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AO. Ao World Plc

114.20
-1.80 (-1.55%)
16 Jul 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Ao World Plc LSE:AO. London Ordinary Share GB00BJTNFH41 ORD 0.25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -1.80 -1.55% 114.20 114.20 114.60 116.00 114.00 115.40 239,355 16:24:12
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Elec Appliance,tv,radio-whsl 1.17B -2.6M -0.0045 -254.22 673.15M

AO World plc Interim Results (8704X)

25/11/2014 7:01am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMAO.

RNS Number : 8704X

AO World plc

25 November 2014

AO WORLD PLC

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2014

AO World plc, the United Kingdom's leading online retailer of major domestic appliances, today announces its unaudited financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2014.

Financial Highlights(1)

   --      AO Website revenue up 38.6% to GBP173.7m (2013: GBP125.3m) 
   --      Total revenue up 25.1% to GBP217.1m (2013: GBP173.5m) 
   --      Adjusted EBITDA(2) up 115% to GBP7.3m (2013: GBP3.4m) 
   --      Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 3.4% (2013: 2%); 9% EBITDA on incremental sales 
   --      Adjusted Operating Profit(3) up 134% to GBP5.5m (2013: GBP2.4m) 

-- Operating Profit for the period GBP0.9m (2013: GBP2.4m) after German set up costs of GBP3.3m and Long Term Incentive Plan costs of GBP1.3m (2013: GBPnil)

   --      Overall number of completed orders(4) up 30% to 0.61m (2013: 0.47m) 

Operational Highlights

   --      Launched our Audio-Visual ("AV") category in May 2014 

-- Launched ao.de, our German website six months ahead of schedule on 1st October 2014 with first customer deliveries on 14th October

Commenting on today's statement, John Roberts, Chief Executive Officer said:

"I am pleased to report another period of strong trading in the UK. AO.com sales are up by 38.6% as our brand recognition grows and we continue to make our customers happy. Overall sales are up by 25.1%, in line with expectations. Adjusted EBITDA has also seen a significant jump, increasing more than two-fold in the first six months compared to last year, reflecting our ability to deliver profitable sales growth.

The UK growth was delivered at the same time as management resource was also focused on launching our proposition in Germany, which we achieved in October some six months earlier than promised. This launch has given us confidence in our ability to replicate our model overseas. While this accelerated investment has brought forward our associated set-up costs for the period, our focus is on the long-term as we proceed with our strategy to deliver a market-leading proposition in new categories and countries. Although Germany has only been operating a number of weeks, we are delighted with the way our culture has transferred, with the way it's operating and with the way sales are building. Trading for the second half of this financial year has started well. We have recently launched consumer finance in the UK allowing us to reach a wider range of customers and we continue to broaden our service proposition and product range.

We remain confident of meeting full year expectations and are well positioned as we move into our peak trading period."

1The highlights are for the period ended 30 September 2014 and the comparative 2013 period. Certain financial data have been rounded. As a result of this rounding, the totals of data presented in this document may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data.

2 Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Group as profit/loss before tax, depreciation, amortisation, net finance costs, "Adjustments" and exceptional items. Adjustments is defined by the Group as set-up costs relating to overseas expansion and share based payment charges attributable to the LTIP IPO award which the board considers one off in nature. See adjustments section of Financial Review and Note 4 to this interim financial information.

3 Adjusted Operating Profit is defined by the Group as profit/loss before tax, net finance costs, Adjustments and exceptional items but after depreciation and amortisation. Adjustments is defined by the Group as set-up costs relating to overseas expansion and share based payment charges attributable to the LTIP IPO award which the board considers one off in nature.

4 Number of orders refers to the total number of retail orders across AO and third party retail websites.

Webcast details

A results presentation hosted by John Roberts and Steve Caunce for analysts and investors will be held today, 25 November 2014 at 8:45am (GMT) at Instinctif Partner's office - 65 Gresham Street

London EC2V 7NQ. Please register your attendance in advance with Instinctif Partners using the details below.

A webcast of the presentation will be available to watch live and later in the day at www.AO.com/corporatewhere the results presentation can be viewed.(5)

For further information, please contact:

 
 AO World plc         +44(0)1204 672400 
 John Roberts 
  Steve Caunce 
 Instinctif Partners 
 Matthew Smallwood 
  Guy Scarborough 
  Justine Warren      +44(0)20 7457 2020 
 

Cautionary statement

This Interim Management Report (IMR) has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Group's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. The IMR should not be relied upon by any other party or for any other purpose.

This IMR contains certain forward-looking statements (including beliefs or opinions) with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition of the Group. These statements are made in good faith and are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. By their nature, future events and circumstances can cause results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. No undertaking is given to update the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit forecast or an invitation to deal in the securities of the Company. The IMR has been prepared for the Group as a whole and therefore gives greater emphasis to those matters which are significant to AO World plc. and its subsidiary undertakings when viewed as a whole.

(5) The content of the ao.com website should not be considered to form a part of or be incorporated into this announcement.

PERFORMANCE AT A GLANCE

 
 Summary Results(1) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------------------  ------------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                                    Six months ended                        Year ended 
                                                       30 September 2014     30 September 2013     Change     31 March 
                                                                                                                  2014 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Income Statement 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
  AO Website sales                                             GBP173.7m             GBP125.3m     +38.6%    GBP287.1m 
  Third-party website sales                                     GBP34.1m              GBP38.3m     -11.0%     GBP79.3m 
  Third-party logistics services                                 GBP9.3m               GBP9.9m      -6.1%     GBP18.5m 
 Revenue                                                       GBP217.1m             GBP173.5m     +25.1%    GBP384.9m 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA(2)                                              GBP7.3m               GBP3.4m     115.0%     GBP11.2m 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA margin(3)                                          3.4%                  2.0%   +1.4ppts         2.9% 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Adjusted operating profit(4)                                    GBP5.5m               GBP2.4m    +134.0%      GBP8.4m 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 Exceptional items(5) 
  IPO costs                                                            -                     -          -   (GBP15.4m) 
 Adjustments(6) 
  Germany set-up costs(7)                                      (GBP3.3m)                     -          -            - 
  Share-based payment charge(8)                                (GBP1.3m)                     -          -    (GBP0.2m) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Operating profit/(loss)                                         GBP0.9m               GBP2.4m     -61.3%    (GBP7.2m) 
 
 Earnings/(loss) per share 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 Adjusted EPS(9)                                                   0.95p                 0.40p    +137.8%        1.50p 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Basic earnings/(loss) per share                                   0.12p                 0.40p     -70.8%      (2.38p) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 Cash flow 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Cash generated/(absorbed)                                       GBP3.5m             (GBP4.8m)    +172.4%     GBP13.6m 
  from operating activities 
 Cash generated/(absorbed) from operating activities             GBP5.5m             (GBP4.8m)    +214.6%     GBP13.6m 
  (before Adjustments) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Period end net funds/(debt) position(10)                       GBP43.9m             (GBP4.0m)   +1186.2%     GBP48.7m 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ---------  ----------- 
      (1) Certain financial data have been rounded. As a result of 
       this rounding, the totals of data presented in this document 
       may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such 
       data. 
       (2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Group as profit/loss 
       before tax, depreciation, amortisation, net finance costs, 
       Adjustments and exceptional items. See Note 4 to this interim 
       financial information. 
       (3) Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided 
       by Revenue. 
       (4) Adjusted operating profit is defined by the Group as profit/loss 
       before tax, net finance costs, Adjustments and exceptional 
       items but after depreciation and amortisation. 
       (5) Exceptional items of GBP15.4m relating to IPO costs incurred 
       during the year ended 31 March 2014. 
       (6) Adjustments is defined by the Group as set-up costs relating 
       to overseas expansion and share based payment charges attributable 
       to the LTIP IPO award that the board considers one-off in nature. 
       (7) Includes Germany set-up costs incurred by Group entities 
       trading in the UK and trading in Germany. 
       (8) Share based payment charges attributable to the LTIP IPO 
       award which the board considers one off in nature. 
       (9) Adjusted Earnings Per Share is Basic Earnings Per Share 
       excluding Adjustments, exceptional items and the associated 
       tax impact. 
       (10) Net funds are defined as cash as per the consolidated 
       statement of financial position less borrowings. 
 
 

GROUP RESULTS

The Group has made an encouraging first half to the year, delivering strong sales growth overall driven by own-brand web site sales.

AO.com sales have increased by 38.6% over the reporting period to GBP173.7m (2013: GBP125.3m). Overall revenue has grown by 25.1% to GBP217.1m (2013: GBP173.5m) driven by higher order volumes. Third party website sales have fallen slightly year on year as, in line with our strategy, we focus more upon our own AO.com channel. Third party logistics sales were slightly down year on year.

Adjusted EBITDA increased more than two-fold to GBP7.3m (2013: GBP3.4m) yielding an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 3.4% for the reporting period (2013: 2.0%). The growth in Adjusted EBITDA margin demonstrates our ability to leverage Selling, General and Administrative "SG&A" costs as we grow, and in the period we have delivered 9.0% Adjusted EBITDA margin on our incremental sales. Similarly, Adjusted Operating Profit for the period (which excludes Adjustments) increased significantly to GBP5.5m (2013: GBP2.4m).

The Group's cash generated from operating activities was a cash inflow of GBP3.5m (2013: GBP4.8m outflow). The difference between this and Adjusted EBITDA results from Germany set-up costs GBP2m, and other working capital improvements net of capital expenditure GBP1.8m.

In May 2014 we added a new category to our retail proposition with Audio Visual "AV" and we now additionally offer televisions, sound systems and ancillary equipment to our customers. In doing this, we have developed our relationships with our existing brand partners who operate in this category and have built new relationships to broaden our range. The market for AV is significant and we're expanding our internal expertise to capitalise on this. We are continuing to learn and develop the small domestic appliance category and expect to drive increased volumes in the next financial year.

In October we took the first steps in our international expansion strategy, launching ao.de. Initially, the German offering will concentrate solely on the MDA category (major domestic appliances) as we learn about customer preferences and the German market. The operating model has been replicated from the UK and the German operation is now fully up and running. We have invested in end to end resource including head office, warehouse and outbase infrastructure and our own last mile delivery capability to offer next day delivery to the majority of customers and to completely control the customer experience as has been successful in the UK. Customer feedback has been extremely positive and the levels of traffic to the site are most encouraging; initial volumes were kept intentionally low to ensure we could deliver to promise, but now we have demonstrated operational effectiveness we are allowing sales to build. We are now in a position to accelerate the drive for sales and are taking necessary steps to facilitate growth.

STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK

Our strategy remains consistent - to "Build, Drive, Broaden and Expand" our business whilst redefining retailing in our chosen categories; by offering unbeatable prices, range and availability and delivering amazing service to customers.

The various aspects of the business are all at different phases of this strategy but we are executing it well and in good shape to deliver. We aim to continue to build new operations overseas, but always safely and steadily; to drive up sales in our existing categories and broaden our offering by adding complementary categories and services to existing operations.

Trading for the second half of this financial year has started well. We have launched consumer finance on AO.com which allows us to address a different demographic of customer. There has been the usual seasonal increase in sales in October as we approach our peak trading period and results for the UK business for the full year remain in line with market expectation.

Whilst the German operation has only been fully live for a number of weeks, we are pleased with the way it is operating and can now really drive sales. This all gives us much confidence for the future opportunity in Europe.

Our earlier than anticipated entry to the German market has brought forward set up costs for that entity into HY15. German trading losses, as we build critical mass in the second half of the year, will reduce our overall operating profit for the full year.

BUSINESS REVIEW

Operational Review

Customer Acquisition & Brand

We revisited national television advertising in the first quarter of the financial year rolling out three adverts focussed on our delivery capabilities, our unbeatable prices and our rich website content - specifically our video reviews. These were well received and helped to drive sales. Going into the second quarter we decided to delay some TV advertising - originally planned for that quarter - to the third quarter, to achieve a better return on investment. Facebook "likes" are now in excess of 1.6m and our brand team continues to evolve our social media content to enhance brand perception. Our advertising and marketing costs, as a percentage of sales, were down compared to the prior year at 3.6% (2013: 4.4%) mainly due to delayed TV advertising and improvement in brand awareness.

Customer Service & Proposition

Delivering an excellent customer proposition and great service remains paramount to our success. We are pleased to be able to report that, notwithstanding the significant increase in orders, we maintained an exceptional "deliver to promise" percentage rate.

We are well prepared for peak trading in the run up to Christmas and our delivery capability and delivery options remain market-leading. Our dedication to our customer proposition has been recognised by the industry and we are pleased to have won four awards at the Etail Awards 2014, including "Overall Award for Excellence" and four awards at the eCommerce Awards for Excellence 2014 including "Large eCommerce Retailer of the Year."

Culture

We consistently state that culture is at the heart of everything we do and continues to be core to our success. Happy employees means productive employees driving better results for the business and, importantly, such happiness and energy permeates through our interactions with customers (whether it be face to face, over the phone, through our advertising or purely through the design of our website).

Over the reporting period we've launched a Group wide intranet, which has helped individuals to connect with each other, share ideas and learnings and update each other on progress across different areas of the business. It has helped to reaffirm the culture in our UK operations and to instil it in our new overseas colleagues. There have also been some incredible examples of people going the extra mile to help our German colleagues find their feet and learn processes and strategies and we are delighted with the way our culture has transferred to our new territory.

Financial Review

Revenue

For the six months ended 30 September 2014 total revenue for the year increased by 25.1% to GBP217.1m (2013: GBP173.5m) with AO.com sales increasing by 38.6% to GBP173.7m (2013: GBP125.3m)

 
Six months ended 30 September (GBPm)    2014   2013  Change 
AO Website Sales                       173.7  125.3   38.6% 
Third-party Website Sales               34.1   38.3  -11.0% 
Third-party Logistics Services           9.3    9.9   -6.1% 
=====================================  =====  =====  ====== 
Revenue                                217.1  173.5   25.1% 
-------------------------------------  -----  -----  ------ 
 

Revenue derived from AO.com sales grew by 38.6% over the reporting period to GBP173.7m (2013: GBP125.3m). We continue to enhance and enrich the content and grow the brand. The total number of completed orders grew by 30% over the reporting period to 607k (2013: 466k) with products per order and average order value remaining broadly the same.

Third party website sales were slightly down year on year at GBP34.1m (2013: GBP38.3m) as the Group focuses less on third party consumer-facing website sales. Some of the "lost" third party sales are likely to have been consumed by AO.com as our own brand gains more visibility.

Third party logistics sales also fell by 6% to GBP9.3m (2013: GBP9.9m) as we annualised the loss of a customer in September 2013.

Gross Margin

Gross margin decreased marginally by 0.4 percentage points to 18.8% (2013: 19.2%) with the cost of sales increasing by 25.6% compared to the overall revenue growth of 25.1%. The majority of this variance is due to the mix of AV sales in the period at a lower margin.

Administrative Expenses

Total Administrative expenses for the six months to 30 September 2014 (excluding Germany set-up costs) increased to GBP36.7m (2013: GBP30.9m) but as a percentage of revenue improved to 16.9% (2013: 17.8%).

 
Six months ended 30 September (GBPm)                              2014  2013     Change 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ----  --------- 
Advertising and marketing                                          7.9   7.6       3.7% 
% of sales                                                         3.6   4.4  -0.8 ppts 
Warehousing                                                        8.1   6.6      23.4% 
% of sales                                                         3.8   3.8          - 
Other Admin                                                       24.0  16.7      43.4% 
% of sales                                                        11.0   9.6  +1.4 ppts 
===============================================================  =====  ====  ========= 
Administrative Expenses                                           40.0  30.9      29.4% 
% of sales                                                        18.4  17.8   +0.6ppts 
Deduct Adjustments: Germany set-up costs(1)                      (3.3)     -          - 
                                 Share based payment charge(2)   (1.3)     -          - 
Administrative Expenses net of Adjustments                        35.4  30.9     +14.6% 
% of sales                                                        16.3  17.8   -1.5ppts 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ----  --------- 
 

(1) Includes Germany set-up costs incurred by Group entities trading in the UK and trading in Germany.

(2) Share based payment charges attributable to the LTIP IPO award which the board considers one off in nature (any future LTIP charges will be included in trading numbers).

Advertising and marketing costs increased by 3.7% to GBP7.9m in the period. The advertising cost on our incremental sales was lower than forecast, as we delayed TV advertising costs in to the third quarter.

Warehousing costs (excluding German warehouse set up costs of GBP0.2m) increased to GBP7.9m - delivering an increase of GBP1.3m on the prior period, or 3% cost on incremental sales.

Other administration costs for the period were GBP24.0m, an increase of GBP7.3m on the same period last year. Included within this are GBP3.1m of costs relating to setting up the German operation and GBP1.3m relating to the share based payments charge. At a trading level this cost increased by GBP2.9m year on year.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA for the six months to 30 September 2014 was GBP7.3m (2013: GBP3.4m) representing more than a two-fold increase against the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 2.0% to 3.4%.

 
Six months ended 30 September (GBPm)     2014  2013    Change 
--------------------------------------  -----  ----  -------- 
Operating profit                          0.9   2.4    -61.3% 
--------------------------------------  -----  ----  -------- 
Add Adjustments(1) : 
 German set-up costs                      3.3     -       n/a 
 Non-cash share based payments charge     1.3     -       n/a 
--------------------------------------  -----  ----  -------- 
Adjusted Operating profit                 5.5   2.4    134.0% 
--------------------------------------  -----  ----  -------- 
Add: Depreciation and amortisation        1.8   1.0     74.3% 
Adjusted EBITDA                           7.3   3.4    115.0% 
======================================  =====  ====  ======== 
Adjusted EBITDA as % of sales            3.4%  2.0%  +1.4ppts 
--------------------------------------  -----  ----  -------- 
 

(1) Adjustments is defined by the Group as set-up costs relating to overseas expansion and the share based payment charge relating to

the LTIP IPO Award, which the Board considers to be on-off in nature (any future LTIP charges will be included in trading numbers).

Adjustments

   --    Germany set-up costs 

During the reporting period ao.de was launched. The bulk of these costs relate to staffing and services provided by the Group, together with professional fees.

   --    Share based payment charges 

At the time of the IPO a share based payment award was made to a number of senior staff. The board considers that the magnitude and timing of this award is one-off in nature and so add this charge back to adjusted EBITDA. Any future LTIP charges will be included in trading numbers.

Taxation

The tax charge for the period was GBP0.3m (2013: GBP0.5m). The effective rate of tax for the period was 36.7% (2013: 25.1%). Whilst the business is subject to UK taxes and through its branch structure for Germany is able to fully offset losses, the share based payment charge is disallowable on an accruals basis for corporation tax which results in this higher effective rate. The year in which the scheme matures will see a lower effective tax rate than normal in that year.

Loss/earnings per share

Earnings per share was 0.12p (2013: 0.40p) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share(1) was 0.95p (2013: 0.40p).

Dividend Policy

In line with the Group's dividend policy no dividend has been proposed or paid during the period.

Cash resources and cash flow

The net funds position at 30 September 2014 was GBP43.9m (2013: net debt of GBP4.0m) (2014 numbers take into account the net proceeds raised from the issue of new shares in the IPO of GBP40.3m).

Total borrowings including finance leases increased to GBP6.2m (2013: GBP5.5m).

The Group's cash generated from operating activities was a cash inflow of GBP3.5m (2013: GBP4.8m outflow). The difference between this and Adjusted EBITDA results from Germany set-up costs GBP2m, and other working capital improvements net of capital expenditure GBP1.8m.

Working Capital

 
Six months ended 30 September (GBPm)     2014    2013 
Inventories                              23.2    17.8 
As % of Cost of goods sold              13.2%   12.7% 
Trade and other receivables              39.1    31.9 
As % of Revenue                         18.0%   18.4% 
Trade and other payables               (71.6)  (50.9) 
As % of Cost of goods sold              40.7%   36.3% 
=====================================  ======  ====== 
Net Working Capital                     (9.3)   (1.2) 
=====================================  ======  ====== 
Change in Net Working Capital           (8.1)     n/a 
-------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

As at 30 September 2014 Inventories were GBP23.2m (2013: GBP17.8m) as the Group increased its stockholding days to be able to offer better availability to customers and facilitate our expansion into the audio visual category. Average stock days increased to 20 days (2013: 17 days).

Trade and other receivables were GBP39.1m as at 30 September 2014 (2013: GBP31.9m) increasing in line with the increase in turnover. This line includes GBP21.2m accrued income in relation to product protection plans (2013: GBP14.7m). Trade and other payables increased to GBP71.6m (2013: GBP50.9m) in part due to the general growth in sales but also reflecting improved payment terms with creditors and an increase in stock holding.

Capital Expenditure

Capital expenditure (net of finance leases) for the period was GBP2.7m (2013: GBP2.5m), providing improvements across the Group to infrastructure and systems and fit-out costs for the new head office, national distribution centre and outbases in Germany.

 
 John Roberts       Steve Caunce 
 CEO                COO & CFO 
 25 November 2014   25 November 2014 
 

(1) See Note 6 to this interim financial information.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

For the six months ended 30 September 2014

 
 
                                                                                    Year 
                                                                                   ended 
                                                   Six months     Six months    31 March 
                                                        ended          ended 
                                                 30 September   30 September        2014 
                                                         2014           2013 
                                                       GBP000         GBP000      GBP000 
                                          Note    (unaudited)    (unaudited)   (audited) 
 
Revenue                                      2        217,059        173,535     384,918 
Cost of sales                                       (176,195)      (140,299)   (310,741) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Gross profit                                           40,864         33,236      74,177 
Administrative expenses                              (39,950)       (30,874)    (65,976) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Operating profit before exceptional 
 items                                       4            914          2,362       8,201 
Exceptional items                            5              -              -    (15,441) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Operating profit/(loss)                      4            914          2,362     (7,240) 
Finance income                                            155             30          80 
Finance costs                                           (290)          (252)       (391) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Profit/(loss) before tax                                  779          2,140     (7,551) 
Tax                                                     (286)          (538)     (2,022) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Profit/(loss) for the period                              493          1,602     (9,573) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
Earnings/(loss) per share (pence/share) 
Basic and diluted earnings/(loss) 
 per share 
 (in pence per share)                        6           0.12           0.40      (2.38) 
----------------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the six months ended 30 September 2014

 
 
                                                                          Year 
                                                                         ended 
                                         Six months     Six months    31 March 
                                              ended          ended 
                                       30 September   30 September        2014 
                                               2014           2013 
                                             GBP000         GBP000      GBP000 
                                        (unaudited)    (unaudited)   (audited) 
 
 
Profit/(loss) for the period                    493          1,602     (9,573) 
Exchange differences on translation 
 of foreign operations                           38              -           - 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                                 531          1,602     (9,573) 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 September 2014

 
                                                                             At 
                                                  At             At    31 March 
                                        30 September   30 September 
                                                2014           2013        2014 
                                              GBP000         GBP000      GBP000 
                                         (unaudited)    (unaudited)   (audited) 
---------------------------------      -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets                             13,288         12,767      12,830 
Property, plant and equipment                 12,872          8,229      11,409 
Trade and other receivables                   13,613          8,402      11,255 
Deferred tax asset                               359            195         575 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                              40,132         29,593      36,069 
 ------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Current assets 
Inventories                                   23,230         17,793      15,881 
Trade and other receivables                   25,523         23,538      21,711 
Cash and bank balances                        50,068          1,452      55,050 
                                              98,821         42,783      92,642 
 ------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Total assets                                 138,953         72,376     128,711 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                    (71,647)       (50,902)    (62,918) 
Current tax liabilities                        (322)        (1,028)     (1,146) 
Borrowings                                   (2,032)        (2,904)     (1,996) 
Provisions                                     (900)          (737)       (209) 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                            (74,901)       (55,571)    (66,269) 
 ------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Net current assets/(liabilities)              23,920       (12,788)      26,373 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings                                   (4,183)        (2,585)     (4,403) 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Total liabilities                           (79,084)       (58,156)    (70,672) 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Net assets                                    59,869         14,220      58,039 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
Equity 
Share capital                                  1,053             31       1,053 
Share premium account                         55,665              -      55,665 
Merger reserve                                 4,368          5,337       4,368 
Capital redemption reserve                   (1,068)        (1,068)     (1,068) 
Share based payments reserve                   1,494              -         195 
Translation reserve                               38              -           - 
Retained (losses)/earnings                   (1,681)          9,920     (2,174) 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
Total equity                                  59,869         14,220      58,039 
-------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the six months ended 30 September 2014

 
                                                                                                Share 
                                                Capital                  Share    Retained      Based 
                          Share     Merger   redemption  Translation   premium   (losses)/   Payments 
                        capital    reserve      reserve      Reserve   account    earnings    Reserve     Total 
                         GBP000     GBP000       GBP000       GBP000    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Balance at 
 1 April 2013                31      5,337      (1,068)            -         -      10,206          -    14,506 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income for the 
 six months                   -          -            -            -         -       1,602          -     1,602 
Dividends                     -          -            -            -         -     (1,888)          -   (1,888) 
Balance at 30 
 September 2013 
 (unaudited)                 31      5,337      (1,068)            -         -       9,920          -    14,220 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
                                                                                                Share 
                                                Capital                  Share    Retained      Based 
                          Share     Merger   redemption  Translation   premium   (losses)/   Payments 
                        capital    reserve      reserve      Reserve   account    earnings    Reserve     Total 
                         GBP000     GBP000       GBP000       GBP000    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Balance at 
 1 April 2013                31      5,337      (1,068)            -         -      10,206          -    14,506 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Total comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 year                         -          -            -            -         -     (9,573)          -   (9,573) 
Issue of share 
 capital (net 
 of expenses)             1,022          -            -            -    55,665           -          -    56,687 
Share-based 
 payments charge              -          -            -            -         -           -        195       195 
Dividends                     -          -            -            -         -     (2,807)          -   (2,807) 
Expenses incurred 
 as a result 
 of bonus issue               -      (969)            -            -         -           -          -     (969) 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Balance at 31 
 March 2014               1,053      4,368      (1,068)            -    55,665     (2,174)        195    58,039 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
                                                                                                Share 
                                                Capital                  Share    Retained      Based 
                          Share     Merger   redemption  Translation   premium   (losses)/   Payments 
                        capital    reserve      reserve      Reserve   account    earnings    Reserve     Total 
                         GBP000     GBP000       GBP000       GBP000    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Balance at 
 1 April 2014             1,053      4,368      (1,068)            -    55,665     (2,174)        195    58,039 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income for the 
 six months                   -          -            -           38         -         493          -       531 
Share-based 
 payments charge              -          -            -            -         -           -      1,299     1,299 
Balance at 30 
 September 2014 
 (unaudited)              1,053      4,368      (1,068)           38    55,665     (1,681)      1,494    59,869 
--------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the six months ended 30 September 2014

 
                                                    Six months     Six months 
                                                         ended          ended   Year ended 
                                                  30 September   30 September     31 March 
                                                          2014           2013         2014 
                                                        GBP000         GBP000       GBP000 
                                                   (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
-------------------------------------------      -------------  -------------  ----------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
   Profit/(loss) for the year                              493          1,602          (9,573) 
Adjustments for: 
   Depreciation and amortisation                         1,836          1,053            2,796 
   Finance income                                        (155)           (30)             (80) 
   Finance costs                                           290            252              391 
   Taxation charge                                         285            538            2,022 
   Exceptional items                                         -              -           15,441 
   Share based payment charge                            1,299              -              195 
Operating cash flows before movement 
 in working capital                                      4,048          3,415           11,192 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
   Increase in inventories                             (7,351)        (9,085)          (7,173) 
   Increase in trade and other receivables             (6,174)        (5,114)          (6,141) 
   Increase in trade and other payables                 13,141          6,298           18,314 
   Increase/(decrease) in provisions                       690          (120)            (647) 
                                                           306        (8,021)            4,353 
 ----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
   Taxation paid                                         (902)          (159)          (1,906) 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
Cash generated/(absorbed) from 
 operating activities                                    3,452        (4,765)           13,639 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
   Interest received                                       155             30               80 
   Acquisition of property, plant 
    and equipment                                      (2,187)        (2,292)          (2,788) 
   Acquisition of intangible assets                      (550)          (221)            (493) 
Cash used in investing activities                      (2,582)        (2,483)          (3,201) 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
   Interest paid                                         (290)          (252)            (391) 
   Repayment of preference shares                            -        (1,010)          (1,010) 
   Repayment of shareholder loan                             -           (20)            (269) 
   (Repayment of)/new borrowings                         (286)             11          (1,627) 
   Payment of finance lease liabilities                  (928)          (351)          (1,771) 
   Dividends paid                                            -        (1,888)          (2,807) 
  (Costs settled)/net proceeds from 
   share issue                                         (4,332)              -           40,277 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
Net cash (used in)/from financing 
 activities                                            (5,836)        (3,510)           32,402 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash                        (4,966)       (10,758)           42,840 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
 of period                                              55,050         12,210           12,210 
Exchange losses on cash & cash 
 equivalents                                              (16)              -                - 
Cash and cash equivalents at end 
 of period                                              50,068          1,452           55,050 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
 

The accompanying Notes are integral to this financial information

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   1.         Basis of preparation 

The interim financial information was approved by the Board on 19 November 2014. The financial information for the 6 months ended 30 September 2014 has been reviewed by the Company's external auditor. Their report is included within this announcement. The financial information for the 6 months ended 30 September 2013 has neither been audited nor reviewed by the external auditor. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2014 has been based on information in the audited financial statements for that period.

The comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2014 are an abridged version of the Group's full financial statements and, together with other financial information contained in these interim results, do not constitute statutory financial statements of the Group as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor has reported on those accounts: their report was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under s498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

This condensed set of consolidated financial statements has been prepared for the 6 months ended 30 September 2014 and the comparative period has been prepared for the 6 month period ended 30 September 2013.

Basis of preparation and accounting policies

The annual financial statements of AO World plc are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The unaudited condensed consolidated set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the condensed set of financial statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited financial statements.

Certain financial data have been rounded. As a result of this rounding, the totals of data presented in this document may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data.

Going concern

The directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. This follows a review of the Group's financial projections and takes into consideration the proceeds received from the Group's IPO in March 2014 where the Group continues to maintain substantial cash headroom. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

   2.         Revenue 

An analysis of the Group's revenue is as follows:

 
                                                                                                            Year ended 
                                                                                                              31 March 
                                    Six months ended 30 September 2014  Six months ended 30 September 2013        2014 
                                                                GBP000                              GBP000      GBP000 
                                                           (unaudited)                         (unaudited)   (audited) 
----------------------------------  ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------  ---------- 
Own website sales                                              173,688                             125,331     287,109 
Third-party website sales and 
 trade sales                                                    34,076                              38,310      79,323 
Third-party logistics services                                   9,295                               9,894      18,486 
                                                               217,059                             173,535     384,918 
----------------------------------  ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------  ---------- 
 
   3.         Segmental Analysis 
 
Six months ended 30 September 2014 
 GBP000                                  UK  Germany  Total 
------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----- 
Segment EBITDA(1)                     5,169  (2,419)  2,750 
Add back Germany set-up costs           904    2,419  3,323 
Add back Share-based payment charge   1,271        -  1,271 
ADJUSTED EBITDA                       7,344        -  7,344 
------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----- 
 

(1) EBITDA attributable to operating segments.

IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" requires operating segments to be determined based on the Group's internal reporting to the Chief Operating Decision Maker - in our case the Executive Board. As the Group now operates in two principal geographic regions and based on management and internal reporting structure, it has been determined that the UK and Germany should be presented as separate segments.

Given that AO Deutschland does not have a material balance sheet or material sales, full segmental analysis has not been included but will be in the year end annual report.

The majority of Germany set-up costs have been allocated to the Germany segment. The balance of costs (relating to systems, processes and intellectual property) has remained in the UK segment.

   4.         Profit/(loss) for the period 

The Group has calculated Adjusted EBITDA by adding back those material items of income and expense which, because of the nature and expected infrequency of events giving rise to them, merit separate presentation to allow shareholders to better understand the financial performance of the Group in the year.

Adjusted EBITDA:

 
                                                                 Six months ended  Year ended 
                                  Six months ended 30 September      30 September    31 March 
                                                           2014              2013        2014 
                                                         GBP000            GBP000      GBP000 
                                                    (unaudited)       (unaudited)   (audited) 
--------------------------------  -----------------------------  ----------------  ---------- 
Operating profit/(loss)                                     914             2,362     (7,240) 
Add: Depreciation                                         1,746             1,012       2,546 
Add: Amortisation                                            90                41         250 
EBITDA                                                    2,750             3,415     (4,444) 
Exceptional items 
    IPO cost                                                  -                 -      15,441 
Adjustments 
    Germany set-up costs                                  3,323                 -           - 
    Share based payments charge                           1,271                 -         195 
================================  =============================  ================  ========== 
Adjusted EBITDA                                           7,344             3,415      11,192 
================================  =============================  ================  ========== 
 
   5.         Exceptional Items 

Non-recurring IPO costs

In March 2014, AO World plc floated on the London Stock Exchange. Non-recurring IPO costs totalled GBP19.7 million in the year ended 31 March 2014, of which GBP15.4 million was charged to the income statement and GBP4.3 million was charged to the share premium account as being directly related to newly issued shares.

   6.         Earnings/(loss) per share 

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per share is based on the following data:

 
                                                                                  Year 
                                                                                 ended 
                                             Six months      Six months 
                                                  ended           ended       31 March 
                                           30 September    30 September 
                                                   2014            2013           2014 
                                                 GBP000          GBP000         GBP000 
                                            (unaudited)     (unaudited)      (audited) 
Earnings/(loss) 
----------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
Earnings/(loss) for the purposes 
 of basic, diluted and adjusted 
 earnings per share being profit/(loss) 
 for the year                                       493           1,602        (9,573) 
Exceptional items (net of 
 tax)                                                 -               -         15,441 
Germany set-up costs (net 
 of tax)                                          2,500               -              - 
Shared based payment charge 
 (net of deferred tax)                            1,017               -            156 
----------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
Adjusted earnings                                 4,010           1,602          6,024 
----------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Number of shares 
Number of ordinary shares 
 for the purposes of basic 
 and diluted earnings per share             421,052,631     400,000,000    401,672,675 
 
Earnings/(loss) per share 
 (pence/share) 
----------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
Basic and diluted earnings/(loss) 
 per share (in pence per share)                    0.12            0.40         (2.38) 
----------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
Adjusted earnings per share 
 (in pence per share)                              0.95            0.40           1.50 
----------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

Given the changes in capital structure prior to the IPO, the weighted average number of shares for 2013 is based on the shares in issue immediately pre IPO as per the requirements of IAS 33: Earnings per share.

   7.         Dividends 

A dividend was declared on 19 July 2013 totalling GBP1.9m and a further dividend was declared on 8 November 2013 for GBP0.9m taking a full dividend for the year ended March 2014 of GBP2.8m. No dividend has been declared for this period.

   8.         Taxation 

The tax charge for the period has been provided at the effective rate of 36.7% (2013: 25.1%) representing the best estimate of the average annual effective tax rate expected for the full year applied to the pre tax income for the six month period.

   9.         Principal risks and uncertainties 

There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Company's performance over the remaining six months of the financial year and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. The directors do not consider that the principal risks and uncertainties have changed since the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2014. These risks are summarised below, and how the Company seeks to mitigate these risks is set out on pages 32 and 33 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2014 which can be found at www.AO.com/corporate .

A summary of the nature of the risks currently faced by the Group is as follows:

-- Risks relating to the effective operation of the business including the dependence on a single national distribution centre, the interdependence of our IT systems, relationships with manufacturers and changes to search engine algorithms;

-- Risks relating to acceptance of our customer proposition including failure of our brand, websites and offering to receive wide acceptance, that consumer acceptance of online retailing of MDAs might not increase, and that European expansion is unsuccessful;

-- Risks relating to people, such as failure to maintain the culture and recruit AO appropriate staff, dependence on executive directors and senior management team, relationships with key suppliers; and

-- Risks relating to regulatory changes, such as changes to EU or UK consumer protection or employment laws.

Responsibility Statement

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

-- The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.

-- The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year).

-- The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties transactions and changes therein).

The directors of AO World plc are listed on the Group's website: www.AO.com/corporate.

By order of the Board:

 
 John Roberts   Steve Caunce 
  CEO            COO & CFO 
 
 

25 November 2014

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO AO WORLD PLC

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2014 which comprises the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated statement of cash flows and related Notes 1 to 9. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume to anyone other than the company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

We have not audited or reviewed the financial information for the period ended 30 September 2013 which has been included for comparative purposes only, and accordingly do not express an opinion thereon.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in Note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting," as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2014 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Deloitte LLP

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor

Manchester, United Kingdom

25 November 2014

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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