ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for charts Register for streaming realtime charts, analysis tools, and prices.

GAW Games Workshop Group Plc

9,980.00
-20.00 (-0.20%)
Last Updated: 14:22:11
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Games Workshop Group Plc LSE:GAW London Ordinary Share GB0003718474 ORD 5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -20.00 -0.20% 9,980.00 9,980.00 9,990.00 10,030.00 9,790.00 9,870.00 9,632 14:22:11
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Games,toys,chld Veh,ex Dolls 470.8M 134.7M 4.0881 24.46 3.29B

Games Workshop Group PLC Half-year Report (1615M)

10/01/2023 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Games Workshop (LSE:GAW)
Historical Stock Chart


From Apr 2022 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Games Workshop Charts.

TIDMGAW

RNS Number : 1615M

Games Workshop Group PLC

10 January 2023

GAMES WORKSHOP GROUP PLC

10 January 2023

HALF-YEARLY REPORT

Games Workshop Group PLC ('Games Workshop' or the 'Group') announces its half-yearly results for the 26 week period to 27 November 2022.

Highlights:

 
                                               26 weeks to        26 weeks to 
                                          27 November 2022   28 November 2021 
---------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Core revenue                                    GBP212.3m          GBP191.5m 
 Licensing revenue                                GBP14.3m           GBP20.1m 
 Revenue                                         GBP226.6m          GBP211.6m 
 Revenue at constant currency                    GBP211.7m          GBP211.6m 
 Core operating profit                            GBP70.7m           GBP69.7m 
 Licensing operating profit                       GBP12.9m           GBP18.8m 
 Operating profit                                 GBP83.6m           GBP88.5m 
 Operating profit at constant currency            GBP75.7m           GBP88.5m 
 Profit before taxation                           GBP83.6m           GBP88.2m 
 Net increase in cash - pre-dividends             GBP68.1m           GBP41.4m 
  paid 
 
 Earnings per share                                 202.4p             217.2p 
 Dividends per share declared in 
  the period                                          165p               100p 
 Dividends per share paid in the 
  period                                              165p               115p 
 

Kevin Rountree, CEO of Games Workshop, said:

"Games Workshop and the Warhammer hobby are in great shape.

Another rewarding and successful period for the global team with core sales for the six months of over GBP200 million for the first time. We will continue to focus on making the best miniatures in the world, sign new licensing contracts with partners to exploit our IP outside of our core business and support our staff. I'm so proud of their considerable hard work and commitment, thank you all."

 
 For further information, please 
  contact: 
 Games Workshop Group PLC            investorrelations@gwplc.com 
 Kevin Rountree, CEO 
 Rachel Tongue, CFO 
 
 Investor relations website          investor.games-workshop.com 
 General website                          www.games-workshop.com 
 

See the glossary on page 84 of the 2022 annual report for details on the alternative performance measures.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS

26 weeks to 27 November 2022 and 28 November 2021:

Revenue and operating profit at actual rates

 
                            Core           Licensing          Total 
--------------------  ----------------  --------------  ---------------- 
                         2022     2021    2022    2021     2022     2021 
                         GBPm     GBPm    GBPm    GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Trade                  120.9    108.1       -       -    120.9    108.1 
 Retail                  48.7     41.9       -       -     48.7     41.9 
 Online                  42.7     41.5       -       -     42.7     41.5 
 Licensing                  -        -    14.3    20.1     14.3     20.1 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Revenue                212.3    191.5    14.3    20.1    226.6    211.6 
 Cost of sales         (76.0)   (60.2)       -       -   (76.0)   (60.2) 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Gross profit           136.3    131.3    14.3    20.1    150.6    151.4 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Operating expenses    (65.6)   (61.6)   (1.4)   (1.3)   (67.0)   (62.9) 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Operating profit        70.7     69.7    12.9    18.8     83.6     88.5 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 

Revenue and operating profit at constant currency

 
                            Core           Licensing          Total 
--------------------  ----------------  --------------  ---------------- 
                         2022     2021    2022    2021     2022     2021 
                         GBPm     GBPm    GBPm    GBPm     GBPm     GBPm 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Trade                  111.8    108.1       -       -    111.8    108.1 
 Retail                  46.0     41.9       -       -     46.0     41.9 
 Online                  41.3     41.5       -       -     41.3     41.5 
 Licensing                  -        -    12.6    20.1     12.6     20.1 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Revenue                199.1    191.5    12.6    20.1    211.7    211.6 
 Cost of sales         (71.4)   (60.2)       -       -   (71.4)   (60.2) 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Gross profit           127.7    131.3    12.6    20.1    140.3    151.4 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Operating expenses    (63.2)   (61.6)   (1.4)   (1.3)   (64.6)   (62.9) 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 Operating profit        64.5     69.7    11.2    18.8     75.7     88.5 
--------------------  -------  -------  ------  ------  -------  ------- 
 

Foreign exchange rates

Our currency exposures are the euro and US dollar:

 
                                                  euro                       US dollar 
                                      2022          2021           2022            2021 
 Rate used for the balance 
  sheet at the period end             1.16          1.18           1.21            1.33 
 Average rate used for earnings       1.17          1.17           1.18            1.37 
 
 

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

Games Workshop and the Warhammer hobby are in great shape.

Strategy

The half year feels like a good time to remind everyone what Games Workshop is aiming for and achieving:

-- We are committed to the continuous development of our intellectual property ('IP') and making the Warhammer hobby and our business ever better.

-- We are committed to our core strategy (and it has not changed): to make the best fantasy miniatures in the world, to engage and inspire our customers, and to sell our products globally at a profit. We intend to do this forever. Our decisions are focused on long-term success, not short-term gains.

-- We are committed to exploiting our IP outside of our core business, globally through licensing agreements.

We measure our long-term success by seeking a high return on investment. In the short term, we measure our success on our ability to grow sales whilst maintaining our core operating profit margins. The way we go about implementing this strategy is to recruit the best staff we can. We look for those with the appropriate attitude and behaviour a given job requires, and for those who are aligned with our principles and who are quality obsessed.

Update

The global team has delivered another record half year sales performance led by a great recovery in all channels in Australia, Canada and the UK. We have added an additional 119 trade outlets in North America and although our global online sales in constant currency have declined slightly (in line with our forecasts) our core engagement online metrics continue to grow.

We set ourselves a higher sales growth goal, so whilst this is a record number, it isn't where we wanted to be, particularly in the US, which was flat, at constant currency, against a record year last year. We are working as a senior team to improve our joined up plan in the US. Our current level of global sales is relatively new to us, so we are rapidly changing and learning as we go: managing and forecasting new release products for our broad range, at our highest ever volumes, is a reasonable challenge. We are working even harder on range management processes to ensure our whole offer gets its due attention at all times: as a team we need to scale with a little more nous.

Our global projects continue to be delayed - it remains an ongoing challenge to integrate new IT systems when we are still heavily reliant on working with our legacy IT systems. Finishing these projects and upgrading our systems continue to be a key area of focus. We are making some progress but it's costing us more time and money - we will remain cost conscious.

Our operating costs have been managed exceptionally well and are in line with our internal targets but our core gross margin at actual rates is 4.3% down (see below). We continue to face external cost pressures so we are managing the ones in our control appropriately.

We know that ongoing success is built on our investment in our global team, especially in our design studios: they will always design the best miniatures. During the period that has continued. Our core average return on capital employed, averaged over a 12 month period, has remained in our target range at 112% at November 2022 compared to 118% at May 2022.

We are very confident in the Warhammer hobby, and our business model and its resilience.

External factors impacting the delivery of our commercial plan

We are staying positive - so I'll just simply list the impacts of Covid-19, Brexit and the horrendous war in Ukraine (our heartfelt thoughts go out to all) here to note.

Covid-19 - We are still operating with additional safety measures in China and Japan and elsewhere our staff who ask to wear face coverings can. We continue to actively encourage our staff to do the right thing for themselves and their colleagues; having the Covid-19 vaccines is top of the list, and we mandate they follow all local government guidelines. The lost sales from China of c.GBP1 million for the last six months are not as bad as we forecast. Some of our retail countries have only fully opened in the period reported so their performance is not yet a fair like-for-like.

Brexit - Brexit has added extra costs but we now see these as the new cost of doing business, so we are managing what's in our control to improve our margins. To mitigate staff recruitment gaps, especially those with language skills in the UK based European Trade team, in November we opened a new trade sales office in Barcelona. At the period end we had an outstanding GBP12 million of VAT receivable from the French tax authorities. We expect to receive this imminently.

War in Ukraine - half year c.GBP2 million lost in net revenue from trade sales in Russia.

Performance

Sales for the month of December are in line with our expectations.

On a constant currency basis:

-- Core sales growth - sales growth (+4.0%) continues across Retail (+9.8%) and Trade (+3.4%) with a small decline in Online (-0.5%).

-- Core gross margin - down 4.5% to 64.1% in the period with increasing volumes, offset by materials increases (+GBP2.5 million, 1.9% of core sales) and carriage cost increases (+GBP2.8 million, 1.2% of core sales) both due to external pressures. There were increased staff costs of GBP1.0 million, 0.2% of core sales in the design studio (investment in pay grades and increased headcount, +20 new jobs in the period) and the incremental cost of our new facilities (+GBP1.0 million, 0.5% of core sales). Investment in inventory, to ensure we meet customer demand, has also resulted in additional inventory provisioning of GBP1.2 million, 0.4% of core sales. Our average RRP increase during the period was broadly the same as last year.

-- Core cost to sales ratio - at 29.5% (excluding group profit share) (2021: 28.6%) our operating expenses are under control and increased mainly due to increases in staff costs (3% annual pay rise and increases in headcount, +24).

-- Core operating profit - down GBP5.2 million to GBP64.5 million and profit to sales ratio is down 4.0% to 32.4%.

At actual exchange rates:

-- Net cash generated from operating activities - GBP104.7 million (2021: GBP76.5 million). Core operating profit of GBP70.7 million (2021: GBP69.7 million) includes non-cash movements (amortisation and depreciation) of GBP19.6 million (2021: GBP16.4 million). Core working capital has reduced by GBP1.0 million since May 2022 (2021: GBP15.8 million increase) and licensing net cash inflows in the period were GBP13.4 million (2021: GBP6.2 million).

-- Major projects - to date GBP4.5 million spend on projects in the first half, including warehouse and factory investment and investment in the new webstore.

-- Returns to shareholders - we have declared GBP54.2 million in dividends during the period (2021: GBP32.8 million).

-- Foreign exchange differences - the impact on reported operating profits is a gain of GBP6.7 million. We don't actively manage foreign exchange rates and we will continue to report the impact on our results.

Cash generation - we have continued to:

-- Maintain an appropriate balance sheet to ensure we can maintain our current level of profits and can withstand any short-term setbacks.

   --       Provide for the safe ongoing operation of our global business in an ethical way. 
   --       Fund our own growth - reinvest to grow sustainably and deliver our strategy. 

-- Pay regular dividends to our shareholders - we return any 'truly surplus' cash as dividends as and when we have excess cash.

We are not planning any share buybacks or acquisitions.

Key priorities

We have made some good progress with our key priorities. Each of these is designed to ensure we deliver our exciting operational plan and continue to engage and inspire our loyal customers.

Employees

Our performance, as ever, was driven by a great team effort.

With sales in the period growing at a slower rate than costs at constant currency, we have continued to only recruit essential new jobs or where we need to back-fill positions. It's a principle on how we have run the business rather than a concern. We have continued to support lifelong learning and training to develop the skills needed to enable all our staff to be successful.

We have continued to develop orderly succession plans for both the board and senior management. We continue in our commitment to diversity and inclusion at Games Workshop.

We are committed to ensuring that all staff are paid fairly for the job they perform and to rewarding our staff for their considerable contribution. We always manage the business for the long term and aim to get the right mix of annual pay rises and variable cash rewards. From June we paid a standard 3% pay rise, with some staff receiving a pay rise of up to 10% to benchmark their pay to market rates. We share our success with our staff too via the group profit share scheme.

In line with our group profit share scheme, payments in cash to staff are GBP4.5 million (2021: GBP6.9 million). Total dividends declared in the period reported were 165 pence per share, GBP54.2 million (2021: 100 pence per share, GBP32.8 million).

Customer focused

We have continued to be customer focused, increasing the amount of fan content we celebrate on social media and providing focus to the conversation around rules and game balance. Our goal remains to reach, engage and inspire Warhammer fans everywhere and the team has continued to develop the tools and processes needed to make sure we can reach more people and provide them with the content and information they need to get the most from Warhammer.

Social responsibility and sustainability

We have continued to focus on staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion. We are in the process of rolling out a new wellbeing platform across Games Workshop which will provide all staff globally with access to a wide range of support, advice and information. We have continued to review our internal processes and training to ensure that we always remain free from bias and any form of discrimination.

Climate change has enormous implications for society. We acknowledge that fully - sustainability is a necessity at Games Workshop. We continue to develop and expand our 'sustainability action list' which aligns our approach of just doing the right thing with better external reporting. The action list focuses our efforts on where we can make the biggest difference. Immediate focal points include well thought through and deliverable site waste reduction and extending our sustainable packaging initiatives. More details on our progress towards TCFD and a science-based target will be included in our 2023 annual report. It is worth noting that the majority of our carbon footprint is in scope 3, with a particular emphasis on emissions from purchased goods and services (71% of our reported CO2 emissions in 2021/22). We are working with our partners to document how we can reduce these levels, now and as we grow, to mitigate or reduce any impact.

Video game partners

We are always looking to add more quality long-term video game partners to help us reach even more fans of our IP. It's been an exciting period, with launches for 22/23 so far including Immortal Empires mode for Total War: Warhammer III, Chaos Gate, Darktide and Tacticus for mobile. Blood Bowl 3 launches in February 2023.

Review of the period

More Warhammer. More Often - core business

Core revenue

Reported core revenue grew by 10.9% to GBP212.3 million for the period. On a constant currency basis, sales were up by 4% from GBP191.5 million to GBP199.1 million; split by channel this comprised: Trade GBP111.8 million (2021: GBP108.1 million), Retail GBP46.0 million (2021: GBP41.9 million) and Online GBP41.3 million (2021: GBP41.5 million).

Trade

Trade grew by 11.8% at actual rates, 3.4% at constant currency rates, despite the loss of sales to Russia and reduced sales in China. At constant currency, sales in North America were flat compared to last year; although we have the highest number of accounts ever, slow ordering rates amongst our wider retailer base in North America have resulted in a lacklustre performance. We expect an improvement in the second half. The bulk of our sales to independent retailers are made via our telesales teams talking directly to our trade accounts. Our telesales teams strive to deliver excellent service from their locations in Memphis, Nottingham, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. In the period, our net number of trade outlets globally increased by c.80 accounts to 6,300 (not including +1,000 major chain outlets stocking some key recruitment products).

It's worth noting that a large number of independent retailers also sell our products online, meaning our customers have more choice than ever about where to buy Warhammer. It's also worth reminding you that our success with our independents is not completely in our control. The viability of these stores is completely dependent on the store owner and their choices on what to sell. Most are reliant on a mix of product lines to maintain that viability e.g. collectible cards and board games.

To address Brexit related staff vacancies in the trade team that supports our European trade accounts in their local language, we have opened a new sales office in Barcelona. When fully staffed it will have c.45 staff. Our team in North America and our much smaller teams in Australia and Asia are running at normal staffing levels.

Retail

Our stores have performed well during the period. We are benefitting in Australia and Continental Europe from being fully open following Covid-19 restrictions being removed and our store managers being allowed to offer our full retail experience. The recovery of retail in Australia has been great to see (they now have to keep the momentum going) and our recent addition of a new regional retail manager in Canada is helping us as well. The UK is recording record sales levels, including both Warhammer World at our Nottingham HQ and our UK high footfall store on Tottenham Court Road in London. North America retail was flat at constant currency rates, with higher than normal comparatives in the prior period. They delivered like-for-like growth in the last three months. Globally we opened, including relocations, 5 stores (our plan is c.20 new stores for the full year). After closing 6 stores, our net total number of stores at the end of the period is 517.

Retail operating expenses, excluding events, have increased by GBP3.6 million at actual rates and GBP2.4 million at constant currency. At constant currency the main increase relates to staff costs (+GBP1.1 million), we ensure we pay the right salary to retail staff in each territory. The majority of our stores are profitable (38 stores are not, 2021: 34 stores).

Online

Sales from Online grew by 2.9% at actual rates but fell by 0.5% at constant currency rates compared to the same period last year. Online sales fell across most territories (except North America), which is in line with our commercial plan given the targeted recovery of retail. We are seeing an increase in both our direct through trade (orders from independent accounts for our extended range, made on our online store) and our direct through retail offers (orders on in store terminals for product not sold in our stores) as our customers have a lot of options when it comes to shopping for Warhammer. As noted above, both independent retailers and our own stores have seen the benefit of increased in-store customer experience post Covid-19 restrictions ending, particularly in Australia and Continental Europe.

We are investing in a new platform for our webstore and to date we have spent GBP4.9 million. The launch of the new webstore is delayed due to needing more time given the complex nature of the project. I'm disappointed with progress to date so we have some ground to make up - we have tentatively rescheduled for a go live date in the summer of 2023.

We remain focused on joined-up customer experiences across all sales channels.

Design

We design, make and sell miniatures and related products under a number of brands and sub-brands, which denote setting, tone and product type, the key ones being:

   --    Warhammer 40,000 - our most popular and recognisable brand is a space fantasy setting. 
   --    Warhammer: Age of Sigmar - our unique fantasy setting. 

-- Horus Heresy - an offshoot of Warhammer 40,000, the Horus Heresy brand is presented as a 'fictional history' of that universe - launched successfully in the period reported.

The release of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy - Age of Darkness box set in June was enthusiastically received by both existing and new Horus Heresy collectors and marks a step change in our development and output for this rich and popular IP. The rest of the period saw significant releases for all our main IPs including new miniatures and environments for WarCry and Kill Team (our Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 skirmish games), new Contrast and Shade paints for all hobbyists and a completely new race for Warhammer 40,000 - The Leagues of Votann. We remain focused on providing our customers with a rich depth of choice of the best miniatures in the world.

We have created 20 jobs in the period, taking our total number of jobs in our design studio to 304. IP and design studio payroll costs increased by GBP1.0 million to GBP6.2 million in the period; as a percentage of core sales they have increased by 0.2% to 2.9%.

Warehouses

Warehousing projects in North America and the UK have progressed, albeit more slowly than planned, largely due to the complexity of robustly integrating new technology with legacy Games Workshop systems. However, we remain confident in our technology and equipment choices.

North America

The bedding in of new systems and processes in our Memphis facility has enabled us to maintain a significant improvement in the speed with which we dispatch orders to customers. The integration complications will continue to cause us some operational delays, however, we are confident we can meet our target service levels with our customers.

UK - East Midlands Gateway (EMG)

Our new warehouse now directly fulfils all stock for our retail stores across the UK and Continental Europe. Whilst the start up was bumpy, service to these stores is now reliable. Distribution activity for all UK and European trade accounts and online customers will transition to EMG (from the original Eurohub warehouse in Nottingham) in Spring 2023, approximately six months later than planned.

UK - Nottingham

Much of the work to reconfigure and repurpose the original Eurohub warehouse to become our primary component warehouse has been completed. Transition of the component operation between EMG and Eurohub is on track to be completed before the end of this financial year.

Our major investment in warehousing, for the near term, will be completed this financial year.

Total warehousing costs have increased by GBP2.5 million to GBP12.2 million at actual rates; as a percentage of core sales they have increased from 5.1% to 5.7%. This reflects the investment in facilities and equipment in North America and UK warehouses as well as external cost pressures on utilities and consumable costs.

Factories

We continue to manufacture all of our core products at our three factories in Nottingham. Our manufacturing facilities and capabilities at these sites have continued to expand with the installation of more machinery. Combined Factories 1 and 2 now operate 46 injection moulding machines (+8 on this time last year). Our third Nottingham factory dedicated to paint production is fully operational including a new paint filling and bottling line.

Our total manufacturing headcount has reduced slightly during the period with the total number of jobs in our factories now standing at 415. A reduction in temporary staff cost, netted against the annual pay rise, reduced manufacturing payroll costs by GBP1.0 million to GBP5.3 million; reducing to 2.5% from 3.3% of core sales at actual rates.

Services

IT - we've highlighted above the challenges our relatively new global head of IT is dealing with. The team is starting to make some progress. They are feeling part of the solution and the broader team rather than a support function. The goal remains the same: our IT systems and infrastructure adapt and scale with the business as we grow - they're currently holding us back. We will continue to invest in the team in the period ahead, the senior IT team must spend this investment wisely

Customer service - saw a sustained higher than normal volume of queries (mainly, 'where's my order?') as the new warehouse systems bedded in. The international team responded with great spirit to ensure our customers got great service despite the circumstances and these queries have now returned to a more normal level.

Total support services operating expenses, excluding marketing costs, have increased by GBP0.5 million to GBP13.5 million at actual rates; as a percentage of core sales they have decreased from 6.8% to 6.4% in line with our operational plan. Other operating expenses relating to design, manufacturing and logistics increased by GBP0.2 million to GBP2.0 million at actual rates.

Marketing

Community

Warhammer-community.com remains the cornerstone of our online presence. This blog and news site is used regularly by Warhammer fans, consistently seeing over 100,000 visits every day, and is on track to continue growing this year. Our social channels continue to go from strength-to-strength and we now have an engaged following of 1.9 million across all our social channels.

'My Warhammer' registrations continue to grow at pace and have grown 22% over the last six months. My Warhammer is a central part of our customer journey, enabling us to tailor our marketing communications to what our customers are most interested in. We now have 718,000 linked accounts.

Warhammer+

Launched in August 2021, it continues to delight and entertain a growing subscriber base. Warhammer+ shows and animations have now been viewed over 5 million times. Revenue is GBP3.0 million in the period and associated development costs of GBP2.4 million. Our subscriber numbers are 115,000.

Email

Our email campaigns continue to be one of our most effective methods of communication. The team has worked hard to understand our customers and develop the tools to ensure we're talking to them about the parts of Warhammer they value most. In the six month period, subscribers increased to just under 1 million. We continue to look for more ways to surprise and delight our loyal fans and bring new customers into the Warhammer hobby.

Marketing costs increased by GBP0.4 million to GBP3.8 million; as a percentage of core sales, costs have remained flat at 1.8%. These exclude the costs related to delivering Warhammer+ and its content.

Events

Warhammer events and gaming conventions engaged with customers and recruited new ones across North America, Europe, Asia, and the UK. In November, we announced the re-launch of UK Warhammer Fest which will deliver a celebration to around 10,000 Warhammer fans over the 2023 April/May bank holiday weekend in Manchester. We look forward to more events that inspire our customers, recruit new ones, and give Warhammer fans across the world the opportunity to meet up with each other.

Capital investment

In manufacturing we have invested GBP3.3 million in tooling and GBP0.6m in facilities and equipment. In warehousing we have spent GBP1.2 million in the period on facilities, racking and IT systems.

More Warhammer. More Often - licensing business

Our strategy is to exploit the value of our IP beyond our core tabletop business, leveraging multiple categories and markets globally. We intend to ensure Warhammer's place as one of the top fantasy IPs globally. The main areas of focus are:

Media

We have not signed any contracts in the period reported. We have agreed, in principle, to explore opportunities to exploit our IP with Amazon Studios. We announced this in December 2022 after the half year period. We have nothing more to say at this stage. We will keep you informed. We remain confident we will bring the worlds of Warhammer to the screen like you have never seen before.

Video games

During the period our licensing partners launched four new games; three PC/console and one mobile. We also saw revenue from established games that continued to perform well, many years after launch, through a mixture of added content and continued marketing. A particular launch of note was the highly anticipated Darktide.

Licensing revenue

Licensing revenue from royalty income decreased in the period by GBP5.8 million to GBP14.3 million. This was largely due to a high level of guarantee income on multi-year contracts signed in the period last year (2022: GBP7.3 million; 2021: GBP14.4 million). This income is recognised in full at the inception of the contract in line with IFRS 15 'Revenue from contracts with customers' following assessment of the performance obligations of the contract. We recognised one significant guarantee in the income statement last year of GBP7.5 million. The cash is paid throughout the lifetime of the licence. Reported income is split as follows: 83% PC and console games, 7% mobile and 10% other.

Risks and uncertainties

The board has overall responsibility for ensuring risk is appropriately managed across the Group and has carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks to the business. The top three strategic risks to the Group are regularly reviewed by the board. The principal strategic risks identified in 2022/23 are discussed below. These risks are not intended to be an extensive analysis of all risks that may arise.

-- IT strategy and delivery - with a number of significant business projects in play, all of which are dependent on IT support, there is a requirement for a robust IT strategy which enables us to deliver key strategic projects as well as supporting day to day activities. We are keeping the structure of our global IT team under review to ensure the IT support needs of the business can be delivered.

-- Media - it is imperative that exploitation of our IP through media channels does no harm to our core business. Our creative media director's primary job, with the support of our global IP and product design director, is to ensure that any representation of our IP is aligned to our IP guidelines and is approved, correct and consistent. They are fully supported by our in-house legal team who will act when needed.

-- Social responsibility - we do not intend to 'greenwash'. We have operational plans in place for global initiatives including climate change, diversity and equality. Our senior managers have documented a realistic plan to ensure we make progress, forever.

Our biggest risk is senior management becoming complacent. I will continue to do my best to make sure it does not happen.

We do not consider that we have any material solvency or liquidity risks.

Outlook

Another rewarding and successful period for the global team with core sales for the six months of over GBP200 million for the first time. We will continue to focus on making the best miniatures in the world, sign new licensing contracts with partners to exploit our IP outside of our core business and support our staff. I'm so proud of their considerable hard work and commitment, thank you all.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources, in light of the level of cash generation, to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months from the date of approval of the condensed consolidated interim financial information. For this reason, they have adopted the going concern basis in preparing this condensed consolidated interim financial information.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors confirm that this condensed consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the United Kingdom, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 R and DTR 4.2.8 R, namely: an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of (i) the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; (ii) related party transactions in the first six months and (iii) any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report.

There have been the following changes to the board since the annual report for the 52 week period to 29 May 2022:

   --    Randal Casson was appointed as non-executive director with effect from 1 July 2022. 

-- Elaine O'Donnell stepped down as non-executive chair from 1 January 2023, after she had served as a director for nine years.

   --    John Brewis was appointed as non-executive chair from 1 January 2023. 

A list of all current directors is maintained on the investor relations website at investor.games-workshop.com.

By order of the board

Kevin Rountree

CEO

Rachel Tongue

CFO

10 January 2023

 
 
 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 
 
                                                                 Restated 
                                    Notes                        26 weeks 
                                              26 weeks to              to       52 weeks 
                                              27 November     28 November             to 
                                                     2022            2021    29 May 2022 
                                                     GBPm            GBPm           GBPm 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Core revenue                                       212.3           191.5          386.8 
 Licensing revenue                                   14.3            20.1           28.0 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Revenue                             2              226.6           211.6          414.8 
 Cost of sales                                     (76.0)          (60.2)        (127.4) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Core gross profit                                  136.3           131.3          259.4 
 Licensing gross profit                              14.3            20.1           28.0 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Gross profit                                       150.6           151.4          287.4 
 Operating expenses                  2             (67.0)          (62.9)        (130.3) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Core operating profit                               70.7            69.7          131.7 
 Licensing operating profit                          12.9            18.8           25.4 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                    2               83.6            88.5          157.1 
 Finance income                                       0.4             0.1            0.2 
 Finance costs                                      (0.4)           (0.4)          (0.8) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Profit before taxation              3               83.6            88.2          156.5 
 Income tax expense                  4             (17.1)          (17.0)         (28.1) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Profit attributable to owners 
  of the parent                                      66.5            71.2          128.4 
-------------------------------  --------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Basic earnings per ordinary 
  share                              5             202.4p          217.2p         391.3p 
 Diluted earnings per ordinary 
  share                              5             202.3p          216.6p         390.6p 
 

Comparative financial information for revenue and gross profit has been restated to reclassify licensing revenue, previously included as royalties receivable, in other operating income.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EXPENSE

 
                                                   Six months      Six months 
                                                           to              to       52 weeks 
                                                  27 November     28 November             to 
                                                         2022            2021    29 May 2022 
                                                         GBPm            GBPm           GBPm 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Profit attributable to owners of 
  the parent                                             66.5            71.2          128.4 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that may be subsequently reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                                   0.6             1.8            0.8 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Other comprehensive income for the 
  period                                                  0.6             1.8            0.8 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive income attributable 
  to owners of the parent                                67.1            73.0          129.2 
---------------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

The following notes form an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial information.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 
 
                                               27 November     28 November 
                                       Notes          2022            2021   29 May 2022 
                                                      GBPm            GBPm          GBPm 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                              1.4             1.4           1.4 
 Other intangible assets                8             26.8            25.7          25.6 
 Property, plant and equipment          9             55.0            52.9          55.0 
 Right-of-use assets                   10             48.4            46.4          48.1 
 Deferred tax assets                                  18.5            10.0          17.8 
 Other non-current receivables         12             16.4            15.2          19.4 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                                     166.5           151.6         167.3 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                          31.8            33.8          38.4 
 Trade and other receivables           11             52.7            53.5          39.6 
 Current tax assets                                    4.3             0.1           4.4 
 Cash and cash equivalents                            85.2            88.6          71.4 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                                     174.0           176.0         153.8 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Total assets                                        340.5           327.6         321.1 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Current liabilities 
 Lease liabilities                                   (9.7)           (8.1)         (9.2) 
 Trade and other payables                           (37.0)          (42.7)        (33.5) 
 Current tax liabilities                             (0.1)           (0.4)         (1.1) 
 Provisions for other liabilities 
  and charges                                        (0.9)           (0.6)         (0.8) 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                                    (47.7)          (51.8)        (44.6) 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Net current assets                                  126.3           124.2         109.2 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Lease liabilities                                  (39.8)          (39.5)        (39.7) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                            (0.4)               -             - 
 Other non-current liabilities                       (0.5)           (0.6)         (0.6) 
 Provisions for other liabilities 
  and charges                                        (1.7)           (1.8)         (1.5) 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                                    (42.4)          (41.9)        (41.8) 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Net assets                                          250.4           233.9         234.7 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Called up share capital                               1.6             1.6           1.6 
 Share premium account                                18.6            16.3          16.3 
 Other reserves                                        3.5             3.9           2.9 
 Retained earnings                                   226.7           212.1         213.9 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Total equity                                        250.4           233.9         234.7 
----------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------------  ------------ 
 

The following notes form an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial information.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN TOTAL EQUITY

 
                                             Called 
                                                 up      Share 
                                              share    premium       Other    Retained     Total 
                                            capital    account    reserves    earnings    equity 
                                               GBPm       GBPm        GBPm        GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 29 May 2022 and 30 May 2022                 1.6       16.3         2.9       213.9     234.7 
 
 Profit for the 26 weeks to 27 
  November 2022                                   -          -           -        66.5      66.5 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                           -          -         0.6           -       0.6 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period                                  -          -         0.6        66.5      67.1 
 
 Transactions with owners: 
 Share-based payments                             -          -           -         0.5       0.5 
 Shares issued under employee 
  sharesave scheme                                -        2.3           -           -       2.3 
 Deferred tax charge relating 
  to share options                                -          -           -       (0.2)     (0.2) 
 Current tax credit relating 
  to exercised share options                      -          -           -         0.2       0.2 
 Dividends paid to Company shareholders           -          -           -      (54.2)    (54.2) 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total transactions with owners                   -        2.3           -      (53.7)    (51.3) 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 27 November 2022                            1.6       18.6         3.5       226.7     250.4 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
                                             Called 
                                                 up      Share 
                                              share    premium       Other    Retained     Total 
                                            capital    account    reserves    earnings    equity 
                                               GBPm       GBPm        GBPm        GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 May 2021 and 31 May 2021                 1.6       14.5         2.1       178.1     196.3 
 
 Profit for the 26 weeks to 28 
  November 2021                                   -          -           -        71.2      71.2 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                           -          -         1.8           -       1.8 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                                      -          -         1.8        71.2      73.0 
 
 Transactions with owners: 
 Share-based payments                             -          -           -         0.6       0.6 
 Shares issued under employee 
  sharesave scheme                                -        1.8           -           -       1.8 
 Deferred tax charge relating 
  to share options                                -          -           -       (0.4)     (0.4) 
 Current tax credit relating 
  to exercised share options                      -          -           -         0.3       0.3 
 Dividends paid to Company shareholders           -          -           -      (37.7)    (37.7) 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total transactions with owners                   -        1.8           -      (37.2)    (35.4) 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 28 November 2021                            1.6       16.3         3.9       212.1     233.9 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
                                             Called 
                                                 up      Share 
                                              share    premium       Other    Retained     Total 
                                            capital    account    reserves    earnings    equity 
                                               GBPm       GBPm        GBPm        GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 May 2021 and 31 May 2021                 1.6       14.5         2.1       178.1     196.3 
 
 Profit for the 52 weeks to 29 
  May 2022                                        -          -           -       128.4     128.4 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                           -          -         0.8           -       0.8 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                                      -          -         0.8       128.4     129.2 
 Transactions with owners: 
 Share-based payments                             -          -           -         1.6       1.6 
 Shares issued under employee 
  sharesave scheme                                -        1.8           -           -       1.8 
 Deferred tax charge relating 
  to share options                                -          -           -       (1.4)     (1.4) 
 Current tax credit relating 
  to exercised share options                      -          -           -         0.7       0.7 
 Dividends paid to Company shareholders           -          -           -      (93.5)    (93.5) 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total transactions with owners                   -        1.8           -      (92.6)    (90.8) 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 29 May 2022                                 1.6       16.3         2.9       213.9     234.7 
----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 

The following notes form an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial information.

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 
 
                                                         26 weeks        26 weeks 
                                             Notes             to              to       52 weeks 
                                                      27 November     28 November             to 
                                                             2022            2021    29 May 2022 
                                                             GBPm            GBPm           GBPm 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations               7             104.7            76.5          159.2 
 UK corporation tax paid                                   (14.6)          (15.3)         (34.0) 
 Overseas tax paid                                          (3.7)           (0.5)          (3.7) 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                                 86.4            60.7          121.5 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchases of property, plant 
  and equipment                                             (7.4)           (8.8)         (17.0) 
 Purchases of other intangible 
  assets                                                    (0.4)           (1.3)          (1.4) 
 Expenditure on product development                         (7.0)           (5.4)         (13.9) 
 Interest received                                            0.4             0.1            0.2 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                     (14.4)          (15.4)         (32.1) 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issue of ordinary 
  share capital                                               2.3             1.8            1.8 
 Repayment of principal under 
  leases                                                    (5.8)           (5.3)         (11.1) 
 Lease interest paid                                        (0.4)           (0.4)          (0.8) 
 Dividends paid to Company shareholders                    (54.2)          (37.7)         (93.5) 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Net cash used in financing activities                     (58.1)          (41.6)        (103.6) 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash 
  and cash equivalents                                       13.9             3.7         (14.2) 
 Opening cash and cash equivalents                           71.4            85.2           85.2 
 Effects of foreign exchange rates 
  on cash and cash equivalents                              (0.1)           (0.3)            0.4 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Closing cash and cash equivalents                           85.2            88.6           71.4 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

The following notes form an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial information.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   1.      Basis of preparation 

The Company is a limited liability company, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Willow Road, Lenton, Nottingham, NG7 2WS.

The Company has its listing on the London Stock Exchange.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the 52 week period ended 29 May 2022 were approved by the board of directors on 25 July 2022 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under either section 498 (2) or section 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information has not been audited or reviewed pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board guidance on 'Review of Interim Financial Information' and does not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information for the 26 week period ended 27 November 2022 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the United Kingdom. The condensed consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the 52 week period ended 29 May 2022 which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the United Kingdom.

After making appropriate enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they have adopted the going concern basis in preparing this condensed consolidated interim financial information.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information was approved for issue on 10 January 2023.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information is available to shareholders and members of the public on the Company's website at investor.games-workshop.com.

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

In preparing this condensed consolidated interim financial information, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the 52 week period ended 29 May 2022.

Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.

The accounting policies applied are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the 52 week period ended 29 May 2022, as described in those financial statements.

The Group considers that there are no new accounting standards, amendments or interpretations issued by the IASB, but not yet applicable, which have had, or are expected to have a significant effect on the financial statements.

   2.          Segment information 

As Games Workshop is a vertically integrated business, management assesses the performance of sales channels and manufacturing and distribution channels separately. Segment information for the period ending 28 November 2021 has been restated to better reflect the structure of the Group. Segments have been split into core and licensing as described below. Costs previously reported within 'Design to manufacture', 'Merchandising and logistics', and 'Operations and support' have been combined to create the 'Design, manufacture, logistics and operations' segment. Share-based payment charges and profit share scheme charges were previously included outside of segmental operating expenses, these have now all been included in core operating expenses.

At 27 November 2022 Games Workshop has two segments, core and licensing, as described below:

- Core: the core segment includes all revenue and expenditure relating to the design, manufacture and sales of our fantasy miniatures and related products.

- Licensing: the licensing segment includes all revenue and expenditure relating to licences granted to external partners.

We provide further information on revenue and expenses within the core segment below. The core segment has been divided into channels as follows:

- Trade: this sales channel sells globally to independent retailers, agents and distributors. It also includes the Group's magazine newsstand business and the distributor sales from the Group's publishing business (Black Library).

- Retail: this includes sales through the Group's retail stores, the Group's visitor centre in Nottingham and global events.

- Online: this includes sales through the Group's global web stores, our online subscription service (Warhammer+) and digital sales through external affiliates.

- Design, manufacturing, logistics and operations, which includes costs for:

- the design studios (which create all of the IP and the associated miniatures, artwork, games and publications);

- the production facilities;

- the warehouses and logistics costs;

- charges for inventory provisions. This includes adjustments for the profit in stock arising from inter-segment sales; and

- support services (marketing, IT, accounting, payroll, personnel, procurement, legal, health and safety, customer services and credit control) provided to activities across the Group;

- Group: this includes the Company's overheads.

The chief operating decision-maker assesses the performance of each segment based on operating profit, excluding share option charges recognised under IFRS 2, 'Share-based payment' and charges in respect of the Group's profit share schemes. This has been reconciled to the Group's total profit before taxation below.

The segment information reported to the executive directors for the periods included in this financial information is as follows:

26 weeks to 27 November 2022 and 28 November 2021:

 
 
                                           Core                 Licensing          Total 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
                                              Restated            Restated            Restated 
                                       2022       2021     2022       2021     2022       2021 
                                       GBPm       GBPm     GBPm       GBPm     GBPm       GBPm 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 Trade                                120.9      108.1        -          -    120.9      108.1 
 Retail                                48.7       41.9        -          -     48.7       41.9 
 Online                                42.7       41.5        -          -     42.7       41.5 
 Licensing                                -          -     14.3       20.1     14.3       20.1 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 Revenue                              212.3      191.5     14.3       20.1    226.6      211.6 
 Cost of sales                       (76.0)     (60.2)        -          -   (76.0)     (60.2) 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 Gross profit                         136.3      131.3     14.3       20.1    150.6      151.4 
 
 Trade                                (5.6)      (4.9)        -          -    (5.6)      (4.9) 
 Retail                              (30.1)     (25.7)        -          -   (30.1)     (25.7) 
 Online                               (5.0)      (4.6)        -          -    (5.0)      (4.6) 
 Design, manufacturing, logistics 
  and operations                     (18.0)     (17.4)        -          -   (17.7)     (17.4) 
 Licensing                                -          -    (1.4)      (1.3)    (1.4)      (1.3) 
 Group                                (1.9)      (1.5)        -          -    (2.2)      (1.5) 
 Share-based payment charge           (0.5)      (0.6)        -          -    (0.5)      (0.6) 
 Profit share scheme charge           (4.5)      (6.9)        -          -    (4.5)      (6.9) 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 Operating expenses                  (65.6)     (61.6)    (1.4)      (1.3)   (67.0)     (62.9) 
 Operating profit                      70.7       69.7     12.9       18.8     83.6       88.5 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 Finance income                         0.4        0.1        -          -      0.4        0.1 
 Finance costs                        (0.4)      (0.4)        -          -    (0.4)      (0.4) 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 Profit before tax                     70.7       69.4     12.9       18.8     83.6       88.2 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------  --------- 
 
   2.      Segment information continued 

52 weeks to 29 May 2022:

 
                                        Core   Licensing     Total 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
                                        2022        2022      2022 
                                        GBPm        GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Trade                                 214.3           -     214.3 
 Retail                                 87.2           -      87.2 
 Online                                 85.3           -      85.3 
 Licensing                                 -        28.0      28.0 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Revenue                               386.8        28.0     414.8 
 Cost of sales                       (127.4)           -   (127.4) 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Gross profit                          259.4        28.0     287.4 
 
 Trade                                (10.7)           -    (10.7) 
 Retail                               (52.4)           -    (52.4) 
 Online                               (11.7)           -    (11.7) 
 Design, manufacturing, logistics 
  and operations                      (37.6)           -    (37.6) 
 Licensing                                 -       (2.6)     (2.6) 
 Group                                 (3.8)           -     (3.8) 
 Share-based payment charge            (1.6)           -     (1.6) 
 Profit share scheme charge            (9.9)           -     (9.9) 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Operating expenses                  (127.7)       (2.6)   (130.3) 
 Operating profit                      131.7        25.4     157.1 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Finance income                          0.2           -       0.2 
 Finance costs                         (0.8)           -     (0.8) 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Profit before tax                     131.1        25.4     156.5 
----------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 

For information, we analyse core external revenue further below:

 
                                    26 weeks       26 weeks   52 weeks 
                                          to             to         to 
                                 27 November    28 November     29 May 
                                        2022           2021       2022 
                                        GBPm           GBPm       GBPm 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 Trade 
 UK and Continental Europe              50.9           44.8       90.4 
 North America                          55.6           47.8       96.5 
 Australia and New Zealand               7.5            5.7       11.4 
 Asia                                    4.5            5.1        8.5 
 Rest of world                           1.5            3.7        5.9 
 Black Library                           0.9            1.0        1.6 
 Total Trade                           120.9          108.1      214.3 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
   Retail 
 UK                                     14.4           11.8       25.7 
 Continental Europe                      9.7            9.5       18.5 
 North America                          18.9           16.2       33.6 
 Australia and New Zealand               4.7            3.2        7.3 
 Asia                                    1.0            1.2        2.1 
 Total Retail                           48.7           41.9       87.2 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
   Online 
 UK                                      7.0            9.3       19.0 
 Continental Europe                      7.2            8.6       16.3 
 North America                          17.1           14.4       31.4 
 Australia and New Zealand               2.3            2.5        4.4 
 Asia                                    0.2            0.2        0.4 
 Rest of world                           0.5            0.7        1.4 
 Digital and apps                        8.4            5.8       12.4 
 Total Online                           42.7           41.5       85.3 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Total core external revenue           212.3          191.5      386.8 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
   3.      Profit before taxation 
 
                                               26 weeks 
                                                     to     26 weeks to        52 weeks 
                                            27 November     28 November              to 
                                                   2022            2021     29 May 2022 
                                                   GBPm            GBPm            GBPm 
---------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Profit before taxation is stated 
  after charging: 
  Depreciation: 
 - Owned property, plant and equipment              6.8             5.7            11.7 
 - Right-of-use assets 
  Amortisation:                                     5.9             5.5            11.2 
 - Amortisation of capitalised 
  development costs                                 5.4             3.5            10.1 
 - Amortisation of other intangibles                0.8             0.7             1.6 
  Impairment of computer software                     -               -             1.1 
  Impairment of development costs                     -               -             0.2 
 Redundancy costs and compensation 
  for loss of office                                0.4             0.3             0.6 
 Inventory provision creation                       4.2             3.2            10.6 
---------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
   4.      Tax 

The taxation charge for the six months to 27 November 2022 is based on an estimate of the full 52 week period effective rate of 20.5% (2021:19.3%). The increase reflects the UK corporation rate increase on taxable profits after 1 April 2022 from 19% to 25%. While we continue to expect a rate above that for a business with activities based solely in the UK due to higher overseas tax rates, the rate is lowered as a result of the increase in overseas profit in inventory provisions together with the impact of super deductions.

   5.      Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue throughout the relevant period.

 
                                               26 weeks       26 weeks 
                                                     to             to         52 weeks 
                                            27 November    28 November               to 
                                                   2022           2021      29 May 2022 
                                                   GBPm           GBPm             GBPm 
     -----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Profit attributable to owners of 
  the parent (GBPm)                                66.5               71.2        128.4 
----------------------------------------  -------------  -----------------  ----------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares in issue (thousands)                    32,849             32,786       32,813 
----------------------------------------  -------------  -----------------  ----------- 
 Basic earnings per share (pence 
  per share)                                      202.4              217.2        391.3 
----------------------------------------  -------------  -----------------  ----------- 
 
 

Diluted earnings per share

The calculation of diluted earnings per share has been based on the profit attributable to owners of the parent and the weighted average number of shares in issue throughout the relevant period, adjusted for the dilution effect of share options outstanding at the period end.

 
                                                    26 weeks       26 weeks 
                                                          to             to       52 weeks 
                                                 27 November    28 November             to 
                                                        2022           2021    29 May 2022 
     ----------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Profit attributable to owners of 
  the parent (GBPm)                                     66.5           71.2          128.4 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares in issue (thousands)                         32,849         32,786         32,813 
 Adjustment for share options (thousands)                 15             79             60 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares for diluted earnings per 
  share (thousands)                                   32,864         32,865         32,873 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Diluted earnings per share (pence 
  per share)                                           202.3          216.6          390.6 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
   6.      Dividends 

Dividends of GBP14.8 million (45 pence per share), GBP9.8 million (30 pence per share) and GBP29.6m (90 pence per share) were declared and paid in the six months to 27 November 2022.

A dividend of GBP16.4 million (50 pence per share), declared in the 52 weeks ended 30 May 2021, was paid in the six months to 28 November 2021. Dividends of GBP13.1 million (40 pence per share) and GBP8.2 million (25 pence per share) were also declared and paid in the six months to 28 November 2021. A further dividend of GBP11.5 million (35 pence per share) was declared on 18 November 2021 and was paid on 5 January 2022.

   7.      Reconciliation of profit to net cash from operating activities 
 
                                                                   26 weeks 
                                                                         to         52 weeks 
                                                 26 weeks to    28 November               to 
                                            27 November 2022           2021      29 May 2022 
                                                        GBPm           GBPm             GBPm 
      ----------------------  ------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Profit before taxation                                 83.6           88.2          156.5 
 Finance income                                        (0.4)          (0.1)          (0.2) 
 Finance costs                                           0.4            0.4            0.8 
----------------------------  ------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                                       83.6           88.5          157.1 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment                                          6.8            5.7           11.7 
 Depreciation of right-of-use assets                     5.9            5.5           11.2 
 Impairment of intangible assets                           -              -            1.3 
 Loss on disposal of property, plant 
  and equipment                                          0.2            0.1            0.1 
 Loss on disposal of intangible 
  assets                                                   -            0.3            0.3 
 Amortisation of capitalised development 
  costs                                                  5.4            3.5           10.1 
 Amortisation of other intangibles                       0.8            0.7            1.6 
 Share-based payments                                    0.5            0.6            1.6 
 Changes in working capital: 
 -Decrease/(increase) in inventories                     7.8          (6.6)         (12.2) 
 -Increase in trade and other receivables             (10.2)         (32.0)         (21.5) 
 -Increase/(decrease) in trade and 
  other payables                                         3.5           10.0          (2.1) 
 -Increase in provisions                                 0.4            0.2              - 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash from operating activities                    104.7           76.5          159.2 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
   8.      Other intangible assets 
 
                                    27 November   28 November   29 May 2022 
                                           2022          2021          GBPm 
                                           GBPm          GBPm 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net book value at beginning of 
  period                                   25.6          23.7          23.7 
 Additions                                  7.4           6.5          15.3 
 Disposals                                    -         (0.3)         (0.3) 
 Amortisation charge                      (6.2)         (4.2)        (11.7) 
 Impairment                                   -             -         (1.3) 
 Exchange differences                         -             -           0.1 
 Reclassification                             -             -         (0.2) 
 Net book value at end of period           26.8          25.7          25.6 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   9.      Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                    27 November   28 November   29 May 2022 
                                           2022          2021          GBPm 
                                           GBPm          GBPm 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net book value at beginning of 
  period                                   55.0          49.8          49.8 
 Additions                                  6.8           8.6          16.3 
 Disposals                                (0.2)         (0.1)         (0.1) 
 Depreciation charge                      (6.8)         (5.7)        (11.7) 
 Exchange differences                       0.2           0.3           0.5 
 Reclassification                             -             -           0.2 
 Net book value at end of period           55.0          52.9          55.0 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   10.    Right-of-use assets 
 
 
 
                                      27 November     28 November     29 May 2022 
                                             2022            2021            GBPm 
                                             GBPm            GBPm 
---------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Net book value at beginning of 
  period                                     48.1            46.0            46.0 
 Additions                                    5.7             5.2            11.9 
 Disposals                                  (0.1)               -               - 
 Depreciation charge                        (5.9)           (5.5)          (11.2) 
 Exchange differences                         0.6             0.7             1.4 
 Net book value at end of period             48.4            46.4            48.1 
---------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
   11.    Trade and other receivables 
 
                                      27 November   28 November   29 May 2022 
                                             2022          2021          GBPm 
                                             GBPm          GBPm 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Trade receivables                           11.8          11.4           8.6 
 Prepayments and accrued income              14.7          14.1          11.7 
 Licensing and other receivables             26.2          28.0          19.3 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total trade and other receivables           52.7          53.5          39.6 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Included within prepayments and accrued income are contract assets relating to uninvoiced royalty income amounting to GBP2.2 million (2021: GBP1.3 million).

Included within licensing and other receivables is invoiced royalty income of GBP10.3 million (2021: GBP12.4 million). Also included in other receivables is a VAT receivable of GBP11.6 million (2021: GBP15.5 million) in respect of outstanding European VAT receipts following Brexit.

   12.    Other non-current receivables 
 
                                        27 November   28 November   29 May 2022 
                                               2022          2021          GBPm 
                                               GBPm          GBPm 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Licensing and other receivables               16.4          15.2          19.4 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total other non-current receivables           16.4          15.2          19.4 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Included within licensing and other receivables is invoiced royalty income of GBP14.9 million (2021: GBP13.7 million), being in respect of guarantee instalments due in over one year.

   13.    Seasonality 

The Group's monthly sales profile demonstrates an element of seasonality around the Christmas period with increased sales in the month of December.

   14.    Commitments 

Capital expenditure contracted for at the balance sheet date but not yet incurred is GBP3.7 million (2021: GBP5.8 million).

   15.    Related party transactions 

There were no related-party transactions during the period.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.

END

IR BCGDBDUGDGXC

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 10, 2023 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

1 Year Games Workshop Chart

1 Year Games Workshop Chart

1 Month Games Workshop Chart

1 Month Games Workshop Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock