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MTW Mattioli Woods Plc

792.00
-1.00 (-0.13%)
Last Updated: 08:00:04
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Mattioli Woods Plc LSE:MTW London Ordinary Share GB00B0MT3Y97 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -1.00 -0.13% 792.00 790.00 794.00 793.00 792.00 793.00 326,118 08:00:04
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Finance Services 111.18M 7.65M 0.1474 53.73 411.14M

Mattioli Woods PLC Interim results (9527D)

06/02/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 9527D

Mattioli Woods PLC

06 February 2018

 
   6 February 2018 
 

Mattioli Woods plc

("Mattioli Woods", "the Company" or "the Group")

Interim results

Mattioli Woods plc (AIM: MTW.L), the specialist wealth management and employee benefits business, today reports its interim results for the six months ended 30 November 2017.

Financial highlights

   --      Revenue up 16.9% to GBP28.4m (1H17: GBP24.3m) 
   --      Organic revenue growth(1) of GBP3.7m (15.4%) (1H17: GBP2.5m, 14.2%) 
   --      Recurring revenues represent 84.5% (1H17: 84.3%) 
   --      EBITDA(2) up 38.8% to GBP6.8m (1H17: GBP4.9m): 
   -   GBP0.4m gain on revaluation of Amati option 
   -   EBITDA margin of 23.9% (1H17: 20.2%) 
   -   Basic EPS up 46.6% to 17.0p (1H17: 11.6p) 
   --      Adjusted EBITDA(3) up 25.0% to GBP6.5m (1H17: GBP5.2m): 
   -   Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.9% (1H17: 21.4%) 
   -   Adjusted EPS(4) up 15.0% to 19.2p (1H17: 16.7p) 
   --      Interim dividend up 17.0% to 5.5p (1H17: 4.7p) 
   --      Strong financial position, with cash of GBP14.8m (1H17: GBP22.6m) 

1. Excluding acquisitions completed in the current and prior financial years.

2. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation, impairment, excluding share of profit from associates.

3. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation, impairment, changes in valuation of derivative financial instruments and acquisition-related costs, including share of profit from associates (net of tax).

4. Before acquisition-related costs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles, changes in valuation of derivative financial instruments and notional finance income and charges.

Operational highlights and recent developments

   --      Total client assets(5) up 5.2% to GBP8.34bn (31 May 2017: GBP7.93bn): 
   -   Lowered custody charges for all clients using our core investment platform 
   -   Gross discretionary AuM up 14.4% to GBP2.06bn (31 May 2017: GBP1.80bn) 
   -   Custodian Capital now manages over GBP0.5bn of property assets 
   -   Launched Mattioli Woods' multi asset funds in August 2017 
   -   Over GBP160m invested in Mattioli Woods Structured Products Fund 
   --      Budgeted operating costs to be weighted towards second half of financial year 
   --      Profit outlook for year remains in line with management's expectations 

5. Includes GBP197.0m (31 May 2017: GBP153.8m) of funds under management by the Group's associate, Amati Global Investors Limited, excluding GBP17.3m (31 May 2017: GBP12.1m) of Mattioli Woods' client investment and GBP10.9m (31 May 2017: GBP9.8m) of cross-holdings between the TB Amati Smaller Companies Fund and the Amati VCTs.

Commenting on the results, Ian Mattioli MBE, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I am delighted to report another period of strong growth, with revenue up 16.9% to GBP28.4m (1H17: GBP24.3m). The Group has achieved real momentum across the range of advice, products and services we offer.

"Strong growth in revenue has translated into strong growth in Adjusted EPS, up 15.0% to 19.2p (1H17: 16.7p). Accordingly, the Board is pleased to recommend the payment of an increased interim dividend, up 17.0% to 5.5 pence per share (1H17: 4.7 pence). The Board remains committed to growing the dividend, while maintaining an appropriate level of dividend cover.

"The two businesses brought into the Group during the previous financial year have integrated well and contributed positively to our trading results since acquisition, increasing earnings and enhancing value.

"In recent years, we have seen a period of unprecedented change in regulation, legislation and client needs as the demand for advice and the potential market for our products and services continue to grow. During the period we saw an increasing flow of organic new business generated by our maturing consultancy team as we continue to expand our consultancy and technical teams to take advantage of new business opportunities. The continued commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism of our people in dealing with the complexity of holistically looking after our clients' affairs makes us very well placed to succeed in our chosen markets.

"We have designed the Group to deliver great client outcomes and sustainable shareholder returns. The outlook for this year remains in line with our expectations and I believe we are very well positioned to meet the ambitious longer term goals we have set."

For further information please contact:

 
 Mattioli Woods plc 
 Ian Mattioli MBE, Chief Executive       Tel: +44 (0) 116 240 
  Officer                                                8700 
 Nathan Imlach, Chief Financial         www.mattioliwoods.com 
  Officer 
 
 Canaccord Genuity Limited 
 Sunil Duggal, Investment Banking        Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 
                                                         8000 
 Andrew Buchanan, Corporate          www.canaccordgenuity.com 
  Broking 
 Margarita Mitropoulou, Corporate 
  Broking 
 
 Media enquiries: 
 Camarco 
 Ed Gascoigne-Pees                       Tel: +44 (0) 20 3757 
                                                         4984 
                                              www.camarco.com 
 

Analyst presentation

There will be an analyst presentation to discuss the results at 10:30am today at Canaccord Genuity Limited, 88 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7QR.

Those analysts wishing to attend are asked to contact Ed Gascoigne-Pees at Camarco on +44 (0) 20 3757 4984 or at ed.gascoigne-pees@camarco.co.uk.

Interim business review

We are delighted to report the six months ended 30 November 2017 represented another period of strong growth, with revenue up 16.9% to GBP28.4m (1H17: GBP24.3m). During the period we saw an increasing flow of organic new business generated by our maturing consultancy team, driven by continued demand for advice, for our products and our services. We also saw strong inflows into our asset management business, comprising our Discretionary Portfolio Management service, Private Investors Club, Custodian REIT plc, the Mattioli Woods Structured Products Fund and the funds managed by our associate company, Amati Global Investors Limited ("Amati"). Total client assets under management(6) , administration and advice increased by 5.2% to GBP8.34bn (31 May 2017: GBP7.93bn) at the period end.

Recent acquisitions are performing and integrating well and revenue growth in the first half of this financial year included a full period's contribution from the MC Trustees pension administration business acquired in September 2016. The purchase of 49% of Amati, announced 12 months ago, has been an exciting extension to our asset management business. Amati has enjoyed strong growth with the value of its total funds under management increasing from approximately GBP120m on investment in February 2017 to GBP214.3m at 30 November 2017.

Amati won Investment Week's UK Smaller Company Fund Manager of the Year award in July 2017 and was named Best AIM IHT Portfolio Service for the second year running at the Investment Week Tax Efficient Awards 2017/18 in December 2017. The Amati team has followed this success with the TB Amati UK Smaller Companies Fund being awarded a 5-star rating by Morningstar last month. We are delighted with these votes of confidence in Amati's investment philosophy and performance. Mattioli Woods has the option to acquire the remaining 51% of Amati in the two years commencing 6 February 2019 for a mixture of cash and Mattioli Woods' ordinary shares ("the Amati option").

Other achievements across the Group have been recognised by a number of industry awards, including being named Best Corporate Pensions Advice Firm at the Retirement Planner Awards in June 2017 and the Mattioli Woods' Structured Products Fund being awarded Retail Investment Product of the Year at the Risk Awards 2018. We are delighted the fund has gained such recognition only a year after its launch, having been designed in line with our core objective of delivering sustainable long-term returns to clients while lowering their costs. The fund offers investors the benefits of collateralisation, instant diversification, continuous availability and liquidity, with GBP49.3m of new investment increasing the fund's value to GBP147.0m at the period end.

We believe that being open and transparent about reducing client costs has led to higher business volumes. As our business grows, we expect operational gearing will allow us to further improve the client offer. We reduced the custody charge for all those clients using our core investment platform with effect from 1 August 2017, which coincided with the launch of our new range of multi asset funds designed to improve investment efficiency, administration and reporting for clients. The value of assets held on the platform increased from GBP1.2bn to GBP1.5bn during the period.

In addition, we successfully renewed the terms of the Investment Management Agreement for Custodian REIT plc ("Custodian REIT"), the UK real estate investment trust managed by our subsidiary Custodian Capital Limited ("Custodian Capital"), in June 2017 to secure both a cost reduction for investors in Custodian REIT and an important long-term revenue stream for the Group. In the first six months of this financial year Custodian REIT raised GBP33.0m of new monies, with the total value of Custodian Capital's assets under management increasing to GBP0.5bn at the period end.

We believe that as adviser, provider and asset manager, Mattioli Woods can reduce client costs whilst delivering improved outcomes and securing further profitable growth for shareholders.

6. Includes GBP197.0m of funds under management by the Group's associate company, Amati Global Investors Limited, excluding GBP17.3m of Mattioli Woods' client investment.

Market

Regulatory changes continue at considerable pace, with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II ("MiFID II") coming into on 3 January 2018. We continue to prepare for other changes already in train, such as the General Data Protection Regulations ("GDPR") and the Senior Managers Regime ("SMR").

In recent years, we have seen a period of unprecedented change in regulation, legislation and client needs as the demand for advice and the potential market for our products and services continue to grow. Within the broader market, a combination of pension freedoms and historically high values has resulted in a marked increase in the number of clients seeking advice around defined benefit and other corporate pension schemes. The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") has said it intends to assess practices across the pensions transfers market to build a national picture and with over GBP1.5 trillion(7) invested in defined benefit schemes, we expect there to be sustained activity in this sector for some considerable time.

The Financial Advice Market Review ("FAMR") published by the FCA and HM Treasury in March 2016 made a series of recommendations designed to tackle barriers to consumers engaging with financial advice and help the industry develop more cost-effective ways of delivering advice, particularly through the use of technology, while the FCA's recent review of the asset management market highlighted its concerns over pricing.

We continue to invest in the development of our IT platform and anticipate that the adoption of innovative technology may drive some margin compression in the wider market. Investing in technology, while securing the economies of scale and operational efficiencies that we have previously outlined, particularly through the integration of acquired businesses and clients, are key elements of our stated aim to reduce clients' total expense ratios, while maintaining fair and sustainable profit margins for our shareholders.

7. Source: Pension Protection Fund, the Purple Book 2017.

Assets under management, administration and advice

Total client assets under management, administration and advice increased by 5.2% to GBP8.34bn (31 May 2017: GBP7.93bn) as follows:

 
 Assets under 
 management,                                                    Personal wealth 
 administration and   SIPP and SSAS(9)    Employee benefits    and other assets                    Amati(10)     Total 
 advice(8)                        GBPm                 GBPm                GBPm   Sub-total GBPm        GBPm      GBPm 
-------------------  -----------------  -------------------  ------------------  ---------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 At 1 June 2017                5,031.3              1,102.3             1,638.1          7,771.7       153.8   7,925.5 
 
 Net inflows, 
  including market 
  movements                      263.6                 16.3                95.2            375.1        43.2     418.3 
 
 At 30 November 
  2017                         5,294.9              1,118.6             1,733.3          8,146.8       197.0   8,343.8 
-------------------  -----------------  -------------------  ------------------  ---------------  ----------  -------- 
 

8. Certain pension scheme assets, including clients' own commercial properties, are only subject to a statutory valuation at a benefit crystallisation event.

9. Value of funds under trusteeship in SIPP and SSAS schemes administered by the Group.

10. Total funds under management of GBP214.3m (31 May 2017: GBP165.9m) include GBP17.3m (31 May 2017: GBP12.1m) of Mattioli Woods' client investment and exclude GBP10.9m (31 May 2017: GBP9.8m) of cross-holdings between the TB Amati Smaller Companies Fund and the Amati VCTs.

The growth in total assets under management, administration and advice of GBP418.3m during the period, analysed as follows:

-- A GBP263.6m increase in SIPP and SSAS funds under trusteeship, with net organic growth of 2.0% in the number of schemes being administered at the period end, comprising a 6.1% (1H17: 5.6%) increase in the number of direct(11) schemes and 2.2% decrease (1H17: 2.3% increase) in the number of schemes the Group operates on an administration-only basis. In recent years we have been appointed to operate or wind-up a number of SIPP portfolios following the failure of their previous operators, with our lost schemes including the transfer of certain members of these distressed portfolios to alternative arrangements;

-- A GBP16.3m increase in the value of assets held in those corporate pension schemes advised by our employee benefits business, although revenues in our employee benefits business are not linked to the value of client assets in the way certain of our wealth management revenue streams are;

-- A GBP95.2m increase in personal wealth and other assets under management and advice, with 160 (1H17: 179) new personal clients won during the period; and

-- A GBP43.2m increase in Amati's funds under management (excluding Mattioli Woods' client investment), primarily through the growth of the TB Amati UK Smaller Companies Fund to GBP100.0m (31 May 2017: GBP69.3m) at 30 November 2017.

11. SIPP and SSAS schemes where the Group acts as pension consultant and administrator.

Trading results

We delivered strong organic(12) revenue growth of 15.4% (1H17: 14.2%), which was supplemented by a full six months' revenue of GBP0.8m (1H17: GBP0.3m) from the MC Trustees business acquired in the previous financial year.

Strong growth in revenue has translated into strong growth in EBITDA, with adjusted EBITDA(13) increasing 25.0% to GBP6.5m (1H17: GBP5.2m), with adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.9% (1H17: 21.4%). Adjusted EPS(14) increased 15.0% to 19.2p (1H17: 16.7p), while basic EPS was up 46.6% to 17.0p (1H17: 11.6p), with growth in operating profits stated after recognising a GBP0.4m (1H17: GBPnil) gain on revaluation of the Amati option, no acquisition-related costs (1H17: GBP0.3m) and GBP0.1m (1H17: GBP0.1m) of notional finance charges on the unwinding of discounts on long term provisions.

As anticipated, operating costs associated with our ongoing IT development, the move to our new Leicester office and the demands of new regulations will be weighted towards the second half of this financial year, although we expect the costs of fitting out the new office to be lower than originally anticipated.

The effective rate of taxation was 17.9% (1H17: 17.4%), with a lower effective rate in the equivalent period last year due to the reversal of deferred tax liabilities on acquired intangibles following cuts in the UK corporation tax rate.

12. Excluding acquisitions completed in the current and prior financial years.

13. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation, impairment, changes in valuation of derivative financial instruments and acquisition-related costs, including share of profit from associates (net of tax).

14. Before acquisition-related costs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles, changes in valuation of derivative financial instruments and notional finance income and charges.

Investment and asset management

Investment and asset management revenues generated from advising clients on both pension and personal investments increased 18.4% to GBP12.2m (1H17: GBP10.3m).

The Group's gross discretionary assets under management, including the multi asset funds which now sit at the heart of our discretionary portfolio management service, Custodian REIT, the Mattioli Woods Structured Products Fund and the funds managed by our associate company, Amati, increased by 14.4% to GBP2.06bn (31 May 2017: GBP1.80bn).

Income from both initial and ongoing portfolio management charges increased to GBP6.7m (1H17: GBP5.1m) as the value of clients' assets in our discretionary portfolio management service increased 10.5% to GBP1.26bn (31 May 2017: GBP1.14bn).

Adviser charges based on the value of assets under advice were GBP5.2m (1H17: GBP5.2m), with additional fees of GBP0.3m (1H17: GBPnil) paid to the Group as adviser to the Mattioli Woods Structured Products Fund. The growth in funds under management and advice continues to enhance the quality of earnings through an increase in recurring revenues, with the proportion of the Group's total revenues which are recurring increasing to 84.5% (1H17: 84.3%). As with other firms, those income streams that are linked to the value of funds under management and advice are affected by the performance of financial markets.

Pension consultancy and administration

Pension consultancy and administration revenues were up 18.9% to GBP10.7m (1H17: GBP9.0m), with an increase in fees driven by the total number of SIPP and SSAS schemes administered by the Group increasing 4.7% to 10,225 (1H17: 9,764).

New client wins, sustained demand for advice, increased staff utilisation and improved billing recoveries helped drive direct(15) pension consultancy and administration fees up 17.1% to GBP8.2m (1H17: GBP7.0m). Retirement planning is often central to our clients' wealth management strategies and the number of direct schemes increased to 5,453 (1H17: 4,857), with 424 new schemes gained in the first half (1H17: 347), continuing the momentum of new business wins seen in prior periods. Our focus remains on the quality of new business, with the average value of a new scheme maintained at GBP0.4m (1H17: GBP0.4m). We also maintained strong client retention, with an external loss rate(16) of 1.3% (1H17: 1.1%) and an overall attrition rate(17) of 1.6% (1H17: 1.4%).

The number of SSAS and SIPP schemes the Group operates on an administration-only basis fell to 4,772 (1H17: 4,907) at the period end, with lost schemes including the transfer of members of distressed portfolios acquired in the last few years to alternative arrangements. In February 2016, Mattioli Woods was appointed to administer the SIPPs previously operated by Stadia Trustees Limited. A number of clients who transferred illiquid pension fund assets from their Stadia Trustees' SIPP to a Mattioli Woods scheme have received confirmation that they may receive compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme due to the failings of Stadia Trustees Limited. Similar to the way in which the Group dealt with members of the HD SIPP, these clients' pension funds may now be reactivated, generating additional revenues for the Group. Overall, third party administration fees increased 26.3% to GBP2.4m (1H17: GBP1.9m), with GBP0.5m of additional revenues representing the impact of a full period's contribution from MC Trustees.

The Group's banking revenue was GBP0.1m (1H17: GBP0.1m), reflecting that the Bank of England base rate remained at a historic low of 0.25% until the start of November 2017.

15. SIPP and SSAS schemes where Mattioli Woods acts as pension consultant and administrator.

16. Direct schemes lost to an alternative provider as a percentage of average scheme numbers during the period.

17. Direct schemes lost as a result of death, annuity purchase, external transfer or cancellation as a percentage of average scheme numbers during the period.

Employee benefits

Employee benefits revenues were up 7.7% to GBP2.8m (1H17: GBP2.6m). There is growing recognition from organisations of the importance of investing in employee benefits. Employers are increasingly encouraging staff wellbeing and retirement savings, which we expect to drive a period of steady growth in the UK employee benefits market, and we believe the Government's emphasis on workplace advice presents new opportunities for us to realise further synergies between our employee benefits and wealth management businesses.

Property management

Property management revenues increased 12.5% to GBP2.7m (1H17: GBP2.4m), with our subsidiary Custodian Capital managing a portfolio of property investments with a net asset value of GBP451.4m (1H17: GBP378.4m) at the period end. The majority of our property management revenues are derived from the services provided by Custodian Capital to Custodian REIT, which offers one of the highest yields(18) among its UK property investment company peer group, coupled with the potential for capital growth from a balanced portfolio of over GBP0.5bn of real estate assets.

In addition, Custodian Capital continues to facilitate direct property ownership on behalf of pension schemes and private clients and also manages our "Private Investors Club", which offers alternative investment opportunities to suitable clients by way of private investor syndicates. This initiative continues to be well supported, with GBP19.2m (1H17: GBP13.6m) invested in the five (1H17: four) new syndicates completed during the period.

18. Source: Numis Securities Limited, Investment Companies Datasheet dated 5 February 2018.

Cash flow

Cash generated from operations increased to GBP3.9m or 57.4% of EBITDA (1H17: GBP2.2m or 44.9%). The cash conversion ratio improved following an increase in the Group's operating profit margin before changes in working capital and provisions to 25.9% (1H17: 24.3%). The Group's working capital requirement increased by GBP3.4m (1H17: GBP3.7m) as a result of strong organic revenue growth during the period, with the increase in working capital comprising:

   --    GBP2.4m (1H17: GBP2.0m) decrease in trade and other payables, primarily due to: 

- GBP1.8m fall in accruals following the payment of GBP3.9m (1H17: GBP3.5m) of accrued staff bonuses paid in respect of the year ended 31 May 2017 in which results were ahead of target;

- GBP1.0m fall in trade creditors following the payment of capital expenditure and annual insurance premiums outstanding at the end of the previous financial year; and

- GBP0.4m increase in social security and other taxes outstanding at the period end.

-- GBP0.6m (1H17: GBP1.6m) increase in trade and other receivables following strong growth in our direct pension business (where fees are typically invoiced six months in arrears), with the higher value of clients' assets under management and advice increasing accrued income in our investment and asset management business; and

-- GBP0.4m (1H17: GBP0.1m) decrease in provisions following the settlement of cash-settled LTIP awards in October 2017.

Cash at 30 November 2017 was GBP14.8m (1H17: GBP22.6m), after cash outflows of GBP5.8m (1H17: GBP3.8m) on capital expenditure, GBP2.7m (1H17: GBP2.3m) of contingent consideration on historic acquisitions and no initial consideration (1H17: GBP1.2m) on acquisitions during the period. Capital expenditure was in line with expected spend, with GBP5.2m of stage payments made on the development of the Group's new office in Leicester, plus GBP0.4m of further investment in computer hardware and software as we continue to develop our IT platform.

The move to the new Leicester office is scheduled for the summer of 2018, approximately three months behind schedule as a result of delays in the delivery of materials and subsequent installation. Importantly, our contract with the developer is at a fixed price and all costs remain in line with expectations.

Testing of the next phase of our IT development is underway as we move towards implementation of hosted IT architecture, which will offer enhanced data security, business continuity and scalability for future growth. Our investment in a stronger infrastructure base is expected to realise new operational efficiencies and enable further integration across the Group in subsequent years.

EBITDA increased 38.8% to GBP6.8m (1H17: GBP4.9m), with first half EBITDA margin improving to 23.9% (1H17: 20.2%) due to the GBP0.4m gain on revaluation of the Amati option and anticipated operating costs associated with our ongoing IT development, the move to our new Leicester office and the demands of new regulations being weighted towards the second half of this financial year.

Profit before tax was up 50.0% to GBP5.4m (1H17: GBP3.6m) and we believe we have the strategy to deliver further revenue and profit growth for the full year.

Our people

As an Investors in People company we are committed to developing our people and building the capacity to deliver sustainable growth. Our collegiate team structures and proven training plans are accelerating both the maturation of existing consultants and the development of new consultants, while ensuring our core values are maintained. We continue to expand our consultancy and technical teams to take advantage of new business opportunities, with the number of consultants having increased to 115 (1H17: 102) at the period end.

As we continue to grow, our 'Big to Better' initiative will enable us to retain our principles as a sustainable business built on the integrity, expertise and passion of our people. Total headcount at 30 November 2017 had increased to 622 (1H17: 571) and we continue to invest in our graduate recruitment programme, with 10 (1H17: eight) new graduates and 19 (1H17: 13) apprentices joining during the period. The Group continues to be recognised for creating opportunities for young people and won Apprenticeship Employer of the Year at the 2017 Leicester Apprenticeship Hub Graduation Ceremony.

We enjoy a strong team spirit and facilitate employee equity ownership through the Mattioli Woods plc Share Incentive Plan ("the Plan") and other share schemes. At the end of the period 62% of eligible staff had invested in the Plan (1H17: 56%) and we will continue to encourage broader staff participation.

We would like to thank all our staff for their continued commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism in dealing with our clients' affairs.

Governance and the Board

The Board is committed to developing the corporate governance and management structures of the Group to ensure they continue to meet the changing needs of the business. During the prior financial year we created a new Senior Executive Team ("SET(GO) ") to execute the strategy determined by the Board, bringing together a senior team with responsibility for all our key operational areas. In the first half of this year we reduced the size of our Board to eliminate duplication between the Board and SET(GO) , ensuring clearer lines of responsibility within the management team and creating a balanced Board of three executive directors and three non-executive directors.

We believe these changes give the business the optimal management structure to secure continued growth.

Shareholders

We are fortunate to have a number of supportive institutional shareholders with a significant investment in the Group. We welcome opportunities to talk to all shareholders, large and small, and we will continue to maintain a regular and constructive dialogue with them, while seeking to broaden our shareholder base.

Dividend

The Board is pleased to recommend the payment of an increased interim dividend, up 17.0% to 5.5 pence per share (1H17: 4.7 pence). The Board remains committed to growing the dividend, while maintaining an appropriate level of dividend cover. The interim dividend will be paid on 30 March 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 16 February 2018.

Acquisitions

We have invested GBP46m since our admission to AIM in 2005 in bringing 20 businesses or client portfolios into the Group, developing considerable expertise and a strong track record in the execution and subsequent integration of such transactions.

The two businesses acquired during the previous financial year have integrated well and contributed positively to the Group's trading results since acquisition, increasing earnings and enhancing value. With increasing complexity and continuing consolidation across the key markets in which we operate, we expect there will be further opportunities to accelerate our growth by acquisition. Our strong balance sheet gives us the flexibility to make further value-enhancing acquisitions.

Outlook

The inherent flex within our business model allows us to adapt quickly to address our clients' changing needs. As we seek to broaden our proposition, organically and by acquisition, we believe the Group remains very well placed to succeed in its chosen markets and our profit outlook for the year remains in line with management's expectations.

Joanne Lake

Non-Executive Chairman

Ian Mattioli MBE

Chief Executive Officer

5 February 2018

Independent review report to Mattioli Woods plc

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 November 2017 which comprises the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statement of financial position, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, condensed consolidated statement of cash flows and associated notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our review work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing and presenting the interim financial report in accordance with the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange.

As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee pronouncements as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than a review conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in a review. Accordingly, we do not express a review opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 November 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union, and the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange.

RSM UK Audit LLP

Chartered Accountants

25 Farringdon Street

London

EC4A 4AB

5 February 2018

Interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the six months ended 30 November 2017

 
                                             Unaudited     Unaudited    Audited 
                                            Six months    Six months       Year 
                                                 ended         ended      ended 
                                                30 Nov        30 Nov     31 May 
                                                  2017          2016       2017 
                                    Note        GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Revenue                               4        28,433        24,286     50,533 
 
 Employee benefits expense                    (15,714)      (13,880)   (28,711) 
 Other administrative expenses                 (4,969)       (4,501)    (9,465) 
 Share based payments                 13         (859)         (932)    (1,902) 
 Amortisation and impairment                   (1,015)         (971)    (1,996) 
 Depreciation                                    (465)         (270)      (606) 
 Loss on disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                             (59)          (44)       (61) 
 
 Operating profit before 
  financing                                      5,352         3,688      7,792 
---------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Finance revenue                                    34            31         45 
 Finance costs                                    (93)         (137)      (291) 
 
 Net finance (cost)                               (59)         (106)      (246) 
---------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Share of profit from associate, 
  net of tax                          10            93             -        103 
 
 Profit before tax                               5,386         3,582      7,649 
 
 Income tax expense                    7         (966)         (625)    (1,293) 
 
 Profit for the period                           4,420         2,957      6,356 
 
   Other comprehensive income 
   for the period, net of 
   tax                                               -             -          - 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period, net of 
  tax                                            4,420         2,957      6,356 
---------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the 
  parent                                         4,420         2,957      6,356 
 
 
 Earnings per ordinary 
  share: 
 Basic (pence)                         5          17.0          11.6       24.6 
 Adjusted (pence)                      5          19.2          16.7       33.5 
 Diluted (pence)                       5          16.9          11.5       24.5 
 Proposed dividend per 
  share (pence)                        6           5.5           4.7       14.1 
 

The operating profit before financing for each period arises from the Group's continuing operations.

Interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position

As at 30 November 2017

Registered number: 03140521

 
                                          Unaudited   Unaudited   Audited 
                                             30 Nov      30 Nov    31 May 
                                               2017        2016      2017 
                                   Note      GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Assets 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                           8      14,631       5,907     9,671 
 Intangible assets                    9      43,712      45,137    44,444 
 Deferred tax asset                   7         676         965       798 
 Investment in associate             10       3,574           -     3,476 
 Derivative financial 
  asset                              11         511           -       110 
 
 Total non-current assets                    63,104      52,009    58,499 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Trade and other receivables                 17,096      15,756    15,692 
 Investments                                     88          79        86 
 Cash and short-term 
  deposits                                   14,760      22,649    22,979 
 
 Total current assets                        31,944      38,484    38,757 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Total assets                                95,048      90,493    97,256 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Equity 
 Issued capital                                 260         253       258 
 Share premium                               30,876      28,114    30,314 
 Merger reserve                               8,781       8,781     8,781 
 Equity - share based 
  payments                                    2,854       2,173     2,571 
 Capital redemption reserve                   2,000       2,000     2,000 
 Retained earnings                           31,070      26,240    28,671 
 
 Total equity attributable 
  to equity holders of 
  the parent                                 75,841      67,561    72,595 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred tax liability               7       3,533       3,684     3,600 
 Financial liabilities 
  and provisions                     15         515       3,475     2,842 
 
 Total non-current liabilities                4,048       7,159     6,442 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                    10,494       9,565    12,862 
 Income tax payable                   7         833       1,382       957 
 Financial liabilities 
  and provisions                     15       3,832       4,826     4,400 
 
 Total current liabilities                   15,159      15,773    18,219 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Total liabilities                           19,207      22,932    24,661 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Total equities and liabilities              95,048      90,493    97,256 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the six months ended 30 November 2017

 
                                                                          Equity       Capital 
                                      Issued       Share      Merger     - share    redemption     Retained      Total 
                                     capital     premium     reserve       based       reserve     earnings     equity 
                            Note      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000    payments        GBP000       GBP000     GBP000 
                                                                          GBP000 
-----------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 
 As at 1 June 2016 - 
  Audited                                252      27,765       8,531       1,642         2,000       25,391     65,581 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for period 
 Profit for the period                     -           -           -           -             -        2,957      2,957 
 Other comprehensive                       -           -           -           -             -            -          - 
  income 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for period                        -           -           -           -             -        2,957      2.957 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 of the Company, 
 recognised 
 directly in equity 
 Issue of share capital                    1         349         250           -             -            -        600 
 Share-based payment 
  transactions                13           -           -           -         436             -            -        436 
 Deferred tax asset 
  recognised 
  in equity                                -           -           -          50             -            -         50 
 Current tax taken to 
  equity                                   -           -           -         124             -            -        124 
 Reserves transfer                         -           -           -        (79)             -           79          - 
 Dividends                     6           -           -           -           -             -      (2,187)    (2,187) 
 As at 30 November 2016 
  - Unaudited                            253      28,114       8,781       2,173         2,000       26,240     67,561 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for period 
 Profit for the period                     -           -           -           -             -        3,399      3,399 
 Other comprehensive                       -           -           -           -             -            -          - 
  income 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for period                        -           -           -           -             -        3,399      3,399 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 of the Company, 
 recognised 
 directly in equity 
 Share of other 
  comprehensive 
  income from 
  associated 
  companies                   10           -           -           -           -             -            5          5 
 Issue of share capital                    5       2,200           -           -             -            -      2,205 
 Share-based payment          13           -           -           -         513             -            -        513 
 Deferred tax taken to 
  equity                                   -           -           -           2             -            -          2 
 Current tax taken to 
  equity                                   -           -           -         113             -            -        113 
 Reserves transfer                         -           -           -       (230)             -          230          - 
 Dividends                     6           -           -           -           -             -      (1,203)    (1,203) 
-----------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 As at 31 May 2017 - 
  Audited                                258      30,314       8,781       2,571         2,000       28,671     72,595 
-----------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity (continued)

For the six months ended 30 November 2017

 
                                                                          Equity       Capital 
                                      Issued       Share      Merger     - share    redemption     Retained      Total 
                                     capital     premium     reserve       based       reserve     earnings     equity 
                            Note      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000    payments        GBP000       GBP000     GBP000 
                                                                          GBP000 
-----------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 
 As at 1 June 2017 - 
  Audited                                258      30,314       8,781       2,571         2,000       28,671     72,595 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for period 
 Profit for the period                     -           -           -           -             -        4,420      4,420 
 Other comprehensive                       -           -           -           -             -            -          - 
  income 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for period                        -           -           -           -             -        4,420      4,420 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 of the Company, 
 recognised 
 directly in equity 
 Share of other 
  comprehensive 
  income from 
  associated 
  companies                   10           -           -           -           -             -            5          5 
 Issue of share capital                    2         562           -           -             -            -        564 
 Share-based payment 
  transactions                13           -           -           -         557             -            -        557 
 Deferred tax asset 
  derecognised 
  in equity                                -           -           -        (69)             -            -       (69) 
 Current tax taken to 
  equity                                   -           -           -         199             -            -        199 
 Reserves transfer                         -           -           -       (404)             -          404          - 
 Dividends                     6           -           -           -           -             -      (2,430)    (2,430) 
 As at 30 November 2017 
  - Unaudited                            260      30,876       8,781       2,854         2,000       31,070     75,841 
-----------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

For the six months ended 30 November 2017

 
                                                Unaudited     Unaudited    Audited 
                                               Six months    Six months       Year 
                                                    ended         ended      ended 
                                                   30 Nov        30 Nov     31 May 
                                                     2017          2016       2017 
                                       Note        GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Operating activities 
 Profit for the period                              4,420         2,957      6,356 
 Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation                             8           465           270        606 
 Amortisation and impairment              9         1,015           971      1,996 
 Investment income                                   (34)          (31)       (45) 
 Interest expense                                      93           137        291 
 Share of profit from associate                      (93)             -      (103) 
 Gain on revaluation of 
  derivative financial asset             11         (401)             -       (93) 
 Loss on disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                  59            44         61 
 Equity-settled share-based 
  payments                               13           740           539      1,241 
 Cash-settled share-based 
  payments                               13           119           393        661 
 Income tax expense                                   966           625      1,293 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities before changes 
  in working capital and 
  provisions                                        7,349         5,905     12,264 
 Increase in trade and other 
  receivables                                       (646)       (1,589)    (2,018) 
 (Decrease)/increase in 
  trade and other payables                        (2,369)       (1,977)      1,762 
 Decrease in provisions                             (417)          (97)    (1,544) 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Cash generated from operations                     3,917         2,242     10,464 
 Interest paid                                          -           (2)        (2) 
 Income taxes paid                                  (904)         (805)    (1,700) 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Net cash flows from operating 
  activities                                        3,013         1,435      8,762 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Investing activities 
 Proceeds from sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                                  33            40        126 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                           8       (5,517)       (3,547)    (8,225) 
 Purchase of software                     9         (283)         (278)      (616) 
 Consideration paid on acquisition 
  of subsidiaries                                 (2,704)       (3,491)    (3,490) 
 Consideration paid for 
  shares in associate                                   -             -    (1,646) 
 Cash received on acquisition 
  of subsidiaries                                       -           172        172 
 Interest received                                     34            31         39 
 Loans advanced to investment 
  syndicates                                      (2,002)         (541)      (541) 
 Loan repayments from investment 
  syndicates                                        1,243            75        571 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Net cash from investing 
  activities                                      (9,196)       (7,539)   (13,610) 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Financing activities 
 Proceeds from the issue 
  of share capital                                    394           247        524 
 Repayment of borrowings 
  acquired in business combinations                     -           884        884 
 Dividends paid                           6       (2,430)       (2,187)    (3,390) 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 Net cash from financing 
  activities                                      (2,036)       (1,056)    (1,982) 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Net decrease in cash and 
  cash equivalents                                (8,219)       (7,160)    (6,830) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at start of period                               22,979        29,809     29,809 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period                                 14,760        22,649     22,979 
------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

   1       Corporate information 

Mattioli Woods plc ("the Company") is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales, whose shares are traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries ("the Group"). The interim condensed consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 5 February 2018.

The principal activities of the Group are described in Note 4.

   2       Basis of preparation and accounting policies 
   2.1    Basis of preparation 

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2017, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") of the IASB (together "IFRS") as adopted by the European Union, and in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

The information relating to the six months ended 30 November 2017 and the six months ended 30 November 2016 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2017 have been reported on by its auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was unqualified and did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, or contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been reviewed by the auditor and their report to the Board of Mattioli Woods plc is included within this interim report.

   2.2       Significant accounting policies 

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2017.

In August 2015 the Group announced plans to build a new central Leicester office on the site of the former Leicester City Council headquarters at New Walk. Construction commenced in May 2016. The cost of property under construction is based on valuation of progress in the reporting period and includes any costs directly attributable to bringing the property to the condition necessary for it to become available for use.

Depreciation will be provided on all property from the point at which the property is available for use at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life.

Standards affecting the financial statements

In the current period, there have been no new or revised standards and interpretations that have been adopted and have affected the amounts reported in these financial statements.

Standards not affecting the financial statements

The following new and revised standards and interpretations have been adopted in the current period:

 
 Standard or interpretation                                                    Periods commencing on or after 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
 
 Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2014-2016 Cycle                                                  1 January 2017 
 IAS 7 (amended)    Disclosure Initiative                                                      1 January 2017 
 IAS 12 (amended)   Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses                   1 January 2017 
 

Their adoption has not had any significant impact on the amounts reported in these financial statements but may impact the accounting for future transactions and arrangements, or give rise to additional disclosures.

Future new standards and interpretations

A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations will be effective for future annual and interim periods and, therefore, have not been applied in preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements. At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations which have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective:

 
 Standard or interpretation                                                   Periods commencing on or after 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
 
 Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2014-2016 Cycle                                                 1 January 2018 
 IFRS2 (amended)    Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payments                    1 January 2018 
 IFRS 15            Revenue from Contracts with Customers                                     1 January 2018 
 IFRS 9             Financial Instruments                                                     1 January 2018 
 IAS 40 (amended)   Transfers of Investment Property                                          1 January 2018 
 IFRIC 22           Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration                   1 January 2018 
 IFRS 16            Leases                                                                    1 January 2019 
 IFRIC 23           Accounting for uncertain tax treatments                                   1 January 2019 
 IAS 28 (amended)   Long Term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures                      1 January 2019 
 Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015-2017 Cycle                                                 1 January 2019 
 

IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' and IFRS 16 'Leases' are expected to have a significant effect on the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the consolidated financial statements of the Group. Other than to expand certain disclosures within the financial statements, the Directors do not expect the adoption of the other standards and interpretations listed above will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 'Financial instruments' was issued in July 2014, is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and will be adopted by the Group on 1 June 2018.

IFRS 9 introduces changes to the classification of financial assets and a new impairment model for financial assets, which will result in earlier recognition of impairment losses. Under the expected credit loss model, loss allowances equal to either the 12 month or lifetime expected credit losses are recognised on initial recognition of financial assets, depending on assessed credit risk. The latter is applied where there has been a significant deterioration in credit quality of the asset, although a simplified approach for calculating expected credit losses on trade receivables and contract assets is available, which looks only at lifetime expected credit losses. Additional disclosure requirements include both quantitative and qualitative disclosures supporting the basis and recognition of loss allowances, and the recognition of the loss allowance within provisions.

The Group is assessing the impact of the following accounting changes that will arise under IFRS 9:

-- Provisions for impairment losses against financial assets will be recognised sooner as lifetime expected credit losses are recognised on initial recognition of those financial assets.

-- The Group's trade receivables and accrued income ('contract assets' under IFRS 15) are generally short term and do not include a financing component. As a result, the Group expects to apply the simplified approach and reflect lifetime expected credit losses.

The classification of financial assets held by the Group is not expected to change.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' was issued in May 2014, is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and will be adopted by the Group on 1 June 2018.

IFRS 15 will change the way revenue from some customer contracts is recognised, impacting both the timing at which revenue may be recognised, and the value of revenue recognised. Customer contracts are broken down in to separate performance obligations, with contractual revenues being allocated to each performance obligation and revenue recognised on a basis consistent with the transfer of control of goods or services. Additional disclosure requirements include the reporting of disaggregated revenues, and the recognition of contract assets and contract liabilities on the face of the statement of financial position.

The Group is assessing the impact of the following accounting changes that will arise under IFRS 15:

-- Timing of recognition of some non-recurring revenues may be deferred where contract performance conditions are deemed not to have been met at the reporting date; assessment performed so far indicates the impact will not be material.

-- Contract balances will be reclassified in the statement of financial position, but this is not expected to impact net current assets reported.

-- Additional disclosures will be included in the annual report of the Group to disclose revenues from customer contracts on a disaggregated basis.

IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 16 'Leases' was issued in January 2016, is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and will be adopted by the Group on 1 June 2019.

IFRS 16 will primarily change lease accounting for lessees. Lease agreements will give rise to the recognition of an asset representing the right to use the leased item and a loan obligation for future lease payables. Lease costs will be recognised in the form of depreciation of the right-of-use asset and interest on the lease liability. Lessee accounting under IFRS 16 will be similar in many respects to existing IAS 17 accounting for finance leases, but will be substantially different to existing accounting for operating leases where rental charges are currently recognised on a straight-line basis and no lease asset or lease loan obligation is recognised.

Lessor accounting under IFRS 16 is similar to existing IAS 17 accounting and is not expected to have a material impact for the Group. The Group is assessing the impact of the following accounting changes that will arise under IFRS 16:

-- Right-of-use assets will be recorded for assets that are leased by the Group; currently no lease assets are included on the Group's consolidated statement of financial position for operating leases.

-- Liabilities will be recorded for discounted future lease payments in the Group's consolidated statement of financial position for the "reasonably certain" period of the lease, which may include future lease periods for which the Group has extension options. Currently liabilities are generally not recorded for future operating lease payments, which are disclosed as commitments. The amount of lease liabilities will not equal the lease commitments reported on 31 May 2017, but may not be dissimilar.

-- Lease expenses will be for depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest on lease liabilities; interest will typically be higher in the early stages of a lease and reduce over the term. Currently operating lease rentals are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term within operating expenses.

-- Operating lease cash flows are currently included within operating cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows; under IFRS 16 these will be recorded as cash flows from financing activities reflecting the repayment of lease liabilities (borrowings) and related interest.

The Group is continuing to assess the impact of these and other accounting changes that will arise under IFRS 16 and cannot reasonably estimate the impact; however, the changes highlighted above are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of financial position and consolidated statement of cash flows after adoption on 1 June 2019:

-- EBITDA is likely to rise because the lease expense under IAS 17 for operating leases will be removed and replaced with additional depreciation and finance costs. The profit profile of the business will also change as more expense is recognised in earlier periods and less in later periods compared to the straight-line amount recognised under IAS 17.

-- For leases classified as operating leases under IAS 17, there will be a significant impact on the Statement of Financial Position as these assets and corresponding liabilities have to be recognised. This will impact on gearing levels and potentially on covenants provided to prospective lenders and others.

When IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16 are adopted, they can be applied either on a fully retrospective basis, requiring the restatement of the comparative periods presented in the financial statements, or with their cumulative retrospective impact applied as an adjustment to equity on the date of adoption; when the latter approach is applied it is necessary to disclose the impact of IFRS15 and IFRS 16 on each line item in the financial statements in the reporting period.

Depending on the adoption method that is utilised, certain practical expedients may be applied on adoption. The Group has not yet determined which method will be adopted or which expedients will be applied on adoption of these standards.

Financial statements for the year ending 31 May 2018

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements will be consistent with those to be followed in the preparation of the Group's annual financial statements for the year ending 31 May 2018, except for the adoption of new standards and interpretations not yet issued.

   2.3       Basis of consolidation 

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings as at 30 November each year.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies. All intra-group balances, income and expenses and unrealised gains and losses resulting from intra-group transactions are eliminated in full.

   2.4       Key sources of judgements and estimation uncertainty 

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. If in the future such estimates and assumptions, which are based on management's best judgement at the date of preparation of the financial statements, deviate from actual circumstances, the original estimates and assumptions will be modified as appropriate in the period in which the circumstances change. The areas where a higher degree of judgement or complexity arises, or where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are discussed below.

Impairment of client portfolios

The Group reviews whether acquired client portfolios are impaired at least on an annual basis. This comprises an estimation of the fair value less cost to sell and the value in use of the acquired client portfolios. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from each client portfolio are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to that asset.

The key assumptions used in respect of value in use calculations are those regarding growth rates and anticipated changes to revenues and expenses during the period covered by the calculations. Changes to revenue and costs are based upon management's expectation. The Group prepares its annual budget and five-year cash flow forecasts derived therefrom, thereafter extrapolating these cash flows using a terminal growth rate of 2.5% (1H17: 2.5%), which management considers conservative against industry average long-term growth rates.

The key assumption used in arriving at a fair value less cost of sale are those around valuations based on earnings multiples and values based on assets under management. These have been determined by looking at valuations of similar businesses and the consideration paid in comparable transactions. Management has used a range of multiples resulting in an average of 7.5x EBITDA to arrive at a fair value.

The carrying amount of client portfolios at 30 November 2017 was GBP24.3m (1H17: GBP26.1m). No impairments have been made during the period (1H17: GBPnil) based upon the Directors' review.

Impairment of goodwill

The Group determines whether goodwill is impaired at least on an annual basis. This requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to which the goodwill has been allocated. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to that asset.

The key assumptions used in respect of value in use calculations are those regarding growth rates and anticipated changes to revenues and costs during the period covered by the calculations, based upon management's expectation. The carrying amount of goodwill at 30 November 2017 was GBP17.3m (1H17: GBP17.3m). No impairments have been made during the period (1H17: GBPnil) based upon the Directors' review.

Internally generated capitalised software

The costs of internal software developments are capitalised where they are judged to have an economic value that will extend into the future and meet the recognition criteria in IAS38 'Intangible Assets'. Internally generated software is then amortised over an estimated useful life, assessed by taking into consideration the useful life of comparable software packages. The carrying amount of internally generated capitalised software at 30 November 2017 was GBP1.1m (1H17: GBP1.1m).

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets include temporary differences related to employee benefits settled via the issue of share options. Recognition of the deferred tax assets assumes share options will have a positive value at the date of vesting, which is greater than the exercise price. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets at 30 November 2017 was GBP0.7m (1H17: GBP1.0m).

Interests in associates

Associates are entities in which the Group owns less than 100% of voting rights and has significant influence, but not control or joint control over the financial and operating policies. In determining whether control exists, this requires significant judgements in assessing factors such as the structure of the investment and the contractual agreement. The existence of significant influence is evidenced by the Group having representation on the board and the ability to participate in decisions but not being able to control the vote. The carrying amount of the investment in associate at 30 November 2017 was GBP3.6m (1H17: GBPnil).

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial assets comprise an option contract to acquire the remaining ordinary share capital of an associate of the Group. Derivative financial assets are carried at fair value, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value taken directly to the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Fair values of derivatives are determined using valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models and option pricing models as appropriate. The carrying amount of derivative financial assets at 30 November 2017 was GBP0.5m (1H17: GBPnil).

Recoverability of accrued time costs and disbursements

The Group recognises accrued income in respect of time costs and disbursements incurred on clients' affairs during the accounting period, which have not been invoiced at the reporting date. This requires an estimation of the recoverability of the time costs and disbursements incurred but not invoiced to clients. The carrying amount of accrued time costs at 30 November 2017 was GBP5.0m (1H17: GBP5.0m).

Accrued income

Accrued income is recognised in respect of adviser charges and commissions due to the Group on investments and bank deposits placed during the accounting period which have not been received at the reporting date. This requires an estimation of the amount of income that will be received subsequent to the reporting date in respect of the accounting period, which is based on the value of historic receipts and investments placed by clients under management and advice. The carrying amount of accrued income at 30 November 2017 was GBP4.1m (1H17: GBP3.5m).

Acquisitions and business combinations

When an acquisition arises the Group is required under IFRS to calculate the Purchase Price Allocation ("PPA"). The PPA requires companies to report the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and it establishes useful lives for identified assets. The identification and valuation of any separately identifiable intangible assets acquired involves estimation and judgement when determining whether the recognition criteria are met. The classification of consideration payable as either purchase consideration or remuneration is an area of judgement and estimate.

Contingent consideration payable on acquisitions

The Group has entered into certain acquisition agreements that provide for a contingent consideration to be paid. A financial instrument is recognised for all amounts management anticipates will be paid under the relevant acquisition agreement. This requires management to make an estimate of the expected future cash flows from the acquired business and determine a suitable discount rate for the calculation of the present value of any contingent consideration payments. The carrying amount of contingent consideration provided for at 30 November 2017 was GBP1.7m (1H17: GBP4.4m).

Provisions

As detailed in Note 15, the Group recognises provisions for client claims, contingent consideration payable on acquisitions, commission clawbacks, dilapidations, onerous contracts and other obligations which exist at the reporting date. These provisions are estimates and the actual amount and timing of future cash flows are dependent on future events. Management reviews these provisions at each reporting date to ensure they are measured at the current best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation. Any difference between the amounts previously recognised and the current estimate is recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income.

   3.      Seasonality of operations 

Historically, revenues in the second half-year have been typically higher than in the first half, primarily due to SSAS scheme year-ends being linked to the sponsoring company's year-end, which is often in December or March, coupled with the end of the fiscal year being 5 April. Despite growth in the number of SIPP schemes under administration and further diversification of the Group's wealth management and employee benefits revenue streams, the Directors believe there is still some seasonality of operations, although a substantial element of the Group's revenues are now geared to the prevailing economic and market conditions.

   4.      Segment information 

The Group's operating segments comprise the following:

-- Pension consultancy and administration - fees earned by Mattioli Woods for setting up and administering pension schemes. Additional fees are generated from consultancy services provided for special one-off activities and the provision of bespoke scheme banking arrangements;

-- Investment and asset management - income generated from the placing of investments on behalf of clients;

-- Property management - income generated where Custodian Capital manages collective property investment vehicles, facilitates direct commercial property investments on behalf of clients or acts as the external discretionary manager for Custodian REIT plc; and

   --    Employee benefits - income generated by the Group's employee benefits business operations. 

Each segment represents a revenue stream subject to risks and returns that are different to other operating segments, although each operating segment's products and services are offered to the same market. The Group operates exclusively within the United Kingdom.

Operating Segments

The operating segments defined above all utilise the same intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and the segments have been financed as a whole, rather than individually.

The Group's operating segments are managed together as one business. Accordingly, certain costs are not allocated across the individual operating segments, as they are managed on a group basis. Segment profit or loss reflects the measure of segment performance reviewed by the Board of Directors (the Chief Operating Decision Maker).

The following tables present revenue and profit information regarding the Group's operating segments for the six months ended 30 November 2017 and 2016, and the year ended 31 May 2017 respectively:

 
                   Investment          Pension 
                    and asset      consultancy       Property     Employee        Total     Corporate 
  Unaudited        management              and     management     benefits     segments         costs     Consolidated 
  Six months           GBP000   administration         GBP000       GBP000       GBP000        GBP000           GBP000 
  ended                                 GBP000 
  30 Nov 2017 
---------------  ------------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Revenue 
  External 
  client               12,268           10,688          2,670        2,807       28,433             -           28,433 
 
 Total revenue         12,268           10,688          2,670        2,807       28,433             -           28,433 
---------------                                                                                        --------------- 
 
 Profit before 
  tax 
  Segment 
  result                3,756            2,438            507         (31)        6,670       (1,284)            5,386 
 
 Unaudited 
 Six months            GBP000           GBP000         GBP000       GBP000       GBP000        GBP000           GBP000 
 ended 
 30 Nov 2016 
---------------  ------------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Revenue 
  External 
  client               10,291            9,005          2,379        2,611       24,286             -           24,286 
 
 Total revenue         10,291            9,005          2,379        2,611       24,286             -           24,286 
---------------                                                                                        --------------- 
 
 Profit before 
  tax 
  Segment 
  result                2,409            1,732            590           41        4,772       (1,190)            3,582 
 
 
 
 
                   Investment           Pension 
                    and asset       consultancy       Property     Employee        Total     Corporate 
  Audited          management               and     syndicates     benefits     segments         costs    Consolidated 
  Year ended           GBP000    administration         GBP000       GBP000       GBP000        GBP000          GBP000 
  31 May                                 GBP000 
  2017 
--------------  -------------  ----------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Revenue 
  External 
  client               21,079            18,869          5,178        5,407       50,533             -          50,533 
 
 Total revenue         21,079            18,869          5.178        5,407       50,533             -          50,533 
--------------  -------------  ----------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Profit before 
  tax 
  Segment 
  result                5,008             3,569          1,198          458       10,233       (2,584)           7,649 
 
 

The following table presents segment assets of the Group's operating segments as at 30 November 2017 and 2016, and at 31 May 2017 (the date of the last annual financial statements):

 
                                    Unaudited   Unaudited   Audited 
                                       30 Nov      30 Nov    31 May 
                                         2017        2016      2017 
                                       GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Pension consultancy and 
  administration                       24,015      24,581    23,831 
 Investment and asset management       23,606      20,210    22,870 
 Property management                    1,486       1,089     1,360 
 Employee benefits                     11,354      11,875    11,649 
 
 Total segments                        60,461      57,755    59,710 
 Corporate assets                      34,587      32,738    37,546 
 
 Total assets                          95,048      90,493    97,256 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 

Segment assets exclude property, plant and equipment, certain items of computer software, investments, current and deferred tax balances, and cash balances, as these assets are considered corporate in nature and are not allocated to a specific operating segment. Acquired intangibles and amortisation thereon relate to a specific transaction and are allocated between individual operating segments based on the headcount or revenue mix of the cash generating units at the time of acquisition. The subsequent delivery of services to acquired clients may be across a number or all operating segments, comprising different operating segments to those the acquired intangibles have been allocated to.

Liabilities have not been allocated between individual operating segments, as they cannot be allocated on anything other than an arbitrary basis.

Corporate costs

Certain administrative expenses including acquisition costs, amortisation of software, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, irrecoverable VAT, legal and professional fees and professional indemnity insurance are not allocated between segments that are managed on a unified basis and utilise the same intangible and tangible assets.

Finance income and expenses, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, taxes, intangible assets and certain other assets and liabilities are not allocated to individual segments as they are managed on a group basis. Capital expenditure consists of additions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including assets from the acquisition of subsidiaries.

 
 
                                  Unaudited     Unaudited     Audited 
                                     30 Nov        30 Nov      31 May 
                                       2017          2016        2017 
 Reconciliation of profit            GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 Total segments                       6,670         4,772      10,233 
 
 Acquisition-related costs                -         (308)       (378) 
 Depreciation                         (465)         (270)       (606) 
 Amortisation and impairment          (137)         (112)       (259) 
 Loss on disposal of assets            (59)          (44)        (61) 
 Unallocated overheads                (831)         (339)     (1,030) 
 Gain on revaluation of 
  derivative financial asset            401             -          93 
 Bank charges                          (12)          (11)        (22) 
 Finance income                          34            31          45 
 Finance costs                         (93)         (137)       (291) 
 Dilapidations                        (122)             -        (75) 
 
 Group profit before tax              5,386         3,582       7,649 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 
 
                                        Unaudited     Unaudited     Audited 
                                           30 Nov        30 Nov      31 May 
                                             2017          2016        2017 
 Reconciliation of assets                  GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 Segment operating assets                  60,461        57,755      59,710 
 Property, plant and equipment             14,631         5,907       9,671 
 Intangible assets                          2,111         1,774       1,964 
 Investments                                   88            79          86 
 Deferred tax asset                           676           965         798 
 Prepayments and other receivables          1,810         1,364       1,938 
 Derivative financial asset                   511             -         110 
 Cash and short-term deposits              14,760        22,649      22,979 
 
 Total assets                              95,048        90,493      97,256 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
   5.      Earnings per ordinary share 

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

The income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows:

 
                                      Unaudited     Unaudited   Audited 
                                     Six months    Six months      Year 
                                          ended         ended     ended 
                                         30 Nov        30 Nov    31 May 
                                           2017          2016      2017 
                                         GBP000        GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Net profit and diluted net 
  profit attributable to equity 
  holders of the Company                  4,420         2,957     6,356 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares:                         000s          000s      000s 
 
 Issued ordinary shares at 
  start period                           25,789        25,205    25,205 
 Effect of shares issued during 
  the year ended 31 May 2017                  -           148       455 
 Effect of shares issued during 
  the current period                        243           178       178 
 
 Basic weighted average number 
  of shares                              26,032        25,531    25,838 
 
 Effect of dilutive options 
  at the statement of financial 
  position date                             122           256       101 
 
 Diluted weighted average number 
  of shares                              26,154        25,787    25,939 
---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

The Company has granted options under the Mattioli Woods plc Consultants' Share Option Plan ("the Consultants' Option Plan") and the Mattioli Woods 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan ("the LTIP") to certain of its senior managers and directors to acquire (in aggregate) up to 3.66% of its issued share capital. Under IAS 33 'Earnings Per Share', contingently issuable ordinary shares are treated as outstanding and included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the conditions (the events triggering the vesting of the option) are satisfied. At 30 November 2017 the conditions attaching to 822,319 options granted under the LTIP are not satisfied. If the conditions had been satisfied, diluted earnings per share would have been 16.4 pence per share (1H17: 11.1 pence).

Adjusted earnings per share amounts are calculated by adding back acquisition costs expensed under IFRS3 (Revised), amortisation and impairment of intangible assets other than computer software, changes in the fair value of derivative financial assets, notional finance income and charges to the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company ("Adjusted Net Profit") and dividing Adjusted Net Profit by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Since the reporting date and the date of completion of these financial statements the following transactions have taken place involving ordinary shares or potential ordinary shares:

   --    The issue of 30,112 ordinary shares to satisfy the exercise of options under the LTIP; 

-- The issue of 1,279 ordinary shares to satisfy the exercise of options under the Consultants' Share Option Plan; and

   --    The issue of 13,712 ordinary shares under the Mattioli Woods plc Share Incentive Plan. 
   6.      Dividends paid and proposed 
 
                                   Unaudited     Unaudited   Audited 
                                  Six months    Six months      Year 
                                       ended         ended     ended 
                                      30 Nov        30 Nov    31 May 
                                        2017          2016      2017 
                                      GBP000        GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 Paid during the period: 
 Equity dividends on ordinary 
  shares: 
 - Final dividend for 2017: 
  9.40p (2016: 8.65p)                  2,430         2,187     2,187 
 - Interim dividend for 2017: 
  4.70p (2016: 3.85p)                      -             -     1,203 
 
 Dividends paid                        2,430         2,187     3,390 
------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
 
 Proposed for approval: 
  Equity dividends on ordinary 
  shares: 
  - Interim dividend for 2018: 
  5.50p (2017: 4.70p)               1,434     1,203       - 
 - Final dividend for 2017: 
  9.40p (2016: 8.65p)                   -         -   2,430 
 
 Dividends proposed                 1,434     1,203   2,430 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ------ 
 

The interim dividend was approved on 5 February 2018.

   7.      Income tax 

Current tax

Current tax expense for the interim periods presented is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the period, calculated as the estimated average annual effective income tax rate applied to the pre-tax income of the interim period.

Current tax for current and prior periods is classified as a current liability to the extent that it is unpaid. Any amounts paid in excess of amounts owed would be classified as a current asset.

Deferred income tax

The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, with deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised at the rate of corporation tax enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

The primary component of the Group's recognised deferred tax assets include temporary differences related to share-based payments, provisions and other items.

The primary components of the Group's deferred tax liabilities include temporary differences related to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

The recognition of deferred tax in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income arises from the origination and the reversal of temporary differences and the effects of changes in tax rates. The primary components of the deferred tax credit for the six months ended 30 November 2017 of GBP0.01m (1H17: GBP0.4m) are due to temporary differences on the amortisation of client portfolios and share-based payments at the reporting date.

The total deferred tax asset derecognised in the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 November 2017 was GBP0.07m (1H17: GBP0.05m recognised in equity).

Deferred tax assets and liabilities at 30 November 2017 have been recognised using the lower corporation tax rate of 17% (1H17: 17%) to be effective from 1 April 2020 as introduced by the Finance Bill 2016, which received Royal Assent in September 2016.

Reconciliation of effective tax rates

The current tax expense for the six months ended 30 November 2017 was calculated based on the estimated average annual effective income tax rate of 17.9% (1H17: 17.4%), as compared to the standard rate of UK corporation tax at the reporting date of 19.0% (1H17: 20.0%). Differences between the estimated average annual effective income tax rate and statutory rate include, but are not limited to non-deductible expenses, tax incentives not recognised in profit or loss and under/(over) provisions in previous periods.

   8.      Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                 Assets under    Computer and office 
                                 construction              equipment   Fixtures and fittings   Motor vehicles    Total 
        Gross carrying 
               amount:                 GBP000                 GBP000                  GBP000           GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 At 1 June 2016                             -                  1,642                     918            1,069    3,629 
 
 Arising on 
  Acquisitions                              -                     14                       4                -       18 
 Additions                              3,729                    262                      19              237    4,247 
 Disposals                                  -                   (73)                    (98)            (141)    (312) 
 
 At 30 November 2016                    3,729                  1,845                     843            1,165    7,582 
 
 Additions                              3,709                    181                      87              225    4,202 
 Disposals                                  -                    (2)                       -            (179)    (181) 
 
 At 31 May 2017                         7,438                  2,024                     930            1,211   11,603 
 
 Additions                              5,168                    114                      28              207    5,517 
 Disposals                                  -                  (116)                       -             (85)    (201) 
 
 At 30 November 2017                   12,606                  2,022                     958            1,333   16,919 
----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 Depreciation: 
 At 1 June 2016                             -                    722                     583              327    1,632 
 
 Charged for the 
  period                                    -                    137                      26              108      271 
 On disposals                               -                   (50)                    (87)             (91)    (228) 
 
 At 30 November 2016                        -                    809                     522              344    1,675 
 
 Charged for the 
  period                                    -                    169                      54              112      335 
 On disposals                               -                    (1)                       -             (77)     (78) 
 
 At 31 May 2017                             -                    977                     576              379    1,932 
 
 Charged for the 
  period                                    -                    227                     125              113      465 
 On disposals                               -                   (52)                       -             (57)    (109) 
 
 At 30 November 2017                        -                  1,152                     701              435    2,288 
----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 Carrying amount: 
 At 30 November 2017                   12,606                    870                     257              898   14,631 
----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 At 30 November 2016                    3,729                  1,036                     321              821    5,907 
----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 At 31 May 2017                         7,438                  1,047                     354              832    9,671 
----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------  ------- 
 
   9.      Intangible assets 
 
                          Internally 
                           generated                 Client 
Gross carrying              software  Software   portfolios  Goodwill    Other    Total 
 amount:                      GBP000    GBP000       GBP000    GBP000   GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
At 1 June 2016                 1,434     1,080       31,832    16,361       35   50,742 
 
Arising on acquisitions            -         -        1,522       869        -    2,391 
Fair value adjustment 
 on acquisition 
 in the prior 
 period                            -         -            -        29        -       29 
Additions                        103       175            -         -        -      278 
 
At 30 November 
 2016                          1,537     1,255       33,354    17,259       35   53,440 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
Fair value adjustment 
 on acquisition 
 in the prior 
 period                            -         -            -       (6)        -      (6) 
Additions                         52       286            -         -        -      338 
 
At 31 May 2017                 1,589     1,541       33,354    17,253       35   53,772 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
Additions                         35       248            -         -        -      283 
 
At 30 November 
 2017                          1,624     1,789       33,354    17,253       35   54,055 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
  Amortisation 
  and impairment: 
At 1 June 2016                   349       557        6,391         -       35    7,332 
Amortisation                      72        40          859         -        -      971 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
At 30 November 
 2016                            421       597        7,250         -       35    8,303 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
Amortisation 
 in period                        73        74          878         -        -    1,025 
 
At 31 May 2017                   494       671        8,128         -       35    9,328 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
Amortisation 
 in period                        73        64          878         -        -    1,015 
 
At 30 November 
 2017                            567       735        9,006         -       35   10,343 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
  Carrying amount: 
------------------------  ---------- 
At 30 November 
 2017                          1,057     1,054       24,348    17,253        -   43,712 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
At 30 November 
 2016                          1,116       658       26,104    17,259        -   45,137 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
At 31 May 2017                 1,095       870       25,226    17,253        -   44,444 
------------------------  ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
 
   10.    Investment in associate 

The movement in the Group's investment in associate is as follows:

 
                                                 Unaudited    Unaudited  Audited 
                                                Six months   Six months     Year 
                                                     ended        ended    ended 
                                                    30 Nov       30 Nov   31 May 
                                                      2017         2016     2017 
  Investment in associate                           GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------- 
 
At 1 June                                            3,476            -        - 
 
Investment in Amati Global Investors Limited             -            -    3,368 
Share of profit for the period                         127            -      120 
Share of other comprehensive income                      5            -        5 
Amortisation of fair value intangibles                (34)            -     (17) 
 
At end of period                                     3,574            -    3,476 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------- 
 

Other comprehensive income represents a movement in Amati's revaluation reserve recognised directly in equity. The results of Amati from the beginning of the period and its aggregated assets and liabilities as at 30 November 2017 are as follows:

 
                                                              Assets   Liabilities   Revenue    Profit 
 Name                            Country of incorporation     GBP000        GBP000    GBP000    GBP000   Interest held 
------------------------------  --------------------------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  -------------- 
 
 Amati Global Investors 
  Limited                        Scotland                      2,307           674     1,392       258             49% 
 
 Group's share of profit                                                                           127 
----------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------------  --------  --------  -------------- 
 

The net assets of Amati as at 1 June 2017 were GBP1,364,382. At 30 November 2017 the net assets of Amati had increased by GBP268,887 to GBP1,633,269, increasing the Group's interest in the associate by GBP131,755 during the period.

   11.    Derivative financial asset 

The only derivative financial instrument held by the Group is an option contract over shares in the Group's associate. The option contract is carried at fair value.

 
                                 Unaudited    Unaudited  Audited 
                                Six months   Six months     Year 
                                     ended        ended    ended 
                                    30 Nov       30 Nov   31 May 
                                      2017         2016     2017 
  Derivative financial asset        GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------- 
 
At 1 June                              110            -        - 
 
Arising on acquisition                   -            -       17 
Movement in fair value                 401            -       93 
 
At end of period                       511            -      110 
-----------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------- 
 

The fair value of the option contract at 1 June 2017 was GBP109,974. At 30 November 2017, the fair value of the option contract was GBP510,897 (1H17: GBPnil). A stochastic model has been used to calculate the fair value of the option contract, which models the variability of future market-based conditions, such as Mattioli Woods' share price and the value of Amati over 100,000 simulations. For every simulation, the economic value at the exercise date is calculated and the average value of all 100,000 simulations is taken. The fair value is then derived by discounting the average of the outcomes back to present value using the risk-free rate of return.

   12.    Cash flows from operating activities using the direct method 

The cash generated from operations may be presented under the direct method as follows:

 
                                     Unaudited     Unaudited    Audited 
                                    Six months    Six months       Year 
                                         ended         ended      ended 
                                        30 Nov        30 Nov     31 May 
 Cash flows from operating                2017          2016       2017 
  activities                            GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Cash receipts from customers           27,786        22,697     48,514 
 Cash paid to suppliers and 
  employees                           (23,869)      (20,455)   (38,050) 
 
 Cash generated from operations          3,917         2,242     10,464 
--------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
 
   13.    Share-based payments 

Consultants' Share Option Plan

The Company operates the Consultants' Share Option Plan by which certain senior executives are able to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company. Options granted under the Consultants' Share Option Plan are summarised as follows:

 
                                                                           Exercised 
                                                     Granted during       during the     Lapsed during 
                                    At 31 May 2017       the period           period        the period  At 30 Nov 2017 
  Date of grant     Exercise price             No.              No.              No.               No.             No. 
-----------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------- 
 
4 September 2007           GBP2.79          38,011                -         (38,011)                 -               - 
8 September 2009           GBP2.16          62,342                -         (12,087)                 -          50,255 
 
                                           100,353                -         (50,098)                 -          50,255 
 ---------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------- 
 

The exercise price of the options is equal to the market price of the shares at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the date of grant. All options have vested as a result of the option holders achieving certain individual performance hurdles. The contractual life of each option expires 10 years after the date of grant. At 30 November 2017 the total number of options exercisable under the Consultants' Share Option Plan was 50,255 (1H17: 120,425).

Long Term Incentive Plan

During the period, Mattioli Woods granted awards to the Company's executive directors and certain senior employees under the LTIP. Conditional share awards ("Equity-settled") grant participating employees a conditional right to become entitled to options with an exercise price of 1 pence over ordinary shares in the Company. Conditional cash awards ("Cash-settled") grant participating employees a conditional right to be paid a cash amount based on the proceeds of the sale of a specified number of ordinary shares following the vesting of the award. Movements in the LTIP scheme during the period were as follows:

 
                         Unaudited      Unaudited         Unaudited          Unaudited          Audited        Audited 
                       30 Nov 2017    30 Nov 2017       30 Nov 2016        30 Nov 2016      31 May 2017    31 May 2017 
                    Equity-settled   Cash-settled    Equity-settled       Cash-settled   Equity-settled   Cash-settled 
Number of options              No.            No.               No.                No.              No.            No. 
-----------------  ---------------  -------------  ----------------  -----------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
Outstanding at 
 start of period           807,445        118,501           696,574            266,650          696,574        266,650 
Granted during 
 the period                238,825              -           290,305                  -          294,340              - 
Exercised during 
 the period              (142,104)      (118,501)          (37,756)                  -        (183,269)      (148,149) 
Forfeited during 
 the period                (1,470)              -                 -                  -            (200)              - 
 
Outstanding at 
 end of period             902,696              -           949,123            266,650          807,445        118,501 
-----------------  ---------------  -------------  ----------------  -----------------  ---------------  ------------- 
Exercisable at 
 end of period              80,377              -           175,478            148,148           29,965              - 
-----------------  ---------------  -------------  ----------------  -----------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 

The LTIP awards are subject to the achievement of corporate profitability targets measured over a three year performance period and will vest following publication of the Group's audited results for the year. The amounts shown below represent the maximum opportunity for the participants in the LTIP:

 
                                                                            Forfeited        Exercised 
                                                      Granted during       during the       during the 
                                    At 1 June 2017        the period           period           period  At 30 Nov 2017 
Date of grant       Exercise price             No.               No.              No.              No.             No. 
-----------------  ---------------  --------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------- 
 
5 September 2013           GBP0.01          29,966                 -                -         (14,272)          15,694 
16 September 2014          GBP0.01         190,765                 -                -        (126,082)          64,683 
15 October 2015            GBP0.01         292,374                 -          (1,470)          (1,750)         289,154 
6 September 2016           GBP0.01         294,340                 -                -                -         294,340 
4 September 2017           GBP0.01               -           238,825                -                -         238,825 
 
                                           807,445           238,825          (1,470)        (142,104)         902,696 
 ---------------------------------  --------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------- 
 

Share Incentive Plan

The Company also operates the Mattioli Woods plc Share Incentive Plan ("the SIP"). Participants in the SIP are entitled to purchase up to a prescribed number of new ordinary shares in the Company at the end of each month. A total of 51,864 (1H17: 42,832) new ordinary shares were issued to the 348 employees who participated in the SIP during the period. At 30 November 2017, 575,867 shares were held in the SIP on their behalf. There were no forfeited shares not allocated to any specific employee.

Share-based payment expense

The amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in respect of share-based payments were as follows:

 
                                                            Unaudited      Unaudited          Audited        Audited 
        Unaudited 30 Nov 2017  Unaudited 30 Nov 2017      30 Nov 2016    30 Nov 2016      31 May 2017    31 May 2017 
               Equity-settled           Cash-settled   Equity-settled   Cash-settled   Equity-settled   Cash-settled 
                       GBP000                 GBP000           GBP000         GBP000           GBP000         GBP000 
------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 
LTIP                      570                    119              436            393              950            661 
SIP                       170                      -              103              -              291              - 
 
Total                     740                    119              539            393            1,241            661 
------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------------  ------------- 
 

Valuation assumptions

Assumptions used in the Black Scholes model to determine the fair value of options at the date of grant were as follows:

 
                                 LTIP                     LTIP                LTIP                LTIP                LTIP 
                (Equity-settled) 2017    (Equity-settled) 2016    (Equity-settled)    (Equity-settled)    (Equity-settled) 
                                                                              2015                2014                2013     CSOP 2009 
------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------ 
 
 Share price 
  at grant 
  date (GBP)                     8.41                     6.55                6.13                4.32                3.27          2.13 
 Exercise 
  price 
  (GBP)                          0.01                     0.01                0.01                0.01                0.01          2.16 
 Expected 
  volatility 
  (%)                            17.0                     17.5                20.0                20.0                22.5          17.0 
 Expected 
  life 
  (years)                         4.5                      4.5                 4.5                 4.5                 4.5           7.0 
 Risk free 
  rate (%)                        1.0                     0.81                1.25                2.02                1.54          3.33 
 Expected 
  dividend 
  yield (%)                      1.84                     2.21                2.30                2.30                3.00          1.60 
 
 

The expected volatility assumption is based on statistical analysis of the historical volatility of the Company's share price. For the LTIP, the mid-market value of the shares under option at the date of grant is based on the average price over the five days immediately preceding (but not including) the day of grant.

Cash-settled awards require the Group to pay the intrinsic value of the share-based payments to the employee at the date of exercise. The fair value of the awards is re-measured at each reporting date, based on the directors' estimate of the number of awards that will vest, and on settlement. Until the award is settled it is presented as a liability, not within equity. The total carrying amount of liabilities to pay cash-settled awards at 30 November 2017 was GBPnil (1H17: GBP1.7m) (Note 15).

14. Financial instruments

The table below analyses the Group's financial instruments measured at fair value into a fair value hierarchy based on the valuation technique used to determine the fair value:

 
                                                     Quoted 
                                                     prices   Significant 
                                  Carrying        in active         other     Significant 
                                    amount          markets    observable    unobservable 
                                     as at    for identical        inputs          inputs 
                               30 November      instruments         Level           Level 
                                      2017           Level1             2               3 
                                    GBP000           GBP000        GBP000          GBP000 
---------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Financial assets 
  Derivative financial 
  instruments                          511                -             -             511 
---------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ------------  -------------- 
 At 30 November 2017                   511                -             -             511 
 
 Financial liabilities 
  Contingent consideration           1,667                -             -           1,667 
---------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ------------  -------------- 
 At 30 November 2017                 1,667                -             -           1,667 
---------------------------  -------------  ---------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

The fair value of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature.

   15.    Provisions 
 
                                                                     Employers' 
                                                                         NIC on                    LTIP 
                    Contingent   Client                                   share     Onerous        cash     FSCS 
                 consideration   claims   Dilapidations   Clawback      options   Contracts   liability     levy    Other     Total 
 Group                  GBP000   GBP000          GBP000     GBP000       GBP000      GBP000      GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000 
--------------  --------------  -------  --------------  ---------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -------  -------  -------- 
 
 At 1 June 
  2016                   5,800      532             413        308          624         152       1,263        -        -     9,092 
 
 Arising 
  during 
  period                   914      158               -        150          235           -         393        -        2     1,852 
 Used during 
  period               (2,250)    (240)               -      (150)         (39)           -           -        -        -   (2,679) 
 Acquisitions                -       63              30          -            -           -           -        -        -        93 
 Unwinding of 
  discount                 120        -               -          -            -           -          16        -        -       136 
 Unused 
  amounts 
  reversed               (157)     (27)               -        (9)            -           -           -        -        -     (193) 
 
 At 30 Nov 
  2016                   4,427      486             443        299          820         152       1,672        -        2     8,301 
                --------------  -------  --------------  ---------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -------  -------  -------- 
 
 Arising 
  during 
  period                     -      352              90                     184           -         268        -        -       894 
 Used during 
  period                     -    (147)               -      (166)        (267)           -     (1,111)        -        -   (1,691) 
 Unwinding of 
  discount                 122        -               -          -            -           -          15        -        -       137 
 Unused 
  amounts 
  reversed               (131)    (164)            (16)        (9)            -        (77)           -        -      (2)     (399) 
 
 At 31 May 
  2017                   4,418      527             517        124          737          75         844        -        -     7,242 
 
 Arising 
  during 
  period                     -      506             122         75          165         274         132      100        -     1,374 
 Used during 
  period               (2,703)    (112)            (13)       (76)        (333)           -       (989)        -        -   (4,226) 
 Unwinding of 
  discount                  80        -               -          -            -           -          13        -        -        93 
 Unused 
  amounts 
  reversed               (128)      (1)             (7)          -            -           -           -        -        -     (136) 
 
 At 30 Nov 
  2017                   1,667      920             619        123          569         349           -      100        -     4,347 
--------------  --------------  -------  --------------  ---------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -------  -------  -------- 
 
 Current                 1,667      920             308        123          365         349           -      100        -     3,832 
 Non-current                 -        -             311          -          204           -           -        -        -       515 
 
 At 30 Nov 
  2017                   1,667      920             619        123          569         349           -      100        -     4,347 
--------------  --------------  -------  --------------  ---------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -------  -------  -------- 
 

Contingent consideration

The Group has entered into certain acquisition agreements that provide for contingent consideration to be paid. These agreements and the basis of calculation of the net present value of the contingent consideration are summarised below. While it is not possible to determine the exact amount of contingent consideration (as this will depend on the performance of the acquired businesses during the period), the Group estimates the fair value of contingent consideration payable within the next 12 months is GBP1.7m (1H17: GBP2.8m).

On 7 September 2016 the Group acquired MC Trustees for an initial consideration comprising cash of GBP1.2m (excluding cash acquired with the business) and 38,081 shares in Mattioli Woods, plus contingent consideration of GBP1.0m payable in cash in the two years following completion if certain profit targets are met. The Group estimates the fair value of the remaining contingent consideration at 30 November 2017 to be GBP0.5m (1H17: GBP0.9m) using cash flows approved by the Board covering the contingent consideration period and expects the maximum contingent consideration will be payable.

On 8 September 2015 the Group acquired Taylor Patterson for an initial consideration comprising cash of GBP2.1m (excluding cash acquired with the business) and 419,888 shares in Mattioli Woods, plus contingent consideration of GBP3.3m payable in cash in the three years following completion if certain profit and revenue targets are met. The Group estimates the fair value of the remaining contingent consideration at 30 November 2017 to be GBP1.1m (1H17: GBP2.2m) using cash flows approved by the Board covering the contingent consideration period and expects the maximum contingent consideration will be payable.

On 23 June 2015 the Group acquired Boyd Coughlan for initial consideration comprising cash of GBP3.9m (excluding cash acquired with the business) and 235,742 shares in Mattioli Woods, plus contingent consideration of GBP2.5m payable in cash in the two years following completion if certain profit targets are met. The fair value of the remaining contingent consideration at 30 November 2017 is GBPnil (1H17: GBP1.2m).

Client claims

A provision is recognised for the estimated potential liability not covered by the Group's professional indemnity insurance when the Group becomes aware of a possible client claim when management believes it is probable the claim will crystallise. No discount rate is applied to the projected cash flows due to their short term nature.

Dilapidations

Under the terms of the leases for the Group's premises, the Group has an obligation to return the properties in a specified condition at the end of each lease term. The Group provides for the estimated fair value of the cost of any dilapidations. The discount rate applied to the cash flow projections is 5.0%.

Clawbacks

The Group receives certain initial commissions on indemnity terms and hence the Group provides for the expected level of clawback, based on past experience. No discount rate is applied to the projected cash flows due to their short term nature.

Onerous contracts

Mattioli Woods plc has entered into three commercial leases for its premises at Grove Park, Enderby ("the Grove Park leases"). The lease for its registered office, MW House, has a duration of 20 years, from 10 June 2005. The first lease for part of the ground floor of Gateway House (an office building adjacent to MW House) has a duration of 10 years from 1 February 2008. A second lease for part of the ground floor of Gateway House has a duration of 10 years from 1 December 2009.

Onerous lease provisions are recognised when a leased property is expected to become vacant and no longer used in the Group's operations. Amounts recognised in the period represent the Group's best estimate of the unavoidable costs committed to under the Grove Park leases, based on the expected void period between the premises being vacated and subsequently sub-let once the Group takes occupation of its new office at New Walk.

The future minimum rentals payable under the Grove Park leases as at 30 November 2017 totalled GBP1.6m, comprising GBP1.4m for MW House and GBP0.2m for Gateway House.

LTIP cash liability

The Group has granted cash settled options to certain Executive Directors. The amounts of any cash entitlement on vesting of an award will be directly linked to the value of a specified number of the Company's shares at the vesting date. At 30 November 2017 there were no cash awards outstanding.

FSCS levy

The arrangements put in place by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme ("FSCS") to protect depositors and investors from loss in the event of failure of financial institutions have resulted in significant levies on the industry in recent years.

There is uncertainty over the level of future FSCS levies as they depend on the ultimate cost to the FSCS of industry failures. The Group contributes to the investment intermediation levy class and accrues levy costs for future levy years when the obligation arises. A provision of GBP0.1m has been made in these financial statements for FSCS interim levies expected in the year ending 31 May 2018.

Other

The Group receives property insurance commission on indemnity terms in respect of a block insurance policy for properties under management. The Group has provided for the anticipated level of commission clawback based on historic levels of property disposal.

   16.    Related party transactions 

Custodian REIT plc

In March 2014 the Company's subsidiary, Custodian Capital, was appointed as the discretionary investment manager of Custodian REIT plc ("Custodian REIT"), a closed-ended property investment company listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. The terms of the Investment Management Agreement ("IMA") between Custodian Capital and Custodian REIT were amended on agreement of a further three year term with 12 months' notice to Custodian Capital's ongoing engagement from 1 June 2017, with the fees payable to Custodian Capital under the IMA amended to include:

-- A step down in the property management fee from 0.75% to 0.65% of net asset value ("NAV") applied to NAV in excess of GBP500m; and

-- A step down in the administrative fee from 0.125% to 0.08% of NAV applied to NAV between GBP200m and GBP500m and a further step down to 0.05% of NAV applied to NAV in excess of GBP500m.

All other key terms of the IMA remain unchanged.

The Company's Chief Executive, Ian Mattioli, is a non-independent Non-Executive Director of Custodian REIT and the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Nathan Imlach, is Company Secretary of Custodian REIT. Ian Mattioli received GBP14,000 of director's fees from Custodian REIT during the six months ended 30 November 2017 (1H17: GBP13,750). Fees for Nathan Imlach's services are charged by Custodian Capital directly to Custodian REIT and are included in the annual management charges noted below.

Ian Mattioli, Nathan Imlach, Alan Fergusson, Richard Shepherd-Cross (the Managing Director of Custodian Capital) and the private pension schemes of Ian Mattioli, Nathan Imlach, Richard Shepherd-Cross, Murray Smith, Mark Smith, Alan Fergusson, Joanne Lake and Carol Duncumb have a beneficial interest in Custodian REIT.

During the six months ended 30 November 2017 the Group received revenues of GBP1.9m (1H17: GBP1.6m) in respect of annual management charges, company secretarial and administration fees. Custodian REIT owed the Group GBPnil (1H17: GBP0.1m) at 30 November 2017.

During the six months ended 30 November 2017 the Group paid rent of GBP174,000 (1H17: GBP174,000) and service charges and other property related costs of GBP20,251 (1H17: GBP13,473) in respect of its office premises at MW House and Gateway House at Grove Park, Enderby where Custodian REIT is lessor.

Amati Global Investors Limited

On 6 February 2017 the Company purchased 49% of the issued share capital of Amati. The Company has also entered into an option agreement to acquire the remaining 51% of the issued share capital of Amati in the two years commencing 6 February 2019 for a mixture of cash and Mattioli Woods' ordinary shares.

Three of the Company's senior management team were appointed to the board of Amati on the date of investment. Ian Mattioli is Deputy Chairman, the Group's Chief Investment Officer, Simon Gibson, is a Non-Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Smith is an Executive Director. During the six months ended 30 November 2017 each of these individuals were paid GBP2,500 (1H17: GBPnil) of directors' fees by Amati.

Gateley (Holdings) plc

The Company's Non-Executive Chairman, Joanne Lake, is a non-executive director of Gateley (Holdings) Plc, which is the holding company of Gateley Plc, a provider of commercial legal services. During the period the Group paid Gateley Plc a total of GBP2,753 (1H17: GBPnil) in respect of corporate legal services provided to the Group and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Group received revenues of GBP12,147 (1H17: GBPnil) in respect of the employee benefits services provided to Gateley Plc in the period.

Vista Insurance Brokers Limited

Vista Insurance Brokers Limited, a broker of insurance products, is party to a dormant joint venture agreement with the Company. The Group received revenues of GBP1,120 (1H17: GBP2,658) in respect of employee benefits services provided to Vista Insurance Brokers Limited during the period.

Key management compensation

Key management personnel receive compensation in the form of short-term employee benefits and equity compensation benefits. Key management personnel, representing the executive directors and 18 (1H17: 16) other executives, received total compensation of GBP3.9m for the six months ended 30 November 2017 (1H17: GBP3.4m). Total remuneration is included in "employee benefits expense" and analysed as follows:

 
                            Unaudited     Unaudited   Audited 
                           Six months    Six months      Year 
                                ended         ended     ended 
                               30 Nov        30 Nov    31 May 
                                 2017          2016      2017 
                               GBP000        GBP000    GBP000 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Wages and salaries             3,006         2,814     5,450 
 Social security costs            689           384       977 
 Pension                           93           106       207 
 Benefits in kind                  81            67       139 
 
                                3,869         3,371     6,773 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

In addition, the cost of share based payments disclosed separately in the statement of comprehensive income was GBP0.5m (1H17: GBP0.6m).

Transactions with other related parties

At 30 November 2017, Ian Mattioli owed GBPnil to the Company (1H17: GBP4,630). Directors' balances carry no coupon and have no fixed repayment date.

Following the transfer of Mattioli Woods' property syndicate business to Custodian Capital, the legal structure of the arrangements offered to investors changed to a limited partnership structure, replacing the previous trust-based structure. Each limited partnership is constituted by its general partner and its limited partners (the investors), with the general partner being a separate limited company owned by Custodian Capital.

The general partner and the initial limited partner enter into a limited partnership agreement, which governs the operation of the partnership and also sets out the rights and obligations of the investors. The general partners have appointed Custodian Capital as the operator of the partnerships pursuant to an operator agreement between the general partner and Custodian Capital.

FP Mattioli Woods Balanced Fund

The Company is the investment manager of the FP Mattioli Woods Balanced Fund, an open ended investment company which aims to achieve long-term growth while managing volatility so that, other than on very short term measures, outperformance comes with a lower beta than the benchmark. As at 30 November 2017 the Group held an investment with a market value of GBP49,139 (1H17: GBP43,727) in the FP Mattioli Woods Balanced Fund.

MW Properties (Huntingdon Non-Geared) Limited

The Company holds a 2.04% interest in MW Properties (Huntingdon Non-Geared) Limited, a nominee for a property syndicate. During the period, the Group received dividend income of GBP1,020 from MW Properties (Huntingdon Non-Geared) Limited. As at 30 November 2017 the Group held an investment with a market value of GBP14,137 (1H17: GBP14,956) in the syndicate.

   17.       Commitments and contingencies 

New Walk

At 30 November 2017 the Group had capital commitments amounting to GBP3.4m (1H17: GBP11.0m). In August 2015, Mattioli Woods (New Walk) Limited entered into a development agreement with Ingleby (1245) Limited, a company owned and controlled by Sowden Group Limited to build a new 50,000 square foot office on the site of the former Leicester City Council headquarters at New Walk, Leicester.

The expected expenditure for the development is circa GBP15.0m including fit out costs and irrecoverable VAT, which will be funded through a combination of existing cash resources, bank funding and future operating cash flows. Construction commenced in May 2016, with construction approximately three months behind schedule as a result of delays in the delivery of materials and subsequent installation. The Group expects to take up occupancy in summer 2018.

There are pre-existing conditions retained by Leicester City Council over the transfer of title of the land to Mattioli Woods, which the directors are confident will be satisfied on completion of the development.

Client claims

The Group operates in a legal and regulatory environment that exposes it to certain litigation risks. As a result, the Group occasionally receives claims in respect of products and services provided and which arise in the ordinary course of business. The Group provides for potential losses that may arise from these contingencies where management believes it is probable the claim will crystallise (Note 15).

FSCS levy

The arrangements put in place by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme ("FSCS") to protect depositors and investors from loss in the event of failure of financial institutions has resulted in significant levies on the industry in recent years.

There is uncertainty over the level of future FSCS levies as they depend on the ultimate cost to the FSCS of industry failures. The Group contributes to the investment intermediation levy class and accrues levy costs for future levy years when the obligation arises. On 4 January 2018, the FSCS announced a supplementary levy of GBP24m for 2017/18 following the 'continuing growth' of SIPP claims. At the time of writing, it is not clear how the supplementary levy is to be applied across the industry.

A provision of GBP0.1m has been made in these financial statements for the supplementary levy and any further FSCS interim levies in the year ending 31 May 2018 (Note 15).

   18.    Events after the reporting period 

Group re-organisation

On 31 December 2017 the trade and assets of Boyd Coughlan Limited were transferred to the Company. The trade and assets were exchanged for loan notes equal to the book value of the assets and assumed liabilities of the business as at 31 December 2017, attracting annual interest on the outstanding principal of a rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate.

Taxation

On 15 September 2016 the Finance Bill 2016 received Royal Assent, enacting proposals that were announced in the 2016 budget, the Autumn Statement 2015 and the Summer Budget 2015. The rate of corporation tax fell to 19% in April 2017 and will fall to 17% from April 2020.

These rate changes will affect the amount of future cash tax payments to be made by the Group and will also reduce the size of the Group's deferred tax assets and liabilities in the Group's statement of financial position.

   19.    Copies of interim report 

Copies of the interim report will be posted to shareholders in due course and are available from the Group's head office at: MW House, 1 Penman Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester LE19 1SY.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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