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MTI Mtl Instruments

705.00
0.00 (0.00%)
10 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Mtl Instruments LSE:MTI London Ordinary Share GB0005507768 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 705.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Interim Results

03/09/2007 8:01am

UK Regulatory


RNS Number:1394D
MTL Instruments Group PLC
03 September 2007



3 September 2007


                         The MTL Instruments Group plc

             Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2007

The MTL Instruments Group plc is recognised as a world leader in the development
and supply of Intrinsic Safety, Process Control and Surge Protection products
aimed at the process control and telecommunications industries. Many of the
world's safety-critical processes are monitored, controlled or protected by MTL
products and the Group is distinguished by its global network of sales and
support centres and by its acknowledged position as a thought leader in this
high technology marketplace.

MTL has developed solutions which enable process control systems to be devolved
from the control room onto the process plant itself giving benefits of improved
control, integrity and cost savings. This has involved the combination of the
Group's four core technologies - Intrinsic Safety, Surge Protection,
Visualisation and Open Control Platforms.

Performance Summary
 #m                       1H07          1H06         Growth             Growth
                                                                  (at constant
                                                                     currency)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Orders                    45.7          45.4            +1%                +6%
Sales                     43.9          41.4            +6%               +12%
Profit before tax          4.1           3.6           +14%               +35%
Basic EPS*                14.0          12.6           +11%               +31%
Dividend per share (p)     3.2           2.9           +10%               +10%

Highlights

   *Hazardous Area - record order book in continuing strong market conditions
   *Surge Technologies - continued growth in Industrial through the MTL
    International Sales Channel
   *Corporate activity - the three acquisitions made to date this year will
    enhance expected organic growth
   *Dividend increased in line with earnings
   *Full year delivery remains on track

Malcolm Coster, Chairman of The MTL Instruments Group plc, commented: "We are
pleased to report good progress in the first half of 2007. Despite the
continuing weakness in the US dollar which gives unfavourable comparisons with
2006, the strength of our end user markets together with our recently broadened
product range should ensure further growth in the second half of the year."

                                    - Ends -
For Further Information:
Graeme Philp                                                      01582 407250
Chief Executive, The MTL Instruments Group plc

Terry Garrett / Stephanie Badjonat / Hannah Marwood              020 7067 0700
Weber Shandwick Financial

               Please see the company website: www.mtl-group.com



Financial results

We are pleased to report that the Group continued to make good progress, both
financially and strategically, in the first half of 2007.

Revenue and profit before tax for the period increased by 6% and 14%
respectively despite the strong currency headwind particularly in relation to
the weakness of the US dollar. At constant currency sales increased by 12% and
profit before tax by 35%.

Operating profit increased to #4.4m (#5.2m at constant currency) compared with
#3.8m in the first half of 2006. First time contribution from RTK Instruments
Limited and Elpro Technologies PTY accounted for #0.4m of this improvement.

Operating review

The strong level of investment in our main industrial markets has continued
through the first half of 2007. This has enabled all of our businesses to make
progress. In addition to the organic growth that has been achieved we have made
three acquisitions, two of which have made a small contribution to the first
half results.

Project activity in our Hazardous Area business remained strong driven by
continued investment particularly in the Oil and Gas industry. Sales grew by 18
% to #24.7m, and by 22% at constant currency. The sales growth will be enhanced
in the second half of 2007 by the inclusion of our three new acquisitions.

The Surge business had a strong first half with order intake up 12% to #7.8m,
with growth at constant currency of 21%. This strong order growth enabled the
business to carry forward, into the second half, a record order backlog of
#2.6m. It is encouraging that much of this growth has come through the MTL sales
channel and is an early tangible benefit of our investment in sales channel
development.

The MOST business also had strong order intake of #10.3m up 2%, and up 12% at
constant currency. These reported numbers mask strong growth of the MATRIX/IO
business, where order intake grew by 35%, and 46% at constant currency.
Wonderware distribution order intake declined by 8%, due to the weakness of the
US dollar, with the business growing at constant currency by 2%.

Acquisitions

In May 2007, MTL announced the acquisition of Elpro Technologies PTY, which is a
well respected provider of wireless networking and telemetry equipment to the
automation industry. Wireless instrumentation is a rapidly growing branch of the
process control industry and many of our larger customers are looking to MTL to
provide this technology in the future.

RTK Instruments Limited has established a strong reputation as a provider of
alarm handling equipment in industries such as power generation where MTL
intends to strengthen its position. The acquisition of RTK announced in early
July 2007 is a natural fit with the Group, with MTL equally enhancing RTK's
access to key markets such as oil and gas and pharmaceutical.

Ocean Technical Systems Limited was acquired towards the end of July 2007 and is
a successful niche provider of tanker berthing equipment and sub-sea data
acquisition in the oil and gas transportation industry. Its products are highly
specialised and utilise hazardous area technology similar to MTL's core
competence.

The three acquisitions made in 2007 bring both operational and strategic
benefits to the Group. The Company looks forward to updating the market on
progress in due course.

Dividend

The interim dividend is to be increased by 10% to 3.2p, and will be payable on
12 October 2007 to all shareholders on the register as at 14 September 2007.

Outlook

Despite the continuing weakness in the US dollar which gives unfavourable
comparisons with 2006, the strength of our end user markets together with our
recently broadened product range should ensure further growth in the second half
of the year.


Malcolm Coster
Chairman
3 September 2007

Independent auditors' review report

Introduction
We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for
the six months ended 30 June 2007 which comprises of the condensed consolidated
income statement, the condensed consolidated statement of recognised income and
expense, the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the condensed consolidated
cash flow statement and the related notes. We have read the other information
contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information.

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our
engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the Listing
Rules of the Financial Services Authority. Our review has been undertaken so
that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it
in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for
our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Directors' responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is
the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors
are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing
Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting
policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent
with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where they
are to be changed in the next annual accounts in which case any changes, and the
reasons for them, are to be disclosed.

Review work performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4:
Review of interim financial information issued by the Auditing Practices Board
for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries
of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial
information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether
the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless
otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of
contents and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is
substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with
International Statements on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and therefore provides a
lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit
opinion on the financial information.

Review conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months
ended 30 June 2007.



KPMG Audit Plc
Chartered Accountants
St Albans
3 September 2007



Condensed consolidated income statement -
for the period ended 30 June 2007

                                                              Unaudited
                                                          Six months ended
                                                       30 June         30 June
                                                          2007            2006
                                                Note      #000            #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing operations
Revenue                                           11    43,913          41,384
Cost of sales                                          (24,056)        (22,354)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                            19,857          19,030

Selling & marketing costs                               (9,837)         (9,420)
Administrative expenses                                 (3,333)         (3,380)
Research, design and development costs                  (2,253)         (2,445)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                                  11     4,434           3,785

Financial income                                            63              49
Finance costs                                             (304)           (177)
Financial income relating to pension liability             631             513
Finance costs relating to pension liability               (686)           (579)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit before tax                                        4,138           3,591

Tax - UK                                           3      (150)           (191)
Overseas tax                                            (1,257)           (980)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit for the period attributable to                    
shareholders                                             2,731           2,420
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share                                 4
From continuing operations
Basic                                                     14.0p           12.6p
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted                                                   13.5p           12.4p
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Condensed consolidated statement of recognised income and expense -
for the period ended 30 June 2007

                                                               Unaudited
                                                           Six months ended
                                                         30 June       30 June
                                                            2007          2006
                                                            #000          #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gains on cash flow hedges                                     39           141
Exchange differences on translation of foreign               
operations                                                   133          (155)
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes         3,728           502
Tax on items taken directly to equity                     (1,205)         (151)
Transferred to profit and loss on cash flow hedges            (7)          (29)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income recognised directly in equity                   2,688           308
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit for the period                                      2,731         2,420
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognised income and expense for the period
attributable to shareholders                               5,419         2,728
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Condensed consolidated balance sheet -
at 30 June 2007



                                           Unaudited       Audited   Unaudited
                                             30 June   31 December     30 June
                                                2007          2006        2006
                                                #000          #000        #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Note
Non-current assets
Goodwill                               6      31,329        18,394      18,486
Other intangible assets                        1,725           564         407
Property, plant and equipment                  9,165         7,651       7,812
Deferred tax assets                            3,086         3,986       3,421
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              45,305        30,595      30,126
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets
Inventories                                   12,446        10,906      10,185
Trade and other receivables                   24,097        22,017      21,024
Current tax receivable                         1,231           987           -
Cash and cash equivalents                      2,244         1,919       2,686
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              40,018        35,829      33,895
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                  85,323        66,424      64,021
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables                     (14,598)      (14,963)    (11,740)
Current tax liabilities                       (1,788)       (1,258)     (1,457)
Provisions                                    (1,679)       (1,910)          -
Bank overdrafts and loans              7        (963)            -      (3,514)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             (19,028)      (18,131)    (16,711)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net current assets                            20,990        17,698      17,184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-current liabilities
Other non-current payables                    (1,217)       (1,217)     (1,216)
Deferred tax liabilities                      (1,347)       (1,086)       (787)
Provisions                                      (568)            -      (2,162)
Bank overdrafts and loans              7     (16,000)            -           -
Retirement benefit obligation                 (4,370)       (8,005)     (6,141)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             (23,502)      (10,308)    (10,306)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                            (42,530)      (28,439)    (27,017)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets                                    42,793        37,985      37,004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             30 June   31 December     30 June
                                                2007          2006        2006
                                                #000          #000        #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity
Share capital                          8       1,946         1,946       1,925
Share premium account                          3,742         3,742       3,296
Reserves                               9        (788)         (953)        (89)
Non-distributable reserve              9         332           188         170
Retained earnings                     10      37,561        33,062      31,702
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity attributable to                  
shareholders                                  42,793        37,985      37,004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement -
for the period ended 30 June 2007
                                                             Unaudited
                                                          Six months ended
                                                      30 June            30 June
                                                         2007               2006
                                          Note           #000               #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flow from operating activities

Profit before taxation                                  4,138              3,591
Adjustments for:
  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment           639                584
  Amortisation of intangible assets                       135                 36
  (Gain) on disposal of property, plant                   
  and equipment                                           (15)                 -
  Financial income                                        (63)               (49)
  Finance costs                                           304                177
  Net finance costs relating to pension                   
  liabilities                                              55                 66
  Equity settled share-based transactions                 140                124
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                      
                                                        5,333              4,529
(Increase) in trade and other receivables                (734)            (2,280)
Decrease/(Increase) in inventories                        128               (242)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other
payables, pension reserve and provisions               (2,318)            (1,392)
Fair value of currency exchange contracts                 (39)              (141)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash generated from operations                          2,370                474
Interest paid                                            (177)              (177)
Income taxes paid                                      (1,201)            (1,875)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash from operating activities                        992             (1,578)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest received                                          63                 49
Purchases of property, plant and equipment             (1,077)              (777)
Expenditure on product development                       (488)              (210)
Acquisition of subsidiaries                    6      (15,396)                 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                 (16,898)              (938)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid                                           (895)              (827)
Issue of share capital                                      -                 59
New loans                                      7       16,963                  -
Repayments of borrowings                                    -               (280)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities                  16,068             (1,048)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash                  
equivalents                                               162             (3,564)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes                   163                531

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                  1,919              5,719
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June                    2,244              2,686
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements -
for the period ended 30 June 2007

1 Basis of preparation
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements of The MTL Instruments
Group plc are for the six months ended 30 June 2007 and comprises the Company
and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group'). The information
included within this document has been prepared on the basis of the recognition
and measurement requirements of IFRS and IFRIC interpretations in issue that are
endorsed by the European Commission and effective (or available for early
adoption) at 30 June 2007.

The results for each half year are unaudited. The comparative figures for the
year to 31 December2006 have been abridged from the Group's financial statements
for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The
auditors have reported on those financial statements; their report was
unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters which the auditors drew
attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain
statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.

2 Significant accounting policies
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual
Report and Accounts 2006 and have been prepared using the accounting policies
set out in that report. These policies have been consistently applied to all the
periods presented.

3 Tax
Interim period income tax is accrued based on the estimated average annual
effective income tax rate of 34% (6 months ended 30 June 2006: 33%).

4 Earnings per share
From continuing and discontinued operations
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the
following data:

Earnings
                                                       Six months ended
                                                      30 June         30 June 
                                                         2007            2006
                                                         #000            #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings for the purposes of basic earnings per
share being net profit attributable to equity
holders of the parent                                   2,731           2,420
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings for the purposes of diluted earnings
 per share                                              2,731           2,420
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares
                                                      30 June         30 June
                                                         2007            2006
                                                       Number          Number
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for
the purposes of basic earnings per share           19,455,277      19,232,275
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares:         
Share options                                         721,376         348,481
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for
the purposes of diluted earnings per share         20,176,653      19,580,756
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Dividends
During the interim period, a dividend of 4.6p (2006: 4.3p) per share was paid to
the shareholders.

Interim dividends are only recognised in the financial statements when paid. The
interim dividend will increase to 3.2p (2006: 2.9p) and will be payable on 12
October 2007 to all shareholders registered as at 14 September 2007.

6 Goodwill
Elpro International PTY Ltd
On 17 May 2007, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Elpro
International PTY Ltd for cash consideration of #12million. Elpro is a developer
and supplier of wireless solutions, for applications in the process control,
manufacturing and utility markets. This transaction has been accounted for by
the purchase method of accounting. From the date of acquisition to 30 June 2007
contribution (profit after tax) to the Group was #134,000.

RTK Instruments Ltd
On 31 May 2007, the Group acquired 90% of the issued share capital of RTK
Instruments Ltd for cash consideration of #3.7million. RTK are specialists in
the design and manufacture of process alarm equipment, displays and interface
products. This transaction has been accounted for by the purchase method of
accounting. A put and call option has been agreed for the Group to purchase the
10% minority interest. From the date of acquisition to 30 June 2007 contribution
(profit after tax) to the Group was #112,000.

7 Borrowings
A bank loan of #10,000,000 was taken out on 15 May 2007 and at the period end
#10,000,000 was outstanding. Quarterly repayments of #250,000 commence on 30
September 2007 and continue until 31 March 2012 with a final repayment of
#5,250,000 due on 30 June 2012. Interest is charged at a variable rate between
0.75% to 1.25% above LIBOR per annum. The interest rate varies according to an
agreed formula based on a comparison of net debt to EBITDA.

A revolving loan of #7,000,000 was taken out on 10 May 2007 and at the period
end #7,000,000 was outstanding. Interest is charged at a variable rate between
0.75% to 1.25% above LIBOR per annum. The interest rate varies according to an
agreed formula based on a comparison of net debt to EBITDA. The limit of the
revolving loan is #8,000,000 and runs for three years to 17 May 2010.

The bank loans are secured by debentures and company guarantees.

Analysis of debt:
                                                          2007            2006
 Debt can be analysed as falling due:                     #000            #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In less than one year                                    1,000               -
Between one and two years                                1,000               -
Between two and five years                              15,000               -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        17,000               -
Less issue costs                                           (37)              -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt                                                16,963               -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 Share capital
The number of shares allotted, called up and fully paid as at 30 June 2007 was
19,455,277 (2006: 19,455,277). No shares were issued in the period.

9 Reserves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Non-distributable     Hedging   Translation     
                                     Reserve     Reserve       Reserve     Total 
                                        #000        #000          #000      #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at 1 January 2006                119         (72)           26        73
Exchange differences on translation of
overseas operations                        -           -          (155)     (155)                               
Unreceived gain on tax of
share options                             51           -             -        51
Increase in fair value of
hedging derivatives                        -         141             -       141
Transfer to income statement               -         (29)            -       (29)                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 30 June 2006                  170          40          (129)       81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange differences on translation of
overseas operations                        -           -          (804)     (804)                            
Unreceived gain on tax of
share options                             18           -             -        18
Increase in fair value of
hedging derivatives                        -          55             -        55
Transfer to income statement               -        (115)            -      (115)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 1 January 2007                188         (20)         (933)     (765)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange differences on translation of
overseas operations                        -           -           133       133                            
Unreceived gain on tax of
share options                            144           -             -       144
Increase in fair value of
hedging derivatives                        -          39             -        39
Transfer to income statement               -          (7)            -        (7)                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 30 June 2007                  332          12          (800)     (456)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Retained earnings

                                                                            #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at 1 January 2006                                                 29,634
Net profit for the period                                                  2,420
Dividends paid                                                              (827)
Pension scheme net actuarial losses                                          351
Share options expensed                                                       124
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 30 June 2006                                                   31,702
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profit for the period                                                  3,114
Dividends paid                                                              (558)
Pension scheme net actuarial losses                                       (1,249)
Share options expensed                                                        53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 1 January 2007                                                 33,062
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profit for the period                                                  2,731
Dividends paid                                                              (895)
Pension scheme net actuarial gains                                         2,523
Share options expensed                                                       140
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at 30 June 2007                                                   37,561
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 Segment information

The following is an analysis of the revenue and results for the period analysed
by business segment, which is the Group's primary basis of segmentation.

The Group comprises the following business segments:

Hazardous Area - the design, manufacture and sale of IS interfaces, remote I/O,
displays and fieldbus components.
MOST (MTL Open System Technologies) - the design, manufacture and sale of open
control platforms and remote I/O products, and the resale of Wonderware HMI
visualisation software.
Surge - the design, manufacture and sale of surge protection equipment.
Visualisation - the design, manufacture and sale of visualisation PC terminals
and embedded PC's.
Gas - the design, manufacture and sale of gas analysis equipment.

                      Revenue from external customers         Segment result
                                Six months ended             Six months ended
                             30 June           30 June     30 June     30 June
                                2007              2006        2007        2006
                                #000              #000        #000        #000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hazardous Area                24,661            20,921       4,498       3,280
MOST                           9,638            10,540          22          78
Surge                          5,527             6,003         772       1,068
Visualisation                  2,837             2,926         349         565
Gas                            1,250               994         178         150
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              43,913            41,384       5,819       5,141

Unallocated corporate
expenses                                                    (1,385)     (1,356)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                                             4,434       3,785
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 Post balance sheet events
On 9 July 2007, the Group acquired Ocean Technical systems Ltd ('OTS') for #3.0
million in cash. OTS is a UK-based specialist in SCADA (Supervisory control and
Data Acquisition) solutions for the oil and gas industries.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
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