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SCT Softcat Plc

1,588.00
11.00 (0.70%)
28 Mar 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Softcat Plc LSE:SCT London Ordinary Share GB00BYZDVK82 ORD �0.0005
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  11.00 0.70% 1,588.00 1,592.00 1,595.00 1,602.00 1,562.00 1,582.00 1,166,125 16:35:02
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Computer Related Svcs, Nec 985.3M 112.03M 0.5614 28.36 3.18B

Softcat PLC Half-year Report (1392A)

22/03/2017 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Softcat (LSE:SCT)
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TIDMSCT

RNS Number : 1392A

Softcat PLC

22 March 2017

SOFTCAT plc

("Softcat", the "Company")

Interim Results for the six months to 31 January 2017

Softcat plc (LSE: SCT.L), a leading UK provider of IT infrastructure products and services, today publishes its interim results for the six months to 31 January 2017 ("the period"). The results demonstrate excellent growth, further profitable market share gains and strong cash generation.

 
                                    Six months 
 Financial Summary                     ended 
                              31 January   31 January 
                                 2017         2016      Growth 
                             -----------  -----------  -------- 
                                 GBPm         GBPm         % 
 
 Revenue                        378.5        293.6       28.9 
 Gross profit                    61.3         53.7       14.1 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit(a)                      21.4         19.5        9.4 
 Operating profit                20.9         15.3       36.3 
 Interim dividend (p)            2.9p         1.7p      70.6(b) 
 Diluted earnings per 
  share (p)                      8.5p         6.1p       39.3 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per share(c) (p)               8.7p         8.2p        6.1 
 
 

(a) Adjusted operating profit is defined as operating profit before exceptional items and share-based payment charges.

(b) The high growth in the interim dividend reflects the reduction applied in the prior period to account for the fact the Company was only publicly listed for approximately two thirds of the 2016 financial year.

(c) Adjusted diluted earnings per share is defined as profit after tax before exceptional items and share based payment charges divided by the weighted average number of shares including the dilutive effect of share options.

Highlights for the six months to 31 January 2017

   --      Gross profit up 14.1% to GBP61.3m (H1 2016:  GBP53.7m) 
   --      Adjusted operating profit up 9.4% to GBP21.4m (H1 2016:  GBP19.5m) 

-- Excluding the one-off prior year procurement benefit (FY 2016: GBP3.4m, H1 2016: GBP1.6m), gross profit and adjusted operating profit growth were 17.5% (H1 2016: +11.7%) and 16.4% (H1 2016: +6.1%), respectively

-- Operating profit up 36.3% to GBP20.9m, assisted by the absence of IPO costs in the current period

-- Cash conversion was 112% (defined as cash flow from operations before tax but after capital expenditure, as a percentage of operating profit - H1 2016: 142%)

   --      The Company remains debt free with a cash balance of GBP46.6m 

-- Customer numbers up 8.7% (H1 2016: 6.7%), the fastest rate of customer growth since H1 2014, reflecting the investment in the sales force over the past 18 months

   --      Adjusted diluted earnings per share up 6.1% from 8.2p to 8.7p 
   --      Interim dividend of 2.9p per share (H1 2016: 1.7p) to be paid on 28 April 2017 

Martin Hellawell, Softcat CEO, commented:

"We are very pleased to report another set of strong results. Growth in gross profit, our primary measure of income, was 14.1%. The Company has made significant investments in new sales, services and technical resource over the past 18 months and the return on those investments is evident in our latest figures. As a result, we are pleased to announce the payment of an interim dividend of 2.9p per share, in line with the policy set out at the time of our IPO.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all Softcat employees for their continued dedication to delivering outstanding customer service and shareholder value, and to our customers for their continuing business and loyalty.

The Board is confident of meeting its expectations for the full year. Whilst trading in the first six weeks of the second half has been strong, we have some important months ahead and we remain focussed on the job in hand."

Analyst meeting

A results presentation will be held for investors and analysts at the offices of FTI Consulting: 9(th) Floor, 200 Aldersgate, Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD on 22 March 2017. Registration will open at 09.15 for a 09.30 start. Materials from this presentation will be available online at www.softcat.com from 09.00. A copy of this announcement will also be available online from 07.00.

 
 Enquiries 
 
 Softcat plc:               +44 (0)1628 403 403 
 Martin Hellawell, Chief 
  Executive Officer 
 Graham Charlton, Chief 
  Financial Officer 
 
 FTI Consulting LLP:        +44 (0)20 3727 1000 
 Ed Bridges 
 Matt Dixon 
 Dwight Burden 
 

Forward-looking statements

This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". By their nature, such statements involve risk and uncertainty since they relate to future events and circumstances. Actual results may, and often do, differ materially from any forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect management's view with respect to future events as at the date of this announcement. Save as required by law or by the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements in this announcement following any change in its expectations or to reflect subsequent events or circumstances following the date of this announcement.

Chief Executive Officer's Review

During the period the Company delivered further strong performance with growth continuing to outstrip the sector as we gain market share. Gross profit grew 14.1%, adjusted operating profit increased 9.4% and cash conversion was 112%, underpinning the payment of an interim dividend of 2.9p per share. With these results, Softcat has delivered 46 consecutive quarters of revenue and profit growth. Growth was particularly strong during Q2, partially driven by customers placing orders before vendor price rises took effect on 1 January 2017.

Revenue growth was especially strong at 28.9% with software, hardware and services all delivering double-digit growth. Gross margin percentage decreased due to the one-off procurement benefit in the prior period, the impact of a large, low-margin licensing deal and an increase in demand from customers for lower margin workplace technology in part driven by a relative recovery in PC sales.

While all areas of the business have performed well, it has been pleasing to see particularly strong growth in some of our newer offerings such as managed print, contractual support services and professional services. Notwithstanding the ongoing adoption of public cloud services, our on-premise data centre infrastructure business also had a very strong first half, continuing a trend evident throughout 2016.

Recruitment and retention of the sales force developed strongly during the period. We also continue to invest in services capability and technical expertise, responding to customer demand and ensuring our offering continues to expand and keep pace with changes in technology. Headcount growth across these areas has been in excess of 30% in the last 12 months, including the addition of key individuals with significant experience to complement our graduate sales population.

The Company intends to continue recruitment during the second half, driving our dual-track strategy of winning new customers and selling more to existing customers. Progress against these objectives in H1 has been strong:

- The Company traded with 800 more customers compared to the same period last year, a rise of 8.7%. This is the fastest rate of customer growth since H1 FY14 and demonstrates the on-going success of our graduate model.

- Gross profit per customer grew 4.6% demonstrating that, despite the natural dilution created by new customer growth, our existing customers continue to entrust us with more and more of their infrastructure needs (excluding the impact of non-recurring procurement benefits in 2016, gross profit per customer increased 8.1%).

Given the recent opening of Glasgow, the relocation and expansion of Bristol to a new city-centre location completed during the period, and the planned expansion of Manchester, further new office openings are not envisaged within the current financial year as we focus on driving through the growth opportunity from this expanded footprint.

During the period we were delighted that Softcat was named Cisco EMEAR Partner of the Year, Adobe EMEA Partner of the Year, Hewlett Packard Enterprise UKI Partner of the Year and CRN Reseller of the Year. We also became the first Microsoft Licensing Solutions Provider to sell one million Office 365 Enterprise Suite licenses in the UK.

The Company continues to focus primarily on the significant organic growth opportunity and the Board's view of acquisitions is unchanged; we remain vigilant for new opportunities to accelerate growth but will only act should we identify something genuinely compelling.

Outlook

The Board is confident of meeting its expectations for the full year. Whilst trading in the first six weeks of the second half has been strong, we have some important months ahead and we remain focussed on the job in hand.

Chief Financial Officer's Review

 
 Financial Summary         H1 FY17       H1 FY16       Growth 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Revenue                 GBP378.5m     GBP293.6m        28.9% 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Revenue split 
   Software              GBP193.4m     GBP139.3m        38.9% 
   Hardware              GBP126.3m     GBP110.3m        14.5% 
   Services               GBP58.7m      GBP44.0m        33.5% 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Gross profit             GBP61.3m      GBP53.7m        14.1% 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Gross profit 
  margin                     16.2%         18.3%   (2.1% pts) 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit                  GBP21.4m      GBP19.5m         9.4% 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Adjusted OP:GP 
  margin                     34.9%         36.4%   (1.5% pts) 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit margin               5.6%          6.7%   (1.1% pts) 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Operating profit         GBP20.9m      GBP15.3m        36.3% 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                       (29.5% 
 Cash conversion            112.3%        141.8%         pts) 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 

Revenue and gross profit

Gross profit is Softcat's primary measure of top-line performance and the Company has delivered growth of 14.1% to GBP61.3m. However, as stated in the 2016 annual report, prior year gross profit benefited from non-recurring procurement savings of c. GBP3.4m (H1 2016: GBP1.6m). Removing this effect 2017 H1 underlying gross profit growth was 17.5% (H1 FY16: 11.7%).

The acceleration in underlying growth reflects continued execution against our strategy of growing the customer base and selling more products and services to existing customers. In addition, the Company responded quickly to the opportunity to secure pricing for customers ahead of January increases caused by the fall in the value of sterling.

Gross profit margin decreased in the period by 2.1% pts to 16.2% driven by the following factors:

   --      The FY16 non-recurring procurement savings boosted the FY16 H1 margin by 0.6% pts; 

-- The Company secured its largest ever public sector software licensing deal for an 80,000-user central government department. This contract was secured at low margin and decreased the overall Company margin by 0.6% pts in the period;

-- The remaining 0.9% pts decline was predominately due to changes in business mix. For example, the period saw increased demand for lower-margin PC hardware (against a weak comparative). Furthermore, there were some especially complex (and therefore higher margin) software deals in the previous period that have not been repeated.

Due to the strong gross profit performance and shift in business mix, revenue growth was very strong at 28.9% (H1 2016: 10.4%).

 
 Customer Metrics     H1 FY17    H1 FY16   Growth 
------------------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Customer numbers       10.0k       9.2k     8.7% 
------------------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Gross profit 
  per customer       GBP6.12k   GBP5.85k     4.6% 
------------------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 

Customer numbers growth of 800 (8.7%) represents the fastest absolute and percentage rate of growth achieved since H1 2014. This reflects the ongoing success of the Company's graduate and apprentice sales model.

Gross profit per customer also continued to grow, up 4.6%, despite the natural dilutive impact of customer growth. Adjusting for the non-recurring impact of the procurement savings in the prior year, underlying gross profit per customer growth was 8.1%.

Adjusted operating profit

Adjusted operating profit increased by 9.4% to GBP21.4m, reflecting the growth in gross profit and the continuing investment in new capabilities and capacity. Removing the GBP1.2m net benefit of the FY16 H1 non-recurring procurement benefit, underlying growth was 16.4%.

Operating profit

Operating profit of GBP20.9m (H1 FY16: GBP15.3m) has grown by 36.3%, very significantly ahead of gross and adjusted operating profit growth due to the impact of exceptional IPO costs of GBP3.7m in the prior period.

Corporation tax charge

The interim tax charge of GBP4.2m reflects an effective tax rate of 20.2% (2016: 22.7%). The lower effective tax rate compared to last year is mostly the result of disallowable IPO-related expenses in FY16 coupled with a fall in the applicable standard corporation tax rate from 20.0% to 19.7% in the period. The effective tax rate is also marginally above the statutory rate in both periods due to the impact of non-deductible expenses.

Cash flow and cash conversion

The Company entered the year with a cash balance of GBP62.4m and paid a final ordinary dividend of GBP7.1m and a special dividend of GBP28.1m on 16 December 2016. The Company remains debt-free and closed the period with a cash balance of GBP46.6m.

Operating cash flow after capital expenditure was strong during the reporting period at GBP23.5m, representing a conversion rate of 112.3% of operating profit. This is consistent with underlying (pre-IPO costs) conversion of 114.3% achieved in H1 FY16. The net movement in working capital for H1 FY17 created a cash inflow of GBP2.2m. Since FY16 year end there has been a small decrease in debtor days and a small increase in creditor days due to differences in trading seasonality between year-end and half year-end.

The Company continues to target sustainable annual operating cash conversion after capital expenditure in the range of 90-95% of operating profits.

Capital investment

The Company's immediate requirements for capital investment to fund growth remain relatively modest. Net capex of GBP1.1m (FY16 H1: GBP1.0m) in the period relates mainly to computer equipment and fixtures & fittings to satisfy the demands of operational growth.

Dividend

The Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend of 2.9p per share, amounting in total to GBP5.7m. The interim dividend will be payable on 28 April 2017 to shareholders whose names are on the register at the close of business on 31 March 2017. Shares in the Company will be quoted ex dividend on 30 March 2017. The DRIP election date is 3 April 2017. This interim dividend is an increase of 71% on FY16, reflecting both the growth in profit and the reduction in the prior period dividend due to the Company having only been publicly listed since November 2015, and demonstrates the Company's continued commitment to return excess cash to shareholders.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Like most businesses, there is a range of risks and uncertainties facing the Company. A brief summary is given below detailing the specific risks and uncertainties that the Directors believe could have a significant effect on the Company's financial performance.

In assessing the Company's likely financial performance for the second half of the current financial year, these risks and uncertainties should be considered in addition to the matters referred to regarding seasonality in note 15 to the condensed interim financial statements, and the comments made under the heading "outlook" in the Chief Executive's Review.

-- Customer dissatisfaction: If we fail to deliver a differentiated and superior experience to our customers, this could diminish our brand and reputation and impact on our growth;

-- Technology: If we fail to evolve our technology offering with changing customer needs, this could potentially lead to customer churn and/or significant downward pressure on our margins;

-- Cyber security: A successful cyber-attack or internal event could result in us not being able to deliver services to our customers or failing to protect data we collect and hold on customers, employees and vendors;

-- Disruption to Managed Services operations: If our IT systems fail, the service provided from our network operating centre which facilitates the selling of hosted managed services may be significantly interrupted. This could impact on customer satisfaction and diminish our brand and reputation;

-- Profit margin pressure including rebates: If we fail to manage the effect of internal or market forces on our margins, this could result in reduced margins and erode profits;

-- Culture change: Our culture is an integral part of our business model. If we fail to maintain our culture, this could impact on the level of staff engagement and on customer experience;

-- Poor leadership: If we fail to retain and develop a strong leadership team, this could impact on the delivery of Softcat's strategy, impact on staff engagement and vendor relationships.

These risks and uncertainties have not changed significantly since 31 July 2016. Further information on the risks can be found on pages 24 to 25 of Softcat 2016 Annual Report and Accounts, which is available at https://www.softcat.com/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/annual-report-and-accounts-2016.pdf

Going Concern

As stated in note 2 to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements, the Directors are satisfied that the Company has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of at least 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Condensed Interim Financial Statements.

Cautionary Statement

This report has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Company's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. The Interim Management Report should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

In making this report, the Company is not seeking to encourage any investor to either buy or sell shares in the Company. Any investor in any doubt about what action to take is recommended to seek financial advice from an independent financial advisor authorised by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Directors' Responsibility Statement

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

-- the unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union;

-- the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

-- the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of relates parties' transactions and changes therein).

Neither the Company nor the directors accept any liability to any person in relation to the half-year financial report except to the extent that such liability could arise under English law. Accordingly, any liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any untrue or misleading statement or omission shall be determined in accordance with section 90A and schedule 10A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

 
 Martin Hellawell                  Graham Charlton 
 Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer 
 22 March 2017                       22 March 2017 
 

Condensed Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

For the six months ended 31 January 2017

 
                                                 Six months              Year 
                                               ended 31 January         ended 
                                                                      31 July 
                                                 2017        2016        2016 
                                            Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited 
                                     Note 
                                              GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                              3       378,450     293,591     672,351 
 Cost of sales                              (317,200)   (239,916)   (551,634) 
                                           ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Gross profit                                  61,250      53,675     120,717 
 
 Administrative expenses                     (40,358)    (38,347)    (78,527) 
                                           ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Operating profit                              20,892      15,328      42,190 
 
 Adjusted operating profit                     21,366      19,527      46,751 
 Exceptional costs                    4             -     (3,693)     (3,673) 
 Share - based payments 
  charge                              2         (474)       (506)       (888) 
                                           ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Finance income                                    88         106         213 
                                           ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Profit before taxation                        20,980      15,434      42,403 
 Income tax expense                   5       (4,235)     (3,501)     (9,245) 
                                           ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Profit for the year attributable 
  to owners of the Company                     16,745      11,933      33,158 
                                           ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the year attributable 
  to owners of the Company                     16,745      11,933      33,158 
                                           ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 
 Basic earnings per Ordinary 
  Share (pence)                       10         8.5p        6.1p       16.9p 
 Diluted earnings per Ordinary 
  Share (pence)                       10         8.5p        6.1p       16.9p 
 Adjusted basic earnings 
  per Ordinary Share (pence)          10         8.7p        8.2p       19.2p 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per Ordinary Share (pence)          10         8.7p        8.2p       19.1p 
 
 

All results are derived from continuing operations.

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 January 2017

 
                                            31 January           31 July 
                                            2017        2016        2016 
                                       Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited 
                                Note 
                                         GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                                6,143       6,763       6,391 
 Intangible assets                           944         632         667 
 Deferred tax asset                          419         522         426 
                                      ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                           7,506       7,917       7,484 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                               5,622       3,922       4,611 
 Trade and other receivables     7       151,673     113,473     132,787 
 Cash and cash equivalents                46,620      54,881      62,361 
                                      ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                         203,915     172,276     199,759 
                                      ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Total assets                            211,421     180,193     207,243 
                                      ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables        8     (137,583)   (108,778)   (115,527) 
 Income tax payable                      (4,086)     (2,456)     (4,352) 
                                      ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                       (141,669)   (111,234)   (119,879) 
                                      ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Net assets                               69,752      68,959      87,364 
                                      ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Equity 
 Issued share capital            12           99          99          99 
 Share premium account                     4,664       4,455       4,454 
 Other reserves                          (3,423)     (3,530)     (3,531) 
 Retained earnings                        68,412      67,935      86,342 
                                      ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Total equity                             69,752      68,959      87,364 
                                      ==========  ==========  ========== 
 

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

 
                                                 Reserve 
                                                     for 
                              Share      Share       own    Retained      Total 
                            capital    premium    shares    earnings     equity 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  --------- 
                            GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 Balance at 1 August 
  2016                           99      4,454   (3,531)      86,342     87,364 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the period           -          -         -      16,745     16,745 
 Share-based payment 
  transactions                    -          -         -         436        436 
 Dividends paid                   -          -         -    (35,174)   (35,174) 
 Shares issued in 
  period                          -        210         -           -        210 
 Tax adjustments                  -          -         -          63         63 
 Own share movement 
  during the period               -          -       108           -        108 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  --------- 
 Balance at 31 January 
  2017                           99      4,664   (3,423)      68,412     69,752 
 
 
 Balance at 1 August 
  2015                           98      3,942   (3,994)      95,770     95,816 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the period           -          -         -      11,933     11,933 
 Share-based payment 
  transactions                    -          -         -         189        189 
 Dividends paid                   -          -         -    (40,098)   (40,098) 
 Shares issued in 
  period                          1        513         -           -        514 
 Tax adjustments                  -          -         -         141        141 
 Own share movement 
  during the period               -          -       464           -        464 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  --------- 
 Balance at 31 January 
  2016                           99      4,455   (3,530)      67,935     68,959 
 

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 31 January 2017

 
                                              Six months 
                                                 ended               Year 
                                               31 January           ended 
                                                                       31 
                                                                     July 
                                              2017        2016       2016 
                                        ----------  ----------  --------- 
                                         Unaudited   Unaudited      Audited 
                                  Note 
                                           GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
 Net cash generated from 
  operating activities             11       20,120      18,497     29,925 
 
 Investing activities 
 Finance income                                 88         106        213 
 Purchase of property, 
  plant and equipment                        (657)       (686)    (1,190) 
 Purchase of intangible 
  assets                                     (443)       (335)      (536) 
 Proceeds from asset disposals                   7           6         11 
                                        ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                               (1,005)       (909)    (1,502) 
 
 Financing activities 
 Issue of share capital                        210         513        513 
 Deferred purchase share 
  proceeds                                       -       1,772      1,773 
 Dividends paid                    6      (35,174)    (40,098)   (43,453) 
 Own share transactions                        108         464        463 
                                        ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Net cash used in financing 
  activities                              (34,856)    (37,349)   (40,704) 
                                        ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Net decrease in cash and 
  cash equivalents                        (15,741)    (19,761)   (12,281) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at beginning of period                    62,361      74,642     74,642 
                                        ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period                          46,620      54,881     62,361 
                                        ==========  ==========  ========= 
 

Notes to the Financial Information

   1.            General information 

The Directors of Softcat plc (the "Company") present their Interim Report and the unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements for the six months ended 31 January 2017 ("Condensed Interim Financial Statements").

The Company is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in the UK. Its registered address is Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LW.

The Condensed Interim Financial Statements have been reviewed, but not audited, by Ernst & Young LLP and were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 March 2017. The financial information contained in this report does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Condensed Interim Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2016, which were prepared in accordance with European Union endorsed International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2016 were approved by the Board of Directors on 19 October 2016 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

   2.            Accounting policies 
   2.1          Basis of preparation 

These Condensed Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

The Condensed Interim Financial Statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand ('GBP'000'), unless otherwise stated. They were prepared under the historical cost convention.

Going concern

The Directors are satisfied that the Company has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of at least 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Condensed Interim Financial statements.

Changes to accounting standards

There have been no changes to accounting standards during the period which have had or are expected to have any significant impact on the Company.

Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the Condensed Interim Financial Statements are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Company's Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2016.

Exceptional items

Items that are material in size and unusual in nature are included within operating profit and disclosed separately in the condensed statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The separate reporting of these items helps to provide a more accurate indication of the underlying business performance.

Share based payment charges

The share based payment charge includes a fair value charge of GBP436,468 (H1 2016: GBP188,792) and an accrual for employers national insurance contributions of GBP37,460 (H1 2016: GBP317,020), which become payable on exercise of share options and long term incentive awards.

Adjusted operating profit

The Company discloses an adjusted operating profit measure as this is used by management to measure performance and also provides a useful metric for shareholders. Management use this metric as it removes the impact of one-off or volatile non-trading expenses which, when included, may distract the user from understanding the underlying performance of the Company. The term adjusted operating profit is not a defined term under IFRS and may not therefore be comparable with similarly titled profit measurements reported by other companies. It is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measures of profit.

   3.            Segmental information 

The information reported to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, who is considered to be the chief operating decision maker for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of performance, is based wholly on the overall activities of the Company. The Company has therefore determined that it has only one reportable segment under IFRS 8, which is that of "value-added IT reseller and IT infrastructure solutions provider". The Company's revenue, results and assets for this one reportable segment can be determined by reference to the statement of comprehensive income and statement of financial position. An analysis of revenues by product, which form one reportable segment, is set out below:

 
                       Six months 
                          ended            Year 
 Revenue by type        31 January        ended 
                                             31 
                                           July 
                       2017      2016      2016 
                   --------  --------  -------- 
                    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Software           193,398   139,271   319,978 
 Hardware           126,312   110,327   250,692 
 Services            58,740    43,993   101,681 
                   --------  --------  -------- 
                    378,450   293,591   672,351 
                   ========  ========  ======== 
 

The total revenue for the Company has been derived from its principal activity as an IT reseller. Substantially all of this revenue relates to trading undertaken in the United Kingdom.

   4.            Exceptional items 

Operating profit for the year has been arrived at after charging:

 
                  Six months 
                     ended            Year 
                  31 January         ended 
                                        31 
                                      July 
                  2017      2016      2016 
             ---------  --------  -------- 
               GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 IPO costs           -     3,693     3,673 
 
 

All IPO costs incurred relate to the Company's listing on the London Stock Exchange in November 2015.

   5.            Taxation 
 
                                    Six months 
                                       ended            Year 
                                     31 January        ended 
                                                          31 
                                                        July 
                                    2017      2016      2016 
                                --------  --------  -------- 
                                 GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Current Tax 
 Current period                    4,243     3,451     9,179 
 Adjustment for prior years            -         -       (7) 
 
 Deferred Tax 
 Temporary timing differences        (8)        50        73 
                                --------  --------  -------- 
 Total tax charge for the 
  period                           4,235     3,501     9,245 
 

The income tax expense was recognised based on management's best estimate of the annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year, applied to the profit before tax for the half year ended 31 January 2017. On this basis, the Company's tax charge was GBP4.2m (H1 2016: GBP3.5m). The applicable statutory tax rate for the full year is 19.7% (H1 2016: 20.7%). Following adjusting items which relate to client entertaining and non qualifying depreciation, the effective tax rate is 20.2% (H1 2016: 22.7%). The effective tax rate has fallen due to a 1% fall in the full year statutory rate and a reduction in non-deductible expenses, in particular costs of the initial public offering in the prior year.

   6.            Ordinary Dividends 
 
                                     Six months 
                                        ended            Year 
                                      31 January        ended 
                                                           31 
                                                         July 
                                     2017      2016      2016 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
                                  GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Declared and paid during 
  the period, prior to IPO 
  and share reorganisation: 
 Ordinary dividend on ordinary 
  shares                                     36,765    36,765 
 Ordinary dividend on 'MR' 
  shares                                        864       864 
 Ordinary dividend on 'A' 
  ordinary shares                             2,469     2,469 
                                           --------  -------- 
                                             40,098    40,098 
 Declared and paid during 
  the period, post IPO and 
  share reorganisation: 
 Interim dividend for the 
  year ended 31 July 2016               -               3,355 
 Final dividend for the year 
  ended 31 July 2016                7,114                   - 
 Special dividend                  28,060                   - 
                                 --------            -------- 
                                   35,174              43,453 
 

The dividends paid in the six months ended 31 January 2016 were paid prior to the reorganisation of share capital, see note 12, and therefore are shown as dividends split between the pre-reorganisation share classes.

An interim dividend of 2.9p per share, amounting to a total dividend of GBP5.73m was declared post period end and is to be paid on 28 April 2017 to those on the share register on 31 March 2017.

   7.            Trade and other receivables 
 
                                     Six months 
                                        ended            Year 
                                      31 January        ended 
                                                           31 
                                                         July 
                                     2017      2016      2016 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
                                  GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Trade receivables                143,194   107,471   123,833 
 Provision against receivables    (1,150)     (853)   (1,265) 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
 Net trade receivables            142,044   106,618   122,568 
 Other debtors                        276        41        59 
 Prepayments                        3,914     3,125     4,764 
 Accrued Income                     5,439     3,689     5,396 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
                                  151,673   113,473   132,787 
 
   8.            Trade and other payables 
 
                                       Six months 
                                          ended            Year 
                                        31 January        ended 
                                                             31 
                                                           July 
                                       2017      2016      2016 
                                   --------  --------  -------- 
                                    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Trade payables                      91,774    72,552    67,759 
 Other taxes and social security     12,927     8,939    11,778 
 Accruals                            27,786    22,874    24,000 
 Deferred Income                      5,096     4,413    11,990 
                                   --------  --------  -------- 
                                    137,583   108,778   115,527 
 
   9.            Financial Instruments 

The Company's principal financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables. The primary purpose of these financial liabilities is to finance the Company's operations. The Company has trade and other receivables and cash that derive directly from its operations.

 
                                          Six months 
                                             ended              Year 
                                          31 January           ended 
                                                                  31 
                                                                July 
                                          2017       2016       2016 
                                    ----------  ---------  --------- 
                                       GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Financial assets 
 The financial assets of the 
  Company were as follows: 
 
 Cash at bank and in hand               46,620     54,881     62,361 
 Trade and other receivables           151,673    113,473    132,787 
                                    ----------  ---------  --------- 
                                       198,293    168,354    195,148 
 
 Financial liabilities 
 The financial liabilities 
  of the Company were as follows: 
 
 Trade payables                       (91,774)   (72,552)   (67,759) 
 Accruals                             (27,786)   (22,874)   (24,000) 
                                    ----------  ---------  --------- 
                                     (119,560)   (95,426)   (91,759) 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount for all financial assets and liabilities approximate to their fair value.

   10.          Earnings per share 
 
                                 Six months 
                                    ended         Year 
                                  31 January     ended 
                                                    31 
                                                  July 
                                 2017    2016     2016 
                               ------  ------  ------- 
                                Pence   Pence    Pence 
 Earnings per share 
 Basic                            8.5     6.1     16.9 
 Diluted                          8.5     6.1     16.9 
 Adjusted earnings per share 
 Basic                            8.7     8.2     19.2 
 Diluted                          8.7     8.2     19.1 
 

The calculation of the basic and adjusted earnings per share and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

 
                                     Six months 
                                        ended            Year 
                                      31 January        ended 
                                                           31 
                                                         July 
                                     2017      2016      2016 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
                                  GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Earnings 
 Earnings for the purposes 
  of earnings per share being 
  profit for the period            16,745    11,933    33,158 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
 
 Adjusted Earnings 
 Profit for the period             16,745    11,933    33,158 
 Exceptional costs                      -     3,693     3,673 
 Share based payment charge           474       506       888 
 Tax effect of adjusting items        (7)      (46)      (97) 
                                 --------  --------  -------- 
 Earnings for the purposes 
  of adjusted earnings per 
  share                            17,212    16,086    37,622 
 

The weighted average number of shares is given below:

 
                                       Six months 
                                          ended            Year 
                                        31 January        ended 
                                                             31 
                                                           July 
                                       2017      2016      2016 
                                   --------  --------  -------- 
                                      000's     000's     000's 
 
 Number of shares used for 
  basic earnings per share          196,887   195,935   196,040 
 Number of shares deemed to 
  be issued at nil consideration 
  following exercise of share 
  options                               515       696       696 
                                   --------  --------  -------- 
 Number of shares used for 
  diluted earnings per share        197,402   196,631   196,736 
 
   11.          Notes to the cash flow statement 
 
 Reconciliation of operating 
  profit to net cash inflow 
  from operating activities 
                                          Six months 
                                             ended             Year 
                                          31 January          ended 
                                                            31 July 
                                          2017      2016       2016 
                                     ---------  --------  --------- 
                                       GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 Operating profit                       20,892    15,328     42,190 
 Depreciation of property, 
  plant and equipment                      824       920      1,796 
 Amortisation of intangibles               165       161        327 
 (Profit)/loss on disposal 
  of fixed assets                           73       (6)        (9) 
 Cost of equity-settled employee 
  share schemes                            436       189        572 
                                     ---------  --------  --------- 
 Operating cash flow before 
  movements in working capital          22,390    16,592     44,876 
 Increase in inventories               (1,008)   (1,270)    (1,961) 
 (increase)/Decrease in trade 
  and other receivables               (18,886)     6,706   (12,608) 
 Increase in trade and other 
  payables                              22,057       725      7,474 
                                     ---------  --------  --------- 
 Cash generated from operations         24,553    22,753     37,781 
 Income taxes paid                     (4,433)   (4,256)    (7,856) 
                                     ---------  --------  --------- 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                            20,120    18,497     29,925 
                                     =========  ========  ========= 
 
   12.          Share capital 
 
                                      Year 
                                     ended 
                                        31 
                                      July 
                                      2015 
                                  -------- 
 Authorised                        GBP'000 
 Pre-reorganisation 
 
 Ordinary shares of 1p each            112 
 'MR' shares of 1p each                  2 
 'A' ordinary shares of 1p each          6 
                                  -------- 
                                       120 
 

Limits on authorised share capital were removed on re-registration as a public limited company.

 
                                 Six months 
                                    ended            Year ended 
                                 31 January            31 July 
                                 2017      2016      2016      2015 
                             --------  --------  --------  -------- 
                              GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Allotted and called 
  up 
 Ordinary shares of 1p 
  each                                                           90 
 'MR' shares of 1p each                                           2 
 'A' ordinary shares 
  of 1p each                                                      6 
                                                           -------- 
                                                                 98 
 
 Post - reorganisation 
 Ordinary shares of 0.05p 
 each                              99        99        99 
 Deferred shares* of 
  0.01p each                        -         -         - 
                             --------  --------  -------- 
                                   99        99        99 
 
  *At 31 January 2017 the deferred shares 
   had an aggregate nominal value of GBP189.33 
 
 

On 12 November 2015, by special resolution of the Company, it was resolved that:

-- 188,500 'MR' shares of GBP0.01 each be redesignated as ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each and their rights varied accordingly;

-- 588,322 'A' ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each be redesignated as ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each and their rights varied accordingly;

-- 18,933 'A' ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each be redesignated as deferred shares of GBP0.01 each; and

-- each ordinary share of GBP0.01 be sub-divided into 20 ordinary shares of GBP0.0005 each.

   13.          Related party transactions 

Dividends to Directors

The following Directors, who served as Directors for either the whole or part of the interim period, were paid the following dividends:

 
                     Six months 
                        ended            Year 
                      31 January        ended 
                                           31 
                                         July 
                     2017      2016      2016 
                 --------  --------  -------- 
                  GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 M J Hellawell      2,632     4,868     5,119 
 B Wallace            153       175       190 
 L Ginsberg             4         -         - 
 V Murria               5         -         - 
 P Ventress             5         -         - 
                 --------  --------  -------- 
                    2,799     5,043     5,309 
 

With the exception of the above, there were no other significant related party transactions.

   14.          Post balance sheet events 

Dividend

An interim dividend of 2.9p per share, amounting to a total dividend of GBP5.73m was declared post period end and is to be paid on 28 April 2017 to those on the share register on 31 March 2017.

   15.          Seasonality of operations 

Historically, revenues have been marginally higher in the second half of the year than in the first six months. This is principally driven by customer buying behaviour in the markets in which we operate. This increased revenue weighting in the second half of the year has traditionally resulted in higher operating profit in the second half.

Independent review report to Softcat plc

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended January 31, 2017, which comprises the condensed statement of financial position as at January 31, 2017 and the related condensed statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, condensed statement of changes in equity and condensed statement of cash flows for the six-month period then ended and explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK and Ireland) 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

Directors' Responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in notes 1 and 2, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union.

Our Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 January 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Ernst & Young LLP

London

22 March 2017

Corporate Information

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information differs from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors

G L Charlton

M J Hellawell

L Ginsberg

V Murria

P Ventress

B Wallace

Secretary

W Chime

Company registration number

02174990

Registered office

Solar House

Fieldhouse Lane

Marlow

Buckinghamshire

SL7 1LW

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR FMGZFNMRGNZM

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