Learning Technologies Group PLC Full Year Trading Update and Notice of Results (3722A)

TIDMLTG

RNS Number : 3722A

Learning Technologies Group PLC

21 January 2020

21 January 2020

Learning Technologies Group plc

("LTG", the "Group")

(AIM: LTG)

Full Year Trading Update and Notice of Results

Profit and cash comfortably ahead of expectations

Learning Technologies Group plc, the provider of services and technologies for digital learning and talent management, is pleased to announce a trading update for the year ending 31 December 2019.

The Board expects Group revenues to be up c.38% to c.GBP130.0 million (2018: GBP93.9 million). Recurring revenues increased to c.73% (2018: 68%), driven by strong ongoing performance in the Software & Platforms division, a full year contribution from PeopleFluent and Watershed, and the acquisition of BreezyHR in April 2019. Excluding PeopleFluent, LTG delivered organic revenue growth on a constant currency basis in both the Software & Platform and Content & Services divisions.

PeopleFluent delivered revenues of c.$93.0 million in 2019, ahead of previously announced expectations of c$91.0 million, supported by a significantly improved retention rate for its software licences and a good sales performance by Affirmity. This underscores the Board's confidence that, as guided at the time of the acquisition in 2018, PeopleFluent will return to growth in 2020.

Adjusted EBIT* is expected to be comfortably ahead of market expectations at not less than GBP41.0 million (2018: GBP26.0 million), an increase of c.58%, primarily as a result of a continued trend of improved margins across the Group and synergies being realised from the successful integration of acquisitions.

The Group's net cash position at 31 December 2019 of GBP3.8 million (2018: GBP11.5 million net debt) was better than anticipated due to substantial cash generation in H2.

An active pipeline of attractive international acquisition opportunities in both Software & Platforms and Content & Services, supports the Group's ambition to further consolidate the high growth corporate learning and talent market.

Further details will be provided with LTG's full year results which are expected to be announced on 24 March 2020.

Jonathan Satchell, CEO of LTG, said:

"2019 has been a year of encouraging growth across the Group with a strong performance in Content & Services in the second half of the year and outstanding results from our innovative Software & Platform businesses such as BreezyHR, Rustici and Watershed complementing our established PeopleFluent talent and learning business. We are seeing the early successes of the Board's decision to make focussed investments in R&D and incremental sales initiatives to support sustainable organic growth, driving momentum into 2020.

In 2019, the Group continued its track record of delivering strong margins, benefiting from enhanced leadership positions in our key markets. LTG has proven that it can successfully integrate, improve and grow the businesses we acquire, delivering excellent value for shareholders and comprehensive, innovative and industry-leading capabilities and services for our clients. We have an active pipeline of acquisition opportunities in 2020 and continue to invest in cross-selling initiatives and explore new routes-to-market."

* Adjusted EBIT results and comparator year data incorporate the new accounting standard IFRS16 - Leases (adopted 1 January 2019) and the inclusion of share-based payments as set out in the table below. Further details of these changes were provided in the Half Year Report dated 16 September 2019 and will be included in LTG's full year results.

 
                                            FY 2018       FY 2019 
                                                       (Estimate) 
                                               GBPm          GBPm 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 
 Adjusted EBIT pre accounting changes          27.2          43.0 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 Adjusted EBIT margin (%) pre accounting 
  changes                                     29.0%         33.1% 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 
 Share Based Payment Charge adjustment        (1.2)         (3.0) 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 IFRS16 adjustment                                -           1.0 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 
 Revised Adjusted EBIT                         26.0          41.0 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 Revised Adjusted EBIT margin (%)             27.7%         31.5% 
                                           --------  ------------ 
 

ENDS

Enquiries:

 
 Learning Technologies Group plc 
  Jonathan Satchell, Chief Executive              [phone] 
  Neil Elton, Chief Financial Officer                       1554 
 Numis Securities Limited (NOMAD and Corporate 
  Broker)                                         [phone] 
  Stuart Skinner, Nick Westlake, Ben Stoop                  1000 
 Goldman Sachs International (Joint Corporate 
  Broker)                                         [phone] 
  Bertie Whitehead, Adam Laikin                             1000 
 FTI Consulting (Public Relations Adviser)        [phone] 
  Rob Mindell, Jamie Ricketts, Chris Birt                   1000 
 

About LTG

LTG is a leader in the growing workplace digital learning and talent management market. The Group offers end-to-end learning and talent solutions ranging from strategic consultancy, through a range of content and platform solutions to analytical insights that enable corporate and government clients to close the gap between current and future workforce capability.

LTG is listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (LTG.L) and headquartered in London. The Group has offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

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January 21, 2020 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)