RNS Number:3493M
Braemar Seascope Group PLC
17 May 2005



For immediate release                                               17 May 2005

                     Results - Year ended 28 February 2005

Braemar Seascope Group plc (the "Group"), a leading provider of shipping
services, today announced full year results for the year ended 28 February 2005.

HIGHLIGHTS

               
     *    Turnover including joint ventures up to #46.3m (2004: #30.8m)
     *    Pre-tax profit before goodwill and exceptionals up 73% to #9.0m (2004:
          #5.2m)
     *    Pre-tax profit up 73% to #7.1m (2004: #4.1m)
     *    Adjusted EPS before goodwill and exceptionals up 60% to 32.31p (2004:
          20.16p)
     *    Basic EPS up 70% to 23.67p (2004: 13.96p)
     *    Operating cash flow up 88% to #11.0m (2004: #5.9m)
     *    Final dividend 10.0p per share, full year 16.0p (2004: 13.00p) up 23%
     *    Seawise Australia acquired and performing well

Commenting on the results and outlook, Sir Graham Hearne, Chairman, said:

"I am delighted to report a year of record profits for the group. The shipping
market was exceptionally strong for much of 2004 and our shipbroking business
has prospered. Activity levels, ship values and freight rates have all been
boosted by the worldwide increase in seaborne trade."

"The shipping market has continued strongly during our first fiscal quarter. It
is undoubtedly the case that the benefit to shipping over the last year or more
has been driven by industrial growth in Asia supported by a healthy trade with
many countries. The outlook for shipbroking remains positive while these
favourable market conditions persist."

For further information, contact:

Braemar Seascope Group plc
Alan Marsh                                          Tel 020 7535 2650
James Kidwell                                       Tel 020 7535 2881
Aquila Financial
Patrick d'Ancona                                    Tel 020 7849 3326
Peter Reilly                                        Tel 020 7849 3319
Charles Stanley & Company Limited
Philip Davies                                       Tel 020 7953 2000

Notes to editors:

Through its subsidiaries Braemar Seascope Group plc's services provided
comprise:

Braemar Seascope     Specialised shipbroking and consultancy services to
Limited              international ship owners and charterers in the sale &
                     purchase, tanker, offshore, container and dry bulk markets.
                     www.braemarseascope.com

Seawise Australia    Specialised shipbroking and consultancy services for owners
Pty Limited          and charterers particularly in dry bulk markets in 
                     Australia.
                     www.seawise.com.au

Cory Brothers        Liner and port ship agency services within the UK.
Shipping Agency      www.cory.co.uk
Limited              

Wavespec            Marine engineering and naval architecture consultants to the
Limited             shipping and offshore markets.
                    www.wavespec.com

             PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT - YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2005
                              CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am delighted to report a year of record profits for the group. The shipping
market was exceptionally strong for much of 2004 and our shipbroking business
has prospered. Activity levels, ship values and freight rates have all been
boosted by the worldwide increase in seaborne trade. Continuing demand for the
long-range transportation of raw materials, oil and consumer products has
sustained the major shipping markets (dry bulk, tanker and container) at
historically high levels. Interest in the sector has risen, attracting new
investors and stimulating activity across all types and sizes of ship.

Through the acquisition of Seawise Australia Pty Limited ("Seawise") on 21
February 2005, the group has extended both its presence in the Pacific Basin and
its dry cargo broking business. The Australian economy is enjoying the growth in
Asian industrial production and Seawise is well-placed to benefit from these
circumstances. In the three months since Seawise was acquired we have been
developing our enlarged dry cargo operation, and trading to date has been
pleasing. The acquisition was financed by a mixture of cash and the issue of new
shares to the vendor broking team; we view this as a sensible way to build the
group business where opportunities in shipping services arise.

Since the mergers of Seascope with Braemar Shipbrokers and with Braemar Tankers
in 2001 we have set up wholly or part owned offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Delhi,
Bombay and Singapore and significantly expanded our container, dry cargo and
research teams. We have also acquired Seawise and entered the ship agency market
through the purchase of Cory. Over the last three years the size and scope of
operations have increased, and this is reflected in the results on which we are
now reporting.

Revenue for the year was #46.3m (2004: #30.8m) and profit before tax (before
goodwill amortisation and exceptional items) was #9.0m compared with #5.2m in
the prior year. Profit before tax was #7.1m (2004: #4.1m). Adjusted earnings per
share (before exceptionals and goodwill) were 32.31 pence (2004: 20.16 pence)
and basic earnings per share were 23.67 pence (13.96 pence). Net cash inflow
from operations before financing increased to #11.0m (2004: #5.9m) contributing
to the improvement in net funds which ended the year at #6.5m (2004: #2.0m).

The Board is recommending a final dividend of 10.0 pence per ordinary share,
which together with the 6 pence interim dividend takes the total dividend for
the year to 16.0 pence (2004: 13.0 pence), a rise of 23%.

These results would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and
skill shown by the staff within the group and on behalf of the Board I would
like to express my thanks for their performance during the year. The performance
was also recognised in March 2005 when the company was given the award
"Shipbroker of the Year" as chosen by a Lloyd's List panel.

Outlook

The shipping market has continued strongly during our first fiscal quarter. It
is undoubtedly the case that the benefit to shipping over the last year or more
has been driven by industrial growth in Asia supported by a healthy trade with
many countries. The outlook for shipbroking remains positive while these
favourable market conditions persist, though the weak US dollar will offset some
of the overall benefit. Income in the first half of 2005/6 will include a
significant level of business concluded in the final quarter of 2004/5 for
delivery in the current year - particularly in sale and purchase.

               CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

The results for both Chartering and Sale and Purchase showed a significant
increase over last year reflecting a rise in average commissions and also the
numbers of transactions in which the company has been involved. The wider
geographic spread of our operations has increased the breadth of our client
service, and it is pleasing that all our overseas operations are making a
positive contribution to the results so soon after being established. We have
also added significantly to our forward order book during the year, particularly
in newbuilding, and won major new supervisory business at Wavespec. During the
year we established a new LNG project team combining our skills in shipbroking,
research and technical support to develop newbuilding and consulting business
much of which will benefit future years.

Shipbroking - Chartering

During the second half of the year, tanker freight rates reached record high
levels, which resulted in earnings for VLCCs ("Very Large Crude Carriers") over
the year as a whole averaging around 75 per cent higher than the previous year.
This improvement in revenue was broadly reflected across the ship size
categories. In spite of high oil prices, consumer demand was undiminished, and
the tanker tonnage supply and demand balance tipped in owners' favour. A greater
diversity of trading routes enabled ship owners to improve the laden/ballast
ratio, which added significantly to net earnings. There have inevitably been
some fluctuations in freight levels, but even the low points have been
comfortably above break even. During this past year, VLCCs have earned on
average around $105,000 per day, compared with close to $60,000 per day the
previous year.

Oil prices look set to remain high for the foreseeable future, and OPEC has
indicated a willingness to supply more oil as the year progresses, implying
continued strong demand for tanker transportation. The phase-out of single hull
tankers is now under way and, with shipyard capacity full for several years to
come, the supply of new tonnage can spring no surprises. We expect firm trading
conditions to persist for the current financial year.

Our Small products, Chemicals and Gas departments have seen an upturn in their
markets over the last year. Most of their business is conducted under long term
contracts on agreed pricing structures, giving them more security of business
and less exposure to the volatility of the market. Their major contracts have
been renewed during the course of the year. Subsequent to the year-end the Group
and its US partner, Quincannon, have increased their respective stakes in SBQ
Pte Ltd from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. SBQ is a Singapore-based gas and
chemicals shipbroker and has now been renamed Braemar Quincannon Pte Ltd.

The dry cargo market surged ahead in the second half of 2004, peaking in the
beginning of December when the BDI ("Baltic Dry Index"), the dry cargo
chartering yardstick, stood at 8,911 with average time-charter rates for modern
Capesize vessels in excess of $100,000 per day (2003/4 average $51,200 per day).
Since that time the market has cooled considerably and by the end of February
2005 the BDI had fallen to 4,726. The department's performance has increased
significantly over the prior year due to a combination of the improvement in the
market, the addition of new team members and increased market share. The global
demand for raw materials remains strong and dry bulk shipping would normally
follow this demand.

Seawise, purchased in February this year, has offices located in Melbourne,
Perth and Sydney with a total of 38 staff concentrating on the dry cargo market
especially for local mining companies and shipowners. We are actively working on
developing the synergies with these offices.

Shipbroking - Sale and Purchase

The sale and purchase department had another extremely successful year
benefiting from increases in both ship values and transaction volumes. Activity
covered all types and sizes of ship - tankers, bulkers, container and LNG
vessels - reflecting the unrivalled breadth and depth of skills in the
department and the ability to develop business by harnessing the knowledge and
skills in other areas of the group. In particular, both Wavespec and Cory have
contributed to sale and purchase business that has been concluded.

The strength of the shipping market and the investment opportunities it offers
has attracted new types of investor helping to maintain values and deal flow.
The new financial year has begun with a substantial number of ship sales already
contracted at favourable prices.

Newbuilding income, which is recognised in line with the contractual phasing of
payments by the ship owner to the shipyard, and therefore mainly reflects the
activity of previous years, increased substantially over the previous year. The
rise in newbuilding prices has reflected the increased demand for most vessels,
the limitations on yard capacity and the rise in the price of steel. Our forward
order book of contracted income grew strongly in the year with the benefit to
earnings coming mainly over the next four years as the ships are constructed and
delivered. Worldwide shipyard capacity is now almost fully contracted for the
next four years offering opportunities for resale business but could limit
newbuilding business. Recently the major yards have preferred to take orders to
build higher value LNG and container carriers, which has meant that capacity
made available for tankers and dry bulkers has diminished. This trend supports a
view that wet and dry freight rates could remain at higher than average levels
for some time.

Demolition income remained broadly level, with an increase in the price of steel
offsetting fewer ships being scrapped.

Shipbroking - Containers (50 per cent owned)

Over the 2004 calendar year the increase in container charter rates continued
with the market rising by almost 70 per cent. These rates enabled charterers to
commit ships into their liner services at unprecedented levels and for
ever-longer periods, giving owners across the whole spectrum of containership
sizes some extremely healthy returns. A surge in both newbuilding orders and
second-hand prices has mirrored activity in the charter market, and confidence
in the future remains positive. Despite the large order book for new ships
stretching well into 2008, the appetites of many investors remain undiminished.
Lack of development of port infrastructure in Europe and the US threatens to
hamper growth, but throughput at Far Eastern (and particularly Chinese)
terminals is still increasing.

Shipbroking - Offshore

During the early part of the year the Offshore market was weak, but in the final
fiscal quarter term rates in the North Sea improved strongly as exploration
activity increased. Rates continue to be firm and are expected to remain so for
the foreseeable future. The department has already concluded some significant
project business in the first quarter of the current year.

Ship agency - Cory

Cory's results were affected by lower volumes in their ship agency business and
set up costs to support new income streams in forwarding and logistics, a
business which has been developed since Cory was acquired, now trading as Cory
Logistics. Market conditions in UK ship agency remain tough. Whilst Cory is very
well-positioned to take advantage of either a recovery or further consolidation
in the agency sector there are no immediate prospects of a significant
turnaround in this part of the business and therefore a provision has been made
for the impairment of purchased goodwill. However, Cory Logistics has continued
to build its customer base, in particular through the securing of major
telecommunications forwarding contracts. This new business will add
substantially to the level of activity and should result in a significant
improvement in Cory's earnings for the coming year. With their enthusiastic
support of the Group, Cory has also been able to introduce new business leads
for both our chartering and sale and purchase teams.

Technical shipping support - Wavespec

Wavespec's profits were lower than expected due to delays in two major projects
both of which commenced later in the financial year. However it was successful
in winning new business as charterer's representative on the QatarGas II project
for all LNG Carriers to be built for Qatari trade and also as charterer's
representative for the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company for Ice Class LNG
carriers. These projects have established Wavespec as the leading technical
expert on LNG vessel design and will underpin its income stream for at least the
next three years.

Financial

We consider the most appropriate comparison of the Group's profit performance is
made by adjusting pre-tax profits to exclude goodwill charges and exceptional
items. Adjusted pre-tax profits have increased by 73% to #9.0m and reported
pre-tax profit rose by 73% to #7.1m. Set out in the table below is a
reconciliation of adjusted pre-tax profit to reported pre-tax profit:

#'000                                                  Year to         Year to
                                                   28 Feb 2005     28 Feb 2004
Adjusted pre-tax profit                                  8,978           5,187
Less: Goodwill amortisation                             (1,094)         (1,065)
Less: Exceptional goodwill impairment charge              (887)              -
Add: Exceptional profit on sale of investments             123               -
                                                      ---------      ----------
Reported pre-tax profit                                  7,120           4,122
                                                      ---------      ----------

Operating profits before exceptional items and goodwill rose from #5.5m in 2004
to #8.5m, with an operating margin of 19.5% in 2005 compared with 18.0% in 2004,
reflecting the growth in shipbroking turnover and margins offset by the new, but
less volatile, ship agency business. The majority of the Company's broking and
technical services income is US dollar denominated and the average rate of
exchange for conversion of US dollar income in the year was $1.82/# (2004: $1.64
/#) and at the year ended 28 February 2005 the rate was $1.93/#. The exposure to
the US dollar has been mitigated by the use of forward foreign exchange
contracts partially reducing the effect of the weaker US currency. The
year-on-year impact of the weaker US dollar relative to # sterling is
responsible for a turnover reduction of approximately #3m on a comparable basis.
Cory's income is predominantly in # sterling and therefore serves to reduce the
impact of foreign exchange movements. Seawise has a predominantly US$ income and
Aus$ cost base.

Exceptional items relate to a provision for the impairment of Cory's goodwill
(which is tax deductible) and a profit on disposal of the 16.7% investment in
Lone Star, the US-based tanker chartering broker (which is non-taxable).

The tax rate on profits before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation (most
of which is non-deductible) was 33.7% (2004: 33.2%). The tax rate is higher than
the standard UK tax rate of 30% because of the effect of non-deductible trading
expenses. After exceptional items and goodwill the tax rate was 39% (2004: 42%).

As at 28 February 2005 net cash had improved by #4.5m to #6.5m (2004: #2.0m).
This excludes #4.4m of restricted cash, which the group was holding as escrow
agent for certain clients pending completion of transactions in which the group
acted as broker. Operating cash flow was #11.0m (2004: #5.9m), calculated before
tax and dividend payments.

On 21 February 2005 the group acquired Seawise Australia Pty Limited for a total
consideration of #4.7m, comprising the issue of 833,898 new shares to the
vendors totalling #3.1m and cash of #1.6m including costs. Net assets acquired
were #0.5m with goodwill arising of #4.2m. The impact of Seawise's trading was
not significant during the group's week of ownership in the financial year ended
28 February 2005.

The proposed final dividend of 10.0 pence per ordinary share, at a cost of
#1.9m, will be paid on 28 July 2005 to shareholders on the register at the close
of business on 1 July 2005 (the ex-dividend date will be 29 June 2005). Together
with the 6p interim dividend the Company's dividend for the year is 16.0 pence
(2004: 13.0 pence) at a cost of #3.1m. The dividend is covered 2.0 times by
earnings per share before goodwill and exceptional items.

The Group is adopting International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") with
effect from the 1 March 2005. The 2005/6 interim and annual reports will be
prepared under IFRS and will include restated comparative figures and
reconciliations of changes made. The principal accounting changes following IFRS
adoption relate to accounting for share options, goodwill amortisation,
derivative currency contracts and the proposed final dividend.

                           BRAEMAR SEASCOPE GROUP plc
                      CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2005

                                                       Year ended    Year ended 
                                                       28-02-2005    28-02-2004 
                                                             #000          #000
                                                             

Turnover including share of joint ventures                 46,263        30,794
Less: share of joint ventures                              (1,206)         (452)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Group turnover (note 2)                                    45,057        30,342
Administrative expenses before exceptional
items and goodwill amortisation                           (36,526)      (24,812)
Goodwill amortisation                                      (1,078)       (1,065)
Exceptional goodwill impairment (note 3)                     (887)            -
Total administrative expenses                             (38,491)      (25,877)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Group operating profit                                      6,566         4,465
Share of joint ventures' and associated 
undertaking's operating profit                                456            13 
                                                       -----------   -----------
Operating profit including joint ventures
and associated undertakings (note 2)                        7,022         4,478

Exceptional profit on sale of investment (note 3)             123             -

Net interest payable and similar charges                      (25)         (356) 
                                                       -----------   -----------
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation               7,120         4,122
Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (note 4)         (2,762)       (1,723)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation                4,358         2,399
Dividends (note 5)                                         (3,057)       (2,347)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Retained profit for the period                              1,301            52 
                                                       ===========   ===========
Earnings per ordinary share - pence (note 6)
     -Basic                                                 23.67p        13.96p
     -Adjusted EPS excl. amortisation and exceptionals      32.31p        20.16p
     -Diluted                                               22.94p        13.63p

                          BRAEMAR SEASCOPE GROUP plc
               CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2005

                                                            28 Feb       28 Feb
                                                              2005         2004
                                                              #000         #000
                                                                       Restated
Fixed assets
     Intangible fixed assets: goodwill                      20,768       18,534
     Tangible assets                                         4,960        4,963
Investments:
     Investment in joint ventures:
     Share of gross assets                                     868          209
     Share of gross liabilities                               (485)        (180)
                                                       -----------   -----------
                                                               383           29
Investment in associated undertaking                           373          373
Other investments                                              783        1,028
                                                       -----------   -----------
Investments                                                  1,539        1,430
                                                       -----------   -----------
                                                            27,267       24,927
                                                       -----------   -----------
Current assets
     Debtors                                                12,045        9,775
     Restricted cash                                         4,434            -
     Cash at bank and in hand                                9,606        4,071
                                                       -----------   -----------
                                                            26,085       13,846
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (note 7)    (28,181)     (17,279)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Net current liabilities                                     (2,096)      (3,433)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Total assets less current liabilities                       25,171       21,494

Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year                                              (8)           -
Provisions for liabilities and charges                        (151)        (330)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Net assets                                                  25,012       21,164
                                                       ===========   ===========
Capital and reserves
     Called up share capital                                 1,945        1,862
     Capital redemption reserve                                396          396
     Share premium                                           7,505        7,505
     Shares to be issued                                      (637)         (65)
     Merger reserve                                         21,346       18,302
     Profit and loss account (note 13)                      (5,543)      (6,836)
                                                       -----------   -----------
Total equity shareholders' funds (note 8)                   25,012       21,164
                                                       ===========   ===========

BRAEMAR SEASCOPE GROUP plc

                        CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2005

                                                    Year ended       Year ended          
                                                   28 Feb 2005   to 28 Feb 2004
                                                          #000             #000

Net cash inflow from operating activities (note 10)     11,052            5,872
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
  Interest received                                         26               21
  Interest paid                                            (52)            (464)
  Interest element of finance lease rental payments          -               (3)
                                                   -----------      -----------
Net cash outflow from returns on
investments and servicing of finance                       (26)            (446)

Taxation
  UK Corporation tax paid                               (2,448)          (1,511)

Capital expenditure and financial investment
  Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets               (175)            (230)
  Disposal of tangible fixed assets                         11                -
  Purchase of investments                                  (21)            (110)
  Sale of investments                                      386                -
                                                   -----------      -----------
Net cash outflow from investing activities                 201             (340)

Acquisitions and disposals
  Purchase of subsidiaries including expenses           (1,613)          (1,658)
  Cash acquired with subsidiaries                          587            1,597
  Deferred consideration paid                                -             (225)
                                                   -----------      -----------
Net cash outflow for acquisitions                       (1,026)            (286)

Equity dividends paid                                   (2,597)          (2,062)
                                                   -----------      -----------
Net cash inflow before financing                         5,156            1,227
Financing
  Restricted cash received as escrow agent               4,434                -
  Increase in escrow client monies                      (4,434)               -
  Share issues                                               1                -
  Purchase of own shares                                  (572)               -
  Loan repayment                                             -           (2,500)
  Payment of principal under finance leases                 (2)             (24)
                                                   -----------      -----------
Net cash outflow from financing                           (573)          (2,524)
Increase/(decrease) in cash (note 11)                    4,583           (1,297)
                                                   ===========      ===========
Note 1 - Accounting policies

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements
are consistent with those used and set out in the 2004 Annual Report and
Accounts, with the exception of the adoption of UITF Abstract 38 "Accounting for
ESOP Trusts" and FRS 20 "Share Based Payments". The Abstract is effective for
accounting periods ending on or after 22 June 2004 and it has therefore been
applied in the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2005. The Abstract
requires own shares held through an ESOP trust to be deducted in arriving at
shareholders' funds and recommends the creation of a separate negative reserve.
The Abstract requires this change to be retrospective and therefore comparatives
have been restated. The effect has been to reduce net assets as at 28 February
2004 by #65,000. FRS 20 is applicable for accounting periods beginning on or
after 1 January 2005 and the Group has adopted the standard early. The effect of
adopting FRS 20 is to increase profits and net assets by #171,000 in the year to
28 February 2005 (28 February 2004 - Nil).


Note 2 - Segmental results

                                                      Year to          Year to
                                                  28 Feb 2005      28 Feb 2004
Turnover                                                #'000            #'000

Shipbroking                                            32,274           22,523
Technical shipping support                              4,322            5,127
Ship agency, forwarding and logistics                   8,461            2,692
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                       45,057           30,342
Share of joint ventures - Shipbroking                   1,206              452
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                       46,263           30,794
                                                  ===========      ===========


Operating profit                                        #'000            #'000
Shipbroking                                             8,673            5,210
Technical shipping support                                140              294
Ship agency, forwarding and logistics                    (282)              26
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                        8,531            5,530
Share of joint ventures & associates -
shipbroking                                               456               13
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                        8,987            5,543
Goodwill amortisation                                  (1,078)          (1,065)
Exceptional goodwill impairment charge
- Ship agency, forwarding and logistics                  (887)               -
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                        7,022            4,478
                                                  ===========      ===========
Note 3 - Exceptional items

                                                      Year to          Year to
                                                  28 Feb 2005      28 Feb 2004
                                                        #'000            #'000

Impairment of Cory goodwill                              (887)               -
Profit on disposal of Lone Star                           123                -
                                                  -----------      -----------
Net loss before tax                                      (764)               -
                                                  ===========      ===========


Tax relief at 30% is applicable to the goodwill impairment charge. There is no
tax due on the sale of the 18% trade investment in Lone Star.


Note 4 - Taxation

The rate of taxation applicable to the company's profits before goodwill
amortisation and exceptional items is 33.7% (2004: 33.2%).

Note 5 - Dividend

The proposed final dividend of the year is 10.0 pence per share (2004: final 8.0
pence) taking the total dividend charged for the year to 16.0 pence (2004: 13.0
pence). The cost is based on 19,230,816 shares being the total in issue less
222,500 shares held in the ESOP for which the dividend has been waived.

Note 6 - Earnings per share

Reconciliation of basic earnings per share to adjusted earnings per share:

                                                         2005             2004
Earnings                                              Year to          Year to
                                                       28 Feb           28 Feb
                                                        #'000            #'000

Profit after taxation                                   4,358            2,399
Goodwill amortisation (incl. associated company
-#16,000)                                               1,094            1,065
Exceptional items before tax (note 2)                     764                -
Related tax credit                                       (266)               -
                                                  -----------      -----------
Adjusted profit after tax                               5,950            3,464
                                                  -----------      -----------
Weighted average number of shares                  18,412,881       17,181,600
Basic EPS (pence)                                       23.67            13.96
Adjusted EPS (pence)                                    32.31            20.16

Note 6 - Earnings per share (continued)
Diluted EPS                                              2005             2004
                                                        #'000            #'000

Profit after taxation                                   4,358            2,399
Interest on convertible #3m loan notes                      -              124
                                                  -----------      -----------
Diluted earnings                                        4,358            2,523
                                                  -----------      -----------
Weighted average number of shares                  18,412,881       17,181,600
Conversion of #3m loan notes                                -        1,236,301
Share options                                         585,077           97,653
                                                  -----------      -----------
Diluted average number of shares                   18,997,958       18,515,554
                                                  -----------      -----------
Diluted EPS (pence)                                     22.94            13.63

Note 7 - Creditors falling due within one year
                                                         2005             2004
                                                        #'000            #'000
Bank overdrafts                                         3,067            2,113
Trade creditors                                         7,673            8,530
Corporation tax                                         1,556              954
Dividends payable                                       1,944            1,484
Accruals and deferred income                            7,767            3,277
Obligations under finance lease                            31                -
Other taxation and social security                      1,611              721
Other creditors                                            98              200
Client monies held as escrow agent                      4,434                -
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                       28,181           17,279
                                                  -----------      -----------

At 28 February 2005 the Group was holding cash balances totaling #4.4 million as
escrow agent for certain clients, pending completion of transactions in which
the Group acted as the broker. The amounts are held in designated accounts and
any interest earned is due to the clients.

Note 8 - Reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds

                                                         2005             2004
                                                        #'000            #'000
Opening shareholders' funds as previously reported     21,164           17,800
Prior year adjustment - shares to be issued                 -               65
                                                  -----------      -----------
Opening shareholders' funds as restated                21,164           17,735
Profit on ordinary activities after tax                 4,358            2,399
Dividends                                              (3,057)          (2,347)
Issue of shares                                         3,127            3,377
Purchase of shares to be issued                          (572)               -
Exchange differences                                       (8)               -
                                                  -----------      -----------
Net increase in shareholders' funds                     3,848            3,429
                                                  -----------      -----------
Closing shareholders' funds                            25,012           21,164
                                                  ===========      ===========

Note 9 - Consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses

                                                         2005             2004
                                                         #000             #000
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation            4,358            2,399
Foreign exchange differences                               (8)               -
                                                  -----------      -----------
Total recognised gains relating to the year             4,350            2,399
                                                  ===========      ===========

Note 10 - Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating
          activities

                                                         2005             2004
                                                         #000             #000
Operating profit                                        6,566            4,465
Depreciation charge                                       297              282
Goodwill amortisation                                   1,078            1,065
Impairment of goodwill                                    887                -
Loss on disposal of fixed assets                            -               28
Write down on investments                                   -               77
(Increase) in debtors                                  (1,262)          (3,836)
Increase in creditors                                   3,715            4,287
Decrease in provisions                                   (229)            (496)
                                                  -----------      -----------
Net cash flow from operating activities                11,052            5,872
                                                  ===========      ===========


Note 11 - Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds

                                                         2005             2004
                                                         #000             #000

Increase/(decrease) in cash                             4,583           (1,297)
Finance leases acquired                                   (41)               -
Decrease in finance leases                                  -               24
Decrease in bank loan                                       -            2,500
                                                  -----------      -----------
Movement in net funds                                   4,542            1,227
Net debt at beginning of period                         1,958           (2,456)
Repayment of loan notes                                     -              187
Conversion of loan stock to ordinary shares                 -            3,000
                                                  -----------      -----------
Net funds at end of period                              6,500            1,958
                                                  ===========      ===========


Note 12 - Acquisition of Seawise Australia Pty Ltd.

On 21 February 2005 the Group acquired Seawise Australia Pty Ltd for a
consideration totalling #4.7m. The provisional fair value of the net assets
acquired and goodwill arising on the transaction are set out below:

                                                       #'000             #'000
Cash consideration                                                       1,448
Transaction costs                                                          165
                                                                   -----------
                                                                         1,613
New share capital issued to vendors                                      3,127
                                                                   -----------
Total consideration                                                      4,740
Fixed assets acquired                                    129
Debtors                                                  797
Creditors                                               (972)
Cash                                                     587
                                                 -----------
Net tangible assets acquired                                               541
                                                                   -----------
Goodwill                                                                 4,199
                                                                   ===========

Fair value adjustments totaling #43k in respect of employee entitlements have
been made within the book values above.

Note 13 - Profit and loss account

The negative cumulative profit and loss account balance is the result of a
goodwill write-off, in the amount of #5,599,794, which took place in the
financial year to 31 December 1998 upon the Company's adoption of FRS10.


The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2005 and the year ended
February 2004. The financial information in respect of the year ended 28
February 2005 has been extracted from the audited accounts. The audited accounts
will be posted to shareholders shortly. Statutory accounts for the year ended 28
February 2004 on which the auditors have given an unqualified report pursuant to
section 235 of the Companies Act 1985, have been filed with the Registrar of
Companies.

                           --------------------------



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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