Carillion PLC Half-year Report (2047S)

TIDMCLLN

RNS Number : 2047S

Carillion PLC

29 September 2017

29 September 2017

Financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2017

Strategic and operational review update

Carillion plc ("Carillion", the "Group" or the "Company") announces its H1 results and an update on its strategic review.

H1 financial performance weaker

   --    Total revenue flat at GBP2.5bn 
   --    Underlying pre-tax profit down 40% due to: 
   -     The phasing of PPP equity disposals; and 
   -     The trading of contracts with H1 provisions at zero margin 
   --    Contracts review finalised: 
   -   No change to previously announced provision of GBP845m for construction contracts 
   -    Further GBP200m provision for support services contracts, but minimal impact on cash 
   --    Goodwill impairment charge of GBP134m in respect of UK and Canadian construction businesses 
   --    Average net debt in H1 GBP694m 

-- New H1 orders plus probable orders of GBP2.6bn, with total orders plus probables stable at GBP16bn

 
                                   H1 2017       H1 2016 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Total Underlying Revenue          GBP2,498m     GBP2,487m 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Underlying profit from            GBP82m        GBP112m 
  operations 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Underlying operating margin(1)    3.5%          4.9% 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Underlying profit before          GBP50m        GBP85m 
  taxation(1) 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Underlying earnings per 
  share(1)                         9.6p          16.0p 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 (Loss)/profit before taxation     GBP(1,153)m   GBP84m 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Basic (loss)/earnings 
  per share                        (261.2)p      15.8p 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Net debt                          GBP571m       GBP291m 
--------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 

Strategic review and balance sheet update

-- Business refocused on core strengths and markets - support services, infrastructure and building

-- New leadership team and operating model - delayered structure, greater accountability and transparency

   --      Initial cost reduction target of GBP75m by mid-2019 
   --      Actions underway to improve cash flow and strengthen balance sheet 
   --      Expected proceeds from non-core business disposals increased to GBP300m from GBP125m 

-- Discussions ongoing regarding sales of Carillion's business in Canada and the UK Healthcare business

   --      Pension deficit reduction of GBP80m, potential to reduce further by GBP120m 
   --      Agreed further GBP140m committed facility with a number of banks 

Revised full-year outlook

   --      Full-year results to be lower than current market expectations 

-- Total revenue expected to be between GBP4.6bn and GBP4.8bn (previously GBP4.8bn to GBP5.0bn)

-- 2017 H1/H2 profit split similar to recent years, before GBP10m of cost savings and business disposals

   --      Full-year average net debt expected to be between GBP825m and GBP850m 
   --      Estimated further restructuring costs of GBP75m to GBP100m in H2. 

Commenting Keith Cochrane, Interim Chief Executive, said:

"This is a disappointing set of results which reflects the issues we flagged in July and the additional GBP200m provision for our Support Services business that we have announced today. We now expect results for the full year to be lower than current market expectations.

"The Strategic Review that we launched in July has enabled us to get a firm handle on the Group's problems and we have implemented a clear plan to address them. Our objective is to be a lower risk, lower cost, higher quality business generating sustainable cash backed earnings. In the immediate short term, our focus is to complete the disposal programme, accelerate our action to take cost out of the business and get our balance sheet back to a place where it can support Carillion going forward.

"No one is in any doubt of the challenge that lies ahead. We have made an encouraging start and the ambition is there to build on that progress. At the heart of this company, there is a strong core. Supported by an operating model that manages risk much more effectively and led by a fresh management team with a mandate to drive cultural change, I am confident that a strong business can emerge."

A presentation for institutional investors and analysts will be held today starting at 09:00. The presentation will be webcast live on www.carillionplc.com and subsequently available on demand. A dial-in facility is also available on 0808 109 0700 (UK Toll Free) or [phone] (Standard International Access) with a participant pin code of 1209521# and a password of ' Carillion'. A replay facility will be available for 7 days on [phone] with an access code of 1209521#, password 'Carillion'.

This announcement contains inside information.

For further information contact:

Institutional Investors and Analysts

 
 John Denning, Group Corporate      tel: [phone] 
  Affairs Director 
  Kellie McAvoy, Head of Investor 
  Relations 
 

Media

 
 Charlie Armitstead/Haya Herbert-Burns   tel: [phone] 
  Teneo Blue Rubicon 
 

29 September 2017

This and other Carillion news releases can be found at www.carillionplc.com.

Cautionary statement

This announcement may contain indications of likely future developments and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors associated with, among other things, the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries, sectors and business segments in which the Group operates. These and other factors could adversely affect the Group's results, strategy and prospects. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. They relate to events and/or depend on circumstances in the future which could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those currently anticipated. No obligation is assumed to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the full Interim Results please click on the link below

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2047S_1-2017-9-29.pdf

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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September 29, 2017 02:02 ET (06:02 GMT)