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ROL Rotala Plc

63.00
0.00 (0.00%)
10 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Rotala Plc LSE:ROL London Ordinary Share GB00B1Z2MP60 ORD 25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 63.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Rotala PLC Half-year Report (9954G)

12/08/2016 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Rotala (LSE:ROL)
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TIDMROL

RNS Number : 9954G

Rotala PLC

12 August 2016

12 August 2016

Rotala Plc

("Rotala" or "the company")

Unaudited Interim Results for the six months to 31 May 2016

Highlights

   --    Turnover up 11% to GBP27.4 million (2015: GBP24.6 million) 

-- Profit before taxation (before exceptional items) up 9% to GBP1.135 million (2015: GBP1.045 million)

   --    Interim dividend increased by 10% to 0.80 pence per share (2015: 0.725 pence) 

-- Recent acquisitions of three businesses, expanding operations in Heathrow and the North West*

   --    Group well positioned for opportunities arising from Buses Bill 

*Two acquisitions were post period end

For further information please contact:

 
 Rotala Plc                       0121 322 2222 
 John Gunn, Chairman 
 Simon Dunn, Chief Executive 
  Officer 
 Kim Taylor, Group Finance 
  Director 
 
 Nominated Adviser & Broker: 
  Cenkos Securities plc             020 7397 8900 
 Stephen Keys/Callum Davidson 
  (Corporate Finance) 
  Michael Johnson/Julian Morse 
  (Corporate Broking) 
 

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to be able to present this interim report to shareholders in respect of the six months ended 31 May 2016. The company has continued to make good progress in the first half of 2016. We were able to make one significant acquisition in the period and two more small ones after the period end. Whilst the bus industry continues to undergo considerable change, the aims of the Government's Buses Bill have become much clearer since my last report to you. The effects of the Bill look to be very positive for your company, as I explain in more detail below.

Results

Revenues for the group as a whole for the six months ended 31 May 2016 were GBP27.4 million. This represents an increase of 11% compared to those of the previous year. Operating margins were maintained at 18.2%. Pre- tax profits before exceptional items rose by 9% to GBP1.135 million (2015: GBP1.045 million).

   --    Contracted Services 

Revenues in Contracted Services rose overall by 22 %, when compared to the first half of 2015, to GBP9.8 million (2015: GBP8.1 million). There were a number of reasons for this increase. The OFJ acquisition in January 2016 (described in more detail below) was of a business positioned largely in the corporate contracts sector of this market. This was therefore the major factor in the increase in this type of revenue and was a welcome boost to our exposure to this part of the transport market. At the same time it should be remembered that the comparative figure for revenue in 2015 contains a three month contribution from the British Airways contract which did not finally finish until the end of the first quarter of that year.

The other major contribution to revenues in Contracted Services comes from Local Authority bus contracts. Overall there was very little change to the year-on-year revenues from this type of business, which comprises about 15% of group turnover. However, following the acquisition of Green Triangle Buses Limited ("GTB") in 2015, the sources of this revenue have a much better geographical spread. We have been successful in increasing the number of contracted bus routes run by GTB in the Manchester area since we acquired that company. This action compensated for reductions in the number of local authority bus contracts we operate in the South West and North West in particular. Given the continuing pressures on Local Authority budgets (away from the major conurbations, like Greater Manchester, which are benefitting from separate government initiatives), we do not expect revenues from this part of the bus market to show any signs of increase in the foreseeable future; indeed it is probable that we will see more reductions as further cuts to transport budgets are demanded. In the first half of 2016 therefore Contracted Services comprised 36% of group revenues, compared to 33% in the same period of 2015.

   --    Commercial Services 

Revenues in Commercial Services, compared to the first half of 2015, rose by 5% to GBP16.6 million (2015: GBP15.9 million). Following the acquisition of the OFJ business, Commercial Services revenues comprise about 61% of group turnover, a slightly lower proportion than that seen in recent accounting periods where the share of group revenue attributable to this source was as high as 65%. The principal driver of the increase in Commercial Services revenues was derived from a full contribution from the GTB acquisition made in 2015. The acquisition brought into the group more commercial bus routes which we have continued to develop with further investment in new vehicles and ticket machines. Smaller rises in commercial bus revenues were also evident in both the Preston area and in the West Midlands.

   --    Charter Services 

Revenues in Charter Services rose by 41% compared to the previous year to GBP0.98 million (2015: GBP0.7 million). This rise in revenues reflects a full contribution from the Wings business, which was acquired at the start of the second half of 2015. This acquisition more than replaced the revenues from the former British Airways contract in this part of our business.

Acquisitions

In January 2016, we were able to acquire, from OFJ Connections Limited, that part of its business which is conducted in and around Heathrow airport. This business has a long-established presence in the Heathrow area. Its principal activity is the movement of crew for a large number of airlines from their aircraft to their hotels and other destinations, including Gatwick airport. Other work is carried out for local educational institutions and for a number of private clients. The business is estimated to have revenues of about GBP5.5 million in a full year. Most of this revenue falls within our Contracted Services division. All of these activities dovetail well with our existing work at Heathrow and enhance our market presence in important parts of this market like private hire and airside and landside passenger transportation. The acquisition also brought with it a large leasehold depot well-positioned on the Heathrow perimeter road. This adds to our existing smaller depot a few miles away near Hatton Cross Station. Taken together the two depots give us ample room for further expansion in this key market. The consideration for the acquisition was GBP1.3 million. As part of the acquisition we acquired a vehicle fleet with a fair value of GBP0.65 million. The OFJ acquisition will take time to refine and integrate with our pre-existing activities in and around Heathrow airport, but, once the operation becomes fully integrated and streamlined, we are confident that our Heathrow division will make a substantial contribution to group revenues and profits in its new and expanded form.

Shortly after the period end we made two small acquisitions in the North West. The aim of these two acquisitions was to improve our coverage of contracted and private hire services in the Blackpool area (to the west of Preston) and the Wigan area on the western side of Manchester. Up to now we have little or no penetration of these parts of the country and we were keen to enhance the reach of the North West hub of our business which is run from the Preston depot in close alliance with the depot we have at Atherton in northern Manchester. First in early July 2016 we acquired from Elite Minibus and Coach Services Limited ("Elite") its entire business, brand and 6-strong vehicle fleet for a cash consideration of GBP200,000. The Elite business has annual revenues of approximately GBP500,000. Elite is a well-established operator of contracted services for local authorities and schools in the Blackpool area. It also has a successful private hire arm. This business, with its small number of existing staff, has been integrated into the outstation which Rotala already operates in Blackpool. Then at the beginning of August 2016 we acquired from Rojay Services Limited its entire business, brand and 8-strong vehicle fleet for a cash consideration of GBP213,000. This business also has annual revenues of about GBP500,000, but with a slightly different emphasis. It has a considerable private hire arm in the Wigan area as well as holding a number of local authority bus contracts in that town. The business has been transferred to and integrated with our existing business at our Atherton depot.

The Buses Bill and Franchising

Since I last reported to you four months ago the Government has placed a draft Buses Bill before Parliament and new regional authorities have been created to take advantage of the anticipated powers. The Bill, as expected, covers the re-franchising of bus networks in major cities. We have a presence in three of those conurbations, Greater Manchester, Bristol/Bath and the West Midlands. The approach of the new transport authorities in each of these regions is however different. In both the Bristol/Bath areas and Greater Manchester it is clearly envisaged that the local authorities will use the legislation to achieve complete control over local bus networks by the franchise process. But in the West Midlands a more collaborative approach using bus alliances is favoured by the local authority.

From our perspective both lines of approach offer the prospect of considerably increasing the market shares we can achieve to a level to which we could not have aspired under the existing structure of the bus markets in these locations. In Bristol/Bath and Greater Manchester the existing bus markets are dominated by a very small number of bus companies which possess very large market shares. If the London model is employed these dominating market shares will not be allowed to subsist but will be eroded over time by new entrants to the market. With key presences in Bristol/Bath (where we are the clear number two bus operator) and Greater Manchester (where our overall market share is very small), Rotala has therefore good prospects of raising its market share in these places. In the West Midlands, though our overall market share is again relatively small in a market completely dominated by one very large operator, our business is focused on the western and southern sides of Birmingham and in these particular localities we have substantial market shares. Thus the Bus Alliance proposals offer good prospects of being able to enhance our market share in certain parts of the West Midlands and thereby improve loadings and operational efficiencies. We cannot see a downside to the Rotala business in either line of approach.

Dividend

The company will pay an interim dividend of 0.80 pence per share (2015: 0.725 pence) on 8 December 2016 to all shareholders on the register on 28 October 2016. The board is conscious of the importance of dividend flows to shareholders; the board has set a target for dividend cover of 2.5 times earnings in the longer term.

Placing of New Shares

Shortly after the period end, on 9 June 2016, the company raised approximately GBP2.24 million (net of expenses) by way of a placing of 3,872,581 ordinary shares with new and existing investors at a price of 62 pence per share. The net proceeds from the placing will be used to improve our key bus depots in the West Midlands and provide funds for future bolt-on acquisitions, as with the two we have made very recently.

We have allocated investment of approximately GBP800,000 of the net placing proceeds in improvements at the Tividale and Redditch depots and site planning work is underway. The investment in Redditch will enable the expansion of the capacity and the maintenance facilities of the depot. This investment is expected to generate significant cost savings because it will enable us to relinquish a separate leasehold property.

At Tividale, in December 2015, we took advantage of the opportunity to acquire a 3 acre site adjacent to our existing 4 acre main depot, where we have our largest bus unit. The investment in the Tividale depot will allow us to capitalise on the possibilities offered by its enlarged 7 acre extent. The investment, for which planning permission has already been received, will enable us to more than double the number of buses we can operate from this depot. The Buses Bill, as outlined above, is expected to bring us considerably greater opportunities in the West Midlands area and this investment will enable us to take full advantage of these.

Board changes

Recently we were delighted to welcome a new non-executive director to the board, Graham Spooner. Graham brings with him a wealth of experience, particularly in the transport sector. At the same time Geoffrey Flight decided to step down from the board. Geoff had been with us almost from the first 10 years ago. We are grateful for his contribution to the development of Rotala over the years and wish him well for the future.

Fuel hedging

The fuel hedge position is unchanged from that shown in the 2015 annual report. Given the uncertain direction of oil prices at this time, the board has decided not to consider fuel hedging again until 2017 or until the market uncertainty has been satisfactorily resolved. In summary the group has the following fuel hedges in place:

-- For the remainder of 2016 hedges cover about 86% of the fuel requirement at an average price of about 101p a litre;

-- For 2017 about 85% of the fuel requirement is covered at an average price of about 95p a litre;

-- For 2018 about 88% of the fuel requirement is covered at an average price of about 91p a litre.

Financial review

These comments on the Income Statement address the results before any exceptional items. Revenues increased by 11% when compared with the same period in 2015. I have explained the reasons for this increase above. Cost of Sales also rose by 11%; Gross Profits therefore rose in line and the gross profit margin was maintained at 18.2%. Administrative Expenses increased by 13% as a result of having, in effect, two more depots in the group network compared to the previous period. Profit from Operations was therefore up 9% at GBP1.75 million (2015: GBP1.61 million). However net finance expense also rose, this time by 9%. This was caused by the increased level of borrowings by the group as set out in note 5 to this statement. Profit before Taxation rose by 9% to GBP1.135 million (2015: GBP1.045 million). Note 3 to this statement sets out the analysis of the charges resulting from movements on the mark to market provision for fuel derivatives and the other exceptional items.

The weighted average number of shares in issue has remained roughly stable (though increased after the period end by the placing described above). Basic earnings per share, including all exceptional items, were 1.78 pence per share in the period (2015: 1.86 pence). Exceptional items were up in 2016 as a result of the acquisition made and a somewhat larger movement on the mark to market provision for fuel derivatives than in the comparative period. Adjusted earnings per share, based on profits after tax and before exceptional items, were 2.37 pence per share (2015: 2.19 pence), an increase of 9%.

The gross assets of the group stood at GBP59.8 million at 31 May 2016, compared to GBP53.3 million at the same time in the previous year. This change reflects the acquisitions made by the group in the last twelve months, investment in property and the vehicle fleet, and the consequent effect on working capital assets in terms of trade and other receivables. These factors have also had their effect on total liabilities, which have risen to GBP35.2 million at 31 May 2016 (2015: GBP27.6 million). Trade and other payables have increased because of the larger size of the group. The loans and borrowings of the group, including its obligations under hire purchase contracts, stood at GBP26.5 million at 31 May 2016 (31 May 2015: GBP21.3 million), as a result both of the acquisitions made and the investment in vehicles and property. An analysis of these borrowings is set out in Notes 5 and 6 to this statement. Net assets were GBP24.6 million at the period end (31 May 2015: GBP25.7 million).

The large adverse movement in the mark to market provision on the fuel derivatives in the second half of 2015, combined with the payment of a second interim dividend in the first half of 2016 instead of a final dividend in the second half of the current year, account for this change.

Cash flows from operating activities were 13% up on the same period in the previous year. Working capital also absorbed funds in the first half of the year, as is the normal pattern of the group's trading, much exacerbated in the current period by the growth in the working capital required by the recently acquired businesses, as they expand and develop. The group's cash flows are always better in the second half of the year, so this position will be mitigated by the end of the year. Hire purchase interest paid fell very slightly. Investing activities include the acquisition of the OFJ business and substantial investment in replacement vehicles in the period. This was offset by the completion of the sale of the Long Acre depot in December 2015 for GBP2.5 million. Own shares to the value of GBP368,000 were purchased in the first half of 2016, offset by the issue out of treasury of shares to meet share option exercises amounting to GBP172,000. The acquisition of OFJ and the share buy-back programme were financed by drawings on the existing banking facilities of the group, but GBP2.0 million of the proceeds of the sale of the Long Acre depot were used to reduce drawings on these facilities. The opportunity was also taken to refinance a portion of the hire purchase obligations of the group. The capital element of payments on HP agreements fell to GBP1.67 million in the period (2015: GBP2.0 million). The closing figure for cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period, a liability of GBP2.46 million, is distorted by comparison with the same period of 2015, where there was an asset of GBP216,000. The Wings acquisition straddled the period end in 2015, so that the balance sheet at that date held the GBP1.5 million purchase price of the business, which was expended on the very next day. Furthermore the effect of the acceleration of what amounted to the final dividend for 2015 of GBP527,000 into the first half of 2016 must be recognised. Adjusted for these two items the closing balances for the two periods are much more comparable.

Outlook

The group has a strong balance sheet and substantial unused financing facilities. The recent placing will enable the company to maintain its buy and build strategy. To date, Rotala has grown predominantly through acquisition and we continue to be actively engaged in looking for attractive bolt-on opportunities.

In the slightly longer term the draft Buses Bill offers new possibilities for the group. We are well positioned in key conurbations targeted by this Bill. The Bill should, if implemented, enable us to increase our market shares significantly in areas where such ambitions would previously have been impracticable and unattainable.

These encouraging developments make us confident about the prospects of the group and excited about the possibility of expanding it considerably in the years ahead.

John Gunn

Non-Executive Chairman

11 August 2016

 
 
 
 Condensed            Note      Unaudited      Unaudited   Unaudited      Unaudited      Unaudited   Unaudited 
  consolidated                   6 months       6 months    6 months       6 months       6 months    6 months 
  income statement                  ended          ended       ended          ended          ended       ended 
                                   31 May         31 May      31 May         31 May         31 May      31 May 
                                     2016           2016        2016           2015           2015        2015 
 
                                  Results        Mark to     Results        Results        Mark to     Results 
                                   before         market     for the         before         market     for the 
                                  mark to      provision      period        mark to      provision      period 
                                   market      and other                     market      and other 
                                provision    exceptional                  provision    exceptional 
                                and other          items                  and other          items 
                              exceptional                               exceptional 
                                    items                                     items 
                                  GBP'000        GBP'000     GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Revenue               2           27,402              -      27,402         24,633              -      24,633 
 
 Cost of 
  sales                          (22,408)              -    (22,408)       (20,145)              -    (20,145) 
 
 Gross profit                       4,994              -       4,994          4,488              -       4,488 
 
 Administrative 
  expenses                        (3,244)          (281)     (3,525)        (2,877)          (151)     (3,028) 
 Profit from 
  operations                        1,750          (281)       1,469          1,611          (151)       1,460 
 
   Finance 
   income                              10              -          10             11              -          11 
 
   Finance 
   expense                          (625)              -       (625)          (577)              -       (577) 
 
 
   Profit before 
   taxation             3           1,135          (281)         854          1,045          (151)         894 
 
 Tax expense                        (227)             55       (172)          (203)             24       (179) 
 
 Profit for 
  the period 
  attributable 
  to the equity 
  holders 
  of the parent                       908          (226)         682            842          (127)         715 
 
 Earnings 
  per share 
  for profit 
  attributable 
  to the equity 
 holders 
  of the parent 
  during the 
  period: 
 Basic (pence)         4             2.37                       1.78           2.19                       1.86 
 Diluted 
  (pence)              4             2.34                       1.76           2.17                       1.85 
 
 
 
 
 Condensed                 Note             Audited        Audited        Audited 
  consolidated                           year ended     year ended     year ended 
  income statement                      30 November    30 November    30 November 
                                               2015           2015           2015 
 
                                            Results     Mark to           Results 
                                             before      market           for the 
                                            mark to     provision            year 
                                   market provision     and other 
                                          and other    exceptional 
                                        exceptional       items 
                                              items 
                                            GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                    2                50,889              -         50,889 
 
 Cost of sales                             (41,358)              -       (41,358) 
 
 Gross profit                                 9,531              -          9,531 
 
 Administrative 
  expenses                                  (5,922)        (1,719)        (7,641) 
 
 
   Profit from 
   operations                                 3,609        (1,719)          1,890 
 
   Finance income                                12              -             12 
 
   Finance expense                          (1,160)              -        (1,160) 
 
 
   Profit before 
   taxation                  3                2,461        (1,719)            742 
 
 Tax expense                                  (474)            399           (75) 
 
 Profit for 
  the year attributable 
  to the equity 
  holders of 
  the parent                                  1,987        (1,320)            667 
 
 Earnings per 
  share for 
  profit attributable 
  to the equity 
 holders of 
  the parent 
  during the 
  year: 
 Basic (pence)              4                  5.19                          1.74 
 Diluted (pence)            4                  5.16                          1.74 
 
 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated         Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
  statement of comprehensive     6 months    6 months     year ended 
  income                         ended 31     ended      30 November 
                                 May 2016     31 May            2015 
                                               2015 
                                 GBP'000     GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
 Profit for the period             682         715               667 
                               ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
   Other comprehensive 
   income: 
 Actuarial loss on 
  defined benefit pension 
  scheme                          (175)       (175)            (362) 
 
 Deferred tax on actuarial 
  loss on defined benefit 
  pension scheme                   35          35                 72 
                               ---------- 
 
 Other comprehensive 
  income for the period 
  (net of tax)                    (140)       (140)            (290) 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the period 
  attributable to the 
  equity holders of 
  the parent                       542         575               377 
                               ==========  ==========  ============= 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated    Called      Share      Merger     Shares         Retained        Total 
  Statement of              up share    premium    reserve    in treasury    earnings 
  Changes in Equity         capital     account 
                           GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
 At 1 December 
  2014                       9,794      8,603      2,567        (380)         5,022       25,606 
                          ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Profit for the 
  period                       -          -          -            -            715          715 
 Other comprehensive 
  income                       -          -          -            -           (140)        (140) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                       -          -          -            -            575          575 
 Transactions 
  with owners: 
 Share based 
  payment                      -          -          -            -            11           11 
 Purchase of 
  own shares                   -          -          -          (237)           -          (237) 
 Dividends paid                -          -          -            -           (253)        (253) 
 Transactions 
  with owners                  -          -          -          (237)         (242)        (479) 
 
 At 31 May 2015              9,794      8,603      2,567        (617)         5,355       25,702 
                          ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Profit for the 
  period                       -          -          -            -           (48)         (48) 
 Other comprehensive 
  income                       -          -          -            -           (150)        (150) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                       -          -          -            -           (198)        (198) 
 Transactions 
  with owners: 
 Share based 
  payment                      -          -          -            -             5            5 
 Dividends paid                -          -          -            -           (460)        (460) 
 Purchase of 
  own shares                   -          -          -           (5)            -           (5) 
 Transactions 
  with owners                  -          -          -           (5)          (455)        (460) 
 
 At 30 November 
  2015                       9,794      8,603      2,567        (622)         4,702       25,044 
                          ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Profit for the 
  period                       -          -          -            -            682          682 
 Other comprehensive 
  income                       -          -          -            -           (140)        (140) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                       -          -          -            -            542          542 
 Transactions 
  with owners: 
 Share based 
  payment                      -          -          -            -             8            8 
 Dividends paid                -          -          -            -           (803)        (803) 
 Purchase of 
  own shares                   -          -          -          (194)           -          (194) 
                          ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 Transactions 
  with owners                  -          -          -          (194)         (795)        (989) 
 
 At 31 May 2016              9,794      8,603      2,567        (816)         4,449       24,597 
 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated     Notes   Unaudited   Unaudited   Audited as 
  statement of                       as at       as at 31    at 30 November 
  financial position                 31 May      May 2015    2015 
                                     2016 
                                    GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant 
  and equipment                     33,577      32,015      31,798 
 Goodwill and 
  other intangible 
  assets                            11,402      10,044      10,581 
                                    _____       _____       _____ 
 Total non-current 
  assets                            44,979      42,059      42,379 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                        2,305       2,016       2,355 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                       11,812      8,644       7,905 
 Held for sale 
  assets                            -           -           2,479 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents                       742         580         1,118 
                                    _____       _____       _____ 
 Total current 
  assets                            14,859      11,240      13,857 
                                    _____       _____       _____ 
 Total assets                       59,838      53,299      56,236 
 
 Liabilities 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other 
  payables                          (6,895)     (5,384)     (5,370) 
 Loans and borrowings       5       (11,222)    (7,524)     (9,536) 
 Obligations under 
  hire purchase 
  agreements                6       (2,912)     (3,309)     (3,107) 
 Derivative financial 
  instruments                       (957)       (483)       (502) 
                                    ______      ______      _____ 
 Total current 
  liabilities                       (21,986)    (16,700)    (18,515) 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Loans and borrowings       5       (5,250)     (5,950)     (5,600) 
 Obligations under 
  hire purchase 
  agreements                6       (7,110)     (4,479)     (5,406) 
 Derivative financial 
  instruments                       (343)       -           (1,257) 
 Defined benefit 
  pension obligation                (278)       (257)       (278) 
 Deferred taxation                  (274)       (211)       (136) 
                                    ______      ______      ______ 
 Total non-current 
  liabilities                       (13,255)    (10,897)    (12,677) 
                                    ______      ______      ______ 
 Total liabilities                  (35,241)    (27,597)    (31,192) 
                                    _____       _____       _____ 
 Net assets                         24,597      25,702      25,044 
                                    ======      ======      ===== 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated    Notes    Unaudited   Unaudited   Audited as 
  statement of                       as at       as at 31    at 30 November 
  financial position                 31 May      May 2015    2015 
                                     2016 
                                    GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 
 Equity attributable 
  to equity holders 
  of parent 
 Called up share 
  capital                           9,794       9,794       9,794 
 Share premium 
  reserve                           8,603       8,603       8,603 
 Merger reserve                     2,567       2,567       2,567 
 Shares in treasury                 (816)       (617)       (622) 
 Retained earnings                  4,449       5,355       4,702 
                                    ______      ______      _____ 
 Total equity                       24,597      25,702      25,044 
                                    =====       =====       ==== 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated        Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited 
  cash flow statement           6 months    6 months    year ended 
                                ended 31    ended 31    30 November 
                                May 2016    May 2015       2015 
                                GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Cash flows from 
  operating activities 
 Profit for the 
  period before tax               854         894          742 
 Finance costs                    615         566         1,148 
 Depreciation                    1,792       1,461        3,025 
 Gain on sale of 
  vehicles                       (288)       (245)        (440) 
 Acquisition expenses             80          41            46 
 Contribution to 
  defined benefit 
  pension scheme                 (175)       (175)        (350) 
 Notional expense 
  of defined benefit 
  pension scheme                   -           2            8 
 Equity-settled 
  share based payment 
  expense                          8          11            16 
                                 ____        ____          ____ 
 Cash flows from 
  operating activities 
  before changes 
  in working capital 
  and provisions                 2,886       2,555        4,195 
 
 Increase in trade 
  and other receivables         (3,905)     (1,040)       (299) 
 Increase in trade 
  and other payables             1,298        229          106 
 Decrease/(increase) 
  in inventories                  50          245          (94) 
 Movement on financial 
  instrument provision           (458)       (83)         1,193 
                                 ____        ____          ____ 
                                (3,015)      (649)         906 
                                 ____        ____          ____ 
 Cash (used in)/generated 
  from operations                (129)       1,906        5,101 
 
 Interest paid on 
  hire purchase obligations      (235)       (241)        (476) 
                                 ____        ____          ____ 
 Net cash flows 
  from operating 
  activities                     (364)       1,665        4,625 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated       Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited 
  cash flow statement          6 months    6 months    year ended 
                               ended 31    ended 31    30 November 
                               May 2016    May 2015       2015 
                               GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Cash flows from 
  investing activities 
 Acquisitions of 
  businesses                   (1,400)      (862)       (2,431) 
 Purchases of property, 
  plant and equipment          (1,333)     (1,140)      (2,403) 
 Sale of property, 
  plant and equipment           2,880        421          680 
                                _____       _____        _____ 
 Net cash flows 
  generated by/(used 
  in) investing activities       147       (1,581)      (4,154) 
 
 Cash flow from 
  financing activities 
 Shares issued                   172          1            95 
 Dividends paid                 (803)       (253)        (713) 
 Own shares purchased           (368)       (672)        (771) 
 Proceeds of mortgages 
  and other bank 
  loans                         2,200       4,310        4,970 
 Repayment of bank 
  and other borrowings         (2,350)      (653)       (1,163) 
 Loan stock repaid                -         (160)          - 
 Loan stock and 
  bank loan interest 
  paid                          (334)       (322)        (684) 
 Hire purchase refinancing 
  receipts                      2,160         -          1,152 
 Hire purchase settlement       (634)         -            - 
  payments 
 Capital settlement 
  payments on vehicles 
  sold                          (28)          -          (301) 
 Capital element 
  of lease payments            (1,660)     (2,010)      (3,545) 
                                _____       _____         ____ 
 Net cash (used 
  in)/ generated 
  from financing 
  activities                   (1,645)       241         (960) 
 
 Net (decrease)/increase 
  in cash and cash 
  equivalents                  (1,862)       325         (489) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at start of period            (598)       (109)        (109) 
                                _____       _____        _____ 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period             (2,460)       216         (598) 
                               ======       =====         ==== 
 

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Interim Accounts for the six months ended 31 May 2016

   1.   Basis of preparation: 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim accounts have been prepared using the accounting policies set out in the group's 2015 statutory accounts.

The financial statements of the group for the full year are prepared in accordance with IFRS's as adopted by the European Union and these interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting".

   2.   Turnover: 

Revenue represents sales to external customers excluding value added tax. All of the activities of the group are conducted in the United Kingdom within the operating segment of provision of bus services. Management monitors revenue across the following business streams: contracted services, commercial services and charter services.

 
 
               Six months   Six months 
                  ended        ended       Year ended 
                 31 May       31 May       30 November 
                  2016         2015           2015 
 
                GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Contracted      9,826        8,063         15,816 
 Commercial      16,593       15,872        33,155 
 Charter          983          698          1,918 
 Total           27,402       24,633        50,889 
              ===========  ===========  ============= 
 
   3.   Profit before taxation: 

Profit before taxation includes the following:

 
 
                         Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                          6 months    6 months     year ended 
                             ended       ended    30 November 
                            31 May      31 May           2015 
                              2016        2015 
                           GBP'000     GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 
 Acquisition costs            (80)        (41)           (46) 
 Abortive acquisition 
  costs                          -           -           (48) 
 Share based payment 
  expense                      (8)           -           (17) 
 Mark to market 
  provision on fuel 
  derivatives                (193)       (110)        (1,608) 
 
 
 Loss within profit 
  before taxation            (281)       (151)        (1,719) 
                        ==========  ==========  ============= 
 
   4.   Earnings per share: 

Basic earnings per share have been calculated on the basis of profit after taxation and the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period of 38,307,355 (May 2015: 38,371,270; November 2015: 38,310,257). Diluted earnings per share have been calculated on the basis of profit after taxation and the weighted average number of shares in issue (including such potential issues as are dilutive) for the period of 38,812,418 (May 2015: 38,728,675; November 2015: 38,639,171).

Basic adjusted and diluted adjusted earnings per share before mark to market provisions and other exceptional items have been calculated using the same weighted average numbers of shares in issue, but on the basis of profits after tax and before any exceptional items. This is done in order to aid comparability between the accounting periods.

 
 
 
   5.   Loans and borrowings: 
 
                    At 31 May   At 31 May   At 30 November 
                       2016        2015          2015 
                     GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Current: 
 Overdrafts           3,202        364          1,716 
 Bank loans           8,020       7,160         7,820 
 
                     11,222       7,524         9,536 
 
 
 Non- current: 
 Bank loans           5,250       5,950         5,600 
 
 Total loans and 
  borrowings         16,472      13,474         15,136 
 
 
 
   6.   Obligations under hire purchase agreements: 
 
                    At 31 May   At 31 May   At 30 November 
                       2016        2015          2015 
                     GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Present value: 
 Not later than 
  one year            2,912       3,309         3,107 
 More than one 
  but less than 
  two years           2,521       2,111         2,209 
 More than two 
  but less than 
  five years          3,835       2,318         2,846 
 Later than five 
  years                754         50            351 
                   ----------  ----------  --------------- 
                     10,022       7,788         8,513 
 
 
 
   7.   Acquisition: 

On 7 January 2016 the group acquired from OFJ Connections Limited ("OFJ") that part of OFJ's business which is conducted in and around Heathrow airport. The consideration for this acquisition was GBP1,320,000. The group acquired, through the acquisition, a vehicle fleet which has a fair value of GBP615,000, but has not assumed any other assets or liabilities of any materiality. The book value of the assets acquired is set out below:

 
                             Book value     Fair value        Fair value 
                                           adjustments    on acquisition 
                                GBP'000        GBP'000           GBP'000 
 Fixed assets: 
 Vehicles                           615              -               615 
 Total fixed assets                 615              -               615 
                            -----------  -------------  ---------------- 
 
 Current assets: 
 Trade and other                                     - 
  receivables 
                            -----------  -------------  ---------------- 
                                                     - 
                            -----------  -------------  ---------------- 
 Current liabilities: 
 Trade and other 
  payables                        (114)              -             (114) 
                                  (114)              -             (114) 
                            -----------  -------------  ---------------- 
 
 
 Total net assets                   501              -               501 
                            -----------  -------------  ---------------- 
 
 Acquisition costs 
  (note 3)                                                            80 
 Goodwill                                                            819 
                                                        ---------------- 
 Total cash consideration 
  paid                                                             1,400 
                                                        ================ 
 
 

Because the acquired business was immediately folded in to the existing operations of the group in the same localities, it is not possible to distinguish revenues and profits for the acquired business in the period to 31 May 2016. Pre-acquisition book values were determined based on applicable IFRS, immediately prior to the acquisition. The values of assets recognised on acquisition are the preliminary fair values; these fair values will be finalised for the group's financial statements for the year ending 30 November 2016. The acquisition expenses incurred by the group amounted to GBP80,000, and have been expensed in the Consolidated Income Statement in Administrative Expenses.

   8.   Dividends: 

On 8 December 2015 the company paid a first interim dividend of 0.725 pence per share in respect of the year ended 30 November 2015 and a second interim dividend in respect of the same accounting year on 30 March 2016 at a rate of 1.375 pence per share. The directors did not propose a final dividend to the Annual General Meeting. All dividends are payable in cash only.

   9.   Additional information: 

The unaudited Consolidated Interim Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 11 August 2016. The consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 31 May 2016 and for the six months ended 31 May 2015 is unaudited. The financial information in this interim announcement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts of Rotala Plc for the year ended 30 November 2015 have been reported on by the company's auditors and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on these accounts was unqualified and does not include a statement under section 496 of the Companies Act 2006.

 
 
 

10. Copies of this statement are available from the registered office of the company at Rotala Group Headquarters, Cross Quays Business Park, Hallbridge Way, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3HW or the Company's website www.rotalaplc.com.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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August 12, 2016 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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