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INSE Inspired Plc

62.00
-2.50 (-3.88%)
19 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Inspired Plc LSE:INSE London Ordinary Share GB00BR2Q0V58 ORD 1.25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -2.50 -3.88% 62.00 61.00 63.00 62.00 62.00 62.00 17,589 08:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Business Services, Nec 88.78M -3.63M -0.0360 -17.22 62.47M

Inspired Energy PLC Half-year Report (1164L)

04/09/2019 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMINSE

RNS Number : 1164L

Inspired Energy PLC

04 September 2019

4 September 2019

Inspired Energy plc

("Inspired" or the "Group")

Results for the six months ended 30 June 2019

Robust start to the year

Inspired (AIM: INSE), a leading energy consultant to UK and Irish corporates, announces its consolidated, unaudited half year results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2019.

Financial Highlights

 
                                                            2019 
                                   H1 2019    H1 2018   % change 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Revenue                          GBP21.56m  GBP16.24m       +33% 
Gross profit                     GBP18.56m  GBP13.74m       +35% 
Adjusted EBITDA*                  GBP8.79m   GBP6.53m       +35% 
Adjusted profit before tax**      GBP6.94m   GBP5.35m       +30% 
Profit before tax                 GBP3.23m   GBP2.09m       +55% 
Cash generated from operations    GBP4.55m   GBP4.96m        -8% 
Adjusted Diluted EPS***              0.80p      0.78p        +3% 
Diluted Basic EPS                    0.34p      0.27p       +26% 
Net Debt                         GBP25.09m  GBP19.88m       +26% 
Corporate Order Book             GBP55.40m  GBP40.10m       +38% 
Interim dividend per share           0.22p      0.19p       +16% 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

Operational Highlights

-- Record revenues delivered by the Corporate Division, growing 36% to GBP18.68m (H1 2018: GBP13.76m), contributing 87% of Group revenue for the period (H1 2018: 85%).

-- Continued organic revenue growth of 6% in the Corporate Division, in line with the Group's stated target.

-- Corporate Division contributed Adjusted EBITDA of GBP8.97m, an increase of 40% (H1 2018: GBP6.43m).

-- SME Division generated revenues of GBP2.88m (H1 2018: GBP2.48m), growing 16% organically in the period.

-- Corporate Order Book increased to GBP55.4m in the period (31 December 2018: GBP53.0m) with strong customer retention and robust performance from significant new customer wins.

-- The Corporate Order Book provides 12 months secured revenue of GBP28.4m (31 December 2018: GBP26.0m) for the Corporate Division.

-- Underlying cash generation was robust in the period, with cash generated from operations (excluding restructuring costs and the impact of deal fees) of GBP6.8m (2018: GBP5.8m), an increase of 17% over the prior period

-- Transaction fees of GBP1.0m, relating to the acquisition of Inprova Finance Limited ("Inprova") were accrued into 2018, but paid in the period, together with expected non-recurring restructuring costs resulting from its integration, contributed to an increase in net debt to GBP25.09m (FY 2018: GBP23.54m).

-- The capital investment programme identified at the start of the year is underway and progressing in line with management expectations, resulting in the increase in payments to acquire intangible assets to GBP1.05m in H1 2019 (FY 2018: GBP1.51m).

   --     Interim dividend increased by 16% to 0.22 pence per share (H1 2018: 0.19 pence). 

Post period end acquisitions

-- Completed the acquisition of an initial 40 per cent of the issued share capital of Ignite Energy LTD ("Ignite") on 2 August 2019 (the "Strategic Investment"), with an exclusive option, until 31 July 2021, to acquire the balancing interest of 60 per cent under the terms of an option agreement. The Board believes the Strategic Investment accelerates the Group's ability to deliver on the stated strategy to grow its market share within the third-party intermediary optimisation services market.

-- The Strategic Investment in Ignite was financed from the Group's existing facilities with Santander.

Commenting on the results, Mark Dickinson, CEO of Inspired, said: "Concluding 2018 with the Inprova acquisition was a significant strategic milestone for the Group. 2019 has continued at pace with the acceleration of our next growth phase, further complementary and value-enhancing acquisitions completed in parallel with sustained organic growth."

"The Group is well placed to deliver another set of record results as we continue to benefit from further organic growth and the net contribution of recent acquisitions. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all of the Inspired team for their continued hard work and commitment over the past six months."

* Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation, excluding exceptional items and share-based payments.

**Adjusted profit before tax is earnings before tax, amortisation of intangible assets (excluding internally generated amortisation related to computer software and customer databases), exceptional items, share-based payments, the change in fair value of contingent consideration and foreign exchange variances. (A reconciliation of this can be found in note 3 of the financial statements).

***Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents the diluted earnings per share, as adjusted to remove amortisation of intangible assets (excluding internally generated amortisation related to computer software and customer databases), exceptional items, share-based payments, the change in fair value of contingent consideration and foreign exchange variances.

For further information, please contact:

 
 Inspired Energy plc                        www.inspiredplc.co.uk 
 Mark Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer    +44 (0) 1772 689 250 
 Paul Connor, Finance Director 
 
 Shore Capital (Nomad and Joint Broker)     +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 
 Dru Danford 
  Edward Mansfield 
  James Thomas 
 Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker) 
  Mike Bell 
  Ed Allsopp                                +44 (0) 20 7418 8900 
 Gable Communications                       +44 (0) 20 7193 7463 
 Justine James 
  John Bick                                 +44 (0) 7525 324431 
 

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to present the Group's unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2019, a period in which the Group continued to deliver on all strategic fronts, achieving results in line with management's expectations.

The acquisition of Inprova in December 2018 was a significant milestone in the development of the Group, both strategically and financially, and the Board is pleased to report that its integration continues to progress well and to plan. During the first six months following completion of the acquisition, management restructured the Inprova senior management team, consolidated four operational offices into two, integrating and subsequently closing the Horsham office into the Burgess Hill office, and consolidating the Warrington office into the Group head office in Kirkham, whilst aligning central functions with Group.

The effectiveness of the integration of Inprova to date is testament to the investment made by the Group during 2017 and 2018 to develop its management bandwidth and platform to enable the realisation of operational leverage from acquisitions effectively and efficiently, without impacting service levels for clients.

It is important to note the Group sustained organic growth during the period in both the Corporate Division and the SME Division. The Group has a stated target for organic growth of 6% to 8% per annum and this has been achieved in the first half despite a non-repeat of the benefits of the extreme cold weather in the first half of 2018. We are confident that the strength of the Group's organic growth engine will enable us to sustain organic growth in line with our targets whilst we continue to execute the Group's acquisition strategy.

The Strategic Investment in Ignite post period end, a business which is highly complementary to Inspired's core Corporate Division, is further evidence of the Group delivering on its well-established and successful acquisition strategy. The Board believes that optimisation services represents a very significant future opportunity for the Group, leveraging its established market leading position in energy consultancy. The Strategic Investment accelerates the Group's ability to grow its market share within the third-party intermediary optimisation services market.

The Board is pleased to propose an interim dividend of 0.22 pence per share. This represents an increase of 16% over the interim dividend paid in 2018, being 0.19 pence per share.

We are delighted with the performance of the Group in the first half of 2019 and we enter the second half of 2019 with confidence.

Michael Fletcher

Chairman

4 September 2019

CEO's Statement

Following the Group's achievements in 2018, we have carried that positive momentum into 2019 and have a clear strategy to build on this in the remainder of 2019 and beyond. Ensuring we maintain a market leading service for our clients is key as we continue to drive the business forward, whilst broadening our service offering through complementary acquisitions.

Acquisition Strategy

The Board continues to evaluate opportunities for the Group to participate in further industry consolidation. With a strong focus on building an enlarged and improved business, as demonstrated by the acquisitions to date, we believe that potential targets should offer one or more of the following criteria:

   --     Increased geographic footprint building our Units of Opportunity; 

-- Increased number of meter points with which we have a commercial relationship, building our Units of Opportunity;

   --     Additional technical and/or service capability increasing our Accessible Revenue; 
   --     Sector specialism and diversification increasing our Accessible Revenue; and 

-- Significant opportunities for sales or cost synergies to generate further economies of scale.

Ignite

The Strategic Investment in Ignite, post period end, significantly accelerates the Group's ability to deliver on its stated strategy to grow market share within the third-party intermediary ("TPI") optimisation services market, leveraging its established market leading position in energy consultancy.

Ignite has proven, over many years, to be capable of achieving material improvements in the energy efficiency of its clients. Inspired currently has over 500 clients within the estate and energy intensive segments who meet the Ignite customer profile and could benefit from the services that Ignite provides.

The UK optimisation services market remains relatively immature and service delivery models in this area, which are typically project based rather than recurring, will evolve over time as both customer understanding and technology develop. Against this backdrop, the Board believes that it is important the Company remains flexible and able to adapt its offering in this area in line with market developments, which complements its growing optimisation services capabilities.

The Strategic Investment is structured to enable Inspired to accelerate its own optimisation service offering to the Inspired customer base, drawing on the skills and experience of the Ignite team, whilst enabling Ignite to broaden and dilute its existing customer concentration through access to and servicing of the Inspired customer base. The Strategic Investment aligns the interests of Ignite's management with those of the Group, as the Option Consideration would capture the benefits if they are able to accelerate growth over the next two years. From the Group's perspective, the Option Agreement enables Inspired to secure ownership of Ignite at an attractive valuation, whilst retaining operational and capital flexibility.

The market for energy advisory services is a GBP1.2bn market opportunity. The Group provides consultancy services to clients in managing their entire energy cost equation, including both price and consumption sides of the client's energy cost equation. Procurement and energy accounting services support the client in managing the price side of the client's energy cost equation. For these services, three in four Corporate customers (defined by the Group as customers with energy consumption in excess of 0.5 Gwh per annum) in the UK use a TPI to assist them in these areas.

However, only one in six Corporate customers engage with third party intermediaries on the consumption side of the energy cost equation. This illustrates the significant market opportunity within optimisation services for the Group and Ignite will help to accelerate further growth in this area.

Other Investments

I am pleased to report, post period end, the Group completed the acquisition of Waterwatch UK Limited ("Waterwatch") for a consideration of up to GBP0.50m, of which GBP0.25m was paid on completion. Waterwatch supports its clients in all areas of water cost management and has over 20 years' experience in water audit and cost recovery. The Waterwatch team will become part of the Group's Optimisation Services division, further expanding our expertise and knowledge in this area to support existing and potential new customers.

The Strategic Investment in Ignite and acquisition of Waterwatch have significantly accelerated the Group's Optimisation Services offering and the Board continues to actively review and assess organic and acquisitive opportunities for further growth in this area, as the business continues to evolve as a leading player in the sector.

The acquisition of Waterwatch was funded by cash reserves of the Group.

Integration of Inprova

The Board is pleased to report that the integration of Inprova continues to progress well and to plan. During the first six months, following completion of the acquisition, the Inprova operation has consolidated from four operational offices in England and Wales, to two, maintaining the Caerphilly operation, integrating and subsequently closing the Horsham office into the Burgess Hill office, and consolidating the Warrington office into the Group head office in Kirkham.

During the period, the Inprova Senior Management Team was restructured and support functions including Finance, I.T, Marketing, Risk and Trading team were also re-aligned into Group.

This demonstrates the Group's platform to deliver operational leverage from acquisitions effectively and efficiently, without impacting the service levels for clients.

Exceptional costs

Exceptional costs of GBP1.2m (H1 2018: GBP0.9m) have been incurred in the period, which primarily relate to restructuring costs of GBP0.9m associated with the integration of Inprova, including the restructuring of the senior management team, consolidation of four operational offices to two, and the re-alignment of central support functions into Group.

Deal fees of GBP1.0m relating to the acquisition of Inprova accrued in 2018, were paid in the period, driving the reduction in Trade and Other Payables.

Strategy

Having established a strong and scalable platform for expansion, we have a clear strategy that will enable us to continue to build on the growth of the Group. We achieve this through four primary service lines:

   1.   Procurement: supporting clients with the selection of the best energy supply contracts 

2. Energy Accounting: supporting clients with the validation of their energy invoices and accounting processes

3. Compliance: supporting clients with their compliance obligations with respect to energy and environmental reporting

4. Optimisation Services: supporting clients to increase the effectiveness of their energy consumption

As the largest energy procurement consultant in the UK, we continue to benefit from a highly fragmented market with attractive dynamics for acquisitive growth, which we expect to continue during H2 2019 and into 2020.

Our organic growth engine is targeted to deliver 6% to 8% organic revenue growth per annum and is driven by focusing on three primary Key Performance Indicators. During H1 2019 we have achieved the following:

1. Units of Opportunity: The number of meters in the market place, owned by clients with whom we have a transactional relationship, increased from c.350,000 to c.370,000 during H1 2019 (6% increase)

2. Meters Under Management: the number of meters (Unit of Opportunity) covered by our core services of Energy Procurement and Energy Accounting in the UK increased from c.129,000 to c.149,000 during H1 2019 (16% increase)

3. White Space Bank: the quantified value of cross selling our broader Compliance and Optimisation Services to existing Meters Under Management clients has increased from c.GBP13m to c.GBP50m (385%), the majority of which is attributable to the Ignite acquisition.

Corporate Division

Overview

The Corporate Division's core services include the review, analysis, negotiation and energy accounting for gas and electricity contracts with the service offering segmented into four broad categories of customer focus being:

   --      Energy intensive 
   --      Commercial/estate intensive 
   --      Public services 
   --      Corporate 

The Group continues to develop its product suite to meet the individual energy management requirements of clients, following the key themes we focus on in order to simplify, verify, protect, inform and optimise. The Group's current focus is on the following strategic areas:

Optimisation Services: Expansion of our Optimisation Services Division to match client needs which are becoming increasingly sophisticated with respect to monitoring, targeting and efficiency.

Software Solutions: Further developing the Software Services Division to provide software solutions across the energy value chain. SystemsLink, acquired in March 2018, is central to the development of the Group's software solutions.

Research and Development: Continuing to develop the 'Inspired Incubator' to allow Inspired to support early stage energy and utility solutions which have the potential to add value to energy consumers in the future.

Corporate Division Financial Highlights

Highlights in the period include:

-- Revenue increased 36% to GBP18.7m (H1 2018: GBP13.8m), including 6% organic revenue growth (2018: 8%).

-- The Corporate Division generated adjusted EBITDA of GBP9.0m (H1 2018: GBP6.4m), a 40% year on year increase.

   --      Corporate Order Book increased by 38% to GBP55.4m (H1 2018: GBP40.1m). 

The Corporate Order Book is defined as the aggregate revenue expected by the Group in respect of signed contracts between an Inspired client and an energy supplier, or Inspired and a client in the instance of direct client fees, for the remainder of such contracts (where the contract is live) or for the duration of such contracts (where the contract has yet to commence). No value is ascribed to expected retentions of contracts.

The Corporate Order Book only relates to the Corporate Division and does not include any SME revenue or contracts within it. The growth of the Corporate Order Book provides an indicator of the latent growth of the business which has yet to be recognised as revenue of the Group.

SME Division

Within the SME Division, the Group's energy consultants contact prospective SME clients to offer price comparison services and contract arrangement service based on the unique situation of the customer.

Highlights in the period include:

-- SME Division returned to growth, with revenue increasing 16% organically to GBP2.9m (H1 2018: GBP2.5m which was a 19% reduction from H1 2017).

   --      The division generated Adjusted EBITDA of GBP1.0m (H1 2018: GBP0.9m). 

The Board continues to explore the opportunity to provide complementary services that add value to SME consumers including proof of concept expansion into Merchant Services, Insurance and Telecoms.

PLC Costs

PLC costs increased in the period by GBP0.3m, reflecting further investment made to increase the talent within the central functions of the enlarged Group.

Cash generation

Cash generated from operations was GBP4.6m, (H1 2018: GBP5.0m) with the reduction in the period largely reflecting the impact of the acquisition of Inprova at the end of 2018. Excluding non-recurring restructuring costs in relation to the Inprova integration and the payment of deal fees of GBP1.0m, which had been accrued at 31 December 2018, but paid in the period, cash generated from operations was GBP6.8m (2018: GBP5.8m), an increase of 17% over the prior period.

Alternative performance measures

Acquisition activity can significantly distort underlying financial performance from IFRS measures and therefore the Board deems it appropriate to report adjusted metrics as well as IFRS measures for the benefit of primary users of the Group financial statements.

Updates to Accounting Policies

IFRS 16 - Leases

The H1 2019 results herein adopt IFRS 16, the impact of which is a GBP0.3m increase in EBITDA and GBP0.3m increase in depreciation in the period, and an immaterial impact to Adjusted and Basic EPS. As outlined in the 2018 preliminary results statement, the adoption of IFRS 16 has not had a significant impact on the Group's financial statements, and therefore future forecasts of the Group remain unchanged.

Dividends

The Board is delighted to propose an interim dividend of 0.22 pence per share. This represents an increase of 16% over the interim dividend paid in 2018, being 0.19 pence per share.

The ex-dividend date is 24 October 2019 with a record date of 25 October 2019. The dividend will be paid to shareholders on 12 December 2019.

Outlook

Our excellent performance in the first half of 2019, underpinned by strong organic growth, provides a strong operational and financial platform for the full year. The Group is well placed to deliver another set of record results, as we continue to benefit from further organic growth and contribution from the 2018 and 2019 acquisitions.

The Group's established acquisition strategy has delivered strong results, as demonstrated by the success achieved from the value enhancing acquisitions made in 2018, and 2019 year to date. In addition to our continued focus on delivering organic growth, we continue to evaluate varied acquisition opportunities in the sector which provides an attractive opportunity for market consolidation.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all of the Inspired team for the hard work over the past six months, as we look forward to completing another exciting year of growth and development of the business.

Mark Dickinson

Chief Executive Officer

4 September 2019

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 June 2019

 
                                                                                   Year ended 
                                                                                  31 December 
                                                                                         2018 
                                           Six months          Six months 
                                             ended 30            ended 30 
                                            June 2019           June 2018 
                                          (unaudited)         (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                  Note         GBP000              GBP000              GBP000 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  -------------  --- 
 
 Revenue                                       21,559              16,241              32,692 
 
 Cost of sales                                (2,998)             (2,500)             (5,018) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Gross profit                                  18,561              13,741              27,674 
 
 Administrative expenses                     (14,679)            (11,013)            (22,171) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Operating profit                               3,882               2,728               5,503 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Analysed as: 
 Earnings before exceptional 
  costs, depreciation, 
  amortisation and share-based 
  payment costs                                 8,786               6,528              13,752 
 Fees associated with 
  acquisition                                   (269)               (312)             (2,345) 
 Restructuring costs                            (901)               (568)               (935) 
 Change in fair value 
  of contingent consideration                    (51)               (185)                 576 
 Depreciation                                   (598)               (269)               (569) 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                           (2,304)             (1,801)             (3,749) 
 Amortisation of internally 
  generated intangible 
  assets                                        (545)               (369)               (756) 
 Share-based payment 
  costs                                         (236)               (296)               (471) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
                                                3,882               2,728               5,503 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  -------------  --- 
 
 Finance expenditure                            (650)               (639)             (1,380) 
 Other financial items                              -                   -                  76 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Profit before income 
  tax                                           3,232               2,089               4,199 
 
 Income tax expense                             (679)               (460)               (960) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Profit for the period                          2,553               1,629               3,239 
 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
 Exchange differences 
  on translation of 
  foreign operations                             (25)                (37)                 112 
 
 
 Profit for the period 
  and total comprehensive 
  income                                        2,528               1,592               3,351 
                                        =============       =============       ============= 
 
 Attributable to:                 Note 
 Equity owners of the 
  Company                                       2,528               1,592               3,351 
 
 Diluted earnings per 
  share attributable 
  to the equity holders 
  of the Company (pence)           3             0.34                0.27                0.53 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per share attributable 
  to the equity holders 
  of the Company (pence)           3             0.80                0.78                1.61 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  -------------  --- 
 

Group Statement of Financial Position

At 30 June 2019

 
                                         Six months     Six months 
                                           ended 30       ended 30                 Year ended 
                                          June 2019      June 2018                31 December 
                                        (unaudited)    (unaudited)    2018 (audited-restated) 
                                Note            GBP            GBP                        GBP 
-----------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Investments                                    632              -                          - 
 Intangible assets               5           58,034         38,813                     59,847 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                      4            5,694          1,522                      2,083 
                                                     ------------- 
                                             64,360         40,335                     61,930 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                 23,263         17,481                     21,906 
 Cash and cash equivalents                    2,459          3,663                      2,190 
                                      -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
                                             25,722         21,144                     24,096 
 
 Total assets                                90,082         61,479                     86,026 
                                      -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                     5,237          2,942                      7,037 
 Lease liabilities                              695              -                          - 
 Bank borrowings                              3,892          2,810                      3,047 
 Current tax liability                        2,422          2,008                      2,857 
 Contingent consideration                       544          2,877                      1,982 
                                                     ------------- 
                                             12,790         10,637                     14,923 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Bank borrowings                             23,658         20,484                     22,393 
 Trade and other payables                       141             18                         92 
 Lease liabilities                            2,226              -                          - 
 Contingent consideration                     1,211            863                      1,379 
 Deferred tax liability                       1,841          1,511                      1,856 
 Interest rate swap                             136            146                         68 
                                                     ------------- 
                                             29,213         23,022                     25,788 
 
 Total liabilities                           42,003         33,659                     40,711 
                                      -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
 Net assets                                  48,079         27,820                     45,315 
                                      =============  =============  ========================= 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                                  892            747                        892 
 Share premium account                       37,422         19,101                     37,422 
 Merger relief reserve                       15,535         14,914                     15,535 
 Retained earnings                           10,461          9,561                      7,908 
 Share based payments 
  reserves                                    1,597          1,449                      1,361 
 Investment on own 
  shares                                    (6,742)        (6,742)                    (6,742) 
 Translation reserve                            297            173                        322 
 Reverse acquisition 
  reserve                                  (11,383)       (11,383)                   (11,383) 
 
 
 Total equity                                48,079         27,820                     45,315 
                                      =============  =============  ========================= 
 

Group Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 June 2019

 
                                          Six months    Six months 
                                            ended 30      ended 30       Year ended 
                                           June 2019     June 2018      31 December 
                                         (unaudited)   (unaudited)   2018 (audited) 
                                 Note            GBP           GBP              GBP 
-------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from operating 
 activities 
Profit before income 
 tax                                           3,232         2,089            4,199 
 
Adjustments 
Depreciation                                     598           269              569 
Amortisation                                   2,849         2,170            4,505 
Share based payment costs                        236           296              471 
Finance expenditure                              650           639            1,304 
Exchange rate variances                         (75)            41            (248) 
Other financial items                             51           185            (577) 
 
Cash flows before changes 
 in working capital                            7,541         5,689           10,223 
 
Movement in working capital 
Increase in trade and 
 other receivables                           (1,043)         (696)          (1,689) 
(Decrease)/increase in 
 trade and other payables                    (1,945)          (34)            1,479 
                                        ------------  ------------  --------------- 
Cash generated from operations                 4,553         4,959           10,013 
                                        ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
Income taxes paid                            (1,394)       (1,606)          (1,853) 
 
Net cash flows from operating 
 activities                                    3,159         3,353            8,160 
 
Cash flows from investing 
 activities 
Purchase of property, 
 plant and equipment                           (819)         (332)            (869) 
Payments to acquire intangible 
 assets                                      (1,057)         (636)          (1,509) 
Contingent consideration 
 paid                                        (1,656)       (2,275)          (3,625) 
Acquisition of subsidiary, 
 net of cash                                   (600)       (4,525)         (25,479) 
                                        ------------  ------------  --------------- 
                                             (4,132)       (7,768)         (31,482) 
 
Cash flows from financing 
 activities 
New bank loans                                 2,850         4,000            7,400 
Repayment of bank loans                        (690)         (630)          (2,044) 
Finance expenses                               (599)         (639)          (1,049) 
Net proceeds of equity                             -           185           19,272 
Repayment of lease liabilities                 (371)             -                - 
Dividends paid                                     -             -          (3,248) 
                                        ------------  ------------  --------------- 
                                               1,190         2,916           20,331 
 
Net increase/(decrease) 
 in cash and cash equivalents                    217       (1,500)          (2,991) 
 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 brought forward                               2,190         5,183            5,183 
Exchange differences 
 on cash and cash equivalents                     52          (20)              (2) 
                                        ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 carried forward                               2,459         3,663            2,190 
                                        ============  ============  =============== 
 

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2019

 
 
                                Share   Merger  Share-based             Investment   Translation      Reverse          Total 
                       Share  premium   relief      payment  Retained       in own       reserve  acquisition  shareholders' 
                     capital  account  reserve      reserve  earnings       shares           GBP      reserve         equity 
                         GBP      GBP      GBP          GBP       GBP          GBP                        GBP            GBP 
 
Balance at 1 
 January 2018            711   14,203   14,914        1,231     7,354      (2,618)           210     (11,383)         24,622 
                     -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
Profit and total 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 period                    -        -        -            -     3,239            -           112            -          3,351 
Prior year IFRS 15 
 impact                    -        -        -            -       222            -             -            -            222 
Shares issued 
 (22 March 2018)           4        -      621            -         -            -             -            -            625 
Shares issued 
 (29 March 2018)           2      145        -            -         -            -             -            -            147 
Shares issued 
 (24 May 2018)            29    4,095        -            -         -            -             -            -          4,124 
Shares issued 
 (7 June 2018)             1       37        -            -         -            -             -            -             38 
Shares issued 
 (7 September 2018)        1       86        -            -         -            -             -            -             87 
Shares issued 
 (31 December 2018)      144   18,856        -            -         -            -             -            -         19,000 
Share-based payment 
 cost                      -        -        -          471         -            -             -            -            471 
Share options 
 exercised                 -        -        -        (341)       341            -             -            -              - 
Purchase of own 
 shares                    -        -        -            -         -      (4,124)             -            -        (4,124) 
Dividends paid             -        -        -            -   (3,248)            -             -            -        (3,248) 
Total transactions 
 with owners             181   23,219      621          130       554      (4,124)           112            -         20,693 
                     -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
Balance at 31 
 December 2018           892   37,422   15,535        1,361     7,908      (6,742)           322     (11,383)         45,315 
                     ------- 
Profit and total 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 period                    -        -        -            -     2,553            -          (25)            -          2,528 
Share-based payment 
 costs                     -        -        -          236         -            -             -            -            236 
Balance at 30 June 
 2019                    892   37,422   15,535        1,597    10,461      (6,742)           297     (11,383)         48,079 
                     -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
   1.     Accounting Policies 

Basis of preparation

The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the statutory accounts of the Group for the period ended 30 June 2019. Whilst the financial information included in this interim announcement has been computed in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS). They have been prepared on an accrual basis and under the historical cost convention except for certain financial instruments measured at fair value. This announcement in itself does not contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS.

Details of the accounting policies are those set out in the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2018. The accounting policies in this announcement are consistent with those set out in the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2018 apart from the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases. IFRS 16 is effective from periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and removes the operation and finance lease classification in IAS 17 Leases and replaces them with the concept of right of use assets and associated financial liabilities.

Going Concern

The Group's forecasts, which have been prepared for the period to 31 December 2021 after taking into account the contracted order book, future sales performance, expected overheads, capital expenditure and debt service costs, show that the Group should be able to operate profitably and within the current financial resources available to the Group.

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles under IFRSs, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reporting amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.

2. Segmental information

Revenue and segmental reporting

The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Group's Executive Directors. Operating segments for the period to 30 June 2019 were determined on the basis of the reporting presented at regular Board meetings of the Group which is by nature of customer and level of procurement advice provided. The segments comprise:

The Corporate Division ("Corporate")

This sector comprises the operations of Inspired Energy Solutions Limited, Direct Energy Purchasing Limited, Wholesale Power UK Limited, STC Energy and Carbon Holdings Limited, Informed Business Solutions Limited, Flexible Energy Management Limited, Churchcom Limited, Horizon Energy Group Limited, Energy Cost Management Limited, SystemsLink 2000 Limited, Professional Cost Management Group Limited, Squareone Enterprises Limited and Inprova Finance Limited. Corporate's core services are primarily in the review, analysis and negotiation of gas and electricity contracts on behalf of Corporate clients. Additional services provided include energy review and benchmarking, negotiation and bill validation. The Group's Corporate Division benefits from a market-leading trading team, who actively focus on high volume customers, providing more complex, long-term energy frameworks based on agreed risk management strategies.

The SME division ("SME")

This sector comprises the operations of Energisave Online Limited, KWH Consulting Limited and Simply Business Energy Limited. Within the SME Division, the Group's energy consultants contact prospective SME clients to offer reduced tariffs and contracts based on the unique situation of the customer. Leads are generated and managed by the Group's internally generated, bespoke CRM and case management IT system. Tariffs are offered from a range of suppliers and the Group is actively working with new suppliers to increase the range of products available to SME clients.

PLC costs

This comprises the costs of running the PLC, incorporating the cost of the Board, listing costs and other professional service costs such as audit, tax, legal and Group insurance.

 
                           Six months ended 30 June 2019            Six months ended 30 June 2018 
                      Corporate      SME  PLC costs     Total  Corporate      SME  PLC costs     Total 
                            GBP      GBP        GBP       GBP        GBP      GBP        GBP       GBP 
 Revenue                 18,676    2,883          -    21,559     13,760    2,481          -    16,241 
 Cost of sales          (1,319)  (1,679)          -   (2,998)    (1,082)  (1,418)          -   (2,500) 
 -------------------  ---------  -------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------- 
 Gross profit            17,357    1,204          -    18,561     12,678    1,063          -    13,741 
 -------------------  ---------  -------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------- 
 Administration 
  expenses             (10,339)    (353)    (3,987)  (14,679)    (7,355)    (348)    (3,310)  (11,013) 
 -------------------  ---------  -------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------- 
 Operating profit         7,018      851    (3,987)     3,882      5,323      715    (3,310)     2,728 
 -------------------  ---------  -------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------- 
 Analysed as: 
 EBITDA                   8,966      970    (1,150)     8,786      6,432      944      (848)     6,528 
 Depreciation             (555)     (41)        (2)     (598)      (247)     (22)          -     (269) 
 Amortisation             (477)     (68)    (2,304)   (2,849)      (281)     (87)    (1,802)   (2,170) 
 Share-based 
  payments                    -        -      (236)     (236)      (139)      (7)      (150)     (296) 
 Exceptional costs        (916)     (10)      (295)   (1,221)      (442)    (113)      (510)   (1,065) 
                      ---------  -------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------- 
                          7,018      851    (3,987)     3,882      5,323      715    (3,310)     2,728 
 -------------------  ---------  -------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------  ---------  -------- 
 
 
   3.     Earnings Per Share 

The earnings per share is based on the net profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 
                                                                                 Year ended 
                                                                                31 December 
                                                                                       2018 
                                       Six months          Six months 
                                         ended 30            ended 30 
                                        June 2019           June 2018 
                                      (unaudited)         (unaudited)             (audited) 
                                              GBP                 GBP                   GBP 
----------------------------------  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ---------------  --- 
 
 Profit attributable to equity 
  holders of the Group                      2,553               1,629                 3,239 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                         2,304               1,801                 3,749 
 Deferred tax in respect of 
  amortisation                              (252)               (198)                 (536) 
 Changes in fair value of 
  contingent consideration                     51                 185                 (576) 
 Foreign exchange variation                  (51)                  96                   254 
 Fees associated with acquisition             269                 312                 2,345 
 Share-based payments costs                   236                 296                   471 
 Restructuring costs                          901                 568                   935 
 
 Adjusted profit attributable 
  to equity holders of the 
  Group                                     6,011               4,689                 9,881 
                                    -------------       -------------       --------------- 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares in issue                713,973             576,500               587,602 
 Diluted weighted average 
  number of ordinary shares 
  in issue                                755,302             604,123                27,679 
 
 Basic earnings per share 
  (pence)                                    0.36                0.28                  0.55 
 Diluted earnings per share 
  (pence)                                    0.34                0.27                  0.53 
 Adjusted basic earnings per 
  share (pence)                              0.84                0.81                  1.68 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per share (pence)                          0.80                0.78                  1.61 
 

The weighted average number of shares in issue for the adjusted diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of the share options in issue to senior staff of Inspired.

Adjusted earnings per share represents the earnings per share, as adjusted to remove the effect of the fees associated with acquisition, amortisation of intangible assets (excluding amortisation related to computer software and customer databases), share-based payments and exceptional items which have been expensed to the income statement in the period. Adjusted profit before tax is calculated as follows:

 
                                                                                   Year ended 
                                                                                  31 December 
                                                                                         2018 
                                        Six months          Six months 
                                          ended 30            ended 30 
                                         June 2019           June 2018 
                                       (unaudited)         (unaudited)              (audited) 
                                               GBP                 GBP                    GBP 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ----------------  --- 
 
 Profit before tax                           3,232               2,089                  4,199 
 Share-based payments costs                    236                 296                    471 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                          2,304               1,801                  3,749 
 Foreign exchange variation                   (51)                  96                    254 
 Exceptional costs/(items): 
  Fees associated with acquisition             269                 312                  2,345 
  Restructuring costs                          901                 568                    935 
  Change in fair value of 
   contingent consideration                     51                 185                  (576) 
 
 Adjusted profit before tax                  6,942               5,347                 11,377 
                                     -------------       -------------       ---------------- 
 
 
   4.     Property, Plant and Equipment 
 
                                                                                                     Total 
                                                                              Right of Use Assets      GBP 
 
                  Fixtures and      Motor        Computer      Leasehold       Motor      Leasehold 
                      fittings   vehicles       equipment   improvements    vehicles   improvements 
                           GBP        GBP             GBP            GBP         GBP            GBP 
Cost 
As at 1 
 January 2018              743         69           1,472            441           -              -  2,725 
Acquisitions 
 through 
 business 
 combinations              156         15             228             12           -              -    411 
Additions                   62         88             460            258           -              -    868 
Disposals                    -       (40)               1              -           -              -   (39) 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variations                  -          1               1              -           -              -      2 
At 31 December 
 2018                      961        133           2,162            711           -              -  3,967 
Additions                   94          -             551            279           -              -    924 
On application 
 of IFRS 16                  -          -               -              -         170          3,116  3,286 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variations                  -        (1)               -              -           -              -    (1) 
At 30 June 
 2019                    1,055        132           2,713            990         170          3,116  8,176 
                --------------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ----- 
Depreciation 
As at 1 
 January 2018              373          2             841            102           -              -  1,318 
Charge for the 
 year                      121         26             370             52           -              -    569 
Disposals                    -        (3)               -              -           -              -    (3) 
At 31 December 
 2018                      494         25           1,211            154           -              -  1,884 
Charge for the 
 period                     98         12             158             49          56            225    598 
At 30 June 
 2019                      592         37           1,369            203          56            225  2,482 
                --------------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ----- 
Net Book Value 
At 30 June 
 2019                      463         95           1,344            787         114          2,891  5,694 
                --------------  ---------  --------------  -------------                             ----- 
At 31 December 
 2018                      467        108             951            557           -              -  2,083 
                --------------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ----- 
 

Property, plant and equipment includes right of use assets following the adoption of IFRS 16, which is effective from periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. The adoption has resulted in the recognition of right of use assets (along with associated lease liabilities) of GBP3,286,000 with depreciation of GBP281,000 recognised in the period.

   5.     Intangible assets and goodwill 
 
                    Computer     Trade name       Customer       Customer       Customer 
                    software            GBP      databases      contracts  relationships  Goodwill   Total 
                         GBP                           GBP            GBP            GBP       GBP     GBP 
Cost 
At 1 January 
 2018                  5,805            115          1,498         10,751          1,989    22,190  42,348 
Additions              1,411              -             98              -              -         -   1,509 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variances                 -              -              -             88              -        36     124 
Acquisitions 
 through 
 business 
 combinations          2,134              -              -          3,848            242    22,643  28,867 
At 31 
 December 
 2018 
 (restated)            9,350            115          1,596         14,687          2,231    44,869  72,848 
Additions              1,019              -             38              -              -         -   1,057 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variances                 -              -              -           (35)              -        14    (21) 
At 30 June 
 2019                 10,369            115          1,634         14,652          2,231    44,883  73,884 
               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------  ------ 
Amortisation 
As at 1 
 January 2018          2,273             12          1,317          3,841          1,053         -   8,496 
Charge for 
 the period            1,589              6            120          2,246            544         -   4,505 
At 31 
 December 
 2018                  3,862             18          1,437          6,087          1,597         -  13,001 
Charge for 
 the year                996              3             68          1,503            279         -   2,849 
               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------  ------ 
At 30 June 
 2019                  4,858             21          1,505          7,590          1,876         -  15,850 
               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------  ------ 
Net Book 
Value 
At 30 June 
 2019                  5,511             94            129          7,062            355    44,883  58,034 
               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------  ------ 
At 31 
 December 
 2018 
 (restated)            5,488             97            159          8,600            634    44,869  59,847 
               -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------  ------ 
 

Computer software is a combination of assets internally generated and assets acquired through business combinations. Amortisation charged in the period to 30 June 2019 associated with computer software acquired through business combinations is GBP477,000. The additional GBP519,000 charged in the period relates to the amortisation of internally generated computer software. Amortisation of customer databases of GBP68,000 is also in relation to internally generated intangible assets.

   6.     Availability of this announcement 

This announcement together with the financial statements herein and a presentation in respect of the interim financial results are available on the Group's website, www.inspiredplc.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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