715) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Operating profit/(loss) 15,962 1,776 17,738 6,792 (136) 6,656 (1,832) 22,562 Finance income - - - 62 - 62 43 105 Finance costs (162) (94) (256) (115) (48) (163) (67) (486) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Profit/(loss) before taxation and highlighted items 15,800 1,954 17,754 9,088 30 9,118 (141) 26,731 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets - (272) (272) (2,349) (214) (2,563) - (2,835) Other highlighted items - - - - - - (1,715) (1,715) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Profit/(loss) before taxation 15,800 1,682 17,482 6,739 (184) 6,555 (1,856) 22,181 Taxation - - - - - - (5,291) (5,291) ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Profit/(loss) for the year 15,800 1,682 17,482 6,739 (184) 6,555 (7,147) 16,890 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------ ---------- Operating profit/(loss) before highlighted items/ segment results 15,962 2,048 18,010 9,141 78 9,219 (117) 27,112 Depreciation 914 632 1,546 604 251 855 - 2,401 Amortisation of internally generated intangibles 455 508 963 3,405 302 3,707 - 4,670
---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- EBITDA before highlighted items 17,331 3,188 20,519 13,150 631 13,781 (117) 34,183 ---------------- ----------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- ------------ ----------
External revenue by source
United Kingdom North America Australia India Total GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 ----------------------- -------- ------------- --------- -------- -------- Year ended 28 February 2023 144,632 98,294 16,145 5,031 264,102 ----------------------- -------- ------------- --------- -------- -------- Year ended 28 February 2022 143,192 69,651 13,133 4,134 230,110 ----------------------- -------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
During the year sales to one customer exceeded 10% of Group revenue (2022: one customer). The value of these sales was GBP68,856,000 (2022: GBP67,811,000).
External revenue by product type
Children's Adult Academic Special Year ended 28 February Trade Trade Consumer & Professional Interest Non-Consumer Total 2023 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 ----------------------- ---------- -------- -------- --------------- --------- ------------ -------- Print 90,481 44,702 135,183 32,942 17,841 50,783 185,966 Digital 13,599 11,374 24,973 39,051 2,293 41,344 66,317 Rights and Services(1) 4,817 1,720 6,537 3,756 1,526 5,282 11,819 Total 108,897 57,796 166,693 75,749 21,660 97,409 264,102 ----------------------- ---------- -------- -------- --------------- --------- ------------ -------- Children's Adult Academic Special Year ended 28 February Trade Trade Consumer & Professional Interest Non-Consumer Total 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 ----------------------- ---------- -------- -------- --------------- --------- ------------ -------- Print 79,053 42,702 121,755 29,996 18,632 48,628 170,383 Digital 10,511 10,511 21,022 27,150 2,354 29,504 50,526 Rights and Services(1) 3,475 1,944 5,419 2,182 1,600 3,782 9,201 Total 93,039 55,157 148,196 59,328 22,586 81,914 230,110 ----------------------- ---------- -------- -------- --------------- --------- ------------ --------
(1) Rights and Services revenue includes revenue from copyright and trademark licences, management contracts, advertising and publishing services.
Total assets
28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 ------------------------- ------------ ------------ Children's Trade 19,569 13,633 Adult Trade 14,493 13,513 Academic & Professional 77,918 78,096 Special Interest 14,381 13,170 Unallocated 188,752 170,825 Total assets 315,113 289,237 ------------------------- ------------ ------------
Unallocated primarily represents centrally held assets including system development, property plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, receivables and cash.
Analysis of non-current assets (excluding deferred tax assets and financial instruments) by geographic location
28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 ------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- United Kingdom (country of domicile) 71,311 79,708 North America 26,796 22,196 Other 421 244 Total 98,528 102,148 ------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
3. Highlighted items
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 ------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Legal and other professional fees 93 1,317 Integration and restructuring costs 364 398 Other highlighted items 457 1,715 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 5,226 2,835 -------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Total highlighted items 5,683 4,550 -------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Highlighted items charged to operating profit comprise significant non-cash charges and major one-off initiatives which are highlighted in the income statement because, in the opinion of the Directors, separate disclosure is helpful in understanding the underlying performance and future profitability of the business.
All highlighted items are included in administrative expenses in the income statement.
For the year ended 28 February 2023, legal and other professional fees of GBP93,000 were incurred as a result of the Group's acquisitions, including ABC-CLIO, LLC and certain assets of UIT Cambridge. Integration and restructuring costs primarily relate to the integration of the ABC-CLIO, LLC, Head of Zeus Limited acquisitions and certain assets of Red Globe Press.
For the year ended 28 February 2022, legal and other professional fees of GBP1,317,000 were incurred as a result of the Group's acquisitions, including ABC-CLIO, LLC, Head of Zeus Limited and certain assets of Red Globe Press. Integration and restructuring costs primarily relate to the integration of the above acquisitions including restructuring and other restructuring in both divisions.
4. Taxation
Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The tax on the Group's profit before tax differs from the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19.0% (2022: 19.0%). The reasons for this are explained below:
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 % GBP'000 % --------------------------------------------- -------- ------ ------------ ------ Profit before taxation 25,415 100.0 22,181 100.0 --------------------------------------------- -------- ------ ------------ ------ Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19.0% (2022: 19.0%) 4,829 19.0 4,214 19.0 Effects of: Non-deductible revenue expenditure 67 0.3 16 0.1 Non-taxable income (323) (1.3) (383) (1.7) Different rates of tax in foreign jurisdictions 865 3.4 946 4.3 Tax losses 189 0.7 (212) (1.0) Movement in deferred tax rate (65) (0.3) 144 0.7 Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior years Current tax (1,123) (4.4) (173) (0.8) Deferred tax 724 2.9 512 2.3 --------------------------------------------- -------- ------ ------------ ------ Tax charge for the year before disallowable costs on highlighted items 5,163 20.3 5,064 22.9 Highlighted items: Disallowable costs 8 - 227 1.0 Tax charge for the year 5,171 20.3 5,291 23.9 --------------------------------------------- -------- ------ ------------ ------
Different rates of tax in foreign jurisdictions is where we are paying tax at higher rates in the US and Australia as well as paying state taxes in the US.
Tax losses relate to the recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses or losses in the year that have not been recognised as deferred tax assets.
Adjustments to prior periods primarily arise where an outcome is obtained on certain tax matters which differs from expectations held when the related provision was made. Where the outcome is more favourable than the provision made, the difference is released, lowering the current year tax charge. Where the outcome is less favourable than our provision, an additional charge to current year tax will occur.
We are not aware of any significant unprovided exposures that are considered likely to materialise.
5. Dividends
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 ------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Amounts paid in the year Prior period 9.40p final dividend per share (2022: 7.58 p) 7,604 6,141 Prior period special dividend per share for the year (2022: 9.78p) - 7,923 Interim 1.41p dividend per share (2022: 1.34p) 1,148 1,093 ------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Total dividend payments in the year 8,752 15,157 ------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Amounts arising in respect of the year Interim 1.41p dividend per share for the year (2022: 1.34p) 1,148 1,093 Proposed 10.34p final dividend per share for the year (2022: 9.40p) 8,397 7,671 ------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ Total dividend 11 .75p per share for the year (2022: 10.74p) 9,545 8,764 ------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
The Directors are recommending a final dividend of 10.34 pence per share, which, subject to Shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting, will be paid on 25 August 2023 to Shareholders on the register at close of business on 28 July 2023.
6. Earnings per share
The basic earnings per share for the year ended 28 February 2023 is calculated using a weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue of 81,172,636 (2022: 81,532,620) after deducting shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust.
The diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of Ordinary shares to take account of all dilutive potential Ordinary shares, which are in respect of unexercised share options and the Performance Share Plan.
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 Number Number Weighted average shares in issue 81,172,636 81,532,620 Dilution 1,336,878 1,530,573 ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Diluted weighted average shares in issue 82,509,514 83,063,193 ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ GBP'000 GBP'000 ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Profit after tax attributable to owners of the Company 20,244 16,890 Basic earnings per share 24.94p 20.72p ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Diluted earnings per share 24.54p 20.33p ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ GBP'000 GBP'000 ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the Company 25,217 21,548 Adjusted basic earnings per share 31.07p 26.43p ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Adjusted diluted earnings per share 30.56p 25.94p ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Adjusted profit is derived as follows:
Year ended Year ended 28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 Profit before taxation 25,415 22,181 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 5,226 2,835 Other highlighted items 457 1,715 ------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Adjusted profit before tax 31,098 26,731 ------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Tax expense 5,171 5,291 Deferred tax movements on goodwill and acquired intangible assets 631 (207) Tax expense on other highlighted items 79 99 Adjusted tax 5,881 5,183 ------------------------------------ ------ ------ Adjusted earnings 25,217 21,548 ------------------- ------- -------
The Group includes the benefit of tax amortisation of intangible assets in the calculation of adjusted
tax as this more accurately aligns the adjusted tax charge with the expected cash tax payments.
7. Trade and other receivables
28 February 28 February 2023 2022 GBP'000 GBP'000 Non-current Accrued income 934 923 ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Current Gross trade receivables 72,549 68,764 Less: loss allowance (3,334) (3,551) ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Net trade receivables 69,215 65,213 Income tax recoverable 2,332 1,392 Other receivables 2,497 2,431 Prepayments 2,653 2,672 Accrued income 6,579 4,494 Royalty advances 29,543 28,677 Total current trade and other receivables 112,819 104,879 ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ Total trade and other receivables 113,753 105,802 ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Non-current receivables relate to accrued income on long-term rights deals.
Trade receivables principally comprise amounts receivable from the sale of books due from distributors. The majority of trade debtors are secured by credit insurance and in certain territories by third party distributors.
A provision is held against gross advances payable in respect of published title advances which may not be fully earned down by anticipated future sales. As at 28 February 2023, GBP7,745,000 (2022: GBP7,145,000) of royalty advances relate to titles expected to be published in more than 12 months' time.
8. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 18 July 2023.
9. Report and Accounts
Copies of the Annual Report and Financial Statements will be circulated to shareholders in June and can be viewed after the posting date on the Bloomsbury website.
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