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KLR Keller Group Plc

1,046.00
8.00 (0.77%)
18 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Keller Group Plc LSE:KLR London Ordinary Share GB0004866223 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  8.00 0.77% 1,046.00 1,036.00 1,040.00 1,048.00 1,034.00 1,044.00 109,585 16:35:11
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Engineering Services 2.97B 89.4M 1.2284 8.45 755.42M

Keller Group PLC Results for the six months ended 30 June 2017 (4717M)

31/07/2017 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 4717M

Keller Group PLC

31 July 2017

For immediate release 31 July 2017

Keller Group plc

Results for the six months ended 30 June 2017

Keller Group plc ("Keller"), the world's largest geotechnical contractor, announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

 
                                                                          Constant currency 
                                       H1 2017     H1 2016                         % change 
                                          GBPm        GBPm     % change 
----------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ------------------ 
 Revenue                                 991.1       849.7         +17%                 +4% 
 Underlying EBITDA(1)                     78.1        66.5         +17%                 +6% 
 Underlying operating profit(1)           44.0        35.6         +24%                +14% 
 Underlying profit before tax(1)          39.3        30.2         +30%                +20% 
 Underlying earnings per share(1)        35.0p       27.4p         +28%                +15% 
 Interim dividend per share               9.7p       9.25p          +5%                 n/a 
 
 Statutory operating profit               60.4        30.9         +95%                +86% 
 Statutory profit before tax              55.2        25.0        +121%               +106% 
 Statutory earnings per share            57.0p       21.9p        +160%               +128% 
----------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ------------------ 
 

(1) Before non-underlying items, details of which are set out in note 5 of the consolidated financial information.

2017 H1 summary:

   --    Record first half revenue of GBP991.1m (2016: GBP849.7m) 
   --    Underlying operating profit up 24% or 14% on a constant currency basis 
   --    Divisional performance 

o EMEA: continued strong growth in both revenue and profit

o APAC: good progress towards profitability

o North America: lower revenue and profit reflecting a slowdown in commercial construction in two large metropolitan areas where Keller has strong positions

-- Exceptional profit of GBP21.0m from profit on sale of the Avonmouth property and further insurance proceeds received

-- Net debt decreased to GBP297.3m (31 December 2016: GBP305.6m), with GBP62.0m sale of the Avonmouth property offset by seasonal first half cash outflow. Net debt represents 1.7x annualised EBITDA

-- Year-end order book over GBP1.1bn; an all-time high and 20% above last year on a constant currency basis

   --    Interim dividend per share of 9.7p (2016: 9.25p), an increase of 5% 

Alain Michaelis, Keller Chief Executive, said:

"We have all been immensely saddened by the recent road traffic accident in South Africa, in which 18 Keller employees lost their lives and a further 15 were injured. Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims and their families, friends and colleagues. Our priority is providing support to them during this difficult time.

From a financial perspective, our results show significant overall profit growth and we have ended the half year with a record order book. As a result, the Board is confident that the group's full year 2017 results will be in line with its expectations."

Basis of preparation

The group's results as reported under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and presented in these interim financial statements (the "statutory results") are significantly impacted by movements in exchange rates relative to sterling, as well as by exceptional items and non-trading amounts relating to acquisitions.

As a result, adjusted performance measures have been used throughout this report to describe the group's underlying performance. The Board and Executive Committee use these adjusted measures to assess the performance of the business because they consider them more representative of the underlying ongoing trading result and allow more meaningful comparison to prior year. Where not presented on the face of the consolidated income statement or cash flow statement, the adjusted measures are defined and reconciled to the amounts reported under IFRS in the adjusted performance measures section at the end of this statement.

The constant currency basis ("constant currency") adjusts the comparative to exclude the impact of movements in exchange rates relative to sterling on the translation of the results of overseas operations. Retranslating at 2017 average exchange rates increases prior year first half revenue and underlying operating profit by GBP107.1m and GBP2.9m respectively.

The term "underlying" excludes the impact of exceptional items, amortisation of acquired intangible assets and other non-trading amounts relating to acquisitions (collectively "non-underlying items"), net of any associated tax. Non-underlying items mainly comprise GBP4.5m amortisation of acquired intangible assets and a GBP21.0m exceptional credit relating to a historic contract dispute on a project in Avonmouth, in the UK.

Group overview

Major road traffic accident in South Africa

On 4 July 2017, two buses transporting Keller employees to work at a project in South Africa had a major head-on collision with a truck coming in the opposite direction. Tragically, 18 of our employees lost their lives and 15 were injured. We are, through our local company Franki Africa, providing wide ranging support to all of those affected by this accident.

Financial results

Group revenue increased by 17% to GBP991.1m in the period (2016: GBP849.7m), in large part due to the weakening of sterling over the last year. Constant currency revenue was up 4%, reflecting strong growth in EMEA and APAC, partly offset by a decrease in North America.

Underlying operating profit was GBP44.0m, an increase of 24% on the GBP35.6m generated in the first half of 2016. On a constant currency basis underlying operating profit was up 14% and the underlying operating margin increased from 4.2% to 4.4%. The increase in profitability is attributable to a strong performance in EMEA and a significant reduction in the loss recorded by APAC in the period. The first half profit in North America however was down on the comparable period last year, largely as a result of a significant slowdown in construction activity in two large metropolitan areas where Keller has strong market positions.

After taking account of a GBP21.0m credit (2016: GBP1.1m credit) on the exceptional contract dispute and other non-underlying items, totalling a GBP4.6m charge (2016: GBP5.8m charge), the statutory operating profit was GBP60.4m (2016: GBP30.9m). Further details on non-underlying items are given after the discussion of divisional results.

On an underlying basis, after net finance costs of GBP4.7m (2016: GBP5.4m), the profit before tax was GBP39.3m, which compares with GBP30.2m in the first half of 2016. Tax has been provided on the underlying profits at the expected 2017 full year rate of 34% (2016: 35%). Underlying first half earnings per share were 35.0p (2016: 27.4p).

The statutory profit before tax was GBP55.2m (2016: GBP25.0m). Statutory earnings per share were 57.0p, compared with 21.9p in the first half of 2016.

Cash generated from operations before non-underlying items in the first half of 2017 was an outflow of GBP3.7m (2016: GBP41.9m inflow). Net debt at 30 June 2017 was GBP297.3m (2016: GBP339.7m), representing 1.7x the previous twelve months' underlying EBITDA. The financial position of the group remains strong with undrawn committed borrowing facilities totalling GBP108m. The group continues to operate well within all of its financial covenants.

As noted in the group's 2016 preliminary announcement, we are now seeing tangible benefits from a number of the group's strategic initiatives launched in the last eighteen months. We remain confident that these will produce the targeted GBP50m of gross benefits by 2020, of which we expect about half to be reflected in improved profitability.

Interim dividend

The Board has decided to increase the interim dividend by 5% to 9.7p (2016: 9.25p), reflecting its confidence in the future direction of the group. The dividend will be paid on 5 September 2017 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 August 2017.

Outlook

The US construction market and most of the group's major European markets are robust whilst elsewhere a number of our markets remain difficult. Contract awards have been strong in the first half and the group's constant currency order book shows a year on year increase of around 20%. As a result, the Board is confident that the group's full year 2017 result will be in line with its expectations.

Divisional results - underlying

North America

 
                         2017    2016    Constant 
                                          currency 
                                        ---------- 
                         GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------  ------  ------  ---------- 
 Revenue                 474.5   464.8     -10% 
 Underlying operating 
  profit                 28.6    33.6      -24% 
 Underlying operating 
  margin                 6.0%    7.2% 
----------------------  ------  ------  ---------- 
 

In North America, which accounts for around half of the group's revenue, revenue increased by 2% although on a constant currency basis revenue was down 10%. The half year underlying operating profit decreased to GBP28.6m (2016: GBP33.6m) and the underlying operating margin from 7.2% to 6.0%.

US

The US construction market as a whole is solid but with regional and sectoral variations. In general terms, residential construction continues to grow strongly, infrastructure spending has slowed and commercial construction markets vary by region. The group's US businesses had a steady first half with good contract execution. However, revenue and profit were both down on the same period in 2016, largely as a result of a slowdown in construction activity in two major metropolitan areas where Keller has very strong market positions.

Hayward Baker, our largest and most broadly-based business in the US, had a solid first half with revenue and profit slightly ahead of last year. Case and HJ Foundation, after a very strong couple of years, both recorded lower revenue and profit as their core geographical markets saw a reduction in construction activity, particularly of high end residential apartments. The group's largest job in the US, Bencor's US$135m diaphragm wall and grouting contract at East Branch Dam in Pennsylvania, is performing well.

Suncoast, which is mainly focused on residential construction, had another good first half, taking full advantage of the ongoing increase in housing starts.

Across the US as a whole, our bidding activity remains healthy and the US constant currency order book of work to be undertaken in the next twelve months is up about 8% on the same time in 2016. As a result, we expect revenue in the second half to be ahead of the comparable period in 2016.

Looking further forward, increased infrastructure spending remains a significant opportunity for the group, although the timing of any increase remains uncertain.

Canada

Keller Canada continues to operate in a difficult market and made a small loss in the seasonally weak first half. The major C$42m subway contract in Toronto, which finally mobilised in the second quarter after more than a year's delay, has started well. In June, we announced changes in leadership and further cost saving measures including the relocation of the company's administrative centre from Edmonton to Toronto, which better reflects where the bulk of the business and the opportunities now lie.

EMEA

 
                         2017    2016    Constant 
                                          currency 
                                        ---------- 
                         GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------  ------  ------  ---------- 
 Revenue                 346.4   261.7     +20% 
 Underlying operating 
  profit                 20.0    13.6      +50% 
 Underlying operating 
  margin                 5.8%    5.2% 
----------------------  ------  ------  ---------- 
 

Revenue in EMEA in the first half of the year was over 30% up on the same period in 2016. On a constant currency basis, revenue was up 20%. Underlying operating profit increased from GBP13.6m to GBP20.0m and the underlying operating margin increased from 5.2% to 5.8%. The increase in profit in particular was helped by the ongoing excellent execution of the US$180m contract in the Caspian region, the group's largest project, which is scheduled to be substantially finished by the end of 2017.

Whilst a number of EMEA's markets remain challenging, the group's most significant European businesses (the UK, Germany, Poland and Austria) all had a good first half. Between them, these businesses account for around half of the division's revenue. We have recently seen a slowdown in our UK business, but the others all begin the second half with strong order books and good prospects.

Elsewhere, market conditions and performance are more mixed. Construction markets in the Middle East are patchy. Keller however has had a busy first half in the region, starting work on major projects in Abu Dhabi and Egypt, and is well set for a strong second half.

The political and economic situations in both South Africa and Brazil are holding back construction activity in these countries. Whilst our major project at the Clairwood distribution park near Durban is progressing well, activity generally in both South Africa and other Sub-Saharan African countries is at a low ebb. Our Brazilian business, which also faces challenging market conditions, made a small loss in the period.

The division has had a number of good project wins in the period. The constant currency order book of work to be undertaken in the next twelve months is over 30% ahead of this time in 2016, giving us confidence in a good second half of 2017. The completion of the major Caspian project at the end of 2017 means that the division's 2018 profit will be materially down on what is expected to be an excellent 2017 result. Excluding this major project, however, EMEA's performance is expected to continue to improve.

APAC

 
                         2017    2016    Constant 
                                          currency 
                                        ---------- 
                         GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------  ------  ------  ---------- 
 Revenue                 170.2   123.2     +21% 
 Underlying operating 
  (loss)/profit          (3.8)   (9.6)      n/a 
 Underlying operating 
  margin                 -2.2%   -7.8% 
----------------------  ------  ------  ---------- 
 

The group's APAC businesses reported a much improved performance, despite markets remaining very difficult in Australia and Singapore. Reported revenue for the division was 38% up on the first half of 2016, mainly reflecting growth in Australia. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by 21%. As expected, however, the division still made a loss in the first half of the year, not helped by two significant loss-making projects, a joint venture in Australia and a legacy piling job in Singapore.

In Australia, the revenue run-rate increased significantly in the first half of 2017, in large part due to higher market activity. Whilst this pick up is yet to feed through into higher pricing, Keller's Australian businesses broke even before divisional costs, a result which compares to a loss of around GBP5.0m in the first half of 2016.

In Asia, revenue was broadly flat year-on-year, with a significant increase in India being offset by a reduction in Singapore as a result of the major downsizing of Resource Piling over the last year. However, taken together, the Asian operations recorded a loss in the first half as a result of piling contracts in Singapore bid and won in 2016. The Singaporean and Malaysian Heavy Foundation businesses have now been merged into one, with resources being shared and tendering being managed out of Malaysia.

The second quarter of 2017 has seen some excellent contract wins in India, including a GBP14.0m dam grouting project in Polavarum and an GBP11.0m stone column contract to improve the ground for the new Navi Mumbai airport.

Looking forward, APAC's order book of work to be undertaken in the next twelve months is around 30% up on this time in 2016. This, together with the restructured business units and the improving Australian market, should result in continuing improvement in performance.

Other financial items

Non-underlying items

Non-underlying items before net finance costs and taxation totalled GBP16.4m in the first half of 2017. These comprise:

Amortisation: GBP4.5m of amortisation of acquired intangible assets (2016: GBP5.0m).

Exceptional contract dispute: A GBP21.0m credit as a part reversal of a GBP54.0m exceptional charge taken in 2014 for a contract dispute relating to a UK project completed in 2008. The project was in connection with the construction of a major warehouse and processing facility in Avonmouth, near Bristol.

As previously announced, the group acquired the relevant property in May 2016 pursuant to the dispute settlement agreement for GBP62.0m and subsequently sold it for the same amount in 2017. The property was held on the group 31 December 2016 balance sheet as a non-current asset held for sale at a value of GBP54.0m. The sale therefore realised an exceptional profit before costs of GBP8.0m.

In the first half of 2017, the group reached agreements to receive GBP11.7m of insurance proceeds in respect of this dispute, of which GBP8.8m was received before 30 June 2017.

As noted at the time, the original provision was expected to be reduced by future insurance recoveries and the sale of the property. Taking account of credits in both 2016 and the first half of 2017, the group has recovered GBP35.3m of the original GBP54.0m provision. No significant further recoveries are expected. The net cash cost to date of this dispute is GBP14.3m.

Tax

The Group's underlying first half effective tax rate was 34.0%, the expected 2017 full year rate (2016 full year rate: 35.0%). The effective tax rate is high compared to the UK statutory rate because of the geographic mix of profits, with the majority of the group's underlying profit before tax being earned in the US, where the underlying combined federal and state corporate tax rates total nearly 40%.

A non-underlying tax charge of GBP0.1m has been recognised, representing the net tax impact of the 2017 non-underlying items.

Cash flow and financing

Net underlying capital expenditure in the first half of 2017 totalled GBP31.5m (2016: GBP30.8m) compared to depreciation and amortisation of GBP34.1m. The group continues to invest in transferring technologies into new geographies and to upgrade the equipment fleet.

At 30 June 2017, net debt amounted to GBP297.3m (31 December 2016: GBP305.6m). The decrease in net debt is explained as follows:

 
                                 GBPm 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Net debt at 1 January 
  2017                          305.6 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Free cash outflow               49.8 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Dividends                       13.8 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Foreign exchange movements     (4.6) 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Exceptional items             (70.3) 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Acquisitions                     3.0 
----------------------------  ------- 
 Net debt at 30 June 2017       297.3 
----------------------------  ------- 
 

Net debt represents 1.7x underlying EBITDA on a headline basis or 1.9x calculated on a covenant basis, well within the covenant limit of 3.0x.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by Keller in the remaining six months of the year remain largely unchanged from those reported in the 2016 annual report and can be found, together with the mitigating actions in place, in pages 41 to 43 of the report. In summary, these are:

Market risk: A rapid downturn in our markets

Strategic risk:

   -         Failure to procure new contracts 
   -         Losing our market share 
   -         Non-compliance with our Code of Business Conduct 

Financial risk: Inability to finance our business

Operational risk:

   -         Product and/or solution failure 
   -         Ineffective management of our contracts 
   -         Causing a serious injury or fatality to an employee or member of the public 
   -         Not having the right skills to deliver 

Consolidated income statement

For the half year ended 30 June 2017

 
                                        Half year to                                 Half year to                              Year to 31 December 
                                        30 June 2017                                 30 June 2016                                      2016 
                        -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------- 
                                           Non-underlying                               Non-underlying                               Non-underlying 
                                  Before            items                      Before            items                      Before            items 
                          non-underlying            (Note              non-underlying            (Note              non-underlying            (Note 
                  Note             items               5)     Total             items               5)     Total             items               5)       Total 
                                    GBPm             GBPm      GBPm              GBPm             GBPm      GBPm              GBPm             GBPm        GBPm 
--------------  ------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------- 
 
 Revenue             3             991.1                -     991.1             849.7                -     849.7           1,780.0                -     1,780.0 
 Operating 
  costs                          (947.1)            (0.1)   (947.2)           (814.1)            (0.8)   (814.9)         (1,684.7)           (18.9)   (1,703.6) 
 Amortisation 
  of acquired 
  intangible 
  assets                               -            (4.5)     (4.5)                 -            (5.0)     (5.0)                 -            (9.7)       (9.7) 
 Other 
  operating 
  income                               -             21.0      21.0                 -              1.1       1.1                 -             18.5        18.5 
--------------  ------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------- 
 Operating 
  profit             3              44.0             16.4      60.4              35.6            (4.7)      30.9              95.3           (10.1)        85.2 
 Finance 
  income                             1.8                -       1.8               0.5                -       0.5               1.6                -         1.6 
 Finance costs                     (6.5)            (0.5)     (7.0)             (5.9)            (0.5)     (6.4)            (11.8)            (1.1)      (12.9) 
--------------  ------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------- 
 Profit before 
  taxation                          39.3             15.9      55.2              30.2            (5.2)      25.0              85.1           (11.2)        73.9 
 Taxation            6            (13.4)            (0.1)    (13.5)            (10.2)              1.2     (9.0)            (29.8)              3.9      (25.9) 
--------------                                                                                                                                       ---------- 
 Profit for 
  the period                        25.9             15.8      41.7              20.0            (4.0)      16.0              55.3            (7.3)        48.0 
----------------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------- 
 
 Attributable 
  to: 
 Equity holders 
  of the parent                     25.2             15.8      41.0              19.7            (4.0)      15.7              54.5            (7.3)        47.2 
 Non-controlling 
  interests                          0.7                -       0.7               0.3                -       0.3               0.8                -         0.8 
----------------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------- 
                                    25.9             15.8      41.7              20.0            (4.0)      16.0              55.3            (7.3)        48.0 
--------------  ------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  --------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------- 
 
 Earnings per 
  share 
 Basic (pence)       8              35.0                       57.0              27.4                       21.9              75.9                         65.7 
 Diluted 
  (pence)            8              34.4                       56.0              27.0                       21.5              74.8                         64.7 
 
 
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the half year ended 30 June 2017

 
                                                        Half    Half           Year 
                                                        year    year             to 
                                                          to      to    31 December 
                                                          30      30           2016 
                                                        June    June 
                                                        2017    2016 
                                                        GBPm    GBPm           GBPm 
--------------------------------------------------   -------  ------  ------------- 
 
 Profit for the period                                  41.7    16.0           48.0 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  ------------- 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                               (14.0)    48.1           77.0 
 Net investment hedge (losses)                         (0.6)   (2.9)          (3.8) 
 Cash flow hedge (losses)/gains 
  taken to equity                                      (1.8)   (0.6)            1.9 
 Cash flow hedge transfers to 
  income statement                                       1.8     0.6          (1.9) 
 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
 Remeasurements of defined benefit 
  pension schemes                                        2.0   (6.0)          (7.4) 
 Tax on remeasurements of defined 
  benefit pension schemes                              (0.2)     0.8            1.3 
 Other comprehensive income for the period, 
  net of tax                                          (12.8)    40.0           67.1 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  ------------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period                                        28.9    56.0          115.1 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  ------------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the parent                           28.3    55.3          113.7 
 Non-controlling interests                               0.6     0.7            1.4 
---------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  ------------- 
                                                        28.9    56.0          115.1 
 --------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated balance sheet

As at 30 June 2017

 
                                                As at     As at          As at 
                                                   30        30    31 December 
                                                 June      June           2016 
                                                 2017      2016 
                                       Note      GBPm      GBPm           GBPm 
----------------------------------   ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 
 Assets 
 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                              178.5     181.5          188.0 
 Property, plant and equipment                  398.7     383.7          405.6 
 Deferred tax assets                             22.9      17.4           21.6 
 Other assets                                    29.8      32.0           30.2 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
                                                629.9     614.6          645.4 
 ----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                     69.5      56.3           59.4 
 Trade and other receivables                    598.9     534.6          528.5 
 Current tax assets                              19.6      11.3           18.2 
 Cash and cash equivalents                9      61.9      75.3           84.4 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
                                                749.9     677.5          690.5 
 ----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 Non-current assets held for sale        10         -      48.0           54.0 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 
 Total assets                                 1,379.8   1,340.1        1,389.9 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Loans and borrowings                          (19.1)    (59.6)         (54.0) 
 Current tax liabilities                       (23.1)     (4.1)         (16.4) 
 Trade and other payables                     (436.8)   (423.9)        (435.4) 
 Provisions                                     (7.7)    (18.5)          (9.9) 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
                                              (486.7)   (506.1)        (515.7) 
 ----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Loans and borrowings                         (340.1)   (355.4)        (336.0) 
 Retirement benefit liabilities                (29.7)    (30.5)         (31.4) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                      (32.8)    (32.0)         (33.5) 
 Provisions                                    (15.3)    (10.5)         (14.7) 
 Other liabilities                             (29.1)    (28.8)         (29.0) 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
                                              (447.0)   (457.2)        (444.6) 
 ----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 
 Total liabilities                            (933.7)   (963.3)        (960.3) 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 
 Net assets                                     446.1     376.8          429.6 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 
 Equity 
 
 Share capital                           11       7.3       7.3            7.3 
 Share premium account                           38.1      38.1           38.1 
 Capital redemption reserve                       7.6       7.6            7.6 
 Translation reserve                             45.3      32.0           59.8 
 Other reserve                                   56.9      56.9           56.9 
 Hedging reserve                                (0.1)     (0.1)          (0.1) 
 Retained earnings                              286.2     231.4          255.8 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 Equity attributable to equity 
  holders of the parent                         441.3     373.2          425.4 
 Non-controlling interests                        4.8       3.6            4.2 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 Total equity                                   446.1     376.8          429.6 
-----------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  ------------- 
 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the half year ended 30 June 2017

 
                               Share      Capital                                                    Non-controlling 
                     Share   premium   redemption    Translation      Other    Hedging    Retained         interests     Total 
                   capital   account      reserve        reserve    reserve    Reserve    earnings                      equity 
                      GBPm      GBPm         GBPm           GBPm       GBPm       GBPm        GBPm              GBPm      GBPm 
---------------  ---------  --------  -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 30 June 
  2016                 7.3      38.1          7.6           32.0       56.9      (0.1)       231.4               3.6     376.8 
---------------  ---------  --------  -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 
  2016                 7.3      38.1          7.6           59.8       56.9      (0.1)       255.8               4.2     429.6 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for 
  the period             -         -            -         (14.5)          -          -        42.8               0.6      28.9 
 Dividends               -         -            -              -          -          -      (13.8)                 -    (13.8) 
 Share-based 
  payments               -         -            -              -          -          -         1.4                 -       1.4 
 At 30 June 
  2017                 7.3      38.1          7.6           45.3       56.9      (0.1)       286.2               4.8     446.1 
---------------  ---------  --------  -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------------  -------- 
 

Consolidated cash flow statement

For the half year ended 30 June 2017

 
                                                         Half        Half        Year 
                                                         year        year          to 
                                                           to          to          31 
                                                           30          30    December 
                                                         June        June        2016 
                                                         2017        2016 
                                                Note     GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
--------------------------------------------   -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Operating profit before non-underlying 
  items                                                  44.0        35.6        95.3 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment                                          33.5        30.2        62.0 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                        0.6         0.7         1.3 
 (Profit)/loss on sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                                   (0.6)         1.1         2.3 
 Other non-cash movements                                 3.7         3.4       (5.2) 
 Foreign exchange losses/(gains)                          0.4       (0.3)         0.3 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 Operating cash flows before movements 
  in working capital                                     81.6        70.7       156.0 
 (Increase) in inventories                             (11.2)       (3.3)       (3.1) 
 (Increase) in trade and other receivables             (81.8)      (44.3)       (7.4) 
 Increase/(decrease) in trade and 
  other payables                                          8.6        18.9       (2.7) 
 Change in provisions, retirement 
  benefit and other non-current liabilities             (0.9)       (0.1)       (7.1) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 Cash generated from operations 
  before non-underlying items                           (3.7)        41.9       135.7 
 Cash inflows from non-underlying 
  items                                                   9.8           -         9.0 
 Cash outflows from non-underlying 
  items                                                 (1.5)       (2.1)       (4.1) 
 Cash generated from operations                           4.6        39.8       140.6 
 Interest paid                                          (6.1)       (5.5)      (12.3) 
 Income tax paid                                        (8.7)      (11.0)      (25.3) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
  operating activities                                 (10.2)        23.3       103.0 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Interest received                                        0.2         0.4         0.7 
 Proceeds from sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                                     2.5         2.8         5.8 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries, net 
  of cash acquired                                      (3.0)      (12.2)      (14.6) 
 Acquisition of property, plant 
  and equipment                                        (33.6)      (33.4)      (78.2) 
 Disposal/(acquisition) of non-current 
  assets held for sale                                   62.0      (62.0)      (62.0) 
 Acquisition of intangible assets                       (0.4)       (0.2)       (0.6) 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 
  investing activities                                   27.7     (104.6)     (148.9) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 New borrowings                                          12.8       126.7       103.1 
 Repayment of borrowings                               (52.4)           -       (4.2) 
 Cash flows from derivative instruments                     -      (28.0)      (28.0) 
 Payment of finance lease liabilities                   (0.6)       (1.1)       (2.9) 
 Dividends paid                                        (13.8)      (13.7)      (20.5) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
  financing activities                                 (54.0)        83.9        47.5 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash 
  and cash equivalents                                 (36.5)         2.6         1.6 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of period                                              84.0        62.9        62.9 
 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations                   (1.5)         8.3        19.5 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end 
  of period                                        9     46.0        73.8        84.0 
---------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   1.   Basis of preparation 

The condensed financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the group as at and for the year ended 31 December 2016. The same accounting policies and presentation are followed in the financial statements that were applied in the preparation of the Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

IFRS 15, 'Revenue from contracts with customers' has been adopted by the EU with an effective date of

1 January 2018. The group is continuing to assess the impact of the standard but based on the progress to date, does not expect the standard to have a significant impact on the group's results. It is likely that the group will adopt a prospective transition approach to the standard.

The standard is only expected to impact those contracts that are ongoing at the end of a reporting period and have multiple performance obligations and/or contract modifications. With a typical contract size of approximately GBP250k with short duration, for the vast majority of contracts revenue will continue to be recognised in year. It is not possible to quantify the expected financial impact on the 2017 results at this point in time as the application of the standard is dependent on the specific details of contracts ongoing at

31 December 2017. For the limited number of contracts that will be ongoing at the end of a reporting period and have multiple performance obligations and/or contract modifications, these will need to be considered on a contract by contract basis. Given that the group's largest contract only contributed 2% of revenue in 2016, any impact of the standard on the group's reported revenue for any given year is likely to be limited. We will continue to progress our assessment of the impact of this standard.

The group is also considering the impact on the group financial statements of adopting other standards, amendments or interpretations in issue but not yet effective, including IFRS 9, 'Financial instruments'. The Group is also considering the impact of IFRS 16, 'Leases' which is not yet endorsed by the EU.

The figures for the year ended 31 December 2016 are not statutory accounts but have been extracted from the group's statutory accounts for that financial year. The auditor's report on those accounts was not qualified and did not contain statements under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and has been made available on the Company's website at www.keller.com.

The financial information in this interim financial report for the half years ended 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016 has neither been reviewed, nor audited.

The key risks and uncertainties facing the group, as explained in the group's annual report for the year ended 31 December 2016, continue to be: market risk, strategic risk, financial risk and operational risk.

Going concern

The directors have satisfied themselves that the group is in a sound financial position, that it has access to sufficient borrowing facilities and can reasonably expect sufficient facilities to be available to meet the group's foreseeable cash requirements. As a consequence, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed financial statements.

   2.   Foreign currencies 

The exchange rates used in respect of principal currencies are:

 
                              Average for period                       Period end 
                     -----------------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
                          Half       Half           Year      As at      As at          As at 
                          year       year             to    30 June    30 June    31 December 
                            to         to    31 December       2017       2016           2016 
                       30 June    30 June           2016 
                          2017       2016 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 US dollar                1.26       1.43           1.36       1.30       1.34           1.23 
 Canadian dollar          1.68       1.90           1.80       1.69       1.73           1.66 
 Euro                     1.16       1.28           1.22       1.14       1.21           1.17 
 Singapore dollar         1.77       1.98           1.87       1.79       1.80           1.78 
 Australian dollar        1.67       1.95           1.82       1.69       1.80           1.71 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 
   3.   Segmental analysis 

In accordance with IFRS 8, the group has determined its operating segments based upon the information reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The group compromises of three geographical divisions which have only one major product or service: specialist ground engineering services. APAC, North America and EMEA continue to be managed as separate geographical divisions. This is reflected in the group's management structure and in the segment information reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker. Except for the disposal of non-current assets held for sale as noted in Note 10, there have been no material changes to the assets and liabilities of these segments since the year end. Revenue and operating profit of the three reportable segments is given below:

 
                                       Revenue                          Operating profit 
                         -----------------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
                              Half       Half           Year       Half       Half           Year 
                              year       year             to       year       year             to 
                                to         to    31 December         to         to    31 December 
                           30 June    30 June           2016    30 June    30 June           2016 
                              2017       2016           GBPm       2017       2016           GBPm 
                              GBPm       GBPm                      GBPm       GBPm 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 North America               474.5      464.8          952.9       28.6       33.6           86.9 
 EMEA(1)                     346.4      261.7          552.6       20.0       13.6           30.2 
 APAC(2)                     170.2      123.2          274.5      (3.8)      (9.6)         (18.0) 
                             991.1      849.7        1,780.0       44.8       37.6           99.1 
 Central items 
  and eliminations               -          -              -      (0.8)      (2.0)          (3.8) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 Before non-underlying 
  items                      991.1      849.7        1,780.0       44.0       35.6           95.3 
 Non-underlying 
  items (Note 5)                 -          -              -       16.4      (4.7)         (10.1) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
                             991.1      849.7        1,780.0       60.4       30.9           85.2 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 

(1) Europe, Middle East and Africa.

(2) Asia-Pacific.

   4.   Acquisitions 

2017 acquisitions

On 6 March 2017, the group acquired the assets and liabilities of GEO-instruments, an instrumentation and monitoring company based in North America, for cash consideration of GBP2.5m ($3.1m). The purchase price reflects the fair value of the net assets acquired.

Any adjustments made in respect of acquisitions in the period to 30 June 2017 are provisional and will be finalised within 12 months of the acquisition date.

2016 acquisitions

 
                                             Tecnogeo 
                                 -------------------------------- 
                                  Carrying          Fair     Fair 
                                    amount         value    value 
                                              adjustment 
                                      GBPm          GBPm     GBPm 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------- 
 Net assets acquired 
 Intangible assets                       -           0.8      0.8 
 Property, plant and equipment         6.8             -      6.8 
 Cash and cash equivalents             1.2             -      1.2 
 Receivables                           4.2         (0.7)      3.5 
 Other assets                          0.3             -      0.3 
 Loans and borrowings                (1.8)             -    (1.8) 
 Deferred tax                            -         (0.3)    (0.3) 
 Other liabilities                   (1.5)         (2.2)    (3.7) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------- 
                                       9.2         (2.4)      6.8 
 Goodwill                                                     6.6 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------- 
 Total consideration                                         13.4 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------- 
 
 Satisfied by 
 Initial cash consideration                                  12.8 
 Contingent consideration                                     0.6 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------- 
                                                             13.4 
-------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ------- 
 

On 29 February 2016, the group acquired 100% of the share capital of the Tecnogeo group of companies, a business based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for an initial cash consideration of GBP12.8m (BRL 60.8m). The fair value of the intangible assets acquired represents the fair value of customer contracts at the date of acquisition and the trade name. Goodwill arising on acquisition is attributable to the knowledge and expertise of the assembled workforce, the expectation of future contracts and customer relationships and the operating synergies that arise from the group's strengthened market position. Contingent consideration of up to GBP13.2m (BRL 53.0m) is payable based on total earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the two year period following acquisition.

On 4 April 2016, the group acquired assets and certain liabilities of Smithbridge Group Pty Limited, a business based in Brisbane, Australia, for an initial cash consideration of GBP1.8m (AUD 3.4m). The purchase price reflects the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.

   5.   Non-underlying items 

Non-underlying items are disclosed separately in the financial statements where it is necessary to do so to provide further understanding of the financial performance of the group. They are items which are exceptional by their size or are non-trading in nature, including those relating to acquisitions.

Non-underlying items comprise the following:

 
                                            Half       Half 
                                            year       year           Year 
                                           to 30         to             to 
                                            June    30 June    31 December 
                                            2017       2016           2016 
                                            GBPm       GBPm           GBPm 
--------------------------------------   -------  ---------  ------------- 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible 
  assets                                   (4.5)      (5.0)          (9.7) 
 
 Restructuring costs                           -          -         (14.3) 
 Contingent consideration: additional 
  amounts provided                         (0.1)      (0.6)          (3.9) 
 Acquisition costs                             -      (0.2)          (0.7) 
 Non-underlying items in operating 
  costs                                    (0.1)      (0.8)         (18.9) 
 
 Contract dispute                           21.0        0.5           14.3 
 Contract consideration: provision 
  released                                     -        0.6            4.2 
---------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
 Non-underlying items in other 
  operating income                          21.0        1.1           18.5 
 
 Total non-underlying items in 
  operating profit                          16.4      (4.7)         (10.1) 
 Non-underlying finance costs              (0.5)      (0.5)          (1.1) 
---------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total non-underlying items                 15.9      (5.2)         (11.2) 
---------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
 

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets primarily relate to the acquisitions of Keller Canada, Franki Africa, Austral, Bencor and Tecnogeo.

The income relating to the contract dispute represents the gain on disposal of the freehold of the processing and warehousing facility at Avonmouth, near Bristol, acquired in 2016 (Note 10), rental income less operating costs to the date of disposal and insurance recoveries in the period.

Non-underlying finance costs relate to the finance costs incurred to fund the acquisition of the freehold of a processing and warehousing facility at Avonmouth, near Bristol (Note 10) and the unwinding of discounted contingent consideration for acquisitions.

   6.   Taxation 

Taxation, representing management's best estimate of the average annual effective income tax rate expected for the full year, based on the underlying profit before tax, is 34.0% (half year ended 30 June 2016: 34.0%; year ended 31 December 2016: 35.0%).

   7.   Dividends payable to equity holders of the parent 

Ordinary dividends on equity shares:

 
                                              Half       Half 
                                              year       year           Year 
                                             to 30         to             to 
                                              June    30 June    31 December 
                                              2017       2016           2016 
                                              GBPm       GBPm           GBPm 
 Amounts recognised as distributions 
  to equity holders in the period: 
 Interim dividend for the year ended 
  31 December 2016 of 9.25p (2015: 8.8p) 
  per share                                      -          -            6.7 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  31 December 2016 of 19.25p (2015: 
  18.3p) per share                            13.8       13.1           13.1 
 
                                              13.8       13.1           19.8 
-----------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
 

In addition to the above, an interim ordinary dividend of 9.7p per share (2016: 9.25p) will be paid on 5 September 2017 to shareholders on the register at 11 August 2017. This proposed dividend has not been included as a liability in these financial statements and will be accounted for in the period in which it is paid.

   8.   Earnings per share 
 
                                  Earnings attributable             Earnings attributable 
                                      to equity holders                 to equity holders 
                                   of the parent before                     of the parent 
                                   non-underlying items 
---------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
                        30 June   30 June   31 December   30 June   30 June   31 December 
                           2017      2016          2016      2017      2016          2016 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Basic and diluted 
  earnings (GBPm)          25.2      19.7          54.5      41.0      15.7          47.2 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 
 Number of shares 
  (million) 
 Basic number of 
  ordinary shares 
  outstanding              71.9      71.8          71.8      71.9      71.8          71.8 
 Effect of dilutive 
  potential ordinary 
  shares: 
 Share options and 
  awards                    1.3       1.1           1.1       1.3       1.1           1.1 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Diluted number 
  of ordinary shares       73.2      72.9          72.9      73.2      72.9          72.9 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 
 Earnings per share 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Basic earnings 
  per share (pence)        35.0      27.4          75.9      57.0      21.9          65.7 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Diluted earnings 
  per share (pence)        34.4      27.0          74.8      56.0      21.5          64.7 
---------------------  --------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 
   9.   Analysis of closing net debt 
 
                                     As at      As at          As at 
                                   30 June    30 June    31 December 
                                      2017       2016           2016 
                                      GBPm       GBPm           GBPm 
------------------------------   ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 Bank balances                        60.0       73.9           82.8 
 Short-term deposits                   1.9        1.4            1.6 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents in 
  the balance sheet                   61.9       75.3           84.4 
 Bank overdrafts                    (15.9)      (1.5)          (0.4) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents in 
  the cash flow statement             46.0       73.8           84.0 
 Bank and other loans              (341.0)    (409.1)        (386.7) 
 Finance leases                      (2.3)      (4.4)          (2.9) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 Closing net debt                  (297.3)    (339.7)        (305.6) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 

10. Non-current assets held for sale

On 11 May 2017, the group disposed of the freehold of a processing and warehousing facility at Avonmouth, near Bristol, for a consideration of GBP62m. A gain of GBP8m has been recognised within other non-underlying operating income in the period to 30 June 2017.

11. Share capital and reserves

 
                                        As at      As at          As at 
                                      30 June    30 June    31 December 
                                         2017       2016           2016 
                                         GBPm       GBPm           GBPm 
  Allotted, called up and fully 
   paid 
   Equity share capital: 
   73,099,735 ordinary shares of 
   10p each 
   (30 June 2016: 73,099,735; 31 
   December 2016: 73,099,735)             7.3        7.3            7.3 
----------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ------------- 
 

The Company has one class of ordinary shares, which carries no rights to fixed income. There are no restrictions on the transfer of these shares. The total number of shares held in Treasury was 1.1m (30 June 2016: 1.3m; 31 December 2016: 1.1m).

12. Related party transactions

Transactions between the parent, its subsidiaries and jointly controlled operations, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation.

13. Post balance sheet events

There were no material post balance sheet events between the balance sheet date and the date of this report.

Responsibility Statement

The half yearly financial report is the responsibility of the directors who confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

(a) the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS34 - Interim Financial Reporting;

(b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R - indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

(c) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R - disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein.

The directors of Keller Group plc are listed in the Keller annual report for 2016; however, since the publication of the annual report, Ruth Cairnie has retired from the Board and Eva Lindqvist has joined the Board as an independent Non-Executive Director.

Approved by the Board of Keller Group plc and signed on its behalf by:

Alain Michaelis

Chief Executive

James Hind

Finance Director

31 July 2017

Adjusted performance measures

The group's results as reported under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and presented in the financial statements (the "statutory results") are significantly impacted by movements in exchange rates relative to sterling, as well as by exceptional items and non-trading amounts relating to acquisitions.

As a result, adjusted performance measures have been used throughout this report to describe the group's underlying performance. The Board and Executive Committee use these adjusted measures to assess the performance of the business because they consider them more representative of the underlying ongoing trading result and allow more meaningful comparison to prior year.

Underlying measures

The term "underlying" excludes the impact of exceptional items, amortisation of acquired intangibles and other non-trading amounts relating to acquisitions (collectively "non-underlying items"), net of any associated tax. Underlying measures allow management and investors to compare performance without the potentially distorting effects of one-off items or non-trading items. Non-underlying items are disclosed separately in the financial statements where it is necessary to do so to provide further understanding of the financial performance of the group. They are items which are exceptional by their size or are non-trading in nature, including those relating to acquisitions.

Constant currency measures

The constant currency basis ("constant currency") adjusts the comparative to exclude the impact of movements in exchange rates relative to sterling. This is achieved by retranslating the 2016 results of overseas operations into sterling at the 2017 average exchange rates.

A reconciliation between the underlying results and the reported statutory results is shown on the face of the consolidated income statement, with non-underlying items detailed in note 5. A reconciliation between the 2016 underlying result to the 2017 constant currency result is shown below and compared to the underlying 2017 performance:

Revenue by segment

 
 
                                                Impact 
                                           of exchange    Constant                Constant 
                  Statutory   Statutory      movements    currency   Statutory    currency 
                       2017        2016           2016        2016      change      change 
                       GBPm        GBPm           GBPm        GBPm           %           % 
---------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 North America        474.5       464.8           62.6       527.4         +2%        -10% 
 EMEA                 346.4       261.7           27.6       289.3        +32%        +20% 
 APAC                 170.2       123.2           16.9       140.1        +38%        +21% 
---------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Group                991.1       849.7          107.1       956.8        +17%         +4% 
---------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Underlying operating profit by segment

 
 
                                                      Impact 
                                                 of exchange    Constant                 Constant 
                      Underlying   Underlying      movements    currency   Underlying    currency 
                            2017         2016           2016        2016       change      change 
                            GBPm         GBPm           GBPm        GBPm            %           % 
-------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 North America              28.6         33.6            4.3        37.9         -15%        -24% 
 EMEA                       20.0         13.6          (0.3)        13.3         +47%        +50% 
 APAC                      (3.8)        (9.6)          (1.6)      (11.2)         +60%        +66% 
 Central items 
  and eliminations         (0.8)        (2.0)            0.5       (1.5)         +60%        +47% 
-------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Group                      44.0         35.6            2.9        38.5         +24%        +14% 
-------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 

Underlying operating margin

Underlying operating margin is underlying operating profit as a percentage of revenue.

Other adjusted measures

Where not presented and reconciled on the face of the consolidated income statement, consolidated balance sheet or consolidated cash flow statement, the adjusted measures are reconciled to the IFRS statutory numbers below:

EBITDA

 
                                           30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                              2017      2016          2016 
                                              GBPm      GBPm          GBPm 
----------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Operating profit before non-underlying 
  items                                       44.0      35.6          95.3 
 Depreciation                                 33.5      30.2          62.0 
 Amortisation                                  0.6       0.7           1.3 
----------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Underlying EBITDA                            78.1      66.5         158.6 
 Non-underlying items in operating 
  costs                                      (0.1)     (0.8)        (18.9) 
 Non-underlying items in other 
  operating income                            21.0       1.1          18.5 
----------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 EBITDA                                       99.0      66.8         158.2 
----------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 

Net finance costs

 
                                        30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                           2017      2016          2016 
                                           GBPm      GBPm          GBPm 
-------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Finance income                           (1.8)     (0.5)         (1.6) 
 Finance costs before non-underlying 
  items                                     6.5       5.9          11.8 
-------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Underlying net finance costs               4.7       5.4          10.2 
 Non-underlying finance costs               0.5       0.5           1.1 
-------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Net finance costs                          5.2       5.9          11.3 
-------------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 

Net capital expenditure

 
                                     30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                        2017      2016          2016 
                                        GBPm      GBPm          GBPm 
----------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Acquisition of property, plant 
  and equipment                         33.6      33.4          78.2 
 Acquisition of intangible assets        0.4       0.2           0.6 
 Proceeds from sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                  (2.5)     (2.8)         (5.8) 
----------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Net capital expenditure                31.5      30.8          73.0 
----------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 

Net debt

 
                                     30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                        2017      2016          2016 
                                        GBPm      GBPm          GBPm 
----------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Current loans and borrowings           19.1      59.6          54.0 
 Non-current loans and borrowings      340.1     355.4         336.0 
 Cash and cash equivalents            (61.9)    (75.3)        (84.4) 
----------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 Net debt                              297.3     339.7         305.6 
----------------------------------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 

For further information, please contact:

 
 Keller Group plc 
 James Hind, Finance Director                            020 7616 7575 
 
 
 Finsbury 
 Gordon Simpson/Theo Hildebrand                           020 7251 3801 
 

A presentation for analysts will be held at 9.30am at

One Moorgate Place - Chartered Accountants Hall,

1 Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA

A live webcast will be available from 9.30am and, on demand, from 2.00pm at

http://www.investis-live.com/keller/596cd927c6702b0a00524c2e/jtye

Print resolution images are available for the media to download from www.vismedia.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Keller is the world's largest geotechnical contractor, providing technically advanced geotechnical solutions to the construction industry. With annual revenue of around GBP2.0bn, Keller has approximately 10,000 staff world-wide.

Keller is the clear market leader in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa; it has prime positions in most established European markets and a strong profile in many developing markets.

Cautionary statements:

This document contains certain 'forward looking statements' with respect to Keller's financial condition, results of operations and business and certain of Keller's plans and objectives with respect to these items.

Forward looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as 'anticipates', 'aims', 'due', 'could', 'may', 'should', 'expects', 'believes', 'intends', 'plans', 'potential', 'reasonably possible', 'targets', 'goal' or 'estimates'. By their very nature forward-looking statements are inherently unpredictable, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.

There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the economies and markets in which the group operates; changes in the regulatory and competition frameworks in which the group operates; the impact of legal or other proceedings against or which affect the group; and changes in interest and exchange rates.

All written or verbal forward looking statements, made in this document or made subsequently, which are attributable to Keller or any other member of the group or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors referred to above. Keller does not intend to update these forward looking statements.

Nothing in this document should be regarded as a profits forecast.

This document is not an offer to sell, exchange or transfer any securities of Keller Group plc or any of its subsidiaries and is not soliciting an offer to purchase, exchange or transfer such securities in any jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered, sold or transferred in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act of 1933 (as amended).

   LEI number:        549300QO4MBL43UHSN10 
   Classification:     1.2 (Half yearly financial reports) 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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