RNS Number:5232T
Andrews Sykes Group PLC
01 May 2008

Andrews Sykes Group plc

1 May 2008

Final Results

Preliminary announcement

For the 52 weeks ended 29 December 2007

Summary of Results


                                                                       52 weeks ended           52 weeks ended
                                                                     29 December 2007         31 December 2006
                                                                                 #000                     #000

Revenue from continuing operations                                             57,846                   59,768
Normalised EBITDA* from continuing operations                                  18,173                   18,887
Adjusted operating profit**                                                    14,184                   15,272
Profit for the financial period                                                 8,549                    9,708
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (pence)                    19.19p                   22.11p
Adjusted basic earnings per share from continuing operations                   20.62p                   22.11p
excluding pension curtailment charge
Net Cash inflow from operating activities                                       7,067                   11,537
Net Debt                                                                       12,344                   16,167


*              Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation, profit on sale
of fixed assets, Amortisation and impairment charges as reconciled on the
consolidated income statement.

**             Normalised operating profit before pension curtailment charge


Chairman's Statement

Overview and financial highlights

The group achieved an adjusted operating profit * of #14.2 million for 2007
which compares with #15.3 million in 2006, our record year. Therefore although
these profits are lower than 2006 I still consider that this is an extremely
good performance, particularly considering we did not experience the very hot
and favourable weather conditions of the summer of 2006 which contributed to a
#2 million decrease in revenue to #57.8 million.

More importantly, this result highlights the fact that the group is now less
weather dependent than ever before. It has been our strategy for some time to
move away from this dependency and our group now has a diverse range of income
streams thereby providing a solid base of revenue underpinning the business.
This, combined with our ongoing strict cost control policy, ensures that we are
able to deliver satisfactory results even in the face of less than favourable
climatic conditions.

Our main trading subsidiary, Andrews Sykes Hire continues to perform well. It
continues to expand its business in non-seasonal hire markets, particularly
through its specialist hire division. It has continued to expand its presence in
niche markets and these non-traditional businesses operate without undue
influence from seasonal weather patterns.

We have, of course, continued to support our traditional business roots. The
pumping division performed extremely well in 2007, taking advantage of the
opportunities presented. We will invest more in this business, as well as in our
profitable air conditioning and heating divisions, in order that we are well
placed to satisfy our customers' demands whenever they arise.

Pension curtailment offer

As I reported at the half year, an offer was made to all deferred members of our
defined benefit pension scheme giving them the opportunity to transfer their
accrued rights to an alternative pension provider.

The offer, which was substantially completed in 2007, has resulted in a
reduction of the pension scheme deficit of #3.5 million, a charge to the income
statement of #0.9 million and a cash outflow of #4.3 million. This was mainly
financed by an agreed reduction in the July 2007 loan repayment from #5 million
to #1 million.

Net Debt

Net debt has been reduced by #3.9 million from #16.2 million to #12.3 million
this year despite the following significant cash outflows:
                                                                        #m
Capital expenditure net of disposal proceeds                           4.6
Pension curtailment offer                                              4.3
Corporation tax payments                                               3.0
Regular defined benefit pension scheme payments                        1.5
                                                                      13.4

This reflects the strong cash generating ability of the group.


* Normalised operating profit before pension curtailment charge


Share buyback programme

The board continues to believe that shareholder value will be optimised by the
purchase, where appropriate, of our own shares. Consequently at the forthcoming
AGM, the board will request that shareholders vote in favour of a resolution to
renew the authority to purchase up to 12.5% of the ordinary shares in issue.

Subsequent events

Recognising the fact that no interim or final dividends were declared or paid
during either the current or previous financial period, I am pleased to report
that the board has announced two interim dividends for the 2008 financial year
amounting to approximately #15.0 million since the year-end. This continues the
board's policy of returning value to shareholders wherever possible.

Prior to the payment of the above dividends the company consulted with the
Andrews Sykes Defined Benefit Pension Scheme trustees and the pension regulator
and agreed to pay an additional one-off contribution of #1.7million into the
scheme as well as maintaining the regular monthly payment of #125,000.

The above payments will be mainly financed by additional borrowings of #10
million.

Outlook

The group's continuing strategy of investing in its traditional core products
and services, the increase in non-seasonal business and investment in new
technically advanced and environmentally friendly products proved to be
successful in 2007 and will therefore be continued into 2008. Overall trading in
the first quarter of 2008 was in line with expectations.

J G Murray
Chairman

30 April 2008


Andrews Sykes Group plc
Consolidated Income Statement
For the 52 weeks ended 29 December 2007
                                                            52 weeks ended 29 December 2007             52 weeks
                                                                          Pension                          ended
                                                                      curtailment                    31 December
                                                          Normalised       charge       Total               2006
                                                               #'000        #'000       #'000              #'000
Continuing operations

Revenue                                                       57,846            -      57,846             59,768
Cost of sales                                               (25,816)            -    (25,816)           (26,918)

Gross profit                                                  32,030            -      32,030             32,850

Distribution costs                                           (9,751)            -     (9,751)            (9,471)
Administrative expenses                                      (8,095)        (911)     (9,006)            (8,107)

Operating profit                                              14,184        (911)      13,273             15,272

EBITDA*                                                       18,173        (911)      17,262             18,887
Depreciation and impairment charges                          (4,463)            -     (4,463)            (4,153)
Profit on the sale of property, plant and equipment              474            -         474                538
Operating profit                                              14,184        (911)      13,273             15,272

Income from other participating interests                                                 209                  -
Finance income                                                                            624                500
Finance costs                                                                         (1,728)            (1,772)

Profit before taxation                                                                 12,378             14,000

Taxation                                                                              (3,829)            (4,150)

Profit for the period from continuing operations                                        8,549              9,850

Discontinued operations

Loss for the period from discontinued operations                                            -              (142)

Profit for the financial period attributable to equity holders of                       8,549              9,708
the parent

Earnings per share from continuing operations

Basic (pence)                                                                          19.19p             22.11p
Diluted (pence)                                                                        19.19p             22.10p

Earnings per share from total operations

Basic (pence)                                                                          19.19p             21.79p
Diluted (pence)                                                                        19.19p             21.79p

Dividends paid per equity share (pence)                                                 0.0 p               0.0p




* Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation, profit on sale of fixed
assets, Amortisation and impairment charges.


Andrews Sykes Group plc
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 29 December 2007
                                                                   29 December 2007              31 December 2006
                                                                   #'000             #'000          #'000        #'000
Non-current assets
Goodwill                                                                                 -                          31
Property, plant and equipment                                                       15,668                      15,201
Lease prepayments                                                                       96                         229
Trade investments                                                                      164                         164
Deferred tax asset                                                                   1,404                       3,201
Derivative financial instruments                                                        13                          23
                                                                                    17,345                      18,849
Current assets
Stocks                                                             5,742                            4,336
Trade and other receivables                                       16,317                           16,217
Cash and cash equivalents                                         13,102                           10,190
Assets held for sale                                                 494                                -

                                                                  35,655                           30,743

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables                                        (11,371)                         (10,108)
Current tax liabilities                                          (1,370)                          (2,292)
Bank loans                                                       (5,000)                          (5,000)
Obligations under finance leases                                   (415)                            (233)
Provisions                                                          (15)                             (24)

                                                                (18,171)                         (17,657)

Net current assets                                                                  17,484                      13,086

Total assets less current liabilities                                               34,829                      31,935

Non-current liabilities
Bank loans                                                      (19,000)                         (20,000)
Obligations under finance leases                                 (1,006)                          (1,147)
Retirement benefit obligations                                   (1,238)                          (6,577)

Derivative financial instruments                                    (38)                                -
                                                                                  (21,282)                    (27,724)

Net assets                                                                          13,547                       4,211

Equity
Called-up share capital                                                                446                         446
ESOP reserve                                                                             -                           -
Retained earnings                                                                   12,595                       3,854
Translation reserve                                                                    274                       (321)

Other reserves                                                                         222                         222

Surplus attributable to equity holders of the parent                                13,537                       4,201

Minority interest                                                                       10                          10

Total equity                                                                        13,547                       4,211



Andrews Sykes Group plc                                                       52 weeks               52 weeks
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement                                                 ended                  ended
For the 52 weeks ended 29 December 2007                                    29 December            31 December
                                                                                  2007                   2006
                                                                                 #'000                  #'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations                                                  11,211                 15,935
Interest paid                                                                  (1,115)                (1,591)
Net UK corporation tax paid                                                    (2,202)                (2,465)
Withholding tax recovered / (paid)                                                  50                   (52)
Overseas tax paid                                                                (877)                  (290)

Net cash flow from operating activities                                          7,067                 11,537

Investing activities
Dividends received from participating interests (trade investments)                209                      -
Disposal costs paid less consideration received on prior year disposals            295                  (183)
Sale of property, plant and equipment                                              778                    526
Purchase of property, plant & equipment                                        (5,346)                (7,067)
Interest received                                                                  440                    476

Net cash flow from investing activities                                        (3,624)                (6,248)

Financing activities
Loan repayments                                                                (1,000)                (5,000)

Finance lease capital repayments                                                 (141)                  (131)

Purchase of own shares                                                               -                   (16)
Sale of own shares by ESOP                                                           -                      4

Net cash flow from financing activities                                        (1,141)                (5,143)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                        2,302                    146

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year                          10,190                 10,342
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes                                            610                  (298)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year                                    13,102                 10,190

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt in the period

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                        2,302                    146
Cash outflow from the decrease in debt                                           1,141                  5,131

Non cash movements in respect of new finance leases                              (182)                      -
Non cash movements in the fair value of derivative instruments                    (48)                     23
Movement in net debt during the period                                           3,213                  5,300
Opening net debt at the beginning of the year                                 (16,167)               (21,169)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes                                            610                  (298)
Closing net debt at the end of the year                                       (12,344)               (16,167)



Andrews Sykes Group plc
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense
For the 52 weeks ended 29 December 2007
                                                                                52 weeks              52 weeks
                                                                                   ended                 ended
                                                                             29 December           31 December
                                                                                    2007                  2006
                                                                                   #'000                 #'000

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme                                 154                   636
assets
Experience gains and losses arising on plan obligation                               424                 (340)
Changes in demographic and financial assumptions underlying the present

value of plan obligations                                                          (279)               (1,937)

Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments                 595                 (321)
Deferred tax on items posted directly to equity                                    (107)                   493

Net income / (expense) recognised directly in equity                                 787               (1,469)

Profit for the period attributable to parent's shareholders                        8,549                 9,708

Total recognised income and expense for the period attributable to equity
holders of the parent                                                              9,336                 8,239


Movement on share capital and reserves
                                                    Share         ESOP  Retained  Translation     Other       Total
                                                  capital      reserve  earnings      reserve  reserves           0
                                                    #'000        #'000     #'000        #'000     #'000       #'000

At 1 January 2006                                     446          (6)   (4,688)            -       222     (4,026)
Total recognised income and expense                     -            -     8,560        (321)         -       8,239
Purchase of own shares                                  -            -      (16)            -         -        (16)
Sale of shares by the ESOP                              -            6       (2)            -         -           4

At 31 December 2006                                   446            -     3,854        (321)       222       4,201
Total recognised income and expense                     -            -     8,741          595         -       9,336

At 29 December 2007                                   446            -    12,595          274       222      13,537


Notes

1.       Whilst the financial information included in this preliminary
announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and
measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs),
this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with
IFRSs. The group expects to distribute copies of the full Annual Report and
Financial Statements that comply with IFRSs by the middle of May 2008 following
which copies will be available from the registered office of the Company;
Premier House, Darlington Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4JJ.

2.       The Company's Annual General Meeting will be held at 10.30 a.m. on
Wednesday 11 June 2008 at Floor 5, 10 Bruton Street, London, W1J 6PX.



ENDS


                      This information is provided by RNS
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