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GHH Gooch & Housego Plc

568.00
6.00 (1.07%)
Last Updated: 10:32:02
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Gooch & Housego Plc LSE:GHH London Ordinary Share GB0002259116 ORD 20P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  6.00 1.07% 568.00 568.00 586.00 574.00 568.00 574.00 10,777 10:32:02
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Optical Instruments & Lenses 148.48M 4.05M 0.1570 36.56 148.01M

Gooch & Housego PLC Interim Results (2419Q)

05/06/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 2419Q

Gooch & Housego PLC

05 June 2018

 
   5 June 2018 
 

GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31 MARCH 2018

Gooch & Housego PLC (AIM:GHH) ("Gooch & Housego", "G&H", the "Company" or the "Group"), the specialist manufacturer of optical components and systems, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2018.

Financial Highlights

 
 Period ended 31 March          H1 2018    H1 2017   Change (%) 
 Revenue                       GBP55.6m   GBP52.2m         6.6% 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Adjusted profit before 
  tax(1)                        GBP7.0m    GBP6.2m        12.7% 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Adjusted basic earnings 
  per share (1)                   21.5p      18.7p        15.0% 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Net cash                       GBP5.0m    GBP7.8m      (35.1%) 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Statutory profit before 
  tax                           GBP5.2m    GBP4.7m        11.6% 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Statutory basic earnings 
  per share                       18.6p      14.1p        31.9% 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Interim dividend per share        4.2p       3.7p        13.5% 
                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

(1) Adjusted for amortisation of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items.

Highlights

   --    Strong revenue growth driven by microelectronic manufacturing and A&D sectors. 

-- Revenue growth of 6.6% compared with the same period last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, an increase of 14.0% over H1 last year.

-- Demand for high reliability fibre couplers lower than H1 last year, expected to come back in H2.

-- Continued investment in people, equipment and processes to drive further growth and take advantage of positive market conditions.

   --    Adjusted profit growth of 12.7% compared with same period last year. 

-- Record half year order book of GBP84.7 million, as at 31 March 2018, an increase of 27.1% compared with the same period last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, an increase of 36.4%.

   --    Interim dividend increased to 4.2p (2017:3.7p). 

Mark Webster, Chief Executive Officer of Gooch & Housego, commented:

"Overall market conditions remain good, we have a record half year order book and expectations for full year trading remain in line with management's expectations.

"The introduction of a new manufacturing organisation has enabled us to more readily upgrade capacity and performance, in particular at our Ilminster and Fremont, CA sites, in order to meet the unprecedented demand in the microelectronic sector.

"G&H remains committed to our strategy of diversification and moving up the value chain. We have an active policy of building a diverse and balanced business by establishing a 'critical mass' in life sciences and further strengthening our position in A&D, through investing in a mix of R&D and acquisitions. A&D now represents about a third of our business. We believe this means G&H is well positioned for future growth."

For further information please contact:

 
                             Mark Webster / Andrew 
 Gooch & Housego PLC          Boteler                 01460 256 440 
                             Mark Court / Sophie 
 Buchanan                     Wills                   020 7466 5000 
 Investec Bank plc (Nomad    Patrick Robb / David 
  & Broker)                   Anderson                020 7597 5970 
 

Notes to editors

1. Gooch & Housego is a photonics technology business with operations in the USA and Europe. A world leader in its field, the company researches, designs, engineers and manufactures advanced photonic systems, components and instrumentation for applications in the Aerospace & Defence, Industrial, Life Sciences and Scientific Research sectors. World leading design, development and manufacturing expertise is offered across a broad range of complementary technologies. It is headquartered in Ilminster, Somerset, UK.

2. This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations or beliefs as well as assumptions about future events. These are subject to risk factors associated with, amongst other things, the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and sectors in which G&H operates. It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables which could cause actual results, and G&H's plans and objectives, to differ materially from those currently anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any such statements. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

Operating and Financial Review

Performance Overview

Gooch & Housego has continued to benefit from positive overall market conditions. First half revenue growth was 6.6%; excluding the impact of foreign exchange, growth was 14.0%; and excluding the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions growth was 7.7%. The Company saw an acceleration in growth in the period, and we are expecting a good second half trading performance driven by the continued strength of microelectronics, the A&D sector and an improved performance from our high reliability telecommunications business.

Our order book stood at GBP84.7 million as at 31 March 2018, a record for the half year period and which represents an increase of 27.1% compared to the same time last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange this represents an increase of 36.4% over last year. Order intake in the first half of the year has been encouraging. The Company has booked GBP69.7 million in orders since 1 October 2017, compared to GBP59.5 million in the corresponding period last year.

Investment has taken place during H1 to enable us to take advantage of this strong order book, in particular at our Ilminster site, where we continue to upgrade equipment, hire and train new operators and improve our manufacturing processes.

The increase in our interim dividend by 13.5% reflects our confidence in the business going forward and is underpinned by a strong balance sheet.

 
 REVENUE 
 Six months ended             2018               2017 
  31 March 
                       -----------------  ----------------- 
                        GBP'000     % of   GBP'000     % of 
                                   total              total 
---------------------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Industrial              30,508      55%    31,336      60% 
 Aerospace & Defence     18,130      33%    14,578      28% 
---------------------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Life Sciences            5,021       9%     4,751       9% 
---------------------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Scientific Research      1,949       3%     1,488       3% 
---------------------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Group Revenue           55,608     100%    52,153     100% 
---------------------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 

Products and Markets - Industrial

Gooch & Housego's principal industrial markets are industrial lasers, telecommunications, metrology, sensing and semiconductor manufacturing. Industrial lasers are used in a diverse range of precision material processing applications ranging from microelectronics to automotive.

Business in our industrial market was polarised between subsectors in the first six months of the year. Overall, sales of products into our industrial markets in the six months to 31 March 2018 were 2.6% lower compared with the equivalent period last year; excluding foreign exchange this represented a 4.0% increase.

The industrial laser and semi-conductor markets continued to demonstrate strong growth (15%) due to the continued high demand for precision lasers used in microelectronic manufacturing. Demand for these products remains strong and with the incremental capacity added during H1 we expect to take greater advantage of the opportunities in this area during H2.

In telecommunications, we believe there will be continued demand for fibre optic components used in under-sea telecommunications applications, from Silicon Valley based companies entering this market and looking to lay their own undersea networks. That said, the demand for high reliability fibre couplers has been lower since the start of the year due to delays in our customers' contracts. We expect this demand to recover in the second half of the year.

Products and Markets - Aerospace & Defence("A&D")

Product quality, reliability and performance are paramount in this sector, playing to G&H's strengths, along with our commitment to provide value. We have solid, well established positions in target designation and range finding, ring laser and fibre optic gyroscope navigational systems, infrared and RF countermeasures, periscopes and sighting systems, opto-mechanical subsystems used in unmanned aerial vehicles("UAVs") and space satellite communications.

The A&D market for G&H is characterised by high-value, long-term programmes involving the main US and European defence contractors. Over the past two years G&H has strengthened its position in this market with the acquisition of three businesses (Kent Periscopes, Alfalight & StingRay) whose focus is either entirely or largely A&D. This reflects G&H's commitment to this market which continues to represent an attractive growth area as more applications seek photonics solutions in a sector with high regulatory and compliance hurdles and challenging expectations of its equipment.

Our Aerospace & Defence revenue grew by 24.4% during the first six months of FY2018, compared to the equivalent period last year. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, Aerospace & Defence grew organically by 5.8% compared to the same period last year.

Products and Markets - Life Sciences

G&H's three principal Life Sciences revenue streams are derived from diagnostics (fibre-optic modules for optical coherence tomography (OCT) applications), surgery / treatments (electro-optics and acousto-optics for lasers) and biomedical research (acousto-optics for microscopy applications). In each application area the Company is making steady progress in moving up the value chain and is currently selling sub-systems as well as components to several larger customers.

Our Life Sciences revenue grew by 5.7% in the six months to 31 March 2018, compared with the equivalent period last year and this was against a significant foreign exchange headwind.

Products and Markets - Scientific Research

The key application in Scientific Research is laser inertial confinement fusion ("laser fusion"), where lasers are used to create the conditions found in the core of a star, which are part of long term government funded projects, both in the USA and Europe. In addition to pure research in high energy and plasma physics, these vast laser systems are being used to investigate whether this technology could provide clean, carbon-free energy to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. G&H is continuing to supply crystals, precision optics and fibre components for new system construction and expects ongoing business to continue to service replacement and maintenance requirements.

Our Scientific Research revenue grew by 31.0% in the six months to 31 March 2018, compared to the equivalent period last year, albeit against a weak comparative.

Strategy

G&H's strategy is built around the twin pillars of diversification and moving up the value chain. In order to ensure its strategic goals are met management actively looks to invest in R&D, acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

R&D: In the first six months of the current financial year, G&H invested GBP4.1 million in targeted research & development. Our main target areas are a new generation of precision lasers and laser systems, precision inspection equipment for microelectronic manufacturing, OCT medical diagnostics, laser surgery, space satellite communications, opto-mechanical systems for UAVs, optical systems for armoured vehicles, compatible with USA military standards and optical sensing for harsh environments. This represents 7.4% of revenue and is 8.9% lower than the same period last year (2017: GBP4.5m), albeit this is impacted by the strength of Sterling against the US Dollar. G&H's continued commitment to investing in targeted R&D programmes is bearing fruit, with 25 new products launched in the period ended 31 March 2018.

Diversification: G&H seeks to develop, through R&D and acquisition, a presence in new markets that offer the potential for significant growth as a result of their adoption of photonic technology, whilst also reducing exposure to cyclicality in any particular sector. We will continue to invest in all of our key sectors in order to ensure we maintain a balanced portfolio and over time achieve a critical mass in Life Sciences and further strengthen our position in A&D. Our recent acquisitions have greatly improved our position in A&D, which now represents 33.0% of our business (2017: 28.0%).

Moving up the Value Chain: G&H seeks to move up the value chain to more complex sub-assemblies and systems through leveraging its excellence in materials and components, and by providing photonic design and engineering solutions for our customers. This will enable G&H to transition from a components supplier to a solutions provider. A significant proportion of our business in the Aerospace & Defence market now comes from the sale of sub-systems rather than discrete components. Our recent acquisitions are all photonic design and sub-assembly businesses and have helped to increase the proportion of our business derived from non-component revenues from 20.8% in FY2017 to 22.4%, for the half year FY2018. G&H has a world class capability in opto-mechanical design and this substantially enhances our ability to offer "end to end" design and manufacturing solutions to our customers.

As well as continuing to develop a leadership position in space photonics, the Systems Technology Group is actively engaged in near-market developments in OCT, fibre lasers and fibre optic sensing as the Company leverages its components expertise to move up the value chain in these important areas.

Operations

As previously reported, Gooch & Housego's manufacturing sites have been re-organised into three technical groups, namely Acousto Optic/Electro Optic, Precision Optic and Fibre Optics. It is our aim to add a fourth manufacturing centre by the beginning of FY2019, namely Systems. This is part of becoming a more scalable organisation able to accommodate anticipated growth rates. There have already been benefits, as we upgrade capacity and performance at those sites manufacturing critical parts for the microelectronics sector.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties to which the Group is exposed and our approach to managing those risks are unchanged from those identified on page 27 of our 2017 Annual Report.

Acquisitions

G&H continues to evaluate various acquisition opportunities that have the potential to accelerate delivery of the Company's strategic objectives. Having established a presence in its target markets, G&H is now focussing on moving up the value chain in each of those markets. Whilst the business will continue to evaluate bolt-on businesses in our core component technologies, continued strong focus is being placed on acquisition opportunities that enhance the Company's ability to wrap electronics and software around core photonic products to yield system-level solutions.

In February 2017 G&H acquired StingRay Optics LLC ("StingRay"), a New Hampshire, USA based specialist designer and manufacturer of high performance optical and opto-mechanical subsystems for demanding defence and commercial applications. It has integrated well into the Group; StingRay's performance has continued to exceed our expectations and we paid the first instalment of the earn out during H1.

 
 RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED PERFORMANCE MEASURES 
 
 
                           Operating          Net finance          Taxation          Profit after         Earnings 
                             profit              costs                                    tax             per share 
--------------------                      ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ---------------- 
 Half Year to 31          2018      2017      2018      2017      2018      2017      2018      2017     2018     2017 
 March                  GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    pence    pence 
--------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 Reported                5,692     4,900     (444)     (197)     (668)   (1,261)     4,580     3,442     18.6     14.1 
--------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 Amortisation of 
  acquired 
  intangible assets        954       797         -         -      (62)     (214)       892       583      3.6      2.4 
 Restructuring costs       502       351         -         -     (103)      (94)       399       257      1.6      1.0 
 Transaction fees            -       287         -         -         -      (77)         -       210        -      0.3 
 Interest on 
  discounted 
  deferred 
  consideration              -         -       305        80         -         -       305        80      1.2      0.9 
 Impact of US tax 
  rate 
  change on deferred 
  tax balances               -         -         -         -     (864)         -     (864)         -    (3.5)        - 
--------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted                7,148     6,335     (139)     (117)   (1,697)   (1,646)     5,312     4,572     21.5     18.7 
--------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 

Adjusted profit before tax was GBP7.0 million, an increase of 12.7% on the prior year (H1 2017: GBP6.2 million). This strong profit performance has been delivered at the same time as investing in the increased capacity required to deliver against a record half year order book.

The US Tax Reform Bill, HR1, which was substantively enacted on 22 December 2017, included legislation to reduce the main rate of US Federal tax from 35% to 21% from 1 January 2018. Accordingly, the closing net US deferred tax liability has been recognised on that basis leading to an exceptional tax credit of GBP864,000.

Cash Flow and Financing

In the six months to 31 March 2018 G&H generated cash from operations of GBP1.2 million, compared with GBP7.9 million in the same period of 2017 following a significant investment in working capital. In response to the capacity increases required at those sites manufacturing critical components for microelectronics applications and in preparation for the expected ramp in high reliability fibre couplers, the business has undertaken a strategic inventory build. Inventory has increased by GBP3.4 million since the year end. We would expect a large proportion of this to unwind before the year end. Following investment in capacity, the business ramped up production towards the end of the period resulting in an increase in trade receivables of GBP2m.

In respect of the StingRay acquisition, the business achieved its first year earn-out targets resulting in a $6 million payment made to the founders in February 2018. The remaining deferred contingent consideration of up to $4 million, payable in cash, based upon the performance of the business in the first half, is likely to be paid in February 2019.

Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was GBP2.7 million in the period (2016: GBP3.6 million). The main fixed asset additions were in relation to increasing capacity in our sites manufacturing critical components for microelectronics applications. Expenditure on upgrading our ERP system of GBP0.5m is included in intangible capital expenditure.

The Company's net cash position remains robust at GBP5.0 million, down from GBP14.9 million at 30 September 2017, following the payment of the StingRay earn out and the investment in working capital.

Staff

The Company workforce increased from 823 at 30 September 2017 to 870 at the end of March 2018. This increase comes largely from our investment in increased capacity, offset by efficiency savings.

Dividends

The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 4.2p per share (2017 : 3.7p per share), a 13.5% increase on the prior period, which is reflective of the Directors' confidence in the business going forward and is underpinned by our strong balance sheet. This dividend will be payable on 27 July 2018 to shareholders on the register as at 22 June 2018.

Prospects and outlook

G&H remains committed to the twin pillars of our strategy, namely diversification and moving up the value chain. Increasingly our acquisition strategy is targeting opportunities that enhance the Company's ability to wrap electronics and software around core photonic products to yield system-level solutions and to deliver 'critical mass' in Life Sciences and further strengthen our position in A&D.

The Company is well-positioned to take advantage of positive market conditions and has continued to invest in people, upgraded equipment and new processes to meet the demands of a strong order book. We remain on track to meet our full year expectations.

G&H has reorganised its manufacturing organisation in order to enable more efficient delivery of products to our customers and we will continue to invest in capacity to service high growth areas. We will prioritise enhanced business development activity in our three main business sectors and invest in highly focused R&D programmes. G&H believes these activities provide a solid basis for our future performance .

   Mark Webster                                      Andrew Boteler 
   Chief Executive Officer                        Chief Financial Officer 

5 June 2018

Unaudited interim results for the 6 months ended 31 March 2018

 
 Group Income Statement                   Half Year       Half Year      Full Year 
                                                 to              to             to 
                                        31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017    30 Sep 2017 
                               Note     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
                                            GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
                                     --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Revenue                        5            55,608          52,153        112,016 
 Cost of revenue                           (33,886)        (31,944)       (65,937) 
                                     --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Gross profit                                21,722          20,209         46,079 
 Research and Development                   (3,739)         (4,096)        (8,119) 
 Sales and Marketing                        (4,551)         (4,706)        (9,459) 
 Administration                             (8,507)         (7,438)       (16,937) 
 Other income and expenses                      767             931          1,714 
                                     --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit               5             5,692           4,900         13,278 
 Net finance costs                            (444)           (197)          (676) 
                                     --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Profit before income tax 
  expense                                     5,248           4,703         12,602 
 Income tax expense             6             (668)         (1,261)        (3,710) 
                                     --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Profit for the period                        4,580           3,442          8,892 
 Basic earnings per share       7             18.6p           14.1p          36.4p 
                                     --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

Reconciliation of profit before tax to adjusted profit before tax:

 
                                             Half Year       Half Year     Full Year 
                                                    to              to     to 30 Sep 
                                                                                2017 
                                           31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017     (Audited) 
                                           (Unaudited)     (Unaudited) 
                                               GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Profit before tax                               5,248           4,703        12,602 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                                954             797         2,202 
 Release of accrued contingent 
  consideration                                      -               -         (615) 
 Impairment of goodwill                              -               -           615 
 Restructuring costs                               502             351           536 
 Transaction fees                                    -             287           390 
 Interest on discounted deferred 
  consideration                                    305              80           381 
 Adjusted profit before tax                      7,009           6,218        16,111 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
 
 Group Statement of Comprehensive        Half Year       Half Year     Full Year 
  Income                                        to              to     to 30 Sep 
                                                                            2017 
                                            31 Mar     31 Mar 2017     (Audited) 
                                              2018 
                                       (Unaudited)     (Unaudited) 
                                           GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                    --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Profit for the period                       4,580           3,442         8,892 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Currency translation differences          (1,496)           1,801       (1,410) 
                                    --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Other comprehensive (expense) 
  / income for the period                  (1,496)           1,801       (1,410) 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                                 3,084           5,243         7,482 
                                    --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited interim results for the 6 months ended 31 March 2018

 
 Group Balance Sheet                       31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017   30 Sep 2017 
                                           (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Audited) 
                                               GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                  34,445          34,935        33,890 
 Intangible assets                              38,926          44,418        40,250 
 Deferred income tax assets                      1,502           2,785         2,703 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                                74,873          82,138        76,843 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                    23,968          21,025        21,078 
 Income tax assets                                 638               -           267 
 Trade and other receivables                    26,691          21,852        24,723 
 Cash and cash equivalents                      16,053          25,686        26,425 
                                                67,350          68,563        72,493 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                     (21,747)        (20,547)      (23,758) 
 Borrowings                                        (6)             (3)           (6) 
 Income tax liabilities                              -           (594)         (579) 
 Provision for other liabilities 
  and charges                                    (884)           (803)         (888) 
 Deferred consideration                        (4,256)               -       (4,286) 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                              (26,893)        (21,947)      (29,517) 
 
 Net current assets                             40,457          46,616        42,976 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                   (11,002)        (17,913)      (11,492) 
 Deferred income tax liabilities               (4,438)         (4,951)       (5,938) 
 Deferred consideration                              -         (9,437)       (4,253) 
                                              (15,440)        (32,301)      (21,683) 
 
 Net assets                                     99,890          96,453        98,136 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
 Shareholders' equity 
  Capital and reserves 
  attributable to equity 
  shareholders 
 Called up share capital                         4,950           4,895         4,903 
 Share premium account                          15,530          15,530        15,530 
 Merger reserve                                  4,640           4,640         4,640 
 Cumulative translation 
  reserve                                        4,078           8,785         5,574 
 Retained earnings                              70,692          62,603        67,489 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Equity Shareholders' Funds                     99,890          96,453        98,136 
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited interim results for the 6 months ended 31 March 2018

 
 Statement of Changes in            Share      Share                                   Cumulative 
  Equity                          capital    premium       Merger       Retained      translation        Total 
                                  account    account      reserve       earnings          reserve       equity 
                                   GBP000     GBP000       GBP000         GBP000           GBP000       GBP000 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 At 1 October 2016                  4,852     15,530        2,671         60,135            6,984       90,172 
 Profit for the period                  -          -            -          3,442                -        3,442 
 Other comprehensive income 
  for the period                        -          -            -              -       1,801             1,801 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period                        -          -            -          3,442       1,801             5,243 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 Dividends                              -          -            -        (1,383)                -      (1,383) 
 Proceeds from shares issued           43          -        1,969            (7)                -        2,005 
 Fair value of employee 
  services                              -          -            -            329                -          329 
 Tax credit relating to 
  share option schemes                  -          -            -             87                -           87 
 At 31 March 2017 (unaudited)       4,895     15,530        4,640         62,603            8,785       96,453 
 
 At 1 October 2017                  4,903     15,530        4,640         67,489            5,574       98,136 
 Profit for the period                  -          -            -          4,580                -        4,580 
 Other comprehensive expense 
  for the period                        -          -            -              -      (1,496)          (1,496) 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  / (expense) for the period            -          -            -          4,580      (1,496)            3,084 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 Dividends                              -          -            -        (1,608)                -      (1,608) 
 Proceeds from shares issued           47          -            -           (47)                -            - 
 Fair value of employee 
  services                              -          -            -            338                -          338 
 Tax debit relating to 
  share option schemes                  -          -            -           (60)                -         (60) 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 At 31 March 2018 (unaudited)       4,950     15,530        4,640         70,692            4,078       99,890 
                                ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 
 
 
 
 

Unaudited interim results for the 6 months ended 31 March 2018

 
 Group Cash Flow Statement                        Half Year       Half Year     Full Year 
                                                         to              to     to 30 Sep 
                                                                                     2017 
                                                     31 Mar          31 Mar     (Audited) 
                                                       2018            2017 
                                                (Unaudited)     (Unaudited) 
                                                    GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations                       1,151           7,871        19,526 
 Income tax paid                                    (1,646)           (802)       (1,957) 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Net cash (used by) / generated 
  from operating activities                           (495)           7,069        17,569 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries, 
  net of cash acquired                              (4,414)         (5,549)       (5,658) 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                                     (2,739)         (3,568)       (5,799) 
 Sale of property, plant and 
  equipment                                               -              26            29 
 Purchase of intangible assets                        (922)           (348)         (604) 
 Interest received                                        7              18            27 
 Interest paid                                        (111)           (109)         (326) 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                                        (8,179)         (9,530)      (12,331) 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Drawdown of acquisition borrowing 
  facility                                                -           6,045         5,918 
 Repayment of borrowings                                (3)               -       (5,523) 
 Dividends paid to ordinary 
  shareholders                                      (1,608)         (1,383)       (2,289) 
 Net cash (used in) / generated 
  from financing activities                         (1,611)           4,662       (1,894) 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Net (decrease) / increase in 
  cash                                             (10,285)           2,201         3,344 
 Cash at beginning of the period                     26,425          23,167        23,167 
 Exchange (losses) / gains on 
  cash                                                 (87)             318          (86) 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Cash at the end of the period                       16,053          25,686        26,425 
                                             --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
 
 Notes to the Group Cash                       Half Year       Half Year      Full Year 
  Flow Statement                                      to              to             to 
                                             31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017    30 Sep 2017 
                                             (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)      (Audited) 
                                                 GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Profit before income tax                          5,248           4,703         12,602 
 Adjustments for: 
 - Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                                  954             797          2,202 
 - Amortisation of other 
  intangible assets                                   67              98            199 
 
   *    Impairment of goodwill                         -               -            615 
 - Release of accrued contingent 
  consideration                                        -               -          (615) 
 - Depreciation                                    1,933           1,750          3,664 
 - Share based payment obligations                   338             329            587 
 - Amounts claimed under 
  the RDEC                                         (195)               -          (370) 
 - Finance income                                    (7)            (17)           (27) 
 - Finance costs                                     451             214            703 
                                          --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Total adjustments                                 3,541           3,171          6,958 
 
 Changes in working capital 
 - Inventories                                   (3,376)           (605)        (1,442) 
 - Trade and other receivables                   (2,272)           1,578        (1,465) 
 - Trade and other payables                      (1,990)           (976)          2,873 
 Total changes in working 
  capital                                        (7,638)             (3)           (34) 
 
 Cash generated from operating 
  activities                                       1,151           7,871         19,526 
                                          --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net cash

 
                                           Half Year       Half Year     Full Year 
                                                  to              to            to 
                                         31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017        30 Sep 
                                                                              2017 
                                         (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Audited) 
                                             GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                      --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Decrease / (increase) in 
  cash in the period                        (10,285)           2,201         3,344 
 Borrowings                                        -         (6,045)       (5,918) 
 Repayment of borrowings                           2               -         5,523 
 Changes in net cash resulting 
  from cash flows                           (10,283)         (3,844)         2,949 
 Translation differences                         401            (54)           310 
                                      --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Movement in net cash in 
  the period / year                          (9,882)         (3,898)         3,259 
 
 Net cash at start of period                  14,927          11,668        11,668 
 Net cash at end of period                     5,045           7,770        14,927 
                                      --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 

Analysis of net cash

 
                          At 1                 Exchange   At 31 Mar 
                      Oct 2017    Cash flow    movement        2018 
                       GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000 
                    ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Cash at bank and 
  in hand               26,425     (10,285)        (87)      16,053 
 
 Debt due after 1 
  year                (11,480)            -         488    (10,992) 
 Finance leases           (18)            2           -        (16) 
                    ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net cash               14,927     (10,283)         401       5,045 
                    ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Notes to the Interim Report

   1.      Basis of Preparation 

The unaudited Interim Report has been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as adopted by the European Union.

The Interim Report was approved by the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee on 5 June 2018. The Interim Report does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of the Companies Act 2006 and has not been audited.

Comparative figures in the Interim Report for the year ended 30 September 2017 have been taken from the Group's audited statutory financial statements on which the Group's auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, expressed an unqualified opinion. The comparative figures to 31 March 2017 are unaudited.

The Interim Report will be announced to all shareholders on the London Stock Exchange and published on the Group's website on 5 June 2018. Copies will be available to members of the public upon application to the Company Secretary at Dowlish Ford, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0PF.

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2017, as described in those financial statements.

   2.      Application of IFRS 

Adoption of new standards

During the current reporting period there were no new standards or amendments which had a material impact on the net assets of the Group. In addition, standards or amendments issued but not yet effective are not expected to have a material impact on the net assets of the Group. As disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report, management do not currently expect IFRS15, which will apply to the Group in future accounting periods, to have a material impact on the financial statements, but will continue to monitor this as the adoption date gets closer.

   3.      Estimates 

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

In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the significant judgments made by management in applying the Company's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2017.

   4.      Financial risk management 

The Company's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks, market risk (including currency risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all financial risk management information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements as at 30 September 2017.

There have been no changes to the risk management policies since the year end.

   5.      Segmental analysis 
 
                                   Aerospace                                Scientific 
                                   & Defence   Life Sciences   Industrial     Research   Corporate      Total 
 For half year to 31 March           GBP'000         GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
  2018 
 Revenue 
 Total revenue                        18,130           5,021       34,227        1,949           -     59,327 
 Inter and intra-division                  -               -      (3,719)            -           -    (3,719) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 External revenue                     18,130           5,021       30,508        1,949           -     55,608 
 Divisional expenses                (15,701)         (4,513)     (25,098)      (1,635)        (15)   (46,962) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 EBITDA(1)                             2,429             508        5,410          314     (15)         8,646 
 EBITDA %                              13.4%           10.1%        17.7%     16.1%              -      15.5% 
 Depreciation and Amortisation         (367)           (201)      (1,036)        (105)       (291)    (2,000) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Operating profit before 
  amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                    2,062             307        4,374          209       (306)      6,646 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                        -               -            -            -       (954)      (954) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Operating profit                      2,062             307        4,374      209         (1,260)      5,692 
 Operating profit margin 
  %                                    11.4%            6.1%        14.3%        10.8%           -      10.2% 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Add back non-recurring 
  items                                    -               -            -            -       1,456      1,456 
 Operating profit excluding 
  non-recurring items                  2,062             307        4,374          209         196      7,148 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted operating profit 
  margin %                             11.4%            6.1%        14.3%        10.7%           -      12.9% 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 
                                   Aerospace                                Scientific 
                                   & Defence   Life Sciences   Industrial     Research   Corporate      Total 
 For half year to 31 March           GBP'000         GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
  2017 
 Revenue 
 Total revenue                        14,578           4,751       34,463        1,488           -     55,280 
 Inter and intra-division                  -               -      (3,127)            -           -    (3,127) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 External revenue                     14,578           4,751       31,336        1,488           -     52,153 
 Divisional expenses                (13,178)         (4,216)     (25,121)      (1,415)       (677)   (44,607) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 EBITDA(1)                             1,400             535        6,215           73       (677)      7,546 
 EBITDA %                               9.6%           11.3%        19.8%         4.9%           -      14.5% 
 Depreciation and Amortisation         (334)           (192)        (942)         (57)       (324)    (1,849) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Operating profit before 
  amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                    1,066             343        5,273           16     (1,001)      5,697 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                        -               -            -            -       (797)      (797) 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Operating profit                      1,066             343        5,273       16         (1,798)      4,900 
 Operating profit margin 
  %                                     7.3%            7.2%        16.8%         1.1%           -       9.4% 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Add back non-recurring 
  items                                    -               -            -            -       1,435      1,435 
 Operating profit excluding 
  non-recurring items                  1,066             343        5,273           16       (363)      6,335 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted operating profit 
  margin %                              7.3%            7.2%        16.8%         1.1%           -      12.1% 
-------------------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 

(1)EBITDA = Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

All of the amounts recorded are in respect of continuing operations.

   5.      Segmental analysis continued 

Analysis of revenue by destination

 
                          Half year          Half year 
                                 to                 to 
                        31 Mar 2018        31 Mar 2017 
                        (Unaudited)        (Unaudited) 
                            GBP'000            GBP'000 
                      -------------      ------------- 
 United Kingdom               8,656              8,714 
 America                     20,468             21,393 
 Continental Europe          13,051             11,675 
 Asia-Pacific                13,433             10,371 
                             55,608             52,153 
                      -------------      ------------- 
 
   6.      Income tax expense 

Analysis of tax charge in the period

 
                                                   Half Year       Half Year         Full Year 
                                                          to              to         to 30 Sep 
                                                                                2017 (Audited) 
                                                 31 Mar 2018          31 Mar 
                                                                        2017 
                                                 (Unaudited)     (Unaudited) 
                                                     GBP'000         GBP'000           GBP'000 
                                              -------------- 
 Current taxation 
 UK Corporation tax                                      544             569        1,318 
 Overseas tax                                            868             517             2,165 
 Adjustments in respect of prior 
  year tax charge                                          -               -           (1,315) 
                                              --------------  --------------  ---------------- 
 Total current tax                                     1,412           1,086             2,168 
 
 Deferred tax 
 Origination and reversal of temporary 
  differences                                            120             175               227 
 Adjustments in respect of prior 
  year deferred tax                                        -               -             1,315 
 Impact of change in the US tax                        (864)               -                 - 
  rate 
 Total deferred tax                                    (744)             175             1,542 
 
 Income tax expense per income 
  statement                                              668           1,261             3,710 
 
 

The tax charge for the six months ended 31 March 2018 is based on the estimated effective rate of the tax for the Group for the full year to 30 September 2018. The estimated rate is applied to the profit before tax.

   7.      Earnings per share 

The calculation of earnings per 20p Ordinary Share is based on the profit for the period using as a divisor the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period. The weighted average number of shares is given below.

 
                                           Half Year       Half Year     Full Year 
                                                  to              to     to 30 Sep 
                                                                              2017 
                                         31 Mar 2018          31 Mar     (Audited) 
                                                                2017 
                                         (Unaudited)     (Unaudited) 
                                                 No.             No.           No. 
                                      --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Number of shares used for basic 
  earnings per share                      24,660,697      24,374,577    24,457,701 
 Dilutive shares                             252,099         376,517       412,901 
 Number of shares used for dilutive 
  earnings per share                      24,912,796      24,751,094    24,870,602 
                                      --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 

A reconciliation of the earnings used in the earnings per share calculation is set out below:

 
                                       Half Year          Half Year          Full Year 
                                           to                 to                 to 
                                       31 Mar 2018        31 Mar 2017        30 Sep 2017 
                                       (Unaudited) 
                                                          (Unaudited)         (Audited) 
                                               p per              p per              p per 
                                    GBP'000    share   GBP'000    share   GBP'000    share 
                                   --------  -------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Basic earnings per share             4,580    18.6p     3,442    14.1p     8,892    36.4p 
 Adjustments net of income 
  tax expense: 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                     892     3.6p       583     2.4p     2,034     8.3p 
 Goodwill impairment                      -        -         -        -       615     2.5p 
 Release of accrued contingent 
  consideration                           -        -         -        -     (615)   (2.5p) 
 Restructuring costs                    399     1.6p       257     1.0p       431     1.8p 
 Transaction fees                         -        -       210     0.9p       314     1.3p 
 Interest on discounted deferred 
  consideration                         305     1.2p        80     0.3p       381     1.6p 
 Tax credit due to US tax 
  rate change                         (864)   (3.5p)         -        -         -        - 
 Total adjustments net of 
  income tax expense                    732     2.9p     1,130     4.6p     3,160    13.0p 
 
 Adjusted basic earnings per 
  share                               5,312    21.5p     4,572    18.7p    12,052    49.4p 
                                   --------  -------  --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 
 
 Basic diluted earnings per 
  share                        4,580   18.4p   3,442   13.8p    8,892   35.8p 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per share                    5,312   21.3p   4,572   18.5p   12,052   48.5p 
                              ------  ------  ------  ------  -------  ------ 
 

Adjusted earnings per share before amortisation of acquired intangible assets and adjustments has been shown because, in the opinion of the Directors, it more accurately reflects the trading performance of the Group.

   8.      Dividend 

The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 4.2 pence per share for the half year ended 31 March 2018. This dividend has not been accounted for within the period to 31 March 2018 as it is yet to be paid.

 
                                        Half Year       Half Year     Full Year 
                                               to              to     to 30 Sep 
                                                                           2017 
                                      31 Mar 2018          31 Mar     (Audited) 
                                                             2017 
                                      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited) 
                                          GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                   --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 Final 2017 dividend paid: 6.5p             1,608               -             - 
  per share 
 Final 2016 dividend paid : 5.2p 
  per share                                     -           1,383         1,383 
 2017 Interim dividend paid : 
  3.7p per share                                -               -           906 
                                   --------------  --------------  ------------ 
                                            1,608           1,383         2,289 
                                   --------------  --------------  ------------ 
 
   9.      Intangible assets 

Management have not identified any triggering events for impairment at the half year and therefore the goodwill impairment reviews have not been formally updated. As disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report, the headroom on the impairment calculations in respect of the goodwill on our Boston and Moorpark sites is limited, but remains supported based on our latest forecasts for these businesses. Should these forecasts be missed in the second half of 2018, an impairment charge may arise.

   10.     Borrowings 

The group's banking facilities with the Royal Bank of Scotland comprise a committed revolving credit facility of $15m and an uncommitted flexible acquisition facility of $20m both available until 30 April 2019. The business will look to renegotiate these facilities in the coming months.

The revolving credit facility attracts an interest rate of between 0.9% and 1.8% above LIBOR dependent upon the Company's leverage ratio.

   11.     Called up share capital 
 
                                       2018           2017       2018       2017 
                                        No.            No.    GBP'000    GBP'000 
                                                            --------- 
 Allotted, issued and fully 
  paid 
  Ordinary share of 20p 
  each                           24,741,964     24,476,471      4,950      4,895 
                              -------------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 

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

END

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