TIDMAFN
RNS Number : 1109D
ADVFN PLC
26 October 2020
26 October 2020
For immediate release
ADVFN PLC
("ADVFN" or the "Company")
Audited Results for the Year Ended 30 June 2020
ADVFN, the global stocks and shares website, announces its
audited results for the year ended 30 June 2020.
Chief Executive's Statement
A lot has changed since the last year end and a lot has changed
since the last interims. First, I want to draw your attention to
the improved financial performance of ADVFN at the year-end
compared to the end of the first half. Contrary to a difficult
period following the COVID-19 outbreak, we have experienced an
improved operating performance since then.
In the first half of the business year (the six months ended
December 2019) and prior to any COVID-19 impact, we experienced an
unexpected drop in advertising income as a result of which we
decided to reorganise the business ahead of the potential of this
becoming a long-term situation; staff numbers were reduced with a
move in the UK to homeworking and the lease for office in
Throgmorton Street was not renewed. As it happened, this drop in
advertising income continued with the outbreak of the COVID-19
pandemic which has seen a global slump in advertising in line with
what we had already experienced in the tail half of 2019.
Our reorganisation meant we have created a lower-cost platform
for us to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic with no loss of
operational capability during the lockdowns in either the UK or US.
Our lower cost base and continuing subscriptions income has ensured
we have long term visibility of the way ahead.
Meanwhile, as I have mentioned on several previous occasions,
the occurrence of significant disruption economically or socially
is seen as an emergency by investors which typically buoys up our
general business so that the more drastic effects on the economy as
a whole have, to a large extent, been attenuated for ADVFN.
Subscriptions income increased slightly in the second half and
advertising has stabilised.
As I write I would be foolhardy to make brave positive
predictions but, looking back over the last six months, I can
stress that the whole ADVFN team has put in a massive effort and
delivered a tremendous performance through challenging times. We
will be aiming to continue the progress we have made in the second
half if circumstances allow.
Clement Chambers
CEO
23 October 2020
The annual report and accounts will shortly be sent to
shareholders and will be available on the Company's website,
http://www.advfn.com
Enquiries:
For further information please contact:
ADVFN PLC
Clem Chambers +44 20 3868 670203
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated
Adviser)
www.beaumontcornish.com
Roland Cornish/Michael Cornish +44 (0) 207 628 3396
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse
Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. The person who arranged for the
release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Clem
Chambers, Director.
STRATEGIC REPORT
Financial Overview
These consolidated and company accounts have been prepared under
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by
the European Union.
We currently have no plans for expansion and will be operating
in a defensive posture until the COVID-19 pandemic is well
past.
Results
The loss for the financial year after tax amounted to GBP225,000
(2019: loss of GBP411,000). The Directors do not propose the
payment of a dividend (2019: GBPnil).
Business Review
We are a website; it can be seen at www.advfn.com .
Our product is purely digital and could be called 'software as a
service' (SAAS) and 'in the cloud' and run from various remote
server hosting locations and as such it has experienced little need
for operational change during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of our
workforce now work from home and will continue to do so
permanently. This has helped us lower costs.
ADVFN is a technically challenging site which is subject to
constant 24-hour maintenance and engineering. This is both a
significant cost but also a wide defensive moat and barrier to
entry to our business. It is a hugely complicated and expensive
service to provide which has proved prohibitive to many competitors
over the years. This is a strength in many ways but also a weakness
in others.
We are always developing the service adding new and different
data, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies have proven popular and we
expect decentralised finance (DeFi), a subset of the cryptocurrency
segment, to be the next phase in this area. DeFi has experienced a
boom and we already have a live data offering which we will be
developing further over time. Expanding our offering opens up
markets for us which helps us ride out periods of volatility,
exemplified by the last 12 months.
Challenges ahead include the completion of BREXIT, the
continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tremendous political and
economic aftermath all of which will affect our business model.
Hopefully, the relationship of volatility to positive business will
continue to buffer us from the worst effects.
Operating Costs
This year has seen us make a series of one-off cost cuts and we
have reduced costs.
License and exchange fees
Many of our main costs are fixed, but the licence and exchange
fees portion tend to continually rise. We monitor this closely and
have been adapting our offering to compensate. We have removed some
markets and added others and have, up to now, seen little impact to
our business by rejecting exchanges that become too costly for
their profile.
Office and staffing costs
During December and January, we reorganised our UK operation and
reduced total head count to 38 at the end of June 2020 (compared to
68 in November 2019). In addition, we decided not to renew the
lease for our Throgmorton Street offices which expired in March
2020.
Research and Development ("R&D")
Research and Development is very important to us as the market
we operate in is constantly changing.
Technology development does not stop and as such nor can we,
especially as many innovations' break the infrastructure that
worked before components of it were 'improved.' Beyond the
maintenance aspect of R&D it is the research and development of
novel features and for scaling that is a key for our future because
technology left alone decays. Web, exchange and mobile environments
are also changing all the time and we continue to evolve so that we
can stay relevant.
Our R & D investment this year has been GBP277,000 (2019:
GBP360,000) and all of this investment has been to develop the
website and has been capitalised. This constant investment ensures
our web and mobile experience remains up to date and fresh.
Environmental policy
As always, we continue to look for ways to develop in an
environmental way. It remains our objective to improve our
performance in this area.
Future outlook for the business
Our improved operating performance and reduced losses through
the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that ADVFN is a viable business for
the longer term. Although we have not had many profitable years, we
have operated for many without raising further capital, which
cannot be said for many small listed companies, We have also
provided our service to our customers for over 20 years which is
also a rare achievement amongst our peer group. While it has been a
very challenging year, we are able to look to the future with more
certainty and prospects than earlier in the year.
Summary of key performance indicators
Our key indicators have not changed, as they are an important
part of the business.
The Directors monitor the Key Performance Indicators on an
ongoing basis. The chart below shows the level of performance
achieved in the financial year. The individual items are as
follows:
2020 2020 2019 2019
Actual Target Actual Target
--------- -------- -------- --------
Turnover GBP7.07M GBP8.7M GBP8.7M GBP8.8M
-------- --------
Average head count 52 56 46 44
--------- -------- --------
ADVFN registered users 4.8M 4.75M 4.7M 4.6M
--------- -------- -------- --------
Turnover - An important indicator that gives an overall view.
The targets for 2020 were set before the drop in advertising we
have reported, followed by COVID-19.
Head count - is a very significant part of the costs of the
company and is fixed as an overhead. Talented people are a vital
part of the business. As at the period end, total headcount
numbered 38 (2019: 49).
Registered users - give us an accurate indication of our
audience pool and the potential available for marketing our
service. Whilst the number of registered users has increased, the
drop in turnover we have experienced has resulted from the general
fall in advertising business.
COVID-19
COVID-19 has caused many problems around the world. The UK has
been badly affected in terms of the number of people that have died
and in the earlier part of the year the shutdown of large parts of
the economy. We acknowledge that the COVID-19 outbreak has posed
significant challenges to business activities and introduced a high
degree of uncertainty on the expected development of the pandemic
and the associated knock-on effects to the economic and financial
system, both at European and at international level. As such we are
constantly looking at ways in which this could affect us.
Fortunately, so far, while advertising sales have remained at low
levels, we have not otherwise been adversely impacted by COVID-19
at an operating level since our staff were already working from
home when the pandemic struck and our business model had already
been adapted.
While not part of the financing strategy for the Group to carry
loans, the Directors decided to take advantage of the short term
finance offered under the Business Bounce Back loan scheme and the
US equivalent to provide an additional source of funding whilst the
economy rides out the effects of COVID-19. The loans are provided
on advantageous terms with an interest and repayment free term. A
total of GBP244,000 was drawn down during June 2020 and together
with existing cash balances, total cash as at 30 June 2020 amounted
to GBP915,000.
People
I would like to thank the whole team at ADVFN who tirelessly
provide a global service for private investors 24 hours a day.
Directors' statement of responsibilities under section 172
Companies Act 2006
The Directors have considered the requirements of Section 172(1)
of the Companies Act 2006 to prepare a statement explaining how the
Directors have considered the wider stakeholder needs when
performing their duties under Section 172 of the Companies Act
2006.
The Directors consider the stakeholders to be the people who
work for us, work with us, invest with us, own us, regulate us and
live in the societies we serve. The Directors recognise that
building strong relationships with our stakeholders will help
deliver the Company's strategy in line with the long-term values.
The Directors are committed to effective engagement with all of our
stakeholders and seek to understand the interests and views of the
Company's stakeholders by engaging with them directly as
appropriate.
Depending on the nature of the issue in question, the relevance
of each stakeholder group may differ and, as such, as part of
Company's engagement with stakeholders, the Directors seeks to
understand the relative interests and priorities of each group and
to have regard to these, as appropriate, in their decision making.
The Directors acknowledge, however, that not every decision it
makes will necessarily result in a positive outcome for all
stakeholders. The directors also challenge management to ensure all
stakeholder interests are considered in the day to day management
and operations of the Company.
.
As part of their deliberations and decision making process, the
Directors take into account the following:
-- the likely consequences of any decisions in the long
term;
-- interests of the company's employees;
-- need to foster the company's business relationships with
suppliers, customers and others;
-- impact of the company's operations on the community and
environment;
-- desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high
standards of business conduct; and
-- need to act fairly as between members of the company.
As a result of these activities, the Directors believe that they
have demonstrated compliance with their obligations under s.172 of
the Companies Act 2006
Business
The Directors' aim for the Group be and remain a contributing
and good "Corporate Citizen".
Our business does not have a high carbon footprint and we
consider it a sustainable business. We try to ensure that our
planet's precious resources are used appropriately for the benefit
of current and future generations. The Board considers that the
business and strategic decisions which it takes now, in furtherance
of the Group's business objectives, do not damage the global
environment.
Employees
The Group has a small number of employees but those it has are
situated and are deployed on the Group's business around the World.
We ensure that we comply with all local labour laws and apply what
the Directors believe are appropriate standards and systems to
monitor and to ensure the welfare of those employees.
Stakeholder engagement
The Company is entirely owned and controlled by the shareholders
of ADVFN Plc and the shares of the company are traded on the
Alternative Investment Market. The stakeholders of the Company
consist predominantly of the shareholders, employees, advisers and
suppliers. The Directors recognise the importance of these
relationships and take active steps to develop and strengthen them
through dialogue and engagement. These relationships are regularly
monitored at Board level.
Governance
Each Board meeting addresses compliance by the Company with its
corporate governance codes and reinforces the Board's requirement
that its business be conducted with integrity and with due regard
for ethical standards.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Clement Chambers
CEO
23 October 2020
Consolidated income statement
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 7,069 8,714
Cost of sales (324) (421)
--------- ---------
Gross profit 6,745 8,293
Share based payment - (2)
Amortisation of intangible assets (296) (220)
Other administrative expenses (6,769) (8,546)
--------- ---------
Total administrative expenses (7,065) (8,768)
Operating loss (320) (475)
Finance income/(expense) (29) (7)
Profit from sale of equity investment to
a related party - 47
Loss before tax (349) (435)
Taxation 124 24
--------- ---------
Total loss for the period attributable
to shareholders of the parent (225) (411)
Loss per share
Basic (0.88 p) (1.60 p)
Diluted (0.88 p) (1.60 p)
Consolidated statement of comprehensive
income
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Loss for the period (225) (411)
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation of
foreign operations 23 37
Total other comprehensive income 23 37
Total comprehensive income for the year
attributable to shareholders of the parent (202) (374)
======== ========
Consolidated balance sheet
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 365 145
Goodwill 1,002 978
Intangible assets 1,428 1,447
Trade and other receivables - 108
2,795 2,678
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 574 693
Cash and cash equivalents 915 887
-------- --------
1,489 1,580
Total assets 4,284 4,258
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Issued capital 51 51
Share premium 167 167
Share based payment reserve 367 367
Foreign exchange reserve 305 282
Retained earnings 610 835
-------- --------
1,500 1,702
Non-current liabilities
Borrowing - bank loans 144 -
Borrowing - lease liabilities 94 -
-------- --------
238 -
-------- --------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 2,278 2,556
Borrowing - bank loans 80 -
Borrowing - lease liabilities 188 -
2,546 2,556
Total liabilities 2,784 2,556
-------- --------
Total equity and liabilities 4,284 4,258
======== ========
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Share Share Share Foreign Retained Total
capital premium based exchange earnings equity
payment reserve
reserve
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 July 2018 - as originally
stated 51 145 365 245 1,277 2,083
Effect of the application
of IFRS 9 - - - - (31) (31)
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
51 145 365 245 1,246 2,052
Shares issued - 22 - - - 22
Equity settled share options - - 2 - - 2
Total transactions with owners - 22 2 - - 24
Loss for the period after
tax - - - - (411) (411)
Other comprehensive income
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign operations - - - 37 - 37
Total other comprehensive
income - - - 37 - 37
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Total comprehensive income - - - 37 (411) (374)
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
At 30 June 2019 51 167 367 282 835 1,702
Loss for the year after tax - - - - (225) (225)
Other comprehensive income
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign operations - - - 23 - 23
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Total other comprehensive
income - - - 23 - 23
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Total comprehensive income - - - 23 (225) (202)
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
At 30 June 2020 51 167 367 305 610 1,500
========= ========= ========= ========== ========== ========
Consolidated cash flow statement
12 months 12 months
to to
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss for the year (225) (411)
Taxation (124) (24)
Net finance income in the income statement 29 7
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment 177 81
Amortisation of intangible assets 296 220
Profit on disposal of equity investment
to a related party - (47)
Loss on disposal of PPE 2 -
Share based payments - options/warrants - 2
Decrease in trade and other receivables 227 134
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other
payables (278) 243
Net cash generated by continuing operations 104 205
Income tax receivable 124 2
---------- ----------
Net cash generated by operating activities 228 207
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of share capital - 22
Drawdown loans 224 -
Interest paid (29) (7)
Net cash generated by financing activities 195 15
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for property, plant and equipment (117) (90)
Purchase of intangibles (277) (360)
Receipt from sale of equity investment
to a related party - 50
Net cash used by investing activities (394) (400)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 29 (178)
Exchange differences (1) 4
---------- ----------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 28 (174)
Cash and cash equivalents at the start
of the period 887 1,061
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the period 915 887
========== ==========
1. Basis of preparation
The Group's financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union ('EU') and
with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are relevant to the
Group in preparing its accounts in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.
While the financial information included in the announcement has
been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS, this announcement
itself does not contain sufficient information to comply with EU
adopted IFRS.
The consolidated and company financial statements have been
prepared under the historical cost convention and are presented in
Sterling rounded to the nearest thousand except where indicated
otherwise.
Standards and amendments to existing standards adopted in these
accounts
IFRS 16 Leases
The standard is effective for periods commencing on or after 1
January 2019 and has therefore been adopted for the period
commencing 1 July 2019. The standard replaces IAS 17 and introduces
a single lessee accounting model. Under the provisions of the new
standard most leases, including the majority of those previously
classified as operating leases, will be brought onto the financial
position statement as a right-of-use asset and as an offsetting
lease liability. Both asset and liability are based on present
values of the lease payments due over the term of the lease with
the asset being depreciated in accordance with IAS 16 'Property,
plant and equipment' and the liability increased by the addition of
interest and reduced as lease payments are made.
The result of the changes brought about by the standard means
that the lease payment, which under the old standard appeared as an
expense in the income statement, is now replaced by an interest
charge and a depreciation charge. These will now be the amount of
the expense in the income statement and will appear in the finance
charge and administrative charges respectively.
Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards
that are not yet effective and have not been early adopted by the
Company in the 30 June 2020 financial statements
IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting
policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (Amendment -
Definition of Material)
IFRS 3 Business Combinations (Amendment - Definition of
Business)
Revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting
The Directors continue to monitor developments in the accounting
standards they see as relevant but do not believe that these
changes will significantly impact the Group.
2. Segmental analysis
The directors identify operating segments based upon the
information which is regularly reviewed by the chief operating
decision maker. The Group considers that the chief operating
decision makers are the executive members of the Board of
Directors. The Group has identified two reportable operating
segments, being that of the provision of financial information and
that of other services. The provision of financial information is
made via the Group's various website platforms.
The parent entities operations are entirely of the provision of
financial information.
Three minor operating segments, for which IFRS 8's quantitative
thresholds have not been met, are currently combined below under
'other'. The main sources of revenue for these operating segments
is the provision of financial broking services, financial
conference events and other internet services not related to
financial information. Segment information can be analysed as
follows for the reporting period under review:
2020 Provision Other Total
of financial
information
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue from external customers 7,034 35 7,069
Depreciation and amortisation (426) (41) (467)
Other operating expenses (6,482) (440) (6,922)
-------------- -------- --------
Segment operating (loss)/profit 126 (446) (320)
Interest income - - -
Interest expense 29 - 29
============== ======== ========
Segment assets 3,671 613 4,284
Segment liabilities (2,755) (29) (2,784)
Purchases of non-current assets 581 95 676
============== ======== ========
2019 Provision Other Total
of financial
information
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue from external customers 8,490 224 8,714
Depreciation and amortisation (360) 60 (300)
Other operating expenses - restated
see page 28 (8,321) (568) (8,889)
-------------- -------- --------
Segment operating (loss)/profit (191) (284) (475)
Interest income - - -
Interest expense (7) - (7)
============== ======== ========
Segment assets - restated see page
28 3,740 518 4,258
Segment liabilities (2,559) 3 (2,556)
Purchases of non-current assets 340 110 450
============== ======== ========
Revenue recognition per IFRS 15
Point in Over time Total
time
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue during 2019 5,578 3,136 8,714
Revenue during 2020 3,697 3,354 7,051
========= ========== ========
The Group's revenues, which wholly relate to the sale of
services, from external customers and its non-current assets, are
divided into the following geographical areas:
Revenue Non-current Revenue Non-current
assets assets
2020 2020 2019 2019
UK (domicile) 3,111 1,625 2,925 1,679
USA 3,746 1,286 5,532 999
Other 212 - 257 -
7,069 2,911 8,714 2,678
======== ============ ======== ============
Revenues are allocated to the country in which the customer
resides. During both 2020 and 2019 no single customer accounted for
more than 10% of the Group's total revenues.
3. Profit per share
12 months 12 months
to to
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders (225) (411)
Total loss per share - basic and diluted
Basic (0.88 p) (1.60 p)
Diluted (0.88 p) (1.60 p)
Shares Shares
Weighted average number of shares in issue for
the year 25,703,845 25,657,927
Dilutive effect of options - -
----------- -----------
Weighted average shares for diluted earnings
per share 25,703,845 25,657,927
=========== ===========
Where a loss has been recorded for the year the diluted loss per
share does not differ from the basic loss per share. Where a profit
has been recorded but the average share price for the year remains
under the exercise price the existence of options is not
dilutive.
4. Interest bearing borrowings
Bank loans
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the Directors considered it
prudent to take further steps to ensure that short term cashflow
did not present a problem for the Group. Short term finance offered
under the Business Bounce Back loan scheme and the US equivalent
has provided an additional layer of protection whilst the economy
rides out the effects of the pandemic. The US loan is over 2 years
at 1% interest with a payment free period whilst the UK loan is at
2.5% over 6 years with an interest and payment free period. A total
of GBP224,000 was drawn down during June 2020.
Lease liabilities
The new standard IFRS 16 Leases is effective for periods
commencing on or after 1 January 2019 and has therefore been
adopted for the period commencing 1 July 2019. The standard
replaces IAS 17 and introduces a single lessee accounting model.
Under the provisions of the new standard most leases, including the
majority of those previously classified as operating leases, will
be brought onto the financial position statement as a right-of-use
asset and as an offsetting lease liability. Both asset and
liability are based on present values of the lease payments due
over the term of the lease with the asset being depreciated in
accordance with IAS 16 'Property, plant and equipment' and the
liability increased by the addition of interest and reduced as
lease payments are made.
The result of the changes brought about by the standard means
that the lease payment, which under the old standard appeared as an
expense in the income statement, is now replaced by an interest
charge and a depreciation charge. These will now be the amount of
the expense in the income statement and will appear in the finance
charge and administrative charges respectively.
The carrying value of the lease liabilities is included in the
borrowing classification. There are no leases carried in the
Company.
GROUP
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-current
Bank loans 144 -
Lease liability 94 -
------- -------
238 -
Brought forward - -
Cash flows 230 -
Interest and fees 8 -
------- -------
As at 30 June 238 -
======= =======
Current
Bank loans 80 -
Lease liability 188 -
------- -------
268 -
Brought forward - -
Cash flows 255 -
Interest and fees 13 -
------- -------
As at 30 June 268 -
======= =======
5. Events after the balance sheet date
There are no events of significance to report occurring after
the balance sheet date.
6. Publication of non-statutory accounts
The financial information set out in this preliminary
announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in
section 435 of the Companies Act 2006.
The consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 2020 and the
consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of
comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity,
consolidated cash flow statement and associated notes for the year
then ended have been extracted from the Company's 2020 statutory
financial statements upon which the auditors' opinion is
unqualified and does not include any statement under Section 498(2)
or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report and accounts will shortly be sent to
shareholders and will be available on the Company's website,
http://www.advfn.com .
ENDS
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