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FDL Findel Plc

233.00
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Last Updated: 01:00:00
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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Findel Plc LSE:FDL London Ordinary Share GB00B8B4R053 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 233.00 230.00 233.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Findel PLC Half-year Report (7845X)

29/11/2017 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Findel (LSE:FDL)
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TIDMFDL

RNS Number : 7845X

Findel PLC

29 November 2017

29 November 2017

Findel plc ("Findel" or "the Group")

Interim Results for the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2017

Strong first half, driven by successful customer recruitment programme

Progress with digital transformation

Findel, the online value retail and education business, today announces its Interim Results for the 26 week period ended 29 September 2017.

Financial Summary

 
                                   26 weeks       27 weeks        Change 
                             ended 29.09.17    ended 30.09.16 
------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 Revenue                          GBP226.0m          GBP213.0m       +6.1% 
------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 Adjusted profit before            GBP11.9m            GBP1.9m   +GBP10.1m 
  tax* 
------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 Profit / (loss) before             GBP8.1m          (GBP0.6m)    +GBP8.7m 
  tax 
------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 Core net debt*                    GBP90.0m           GBP94.5m    -GBP4.4m 
------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ---------- 
 

* this is an Alternative Performance Measure for which a reconciliation to the equivalent GAAP measure can be found below

Highlights

-- Strong sales performance in the first-half with Group like-for-like* revenue up 8.4% on prior year (reported revenue up 6.1%), driven by successful customer recruitment programme at Express Gifts

-- Adjusted profit before tax* for H1 up by GBP10.1m to GBP11.9m, assisted in part by intra-year timing differences.

   --      Guidance for the full year remains unchanged 

-- Our largest business, Express Gifts, continues to show strong growth in customers and revenue

o Additional H1 marketing activity to support the Studio.co.uk brand, together with improved retention rates, produced customer growth of 230k from September 2016. Active base now at 1.7m.

o Like-for-like* product revenue growth of 15.8% in H1, assisted by timing differences on marketing activity. This % increase is higher than we expect to see in H2.

o Particularly strong performances from clothing sales in H1, with a 23.9% increase in sales vs. H1 of prior year.

o Online ordering increase from 54.7% to 66.4% in 12 months to September 2017.

o Like-for-like* financial services revenue up 12.6% in H1.

o New financial services account platform installed at the start of October.

o Financial services income and bad debt levels performing to plan. The new bad debt provisioning model introduced in March 2017 produces favourable variances in H1 that will reverse in H2, particularly relating to the timing and quantum of sales of overdue customer receivables.

   --      The operational turnaround of Findel Education is proceeding in line with our plans 

o H1 revenue on like-for-like* basis down 6.9% (reported revenue down 7.8%).

o New customer websites, lower prices and online price comparison tools rolled out in Q2.

o Online ordering has increased significantly in the last few months from c.10% in March 2017 to over 25% in November 2017.

o Operational cost savings from warehouse consolidation of c.GBP1.5m achieved in H1, with further cost saving initiatives in progress to benefit FY19.

-- Core net debt* of GBP90.0m at half year reduced by GBP4.4m, primarily due to timing differences on sales of overdue customer receivables

o Customer refund programme at Express Gifts proceeding to plan with total cash outflow of GBP8.4m in H1.

o Express Gifts securitisation facility recently increased to GBP170m, up from GBP155m, to accommodate future sales and receivables growth.

Outlook

The strong performance from Express Gifts in the first half, with continued growth in customer numbers and sales, provides the basis for sustainable medium-term profit growth. This is alongside the turnaround of Findel Education.

At a time where retail markets are seeing more caution from consumers, the Studio.co.uk proposition appears to be attractive and relevant to value-conscious customers. Our successful customer recruitment programme leaves us on course to achieve 2 million active customers at Express Gifts over the next 2 to 3 years.

We remain on track to meet full year expectations, and our earnings and net debt guidance remains unchanged.

Phil Maudsley, Group CEO, commented:

"We set out a clear set of objectives at the time of our full-year results in June and I'm delighted to report a period of strong delivery against those plans.

Express Gifts continues to perform strongly via its strengthened Studio.co.uk brand. Market awareness of our exceptional value offer continues to grow, and our online value retail proposition is proving particularly attractive at a time of tighter household budgets in the UK. In particular, customers are responding well to improvements in the quality and price points across our clothing offer encouraging customers to shop more frequently.

We are encouraged by the initial response to our operational plan for Education in recent weeks.

The majority of the Group's revenue is generated in the second half, and our peak trading period, including Black Friday, is performing well against strong comparators. We are on track to deliver against our plan for profitable growth."

Enquiries

   Findel plc                                                          0161 303 3465 

Phil Maudsley, Group CEO

Stuart Caldwell, Group CFO

   Tulchan Communications                                 020 7353 4200 

Susanna Voyle

Will Smith

Notes to Editors

The Findel group contains market leading businesses in the UK home shopping and education supplies markets. It is primarily a retailer and distributor, handling and supplying specialist products manufactured by third parties.

The Group's activities are focused in two main operating segments:

-- Express Gifts - one of the largest direct mail order businesses in the UK, primarily trading via the Studio.co.uk brand; and

-- Findel Education - the second largest listed independent supplier of resources and equipment (excluding information technology and publishing) to schools in the UK.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

Summary

This has been a strong first half performance from the Group, with a number of key project milestones being achieved alongside continued double-digit customer and sales growth from Express Gifts and its Studio.co.uk brand.

The growth in profit seen in H1 is largely driven by a number of intra-year timing differences, notably in respect of the new bad debt provisioning model whereby the phasing of the bad debt charge now follows the seasonality of the business' trading and is therefore higher in H2, and the re-phasing of marketing activity between H1 and H2. The guidance for the full year outturn for earnings and net debt remains unchanged, confirming our expectations for strong profit growth for the full year, which in turn provides a strong platform for the medium term prospects for the Group.

Express Gifts

Express Gifts is our core online value retail business, primarily trading under the Studio.co.uk brand. The business saw its customer base increase by 119k in the first half of the year and now has 1.7m customers who shop from our broad range of home and leisure items, clothing, toys and gifts via catalogue and online, together with a leading personalisation offer.

Increased use of TV and social media advertising in the first half of the year, highlighting particularly good-value products, has continued to be an effective way of recruiting new customers. The business has also made good progress in retaining established customers and increasing ordering frequency, particularly within clothing ranges.

The 15.8% growth in like-for-like* product sales (13.5% on a reported basis) seen in H1 was in part the result of a conscious decision to move some marketing activity forward from October into September. Hence, we have planned for growth in H2 to moderate slightly and be in the range of 10-12% for the full year as a whole.

Product margins in H1 were 33.4%, up by 100bps from the prior year, with the impact of weaker exchange rates on import costs being mitigated by supply chain improvements. In particular, we have been more selective on the level of discounting required for our showcase promotional items to be successful, increasing the margin rate on those products to 17.4% in H1 compared to 2.4% in H1 of the prior year when some items were priced as loss leaders, choosing instead to invest in increased marketing activity. Our hedging strategy continues to cover 100% of planned direct foreign purchases for the next 12 months on a rolling basis. The gradual recovery in Sterling seen in recent months will therefore benefit FY19's purchases.

A key part of our offer is the flexible credit option, allowing customers to pay for their goods over an extended period. Financial services revenues of GBP51.2m were earned in H1, up by 12.6% on the prior year on a like-for-like* basis (8.1% on a reported basis), with the total number of customers with a credit account who revolved a balance in the H1 increasing by 8.8% vs. the prior year.

We adopted a new bad debt provisioning model with our full-year results, which uses more granular predictions of potential default and loss for different categories of customer. Whilst the new model does not change the way in which we manage a customer's account or the cash we generate from the customer, it does lead to intra-year timing differences on the accounting recognition of bad debt charges. The seasonality in the business means that the majority of product revenue and financial services income is earned in H2, with receivables balances peaking in December as a result of the Christmas peak season. This seasonality therefore requires a lower bad debt provision and charge at the end of September compared to the previous model, although this will reverse by the full-year end. Our collections process continues to sell non-performing receivables to third-parties at certain points in the year. This year we have skewed more of this activity into H1, which benefits free cashflow in H1 and, due to the increased bad debt provision under the new model, increased the gains recorded upon sales completed in H1 by approximately GBP2.5m. Refinements to the bad debt model will reduce the level of gains recognised in the future.

The new financial services customer account platform, Financier, was implemented at the start of October 2017. This will provide the business with the capability to manage customer accounts on a more granular basis going forward, and will also enable the launch of new financial services products in future.

Marketing costs of GBP23.4m in H1 were up by GBP3.5m on the prior year, in part due to a re-phasing of activities during the year to ease the implementation of Financier in October. Distribution costs increased by 7% to GBP17.5m, whilst administration costs were held flat at GBP26.0m.

Overall, the business produced an adjusted operating profit* for H1 of GBP16.1m, up GBP11.0m on the prior year.

Findel Education

Our Education business remains one of the leading suppliers of resources/equipment to schools in the UK and overseas. It is currently undergoing an operational turnaround of its marketing positioning, its buying strategy and its cost base after several years of underperformance and loss of market share.

Its performance in the first half of the year was broadly in line with our expectations. Revenue fell by 6.9% on a like-for-like* basis (7.8% on a reported basis), although the adjusted operating profit* increased by GBP1.7m to GBP3.4m primarily as a result of cost savings made from the warehouse consolidation completed in December 2016.

The key features of the turnaround strategy under the strapline "savings schools time and money" are:

- Digital: increasing the level of online ordering to ease schools' administration and aid customer loyalty. New websites were rolled out over the summer, along with new price comparison tools that encourage customers to move more of their spend to us. Online ordering has increased significantly in the last few months from c.10% in March 2017 to over 25% in November 2017.

- Value: reducing prices to improve our competitiveness. We reduced the prices on around 800 line items during September by up to 30%.

- Product: increasing the proportion of goods sourced directly from the Far East and reinvesting cost-savings from that improved procurement into value.

- Profitability: simplifying the business and reducing costs to target a 10% operating profit to sales return. Good progress has been made in this area, with the warehouse consolidation savings being secured and further initiatives worth GBP3-4m on an annualised basis have been identified. Around GBP1m of those initiatives will be realised in the current year, with the remainder benefiting FY19.

We remain confident that this strategy will improve the prospects for the business over the next 2-3 years.

Central costs

Central costs of GBP3.2m were recorded in H1 vs. GBP0.3m in prior year. This increase primarily relates to unrealised foreign exchange movements on intra-group balances. We expect central costs for the full year will be in the region of GBP3m.

Current trading

After a strong H1, underlying trading levels during October were noticeably weaker in line with reported wider market trends. However, November has seen a good recovery. We are currently approaching the end of the peak trading period for Express Gifts and, despite seeing record trading levels at this time last year, we are continuing to see strong product revenue growth. Product sales for the 34 weeks to 24 November 2017 at Express Gifts were up by just under 12% vs. prior year, with sales from the Black Friday campaign showing new record levels. Online ordering levels through the campaign approached 75%. Product margins continue to hold up well, along with new customer credit account opening.

Our Education business is starting to see encouraging signs of increased online ordering, along with improved active trader trends.

We will provide a further update on Christmas trading at the end of January.

Outlook

The strong performance from Express Gifts in the first half, with continued growth in customer numbers and sales, provides the basis for sustainable medium-term profit growth. Good progress has been made during the first half of the year in increasing the resilience of the business's earnings through improvements in the financial services systems and models, as well as tackling legacy matters.

At a time where retail markets are seeing more caution from consumers, the Studio.co.uk proposition appears to be attractive and relevant to a value-conscious customer. We anticipate being able to grow the customer base to at least 2m over the next 2-3 years, and to gradually improve the average spend per customer as newer customers become more established.

Our Education business will take time to fully recover, but we are encouraged by the early signs of response to the series of actions we have taken in the first half of the year.

Overall, the Group remains on track to deliver a full year performance in line with market expectations.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Restatement of operating segments

Following a review of the operating segments at the start of the financial year, we made the decision to change the presentation of the internal information presented to the Board and thus our external segmental reporting to more accurately reflect how segmental performance and the allocation of resources to the segments is managed. As a result of this review it was concluded that since the Group's overseas sourcing operation is now almost exclusively focused on procurement on behalf of other group companies (particularly Express Gifts), it no longer warrants separate presentation. Consequently, the Group's operations are now organised into a central cost centre and two operating segments as follows:

   -     Express Gifts 
   -     Education 

The operating performance of each segment is now assessed by reference to revenue and gross margin by revenue stream, and operating profit after distribution, marketing and administration costs.

In addition, during the current period the impairment charge in respect of Express Gifts' trade receivables has been disclosed within cost of sales rather than within trading costs as it was disclosed in prior periods as we believe this presentation more accurately presents the performance of the business. We have also disclosed gains arising on the purchase of foreign currencies by the Group's treasury function in cost of sales rather in trading costs as in prior periods. Comparative figures have been restated accordingly.

Further details of the restatement of operating segments is available on the investor section of our website at www.findel.co.uk/investors.

Summary income statement

 
                             26 weeks         27 weeks    Change 
                        ended 29.9.17    ended 30.9.16 
                               GBP000           GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------- 
 Express Gifts                 16,135            5,118    11,017 
 Findel Education               3,369            1,661     1,708 
 Central costs                (3,167)            (321)   (2,846) 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit*                      16,337            6,458     9,879 
--------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------- 
 
 Finance costs                (4,404)          (4,588)       184 
 
 Adjusted profit 
  before tax*                  11,933            1,870    10,063 
--------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------- 
 

* before individually significant items and revaluation of derivative contracts

Borrowings and finance costs

The seasonality in the Group's businesses mean that core net debt is at its peak around the half-year point. Core net debt stood at GBP90.0m at the end of September 2017, down by GBP4.4m from September 2016. The Group has made good progress in the first half of the year with its legacy customer refund programme, which has produced an outflow of around GBP8.4m as anticipated.

The balance on the securitisation facility stood at GBP146.6m at the end of September 2017, up by GBP16.3m vs. September 2016 showing the strong growth in Express Gifts' receivables. The facility was recently increased by a further GBP15m to GBP170m to support future growth.

Finance costs totalling GBP4.4m (2016: GBP4.6m) were incurred in the first half of the year, with lower LIBOR rates more than offsetting higher total borrowings.

Foreign exchange contracts

The Group's policy on hedging its foreign exchange risks is to cover its planned exposures over the next 12 months on a rolling basis by use of forward contracts. At the end of September 2017 the Group was committed to contracts worth $87.5m, contracted at US dollar exchange rates between GBP1/$1.35 and GBP1/$1.23, with maturity dates covering the period to September 2018. The fair value of these contracts at the period end was a net liability of GBP3.3m. Fair value movements in the first half have resulted in a charge of GBP3.8m, which has been recorded in the consolidated income statement.

Taxation

The Group recognised a tax charge of GBP1.6m in the first half (September 2016: GBP0.7m excluding the impact of individually significant items), based on an estimated effective tax rate for the full year of 20.2% (March 2017: 21.1% excluding the impact of individually significant items). This reflects a reduction in the prevailing corporation tax rate from 20% to 19%.

Balance sheet

Net assets at the end of September 2017 stood at GBP23.7m, up by GBP7.0m from the year end. The Group's legacy defined benefit pension scheme liability measured under IAS 19 was valued at GBP4.3m, little changed from the year end.

Alternative Performance Measures

The directors use several Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs") that are considered to provide useful information about the performance and underlying trends facing the Group. As these APMs are not defined by IFRS, they may not be comparable with APMs shown in other companies' accounts. They are not intended to be a replacement for, or be superior to, IFRS measures.

The principal APMs used in these Interim Results are set out below.

Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating profit and adjusted profit before tax

Individually significant items are non-recurrent and therefore not reflective of the underlying performance of the Group. We therefore exclude them when assessing segment performance. The Group's foreign exchange hedging policy means that there will be unrealised fair value gains or losses at the period end relating to contracts intended for future periods. Those fair value movements are therefore excluded from the underlying performance of the Group until realised.

The reconciliation of these APMs to profit/(loss) before tax is as follows:

 
                                  26 weeks   27 weeks   53 weeks 
                                     ended      ended      ended 
                                   29.9.17    30.9.16    31.3.17 
                                    GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                    21,133     11,445     40,594 
 Individually significant 
  items                                  -    (3,822)   (82,152) 
 Depreciation and amortisation     (4,796)    (4,987)    (9,444) 
 Fair value movements 
  on derivatives                   (3,817)      1,390        556 
 Finance costs                     (4,404)    (4,588)    (8,921) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  tax                                8,116      (562)   (59,367) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
                              26 weeks   27 weeks   53 weeks 
                                 ended      ended      ended 
                               29.9.17    30.9.16    31.3.17 
                                GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted operating profit      16,337      6,458     31,150 
 Individually significant 
  items                              -    (3,822)   (82,152) 
 Fair value movements 
  on derivatives               (3,817)      1,390        556 
 Finance costs                 (4,404)    (4,588)    (8,921) 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  tax                            8,116      (562)   (59,367) 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
                             26 weeks   27 weeks         53 weeks 
                                ended      ended            ended 
                              29.9.17    30.9.16          31.3.17 
                               GBP000     GBP000           GBP000 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------- 
 Adjusted profit before 
  tax                          11,933      1,870           22,229 
 Individually significant 
  items                             -    (3,822)         (82,152) 
 Fair value movements 
  on derivatives              (3,817)      1,390              556 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------- 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  tax                           8,116      (562)         (59,367) 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------- 
 

Like-for-like revenue

The Group's businesses operate to a weekly reporting cycle, rather than a calendar month cycle and so the Group normally reports on a 52-week period. For the year ended 31 March 2017, the Group reported on a 53-week period to ensure the year end date remained consistent with its accounting reference date in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Consequently the first half of the year ended 31 March 2017 was a 27-week period compared to a 26-week period for the current year.

A like-for-like comparison of revenue in a 26-week period has been selected as being the 26 weeks ended on 29 September 2017 against the 26 weeks ended on 30 September 2016, as follows:

 
                      26 weeks   27 weeks   26 weeks   Like-for-like   Like-for-like 
                            to         to         to          change          change 
                       29.9.17    30.9.16    30.9.16 
                        GBP000     GBP000     GBP000          GBP000               % 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------- 
 Product revenue       125,285    110,363    108,168          17,117          +15.8% 
 Financial 
  services revenue      51,229     47,384     45,483           5,746          +12.6% 
 Sourcing revenue          108      1,754      1,754         (1,646)          -93.8% 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------- 
 Express Gifts         176,622    159,501    155,405          21,217          +13.7% 
 Findel Education       49,387     53,548     53,049         (3,662)           -6.9% 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------- 
 Group revenue         226,009    213,049    208,454          17,555           +8.4% 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Express Gifts Product Gross Margin %

This is used a measure of the gross profit made by Express Gifts on the sale of goods only. Details of how this is derived can be found in note 3.

Core net debt

The Group's revolving bank facility contains covenants that monitor the borrowings under that facility net of cash held by the Group. This is therefore our preferred measure of indebtedness.

It is calculated as follows:

 
                                      29.9.17     30.9.16     31.3.17 
                                       GBP000      GBP000      GBP000 
 Total bank loans                     256,622     243,908     252,534 
 Less securitisation borrowings*    (146,622)   (130,342)   (142,534) 
 Less cash and cash equivalents      (19,959)    (19,082)    (29,173) 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Core net debt                         90,041      94,484      80,827 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

*Disclosed within bank loans

Net debt

This measure simply takes account of total borrowings less cash held by the Group and represents our total indebtedness.

It is calculated as follows:

 
                                    29.9.17    30.9.16    31.3.17 
                                     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total bank loans                   256,622    243,908    252,534 
 Less cash and cash equivalents    (19,959)   (19,082)   (29,173) 
--------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Net debt                           236,663    224,826    223,361 
--------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Debt funding consumer receivables

The majority of the credit receivables of Express Gifts are eligible to be funded in part from the securitisation facility, with the remainder being funded from bank loans and cash equivalents. This measure simply indicates the value of those eligible receivables.

It is calculated as follows:

 
                         29.9.17   30.9.16   31.3.17 
                          GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 Securitisation loans 
  (71%)                  146,622   130,342   142,534 
 Cash and bank (29%)      59,888    53,238    58,218 
----------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 Eligible receivables 
  (100%)                 206,510   183,580   200,752 
----------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Free cashflow

Free cash flow is reconciled to cash generated by operations as follows:

 
                                  26 weeks   27 weeks   53 weeks 
                                     ended      ended      ended 
                                   29.9.17    30.9.16    31.3.17 
                                    GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Free cashflow                     (5,301)    (6,743)     13,268 
 Securitisation loans 
  drawn                            (4,088)    (1,431)   (13,623) 
 Purchases of property 
  plant and equipment and 
  software                           6,713      5,927     11,723 
 Tax and other                     (1,603)      (327)      (214) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Net cash (used in)/ generated 
  from operating activities        (4,279)    (2,574)     11,154 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Findel plc

Group Financial Information

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

26 week period ended 29 September 2017

 
 
                                                 Before 
                                           individually  Individually 
                                            significant   significant 
                                                  items         items      Total 
                                                 GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Continuing operations 
Revenue                                         226,009             -    226,009 
Cost of sales                                 (124,854)             -  (124,854) 
Gross profit                                    101,155             -    101,155 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Trading costs                                  (84,818)             -   (84,818) 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Analysis of operating profit: 
- EBITDA*                                        21,133             -     21,133 
- Depreciation and amortisation                 (4,796)             -    (4,796) 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Operating profit                                 16,337             -     16,337 
Finance costs                                   (4,404)             -    (4,404) 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Profit before tax and fair value 
 movements on derivative financial 
 instruments                                     11,933             -     11,933 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Fair value movements on derivative 
 financial instruments                          (3,817)             -    (3,817) 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Profit before tax                                 8,116             -      8,116 
Tax expense                                     (1,641)             -    (1,641) 
Profit for the period                             6,475             -      6,475 
------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
 
Earnings per ordinary 
 share 
Basic                                                                      7.50p 
Diluted                                                                    7.50p 
 
 

*Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation and fair value movements on derivative financial instruments.

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

27 week period ended 30 September 2016 (restated - refer to note 2)

 
 
                                                   Before 
                                             individually  Individually 
                                              significant   significant 
                                                    items         items      Total 
                                                   GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Continuing operations 
Revenue                                           213,049             -    213,049 
Cost of sales                                   (127,033)             -  (127,033) 
Gross profit                                       86,016             -     86,016 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Trading costs                                    (79,558)       (3,822)   (83,380) 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Analysis of operating profit/(loss): 
- EBITDA*                                          11,445       (3,822)      7,623 
- Depreciation and amortisation                   (4,987)             -    (4,987) 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Operating profit/(loss)                             6,458       (3,822)      2,636 
Finance costs                                     (4,588)             -    (4,588) 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Profit/(loss) before tax and 
 fair value movements on derivative 
 financial instruments                              1,870       (3,822)    (1,952) 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Fair value movements on derivative 
 financial instruments                              1,390             -      1,390 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
Profit/(loss) before tax                            3,260       (3,822)      (562) 
Tax (expense)/income                                (686)           806        120 
Profit/(loss) for the period                        2,574       (3,016)      (442) 
--------------------------------------      -------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 
Loss per ordinary share 
Basic                                                                      (0.51)p 
Diluted                                                                    (0.51)p 
 
 

*Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation and fair value movements on derivative financial instruments.

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

53 week period ended 31 March 2017 (restated - refer to note 2)

 
                                           Before 
                                     individually  Individually 
                                      significant   significant 
                                            items         items      Total 
                                           GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------   ------------  ------------  --------- 
Continuing operations 
Revenue                                   457,030             -    457,030 
Cost of sales                           (269,385)      (35,215)  (304,600) 
Gross profit                              187,645      (35,215)    152,430 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Trading costs                           (156,495)      (46,937)  (203,432) 
Analysis of operating 
 profit/(loss): 
- EBITDA*                                  40,594      (60,276)   (19,682) 
- Depreciation and amortisation           (9,444)             -    (9,444) 
- Impairment                                    -      (21,876)   (21,876) 
Operating profit/(loss)                    31,150      (82,152)   (51,002) 
Finance costs                             (8,921)             -    (8,921) 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
 and fair value movements 
 on derivative financial 
 instruments                               22,229      (82,152)   (59,923) 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Fair value movements on 
 derivative financial instruments             556             -        556 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Profit/(loss) before tax                   22,785      (82,152)   (59,367) 
Tax (expense)/income                      (4,803)         6,462      1,659 
Profit/(loss) for the 
 period                                    17,982      (75,690)   (57,708) 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 
 
  Loss per ordinary share 
Basic                                                             (66.85)p 
Diluted                                                           (66.85)p 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated income statement.

*Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and fair value movements on derivative financial instruments.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

26 week period ended 29 September 2017

 
                                         26 weeks       27 weeks       53 weeks 
                                     to 29.9.2017   to 30.9.2016   to 31.3.2017 
                                           GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Profit/(loss) for the period                6,475          (442)       (57,708) 
Other Comprehensive Income 
Items that may be reclassified 
 to profit or loss 
Cash flow hedges                               19           (60)           (51) 
Currency translation gain/(loss) 
 arising on consolidation                     239           (73)          (149) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                              258          (133)          (200) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Items that will not subsequently 
 be reclassified to profit 
 and loss 
Remeasurements of defined 
 benefit pension scheme                     (101)       (11,564)        (5,367) 
Tax relating to components 
 of comprehensive income                       17          1,966            912 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                             (84)        (9,598)        (4,455) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Total comprehensive income/(loss) 
 for period                                 6,649       (10,173)       (62,363) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

The total comprehensive loss for the period is attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent company Findel plc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

At 29 September 2017

 
                                 29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                                    GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------   ---------  ---------  --------- 
Non-current assets 
Goodwill                                 -     16,691          - 
Other intangible assets             25,828     29,964     26,186 
Property, plant and 
 equipment                          46,490     42,993     44,416 
Derivative financial 
 instruments                            21          -         32 
Deferred tax assets                  7,892      8,028      8,410 
                                    80,231     97,676     79,044 
 ------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Current assets 
Inventories                         73,564     74,088     57,108 
Trade and other receivables        232,074    241,549    212,648 
Derivative financial 
 instruments                             -      1,390        556 
Cash and cash equivalents           19,959     19,082     29,173 
Current tax assets                       -      1,525      1,748 
                                   325,597    337,634    301,233 
 ------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Total assets                       405,828    435,310    380,277 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables          (85,777)   (81,674)   (63,474) 
Current tax liabilities            (1,006)          -          - 
Derivative financial 
 instruments                       (3,262)          -          - 
Obligations under finance 
 leases                              (558)      (532)      (545) 
Provisions                        (17,775)   (18,791)   (27,770) 
                                 (108,378)  (100,997)   (91,789) 
 ------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Bank loans                       (256,622)  (243,908)  (252,534) 
Obligations under finance 
 leases                              (787)    (1,344)    (1,069) 
Provisions                        (12,036)    (7,482)   (12,767) 
Retirement benefit 
 obligation                        (4,325)   (12,846)    (5,415) 
                                 (273,770)  (265,580)  (271,785) 
 ------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Total liabilities                (382,148)  (366,577)  (363,574) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Net assets                          23,680     68,733     16,703 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Equity 
Share capital                       48,644     48,644     48,644 
Translation reserve                  1,063        900        824 
Hedging reserve                       (32)       (60)       (51) 
(Accumulated losses)/retained 
 earnings                         (25,995)     19,249   (32,714) 
Total equity                        23,680     68,733     16,703 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

26 week period ended 29 September 2017

 
                                              26 weeks       27 weeks       53 weeks 
                                          to 29.9.2017   to 30.9.2016   to 31.3.2017 
                                                GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
--------------------------------------   -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Profit/(loss) for the period                     6,475          (442)       (57,708) 
Adjustments for: 
Income tax                                       1,641          (120)        (1,659) 
Finance costs                                    4,404          4,588          8,921 
Depreciation of property, plant 
 and equipment                                   3,828          4,074          7,485 
Impairment of property, plant 
 and equipment and software and 
 IT development costs                                -              -            698 
Impairment of goodwill                               -              -         17,319 
Impairment of other intangible 
 assets                                              -              -          3,859 
Amortisation of intangible assets                  968            913          1,959 
Share-based payment expense                        328             31            191 
Loss on disposal of property, 
 plant and equipment                               191             23             35 
Fair value movements on financial 
 instruments plus premiums paid                  3,817        (1,480)          (699) 
Pension contributions less income 
 statement charge                              (1,253)        (1,042)        (2,291) 
Operating cash flows before 
 movements in working capital                   20,399          6,545       (21,890) 
Increase in inventories                       (16,456)       (20,616)        (3,636) 
(Increase)/decrease in receivables            (19,426)       (14,019)         14,882 
Increase in payables                            22,023         23,018          4,951 
(Decrease)/increase in provisions             (10,819)          2,498         16,847 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Cash (used in)/ generated from 
 operations                                    (4,279)        (2,574)         11,154 
Income taxes refunded                            1,647            269            148 
Interest paid                                  (3,672)        (4,168)        (9,107) 
Net cash from operating activities             (6,304)        (6,473)          2,195 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Investing activities 
Interest received                                   27              2              3 
Proceeds on disposal of property, 
 plant and equipment                                 -             22             10 
Purchases of property, plant 
 and equipment and software and 
 IT development costs                          (6,713)        (5,927)       (11,723) 
Acquisition of subsidiary, net 
 of cash acquired                                    -              -        (1,150) 
Sale of subsidiary, net of cash 
 held in subsidiary                                  -          2,318          2,318 
Net cash used in investing activities          (6,686)        (3,585)       (10,542) 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Financing activities 
Repayment of amounts owing under 
 finance lease arrangements                      (269)          (299)          (562) 
Bank loans repaid                                    -        (6,434)       (10,000) 
Securitisation loan drawn                        4,088          1,431         13,623 
Net cash from financing activities               3,819        (5,302)          3,061 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Net decrease in cash and cash 
 equivalents                                   (9,171)       (15,360)        (5,286) 
Cash and cash equivalents at 
 the beginning of the period                    29,173         34,405         34,405 
Effect of foreign exchange rate 
 changes                                          (43)             37             54 
Cash and cash equivalents at 
 the end of the period                          19,959         19,082         29,173 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

26 week period ended 29 September 2017

 
 
 
 
                                                             Retained 
                                                            earnings/ 
                          Share  Translation   Hedging   (accumulated    Total 
                        capital      reserve   reserve        losses)   equity 
                         GBP000       GBP000    GBP000         GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  ------- 
At 31 March 2017         48,644          824      (51)       (32,714)   16,703 
Total comprehensive 
 income                       -          239        19          6,391    6,649 
Share-based payments          -            -         -            328      328 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  ------- 
At 29 September 
 2017                    48,644        1,063      (32)       (25,995)   23,680 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  ------- 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                             Retained 
                                                            earnings/ 
                          Share  Translation   Hedging   (accumulated     Total 
                        capital      reserve   reserve        losses)    equity 
                         GBP000       GBP000    GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  -------- 
At 25 March 2016         48,644          973         -         29,258    78,875 
Total comprehensive 
 loss                         -         (73)      (60)       (10,040)  (10,173) 
Share-based payments          -            -         -             31        31 
At 30 September 
 2016                    48,644          900      (60)         19,249    68,733 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  -------- 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                             Retained 
                                                            earnings/ 
                          Share  Translation   Hedging   (accumulated     Total 
                        capital      reserve   reserve        losses)    equity 
                         GBP000       GBP000    GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  -------- 
At 25 March 2016         48,644          973         -         29,258    78,875 
Total comprehensive 
 loss                         -        (149)      (51)       (62,163)  (62,363) 
Share-based payments          -            -         -            191       191 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  -------- 
At 31 March 2017         48,644          824      (51)       (32,714)    16,703 
---------------------  --------  -----------  --------  -------------  -------- 
 

The total equity is attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent company Findel plc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. General Information

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been approved by the board on 28 November 2017.

Statement of compliance

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union ("EU") and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. As required by the latter, the interim financial statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the company's published consolidated financial statements for the 53 weeks ended 31 March 2017. They do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's consolidated financial statements as at and for the 53 weeks ended 31 March 2017.

The financial information for the period ended 31 March 2017 is not the company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts which were prepared under IFRS as adopted by the EU ("adopted IFRS") have been reported on by the company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor draws attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Going concern basis

In determining whether the Group's interim financial statements for the period ended 29 September 2017 can be prepared on a going concern basis, the directors considered all factors likely to affect its future development, performance and its financial position, including cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities and the risks and uncertainties relating to its business activities in the current economic climate. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities and details of those key risks and uncertainties are set out in further detail in the Finance Review on pages 18 to 20 of the Group's annual report and accounts for the 53 week period ended 31 March 2017.

The directors have reviewed the Group's trading and cash flow forecasts as part of their going concern assessment, including considering the potential impact of reasonably possible downside sensitivities which take into account the uncertainties in the current operating environment, including, amongst other matters, demand for the Group's products, its available financing facilities, and regulatory licensing and compliance. Although at certain times the level of facility and/or covenant headroom reduces to a level which requires cash flow initiatives to be introduced to ensure that the funding requirements do not exceed the committed facilities or result in non-compliance with covenants, management are confident that such actions are supportable, and that further controllable mitigating actions are available that could be implemented if required. The Group's current banking facilities mature in November 2019.

Taking into account the above circumstances, the directors have formed a judgement that there is a reasonable expectation, and there are no material uncertainties, that the Group and the Company have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for a period of at least 12 months.

Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group's annual consolidated financial statements

Risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties which could impact the Group's long-term performance remain those detailed on pages 22 to 24 of the Group's annual report and accounts for the 53 week period ended 31 March 2017, a copy of which is available on the Group's website, www.findel.co.uk. No new risks have been identified.

The risks detailed in the annual report and accounts remain valid as regards their potential to impact the Group during the second half of the current financial year.

Seasonality

The nature of the businesses within the Findel Group mean that profits have shown, and will continue to show, a significant seasonal bias with the majority of profit being earned in the second half.

2. Accounting Policies

As required by the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared applying the same accounting policies and computation methods that were applied in the preparation of the Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Segmental reporting

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of the internal financial information reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) who is primarily responsible for the allocation of resources to segments and the assessment of performance of the segments. The CODM is the Board of Findel plc.

Following a review of the operating segments at the start of the financial year, management made the decision to change the presentation of the internal information presented to the CODM to more accurately reflect how segmental performance and the allocation of resources to the segments is managed. Consequently the Group's operations are now organised into a central cost centre and two operating segments as follows:

   -       Express Gifts 
   -       Education 

The CODM now assess the operating performance of each segment by reference to revenue and gross margin by revenue stream, and operating profit after distribution, marketing and administration costs.

Changes in classification of costs

During the current period management has disclosed the impairment charge in respect of Express Gifts' trade receivables of GBP9,978,000 within cost of sales, rather than within trading costs as it was disclosed in prior periods. Management believe that this presentation more accurately presents the performance of the business. The comparative figures have been restated on an equivalent basis to allow for a meaningful comparison. Consequently, for the 27 week period ended 30 September 2016 an impairment charge of GBP15,963,000 has been reclassified from trading costs to cost of sales and for the 53 week period 31 March 2017 an impairment charge of GBP63,179,000 (of which GBP35,215,000 was presented as an individually significant item) has been reclassified from trading costs to cost of sales. The net impact on reported profit is GBPnil.

In addition, in the current period management has disclosed gains arising on the purchase of foreign currencies by its treasury function of GBP1,982,000 within cost of sales, rather than within trading costs as it was disclosed in prior periods. Management believe that this presentation more accurately presents the performance of the business. The comparative figures have been restated on an equivalent basis to allow for a meaningful comparison. Consequently, for the 27 week period ended 30 September 2016 foreign exchange losses of GBP1,987,000 have been reclassified from trading costs to cost of sales and for the 53 week period 31 March 2017 foreign exchange losses of GBP5,730,000 have been reclassified from trading costs to cost of sales. The net impact of this reclassification on reported profit is GBPnil.

Estimates

The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In preparing the interim financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Provisions for Financial Services redress and refunds

At 29 September 2017 a provision of GBP17.1m (31 March 2017: GBP25.5m, 30 September 2016: GBP18.4m) was recorded in the balance sheet in respect of redress and refunds payable for flawed financial services products. The provision amount represents an estimate of premiums, interest and fees to be refunded to customers, based on a review of affected customer accounts using an account level calculator developed for the exercise, based on our interpretation of the guidance notes issued by the Financial Conduct Authority. The affected population falls into two broad categories; those who have a live relationship with the business and those that do not. The former group have largely been auto refunded however the remaining population, some of whom may not have traded with the business for a significant period, will be contacted in the coming months. In calculating the provision amount, an assumed response rate from this customer contact exercise has been assumed. An increase of 5% in this assumed response rate would increase the provision required by c. GBP0.9m. Assumptions have also been made over the effective interest rate applied to amounts to be refunded. A 0.7% increase in the effective interest rate assumed would increase the provision required by c. GBP0.1m. The guidance issued by the regulator is subject to interpretation and revision from time to time. A different interpretation or revised guidance could materially impact the amount provided.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any of the future periods affected.

3. Segmental analysis

26 weeks to 29 September 2017

 
                                         Continuing operations 
                               Express   Education     Central       Total 
                                 Gifts 
                                GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Product revenue               125,285      49,387           -     174,672 
 Financial services 
  revenue                       51,229           -           -      51,229 
 Sourcing revenue                  108           -           -         108 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Reportable segment 
  revenue                      176,622      49,387           -     226,009 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Product cost of sales        (83,444)    (31,269)           -   (114,713) 
 Financial services 
  cost of sales                (9,978)           -           -     (9,978) 
 Sourcing costs of 
  sales                          (138)        (25)           -       (163) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total cost of sales          (93,560)    (31,294)           -   (124,854) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Product gross margin            33.4%       36.7%                   34.3% 
 Gross profit                   83,062      18,093           -     101,155 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Marketing costs              (23,445)     (2,001)           -    (25,446) 
 Distribution costs           (17,493)     (5,170)           -    (22,663) 
 Administrative costs         (25,989)     (7,553)     (3,167)    (36,709) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) 
  before individually 
  significant items             16,135       3,369     (3,167)      16,337 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Individually significant                        -           - 
  items                              -                                   - 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Operating profit/(loss)        16,135       3,369     (3,167)      16,337 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Finance costs                                                     (4,404) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Profit before tax 
  and fair value movements 
  on derivative financial 
  instruments                                                       11,933 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Fair value movements 
  on derivative financial 
  instruments                                                      (3,817) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Profit before tax                                                   8,116 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

27 weeks to 30 September 2016*

 
                                        Continuing operations 
                               Express   Education   Central       Total 
                                 Gifts 
                                GBP000      GBP000    GBP000      GBP000 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Product revenue               110,363      53,548         -     163,911 
 Financial services 
  revenue                       47,384           -         -      47,384 
 Sourcing revenue                1,754           -         -       1,754 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Reportable segment 
  revenue                      159,501      53,548         -     213,049 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 
 Product cost of 
  sales                       (74,619)    (34,835)         -   (109,454) 
 Financial services 
  cost of sales               (15,963)           -         -    (15,963) 
 Sourcing costs of 
  sales                        (1,563)        (53)         -     (1,616) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Total cost of sales          (92,145)    (34,888)         -   (127,033) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 
 Product gross margin            32.4%       34.9%                 33.2% 
 Gross profit                   67,356      18,660         -      86,016 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Marketing costs              (19,930)     (3,090)         -    (23,020) 
 Distribution costs           (16,337)     (5,876)         -    (22,213) 
 Administrative costs         (25,971)     (8,033)     (321)    (34,325) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) 
  before individually 
  significant items              5,118       1,661     (321)       6,458 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Individually significant 
  items                        (3,167)           -     (655)     (3,822) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Operating profit/(loss)         1,951       1,661     (976)       2,636 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Finance costs                                                   (4,588) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Loss before tax 
  and fair value movements 
  on derivative financial 
  instruments                                                    (1,952) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Fair value movements 
  on derivative financial 
  instruments                                                      1,390 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 Loss before tax                                                   (562) 
---------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 

* Restated - refer to note 2.

53 weeks ended 31 March 2017*

 
                                          Continuing operations 
                                Express   Education     Central        Total 
                                  Gifts 
                                 GBP000      GBP000      GBP000       GBP000 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Product revenue                262,240      91,739           -      353,979 
 Financial services 
  revenue                       101,080           -           -      101,080 
 Sourcing revenue                 1,971           -           -        1,971 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Reportable segment 
  revenue                       365,291      91,739           -      457,030 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 Product cost of 
  sales                       (181,247)    (58,345)           -    (239,592) 
 Financial services 
  cost of sales                (27,963)           -           -     (27,963) 
 Sourcing costs of 
  sales                         (1,747)        (83)           -      (1,830) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Total cost of sales          (210,957)    (58,428)           -    (269,385) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 Product gross margin             30.9%       36.4%                    32.3% 
 Gross profit                   154,334      33,311           -      187,645 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Marketing costs               (37,296)     (4,479)           -     (41,775) 
 Distribution costs            (35,959)    (10,798)           -     (46,757) 
 Administrative costs          (50,900)    (15,369)     (1,694)     (67,963) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) 
  before individually 
  significant items              30,179       2,665     (1,694)       31,150 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Individually significant 
  items                        (51,448)       (650)    (30,054)     (82,152) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Operating profit/(loss)       (21,269)       2,015    (31,748)     (51,002) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Finance costs                                                       (8,921) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Loss before tax 
  and fair value movements 
  on derivative financial 
  instruments                                                       (59,923) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Fair value movements 
  on derivative financial 
  instruments                                                            556 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Loss before tax                                                    (59,367) 
---------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 

* Restated - refer to note 2.

4. Taxation

Income tax for the 26 week period ended 29 September 2017 is based on an estimated effective tax rate for the full year of 20.2% (27 week period ended 30 September 2016: 21.3%, 21.1% excluding the impact of individually significant items), giving rise to a tax charge of GBP1,641,000 in the period (27 week period ended 30 September 2016: GBP120,000 credit, GBP686,000 charge excluding the impact of individually significant items).

5. Earnings/(loss) per share

 
Weighted average number 
 of shares 
----------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                          26 weeks       27 weeks       53 weeks 
                                      to 29.9.2017   to 30.9.2016   to 31.3.2017 
                                            No. of         No. of         No. of 
                                            shares         shares         shares 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Ordinary shares in issue                86,442,534     86,442,534     86,442,534 
Effect of own shares held                (114,808)      (114,808)      (114,808) 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
Weighted average number of shares 
 - basic and diluted                    86,327,726     86,327,726     86,327,726 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
 
 
  Earnings/(loss) attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders 
                                                                       ------------- 
                                              26 weeks       27 weeks       53 weeks 
                                          to 29.9.2017   to 30.9.2016   to 31.3.2017 
                                                GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Net profit/(loss) attributable 
 to equity holders for the purposes 
 of basic loss per share                         6,475          (442)       (57,708) 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Individually significant items 
 (net of tax)                                        -          3,016         75,690 
Fair value movements on derivative 
 financial instruments                           3,817        (1,390)          (556) 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Net profit attributable to equity 
 holders for the purpose of adjusted 
 earnings per share                             10,292          1,184         17,426 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
Earnings/(loss) per share 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Earnings/(loss) per share - 
 basic                                           7.50p        (0.51)p       (66.85)p 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Earnings per share - adjusted* 
 basic                                          11.92p          1.37p         20.19p 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Earnings/(loss) per share - 
 diluted                                         7.50p        (0.51)p       (66.85)p 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
Earnings per share - adjusted* 
 diluted                                        11.92p          1.37p         20.19p 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 

* Adjusted to remove the impact of individually significant items and fair value movements on derivative financial instruments.

The earnings/(loss) per share attributable to convertible ordinary shareholders is GBPnil.

6. Derivative financial instruments

At 29 September 2017 the Group has outstanding derivative financial instruments as follows:

Non-current assets

 
                    29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                       GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Interest rate cap          21          -         32 
------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Current (liabilities)/assets

 
                                     29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                                        GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Forward foreign exchange contracts     (3,262)      1,390        556 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Forward foreign exchange contracts

Exchange rate exposures are managed utilising forward foreign exchange contracts. At the balance sheet date, details of the notional value of outstanding US dollar forward foreign exchange contracts that the Group has committed to are as follows:

 
                                      29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                                         GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Notional amount - Sterling contract 
 value                                   68,154     14,452     41,037 
Fair value of asset recognised                -      1,390        556 
Fair value of liability recognised      (3,262)          -          - 
------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Forward contracts outstanding at the period end are contracted at US dollar exchange rates between GBP1/$1.35 and GBP1/$1.23.

Changes in fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts for the 26 week period ended 29 September 2017 amounted to a charge of GBP3,817,000 (27 week period ended 30 September 2016: credit of GBP1,390,000, 53 week period to 31 March 2017: credit of GBP556,000) and have been recorded in the consolidated income statement.

Interest rate cap contract

Under interest rate cap contracts, the Group agrees to cap the LIBOR element of its interest cost at an agreed level calculated on agreed notional principal amounts. Such contracts enable the Group to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates on its variable rate debt.

The following caps were in place at 29 September 2017:

 
                          At 29 September 2017 
                        Notional 
                       borrowing              Fair 
                          amount  Cap rate   value 
Maturity                  GBP000            GBP000 
--------------------  ----------  --------  ------ 
Less than 12 months      100,000    1.060%       - 
1 to 2 years             100,000    1.075%      21 
--------------------  ----------  --------  ------ 
 

The Group has two caps in place. The first was purchased on 4 May 2016 and matures in October 2017. The second cap was purchased on 17 February 2017 and matures in November 2018. Both caps were designated as cash flow hedges from inception in accordance with IAS 39. The movement in the fair value of interest rate caps during the current and prior period was as follows:

 
 
                            29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                               GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
At the beginning of the 
 period                            32          -          - 
Purchase of interest rate 
 caps                               -         90        143 
Movement in fair value 
 charged to the hedging 
 reserve                           19       (60)       (51) 
Movement in fair value 
 of ineffective element 
 charged to finance costs        (30)       (30)       (60) 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
At the end of the period           21          -         32 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Basis for determining fair values

The fair value of both interest rate caps and forward foreign exchange contracts is their market value at the balance sheet date. Market values are based on the duration of the derivative instrument together with the quoted market data including interest rates, foreign exchange rates and market volatility at the balance sheet date.

The financial instruments held by the Group at the balance sheet date are valued under the Level 2 measurement basis of the fair value hierarchy: (i.e. based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices)). There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period.

7. Related parties

During the current and prior periods, the Group made purchases in the ordinary course of business from Brands Inc. Limited and Firetrap Limited, subsidiaries of Sports Direct International plc, which is a significant shareholder in the ultimate parent company, Findel plc. Purchases for the periods and amounts owed at the period end dates were as follows:

Brands Inc. Limited

 
               29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                  GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Purchases             72         49        111 
Amounts owed          94         32          2 
-------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Firetrap Limited

 
               29.9.2017  30.9.2016  31.3.2017 
                  GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Purchases            367        169        732 
Amounts owed          42          -          - 
-------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Transactions between the Findel plc and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of Findel plc, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not discussed in this note. All transactions and outstanding balances between group companies are priced on an arms-length basis and are to be settled in the ordinary course of business.

Responsibility Statement

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

(a) the condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34

Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union;

(b) the interim management report and condensed consolidated financial statements include a fair review of the information required by:

(i) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

(ii) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

By order of the Board

 
 S M Caldwell              P B Maudsley 
 Chief Financial Officer   Chief Executive Officer 
 
 28 November 2017          28 November 2017 
 

This document may contain forward looking statements. In particular, but without limitation, nothing contained in this document should be relied upon or construed as a promise or a forecast, including any projection or management estimate, any statements which contain the words "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "expect", "forecast" and words of a similar meaning, reflect the management of the company's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Given these risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Any forward looking statements speak only as at the date of this document, and except as required by applicable law, Findel plc undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO FINDEL PLC

Conclusion

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the 26 week period ended 29 September 2017 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the condensed consolidated cash flow statement, the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and the related explanatory notes.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the 26 week period ended 29 September 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. We read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

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

The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the DTR of the UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this 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 for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Nicola Quayle

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

1 St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 3AE

28 November 2017

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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