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WCW Walker Crips Group Plc

22.50
0.50 (2.27%)
22 Jul 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Walker Crips Group Plc LSE:WCW London Ordinary Share GB00B1YMRV88 ORD 6 2/3P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.50 2.27% 22.50 22.00 23.00 22.50 22.00 22.00 22,276 14:26:46
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Security Brokers & Dealers 31.61M 418k 0.0098 22.96 9.37M

Interim Results (1574S)

16/11/2011 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Walker Crips (LSE:WCW)
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RNS Number : 1574S

Walker Crips Group plc

16 November 2011

Walker Crips Group plc

Results for the six months ended 30 September 2011

Walker Crips Group plc ("Walker Crips", the "Company" or the "Group"), the financial services firm with activities covering stockbroking, portfolio and fund management, corporate finance and personal financial services, today announces results for the six months ended 30 September 2011 (the "Period").

Highlights

   --    Revenue up 7% to GBP10.65m (2010: GBP9.97m) 
   --    Gross Profit up 2.5% to GBP7.40m (2010: GBP7.22m) 
   --    Pre-tax profit down 8.1% to GBP0.83m (2010: GBP0.90m) 
   --    Basic EPS down 5.2%  to 1.65p (2010: 1.74p) 

-- Interim dividend maintained at 0.94p per share (2010: 0.94p), reflecting confidence in the Company's longer term prospects

   --    Non-broking income as a proportion of total income increased to 61% (2010: 55%) 

Outlook

Commenting, David Gelber, Chairman of Walker Crips, said: 'Whilst current depressed market conditions remain similar to those experienced towards the end of the Period, with investor and market uncertainty undermining overall confidence, the Board is confident that the Group is well positioned to benefit from any longer term improvement in market activity'.

Subsequent Events

The Board notes that Walker Crips had some exposure to MF Global UK Limited when that company entered the Special Administration Regime on 31 October 2011 and that such exposures remain unsettled. However, based on information received to date, the Board expects that this situation will be resolved without a material impact on the financial or trading position of the Company.

For further information, please contact:

 
 Walker Crips Group plc               Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 8000 
 Rodney FitzGerald, Chief Executive 
  Stephen Bailey, Investment 
  Director 
 
 Altium                               Tel: +44 (0) 20 7484 4040 
 Ben Thorne 
  Tim Richardson 
 

Further information on Walker Crips Group is available on the Company's

website: www.wcgplc.co.uk

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to report a resilient and satisfactory performance by the Group in the first half, with revenue improving 7% over the Period to GBP10.65m (2010: GBP9.97m). This achievement should be judged against a background of lower transaction volumes in weaker equity markets, especially towards the end of the Period.

Commissions payable in the Period increased by 18% to GBP3.25m (2010: GBP2.75m), due to an increase in the proportion of Group revenues with commission sharing arrangements. Overall, gross profit improved over the Period to GBP7.40m (2010: GBP7.22m).

Cost increases (including significantly increased property expenses), the increased commissions payable referred to above and the continuing negative impact of the low interest rate environment on investment income, have all combined to reduce profit before tax in the Period by 8% to GBP0.83m (2010: GBP0.90m).

Non-broking income as a proportion of total income continued to improve to 61% (2010: 55%) in line with the Board's continued desire to diversify revenue streams and be less reliant on volatile commission revenues (see note 5).

Operations

WCAM, our in-house fund management division, continued to make good progress over the Period, reporting increased revenues (up 11.7% to GBP2.06m) and profits (up 17% to GBP1.13m). Since the last year end, the unit trust and other UK based mandated funds, managed so successfully by Stephen Bailey and Jan Luthman, declined by just 1.7% to GBP566m at the Period end (31 March 2011: GBP576m; 30 September 2010: GBP516m). These funds have increased since the Period end and at 14 November 2011 stood at GBP592m. However, the Group's total funds under management declined by 11.3% to GBP698m at the Period end (31 March 2011: GBP787m; 30 September 2010: GBP750m) after the wind down of two non-core open-ended offshore funds managed by a separate division of WCAM.

The investment management / stockbroking division saw a 7% improvement in gross revenues during the Period to GBP7.4m (2010: GBP7.0m). This was a robust top line performance although the increase in shared revenue and higher administration expenses resulted in decreased profitability for the division.

The award-winning Walker Crips Structured Investments team continued to build upon its growing reputation in the intermediary market place with the launch during the Period of several new products which more easily enable experienced investors to take medium-term positions to meet their investment strategies.

The corporate finance division suffered once again in extremely difficult markets, with an increased loss in the Period of GBP62,000 (2010: GBP20,000 loss) as investor confidence in the microcap arena remained fragile. Further overhead reductions have been implemented to better align costs and revenues in this division during the second half of the year.

At our York-based financial services division, revenues increased 7% to GBP1.05m (2010: GBP0.98m) which, with sound cost control, fed directly through to the bottom line which increased 75% to GBP152,000 (2010: GBP87,000).

Expenses / Liquidity

Administrative expenses during the Period increased by 4% to GBP6.6m (2010: GBP6.4m). This is in line with inflation and incorporates significantly increased property costs for the Group's head office following the expiry of the original lease incentive arrangements. Steps have been taken to reduce operating costs in the second half year to offset the market uncertainty and the general decline in stockbroking revenues.

Cash balances had reduced to GBP3.4m by the Period end (31 March 2011: GBP4.3m) due to working capital movements and day to day variations in client settlement requirements. Liquid assets, in the form of net current assets, at the Period end of GBP7.2m remained slightly above the year end position (31 March 2011: GBP7.1m).

Dividend

I am pleased to announce that the interim dividend is to be maintained at 0.94p per share (2010: 0.94p per share). The Board continues to believe in rewarding shareholders with a steady income stream whilst funding internal growth through retained earnings. The dividend will be paid on 9 December 2011 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on 25 November 2011.

Directors, Account Executives and Staff

On behalf of the Board, I would like to once again thank my fellow directors, all account executives and members of staff for their continued loyalty and flexibility in the face of the uncertain market conditions experienced during the Period.

Outlook

Whilst current depressed market conditions remain similar to those experienced towards the end of the Period, with investor and market uncertainty undermining overall confidence, the Board is confident that the Group is well positioned to benefit from any longer term improvement in market activity.

Subsequent Events

The Board notes that Walker Crips had some exposure to MF Global UK Limited when that company entered the Special Administration Regime on 31 October 2011 and that such exposures remain unsettled. However, based on information received to date, the Board expects that this situation will be resolved without a material impact on the financial or trading position of the Company.

D. M. Gelber

Chairman

16 November 2011

 
Walker Crips Group plc 
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement 
For the six months ended 30 September 2011 
                                                Unaudited      Unaudited         Audited 
                                     Notes     Six months     Six months         Year to 
                                                       to             to 
                                             30 September   30 September   31 March 2011 
                                                     2011           2010 
                                                  GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
Continuing operations 
Revenue                                2           10,652          9,968          20,122 
Commission payable                                (3,248)        (2,746)         (5,132) 
                                            -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Gross profit                                        7,404          7,222          14,990 
 
Share of after tax profit of 
 joint venture                                          1              2              11 
 
Administrative expenses                           (6,612)        (6,359)        (13,295) 
 
Operating profit                                      793            865           1,706 
 
Investment revenues                                    32             34              50 
Finance costs                                           -            (1)             (1) 
 
Profit before tax                                     825            898           1,755 
                                            -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
Taxation                                            (227)          (265)           (539) 
 
Profit for the period attributable 
 to equity holders of the company                     598            633           1,216 
                                            -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
Earnings per share                     3 
Basic                                               1.65p          1.74p           3.35p 
Diluted                                             1.61p          1.70p           3.27p 
 
 
Walker Crips Group plc 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
For the six months ended 30 September 2011 
                                                 Unaudited      Unaudited         Audited 
                                                Six months     Six months         Year to 
                                                        to             to 
                                              30 September   30 September   31 March 2011 
                                                      2011           2010 
                                                   GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
Profit for the period                                  598            633           1,216 
 
Other comprehensive income: 
Loss on revaluation of available-for-sale 
 investments taken to equity                           (4)           (32)           (137) 
Deferred tax on loss on available-for-sale 
 investments                                             1              9              61 
Deferred tax on share options                          (2)            (2)             (4) 
 
Total comprehensive income for the period 
 attributable to equity holders of the 
 company                                               593            608           1,136 
                                             -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 
Walker Crips Group plc 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
As at 30 September 2011 
                                                       Unaudited      Unaudited    Audited 
                                                    30 September   30 September   31 March 
                                                            2011           2010       2011 
                                                         GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000 
Non current Assets 
Goodwill                                                   5,121          5,121      5,121 
Other intangible assets                                      403            519        461 
Property, plant and equipment                                686            802        767 
Investment in joint ventures                                  25             25         34 
Available for sale investments                             1,179          1,288      1,183 
                                        ------------------------  -------------  --------- 
                                                           7,414          7,755      7,566 
Current Assets 
Trade and other receivables                               24,570         42,817     35,847 
Trading Investments                                          657            314        720 
Deferred tax asset                                           145              -         26 
Cash and cash equivalents                                  3,378          3,160      4,281 
                                        ------------------------  -------------  --------- 
                                                          28,750         46,291     40,874 
 
Total assets                                              36,164         54,046     48,440 
                                        ------------------------  -------------  --------- 
 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                                (20,920)       (38,970)   (33,207) 
Current tax liabilities                                    (639)          (583)      (568) 
Deferred tax liability                                         -           (15)          - 
                                        ------------------------  -------------  --------- 
                                                        (21,559)       (39,568)   (33,775) 
 
Net current assets                                         7,191          6,723      7,099 
                                        ------------------------  -------------  --------- 
 
Net assets                                                14,605         14,478     14,665 
                                        ========================  =============  ========= 
 
Equity 
Share capital                                              2,470          2,470      2,470 
Share premium account                                      1,626          1,626      1,626 
Own shares                                                 (312)          (312)      (312) 
Revaluation reserve                                          817            873        820 
Other reserves                                             4,672          4,676      4,674 
Retained earnings                                          5,332          5,145      5,387 
Equity attributable to equity holders 
 of the company                                           14,605         14,478     14,665 
                                        ========================  =============  ========= 
 
 
Walker Crips Group plc 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
For the six months ended 30 September 2011 
                                                Unaudited      Unaudited                    Audited 
                                               Six months     Six months                    Year to 
                                                       to             to 
                                             30 September   30 September              31 March 2011 
                                                     2011           2010 
                                                  GBP'000        GBP'000                    GBP'000 
Operating activities 
Cash (used in) / generated from 
 operations                                          (21)        (1,471)                        777 
Interest received                                      15             18                         33 
Interest paid                                           -            (1)                        (1) 
Tax paid                                            (269)          (253)                      (539) 
 
Net cash (used in) / generated from 
 operating activities                               (275)        (1,707)                        270 
                                            -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
Investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and 
 equipment                                           (65)          (109)                      (218) 
Sale / (Purchase) of investments 
 held for trading                                      63            137                      (269) 
Dividends received                                     27             17                         17 
 
Net cash generated from / (used 
 in) investing activities                              25             45                      (470) 
                                            -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
Financing activities 
Purchase of Treasury shares                             -          (139)                      (139) 
Dividends paid                                      (653)          (622)                      (963) 
 
Net cash used in financing activities               (653)          (761)                    (1,102) 
                                            -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents           (903)        (2,423)                    (1,302) 
 
Net cash and cash equivalents at 
 the start of the period                            4,281          5,583                      5,583 
 
Net Cash and cash equivalents at 
 the end of the period                              3,378          3,160                      4,281 
 
Cash and cash equivalents                           3,378          3,160                      4,281 
 
                                                    3,378          3,160                      4,281 
                                            -------------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
 
 
Walker Crips Group plc 
 Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity 
 For the six months ended 30 September 2011 
                              Called     Share  Own shares      Capital    Other  Revaluation   Retained  Total Equity 
                            up share   premium        held   Redemption                         earnings 
                             capital 
                             GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000  GBP'000      GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000 
Equity as at 31 March 
 2010                          2,470     1,626       (173)          111    4,567          896      5,134        14,631 
 
Revaluation of investment 
 at fair value                                                                           (32)                     (32) 
Deferred tax credit to 
 equity                                                                                     9                        9 
Movement on deferred tax 
 on share options                                                            (2)                                   (2) 
Profit for the 6 months 
 ended 30 September 2010                                                                             633           633 
                           ---------  --------  ----------  -----------  -------  -----------  ---------  ------------ 
Total recognised income 
 and expense for the 
 period                                                                      (2)         (23)        633           608 
March 2010 final dividend                                                                          (622)         (622) 
Purchase of Treasury 
 shares                                              (139)                                                       (139) 
 
Equity as at 30 September 
 2010                          2,470     1,626       (312)          111    4,565          873      5,145        14,478 
 
 
 Revaluation of 
 investment 
 at fair value                                                                          (105)                    (105) 
Deferred tax credit to 
 equity                                                                                    52                       52 
Movement on deferred tax 
 on share options                                                            (2)                                   (2) 
Profit for the 6 months 
 ended 31 March 2011                                                                                 583           583 
                           ---------  --------  ----------  -----------  -------  -----------  ---------  ------------ 
Total recognised income 
 and expense for the 
 period                                                                      (2)         (53)        583           528 
September 2010 interim 
 dividend                                                                                          (341)         (341) 
 
Equity as at 31 March 
 2011                          2,470     1,626       (312)          111    4,563          820      5,387        14,665 
 
Revaluation of investment 
 at fair value                                                                            (4)                      (4) 
Deferred tax credit to 
 equity                                                                                     1                        1 
Movement on deferred tax 
 on share options                                                            (2)                                   (2) 
Profit for the 6 months 
 ended 30 September 2011                                                                             598           598 
                           ---------  --------  ----------  -----------  -------  -----------  ---------  ------------ 
Total recognised income 
 and expense for the 
 period                                                                      (2)          (3)        598           593 
March 2011 final dividend                                                                          (653)         (653) 
 
Equity as at 30 September 
 2011                          2,470     1,626       (312)          111    4,561          817      5,332        14,605 
 

Walker Crips Group plc

Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

For the six months ended 30 September 2011

1. Basis of preparation and accounting policies

The Group's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS). These condensed financial statements are presented in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies and methods of computation set out in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011.

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011.The interim financial information is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.The Group's financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011 have been reported on by the auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis. They also did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Going Concern

As the net asset base remains healthy, the directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they also conclude in accordance with guidance from the Financial Reporting Council, that the use of the going concern basis for the preparation of the financial statements continues to be appropriate.

Interests in joint ventures

The Group's share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of jointly controlled entities are accounted for in the consolidated financial statements under the equity method.

Income from the sale or use of the Group's share of the output of jointly controlled assets, and its share of the joint venture expenses, are recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transactions will flow to / from the Group and their amount can be measured accurately.

Goodwill

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group's interest in the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary or jointly controlled entity at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and reviewed for impairment at least annually. Any impairment is recognised immediately in profit or loss and is not subsequently reversed in future periods.

Intangible assets

At each period end date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the assets belong.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profits, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Under the Financial Services Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Directors are required to identify those material risks to which the company is exposed and take appropriate steps to mitigate those risks. The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group are discussed in detail in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2011.Since the year end, as described in the Chairman's letter, the events at MF Global have heightened the uncertainties faced by the Group.

Related party transactions

No transactions took place in the period that would materially or significantly affect the financial position or performance of the group.

2. Segmental analysis

 
                           Investment   Corporate   Financial          Fund                     Total 
                           Management     Finance    Services    Management 
 Revenue (GBP'000) 
 6m to 30 September 
  2011                          7,409         136       1,050         2,057                    10,652 
                         ------------  ----------  ----------  ------------                ---------- 
 6m to 30 September 
  2010 (restated)*              6,956         186         984         1,842                     9,968 
                         ------------  ----------  ----------  ------------                ---------- 
 Year to 31 March 2011         13,959         308       2,021         3,834                    20,122 
                         ------------  ----------  ----------  ------------                ---------- 
                                                                              Unallocated   Operating 
 Result (GBP'000)                                                                   Costs      Profit 
 6m to 30 September 
  2011                              7        (62)         152         1,127         (431)         793 
                         ------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 6m to 30 September 
  2010 (restated)*                220        (20)          87           962         (384)         865 
                         ------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Year to 31 March 2011            606        (64)         197         2,148       (1,181)       1,706 
                         ------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 

* Prior period revenue has been re-classified between operating divisions as determined by clients' principal activity whereas previously these income streams were split across several segments.

3. Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share for continuing operations is based on the post-tax profit for the period of GBP598,000 (2010 - GBP633,000) and on 36,301,187 (2010 - 36,301,187) ordinary shares of 6 2/3p, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

The effect of options would be to reduce the reported earnings per share. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on 37,114,062 (2010 - 37,151,959) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period adjusted for dilutive potential ordinary shares.

4. Dividends

The interim dividend of 0.94p per share (2010: 0.94p) is payable on 9 December 2011 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 25 November 2011. The interim dividend has not been included as a liability in this interim report.

5. Total Income (GBP'000)

 
                        Six months Ended   Six months Ended       Year Ended 
                            30 September       30 September    31 March 2011 
                                    2011               2010 
 
 Revenue                          10,652              9,968           20,122 
 Investment revenues                  32                 34               50 
                       -----------------  -----------------  --------------- 
                                  10,684             10,002           20,172 
                       -----------------  -----------------  --------------- 
 

The Group's income can also be categorised as follows for the purpose of measuring a Key Performance Indicator, non-broking income to total income.

 
                         Six months     %      Six months     %   Year Ended     % 
  Income (GBP'000)            Ended                 Ended           31 March 
                       30 September          30 September               2011 
                               2011                  2010 
 
 Broking                      4,123    39           4,539    45        9,620    48 
 Non-Broking                  6,561    61           5,463    55       10,552    52 
                     --------------  ----  --------------  ----  -----------  ---- 
                             10,684   100          10,002   100       20,172   100 
                     --------------  ----  --------------  ----  -----------  ---- 
 

Directors' Responsibility Statement

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

(a) The condensed set of financial statements contained within the half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU;

(b) The half yearly report from the Chairman (constituting the interim management report) includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R; and

(c) The half yearly report from the Chairman includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R as far as applicable.

On Behalf of the Board

Rodney FitzGerald

Chief Executive Officer

16 November 2011

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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