TIDMMUBL
RNS Number : 8876Q
MBL Group PLC
05 December 2016
5 December 2016
MBL GROUP PLC
(AIM: MUBL)
("MBL" or the "Group")
Unaudited Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 September
2016, Directorate Change and Conclusion of Strategic Review
The Board of MBL Group plc announces its interim results for the
six months ended 30 September 2016.
Key points:
-- Group revenue up 13% to GBP7.54 million (2015: GBP6.7 million)
-- Group profit before taxation and exceptional items GBP0.2
million (2015: loss GBP0.04 million)
-- Group loss before taxation GBP0.2 million (2015: loss GBP0.04 million)
-- Net cash of GBP1.5 million (2015: GBP1.8 million) and the Group remains debt free
-- No dividend is proposed
-- Peter Palframan joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director
-- Chris Jones leaves the Board with immediate effect
-- Completion of Strategic Review and end of Offer Period
Tim Jackson-Smith, Chairman of MBL, commented:
"I am pleased to report that during the period all of the
trading businesses within the Group continued to perform well, were
profitable, cash generative and on average delivered a 13% growth
in sales. However, the Group did incur significant exceptional,
one-off costs in the first 6 months of this current financial year
and these have led to a loss in the period at Group level.
The Group recently announced that it had begun a strategic
review with the aim of maximizing value for our shareholders and we
believe that a third party may be better placed to develop the
potential in our trading businesses and take them forward to the
next phase of their development. Accordingly, the Board is going to
carry out a formal sales process regarding each business and will
update shareholders in due course as to progress.
Finally, I would like to announce some changes to the Board.
With immediate effect Chris Jones is stepping down from the Board
and is being replaced by Peter Palframan. I would like to thank
Chris for all his efforts and wish him well for the future. I would
also like to welcome Peter to the Board and look forward to working
with him as we look to execute the plan outlined in the strategic
review. Peter's skill set is perfectly matched to the challenges
ahead."
A copy of the Unaudited Interim Results will be available on the
Company's website - www.mblgroup.co.uk
--S--
For further information please contact:
MBL Group plc Tel: 01772 440440
Tim Jackson-Smith, Chairman
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited Tel: 0203 368 3555
Sean Wyndham-Quin
Mark Brady
SI Capital Limited Tel: 01483 413500
Nick Emerson
Andy Thacker
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am pleased to report that during the period all the trading
businesses within the Group continued to perform well, were
profitable, cash generative and on average delivered a 13% growth
in sales.
Operational Review
Home Entertainment
30 September 30 September
2016 GBP'000 2015 GBP'000
------------------ -------------- --------------
Revenue 4,226 3,913
================== ============== ==============
Operating profit 151 70
------------------ -------------- --------------
The Group's Home Entertainment division is one of the UK's
leading suppliers of music and entertainment products to online and
physical retailers around the world.
The division performed well in the period, boosted by a weaker
pound, and saw revenues of GBP4.2million (2015: GBP3.9 million).
Operating profit more than doubled to GBP151,000 (2015: GBP70,000).
Gross profit margins were lower than the same period last year at
13.4% (2015: 14.7%).
Garden & Home
30 September 30 September
2016 GBP'000 2015 GBP'000
------------------ -------------- --------------
Revenue 3,299 2,728
================== ============== ==============
Operating profit 180 19
------------------ -------------- --------------
Our Garden & Home division specialises in the online and
mail order sale of garden bird food, aquatics supplies and
associated wildlife products.
Sales during the period increased by 21% to GBP3.3 million
(2015: GBP2.7 million) leading to an increase in operating profit
for the period of 950% to GBP180,000 (2015: GBP19,000). As was
expected, the tightly controlled cost base within the business
meant that top line growth fed through to bottom line profit and
this, combined with expertise in buying and online marketing
strategies, has helped to consolidate the business's position in
this market.
Financial Review
The Financial Statements have been prepared to separately
present the financial performance of the Group's operations
including the prior year comparatives. The Segmental Analysis in
the Notes to the Financial Statements presents the Group's
consolidated revenue streams.
Overall, Group revenue for the year increased by 13% to GBP7.5
million (2015: GBP6.7 million). Group gross margins reduced
slightly to 25.2% (2015: 26%).
The Group loss for the period before taxation was GBP0.2million
(2015: GBP0.04 million) and this has been caused by a series of
exceptional, one-off costs in the period that have been incurred by
the Company as part of the recent changes that have been made.
The Group is a relatively small business and as such it is
possible for investment in future performance or operating
challenges to have a disproportionate effect on our short term
financial performance. We are also sensitive to the costs of
maintaining an AIM listing and these costs have a sizeable impact
on the costs of administering the Group.
Cash flow, working capital and borrowing facilities
The Group ended the period with cash balances of GBP1.5 million
(2015: GBP1.8 million). The net cash outflow from operating
activities was GBP0.3million (2015: inflow of GBP0.1 million). The
Group remains debt free.
Dividends
The Board is not recommending the payment of a dividend.
Our people
I have had the pleasure over the last few months of meeting many
of the Group's employees. They are clearly one of the Group's great
strengths and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them
for their support during my transition into my role as chairman.
MBL's staff are critical to the success of the Group and the first
6 months of this financial year have seen substantial improvement
in the Group's underlying performance. On behalf of the Board, I
would like to thank everyone across the Group for their hard work
and dedication.
Board update
The Board has seen a number of changes recently with Tony
Johnson, Lisa Clarke and Chris Jones stepping down and Peter
Palframan joining the board as a non-executive director. I would
like to thank Tony, Lisa and Chris for their contribution to the
Group and to wish them well for the future.
The first six months of this financial year have therefore been
costly and distracting and I am keen to now focus my efforts on the
businesses within the Group to make sure that they continue to
perform in the best and most effective way possible. Peter and I
are committed to move forward and to deliver as much value as we
can to the shareholders and the strategic review that we have
carried out is the first step on that journey.
Strategic Review
As requested by shareholders, the Board has been conducting a
strategic review of the Group. This has been a collaborative
process, which has involved a great deal of time commitment on
behalf of the Board, senior management and Grant Thornton. The
purpose of the exercise has been to investigate how to improve the
performance of the business and enhance shareholder value. We have
decided to explore a potential sale of both trading businesses
within the Group as we believe that a third party may be better
placed to take these businesses to the next phase of their
development.
As a result of the completion of the Strategic Review, the Group
is no longer in an Offer Period.
Current Outlook
The second half of the financial year has started well with
sales in both divisions ahead of management expectations.
T Jackson-Smith
Chairman
5 December 2016
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period ended 30 September 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months Year ended
to to 31 March
30 September 30 September
2016 2015 2016
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 7,539 6,654 14,767
Cost of sales (5,635) (4,944) (11,079)
--------------- --------------- -------------
Gross profit 1,904 1,710 3,688
Distribution expenses (538) (455) (934)
Administrative expenses
- normal (1,147) (1,300) (2,733)
- reorganisation (453) - -
costs
Operating (loss)/profit (234) (45) 21
Finance income 2 3 5
--------------- --------------- -------------
(Loss)/profit before
tax (232) (42) 26
Taxation expense 4 (19) - 49
--------------- --------------- -------------
(Loss)/profit for the
period (251) (42) 75
=============== =============== =============
Total comprehensive (expense)/income
for the period (251) (42) 75
--------------- --------------- -------------
There are no items other than those stated above
that would comprise comprehensive income. All the
items above are attributable to equity holders of
the Company.
Earnings per share:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months Year ended
to to 31 March
30 September 30 September
2016 2015 2015
Basic and diluted (loss)/profit
per share 5 (1.4)p (0.2)p 0.4p
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2016
30 September 30 September 31 March
2016 2015 2016
Note GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and
equipment 232 287 262
Intangible assets 140 140 140
Deferred tax assets 29 - 48
Total non-current assets 401 427 450
------------- ------------- ---------
Current assets
Inventories 671 554 689
Trade and other receivables 1,817 1,702 1,705
Cash and cash equivalents 1,539 1,768 1,855
------------- ------------- ---------
Total current assets 4,027 4,024 4,249
------------- ------------- ---------
Total assets 4,428 4,451 4,699
============= ============= =========
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (1,336) (1,221) (1,356)
Tax payable - (4) -
Provisions 7 (472) (472) (472)
------------- ------------- ---------
Total current liabilities (1,808) (1,697) (1,828)
------------- ------------- ---------
Net assets 2,620 2,754 2,871
------------- ------------- ---------
Equity attributable to
equity holders of the
parent
Share capital 1,297 12,972 1,297
Share premium - 21,531 -
Retained earnings 4,123 (28,949) 4,374
Merger reserve (2,800) (2,800) (2,800)
------------- ------------- ---------
Total equity 2,620 2,754 2,871
------------- ------------- ---------
Total equity and liabilities 4,428 4,451 4,699
============= ============= =========
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 30 September 2016
Share Share Merger Retained Total
capital premium reserve earnings
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
At 1 April 2015 12,972 21,531 (2,800) (28,907) 2,796
Total comprehensive
expense
for the period - - - (42) (42)
At 30 September
2015 12,972 21,531 (2,800) (28,949) 2,754
========= ========= ========= ========== =======
Capital reduction (11,675) - - 11,675 -
Cancellation of
Share Premium - (21,531) - 21,531 -
Total comprehensive
income
for the period - - - 117 117
At 31 March 2016 1,297 - (2,800) 4,374 2,871
========= ========= ========= ========== =======
Total comprehensive
expense
for the period - - - (251) (251)
At 30 September
2016 1,297 - (2,800) 4,123 2,620
========= ========= ========= ========== =======
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 30 September 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months Year ended
to to 31 March
30 September 30 September
2016 2015 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Cash flows from operating
activities
(Loss)/profit for the period (251) (42) 75
Adjustments for:
Depreciation 40 62 107
Impairment of intangibles - 9 8
Financial income (2) (3) (5)
Profit on sale of property,
plant and equipment - - (30)
Taxation 19 - (49)
--------------- --------------- -------------
(194) 26 106
Increase in trade and
other receivables (113) (27) (30)
Decrease/(increase) in
inventories 18 70 (65)
(Decrease)/increase in
trade and other payables (20) 78 213
--------------- --------------- -------------
(309) 147 224
Tax paid - 2 -
--------------- --------------- -------------
Net cash flow from operating
activities (309) 149 224
--------------- --------------- -------------
Cash flow from investing
activities
Interest received 2 3 5
Proceeds from sale of
property, plant and equipment - 20 51
Acquisition of property,
plant and equipment (9) (104) (125)
Payments made to acquire
trade and assets (8) (8)
Net cash flow from investing
activities (7) (89) (77)
--------------- --------------- -------------
Cash flows from financing
activities
Interest paid - - -
Net cash flow from financing - - -
activities
--------------- --------------- -------------
Net (decrease)/increase
in cash and cash
equivalents (316) 60 147
Cash and cash equivalents
at 1 April 1,855 1,708 1,708
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 1,539 1,768 1,855
Notes
1. Basis of preparation
MBL Group Plc (the 'Company') is a company incorporated and
domiciled in the United Kingdom. The half-year financial report for
the 6 month period to 30 September 2016 represents that of the
Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the
'Group').
This half-year financial report is an interim management report
as required by Rule 18 of the AIM Rules for Companies and was
authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 2 December
2016.
The half-year financial report is prepared in accordance with
the EU endorsed standard IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The
comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2016 are not the
Group's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts
have been reported on by the Group's Auditor and delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The Report of the Auditor was (i)
unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to
which the Auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without
qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement
under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
The information contained in the half-year financial report for
the 6 month period to 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015 is
unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the annual
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2016, which have
been prepared in accordance with the IFRS adopted by the European
Union.
As required by AIM Rule 18, the half-year financial report has
been prepared and presented in a form consistent with that which
will be adopted in the preparation of the Company's annual report
and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016.
The Group's policy is to maintain the ability to continue as a
going concern, in order to provide returns to the shareholder and
benefits to other stakeholders. Accordingly the going concern basis
has been adopted in preparing these interim results.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year
ended 31 March 2016 are available upon request from the Company's
registered office at MBL Group plc, Unit 1 Millennium City Park,
Millennium Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 5BL.
2. Going concern
The financial report has been prepared on a going concern basis,
which the Directors believe to be appropriate for the following
reasons.
The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts to 31 March 2018
taking account of reasonable possible changes in trading
performance. These forecasts show the Group to be cash positive
throughout the next 15 months and make a number of assumptions
around revenue and profitability of the remaining business
activity.
These forecasts demonstrate the Group has appropriate funds
which the directors believe are sufficient for the Group to
continue to trade for at least the next 12 month period. In
addition the Group continues to reflect an overall net assets
position and is debt free.
The Group had a cash balance of GBP1.5m as at 30 September 2016
and currently does not have a bank overdraft or loan
facilities.
The directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing the financial report.
3. Unaudited segmental analysis
The Group comprises the following main business segments:
Home Entertainment The sale of home entertainment products
predominantly to the export market.
Garden & Home The sale of garden bird, aquatics, wildlife
and pet related products direct to consumer via mail order and
online channels.
Other A combination of revenue streams including the license of
film and music rights for manufacture, sale and download.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for period ended
30 September 2016:
Home Entertainment Garden
GBP'000 & Home Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 Total
GBP'000
Gross revenue 4,227 3,300 12 7,539
Intersegment
revenue - - - -
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net revenue 4,227 3,300 12 7,539
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit before
exceptional and central
costs 151 183 40 374
Central costs (155)
Exceptional
costs (453)
----------
Operating loss after
exceptional and central
costs (234)
Finance income 2
Taxation (19)
----------
Total comprehensive expense
for the period (251)
==========
Total assets and
liabilities
Total assets 1,777 601 1,909 4,287
Goodwill - 140 - 140
Total liabilities (582) (295) (930) (1,807)
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total segment net
assets 1,195 446 979 2,620
===================== ========== ========== ==========
Capital expenditure
Intangible
assets - - - -
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Tangible
fixed assets - 4 5 9
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Depreciation 6 9 24 39
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for period ended
30 September 2015:
Home Entertainment Garden
GBP'000 & Home Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 Total
GBP'000
Gross revenue 3,913 2,728 13 6,654
Intersegment
revenue - - - -
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net revenue 3,913 2,728 13 6,654
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit before
central costs 70 19 12 101
Central costs (146)
----------
Operating loss after
central costs (45)
Finance income 3
Taxation -
----------
Total comprehensive expense
for the period (42)
==========
Total assets and
liabilities
Total assets 1,283 741 2,286 4,310
Goodwill - 140 - 140
Total liabilities (704) (186) (806) (1,696)
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total segment net
assets 579 695 1,480 2,754
===================== ========== ========== ==========
Capital expenditure
Intangible
assets - 8 - 8
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Tangible
fixed assets 1 103 - 104
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Depreciation 8 35 19 62
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for period ended
31 March 2016:
Home Entertainment Garden
GBP'000 & Home Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 Total
GBP'000
Gross revenue 8,853 5,857 57 14,767
Intersegment
revenue - - - -
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net revenue 8,853 5,857 57 14,767
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit before
central costs 180 14 57 251
Central costs (230)
----------
Operating profit after
central costs 21
Finance income 5
Taxation 49
----------
Total comprehensive income
for the period 75
==========
Total assets and
liabilities
Total assets 1,505 724 2,330 4,559
Goodwill - 140 - 140
Total liabilities (748) (358) (722) (1,828)
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total segment net
assets 757 506 1,608 2,871
===================== ========== ========== ==========
Capital expenditure
Intangible
assets - 8 - 8
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Tangible
fixed assets 6 15 104 125
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Depreciation 13 52 42 107
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Impairment of intangibles - 8 - 8
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
4. Taxation
The income tax charge has been estimated by the Group based on
adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years and the
level of losses incurred in the period ending 30 September
2016.
5. Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the
loss after taxation divided by the weighted average number of
shares in issue, being 17,296,068 (2015: 17,296,068; year ended 31
March 2016: 17,296,068).
6. Property, plant and equipment
During the period, the Group acquired assets with a cost of
GBP9,000 (2015: GBP104,000; year ended 31 March 2016:
GBP125,000).
7. Provisions
Lease commitment
GBP'000
At 1 April 2015, 30 September 2015,
31 March 2016 and 30 September 2016 472
=================
Analysed as:
Current liabilities 472
=================
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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