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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
---|---|---|---|
National Bank of Belgium | EU:BNB | Euronext | Ordinary Share |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.00 | 1.31% | 388.00 | 375.00 | 391.00 | 388.00 | 375.00 | 380.00 | 240 | 16:40:00 |
RNS Number:8476J BNB Resources PLC 10 April 2003 10th April 2003 BNB RESOURCES PLC - PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2002 * The trading results reflect the prolonged difficult market conditions experienced in 2002. Turnover from continuing operations was #116.9m (2001: #132.9m), down 12.0%. * The reduction in activity was offset in part by the benefits from the rebasing exercise where the cost base has been reduced by over #16m on an annualised basis. Operating losses, before exceptional items, from continuing businesses reduced to #2.7m (2001: #7.1m). The pre-tax loss reduced to #2.9m (2001: #9.4m) before exceptionals and #4.5m after exceptionals (2001: #18.9m). * The National Press Recruitment Advertising index at the end of 2002 was 43% below its August 2000 peak. However, Barkers remained the second largest recruitment communications business in the UK, was named Agency of the Year at the Yorkshire Post Awards and its turnover amounted to #106.6m, down only 8.6% on 2001. * In December 2002, the Board raised net proceeds of #4.0m from a Placing and fully underwritten Open Offer. Following this, the business has adequate working capital in the current market for the foreseeable future. * Further actions were taken during the fourth quarter to balance revenues and the cost base whilst ensuring that client service and creativity are not sacrificed. The benefits from these are expected to be realised in the current year. * Barkers announces a strategic relationship with ZenithOptimedia Group, a leading UK media buying independent, to create the first media independent specialising in recruitment advertising. * Trading so far this year has been ahead of the same period in 2002 within the Barkers recruitment communications business. Permanent placement activity within the Norman Broadbent recruitment consultancy business, with the exception of the public sector, has continued at the lower levels. * Julian Treger, Chairman, stated "We remain committed to our strategy of restoring the Barkers and Norman Broadbent brands to pre-eminent market positions through a combination of organic development and acquisition and firmly believe that by taking advantage of longer term improvements in market conditions, we will restore the shareholder value that the Board believes is contained within the Group". Enquiries: BNB Resources PLC Paul Turner (Group Finance Director) 020-7634 1165 Shore Capital & Corporate Limited Alex Borrelli 020-7408 4090 Bankside Consultants Limited Charles Ponsonby 020-7444 4166 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT MARKET CONDITIONS In our statement accompanying the interim announcement on 26th September 2002, we reported that conditions in the first half year were difficult and that there had been further deterioration in the markets within which our businesses operate. The National Press Recruitment Advertising Index, a key market indicator for our Barkers recruitment communications business, was 26% down on 2001, ending the year at a level 43% below its peak in August 2000. Within this market, private sector recruitment advertising was 37% down in the year and 54% down over a two year period, whilst public sector recruitment advertising held up more strongly, with drops of only 10% and 13% respectively. Towards the end of 2002 the rate of decline in recruitment advertising slowed down. This trend has continued into 2003. Within the Norman Broadbent recruitment business, conditions have been similarly difficult. Private sector businesses continued to reduce recruitment activity during the year and employee mobility has been lower due to uncertainty and high levels of insecurity. Again, we have seen greater activity in the public sector, where we have built a strong practice. In both the private and public sectors, we have seen increased competition at all levels. RESULTS The trading results reflect the prolonged difficult market conditions experienced in 2002, with turnover from continuing operations of #116.9m (2001: #132.9m), down 12.0% against a year that itself was 13.4% down on 2000. The reduction in activity was offset in part by the benefits from the rebasing exercise, where the cost base has been reduced by over #16m on an annualised basis, giving reduced operating losses from continuing businesses of #2.7m (2001: #7.1m), excluding exceptional operating charges of #1.6m (2001: #9.5m). Profits on the disposal and closure of subsidiaries were #0.4m (2001: loss #1.2m), resulting in a pre-tax loss, after interest charges of #0.6m (2001: #0.5m), of #4.5m (2001: #18.9m). BUSINESS REVIEW Our business comprises two long-standing brands, Barkers and Norman Broadbent, both of which have high levels of recognition in the market places within which they operate. Recruitment Advertising Barkers, the second largest recruitment communications business in the UK, has a reputation for excellence in client service and creativity. It continues to win and to be nominated for industry awards, with recognition in 2002 at The CIPD Recruitment Advertising Awards, The Recruitment Ad Awards, The Yorkshire Post Awards (including Agency of the Year), The SOCPO Awards, The Scottish Recruitment Advertising Awards and The Cream Awards. During the year, we combined our operation in Scotland, which also operates as a commercial advertising and public relations agency, with that in England, under a single leadership structure to enable us to provide our clients with a seamless service across the UK. Difficult market conditions and a further reduction in private sector activity impacted the business during the year and were reflected in turnover down 8.6% at #106.6m (2001:#116.7m) and in margins down by 1.1%, resulting in an operating loss before exceptional charges for the year of #0.4m (2001:profit #0.6m). Further actions were taken during the fourth quarter to balance revenues and the cost base, whilst ensuring that we do not sacrifice client service or creativity, the benefits from which are expected to be realised this year. More recently, our strategy has been to seek partners with whom we can work to extend the services available to our clients and we are delighted to announce that we have formed a strategic relationship with ZenithOptimedia Group, a leading UK media buying independent, owned 75% by Publicis and 25% by Cordiant. This partnership, which is announced today under the brand name "BZO - Barkers Zenith Optimedia", creates the first media independent specialising in recruitment advertising. BZO will deliver three key benefits to its recruitment clients: *smarter media planning and buying solutions *reducing costs of recruitment *greater media effectiveness and accountability. Market conditions since the beginning of this year have been more stable than we saw in the second half of last year and new business wins benefiting 2003 have been encouraging. We anticipate that margin pressure and reduced private sector client spending will continue. Following the rebalancing of revenues and costs at the end of last year, the business is trading profitably, although the short term market outlook remains uncertain and our level of forward visibility is low. The Board continues to believe that its market position and level of brand recognition gives Barkers a high inherent value which is not reflected in the Group's balance sheet. Recruitment Consultancy Our recruitment consultancy division contains the Norman Broadbent branded businesses: * Norman Broadbent International ("NBI") - our top level executive search practice, * Norman Broadbent Selection ("NBS") - specialising in higher volume, mid-market search and selection work, and * Norman Broadbent Human Capital Solutions ("NBHCS") - provider of integrated management solutions. Turnover for the year was 36.9% down at #10.2m (2001: #16.2m), in a very difficult market place, where competition, particularly in the private sector, continued to be high. The resulting loss for the year before exceptional charges was reduced following the rebasing exercise to #0.6m (2001: #1.8m), with exceptional operating charges during the year of #1.0m (2001: #1.9m). The market for permanent recruitment, within which our NBI and NBS businesses operate, deteriorated further during 2002 and our plans for the current year do not anticipate any underlying recovery. Despite the tough market, we have continued to balance cost savings with investment in the business. We have recruited new consultants, particularly in the public sector, where activity levels have been maintained, and in the NBS business. We have also invested in the training and development of our consultants. Overseas our Spanish operation, based in Barcelona and Madrid, and the US business in Atlanta and San Francisco, performed well in markets that continued to be challenging. NBHCS provides a seamless and integrated solution to the recruitment needs of major blue chip clients, covering project management, recruitment advertising, call centre response handling and candidate assessment. During the year, we strengthened the management team in this area with the appointment of a Group Sales and Solutions Director to focus on complex recruitment solutions and projects. SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES Following the successful completion of the recent Placing and Open Offer and the reduction in his possible beneficial interests to 0.76% of the issued share capital of BNB, Brian Myerson has decided to relinquish his Joint Chairmanship and Non-Executive Directorship of the Group with immediate effect. I will continue as Chairman and, on behalf of the Board, would like to thank Brian for his hard work and the expertise which he has brought to the business. I should also like to pay a sincere tribute to all of our staff throughout the Group. Businesses within the recruitment industry are only as good as the people who contribute to all aspects of their operations and in this regard we are fortunate to have skilled and dedicated employees who have worked diligently through some of the toughest market conditions the industry has seen. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS At the beginning of 2002, we announced the sale of our non-core commercial advertising and public relations business in Birmingham to McCann-Erickson Central Limited. In our interim statement, we announced that we had mandated advisors to identify potential acquisition opportunities, being robust, profitable businesses with good management teams that will add to our existing capabilities, enhance our organic growth and that are capable of being at the centre of our future growth strategy. It is the Board's view that this approach, where potential acquisitions satisfy our rigorous requirements, will ultimately deliver the best opportunity for increasing shareholder value. INDEBTEDNESS Net indebtedness at 31st December 2002 was #2.5m (2001: #6.5m). During the year, the net cash inflow was #2.1m, including net proceeds of #7.0m from the placing and open offers. Following this cash investment, and taking into account our bank facilities, the business has sufficient working capital in the current market for the foreseeable future. DIVIDEND The Board proposes no dividend for the year (2001: # nil). PROSPECTS The further deterioration in the recruitment markets during 2002 hampered our efforts to rebuild the profitability of the Group and we continued, necessarily, to focus on maintaining the balance between revenues and costs. We are also planning for the low levels of demand to continue in the short to medium term and are directing our attention to strengthening the business such that it can take advantage of any uplift and improvement in market conditions. Notwithstanding this, trading so far this year has been ahead of the same period in 2002 within the Barkers recruitment communications business, although permanent placement activity within the Norman Broadbent recruitment consultancy business, with the exception of the public sector, has continued at the lower levels. We remain committed to our strategy of restoring the Barkers and Norman Broadbent brands to pre-eminent market positions through a combination of organic development and acquisition and firmly believe that by taking advantage of longer term improvements in market conditions we will restore the shareholder value that the Board believes is contained within the Group. Julian Treger Chairman 10th April 2003 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31st December 2002 (unaudited) 2002 2001 Notes #000 #000 TURNOVER 3 ------------------------------ ------- -------- -------- Continuing operations 116,868 132,866 ------------------------------ ------- -------- -------- Discontinued operations - 6,422 -------- -------- 116,868 139,288 Cost of sales ( 90,256 ) (101,796 ) -------- -------- GROSS PROFIT ------------------------------ ------- -------- -------- Continuing operations 26,612 34,546 ------------------------------ ------- -------- -------- Discontinued operations - 2,946 -------- -------- 26,612 37,492 Administrative expenses ( 31,022 ) (54,659 ) --------- ------- OPERATING LOSS 3 ------------------------------ ------- -------- -------- Continuing operations excluding exceptional ( 2,696 ) ( 7,107 ) items ------- -------- -------- ------------------------------ Exceptional items 4 ( 1,609 ) ( 9,530 ) --------- --------- Continuing operations ( 4,305 ) ( 16,637 ) Discontinued operations ( 105 ) ( 530 ) -------- -------- TOTAL OPERATING LOSS ( 4,410 ) ( 17,167 ) Profit/(loss) on disposal/closure of 452 ( 1,213 ) subsidiaries - discontinued Net interest payable ( 558 ) ( 543 ) -------- -------- LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE 3 ( 4,516 ) ( 18,923 ) TAXATION Tax on loss on ordinary activities 5 ( 9 ) 181 -------- ------- LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER ( 4,525 ) ( 18,742 ) TAXATION --- --- Minority interests ( 2 ) ( 1 ) -------- -------- DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR ( 4,527 ) ( 18,743 ) ===== ===== LOSS PER SHARE: Basic and diluted 6 (12.7)p (87.0)p Continuing excluding exceptional items 6 (9.1)p (34.6)p CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES for the year ended 31st December 2002 (unaudited) 2002 2001 #000 #000 LOSS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ( 4,527 ) ( 18,743 ) Translation differences on foreign currency net ( 38 ) ( 35 ) investments -------- -------- TOTAL LOSSES RECOGNISED SINCE LAST ANNUAL REPORT AND ( 4,565 ) ( 18,778 ) ACCOUNTS ===== ===== ABRIDGED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 31st December 2002 (unaudited) 2002 2001 #000 #000 #000 #000 FIXED ASSETS Goodwill 463 409 Tangible assets 3,327 5,727 Investments 46 110 -------- -------- 3,836 6,246 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks and work in 350 362 progress Debtors 15,651 16,026 Bank balances 1,447 1,619 --------- --------- 17,448 18,007 -------- -------- CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year ( 26,916 ) ( 30,268 ) ------- ------- NET CURRENT LIABILITIES ( 9,468 ) ( 12,261 ) -------- -------- TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES ( 5,632 ) ( 6,015 ) CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year ( 1,563 ) ( 3,324 ) PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES ( 462 ) ( 848 ) -------- -------- ( 2,025 ) ( 4,172 ) -------- -------- NET LIABILITIES (7,657) ( 10,187 ) Equity minority ( 49 ) ( 42 ) interests -------- -------- EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' ( 7,706 ) ( 10,229 ) DEFICIT ===== ===== ABRIDGED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31st December 2002 (unaudited) 2002 2001 #000 #000 NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Operating loss ( 4,410 ) ( 17,167 ) Loss on disposal / closure of subsidiaries - ( 1,213 ) Depreciation 1,731 3,523 Amortisation of goodwill 24 24 Impairment and asset write-offs 673 6,287 Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets 155 278 Movement in working (431) 5,940 capital -------- -------- ( 2,258 ) ( 2,328 ) RETURN ON INVESTMENTS & SERVICING OF ( 592 ) ( 550 ) FINANCE TAXATION ( 21 ) 44 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE & FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ( 106 ) ( 1,928 ) ACQUISITIONS & DISPOSALS 190 - -------- -------- NET CASH OUTFLOW BEFORE FINANCING ( 2,787 ) ( 4,762 ) FINANCING 4,852 1,578 -------- -------- INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH 2,065 ( 3,184 ) ===== ===== NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 1. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT This preliminary statement, which has been agreed with the auditors, was approved by the Board on 9th April 2003. It is not the Company's statutory accounts. Statutory accounts will be sent to shareholders shortly. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31st December 2001 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and received an audit report which was unqualified and did not contain statements under s237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2002 have not yet been approved, audited or filed. 2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES During the year the Group adopted the requirements of FRS 19 (Deferred Tax). The other accounting policies used in the presentation of this preliminary statement are consistent with those applied in prior years. 3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS The analysis of turnover and operating loss by class of business is as follows: Operating loss before exceptional items Exceptional Turnover items (Loss) / profit 2002 2001 2002 2002 2002 2001 #000 #000 #000 #000 #000 #000 Continuing businesses ----------------------- Recruitment 106,643 116,661 ( 358 ) ( 286 ) ( 644 ) ( 1,957 ) communications Recruitment consultancy 10,225 16,205 ( 606 ) ( 1,030 ) ( 1,636 ) ( 12,011 ) Central and unallocated - - ( 1,732 ) ( 293 ) ( 2,025 ) ( 2,669 ) costs -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 116,868 132,866 ( 2,696 ) ( 1,609 ) (4,305 ) (16,637 ) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --- Discontinued businesses ------------------------- Recruitment services - 763 ( 96 ) - ( 96 ) (631 ) overseas Communications - - 5,659 ( 9 ) - ( 9 ) 101 Birmingham -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- - 6,422 ( 105 ) - ( 105 ) ( 530 ) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 116,868 139,288 ( 2,801 ) ( 1,609 ) (4,410 ) ( 17,167 ) ===== ===== ===== ===== Profit/(loss) on disposal / closure of 452 ( 1,213 ) subsidiaries Net interest ( 558 ) ( 543 ) payable -------- -------- Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (4,516 ) ( 18,923 ) ===== ===== NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 4. OPERATING EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS Operating exceptional items reflect further costs of restructuring the Group during the year, impairment of certain fixed assets and other non-recurring costs, and are summarised below. 2002 2001 #000 #000 Impairment of technology investments - 4,781 Asset write-offs and impairment 673 1,703 Termination payments 536 1,540 Onerous property leases - 778 Restructuring costs 121 728 Other exceptional operating items 279 - -------- -------- Operating exceptional items 1,609 9,530 ===== ===== 5. TAXATION The taxation charge in the period represents taxation payable on overseas operations of #9,000 (2001: #47,000). No charge for UK corporation tax has been made for the period as a result of the losses incurred (2001: UK corporation tax credit #228,000). 6. LOSS PER SHARE The calculations of loss per share are based on the following results and numbers of shares as at 31st December. 2002 2001 #000 #000 Loss for the period ( 4,527 ) ( 18,743 ) (Profit)/loss on disposal / closure of subsidiaries ( 452 ) 1,213 Discontinued operations 105 530 Operating exceptional items 1,609 9,530 Net interest payable and tax on discontinued - 15 operations and exceptional items -------- -------- Continuing earnings excluding exceptional items ( 3,265 ) ( 7,455 ) ===== ===== Earnings per share are calculated on 35,697,000 (2001: 21,538,000) ordinary shares of 5p each, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period In 2002 and 2001, the diluted EPS is considered to be the same as the basic EPS as any shares issued under the option arrangements will be anti-dilutive due to the loss in the year. NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 7. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT 2002 2001 #000 #000 Increase / (decrease) in cash during the year 2,065 ( 3,184 ) Cash outflow from lease financing and repayment of 2,112 1,422 debt Bank loan - ( 3,000 ) -------- -------- Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 4,177 ( 4,762 ) New finance leases ( 93 ) - Translation difference ( 41 ) ( 31 ) -------- -------- Movement in net debt during the period 4,043 ( 4,793 ) Opening net debt ( 6,524 ) ( 1,731 ) -------- -------- Closing net debt ( 2,481 ) ( 6,524 ) ===== ===== 8. ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT At At 31st 1st January Cash Non cash Exchange December 2002 movements flow movement 2002 #000 #000 #000 #000 #000 Bank balances and 1,619 ( 131 ) - ( 41) 1,447 deposits Overdrafts ( 2,824 ) 2,196 - - ( 628 ) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ( 1,205 ) 2,065 - ( 41) 819 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Bank debt due ( 1,688 ) 750 - - ( 938 ) after one year Bank debt due ( 750 ) - - - ( 750 ) within one year Hire purchase and ( 2,881 ) 1,362 (93) - ( 1,612 ) finance lease creditors -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ( 5,319 ) 2,112 (93) - ( 3,300 ) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net debt ( 6,524 ) 4,177 (93) ( 41) ( 2,481 ) ===== ===== ====== ===== ===== This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END FR ILMFTMMIMBFJ
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