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EBT Ebt Mobile

2.50
0.00 (0.00%)
10 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Ebt Mobile LSE:EBT London Ordinary Share GB0033044313 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% 2.50 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Interim Results

27/08/2008 7:01am

UK Regulatory


    RNS Number : 0697C
  EBT Mobile China PLC
  27 August 2008
   

    



 For immediate Release  27 August 2008


    EBT Mobile China plc
    ("EBT" or "the Company")
    Interim Results for the Six Months ended 30 June 2008

    EBT Mobile China plc (AIM: EBT), a leading China-based retailer of mobile phone 
    products and services, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months 
    ended 30 June 2008.  

    Key Highlights

    *     EBT is on track to generate a modest adjusted net profit  (1) for the full year 2008
    *     Adjusted operating loss (1) of RMB3.4m (£0.2m) (H1 2007: RMB7.7m, £0.6m) 
    *     Loss after tax narrowed to RMB0.7m (£0.1m) (H1 2007: RMB9.9m, £0.7m)
    *     Gross margin improved to 12.6% (H1 2007: 10.7%), reflecting an increasing proportion of non-phone sales and service revenue 
    *     Cash and cash equivalents of RMB92.6m (£6.8m) (2) as at 30 June 2008 
    *     Number of stores at period end up by 9% to 259 (H1 2007: 238)
    *     National footprint increased to 28 cities (H1 2007: 26) 
    *     Revenue of RMB302.0m (£22.1m) (H1 2007: RMB317.0m,  £23.2m)

    Zhang Ge, CEO of EBT said, "EBT faced a number of challenges in the first half of 2008 and as a result we have adjusted our aggressive
expansion programme to focus on operational improvements. These efforts produced a much improved operating margin in the first half as well
as providing a solid base for future progress.  EBT is on track to generate a modest adjusted profit for the full year."

 For the six months ended 30 June
                                2008   2008    2007    2007    % 
                                      (RMB'   (£'m)   (RMB'  chan
                               (£'m)     m)              m)    ge
 Revenue                        22.1  302.0    23.2   317.0   - 5
 Gross profit                    2.8   38.2     2.5    33.9   +12
 Gross margin                  12.6%  12.6%   10.7%   10.7%   +17
 Adjusted operating loss (1)   (0.2)  (3.4)   (0.6)   (7.7)
 Operating loss                (0.3)  (4.0)   (1.0)  (13.6)
 Adjusted loss after tax (1)   (0.0)  (0.1)   (0.3)   (4.0)
 Loss after tax                (0.1)  (0.7)   (0.7)   (9.9)
 EPS                              0p   0fen  (0.4)p  (5)fen
 Cash (2)                        6.8   92.6     9.2   126.5

    Note:  figures in £ are for illustrative purposes only, all translated using the RMB:£ exchange rate of 13.6836 as at 30 June 2008.

    (1) Figures before adjusted items, include share-based payments, exchange difference, financial guarantee, contingent liabilities, 
   investment loss in a joint venture and acquisition costs. The total figures of adjusted items are RMB0.6m in 2008 (H1 2007: 
   RMB5.9m).
    (2) Cash figures exclude a restricted deposit of RMB45.2m in 2008, £3.3m (2007: RMB33.5m, £2.4m) for standby letters of credit,   which
is disclosed under deposits and prepayments.


 For more information contact:
 Terry Garrett / Stephanie Badjonat / John Moriarty
 Weber Shandwick Financial                           020 7067 0700

 Aubrey Powell / Giles Stewart / Adam Pollock
 Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited                         020 7459 3600


    The contents of this Press Release may contain forward-looking statements which can be generally identified as such because the context
of the statement will include the words such as EBT "expects", "should", "believes", "anticipates" or words of similar import. Such forward
looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including the financial performance of EBT which could cause actual
results, performance or achievements of EBT to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. 

    Business Overview 

    As indicated in the trading update announced on 12 July 2008, there have been a number of challenging factors, largely outside the
Group's control, that restrained our sales performance in the six months to 30 June 2008 including several well-publicised natural disasters
in China.  Yet, despite a small decline in revenue, the Group has made significant progress in improving its overall operating performance
in the period whilst achieving further growth in its store network.

    Having faced a tougher trading environment since the second half of 2007, the Board adjusted our strategy from an aggressive expansion
programme to drive volume, to one focused upon operational improvements to enhance margins. We continue to see the benefits of this strategy
in our operating performance and to believe that this approach will establish a more stable base for future development.  As a result of
this strategy, the Group has moved to break-even at the adjusted level in the first half and the Board expects the Group to achieve
profitability on an adjusted basis in the second half of the year.

    This performance was underpinned by focused internal operational improvements including incentivising our management teams at the local
level to provide quality improved customer solutions, value added services, after-sales service and category management. Further
developments to the Group's internal management information systems and supply chain management were implemented.

    Our strategy of focusing on gross margin rather than volume-driven discounting has generated progressive business activity during these
challenging market conditions. As a result of all these initiatives we have increased our margins on non-phone sales and service revenues. 

    In addition, our "Win with Winners" strategy continues to bear fruit; we maintain strong relationships with our existing major partners
such as Carrefour, Metro, China Mobile and Nokia. These partners are also adjusting their operation strategies to fit into the current
economy environment and the forthcoming development of 3G.

    Further to the announcement made in December 2007 and confirmed in July's trading update, the Company remains in talks with the party
from which it received an initial takeover approach. While discussions are ongoing and constructive, the Company now considers that any
transaction resulting from these talks is likely to result, if it were to proceed, in a corporate transaction other than a takeover.  

    The Company, together with a committee of non executive directors (the "Committee"), is also considering the feasibility and
desirability from a shareholder perspective of a partial tender for the majority of the Company's shares not already owned by certain
controlling shareholders (principally Audley Capital, Gartmore, James Reiman and senior management). To the extent possible, the Company and
the Committee expects to consult with shareholders through its broker before embarking on such a course of action, which would be a related
party transaction under the AIM Rules by virtue of the substantial holdings of each of the controlling shareholders above and Mr. Reiman's
position as a director of the Company.  

    There can be no certainty of any corporate transaction taking place. Further announcements will be made in due course as appropriate.

    Financial Performance

    In the six months to 30 June 2008, revenue was RMB302.0m (H1 2007: RMB317.0) which is the equivalent of £22.1m note (H1 2007 £23.2m). 
Factors which effected top-line growth included several well-publicised natural disasters in China during the first half of 2008.  

    Gross profit for the period increased by 12.7% to RMB38.2m (H1 2007: RMB33.9m) or £2.8m (H1 2007: £2.5m).  Operational improvements and
an increasing proportion of non-phone sales and service revenue have helped to increase gross margins to 12.6% in the first half, compared
to 10.7% in the same period of 2007. 

    Excluding the effect of adjusted items, like share-based payments, exchange rate difference, financial guarantee, contingent
liabilities, investment loss in a joint venture and acquisition cost, the loss after tax was RMB0.1m (H1 2007: RMB4.0m). The loss for the
period after adjusted items was RMB0.7m (H1 2007:RMB9.9m) or £0.1m (H1 2007: £0.7m).

    The balance sheet remains strong as at 30 June 2008. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB92.6m (H1 2007: RMB126.5m) equivalent to
£6.8m (H1 2007: £9.2m), excluding restricted cash.  This cash balance is reduced by the timing effects of certain working capital movements
within the six months to June 2008, which are expected to reverse in the second half, with the result that management expects an improved
working capital at the end of 2008.

    Note:  figures in £ are for illustrative purposes only, all translated using the RMB:£ exchange rate of 13.6836 as at 30 June 2008.

    Outlook

    EBT faced a number of challenges in the first half of the year but we adapted our strategy to the changing environment and continued to
make good progress towards our goal of attaining profitability. As our business continues to expand and gain critical mass, we are
increasingly seeing the benefits of our scale, in cost terms.

    Many of the challenges we have faced are, in the Board's view, temporary, and we believe that the outlook for the Chinese mobile phone
market remains extremely positive. We will continue to selectively grow our store footprint in what is the world's largest wireless
telecommunications market.  Leading wireless providers are set to invest heavily to provide 3G services, the introduction of which will
bring the market to the next stage and provide substantial additional growth opportunities in due course.

    While the near term environment is likely to remain challenging, the Board considers its operational systems and profit focused strategy
to be appropriate to consolidating the Group's position.  The Board therefore retains its positive outlook for the prospects of the Group
and believes EBT is well placed to become China's leading end to end provider of wireless products and services.



    EBT MOBILE CHINA PLC
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008


                                  Six months ended 30    Six months ended 30 Jun  
                                             Jun 2008                       2007    Year ended 31 Dec 2007
                                              RMB'000                    RMB'000                   RMB'000
 CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                            
 Revenue                                     301,988                    316,971                   628,084 
 Cost of sales                              (263,819)                  (283,092)                 (554,038)
 Gross profit                                 38,169                     33,879                    74,046 
                                                                                  
 Other operating income                        2,073                         14                     4,077 
 Distribution costs                          (31,755)                   (26,990)                  (66,465)
 Administrative expenses                     (12,510)                   (20,533)                  (32,399)
 Share of losses of a joint                        -                          -                      (500)
 venture                                                                          
 Operating loss before                        (4,023)                   (13,630)                  (21,241)
 financial guarantee                                                              
                                                                                  
 Financial guarantee                               -                          -                     1,204 
 Operating loss                               (4,023)                   (13,630)                  (20,037)
                                                                                  
 Finance costs                                     -                          -                       (23)
 Investment revenues                           3,347                      3,756                     7,454 
 Loss before tax                                (676)                    (9,874)                  (12,606)
                                                                                  
 Taxation                                          -                          -                         - 
 Loss for the year                              (676)                    (9,874)                  (12,606)
                                                                                  
 Attributable to equity holders                 (676)                    (9,874)                  (12,606)
 of the parent                                                                    
                                                                                  
                                                  RMB                        RMB                       RMB
 Loss per share                                                                   
 Basic                                          0.00                      (0.05)                    (0.06)
                                                                                  

    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

                                  Six months ended 30     Six months ended 30       Year ended 31 Dec
                                             Jun 2008                Jun 2007                    2007
                                              RMB'000                 RMB'000                 RMB'000
 Exchange differences on                      (9,127)                    676                  (7,713)
 translation of foreign                                                        
 operations and net gain/(loss)                                                
 recognised directly in equity                                                 
 Loss for the year                              (676)                 (9,874)                (12,606)
 Total recognised income and                  (9,803)                 (9,198)                (20,319)
 expense for the year                                                          
                                                                               
 Attributable to equity holders               (9,803)                 (9,198)                (20,319)
 of the parent                                                                 
                                                                               

    EBT MOBILE CHINA PLC
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
    AS AT 30 JUNE 2008 

                                     As at 30       As at 31 
                                        Jun 08       Dec 2007
                                       RMB'000        RMB'000
 Non-current assets                               
 Investment in subsidiaries                 -              - 
 Other intangible assets                  959          2,111 
 Property, plant and equipment          4,242          3,924 
                                        5,201          6,035 
                                                  
 Current assets                                   
 Inventories                           52,033         52,339 
 Trade receivables                     60,932         48,332 
 Other receivables                     22,533          6,326 
 Cash and cash equivalents             92,639        132,415 
 Deposits and prepayments              54,287         56,878 
 Prepaid taxes                            136             32 
 Amounts due from related parties           -          2,800 
                                      282,560        299,122 
 TOTAL ASSETS                         287,761        305,157 
                                                  
 Current liabilities                              
 Trade payables                        18,130         19,673 
 Notes payables                         6,116         14,839 
 Accruals and other payables            7,453          6,905 
 Provisions                               909            969 
 Other tax liabilities                  2,794          1,745 
                                       35,402         44,131 
 Net current assets                   247,158        254,991 
 Total liabilities                     35,402         44,131 
 NET ASSETS                           252,359        261,026 
                                                  
 EQUITY                                           
 Share capital                         53,609         53,609 
 Share premium account                288,170        288,170 
 Other reserves                        81,543         89,534 
 Retained losses                     (170,963)      (170,287)
 TOTAL EQUITY                         252,359        261,026 
                                                  


    EBT MOBILE CHINA PLC
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

                                    Six months ended 30     Six months ended 30       Year ended 31 Dec  
                                               Jun 2008                Jun 2007                    2007  
                                                RMB'000                 RMB'000                 RMB'000  
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING                                                                               
 ACTIVITIES                                                                                              
 Loss before tax from                             (676)                 (9,874)                (12,606)  
 continuing operations                                                                                   
 Adjustments for:                                                                                        
   Loss/(gain) on disposals of                       -                       -                     500   
 discontinued operation                                                                                  
   Depreciation of property,                       423                     370                     778   
 plant and equipment                                                                                     
   Amortisation of intangible                    1,714                   2,776                   5,536   
 assets                                                                                                  
   Impairment of intangible                       (555)                      -                     789   
 assets                                                                                                  
   Share-based payments expense                  1,136                     970                   2,872   
   Loss/(gain) on disposals of                       5                      14                      16   
 property, plant and equipment                                                                           
   Allowances for doubtful                           -                       -                  (3,747)  
 debts                                                                                                   
   Finance costs                                     -                       -                      23   
   Interest income                              (3,347)                 (3,778)                 (7,454)  
   Net foreign exchange loss                    (1,687)                  1,335                  (2,481)  
 Operating cash flows before                    (2,987)                 (8,187)                (15,774)  
 movements in working capital                                                                            
   (Increase)/decrease in                          306                 (16,542)                  6,404   
 inventory                                                                                               
   (Increase)/decrease in trade                (12,600)                (11,941)                  4,155   
 receivables                                                                                             
   (Increase)/decrease in other                (16,207)                (11,079)                 (2,102)  
 receivables                                                                                             
   (Increase)/decrease in                        2,591                  (6,846)                 19,273)  
 deposits and prepayments                                                                                
   (Increase)/decrease in                        2,800                       -                       -   
 amounts due from a related                                                                              
 party                                                                                                   
   Increase/(decrease) in                         (104)                  1,787                   1,755   
 prepaid taxes                                                                                           
   Increase/(decrease) in trade                 (1,543)                  5,180                  (5,134)  
 payables                                                                                                
   Increase/(decrease) in notes                 (8,723)                  2,773                  (4,620)  
 payables                                                                                                
   Increase/(decrease) in                           548                  7,668                   2,048   
 accruals and other payables                                                                             
   Increase/(decrease) in                          (60)                     30                  (1,299)  
 provisions                                                                                              
   Increase/(decrease) in other                  1,049                  (2,419)                   (474)  
 tax liabilities                                                                                         
 Cash generated from/(used in)                 (34,930)                (39,576)                (34,314)  
 operations                                                                                              
                                                                                                         
 Interest paid                                       -                       -                     (23)  
 Income tax paid                                     -                     474                    (470)  
 Net cash generated from/(used                 (34,930)                (39,102)                (34,807)  
 in) operating activities                                                                                
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         

    EBT MOBILE CHINA PLC
    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

                                    Six months ended 30     Six months ended 30      Year ended 31 Dec 2007  
                                               Jun 2008                Jun 2007                              
                                                RMB'000                 RMB'000                     RMB'000  
 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING                                                                                   
 ACTIVITIES                                                                                                  
 Interest received                               3,347                   3,778                       7,454   
 Proceeds on disposal of                            44                      79                          84   
 property, plant and equipment                                                                               
 Purchase of property, plant                      (790)                 (1,062)                     (2,241)  
 and equipment                                                                                               
 Purchase of intangible assets                      (7)                      -                           -   
 Business combination                                -                    (685)                       (900)  
 Acquisition of a joint venture                      -                  (2,500)                     (2,500)  
 Proceeds on disposal of                             -                      -   *                    2,000   
 investment in a joint venture                                                                               
 Net cash generated from/(used                   2,594                    (390)                      3,897   
 in) investing activities                                                                                    
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING                                                                                   
 ACTIVITIES                                                                                                  
 New bank loans raised                               -                       -                       9,000   
 Repayments of borrowings                            -                       -                      (9,000)  
 Proceeds on issue of shares                         -                 113,650                     115,652   
 Net cash from financing                             -                 113,650                     115,652   
 activities                                                                                                  
                                                                                                             
 NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH                 (32,336)                 74,158                      84,742   
 EQUIVALENTS                                                                                                 
                                                                                                             
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT                  132,415                  52,959                      52,959   
 BEGINNING OF YEAR                                                                                           
 Effect of foreign exchange                     (7,440)                   (660)                     (5,286)  
 rate change                                                                                                 
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT                   92,639                 126,457                     132,415   
 END OF YEAR                                                                                                 
                                                                                                             




    EBT MOBILE CHINA PLC
    NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM ACCOUNTS
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

    The main accounting policies that were adopted by EBT were as follows.

    Basis of Accounting
    The financial information set out in the Preliminary Announcement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section
240 of the Companies Act 1985, but is derived from those accounts. While the financial information in this Preliminary Announcement has been
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted for use in the European Union and therefore complies
with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS.  Statutory
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 

    Business Combinations
    The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the Purchase Method. Where an entity whose shares have been acquired (the legal
subsidiary) is deemed to be the acquirer and the entity issuing shares (the legal parent) is deemed to be the acquiree, the transaction is
termed a reverse acquisition under the requirements of IFRS3 Business Combinations.

    Presentation Currency
    The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which it
operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each
Group company are expressed in Renminbi (RMB), which is the presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements.

    Revenue Recognition
    Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and
services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and other sales-related tax. Sales of mobile phone handsets and phone
cards are recognised when goods are delivered and title has passed. Where the Group recognises revenue through the sale of goods out of
retail stores within department stores and hypermarkets, the revenue is recognised at the gross value billed to the customer rather than the
net value retained after costs incurred with the department stores and hypermarkets. Where the Group recognises revenue through the sale of
goods out of stores within the China Mobile service halls, the revenue is recognised at the gross value billed to China Mobile rather than
the net value retained after costs incurred with China Mobile.

    Share-Based Payments
    The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based Payments. In accordance with the transitional provisions, IFRS 2 has been
applied to all grants of equity instruments after 7 November 2002 that were unvested at 1 January 2005. The Group issues equity-settled
payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non market-based
vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of shares that will eventually vest and adjusted for the
effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
  END 
 
IR QQLFLVVBEBBQ

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