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HSP Hargreaves Services Plc

562.00
-18.00 (-3.10%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Hargreaves Services Plc LSE:HSP London Ordinary Share GB00B0MTC970 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -18.00 -3.10% 562.00 564.00 582.00 578.00 578.00 578.00 18,640 16:35:21
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Sanitary Services, Nec 211.46M 27.92M 0.8510 6.79 189.6M

Hargreaves Services PLC Preliminary Results (2698H)

31/07/2019 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMHSP

RNS Number : 2698H

Hargreaves Services PLC

31 July 2019

 
 For immediate release     31 July 2019 
 

HARGREAVES SERVICES PLC

(the "Group" or "Hargreaves")

Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 May 2019

Hargreaves Services plc (AIM: HSP), a diversified group delivering key services to the industrial and property sectors, announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 May 2019.

KEY FINANCIAL RESULTS

 
 Year ended 31 May                                       2019        2018 
 Revenue                                            GBP302.6m   GBP297.1m 
 Operating Loss                                     GBP(9.7)m   GBP(1.4)m 
 Underlying Operating Profit*                        GBP10.0m     GBP9.4m 
 (Loss)/profit Before Tax                           GBP(9.9)m     GBP0.5m 
 Basic loss/earnings per share from 
  continuing operations                               (25.7p)        3.8p 
 Underlying basic EPS from continuing 
  operations                                            15.3p       14.9p 
 Final Dividend                                          4.5p        4.5p 
 Net Debt                                            GBP17.9m    GBP30.8m 
 Net Assets                                         GBP127.5m   GBP136.1m 
 Net Assets per Share                                    397p        424p 
 
 

* Underlying Operating Profit is stated prior to exceptional items, the amortisation and impairment of intangible assets and including the Group's share of operating profit in associates and joint ventures, see note 8.

HIGHLIGHTS

   --      Underlying performance of the Group has been satisfactory 

-- GBP16.1m of exceptional provisions made against the insolvencies of British Steel & Wolf Minerals

-- Disposal of Brockwell Energy, treated as a Discontinued Operation, realising GBP5.2m pre-tax profit

   --      Distribution & Services revenue up by 4.7% to GBP293.8m (2018: GBP280.7m) 
   --      Construction of Carbon Pulverisation Plant by German associate nearing completion 
   --      Conditional sales of first plots achieved at Blindwells 

-- GBP13m Legacy assets left to realise, down from GBP28m at 31 May 2018 (GBP60m three years ago)

   --      Net Debt down to GBP17.9m (2018: GBP30.8m) 
   --      Net Asset Value per share as at 31 May 2019 GBP3.97 per share (2018: GBP4.24) 
   --      Roger McDowell appointed Chairman on 1 August 2018 
   --      David Anderson recruited as Group Property Director in November 2018 
   --      Final dividend maintained at 4.5p (2018: 4.5p); full year dividend of 7.2p (2018: 7.2p) 

-- Additional annual dividend of 12p per share from repatriating profits from German associate to commence in the year ending 31 May 2021

Commenting on the preliminary results, Chairman Roger McDowell said: "In what has been a challenging year, the Group has made progress towards its strategic objectives. The Group's property business, Hargreaves Land, has gained further momentum and, by extracting capital from our UK mining activities, its growth can be accelerated. Value held in the balance sheet of our German associate business is being unlocked and will be distributed to shareholders in due course. The Board anticipates progress through the next financial year."

Analyst meeting

A meeting for analysts will be held at 11.00am this morning, 31 July 2019, at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. Please contact Buchanan on 020 7466 5000 or at hargreaves@buchanan.uk.com for further information.

Enquiries:

 
 
   Hargreaves Services plc 
   Gordon Banham, Chief Executive Officer 
   John Samuel, Group Finance Director         0191 373 4485 
 Buchanan (Financial PR) 
  Mark Court / Sophie Wills / Henry 
  Wilson                                     0207 466 5000 
 N+1 Singer (NOMAD and Joint Corporate 
  Broker) 
  Sandy Fraser / Rachel Hayes / Justin 
  McKeegan                                   020 7496 3000 
 Investec (Joint Corporate Broker) 
  Sara Hale / Richard Short                  020 7597 5970 
 

Chairman's Statement

Roger McDowell, Group Chairman

Introduction

In my first full year report as the Chairman of Hargreaves, it is very disappointing to have to report a loss for the year. The Group has been impacted by the insolvency of two notable customers, Wolf Minerals Limited and British Steel Limited. These events caused the Group to make substantial provisions totalling GBP16.1m against unrecoverable debtor and work in progress balances and equipment values and also against employment related liabilities including redundancies.

Putting those setbacks to one side, the underlying performance of the Group has been satisfactory and progress on non-core asset realisation and cash generation has continued including the successful disposal of Brockwell Energy Limited in October 2018 for a profit after tax of GBP4.5m.

Results

Revenue from continuing operations was GBP302.6m (2018: GBP297.1m), an increase of 1.9%, despite the loss of revenue arising from the Wolf Minerals contract. The insolvency of British Steel had no material impact on revenue in the financial year.

Underlying Operating Profit from continuing operations for the year was GBP0.6m higher than the prior year at GBP10.0m (2018: GBP9.4m). Underlying Operating Profit is defined by the Board as Operating Profit prior to exceptional items, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets and includes the Group's share of the operating profit of its German associate. The Board uses this measure as a Key Indicator in assessing the financial performance of the Group throughout the year and believes that its disclosure benefits readers of the financial statements. Further information on the trading performance of the businesses is given in the Chief Executive's Review.

Operating profit prior to exceptional items trebled to GBP6.4m (2018: GBP2.1m). After accounting for the provisions in respect of Wolf Minerals and British Steel of GBP16.1m (2018: GBP3.5m) as exceptional items, the operating loss under IFRS was GBP9.7m (2018: loss of GBP1.4m). After net financial expenses of GBP1.7m (2018: GBP1.3m) and accounting for the Group's share of post-tax profits of the German associate of GBP1.5m (2018: GBP3.2m), the consolidated loss before tax was GBP9.9m (2018: profit of GBP0.5m). After a tax credit of GBP1.7m (2018: GBP0.7m), the profit from discontinued operations of GBP3.5m (2018: loss of GBP1.0m) reduced the loss for the year to GBP4.7m (2018: profit of GBP0.2m). Basic underlying earnings per share from continuing operations were 15.3p (2018: 14.9p) and a loss per share of 25.7p (2018: earnings of 3.8p) on a reported basis.

Net Debt

As previously reported, net debt at the year end was GBP17.9m (2018: GBP30.8m). The decrease of GBP12.9m largely relates to the successful disposal of Brockwell Energy. Additionally, cash generation from the continuing unwind of Legacy assets has been offset by a planned increase in inventory. Although net debt is likely to increase again in the first half of this financial year, due to planned increases in working capital including at Blindwells, net debt is expected to return to similar levels by 31 May 2020 as working capital unwinds. Further reductions in working capital are expected to contribute to a material reduction in net debt by the end of the year ending 31 May 2021.

Dividend

The Board is recommending an unchanged final dividend of 4.5p (2018: 4.5p) per ordinary share thus maintaining the full year dividend at 7.2p (2018: 7.2p). This will be paid on 1 November 2019 to all shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 September 2019. The shares will become ex-dividend on 19 September 2019.

In my interim report, I stated that the Board intended to return with immediate effect to a more conventional dividend payment policy, distributing approximately one third of the anticipated full year dividend at the interim stage and more generally that it would seek to increase dividends progressively, balancing this objective with continuing to reduce net debt. Despite the losses incurred this year, the Board believes it is appropriate to maintain the dividend, reflecting the Board's confidence in both the strength of the balance sheet and the trading prospects of the underlying business, and will look to increase it appropriately in due course.

People

Over 2,000 people are employed by the Group across its operations and their efforts and commitment are vital in delivering value to our shareholders. The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank them all publicly and to encourage them to carry on their good work as the Group continues the process of repositioning itself for new opportunities.

Board Changes

I am delighted that we were able to secure the services of David Anderson who joined the Board on 14 November 2018 as Group Property Director. David is driving forward with the growth of Hargreaves Land, the Group's property development business, as demonstrated by the announcements of the conditional disposal of plots at Blindwells.

Following both David Morgan and Peter Jones leaving the Board during the year, the Board is undertaking a process to appoint a further Non-Executive Director.

Brexit

The uncertainty of the final outcome to the Brexit discussions continues. Hargreaves has very little trading activity with any country within the EU. Consequently, the Board expects no material direct impact on the Group's trading activities whatever the final Brexit outcome may be. The Group's German specialist raw material trading associate business, Hargreaves Raw Materials Services GmbH ("HRMS"), trades almost exclusively within the EU but imports much of its trading stock from outside the EU. The Board cannot meaningfully assess any wider macro-economic impact of Brexit which may affect business sentiment in trading and financial markets leading to a material change in the economic or financial environment within the UK and Europe for the Group or its customers.

Strategy

I reported at the interim stage that following my appointment as Chairman, the Board had conducted an initial review of strategy. Three key areas of focus were identified. First, the realisation of cash from the disposal of surplus assets and non-core activities including the Legacy assets. Secondly, a focus to increase returns from the Distribution & Services business. Thirdly, the development of the Group's Property business, Hargreaves Land, which the Board regards as an important area to generate greater medium and longer-term value. The Board considers that progress is being made in all three areas.

Asset realisation

Legacy assets have reduced from over GBP60m in 2016 to GBP12.8m as at 31 May 2019, including a realisation of GBP15.7m during the year. A further reduction is expected during the new financial year as a result of the disposal of surplus plant and equipment in the Tower joint venture.

UK Distribution & Services

Following the failure of both British Steel and Wolf Minerals, the prospects for growth in the Distribution & Services business have been impacted. Both the Industrial Services and Specialist Earthworks business units have been adversely affected by these events although the UK Production & Distribution business remains stable. The emphasis across all revenue streams is on improving profits and generating cash, mainly from reductions in working capital.

HRMS

The investment by HRMS in a Carbon Pulverisation Plant ("CPP") to provide both improved resilience for the existing European specialty minerals trading business and additional growth opportunities is almost completed. The CPP is expected to begin trial production in the autumn with initial shipments of material expected in the second half of the financial year to a contracted customer.

Hargreaves Land

The Board regards the property development business, Hargreaves Land, as an important area for future growth. Cash generated from the evolution of our UK mining operations is expected to be invested into property development opportunities. This investment is expected to gain further momentum in the financial year ending 31 May 2021. Typically, the return on investment in property developments can take approximately three years.

Overhead costs

The programme of reducing operational and overhead costs is ongoing at both Group level and within the business units and remains a key area of focus for the Board. During the last financial year, over 70 employees left the Group providing almost GBP4m of annualised overhead salary savings. Corporate overhead reduced by over 21% to GBP4.4m (2018: GBP5.6m). Over the last four years, some 300 people have left the business with annualised salary costs totalling GBP14m. Further cost reductions will take place through the new financial year.

Shareholder Value

As part of the Board's plans to create shareholder value, it is working with its German associate business, HRMS, to enhance the value of its investment whilst releasing capital where possible. HRMS is now an integrated business, including both the speciality trading activity, which has inherent market driven volatility and the CPP, which as a production asset should provide more predictable earnings. HRMS is working to increase further the overall visibility of future earnings without committing further substantial capital.

Over the last three financial years and continuing until the financial year ending 31 May 2021, HRMS is not permitted to pay dividends as a condition of its borrowing arrangements in connection with funding the construction of the CPP. Dividends, including the payment of previously undistributed reserves, should recommence in the financial year ending 31 May 2021, with cash being repatriated to the UK in the following financial year.

The Board has decided that the dividends from HRMS will be passed through to shareholders in the form of an extra dividend in addition to any normal final dividend which would be declared in accordance with the dividend policy outlined above. The Board anticipates that this extra dividend would be in the region of 12p per share and would be maintained at that level for the foreseeable future. The first such extra dividend would be declared along with the final dividend for the year ending 31 May 2021 and paid in the following financial year.

Outlook

2019 has been a challenging financial year for the Group and although progress has been made in several areas, following the setbacks that have arisen, much remains to be achieved. The Board is focused on delivering reliable and growing profits in, and unlocking capital from, its Distribution & Services businesses enabling strong cash returns to shareholders alongside investment in the growth of Hargreaves Land.

Roger McDowell

Chairman

30 July 2019

Group Business Review

Gordon Banham, Group Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive's Review

Distribution & Services

The Distribution & Services business recorded revenue up 4.7% at GBP293.8m (2018: GBP280.7m). The increase in revenue was due to growth in Industrial Services and in Specialist Earthworks, partially offset by lower revenue in Production & Distribution. GBP2.8m (2018: GBP5.5m) of Specialist Earthworks revenue was attributable to legacy contracts which are recorded as exceptional.

Underlying Operating Profit was GBP12.1m (2018: GBP12.9m). The slight fall in Underlying Operating Profit was primarily due to a GBP3.2m reduction in the contribution from HRMS, as a result of weaker German economic activity, partially offset by improved results from Industrial Services and Specialist Earthworks. On an IFRS basis, this business segment recorded an Operating Loss of GBP8.1m (2018: profit of GBP2.0m), with the loss being due to the charge for exceptional items which are set out below.

Exceptional Items

Wolf Minerals Limited

As previously announced, in October 2018, one of the Group's customers, Wolf Minerals Limited, announced that it had ceased trading and subsequently it went into liquidation. As a result, the Group incurred an exceptional charge of GBP8.1m. The Group continues to have a small presence at the Hemerdon mine site where it is carrying out minor maintenance and asset safeguarding activities. The future of the site remains unclear, but Hargreaves is well positioned to secure any restoration or other work which may arise in due course. Hargreaves is not considering operating the mine.

British Steel Limited

In late May 2019, British Steel Limited announced that it was being placed into liquidation. Currently the business is being operated under the aegis of the Official Receiver and the Group is continuing to provide services under similar commercial terms as prior to the insolvency. Until the future of British Steel is clarified, the final financial impact on the Group cannot be fully determined, however, the Board has made a provision of GBP4.5m against trade debt and work-in-progress balances which are unlikely to be recovered. Additionally, a further expense of GBP3.5m has been recognised in respect of redundancy and other associated employment costs and equipment write downs, resulting in a total exceptional charge of GBP8.0m.

Further information on the performance of each business within Distribution & Services is given below.

Production and Distribution

UK

Revenue was GBP119.4m (2018: GBP137.4m), primarily due to reduced volumes of low margin thermal coal being traded and so Underlying Operating Profit fell slightly to GBP3.2m (2018: GBP3.5m) although margins improved to 2.7% (2018: 2.5%). Mining operations have been conducted very efficiently through the financial year and as a result the business is carrying higher levels of inventory than is usual. It is more cost effective to mine out coal whilst favourable conditions exist than to suffer the costs of poor output during spells of bad weather.

Our mining operational strategy continues to evolve to meet the future demand for coal through focus on the speciality markets. This will lead to a release of cash from working capital and the sale of surplus assets of approximately GBP20m. This cash should be released through financial years ending 31 May 2021 and 2022. The Transport business has delivered a much improved result in the period, returning profit to acceptable levels as we continue to focus on core markets and margin improvement.

HRMS

HRMS contributed GBP3.3m (2018: GBP6.5m) to Underlying Operating Profit as economic activity in Germany weakened. As a speciality commodity trading business, the results of HRMS are subject to fluctuations depending upon market conditions. As previously reported, HRMS is constructing a Carbon Pulverisation Plant in Duisburg, Germany, to add resilience and greater predictability to future trading prospects. Construction work is almost completed. Initial trial product is expected to be supplied during the autumn with the first sales to a contracted customer by the start of calendar year 2020. The Board of HRMS is focused on securing further contracts for the CPP so that meaningful contribution to profit is expected in the financial year ending 31 May 2021.

Industrial Services

Revenue increased by 25% to GBP87.4m (2018: GBP70.0m) with Underlying Operating Profit up by 58% to GBP3.8m (2018: GBP2.4m), a margin of 4.3% (2018: 3.4%).

UK

In the UK, revenue grew by 22% to GBP57.9m (2018: GBP47.5m) with Underlying Operating Profit improving to GBP2.7m (2018: GBP1.7m), increasing margins to 4.7% from 3.6%.

The UK business is focused on margin improvement as it transitions gradually from mainly supporting coal fired power stations and broadens its customer base. The main area of activity is in materials handling but increasingly the business is developing its skills in mechanical and electrical engineering within industrial complexes and is positioned to secure further work of that type. The forward order book and term contract positions held by the Industrial Services business mean that its budget revenue for the next financial year is almost fully secured.

The insolvency of British Steel has caused a setback to this business' growth plans and as a result both revenue and Underlying Operating Profit are likely to be materially lower in the financial year ending 31 May 2020. British Steel contributed approximately GBP1m of revenue each month. The exceptional charge of GBP8m, which is GBP1m lower than announced on 22 May 2019, assumes that British Steel operations cease as at 31 July 2019 as, at the date of signing these accounts, the Board has no better information upon which to base its judgement.

International

In the international business, which is primarily based in Hong Kong, revenue grew by 31% to GBP29.5m (2018: GBP22.5m) with an Underlying Operating Profit of GBP1.1m (2018: GBP0.7m), a margin of 4.1% (2018: 3.1%).

The Hong Kong business continues to broaden both the range of services it provides to its clients and its customer base. The South African business broke even as it did in 2018.

The Hong Kong business has been appointed to a new five year NEC4 Term Service Contract by its principal customer, CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd ("CLP"). This contract has a wider scope than its predecessor, which Hargreaves has delivered over the past five years, and extends to CLP's operations at both Castle Peak and Black Point power stations. Hargreaves will be providing a range of mechanical and electrical engineering services in annual planned and reactive maintenance operations. The successful award of this contract is seen as critical to the ongoing development within Hong Kong and the wider Asia region. It both secures Hargreaves' position as a leading vendor to CLP and continues to develop this key and valued relationship whilst providing an enhanced platform for further diversified growth in the region.

Specialist Earthworks

The Specialist Earthworks business recorded revenue of GBP87.0m (2018: GBP78.8m) and an Underlying Operating Profit of GBP1.8m (2018: GBP0.5m). Most of the growth in revenue is as a result of increased sales of plant and equipment.

The business has continued to manage to completion three legacy civils contracts inherited from the acquisition of C. A. Blackwell. These contracts reported GBP2.8m (2018: GBP5.5m) of revenue and incurred operating losses of GBP0.7m in the year (2018: GBP3.4m), which are recorded as exceptional and which have been offset by the recovery of GBP0.6m after legal costs from a claim against the vendors of C. A. Blackwell for breach of warranty. These contracts are now completed on site with only small demobilisation or defects corrections activities remaining. Final accounts remain to be agreed with a total of GBP9.2m contract assets outstanding in respect of these legacy contracts.

Following the insolvency of Wolf Minerals, the business has only a small level of activity currently at the Hemerdon tungsten mine site. Over the last several months, Hargreaves has sought to position itself to take advantage of whatever the future holds for the site. This would include carrying out the site restoration, the costs of which will be met by a fund which has already been set aside for that purpose during Wolf's tenure as mine operators.

The Specialist Earthworks business is focused on major earthworks projects. The principal current contract is the A14 bulk earthworks project which is expected to be completed in the new financial year. Future business opportunities with similar operational and contractual characteristics are being pursued and, as previously reported, C. A. Blackwell has been selected as a strategic partner to one of the major contractor consortia for two sections of earthworks on the HS2 rail project. Currently the business is engaged in early stage enabling works on the site.

The business is also providing early contractor involvement consultancy advice on other major planned infrastructure projects in the south of England. The timing of many of these projects is uncertain and some are subject to political influence, but the business is well placed to provide what is a specialist capability in a market with a small number of potential suppliers.

As a result of the above events, both revenue and Underlying Operating Profit in this business are likely to be materially lower in the financial year ending 31 May 2020.

Hargreaves Land

Hargreaves Land, the Group's Property business, contributed GBP2.8m (2018: GBP11.7m) of revenue and an Operating Profit of GBP2.2m (2018: GBP2.1m). Property revenue was principally derived from the sale of non-strategic land. Additionally, Hargreaves Land sold GBP6.8m of land at the old Maltby colliery and Monckton coke works. This land was previously classified within fixed assets and so is excluded from the measurement of revenue. There remains approximately GBP5m of non-strategic land to be sold.

In last year's annual report, an independent valuation was carried out which supported the values given by a similar independent exercise in 2017. As the land portfolio develops, it becomes increasingly difficult to make a meaningful comparison with historic valuations and so the Board has decided not to carry out a similar exercise this year. The Board continues to hold the view that the market value of its property portfolio is materially greater than its book value. Where appropriate levels of return can be generated, Hargreaves Land will seek to deliver greater development value if that can be extracted through additional investment or by enhancing planning conditions.

At the major Blindwells site near Edinburgh, conditional sales of fully serviced plots to both Cruden Homes and Bellway have already been announced. These sales are expected to complete in the next financial year with a value in excess of GBP10m. GBP7.0m (2018: GBP1.6m) of infrastructure cost has been invested in the site during the year, which is included in Inventory in the Group balance sheet. Further investment of over GBP9m is planned in the next financial year with a further fifteen acres being brought to market in the autumn of this year. It is unlikely that sales of those plots will complete until the year ending 31 May 2021.

The site development plan for phase one will take approximately ten years and provides an ongoing stream of revenue and profit which will underpin the Property business, including the sale of land for around 1,600 homes. The second phase, known as Greater Blindwells, now has approval in principle to be allocated through the local development plan. This phase would result in an additional 900 homes to be built on land owned by the Group.

During the year, the business identified several other development opportunities in Scotland and the North of England which it plans to exploit either through joint venture arrangements or in other partnerships. One such opportunity is at Hatfield in Yorkshire. After the year end, Hargreaves Land entered into a joint venture there to develop a six hundred acre site with planning permission for 3,100 residential properties and 1.5 million square feet for a mixture of industrial, commercial and logistics use. Lead times on such developments can be unpredictable and as a result initial profits are not expected to arise on this scheme until 2021.

Hargreaves Land's strategic goal is that of a property developer rather than a long term owner of investment properties and it will seek to exploit appropriate opportunities whilst restricting the amount of capital to be invested as much as possible.

Brockwell Energy Limited

The Board was pleased to complete the sale of the entire share capital of Brockwell Energy Limited ("Brockwell") in October 2018. The initial gross proceeds of the disposal, including the reimbursement of certain costs, were GBP21.7m. An after-tax profit on the disposal of Brockwell of GBP4.5m, excluding the contingent consideration, has been recorded within Discontinued Operations.

Brockwell's new owners are specialist renewable energy investors and they have plans to develop a number of such assets, some of which will be on land which is owned by Hargreaves. As these assets are developed, they will provide the Group with long term high quality rental income streams. Currently, Brockwell is pursuing financial close to construct an Energy from Waste plant at the Hargreaves site at Westfield in Scotland and a further GBP2m in cash is receivable by Hargreaves should that financing be successful. At that point, Brockwell will also enter into a long term lease at commercial rates. The availability of low cost energy at the site should provide a strong incentive to enable Hargreaves Land to attract other potential industrial and warehouse operators to this 100 acre site.

Legacy Assets

During the period, sales of Legacy Assets amounted to GBP6.1m (2018: GBP4.7m) with no Operating Profit being recorded (2018: GBPnil). GBP12.8m of Legacy Assets remain in the form of loans due from the Tower Joint Venture which are supported by underlying land and equipment. Further sales of joint venture equipment are expected to take place in the new financial year.

Summary

The insolvencies of both Wolf Minerals and British Steel have cast a shadow over the Distribution & Services business which has otherwise traded well. The Board is resolved to derive value and cash from the component businesses as the Group transitions to a model which requires less capital to be employed.

HRMS, the German associate, is also transitioning to a more consistent business model as the CPP comes into production. This will add value to Hargreaves' investment in that business.

The Board has identified Hargreaves Land as a key area for growth given suitable investment into both existing assets and new opportunities, primarily utilising cash to be derived from the cessation of mining activities.

Gordon Banham

Group Chief Executive

30 July 2019

Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss

and Other Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 May 2019

 
                                                                     2019       2018 
Continuing operations                                     Note     GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Revenue                                                      2    302,613    297,119 
Cost of sales                                                   (285,902)  (266,746) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
Gross profit                                                       16,711     30,373 
Other operating income/(expense)                                    4,291      (185) 
Administrative expenses                                          (30,690)   (31,564) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
Operating loss                                                    (9,688)    (1,376) 
 
 Analysed as: 
 Operating profit (before exceptional items)                        6,448      2,108 
 
 Exceptional items - Cost of sales                               (12,645)    (3,025) 
 Exceptional items - Administrative expenses                      (3,491)      (459) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 Exceptional items                                           3   (16,136)    (3,484) 
 
 Operating loss (after exceptional items)                         (9,688)    (1,376) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
Finance income                                                        450        626 
Finance expenses                                                  (2,154)    (1,937) 
 
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures 
 (net of tax)                                                       1,534      3,175 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
(Loss)/profit before tax                                          (9,858)        488 
Taxation                                                     4      1,665        693 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations             (8,193)      1,181 
 
Discontinued operations 
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued 
 operations                                                  5      3,526    (1,000) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
(Loss)/profit for the year                                        (4,667)        181 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
Other comprehensive income 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit 
 or loss 
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension schemes                 (1,197)      (857) 
Tax recognised on items that will not be reclassified 
 to profit or loss                                                    203        120 
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently 
 to profit or loss 
Foreign exchange translation differences                              318       (22) 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of 
 cash flow hedges                                                 (1,269)      1,123 
Tax recognised on items that are or may be reclassified 
 subsequently to profit or loss                                       216      (192) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the 
 year, net of tax                                                 (1,729)        172 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the 
 year                                                             (6,396)        353 
--------------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
 
                                                            2019     2018 
                                                          GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
Profit attributable to: 
Equity holders of the Company                            (4,741)      229 
Non-controlling interest                                      74     (48) 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 
(Loss)/profit for the year                               (4,667)      181 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 
Total comprehensive (expense)/income attributable 
 to: 
Equity holders of the Company                            (6,470)      401 
Non-controlling interest                                      74     (48) 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the 
 year                                                    (6,396)      353 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share (pence)                 6(14.75)     0.72 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (pence)               6(14.75)     0.71 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share from continuing 
 operations (pence)                                     6(25.71)     3.84 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share from continuing 
 operations (pence)                                     6(25.71)     3.82 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 
Non-GAAP Measures 
Basic underlying earnings per share from continuing 
 operations (pence)                                     6  15.30    14.90 
Diluted underlying earnings per share from continuing 
 operations (pence)                                     6  15.30    14.79 
------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

at 31 May 2019

 
                                                                    Group 
                                                            ---------------------- 
                                                                       Represented 
                                                                         (see note 
                                                                                1) 
                                                                 2019         2018 
                                                               GBP000       GBP000 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment                                  45,528       53,777 
Investment property                                            10,067       11,909 
Intangible assets including goodwill                           10,983       11,121 
Investments in associates and joint ventures                   11,744       10,116 
Other financial assets                                              -            - 
Deferred tax assets                                             6,229        3,814 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                               84,551       90,737 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 
Current assets 
Assets held for sale                                                -       16,660 
Inventories                                                    48,040       34,652 
Other financial assets                                             25        1,044 
Trade and other receivables                                    75,562      103,245 
Contract assets                                                17,596       18,970 
Cash and cash equivalents                                      21,583       16,110 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                              162,806      190,681 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
Total assets                                                  247,357      281,418 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 
Non-current liabilities 
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings                  (35,222)      (4,434) 
Retirement benefit obligations                                (4,184)      (4,395) 
Provisions                                                    (3,718)      (2,947) 
Other financial liabilities                                     (137)         (30) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                             (43,261)     (11,806) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 
Current liabilities 
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings                   (4,289)     (42,460) 
Trade and other payables                                     (69,259)     (88,425) 
Provisions                                                    (2,327)      (2,633) 
Income tax liability                                            (594)            - 
Other financial liabilities                                     (150)          (7) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                             (76,619)    (133,525) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 
Total liabilities                                           (119,880)    (145,331) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 
Net assets                                                    127,477      136,087 
------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 
                                                                    Group 
                                                            ---------------------- 
                                                                 2019         2018 
                                                               GBP000       GBP000 
--------------------------------  ------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
Equity attributable to equity 
 holders of the parent 
Share capital                                                   3,314        3,314 
Share premium                                                  73,955       73,955 
Other reserves                                                    211          211 
Translation reserve                                             (692)      (1,010) 
Merger reserve                                                  1,022        1,022 
Hedging reserve                                                   102        1,155 
Capital redemption reserve                                      1,530        1,530 
Share based payment reserve                                     1,139        1,043 
Retained earnings                                              46,841       54,886 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                              127,422      136,106 
 
Non-controlling interest                                           55         (19) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 
Total equity                                                  127,477      136,087 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for year ended 31 May 2019

 
                                                                                           Share- 
                                                                        Capital             based              Total 
                     Share    Share  Translation  Hedging     Other  redemption   Merger  payment  Retained   Parent  Non-controlling    Total 
                   capital  premium      reserve  reserve  reserves     reserve  reserve  reserve  earnings   equity         interest   equity 
Group               GBP000   GBP000       GBP000   GBP000    GBP000      GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000   GBP000           GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
At 1 June 2017       3,314   73,955        (988)      224       211       1,530    1,022      936    57,694  137,898               29  137,927 
Total 
comprehensive 
income for the 
year 
Profit/(loss) for 
 the year                -        -            -        -         -           -        -        -       229      229             (48)      181 
Other 
comprehensive 
income/(expense) 
Foreign exchange 
 translation 
 differences             -        -         (22)        -         -           -        -        -         -     (22)                -     (22) 
Effective portion 
 of changes in 
 fair 
 value of cash 
 flow 
 hedges                  -        -            -    1,123         -           -        -        -         -    1,123                -    1,123 
Remeasurements 
 of defined 
 benefit 
 pension schemes         -        -            -        -         -           -        -        -     (857)    (857)                -    (857) 
Tax recognised 
 on other 
 comprehensive 
 income                  -        -            -    (192)         -           -        -        -       120     (72)                -     (72) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
Total other 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense)        -        -         (22)      931         -           -        -        -     (737)      172                -      172 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense) 
 for the year            -        -         (22)      931         -           -        -        -     (508)      401             (48)      353 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
Transactions with 
owners recorded 
directly in 
equity 
Equity-settled 
 share-based 
 payment 
 transactions            -        -            -        -         -           -        -      107         -      107                -      107 
Dividends paid           -        -            -        -         -           -        -        -   (2,300)  (2,300)                -  (2,300) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
Total 
 contributions 
 by and 
 distributions 
 to owners               -        -            -        -         -           -        -      107   (2,300)  (2,193)                -  (2,193) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
At 31 May 2018       3,314   73,955      (1,010)    1,155       211       1,530    1,022    1,043    54,886  136,106             (19)  136,087 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 
                                                                                           Share- 
                                                                        Capital             based              Total 
                     Share    Share  Translation  Hedging     Other  redemption   Merger  payment  Retained   Parent  Non-controlling    Total 
                   capital  premium      reserve  reserve  reserves     reserve  reserve  reserve  earnings   equity         interest   equity 
Group               GBP000   GBP000       GBP000   GBP000    GBP000      GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000   GBP000           GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
At 1 June 2018       3,314   73,955      (1,010)    1,155       211       1,530    1,022    1,043    54,886  136,106             (19)  136,087 
Total 
comprehensive 
income for the 
year 
(Loss)/profit for 
 the year                -        -            -        -         -           -        -        -   (4,741)  (4,741)               74  (4,667) 
Other 
comprehensive 
income/(expense) 
Foreign exchange 
 translation 
 differences             -        -          318        -         -           -        -        -         -      318                -      318 
Effective portion 
 of changes in 
 fair 
 value of cash 
 flow 
 hedges                  -        -            -  (1,269)         -           -        -        -         -  (1,269)                -  (1,269) 
Remeasurements 
 of defined 
 benefit 
 pension schemes         -        -            -        -         -           -        -        -   (1,197)  (1,197)                -  (1,197) 
Tax recognised 
 on other 
 comprehensive 
 income                  -        -            -      216         -           -        -        -       203      419                -      419 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
Total other 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense)        -        -          318  (1,053)         -           -        -        -     (994)  (1,729)                -  (1,729) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense) 
 for the year            -        -          318  (1,053)         -           -        -        -   (5,735)  (6,470)               74  (6,396) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
Transactions with 
owners recorded 
directly in 
equity 
Equity-settled 
 share-based 
 payment 
 transactions            -        -            -        -         -           -        -       96         -       96                -       96 
Dividends paid           -        -            -        -         -           -        -        -   (2,310)  (2,310)                -  (2,310) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
Total 
 contributions 
 by and 
 distributions 
 to owners               -        -            -        -         -           -        -       96   (2,310)  (2,214)                -  (2,214) 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 
At 31 May 2019       3,314   73,955        (692)      102       211       1,530    1,022    1,139    46,841  127,422               55  127,477 
-----------------  -------  -------  -----------  -------  --------  ----------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  ------- 
 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

for year ended 31 May 2019

 
                                                                     Group 
                                                               ------------------ 
                                                                   2019      2018 
                                                                 GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------------   --------  -------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations           (8,193)     1,181 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and 
 equipment                                                       16,136    12,936 
Impairment of investment properties                                   -       621 
Amortisation and impairment of goodwill and intangible 
 assets                                                             142       880 
Net finance expense                                               1,704     1,311 
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures (net 
 of tax)                                                        (1,534)   (3,175) 
(Profit)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment          (4,291)       185 
Equity settled share-based payment expenses                          96       107 
Income tax credit                                               (1,665)     (693) 
Contributions to defined benefit pension schemes                (1,746)   (1,829) 
Translation of non-controlling interest and investments           (100)      (24) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                                                    549    11,500 
Change in assets held for sale                                    8,961         - 
Change in inventories                                          (11,262)    10,976 
Change in trade and other receivables                            26,172   (2,984) 
Change in trade and other payables                             (17,454)     (387) 
Change in provisions and employee benefits                        1,817   (1,475) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                                                  8,783    17,630 
Net interest paid                                               (1,635)     (905) 
Income tax received                                                 307     1,127 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash inflow from continuing operating activities              7,455    17,852 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 
 in discontinued operations                                      15,593   (1,017) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash inflow from operating activities                        23,048    16,835 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment              12,231     1,001 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and investment 
 property                                                       (8,433)  (21,227) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 
 in continuing operations                                         3,798  (20,226) 
Net cash outflow from investing activities in discontinued 
 operations                                                           -   (4,309) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities               3,798  (24,535) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Payment of finance lease liabilities                            (6,780)   (5,461) 
Dividends paid                                                  (2,310)   (2,300) 
(Repayment of)/proceeds from Group banking facilities          (12,300)     3,800 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash outflow from financing activities                     (21,390)   (3,961) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents              5,456  (11,661) 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 June                              16,110    27,817 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held                    17      (46) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 May                              21,583    16,110 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

1 Basis of preparation and status of financial information

The financial information set out above has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (Adopted IFRSs).

The financial information set out above does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 May 2019 or 31 May 2018. Statutory accounts for 2018 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, and those for 2019 will be delivered in due course. The auditor has reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. The adoption of IFRS 15 has resulted in a representation of contract assets and contract provisions in the 2018 balance sheet, this representation has not resulted in a change to the previously reported net assets of the Group.

These results were approved by the Board of Directors on 30 July 2019.

   2   Segmental Information 

The following analysis by industry segment is presented in accordance with IFRS 8 on the basis of those segments whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors (the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by IFRS 8) to assess performance and make strategic decisions about allocation of resources.

The sectors distinguished as operating segments are Distribution & Services, Hargreaves Land, Legacy and Unallocated.

-- Distribution & Services: Provides coal distribution, including mining operations, materials handling and contracting services and logistics to a range of industrial, wholesale and public sector customers. The business unit also provides earth moving and infrastructure services across the UK and trades in plant and machinery.

-- Hargreaves Land: The development and realisation of value from the land portfolio including rental income from investment properties.

-- Legacy: The realisation of surplus assets which are not associated with the continuing operations into cash in a timely manner, whilst obtaining full value.

-- Unallocated: The overhead costs related to the central functions that are not devolved to the individual business units.

These segments are combinations of subsidiaries, jointly controlled entities and associates. They have separate management teams and provide different products and services. The four operating segments are also reportable segments.

Underlying Operating Profit is defined by the Board as Operating Profit prior to exceptional items, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets and includes the Group's share of the operating profit of its German associate.

The segment results, as reported to the Board of Directors, are calculated under the principles of IFRS. Performance is measured on the basis of underlying operating profit/(loss), which is reconciled to profit/(loss) before tax in the tables below:

 
                                             Distribution  Hargreaves 
                                               & Services        Land   Legacy  Unallocated      Total 
                                                     2019        2019     2019         2019       2019 
                                                   GBP000      GBP000   GBP000       GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Revenue 
Total revenue                                     293,787       3,634    6,054            -    303,475 
Intra-segment revenue                                   -       (862)        -            -      (862) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Revenue from external customers                   293,787       2,772    6,054            -    302,613 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
 
Underlying operating profit/(loss)                 12,110       2,232        -      (4,376)      9,966 
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles          (142)           -        -            -      (142) 
Taxation on associates and joint ventures           (875)           -        -            -      (875) 
Exceptional items                                (16,770)           -        -          634   (16,136) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Operating (loss)/profit including share 
 of associate                                     (5,677)       2,232        -      (3,742)    (7,187) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Interest on associates and joint ventures           (967)           -        -            -      (967) 
Net financing costs                               (1,646)       (144)        -           86    (1,704) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
(Loss)/profit before taxation                     (8,290)       2,088        -      (3,656)    (9,858) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Depreciation charge                              (15,416)       (192)        -        (528)   (16,136) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Capital expenditure                              (15,535)        (15)        -        (365)   (15,915) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Net assets/(liabilities) 
Segment assets                                    188,199      27,288   12,824        7,302    235,613 
Segment liabilities                              (83,675)     (2,970)        -     (33,235)  (119,880) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Segment net assets/(liabilities)                  104,524      24,318   12,824     (25,933)    115,733 
Associates and joint ventures                      11,744           -        -            -     11,744 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
Total net assets                                  116,268      24,318   12,824     (25,933)    127,477 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------- 
 

Unallocated net liabilities of GBP25.9m include the Group banking facilities liability (GBP26.9m), cash and cash equivalents (GBP0.9m liability), derivative financial instruments (GBP0.3m liability), corporation tax liability (GBP0.6m) and deferred tax asset (GBP6.2m), retirement benefit obligations (GBP4.2m) and other corporate items (GBP0.8m asset).

 
                                             Distribution 
                                               & Services  Property   Legacy  Corporate      Total 
                                                     2018      2018     2018       2018       2018 
Continuing operations                              GBP000    GBP000   GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Revenue 
Total revenue                                     286,188    11,730    4,706          -    302,624 
Intra-segment revenue                             (5,505)         -        -          -    (5,505) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Revenue from external customers                   280,683    11,730    4,706          -    297,119 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 
Underlying operating profit/(loss)                 12,872     2,085       46    (5,554)      9,449 
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles          (880)         -        -          -      (880) 
Taxation on associates and joint ventures         (1,632)         -        -          -    (1,632) 
Exceptional items                                 (3,484)         -        -          -    (3,484) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Operating profit/(loss) including share 
 of associate                                       6,876     2,085       46    (5,554)      3,453 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Interest on associates and joint ventures         (1,654)         -        -          -    (1,654) 
Net financing costs                               (1,968)     (491)        -      1,148    (1,311) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Profit/(loss) before taxation                       3,254     1,594       46    (4,406)        488 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Depreciation charge                              (12,019)     (467)        -      (450)   (12,936) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Capital expenditure                              (23,421)   (5,545)        -      (295)   (29,261) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Net assets/(liabilities) 
Segment assets                                    203,256    34,115   28,547      5,384    271,302 
Segment liabilities                              (93,634)   (6,492)        -   (45,205)  (145,331) 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Segment net assets/(liabilities)                  109,622    27,623   28,547   (39,821)    125,971 
Associates and joint ventures                      10,116         -        -          -     10,116 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
Total net assets                                  119,738    27,623   28,547   (39,821)    136,087 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 

Unallocated net liabilities of GBP39.8m include the Group banking facilities liability (GBP39.3m), cash and cash equivalents (GBP0.6m liability), derivative financial instruments (GBP1.0m asset), corporation and deferred tax assets (GBP3.9m), retirement benefit obligations (GBP4.4m) and other corporate items (GBP0.4m liability).

   3   Exceptional Items 

The Group incurred a number of exceptional items in the year primarily related to the losses sustained due to the insolvency of Wolf Minerals (UK) Limited and British Steel Limited. Additionally, there were two other items relating to the C. A. Blackwell subsidiary.

 
                                                                        2019     2018 
                                                                      GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Losses due to the insolvency of Wolf Minerals (UK) Limited           (8,130)        - 
Losses due to the insolvency of British Steel Limited                (7,964)        - 
Losses on legacy contracts in C. A. Blackwell                          (676)  (3,435) 
Net amounts recovered from C.A Blackwell breach of warranty 
 claim                                                                   634        - 
Other restructuring costs relating to C. A. Blackwell                      -    (459) 
Credit associated with early closure of certain mining operations          -      410 
 
Total                                                               (16,136)  (3,484) 
------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
   4      Taxation 

Recognised in the Income Statement

 
                                                               2019     2018 
                                                             GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current tax 
Current year                                                     87      469 
Adjustments for prior years                                     344    (173) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
Current tax expense                                             431      296 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
Deferred tax 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Origination and reversal of temporary timing differences    (1,178)    (712) 
Adjustments for prior years                                   (918)    (277) 
 
Deferred tax credit                                         (2,096)    (989) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Tax credit in Income Statement (excluding share of tax of 
 equity accounted investees)                                (1,665)    (693) 
 
Share of tax of equity accounted investees                      875    1,632 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
Total tax (credit)/expense from continuing operations         (790)      939 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The deferred tax adjustment in respect of prior years of GBP918,000 relates to capital allowances, which were disclaimed within the Group provision previously.

Recognised in Other Comprehensive Income

 
                                                             2019     2018 
                                                           GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Deferred tax income/(expense) 
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow 
 hedges                                                       216    (192) 
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension schemes             203      120 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                                              419     (72) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate

 
                                                                    2019     2018 
                                                                  GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations            (8,193)    1,181 
Total tax (credit)/expense (including share of tax of equity 
 accounted investees)                                              (790)      939 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
(Loss)/profit excluding taxation from continuing operations      (8,983)    2,120 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 19.00% (2018: 19.00%)   (1,707)      403 
 
Effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions                         378      741 
Previously unrecognised/(unrecognised) tax losses                    576    (508) 
Non-deductible expenses                                              537      753 
Adjustment in respect of previous periods                          (574)    (450) 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
Effective total tax (credit)/expense                               (790)      939 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The UK corporation tax rate has been 19.00% for the duration of the financial year (2018: 19.00%).

Factors That May Affect Future Current and Total Tax Charges

The UK corporation tax rate reduced from 20% to 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and remained at 19% for the tax year beginning 6 April 2019. On 16 March 2016 it was announced that the main rate of UK Corporation Tax would reduce further to 17% on 6 April 2020. This change was substantively enacted on 6 September 2016. This will reduce the Group's current tax charge accordingly. The deferred tax balances at 31 May 2019 and 2018 have been calculated based on the rate of 17%, the rate substantively enacted at the Balance Sheet date.

   5      Discontinued Operations 

All discontinued operation results are attributable to equity holders. The Group's discontinued operations made a profit of GBP3,526,000 (2018: loss of GBP1,000,000) after tax during the year.

The discontinued operations represent the activities and disposal of Brockwell Energy Limited ("Brockwell"). The Company disposed of the whole of its shareholding in Brockwell on 19 October 2018 generating a profit after tax of GBP4,534,000. Proceeds includes the reimbursement of certain costs and expenses incurred by or in respect of Brockwell. Possible contingent consideration of GBP2m has not been recognised on grounds that any fair value attributable under IFRS 9 would be immaterial. In addition to this, discontinued operations include a loss after tax of GBP1,008,000 relating to a write off of a receivable in relation to the Belgian fraud uncovered in 2012. There are no remaining balances relating to this matter.

 
                                                              2019     2018 
                                                            GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary                        21,733        - 
Assets disposed                                           (10,034)        - 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                            11,699        - 
Administrative expenses                                    (7,760)  (1,144) 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Profit/(loss) before tax of discontinued operations          3,939  (1,144) 
 
Current tax (charge)/credit                                  (312)       91 
Deferred tax (charge)/credit                                 (101)       53 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                             (413)      144 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations      3,526  (1,000) 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

6 Assets Held for Sale

In the prior year the assets and liabilities of Brockwell were classified as held for sale. In addition to the assets associated with the disposal group, there was property, plant and equipment relating to the closure of Maltby Colliery which was also classified as held for sale in the previous year. Additionally, certain items of Freehold Land and Buildings were transferred into Assets Held for Sale as discussions regarding their sale were ongoing at the prior year end, these assets were disposed of during the year for proceeds of GBP8.4m.

 
                                                        2019     2018 
Assets Held for Sale                                  GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Property, plant and equipment - Land and Buildings         -    8,433 
Property, plant and equipment - Other                      -    9,016 
Goodwill                                                   -      383 
Other current assets                                       -      138 
Other current liabilities                                  -  (1,310) 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total assets held for sale                                 -   16,660 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
   7      Earnings per Share 

The calculation of earnings per share ("EPS") is based on the profit for the year attributable to equity holders and on the weighted average number of shares in issue and ranking for dividend in the year.

 
                                                  2019                        2018 
                                       --------------------------  -------------------------- 
                                       Earnings      EPS     DEPS  Earnings      EPS     DEPS 
                                         GBP000    Pence    Pence    GBP000    Pence    Pence 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ------- 
Underlying earnings per share from 
 continuing operations                    4,918    15.30    15.30     4,764    14.90    14.79 
Exceptional items and amortisation 
 (net of tax)                          (13,185)  (41.01)  (41.01)   (3,535)  (11.06)  (10.97) 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ------- 
Continuing basic (loss)/earnings per 
 share                                  (8,267)  (25.71)  (25.71)     1,229     3.84     3.82 
 
Discontinued operations                   3,526    10.96    10.96   (1,000)   (3.12)   (3.11) 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ------- 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share         (4,741)  (14.75)  (14.75)       229     0.72     0.71 
 
Weighted average number of shares                 32,150   32,150             31,981   32,214 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ------- 
 

The calculation of weighted average number of shares includes the effect of own shares held of 1,013,502 (2018: 1,069,904).

The calculation of diluted (loss)/earnings per share is based on the (loss)/profit for the year and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue in the year the potentially dilutive effect of the share options outstanding (effect on weighted average number of shares) is 425,491 (2018: 232,834); however the effect of these on basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share in the current year is 0.00p as these instruments would have had an anti-dilutive impact (2018: 0.01p). Effect on continuing basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share is 0.00p (2018: 0.02p).

   8   Alternative Performance Measures Glossary 

This report provides alternative performance measures ("APMs"), which are not defined or specified under the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards. The Board believes that these APMs provide readers with important additional information on the business.

 
Alternative Performance 
 Measure                   Definition and Purpose 
-------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Underlying Operating       Represents the operating profit from continuing 
 Profit                     operations of the Group before net exceptional 
                            items, the amortisation and impairment of intangible 
                            assets and includes the Group's share of the operating 
                            profit of its German associate. See Note 2 for 
                            reconciliation to statutory profit before tax. 
                            This measure is consistent with how the business 
                            measures performance and is reported to the Board. 
-------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Basic underlying earnings  Profit attributable to the equity holders of the 
 per share                  Parent before net exceptional items and the amortisation 
                            and impairment of intangible assets after tax 
                            divided by the weighted average number of ordinary 
                            shares during the financial year adjusted for 
                            the effects of any potentially dilutive options. 
                            See Note 7. 
-------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net Debt                   Represents the net position of the Group's cash 
                            and loan balances including leases and hire purchase. 
                            Calculated as follows: 
                                                                 2019       2018 
                                                              GBP'000    GBP'000 
                             Cash and cash equivalents         21,583     16,110 
                             Non-current interest bearing 
                              loans and borrowings           (35,220)    (4,434) 
                             Current interest bearings 
                              loans and borrowings            (4,289)   (42,460) 
                                                            ---------  --------- 
                             Net Debt                        (17,926)   (30,784) 
-------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net Asset Value per        Represents the Net Asset value of the group divided 
 Share                      by the number of shares in issue less those shares 
                            held in treasury. Calculated as follows: 
                                                                      2019             2018 
                             Total Shares in issue              33,138,756       33,138,756 
                             Less shares in treasury           (1,013,502)      (1,069,904) 
                             Shares for calculation             32,125,254       32,068,852 
                                                           ---------------  --------------- 
 
                             Net Asset Value per Balance    GBP127,477,000   GBP136,087,000 
                              Sheet 
                                                           ---------------  --------------- 
                             Net Asset Value per share             GBP3.97          GBP4.24 
-------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   9   Posting of Report & Accounts 

The Group confirms that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 May 2019 will be posted to shareholders as soon as practicable and a copy will be made available on the Group's website:

www.hsgplc.co.uk

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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