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MUBL Mbl Group Plc

3.50
0.00 (0.00%)
18 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Mbl Group Plc LSE:MUBL London Ordinary Share GB00B0W48T45 ORD 7.5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 3.50 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

MBL Group PLC Interims, Directorate Change & Strategic Review (8876Q)

05/12/2016 7:45am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMMUBL

RNS Number : 8876Q

MBL Group PLC

05 December 2016

5 December 2016

MBL GROUP PLC

(AIM: MUBL)

("MBL" or the "Group")

Unaudited Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 September 2016, Directorate Change and Conclusion of Strategic Review

The Board of MBL Group plc announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2016.

Key points:

   --           Group revenue up 13% to GBP7.54 million (2015: GBP6.7 million) 

-- Group profit before taxation and exceptional items GBP0.2 million (2015: loss GBP0.04 million)

   --           Group loss before taxation GBP0.2 million (2015: loss GBP0.04 million) 
   --           Net cash of GBP1.5 million (2015: GBP1.8 million) and the Group remains debt free 
   --           No dividend is proposed 
   --           Peter Palframan joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director 
   --           Chris Jones leaves the Board with immediate effect 
   --           Completion of Strategic Review and end of Offer Period 

Tim Jackson-Smith, Chairman of MBL, commented:

"I am pleased to report that during the period all of the trading businesses within the Group continued to perform well, were profitable, cash generative and on average delivered a 13% growth in sales. However, the Group did incur significant exceptional, one-off costs in the first 6 months of this current financial year and these have led to a loss in the period at Group level.

The Group recently announced that it had begun a strategic review with the aim of maximizing value for our shareholders and we believe that a third party may be better placed to develop the potential in our trading businesses and take them forward to the next phase of their development. Accordingly, the Board is going to carry out a formal sales process regarding each business and will update shareholders in due course as to progress.

Finally, I would like to announce some changes to the Board. With immediate effect Chris Jones is stepping down from the Board and is being replaced by Peter Palframan. I would like to thank Chris for all his efforts and wish him well for the future. I would also like to welcome Peter to the Board and look forward to working with him as we look to execute the plan outlined in the strategic review. Peter's skill set is perfectly matched to the challenges ahead."

A copy of the Unaudited Interim Results will be available on the Company's website - www.mblgroup.co.uk

--S--

For further information please contact:

MBL Group plc Tel: 01772 440440

Tim Jackson-Smith, Chairman

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited Tel: 0203 368 3555

Sean Wyndham-Quin

Mark Brady

SI Capital Limited Tel: 01483 413500

Nick Emerson

Andy Thacker

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to report that during the period all the trading businesses within the Group continued to perform well, were profitable, cash generative and on average delivered a 13% growth in sales.

Operational Review

Home Entertainment

 
                      30 September    30 September 
                      2016 GBP'000    2015 GBP'000 
------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Revenue                     4,226           3,913 
==================  ==============  ============== 
 Operating profit              151              70 
------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

The Group's Home Entertainment division is one of the UK's leading suppliers of music and entertainment products to online and physical retailers around the world.

The division performed well in the period, boosted by a weaker pound, and saw revenues of GBP4.2million (2015: GBP3.9 million). Operating profit more than doubled to GBP151,000 (2015: GBP70,000). Gross profit margins were lower than the same period last year at 13.4% (2015: 14.7%).

Garden & Home

 
                      30 September    30 September 
                      2016 GBP'000    2015 GBP'000 
------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Revenue                     3,299           2,728 
==================  ==============  ============== 
 Operating profit              180              19 
------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Our Garden & Home division specialises in the online and mail order sale of garden bird food, aquatics supplies and associated wildlife products.

Sales during the period increased by 21% to GBP3.3 million (2015: GBP2.7 million) leading to an increase in operating profit for the period of 950% to GBP180,000 (2015: GBP19,000). As was expected, the tightly controlled cost base within the business meant that top line growth fed through to bottom line profit and this, combined with expertise in buying and online marketing strategies, has helped to consolidate the business's position in this market.

Financial Review

The Financial Statements have been prepared to separately present the financial performance of the Group's operations including the prior year comparatives. The Segmental Analysis in the Notes to the Financial Statements presents the Group's consolidated revenue streams.

Overall, Group revenue for the year increased by 13% to GBP7.5 million (2015: GBP6.7 million). Group gross margins reduced slightly to 25.2% (2015: 26%).

The Group loss for the period before taxation was GBP0.2million (2015: GBP0.04 million) and this has been caused by a series of exceptional, one-off costs in the period that have been incurred by the Company as part of the recent changes that have been made.

The Group is a relatively small business and as such it is possible for investment in future performance or operating challenges to have a disproportionate effect on our short term financial performance. We are also sensitive to the costs of maintaining an AIM listing and these costs have a sizeable impact on the costs of administering the Group.

Cash flow, working capital and borrowing facilities

The Group ended the period with cash balances of GBP1.5 million (2015: GBP1.8 million). The net cash outflow from operating activities was GBP0.3million (2015: inflow of GBP0.1 million). The Group remains debt free.

Dividends

The Board is not recommending the payment of a dividend.

Our people

I have had the pleasure over the last few months of meeting many of the Group's employees. They are clearly one of the Group's great strengths and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support during my transition into my role as chairman. MBL's staff are critical to the success of the Group and the first 6 months of this financial year have seen substantial improvement in the Group's underlying performance. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank everyone across the Group for their hard work and dedication.

Board update

The Board has seen a number of changes recently with Tony Johnson, Lisa Clarke and Chris Jones stepping down and Peter Palframan joining the board as a non-executive director. I would like to thank Tony, Lisa and Chris for their contribution to the Group and to wish them well for the future.

The first six months of this financial year have therefore been costly and distracting and I am keen to now focus my efforts on the businesses within the Group to make sure that they continue to perform in the best and most effective way possible. Peter and I are committed to move forward and to deliver as much value as we can to the shareholders and the strategic review that we have carried out is the first step on that journey.

Strategic Review

As requested by shareholders, the Board has been conducting a strategic review of the Group. This has been a collaborative process, which has involved a great deal of time commitment on behalf of the Board, senior management and Grant Thornton. The purpose of the exercise has been to investigate how to improve the performance of the business and enhance shareholder value. We have decided to explore a potential sale of both trading businesses within the Group as we believe that a third party may be better placed to take these businesses to the next phase of their development.

As a result of the completion of the Strategic Review, the Group is no longer in an Offer Period.

Current Outlook

The second half of the financial year has started well with sales in both divisions ahead of management expectations.

T Jackson-Smith

Chairman

5 December 2016

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the period ended 30 September 2016

 
 
 
 
                                                                            Unaudited        Unaudited        Audited 
                                                                             6 months         6 months     Year ended 
                                                                                   to               to       31 March 
                                                                         30 September     30 September 
                                                                                 2016             2015           2016 
                                                                Note          GBP'000          GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                                                                        7,539            6,654         14,767 
 Cost of sales                                                                (5,635)          (4,944)       (11,079) 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 Gross profit                                                                   1,904            1,710          3,688 
 
 Distribution expenses                                                          (538)            (455)          (934) 
 Administrative expenses 
  - normal                                                                    (1,147)          (1,300)        (2,733) 
                                             - reorganisation                   (453)                -              - 
                                             costs 
 
 Operating (loss)/profit                                                        (234)             (45)             21 
 
 Finance income                                                                     2                3              5 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit before 
  tax                                                                           (232)             (42)             26 
 
 Taxation expense                                                4               (19)                -             49 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit for the 
  period                                                                        (251)             (42)             75 
                                                                      ===============  ===============  ============= 
 
 Total comprehensive (expense)/income 
  for the period                                                                (251)             (42)             75 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 
 
 There are no items other than those stated above 
  that would comprise comprehensive income. All the 
  items above are attributable to equity holders of 
  the Company. 
 
 
 
 
 Earnings per share: 
 
 
                                                 Unaudited        Unaudited        Audited 
                                                  6 months         6 months     Year ended 
                                                        to               to       31 March 
                                              30 September     30 September 
                                                      2016             2015           2015 
 
   Basic and diluted (loss)/profit 
   per share                            5           (1.4)p           (0.2)p           0.4p 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2016

 
                                        30 September   30 September   31 March 
                                                2016           2015       2016 
                                 Note         GBP000         GBP000     GBP000 
 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                                      232            287        262 
 Intangible assets                               140            140        140 
 Deferred tax assets                              29              -         48 
 
 Total non-current assets                        401            427        450 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                     671            554        689 
 Trade and other receivables                   1,817          1,702      1,705 
 Cash and cash equivalents                     1,539          1,768      1,855 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Total current assets                          4,027          4,024      4,249 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Total assets                                  4,428          4,451      4,699 
                                       =============  =============  ========= 
 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                    (1,336)        (1,221)    (1,356) 
 Tax payable                                       -            (4)          - 
 Provisions                       7            (472)          (472)      (472) 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Total current liabilities                   (1,808)        (1,697)    (1,828) 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Net assets                                    2,620          2,754      2,871 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 Equity attributable to 
  equity holders of the 
  parent 
 Share capital                                 1,297         12,972      1,297 
 Share premium                                     -         21,531          - 
 Retained earnings                             4,123       (28,949)      4,374 
 Merger reserve                              (2,800)        (2,800)    (2,800) 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Total equity                                  2,620          2,754      2,871 
                                       -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Total equity and liabilities                  4,428          4,451      4,699 
                                       =============  =============  ========= 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the period ended 30 September 2016

 
                           Share      Share     Merger    Retained    Total 
                         capital    premium    reserve    earnings 
                          GBP000     GBP000     GBP000      GBP000   GBP000 
 
 At 1 April 2015          12,972     21,531    (2,800)    (28,907)    2,796 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  expense 
 for the period                -          -          -        (42)     (42) 
 
 At 30 September 
  2015                    12,972     21,531    (2,800)    (28,949)    2,754 
                       =========  =========  =========  ==========  ======= 
 
 Capital reduction      (11,675)          -          -      11,675        - 
 Cancellation of 
  Share Premium                -   (21,531)          -      21,531        - 
 Total comprehensive 
  income 
 for the period                -          -          -         117      117 
 
 At 31 March 2016          1,297          -    (2,800)       4,374    2,871 
                       =========  =========  =========  ==========  ======= 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  expense 
 for the period                -          -          -       (251)    (251) 
 
 At 30 September 
  2016                     1,297          -    (2,800)       4,123    2,620 
                       =========  =========  =========  ==========  ======= 
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the period ended 30 September 2016

 
 
                                            Unaudited        Unaudited        Audited 
                                             6 months         6 months     Year ended 
                                                   to               to       31 March 
                                         30 September     30 September 
                                                 2016             2015           2016 
                                               GBP000           GBP000         GBP000 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 (Loss)/profit for the period                   (251)             (42)             75 
 
 Adjustments for: 
     Depreciation                                  40               62            107 
     Impairment of intangibles                      -                9              8 
     Financial income                             (2)              (3)            (5) 
     Profit on sale of property, 
      plant and equipment                           -                -           (30) 
    Taxation                                       19                -           (49) 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
                                                (194)               26            106 
 
   Increase in trade and 
   other receivables                            (113)             (27)           (30) 
    Decrease/(increase) in 
     inventories                                   18               70           (65) 
    (Decrease)/increase in 
     trade and other payables                    (20)               78            213 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
                                                (309)              147            224 
 
    Tax paid                                        -                2              - 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 Net cash flow from operating 
  activities                                    (309)              149            224 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flow from investing 
  activities 
    Interest received                               2                3              5 
    Proceeds from sale of 
     property, plant and equipment                  -               20             51 
    Acquisition of property, 
     plant and equipment                          (9)            (104)          (125) 
    Payments made to acquire 
     trade and assets                                              (8)            (8) 
 
 Net cash flow from investing 
  activities                                      (7)             (89)           (77) 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
    Interest paid                                   -                -              - 
 
 Net cash flow from financing                       -                -              - 
  activities 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
    Net (decrease)/increase 
     in cash and cash 
     equivalents                                (316)               60            147 
    Cash and cash equivalents 
     at 1 April                                 1,855            1,708          1,708 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period                              1,539            1,768          1,855 
 
 

Notes

   1.    Basis of preparation 

MBL Group Plc (the 'Company') is a company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The half-year financial report for the 6 month period to 30 September 2016 represents that of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group').

This half-year financial report is an interim management report as required by Rule 18 of the AIM Rules for Companies and was authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 2 December 2016.

The half-year financial report is prepared in accordance with the EU endorsed standard IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2016 are not the Group's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Group's Auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Report of the Auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the Auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

The information contained in the half-year financial report for the 6 month period to 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015 is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with the IFRS adopted by the European Union.

As required by AIM Rule 18, the half-year financial report has been prepared and presented in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the preparation of the Company's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016.

The Group's policy is to maintain the ability to continue as a going concern, in order to provide returns to the shareholder and benefits to other stakeholders. Accordingly the going concern basis has been adopted in preparing these interim results.

The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2016 are available upon request from the Company's registered office at MBL Group plc, Unit 1 Millennium City Park, Millennium Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 5BL.

   2.    Going concern 

The financial report has been prepared on a going concern basis, which the Directors believe to be appropriate for the following reasons.

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts to 31 March 2018 taking account of reasonable possible changes in trading performance. These forecasts show the Group to be cash positive throughout the next 15 months and make a number of assumptions around revenue and profitability of the remaining business activity.

These forecasts demonstrate the Group has appropriate funds which the directors believe are sufficient for the Group to continue to trade for at least the next 12 month period. In addition the Group continues to reflect an overall net assets position and is debt free.

The Group had a cash balance of GBP1.5m as at 30 September 2016 and currently does not have a bank overdraft or loan facilities.

The directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial report.

   3.    Unaudited segmental analysis 

The Group comprises the following main business segments:

Home Entertainment The sale of home entertainment products predominantly to the export market.

Garden & Home The sale of garden bird, aquatics, wildlife and pet related products direct to consumer via mail order and online channels.

Other A combination of revenue streams including the license of film and music rights for manufacture, sale and download.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for period ended 30 September 2016:

 
 
                                    Home Entertainment      Garden 
                                               GBP'000      & Home       Other       Group 
                                                           GBP'000     GBP'000       Total 
                                                                                   GBP'000 
 
 Gross revenue                                   4,227       3,300          12       7,539 
 Intersegment 
  revenue                                            -           -           -           - 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net revenue                                     4,227       3,300          12       7,539 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Operating profit before 
  exceptional and central 
  costs                                            151         183          40         374 
 Central costs                                                                       (155) 
 Exceptional 
  costs                                                                              (453) 
                                                                                ---------- 
 Operating loss after 
  exceptional and central 
  costs                                                                              (234) 
 Finance income                                                                          2 
 Taxation                                                                             (19) 
                                                                                ---------- 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the period                                                                     (251) 
                                                                                ========== 
 
 
   Total assets and 
   liabilities 
 Total assets                                    1,777         601       1,909       4,287 
 Goodwill                                            -         140           -         140 
 Total liabilities                               (582)       (295)       (930)     (1,807) 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total segment net 
  assets                                         1,195         446         979       2,620 
                                 =====================  ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 
   Capital expenditure 
 Intangible 
  assets                                             -           -           -           - 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Tangible 
  fixed assets                                       -           4           5           9 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Depreciation                                        6           9          24          39 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for period ended 30 September 2015:

 
 
                                    Home Entertainment      Garden 
                                               GBP'000      & Home       Other       Group 
                                                           GBP'000     GBP'000       Total 
                                                                                   GBP'000 
 
 Gross revenue                                   3,913       2,728          13       6,654 
 Intersegment 
  revenue                                            -           -           -           - 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net revenue                                     3,913       2,728          13       6,654 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Operating profit before 
  central costs                                     70          19          12         101 
 Central costs                                                                       (146) 
                                                                                ---------- 
 Operating loss after 
  central costs                                                                       (45) 
 Finance income                                                                          3 
 Taxation                                                                                - 
                                                                                ---------- 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the period                                                                      (42) 
                                                                                ========== 
 
 
   Total assets and 
   liabilities 
 Total assets                                    1,283         741       2,286       4,310 
 Goodwill                                            -         140           -         140 
 Total liabilities                               (704)       (186)       (806)     (1,696) 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total segment net 
  assets                                           579         695       1,480       2,754 
                                 =====================  ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 
   Capital expenditure 
 Intangible 
  assets                                             -           8           -           8 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Tangible 
  fixed assets                                       1         103           -         104 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Depreciation                                        8          35          19          62 
                                 ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for period ended 31 March 2016:

 
 
                                   Home Entertainment      Garden 
                                              GBP'000      & Home       Other       Group 
                                                          GBP'000     GBP'000       Total 
                                                                                  GBP'000 
 
 Gross revenue                                  8,853       5,857          57      14,767 
 Intersegment 
  revenue                                           -           -           -           - 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net revenue                                    8,853       5,857          57      14,767 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Operating profit before 
  central costs                                   180          14          57         251 
 Central costs                                                                      (230) 
                                                                               ---------- 
 Operating profit after 
  central costs                                                                        21 
 Finance income                                                                         5 
 Taxation                                                                              49 
                                                                               ---------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period                                                                       75 
                                                                               ========== 
 
 
   Total assets and 
   liabilities 
 Total assets                                   1,505         724       2,330       4,559 
 Goodwill                                           -         140           -         140 
 Total liabilities                              (748)       (358)       (722)     (1,828) 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total segment net 
  assets                                          757         506       1,608       2,871 
                                =====================  ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 
   Capital expenditure 
 Intangible 
  assets                                            -           8           -           8 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Tangible 
  fixed assets                                      6          15         104         125 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Depreciation                                      13          52          42         107 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Impairment of intangibles                          -           8           -           8 
                                ---------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   4.    Taxation 

The income tax charge has been estimated by the Group based on adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years and the level of losses incurred in the period ending 30 September 2016.

   5.    Earnings per share 

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the loss after taxation divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue, being 17,296,068 (2015: 17,296,068; year ended 31 March 2016: 17,296,068).

   6.    Property, plant and equipment 

During the period, the Group acquired assets with a cost of GBP9,000 (2015: GBP104,000; year ended 31 March 2016: GBP125,000).

   7.    Provisions 
 
                                         Lease commitment 
                                                  GBP'000 
 At 1 April 2015, 30 September 2015, 
  31 March 2016 and 30 September 2016                 472 
                                        ================= 
 Analysed as: 
 Current liabilities                                  472 
                                        ================= 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR TJBJTMBIMTTF

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 05, 2016 02:45 ET (07:45 GMT)

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