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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
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Big Red Mining Corp | CSE:RED | CSE | Common Stock |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
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-0.045 | -25.00% | 0.135 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.12 | 0.18 | 411,111 | 21:16:00 |
RNS Number:0615M Redstone PLC 09 June 2003 REDSTONE PLC ("Redstone" or "the Company") Final Results For the 12 Months ended 31 March 2003 Redstone, the national communications services provider, announces its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2003. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Relating to continuing operations: Improved profitability and margins *EBITDA loss of #0.9m (2002 #7.0 million loss) + *Second half EBITDA profit of #0.1 million (#1.0 million EBITDA loss in first half). *Continued focus on enhancing margins + *Gross margin for the year rose to 27% (2002 20%), and 30% in the second half of the year. + *Revenues were down 11% to #68.2 million (2002 #76.8 million), the reduction generally being in low margin product lines. A much improved revenue mix was achieved through concentrating on more strategic products in telecoms and ISP services. + *The Group's percentage gross margin has increased from 13% to 27% over the last two years. *Net operating costs fell 28% from #30.3 million to #21.9 million, excluding amortisation and impairments. Strengthened balance sheet * Cash balances up #1.8m over the last six months to #12.0m at year end (2002 #12.9m). * Balance sheet debt at #0.2 million, down from #5.3 million at 31 March 2002 following completion of a strategic agreement with BT Wholesale on 14 May 2002. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS * Redstone is now repositioned as a national end-to-end communications services provider + *All subsidiaries and operations teams have been integrated into one trading company + *The national sales and marketing organisation has been rebuilt and new teams established in key geographic markets including Scotland and Northern England + *One seamless customer interface for the whole Redstone portfolio delivers increased potential for selling multiple services to individual customers + *New business includes orders from Reed Executive and Foxtons. Ian Brown, Chief Executive of Redstone, commented: "We are making real progress in transforming Redstone into a national communications services provider, with a sound financial base. We expect the measures we have implemented so far to continue to produce a steadily improving financial and operational performance going forward." 9 June 2003 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: ICIS Roger Leboff/Archie Berens Tel. 020 7628 1114 REDSTONE PLC Final Results For the 12 Months ended 31 March 2003 Chief Executive's Review Overview During the last financial year Redstone has continued to make real progress in both its financial performance and its evolution into a national communications services provider. Notable financial highlights relating to continuing operations are as follows: * Gross margin increased by 24% to #18.7 million from #15.1 million in the prior year. Gross margins now represent 27% of sales, up from 20% in the prior period. In particular, telecoms gross margins improved from 6% to 18% largely as a result of the BT Wholesale outsourcing contract. ISP gross margins also improved significantly from 43% to 71% due both to a material increase in business from selected customers in the education market and cost reductions. * Net operating expenses before amortisation and impairments fell 28% to #21.9 million from #30.3 million in the prior year, as the benefit of restructurings and subsequent minor reorganisations filtered through. * Pre tax losses before goodwill amortisation and impairments reduced by 88% from #20.8 million to #2.6 million. EBITDA losses reduced by 87% from #7.0 million to #0.9 million. EBITDA loss in the first half was #1.0 million against positive #0.1 million in the second half - the first time that Redstone has reported positive EBITDA for a complete reporting period. * Revenue for the full year reduced by 11% from #76.8 million to #68.2 million. Revenue in the second half reduced to #31.4 million from #36.8 million in the first half, primarily due to reductions in premium rate traffic and in certain indirect and direct access customer segments. The latter is reflective of both (i) the variability that exists in current telecoms market rates, and (ii) the continued provision by several competitors of tariffs below cost or at wafer thin margins. Redstone does not believe this is sustainable for the industry nor that it is necessarily in its customers' best interests. * Discontinued operations in the year produced revenues of #0.7 million, gross margin of negative #0.2 million and EBITDA losses of #0.3 million. All arose from our premium rate scratch card subsidiary, Isomatrix, which was closed early in the year. * Cash balances of #12.0 million were #0.9 million down from the previous year. As evidenced by the reduction in trade debtors, our cash collection performance in the current year has been excellent and this has contributed substantially to a net cash inflow from operating activities of #0.7 million. The reduction in debt achieved via the BT Wholesale transaction meant that net funds increased over the year by #4.2 million and that closing debt was negligible. Operational Performance During the year Redstone invested significantly in rebuilding its sales and marketing teams on a national basis. As at 31 March 2003, the sales and marketing headcount was 106. This reflects (i) new teams that have been put into place in Scotland and Northern England, (ii) increased headcount within the Southern England teams, and (iii) revitalized vertical teams focused on particular markets such as health, education and channel organisations. Redstone has yet to enjoy the full benefit from these investments. However we are optimistic about order growth prospects during the next financial year. Market conditions remain very challenging, with often significant or extended delays being experienced in the purchasing cycles for new capital expenditure. Notwithstanding this, Redstone continues to win new orders including in the second half several "SMART B" projects with the Birmingham Alliance, a property development consortium led by Hammerson plc and focused on the redevelopment of the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham. "SMART B" is Redstone's innovative platform for integrating traditional building management facilities into a seamless communications infrastructure, including services such as access control and CCTV monitoring. Apart from rebuilding the sales and marketing teams, Redstone has invested in training programmes to improve sales effectiveness. Developing a sales force that can both build strong relationships with our customers and beat our competitors is critical to our future success. Redstone therefore intends to continue with these types of initiatives during the current financial year. In the earlier part of the year Redstone completed its innovative outsourcing contract with BT Wholesale, announced on 16 April 2002. The expected financial benefits of the transaction have materialized with underlying gross margins in our telecoms product line rising to 18% from 6% in the prior year. In addition to the financial benefits, the contract has enabled Redstone's management team to focus more on the challenging tasks of growing order intake and improving customer service levels, which are both key to our future success. Further, our partnership with BT Wholesale has enabled Redstone to win some material new telecoms contracts with notable customers including Reed Executive, the national recruitment business and most recently RHM Group, a leading food company. Redstone's ability to grow telecoms revenues is however indirectly dependent on continued improvements that BT Wholesale can pass to Redstone through the outsourcing contract. Whilst both parties remain optimistic about these being achieved, they are not guaranteed. In the latter part of the year Redstone completed the partial outsourcing of its telecoms billing operations to Dataflow, a specialist provider of such services. Whilst in its early stages, it is anticipated that this arrangement will provide further financial and management time savings, in addition to improving billing information to our customers. Considerable progress has been made within our operations teams to create a more seamless interface with our customers. Examples include the creation of a central project management and provisioning team, a company wide customer service team, and a revamped national field service organisation. Redstone also continues to invest in improving the technical competence of our engineering teams, as illustrated by the Group achieving GOLD accreditation status with key manufacturers Cisco Systems and Avaya. All such initiatives help Redstone win sales and improve customer satisfaction levels. Outlook Since the substantial restructuring that was announced in the summer of 2001 the management team has mainly focussed on cost control, gross margin improvement, EBITDA improvement, cash management and the strategic repositioning of Redstone as an end-to-end communications services provider. During the financial year ended 31 March 2003 Redstone made the decision to invest in its sales and marketing teams, with the aim of delivering growth for the business in the medium term. Therefore, the financial performance in fiscal 2004 will be substantially linked to the performance of the new sales teams. As order intake improves, the Group expects further gradual improvements in both its EBITDA and revenue performance. Given today's challenging and uncertain market conditions, this will not be easy. Apart from organic efforts, opportunities exist in the marketplace for Redstone to achieve growth through partnering with third parties and through targeted acquisitions. As the industry consolidates, such opportunities are expected to increase. The Board intends that Redstone should take advantage of this trend. Ian Brown Chief Executive 9 June 2003 Financial Review The operating loss from continuing operations before goodwill amortisation and impairment of fixed assets reduced in the 12 months to 31 March 2003 to #3.2 million from #15.3 million in the previous year. This improvement was brought about by the earning of an additional #3.6 million of gross margin, despite a fall in turnover, and a reduction in operating costs, before amortisation and impairments, of #8.8 million to #22.2 million. Operating losses from continuing operations before goodwill amortisation amounted to #1.2 million in the second half in comparison with #2.0 million in the first half. EBITDA on continuing operations for the second half was positive #0.1 million and overall for the year was a #0.9 million loss. The fall in turnover of #8.6 million to #68.2 million on continuing operations was generally in low margin product lines. This was a contributory factor driving gross margins up from 20% in the prior year to 27% in the period under review. More significant, however, was the sale of the telecoms network to BT Wholesale, which was achieved in May 2002. The reduction over the previous year in continuing operating costs before goodwill amortisation and impairment of fixed assets has also been significant. Much of this has been achieved through headcount savings, many of which had been implemented prior to 31 March 2002 and the benefit of which has now been seen fully in the year to March 2003. Average headcount during the year of 334 compares with a figure of some 544 in March 2001. However, the focus on cost has continued throughout the year and indeed operating costs in the second half of #10.6 million were some #1.0 million lower than the first half. There were a number of weeks trading in the year ended March 2003 for Isomatrix, one of the Group's subsidiaries whose trade was discontinued. Isomatrix contributed #1.0 million of operating profit and #1.1 million EBITDA in the previous year but a loss of #0.3 million in the current year. The Group benefited from a corporation tax repayment in respect of taxes previously paid by Isomatrix. Including discontinued business, operating losses before goodwill amortisation and impairment totalled #3.5 million as against #14.3 million in the prior year. The Group continues to hold a number of vacant properties. In particular, the premises in Borehamwood are now largely unoccupied. The market for rentals has been and continues to be weak and accordingly the provision for surplus property costs has been increased during the year. There was net interest receivable in the period of #0.3 million, reflecting the high average cash balances and low overall debt levels. Balance sheet and cashflow Cashflow and debt The Group's net funds position improved during the year by #4.2 million and closing debt at 31 March 2003 was #0.2 million. The sale of the telecoms network in May 2002 involved BT Wholesale purchasing the Group's telecoms network assets and assuming the associated debt of #4.5 million. This transaction has therefore helped the Group to eliminate virtually all debt from its balance sheet. Net funds movements other than the debt reduction referred to above were #0.3 million negative. The principal movements featured an EBITDA outflow from continuing operations of #0.9 million, a net #1.6 million outflow on fixed assets, a #5.2 million fall in creditors and provisions and a #7.0 million fall in debtors. Cash at bank and in hand closed at #12.0 million compared with #10.2 million at 30 September 2002 and #12.9 million at 31 March 2002. The net cash outflow related to fixed assets of #1.6 million included gross outflows of #2.1 million and proceeds of sale, primarily in respect of a freehold property, of #0.4 million. The outflow of #2.1 million compared with fixed asset additions of #1.1 million, the difference being due to final payments being made to 2 of the suppliers of the metropolitan area networks for services delivered several years ago. Additions during the year were made primarily to the Group's own internal network. Whilst turnover has fallen, the reduction in debtors owes primarily to a significant improvement in debt collection. This has been driven by stronger internal controls and more focus but also reflects cleaner delivery of service by the Group's operations teams. The fall in debtors helped finance the fall in creditors, which owed to reduced turnover but also the clean-up and discharge of old accounts. The payment profiles on certain trade creditor balances at 31 March 2003 were highly advantageous to the Group. The Group has no need at present for any borrowing facility and indeed at the year-end has no material mortgages or charges. Barclays Bank have recently been appointed as new bankers to the Group. Other balance sheet areas Intangible assets of #29.5 million represent goodwill on previous acquisitions. Amortisation of #4.1 million has been charged against goodwill in the period in line with the Group's accounting policy. Tangible fixed assets reduced over the period due primarily to the sale of various network assets to BT Wholesale. Closing net book value includes #1.0 million in respect of the Cambridge metropolitan area network, the only remaining operational MAN. All other MANs have either been disposed of or are currently being marketed for sale. Net current assets of #4.0 million were virtually unchanged from the previous year. Net assets at 31 March 2003 stood at #34.1 million. Andrew Walsh Finance Director 9 June 2003 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account Year Ended 31 March 2003 Continuing Dis-continued 2003 Continuing Dis-continued 2002 Notes #000 #000 #000 #000 #000 #000 Turnover 2 68,197 668 68,865 76,792 9,171 85,963 Cost of (49,496) (825) (50,321) (61,725) (7,325) (69,050) sales ------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------ Gross profit/ 18,701 (157) 18,544 15,067 1,846 16,913 (loss) Selling and distribution costs (6,865) - (6,865) (10,307) - (10,307) Administrative (19,445) (121) (19,566) (31,155) (5,459) (36,614) expenses Other 309 - 309 637 - 637 operating ------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------ income Operating (7,300) (278) (7,578) (25,758) (3,613) (29,371) loss - amortisation 4,105 - (4,105) 4,441 2,034 6,475 of goodwill - impairment of 3a - - - 6,066 - 6,066 fixed assets - impairment of 3b - - - - 2,542 2,542 goodwill Operating (loss)/profit before goodwill amortisation and impairment (3,195) (278) (3,473) (15,251) 963 (14,288) Exceptional restructuring income/(costs) 3c 305 - 305 (5,404) - (5,404) Profit on sale of subsidiary undertaking - - - - 103 103 Interest receivable and similar income 506 - 506 1,069 - 1,069 ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Interest payable and similar charges (198) - (198) (1,247) - (1,247) ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (6,687) (278) (6,965) (31,340) (3,510) (34,850) Tax on loss on ordinary activities 765 - ------ ------ Loss for the (6,200) (34,850) financial ====== ====== year Basic and 4 diluted loss per share (0.2)p (1.8)p ====== ====== Gross profit 27.4 (23.5) 26.9 19.6 20.1 19.7 % ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== EBITDA 4 (928) (278) (1,206) (7,037) 1,099 (5,938) ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== EBITDA per 4 (0.04)p (0.3p) share ====== ====== The Group has no recognised gains or losses other than the above reported loss. Consolidated Balance Sheet 31 March 2003 Notes 2003 2002 #000 #000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 5 29,470 33,575 Tangible assets 3,359 9,170 ---------- --------- 32,829 42,745 Current assets Stocks 791 951 Debtors 12,007 19,001 Cash at bank and in hand 12,035 12,880 Cash held on trust for guaranteed loan notes 87 10,687 ---------- --------- 24,920 43,519 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 20,930 39,440 ---------- --------- Net current assets 3,990 4,079 ---------- --------- Total assets less current liabilities 36,819 46,824 Creditors Amounts falling due after one year 33 2,811 Provisions for liabilities and charges 6 2,689 3,716 ---------- --------- Net assets 34,097 40,297 ========== ========= Capital and reserves Called up share capital 8,472 8,472 Share premium account 185,336 185,336 Warrants 21 21 Merger reserve 216 216 Profit and loss account (159,948) (153,748) ---------- --------- Shareholders' funds 34,097 40,297 ========== ========= Represented by: Equity shareholders' funds 28,414 34,614 Non-equity shareholders' funds 5,683 5,683 ---------- --------- 34,097 40,297 ---------- --------- Approved by the Board on 9 June 2003. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Year Ended 31 March 2003 Notes 2003 2002 #000 #000 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 7 693 (11,299) activities --------- --------- Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 513 1,110 Interest paid (175) (985) Interest element paid on finance leases and hire purchase agreements (63) (245) --------- --------- --------- --------- Net cash inflow/(outflow) from returns on investments and servicing of finance 275 (120) --------- --------- Corporation tax refunded/(paid) 399 (490) --------- --------- Capital expenditure Purchase of tangible fixed assets (2,077) (11,042) Proceeds on disposal of tangible fixed assets 436 49 --------- --------- Net cash outflow from capital expenditure (1,641) (10,993) --------- --------- Acquisitions Purchase of subsidiary undertakings * - (4,174) --------- --------- Net cash outflow from acquisitions - (4,174) --------- --------- --------- --------- Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (274) (27,076) --------- --------- Financing Net proceeds from issue of shares - 24,396 Repayment of bank loan - (1,933) --------- --------- Capital element paid on finance leases and hire purchase agreements (571) (1,464) --------- --------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (571) 20,999 --------- --------- Decrease in cash at bank and in hand (845) (6,077) --------- --------- Management of liquid resources Cash withdrawn from deposit - 10,000 --------- --------- (Decrease)/increase in cash 8/9 (845) 3,923 ========= ========= * Included within the balances are amounts in respect of deferred consideration arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries. 1. Basis of Preparation The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240(1) of the Companies Act 1985. The preliminary announcement has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the most recently published financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2002 which are consistent with those adopted for the year ended 31 March 2003. The comparative financial information is based on the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2002. These accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2003 upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, will be sent to Shareholders and will be available from the Company Secretary at Redstone plc, Premiere House, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1JH. The summary information presented herein was approved by the Board on 9 June 2003. 2 Segmental analysis The Group operates as an end to end communications services provider and as such the Group operates in one principal area of activity. All turnover during the current and previous years was derived from the United Kingdom. 3 Items charged before operating loss: (a) Impairment of fixed assets Fixed assets were written down in the prior year by #6,066,000 as the carrying amounts were adjusted to reflect the recoverable amount as required by FRS 11. (b) Impairment of goodwill Goodwill remaining at 31 March 2002 in relation to Isomatrix was written off due to the serious deterioration in trade in that business. Items charged after operating loss: (c) Exceptional restructuring costs A restructuring credit of #305,000 arose in the year in relation to profit on sale of surplus duct and trench capacity impaired in prior periods. Net restructuring costs of #5,404,000 arose in the prior year in relation to the withdrawal from the SDSL business. This charge was net of #1,691,000 profit on sales of surplus duct and trench capacity. 4 Loss per share Basic and diluted earnings per share are both calculated using a loss of #6,200,000 (2002: #34,850,000) and a weighted average number of shares of 2 ,789,070,648 (2002: 1,960,851,470). There were no dilutive share options or warrants at 31 March 2003 and 2002. In addition, EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) per share has been shown on the grounds that this is a common metric used by the market in monitoring similar businesses. EBITDA is derived as follows: 2003 2002 #000 #000 Loss for the financial year (6,200) (34,850) Tax (765) - Net interest (receivable)/payable (308) 178 Depreciation of fixed assets 1,931 6,429 Loss on disposal of fixed assets 31 146 Profit on sale of subsidiary undertaking - (103) Amortisation of goodwill 4,105 6,475 Amortisation of customer equipment costs - 84 Impairment of goodwill - 2,542 Impairment of fixed assets - 6,066 Impairment of network infrastructure costs - 7,095 ------- ------- EBITDA (1,206) (5,938) ======= ======= 5 Intangible fixed assets Goodwill #000 Cost At 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003 108,418 -------- Amortisation At 1 April 2002 74,843 Charge for the year 4,105 -------- At 31 March 2003 78,948 -------- Net book value At 31 March 2003 29,470 ======== At 31 March 2002 33,575 ======== In accordance with FRS 11, the directors have reviewed the carrying value of goodwill in the balance sheet. Recoverable amounts were calculated as the greater of the market value and value in use of the respective assets, assuming a pre tax discount rate of 15%. 6 Provisions for liabilities and charges Group Vacant property provision Reorganisation costs Total #000 #000 #000 At 1 April 2002 2,308 1,408 3,716 Charge for the year 1,357 - 1,357 Utilised during the year (976) (1,408) (2,384) -------- ---------- ------- At 31 March 2003 2,689 - 2,689 ======== ========== ======= (i) Vacant property provision During the previous year a number of the Group's properties became vacant, primarily due to the headcount reductions which took place. Provisions have been made to cover the rents, rates and service charges for each vacant property for the period that each property is expected to be vacant. (ii) Reorganisation costs This represented committed reorganisation expenditure and a provision for committed costs from which no future benefits were expected to arise as a result of previous reorganisations. (iii) Deferred tax The Group has no unprovided deferred tax liability (2002: #nil). As at 31 March 2003 there is an unprovided deferred tax asset of #23.6 million (2002: #21.2 million) relating principally to past trading losses. This asset has not been recognised as there is insufficient evidence that the asset will be recoverable. The asset will be recoverable once the Group generates taxable profits. 7 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 2003 2002 #000 #000 Operating loss (7,578) (29,371) Exceptional restructuring income/(costs) 305 (5,404) Amortisation 4,105 6,475 Goodwill impairment - 2,542 Depreciation 1,931 6,429 Impairment of fixed assets - 6,066 Impairment of network infrastructure costs - 7,095 Loss on disposal of fixed assets 31 146 Amortisation of customer equipment costs - 84 Decrease/(increase) in stock 160 (287) Decrease in debtors 6,987 2,138 Decrease in creditors (4,221) (5,361) Decrease in provisions (1,027) (1,911) UITF 17 charge on share options - 60 ------- ------- 693 (11,299) ======= ======= 8 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds 2003 2002 #000 #000 (Decrease)/increase in cash in the year (845) 3,923 Cash outflow from loans - 1,933 Cash outflow from finance leases and hire purchase 571 1,464 agreements Cash inflow from liquid resources (10,600) (14,850) ------- ------- Change in net funds resulting from cash flows (10,874) (7,530) Repayment of loan notes for acquisitions 10,600 4,850 Non cash movements - assignment of debt 4,469 - ------- ------- Movement in net funds in the year 4,195 (2,680) Net funds at 1 April 2002 7,627 10,307 ------- ------- Net funds at 31 March 2003 11,822 7,627 ======= ======= 9 Analysis of net funds Other At At 1 April Cash non-cash 31 March movements 2002 flow 2003 #000 #000 #000 #000 Cash at bank and in hand 12,880 (845) - 12,035 -------- ------- -------- -------- Liquid resources - cash held on trust for guaranteed loan notes 10,687 (10,600) - 87 -------- ------- -------- -------- 23,567 (11,445) - 12,122 Debt due within one year Bank loan (1,167) - 1,167 - Loan notes (10,687) 10,600 - (87) Finance lease obligations (1,275) 369 726 (180) Debt due after one year Bank loan (2,333) - 2,333 - Finance lease obligations (478) 202 243 (33) -------- ------- -------- -------- 7,627 (274) 4,469 11,822 ======== ======= ======== ======== Major non-cash transactions During the year the Group entered into a transaction with BT Wholesale which involved liabilities of #4,469,000 transferring to BT Wholesale in consideration for the transfer of certain assets. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END FR KQLFBXQBBBBV
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