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KCOM Kcom Group Plc

120.00
0.00 (0.00%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Kcom Group Plc LSE:KCOM London Ordinary Share GB0007448250 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 120.00 120.00 120.20 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

KCOM Group PLC Replacement: Final Results (3044Q)

05/06/2018 7:31am

UK Regulatory


Kcom (LSE:KCOM)
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TIDMKCOM

RNS Number : 3044Q

KCOM Group PLC

05 June 2018

The following amendment has been made to the KCOM Group PLC Final Results announcement released on 5 June at 7.00am under RNS No 2678Q.

The proposed full year dividend per share for the audited year ended 31 March 2017 should read 6.00 pence.

All other details remain unchanged. The full amended text is shown below.

5 June 2018

KCOM GROUP PLC (KCOM.L)

Results for the year ended 31 March 2018

KCOM Group PLC (KCOM.L) announces its preliminary full year results for the year ended 31 March 2018.

Highlights

   --      Profit ahead of expectations despite lower revenue 

_ EBITDA(1,2) up 1% year on year, driven by multi-year network rates rebate, higher margins and strong cost control

   _    Lower revenue reflects anticipated decline in National Network Services 
   --      Good progress in Hull & East Yorkshire 
   _    Revenue up 2% overall 
   _    Strong performance in Consumer channel, revenue up 4% 
   _    Full-fibre deployment on target to be available to 100% of addressable market by March 2019 
   _    More customers taking broadband over full-fibre now than over copper 
   --      Margin and profit improvement in Enterprise, despite 3% revenue decline 
   _    Revenue affected by lower government spend, and previously identified software contracts 

-- Two software contracts now exited; customer relationship maintained with new business in place

   _    Strengthened management team driving momentum from cloud-based wins and renewals 

-- Statutory profit before tax increased by 11.5% reflecting lower level of exceptional costs partially offset by increased depreciation and amortisation

-- Net debt(2) increase reflects our capital investment, including continued investment in fibre

-- Recommended final dividend of 4.00p, to deliver committed 6.00p per share dividend for the full year

   --      Existing dividend commitment extended to 2018/19 financial year 

Financial highlights

 
                                           Unaudited       Audited 
                                          year ended    year ended    Change 
                                            31 March      31 March      over 
                                                2018          2017     prior 
                                               GBP'm         GBP'm      year 
--------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Performance measure 
 Revenue                                       301.9         331.3    (8.9%) 
 EBITDA                                         68.3          67.6      1.0% 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share(2) 
  (pence)                                       5.26          6.10   (13.8%) 
 Cash capital expenditure(2)                  (43.9)        (47.2)    (7.0%) 
 Reported results 
 Profit before tax                              34.0          30.5     11.5% 
 Basic earnings per share (pence)               5.38          4.85     10.9% 
 Net debt                                       62.6          42.4     47.6% 
 Proposed final dividend per share 
  (pence)                                       4.00          4.00         - 
 Proposed full year dividend per 
  share (pence)                                 6.00          6.00         - 
--------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

(1) EBITDA is stated before exceptional items. All references to "EBITDA" throughout the remainder of this document are before exceptional items, except where specifically highlighted in Note 1.

(2) For the definition and purpose of this alternative performance measure stated here and used subsequently throughout this document, please see the glossary. The glossary also provides a reconciliation to the closest equivalent IFRS measure.

Graham Holden, Chairman, said:

"In a challenging environment, we have made continued progress and have achieved year on year growth in EBITDA and profit before tax, ahead of our expectations. Our objective remains to deliver long-term sustainable value for our shareholders. The operating segments we established last year have allowed us to more clearly articulate our segments' goals and understand their individual performance and value. This leads to our continued refinement of the allocation of investment and resources.

"Our Hull & East Yorkshire performance this year was particularly pleasing, with our ultrafast fibre deployment firmly on target for completion next year and another strong performance secured in our key Consumer market. Enterprise delivered strengthened margins against a difficult backdrop, largely driven by an unexpected slowdown in government spending. We remain focused on capitalising on the growing trend for business applications moving to the cloud, our Enterprise team's greatest strength.

"We are making good progress with the important work to manage leadership changes within our business. We are well advanced in our search for a replacement for our CEO Bill Halbert, who is providing strong continuity whilst we complete that task. We have also announced the appointment of Anna Bielby as interim Chief Financial Officer on 1 July 2018 and have new leadership in place in Hull & East Yorkshire.

"I am pleased to confirm that the Board is recommending a final dividend of 4.00 pence per share which, if approved, will bring our full year dividend to 6.00 pence per share - in line with our commitment. We are extending the minimum dividend commitment of 6.00 pence per share for the year ending 31 March 2019."

Chief Executive's statement

We have continued to execute against our operating plans - progressing our fibre deployment in Hull & East Yorkshire, improving brand awareness, market position and margins in Enterprise, and managing National Network Services for value. The respective segment strategies and plans were outlined at the Capital Markets Day on 1 February 2018, where we highlighted also the strengths of the Group and areas of focus. We provided further detail on our plans to invest in, and transform KCOM's network and other key assets and capabilities.

We have continued to establish sustainable momentum across the business:

-- Overall Group profit performance was resilient, reflecting the strength of our Hull & East Yorkshire segment. EBITDA was GBP68.3 million (2017: GBP67.6 million) and statutory profit before tax was GBP34.0 million (2017: GBP30.5 million).

-- Revenue (GBP301.9 million) was held back mainly by the anticipated decline in legacy activities within National Network Services. Enterprise experienced an unexpected slowdown in government spend and was affected also by previously disclosed software contract issues, but succeeded in delivering a strengthened margin performance, while achieving important new wins and renewals.

In order to maximise opportunities and returns in our Enterprise segment, the Board has adopted a higher appetite for risk than in our other go-to-market segments. From time to time risks will materialise. This year we have incurred contract losses of GBP5.3 million (2017: GBP3.7 million) with one particular customer. We have performed a review of both the factors which led to the issues encountered on these contracts, and the lessons learnt. This has resulted in a number of targeted improvements to the governance of our Enterprise contracts and a specific and ongoing transformation project to strengthen our project delivery capability.

Moving into the next financial year, we look forward to completing our fibre deployment in Hull & East Yorkshire and are focused on building further market opportunities to maximise the value of our growing Enterprise capability, particularly as customers continue the trend to move business applications into the cloud environment, an area of significant strength for our Enterprise team.

The operating segments we established in the prior year allow for a better understanding of segmental performance and clearer communication of the segmental operating plans through to performance. We will continue activity that will allow us to show greater granularity of segmental performance and value and to support further reductions in operating costs. As part of this, we will continue the investment in the transformation of our network as well as accelerating the simplification and upgrading of our IT estate. Those activities will include further exceptional costs.

The combined output from those activities should enhance our ability to deliver long-term sustainable cash generation alongside future opportunities to maximise shareholder value.

Outlook

We remain confident about our prospects in the medium-term. Our investment in network, systems and processes will underpin long-term sustainable value, greater understanding of segmental performance and a simplified operating model.

As we make fibre available to 100% of our addressable Hull & East Yorkshire market over the next year, we will evaluate and develop the next wave of services to maximise returns on that investment.

In Enterprise, the investment we have made in management, key skills and partnerships is expected to generate growth in the medium-term adding to the already growing proportion of recurring revenues. We continue to manage National Network Services for value having tightened its strategic focus over the last year.

The recommended final dividend of 4.00 pence, when combined with the interim dividend of 2.00 pence, sees the Group deliver once again on its commitment to a minimum 6.00 pence full year dividend. The Board is pleased to announce the extension of the existing dividend commitment for an additional year.

 
 For further information please contact: 
 
 KCOM Group PLC                             01482 602 595 
 Bill Halbert, Chief Executive Officer 
 Jane Aikman, Chief Financial Officer 
 Cathy Phillips, Investor Relations 
 
 FTI Consulting LLP                         020 3727 1137 
 Edward Bridges 
 Matt Dixon 
 Jamie Ricketts 
 Leah Dudley 
 

Performance review

Group performance

The results for the year show an increase in EBITDA (up 1% to GBP68.3 million) and an anticipated decline in Group revenue (down 9% to GBP301.9 million), largely driven by the expected decline in National Network Services.

Our Hull & East Yorkshire segment continues to perform well and during the year we saw growth across core channels, supporting the cash generation of the Group. Fibre take-up remains strong and we have reached the milestone where more of our broadband customers are taking the service on fibre than on copper.

Despite some in-year challenges, the Enterprise segment offers an important opportunity for growth. We are continuing to develop and refine the articulation of our propositions and to win the trust of new and existing customers, with a particular emphasis on our core capabilities around cloud-based implementation and Contact and Collaboration services.

Our National Network Services segment has seen an expected reduction in both revenue and contribution(1) . We will continue to manage this segment for value focusing on growing those areas where we can differentiate our propositions.

In the year ended 31 March 2017, we refined our operating segments in order to report three distinct customer segments, namely; Hull & East Yorkshire, Enterprise and National Network Services. Those segments allow for a better understanding of segmental performance and clearer communication of the Group's strategy through to performance. As communicated at our recent Capital Markets Day each segment has a clearly defined go-to-market plan, under the common KCOM brand. We began an exercise midway through last year to allocate our shared costs to the go-to-market segments, in order to understand more clearly performance at this level. Certain costs are more easily allocated at a segment or customer level. Other costs (such as network and IT infrastructure) are more difficult to allocate due to their nature and the complexity of our processes and systems. We have allocated those costs based on our best available information.

This significant piece of work continues, with the next stage focused on a better understanding of our market segments in order to enable us to maximise value. With that in mind, and to continue to drive down our costs, we are investing in the transformation of our network and are accelerating the simplification and upgrading of our IT estate. We expect capital expenditure to peak next year as we focus on those important investments.

Exceptional items show a net credit of GBP0.7 million (2017: GBP8.0 million charge) due to a regulatory settlement and a reduction in the level of restructuring. In the prior year, we saw a high level of exceptional restructuring costs (2017: GBP7.3 million) as we undertook significant transformation in order to create a simplified Group with an appropriate cost base and investment aligned to market opportunities. Transformation activities continued through the year although we have incurred much lower restructuring costs (2018: GBP1.6 million).

In line with our accounting policy, regulatory items are shown as exceptional. Restructuring items are shown as exceptional, where they relate directly to the transformation of the business. After careful consideration the directors believe that the following two items should not be classified as exceptional:

-- Contract losses relating to certain complex software contracts in our Enterprise segment (GBP5.3 million). These have been excluded from exceptional items since they arose as part of the normal course of business.

-- Multi-year rebate on network infrastructure hereditament (rateable value) (GBP4.4 million). This has been excluded from exceptional items since we expect items of this nature to occur from time to time in the ordinary course of business. In addition, previous charges (for which the rebate has been awarded) were themselves not exceptional items and therefore presentation of the rebate as exceptional would not assist comparisons with previous periods.

Year end net debt was GBP62.6 million (31 March 2017: GBP42.4 million), with the increase on the prior year largely a result of capital investment, including the continued investment in the Hull & East Yorkshire infrastructure.

(1) For the definition and purpose of the alternative performance measure stated here and used subsequently throughout this document, please see the glossary. The glossary also provides a reconciliation to the closest equivalent IFRS measure.

Segmental analysis

Management makes decisions and manages the business in line with the segmental analysis set out below. This information is presented before exceptional items in order to provide a better understanding of underlying performance. A reconciliation of the Group's pre-exceptional results is set out in Note 1. The definition of contribution is set out in the glossary.

Hull & East Yorkshire

A stable, income-generating segment focused on our regional market. Our plan is to achieve growth through continued broadband penetration, fibre take-up and the introduction of additional services enabled by our investment in the market leading full fibre network.

 
                       Unaudited      Unaudited 
                      year ended     year ended 
                     31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                           GBP'm          GBP'm 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Revenue 
 Consumer                   58.5           56.1 
 Business                   30.5           29.6 
 Wholesale                  10.8           11.0 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Core channels              99.8           96.7 
 Media                       1.9            2.4 
 Contact Centres             2.5            3.2 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total revenue             104.2          102.3 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Gross margin               85.4           78.5 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Contribution               65.7           60.4 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

The Hull & East Yorkshire segment performed strongly during the year and has progressed in line with the strategy.

Consumer revenue has increased by 4% compared to the prior year. Our fibre deployment has enabled us to access more customers, with a net additional 2,700 broadband (copper and fibre) customers during the year.

Key metrics relating to our broadband market are as follows:

 
                                         Unaudited     Unaudited 
                                        year ended    year ended 
                                            31 Mar        31 Mar          Change 
                                              2018          2017 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Overall broadband penetration of 
  customer base                                                     2 percentage 
  (fibre and copper) %                         85%           83%          points 
 % of broadband customers taking a                                 21 percentage 
  fibre service                                54%           33%          points 
 Broadband Average Revenue Per User 
  (ARPU) per month (GBP)                  GBP35.17      GBP33.77              4% 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

The success of our ultrafast Fibre to the Premise offering continues. A summary of our progress is below:

 
                                                     Unaudited        Unaudited 
                                                    year ended       year ended 
                                                   31 Mar 2018      31 Mar 2017 
--------------------------------------------   ---------------  --------------- 
 Total fibre availability (premises 
  passed)                                              164,000          137,000 
 Total number of fibre customers (including 
  businesses)                                   67,000 (3,500)   43,000 (2,800) 
 Availability delivered during current 
  year (premises passed)                                27,000           45,000 
 Premises connected to fibre during 
  the year (net)                                        24,000           19,000 
---------------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

Within our fibre enabled areas, 64% of broadband customers are taking a fibre service.

We expect to complete our full fibre deployment (premises passed) by March 2019 at a total cost of cGBP80.0 million, a further cGBP5.0 million will be incurred in 2020 in order to continue to connect customers.

Business revenue has increased by 3% compared to the prior year. This growth has been underpinned by our fibre proposition with a further 700 Business customers connected in the year, alongside an increase in project revenues.

Our Wholesale channel has reported broadly flat revenue with some stabilisation in the rate of decline seen in previous years.

As anticipated and signalled previously, our non-core Media and Contact Centres revenues have continued to decline. We closed our outsourced Contact Centres on 31 March 2018 following the end of our largest customer contract.

Contribution has increased compared to the prior year, with the current year including the benefit of a multi-year rebate on network infrastructure hereditament (rateable value) (GBP4.4 million). The prior year results include a one off supplier credit (GBP1.0 million).

Enterprise

Our opportunity for growth in shareholder value. Our focus is to increase both scale and capability in the provision of cloud-enabled solutions to the enterprise market.

 
                       Unaudited      Unaudited 
                      year ended     year ended 
                     31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                           GBP'm          GBP'm 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Revenue 
 Projects                   35.5           48.3 
 Managed Service            39.8           30.5 
 Network                    13.0           12.2 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total revenue              88.3           91.0 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Gross margin               29.9           25.6 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Contribution                5.1            4.5 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 

Overall revenue for the year decreased by 3% year on year. This principally relates to Projects where revenue was affected by unexpected lower public sector spending (as a result of the UK General Election and Brexit), alongside the mutually agreed exit of two previously identified complex software contracts, which incurred contract losses of GBP5.3 million (2017: GBP3.7 million). Following the mutual exit of these contracts, we continue to work with this customer on new projects.

Despite the challenges above, we continue to see the translation of prior year Project activity into

annuity-based revenue through existing relationships. We continue to build relationships with key customers such as HMRC and NFUM both of whom have renewed and extended contracts during the year. Revenue from our top five customers has grown by 5% compared to the prior year.

Contracts were signed with a number of new customers including Jaguar Land Rover, InterDigital, SES Water and ITSO, all of which exploit our cloud capability. We have now joined the Google Cloud Partner Programme adding to our strong relationships with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

We have continued to invest in the Enterprise management team and delivery capability which has driven an increased contribution through higher gross margin alongside tighter cost control.

National Network Services

Our national, connectivity-based segment, where we seek to maximise the value from our national network infrastructure with a tight focus on mid-market customers' requirements for connectivity-based services.

 
                       Unaudited      Unaudited 
                      year ended     year ended 
                     31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                           GBP'm          GBP'm 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Revenue 
 SMB                        51.9           52.6 
 Partners                   33.9           41.8 
 Large Corporate            27.4           47.4 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total revenue             113.2          141.8 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Gross margin               32.0           41.0 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Contribution                9.0           16.0 
-----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 

As anticipated, we have seen a decrease in revenue compared to the prior year. The majority of this decline has come from Large Corporate customers taking legacy services which we no longer sell. There has also been a reduction in Partners revenue relating to anticipated customer churn, alongside the continuing industry wide change in the mix of services in intelligent numbering (e.g. the movement to 03 numbers). As a consequence of this, contribution also reduced compared to the prior year.

During the year, we have tightened our focus on the larger end of the mid-market (SMB), where we can provide more value. We have seen continued success in the provision of managed wide area network (WAN) connectivity services to multi-site organisations, including the deployment to 900 retail convenience stores nationally for One Stop stores.

We are now focusing on core customer segments supporting the provision of WANs, a specific public sector opportunity relating to the delivery of Health and Social Care Networks (HSCN) and call management services.

Central

Central costs include PLC and corporate costs, where allocation to the underlying segments would not improve understanding of those segments. These include costs associated with our defined benefit pension obligations and share schemes, along with the residual Group cost of finance, HR, risk, legal and communications, once appropriate recharges have been made to the three go-to-market segments.

Central costs have decreased from GBP13.2 million in the prior year to GBP11.5 million, largely as a result of headcount reduction.

EBITDA reconciliation

A reconciliation of EBITDA to its closest statutory measure (profit before tax) is set out below. Further details can be found in the glossary.

 
                                        Unaudited        Audited 
                                       year ended     year ended 
                                      31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                            GBP'm          GBP'm 
----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 EBITDA                                      68.3           67.6 
 Exceptional items                            0.7          (7.9) 
 Depreciation                              (16.9)         (14.3) 
 Amortisation                              (15.7)         (12.6) 
 Finance costs                              (2.4)          (2.3) 
 Share of profit before associate             0.0            0.0 
----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Profit before tax                           34.0           30.5 
----------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Exceptional items

The Group benefitted from a net exceptional credit of GBP0.7 million during the year. This comprises:

-- a credit of GBP2.4 million from an industry wide settlement which arose as a result of a breach in BT Openreach's contractual and regulatory obligations relating to compensation for misapplying 'Deemed Consent'; offset by

-- restructuring costs of GBP1.6 million including redundancy costs for the closure of our outsourced Contact Centre business and the improvement of our project delivery capability in line with our strategic growth plans.

Capital investment

Cash capital expenditure during the period was GBP43.9 million (2017: GBP47.2 million), slightly below previous guidance. The major project in the period was the continued deployment of fibre in Hull & East Yorkshire.

We expect capital expenditure to increase (to cGBP50.0 million) in the year ending 31 March 2019 due to continued investment in transforming our network and improving our underlying systems and processes, in part to allow greater understanding of segmental performance.

The Group's depreciation and amortisation charge for the period is GBP32.6 million (2017: GBP26.9 million), the increase resulting from the higher capital investment in recent years, which has an ongoing impact on profit before tax.

Net debt and cash flow

Year end net debt is GBP62.6 million (31 March 2017: GBP42.4 million), representing a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 0.9x.

The increase in net debt compared to the prior year end position arises principally as a result of dividend payments and continued capital investment (in particular fibre deployment in Hull & East Yorkshire).

Trade debtors and creditors continue to be well controlled. Days Sales' Outstanding (30) is broadly consistent with the prior year (27) and our Days' Purchases Outstanding shows a slight increase on the 31 March 2017 position. Our underlying working capital(1) movement shows a small outflow of GBP2.4 million which reflects the timing of one significant customer's payments at the year end compared to the prior year.

(1) For the definition and purpose of the alternative performance measure stated here and used subsequently throughout this document, please see the glossary. The glossary also provides a reconciliation to the closest equivalent IFRS measure.

Dividend

The Group's proposed dividend is 4.00 pence per share (31 March 2017: 4.00 pence), which is consistent with the Board's previously stated commitment to pay a total dividend of no less than 6.00 pence for the year ending 31 March 2018. The dividend, if approved by shareholders, will be paid on 3 August 2018 to shareholders registered on 22 June 2018. The ex-dividend date is 21 June 2018.

Pensions

The year end IAS 19 pension liability is GBP7.5 million (31 March 2017: GBP19.7 million). The decrease from 31 March 2017 principally arises, as a result of slight changes in assumptions (GBP3.5 million) alongside contributions to the schemes (GBP9.5 million).

The agreed level of deficit repair payments across both schemes is GBP6.7 million (rising in line with CPI until the year ending 31 March 2020 for the Data scheme and 31 March 2022 for the Main scheme). In addition, the Group makes pre-agreed payments to its pension schemes through the asset backed partnership. The full year payment for both the current year and prior year is GBP2.7 million.

Tax

The Group's tax charge including the impact of prior year items is GBP6.6 million (31 March 2017: GBP5.7 million). The effective tax rate is 19.3%, broadly in line with the prevailing rate of corporation tax .

Consolidated income statement

 
                                                            Unaudited        Audited 
                                                           year ended     year ended 
                                                          31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                                  Note        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Revenue                                           1          301,898        331,303 
 Operating expenses                                         (265,462)      (298,547) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                                              36,436         32,756 
 Finance costs                                     3          (2,399)        (2,263) 
 Share of profit of associates                                     12             12 
-----------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Profit before taxation                            1           34,049         30,505 
 Taxation                                          4          (6,571)        (5,743) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Profit for the year attributable to owners 
  of the parent                                                27,478         24,762 
-----------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Operating profit analysed as: 
 EBITDA before exceptional items                   1           68,270         67,645 
 Exceptional credits                               2            2,361              - 
 Exceptional charges                               2          (1,638)        (7,981) 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment               (16,906)       (14,279) 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                           (15,651)       (12,629) 
 
 Earnings per share 
 
 Basic                                             5            5.38p          4.85p 
 Diluted                                           5            5.33p          4.81p 
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 
                                                         Unaudited        Audited 
                                                        year ended     year ended 
                                                       31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                               Note        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Profit for the year                                        27,478         24,762 
 Other comprehensive income/(expense) 
 Items that will not be reclassified to 
  profit or loss 
 Remeasurements of retirement benefit 
  obligations                                   7            4,203       (12,035) 
 Tax on items that will not be reclassified                  (715)          1,738 
--------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Total items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss                                          3,488       (10,297) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the year 
  attributable to owners of the parent                      30,966         14,465 
--------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated balance sheet

 
                                                                        Unaudited        Audited 
                                                                            as at          as at 
                                                                      31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                                              Note        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                                                  51,372         51,372 
 Other intangible assets                                                   36,816         45,709 
 Property, plant and equipment                                            122,928        106,323 
 Investments                                                                   46             45 
 Deferred tax assets                                                        4,376          7,836 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
                                                                          215,538        211,285 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                                                3,713          3,075 
 Trade and other receivables                                               53,568         68,406 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                     8           13,223         16,093 
                                                                           70,504         87,574 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Total assets                                                             286,042        298,859 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                                                (87,281)      (110,917) 
 Bank overdrafts                                               8                -        (5,903) 
 Finance leases                                                8          (1,722)        (1,942) 
 Provisions for other liabilities and charges                               (471)          (377) 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Bank loans                                                    8         (73,821)       (48,587) 
 Retirement benefit obligation                                 7          (7,507)       (19,691) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                                                 (8,016)        (7,498) 
 Finance leases                                                8            (285)        (2,094) 
 Provisions for other liabilities and charges                             (5,746)        (1,962) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Total liabilities                                                      (184,849)      (198,971) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Net assets                                                               101,193         99,888 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Equity 
 Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent 
 Share capital                                                             51,660         51,660 
 Share premium account                                                    353,231        353,231 
 Accumulated losses(1)                                                  (303,698)      (305,003) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 Total equity                                                             101,193         99,888 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 

(1) Included within accumulated losses is a profit after tax of GBP27.5 million (2017: GBP24.8 million).

Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity

 
                                                       Share 
                                            Share    premium     Accumulated 
                                          Capital    account          losses      Total 
                                 Note     GBP'000    GBP'000         GBP'000    GBP'000 
 At 1 April 2016 (audited)                 51,660    353,231       (288,624)    116,267 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Profit for the year                            -          -          24,762     24,762 
 Other comprehensive expense                    -          -        (10,297)   (10,297) 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the year ended 31 March 
  2017 (audited)                                -          -          14,465     14,465 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Deferred tax charge relating 
  to share schemes                              -          -           (122)      (122) 
 Purchase of ordinary shares                    -          -         (1,778)    (1,778) 
 Employee share schemes                         -          -           1,742      1,742 
 Dividends                          6           -          -        (30,686)   (30,686) 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Transactions with owners                       -          -        (30,844)   (30,844) 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 At 31 March 2017 (audited)                51,660    353,231       (305,003)     99,888 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Profit for the year                            -          -          27,478     27,478 
 Other comprehensive income                     -          -           3,488      3,488 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the year ended 31 March 
  2018 (unaudited)                              -          -          30,966     30,966 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Purchase of ordinary shares                    -          -           (450)      (450) 
 Employee share schemes                         -          -           1,785      1,785 
 Dividends                          6           -          -        (30,996)   (30,996) 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Transactions with owners                       -          -        (29,661)   (29,661) 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 At 31 March 2018 (unaudited)              51,660    353,231       (303,698)    101,193 
------------------------------  -----  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 

Consolidated cash flow statement

 
                                                            Unaudited       Audited 
                                                           year ended    year ended 
                                                          31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                                   Note       GBP'000       GBP'000 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Operating profit                                               36,436        32,756 
Adjustments for: 
- depreciation and amortisation                                32,557        26,908 
- increase in working capital                                 (4,197)      (18,302) 
- (profit)/loss on sale of property, plant 
 and equipment                                                   (15)           555 
- non-employee-related pension charges                          1,100           655 
- share-based payment charge                                    1,785         1,742 
Payments made to defined benefit pension 
 schemes                                            7         (9,470)       (7,724) 
Tax paid                                                      (3,698)       (8,019) 
Net cash generated from operations                             54,498        28,571 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                    (34,139)      (28,403) 
Purchase of intangible assets                                 (7,697)      (15,792) 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
 and equipment                                                    517            68 
Net cash used in investing activities                        (41,319)      (44,127) 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Dividends paid                                      6        (30,996)      (30,686) 
Interest paid                                                 (1,601)       (1,257) 
Capital element of finance lease repayments                   (2,099)       (3,025) 
Payment of loan issue costs                                         -         (720) 
Repayment of bank loans                                      (20,000)      (15,000) 
Drawdown of bank loans                                         45,000        65,000 
Purchase of ordinary shares                                     (450)       (1,778) 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing 
 activities                                                  (10,146)        12,534 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                3,033       (3,022) 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
 of the year                                                   10,190        13,212 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 
 the year                                           8          13,223        10,190 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------ 
 

Notes to the unaudited financial information

1. Segmental analysis

The Group's operating and reportable segments are based on the reports reviewed by the KCOM Group PLC Board which are used to make strategic decisions. The chief operating decision-maker of the Group is the KCOM Group PLC Board.

For the year ended 31 March 2018, the Board considered four segments in assessing the performance of the Group and making decisions in relation to the allocation of resources. These four segments are:

-- Hull & East Yorkshire - providing communication and internet-based services to consumer and business customers within the region.

-- Enterprise - providing consulting, design, implementation and managed services related to the collaborative systems and cloud-based solutions markets.

-- National Network Services - providing network connectivity and related services to business customers nationally.

-- Central - holding the PLC costs and corporate costs, where allocation to the underlying segments would not improve understanding of these segments. These include costs associated with our defined benefit pension obligations and share schemes, alongside the residual cost of finance, HR, risk, legal and communications once appropriate recharges have been made to go-to-market segments.

Segmental information has been prepared on a basis consistent with the prior financial year. The segment information provided to the KCOM Group PLC Board for the reportable segments, for the year ended 31 March 2018 and for the year ended 31 March 2017, is as follows:

 
                                      Revenue                   Contribution 
                             --------------------------  -------------------------- 
                                Unaudited       Audited     Unaudited       Audited 
                               year ended    year ended    year ended    year ended 
                              31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017   31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                  GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000 
Before exceptional items 
Hull & East Yorkshire             104,216       102,275        65,660        60,424 
Enterprise                         88,285        90,966         5,115         4,500 
National Network Services         113,212       141,811         9,021        15,959 
Central                           (3,815)       (3,749)      (11,526)      (13,238) 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total before exceptional 
 items                            301,898       331,303        68,270        67,645 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Exceptional items 
Hull & East Yorkshire                   -             -         (357)       (2,338) 
Enterprise                              -             -         (591)       (2,624) 
National Network Services               -             -         2,059           353 
Central                                 -             -         (388)       (3,372) 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total                                   -             -           723       (7,981) 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total post-exceptional 
 items                            301,898       331,303        68,993        59,664 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

A reconciliation of total EBITDA post-exceptional items to profit before tax is provided as follows:

 
                                   Unaudited       Audited 
                                  year ended    year ended 
                                 31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                     GBP'000       GBP'000 
EBITDA post-exceptional items         68,993        59,664 
Depreciation                        (16,906)      (14,279) 
Amortisation                        (15,651)      (12,629) 
Finance costs                        (2,399)       (2,263) 
Share of profit of associate              12            12 
------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Profit before tax                     34,049        30,505 
------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Disclosure has not been made of segmental assets and liabilities. This is in accordance with IFRS 8 as this measure is not provided regularly to the KCOM Group PLC Board.

The split of total revenue between external customers and inter-segment revenue is as follows:

 
                                     Unaudited       Audited 
                                    year ended    year ended 
                                   31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                       GBP'000       GBP'000 
Revenue from external customers 
Hull & East Yorkshire                  100,375        97,921 
Enterprise                              88,285        90,966 
National Network Services              113,212       141,811 
Central                                     26           605 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total                                  301,898       331,303 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Inter-segment revenue 
Hull & East Yorkshire                    3,841         4,354 
Central                                (3,841)       (4,354) 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total                                        -             - 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Group total                            301,898       331,303 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Inter-segment sales are charged at prevailing market prices.

None of the revenue, operating profit or net operating assets arising outside the United Kingdom are material to the Group. Revenue of GBP33.3 million from transactions with one customer within the Enterprise go-to-market segment exceeded 10% of Group revenue. In the prior year, no external customers contributed in excess of 10% of Group revenue.

2. Exceptional items

 
                                             Unaudited       Audited 
                                            year ended    year ended 
                                           31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                               GBP'000       GBP'000 
Regulatory matters                             (2,361)             - 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Credited to income statement                   (2,361)             - 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
- Restructuring costs                            1,638         7,271 
- Regulatory matters                                 -           710 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Charged to income statement                      1,638         7,981 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Net (credit)/charge to operating profit          (723)         7,981 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The Group recorded an exceptional credit of GBP2.4 million relating to regulatory matters (2017: charge GBP0.7 million). The credit resulted from an industry wide settlement which arose as a result of a breach in BT Openreach's contractual and regulatory obligations relating to compensation for misapplying 'Deemed Consent'.

The Group has incurred high levels of restructuring costs in recent years as part of transformation activity (see the performance review for more information). The Directors recognise the need to differentiate those costs outside the normal course of business from the underlying trading performance. Management scrutinises all restructuring costs on a line by line basis in order to determine the appropriate treatment. During the year exceptional restructuring costs of GBP1.6 million were incurred in relation to four main areas:

-- Strategic exit from certain products and markets (GBP0.4 million). This relates to the Group's decision to exit areas of the business that are not of strategic focus. The cost largely relates to the closure of our outsourced Contact Centres, within the Hull & East Yorkshire segment, on 31 March 2018, following the end of our largest customer contract.

-- Transformation of project delivery capability (GBP0.4 million). The Group has undertaken a discrete project designed to improve and de-risk our delivery of complex customer contracts. This transformation will enable us to deliver in-flight and future contracts more profitably and help avoid a re-occurrence of the losses on specific contracts incurred in both the current and prior years. We plan for this transformation to continue into the year ended 31 March 2019.

-- Transformation of central functions (GBP0.4 million). The Group has carried out a structural re-organisation of some of its central functions, including HR and Legal, in order to deliver more efficient support for the go-to-market segments. The Group has also begun a process of the centralisation of the technical and customer support teams into centres of excellence designed to provide an improved customer experience.

-- Redundancy costs relating to prior year transformation activity (GBP0.4 million). These costs were incurred as a result of strategic decisions made in the prior year in order to ensure we have the right people with the right skill set in the right areas. The benefits associated with these costs have been realised in the current financial year and are expected to continue into future periods.

The combined effect of these items is a charge of GBP0.1 million (2017: credit GBP1.6 million) in respect of current tax and GBPNil (2017: GBPNil) in respect of deferred tax.

Cash flow impact of exceptional items is an outflow if GBP1.1 million (2017: GBP8.3 million). The impact on working capital of exceptional items was an increase of GBP1.8 million.

3. Finance costs

 
                                               Unaudited       Audited 
                                              year ended    year ended 
                                             31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                                 GBP'000       GBP'000 
Bank loans, overdrafts and other loans             1,401         1,195 
Retirement benefit obligations                       389           375 
Finance lease and hire purchase contracts             69           110 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                   1,859         1,680 
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees                416           583 
Provision: unwind of discount                        124             - 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Charged to profit before tax                       2,399         2,263 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

4. Taxation

The charge based on the profit for the year comprises:

 
                                                      Unaudited        Audited 
                                                     year ended     year ended 
                                                    31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                                        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 UK corporation tax 
 - current tax on profits for the year                    3,865          3,889 
 - adjustment in respect of prior years                   (558)          (905) 
------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total current tax                                        3,307          2,984 
 UK deferred tax 
 Origination and reversal of timing differences 
  in respect of: 
 - profit for the year                                    1,740          1,356 
 - change in rate                                         (309)            672 
 - adjustment in respect of prior years                     540            214 
 - charge in respect of retirement benefit 
  obligation                                              1,293            517 
------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total deferred tax                                       3,264          2,759 
 Total taxation charge for the year                       6,571          5,743 
------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Factors affecting tax charge for the year

 
                                                   Unaudited        Audited 
                                                  year ended     year ended 
                                                 31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                                     GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Profit before taxation                               34,049         30,505 
 Profit before taxation at the standard rate 
  of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 
  20%)                                                 6,469          6,101 
 
 Effects of: 
 - income not subject to tax                               -          (379) 
 - expenses not deductible for tax purposes              429             40 
 - adjustment in respect of prior years                 (18)          (691) 
 - change in rate reflected in the deferred 
  tax asset                                            (309)            672 
 Total taxation charge for the year                    6,571          5,743 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

5. Earnings per share

 
                                                    Unaudited       Audited 
                                                   year ended    year ended 
                                                  31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                                          No.           No. 
Weighted average number of shares 
For basic earnings per share                      511,133,847   510,384,583 
Share options in issue                              4,730,273     4,643,349 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
For diluted earnings per share                    515,864,120   515,027,932 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                    Unaudited       Audited 
                                                   year ended    year ended 
                                                  31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                                      GBP'000       GBP'000 
Earnings 
Profit attributable to equity holders of the 
 company                                               27,478        24,762 
Adjustments: 
Exceptional items                                       (723)         7,981 
Tax on exceptional items                                  137       (1,596) 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Adjusted profit attributable to equity holders 
 of the company                                        26,892        31,147 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
                         Unaudited       Audited 
                        year ended    year ended 
                       31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                             Pence         Pence 
Earnings per share 
Basic                         5.38          4.85 
Diluted                       5.33          4.81 
--------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
Adjusted basic                5.26          6.10 
Adjusted diluted(1)           5.21          6.05 
--------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

(1) For the definition and purpose of the alternative performance measure stated here and used subsequently throughout this document, please see the glossary. The glossary also provides a reconciliation to the closest equivalent IFRS measure.

6. Dividends

 
                                              Unaudited        Audited 
                                             year ended     year ended 
                                            31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017 
                                                GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  31 March 2016 of 3.94 pence per share               -         20,354 
 Interim dividend for the year ended 
  31 March 2017 of 2.00 pence per share               -         10,332 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  31 March 2017 of 4.00 pence per share          20,664              - 
 Interim dividend for the year ended 
  31 March 2018 of 2.00 pence per share          10,332              - 
----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total                                           30,996         30,686 
----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

The proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018 is 4.00 pence per share amounting to a total dividend of GBP20.7 million. In accordance with IAS 10 (Events after the balance sheet date), dividends declared after the balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability in this financial information.

7. Retirement benefit obligation

The movements in the net defined benefit obligation over the year and the amounts recognised in the balance sheet are detailed below:

 
 
                                                 Main scheme   Data scheme      Total 
                                                    GBP'000s       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 At 1 April 2017 (audited)                          (12,690)       (7,001)   (19,691) 
 Net finance costs                                     (241)         (148)      (389) 
 Net administrative expenses                           (711)         (389)    (1,100) 
 Contributions under asset-backed partnership          2,398           328      2,726 
 Deficit repair payments                               4,496         2,248      6,744 
 Actuarial remeasurements                              4,029           174      4,203 
 At 31 March 2018 (unaudited)                        (2,719)       (4,788)    (7,507) 
----------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 
                                     Main scheme   Data scheme       Total 
                                        GBP'000s       GBP'000     GBP'000 
 At 31 March 2017 (audited) 
 Present value of defined benefit 
  obligations                          (229,723)      (41,506)   (271,229) 
 Fair value of plan assets               217,033        34,505     251,538 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Deficit                                (12,690)       (7,001)    (19,691) 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 At 31 March 2018 (unaudited) 
 Present value of defined benefit 
  obligation                           (221,282)      (40,502)   (261,784) 
 Fair value of plan assets               218,563        35,714     254,277 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Deficit                                 (2,719)       (4,788)     (7,507) 
----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 

Principal financial assumptions

 
                                           2018                        2017 
                                --------------------------  -------------------------- 
                                 Main scheme   Data Scheme   Main scheme   Data Scheme 
                                           %             %             %             % 
 RPI Inflation                          3.10          3.10          3.15          3.15 
 CPI Inflation                          2.10          2.10          2.15          2.15 
 Rate of increase to pensions 
  in payment                            1.93          3.78          1.97          3.78 
 Discount rate for scheme 
  liabilities                           2.50          2.50          2.50          2.50 
------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

8. Movement in net debt

 
                                                       Unaudited       Audited 
                                                      year ended    year ended 
                                                     31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                                         GBP'000       GBP'000 
Opening net (debt)/funds                                (42,433)         7,412 
Closing net debt                                        (62,605)      (42,433) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Increase in net debt in the year                        (20,172)      (49,845) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Reconciliation of movement in the year 
Net cash flow from operations                             54,498        28,571 
Cash capital expenditure                                (43,935)      (47,220) 
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment            517            68 
Interest                                                 (1,601)       (1,257) 
Payment of loan issue costs                                    -         (720) 
Dividends                                               (30,996)      (30,686) 
Purchase of ordinary shares                                (450)       (1,778) 
Finance leases(1)                                          2,029         2,915 
Other                                                      (234)           262 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Increase in net debt in the year                        (20,172)      (49,845) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   (1)   Represents the movement in finance lease liabilities during the year. 

Net debt comprises:

 
                                               Unaudited       Audited 
                                              year ended    year ended 
                                             31 Mar 2018   31 Mar 2017 
                                                 GBP'000       GBP'000 
Cash and cash equivalents (including bank 
 overdrafts)                                      13,223        10,190 
Bank loans                                      (73,821)      (48,587) 
Finance leases                                   (2,007)       (4,036) 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Net debt                                        (62,605)      (42,433) 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

9. Basis of preparation

General information

KCOM Group PLC is a company domiciled in the United Kingdom. The Group has its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Basis of preparation

The Group prepares its annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations endorsed by the European Union (EU) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The consolidated financial information contained within this preliminary announcement is unaudited and has been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative financial instruments) at fair value through reserves. The financial information included in this preliminary announcement does not include all the disclosures required by IFRS or the Companies Act 2006 and accordingly it does not itself comply with IFRS or the Companies Act 2006.

The unaudited consolidated financial information in this report has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies disclosed in the Group's 2017 Annual report and accounts, except as disclosed in Note 10.

The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the company's statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 for the years ended 31 March 2018 or 2017. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2017 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2018 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this unaudited preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Annual General Meeting.

The financial information contained within this preliminary announcement was approved by the Board on

5 June 2018 and has been agreed with the Company's auditors for release.

This preliminary announcement will be published on the Company's website. The maintenance and integrity of the website is the responsibility of the Directors. The work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Going concern basis

The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through its bank facilities. The Group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current facilities. After making enquires, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Group therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its consolidated financial statements.

10. Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those published in the Group's 2017 Annual report and accounts with the exception of the following policies which have been refined during the year. These policies have not changed in function, but the wording has been amended to improve clarity and transparency. Retrospective application of these accounting policy amendments would have no impact on the previously reported results.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods supplied, stated net of discounts, returns and value-added taxes. The Group recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured, when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and when specific criteria have been met for each of the Group's activities, as described below. The Group bases its estimate of return on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement.

Revenue from calls is recognised in the Consolidated income statement at the time the call is made over the Group's network. Revenue from rentals is recognised evenly over the rental period.

Revenue from product sales is recognised at the point of effective transfer of risk and reward. Revenue from production of directories is recognised at the point when the directory is published. For large long-term annuity and multiple element customer contracts the Group is able to distinguish between the installation and the in-life service phases of a contract. Contractually agreed revenues are recognised for each phase unless they do not represent a fair and market value for the work performed. Should contractually agreed revenues not represent a fair and market value then revenues are allocated between the two phases by reference to the overall contract margin, the expected costs of performing each phase and the typical selling prices had the phases been contracted separately. Revenue is recognised on the following basis for each phase:

-- Installation - within this phase revenue relating to resources and services is accounted for on a stage of completion basis with reference to the progress made towards fulfilling our contractual obligations. Revenue related to equipment is accounted for based on the point of effective transfer of risks and rewards (shipment); and

-- In-life service - revenue for this phase is recognised in line with the obligation to provide service as dictated by customer contracts.

Pre-contract costs, such as bid costs, on key contract wins are expensed as and when incurred.

Revenue arising from the provision of other services, including maintenance contracts, is recognised in the accounting period in which services are rendered, by reference to stage of completion of the specific transaction, and assessed on the basis of the actual service provided as a proportion of the total services to be provided.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are presented whenever significant expenses are incurred or income received as a result of events considered to be outside the normal course of business, where the unusual nature and expected frequency merits separate presentation to assist comparisons with previous periods. Items which are always classified as exceptional are:

   --      Regulatory matters; 
   --      Onerous property leases; 
   --      Impairment of goodwill; and 
   --      Termination costs associated with Executive Directors. 

Restructuring and transformational costs are considered on a case by case basis as to whether they meet the exceptional criteria. Other items are considered against the exceptional criteria based on the specific circumstances. The presentation is consistent with the way financial performance is measured by management and reported to the Board.

Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the current tax and deferred tax expense.

The current tax is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and/or items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised generally for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced or increased to the extent that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly to equity. In this case the deferred tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Prior year adjustments to current and deferred taxes are recognised if the estimated tax position differs from the final tax position subsequently agreed with the taxation authority.

Research and development (R&D) tax reliefs are recognised as a credit to profit before taxation in the year in which relief is claimed.

Claims for R&D relief can be made up to two years after the end of the accounting period to which it relates, therefore the period in which the claim is recognised is not necessarily the same as the period in which the costs were borne. Unclaimed reliefs are not recognised.

Pensions

Defined contribution

Obligations for contributions to the defined contribution (money purchase) scheme are charged to the income statement in the period they fall due. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.

Defined benefit

For defined benefit retirement schemes, the cost of providing benefits is determined using a building block approach, with actuarial valuations being carried out at each balance sheet date. Remeasurements are recognised in full in the period in which they occur and are recognised in equity and presented in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The current and past service costs of the scheme (the increase in the present value of employees' future benefits attributable to the current or prior periods) are charged to the income statement in the period. The cost or benefit of committed settlements and curtailments is recognised immediately in the income statement. The interest cost of the scheme is recognised in the income statement in the period to which it relates.

The retirement benefit obligation recognised on the balance sheet represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for unrecognised past service cost and as reduced by the fair value of scheme assets. Should an actuarial valuation result in a net asset position then the amount recognised will be limited to the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount shall be determined with reference to the agreements made between the Group and the trustees within the pension scheme rules.

Provisions

A provision is recognised on the balance sheet when the Group has a present, legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

Certain provisions are treated as exceptional items, as set out in our exceptional items accounting policy.

Provisions for onerous contracts are recognised should the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it. The estimated onerous element of the contract is recognised in full in the period in which the contract is identified as onerous. The assessment of whether a multi-element customer contract is onerous is undertaken separately for the installation and in-life phases should the revenues for that contract also be recognised on that basis.

11. Principal risks and uncertainties

As with all businesses, the Group is affected by a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond its control. The key risks that we have identified will be disclosed within the Annual report and accounts.

12. Changes to reporting

IFRS 15

We will report our financial statements under IFRS 15 from the six months ended 30 September 2018. We will adopt IFRS 15 on a modified retrospective basis in our 2018/19 financial statements. Accordingly we will not restate prior year comparatives for the effect of IFRS 15 but will instead restate our 1 April 2018 opening reserves for the full cumulative impact of adopting this standard. We will provide a reconciliation of our primary financial statements under IAS 18 to our primary financial statements under IFRS 15 in our Annual Report 2018/19. We are in the process of finalising the impact of the standard including the final transition adjustment to retained earnings. We have estimated that the likely impact on transition at 1 April 2018 will result in a movement in retained earnings of between a GBP0.5 million increase and GBP0.5 million decrease before tax.

We expect the principal areas of impact will be:

   --      Hull & East Yorkshire: a c.GBP2m reduction in EBITDA; PBT neutral 
   --      Enterprise: a c.GBP3m reduction in revenue; EBITDA and PBT neutral 

Other areas of impact include the treatment of licenses, connections and commissions

13. Related party transactions

The remuneration of the Directors who are key management personnel of KCOM Group PLC will be disclosed in the audited part of the Directors' Remuneration report in the Annual report and accounts.

There are no other material related party transactions.

Signed by Order of the Board on 5 June 2018 by:

Glossary

Alternative Performance Measures

In response to the Guidelines on Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), we have provided additional information on the APMs used by the Group. The Directors use the APMs listed below as they are critical to understanding the financial performance of the Group. As they are not defined by IFRS, they may not be directly comparable with other companies who use similar measures.

 
 Measure             Closest          Definition and purpose                       Reconciliation 
                      equivalent                                                    to closest equivalent 
                      IFRS measure                                                  IFRS measure 
                                                                                    of performance 
 Profit measures 
 EBITDA before       Profit before    EBITDA before exceptional items              A reconciliation 
  exceptional         tax              is the key measure used by management        of this measure 
  items ("EBITDA")                     to monitor the underlying performance        is provided 
                                       of the Group. EBITDA before exceptional      in Note 1 of 
                                       items is also reported to the                the financial 
                                       Board, is incorporated in banking            infornation. 
                                       covenants and is an important 
                                       measure for setting remuneration. 
                                       EBITDA before exceptional items 
                                       is important to the users of the 
                                       accounts as it assists with comparing 
                                       performance from previous periods. 
                                       The items classified as exceptional 
                                       items are described in Note 2. 
                                       EBITDA before exceptional items 
                                       is defined as 'profit before tax' 
                                       before share of profit before 
                                       associates, finance costs, amortisation, 
                                       depreciation and exceptional items. 
                    ---------------  -------------------------------------------  ----------------------- 
 Contribution        Profit before    An equivalent measure to 'EBITDA             A reconciliation 
                      tax              before exceptional items' for                of this measure 
                                       each of the Group's market segments.         is provided 
                                       The metric is used by management             in Note 1 of 
                                       and the Board to compare performance         the financial 
                                       across segments.                             information. 
                    ---------------  -------------------------------------------  ----------------------- 
 Adjusted            Basic earnings   This provides additional information         A reconciliation 
  basic earnings      per share        regarding earnings per share attributable    of this measure 
  per share                            to the underlying activities of              is provided 
                                       the business.                                in Note 5 of 
                                       Basic earnings per share based               the financial 
                                       upon profit after tax adjusted               information. 
                                       for the impact of exceptional 
                                       items. 
                    ---------------  -------------------------------------------  ----------------------- 
 Adjusted            Diluted          This provides additional information         A reconciliation 
  diluted earnings    earnings         regarding diluted earnings per               of this measure 
  per share           per share        share attributable to the underlying         is provided 
                                       activities of the business.                  in Note 5 of 
                                       Diluted earnings per share based             the financial 
                                       upon profit after tax adjusted               information. 
                                       for the impact of exceptional 
                                       items. 
                    ---------------  -------------------------------------------  ----------------------- 
 
 
 Measure            Closest              Definition and purpose                      Reconciliation 
                     equivalent                                                       to closest equivalent 
                     IFRS measure                                                     IFRS measure 
                                                                                      of performance 
 Cash flows and net debt measures 
 Net debt           Cash and             Net debt is important as it allow           A reconciliation 
                     cash equivalents,    management to assess available              of this measure 
                     bank overdrafts,     funds by calculating how much               is provided 
                     finance              headroom there is within the Group's        in Note 8 of 
                     leases (current      borrowing facilities. It is used            the financial 
                     and non-current)     in the monitoring, reporting and            information. 
                     and bank             planning of cash flows, and for 
                     loans                the purpose of monitoring compliance 
                                          with the terms of the Group's 
                                          Facilities. Net debt to EBITDA 
                                          is a key ratio used by external 
                                          stakeholders. 
                                          Net debt is cash and cash equivalents, 
                                          bank overdrafts, finance leases 
                                          (current and non-current) and 
                                          bank loans. 
                   -------------------  ------------------------------------------  ------------------------ 
 Cash capital       Net cash             A proportion of our capital expenditure     Reported in 
  expenditure        used in              is obtained under financing arrangements    the consolidated 
                     investing            therefore, compared to captial              cash flow: Net 
                     activities           additions, this measure allows              cash used in 
                                          management to monitor, report               investing activites 
                                          and plan the cash flows relating            (GBP41.3 million) 
                                          to capital projects. This measure           add back proceeds 
                                          is important to the users of the            from sale of 
                                          accounts as it provides the outflow         property, plant 
                                          of cash expenditure in the current          and equipment 
                                          year relating to assets purchased           (GBP0.5 million) 
                                          in current and prior years.                 plus capital 
                                          Cash capital expenditure is net             element of finance 
                                          cash used in investing activities           lease repayments 
                                          before proceeds from sale of property,      (GBP2.1 million). 
                                          plant and equipment plus capital 
                                          element of finance lease repayments. 
                   -------------------  ------------------------------------------  ------------------------ 
 Underlying         No direct            This measure is used by management          Increase in 
  working capital    equivalent           as it provides a more appropriate           working capital 
  movement                                reflection of the working capital           quoted in consolidated 
                                          movement by excluding certain               cashflow (GBP4.2 
                                          movements relating to exceptional           million) less 
                                          items.                                      increase due 
                                          Underlying working capital movement         to exceptional 
                                          is working capital movement less            items quoted 
                                          working capital movement due to             in Note 2 (GBP1.8 
                                          exceptional items.                          million). 
                   -------------------  ------------------------------------------  ------------------------ 
 

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