TIDMCSI

RNS Number : 0960Z

Castle Street Investments PLC

15 September 2015

 
 Date:       15 September 2015 
 On behalf   Castle Street Investments plc ('Castle 
  of:         Street Investments', the 'Company' 
              or the 'Group') 
 

Castle Street Investments plc

Half Yearly Report

Castle Street Investments plc (AIM: CSI), today announces its unaudited half-year results for the six months ended 30 June 2015 ("H1 2015").

Period highlights

   --      Operating profit of GBP1.5m (H1 2014: loss  GBP4.2m) 
   --      Profit after tax of GBP1.6m (H1 2014: loss GBP2.4m) 
   --      Earnings per share of 2.30p (H1 2014: loss 3.31p) 

-- Strong cash position of GBP18m at 30 June 2015 (31 Dec 2014: GBP12.1m) plus deferred consideration of GBP4.8m receivable in instalments by December 2015.

Post period highlights

   --      A further GBP2.7m of deferred consideration has been received since 30 June 2015 
   --      Net cash at the end of December 2015, expected to be in excess of GBP21.5m, 30.5p per share 
   --      Capital reduction approved on 28 August 2015 
   --      Distributable reserves anticipated to be in excess of GBP21m by December 2015 

Commenting on the results, Bill Dobbie, Chairman Castle Street Investments plc, said:

"We have continued to make strong progress in closing out our liabilities on favourable terms, thereby preserving cash for shareholders. Accordingly, the Directors anticipate that the Company's cash balance at December 2015, net of liabilities, is likely to be in excess of GBP21.5m. On this basis, estimated net cash balances at the year-end would represent 30.5p per share. With the reduction of capital approved we will have distributable reserves in excess of GBP21m.

We continue to evaluate acquisition targets in line with our stated investment policy, as an alternative to a cash distribution to shareholders."

For further information please contact:

 
 Castle Street Investments plc   Tel: +44 (0)131 526 
                                  3600 
 Niall Stirling, CFO 
  Bill Dobbie, Chairman 
 
 N+1 Singer (Nominated Adviser   Tel: +44 (0)207 496 
  and Broker)                     3000 
 Sandy Fraser 
  Jen Boorer 
  Ben Griffiths 
 
 

Further information on the Company can be found at www.castlestreetinvestments.com .

Chairman's Statement

Introduction

Since the completion of the disposal of our Traditional Dating assets in December 2014 we have been focused on ensuring a smooth exit from the dating business and related liabilities and on turning the Company into a well-capitalised cash shell that can be utilised for new opportunities in line with our proposed Investing Policy or to support a return to shareholders. Outgoings are being kept to a minimum and significant progress has been made in closing the various of its liabilities on satisfactory terms, thereby preserving cash for shareholders. The Directors anticipate that the Company's cash balance at December 2015, net of liabilities, is likely to be in excess of GBP21.5m. On this basis, estimated net cash balances at the year-end would represent 30.5p per share.

We continue to evaluate acquisition targets in line with our stated investment policy, as an alternative to a cash distribution to shareholders. In the absence of identifying one or more suitable investment opportunities, we anticipate bringing a proposal to shareholders for an initial distribution before the end of December 2015.

Financial Review

Following the disposal of the trading assets in December 2014 revenue for the Group was insignificant. A profit before tax of GBP2m reflected the success in closing out historic liabilities. Provisions of GBP1.6m established in December in respect of US legal claims and UK property costs were released in the period being no longer required.

Financial income of GBP0.5m is largely due to the financial discount on the proceeds of sale of the casual dating business which unwinds as the terms of the deferred consideration are fulfilled. GBP6.7m of deferred consideration has been received in line with the agreed schedule.

Trade and other receivables of GBP4.7m relate to the remaining deferred consideration.

Provisions fell to GBP0.4m (December 2014: GBP3m) with GBP0.9m of costs absorbed and the balance released.

Events after the balance sheet date

A further GBP2.7m of deferred consideration has been received on schedule since June 2015. In addition the tax repayment has been received as expected. A number of smaller liabilities have been resolved and residual provisions are now c GBP0.2m.

The application to cancel the share premium account and the capital redemption reserve was heard by the Court and approved on 28 August 2015. Consequently, as at the end of August the Company had distributable reserves of GBP21.5m. A Company balance sheet as at 31 August is attached by way of illustration.

Bill Dobbie

Chairman

Castle Street Investments plc

Interim Results FY2015

Consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income

 
 Six months ended 30                               Discontinued     Discontinued 
  June 2015                                               Total            Total 
  Unaudited                                             H1 2015          H1 2014 
                                                         GBP000           GBP000 
 
 Revenue                                                     88            7,177 
 Cost of sales                                             (31)          (8,416) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 
 Gross profit/ (loss)                                        57          (1,239) 
 
 Administrative expenses                                  1,492          (2,926) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) 
  Analysed as:                                            1,549          (4,165) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 
 Earnings before interest, 
  tax, depreciation, 
  amortisation, share 
  based payments, and 
  exceptional costs                                       (135)          (2,824) 
 
 Share based payments                                         -             (11) 
 Depreciation of plant 
  and equipment                                               -            (123) 
 Amortisation of intangible 
  assets                                                      -          (1,207) 
 Release of exceptional                                   1,684                - 
  cost provision 
 
 Financial income                                           467            1,125 
 Gain on sale of tangible                                    11                - 
  assets 
 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  taxation                                                2,027          (3,040) 
 Taxation (charge)/ 
  credit                                                  (391)              683 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 
   Profit/(loss) for the 
   period after taxation                                  1,636          (2,357) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
 Items that are or may 
  be classified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
  Foreign exchange translation 
  differences - equity 
  accounted investments                                       9             (79) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 Profit/(loss) for the 
 period and total comprehensive 
 income all attributable 
 to equity holders of 
 the parent                                               1,645          (2,436) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  --------------- 
 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per share 
 Basic (p per share)                                       2.30         (3.31) 
 Diluted (p per share)                                     2.30         (3.31) 
-----------------------------------  ----  -----  -------------  ------------- 
 
 

Castle Street Investments plc

Interim Results FY2015

Consolidated interim statement of financial position at 30 June 2015

 
                                  Unaudited   Unaudited    Audited 
                                    H1 2015     H1 2014    FY 2014 
                                     GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------   ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Non-current assets 
 Plant and equipment                      -         348          - 
 Intangible assets                        -       4,167          - 
 Trade and other receivables              -      11,749          - 
------------------------------   ----------  ----------  --------- 
                                          -      16,264          - 
------------------------------   ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables          4,760      10,969     11,974 
 Taxation                               557       1,276      1,033 
 Cash and cash equivalents           17,954      11,355     12,139 
                                     23,271      23,600     25,146 
 ------------------------------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Total assets                        23,271      39,864     25,146 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables               936       8,675      1,840 
 Provisions                             391           -      2,753 
                                      1,327       8,675      4,593 
 ------------------------------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred tax liabilities                 -         553          - 
 Provisions                               -           -        254 
                                          -         553        254 
 
 Total liabilities                    1,327       9,228      4,847 

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