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STCK Stock Spirits Group Plc

377.00
0.00 (0.00%)
23 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Stock Spirits Group Plc LSE:STCK London Ordinary Share GB00BF5SDZ96 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 377.00 376.50 377.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Stock Spirits Group PLC Half-year Report - Replacement (4949N)

09/08/2017 7:53am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 4949N

Stock Spirits Group PLC

09 August 2017

The following replaces the Half-year Report released at 07:00 under RNS number 4585N.

The percentage increase figure for profit after tax has been corrected from 23% to 40%.

The full amended release appears below.

Stock Spirits Group PLC

Results for the six months ended 30 June 2017

An improved financial performance driven by operational initiatives

9 August 2017: Stock Spirits Group PLC ("Stock Spirits" or the "Company"), a leading owner and producer of premium branded spirits and liqueurs that are principally sold in Central and Eastern Europe, announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   --      Total revenue EUR119.8 million, an increase of 3.3% (2016: EUR116.0 million) 
   --      Operating profit EUR16.5 million, an increase of 32% (2016: EUR12.5 million) 
   --      Profit after tax EUR11.7 million, an increase of 40% (2016: EUR8.4 million) 
   --      Basic EPS 6 EUR cents per share, an increase of 50% (2016: 4 EUR cents per share) 

-- Interim dividend 2.38 EUR cents per ordinary share, an increase of 4.8% (2016: 2.27 EUR cents)

   --      EBITDA(1) EUR22.0 million, an increase of 23.4% (2016: EUR17.9 million) 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

   --   Total sales volume increase of 7.3% to 5.7 million 9 litre cases (2016: 5.4 million) 
   --   Poland top line and profit growth; increased market shares since December 2016 
   --   Over EUR2.5 million of savings recorded in the period from initiatives implemented in 2016 

-- Restructuring of operations and legal teams expected to generate incremental savings of EUR1.5 million from the start of next year

-- Investment in high growth, high margin, category of Irish whiskey through an equity investment - the Company's second bolt-on deal in nine months

-- New distribution arrangements in place with Synergy in Bosnia and Croatia, Distell in the UK, and Beam in Slovakia

Mirek Stachowicz, CEO of Stock Spirits Group, commented:

"We are pleased to have delivered good financial and operational progress during the first half of the year. This performance is a clear sign that the business has stabilised and that the initiatives put in place in 2016 are beginning to deliver tangible results including in Poland. While our core markets remain competitive, we believe that our strategy of further developing our existing brand portfolio whilst continuing to invest in markets and categories with strong potential leaves us well placed to continue delivering long-term and sustainable growth. As always, I would like to thank all of Stock Spirits' employees for their hard work and commitment in helping us to deliver the plans and ambitions that we have for this business."

Management will be hosting a presentation for analysts at 9.00am on Wednesday 9th August 2017 at:

Nomura

1 Angel Lane

London

EC4R 3AB

There will be a simultaneous web cast of the presentation via www.stockspirits.com with a recording made available shortly thereafter.

For further information:

 
 Stock Spirits Group 
  Lesley Jackson, Chief 
  Financial Officer        +44 (0) 1628 648 500 
 Powerscourt               +44 (0) 207 250 1446 
  Rob Greening              stockspirits@powerscourt-group.com 
  Lisa Kavanagh 
 

A copy of this interim results announcement ("announcement") has been posted on www.stockspirits.com. Investors can also address any query to investorqueries@stockspirits.com.

Disclaimer

This announcement may contain statements which are not based on current or historical fact and which are forward looking in nature. These forward looking statements may reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this announcement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties facing the Group including, without limitation, those risks described in this announcement, and other unknown future events and circumstances which can cause results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation.

Basis of Preparation

The financial information contained in these interim results does not constitute statutory accounts of Stock Spirits Group PLC within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for Stock Spirits Group PLC for the year ended 31 December 2016 were delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors have reported on the accounts, their report was:(i) unqualified; (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report; and (iii) did not constitute a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Notes to editors:

About Stock Spirits Group

Stock Spirits is one of Central and Eastern Europe's leading branded spirits and liqueurs businesses, and offers a portfolio of products that are rooted in local and regional heritage. With core operations in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Stock also exports to more than 40 other countries worldwide. Global sales volumes currently total over 100 million litres per year.

Stock has state of the art production facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic, and its core brands include products made to long-established recipes such as Stock 84 brandy, Fernet Stock bitters and Limonce, as well as more recent creations like Stock Prestige and Zoladkowa de Luxe vodkas.

Stock is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. For the year ended 31 December 2016 it delivered total revenue of EUR261.0m and operating profit of EUR40.1m.

For more information please visit www.stockspirits.com.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

Overview

We are now over twelve months into the turnaround of the business performance. Last year we set out a number of actions that would deliver tangible results, and the half year results confirm the very strong progress that has been made to date.

We have grown our volumes, our sales revenue, our market shares, delivered hard cost savings, implemented further actions to deliver more savings, grown our profit and margin, further improved our cash generation and completed our second bolt on acquisition.

With a full team in place and a very strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to continue our journey.

Our key priority has been the turnaround of our performance in Poland. This entailed making our brands more competitive, strengthening and upskilling our sales team, improving our sales execution capability and growing market share. Our actions have led to an increase in net sales revenue, EBITDA and EBITDA margin. We have also gained volume and value market share since December 2016.

The root and branch review actions taken in Poland are now largely implemented and we are now embedding the changes and seeking to optimise the new ways of working.

The overall vodka market in Poland remains in positive growth, although at a lower rate than during 2016, and the traditional trade channel remains the largest and fastest growing channel, accounting for over 64% of all vodka purchases(2) . We have continued to monitor prices closely and have adjusted our price architecture on selected products to remain competitive on-shelf. The price differential between our core brands and their key competitors has narrowed and this, together with our work to improve in store execution, has led to a slight increase in our overall volume and value share YTD.

In the Czech Republic performance has been very robust with growth reported in market share, net sales revenue, EBITDA and EBITDA margin.

Other markets have performed in line with expectations.

We have enhanced our NPD process which remains focused upon strengthening our core brands. We have recently completed a packaging upgrade of the iconic Stock 84 brandy range, which will be rolled out to all markets during the coming months.

In line with our stated objectives we have continued to focus upon expanding our reach into the premium, super premium and ultra premium segments where we see strong growth and attractive profit pools. Following the agreement to distribute the ultra premium vodka brand Beluga in Poland last year, we have extended our relationship with Synergy and commenced distribution of the Beluga brand in both Croatia and Bosnia. In addition, we have begun distribution of the Beam portfolio in Slovakia alongside the Distell portfolio to extend our reach into the fast growing and profitable whiskey category.

To further extend our position in the whiskey category, we recently announced a EUR15m initial investment to acquire 25% of Quintessential Brands Irish Whiskey Ltd, a company owning "The Dubliner Irish Whiskey" and "The Dublin Liberties" Irish whiskey brands. This represents our second bolt-on deal in nine months and is commented on in more detail below.

During the period we have begun to crystallise hard savings from the cost cutting initiatives started last year. Over EUR2.5m of savings have been recorded in the first half results, arising primarily from the closure of the Swiss office, the retender of Group corporate services and the many actions taken to reduce cost. Earlier this year we announced a restructuring of the Group operations and legal teams to align them closer to the markets, which will generate incremental savings of EUR1.5m from the start of next year. In addition, we have restructured the commercial activities in Italy and the UK, which will also deliver modest savings from next year.

Today, we are announcing an interim dividend of 2.38 EUR cents per share, representing an increase of 4.8% versus last year.

As a Board, we do not perceive any significant issues for Stock Spirits Group with regard to the UK's exit from the EU. We will continue to monitor the risks and report on this position but in anticipation of an expected period of uncertainty (as negotiations around the UK's exit from the EU unfold), the Group has extended its finance facilities (see Financial performance section later),ensuring that the Group will continue to benefit from its existing facility and the associated very competitive borrowing costs for a further two years, through to at least November 2022.

Market Performance:

Poland

Total vodka market volumes have remained in growth and in the six months to the end of June 2017 volume growth was 1.4% versus 2.4% last year. Flavoured vodka is recording significantly higher levels of growth and volumes grew 7.7% to the end of June (2016: 4.7%).

The value of the vodka market has also grown versus last year and increased by 1.7% (2016: 2.9%)(3) .

The actions from the root and branch review are now largely complete and delivering initial improvements in results. Our focus has been on embedding the changes and we are constantly seeking to further optimise the operations of the business.

Pricing of our brands has remained a high priority and we have been working with our customers to achieve our on-shelf price targets. We have also focused upon execution in trade to ensure that our promotional offers, point of sale, sales activation, trade marketing and sales force training and tools are developing in line with the standards we wish to attain. We have implemented our actions focusing upon the needs of each market segment and channel.

We have increased our volume and value market shares since December 2016 by 1.8% and 1.5% respectively to 26.2% and 26.9% as at June 2017 and in the traditional trade channel, we increased our share of this channel from 30.2% as at December 2016 to 30.9% as at June 2017.

In line with our strategy of focusing our NPD on core brands, we launched a limited edition "Carbon" version of the premium Stock Prestige brand, to build awareness and trial.

A clear objective for the Polish market is to target growth profit pools. Our growth in volume and value YTD in the total premium vodka category(4) has outgrown the market and now stands at a volume share 18.4% (2016: 16.1%) and value share 17.4% (2016: 15.8%). Within premium, super and ultra premium vodka segments we have the fastest growing brand portfolio with overall value growth of 15.1% YTD versus market growth of 4.3%. Our growth of the Beam distribution brands has also continued at very high levels, with value growth of 54.1% versus the whisky market growth of 14.5%. The Beam brands have performed equally well in terms of growth across all trade channels.

Net sales revenue has grown, on a constant currency basis by 2.8% to EUR64m. Reported EBITDA in the first half was EUR16.9m versus EUR15.1m last year, and on a constant currency basis we grew by over 8%, with an improved margin (on a constant currency) of 26.4% against 25.0% last year.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic spirits market has continued to grow in both value at 7.2% (2016: 2.3%) and volume at 5.5% (2016: 2.9%), on a YTD basis. Stock has delivered volume and value share growth, taking our YTD volume share to 35.3% (2016: 33.1%) and YTD value share to 33.2%(5) (2016: 31.3%) at the end of June.

The key drivers of our YTD gains have been the combination of strong performance from our Bozkov innovations, with Bozkov Tradicni and Bozkov Bily generating incremental share, plus continued strong performance from our Diageo distribution brands, notably Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker.

The change of strategy on the Bozkov brand, offering a wider mix of variants which has increased choice and price range for the consumer, has delivered tangible results with double digit growth YTD. Market share in this important rum category is now at a YTD value share of 57.2% from 55.7% in 2016, and YTD volume share of 56.8% versus 54.5% in 2016(6) .

In October 2016 we acquired the spirits business of Bohemia Sekt in the Czech Republic. We are delighted with the early results of this acquisition, which is now fully integrated and has helped to boost our market shares in the vodka category. YTD volume share has increased from 25.1% (end of June 2016) to 27.2%, and YTD value share from 25.8% (end June 2016) to 28.6%(7) .

We are seeing increased competition in the Herbal Bitters category, where we lost a marginal share of the category on a YTD basis. We are addressing this issue and will provide an update on this at the year end.

Net sales revenue has grown on a reported basis and, on a constant currency basis, net sales revenue is EUR29.8m versus EUR27.9m last year, an increase of 7.1%. Reported EBITDA has grown versus last year. On a constant currency basis EBITDA grew by nearly 20% to EUR9.5m, with an uplift in EBITDA margin to 32%.

Italy

The modest growth in the Italian spirits market in 2016 has continued into 2017. Value growth of 1.2% still leads volume growth of 0.1% in the first six months(8) . Whilst we have maintained our value share(9) , issues remain on the Keglevich brand, notably in flavoured vodka, where we are gaining share in a category that is in long term decline. As reported at the year end, the category has suffered from changing consumer habits and this remains the case. Our growth in this category is insufficient to offset the underlying decline and accordingly has impacted volume and financial performance.

In recent weeks we have relaunched our iconic brand, Stock 84 brandy, with refreshed consumer offering including new packaging across the range. We believe the refresh will help to stimulate further growth and will build brand equity. We have achieved volume and value share growth YTD not only in the important brandy category but also in the limoncello category with our category leader Limonce(10) .

Earlier in the year we reported that we had restructured the commercial team, with the benefits being crystallised from next year. The cost of the restructuring has been borne within other operating expenses.

Net sales revenue reflects a decline of EUR0.9m, driven by the issues reported on Keglevich. Excluding the restructuring cost, EBITDA was EUR2.6m, with an underlying margin of 20.6% versus 21.5% last year.

In line with Group policy we continue to review the carrying value of the intangible assets in respect of Italy. Given the ongoing market issues on flavoured vodka, we have considered the possible risk of diminuation in carrying value of the related intangible assets. At this point in time, our expectations are such that we do not see an indicator that there is an impairment of the carrying value however further market deterioration could change this assumption and result in an impairment. Any impact would not affect cash but would cause an adjustment to expected EPS. The position is being closely monitored and will be reported upon at the year end.

Other Markets

Our other markets include Slovakia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia together with our export operations and Baltic distillery.

In Slovakia performance was in line with our expectations. The performance of our business in Croatia has been impacted by the well publicised difficulties being experienced by the Agrokor Group, a major Croatian retail and food group. The impact recorded in the first half results is EUR0.2m. We continue to trade with the Agrokor companies in Croatia and are monitoring the situation very carefully. As reported earlier in the year we have changed our route to market in the UK and moved the distribution of our brands to Distell. This has necessitated incurring restructuring costs of EUR0.1m to implement the change.

In May we experienced an equipment failure at our Baltic distillery, which caused the facility to cease production of alcohol for a short period of time. Alcohol was sourced from third party suppliers whilst the facility was out of action, and therefore production at our sites in Poland and Czech Republic was not impacted. A charge of EUR0.4m is included in the interim results. We don't expect any additional costs from this event.

Net sales revenue declined by EUR0.7m with reported net sales revenue of EUR13.3m to the end of June 2017. EBITDA for the period was EUR0.7m, versus EUR1.5m in 2016. Excluding the charges noted above, the EBITDA for the six months to the end of June was EUR1.4m and an underlying EBITDA margin of 10.6%.

Investment in Irish Whiskey

On 17 July 2017 the Group announced an initial EUR15m equity investment for 25% of the Irish whiskey company, Quintessential Brands Irish Whiskey Ltd, creating a joint business with Quintessential Brands. A further deferred investment of up to EUR3.3m may be made over a period of five years, based on the performance of the brands. This investment provides the Group with access to two very exciting Irish Whiskey brands, The Dubliner Irish Whiskey; a range of standard through to premium Irish whiskies and The Dublin Liberties; a super premium to ultra premium Irish whiskey range. Both brands allow Stock to capitalise on the fast growing and highly profitable Irish whiskey category. Whiskey is the second largest category globally behind vodka and Irish whiskey has been the fastest growing segment since 2007(11) . In Poland and the Czech Republic Irish whiskey is the fastest growing category amongst all spirits categories.

The brands are already sold in over 30 markets around the world with sales now exceeding 32,000 9 litre cases. The Dubliner Irish Whiskey was the fastest growing Irish Whiskey brand globally(12) . Currently whiskey is sourced from a third party, and our investment will help to accelerate A&P investment behind the brands, complete the build of a new distillery in the Liberties area of Dublin with a brand experience and visitor centre, and to source additional mature liquid for the development of the brands.

We expect the investment to be earnings accretive in year four; the distillery will take one year to complete and as maturation of Irish whiskey takes a minimum of three years, the benefits will flow in year four from own produced liquid and accelerated investment behind the brands in the early years.

The Group remains committed to the existing distribution contracts it is party to in our respective markets.

The acquisition has been financed from existing facilities and, after taking this into account, net debt leverage remains lower than the end of December 2016.

Financial Performance

The actions that have been implemented across the Group during the last twelve months, are now being reflected in the H1 2017 financial performance.

The impact of price reductions implemented in Poland in 2016 has led to an overall reduction in net selling price per case. The pricing adjustments have kept our Polish brands competively priced and helped the Group deliver a 7.3% growth in sales volumes. Overall Group net sales revenue has shown a 3.3% (+EUR3.8m) growth. Of this growth EUR1.8m relates to the impact of positive FX.

Cost of goods per case remains largely flat and reflects the impact of volume growth and brand mix. Gross margin has reduced to just under 50% reflecting the impact of pricing adjustments in Poland.

This impact has been more than offset by a reduction in selling expenses, largely attributable to the timing of activity and reduction in the number of new product launches, and hard savings being crystallised in other operating expenses.

Last year, the Group announced the closure of the Swiss office and a range of initiatives that had been actioned to deliver a reduction in the cost base. Savings in excess of EUR2.5m (on a constant currency basis) have been delivered in H1 2017 versus H1 2016. Further action has been taken in H1 2017, as announced earlier in the year, covering the restructuring of Group legal, Group operations, commercial restructuring in Italy and change of route to market in the UK. We expect these initiatives to deliver a further EUR1.5m of savings from the start of 2018.

Operating profit is EUR16.5m versus EUR12.5m last year, which is an improvement of 31.9%, and EBITDA was EUR22.0m versus EUR17.9m in 2016.

In line with expectations, the Group has not recorded any exceptional costs in H1. All costs of restructuring and one off type expenses have been charged to other operating expenses. Such expenses were EUR1.0m in 2016 and EUR2.0m in 2017.

Underlying finance costs before foreign exchange movements were EUR0.8m (2016: EUR1.3m). In 2016 a foreign currency gain of EUR1.5m was recognised (the gain was driven by exchange movements on inter company loans which were fully settled in 2016).

The current finance facility was put in place in November 2015 with an expiration date of November 2020. The Group has now agreed an extension of the current facility for a further two years, now expiring in November 2022. A number of conditions have been relaxed, allowing the Group greater flexibility whilst retaining the existing margins. The overall facility remains unchanged. Combined with the Group's strong track record on cash generation, this extension affords the Group a strong financial platform to develop the business.

Capital spend in the first half of last year included the completion of investment in flexible packaging capability in Poland. Accordingly capital spend is lower this year. We have no plans for major production investment in 2017 and therefore expect capital spend for the full year to be lower than prior years.

We have retained our focus upon working capital management and, as stated last year, we changed our production planning processes which resulted in a reduction in inventory at the year end. This benefit has been sustained and inventory at the end of June 2017 reflects a reduction of EUR4.9m versus June 2016. The changes in Group operations, whilst delivering cost savings, have also allowed the Group to negotiate changes to payment conditions with a number of suppliers to bring them in line with local market terms. This has improved underlying cash generation. Free cash flow was EUR36.5m and closing net debt was EUR40m, a reduction of EUR18.0m versus end of June last year, and EUR19.7m lower than the year end. Group leverage ratio at the end of June 2017 was 0.72, which is both lower than the same period last year and the year end.

Foreign exchange movements impacted net sales revenue by EUR1.8m and EUR1.4m at EBITDA. There has been an impact of EUR6.3m movement in balance sheet reserves due to the impact of foreign exchange differences on the translation from the functional currencies of the Group's foreign subsidiaries into Euros.

Given the strengthening of the Polish Zloty versus the Euro in recent months, the Group has reviewed its expected foreign currency cash flows for the balance of the year and has entered into contracts to hedge EUR10m of Euro based payments.

Basic earnings per share are reported as 6 EUR cents for H1 versus 4 EUR cents for 2016, a growth of 50%.

The Board of Directors have agreed an interim dividend payment of 2.38 EUR cents per share. The dividend will be paid on 22 September 2017, with record date 1 September 2017 (shareholders on the register at close of business on 31 August 2017). The Euro : Sterling exchange rate will be fixed on the record date.

Outlook

The Group has reviewed the full year outlook and is comfortable with the external consensus as published by Bloomberg, on a constant currency basis. The half year financial performance is enhanced (EUR1.4m benefit to reported EBITDA) by positive impacts of foreign currency translation. We have no control over these impacts and if they were to continue, the full year results could be further enhanced by the translation effect. In addition, we reconfirm our guidance on expected EBITDA margin in Poland for the full year as between 26% and 27%.

Going concern

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and its subsidiaries have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next twelve months. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial information of the Group.

Principal Risks and uncertainties

The Board considers the key risks for the Group remain as:

-- Economic & Political risk - The Group's results are affected by overall economic conditions in its key geographic markets and the level of consumer confidence and spending in those markets. The Group's operations are primarily in Central and Eastern Europe markets where there is a risk of economic and regulatory uncertainty. Political, economic and legal systems and conditions in emerging economies are generally less predictable.

-- Taxes - Increases in taxes, particularly increases to excise duty rates and VAT, could adversely affect the demand for the Group's products. Changes in tax laws and related interpretations and increased enforcement actions and penalties may alter the environment in which the Group does business.

-- Strategic transactions - Key objectives of the Group are: (i) the development of new products and variants; and (ii) expansion in the Central and Eastern European region and certain other European countries, through the acquisition of additional businesses. Unsuccessful launches or failure by the Group to fulfil its expansion plans or integrate completed acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on the Group's growth potential and performance.

-- Marketplace & Competition - The Group operates in a highly competitive environment and faces competitive pressures from both local and international spirits producers, which may result in pressure on prices and loss of market share.

Further detail on the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the business activities of the Group are set out on pages 48 to 52 in the Stock Spirits Group Annual Report 2016, a copy of which is available on the Company's website at www.stockspirits.com. In the view of the Board there is no material change in these risks in respect of the remaining six months of the year.

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the half-yearly financial report

We confirm to the best of our knowledge:

The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU

The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

a) DTR 4.2 7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

b) DTR 4.2 8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors as at 9th August 2017 is as follows: David Maloney (Chairman), Mirek Stachowicz (Chief Executive Officer), Lesley Jackson (Chief Financial Officer), John Nicolson (Senior Independent Non-Executive Director), Mike Butterworth (Independent Non-Executive Director), Tomasz Blawat (Independent Non-Executive Director), Diego Bevilacqua (Independent Non-Executive Director) and Randy Pankevicz (Non-Independent Non- Executive Director).

For and on behalf of the Board of Directors:

   Mirek Stachowicz                                        David Maloney 
   Chief Executive Officer                               Chairman 

9th August 2017

Independent Review Report to Stock Spirits Group PLC

Conclusion

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2017 which comprises the Interim Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and the related explanatory notes.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").

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 UK. 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. We read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit 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 an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the DTR of the UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in this 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 reached.

Simon Haydn-Jones (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

Reading

9 August 2017

Interim condensed consolidated income statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                         Six months   Six months 
                                              ended        ended 
                                            30 June      30 June 
                                               2017         2016 
                                          Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                 Notes       EUR000       EUR000 
 
 Revenue                             5      119,811      115,989 
 Cost of goods sold                        (60,130)     (54,077) 
 
 Gross profit                                59,681       61,912 
 Selling expenses                          (28,031)     (30,829) 
 Other operating expenses                  (15,199)     (18,610) 
 
 Operating profit                            16,451       12,473 
 Finance income                      7          447        1,601 
 Finance costs                       7      (1,247)      (1,349) 
 
 Profit before tax                           15,651       12,725 
 Income tax expense                  8      (3,957)      (4,346) 
 
 Profit for the period                       11,694        8,379 
                                        -----------  ----------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the Parent                11,694        8,379 
                                        -----------  ----------- 
 
 Earnings per share, (cents), 
  attributable to equity 
  holders of the Parent 
 Basic and diluted                   9         0.06         0.04 
                                        -----------  ----------- 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the six months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                              Six months   Six months 
                                                   ended        ended 
                                                 30 June      30 June 
                                                    2017         2016 
                                               Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                                  EUR000       EUR000 
 
     Profit for the period                        11,694        8,379 
 
     Other comprehensive income/ (expense) 
     Other comprehensive income/ (expense) 
      to be reclassified to profit or 
      loss in subsequent periods: 
     Exchange differences arising on 
      translation of foreign operations            6,260      (8,095) 
     Income tax effect                                 -            - 
                                             -----------  ----------- 
                                                  17,954          284 
 
     Other comprehensive expense not 
      to be reclassified to profit or 
      loss in subsequent periods 
     Re-measurement losses on employee 
      severance indemnity                              -          (2) 
     Income tax effect                                 -            1 
 
     Total comprehensive income for 
      the period, net of tax                      17,954          283 
                                             ===========  =========== 
 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position

As at 30 June 2017

 
 
                                                   30 June     31 December 
                                                      2017            2016 
                                                 Unaudited         Audited 
                                         Notes      EUR000          EUR000 
        Non-current assets 
        Intangible assets - goodwill                60,854          60,840 
        Intangible assets - other           10     309,472         302,753 
        Property, plant and equipment       11      52,810          55,705 
        Deferred tax assets                         11,632          13,255 
        Other assets                                 4,666           4,533 
 
                                                   439,434         437,086 
                                                ----------  -------------- 
 
        Current assets 
        Inventories                                 25,181          21,658 
        Trade and other receivables                105,330         131,396 
        Other assets                                     -           1,500 
        Current tax assets                             737             411 
        Cash and cash equivalents           12      49,933          74,956 
 
                                                   181,181         229,921 
                                                ----------  -------------- 
 
        Total assets                               620,615         667,007 
                                                ==========  ============== 
 
        Non-current liabilities 
        Financial liabilities               13      89,590         134,168 
        Other financial liabilities                     71             113 
        Deferred tax liabilities                    47,050          45,933 
        Provisions                                     931             946 
        Trade and other payables                       215              49 
 
                                                   137,857         181,209 
                                                ----------  -------------- 
 
        Current liabilities 
        Trade and other payables                    60,415          53,352 
        Financial liabilities               13           1              33 
        Other financial liabilities                    125             174 
        Income tax payable                           7,419           8,926 
        Indirect tax payable                        57,695          74,200 
        Provisions                                     475             534 
 
                                                   126,130         137,219 
                                                ----------  -------------- 
 
        Total liabilities                          263,987         318,428 
                                                ----------  -------------- 
 
        Net assets                                 356,628         348,579 
                                                ==========  ============== 
 
 
 
                                                  30 June     31 December 
                                                     2017            2016 
                                                Unaudited         Audited 
                                        Notes      EUR000          EUR000 
 
        Capital and reserves 
        Issued capital                     15      23,625          23,625 
        Share premium                             183,541         183,541 
        Merger reserve                             99,033          99,033 
        Consolidation reserve                       5,130           5,130 
        Own share reserve                           (356)           (356) 
        Other reserve                              10,322           9,335 
        Foreign currency translation 
         reserve                           15      13,779           7,519 
        Retained earnings                          21,554          20,752 
 
        Total equity                              356,628         348,579 
 
        Total equity and liabilities              620,615         667,007 
                                               ==========  ============== 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                                                                             Foreign 
                                                                         Own                currency 
                       Issued     Share     Merger   Consolidation     share     Other   translation   Retained      Total 
                      capital   premium    reserve         reserve   reserve   reserve       reserve   earnings     equity 
                       EUR000    EUR000     EUR000          EUR000    EUR000    EUR000        EUR000     EUR000     EUR000 
 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2016                 23,625   183,541     99,033           5,130     (635)     9,254        15,284     29,630    364,862 
 Profit for the 
  period                    -         -          -               -         -         -             -      8,379      8,379 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                    -         -          -               -         -         -       (8,095)        (1)    (8,096) 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (expense) /income         -         -          -               -         -         -       (8,095)      8,378        283 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Share based 
  payment 
  compensation              -         -          -               -         -       281             -          -        281 
 Dividends                  -         -          -               -         -         -             -    (9,215)    (9,215) 
 Own shares 
  utilised 
  for incentive 
  schemes                   -         -          -               -         2         -             -          -          2 
 Balance at 30 June 
  2016 (unaudited)     23,625   183,541     99,033           5,130     (633)     9,535         7,189     28,793    356,213 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit for the 
  period                    -         -          -               -         -         -             -     20,058     20,058 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income/(expense)          -         -          -               -         -         -           330        (2)        328 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                    -         -          -               -         -         -           330     20,056     20,386 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Share based 
  payment 
  compensation              -         -          -               -         -     (200)             -          -      (200) 
 Dividends                  -         -          -               -         -         -             -   (28,141)   (28,141) 
 Own shares 
  utilised 
  for incentive 
  schemes                   -         -          -               -       277         -             -         44        321 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Balance at 31 
  December 
  2016 (audited)       23,625   183,541     99,033           5,130     (365)     9,335         7,519     20,752    348,579 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit for the 
  period                    -         -          -               -         -         -             -     11,694    11,694 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                    -         -          -               -         -         -         6,260          -      6,260 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                    -         -          -               -         -         -         6,260     11,694     17,954 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Share based 
  payment 
  compensation              -         -          -               -         -       987             -          -        987 
 Dividends                  -         -          -               -         -         -             -   (10,892)   (10,892) 
 Balance at 30 June 
  2017 (unaudited)     23,625   183,541     99,033           5,130     (356)    10,322        13,779     21,554    356,628 
                     --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 

Interim condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

For the six months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                            Six months   Six months 
                                                 ended        ended 
                                               30 June      30 June 
                                                  2017         2016 
                                             Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                    Notes       EUR000       EUR000 
 Operating activities 
 Profit for the period                          11,694        8,379 
 Adjustments to reconcile 
  profit for the period to 
  net cash flows: 
 Income tax expense recognised 
  in income statement                   8        3,957        4,346 
 Interest expense and bank 
  commissions                           7        1,239        1,349 
 Loss/ (gain) on disposal 
  of tangible and intangible 
  assets                                             4          (9) 
 Other financial income                 7        (447)        (127) 
 Depreciation of property, 
  plant and equipment                  11        4,940        4,578 
 Amortisation of intangible 
  assets                               10          653          819 
 Net foreign exchange (loss)/ 
  gain                                  7            8      (1,474) 
 Share based compensation                          987          281 
 Movement in provisions                            179        (143) 
                                           -----------  ----------- 
                                                23,214       17,999 
 Working capital adjustments 
 Decrease in trade receivables 
  and other assets                              27,431       31,041 
 Increase in inventories                       (3,524)      (2,351) 
 Decrease in trade payables 
  and other liabilities                        (9.276)     (26,756) 
                                                14,631        1,934 
 
 Cash flows generated by 
  operations                                    37,845       19,933 
 Income tax paid                               (3,567)      (2,456) 
 
 Net cash flows from operating 
  activities                                    34,278       17,477 
                                           -----------  ----------- 
 
 Investing activities 
 Interest received                      7          195          127 
 Payments to acquire intangible 
  assets                               10        (493)        (398) 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                        11        (813)      (3,691) 
 Proceeds from sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                                -           27 
 
 Net cash flow from investing 
  activities                                   (1,111)      (3,935) 
                                           -----------  ----------- 
 
 Financing activities 
 Repayment of borrowings                      (44,603)            - 
 New borrowings raised                               -        4,197 
 Interest paid                                 (1,245)      (1,337) 
 Dividends paid to equity 
  holders of the parent                       (10,892)      (9,215) 
 
 Net cash flow from financing 
  activities                                  (56,740)      (6,355) 
                                           -----------  ----------- 
 
 Net (decrease)/ increase 
  in cash and cash equivalents                (23,573)        7,187 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the start of the period                    74,956       75,806 
 Effect of exchange rates 
  on cash and cash equivalents                 (1,450)      (5,428) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the end of the financial 
  period                               12       49,933       77,565 
                                           ===========  =========== 
 

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

1. Corporate information

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Stock Spirits Group PLC (the Company) and its subsidiaries (the Group) for the six months ended 30 June 2017 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 9 August 2017.

Stock Spirits Group PLC is domiciled in England. The Company's registered office is at Solar House, Mercury Park, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0HH, United Kingdom.

The Company, together with its subsidiaries, is involved in the production and distribution of branded spirits in Central and Eastern Europe.

2. Basis of preparation

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2017 have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union.

The annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

The financial information contained in this interim statement, which is unaudited, does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by the Companies Act 2006. 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 annual financial statements as at 31 December 2016. The annual financial statements of the Group were prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and can be found on the Group's website at www.stockspirits.com.

The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2017 and the comparative financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2016 has not been audited, but has been reviewed. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2016 are not the company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the company's auditor and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report was (i) unqualified (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Having made appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial information is presented in Euros ('EUR'). The closing foreign exchange rates used to prepare these financial statements are as follows:

 
        Six months   Six months     Year ended 
          ended 30     ended 30    31 December 
         June 2017    June 2016           2016 
 PLN          4.23         4.40           4.39 
 CZK         26.19        27.11          26.97 
 GBP          0.88         0.83           0.85 
 CHF          1.09         1.08           1.07 
 

3. Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statement are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, except for the adoption of new standards and interpretations and revision of the existing standards as of 1 January 2017 noted below.

New/revised standards and interpretations adopted in 2017

The following amendments to existing standards and interpretations were effective in the period to 30 June 2017, but were either not applicable to or did not have a material impact on the Group:

 
 
 Amendments to IAS 7: Amendments as a result 
  of the Disclosure initiative 
  Amendments to IAS 12: Amendments regarding 
  the recognition of deferred tax assets for 
  unrealised assets 
  Amendments to IFRS 12: Amendments resulting 
  from Annual Improvements 2014 -2016 Cycle 
  (clarifying assets) 
  The entity is in the process of performing 
  a detailed assessment of the application 
  of the new standards, IFRS 15 and 16. The 
  company expects to disclose additional quantitative 
  information before the standards are applied. 
 

4. Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of the interim financial information requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that effect the application of policies and reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These are discussed on page 122 of the Group's 2016 annual financial statements. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of revision and future periods if the revision affects both the current and future periods.

5. Segmental analysis

In identifying its operating segments, management follows the Group's geographic split, representing the main products traded by the Group. The Group is considered to have five reportable operating segments: Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Other Operational and Corporate. The Other Operational segment consists of the results of operations of the Slovakian, International and Baltic Distillery entities. The Corporate segment consists of expenses and central costs incurred by non-trading Group entities.

Each of these operating segments is managed separately as each of these geographic areas require different marketing approaches. All inter-segment transfers are carried out at arm's length prices. The measure of revenue reported to the chief operating decision-maker to assess performance is based on external revenue for each operating segment and excludes intra-Group revenues. The measure of EBITDA reported to the chief operating decision-maker to assess performance is based on operating profit and excludes intra-Group profits, depreciation and amortisation.

The Group has presented a reconciliation from profit before tax per the consolidated income statement to EBITDA below:

 
                                         For the six months ended 30 June 2017   For the six months ended 30 June 2016 
                                                                        EUR000                                  EUR000 
 Profit before tax                                                      15,651                                  12,725 
 Net finance cost/ (income)                                                800                                   (252) 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
 Operating profit                                                       16,451                                  12,473 
 Depreciation and amortisation (note 
  10,11)                                                                 5,593                                   5,397 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
 EBITDA                                                                 22,044                                  17,870 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
 EBITDA margin                                                           18.4%                                   15.4% 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
 

Total assets and liabilities are not disclosed as this information is not provided by segment to the chief operating decision-maker on a regular basis.

 
                     Poland       Czech    Italy   Other Operational   Corporate     Total 
                               Republic 
 30 June 2017        EUR000      EUR000   EUR000              EUR000      EUR000    EUR000 
 
 External revenue    63,985      29,831   12,714              13,281           -   119,811 
                    -------  ----------  -------  ------------------  ----------  -------- 
 
   EBITDA            16,863       9,545    2,339                 742     (7,445)    22,044 
                    -------  ----------  -------  ------------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 
 Memo note:                                                                       EUR000 
 
 Head Office costs                                                               (3,620) 
 PLC related costs including NEDs, internal audit and external communications      (544) 
 Group external audit                                                              (151) 
 PSP and share-based payments                                                      (411) 
 Local market support costs including operations and IT                            (803) 
 Group NPD projects                                                                 (17) 
 Insurance                                                                         (307) 
                                                                                -------- 
 Sub total                                                                       (5,853) 
 Restructuring costs                                                             (1,059) 
 Other including consolidation adjustments and FX                                  (533) 
                                                                                -------- 
 Total Corporate costs                                                           (7,445) 
                                                                                -------- 
 
 
                       Poland       Czech     Italy   Other Operational   Corporate      Total 
                                 Republic 
 30 June 2016          EUR000      EUR000    EUR000              EUR000      EUR000     EUR000 
 
 External revenue      60,743      27,575    13,645              14,026           -    115,989 
                    ---------  ----------  --------  ------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
   EBITDA              15,088       7,771     2,934               1,525     (9,448)     17,870 
                    ---------  ----------  --------  ------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
 
 
 
 Memo note:                                                                       EUR000 
 
 Head Office costs                                                               (4,489) 
 PLC related costs including NEDs, internal audit and external communications    (1,014) 
 Group external audit                                                              (149) 
 PSP and share-based payments                                                      (567) 
 Local market support costs including operations and IT                          (2,155) 
 Group NPD projects                                                                (327) 
 Insurance                                                                         (362) 
                                                                                -------- 
 Sub total                                                                       (9,063) 
 Senior team recruitment, incremental 2016 AGM & other one-off costs             (1,039) 
 Other including consolidation adjustments and FX                                    654 
                                                                                -------- 
 Total Corporate costs                                                           (9,448) 
                                                                                -------- 
 

Seasonality

Sales of spirits beverages are somewhat seasonal, with the fourth calendar quarters accounting for the highest sales volumes. The volume of sales may be affected by both weather conditions and public holidays.

6. Free cash flow

The Group defines free cash flow as net cash generated from operating activities (excluding income tax paid), plus net cash used in or generated from investing activities (excluding interest received, net cash paid for acquisitions and net proceeds from the sale of subsidiaries).

Free cash flow is a supplemental measure of the Group's performance and liquidity that is not required to be presented in accordance with IFRS.

 
                                                    For the six months ended 30 June 2017   For the six months ended 
                                                                                                        30 June 2016 
                                                                                   EUR000                       EUR000 
 Net cash generated from operating activities                                      34,278                       17,477 
 Income tax paid                                                                    3,567                        2,456 
 Net cash pre investing and financing activities                                   37,845                       19,933 
 Net cash generated from investing activities                                     (1,111)                      (3,935) 
 Interest received                                                                  (195)                        (127) 
                                                   --------------------------------------  --------------------------- 
 Cash flow pre financing activities                                                36,539                       15,871 
 Free cash flow                                                                    36,539                       15,871 
 Free cash flow as a percentage of EBITDA                                          165.8%                        88.8% 
                                                   --------------------------------------  --------------------------- 
 

7. Finance costs and income

 
                                                        For the     For the six 
                                                     six months    months ended 
                                                       ended 30    30 June 2016 
                                                      June 2017 
                                                         EUR000          EUR000 
                                  Finance income: 
                   Foreign currency exchange gain             -           1,474 
                                  Interest income           447             127 
 
                             Total finance income           447           1,601 
                                                   ============  ============== 
 
                                   Finance costs: 
    Interest payable on bank overdrafts and loans           703             900 
  Bank commissions, guarantees and other payables           337             261 
                           Other interest expense           199             188 
 Foreign currency exchange loss                               8               - 
 
                              Total finance costs         1,247           1,349 
                                                   ============  ============== 
 
                     Net finance costs / (income)           800           (252) 
                                                   ============  ============== 
 

8. Income taxes

The Group calculates the period income tax expense using the tax rate that would be applicable to the expected total annual earnings. The major components of income tax expense in the interim condensed consolidated income statement are:

 
                                                      For the     For the six 
                                                   six months    months ended 
                                                     ended 30    30 June 2016 
                                                    June 2017 
                                                       EUR000          EUR000 
                             Current income tax 
                      Current income tax charge         1,901           3,381 
  Tax (credit)/charge relating to prior periods         (197)            (20) 
 
                            Deferred income tax 
       Relating to the origination and reversal 
                       of temporary differences         2,253             985 
 
                              Total tax expense         3,957           4,346 
                                                 ============  ============== 
 

Tax inspections

Group wide tax provisions total EUR7,110,000. The most significant relates to tax risks in respect of our Italian subsidiary, Stock S.r.l. The Italian tax authorities have open enquiries covering the years 2006 - 2010. No cash prepayments have been made in respect of the open enquiries in 2017.

The Group's Czech subsidiary, Stock Plzen Bozkov s.r.o. received a tax assessment relating to 2011 from the Czech tax authorities in February 2016. Management will be vigorously defending the Company's position, and have therefore not made a provision against this assessment, which totals EUR1,125,000.

In July 2016 the Group's Polish subsidiary, Stock Polska Sp. z.o.o. received notification from the Polish tax authorities of the commencement of a standard enquiry covering its 2013 corporate tax return. To date no tax assessment has been received in respect of this open enquiry.

9. Earnings per share

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

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent 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 conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

Details of the earnings per share are set out below:

 
                                         For the six months ended 30 June 2017   For the six months ended 30 June 2016 
 
              Basic earnings per share 
     Profit attributable to the equity 
           shareholders of the Company 
                             (EUR'000)                                  11,694                                   8,379 
   Weighted average number of ordinary 
    shares in issue for basic earnings 
                      per share ('000)                                 199,937                                 199,786 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
        Basic earnings per share (EUR)                                    0.06                                    0.04 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
 
            Diluted earnings per share 
 
 
    Diluted profit attributable to the 
    equity shareholders of the Company 
                             (EUR'000)                                  11,694                                   8,379 
    Weighted average number of diluted 
      ordinary shares adjusted for the 
             effect of dilution ('000)                                 202,217                                 199,786 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
      Diluted earnings per share (EUR)                                    0.06                                    0.04 
                                        --------------------------------------  -------------------------------------- 
 

Reconciliation of basic to diluted ordinary shares

 
          Weighted average number of Ordinary shares ('000)    200,000    200,000 
                    Effect of purchase of own shares ('000)       (63)      (214) 
                                                             ---------  --------- 
    Basic weighted average number of Ordinary shares ('000)    199,937    199,786 
 
                               Effect of PSP options ('000)      1,280          - 
             Effect of Special Equity Scheme options ('000)      1,000          - 
  Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary shares ('000)    202,217    199,786 
                                                             ---------  --------- 
 

There have been no other transactions involving ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date of authorisation of these financial statements.

10. Intangible assets - other

 
                                                Customer 
                                           Relationships     Software 
                                 Brands    and Trademark                    Total 
                                 EUR000           EUR000       EUR000      EUR000 
 At 1 January 2017, 
  cost, net of accumulated 
  amortisation                  298,660            1,042        3,051     302,753 
 Additions                          204                -          289         493 
 Transfers                            -                -          456         456 
 Amortisation expense                 -             (59)        (594)       (653) 
 Foreign currency 
  adjustment                      6,415                -            8       6,423 
 
 At 30 June 2017, 
  cost, net of accumulated 
  amortisation                  305,279              983        3,210     309,472 
                             ==========  ===============  ===========  ========== 
 
 
                                                Customer 
                                           Relationships     Software 
                                 Brands    and Trademark                    Total 
                                 EUR000           EUR000       EUR000      EUR000 
 At 1 January 2016, 
  cost, net of accumulated 
  amortisation                  294,261            1,160        3,475     298,896 
 Additions                        4,522                -        1,115       5,637 
 Transfers                          224                -         (83)         141 
 Disposals                            -                -          (3)         (3) 
 Amortisation expense                 -            (118)      (1,367)     (1,485) 
 Foreign currency 
  adjustment                      (347)                -         (86)       (433) 
 
 At 31 December 2016, 
  cost, net of accumulated 
  amortisation                  298,660            1,042        3,051     302,753 
                             ==========  ===============  ===========  ========== 
 

11. Property, plant and equipment

The movement in property, plant and equipment for the six-month period ended 30 June 2017 was as follows:

 
                                    Land                                    Assets 
                                     and    Technical        Other           under 
                               buildings    equipment    equipment    construction      Total 
                                  EUR000       EUR000       EUR000          EUR000     EUR000 
 At 1 January 
  2017, cost, net 
  of accumulated 
  depreciation                    23,640       25,197        5,031           1,837     55,705 
 Additions                             4          341          120             348        813 
 Transfers                            26          989          282         (1,753)      (456) 
 Disposals                             -          (1)          (7)               -        (8) 
 Depreciation 
  expense                          (541)      (2,828)      (1,571)               -    (4,940) 
 Foreign currency 
  adjustment                         734          748          159              55      1,696 
 
 At 30 June 2017, 
  cost, net of 
  accumulated depreciation        23,863       24,446        4,014             487     52,810 
                             ===========  ===========  ===========  ==============  ========= 
 
 
                              Land                                    Assets 
                               and    Technical        Other           under 
                         buildings    equipment    equipment    construction      Total 
                            EUR000       EUR000       EUR000          EUR000     EUR000 
 At 1 January 
  2016, cost, 
  net of accumulated 
  depreciation              23,629       25,359        7,318           3,297     59,603 
 Additions                     414          320          895           5,544      7,173 
 Transfers                     800        5,402          535         (6,878)      (141) 
 Disposals                      11         (86)        (102)               -      (177) 
 Depreciation 
  expense                  (1,021)      (5,307)      (3,411)               -    (9,739) 
 Foreign currency 
  adjustment                 (193)        (491)        (204)           (126)    (1,014) 
 
 At 31 December 
  2016, cost, 
  net of accumulated 
  depreciation              23,640       25,197        5,031           1,837     55,705 
                       ===========  ===========  ===========  ==============  ========= 
 

12. Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and in banks, net of outstanding bank overdrafts. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period/year as shown in the cash flow statement can be reconciled to the related items in statement of financial position as follows:

 
                           30 June   31 December 2016 
                              2017 
                            EUR000             EUR000 
 
 Cash and bank balances     49,933             74,956 
                          --------  ----------------- 
 

Cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

 
                     30 June   31 December 2016 
                        2017 
                      EUR000             EUR000 
 
      Polish Zloty    16,250             16,578 
      Czech Koruna    11,890             21,918 
          Sterling     8,396             21,469 
              Euro     7,809              8,960 
  Other currencies     5,588              5,851 
             Total    49,933             74,956 
                    ========  ================= 
 

13. Financial liabilities

 
                                  Current  Non-current 
                                  30 June      30 June            Current        Non-current 
                                     2017         2017   31 December 2016   31 December 2016 
                                   EUR000       EUR000             EUR000             EUR000 
  Unsecured - at amortised cost 
                      HSBC loan         -       89,716                  -            134,319 
    Cost of arranging bank loan      (53)        (126)               (52)              (151) 
               Interest payable        54            -                 85                  - 
 
                                        1       89,590                 33            134,168 
                                 --------  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 

14. Financial assets and liabilities

Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying amounts which approximates fair values of all of the Group's financial instruments that are carried in the financial statements.

As at 30 June 2017

 
                                        Loans   Amortised      Total 
                                          and                   book 
                                  receivables        cost      value 
                                       EUR000      EUR000     EUR000 
 Financial assets: 
 Cash                                  49,933           -     49,933 
 Trade and other receivables          101,432           -    101,432 
 Customs deposits                       4,666           -      4,666 
 
 Financial liabilities: 
 Interest-bearing loans 
  and borrowings: 
 (i) Finance lease obligations              -       (196)      (196) 
 (ii) Floating rate borrowings 
  - banks                                   -    (89,537)   (89,537) 
 Trade and other payables                   -    (58,420)   (58,420) 
 

As at 31 December 2016

 
                                        Loans   Amortised       Total 
                                          and                    book 
                                  receivables        cost       value 
                                       EUR000      EUR000      EUR000 
 Financial assets: 
 Cash                                  74,956           -      74,956 
 Trade and other receivables          128,393           -     128,393 
 Customs deposits                       6,033           -       6,033 
 
 Financial liabilities: 
 Interest-bearing loans and 
  borrowings: 
 (i) Finance lease obligations              -       (287)       (287) 
 (ii) Floating rate borrowings 
  - banks                                   -   (134,116)   (134,116) 
 Trade and other payables                   -    (51,259)    (51,259) 
 

15. Authorised and issued share capital and reserves

Share Capital

 
                                     30 June   31 December 
                                        2017          2016 
 Number of ordinary shares 
 Ordinary shares of GBP0.10 
  each, issued and fully paid    200,000,000   200,000,000 
                                ------------  ------------ 
 
 Ordinary shares (EUR000)             23,625        23,625 
                                ------------  ------------ 
 

Foreign currency translation reserve

 
                                 30 June   31 December 
                                    2017          2016 
                                  EUR000        EUR000 
 
 Foreign currency translation 
  reserve                         13,779         7,519 
                                --------  ------------ 
 

Exchange differences relating to the translation from the functional currencies of the Group's foreign subsidiaries into Euros are accounted for by entries made directly to the foreign currency translation reserve.

16. Dividend

An interim dividend of 2.38 Euro cents per ordinary share has been recommended by the Board in respect of the half year ended 30 June 2017 and will be paid on 22 September 2017. The total dividend payable has not been recognised as a liability at 30 June 2017.

17. Related party transactions

In considering each possible related party relationship, attention is directed to the substance of the relationship, not merely the legal form.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation. There were no other related party transactions during the six month period ended 30 June 2017 (30 June 2016: EURnil), as defined by International Accounting Standard No 24 'Related Party Disclosures', except for key management compensation. The related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2016 as defined by International Accounting Standard No 24 'Related Party Disclosures' are disclosed in note 31 of the Stock Spirits Group PLC Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2016.

18. Commitments for capital expenditure

Commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment as of 30 June 2017 are EUR35,000 (30 June 2016: EUR120,000).

19. Events after the balance sheet date

Subsequent to the period end, the following events have occurred -

-- On 17 July 2017, Stock Spirits entered into agreements with Quintessential Brands Group for the acquisition of a 25% equity interest in Quintessential Brands Ireland Whiskey Limited for a cash consideration of up to EUR18.3m. Consideration comprised of an initial cash payment of EUR15m for 25% of the equity interest, and a deferred cash consideration of up to EUR3.3m which is payable over a five year period, subject to performance conditions; and

-- On 21 July 2017, Stock Spirits Group extended its revolving credit facilities with its banking club by a further 2 years to November 2022. The key facility terms remain unchanged.

(1) We have referenced EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure in the financial highlights section. For details of the reconciliation of EBITDA to GAAP financial numbers please refer to notes 5 and 6 in the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) Nielsen, total vodka off trade; total Poland as at June 2017

(3) All data references, Nielsen total vodka total off trade, total Poland YTD June 2017

(4) Total premium is the sum of premium, top premium and ultra premium categories as per Nielsen data

(5) Nielsen total off trade, total Czech market June 2017

(6) Nielsen total off trade, rum category, total Czech market June 2017

(7) Nielsen total off trade, vodka category, total Czech market June 2017

(8) IRI total on and off trade, total Italian market June 2017

(9) IRI total off trade, total Italian market June 2017

(10) IRI total off trade, total the Italian market June 2017

(11&12) IWSR 2017

Constant currency growth rates are based on prior year balances restated based on 2017 foreign exchange rates. The prior year constant currency amount is restated by retranslating prior year monthly results from foreign operations at their respective 2017 monthly foreign exchange rates. The Board has chosen to disclose these comparative growth rates as the impact of currency in the period has been material to disclosed revenue growth rates. The difference between the reported and constant currency amounts and growth rates is the impact of foreign exchange

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR EAKPNELPXEEF

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 09, 2017 02:53 ET (06:53 GMT)

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