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DATA Globaldata Plc

231.00
0.00 (0.00%)
08 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Globaldata Plc LSE:DATA London Ordinary Share GB00BR3VDF43 ORD 1/100P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 231.00 228.00 232.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Miscellaneous Publishing 273.1M 30.8M 0.0364 63.46 1.95B

GlobalData PLC Final Results For The Year Ended 31 December 2017 (8569F)

26/02/2018 7:01am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMDATA

RNS Number : 8569F

GlobalData PLC

26 February 2018

26 February 2018

GlobalData Plc

Final Results For The Year Ended 31 December 2017

"Revenues doubled over two years"

Key Achievements

   --      Strong revenue growth across all regions 
   --      Increased revenue visibility 
   --      Acquisition of Ascential Jersey Holdings Limited (herein referred to as MEED) 
   --      Strengthened business infrastructure and commercial scale 
   --      New committed banking facilities of GBP75m 

Financial Highlights

   --      Group revenue increased by 22% to GBP121.7m (2016: GBP100.0m) 
   --      Organic revenue growth of 15% 
   --      Deferred revenue increased by 31% to GBP60.6m (2016: GBP46.1m) 
   --      Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 14% to GBP23.4m (2016: GBP20.6m) 

-- Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) of 19.2% (2016: 20.6%) reflecting content and infrastructure investment

   --      Cash from operations of GBP14.5m (2016: GBP15.0m) 

-- Final Dividend of 5.0 pence per share (2016: 4.0 pence); total dividend of 8.0 pence per share (2016: 6.5 pence)

-- Statutory loss before tax of GBP0.8m (2016: loss of GBP2.5m), which is inclusive of non-cash charges of GBP14.1m of amortisation of intangibles, GBP5.3m share based payments and GBP0.4m of unrealised operating foreign exchange losses.

   --      Net debt(2) of GBP43.0m (2016: GBP25.5m) 

Potential Post Year End Acquisition

The Group has announced that the Company is in advanced discussions concerning the possible acquisition of the Energy, Construction and Financial Services data and analytics provider, Research Views Limited. The acquisition remains subject to legally binding agreements and there can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction.

Bernard Cragg, Executive Chairman of GlobalData Plc, commented:

"GlobalData is transforming rapidly and significantly increasing its industry coverage and commercial scale. We have made further progress, with product and infrastructure development, as well as having made two strategic acquisitions. Our results are encouraging, with strong revenue growth and we exit the year with record deferred revenue, which gives us confidence for the forthcoming year."

Note 1: Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, unrealised operating exchange rate movements, impairment, share based payments, adjusted for costs associated with derivatives, acquisitions and restructuring of the Group. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as: Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.

Note 2: Net Debt: Short and long-term borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.

 
 ENQUIRIES 
 
  GlobalData Plc                        0207 936 6400 
 Bernard Cragg, Executive Chairman 
  Graham Lilley, Chief Financial 
  Officer 
  Mike Danson, Chief Executive 
 
 N+1 Singer                             0207 496 3000 
 James Maxwell 
 James White 
 
 Hudson Sandler                         0207 796 4133 
 Nick Lyon 
 

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

GlobalData is transforming rapidly and significantly increasing its industry coverage and commercial scale. We have made further progress, with product and infrastructure development, as well as having made two strategic acquisitions. Our results are encouraging. We have achieved strong revenue growth and we exit the year with record deferred revenue, which gives us confidence for the forthcoming year.

The Group has announced that the Company is in advanced discussions concerning the possible acquisition of Energy, Construction and Financial Services data and analytics provider, Research Views Limited, a private company owned by Mike Danson and Wayne Lloyd and a number of other minority shareholders.

The Acquisition would constitute a related party transaction for the purposes of Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies, and the Company's independent directors would, amongst other things, be required to confirm that the terms of the proposals are fair and reasonable insofar as GlobalData's shareholders are concerned.

The contemplated Acquisition remains subject to binding legal agreements and there can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction. If terms are agreed between the respective parties, the Acquisition would require the approval of GlobalData's shareholders in a general meeting.

Our Mission

We are helping our clients to decode the future, to be more successful and innovative. We provide our clients with innovative solutions to complex issues, delivered via a single online platform, which leverages our unique data and expert analysis across multiple markets and geographies. We help our clients with their strategic planning, competitive intelligence, new product development, identifying new consumer trends, marketing opportunities and new sales channel prospects.

At a time of increased uncertainty and ever-constant change we aim to provide our clients with a realisable competitive advantage.

Brand Development

The consolidation of GlobalData into one brand is continuing to help simplify the business and has allowed us to invest sensibly in content, platform and sales infrastructure and process. The high level of investment in the business is the reason behind our margins not improving in the short term, however such investment will enhance the prospects and credibility of our offering and long term growth prospects.

Our Acquisitions

Acquisitions form an important part of our overall strategy for growth. We are focused on acquisitions which extend our industry coverage, client reach and commercial scale.

The Group completed two acquisitions during the year. In April 2017, we acquired a bolt-on to broaden our Healthcare proposition, Infinata. The integration of this acquisition has gone well and is complete.

We also completed the $17.5m acquisition of MEED in December 2017. MEED provides premium data and analytics content with an industry focus on construction. It supports the Group's strategy of expanding its premium subscription based services into global markets and adds a further industry. The Group has only just started the integration process and this will continue through 2018.

Looking Forward

We are an ambitious business which challenges itself on a daily basis to continually be better at what we do. We provide our customers with world-class products and customer service with an ambition to exceed their expectations at every interaction. For our employees, we aim to be an employer of choice providing an enriching and rewarding environment to work in and for our shareholders we aim to provide returns which reflect our reported earnings and long-term prospects.

To deliver increased shareholder returns over the medium to long term the Group aims to:

-- Achieve strong organic growth: Leveraging our unique content and delivery across multiple formats and geographies whilst better exploiting our common platforms, processes and operations.

-- Make acquisitions that are strategic and earnings accretive: We look for acquisitions that are strategic in nature and which over a reasonable time frame increase total returns. We also, from time to time, make small bolt-on acquisitions that either broaden our offering or extend our client reach in an existing market. Our acquisition process is robust and diligent and is supervised by the Board.

-- Maintain a progressive dividend policy: Our business is focused on revenue growth, the efficient management of working capital and increased cash generation. We believe we can invest in the business, achieve growth in profits and service a progressive dividend policy that reflects our growth and long-term prospects.

Our Employees

The transition of the Group to one now focused on the provision of data and analytics services to customers based around the globe continues to be demanding, more so given the additional challenges brought about by our recent acquisitions. That we have delivered a good set of results during a period of such change is entirely down to the quality, commitment and talent of our employees.

Board Changes

On 31 December 2017, Simon Pyper stepped down from the Board. The Board wishes Simon well for the future and also thanks him for his major contribution to the business over the last ten years as both Chief Executive Officer and latterly Chief Financial Officer.

Graham Lilley joined Board as Chief Financial Officer with effect from 1 January 2018. Graham was previously the Company's Finance Director.

Dividend

Having regard to the improved prospects for the Group and the cash requirements of the business for the year ahead, the Board is pleased to announce a final dividend of 5.0 pence per share (2016: 4.0 pence). The proposed final dividend will be paid on 27 April 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 16 March 2018. The ex-dividend date will be on 15 March 2018. The proposed final dividend increases the total dividend for the year to 8.0 pence per share (2016: 6.5 pence).

Current Trading and Outlook

We have started the year well and remain confident that we will make further progress.

Bernard Cragg

Executive Chairman

26 February 2018

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW

Over the last two years the Group has transformed significantly. To note that 2017 was the second full year trading as GlobalData shows the rapid growth path that we have been on as a Group. We now have pro-forma Group revenues of over GBP130m, compared to 2015 revenues of GBP60m.

For the year ahead our focus will be on doing things simply and doing them well. We are building a business which is clearly differentiated from the competition, which is hard to replicate and whose products and services are embedded in the day-to-day processes and operations of both new and existing clients.

Key Achievements

-- Revenues of GBP121.7 million: Group revenue has grown by 22% including the benefit of our acquisitions in the year. Our organic revenue growth was 15%.

-- Deferred Revenue of GBP60.6m: Deferred revenue has grown by 31% and organically by 14%. This gives the Group strong visibility over its revenues for the forthcoming year.

-- Data and content: During the year we have focused on improving our offering, especially in Healthcare. The effect of investment and acquisitions have considerably broadened our coverage and expertise.

-- Acquisition of MEED: The acquisition of MEED enhances the Group's industry coverage, to now include Construction. This gives us a strong presence in the Middle East, somewhere where we have, to date, been sub scale. We also acquired the trade and assets of Infinata to broaden our Healthcare proposition.

-- Strengthened business infrastructure and commercial scale: In addition to the acquisition of MEED, which adds further scale to our business, we have also improved our Group infrastructure and sales capability. We now have significant sales operations across Asia Pacific and in the US.

-- Pricing: There were many price points of our products in previous years. We now have introduced a simpler pricing structure which we will be rolling out during 2018.

-- Talent: Growing the business quickly requires us to constantly review our structures and the talent within it. During 2017, we have recruited significantly to improve the management in the company, especially in sales and talent management.

Our Strategic Priorities

Our principal objective is to become one of the world's leading providers of premium, subscription based, data and analytics products and services to the markets we serve. We have four core strategic priorities:

   --      To develop world class products and services 
   --      To develop our sales capabilities 
   --      To improve operational effectiveness 
   --      To provide best in class customer service 

Developing world class products and services

Our content is data driven and analyst led and provides our clients with strategic and tactical insights for the markets that they operate in. Our content is robust, relevant and unique and give our clients real time access to critical data and analytics and work flow tools.

Develop our sales capabilities

We have made good progress against our target to increase our mix of revenues to 40% in the US, 40% in the UK & Europe and 20% in Asia Pacific. We have increased our sales operations in the US and Asia Pacific. Whilst the majority of our revenues are still in UK and Europe (47%), we have seen a proportional increase in the Americas to 37%.

Improve operational effectiveness

Our business model is a relatively simple one: create the content once and leverage sales from that content across multiple formats (subscriptions, reports and research engagements) and geographies. In doing so costs remain relatively fixed thereby allowing for a higher percentage of the sales value achieved to translate to profit. Acquisitions tend to suppress this structural benefit as they often bring a duplication of both processes and infrastructure which have to be rationalised. They typically require investment in working capital within the period after being acquired. Over the past year we took a measured approach to reducing this duplication, choosing to focus on increasing our sales headcount, integrating and improving the enlarged product set and reducing employee churn. Given that much of this has now been completed, our focus in the coming year will be to further standardise our processes and reduce duplication and ultimately improve our operating margins.

Our medium term Adjusted EBITDA margin target is circa 25%.

Providing best in class customer service

Outstanding customer service is a critical component in delivering customer satisfaction and improved customer retention. Our aim is to deliver best in class customer service at every point of interaction with our clients.

The achievements of the last two years have been made possible because of the hard work and commitment of our employees and I would like to express my own and my fellow Board members' appreciation to all our colleagues across the globe. There is still much work to be done as we strive to work towards our strategic priorities and continue to integrate our acquisitions.

We are a transformed business focused on the provision of data and analytics to global markets, all of which present opportunities for long-term profitable growth.

Mike Danson

Chief Executive

26 February 2018

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Group's performance this year

   1.     Revenue 

Revenues increased by 22% to GBP121.6m (2016: GBP100.0m), which reflects both good organic growth (15%) and the part year benefit of the bolt-on Healthcare acquisition, Infinata. The acquired businesses are performing well and in line with our expectations.

   2.     Deferred Revenue 

Deferred revenue at 31 December 2017 increased by 31% to GBP60.6m (2016: GBP46.1m). Along with our expected renewal rates for 2018 and forward bookings, we have around 75% visibility on total 2018 revenues and a significantly higher proportion of our subscription revenues.

   3.     Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 14% to GBP23.4m (2016: GBP20.6m). As a result of targeted activities of improving the Group's selling and infrastructure capabilities and integrating acquisitions, our margin has dropped from 20.6% to 19.2%.

   4.     Cash Generation 

Cash generation was similar to 2016, with cash generated from continuing operations of GBP14.5m (2016: GBP15.0m). Excluding cash costs associated with impaired contracts acquired as part of the Consumer acquisition (completed 1 September 2015) of GBP1.2m, other exceptional cash costs of GBP3.3m and the impact of the acquisitions on working capital of GBP1.2m, underlying cash flow was around 86% (2016: 90%).

   5.     Foreign exchange impact on revenues 

The Group derives around 60% of revenues in currencies other than Sterling. The benefit of exchange rate movements to reported revenues for 2017 was GBP3.8m, which accounts for 3.9% of our year on year growth.

   6.     Foreign exchange impact on costs and Adjusted EBITDA 

In Sterling terms, circa 40% of our costs are denominated in currencies other than Sterling. Costs are translated as they are incurred at the prevailing exchange rate. Thus, adverse movements in exchange rates have an immediate impact on our earnings. The effect of exchange rate movements on

our cost base was              to increase our operating costs for 2017 by 3.6% or GBP2.9m. 

The net effect (revenue benefit less cost impact) on 2017 Adjusted EBITDA was an increase of GBP0.9m. We are a subscription business and therefore the timing of the impact of foreign exchange on our revenues has a lag compared to the immediate impact on our cost base.

   7.     Net Debt: 

Net Debt increased to GBP43.0m as at 31 December 2017 (2016: GBP25.5m). This increase principally reflects GBP20.3m spent on acquisitions in the year.

 
 
                                                      2017      2016     Movement 
 Continuing operations                             GBP000s   GBP000s 
 
 Revenue                                           121,678   100,013        21.7% 
 
 Loss before tax                                     (785)   (2,519) 
 Depreciation                                          829       725 
 Amortisation                                       14,088    14,553 
 Finance costs                                       1,444       955 
------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 EBITDA(2)                                          15,576    13,714        13.6% 
 Restructuring costs                                 2,436     1,289 
 Revaluation of short and long-term derivatives    (1,266)       770 
 Share based payments charge                         5,323     2,764 
 Unrealised operating foreign exchange loss            417     1,571 
 M&A costs                                             911       472 
 Adjusted EBITDA(1)                                 23,397    20,580        13.7% 
------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA margin(1)                           19.2%     20.6% 
------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 

Note 1: Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, unrealised operating exchange rate movements, impairment, share based payments, adjusted for costs associated with derivatives, acquisitions and restructuring of the Group. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as: Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.

Note 2: EBITDA: Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment. Includes a non-cash charge of GBP5.3 million for share based payments (2016: GBP2.8 million).

Earnings per share

Basic loss per share from continuing operations was 2.11 pence per share (2016: earnings of 1.80 pence per share). Fully diluted loss per share from continuing operations was 2.11 pence per share (2016: earnings of 1.65 pence per share).

Share based payments

The share based payments charge for 2017 has increased from GBP2.8m to GBP5.3m. The key driver for this significant increase is the share price performance during 2017 which has meant that new issues have been valued at a higher price than in previous years and also the issue of new options as a result of the acquisitions in the year.

Cash flow

The Group generated GBP14.5m of operating cashflow, which equated to 62% of Adjusted EBITDA (2016: 73.1%). Included within the operating cashflow were payments in relation to an onerous contract acquired as part of the Consumer acquisition (completed 1 September 2015) of GBP1.2m (the contract ended in August 2017), exceptional cash costs of GBP3.3m and GBP1.2m negative impact on working capital from our acquisitions in the year. Adjusted for these items, our underlying operating cash flow would have been GBP20.2m, which equates to 86% of Adjusted EBITDA (2016: 90%).

The Group repaid debt of GBP29.5m (of which most related to refinancing) and paid dividends of GBP7.1m. The Group also paid for acquisitions of GBP20.3m, which were funded by new facilities agreed in the year.

Capital expenditure was GBP1.8m in 2017 (GBP1.3m in 2016). This includes GBP1.0m on software (GBP0.7m in 2016).

Currency rate and market risk

The Group's primary objective in managing foreign currency risk is to protect against the risk that the eventual Sterling net cash flows will be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To do this, the Group enters into foreign exchange contracts that limit the risk from movements in US Dollar, Euro and Indian Rupee exchange rates with Sterling. Whilst commercially this hedges the Group's currency exposures, it does not meet the requirements for hedge accounting and accordingly any movements in the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts are recognised in the income statement.

Whilst the longer-term implications of the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union are unknown, we do know, in the absence of other relevant factors, that a sustained weakening of Sterling should be of benefit as we derive the majority of our revenues in currencies other than Sterling (principally US Dollar and Euro) and have a more limited exposure to non-Sterling costs. Whilst exchange rate movements have had a modest benefit on our 2017 results, the rate movements at the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018 suggest that these factors will be broadly neutral for both revenues and EBITDA in the new financial year.

As a data and analytics company, we are not currently impacted by cross border tariffs and we do not expect the re-negotiation of tariffs to materially impact our business.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the impact that fluctuations in market interest rates can have on the value of the Group's interest-bearing assets and liabilities and on the interest charge recognised in the income statement. The Group does not manage this risk with the use of derivatives.

Liquidity risk and going concern

The Group's approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure, as far as possible, that it has sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities as they fall due with surplus facilities to cope with any unexpected variances in timing of cash flows. The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through free cash flow.

Based on cash flow projections, the Group considers the existing financing facilities to be adequate to meet short-term commitments. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, the Group has prepared the Annual Report and Accounts on a going concern basis.

Graham Lilley

Chief Financial Officer

26 February 2018

Consolidated Income Statement

 
                                          Notes     Year ended     Year ended 
                                                   31 December    31 December 
                                                          2017           2016 
                                                       GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Continuing operations 
 Revenue                                    3          121,678        100,013 
 Cost of sales                                        (77,658)       (65,781) 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 Gross profit                                           44,020         34,232 
 Distribution costs                                       (82)           (63) 
 Administrative costs                                 (23,496)       (15,466) 
 Other expenses                             4         (19,783)       (20,267) 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit/ (loss)                                  659        (1,564) 
 
 Analysed as: 
 Adjusted EBITDA(1)                                     23,397         20,580 
    Items associated with acquisitions 
     and restructure of the Group           4          (3,347)        (1,761) 
    Other adjusting items                   4          (4,474)        (5,105) 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 EBITDA(2)                                              15,576         13,714 
 Amortisation                                         (14,088)       (14,553) 
 Depreciation                                            (829)          (725) 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit/ (loss)                                  659        (1,564) 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Finance costs                                         (1,444)          (955) 
 Loss before tax from continuing 
  operations                                             (785)        (2,519) 
 Income tax (expense)/ credit                          (1,371)          4,332 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year 
  from continuing operations                           (2,156)          1,813 
 Loss for the year from discontinued 
  operations                               12                -          (717) 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year                           (2,156)          1,096 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 (Loss)/ earnings per share 
  attributable to equity holders 
  from continuing operations:               5 
 Basic (loss)/ earnings per 
  share (pence)                                         (2.11)           1.80 
 Diluted (loss)/ earnings per 
  share (pence)                                         (2.11)           1.65 
 Loss per share attributable 
  to equity holders from discontinued 
  operations: 
 Basic loss per share (pence)                                -         (0.71) 
 Diluted loss per share (pence)                              -         (0.71) 
 Total basic (loss)/ earnings 
  per share (pence)                                     (2.11)           1.09 
 Total diluted (loss)/ earnings 
  per share (pence)                                     (2.11)           1.00 
---------------------------------------  ------  -------------  ------------- 
 

(1) We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for costs associated with acquisition, restructuring of the Group, share based payments, impairment, unrealised operating exchange rate movements and impact of foreign exchange contracts. See note 4 of the preliminary financial statements for further details. We present Adjusted EBITDA as additional information because we understand that it is a measure used by certain investors and because it is used as the measure of Group profit or loss. However, other companies may present Adjusted EBITDA differently. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to operating profit or as a measure of liquidity or an alternative to net income as indicators of our operating performance or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with IFRS.

(2) EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 
 
                                                 Year ended     Year ended 
                                                31 December    31 December 
                                                       2017           2016 
                                                    GBP000s        GBP000s 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year                        (2,156)          1,096 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that will be classified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
 Net exchange (losses)/ gains on 
  translation of foreign entities                     (117)            108 
 Other comprehensive (loss)/ income, 
  net of tax                                          (117)            108 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/ income 
  for the year                                      (2,273)          1,204 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 
 
 
                                          Notes      31 December 2017     31 December 2016 
                                                              GBP000s              GBP000s 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                                  1,243                1,353 
 Intangible assets                          6                 150,548              133,506 
 Trade and other receivables                8                   3,700                4,625 
 Deferred tax assets                                            4,947                4,137 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
                                                              160,438              143,621 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                                        6                    - 
 Current tax receivable                                             -                  639 
 Trade and other receivables                                   50,726               42,608 
 Short-term derivative assets               7                     369                   94 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                      2,952                6,447 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
                                                               54,053               49,788 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Total assets                                                 214,491              193,409 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                                    (77,842)             (64,775) 
 Short-term borrowings                     13                 (6,000)              (5,737) 
 Current tax payable                                          (2,990)                    - 
 Short-term derivative liabilities          7                    (98)              (1,089) 
 Short-term provisions                                          (160)              (1,364) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
                                                             (87,090)             (72,965) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Long-term provisions                                           (441)                (223) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                                     (3,014)              (4,655) 
 Long-term borrowings                      13                (39,955)             (26,162) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
                                                             (43,410)             (31,040) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Total liabilities                                          (130,500)            (104,005) 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Net assets                                                    83,991               89,404 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Equity 
 Share capital                              9                     173                  173 
 Share premium account                                            200                  200 
 Treasury reserve                                             (2,289)                (960) 
 Other reserve                                               (37,128)             (37,128) 
 Merger reserve                                                66,481               66,481 
 Foreign currency translation reserve                           (190)                 (73) 
 Retained profit                                               56,744               60,711 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Total equity                                                  83,991               89,404 
--------------------------------------  --------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 
          Share             Share                   Other                               Foreign      Retained    Total 
          capital           premium     Treasury    reserve     Merger      Special     currency      profit     equity 
                            account     reserve                 reserve     reserve    translation 
                                                                                         reserve 
         GBP000s           GBP000s     GBP000s     GBP000s     GBP000s     GBP000s      GBP000s      GBP000s    GBP000s 
 -----------------------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2016               154        200            -   (37,128)           -      48,422          (181)     13,744    25,211 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Profit for the 
  year                 -          -            -          -           -           -              -      1,096     1,096 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income: 
 Net exchange 
  gains 
  on translation 
  of foreign 
  entities             -          -            -          -           -           -            108          -       108 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the 
  year                 -          -            -          -           -           -            108      1,096     1,204 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Transactions with 
  owners: 
     Shares issued 
      for 
      GlobalData 
      Holding 
      acquisition     19          -            -          -      66,481           -              -          -    66,500 
     Dividends         -          -            -          -           -           -              -    (5,113)   (5,113) 
     Share buy 
      back             -          -        (960)          -           -           -              -          -     (960) 
     Special 
      reserve 
      transfer         -          -            -          -           -    (48,422)              -     48,422         - 
     Share based 
      payments 
      charge           -          -            -          -           -           -              -      2,764     2,764 
     Excess 
      deferred 
      tax on share 
      based 
      payments         -          -            -          -           -           -              -      (202)     (202) 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2016      173        200        (960)   (37,128)      66,481           -           (73)     60,711    89,404 
 Loss for the year     -          -            -          -           -           -              -    (2,156)   (2,156) 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income: 
 Net exchange loss 
  on translation 
  of foreign 
  entities             -          -            -          -           -           -          (117)          -     (117) 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  loss for the 
  year                 -          -            -          -           -           -          (117)    (2,156)   (2,273) 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 Transactions with 
  owners: 
     Dividends         -          -            -          -           -           -              -    (7,134)   (7,134) 
     Share buy 
      back             -          -      (1,329)          -           -           -              -          -   (1,329) 
     Share based 
      payments 
      charge           -          -            -          -           -           -              -      5,323     5,323 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2017      173        200      (2,289)   (37,128)      66,481           -          (190)     56,744    83,991 
------------------  ----  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  -------- 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 
                                              Year ended     Year ended 
                                             31 December    31 December 
   Continuing operations                            2017           2016 
 Cash flows from operating activities            GBP000s        GBP000s 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year from 
  continuing operations                          (2,156)          1,813 
 Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation                                        829            725 
 Amortisation                                     14,088         14,553 
 Finance costs                                     1,444            955 
 Taxation recognised in profit 
  or loss                                          1,371        (4,332) 
 Loss on disposal of fixed assets                      -             48 
 Non-trading foreign exchange 
  (gain)/ loss                                     (274)          1,571 
 Share based payments charge                       5,323          2,764 
 Increase in trade and other receivables         (2,789)        (7,936) 
 (Increase)/ decrease in inventories                 (6)              1 
 (Decrease)/ increase in trade 
  payables                                       (1,117)          5,121 
 Revaluation of short and long-term 
  derivatives                                    (1,266)            770 
 Movement in provisions                            (986)        (1,016) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash generated from continuing 
  operations                                      14,461         15,037 
 Interest paid (continuing operations)           (1,423)          (999) 
 Income taxes paid (continuing 
  operations)                                       (57)        (1,562) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash from operating activities 
  (continuing operations)                         12,981         12,476 
 Net decrease in cash and cash 
  equivalents from discontinued 
  operations                                           -          (604) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total cash flows from operating 
  activities                                      12,981         11,872 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
  (continuing operations) 
 Acquisitions                                   (20,338)        (2,878) 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                        (612)          (578) 
 Purchase of intangible assets                   (1,184)          (682) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities 
  (continuing operations)                       (22,134)        (4,138) 
 Net decrease in cash and cash                         -              - 
  equivalents from discontinued 
  operations 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total cash flows used in investing 
  activities                                    (22,134)        (4,138) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
  (continuing operations) 
 Repayment of short-term borrowings              (7,356)        (5,379) 
 Proceeds from long-term borrowings               51,100              - 
 Settlement of long-term borrowings             (29,520)              - 
 Dividends paid                                  (7,134)        (5,113) 
 Share buy back                                  (1,329)          (960) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash from/ (used in) financing 
  activities (continuing operations)               5,761       (11,452) 
 Net decrease in cash and cash                         -              - 
  equivalents from discontinued 
  operations 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total cash flows from/ (used 
  in) financing activities                         5,761       (11,452) 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net decrease increase in cash 
  and cash equivalents                           (3,392)        (3,718) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  beginning of year                                6,447         10,117 
 Effects of currency translation 
  on cash and cash equivalents                     (103)             48 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  end of year                                      2,952          6,447 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this financial report.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   1.             General information 

Basis of preparation

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations as adopted by the European Union (EU).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of derivative financial instruments. These condensed financial statements are for the year ended 31 December 2017 and should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 that was sent to all shareholders and is available on the Company's website. These financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (GBP).

This preliminary announcement does not constitute the Group's full financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017. The auditors have reported on the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017 under s495 of the Companies Act 2006, which do not contain statements under s498(2) or s498(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and are unqualified. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017 will be filed with the Registrar of companies in due course.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The Group makes estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

In the future, actual experience may deviate from these estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year relate to valuation of acquired intangible assets, recoverability of deferred tax assets, provisions for share based payments, provision for doubtful debts, carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles and segmental reporting.

Key sources of estimation of uncertainty

Valuation of acquired intangibles

Management identified and valued acquired intangible assets on acquisitions that were made during the periods disclosed in the financial statements. Management has applied judgements in identifying and valuing intangible assets separate from goodwill that consist of assessing the value of software, brands, intellectual property rights and customer relationships. The Board have a policy of engaging professional advisors on acquisitions with a purchase price greater than GBP10 million to advise and assist in calculating intangible asset values. The Group consistently applies the following methodologies for each class of identified intangible:

   --      Customer relationships - Net present value of future cash flows 
   --      Intellectual Property - Cost to recreate the asset 
   --      Brands - Royalty relief method 

Assumptions are made on the useful life of an intangible and if shortened, would increase the amortisation charge recognised in the income statement.

There are a number of assumptions in estimating the present value of future cash flows including management's expectation of future revenue, renewal rates for subscription customers, costs, timing and quantum of future capital expenditure, long-term growth rates and discount rates.

Recoverability of deferred tax assets

The Group has recognised a significant deferred income tax asset in its financial statements which requires judgement for determining the extent of its recoverability at each balance sheet date. The Group assesses recoverability with reference to Board approved forecasts of future taxable profits. These forecasts require the use of assumptions and estimates. Where the temporary differences are related to losses, relevant tax law is considered to determine the availability of the losses to offset against the future taxable profits. A deferred tax asset additionally exists in relation to the temporary tax and accounting difference in relation to the share based payment scheme. Additional disclosures on the calculation of share based payments are provided in note 10.

Provision for doubtful debts

The Group is required to judge when there is sufficient objective evidence to require the impairment of individual trade receivables. It does this on the basis of the age of the relevant receivables, external evidence of the credit status of the customer entity and the status of any disputed amounts. The Group will also review the previous payment profile of the customer and liaise with the customers' management team before concluding on whether a provision is required.

Share based payments

The Group operates a share based compensation plan under which the entity receives services from employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) of the Group. The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options and awards is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted, excluding the impact of any non-market service and performance vesting conditions (for example, profitability, sales growth targets and remaining an employee of the entity over a specified time period). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options and awards that are expected to vest. The total amount expensed is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified existing conditions are to be satisfied. At each reporting date, the entity revises its estimates of the number of options and awards that are expected to vest based on the non-market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. The significant judgements involved in calculating the share based payments charge are the fair value at the date of grant which is determined by using the Black-Scholes model, the senior management retention rate which is determined with reference to historical churn and the estimated vesting periods which are determined with reference to the Group's forecasts. Additional disclosures on the calculation of share based payments are provided in note 10.

Carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles

The carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles is assessed at each reporting date to ensure that there is no need for impairment. Performing this assessment requires management to estimate future cash flows to be generated by the related cash generating unit, which entails making judgements including the expected rate of growth of sales, margins expected to be achieved, the level of future capital expenditure required to support these outcomes and the appropriate discount rate to apply when valuing future cash flows.

Critical accounting judgements

Segmental reporting

IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" requires the segment information presented in the financial statements to be that which is used internally by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of the business and to decide how to allocate resources. The Group has identified the Executive Directors as its chief operating decision maker. Business information is provided to customers through one single brand via multiple channels by a dedicated content team that is centrally managed by Research Directors who report directly to the Executive Directors. Business information is therefore considered to be the operating segment of the Group.

Going concern

The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through free cash flow. Based on cash flow projections the Group considers the existing financing facilities to be adequate to meet short-term commitments.

The existing finance facilities were issued with debt covenants which are measured on a quarterly basis. Management have reviewed forecasted cash flows and there is no indication that there will be any breach in the next 12 months.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, the Group has prepared the annual report and financial statements on a going concern basis.

   2.             Accounting policies 

This report has been prepared based on the accounting policies detailed in the Group's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017.

   3.             Segmental analysis 

The principal activity of GlobalData Plc and its subsidiaries is to enable organisations in the Consumer, ICT and Healthcare markets to gain competitive advantage by providing unique, high quality data and analytics and services across multiple platforms.

IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" requires the segment information presented in the financial statements to be that which is used internally by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of the business and to decide how to allocate resources. The Group has identified the Executive Directors as its chief operating decision maker.

Business information is provided to customers through one single brand via multiple channels by a dedicated content team that is centrally managed by Research Directors who report directly to the Executive Directors. Business information is therefore considered to be the operating segment of the Group.

The Group profit or loss is reported to the Executive Directors on a monthly basis and consists of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, central overheads and other adjusting items.

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to loss before tax from continuing operations is set out below:

 
                                           Year ended     Year ended 
                                          31 December    31 December 
                                                 2017           2016 
                                              GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Business Information                         121,678        100,013 
 Total Revenue                                121,678        100,013 
 
 Adjusted EBITDA                               23,397         20,580 
 Other expenses (see note 4)                 (19,783)       (20,267) 
 Depreciation                                   (829)          (725) 
 Amortisation (excluding amortisation 
  of acquired intangible assets)              (2,126)        (1,152) 
 Finance costs                                (1,444)          (955) 
 Loss before tax from continuing 
  operations                                    (785)        (2,519) 
--------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Geographical analysis

From continuing operations

 
 Year ended 31 December 2017             UK    Europe   Americas   Asia Pacific   Rest of World     Total 
                                    GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s        GBP000s         GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Revenue from external customers     23,876    33,381     45,067         12,428           6,926   121,678 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  --------------  -------- 
 
 
 Year ended 31 December 2016             UK    Europe   Americas   Asia Pacific   Rest of World     Total 
                                    GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s        GBP000s         GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Revenue from external customers     22,840    27,598     35,580          9,060           4,935   100,013 
---------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------  --------------  -------- 
 

Intangible assets held in the US were GBP13.1 million, of which GBP11.6 million related to Goodwill. The Group also holds GBP2.0 million of deferred tax asset in the US. Intangible assets held in the UAE were GBP18.1m of which GBP10.3m related to Goodwill. All other non-current assets are held in the UK. The largest customer represented less than 3% of the Group's consolidated revenue.

   4.             Other expenses 
 
                                            Year ended     Year ended 
                                           31 December    31 December 
                                                  2017           2016 
                                               GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Restructuring costs                             2,436          1,289 
 M&A costs                                         911            472 
 Items associated with acquisitions 
  and restructure of the Group                   3,347          1,761 
 Share based payments charge                     5,323          2,764 
 Revaluation of short and long-term 
  derivatives                                  (1,266)            770 
 Unrealised operating foreign exchange 
  loss                                             417          1,571 
 Amortisation of acquired intangibles           11,962         13,401 
  Total other expenses                          19,783         20,267 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   --      Restructuring costs relates to redundancies and other restructuring. 
   --      The M&A costs relate to due diligence and corporate finance activity. 
   --      The share based payments charge relates to the share option scheme (see note 10). 

-- The revaluation of short and long-term derivatives relates to movement in the fair value of the short and long-term derivatives (see note 7).

-- Unrealised foreign exchange losses relate to non-cash exchange losses made on operating items.

   5.             Earnings per share 

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The Group has a share options scheme in place and therefore the Group has calculated the dilutive effect of these options. The below table shows earnings per share for both continuing and discontinued operations:

 
 
                                               Year ended     Year ended 
                                              31 December    31 December 
                                                     2017           2016 
 Continuing operations 
 Basic 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders of the 
  parent company (GBP000s)                        (2,156)          1,813 
 Weighted average number of shares 
  (000s)                                          102,346        100,632 
 Basic (loss)/ earnings per share 
  (pence)                                          (2.11)           1.80 
 Diluted 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders of the 
  parent company (GBP000s)                        (2,156)          1,813 
 Weighted average number of shares* 
  (000s)                                          102,346        110,082 
 Diluted (loss)/ earnings per share 
  (pence)                                          (2.11)           1.65 
 Discontinued operations 
 Basic 
 Loss for the year attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders of the 
  parent company (GBP000s)                              -          (717) 
 Weighted average number of shares 
  (000s)                                          102,346        100,632 
 Basic loss per share (pence)                           -         (0.71) 
 Diluted 
 Loss for the year attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders of the 
  parent company (GBP000s)                              -          (717) 
 Weighted average number of shares* 
  (000s)                                          102,346        100,632 
 Diluted loss per share (pence)                         -         (0.71) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total 
 Basic 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders of the 
  parent company (GBP000s)                        (2,156)          1,096 
 Weighted average number of shares 
  (000s)                                          102,346        100,632 
 Basic (loss)/ earnings per share 
  (pence)                                          (2.11)           1.09 
 Diluted 
 (Loss)/ profit for the year attributable 
  to ordinary shareholders of the 
  parent company (GBP000s)                        (2,156)          1,096 
 Weighted average number of shares* 
  (000s)                                          102,346        110,082 
 Diluted (loss)/ earnings per share 
  (pence)                                          (2.11)           1.00 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

* Where the share options in issue are anti-dilutive in respect of the diluted loss per share calculation in 2017 and 2016, the options have not been included in the calculation.

Reconciliation of basic weighted average number of shares to the diluted weighted average number of shares:

 
                                    31 December   31 December 
                                           2017          2016 
                                        No'000s       No'000s 
 Basic weighted average number 
  of shares                             102,346       100,632 
 Share options in issue at end 
  of year                                10,622         9,450 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Diluted weighted average number 
  of shares                             112,968       110,082 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   6.             Intangible assets 
 
                          Software         Customer    Brands          IP   Goodwill      Total 
                                      relationships                rights 
                                                                      and 
                                                                 Database 
                           GBP000s          GBP000s   GBP000s     GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
 Cost 
 As at 31 December 
  2016                       7,577           25,575    10,695      22,529    111,455    177,831 
 Additions: Business 
  Combinations                 117            7,180     1,596       4,356     16,779     30,028 
 Additions: Separately 
  Acquired                   1,036                -       148           -          -      1,184 
 Foreign currency 
  retranslation               (47)                -         -           -          -       (47) 
 Disposals                     (1)                -         -           -          -        (1) 
 As at 31 December 
  2017                       8,682           32,755    12,439      26,885    128,234    208,995 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  --------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Amortisation 
 As at 31 December 
  2016                     (5,716)         (13,559)   (2,597)    (13,093)    (9,360)   (44,325) 
 Additions: Business 
  Combinations                (73)                -         -           -          -       (73) 
 Charge for the year       (1,118)          (3,097)   (1,290)     (8,583)          -   (14,088) 
 Foreign currency 
  retranslation                 38                -         -           -          -         38 
 Disposals                       1                -         -           -          -          1 
 As at 31 December 
  2017                     (6,868)         (16,656)   (3,887)    (21,676)    (9,360)   (58,447) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  --------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Net book value 
 As at 31 December 
  2017                       1,814           16,099     8,552       5,209    118,874    150,548 
 As at 31 December 
  2016                       1,861           12,016     8,098       9,436    102,095    133,506 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  --------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 

Intangible asset additions as a result of business combinations are discussed in detail in note 11.

   7.             Derivative assets and liabilities 
 
 
                             31 December     31 December 
                                    2017            2016 
                                 GBP000s         GBP000s 
 Short-term derivative 
  assets                             369              94 
 Short-term derivative 
  liabilities                       (98)         (1,089) 
 Net derivative asset/ 
  (liability)                        271           (995) 
------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Classification is based on when the derivatives mature. The fair values of derivatives are expected to impact the income statement over the next year, dependant on movements in the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts. The movement in the year was a GBP1,266,000 credit to the income statement (2016: charge of GBP770,000).

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

The notional values of contract amounts outstanding are:

 
                                         Euro   US Dollar     Indian 
   Expiring in the period ending:     EUR'000       $'000      Rupee 
                                                             INR'000 
 31 December 2018                       3,400      17,450    353,152 
----------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

Fair value of financial instruments

Financial instruments are either carried at amortised cost, less any provision for impairment, or fair value.

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

-- Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

-- Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

-- Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

As at 31 December 2017, the only financial instruments measured at fair value were derivative financial liabilities and these are classified as Level 2.

 
 Type of Financial   Measurement     Main assumptions     Main inputs 
  Instrument          technique                            used 
  at Level 
  2 
------------------  --------------  -------------------  ----------------- 
 Derivative          Present-value   Determining the      Observable 
  assets and          method          present value        market exchange 
  liabilities                         of financial         rates 
                                      instruments as 
                                      the current value 
                                      of future cash 
                                      flows, taking 
                                      into account 
                                      current market 
                                      exchange rates 
 
   8.             Related party transactions 

Mike Danson, GlobalData's Chief Executive, owned 68.0% of the Company's ordinary shares as at 26 February 2017. Mike Danson owns a number of businesses that interact with GlobalData Plc. The principal transactions are as follows:

Accommodation

GlobalData Plc occupies buildings which are owned by Estel Property Investments Limited, a company wholly owned by Mike Danson. The total rental expense, including service and management fees, in relation to the buildings owned by Estel Property Investments for the year ended 31 December 2017 was GBP2,061,600 (2016: GBP2,061,500).

Corporate support services

Corporate support services are provided to and from other companies owned by Mike Danson, principally finance, human resources, IT and facilities management. These are recharged to companies that consume these services based on specific drivers of costs, such as proportional occupancy of buildings for facilities management, headcount for human resources services, revenue or gross profit for finance services and headcount for IT services. The net recharge made from GlobalData Plc to these companies for the year ended 31 December 2017 was GBP874,600 (2016: GBP922,900).

Loan to Progressive Trade Media Limited

As part of the 2016 disposal of non-core B2B print businesses to a related party, the Group agreed to issue a loan to Progressive Trade Media Limited to fund the purchase consideration. This loan is for GBP4.5m and repayable in 5 instalments, with the first instalment due in January 2018. Interest of 2.25% above LIBOR is charged on the loan, with GBP112,000 charged in the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: GBP125,000).

Acquisitions

In addition to the Cards and Wealth business acquired from World Market Intelligence Limited noted in the acquisitions section, during the year, GlobalData UK Limited also acquired three businesses which were related by virtue of common ownership. The details of these acquisitions are provided below:

 
                         Progressive            GlobalData            Progressive 
                         Media Korea    Japan KK (formerly    Media International 
                             Limited          named Global                 FZ LLC 
                                              Intelligence 
                                             & Media Japan 
                             GBP000s                   KK)                GBP000s 
                                                   GBP000s 
---------------------  -------------  --------------------  --------------------- 
 Consideration                     -                     -                     10 
 Fair Value 
  of Net Liabilities 
  Acquired                     (201)                   (5)                  (384) 
---------------------  -------------  --------------------  --------------------- 
 Goodwill                        201                     5                    394 
 

In the case of all three acquisitions, the value of intangible assets identified as part of the acquisitions was nil.

Amounts outstanding

The Group has taken advantage of the exemptions contained within IAS 24 - Related Party Disclosures from the requirement to disclose transactions between Group companies as these have been eliminated on consolidation. The amounts outstanding for other related parties were:

Non-Trading Balances

Amounts due in greater than one year:

 
                                     31 December   31 December 
                                            2017          2016 
                                         GBP000s       GBP000s 
 Progressive Trade Media Limited           3,700         4,625 
                                           3,700         4,625 
 ---------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Amounts due within one year:

 
                                     31 December   31 December 
                                            2017          2016 
                                         GBP000s       GBP000s 
 Progressive Trade Media Limited             925             - 
                                             925             - 
--------------------------------    ------------  ------------ 
 

Trading Balances

Amounts due within one year:

 
                                      31 December   31 December 
                                             2017          2016 
                                          GBP000s       GBP000s 
 Estel Property Group Limited               (523)         (617) 
 Progressive Media Ventures 
  (and subsidiaries)                           94           557 
 Compelo Group (and subsidiaries)              71          (61) 
 Research Views Group (and 
  subsidiaries)                               360           137 
                                                2            16 
 ----------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The Group has right of set off over these amounts.

   9.             Equity 

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

 
                                         31 December         31 December 
                                             2017                2016 
                                    No'000    GBP000s    No'000   GBP000s 
 
Ordinary shares at 1 
 January (1/14(th) pence)          102,346         73    76,268        54 
Issue of shares: consideration 
 GlobalData                              -          -    26,078        19 
Share buyback                            -          -         -         - 
Ordinary shares c/f 31 
 December (1/14(th) pence)         102,346         73   102,346        73 
 
Deferred shares of GBP1.00 
 each                                  100        100       100       100 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
                                   102,446        173   102,446       173 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 

Share Buyback

As detailed in note 10, during the period the Group purchased an aggregate amount of 254,200 shares at a total market value of GBP1,329,000.

Capital management

The Group's capital management objectives are:

   --      To ensure the Group's ability to continue as a going concern 

-- To fund future growth and provide an adequate return to shareholders and, when appropriate, distribute dividends

The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt, which includes borrowings and cash and cash equivalents, and equity.

The Company has two classes of shares. The ordinary shares carry no right to fixed income and each share carries the right to one vote at general meetings of the Company.

The deferred shares do not confer upon the holders the right to receive any dividend, distribution or other participation in the profits of the Company. The deferred shares do not entitle the holders to receive notice of or to attend and speak or vote at any general meeting of the Company. On distribution of assets on liquidation or otherwise, the surplus assets of the Company remaining after payments of its liabilities shall be applied first in repaying to holders of the deferred shares the nominal amounts and any premiums paid up or credited as paid up on such shares, and second the balance of such assets shall belong to and be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares in proportion to the nominal amounts paid up on the ordinary shares held by them respectively.

There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding nor on the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the general provisions of the Articles of Association and prevailing legislation. The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of the Company's shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights.

No person has any special rights of control over the Company's share capital and all its issued shares are fully paid.

With regard to the appointment and replacement of Directors, the Company is governed by its Articles of Association, the Companies Act and related legislation. The Articles themselves may be amended by special resolution of the shareholders. The powers of Directors are described in the Board Terms of Reference, copies of which are available on request.

Other reserve

The other reserve consists of a reserve created upon the reverse acquisition of the TMN Group Plc.

Foreign currency translation reserve

The foreign currency translation reserve contains the translation differences that arise upon translating the results of subsidiaries with a functional currency other than Sterling. Such exchange differences are recognised in the income statement in the period in which a foreign operation is disposed of.

Special reserve

The special reserve was created upon the capital reduction which occurred during 2013.

In order to facilitate the payment of dividends, the special reserve, constituted by an undertaking to the Court given in connection with the reduction of the Company's share premium account undertaken in May 2013, has been released in accordance with its terms pursuant to a resolution of the Board dated 23 February 2016 (all relevant creditors having been discharged or otherwise consented to the reduction).

Merger reserve

The merger reserve was created to account for the premium on the shares issued in consideration for the purchase of GlobalData Holding Limited in 2016.

Treasury reserve

The treasury reserve contains shares held in treasury by the Group and in the Group's Employee Benefit Trust for the purpose of satisfying the exercise of share options under the Company's Employee Share Option Plan.

Dividends

The final dividend for 2016 was 4.0p per share and was paid in May 2017. The total dividend for the current year was 8.0 pence per share, with an interim dividend of 3.0 pence per share paid on 3 October 2017 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 1 September 2017 and a final dividend of 5.0 pence per share to be paid on 27 April 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 16 March 2018. The ex-dividend date will be on 15 March 2018.

   10.          Share Based Payments 

The Group created a share option scheme during the year ended 31 December 2010 and granted the first options under the scheme on 1 January 2011 to certain senior employees. Each option granted converts to one ordinary share on exercise. A participant may exercise their options (subject to employment conditions) at any time during a prescribed period from the vesting date to the date the option lapses. For these options to be exercised the Group's earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation, as adjusted by the Remuneration Committee for significant or one-off occurrences, must exceed certain targets. The fair values of options granted were determined using the Black-Scholes model. The inputs used in the model were:

   --      share price at date of grant 
   --      exercise price 
   --      time to maturity 
   --      annual risk-free interest rate and; 
   --      annualised volatility 

The following assumptions were used in the valuation:

 
 Award Tranche       Grant Date     Fair Value                  Estimated        Weighted 
                                      of Share     Exercise    Forfeiture         Average 
                                      Price at        Price     rate p.a.    of Remaining 
                                    Grant Date      (Pence)                   Contractual 
                                                                                     Life 
---------------  --------------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -------------- 
 
                      1 January 
 Award 1                   2011        GBP1.09      0.0714p           15%             2.0 
 Award 3             1 May 2012        GBP1.87      0.0714p           15%             2.0 
 Award 4           7 March 2014        GBP2.55      0.0714p           15%             2.0 
                   22 September 
 Award 6                   2014       GBP2.525      0.0714p            0%             2.0 
                     9 December 
 Award 7                   2014       GBP2.075      0.0714p           15%             2.2 
                    31 December 
 Award 8                   2014       GBP2.025      0.0714p           15%             2.2 
                       21 April 
 Award 9                   2015       GBP2.040      0.0714p           15%             2.2 
                   28 September 
 Award 10                  2015       GBP2.490      0.0714p           15%             3.0 
                       17 March 
 Award 11                  2016       GBP2.064      0.0714p            0%             2.5 
                       17 March 
 Award 12                  2016       GBP2.064      0.0714p           15%             2.3 
                     21 October 
 Award 13                  2016       GBP4.425      0.0714p           15%             2.3 
                       21 March 
 Award 14                  2017       GBP5.465      0.0714p           15%             2.3 
                       21 March 
 Award 15                  2017       GBP5.465      0.0714p           15%             2.5 
                       21 March 
 Award 16                  2017       GBP5.465      0.0714p           15%             2.0 
                   21 September 
 Award 17                  2017       GBP5.740      0.0714p           15%             2.6 
 

Awards 2 and 5 have been fully forfeited.

The estimated forfeiture rate assumption is based upon management's expectation of the number of options that will lapse over the vesting period. The assumptions were determined when the scheme was set up in 2011 and are reviewed annually. Management believe the current assumptions to be reasonable based upon the rate of lapsed options.

The risk free interest rate and annualised volatility for awards granted in 2017 were 1.2% and 37% respectively.

Each of the awards are subject to the vesting criteria set by the Remuneration Committee. In order for the remaining options to be exercised, the Group's earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation, as adjusted by the Remuneration Committee for significant or one-off occurrences, must exceed targets of GBP28 million and GBP39 million respectively (2016: GBP26.7 million and GBP35 million respectively). The targets were revised during 2017 following the acquisition of the Pharmsource and Infinata businesses.

 
                         Vesting Criteria 
         Group Achieves   Group Achieves   Group Achieves 
          GBP10m EBITDA    GBP28m EBITDA    GBP39m EBITDA 
------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Award      20% Vest         40% Vest         40% Vest 
  1-4 
 Award 
  6           N/a            50% Vest         50% Vest 
 Award 
  7           N/a            40% Vest         60% Vest 
 Award 
  8           N/a            50% Vest         50% Vest 
 Award 
  9           N/a            40% Vest         60% Vest 
 Award 
  10          N/a              N/a           100% Vest 
 Award 
  12          N/a            35% Vest         65% Vest 
 Award 
  13          N/a            35% Vest         65% Vest 
 Award 
  14          N/a            35% Vest         65% Vest 
 Award 
  15          N/a            25% Vest         75% Vest 
 Award 
  16          N/a            50% Vest         50% Vest 
 Award 
  17          N/a            20% Vest         80% Vest 
 

Award 11 relates to options awarded to Executive Chairman, Bernard Cragg during 2016. The options will vest on 31 January 2019 and 31 January 2021 in equal tranches.

The total charge recognised for the scheme during the twelve months to 31 December 2017 was GBP5,323,000 (2016: GBP2,764,000). The awards of the scheme are settled with ordinary shares of the Company.

During the period the Group purchased an aggregate amount of 254,200 shares at a total market value of GBP1,329,000. The purchased shares will be held in treasury and in the Group's Employee Benefit Trust for the purpose of satisfying the exercise of share options under the Company's Employee Share Option Plan.

Reconciliation of movement in the number of options is provided below.

 
                      Option price        Number 
                           (pence)            of 
                                         options 
 
 31 December 2016           1/14th     9,450,183 
 Granted                    1/14th     2,239,160 
 Forfeited                  1/14th   (1,067,486) 
------------------  --------------  ------------ 
 31 December 2017           1/14th    10,621,857 
------------------  --------------  ------------ 
 

The following table summarises the Group's share options outstanding at each year end:

 
                          Options   Option price       Remaining 
   Reporting date     outstanding        (pence)    life (years) 
 
 31 December 2011       5,004,300         1/14th             3.7 
 31 December 2012       4,931,150         1/14th             4.3 
 31 December 2013       4,775,050         1/14th             3.3 
 31 December 2014       8,358,880         1/14th             2.5 
 31 December 2015       7,557,840         1/14th             2.5 
 31 December 2016       9,450,183         1/14th             3.2 
 31 December 2017      10,621,857       1/14(th)             2.2 
------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   11.          Acquisitions 

Infinata

On 7 April 2017, the Group acquired the trade and assets of the Infinata brand from The MergerMarket Group for a purchase price of US$9.6 million.

The amounts recognised for each class of assets and liabilities at the acquisition date were as follows:

 
                                          Carrying           Fair 
                                             Value          Value      Fair 
                                                      Adjustments     Value 
                                           GBP000s        GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Intangible assets consisting 
  of: 
            Brand                                -            429       429 
            Customer relationships               -          2,029     2,029 
            Intellectual Property and 
             Content                             -          2,803     2,803 
 
 Net liabilities acquired 
  consisting of: 
            Deferred revenue               (2,747)              -   (2,747) 
 Fair value of net assets 
  acquired                                 (2,747)          5,261     2,514 
---------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 

The goodwill recognised in relation to the acquisition is as follows:

 
 
                             Fair Value 
                                GBP000s 
 Consideration                    7,704 
 Less net assets acquired       (2,514) 
-----------------------------  -------- 
 Goodwill                         5,190 
-----------------------------  -------- 
 

In line with the provisions of IFRS 3, further fair value adjustments may be required within the 12 month period from the date of acquisition. Any fair value adjustments will result in an adjustment to the goodwill balance reported above.

In the year ended 31 December 2016 the Infinata trade generated revenues of $8.0 million and profits before tax of $1.0 million. The business has generated revenues of GBP4.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP1.0 million in the period from acquisition to 31 December 2017. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2017, the Group year to date revenue for 2017 would have been GBP123.0 million and the Group loss before tax from continuing operations would have been GBP1.0 million.

The goodwill that arose on the combination can be attributed to the assembled workforce, know-how and expertise.

The Group incurred legal and professional costs of GBP0.2m in relation to the acquisition, which were recognised in other expenses.

Ascential Jersey Holdings

On 30 November 2017, the Group acquired Ascential Jersey Holdings Limited and its subsidiary MEED Media FZ LLC for cash consideration of US $17.5 million. MEED provides premium data and analytics content with an industry focus on construction and projects in the Middle East. The business services its growing client base principally through annual subscription contracts.

The goodwill recognised in relation to the acquisition is as follows:

 
                                                  Carrying           Fair 
                                                     Value          Value      Fair 
                                                              Adjustments     Value 
                                                   GBP000s        GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Intangible assets consisting 
  of: 
            Brand                                        -          1,167     1,167 
            Customer relationships                       -          5,151     5,151 
            Intellectual Property and 
             Content                                     -          1,553     1,553 
 
 Net liabilities acquired 
  consisting of: 
            Tangible and intangible 
             fixed assets                              148              -       148 
            Cash                                       524              -       524 
            Trade receivables                        1,556              -     1,556 
            Other receivables and prepayments          500              -       500 
            Trade and other payables                 (985)              -     (985) 
            Accruals and deferred revenue          (6,708)              -   (6,708) 
 Fair value of net assets 
  acquired                                         (4,965)          7,871     2,906 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 

The goodwill recognised in relation to the acquisition is as follows:

 
 
                             Fair Value 
                                GBP000s 
 Consideration                   13,158 
 Less net assets acquired       (2,906) 
-----------------------------  -------- 
 Goodwill                        10,252 
-----------------------------  -------- 
 

In line with the provisions of IFRS 3, further fair value adjustments may be required within the 12 month period from the date of acquisition. Any fair value adjustments will result in an adjustment to the goodwill balance reported above.

In the year ended 31 December 2016 the MEED trade generated revenues of $18.7 million and EBITDA of $1.7 million. The business has generated revenues of GBP1.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP0.4 million in the period from acquisition to 31 December 2017. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2017, the Group year to date revenue for 2017 would have been GBP133.6 million and the Group loss before tax from continuing operations would have been GBP0.3 million.

The goodwill that arose on the combination can be attributed to the assembled workforce, know-how and expertise.

The Group incurred legal and professional costs of GBP0.2m in relation to the acquisition, which were recognised in other expenses.

Cash Cost of Acquisitions

The cash cost of acquisitions comprises:

 
                                            Year ended     Year ended 
                                           31 December    31 December 
                                                  2017           2016 
                                               GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Acquisition of Infinata                       (7,704)              - 
 Acquisition of Ascential Jersey 
  Holdings: 
      Cash consideration                      (13,158)              - 
      Cash acquired as part of opening             524              - 
       balance sheet 
 Acquisition of GlobalData Holding: 
     Stamp duty paid on shares                       -          (312) 
     Cash acquired as part of opening 
      balance sheet                                  -          (614) 
 Acquisition of Pharmsource                          -        (1,952) 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                              (20,338)        (2,878) 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Cards and Wealth

On 1 January 2017, the company purchased the trade of the cards and wealth intelligence business from World Market Intelligence Limited, a related party, for GBP1. The business had a liability of GBP0.7m deferred revenue on acquisition. The business generated revenues of GBP0.7m in 2017.

   12.          Discontinued operations 

As the business becomes more focused on its data and analytics offering, a number of legacy non-core business units have been discontinued in recent years.

   a)    The results of the discontinued operations are as follows; 
 
                                             Year ended     Year ended 
                                            31 December    31 December 
                                                   2017           2016 
                                                GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Discontinued operations 
 Revenue                                              -              8 
 Cost of sales                                        -           (73) 
---------------------------------------    ------------  ------------- 
 Gross loss                                           -           (65) 
 Administrative costs                                 -          (652) 
 Loss before tax from discontinued 
  operations                                          -          (717) 
 Income tax                                           -              - 
-------------------------------------    --------------  ------------- 
 Loss for the year from discontinued 
  operations                                          -          (717) 
---------------------------------------    ------------  ------------- 
 
   b)    Loss before tax 
 
                                  Year ended     Year ended 
                                 31 December    31 December 
                                        2017           2016 
 This is arrived at after            GBP000s        GBP000s 
  charging: 
 Amortisation                              -              - 
 Impairment                                -              - 
-------------------------      -------------  ------------- 
 
   c)    Cash flows from discontinued operations 
 
                                               Year ended     Year ended 
                                              31 December    31 December 
                                                     2017           2016 
                                                  GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Cash outflows from operating 
  activities                                            -          (604) 
 Total cash outflows from discontinued 
  operations                                            -          (604) 
 
   13.          Borrowings 
 
                              31 December   31 December 
                                     2017          2016 
                                  GBP000s       GBP000s 
 Current 
 Loans due within one year          6,000         5,737 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Non-current 
 Long-term loans                   39,955        26,162 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Term loan and RCF

In April 2017, the Group refinanced its debt position. The new facility consists of a GBP30.0 million term loan to replace the previous facilities held with The Royal Bank of Scotland. This is repayable in quarterly instalments over 5 years, with total repayments due in the next 12 months of GBP6.0 million. The outstanding balance as at 31 December 2017 was GBP25.5 million.

In addition to the term loan, the Group also has a revolving capital facility (RCF) of GBP45.0 million, with an additional accordion facility available of GBP25.0 million, providing significant additional funding capability for future investment. As at 31 December 2017, the Group had a total draw down against the RCF facilities of GBP21.1 million.

The new syndicated facilities have been provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Bank of Ireland.

Interest is charged on the term loan and drawn down RCF at a rate of 2.25% over the London Interbank Offered Rate.

Borrowings can be reconciled as follows:

 
                                       31 December   31 December 
                                              2017          2016 
                                           GBP000s       GBP000s 
 
 Term loan                                  25,500        15,776 
 RCF                                        21,100        16,375 
 Capitalised fees, net of amortised 
  amount                                     (645)         (252) 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                            45,955        31,899 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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