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ESCH Escher Grp

189.50
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Last Updated: 01:00:00
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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Escher Grp LSE:ESCH London Ordinary Share IE00B6SKRB38 ORD EUR0.005
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 189.50 177.00 202.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
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Escher Group Holdings PLC Half-year Report (6219J)

13/09/2016 7:00am

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TIDMESCH

RNS Number : 6219J

Escher Group Holdings PLC

13 September 2016

13 September 2016

Escher Group Holdings plc

Half year results

Escher Group Holdings plc (AIM: ESCH, 'Escher' or 'the Group'), a world leading provider of point-of-service software for use in the postal, retail and financial industries, has published its results for the six months ended 30 June 2016.

Financial highlights

   --      Revenue up 4% to US$12.34m (H1 2015: US$11.85m) 

o Strong growth in recurring revenue streams - now account for 47% of total revenues (H1 2015: 37%)

   --      Adjusted EBITDA* increased by 25% to US$3.35m (H1 2015: US$2.68m) 
   --      Profit before tax up 43% to US$1.81m (H1 2015: US$1.26m) 
   --      Basic EPS up 75% to US$7.0 cents (H1 2015: US$4.0 cents) 

Operational highlights

-- Recent large contract win with Vietnam Post confirms Group's position as supplier of choice in postal automation software

-- Continuing trend of existing customers taking up broadened software range including Saudi Post contracting to use Escher's Enterprise Mobile and Loyalty Software

-- South African Post Office launched digital mail system based on RiposteTrEx(TM) communications framework

-- Transaction Management Platform, based on RiposteTrEx(TM), licensed to Deposify, Irish financial technology start-up company

Liam Church, Chief Executive, said:

"Our core postal business has continued to perform strongly, driven by increased recurring maintenance and support revenues as a result of last year's deployment of our software solutions in Malaysia and North America.

"The contract win with Vietnam Post demonstrates the continuing demand and relevance in the postal market for our highly efficient and secure Riposte platform.

"Given the quality of our pipeline and contracted revenue, we remain confident about the prospects for H2 2016."

*Operating profit before, depreciation, amortisation, and share based charge

Enquiries:

 
 Escher www.eschergroupholdings.com        +353 (0)1 254 5400 
 Nick Winks, Chairman 
  Liam Church, Chief Executive Officer 
  Clem Garvey, Chief Financial Officer 
  Fionnuala Higgins, Chief Commercial 
  Officer 
 
 Panmure Gordon                            +44 (0)20 7886 2500 
 Andrew Godber/Alina Vaskina, Corporate 
  Finance 
 Erik Anderson, Corporate Broking 
 
 Instinctif Partners                       +44 (0)20 7457 2020 
 Adrian Duffield/Lauren Foster 
 

Market abuse regulation

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

About Escher

Escher is a world leading provider of point-of-service software to the postal and governmental sectors. Its core software, Riposte(R) , together with its wider Transaction Management Platform, can be used in the postal, retail and financial industries to enable enterprises to expand their offerings and provide new services.

The Riposte(R) Platform can operate at a significant scale and solves complex problems for enterprises and central and local governments as they eliminate paper and transition to full digital processes in their commercial interactions. Riposte(R) ensures the same transaction experience on a desktop, enterprise mobile device, consumer mobile device, on the web or through a third party agent, regardless of on premise or cloud-based managed service deployment.

Our focus is to ensure the success of our customers by delivering the very best in innovative technology for their business.

Overview

Escher delivered a strong set of results in the first half of 2016. Revenue grew 4% to US$12.34m (2015: US$11.85m) driven by increases in recurring support and maintenance revenues where the Group experienced strong levels of contract renewals.

The main driver behind the increase in revenue and profitability was the transition to maintenance and support of two major customers in North America and Malaysia. These were key developments and large contributors to Escher being able to transition towards having more predictable revenue streams. This emphasis on recurring revenues is likely to be reflected in moderated growth expectations, but with much greater predictability.

Consulting services revenue was lower due to two major contracts transitioning from a development and customisation phase to maintenance and support services.

License sales were strong in H1 2016 with sales to Vietnam Post and Deposify helping achieve revenue of US$3.62m. Last year's H1 license sales (US$3.64m) included the final portion of a major deployment, setting a high target to beat.

The transition of key customers to a fully-deployed status has contributed to strong growth in maintenance revenue which is up by 17% to US$4.05m (H1 2015: US$3.47m) and support revenue which is up by 77% to US$1.72m (H1 2015: US$0.97m).

Adjusted EBITDA* increased by 25% to US$3.35m (H1 2015: US$2.68m) and profit before tax increased by 43% to US$1.81m (H1 2015: US$1.26m).

Escher's strategy has been to broaden its software range and enhance its customer offering by investing in its existing software portfolio and new software ranges including Digital (RiposteTrEx(TM) ), Interactive Services and Enterprise Mobile software. This has enabled the Group to address the rapidly growing digital transaction management market, where Escher is focused on delivering solutions to postal and government organisations around the world.

Current trading and outlook

The Group remains focused on postal organisations as its core marketplace. It will continue to drive opportunities in this sector to deliver increased penetration during 2016, supported by the continuing investment in its complementary product portfolio; Digital Services and Interactive Services.

Escher's overall strategic position remains robust as international postal and logistic operators seek to improve interaction with their customers using enhanced digital technologies and mobile capabilities.

Escher has traded in line with the Board's expectations throughout H1 and will focus on securing additional license sales in H2 to meet its expectations for the current year.

Operating review

Software portfolio

The focus for the Group's core postal point of service market is to drive incremental sales from existing customers and to penetrate further the postal counter market with its Riposte(R) range of products. These provide seamlessly integrated counter and mobile-automation solutions for postal and retail organisations of all sizes.

Escher's recent contract win to supply Vietnam Post is further proof of its market leading position in the postal retail market. Renewals for existing maintenance and support contracts also remains strong.

Escher continues to invest in its software platforms and solutions for postal and government agencies; Digital, Interactive and Enterprise Mobile solutions. Much of the core platform development work has been completed, especially for digital and interactive solutions. This is reflected in reduced software capitalisation.

Digital

RiposteTrEx(TM) is Escher's platform for digital transaction management providing solutions for governments and businesses to securely manage communication and transactions internally and externally anytime and from anywhere. Driven by the need to reduce costs and increase interaction with citizens, governments and local authorities are looking for new cost effective and efficient ways to communicate.

In August 2015, Escher, in conjunction with its partner An Post (the Irish Post Office), was awarded the contract by the Local Government Management Association to digitally deliver national license & permits applications system for enterprises. The outsourced, cloud based service, is built on RiposteTrEx(TM). During H1 2016 this system went live and the number of licenses and permits available is growing monthly. Escher is now looking to exploit opportunities in licenses, permits and grant management in other geographies.

In February 2016 Deposify, a financial technology start-up, licensed the Group's Transaction Management Platform. Deposify aims to bring trust to the landlord and tenant relationship. Its payments platform allows landlords and tenants to manage and control how and when rental deposits are paid and resolve deposit related disputes quickly.

During H1 2016, the South Africa Post Office (SAPO) officially launched its Digital Mail offering based on RiposteTrEx(TM) technology. RiposteTrEx(TM) will allow SAPO customers, including citizens, Government, businesses and SME's, to send electronically-registered and confidential mail to secure digital mailboxes, or as registered hybrid letters. All documents will have a secure digital signature. As with paper-based registered mail, proof of delivery and a full audit trail is recorded and available to the sender.

Interactive Services

Escher's consumer mobile solution, based on its interactive technology, provides an integrated eMoney solution for payments and loyalty offerings. In H1 2016 it was announced that Saudi Post is to pilot a loyalty platform for its postal network. The pilot is to last six months across 100 post offices, with the potential to then expand to all 800 Saudi Post offices.

Enterprise Mobile Services

Escher has further enhanced its Enterprise Mobile capabilities to deliver new solutions to postal operators and logistics companies. The Enterprise Mobile solution, which encompasses Windows CE, Windows Phone, Apple's IOS and Google's Android platforms, is designed to support the rapidly growing eCommerce market.

Following the successful deployment of this technology in Deutsche Post and DHL, Saudi Post is the latest customer to take advantage of these offerings. Saudi Post is piloting Escher's enterprise mobile and iMobility solution as an extension to its current services. It will allow Saudi Post to provide services at temporary locations as well as providing additional counters in existing offices.

Financial review

Revenue

Overall revenue was up 4% to US$12.34m for the first half of 2016 (2015: US$11.85m).

The license contracts in Vietnam and with Deposify contributed to strong license revenue of US$3.62m (2015: US$3.65m).

Maintenance revenue was up 17% to US$4.05m (2015: US$3.47m), which was due to the commencement of maintenance contracts for customers who rolled out software in 2015 and a high level of maintenance contract renewal.

Support revenue rose strongly by 77% to US$1.72m (US$0.97m in 2015), mainly due to the commencement of one contract with a key customer.

The reduction in the lower-margin, software development and consulting revenue by 22% to US$2.95m (2015: US$3.76m) was mainly due to two major customers (Malaysia and North America) moving from a development phase to a fully-deployed phase, driving the increases in Maintenance and Support revenue.

There were no significant impacts on the Group's results in H1 2016 arising from fluctuations in exchange rates.

Revenue breakdown

 
 US$'m                       H1 2016   H1 2015   Change         H1 2016         H1 2015 
                                                    %      Contribution    Contribution 
                                                               to Group        to Group 
                                                                Revenue         Revenue 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Once-off 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Software Licenses              3.62      3.65      -1%             29%             31% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Software development and 
  consulting services           2.95      3.76     -22%             24%             32% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Recurring 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Maintenance                    4.05      3.47      17%             33%             29% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Support                        1.72      0.97      77%             14%              8% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total Revenue                 12.34     11.85       4%            100%            100% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Gross profit

Gross profit for H1 2016 increased by 10% to US$8.43m compared to US$7.66m for 2015. The increase of US$0.77m was mainly due to the change in business mix, evolving towards a higher percentage of recurring revenues. This also impacted the gross margin rate which increased to 68% for 2016 (2015: 65%), with a larger proportion of support and maintenance revenue and less development and consulting revenue.

Operating expenses/profit

Operating expenses increased by 5% to US$6.39m (2015: US$6.08m) in line with planned investment.

Research & development (R&D) increased to US$2.23m in 2016 (2015: US$1.57m). As a percentage of revenue, R&D spend increased to 18% (2015: 13%). This increase in R&D is due to lower capitalisation of recent development expenditure and higher amortisation of previously capitalised intangible assets as these developments moved to their commercialisation stages.

The Group continued to focus on cost control which resulted in sales and marketing expenses reducing to US$1.82m (2015: US$2.06m) and administrative expenses to US$2.34m (2015: US$2.45m).

 
 US$'m                       H1 2016   H1 2015   Movement   2016 % of   2015 % of 
                                                              Revenue     Revenue 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 Research and development       2.23      1.57        43%         18%         13% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 Sales and marketing            1.82      2.06       -12%         15%         17% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 Administrative expenses        2.34      2.45        -5%         19%         21% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total                          6.39      6.08         5%         52%         51% 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Capitalisation and amortisation movements

The Group capitalised US$0.66m (2015: US$0.79m) of R&D costs in H1 2016. As core work on platform technology development progresses, Escher is capitalising less of its R&D costs and expects this trend to continue in H2 2016 and 2017. In H1 2016, much of the capitalisation relates to the Enterprise Mobile solution which accounts for US$0.49m (2015: US$0.52m).

Amortisation of US$0.98m was charged in H1 2016 (2015: US$0.82m). The net impact on the income statement of capitalisation and amortisation was a charge of US$0.32m (2015: US$0.03m). R&D tax credits recognised in the first half of 2016 were US$0.15m (2015: US$0.27).

 
 US$'m                                 H1 2016   H1 2015   % change 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Additions 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 RiposteTrEx                              0.17      0.27       -37% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Enterprise mobile                        0.49      0.52        -2% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Total capitalisation                     0.66      0.79       -16% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Amortisation 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 RiposteTrEx                            (0.32)    (0.42)       -24% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Riposte                                (0.66)    (0.40)        65% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Total amortisation                     (0.98)    (0.82)        20% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 Net charge on the income statement     (0.32)    (0.03)       967% 
------------------------------------  --------  --------  --------- 
 

Reconciliation of operating profit to Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was up 25% to US$3.35m (2015: US$2.68m). Adjusted EBITDA represents operating profit before depreciation, amortisation and share based charges.

The increase was mainly due to the 4% increase in revenue and a 7% reduction in cost of sales, offset by a 5% increase in operating expenses. See below table.

 
 US$'m                  H1 2016   H1 2015   Change   % change 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 Operating profit          2.04      1.57     0.47        30% 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 Depreciation              0.15      0.19    -0.04       -21% 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 Amortisation              0.98      0.82     0.16        20% 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 EBITDA                    3.17      2.58     0.59        23% 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 Share based payment       0.18      0.10     0.08        80% 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA           3.35      2.68     0.67        25% 
---------------------  --------  --------  -------  --------- 
 

Net finance costs

Because of the reduction in bank debt, net finance costs decreased to US$0.23 (2015: US$0.31m). The amortisation of the finance costs related to the Bank of Ireland (BOI) loan facility remained at US$0.07m.

Profit before tax

Profit before tax was up 43% to US$1.81m (2015: US$1.26m). Adjusted profit before tax, excluding share based payments was up 46% to US$1.99m (2015: US$1.36m).

Income tax expense

The effective tax rate was 27%, a reduction from the H1 2015 of 40%. Included in the H1 2015 income tax expense is US$0.2m related to the final phase of the Group's corporate restructuring. There is no comparative charge in the current period resulting in a lower effective tax rate for the Group which will be maintained going forward.

Earnings per share

Basic EPS was US$7.0 cents per share (2015: US$4.0 cents per share). Diluted EPS was US$6.7 cents per share (2015: US$3.9 cents per share).

Dividend

The Group is not paying a half year dividend.

Cash flow and net debt

Net debt at the end of June was US$2.68m (December 2015: US$2.65m). Cash at the end of June was US$3.82m (December 2015: US$7.35m) and borrowings were US$6.50m (December 2015: US$10.00m).

Net debt at the end of H1 increased slightly as compared to that at the end of H1 2015, due to the timing of customer receipts. During the period, a loan repayment of US$0.5m was made and the revolving facility of US$3.0 was repaid.

Consolidated Income Statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                          Six months    Six months     Year ended 
                                            ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                           June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                             US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                                 Notes   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 
 Revenue                           5          12,340        11,850         22,010 
 Cost of sales                               (3,913)       (4,195)        (8,361) 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Gross profit                                  8,427         7,655         13,649 
 Operating expenses                          (6,388)       (6,081)       (11,995) 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                              2,039         1,574          1,654 
 Finance income                                    1             1              2 
 Finance costs                                 (233)         (314)          (598) 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Net finance costs                             (232)         (313)          (596) 
 Profit before income tax                      1,807         1,261          1,058 
 Income tax expense                            (491)         (504)          (632) 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Profit for the period                         1,316           757            426 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 
 Earnings per share (US$ cent 
  per share) 
 Basic                             6             7.0           4.0            2.3 
 Diluted                           6             6.7           3.9            2.2 
 
 Reconciliation of EBITDA and             Six months    Six months     Year ended 
  adjusted                                  ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                           June 2016     June 2015           2015 
 EBITDA                                     ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                           June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                             US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                                         (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 
 Operating Profit                              2,039         1,574          1,654 
 Depreciation                      7             150           193            372 
 Amortisation                      8             982           816          1,845 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 EBITDA                                        3,171         2,583          3,871 
 Share options expense                           180           100            131 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                               3,351         2,683          4,002 
                                        ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                       Six months    Six months     Year ended 
                                         ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                        June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                          US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                                      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 
 Profit for the period                      1,316           757            426 
 Other comprehensive income: 
 Items that may subsequently 
  be reclassified to the Income 
  Statement: 
 Currency translation differences              97         (459)          (589) 
                                     ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Total other comprehensive income              97         (459)          (589) 
                                     ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the perio                             1,413           298          (163) 
                                     ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 

The notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2016

 
                                                 30 June       30 June   31 December 
                                                    2016          2015          2015 
                                                 US$'000       US$'000       US$'000 
                                     Notes   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     (Audited) 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment         7             344           528           383 
 Intangible assets                     8          35,808        36,637        36,051 
 Deferred income tax assets                          724           703           723 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total non-current assets                         36,876        37,868        37,157 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Current assets 
 Cash and cash equivalents             9           3,816         7,776         7,346 
 Trade and other receivables                       9,248         9,155         7,164 
 Financial assets                     10             521             -             - 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total current assets                             13,585        16,931        14,510 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Total assets                                     50,461        54,799        51,667 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Equity and liabilities 
 
 Issued capital                                      128           128           128 
 Other reserves                                    1,086           909           810 
 Retained earnings                                 8,868         7,883         7,552 
 Share premium                                    26,909        26,909        26,909 
                                                          ------------  ------------ 
 Total equity                                     36,991        35,829        35,399 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Non-current Liabilities 
 Borrowings                            9           5,388         6,332         5,844 
 Deferred income tax liabilities                       -            49             - 
 Provisions for other liabilities 
  and charges                                         22            22            21 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total non-current liabilities                     5,410         6,403         5,865 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                            9             936         3,866         3,911 
 Trade and other payables                          6,658         7,600         6,277 
 Current income tax payable                          466         1,101           215 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total current liabilities                         8,060        12,567        10,403 
 Total liabilities                                13,470        18,970        16,268 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total equity and liabilities                     50,461        54,799        51,667 
                                            ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                                    Cumulative 
                                                       foreign 
                                                      currency 
                   Equity share                    translation                     Retained 
                        capital   Share premium        reserve   Other reserves    earnings   Total equity 
                        US$'000         US$'000        US$'000          US$'000     US$'000        US$'000 
 
 (Unaudited) 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2016              128          26,909        (1,570)            2,380       7,552         35,399 
 Profit for the 
  financial 
  period                      -               -              -                -       1,316          1,316 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                      -               -             97                -           -             97 
 Share based 
  payments                    -               -              -              179           -            179 
                  -------------  --------------  -------------  ---------------  ----------  ------------- 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2016                 128          26,909        (1,473)            2,559       8,868         36,991 
                  -------------  --------------  -------------  ---------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 (Unaudited) 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2015              128          26,909          (981)            2,249       7,126         35,431 
 Profit for the 
  financial 
  period                      -               -              -                -         757            757 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                      -               -          (459)                -           -          (459) 
 Share based 
  payments                    -               -              -              100           -            100 
                  -------------  --------------  -------------  ---------------  ----------  ------------- 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2015                 128          26,909        (1,440)            2,349       7,883         35,829 
                  -------------  --------------  -------------  ---------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 
 
 (Unaudited) 
 Loss for the financial period       -        -         -       -   (331)    (331) 
 Other comprehensive income          -        -     (130)       -       -    (130) 
 Total comprehensive income          -        -     (130)       -   (331)    (461) 
 Share based payments                -        -         -      31       -       31 
 Balance at 31 December 2015       128   26,909   (1,570)   2,380   7,552   35,399 
                                  ----  -------  --------  ------  ------  ------- 
 

The notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                                 Six months     Six months     Year ended 
                                                   ended 30       ended 30    31 December 
                                                  June 2016      June 2015           2015 
 
                                                    US$'000        US$'000        US$'000 
                                                (Unaudited)   (Unaudited))      (Audited) 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations            10         1,016          3,816          5,719 
 Interest received                                        1              1              2 
 Interest paid                                        (168)          (227)          (487) 
 Income taxes paid                                    (244)          (117)        (1,069) 
 R&D tax credit received                                234              -              - 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                            839          3,473          4,165 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Additions to intangible assets                       (660)          (793)        (1,310) 
 Acquisition of investments                           (139)              -              - 
 Government grant                                         -            136            136 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                           (109)           (19)           (57) 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                (908)          (676)        (1,231) 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from borrowings                                 -          3,000          3,000 
 Borrowing costs                                          -           (28)           (40) 
 Repayment of borrowings                            (3,500)        (3,500)        (4,000) 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash(used in) financing activities             (3,500)          (528)        (1,040) 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash 
  and cash equivalents                              (3,569)          2,269          1,894 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  beginning of period                                 7,346          5,720          5,720 
 Foreign exchange adjustments                            39          (213)          (268) 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash 
  and cash 
 equivalents                                        (3,569)          2,269          1,894 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  end of period                                       3,816          7,776          7,346 
                                               ------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements

NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

1. General information

Escher Group Holdings plc and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively the "Group") are world-class providers of retail and message-based software solutions and services. The Group develops, markets, sells and supports enterprise-wide software applications for counter automation and distributed network communication. The Group's principal customers are international postal services. The Group services these customers from its offices in Ireland, the United States, Singapore, South Africa, and its branch in the United Kingdom.

The company was incorporated in the Republic of Ireland on 7 June 2007 as NG Postal Limited, a private company limited by shares. On 14 September 2007, the company acquired the main operating subsidiaries giving rise to the goodwill asset. The company was renamed Escher Group Holdings Limited on 2 September 2008.

The company re-registered as a public limited company on 14 July 2011 and changed its name to Escher Group Holdings plc on that date. On 25 July 2011, the Group filed for an Initial Public Offering on the London Stock Exchange plc's AIM Market. Admission to AIM occurred on 8 August 2011.

The Company's registered office is 111 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.

2. Basis of preparation

The Group's condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in this report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting ('IAS 34') as adopted by the European Union. These condensed statements do not include all information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 included in the Group's 2015 Annual Report which is available on the Group website www.eschergroup.com. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements presented do not constitute full statutory accounts. Full statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 will be filed with the Irish Registrar of Companies in due course. The Audit Report on those statutory accounts was unqualified.

The Group's condensed interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2016 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 30 June 2015 are unaudited. The financial information presented for the year ended 31 December 2015 represents an abbreviated version of the Group's financial statements for that year.

The Group's condensed financial information is presented in US Dollars (US$), rounded to the nearest thousand, which is the functional currency of the Group.

A comprehensive review of the Group's performance for the six months ended 30 June 2016 is included on pages 4 to 7 of this document.

3. Going concern basis

The Group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonable possible changes in trading performance, support the conclusion that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than twelve months from the date of this report. The Group therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its consolidated interim financial statements.

4. Accounting policies

The Group's condensed interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies, significant judgements, key assumptions and estimates as set out in the Group's annual report for the year ended 31 December 2015. The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group were outlined in our 2015 annual report. The annual report is available on Escher's website. The principal risks and uncertainties have remained substantially the same for the current period.

5. Segment information

In line with the requirements of IFRS 8, "Operating Segments", the Group has identified its Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) as the Board of the company. The Board reviews the Group's internal reporting in order to assess the performance of the Group and allocate resources. The Board considers the business from a product perspective and reviews working capital and overall statement of financial position performance on a Group wide basis. Consequently the Board determined there to be only one segment.

The Board assess the performance of the segment based primarily on measures of revenues, adjusted EBITDA and profit before tax. Adjusted EBITDA is used as it is an industry-wide standard and it is calculated using operating profit before non-cash share based charges, interest, tax, depreciation on property plant and equipment and amortisation of intangible assets. These revenues derive from the following main sources:

Analysis of revenue by category

 
                              Six months    Six months     Year ended 
                                ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                               June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                 US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                             (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 
 Software licenses                 3,619         3,645          4,138 
 Software development and 
  consulting services              2,953         3,764          7,873 
 Maintenance                       4,053         3,467          7,606 
 Support                           1,715           974          2,393 
                            ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Revenue                          12,340        11,850         22,010 
                            ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 

The entity is domiciled in the Republic of Ireland. The Group's external revenues are derived from the following main geographic locations:

 
                           Six months    Six months     Year ended 
                             ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                            June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                              US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                          (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 
 UK and Ireland                 1,150         1,199          2,191 
 Other Europe                   2,475         2,570          5,331 
 North & Latin America          3,948         5,715         10,161 
 Asia-Pacific region            3,513         1,161          1,939 
 Africa & Middle East           1,254         1,205          2,388 
                         ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Revenue                       12,340        11,850         22,010 
                         ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 

During the period the Group derived revenues from the following external customers (reporting segment region in parenthesis) which individually represented 10% or more of total reported revenues for that period:

 
                                  Six months    Six months     Year ended 
                                    ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                   June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                           %             %              % 
                                 (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 Customer A (North & Latin 
  America)                               27%           41%            38% 
 Customer B (Asia-Pacific 
  Region)                                23%            0%             0% 
 % of total reported revenues            50%           41%            38% 
 

The total of non-current assets other than deferred income tax assets located in the Republic of Ireland at 30 June 2016 is US$5m (Jun 2015: US$6.1m), and the total of non-current assets located in other countries is US$31m (Jun 2015: US$31.1m).

6. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations.

 
                                         Six Months    Six Months     Year ended 
                                           ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                          June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                            US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                                        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 Profit attributable to ordinary 
  shareholders                                1,315           757            426 
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Basic weighted number of shares         18,704,085    18,692,130     18,699,923 
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Dilutive potential ordinary 
  shares: 
 Effects of employee share options          432,923       251,093        265,444 
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Diluted weighted number of ordinary 
  shares                                 19,137,008    18,943,223     18,965,367 
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Basic earnings per share (in 
  US$ cents per share)                          7.0           4.0            2.3 
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Diluted earnings) per share 
  (in US$ cents per share)                      6.9           4.0            2.2 
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 

7. Property, plant and equipment

 
                                                   31 December 
                                    30 June 2016          2015 
                                         US$'000       US$'000 
                                     (Unaudited)     (Audited) 
 
 Net book value at beginning of 
  the period                                 383           722 
 Additions                                   109            57 
 Depreciation                              (150)         (372) 
 Exchange differences                          2          (24) 
                                   -------------  ------------ 
 Net book value at end of period             344           383 
                                   -------------  ------------ 
 

8. Intangible assets

 
 At 30 June 2016                               Other Intangible   Total Intangible 
                                    Goodwill             assets             assets 
                                     US$'000            US$'000            US$'000 
                                 (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)        (Unaudited) 
 
 Net book value at 1 January 
  2016                                29,853              6,198             36,051 
 Additions                                 -                660                660 
 Amortisation charge                       -              (982)              (982) 
 Exchange differences                     79                  -                 79 
                                ------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Net book value at 30 June 
  2016                                29,932              5,876             35,808 
                                ------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 
 
 At 31 December 2015                           Other Intangible   Total Intangible 
                                    Goodwill             assets             assets 
                                     US$'000            US$'000            US$'000 
                                   (Audited)          (Audited)          (Audited) 
 
 Net book value at 1 January 
  2015                                30,399              6,868             37,267 
 Additions                                 -              1,310              1,310 
 Government grants                         -              (135)              (135) 
 Amortisation charge                       -            (1,845)            (1,845) 
 Exchange differences                  (546)                  -              (546) 
                                  ----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Net book value at 31 December 
  2015                                29,853              6,198             36,051 
                                  ----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 

9. Analysis of net debt

 
                               31 December                     30 June 
                                      2015      Movement          2016 
                                   US$'000       US$'000       US$'000 
                                 (Audited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents           7,346       (3,530)         3,816 
 
 Non-current borrowings            (5,844)           456       (5,388) 
 Deferred finance costs              (156)            44         (112) 
                              ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Non-current borrowings            (6,000)           500       (5,500) 
 Current borrowings                (3,911)         2,975         (936) 
 Deferred finance costs               (89)            25          (64) 
                              ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Current borrowings                (4,000)         3,000       (1,000) 
                              ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total borrowings                 (10,000)         3,500       (6,500) 
                              ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net debt                          (2,654)          (30)       (2,684) 
                              ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Escher's long term debt has annual repayments of US$1m and expires in 2018. During H1 2016 Escher repaid its US$3m revolving facility. This facility remains available if required.

10. Financial assets

Financial assets relate to the investment Escher made in Deposify in H1 2016 and the associated loan note.

11. Cash generated from operations

 
                                      Six Months    Six Months     Year ended 
                                        ended 30      ended 30    31 December 
                                       June 2016     June 2015           2015 
                                         US$'000       US$'000        US$'000 
                                     (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
 
 Profit before tax                         1,807         1,261          1,058 
 Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation                                150           193            372 
 Amortisation                                982           816          1,845 
 Amortisation of deferred finance 
  costs                                       69            66            135 
 Finance income                              (1)           (1)            (2) 
 Finance expense                             164           248            463 
 Foreign exchange translation               (15)           260            623 
 Employee share based payments               180           100            131 
 
 (Increase)/decrease in trade 
  and other receivables                  (2,698)         1,360          3,054 
 Decrease in trade and other 
  payables                                   378         (487)        (1,960) 
                                    ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 Cash generated from operations            1,016         3,816          5,719 
                                    ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 

12. Post balance sheet events

There have been no material events subsequent to the period end, which have not been reflected in the interim financial information.

13. Contingent liabilities

The Group is not aware of any major changes with regard to contingent liabilities in comparison with the situation as of 31 December 2015.

14. Related party transactions

Details of related party transactions in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015 are contained in Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements of the Group's 2015 annual report. The Group continued to enter into transactions in the normal course of business with its associates and other related parties during the period. There were no transactions with related parties in the first half of 2016 or changes to transactions with related parties disclosed in the 2015 consolidated financial statements that had a material effect on the financial position or the performance of the Group.

15. Cautionary statement

This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect of the financial condition, results, operations and businesses of Escher Group Holdings plc. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause the actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements and forecasts. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit forecast.

16. Copies of Interim Report

Copies of the interim financial statements are available from the Company at its office at 111 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. The interim financial information document will also be available on the Company's website www.eschergroup.com

17. Release of half yearly condensed financial statements

The Group condensed financial information was approved for release by a subcommittee of the Board of directors on 12 September 2016.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR LLFFTATIFLIR

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September 13, 2016 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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