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ZPLA Zpg

379.00
0.00 (0.00%)
17 Apr 2024 - Closed
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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Zpg LSE:ZPLA London Ordinary Share GB00BMHTHT14 ORD 0.1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 379.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Zoopla Property Group PLC Full Year Results (4825Q)

30/11/2016 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMZPLA

RNS Number : 4825Q

Zoopla Property Group PLC

30 November 2016

ZPG DELIVERS RECORD REVENUES AND PROFITS

Full year results for the twelve months ended 30 September 2016

Zoopla Property Group Plc (LSE:ZPLA) ("ZPG" or the "Group"), owner of some of the UK's most trusted home-related digital platforms including Zoopla, uSwitch, PrimeLocation and Property Software Group, today announces its full year results for the twelve months ended 30 September 2016 (the "Period").

Summary Results

 
                                               2016    2015  YoY % 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ----- 
 Revenue (GBPm)                               197.7   107.6   84 
 Adjusted EBITDA(1) (GBPm)                     77.1    48.7   58 
 Profit for the year (GBPm)                    36.7    25.4   44 
 Net debt (GBPm)                              146.3    93.2   57 
 Adjusted basic EPS(2) (pence per share)       12.7     8.4   51 
 Basic EPS (pence per share)                    8.9     6.2   44 
 Proposed final dividend (pence per share)      3.7     2.5   48 
 

Business highlights

-- Revenue increase of 84% to GBP197.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA increase of 58% to GBP77.1 million

-- Acquisition of Property Software Group creates UK's only end-to-end solution for property professionals

-- Continued UK Agency partner growth up 5% (ex-Property Software Group) and listings inventory up 10%

-- Total number of unique Property partners including Property Software Group at 23,101 at the end of the Period

-- Outperformance in Comparison Services division with record levels of switching activity across every vertical

-- Strong traffic with over 600m visits to the Group's websites and mobile apps, of which 68% via mobile

-- Over 23m leads generated during the Period for Property partners including 350,000 property appraisal leads

-- Comparison leads up 22% over same period last year to 30.3m, helping consumers save over GBP320m

-- Invested in and partnered with a number of leading and innovative sector relevant tech start-ups

-- Developed market-leading new products for consumers and partners such as Running Costs and MoveIT

-- Relocated into our new Group headquarters bringing all our London-based teams together under one roof

-- Proposed final dividend of 3.7p per share, bringing total dividend for the Period to 5.2 pence per share

   --      Since the end of the Period the Group has: 

o Acquired leading cloud-based estate agency website design business, Technicweb

o Invested in and signed partnership with connected home insurance provider, Neos

Commenting on today's announcement Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of ZPG said:

"The Group has had another very successful year and we are stronger and more diversified than ever. We delivered record revenues and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP197.7million and GBP77.1million respectively and continued to grow our huge and highly engaged consumer audience with over 600m visits to our websites and apps during the year. We continue to lead innovation in the property and comparison markets as we work towards fulfilling our mission of providing the most useful resources for consumers when finding, moving and managing their home and being the most effective partner for related businesses.

"Our Property Services division has traded in line with management expectations with ARPA(3) growth across every vertical and we have now seen 18 consecutive months of UK Agency partner growth. The acquisition of Property Software Group has been transformational, allowing us to offer the UK's only end-to-end solution for property professionals including software, workflow, CRM and marketing tools. As a Group, we now have significant cross-sell opportunities with over 23,000 unique Property partners taking at least of one of our services.

"Our Comparison Services division has performed very strongly with record levels of switching activity and leads in every vertical helping consumers find the best deals and save over GBP320m off their energy bills alone during the Period.

"We generated over 53m leads across the Group for our partners during the year, helping them to win more business and operate more efficiently. We have launched a number of new market-leading products as well as investing and partnering with some of the most innovative and relevant technology startups to further enhance and differentiate our proposition.

We are also pleased to announce today the acquisition of Technicweb, one of the UK's leading estate agency website design and hosting businesses as well as our investment in and strategic partnership with Neos, the UK's first connected home insurance provider."

Outlook

ZPG has had a good start to the new financial year across both divisions.

In our Property Services division, the Group's compelling and unique proposition which helps property professionals to manage, market and maximise their business, continues to resonate. Management is encouraged by the continued trend in UK Agency partner growth, with over 600 branches having now returned over the past 18 months.

The Comparison Services division has performed well, as expected, since the end of the Period as consumers increasingly become aware of the benefits of switching.

The Group will continue to invest across the business and develop further products in line with our vision to be the consumer champion at the heart of the home. Although it is early in the year, Management remains comfortable with market expectations(4) for the 2017 financial year. Our next trading update will be on 2 February 2017, the day of our AGM.

-S-

For further information, please contact:

Lawrence Hall, Head of Communications - lawrence.hall@zpg.co.uk / 07890 078 945

Rachael Malcolm, Head of Investor Relations - rachael.malcolm@zpg.co.uk / 0203 8725 648

James Isola, Maitland 020 7379 5151

http://www.zpg.co.uk/

A webcast of the management team presentation to analysts and investors will be made available at www.zpg.co.uk at 09.00am this morning and registration can be accessed here. An audio dial-in will also be made available:

UK Toll Number: 0203 003 2666

UK Toll-Free Number: 0808 109 0700

United States Toll-Free Number: 1866 966 5335

United States Toll Number: 1 646 843 4608

Participant pin: 76156743#

1. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit after adding back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and exceptional items.

2. Adjusted basic EPS is calculated as profit for the year excluding exceptional items and amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisitions, adjusted for tax and divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue for the Period.

3. ARPA (Average revenue per advertiser) represents revenue from property portal advertising services from the Group's Property partners in a given month divided by the total number of Property partners during the month, measured as a monthly average over the period.

4. As at 29 November 2016, market expectations for Group FY17 Revenue and EBITDA were GBP219.2m and GBP85.8m, respectively (Source: Bloomberg).

Cautionary Statement

This document contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include matters that are not historical facts. Statements containing the words "believe", "expect", "intend", "may", "estimate" or, in each case, their negative and words of similar meaning are forward-looking. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that the Group's actual financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this document. In addition, even if the Group's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements in this document, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. Important facts that could cause the Group's actual results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or the development of the industry in which we operate, to differ from current expectations include those principal risks and uncertainties disclosed below. As a consequence, the Group's future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on the Group's behalf.

About Zoopla Property Group (www.zpg.co.uk)

Zoopla Property Group Plc (LSE:ZPLA) (ZPG) owns and operates some of the UK's most trusted and effective home-related digital platforms including Zoopla, uSwitch, PrimeLocation and Property Software Group. Our mission is to provide the most useful resources for consumers when finding, moving or managing their home and be the most effective partner for related businesses.

We help consumers understand the property and home services comparison markets and make smarter decisions, whilst helping professionals to win more business and operate more effectively. The Group benefits from its multi-brand, multi-channel approach and each of our brands has a distinct market position with an unrivalled proposition. Our websites and mobile apps attract over 50 million visits per month.

Zoopla is the UK's most comprehensive property website, helping consumers to research the market and find their next home by combining hundreds of thousands of property listings with market data and local information.

uSwitch is the UK's leading comparison website for home services switching, helping consumers to find the best deal and save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, TV, phone and personal finance products.

PrimeLocation is one of the UK's leading property websites, helping house-hunters in the middle and upper tiers of the market explore and find their dream home from the top estate and letting agents.

Property Software Group is the UK's largest supplier of software and workflow solutions to the property industry with a portfolio of brands including Alto, Jupix, CFP, Vebra, Core, Encore, MyPropertyFile and MoveIT.

Zoopla Property Group Plc was founded in 2007 and has a highly experienced management team, led by Founder & CEO, Alex Chesterman OBE.

Business Review

2016 has been another very successful year for ZPG as we remain focused on being the consumer champion at the heart of the home. We continued to lead innovation in the digital property and comparison markets and the Group is now stronger and more diversified than ever, delivering Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP197.7 million and GBP77.1 million respectively during the Period.

Executing on our strategy & vision

At the time of both the uSwitch and Property Software Group acquisitions we talked about being on a multi-year journey to create the best fully-integrated products in the market by refining and enhancing the experience for both our consumers and partners. Doing so allows us to maximise the opportunity we have to fulfil our mission of providing the most useful resources for consumers when finding, moving or managing their home and being the most effective partner for related businesses.

This year we continued to invest in marketing our brands and developing our products. We created a series of new national advertising campaigns for each of our consumer brands - Zoopla, uSwitch and PrimeLocation - resulting in record levels of brand awareness. We launched our innovative 'Running Costs' tool on the Zoopla website, giving consumers an idea of the total occupancy costs for any property including likely mortgage or rental payments, energy costs, water bills, insurance and council tax charges. We saw strong take-up of the Group's award-winning AdReach product, which helps partners engage directly with their target audience and win more business.

We have grown our huge and highly engaged consumer audience, with over 600 million visits to our websites and apps during the Period, delivering incredible value to our partners by generating over 53 million leads for them during the year. And we have seen strong mobile growth, having relaunched both the Zoopla and uSwitch apps, with 68% of our traffic during the year coming via a mobile device as consumers engaged with our platforms at home, at work and on the move.

The Group also made investments and developed exclusive strategic partnerships with some of the UK's most-promising and innovative technology start-ups - PropertyDetective, Landbay and Trussle - to further differentiate and enhance our consumer and partner propositions. As a result, we have now launched individual 'Property Reports' for every home in the UK, a unique feature where prospective buyers can get a 'Mortgage in Principle' in under 5 minutes and a new 'Invest' channel where anyone can now invest from as little as GBP100 into the UK residential property market.

Acquisition of Property Software Group

In April, we acquired Property Software Group, the UK's market-leading provider of software and workflow solutions to property professionals, used in over 8,000 offices. This acquisition is a core part of ZPG's mission and enables the Group to now provide the UK property industry's first end-to-end solution including software and CRM, digital marketing and market insight tools as well as further revenue opportunities for our Property partners. It is a key step for the Group and ensures that we remain the most-valued partner for UK property professionals to help them market their inventory, manage their business and maximise their revenues.

Capital Markets Day

We held our first Capital Markets Day in September, which allowed us to provide deeper insight into our vision and strategy and the scale of the opportunity that exists throughout the property journey. As part of the day, we unveiled our updated key performance indicators ('KPIs') to reflect the evolution of the business following our recent acquisitions and our bundled property proposition. Full KPIs under the updated methodology for the Group including pro forma comparators for the same period last year can be found at the end of this release.

Property Services

Revenues in our Property Services division were GBP86.7 million for the year, including GBP7.3 million of revenue from five months of trading from Property Software Group. Our audience remains highly engaged with over 45 million visits per month to our property platform, up 2% year-on-year (YoY), delivering over 23 million leads to our Property partners over the Period.

On a like for like basis the total number of unique Property partners increased by 6% over the past year to 23,101. We saw the number of UK Agency partners advertising on our portals grow during every month of financial year 2016, ending the Period up 5% at 13,373 in addition to 2,610 New Homes developments, 1,074 Overseas agents, 415 Commercial agents and 5,003 software only partners. The remaining 626 arise as a result of aligning the calculation method for hybrids with our peers. Our inventory grew 10% to over 927,000 listings at the end of the Period.

On a like for like basis including Property Software Group, combined ARPP was GBP328, up 1% on the same Period last year. Excluding Property Software Group, ARPA increased across every vertical as the Group's Property partners continued to advertise their brands and market their inventory on our platform. UK Agency ARPA grew by 2% to GBP365, reflecting the Group's pragmatic approach to pricing during the Period. ARPA in New Homes grew by 13% to GBP377, as demand from New Homes Developers for the Group's targeted email campaigns continued. Overseas and Commercial ARPA grew by 1% to GBP150 and 21% to GBP129 respectively as we focused on growing the number of partners and inventory.

As outlined at the Capital Markets Day, the Group will report its total number of unique Property partners and Average Revenue Per Partner (ARPP) from financial year 2017 onwards. For reference under the updated KPI structure, the Group had a total of 23,101 unique Property partners and blended ARPP was GBP328 as at the end of the Period, reflecting the mix effect from five months of ownership of Property Software Group.

Comparison Services

Our Comparison Services division outperformed expectations this year with consumer adoption of comparison websites continuing to grow as the benefits of switching become increasingly clear. We experienced record levels of switching across every vertical with revenues in the division at GBP111.0 million, up 38% compared to the same twelve-month period last year, whilst helping consumers switch and save over GBP320 million off their energy bills alone.

As outlined in our half year results, the Comparison Services division had an exceptionally strong first six months with record switching volumes in both the Energy and Communications verticals as a result of our market-leading collective switch, energy supplier price cuts and a highly-competitive environment for broadband deals. We have seen these tailwinds continue in the second half driving further outperformance as outlined below.

The performance in the Energy vertical was exceptionally strong during the Period, driven by competitive supplier pricing, our market-leading collective and exclusive deals and continued regulatory support for comparison websites. In June 2016, the CMA concluded its energy market investigation setting out a wide range of reforms to modernise the market which specifically enable comparison websites to play a more active role in helping consumers to find the best deals and to save money off their household bills.

The Communications vertical also performed strongly, driven by highly competitive deals and consumer demand to switch to the best broadband and TV packages. We continued to develop our Financial Services offering with good progress in areas such as credit cards and banking as a result of the Group's targeted approach to launching into new verticals.

The number of Comparison Services leads generated during the year increased to over 30 million, up 22% compared to the same twelve-month period last year. The increase in ARPL to GBP3.67, compared to GBP3.23 for the same twelve-month period last year, was driven by the significant outperformance in the Energy vertical.

Looking Ahead

Since the end of the Period, the Group has announced further progress in differentiating its proposition for both consumers and partners with the acquisition of Technicweb, one of the UK's leading cloud-based estate agency website design and hosting businesses as well as an investment in and an exclusive strategic partnership with Neos, a leading smart home-insurance provider.

We are incredibly excited by the scale of the opportunity to help both consumers and partners throughout the property lifecycle and will continue to invest, integrate and innovate in product development and audience engagement to make the most of this opportunity across the different divisions of our business.

Finally, we will continue to work hard to attract and retain the passion and talent we have within the business as we grow. We have grown to 735 team members and have now moved all our London-based staff into one Group headquarters, providing them with a world-class working environment. I would like to welcome Andy Botha and Mark Goddard and the whole Property Software Group team to ZPG. I would also like to thank the Executive Management team and their respective team members for their ongoing hard work, dedication and commitment to our mission.

Alex Chesterman OBE

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Finance Review

Revenue increased by 84% to GBP197.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 58% to GBP77.1 million compared to the same period last year. The increase was partly a result of the inclusion of twelve months of trading in the Comparison Services division and five months of trading from Property Software Group, which we acquired in April 2016. The Comparison Services division performed ahead of expectations with record switching levels across every vertical and the Property Services division performed in line with expectations, with continued growth in the number of UK Agency partners over the Period.

Statutory profit for the year and statutory basic EPS also increased significantly by 44% to GBP36.7 million and 44% to 8.9p, respectively. When reviewing performance the Directors use a number of adjusted measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted basic EPS, as they believe these give a more relevant indicator of the Group's underlying performance. These measures are reconciled in the Summary Income Statement below.

During the Period, the Group secured a GBP50 million extension to its revolving credit facility, which was used to help fund the acquisition of Property Software Group. As at 30 September 2016, the Group had net debt of GBP146.3 million and substantial headroom against its covenants.

The Group maintains a target dividend pay-out ratio of 35-45% of profits excluding share-based payments and exceptional items and the Directors have proposed a final dividend of 3.7 pence per share. This, together with the interim dividend of 1.5 pence per share, brings the total dividend to 5.2 pence per share for the Period.

Summary Income Statement

 
 GBPm                                                            2016     2015  YoY % 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------  ----- 
 Revenue                                                        197.7    107.6   84 
 Operating costs                                              (120.6)   (58.9)   105 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                                 77.1     48.7   58 
 Share-based payments                                           (4.8)    (1.9)   153 
 Depreciation                                                   (1.7)    (0.4)   325 
 Amortisation of other intangibles                              (2.0)    (1.6)   25 
 Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions      (7.5)    (2.0)   275 
 Exceptional items                                             (11.4)    (8.2)   39 
 Operating profit                                                49.7     34.6   44 
 Net finance costs                                              (3.5)    (1.0)   250 
 Profit before tax                                               46.2     33.6   38 
 Income tax expense                                             (9.5)    (8.2)   16 
 Profit for the year                                             36.7     25.4   44 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------  ----- 
 Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions        7.5      2.0   275 
 Exceptional items                                               11.4      8.2   39 
 Adjustment for tax                                             (3.2)    (0.8)   300 
 Adjusted profit for the year                                    52.4     34.8   51 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------  ----- 
 Adjusted earnings per share: 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence per share)             12.7      8.4   51 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence per share)           12.5      8.3   51 
 

Revenue

 
                                                            YoY 
 GBPm                              2016           2015(2)    % 
-------------------------------  ------  ----------------  ---- 
 Property Services: 
 UK Agency(1)                      64.3              58.3   10 
 New Homes                         11.7              11.0    6 
 Other                             10.7              10.6    2 
-------------------------------  ------  ----------------  ---- 
 Property Services Revenue         86.7              79.9    9 
-------------------------------  ------  ----------------  ---- 
 Comparison Services: 
 Energy                            52.7              11.6   354 
 Communications                    44.1              13.3   232 
 Other                             14.2               2.8   407 
-------------------------------  ------  ----------------  ---- 
 Comparison Services Revenue      111.0              27.7   301 
-------------------------------  ------  ----------------  ---- 
 Group Revenue                    197.7             107.6   84 
-------------------------------  ------  ----------------  ---- 
 (1) UK Agency includes five months of trading from 
  Property Software Group 
  (2) 2015 Comparison Services Revenue represents four 
  months trading from uSwitch (acquired on 1 June 2015). 
 

The Property Services division generated GBP86.7 million of revenue, up 9% on the same period last year. UK Agency revenue, which includes GBP7.3 million of revenue from five months of trading from Property Software Group, was up 10% at GBP64.3 million. Excluding Property Software Group, UK Agency revenue generated GBP57.0 million of revenue (FY15: GBP58.3 million) against tough comparators from the same period last year, when the Group experienced significant UK Agency churn related to Agents' Mutual part way through the period. After adjusting for both the contribution from Property Software Group and for revenue generated from agents who churned part way through 2015, underlying UK Agency revenue was up c.5%. New Homes revenue increased 6%, driven by demand for targeted email campaigns with Other revenue, which includes revenue from advertising, marketing services, data sales, overseas and commercial property, continuing to perform in line with expectations.

The Comparison Services division generated GBP111.0 million of revenue and performed ahead of expectations across every vertical. As a reminder, the prior year comparator includes four months of Comparison Services trading as the business was acquired part way through 2015.

Operating costs

Operating costs increased by 105% to GBP120.6 million, largely attributable to the incorporation of twelve months of trading from the Comparison Services division and five months of trading from Property Software Group.

Property Services costs were GBP48.2 million, comprising Staff costs of GBP22.6 million and Other Costs of GBP25.6 million. The increase in both Staff and Other costs arose from the incorporation of five months of costs from Property Software Group and our ongoing investment in people, technology and marketing. In the second half of the year, the Group strategically stepped up its investment in above-the-line brand building activities, which resulted in Zoopla achieving a record level of national awareness and becoming the leading UK property portal with prompted brand awareness of 90%. (Source: Harris Interactive, September 2016).

Comparison Services costs were GBP72.4 million, comprising Staff costs of GBP12.6 million and Other costs of GBP59.8 million. The Group invests in helping consumers find the best deals by constantly optimising consumer experience, which in turn drives conversion and generates greater exposure for our Comparison partners. On a like-for-like basis, Other costs trended upwards in line with revenue growth as a result of Group's strength in performance-based marketing. The Group also increased its above-the-line marketing of the uSwitch brand to help educate consumers about the benefits of switching and to further grow our brand awareness.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 58% from GBP48.7 million to GBP77.1 million compared to the prior year. Property Services Adjusted EBITDA decreased slightly to GBP38.5 million reflecting the Group's additional strategic investment in marketing in H2 2016 and tough comparators against the same period last year as outlined above. Property Services delivered a margin of 44% for the Period, lower than the previous year due to the mix effect of incorporating five months of Property Software Group. The Comparison Services division generated GBP38.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA, at an increased margin of 35%, as a result of the exceptionally strong performance in the Energy vertical. Group margins reduced to 39% due to the mix effect from incorporating a full year's trading from the Comparison Services division and five months of trading from Property Software Group.

Share-based payments

The share-based payments charge increased from GBP1.9 million to GBP4.8 million as a result of providing for financial year 2016 grants under the Group's LTIP and deferred bonus schemes and the first year of the VCP scheme for the CEO. As expected this charge will increase in financial year 2017, in line with 2017 grants for the LTIP and deferred bonus schemes.

Depreciation

Depreciation increased to GBP1.7 million due to a write-down of leasehold improvements recognised as part of the Group's relocation to a new headquarters. Underlying depreciation will increase in financial year 2017 as we see a full year of depreciation charge on costs associated with the Group's new headquarters.

Amortisation

The Group splits out amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisitions and amortisation of other intangibles for the purposes of calculating Adjusted basic EPS. Amortisation of acquired intangibles increased to GBP7.5 million as a result of a full year's amortisation charge arising on the acquisition of uSwitch and five months charge of amortisation arising on the acquisition of Property Software Group. The Group's amortisation of acquired intangibles charge will increase in financial year 2017 to reflect the valuation of Property Software Group and a full year's impact of its respective charge.

Amortisation of other intangibles increased to GBP2.0 million reflecting the Group's capital expenditure on building integrated projects and products such as the 'Running Costs' tool as outlined in the Business Review.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items include costs that Management believe to be exceptional in nature by virtue of their size or incidence. Total exceptional items of GBP11.4 million in 2016 represent costs relating to the Property Software Group acquisition in addition to deferred costs relating to the uSwitch acquisition.

Net finance costs

The Group incurred net finance costs of GBP3.5 million during the Period. The increased charge reflects the drawdown of debt via the Group's revolving credit facility to help fund the acquisition of Property Software Group.

Income tax expense

The Group's income tax charge was GBP9.5 million representing an effective income tax rate of 20.5%. This is higher than the statutory tax rate of 20.0% due to non-deductible transaction costs and management deferred and contingent consideration expenses arising on acquisitions. This was offset by the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the anticipated reduction in the rate of corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 17% from 1 April 2020.

Profit for the year

Adjusted profit for the year, calculated as profit for the year after adding back exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions adjusted for tax, increased by 51% to GBP52.4 million. Statutory profit increased by 44% to GBP36.7 million.

Earnings per share (EPS)

Adjusted basic EPS, which strips out the impact of exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions, increased by 51% to 12.7p. Statutory basic EPS grew by 44% to 8.9p.

Summary statement of financial position

 
 GBPm                                           2016      2015 
 Goodwill and intangibles                      322.6     253.7 
 Available for sale financial assets             0.7         - 
 Property, plant and equipment                   6.4       1.9 
 Cash and cash equivalents                       3.4      19.2 
 Working capital(1)                              7.4       7.9 
 Loans and borrowings                        (149.7)   (112.4) 
 Deferred and contingent consideration(2)     (30.7)    (38.1) 
 Provisions(2)                                 (2.7)     (0.8) 
 Tax assets and liabilities(2)                (15.2)    (14.2) 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Net assets                                    142.2     117.2 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

The Group was in a strong financial position as at 30 September 2016 with net assets of GBP142.2 million. Intangible assets increased to GBP322.6 million reflecting acquired intangibles as a result of the Property Software Group acquisition. The increase in property, plant and equipment to GBP6.4 million reflects the Group's investment in a new headquarters as outlined in the Business Review. The Group recognised a liability of GBP30.7 million for deferred and contingent consideration payable as a result of the Group's acquisitions.

Net debt position

 
 GBPm                             2016      2015 
 Total loans and borrowings    (149.7)   (112.4) 
 Cash and cash equivalents         3.4      19.2 
 Net (debt)/cash               (146.3)    (93.2) 
----------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

As at 30 September 2016 the Group had net debt of GBP146.3 million including loans and borrowings of GBP149.7 million. The overall increase in net debt can be attributed to the acquisition of Property Software Group in April 2016 and the payment of the deferred consideration relating to the uSwitch acquisition and deal-related earnout in the second half of 2016.

Summary statement of cash flows

 
 GBPm                                                 2016     2015 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Net cash flows from operating activities             62.1     39.1 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities: 
 Acquisitions and investments                       (88.6)  (153.5) 
 Interest income received                              0.1      0.2 
 Capital expenditure                                 (6.5)    (0.8) 
 Net cash used in investing activities              (95.0)  (154.1) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Proceeds on issue of debt, net of issue costs        89.4    123.3 
 Repayment of debt                                  (52.5)   (11.0) 
 Interest paid                                       (3.0)    (0.8) 
 Treasury shares purchased                           (0.4)        - 
 Shares released from trust                            0.2      0.4 
 Dividends paid                                     (16.6)    (8.7) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Net cash flows from financing activities             17.1    103.2 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents          (15.8)   (11.8) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period        3.4     19.2 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

1 Working capital is defined as both current and non-current, trade and other receivables less trade and other payables

2 Includes both current and non-current balances

The Group continues to be highly cash generative with net cash inflows from operating activities of GBP62.1 million during the Period. This 59% increase, compared to the same period last year, is largely due to the incorporation of twelve months of trading in the Comparison Services division. The Group had a net outflow of GBP88.6 million relating to the cash costs of the acquisition of Property Software Group and deferred consideration relating to the uSwitch acquisition.

Dividends

The Group maintains a target dividend pay-out ratio of 35-45% of profits excluding share-based payments and exceptional items based on the strong cash generation and long-term earnings potential of the Group. The Directors have proposed a final dividend of 3.7 pence per share, bringing total dividends for the Period to 5.2 pence per share. Subject to shareholder approval at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, this will be paid on 9 February 2017 to those shareholders on the share register as at 16 December 2016.

Appendix 1: Group proforma KPIs

As outlined at ZPG's Capital Markets Day in September, the Group has updated its key performance indicators ('KPIs') to reflect the evolution of the business following our acquisitions and our new bundled property proposition.

The table below shows how the Group will disclose its KPIs from financial year 2017 onwards. The figures below are for the twelve-month periods to 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015. Each period includes a full year's trading in the Comparison Services division and Property Software Group in order to give a more meaningful comparative.

 
 Group (GBPm)                                   2016(1)   2015(1)   YoY% 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Property Services Revenue                         96.4      94.6    2 
 Comparison Services Revenue                      111.0      80.2    38 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Revenue                                          207.4     174.8    19 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Staff costs                                       39.8      35.2    13 
 Marketing costs                                   70.8      58.7    21 
 Other costs(2)                                    16.6      13.8    20 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Total Operating costs                            127.2     107.7    18 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
 Adjusted EBITDA(3)                                80.2      67.1    20 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
 KPIs 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Visits(4) (million per month)                     50.4      49.1    3 
 FTEs(5)                                            735       654    12 
 
 Divisional KPIs 
 
  Property Services: 
 Agency(6) (GBPm)                                  76.0      74.4    2 
 New Homes (GBPm)                                  11.8      11.0    7 
 Other(7) (GBPm)                                    8.6       9.2    -7 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Property Services Revenue (GBPm)                  96.4      94.6    2 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
 Property Services Operating costs 
  (GBPm)                                           54.8      49.9    10 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Property Services Adjusted EBITDA 
  (GBPm)                                           41.6      44.7    -7 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
 Blended ARPP (average revenue per 
  partner) (8)                                      328       325    1 
 Total unique number of Property partners(9) 
  (000s')                                          23.1      21.7    6 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
   Comparison Services: 
 Energy (GBPm)                                     52.7      36.0    46 
 Communications (GBPm)                             44.1      34.9    26 
 Other(10) (GBPm)                                  14.2       9.3    53 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Comparison Services Revenue (GBPm)               111.0      80.2    38 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
 Comparison Services Operating costs 
  (GBPm)                                           72.4      57.8    25 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 Comparison Services Adjusted EBITDA 
  (GBPm)                                           38.6      22.4    72 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 
 ARPL (average revenue per lead)(11)               3.67      3.23    14 
  Number of Comparison Services leads(12) 
   (million)                                       30.3      24.8    22 
---------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----- 
 

(1) Financial year 2015 and 2016 pro forma figures include the following exceptional events: 1) UK Agency churn in H1 2015 which equated to GBP4.2m of Revenue and GBP4.2m of Adjusted EBITDA; and 2) Outperformance in the Comparison Services division in FY16 which equated to GBP15.0m of Revenue and GBP8.0m of Adjusted EBITDA

(2) Other Costs represents technology, property and administrative costs

(3) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit after adding back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and exceptional items.

(4) Visits comprise individual sessions on the Group's websites or mobile applications by users for the Period indicated as measured by Google Analytics

(5) FTEs is defined as the average number of full time equivalent employees across the Group

(6) Agency represents revenue generated from UK estate & lettings agents, overseas agents and commercial property agents

(7) Other represents revenue generated from advertising, marketing services, data sales

(8) ARPP (average revenue per partner) is defined as revenue generated from the Group's Property partners in a given month divided by the total number of Property partners during the month, measured as a monthly average over the Period.

(9) Total unique number of Property partners is defined as the total number of UK estate & lettings agency branches, new home developers, overseas and commercial agency branches paying subscription fees to for either advertising or software services

(10) Other represents revenue generated from financial services switching, boiler cover, business energy and data insight

(11) ARPL (average revenue per lead) is the revenue generated from energy switching, communications switching, financial services switching, boiler cover, business energy and data insight divided by the total number of Comparison Services leads during the month, measured as a monthly average over the period

(12) A Comparison Services lead is measured at the point when a consumer completes an application form hosted on the Group's website or at the point in time when the customer leaves the Group's website having clicked through to a third party website

Principal risks and uncertainties

 
 Description                Impact                      Management and mitigation                                                Movement 
--------------------------  --------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------- 
Changing online landscape   The way in which consumers                                                                    Up 
and consumer trends         interact with businesses          *    Increasing user engagement levels by continuing a 
The Group participates in   is evolving rapidly.                   consumer-centric approach to product development; 
fast-moving marketplaces    There is a risk that 
which are subject to rapid  consumer engagement and 
technological               traffic may decline if the 
development and changes in  Group does not keep               *    Regular open dialogue with our partners to ensure 
consumer trends which may   up with evolving consumer              that we continually develop our products to meet 
impact the Group's ability  trends.                                their needs; 
to offer the                Furthermore, the Group's 
best products and services  partners are constantly           *    Continual optimisation of all our websites, and 
to its partners and         developing their business              products across all platforms and devices; 
consumers.                  models and the 
                            way in which they interact        *    Maintaining organisational flexibility, allowing fast 
                            with consumers directly.               responses to new business opportunities or threats; 
                            Failure of the Group to                and 
                            adapt to meet 
                            the needs of its partners       *    Monitoring and regularly reviewing search engine 
                            could lead to a fall in              optimisation and digital marketing spend. 
                            the number of partners and 
                            revenues. 
                            The Group is also subject 
                            to changes in policies set 
                            by search engine 
                            providers. Failure to 
                            keep pace with these 
                            changes may lead to the 
                            Group's websites receiving 
                            less exposure to consumers 
                            and result in a fall in 
                            visitor numbers. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Competitive environment     If competitors can                                                                          Flat 
The Group operates in       provide, or are perceived       *    Ensuring partners understand the value proposition of 
marketplaces which are      to provide, an enhanced              advertising on the Group's websites and the unique 
highly competitive. The     partner or consumer                  benefits of its recent acquisitions; 
actions of the Group's      service 
competitors can have a      then there is a risk to         *    Offering attractive and competitive pricing packages 
direct impact on the        the Group's forecasted               to partners; 
Group.                      traffic, partner numbers, 
                            revenue and other               *    Continuing to develop and extend the Group's 
                            KPIs.                                innovative product offering and improve the value 
                            The Group invests                    provided for partners; 
                            significantly in marketing 
                            to build brand awareness        *    Developing and maintaining a number of strong 
                            and drive traffic to                 consumer brands through marketing; 
                            its websites. Increased 
                            digital marketing               *    Continuous optimisation of our websites, software and 
                            expenditure by                       the consumer and partner experience to maximise 
                            competitors, or general              traffic and create a barrier to entry; and 
                            price increases, 
                            may cause the Group to          *    Diversifying risk through multiple revenue streams. 
                            incur additional marketing 
                            spend to ensure that it 
                            can continue to 
                            compete effectively. 
                            There is the risk of 
                            competitors entering or 
                            targeting the Group's 
                            primary revenue markets 
                            and reducing the Group's 
                            relative market share. In 
                            addition, there is a risk 
                            that the Group 
                            may not be able to achieve 
                            significant traction in 
                            its nascent revenue 
                            channels due to the 
                            size, scale or market 
                            share of existing players 
                            in the market. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Regulatory environment      There is a risk that                                                                           Up 
The Group operates in a     changes to the regulatory       *    Maintaining regular open and constructive dialogue 
number of regulated         environment force the                with all significant regulatory bodies; 
environments. Certain       Group to revise its 
revenue streams within the  strategy,                           *    Implementing processes to ensure compliance with all 
Comparison Services         operations or business                   mandatory reporting obligations; 
businesses are regulated    model. 
by the FCA. The Comparison  Changes in regulation may           *    Employing a dedicated Regulation and Compliance 
Services division           also impact the Group's                  Manager; and 
also voluntarily complies   profitability via 
with the Ofgem Confidence   increased compliance costs      *    Regular monitoring of regulatory risks by the Board, 
Code and is involved in     or a fall in revenues as a           Audit Committee, legal function and throughout the 
regular communication       result of subsequent                 business. 
with Ofcom.                 changes in consumer 
                            behaviour. 
                            Non-compliance with 
                            regulations set by a 
                            regulatory body, including 
                            data protection 
                            regulations, 
                            may also have both 
                            reputational and financial 
                            implications. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Reputational and brand      Damage to any of the                                                                        Up 
damage                      Group's brands could lead       *    Embedding a culture of transparency, social awareness 
The Group operates a        to a fall in consumer                and ethical behaviour throughout the Group; 
number of identifiable and  confidence, reducing 
respected brands which      traffic and leads for the       *    Regularly reviewing the Group's risks and developing 
could be damaged by         Group's partners and in              internal controls to mitigate the risk of error or 
factors such as unethical   turn impacting the Group's           fraud; 
or unlawful activity, poor  revenue. 
customer service or                                         *    Executing the Group's strategy, which has both 
negative press.             There is also a risk that            consumers and partners at its core; 
                            the Group's partners may 
                            choose to terminate their       *    Employing a dedicated public relations team; and 
                            existing relationship 
                            with the Group as a result      *    Continually investing in the Group's brands. 
                            of any reputational damage 
                            which would directly 
                            impact the Group's 
                            revenues. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
IT systems and              Any failure of the Group's                                                                 Flat 
cyber-security              IT infrastructure through       *    Regularly testing the security of the IT systems and 
A number of the Group's IT  error or attack could                platforms including penetration testing and testing 
systems are interdependent  impair the operation                 of DDoS attack procedures; 
and a failure in one        of the Group's websites, 
system or a security        the processing and storage      *    Maintaining separate platforms for the Property 
breach may disrupt the      of data and the day-to-day           Services and Comparison Services businesses; 
efficiency and functioning  management 
of the Group's operations.  of the Group's business.        *    Restricting access to data, systems and code and 
The Group may               In addition, any theft or            ensuring all systems are secure and up to date; and 
also be subject to          misuse of data held within 
cyber-attacks.              the Group's databases           *    Providing training for staff on data protection and 
The Group holds consumer    could have both                      compliance and operating a Group-wide data policy. 
and Partner data which      reputational and financial 
could be susceptible to     implications for the 
loss or theft.              Group. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Retention and recruitment   Competition for qualified                                                                              Down 
Success depends on the      talent is intense and an                   *    Building a strong employee brand in the recruitment 
continued service and       inability to attract                            market, and building strong talent pipelines; 
performance of the Group's  highly skilled employees 
Executive Management        could adversely impact the 
Team and other key          Group's operations, 
employees. Skilled          financial condition or                     *    Operating a structured approach to recruitment using 
development, technical,     prospects.                                      specialist teams to ensure timely recruitment of high 
operating, sales and        Similarly, an inability to                      quality employees; 
marketing                   motivate, develop and 
personnel are also          retain key team members 
essential for the business  could adversely impact 
to meet its strategic       the Group's operations,                    *    Investing in succession planning and improving 
goals.                      financial condition or                          learning and development, giving opportunities for 
                            prospects.                                      employees to upgrade skills; 
                            The Group has a track 
                            record of growth through           *    Investment in a new head office and team environment; 
                            acquisition -integration 
                            of these diverse                   *    Providing competitive reward and compensation 
                            businesses                              packages to all staff, comprising a blend of short 
                            could increase the risk of              and long-term incentives for managers; and 
                            staff churn. 
                                                            *    Instilling the culture of the Group to build and 
                                                                 maintain staff loyalty. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Macroeconomic conditions    Changes in the UK economy                                                                     Up 
The Group derives all its   could lead to changes in        *    Regularly reviewing market conditions and indicators; 
material revenues from      average property prices, 
markets within the UK. The  the number of                   *    Building consumer and partner brand loyalty; 
Group is therefore          mortgage approvals and the 
dependent on the            volume of transactions in          *    Maintaining a flexible cost base that can respond to 
macroeconomic conditions    the UK housing market.                  changing conditions; 
in the UK and within each   Subsequently the 
of its key markets.         marketing budgets of the           *    Diversifying risk by maintaining a balance between 
See separate section below  Group's partners could                  different revenue streams, including diversification 
on the result of the UK's   decrease, which could                   through the acquisition of uSwitch and Property 
EU referendum.              reduce demand for the                   Software Group, in order to provide protection 
                            Group's services.                       against volatility within our different markets; 
                            The Group is also exposed 
                            to changes in consumer and         *    Developing revenue streams in other related/adjacent 
                            partner behaviour and                   markets; 
                            pricing driven 
                            by fluctuations within the         *    Communicating the effectiveness of digital media 
                            energy, broadband and                   versus alternative mediums such as print; and 
                            mobile markets, which 
                            could impact demand             *    Promoting the benefit and potential savings for 
                            for the Group's services.            consumers of home services switching. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Debt covenants and funding  Failure of the Group to                                                                          Down 
The Group holds external    comply with its existing         *    Negotiating sufficient headroom within the Group's 
debt and therefore must     debt covenants may lead to            existing facility, including renegotiation on the 
ensure compliance with its  a default on the                      acquisition of Property Software Group; 
covenant ratios.            Group's borrowings and a 
The Group also needs to     requirement for the Group            *    Consideration of current debt covenants embedded into 
ensure that it has the      to repay any amounts                      budgeting and forecasting processes; 
funding required to         outstanding or to 
deliver on its strategy     renegotiate the terms of             *    Regularly monitoring compliance with current debt 
and future growth plans     its facility.                             covenants and available headroom; 
and that it manages its     The level of debt within 
debt and cash balances      the business and the             *    Proactive cash management; and 
effectively.                covenants in place may 
                            also restrict the amount         *    Consideration of additional or alternative funding 
                            of funds available for                should significant opportunities for growth be 
                            future growth including               identified. 
                            M&A activity. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Integration of              Failure to realise the                                                                       Down 
acquisitions                Group's strategy to become       *    Executing the integration strategy and plan developed 
The Group is highly         the "consumer champion at             on acquisition; 
acquisitive, including the  the heart of the 
acquisition of uSwitch in   home" and in building an         *    Oversight of the enlarged Group by the Executive team 
2015 and Property           integrated and optimised              to ensure harmonisation of strategy and objectives 
Software Group in 2016.     consumer product offering             across the Group; 
The integration of new      may adversely 
businesses presents         affect the consumer              *    Experienced Management team in dealing with 
inherent operational,       experience with a                     acquisitions; 
strategic and cultural      resulting impact on the 
challenges.                 Group's future revenues.         *    Clear communication of the Group vision and strategy 
                            Similarly, failure to                 to align the team; 
                            integrate the Group's 
                            partner offering, 
                            particularly considering 
                            the                              *    Harmonisation of benefits and practices across the 
                            acquisition of Property               group 
                            Software Group, and 
                            leverage the Group's 
                            unique position could lead 
                            to a failure to generate         *    Relocation of all London based staff to a single 
                            synergies and future                  location to encourage greater integration; 
                            revenues. 
                            The challenges surrounding       *    Communicating the benefits of acquisitions to both 
                            integrating different                 partners and consumers; and 
                            cultures and working 
                            practices could also             *    Forming functional teams across the Group where 
                            impact team retention and             possible. 
                            performance. 
--------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 

The EU referendum

The result of the UK's EU referendum has increased the level of macroeconomic uncertainty and could increase the likelihood of the impacts outlined under 'macroeconomic conditions' above. During the year, the Group considered the impact of this result on the business and its potential implications. The Directors believe that the Group's multi-channel, multi-brand strategy creates a diverse revenue base which means it is well placed to minimise any negative impacts. In particular:

-- The Property Services division is largely subscription based and is therefore less susceptible to short term shocks or variations in the property market or wider economy;

-- A large proportion of our Property partners are engaged in both sales and lettings which reduces the risk of any downturn in the property market on their businesses;

-- An economic downturn increases the propensity for consumers to search our Comparison platform for the best deals to save money on their household expenses;

-- The Group has minimal exposure to foreign exchange although a weaker Pound may lead to higher price inflation in areas such as energy bills which may benefit our Comparison division; and

-- The Group has external debt with a variable interest rate and therefore any decrease in interest rates should reduce the Group's finance costs.

Full year results

The financial information set out below has been taken from the consolidated financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc for the year ended 30 September 2016 which were approved by the Board of Directors on 29 November 2016. The financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of sections 435(1) and (2) of the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated financial statements will be filed with the Registrar of Companies, subject to their approval by the Company's shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 2 February 2016. The Company's Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2016 will be posted to shareholders, and will be made available on the Company's website, in December 2016.

Independent Auditors' report to the shareholders of Zoopla Property Group Plc on the preliminary announcement.

We confirm that we have issued an unqualified opinion on the full financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc.

Our audit report on the full financial statements sets out the following risks of material misstatement which had the greatest effect on our audit strategy; the allocation of resources in our audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team, together with how our audit responded to those risks:

 
 Acquisition of Property Software Group - valuation 
  of acquired intangible assets 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk description   This is a new risk for 2016 following the 
                     acquisition of Property Software Group in 
                     the period. On 28 April 2016, the Group completed 
                     its previously announced acquisition of Property 
                     Software Group on a cash-free, debt-free basis. 
                     The gross valuation of acquired intangible 
                     assets as part of the purchase price allocation 
                     ("PPA") exercise is reliant on management 
                     judgement, and hence there is a risk that 
                     if management use inappropriate methodologies 
                     or assumptions within the PPA exercise, that 
                     the intangible assets will not be stated within 
                     an acceptable range of valuations. 
                     We have included the risk in our audit report 
                     due to the quantum of the balance, its highly 
                     judgemental nature, and the fact that it had 
                     a substantial impact on our overall audit 
                     strategy. 
                     The purchase price was settled through consideration 
                     of GBP69.6 million, of which GBP22.2 million 
                     was paid in cash, GBP24.9 million was the 
                     repayment of external debt, and a further 
                     GBP22.5 million is deferred. An additional 
                     GBP5.7 million is payable to management shareholders 
                     as remuneration, contingent on them remaining 
                     in employment. 
                     The excess of consideration over the fair 
                     value of net assets acquired has been recognised 
                     as intangible assets comprised of customer 
                     relationship intangibles of GBP20.5 million, 
                     brands of GBP2.2 million and goodwill of GBP47.2 
                     million. 
                     Refer to notes 1, 1.20 and 13 for the group 
                     accounting policy, management's consideration 
                     of critical accounting judgements and disclosure 
                     note respectively. 
-----------------  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 How the                 Our procedures entailed: 
  scope                   i) Auditing the acquired statement of financial 
  of our                  position prior to the purchase price allocation 
  audit                   to gain assurance over the valuation of net 
  responded               assets acquired; 
  to the                  ii) Engaging our internal experts to review 
  risk                    the methodologies employed, and challenge 
                          assumptions utilised by management in their 
                          valuation of acquired intangible assets with 
                          reference to third party data for comparable 
                          transactions and asset types; 
                          iii) obtaining the underlying cash flow forecast 
                          calculations and challenging their reasonableness; 
                          iv) Confirming that the useful economic lives 
                          allocated to each class of asset are appropriate 
                          based on their nature and Group accounting 
                          policies; and 
                          v) Reviewing the associated disclosures within 
                          the financial statements to assess whether 
                          they are in accordance with IFRS 3. 
-----------------  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 Revenue recognition in the Comparison Services division 
  - Valuation of accrued income 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk description   Comparison services revenue is accrued each 
                     month based upon the number of switches provided 
                     to suppliers, net of an estimated drop-out. 
                     At the period end there is a proportion of 
                     switches that has not been confirmed as having 
                     been completed and accepted by the third party 
                     provider. There is therefore a risk in respect 
                     the valuation of accrued revenue balance at 
                     year-end. 
                     During 2016, management implemented a new 
                     system which has enabled more accurate matching 
                     of confirmations back to original switches 
                     and hence has enabled more accurate recognition 
                     of accrued income. 
                     Refer to notes 1, 1.20 and 2 for the group 
                     accounting policy, management's consideration 
                     of critical accounting judgements and disclosure 
                     note respectively. 
-----------------  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 How the                  Our procedures entailed: 
  scope                    i) Assessing management's processes and the 
  of our                   design and implementation of controls in respect 
  audit                    of the appropriate recognition of revenue, 
  responded                in particular the valuation of switches in 
  to the                   line with contractual terms and the subsequent 
  risk                     confirmation of switches through third party 
                           customer confirmations; 
                           ii) Verifying that for a sample of customer 
                           contracts, that revenue had been appropriately 
                           recognised in line with the contractual terms 
                           and IAS 18; 
                           iii) Analysing revenue streams to understand 
                           the drivers of fluctuations and obtain support 
                           for any unusual movements; and 
                           iv) For a sample of suppliers for which there 
                           is accrued income at year end, obtaining post 
                           year-end confirmation of the balance from 
                           the relevant third party. 
-----------------  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 Revenue recognition in the Property Services division 
  - Completeness of agency subscription arrangements 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk description   Revenue in the property services division 
                     primarily consists of recurring subscription 
                     payments in return for property listings on 
                     the Group's websites. Individual contracts 
                     exist with each customer with a range of different 
                     terms and conditions, and as a result there 
                     are a significant number of agreements. 
                     Consequently there is a risk that customer 
                     subscription agreements may not be appropriately 
                     captured and accounted for in line with underlying 
                     contractual terms and hence the revenue population 
                     may not be complete. 
                     We have included the risk in our audit report 
                     due to the quantum of the balance and the 
                     fact that it had a substantial impact on our 
                     overall audit strategy. 
                     Refer to notes 1, 1.20 and 2 for the group 
                     accounting policy, management's consideration 
                     of critical accounting judgements and disclosure 
                     note respectively. 
-----------------  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 How the                 Our procedures entailed: 
  scope                   i) Analysing revenue streams to understand 
  of our                  the drivers of fluctuations including monthly 
  audit                   partner numbers and the Average Revenue per 
  responded               Advertiser ("ARPA") trend, and obtaining support 
  to the                  for any unusual movements; 
  risk                    ii) Assessing management's processes and the 
                          design and implementation of controls in respect 
                          of the appropriate recognition of revenue, 
                          in particular the billing of customers in 
                          line with contractual terms; 
                          iii) Selecting a sample of estate agents, 
                          ascertaining whether they were a ZPG customer 
                          or not, and if so, obtaining the underlying 
                          contract to determine whether the information 
                          within the Customer Relationship Management 
                          system is accurate and hence the revenue population 
                          is complete; and 
                          iv) Verified information for a sample of customer 
                          contracts (or equivalent agreements) selected 
                          from the Customer Relationship Management 
                          system to subscription details, and then in 
                          turn back to the ledger to determine whether 
                          revenue has been appropriately recognised. 
-----------------  ---------------------------------------------------------- 
 

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we did not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Our liability for this report, and for our full audit report on the financial statements is to the company's members as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for our audit report or this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Deloitte LLP

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The responsibility statement below has been prepared in connection with the Company's full Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2016. Certain parts thereof are not included within this Announcement.

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

a) the Group consolidated financial statements from which the financial information within these preliminary consolidated financial results have been extracted, are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

b) the Annual Report and the Business Review and Finance Review include a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group.

The Directors of Zoopla Property Group Plc and their respective responsibilities are listed in the Annual Report for 2016. This responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors and is signed on its behalf by:

Alex Chesterman

Director

29 November 2016

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 30 September 2016 from continuing operations

 
                                                             2016      2015 
                                                 Notes     GBP000    GBP000 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 Revenue                                                  197,728   107,556 
 Administrative expenses                                (148,053)  (72,994) 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                     3     77,110    48,694 
 Share-based payments                               24    (4,852)   (1,873) 
 Depreciation and amortisation                           (11,179)   (4,072) 
 Exceptional items                                   3   (11,404)   (8,187) 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 Operating profit                                    4     49,675    34,562 
 Finance income                                                51       184 
 Finance costs                                            (3,564)   (1,163) 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 Profit before tax                                         46,162    33,583 
 Income tax expense                                  9    (9,484)   (8,200) 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 Profit for the year being total comprehensive 
  income                                                   36,678    25,383 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 Attributable to 
 Owners of the parent                                      36,678    25,383 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
  Earnings per share 
 Basic (pence)                                      11        8.9       6.2 
 Diluted (pence)                                    11        8.8       6.0 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  -------- 
 

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at 30 September 2016

 
                                                  2016     2015 
                                        Notes   GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets                          14  322,621  253,674 
Property, plant and equipment              15    6,413    1,930 
Available for sale financial assets        16      724        - 
Trade and other receivables                17    3,262    7,446 
                                               333,020  263,050 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Current assets 
Trade and other receivables                17   36,615   22,780 
Cash and cash equivalents                        3,367   19,199 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
                                                39,982   41,979 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Total assets                                   373,002  305,029 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                   18   32,522   22,251 
Current tax liabilities                          6,146    4,990 
Deferred and contingent consideration      19   28,143   35,393 
Provisions                                 20    1,304      190 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
                                                68,115   62,824 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Loans and borrowings                       21  149,696  112,432 
Deferred and contingent consideration      19    2,533    2,739 
Provisions                                 20    1,410      609 
Deferred tax liabilities                   22    9,021    9,185 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
                                               162,660  124,965 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Total liabilities                              230,775  187,789 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Net assets                                     142,227  117,240 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 
Equity attributable to owners of the 
 parent 
Share capital                              23      418      418 
Share premium reserve                               50       50 
Other reserves                             23   86,007   87,101 
Retained earnings                               55,752   29,671 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Total equity                                   142,227  117,240 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 

The consolidated financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:

 
 A Chesterman       A Botha 
 Director           Director 
 29 November 2016   29 November 2016 
 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the year ended 30 September 2016

 
                                                          2016       2015 
                                                        GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before tax                                       46,162     33,583 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment            1,709        415 
Amortisation of intangible assets                        9,470      3,657 
Finance income                                            (51)      (184) 
Finance costs                                            3,564      1,163 
Share-based payments                                     4,852      1,873 
Transaction costs on acquisitions                        1,256      5,130 
Movement in contingent and deferred consideration        7,075      2,142 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Operating cash flow before changes in working 
 capital                                                74,037     47,779 
Increase in trade and other receivables                (4,991)      (428) 
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables          3,862       (46) 
Increase in provisions                                     505         30 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash generated from operating activities                73,413     47,335 
Income tax paid                                       (11,290)    (8,224) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities                62,123     39,111 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities 
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash 
 acquired                                             (48,381)  (146,012) 
Settlement of deferred and contingent consideration   (37,042)          - 
Amounts paid into escrow in relation to 
 deferred and contingent consideration                 (2,448)    (7,436) 
Acquisition of available for sale financial 
 assets                                                  (979)          - 
Disposal of available for sale financial 
 assets                                                    255          - 
Interest received                                           51        184 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment           (3,980)      (111) 
Acquisition and development of intangible 
 assets                                                (2,561)      (709) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net cash flows used in investing activities           (95,085)  (154,084) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities 
Proceeds on issue of debt, net of issue 
 costs                                                  89,358    123,291 
Repayment of debt                                     (52,500)   (11,000) 
Interest paid                                          (2,942)      (780) 
Treasury shares purchased                                (414)          - 
Shares released from trust                                 182        303 
Dividends paid                                        (16,554)    (8,667) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net cash flows from financing activities                17,130    103,147 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents             (15,832)   (11,826) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of 
 period                                                 19,199     31,025 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period               3,367     19,199 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 30 September 2016

 
                                                          Other reserves 
                                         --------  ----------------------------- 
                        Notes               Share                       Treasury 
                                  Share   premium  EBT share    Merger    shares   Retained     Total 
                                capital   reserve    reserve   reserve    GBP000   earnings    equity 
                                 GBP000    GBP000     GBP000    GBP000               GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------  -----  --------  --------  ---------  --------  --------  ---------  -------- 
At 1 October 2015                   418        50    (1,017)    88,118         -     29,671   117,240 
Profit and total 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 period                               -         -          -         -         -     36,678    36,678 
Transactions with 
 owners recorded 
 directly in equity: 
Share-based payments       24         -         -          -         -         -      3,990     3,990 
Treasury shares 
 purchased                 23         -         -          -         -     (414)          -     (414) 
Treasury shares 
 released                  23         -         -          -         -        56       (56)         - 
Current tax on 
 share-based payments       9         -         -          -         -         -        217       217 
Deferred tax on 
 share-based payments       9         -         -          -         -         -        888       888 
Shares released 
 from trust                           -         -        249         -         -       (67)       182 
Transfer between 
 reserves(1)                          -         -          -     (985)         -        985         - 
Dividends paid             10         -         -          -         -         -   (16,554)  (16,554) 
----------------------  -----  --------  --------  ---------  --------  --------  ---------  -------- 
At 30 September 
 2016                               418        50      (768)    87,133     (358)     55,752   142,227 
----------------------  -----  --------  --------  ---------  --------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 
 
                                                          Other reserves 
                                         --------  ---------------------------- 
                        Notes               Share       EBT            Treasury 
                                  Share   premium     share    Merger    shares   Retained    Total 
                                capital   reserve   reserve   reserve    GBP000   earnings   equity 
                                 GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000               GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
At 1 October 2014                   418        50   (1,566)    89,103         -     10,166   98,171 
Profit and total 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 period                               -         -         -         -         -     25,383   25,383 
Transactions with 
 owners recorded 
 directly in equity: 
Share-based payments       24         -         -         -         -         -      1,723    1,723 
Current tax on 
 share-based payments       9         -         -         -         -         -        565      565 
Deferred tax on 
 share-based payments       9         -         -         -         -         -      (238)    (238) 
Shares released 
 from trust                           -         -       549         -         -      (246)      303 
Transfer between 
 reserves(1)                          -         -         -     (985)         -        985        - 
Dividends paid             10         -         -         -         -         -    (8,667)  (8,667) 
----------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
At 30 September 
 2015                               418        50   (1,017)    88,118         -     29,671  117,240 
----------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
 

1 The transfer from merger reserve to retained earnings in 2016 and 2015 represents an equalisation adjustment in respect of the amortisation charge on intangibles which arose on acquisition of The Digital Property Group Limited on 31 May 2012.

Notes to the financial statements

1. Accounting policies

Zoopla Property Group Plc is a company domiciled and incorporated in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered office is The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London SE1 2LH.

1.1 Basis of preparation

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below for the years ended 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015. The policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards and IFRIC Interpretations (collectively IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by the European Union ("adopted IFRS"). They are prepared on the historical cost basis.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with adopted IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Management to exercise judgement in applying the Group's accounting policies. Note 1.20 gives further details relating to the Group's critical accounting estimates.

At the date of approval, the following standards and interpretations which have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but are only effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2016:

   --    IFRS 9 - financial instruments - classification of financial assets and financial liabilities 
   --    Amendments to IFRS 11 - accounting for acquisition of interests in joint operations 

-- Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 - clarification of acceptable methods of depreciation and amortisation

   --    IFRS 15 - revenue from contracts with customers 
   --    Amendments to IAS 27 - equity method in separate financial statements 
   --    Improvements 2014 - annual improvements to IFRSs: 2012-2014 

-- Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IFRS 28 - investment entities: Applying the consolidation exception

   --    Amendments to IAS 1 - Disclosure initiative 
   --   IFRS 16 - leases 

IFRS 15 - revenue from contracts with customers is effective for the first time for the Group's financial year commencing 1 October 2018. The Group is currently in the process of assessing the full impact of IFRS 15. It is not currently practical to quantify the impact of this standard.

The impact of IFRS 16 - leases is to require the Group to record its current head office building and fleet of motor vehicles on the statement of financial position. These items are currently treated as operating expenses. The change in recognition is expected to increase future depreciation charges and lead to a reduction in operating expenses.

All other standards identified above are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements.

1.2 Adoption of new and revised standards

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the policies set out in the Group's Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2015. No new or revised accounting standards were adopted in the period.

1.3 Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the accounts of Zoopla Property Group Plc ("the Company") and entities controlled by the Company ("its subsidiaries") (together "the Group"). Control exists when the Group has existing rights to give it the ability to direct the relevant activities of an entity and has the ability to affect the returns the Group will receive as a result of its involvement with the entity. The results of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date control commences until the date when control ceases.

On 28 April 2016 the Group acquired Property Software Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries (together "Property Software Group") from which date the results of Property Software Group have been consolidated. Therefore, consolidated results for 2016 include five months of performance of Property Software Group and are not a like for like comparison for 2015. Details of the acquisition are set out in Note 13.

On 1 June 2015 the Group acquired Ulysses Enterprises Limited and its subsidiaries (together "uSwitch") from which date the results of uSwitch have been consolidated. Therefore, consolidated results for 2015 include only four months of performance within the Group's Comparison Services division and are not a like for like comparative for 2016. Details of the acquisition are set out in the Group's Annual Report 2015 and are summarised in Note 13.

1.4 Going concern

The financial position of the Group shows a positive net asset position and the Group continues to generate positive Adjusted EBITDA, positive net cash flows from operating activities and maintain its current dividend policy. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business and financial risks successfully.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the historical financial information.

1.5 Revenue

Revenue represents amounts due for services provided during the period, net of value added tax. The Group recognises revenue under two categories - Property Services and Comparison Services.

Revenue from Property Services derives principally from subscription to the Group's property websites and from the provision of property software to UK domestic estate agents ("UK Agency revenue"), home developers ("New Homes revenue") and overseas and commercial estate agents. Subscription revenue is recognised over the period of the subscription. Software revenue includes subscription to Software as a Service ("SaaS"), desktop software licensing, support and installation fees. Installation fees are recorded at fair value when the installation is complete. Ongoing SaaS revenue, support and licensing fees are recognised over the service period. Revenue from other property services is recognised in the month in which the service is provided.

The main sources of Comparison Services revenue are fees received for gas and electricity comparison services ("Energy revenue") and mobile, broadband, pay TV and home phone comparison services ("Communications revenue"). Revenue is recognised at the point at which the Group generates a lead to an energy or communications provider, based on the historical conversion of such leads into completed switches. Revenue from other comparison services ("Other Comparison Services revenue") is recognised in the month in which the service is provided.

1.6 Leases

During the period the Group entered into a new 15 year lease agreement for the Group's head office at The Cooperage, London.

All of the Group's current lease arrangements are recognised as operating leases as the material risks and rewards incidental to ownership remain with the lessor. Operating lease rentals are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Rent-free periods, lease arrangement fees and other direct costs are amortised through the consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the term of the lease.

1.7 Finance income and costs

Finance income represents interest receivable on cash and deposit balances. Interest income is recognised as it accrues using the effective interest method.

Finance costs represent interest and certain fees charged on the Group's revolving credit facility. Finance costs are recognised as they accrue using the effective interest method.

1.8 Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at cost. This cost includes the purchase price, directly attributable costs and the estimated present value of any future unavoidable costs of dismantling and removing items. The corresponding liability is recognised within provisions. Items of property, plant and equipment are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and are not revalued.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful economic lives, using the straight-line method, as follows:

 
 Fixtures and             over 2 to 5 years 
  fittings 
 Computer equipment       over 2 to 5 years 
 Leasehold improvements   over the lease term 
 Freehold property        over 50 years 
 

The Directors review the residual values and useful economic lives of assets on an annual basis.

1.9 Business combinations

The acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses is accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance with IFRS 3. The consideration for each acquisition is measured at the aggregate of fair values of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree, net of cash acquired. Acquisition related costs, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, are recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value with the exception of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are measured in accordance with IAS 12 - income taxes. Identifiable net assets include the recognition of any separately identifiable intangible assets. Further detail of the identifiable assets and liabilities recognised during the year on the acquisition of Property Software Group and on the 2015 acquisition of uSwitch is provided in Note 13.

Deferred and contingent consideration are measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. Where the amounts payable are classified as a financial liability any subsequent change in the fair value is charged/credited to the Group's consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Amounts classified as equity are not subsequently remeasured. Where consideration to management shareholders is contingent on their continued employment the amount is recognised as a remuneration expense in the statement of comprehensive income over the deferral period.

1.10 Goodwill

Goodwill arising on a business combination represents the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid and the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and is recorded as an intangible asset. Goodwill is not subsequently subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment annually and whenever the Directors have an indication that it may be impaired. For the purposes of impairment testing goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the combination. Any impairment in carrying value is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

1.11 Intangible assets

Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are initially recorded at cost. Intangibles arising on acquisition are recorded at fair value. All intangibles are subsequently stated at initial value less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets as follows:

 
 Brand                     5-10 years 
 Domain names              5 years 
 Database                  3-10 years 
 Customer relationships    5-10 years 
 Website development and   3-5 years 
  Computer software 
 
 

1.12 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs is estimated. Any impairment loss is recognised immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that this increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

1.13 Research and development

The Group incurs expenditure on research and development in order to develop new products and enhance the existing websites. Research expenditure is expensed in the period in which it is incurred. Development costs are expensed when incurred unless they meet certain criteria for capitalisation. Development costs whereby research findings are applied to creating a substantially enhanced website or new product are only capitalised once the technical feasibility and the commercial viability of the project has been demonstrated and they can be reliably measured. Capitalised development costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over their expected useful economic life.

Once the new website enhancement or product is available for use, subsequent expenditure to maintain the website or product, or on small enhancements to the website or product, is recognised as an expense when it is incurred.

Research and Development tax credit claims made are recognised as a credit to administrative expenses in the financial year relevant to the claim.

1.14 Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Full details of financial instruments are included in Note 26.

Investments in unlisted securities not meeting the definition of associates, joint ventures or subsidiaries are classified as available for sale financial assets and are initially recorded at fair value plus transaction costs. The investments are then remeasured at each subsequent reporting date to fair value. Changes in the fair value or impairments arising from the significant or prolonged decline in fair value of the unlisted securities are recognised in other comprehensive income. On disposal of the asset any gains and losses recorded within other comprehensive income are realised and are reclassified to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Trade and other receivables are designated as loans and receivables. They are recognised at amortised cost, which is net of any allowance for impairment in relation to irrecoverable amounts. This is deemed to be a reasonable approximation of their fair value. The provision is reviewed regularly in conjunction with a detailed analysis of historical payment profiles and past default experience. When a trade receivable is deemed uncollectable, it is written off against the allowance account. The Group receives interest income on certain amounts held in escrow.

Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.

Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are designated as other financial liabilities. They are recognised at their carrying amount, which is deemed to be a reasonable approximation of their fair value.

Loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost, net of direct costs. Direct costs are released through the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under the effective interest method, along with interest charged, over the life of the instrument.

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. The Company's Ordinary Shares are classified as equity instruments and are recognised at the proceeds received, net of any direct issue costs. Repurchase of the Company's own equity instruments is recognised and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Company's own equity instruments.

Financial instruments are not used for speculative purposes.

The Group's cash and cash equivalents represent amounts held in the Group's current accounts and overnight deposits that are immediately available.

1.15 Current tax

Current income tax comprises UK income tax and is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date. Current tax is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income except to the extent that it is required to be recognised directly in equity.

1.16 Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the consolidated statement of financial position differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on:

   --    the initial recognition of goodwill; 

-- the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and

-- investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the difference can be utilised. Deferred tax is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income except to the extent that it is required to be recognised directly in equity.

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax assets are recovered.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle balances on a net basis.

1.17 Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation, legal or constructive, as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are measured at Management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the statement of financial position date and are discounted to present value where the impact is material. The unwinding of any discount is recognised in finance costs.

Dilapidation provisions are recognised based on Management's best estimate of costs to make good the Group's leasehold properties at the end of the lease term.

Onerous lease provisions relate to contracts whereby the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it. The Group's onerous lease provision relates to one of the Group's previous office buildings which was vacated in September 2016.

1.18 Employee benefits: defined contribution benefit scheme

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a post-employment benefit plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a fund. The Group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. Contributions payable to the fund are charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the period to which they relate.

1.19 Share-based payments

The Group provides equity-settled share-based incentive plans whereby Zoopla Property Group Plc grants shares or nil-cost options over its shares to employees of its subsidiaries for their employment services. The Group also issues warrants over shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc to a number of the Group's estate agent partners, allowing them to acquire shares in exchange for making their property listings available for inclusion on the Group's property websites.

Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and partners are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. The fair value is measured using a suitable valuation model, including the Black-Scholes and Monte-Carlo valuation models where appropriate, and is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each statement of financial position date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted. The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to meet a market vesting condition. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based payment transactions are set out in Note 24.

Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the increase in fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is charged to the income statement over the remaining vesting period.

Within the company accounts of Zoopla Property Group Plc equity-settled share options granted directly to employees or estate agent partners of a subsidiary are treated as a capital contribution to the subsidiary. The capital contribution is measured by reference to the fair value of the share-based payments charge for the period and is recognised as an increase in the cost of investment with a corresponding credit to equity.

A number of shares are held in trust in order to settle future exercises of the Group's share incentive schemes. Details of the trusts are included in Note 24. Shares held in trust are treated as a deduction from equity.

Employer's National Insurance Contributions are accrued, where applicable, at a rate of 13.8%. The amount accrued is based on the market value of the shares at 30 September 2016 after deducting the exercise price of the share option.

1.20 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the current circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within future periods are discussed below.

Acquisition of Property Software Group

On 28 April 2016 the Group completed its acquisition of Property Software Group. The process of determining the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired is inherently judgemental and there is a risk that inappropriate methodologies or assumptions could lead to the valuation of acquired intangibles, goodwill or the fair value of other net assets being misstated. The details of the assets and liabilities recognised are set out in Note 13. The Group engaged third party valuations experts to mitigate the risk associated with the valuation of assets and liabilities on acquisition; however, Management judgement remains in the preparation of forecasts and other assumptions which are included within the valuation model.

Impairment of goodwill and intangibles

The Group holds goodwill and intangibles on the statement of financial position in respect of business acquisitions made. During 2016 the Group has recognised intangible assets and goodwill of GBP75.9 million in respect of the acquisition of Property Software Group. In 2015 the Group recognised GBP181.4 million in respect of the uSwitch acquisition. Acquired intangibles include acquired brands, customer relationships, databases, websites and software. The Group is required to review these assets annually for impairment. Determining whether goodwill and intangible assets are impaired or whether a reversal of impairment of intangible assets should be recorded requires an estimation of the recoverable value of the relevant cash-generating unit, which represents the higher of fair value and value in use. The value in use calculation requires Management to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit, discounted using a suitable discount rate to determine if any impairment has occurred. A key area of judgement is deciding the long-term growth rate of the applicable businesses and the discount rate applied to those cash flows. Details of the assumptions used for 2016 are included in Note 14 to the financial statements.

Revenue and accrued income

Revenue generated by the Group's Comparison Services division is recognised predominantly from online switching services. An element of Management judgement is required in calculating a revenue accrual which estimates the number of successful switches based on leads provided for each partner in the period between the last date of billing and the latest partner data being made available. The accrued income is estimated by considering the volume of leads that have passed from the Group's websites to the partner, the historical conversion of such leads into completed switches and contracted revenue per switch. As at 30 September 2016 the Group holds GBP17.2 million of accrued income (2015: GBP10.7 million) on the statement of financial position.

Revenue from Property Services is predominantly subscription based and therefore there is a lower amount of estimation uncertainty and Management judgement involved in its recognition and measurement.

1.21 Non-GAAP performance measures

In the analysis of the Group's financial performance certain information disclosed in the financial statements may be prepared on a non-GAAP basis or has been derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but is not itself an expressly permitted GAAP measure. These measures are reported in line with how financial information is analysed by Management. The Directors believe that these non-GAAP measures provide a more appropriate measure of the Group's underlying business performance. The non-GAAP measures are designed to increase comparability of the Group's financial performance year on year. However, these measures may not be comparable with non-GAAP measures adopted by other companies. The key non-GAAP measures presented by the Group are:

-- Adjusted EBITDA - which is defined as operating profit after adding back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and exceptional items (Note 3); and

-- Adjusted basic EPS - which is defined as profit for the year, excluding exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions, adjusted for tax and divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue for the year (Note 11).

Both of these measures are used in determining the remuneration of the Executive Directors and Management.

2. Business segments

The Board of Directors has been identified as the Group's chief operating decision maker. The monthly reporting pack provided to the Board to enable assessment of the performance of the business has been used as the basis for determining the Group's operating segments.

Whilst the chief operating decision maker monitors the performance of the business at a revenue and Adjusted EBITDA level, depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments, exceptional items, finance income and costs and income tax are all monitored on a consolidated basis. As the Group continues to evolve we will assess the relevance of splitting out Adjusted EBITDA for the Property Services and Comparison Services divisions.

Assets and liabilities are also managed on a centralised basis and are not reported to the chief operating decision maker in a disaggregated format.

The chief operating decision maker monitors six individual revenue streams as set out below. The six revenue streams are grouped under two headings: Property Services and Comparison Services. Adjusted EBITDA is monitored on an aggregated basis under these two headings. Revenue and costs shown under the UK Agency heading include trading for the five months from 28 April 2016 to 30 September 2016 of Property Software Group, being the period of consolidation. The consolidated results for 2015 include only four months of performance within the Group's Comparison Services division and are therefore not a like for like comparative for 2016.

Property Services

-- UK Agency revenue, which represents property advertising services and the provision of property software to UK estate agents and lettings agents;

-- New Homes revenue, which represents property advertising services provided to new home developers;

-- Other Property Services revenue, which predominantly represents overseas and commercial property advertising services, display advertising and data services.

Comparison Services

   --    Energy revenue, which represents gas and electricity switching services; 

-- Communications revenue, which represents mobile, broadband, pay TV and home phone switching services; and

-- Other Comparison Services revenue, which predominantly represents financial services switching, boiler cover, business energy and data insight services.

All material revenues are generated in the UK.

The following table analyses the Group's revenue streams as described above:

 
                                                 Property  Comparison      Total 
                                                 Services    Services      Group 
2016                                               GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Revenue 
UK Agency                                       64,257(1)           -     64,257 
New Homes                                          11,736           -     11,736 
Other Property Services                            10,757           -     10,757 
Energy                                                  -      52,659     52,659 
Communications                                          -      44,137     44,137 
Other Comparison Services                               -      14,182     14,182 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Total revenue                                      86,750     110,978    197,728 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Underlying costs                                 (48,202)    (72,416)  (120,618) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Adjusted EBITDA                                    38,548      38,562     77,110 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Share-based payments                                                     (4,852) 
Depreciation and amortisation                                           (11,179) 
Exceptional items                                                       (11,404) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Operating profit                                                          49,675 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Finance income                                                                51 
Finance costs                                                            (3,564) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Profit before tax                                                         46,162 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Income tax expense                                                       (9,484) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Profit for the year being total comprehensive 
 income                                                                   36,678 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

(1) Includes revenue of GBP7.3 million contributed by Property Software Group during the year (2015: GBPNil).

 
                                                 Property  Comparison     Total 
                                                 Services    Services     Group 
2015                                               GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Revenue 
UK Agency                                          58,269           -    58,269 
New Homes                                          10,965           -    10,965 
Other Property Services                            10,663           -    10,663 
Energy                                                  -      11,576    11,576 
Communications                                          -      13,322    13,322 
Other Comparison Services                               -       2,761     2,761 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Total revenue                                      79,897      27,659   107,556 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Underlying costs                                 (39,031)    (19,831)  (58,862) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Adjusted EBITDA                                    40,866       7,828    48,694 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Share-based payments                                                    (1,873) 
Depreciation and amortisation                                           (4,072) 
Exceptional items                                                       (8,187) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Operating profit                                                         34,562 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Finance income                                                              184 
Finance costs                                                           (1,163) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Profit before tax                                                        33,583 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Income tax expense                                                      (8,200) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
Profit for the year being total comprehensive 
 income                                                                  25,383 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  -------- 
 

3. Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is used by Management as a key measure to monitor the Group's business and the Directors believe it should be disclosed on the face of the statement of comprehensive income to assist in the understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance. Furthermore, the terms of the Group's revolving credit facility require Management to report on the Group's net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio. Adjusted EBITDA is therefore considered a key performance metric for Management, the providers of the Group's external debt and other stakeholders.

The Group defines Adjusted EBITDA as operating profit after adding back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and exceptional items. Exceptional items include costs and income which Management believes to be exceptional in nature by virtue of their size or incidence. Such items would include costs associated with business combinations, one-off gains and losses on disposal, and similar items of a non-recurring nature together with reorganisation costs and similar charges. In 2016 exceptional items related to the acquisition of Property Software Group and the 2015 acquisition of uSwitch.

This is further adjusted for share-based payment expenses which are comprised of charges relating to: (i) warrants issued to certain of the Group's partners; and (ii) employee incentive plans which are aimed at retaining staff and aligning employee objectives with those of the Group. The Directors consider that excluding share-based payments and other non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortisation in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA gives a more appropriate measure of the Group's underlying financial performance and a closer approximation to the Group's operating cash flows.

The table below presents a reconciliation of profit for the period to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown:

 
                                                   2016     2015 
                                                 GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Operating profit                                 49,675   34,562 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment     1,709      415 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising 
 on acquisitions                                  7,481    2,047 
Amortisation of other intangible assets           1,989    1,610 
Share-based payments (Note 24)                    4,852    1,873 
Exceptional items                                11,404    8,187 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Adjusted EBITDA                                  77,110   48,694 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Exceptional items comprise:

 
                                                   2016     2015 
                                                 GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Transaction costs incurred on acquisitions        1,256    5,130 
Management deferred consideration conditional 
 on continued employment                          4,412      936 
Management earn-out consideration conditional 
 on continued employment                          2,663    1,206 
Management deal related performance bonuses       3,073      915 
Exceptional items                                11,404    8,187 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

4. Operating profit

 
                                                            2016     2015 
                                                          GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting): 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment              1,709      415 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising 
 on the acquisitions                                       7,481    2,047 
Amortisation of other intangible assets                    1,989    1,610 
Research and Development tax credits                       (472)        - 
Operating lease rentals: 
- Land and buildings                                       1,671      597 
- Other                                                      339      341 
Share-based payments (Note 24)                             4,852    1,873 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The total gross value of research and development expenditure in the period was GBP4.3 million, of which GBP1.5 million was capitalised on the statement of financial position. Research and development expenditure relates to staff costs incurred in the development of new products and features.

5. Auditor's remuneration

 
                                                    2016     2015 
                                                  GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Fees payable to the Group's auditor and 
 its associates: 
- for the audit of Zoopla Property Group 
 Plc and the consolidated financial statements        65       55 
- for the audit of subsidiaries of Zoopla 
 Property Group Plc                                  125      135 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total audit fees                                     190      190 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Fees payable to the Group's auditor and 
 its associates for other services to the 
 Group: 
- Audit related assurance services                    28       20 
- Services related to acquisitions                     -      182 
- Services related to corporate finance                -        - 
 transactions 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total non-audit fees                                  28      202 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

6. Employee costs

 
                                                 2016     2015 
                                               GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Staff costs (including Directors) comprise: 
Wages and salaries                             30,454   17,121 
Social security costs                           4,839    1,966 
Defined contribution pension costs                770      391 
Share-based payments (Note 24)                  3,584    1,757 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                               39,647   21,235 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

7. Remuneration of key Management personnel

 
                                       2016     2015 
                                     GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Salary, benefits and bonus            2,959    1,949 
Defined contribution pension cost       146      129 
Share-based payments                  1,772      448 
----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                      4,877    2,526 
----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Key Management personnel comprises the Chairman, the Directors and the Managing Directors of the Property Services and Comparison Services divisions.

Further information about the remuneration of the Directors is provided in the audited part of the Directors' remuneration report in the Group's Annual Report 2016.

All of the key Management personnel excluding the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors are members of the Group's defined contribution pension plans (2015: all).

8. Director and employee numbers

The average monthly number of Directors and employees in administration and Management during the period was:

 
                    2016     2015 
                  Number   Number 
---------------  -------  ------- 
Administration       580      285 
Management            19       18 
---------------  -------  ------- 
                     599      303 
---------------  -------  ------- 
 

9. Income tax expense

 
                                                       2016     2015 
                                                     GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current tax 
Current period                                       14,076    9,095 
Adjustment in respect of prior periods                (625)    (145) 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total current tax                                    13,451    8,950 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Deferred tax 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences   (3,282)    (765) 
Adjustment in respect of prior periods                  215        - 
Effect of change in UK corporation tax rate           (900)       15 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total deferred tax                                  (3,967)    (750) 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total income tax expense                              9,484    8,200 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Corporation tax is calculated at 20% (2015: 20.5%) of the taxable profit for the year.

On 15 September 2016 the Finance act 2016 confirmed a reduction in the rate of corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 17% from 1 April 2020. The Finance Bill was substantively enacted at the year end date and therefore the one-off impact of remeasuring the UK deferred tax assets and liabilities for the rate change is recognised at 30 September 2016.

The charge for the period can be reconciled to the profit in the statement of comprehensive income as follows:

 
                                                  2016     2015 
                                                GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Profit before tax                               46,162   33,583 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current corporation tax rate of 20% (2015: 
 20.5%)                                          9,232    6,885 
Non-deductible expenses                          1,562    1,390 
Adjustments in respect of prior periods          (410)    (145) 
Adjustment for the exercise of share options 
 and warrants                                        -      104 
Enhanced relief for R&D expenditure                  -     (14) 
Effect of change in UK corporation tax rate      (900)     (20) 
Total income tax expense                         9,484    8,200 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 

In addition to the amount charged to profit and loss, the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised directly in equity:

 
                                                     2016     2015 
                                                   GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current tax 
Credit for current tax on share-based payments      (217)    (565) 
Deferred tax 
(Credit)/charge for deferred tax on share-based 
 payments                                           (888)      238 
------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total income tax recognised directly in 
 equity                                           (1,105)    (327) 
------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The Group's effective tax rate for the year ended 30 September 2016 is 20.5% (2015: 24%). The effective tax is higher than the statutory rate due to non-deductible transaction costs, management deferred and contingent consideration incurred on acquisitions. In 2016 this has been offset by the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the reduction in the corporation tax rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 17% from 1 April 2020.

10. Dividends

 
                                                2016     2015 
                                              GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Interim dividend for 2016 of 1.5 pence per 
 Ordinary Share paid on 24 June 2016           6,210        - 
Final dividend for 2015 of 2.5 pence per 
 Ordinary Share paid on 3 March 2016          10,344        - 
Interim dividend for 2015 of 1.0 pence per 
 Ordinary Share paid on 24 June 2015               -    4,131 
Final dividend for 2014 of 1.1 pence per 
 Ordinary Share paid on 23 February 2015           -    4,536 
Total dividends paid in the year              16,554    8,667 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

During the year the Group paid GBP16.6 million in dividends to shareholders. Additionally, the Directors propose a final dividend for 2016 of 3.7 pence per share (2015: 2.5 pence per share) resulting in a final proposed dividend of GBP15.3 million (2015: GBP10.3 million). The dividend is subject to approval at the Group's AGM on 2 February 2017. The final dividend proposed has not been included as a liability at the statement of financial position date.

11. Earnings per share

 
                                                        2016         2015 
                                                      GBP000       GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted 
 earnings per share, being profit for the 
 year                                                 36,678       25,383 
Exceptional items (Note 3)                            11,404        8,187 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising 
 on the acquisition of subsidiaries                    7,481        2,047 
Adjustment for tax                                   (3,170)        (784) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Adjusted earnings for the year                        52,393       34,833 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
, 
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares       413,262,135  412,509,761 
Dilutive effect of share options and warrants      5,305,776    3,761,746 
Dilutive effect of potentially issuable 
 shares                                                    -    4,063,633 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Dilutive earnings per share denominator          418,567,911  420,335,140 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Basic and diluted earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share (pence)                         8.9          6.2 
Diluted earnings per share (pence)                       8.8          6.0 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
Adjusted earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence)               12.7          8.4 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence)             12.5          8.3 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Adjusted Earning per Share figures for 2016 exclude the amortisation of intangible assets arising on the acquisitions of uSwitch and Property Software Group, which arise only on consolidation. Management believes that excluding the amortisation of these intangibles better reflects the underlying performance of the Group and increases comparability of performance year on year.

The dilutive effect of share options and warrants arises from the various share schemes operated by the Group as set out in note 24. The dilutive effect of potentially issuable shares of 4.1 million in 2015 related to the institutional deferred consideration on acquisition of uSwitch which could be settled in either cash or shares. This was fully settled in cash during 2016.

12. Investment in subsidiaries

Details of the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries at 30 September 2016 are shown below. All of the subsidiaries listed are included in the consolidated accounts of Zoopla Property Group Plc, the ultimate parent company of the Group. The Ordinary Share capital of each subsidiary is owned entirely by the direct parent indicated. ZPG Limited, Ulysses Enterprises Limited and Property Software Holdings Limited are the only direct subsidiaries of Zoopla Property Group Plc. All subsidiaries are incorporated in the UK and registered at The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London, SE1 2LH.

 
                                                                        Ownership 
                                                                      of Ordinary 
                                                                       Shares and 
                                                                  voting interest 
                                                     Country of   at 30 September 
Name                             Direct parent    incorporation              2016 
------------------------  --------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
Active 
                               Zoopla Property 
ZPG Limited                          Group Plc   United Kingdom              100% 
Ulysses Enterprises            Zoopla Property 
 Limited                             Group Plc   United Kingdom              100% 
                           Ulysses Enterprises 
uSwitch Digital Limited                Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
                               uSwitch Digital 
uSwitch Limited                        Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
uSwitch Communications         uSwitch Digital 
 Limited                               Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
Property Software              Zoopla Property 
 Holdings Limited                    Group Plc   United Kingdom              100% 
                             Property Software 
Jupix Limited                 Holdings Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
MoveIT Network Limited           Jupix Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
Property Software            Property Software 
 Limited                      Holdings Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
                             Property Software 
Core Estates Limited                   Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
                             Property Software 
CFP Software Limited                   Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
Vebra Investments            Property Software 
 Limited                               Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
                             Vebra Investments 
Vebra Limited                          Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
Vebra Solutions Limited          Vebra Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
 
Dormant 
PSG Web Services 
 Limited                         Vebra Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
Real Estate Technology 
 Limited                         Vebra Limited   United Kingdom              100% 
------------------------  --------------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 
 

The acquired entity Property Software Holdings Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries have a reporting period ending 31 March. The dormant subsidiaries have not taken an exemption from the preparation of individual accounts in respect of the year ended 31 March 2016 by virtue of the s394A of Companies Act 2006. All other subsidiaries have a reporting period ending 30 September.

13. Acquisitions

Property Software Group

On 28 April 2016 Zoopla Property Group Plc completed its acquisition of Property Software Group through the purchase of 100% of the issued share capital of Property Software Holdings Limited for total consideration of GBP69.6 million as measured in accordance with IFRS 3.

Expenses incurred on the acquisition of GBP1.3 million are included within administration expenses in the statement of comprehensive income. These costs have been considered exceptional in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 (Note 3).

Property Software Group was consolidated into the Group on 28 April 2016. In the period post acquisition, Property Software Group recorded revenue of GBP7.3 million and adjusted EBITDA of GBP1.7 million. On a like-for-like basis, assuming Property Software Group was consolidated from the commencement of the 2016 financial year, the combined Group would have recorded revenue of GBP207.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of GBP80.2 million.

The purchase has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method in accordance with IFRS 3. In calculating the goodwill arising on acquisition the fair value of net assets acquired was assessed and no material adjustments from book value were made to existing assets and liabilities with the exception of "intangible assets - software" which has been recorded at a fair value of GBP5.9 million compared to a book value of GBP3.5 million. The Group has also recognised a number of separately identifiable intangibles as part of the acquisition, details of which are set out in Note 13.1.

The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are as follows:

 
                                                Fair value 
                                                    GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Property, plant and equipment                          463 
Intangible assets - software (Note 14)               5,904 
Trade receivables                                    1,543 
Prepayments and other receivables                      669 
Corporation tax asset                                   66 
Trade payables                                       (188) 
Accruals and other payables                        (1,707) 
Deferred income                                    (2,385) 
Provisions                                            (35) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Total net assets acquired                            4,330 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Intangible assets recognised on acquisition: 
- Brand (13.1)                                       2,222 
- Customer relationships (13.1)                     20,484 
Deferred tax liability arising on intangibles      (4,646) 
Goodwill on acquisition (Note 13.2)                 47,246 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
                                                    69,636 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Satisfied by: 
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired            22,263 
Debt assumed and discharged (Note 13.3)             24,862 
Deferred and contingent consideration (Note 
 13.4)                                              22,511 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Total consideration                                 69,636 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 

13.1 Intangible assets recognised on consolidation

Brand

GBP2.2 million has been recognised in respect of brand names operated by Property Software Group. The brands consist of desktop software products "Vebra", "Core" and "CFP" and SaaS products "Alto" and "Jupix". Property Software Group is an established software developer and supplier and the brands are considered to be highly recognisable in the UK real estate market. The brands have been valued using a relief from royalty approach. A brand royalty rate of 1.75% and a post-tax discount rate of 14.4% have been used to determine the net present value of avoided cash flows. Useful economic life of the brand assets are assessed as five years for desktop products and ten years for SaaS products.

Customer relationships

GBP20.5 million has been recognised in respect of customer relationships held by Property Software Group. The customer relationships relate to existing customers with subscriptions and licences to Property Software Group's desktop and SaaS products. The customer relationships have been valued using a multi-period excess earnings approach. A post-tax discount rate of 14.7% has been applied to forecast cash flows relating to the existing customers. Useful economic life of the customer relationships are assessed as five years for desktop products and ten years for SaaS products.

Software

GBP5.9 million has been recognised in respect of software assets developed by Property Software Group. Property Software Group has developed market leading desktop and SaaS software products. The software has been valued using a relief from royalty approach. A royalty rate for the software of 7% and a post-tax discount rate of 14.5% has been used to determine the net present value of avoided cash flows. Useful economic life of the software is assessed as three years for Desktop products and five years for SaaS products.

13.2 Goodwill

The acquisition of Property Software Group provides a number of benefits to the Group. The goodwill recognised on acquisition represents the value arising from intangible assets that are not separately identifiable under IAS 38 including the skills and knowledge of Property Software Group's workforce.

The Board believes that the integration of Property Software Group into the Property Services division will result in an unrivalled UK property market proposition supporting professionals with their software and CRM solutions, digital marketing requirements and market insight tools along with providing them a range of new revenue opportunities through Property Software Group's MoveIT platform. The Board believes this unique proposition will drive an increase in revenue from its partners.

13.3 Debt assumed and discharged

Immediately prior to acquisition Property Software Group had outstanding debt of GBP24.9 million. The outstanding debt was assumed and discharged by Zoopla Property Group Plc on acquisition.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the amounts included in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

 
                                                 2016 
                                               GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  ------- 
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired on 
 acquisition                                   22,263 
Debt assumed and discharged                    24,862 
Cash expenses incurred on acquisition           1,256 
Cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries    48,381 
--------------------------------------------  ------- 
 

13.4 Deferred and contingent consideration

On acquisition the Group recognised deferred consideration of GBP22.5 million. A further GBP5.7 million is payable to Management shareholders and is conditional on the continued employment of Management up to and including the date of payment. In accordance with IFRS 3, this consideration will be recognised as a remuneration expense in the Group's consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the deferral period of between 12 months and 24 months from the date of acquisition. The Group is accruing the full GBP5.7 million over the deferral period, adjusted by an estimation of the number of leavers.

The movement in the value of deferred and contingent consideration between the date of acquisition and 30 September 2016 is set out in Note 19.

13.5 uSwitch

On 1 June 2015 Zoopla Property Group Plc completed its acquisition of uSwitch through the purchase of 100% of the issued share capital of Ulysses Enterprises Limited for total consideration of GBP177.6 million as measured in accordance with IFRS 3. Full details of the acquisition are included in the Annual Report 2015. On a like-for-like basis, assuming uSwitch was consolidated from the commencement of the 2015 financial year, the combined Group would have recorded revenue of GBP160.1 million and adjusted EBITDA of GBP63.3 million.

The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired were as follows:

 
                                                Fair value 
                                                    GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Property, plant and equipment                          777 
Intangible assets - computer software                   86 
Trade receivables                                    5,466 
Accrued income                                      10,056 
Prepayments and other receivables                      953 
Deferred tax assets                                    379 
Trade payables                                     (3,079) 
Accruals and other payables                        (6,708) 
Provisions                                           (135) 
Corporation tax payable                            (1,053) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Total net assets acquired                            6,742 
Intangible assets recognised 
- Brand                                             48,770 
- Website and technology platform                    2,890 
- Database                                             900 
Deferred tax liability arising on intangibles     (10,512) 
Goodwill on acquisition                            128,782 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
                                                   177,572 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Satisfied by: 
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired            61,907 
Debt assumed and discharged                         79,675 
Deferred and contingent consideration               35,990 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
Total consideration                                177,572 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the amounts included in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

 
                                                    2015 
                                                  GBP000 
--------------------------------------------   --------- 
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired 
 on acquisition                                 (61,907) 
Debt assumed and discharged                     (79,675) 
Cash expenses incurred on acquisition            (4,430) 
Cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries    (146,012) 
---------------------------------------------  --------- 
 

The earn-out performance period for the uSwitch acquisition ended on 30 April 2016. As a result of the performance of the Comparison Services division during the performance period the full GBP30.0m became due to the business' previous shareholders. The full amount, less a reduction for any management shareholders which left the business prior to settlement, was paid in May 2016. Of the amount settled, GBP2.5m is contingent on the continued employment for a further 24 months of Management shareholders and is currently held in escrow.

14. Intangible assets

 
                                                                           Websites 
                                                   Customer   Domain   and computer 
                  Goodwill    Brand           relationships    names       software  Database    Total 
                    GBP000   GBP000                  GBP000   GBP000         GBP000    GBP000   GBP000 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
Cost 
At 1 October 
 2015              199,575   48,770                   6,091    1,451          3,847     1,129  260,863 
On acquisition 
 (Note 13)          47,246    2,222                  20,484        -          5,904         -   75,856 
Additions                -        -                       -        -          2,561         -    2,561 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 September 
 2016              246,821   50,992                  26,575    1,451         12,312     1,129  339,280 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 1 October 
 2014               70,793        -                   6,091    1,451            162       229   78,726 
On acquisition 
 (Note 13)         128,782   48,770                       -        -          2,976       900  181,428 
Additions                -        -                       -        -            709         -      709 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 September 
 2015              199,575   48,770                   6,091    1,451          3,847     1,129  260,863 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
 
Amortisation 
At 1 October 
 2015                    -    1,626                   3,696    1,109            440       318    7,189 
Charge for 
 the year                -    4,979                   2,212      187          1,785       307    9,470 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 September 
 2016                    -    6,605                   5,908    1,296          2,225       625   16,659 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 1 October 
 2014                    -        -                   2,478      847              -       207    3,532 
Charge for 
 the year                -    1,626                   1,218      262            440       111    3,657 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 September 
 2015                    -    1,626                   3,696    1,109            440       318    7,189 
 
Net book value 
At 30 September 
 2016              246,821   44,387                  20,667      155         10,087       504  322,621 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 September 
 2015              199,575   47,144                   2,395      342          3,407       811  253,674 
----------------  --------  -------  ----------------------  -------  -------------  --------  ------- 
 
 

Goodwill and intangibles are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the cash-generating unit (CGU) with its recoverable amount, which represents the higher of its estimated fair value and value in use. An impairment loss is recognised when the carrying value of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

The intangible assets relate to the three separate CGU's: Comparison Services, Property Services excluding Property Software Group and Property Software Group. Goodwill is allocated to each CGU per the below table.

 
                                                   2016 
                                                 GBP000 
Comparison Services                             128,782 
Property Services excluding Property Software 
 Group                                           70,793 
Property Software Group                          47,246 
----------------------------------------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016                            246,821 
----------------------------------------------  ------- 
 

The recoverable amounts of intangible assets and goodwill are based on the value in use, which is determined using cash flow projections derived from financial plans approved by the Board covering a three year period. They reflect Management's expectations of revenue, EBITDA growth, capital expenditure, working capital and operating cash flows, based on past experience and future expectations of business performance. Cash flows beyond the three year period have been extrapolated using perpetuity growth rates.

A growth rate of 3% has been applied to extrapolate the cash flows into perpetuity. Growth has been capped at 3% across both business units so as not to exceed the long-term expected growth rate of the country and industry the Group operates in, in accordance with IAS 36. The pre-tax discount rate was used for each CGU was in the range 10.1% to 14.2%.

The analysis performed calculates that the recoverable amount of each CGU's assets exceeds their carrying value, as such no impairment was identified. The Directors are comfortable that a reasonable change in the underlying assumptions would not indicate an impairment. Amending the analysis such that a growth rate into perpetuity of negative 3%, or a reasonable increase in discount rate, is applied across all CGU's whilst holding all other variables constant would still not give rise to an impairment.

15. Property, plant and equipment

 
                            Fixtures   Freehold 
                                 and   property    Computer      Leasehold 
                            fittings     GBP000   equipment   improvements    Total 
                              GBP000                 GBP000         GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
Cost 
At 1 October 2015                340          -         983          1,240    2,563 
Acquired on acquisitions          34        209         150             70      463 
Additions                        570          -         829          4,330    5,729 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016             944        209       1,962          5,640    8,755 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 1 October 2014                209          -         359          1,107    1,675 
Acquired on acquisitions         123          -         521            133      777 
Additions                          8          -         103              -      111 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2015             340          -         983          1,240    2,563 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 October 2015                120          -         310            203      633 
Charge for the year              253          2         411          1,043    1,709 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016             373          2         721          1,246    2,342 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 1 October 2014                 35          -         126             57      218 
Charge for the year               85          -         184            146      415 
At 30 September 2015             120          -         310            203      633 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
Net book value 
At 30 September 2016             571        207       1,241          4,394    6,413 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2015             220          -         673          1,037    1,930 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
 

16. Available for sale financial assets

 
                          2016 
                        GBP000 
At 1 October 2015            - 
Additions                  974 
Disposals                (250) 
---------------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016       724 
---------------------  ------- 
 

Available for sale financial assets represent the Group's strategic partnerships with a number of UK Proptech and Fintech companies.

17. Trade and other receivables

 
                            2016     2015 
                          GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------  -------  ------- 
Trade receivables          8,896    8,850 
Accrued income            17,228   10,740 
Prepayments                3,160    2,348 
Amounts held in escrow     9,884    7,446 
Other receivables            709      842 
-----------------------  -------  ------- 
                          39,877   30,226 
-----------------------  -------  ------- 
Non-current                3,262    7,446 
Current                   36,615   22,780 
-----------------------  -------  ------- 
                          39,877   30,226 
-----------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other receivables is approximate to their fair value. The carrying value also represents the maximum credit exposure.

GBP9.9 million is held in escrow for the settlement of deferred consideration payable in relation to the acquisition of uSwitch.

Details of the Group's exposure to credit risk are given in Note 26.

18. Trade and other payables

 
                                                 2016     2015 
                                               GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Trade payables                                  7,618    5,507 
Accruals                                       16,955   10,599 
Other taxation and social security payments     5,865    5,512 
Deferred income                                 1,813      380 
Other payables                                    271      253 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                               32,522   22,251 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables is approximate to their fair value. Details of the Group's exposure to liquidity risk are given in Note 26.

19. Deferred and contingent consideration

The Group's liabilities in respect of deferred and contingent consideration arising on the acquisition of Property Software Group on 28 April 2016 and the acquisition of uSwitch on 1 June 2015 and are set out below:

 
                                                                   Contingent 
                                                                consideration 
                                                     Deferred               - 
                                                consideration        earn-out     Total 
                                                       GBP000          GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
At 1 October 2015                                      11,976          26,156    38,132 
Recognised on acquisition of Property 
 Software Group                                        22,511               -    22,511 
Charge in the period for amounts conditional 
 on the continued employment of Management              4,412           2,663     7,075 
uSwitch settlement                                   (10,040)        (27,002)  (37,042) 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
At 30 September 2016                                   28,859           1,817    30,676 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
Current                                                26,813           1,330    28,143 
Non-current                                             2,046             487     2,533 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
 
At 1 October 2014                                           -               -         - 
Recognised on acquisition of uSwitch                   11,040          24,950    35,990 
Charge in the period for amounts conditional 
 on the continued employment of Management                936           1,206     2,142 
At 30 September 2015                                   11,976          26,156    38,132 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
Current                                                10,000          25,393    35,393 
Non-current                                             1,976             763     2,739 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------- 
 

20. Provisions

The movement in provisions can be analysed as follows:

 
                                      Dilapidation  Onerous 
                                        provisions    lease    Total 
                                            GBP000   GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
At 1 October 2015                              799        -      799 
Acquired on acquisition of Property 
 Software Group                                 35        -       35 
Recognised in the period                     1,375      729    2,104 
Utilised in the period                       (224)        -    (224) 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016                         1,985      729    2,714 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
Current                                        575      729    1,304 
Non-current                                  1,410        -    1,410 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
 
At 1 October 2014                              634        -      634 
Acquired on acquisition of uSwitch             135        -      135 
Charged in the period                           30        -       30 
Utilised in the period                           -        -        - 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
At 30 September 2015                           799        -      799 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
Current                                        190        -      190 
Non-current                                    609        -      609 
------------------------------------  ------------  -------  ------- 
 

The dilapidation provisions relate to Management's best estimate of costs to make good the Group's leasehold properties at the end of the lease term. The charge in the period represents expected exit costs on completion of the Group's new property lease at the Cooperage, London. During the period the Group vacated a number of previous office buildings, utilising GBP0.2m of the brought-forward provision.

The onerous lease provision relates to Management's best estimate of the fair value of future lease payments falling due prior to the expected assignment of the lease of one of the Group's previous office buildings which was vacated in September 2016. It is anticipated that the onerous lease provision shall be fully utilised in the 2017 financial year.

21. Loans and borrowings

On 30 April 2015 the Group entered into an agreement for the provision of a five year, GBP150.0 million revolving credit facility. On 18 April 2016 a GBP50.0 million extension to the revolving credit facility was agreed to finance the acquisition of Property Software Group.

The drawn portion of the facility incurs interest at UK Libor plus a margin. The margin is variable based on the Group's net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio. The effective interest rate for the period is set out in Note 26.

 
                                                  Total 
                                                 GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
Gross borrowings at 1 October 2015              114,000 
Repayment of borrowings                        (46,500) 
Drawdown of borrowings                           84,000 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
Gross borrowings at 30 September 2016           151,500 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
Capitalised costs at 30 September 2016          (1,804) 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
Total loans and borrowings                      149,696 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
 
Gross loans and borrowings at 1 October 2014          - 
Initial draw down on acquisition of uSwitch     125,000 
Repayment of borrowings                        (11,000) 
Gross borrowings at 30 September 2015           114,000 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
Capitalised costs at 30 September 2015          (1,568) 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
Total loans and borrowings                      112,432 
---------------------------------------------  -------- 
 

The Group has no other loans or borrowings.

22. Deferred tax

 
                                      Property, 
                                          plant 
                                  and equipment 
                                   and computer    Intangible  Share-based 
                                       software        assets     payments    Other     Total 
                                         GBP000        GBP000       GBP000   GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------  --------------  ------------  -----------  -------  -------- 
Deferred tax asset/(liability) 
 at 1 October 2015                          136      (10,623)          866      436   (9,185) 
On acquisition of Property 
 Software Group                            (45)       (4,646)            -        -   (4,691) 
(Charge)/credit to profit 
 or loss                                  (103)         2,794          778      713     4,182 
Charge to equity                              -             -          888        -       888 
Prior year adjustment                        38             -            -    (253)     (215) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ------------  -----------  -------  -------- 
Deferred tax asset/(liability) 
 at 30 September 2016                        26      (12,475)        2,532      896   (9,021) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ------------  -----------  -------  -------- 
Deferred tax asset/(liability) 
 at 1 October 2014                          326         (784)          895        -       437 
On acquisition of uSwitch                     -      (10,512)            -      379  (10,133) 
(Charge)/credit to profit 
 or loss                                  (190)           673          209       57       749 
Charge to equity                              -             -        (238)        -     (238) 
Deferred tax asset/(liability) 
 at 30 September 2015                       136      (10,623)          866      436   (9,185) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ------------  -----------  -------  -------- 
 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so. Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of all temporary differences giving rise to income tax assets because it is probable that these assets will be recoverable.

The following is an analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

 
                               2016      2015 
                             GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------  --------  -------- 
Deferred tax liabilities   (12,475)  (10,623) 
Deferred tax assets           3,454     1,438 
-------------------------  --------  -------- 
                            (9,021)   (9,185) 
-------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

23. Equity

Share capital

 
                                                  2016     2015 
                                                GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Shares classified as capital 
Authorised 
418,116,472 (2015: 418,116,472) shares of 
 GBP0.001 (2015: GBP0.001) each                    418      418 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Called-up share capital - allotted and fully 
 paid 
418,116,472 (2015: 418,116,472) Ordinary 
 Shares of GBP0.001 (2015: GBP0.001) each          418      418 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Ordinary Shares

The Ordinary Shares carry one vote per share and rights to dividends, except when they are held as Treasury shares by the Company.

Other reserves - Merger reserve

The merger reserve was created in May 2012 from the premium on shares issued for the acquisition of The Digital Property Group Limited. In 2014 the merger reserve increased as a result of the Group's reorganisation prior to the IPO.

Other reserves - EBT share reserve

The EBT share reserve represents shares in issue that are held by the Employee Benefit Trust for the purpose of settling the Group's obligations under the Employee Share Option Scheme.

Other reserves - Treasury shares

Between 11 February 2016 and 17 February 2016 the Group acquired 188,340 of its own shares at a weighted average price of 220.0p in order to settle the exercise of outstanding warrants. As at 31 March 2016 25,551 of the shares had been released from treasury to satisfy warrant exercises leaving 162,789 shares in treasury with a weighted average price of 220.0p and a total value of GBP358,000 as at 30 September 2016.

24. Share-based payments

The Group operates a number of share-based incentive schemes for both its employees and certain estate agent partners. The Group recognised a total share-based payments charge of GBP4.9 million for 2016 (2015: GBP1.9 million) as set out below:

 
                                                 2016     2015 
                                               GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Employee Share Option Scheme (i)                  486      600 
Long-Term Incentive Plan (ii)                     881      600 
Share Incentive Plan (iii)                        276      231 
Deferred Bonus Plan (iv)                          427      175 
Value Creation Plan (v)                         1,156        - 
Management deal related performance bonus 
 (vi)                                             358        - 
Warrant charges (vii)                             406      117 
National Insurance Contributions payable 
 in respect of eligible share-based payment 
 schemes (viii)                                   862      150 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                                4,852    1,873 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

i) Employee Share Option Scheme

The Group operates an equity-settled share-based incentive scheme which was in place prior to the Group's listing on the London Stock Exchange for all employees under an approved plan up to 31 May 2012 and an unapproved plan thereafter. The options vest in instalments over four years. Options are forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.5 million (2015: GBP0.6 million) in respect of options under this scheme.

The Employee Share Option Scheme will continue to operate until all shares vest or lapse, or the scheme is otherwise cancelled. There will be no future grants under this scheme.

Details of options under the scheme outstanding at 30 September 2016 are set out below:

 
                                             2016                2015 
                                       -----------------  ------------------ 
                                                Weighted            Weighted 
                                                 average             average 
                                                exercise            exercise 
                                       Number      price   Number      price 
                                         '000        GBP     '000        GBP 
-------------------------------------  ------  ---------  -------  --------- 
Outstanding options at the beginning 
 of the year                            3,739       0.27    5,693       0.26 
Exercised during the year               (653)       0.28  (1,416)       0.21 
Forfeited during the year               (197)       0.34    (538)       0.32 
-------------------------------------  ------  ---------  -------  --------- 
Outstanding options at the end 
 of the year                            2,889       0.27    3,739       0.27 
-------------------------------------  ------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 

The options outstanding at 30 September 2016 had a weighted average exercise price of GBP0.27 (2015: GBP0.27) and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.7 years (2015: 8.6 years). The range of exercise prices for outstanding options is GBP0.06 to GBP0.35 (2015: GBP0.06 to GBP0.35).

The number of options exercisable as at 30 September 2016 was 2,100,000 (2015: 2,023,000).

ii) Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Group operates an equity-settled Long-Term Incentive Plan that grants nil-cost options to eligible employees which vest at the end of a three year vesting period. The vesting of the options is subject to both Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance criteria. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.9 million (2015: GBP0.6 million) in respect of this scheme.

A total of 1,465,419 options have been granted in respect of the 2016 financial year. None of the options granted are exercisable as at 30 September 2016. The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value of the LTIP options granted on 9 December 2015. There were no other material grants in 2016. The total outstanding number of LTIP options granted to date is 2,866,354.

 
                                9 December 
                                      2015 
                                     grant 
---------------------------  ------------- 
Valuation method - TSR         Monte-Carlo 
Valuation method - EPS       Black-Scholes 
Share price at grant date          GBP2.32 
Exercise price                      GBPnil 
Expected volatility                  32.9% 
Expected life                      3 years 
Expected dividend yield                n/a 
Risk-free interest rate               0.9% 
Fair value per share - TSR         GBP1.41 
Fair value per share - EPS         GBP2.32 
---------------------------  ------------- 
 

The volatility assumption, measured at the standard deviation of expected share price returns, has been calculated using historical daily data of six comparator companies over a term commensurate with the expected life of each option. Dividend equivalent payments will be made in respect of vested options in the form of additional shares.

iii) Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

The SIP is an all-employee share ownership plan which has been designed to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 so that shares can be provided to UK employees under the SIP in a tax-efficient manner. Under the scheme employees may be awarded Free Shares and/or offered the opportunity to purchase Partnership Shares with one Free Matching Share for each Partnership Share purchased. During the period the Group granted a total of 92,581 Matching Shares all of which are still subject to forfeiture should the employee leave within 12 months of the grant date. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.3 million (2015: GBP0.2 million) in respect of shares under this scheme.

iv) Deferred Bonus Plan

From 1 October 2014 the Group has operated a Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) which defers a proportion of eligible employees' annual bonuses into nil-cost options. The options vest over a period of between one and three years from the end of the performance period. The performance period for the 2016 DBP runs from 1 October 2015 until 30 September 2016. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.4 million (2015: GBP0.2 million) in respect of this scheme. In December 2015 a total of 317,155 options were granted in respect of the 2015 financial year.

v) Value Creation Plan

On 1 October 2015 the Group launched the VCP. The VCP grants nil-cost options to the Group's CEO based on Total Shareholder Return over a three and four year period. The fair value of the scheme is GBP4.3m spread over the four year period. A charge of GBP1.2m (2015: GBPNil) was recognised in the 2016 financial year. The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value:

 
                              1 October 
                                   2015 
                                  grant 
--------------------------  ----------- 
Valuation method            Monte-Carlo 
Share price at grant date       GBP2.10 
Initial measurement price       GBP2.19 
Exercise price                   GBPnil 
Expected volatility               26.4% 
Expected life                 3.24/4.24 
                                  years 
Expected dividend yield            0.8% 
Risk-free interest rate            0.5% 
 

vi) Management deal related performance bonus

On 1 May 2016 an amendment was made to the uSwitch deal related management performance bonus such that the employee can elect to receive the bonus in the form of shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc's shares instead of a fixed cash element. The fair value of the employee's option to elect to receive shares is GBP1.3m to be spread over the 2.08 year remaining term of the bonus agreement. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.4 million (2015: GBPNil) in respect of this scheme. The following information is relevant in determination of the fair value:

 
                                    1 May 
                                     2016 
                                    grant 
--------------------------  ------------- 
Valuation method            Black-Scholes 
Share price at grant date         GBP2.94 
Deemed exercise price             GBP2.71 
Expected volatility                 32.9% 
Expected life                  2.08 years 
Expected dividend yield             1.01% 
Risk-free interest rate             0.97% 
 

vii) Warrants

The Group has entered into agreements with a number of estate agent partners whereby the partners agree to pay annual fees for advertising on the Group's property websites over a five year period in exchange for a fixed number of warrants over Ordinary Shares. The warrants are issued annually over the five year term of the agreements at an exercise price equal to the nominal value of each share (GBP0.001). Some or all of the warrants are forfeited if service agreements are terminated before the end of the term.

Between 11 February 2016 and 17 February 2016 Zoopla Property Group Plc purchased 188,340 of its own shares, which are held in treasury, to settle future warrant exercises. 162,789 shares remained in treasury at 30 September 2016.

The total charge recognised for the year ended 30 September 2016 in respect of warrants was GBP0.4 million (2015: GBP0.1 million).

 
                                     2016                 2015 
                                                   ------------------- 
                                         Weighted             Weighted 
                                          average              average 
                                         exercise             exercise 
                                Number      price    Number      price 
                                  '000        GBP      '000        GBP 
----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------  --------- 
Outstanding warrants at the 
 beginning of the year         114,009      0.001         -          - 
Issued during the year         142,861      0.001   137,779      0.001 
Exercised during the year     (25,551)      0.001  (23,770)      0.001 
----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------  --------- 
Outstanding warrants at the 
 end of the year               231,319      0.001   114,009      0.001 
----------------------------  --------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 

The number of warrants outstanding at 30 September 2016 was 231,319 (2015: 114,009). The warrants had a weighted average exercise price of GBP0.001 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.9 years (2015: 4.4 years).

The number of warrants issuable over shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc under existing partner contracts is 1,055,000 (2015: 1,198,300). The warrants will be issued with an exercise price of GBP0.001 over the lives of the contracts.

vii) National Insurance Contributions (NIC)

National Insurance Contributions are payable in respect of certain share-based payment schemes. These contributions are treated as cash-settled transactions and are accrued at a rate of 13.8%. The total NIC charge relating to share-based payment schemes was GBP0.9m (2015: GBP0.2m).

viii) The Employee Benefit Trust and Share Incentive Plan Trust

Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)

The Group has established an Employee Benefit Trust which is constituted by a trust deed entered into between the Company and Appleby Trust (Jersey) Limited. The Trust held 3,838,636 Ordinary Shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc at 30 September 2016 (2015: 4,491,861). These shares are held to satisfy future exercises under the Group's share-based payment schemes. Shares are allocated by the Trust when the awards are exercised. The Trust waives its right to any dividends. The market value of the shares held in the Trust at 30 September 2016 was GBP14.6 million (2015: GBP9.4 million). The cost of the shares has been deducted from equity.

Share Incentive Plan Trust (SIP Trust)

The Group has established a Share Incentive Plan Trust which is constituted by a trust deed which was entered into between Zoopla Property Group Plc and Yorkshire Building Society. The Trust held 602,817 Ordinary Shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc at 30 September 2016 (2015: 427,515). These shares are held to satisfy future Free Share and Partnership and Matching Share exercises. Shares are allocated by the Trust when the awards are exercised. Dividends paid on shares held in the Trust are passed to the employees when the shares are allocated. The market value of the shares held in the Trust at 30 September 2016 was GBP2.0 million (2015: GBP0.9 million). The cost of the shares has been deducted from equity.

25. Related party transactions

a) Key Management personnel

The Chairman and the Directors are considered to be the key Management personnel of the Group along with the Managing Directors of Property and Comparison Services. Details of remuneration for key Management personnel are shown in Note 7.

No share options were exercised by key Management personnel in the period.

Further information on the remuneration of the Chairman and the Directors can be found in the Directors' remuneration report in the Group's Annual Report 2016.

b) Other Group companies

Details of transactions with subsidiaries are outlined in the Company's financial statements. Transactions with other Group companies have been eliminated on consolidation.

c) Other related parties

Other related party transactions are as follows:

At 30 September 2016 Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT) owned 31.3% of the share capital of Zoopla Property Group Plc (2015: 31.3%).

A&N Media Finance Services Limited (ANMFS), a subsidiary of DMGT, supplied various shared services to ZPG Limited for which the fee was GBP38,000 (2015: GBP43,000) for the year. The balance outstanding at 30 September 2016 was GBPNil (2015: GBPNil).

There are no further related party transactions.

26. Financial instruments

Carrying amount and fair value of financial assets and liabilities

All financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents, are designated as "Loans and receivables" and are held at amortised cost other than "Available for sale" financial assets which are held at fair value as disclosed in Note 16. All financial liabilities are classified as Other liabilities and are measured at amortised cost. The Directors consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the financial statements are approximate to their fair values.

Financial risk management

The Group is exposed to the following risks from financial instruments:

   --    credit risk; 
   --    market risk; and 
   --    liquidity risk. 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or bank ("counterparty") fails to meet its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of each period was equal to the carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements. The exposure to credit risk is influenced by the individual characteristics of each counterparty.

The potential for customer default varies between the Group's two divisions. The customer base of the Property Services division is large, so there is no significant concentration of credit risk. The Comparison Services division operates in a market with a small number of customers, which creates a concentration of debtor balances, and from time to time the amounts due from one or a number of suppliers may be material. However, customers within this market are often large energy and telecommunications organisations with high credit ratings and access to significant funds. The Group's largest customer contributed to 18% (2015: 19%) of the Group's trade receivables balance.

The Group manages counterparty risk on its trade receivables through strict credit control quality measures and regular aged debt monitoring procedures. The Group reserves the right to charge interest on overdue receivables, although it does not hold collateral over any trade receivable balances. Overdue amounts are regularly reviewed and impairment provisions are created where necessary. This provision is reviewed regularly in conjunction with a detailed analysis of ageing profile, historical payment profiles and past default experience. The Group has long-standing relationships with its key customers and extremely low historical levels of customer credit defaults.

The ageing of trade receivables at the period end is as follows:

 
                     2016                2015 
             ------------------  ------------------ 
               Gross  Provision    Gross  Provision 
              GBP000     GBP000   GBP000     GBP000 
-----------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
0-30 days      4,634          -    7,205          - 
31-60 days     3,154      (104)    1,234          - 
61-90 days       721      (151)      400       (38) 
91+ days         767      (125)      680      (631) 
-----------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
Total          9,276      (380)    9,519      (669) 
-----------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable, the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivable from the date credit was granted up to the period end date.

Receivables written-off during the year to 30 September 2016 was GBP470,000 (2015: 333,000). As at 30 September 2016 receivables of GBP1,386,000 were past due but not impaired (2015: GBP1,314,000).

The credit risk associated with bank and deposit balances is mitigated by the use of banks with good credit ratings.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in foreign exchange and interest rates will affect the income and financial management of the Group. The Group is not exposed to any significant currency risk and there is a minimal interest rate risk on cash and bank balances. However, the Group has borrowings subject to an interest rate calculated with reference to Libor. Changes in interest rates therefore impact the financial results of the Group. The Directors actively monitor interest rate risk and note that interest rates remain at a historical low. The Directors believe that any reasonable increase in the Libor rate would not significantly impact the Group. Therefore, the Group does not hedge its interest rate risk at this time. At 30 September 2016 borrowings of GBP151.5 million were subject to floating interest rates (2015: GBP114.0 million).

At 30 September 2016 if Libor were to have increased by 1% throughout the year with all other variables held constant profit before tax would decrease by GBP1.2 million (2015: GBP0.4 million) as a result of additional interest incurred. Therefore, the Directors are comfortable that any sensitivity to fluctuations in interest or exchange rates would not have a material impact on the results of the Group.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk refers to the ability of the Group to meet the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled in cash as they fall due. Management regularly reviews performance against budgets and forecasts to ensure sufficient cash funds are available to meet its contractual obligations.

The Group's activities are highly cash generative allowing it to effectively service working capital requirements. At 30 September 2016 the Group held total cash and cash equivalents of GBP3.4 million (2015: GBP19.2 million) and net debt of GBP146.3 million (2015: GBP93.2 million).

The Group has access to a GBP200.0 million revolving credit facility (RCF), of which GBP151.5 million was drawn-down at 30 September 2016. The remaining GBP48.5 million undrawn facility allows the Group to secure additional external financing should it be required. The total facility requires the Group to meet certain covenants based on the Group's interest cover and net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio. Exceeding the covenants would result in the Group being in breach of the facility, which may lead to the facility being withdrawn. Management regularly monitors and models covenant compliance and prepares detailed forecasts to ensure that sufficient headroom is available. The Directors are satisfied that there is reasonable headroom on each of the Group's debt covenant ratios.

The following tables detail the Group's remaining contractual maturities for undiscounted financial liabilities, including interest. The contractual maturity is based on the earliest date on which the Group may be required to settle. Where interest rates are variable the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate curves at 30 September 2016.

 
                                                                                Total 
                 Effective  Within 1                    2 to  More than   contractual 
                  interest      year  1 to 2 years   5 years    5 years        amount 
                      rate    GBP000        GBP000    GBP000     GBP000        GBP000 
---------------  ---------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
2016 
Trade payables                 7,618             -         -          -         7,618 
Borrowings(1)         2.9%     4,096         4,535   158,927          -       167,558 
---------------  ---------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Total                         11,714         4,535   158,927          -       175,176 
---------------  ---------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
2015 
Trade payables                 5,507             -         -          -         5,507 
Borrowings(1)         3.0%     2,920         3,222   123,513          -       129,655 
---------------  ---------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Total                          8,427         3,222   123,513          -       135,162 
---------------  ---------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
 

1 Interest on the Group's borrowings assumes that the Group makes no further capital repayments until maturity of the RCF in 2020.

Treasury and capital risk management

The Group's policy is to actively manage its cash and capital structure to ensure that it complies with its current debt covenant ratios, maintains its current dividend policy and minimises the Group's interest payments by paying down its debt where possible.

Management will consider the use of excess cash, including the payment of special dividends to shareholders and M&A activity, based on the risks and opportunities of the Group at that time.

The Directors can manage the Group's capital structure through the issue or redemption of either debt or equity instruments and by adjustment to the Group's dividend paid to equity holders. The Directors believe that the current debt to equity ratio remains appropriate but continue to monitor the efficiency of the capital structure on an ongoing basis.

27. Operating lease commitments

At the statement of financial position date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

 
                                           2016     2015 
                                         GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Within one year                           3,267    1,139 
In the second to fifth year inclusive    13,067    3,565 
After five years                         27,214    2,306 
--------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                         43,548    7,010 
--------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

All operating lease commitments are in respect of property leases held by the Group.

28. Subsequent events

On 28 November 2016 the Group entered into an agreement to purchase 100% of the issued share capital of Technicweb Limited for initial consideration of GBP1.5 million, deferred consideration of GBP250,000 due 12 months from the date of completion and earn-out consideration based on performance over a 30 month period post acquisition.

There have been no other reportable subsequent events between 30 September 2016 and the date of signing of this report.

29. Ultimate controlling party

The Directors are of the opinion that there was no ultimate controlling party in either period presented.

Company statement of financial position

As at 30 September 2016

 
                                                  2016     2015 
                                        Notes   GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Investment in subsidiaries                  4  250,790  200,478 
Intangible assets                                  128        - 
Property, plant and equipment               5    5,315        - 
Trade and other receivables                 6   74,698   77,446 
Deferred tax assets                                600      183 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
                                               331,531  278,107 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Current assets 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Trade and other receivables                 6    9,092      164 
Cash and cash equivalents                          414    4,668 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
                                                 9,506    4,832 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Total assets                                   341,037  282,939 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                    7   27,732   21,905 
Deferred and contingent consideration       8   28,143   35,393 
Non-current liabilities 
Loans and borrowings                        9  149,696  112,432 
Deferred and contingent consideration       8    2,533    2,739 
Provisions                                 10    1,375        - 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Total liabilities                              209,479  172,469 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Net assets                                     131,558  110,470 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Equity 
Share capital                              11      418      418 
Share premium reserve                               50       50 
Other reserves                             11   90,137   90,495 
Retained earnings                               40,953   19,507 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
Total equity                                   131,558  110,470 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 

The financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc (company number 09005884) were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:

 
 A Chesterman   A Botha 
 Director       Director 
 29 November    29 November 2016 
  2016 
 

Company statement of cash flows

For the year ended 30 September 2016

 
                                                          2016       2015 
                                                        GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before tax                                       33,649     26,119 
Adjustments for: 
Finance income                                         (1,615)      (618) 
Finance costs                                            3,559      1,162 
Dividend income received                              (47,000)   (35,000) 
Transaction costs on acquisition of Property 
 Software Group                                          1,256      5,130 
Movement in contingent and deferred consideration        7,075      2,142 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Operating cash flow before changes in working 
 capital                                               (3,076)    (1,065) 
Decrease in trade and other receivables                 21,093      9,669 
Increase in trade and other payables                     4,984     20,477 
Net cash flows from operating activities                23,001     29,081 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities 
Acquisition of subsidiaries                           (49,892)  (155,540) 
Settlement of deferred and contingent consideration   (37,042)          - 
Amounts paid into escrow in relation to 
 deferred and contingent consideration                 (2,448)    (7,436) 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment              (3,441)          - 
Interest income received                                 1,615        618 
Dividend income received                                47,000     35,000 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net cash flows used in investing activities           (44,208)  (127,358) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities 
Proceeds on issue of debt, net of issue 
 costs                                                  89,358    123,291 
Repayment of debt                                     (52,500)   (11,000) 
Interest paid                                          (2,937)      (779) 
Treasury shares purchased                                (414)          - 
Dividends paid                                        (16,554)    (8,667) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net cash flows from financing activities                16,953    102,845 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash 
 equivalents                                           (4,254)      4,568 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of 
 period                                                  4,668        100 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                 414      4,668 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

Company statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 30 September 2016

 
                                              Share   Treasury 
                                    Share   premium     shares    Merger   Retained     Total 
                                  capital   reserve     GBP000   reserve   earnings    equity 
                                   GBP000    GBP000               GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------- 
At 1 October 2015                     418        50          -    90,495     19,507   110,470 
Profit and total comprehensive 
 income for the period                  -         -          -         -     34,066    34,066 
Transactions with owners 
 recorded directly in 
 equity: 
Share-based payments                    -         -          -         -      3,990     3,990 
Treasury shares purchased               -         -      (414)         -          -     (414) 
Treasury shares released                -         -         56         -       (56)         - 
Dividends paid                          -         -          -         -   (16,554)  (16,554) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------- 
At 30 September 2016                  418        50      (358)    90,495     40,953   131,558 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 
 
                                              Share  Treasury 
                                    Share   premium    Shares    Merger   Retained    Total 
                                  capital   reserve    GBP000   reserve   earnings   equity 
                                   GBP000    GBP000              GBP000     GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
At 1 October 2014                     418        50         -    90,495        151   91,114 
Profit and total comprehensive 
 income for the period                  -         -         -         -     26,302   26,302 
Transactions with owners 
 recorded directly in 
 equity: 
Dividends paid                          -         -         -         -    (8,667)  (8,667) 
Share-based payments                    -         -         -         -      1,721    1,721 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
At 30 September 2015                  418        50         -    90,495     19,507  110,470 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
 

Notes to the Company financial statements

1. Accounting policies and basis of accounting

The Directors have applied International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.

The accounting policies and the financial risk management policies, where relevant to the Company, are consistent with those of the consolidated Group as set out in Notes 1 to 29 of the consolidated financial statements.

Statement of comprehensive income

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented a statement of comprehensive income. The profit for the period ended 30 September 2016 was GBP34.1 million (2015: GBP26.3 million).

2. Auditor's remuneration

The Company incurred a cost of GBP65,000 (2015: GBP55,000) for statutory audit services for the period ended 30 September 2016. The Company incurred a cost of GBP28,000 (2015: GBPNil) in relation to non-audit fees provided by the statutory auditor.

3. Employee costs and Directors' remuneration

The Company has no employees other than the Directors of the Company. Remuneration paid to the Directors was accounted for and paid by the Company's subsidiary, ZPG Limited. Details of Directors' remuneration are set out in the Directors' remuneration report in the Group's Annual Report 2016.

4. Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less any provision for impairment. The investment in subsidiaries balance of GBP250.8 million represents the Company's 100% shareholding in ZPG Limited, Ulysses Enterprises Limited and Property Software Holdings Limited as set out in note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. Property Software Holdings Limited was acquired on 28 April 2016 as detailed in note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. Ulysses Enterprises Limited was acquired on 1 June 2015 as set out in the 2015 Annual Report.

During the year the Company recognised an increase in the investment in ZPG Limited and Ulysses Enterprises Limited in respect of the Group's employee share schemes. Consistent with the Group accounting policies outlined in Note 1.19 to the consolidated financial statements, equity-settled share options granted directly to a subsidiary's employees are treated as a capital contribution to the subsidiary. The capital contribution is measured by reference to the consolidated share-based payments charge and is recognised as an increase in the cost of investment with a corresponding credit to retained earnings.

 
                                                   ZPG        Ulysses   Property 
                                               Limited    Enterprises   Software 
                                                GBP000        Limited   Holdings 
                                                               GBP000    Limited    Total 
                                                                          GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ------- 
At 1 October 2015                               93,053        107,425          -  200,478 
Acquisition of Property Software 
 Group                                               -              -     46,324   46,324 
Share based payment - Capital contribution       3,630            358          -    3,988 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016                            96,683        107,783     46,324  250,790 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ------- 
At 1 October 2014                               91,332              -          -   91,332 
Acquisition of Ulysses Enterprises 
 Limited                                             -        107,425          -  107,425 
Share based payment - Capital contribution       1,721              -          -    1,721 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ------- 
At 30 September 2015                            93,053        107,425          -  200,478 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ------- 
 

5. Property, plant and equipment

 
                                Fixtures    Computer      Leasehold 
                            and fittings   equipment   improvements    Total 
                                  GBP000      GBP000         GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
Cost 
At 1 October 2015                      -           -              -        - 
Additions                            545         440          4,330    5,315 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016                 545         440          4,330    5,315 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 October 2015                      -           -              -        - 
Charge for the year                    -           -              -        - 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2016                   -           -              -        - 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
Net book value 
At 30 September 2016                 545         440          4,330    5,315 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
At 30 September 2015                   -           -              -        - 
-------------------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------- 
 

6. Trade and other receivables

 
                                             2016     2015 
                                           GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Amounts receivable from Group Companies    73,405   70,000 
Prepayments                                   501      164 
Amounts held in escrow                      9,884    7,446 
                                           83,790   77,610 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current                                     9,092      164 
Non-current                                74,698   77,446 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                           83,790   77,610 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other receivables are approximate to their fair value.

Amounts held in escrow are held for the settlement of deferred consideration due on the acquisition of uSwitch.

The Company has a receivable of GBP48.5 million due from Ulysses Enterprises Limited and GBP22.9 million from Property Software Holdings Limited. Both amounts are designated as unsecured, intercompany loans. The loans accrue interest at Libor + 2% and have no fixed repayment dates. A trading balance of GBP2.0m is due from Ulysses Enterprises Limited. No interest is receivable on the balance. The Company is comfortable that these amounts are recoverable in full.

7. Trade and other payables

 
                                        2016     2015 
                                      GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Trade payables                           270       11 
Accruals                               5,964    1,894 
Amounts payable to Group companies    21,498   20,000 
-----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                      27,732   21,905 
-----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

At 30 September 2016 a trading balance of GBP21.5 million is due to ZPG Limited. No interest is payable on the balance.

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables are approximate to their fair value. All trade and other payables are classified as current liabilities.

Details of the Group's exposure to liquidity risk are given in Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements.

8. Deferred and contingent consideration

Details of deferred and contingent consideration are given in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.

9. Loans and borrowings

Details of loans and borrowings are given in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements.

10. Provisions

The movement in provisions can be analysed as follows:

 
                        Dilapidation 
                          provisions 
                              GBP000 
----------------------  ------------ 
At 1 October 2015                  - 
Charged in the period          1,375 
At 30 September 2016           1,375 
 
 

The dilapidation provisions relate to Management's best estimation of costs to make good the Company's leasehold property at the end of the lease term. The charge in the period represents expected exit costs on completion of the Company's property lease.

11. Equity

Share capital

Details of the Company's share capital are included in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.

Other reserves - merger reserve

The merger reserve represents the difference between the investment recognised in ZPG Limited on restructuring in 2014 of GBP90.9 million and the value of the shares issued of GBP0.4 million.

Other reserves - treasury shares

Between 11 February 2016 and 17 February 2016 the Group acquired 188,340 of its own shares at a weighted average price of 220.0p in order to settle the exercise of outstanding warrants. As at 31 March 2016 25,551 of the shares had been released from treasury to satisfy warrant exercises, leaving 162,789 shares in treasury with a weighted average price of 220.0p and a carrying value of GBP358,000. The market value of treasury shares as at 30 September 2016 is GBP530,000.

12. Financial instruments

The IFRS 7 - Financial Instruments disclosures, where relevant to the Company, are consistent with those of the Group as set out in Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements.

13. Related parties

a) Key Management personnel

There are no employees of the Company. The Directors are employed and/or remunerated by the Company's subsidiary, ZPG Limited. There were no transactions during the year between the Directors and the Company other than the issue of shares and share options as outlined in the Directors' remuneration report in the Group's Annual Report 2016.

b) Subsidiaries

Transactions with subsidiaries

On 28 April 2016 the Company acquired Property Software Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries as set out in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. The transaction included Zoopla Property Group Plc assuming and discharging external debt of GBP24.9 million through an intercompany loan with Property Software Holdings Limited. During the period to 30 September 2016 Property Software Holdings Limited repaid GBP2.0 million of this balance to the Company.

During the year to 30 September 2016 Ulysses Enterprises Limited made a drawdown of GBP8.0 million and repaid GBP28.8 million in respect of the intercompany loan with the Company.

During the year ZPG Limited paid dividends of GBP33.0 million (2015: 35 million) to the Company.

During the year Ulysses Enterprises Limited paid dividends of GBP14.0 million (2015: GBPNil) to the Company.

The Company issues shares to employees and estate agent partners of its subsidiaries as part of the Group's share-based payment and warrant schemes as set out in Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements.

There have been no other transactions with the Company's subsidiaries during the year.

Year end balances with subsidiaries

At 30 September 2016 GBP48.5 million of the intercompany loan due from Ulysses Enterprises Limited was outstanding. Interest at Libor + 2% per annum is due on the outstanding balance.

At 30 September 2016 GBP22.9 million of the intercompany loan due from Property Software Holdings Limited was outstanding. Interest at Libor + 2% per annum is due on the outstanding balance.

At 30 September 2016 a trading balance of GBP2.0m is due from Ulysses Enterprises Limited. No interest is receivable on the balance.

At 30 September 2016 a trading balance of GBP21.5 million is due to ZPG Limited. This amount will be settled on receipt of any dividend from ZPG Limited. No interest is payable on the balance.

There were no other related party transactions in the period.

c) Other related parties

There were no transactions between the Company and any other related parties.

14. Subsequent events

On 28 November 2016 the Group entered into an agreement to purchase 100% of the issued share capital of Technicweb Limited for initial consideration of GBP1.5 million, deferred consideration of GBP250,000 due 12 months from the date of completion and earn-out consideration based on performance over a 30 month period post acquisition.

There have been no other reportable subsequent events between 30 September 2016 and the date of signing of this report.

15. Ultimate controlling party

The Directors are of the opinion that there was no ultimate controlling party in either period presented.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

FR DGBDBDBDBGLC

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 30, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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