RNS Number:5287D
Andrews Sykes Group PLC
30 September 2004


ANDREWS SYKES GROUP PLC

Interim Results for the 27 weeks ended 3 July 2004

Dear Shareholders


I have pleasure in presenting the results of our Group for the 27 weeks ended 3
July 2004.


Overview


Overall our Group's performance in the first half of 2004 has been satisfactory.
The salient features of the results for the 27 weeks ended 3 July 2004 compared
with the 26 weeks ended 28 June 2003 are as follows:


*  Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Goodwill
   Amortisation (EBITDA, as reconciled on the face of the profit and loss 
   account) derived from continuing operations increased by 2.5% from #8.6 
   million to #8.8 million.

*  Profit on ordinary activities before tax has increased by 10.4% from
   #5.6 million to #6.2 million.

*  Basic earnings per share has increased by 14.2% from 6.46 pence to
   7.38 pence.

*  Gearing has been further reduced from 27.6% as at 27 December 2003 to
   20.4% as at 3 July 2004 reflecting the Group's strong underlying cash 
   generative abilities.

Financial review

In previous statements I have reported to you that our Board has been following
two key financial strategies. Firstly costs have been set at levels allowing us
to respond to peaks in demand and yet achieve high levels of profitability in
medium and low demand times.  Secondly focussed initiatives have been followed
to develop the specialist hire markets which the Board considers have the
highest potential for profit growth. I am pleased to be able to report that both
these initiatives have, yet again, proved to be effective in the first half of
2004.

Even though the UK had unusually dry weather conditions during the first half of
this year, the level of turnover achieved by our main UK trading company,
Andrews Sykes Hire, was approximately #0.8 million higher in 2004 than in 2003.
Our strategies have therefore proven to be beneficial and have been responsible
for the increase in the Group's profit on ordinary activities before tax of #0.6
million from #5.6 million to #6.2 million. This indicates the strong underlying
profitability of our Group and demonstrates that even in difficult weather
conditions an excellent level of profit can be maintained.

Cash flow and gearing

Our Group continues to generate strong cash flows with a net cash inflow from
operating activities of #6.6 million in the first half of 2004, an increase of
#0.4 million over the same period last year. Gearing has been reduced from 27.6%
at 27 December 2003 to 20.4% at 3 July 2004 despite the payment of the 2003
final dividend of #1.7 million.

Earnings per share, share buy back programme and interim dividend

Mainly due to improvements in the Group's profit after taxation, the basic
earnings per share has increased from 6.46 pence in the first half of 2003 to
7.38 pence in the same period this year. Whilst the share buy back programme has
been very beneficial to the company in the past, the Board now believes that it
a dividend payment policy is now in the best interest of shareholders.

Accordingly I am pleased to announce that the Board has declared an interim
dividend of 1.0 pence per ordinary share. This will be paid on 4 November 2004
to shareholders on the register on 8 October 2004. The shares will go ex
dividend on 6 October 2004.

Prospects

The results for the third quarter of 2004 have been affected by the unusually
cold weather conditions in July and August which didn't stimulate the demand for
temperature control equipment.

September trading is in line with expectations and with the return of normal
weather conditions the Group is well positioned to benefit in the future from
the commercial strategies implemented since the beginning of the year.


JG Murray

Chairman

29 September 2004


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account for the 27 weeks ended 3 July 2004

                                                               27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                             (as restated*)
                                                                Continuing       Continuing       Continuing
                                                                activities       activities       activities
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000

Turnover                                                            31,407           32,371           68,252

Cost of sales                                                      -15,291          -16,810          -34,084
Gross profit                                                        16,116           15,561           34,168

Distribution costs                                                  -4,745           -4,641           -9,647
Administrative expenses                                             -4,949           -5,020          -10,080
Other operating income                                                  18                -                5
Operating profit                                                     6,440            5,900           14,446

EBITDA **                                                            8,773            8,556           19,666

Depreciation and asset disposals                                    -2,326           -2,649           -5,206
Operating profit before goodwill amortisation                        6,447            5,907           14,460

Goodwill amortisation                                                   -7               -7              -14
Operating profit                                                     6,440            5,900           14,446


Profit on the disposal of a business - discontinued                      -                -              598
Net interest payable                                                  -225             -272             -470

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation                        6,215            5,628           14,574

Tax on profit on ordinary activities                                -1,938           -1,778           -4,617

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation being profit            4,277            3,850            9,957
for the financial period

Dividends proposed on equity shares                                   -580                -           -1,740

Retained profit for the financial period attributable to             3,697            3,850            8,217
ordinary shareholders

Basic earnings per ordinary share (pence)                            7.38p            6.46p           16.82p

Diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)                          7.08p            6.25p           16.25p
Goodwill amortisation (pence)                                        0.01p            0.01p            0.02p
Exceptional items (pence)                                                -                -           -0.97p
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)                 7.09p            6.26p           15.30p

Equity dividend per share (pence)                                    1.00p                -            3.00p


*  The comparative figures for the 26 weeks ended 28 June 2003 have been
restated (i) to comply with UITF 38 - Accounting for ESOP Trusts - which was
issued in December 2003, (ii) the reclassification of certain property and
salary expenses out of administration to distribution costs as this more
appropriately reflects the nature of the expense and the reclassification of
certain overseas costs to ensure consistency with 2003.

**  Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation.

There were no material acquisitions in any period.


Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 3 July 2004

                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December

                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                             (as restated*)
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets: Goodwill                                             52               66               59
Tangible assets                                                     16,755           16,196           18,015
Investments                                                            164              164              164
                                                                    16,971           16,426           18,238
Current assets
Stocks                                                               4,950            5,507            5,616
Debtors                                                             15,999           16,988           14,953
Cash at bank and in hand                                            10,904            9,482           11,251
                                                                    31,853           31,977           31,820
Creditors falling due within one year
Loans and overdrafts                                                -3,119           -3,740           -3,749
Other creditors                                                     -9,197          -10,879          -10,715
Purchase of own shares                                                   -              -47             -458
Corporation and overseas tax                                        -2,680           -2,832           -3,191
Dividends                                                             -580                -           -1,740
                                                                   -15,576          -17,498          -19,853

Net current assets                                                  16,277           14,479           11,967

Receivable within one year                                          16,277           13,260           11,967
Due after more than one year                                             -            1,219                -
                                                                    16,277           14,479           11,967


Total assets less current liabilities                               33,248           30,905           30,205

Creditors falling due after more than one year
Loans                                                              -11,980          -14,470          -12,225

Provisions for liabilities and charges                                -725           -1,480             -869

Net assets                                                          20,543           14,955           17,111

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital                                             11,598           11,836           11,615
Share premium account                                               10,678           10,476           10,678
Revaluation reserve                                                    749              754              752
Other reserves                                                       7,392            7,113            7,378
Profit and loss account                                             -9,859          -15,077          -13,284
ESOP reserve                                                           -25             -157              -38
Equity shareholders' funds                                          20,533           14,945           17,101

Minority interests (equity)                                             10               10               10
                                                                    20,543           14,955           17,111


*  The comparative figures for the 26 weeks ended 28 June 2003 have been
restated to comply with UITF 38 - Accounting for ESOP Trusts - which was issued
in December 2003.



Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the 27 weeks ended 3 July 2004

                                                               27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000

Net cash inflow from operating activities                            6,555            6,224           17,329

Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received                                                      173              163              335
Interest paid                                                         -396             -371             -828
Net cash outflow for returns on investments and servicing of          -223             -208             -493
finance

Cash outflow for taxation                                           -2,175           -1,143           -3,214

Capital expenditure
Purchase of tangible fixed assets                                   -2,002           -2,348           -7,405
Purchase of shares held in ESOP                                          -              -88              -88
Sale of tangible fixed assets                                          818              273              868
Sale of shares held in ESOP                                             12               82              176
Net cash outflow for capital expenditure                            -1,172           -2,081           -6,449

Acquisitions and disposals
Cash received following the disposal of a business                       -                -            1,500

Net cash inflow for acquisitions and disposals                           -                -            1,500

Equity dividends paid                                               -1,740                -                -

Cash inflow before the use of liquid resources and financing         1,245            2,792            8,673

Management of liquid resources
Movement in bank deposits                                              476           -2,493            3,862

Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital net of issue costs                       -                -              252
New loans drawn down                                                     -                -            1,259
Loan repayments                                                       -875             -245           -3,740
Purchase of own shares                                                -630           -1,802           -3,883
Net cash outflow from financing                                     -1,505           -2,047           -6,112

Increase / (decrease) in cash in the period                            216           -1,748            6,423

Analysis of net debt

Bank current and deposit accounts and cash in hand                  10,904            9,482           11,251
Total loans and overdrafts                                         -15,099          -18,210          -15,974
Net debt                                                            -4,195           -8,728           -4,723
Net debt as a percentage of shareholders' funds (as                 -20.4%           -58.4%           -27.6%
restated)



Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses for the 27 weeks
ended 3 July 2004

                                                               27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                              (as restated)
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000

Profit for the financial period                                      4,277            3,850            9,957
Currency translation differences on foreign currency net              -105               36              -18
investments

Total recognised gains and losses in the period                      4,172            3,886            9,939



Notes to the accounts for the 27 weeks ended 3 July 2004

1.         Basis of preparation

The interim report for the 27 weeks ended 3 July 2004 was approved by the Board
on 29 September 2004. The financial information contained in this interim report
does not constitute statutory accounts for the Group for the relevant periods.
The interim report is neither audited nor reviewed. The results for the 52 weeks
ended 27 December 2003 have been extracted from the audited financial statements
that have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors
was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of
the Companies Act 1985.

The financial information has been prepared in accordance with the accounting
policies adopted within the financial statements for the 52 weeks ended 27
December 2003.

2.            Segmental analysis

The Group's turnover may be analysed between the following principal activities:

                                                               27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000
Activity:
Hire                                                                20,195           20,549           43,537
Sales                                                                6,135            6,737           13,990
Installation                                                         5,077            5,085           10,725
Total                                                               31,407           32,371           68,252



The geographical analysis of the Group's turnover was as follows:

By origination:                                                27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000

United Kingdom                                                      28,419           29,249           61,925
Rest of Europe                                                       1,212            1,602            3,239
Middle East and Africa                                               1,776            1,520            3,088
                                                                    31,407           32,371           68,252

By destination:                                                27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000

United Kingdom                                                      27,892           28,454           60,196
Rest of Europe                                                       1,317            2,067            4,388
Middle East and Africa                                               1,832            1,570            3,153
Rest of World                                                          366              280              515
                                                                    31,407           32,371           68,252



The analysis of profit before interest and tax and net assets by geographical
origin was as follows:
                              Profit before interest and tax                    Net assets
                          27 weeks to   26 weeks to   52 weeks to       As at        As at         As at
                               3 July       28 June   27 December      3 July      28 June   27 December
                                 2004          2003          2003        2004         2003          2003
                                #'000         #'000         #'000       #'000        #'000         #'000

United Kingdom                  5,694         5,360        13,983      24,541       23,668        24,211
Rest of Europe                    469           388           771       1,528        1,263         1,155
Middle East and Africa            277           152           290       1,929        1,584         1,399
                                6,440         5,900        15,044      27,998       26,515        26,765

Net debt                                                               -4,195       -8,728        -4,723
Taxation and dividends payable                                         -3,260       -2,832        -4,931
                                                                       20,543       14,955        17,111



3.   Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities

                                                               27 weeks to      26 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                    3 July          28 June      27 December
                                                                      2004             2003             2003
                                                                              (as restated)
                                                                     #'000            #'000            #'000

Operating profit                                                     6,440            5,900           14,446
Goodwill amortisation                                                    7                7               14
Depreciation                                                         2,847            2,709            5,575
Profit on sale of fixed assets                                        -521              -60             -369
Decrease /(increase) in stocks                                         666             -815             -924
Increase in debtors                                                 -1,266           -1,223             -847
Decrease  in creditors and provisions                               -1,618             -294             -566
Net cash inflow from operating activities                            6,555            6,224           17,329



4.            Earnings per share

The basic figures have been calculated by reference to the weighted average
number of 20p ordinary shares in issue, excluding those in the ESOP reserve,
during the period of 57,968,589 (26 weeks ended 28 June 2003: 59,605,878).

The calculation of the diluted earnings per ordinary share is based on the
profits as set out in the table below and on 60,421,720 (26 weeks ended 28 June
2003: 61,557,328) ordinary shares.  The share options have a dilutive effect for
the period calculated as follows:

                                                      27 weeks to 3 July 2004        26 weeks to 28 June
                                                                                                    2003
                                                                                           (as restated)
                                                          Total   Number of          Total   Number of
                                                       earnings        shares     earnings        shares
                                                          #'000                      #'000

Basic earnings/weighted average number of shares          4,277    57,968,589        3,850    59,605,878
Weighted average number of shares under option                      4,362,604                  4,710,057
No. of shares that would have been issued at fair                  -1,909,473                 -2,758,607
value
Earnings/ diluted weighted average number of shares       4,277    60,421,720        3,850    61,557,328
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)               7.08p                      6.25p



The adjusted diluted earnings per share excluding goodwill amortisation is based
upon the weighted average number of ordinary shares as set out in the table
above. The earnings can be reconciled to the adjusted earnings as follows:

                                                                        27 weeks to 3          26 weeks to
                                                                            July 2004         28 June 2003
                                                                                                       (as
                                                                                                 restated)
                                                                                #'000                #'000

Earnings                                                                        4,277                3,850
Goodwill amortisation                                                               7                    7
Adjusted earnings                                                               4,284                3,857
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share (pence)                            7.09p                6.26p



5.            Reconciliation of movements in Group shareholders' funds

                                                           27 weeks to       26 weeks to       52 weeks to
                                                                3 July           28 June       27 December
                                                                  2004              2003              2003
                                                                           (as restated)
                                                                 #'000             #'000             #'000

Profit for the financial period                                  4,277             3,850             9,957
Dividends                                                         -580                 -            -1,740
Other recognised gains and losses                                 -105                36               -18
Proceeds from ordinary shares issued                                 -                 -               252
Consideration for the purchase of own shares                      -172            -1,849            -4,341
Sale of own shares by the ESOP trust                                12                93               176
Purchase of own shares by the ESOP trust                             -               -88               -88
Net increase in shareholders' funds                              3,432             2,042             4,198

Shareholders' funds at the beginning of the period              17,101            12,903            12,903
Shareholders' funds at the end of the period                    20,533            14,945            17,101



6.            Distribution of Interim Statement

A copy of this statement will be posted to all shareholders and is available
from the Company's registered office at Premier House, Darlington Street,
Wolverhampton, WV1 4JJ.

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

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