TIDMAUG
RNS Number : 0274B
Augean Plc
18 September 2018
Augean plc ("Augean" or "the Group")
Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018
Augean, one of the UK's leading specialist waste management
businesses, announces its unaudited interim results for the six
months ended 30 June 2018.
Financial highlights
From continuing operations and excluding exceptional items
-- Adjusted revenue before landfill tax increased by 6% to GBP32.9m (2017: GBP30.9m(1) )
-- Adjusted profit before taxation(2) increased 36% to GBP4.5m (2017: GBP3.3m)
-- Adjusted EBITDA(3) increased by 43% to GBP8.0m (2017: GBP5.8m)
-- Net cash flows(4) increased to an inflow of GBP8.1m from GBP0.8m outflow in H1 2017
-- Net debt improved to GBP2.7m (at 31 December 2017: GBP10.8m).
Net debt as at 13 September is GBP0.4m. The rate of cash generation
will slow in H2 as the capital spend to maintain landfill capacity
will increase
-- Basic adjusted earnings per share(5) increased by 21% to 3.18 pence (2017: 2.62p)
Operational highlights
-- Good progress on business optimisation programme including
cost savings, coherent incentivisation of sales, operations and
staff to enhance shareholder value
-- Double digit growth from residues from Energy from Waste
(EfW) plants despite customers having a disproportionate amount of
"downtime"
-- Strong growth in framework radioactive waste with revenues up around one third
-- Recovery in the market position for soils with the
appointment of a reinstated focused team toward the
end of H1 - however volumes down by around a third in H1
-- Further investment in soil wash plant to extend soil market opportunity
-- Increased overall profit at all treatment sites except East Kent
-- Continued further diversification in North Sea into
industrial services and waste management with reduced drilling
volumes has resulted in profit more than doubling
-- Strong pipeline of new EfW residue contracts which are expected to enter operation in 2019
Commenting on the results, Jim Meredith, Executive Chairman,
said:
"We have made excellent progress in the first half of 2018
having grown sales in all our key strategic markets, reduced the
cost base of the Group, driven cash generation and co-operatively
engaged with HMRC. We expect to make progress with HMRC in the
second half of 2018 and will update the market accordingly. The
team at Augean have responded well to the changes in the business,
for which I would like to thank them all. With growth in our key
strategic markets we expect to deliver full year financial results
that exceed current market expectation".
There will be a meeting for analysts at 9.30am today at the
offices of N+1 Singer, 1 Bartholomew Lane, London EC2N 2AX
For further information, please
call:
Augean plc 01937 844 980
Jim Meredith Executive Chairman
Mark Fryer, Group Finance Director
N+1 Singer 020 7496 3000
Shaun Dobson
Jen Boorer
Rachel Hayes
(1) on a like-for-like basis from continued operations
(excluding AIS and Colt)
(2) Adjusted means before exceptional items
(3) EBITDA means adjusted earnings before interest, tax,
depreciation and amortisation from continuing operations
(4) Including investing activities and before dividends
(5) From continuing operations and before exceptional items
Strategic report
The Group's core strategic markets are Energy from Waste,
treatment, nuclear decommissioning and North Sea decommissioning.
As previously announced, in order to facilitate cost savings and to
focus on profitable cash generative growth in these core markets
the Group has amended its business unit infrastructure for 2018 as
follows:
Adjusted continuing Adjusted operating
revenues (GBP'm) profit before
interest, tax
and PLC costs
(GBP'm)
2018 2017 2018 2017
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Treatment and Disposal 23.3 22.9 4.7 4.0
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
North Sea Services 9.6 8.0 0.8 0.3
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Revenues 32.9 30.9 - -
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Operating Profit pre-PLC
costs - - 5.5 4.3
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
PLC costs (0.6) (0.5)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Operating profit post
PLC costs 4.9 3.8
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Adjusted revenues exclude intra segment trading, discontinued
operations and landfill tax, adjusted operating profit excludes
exceptional items and loss from discontinued operations.
Business performance
The Group operated through two business units during 2018.
Treatment and Disposal
The principal activity of this business unit is the treatment
and disposal of waste from Energy from Waste (EfW) incinerators,
construction and industrial sites. The largest waste stream by
revenue and profit is the disposal of ash from EfW sites which
comprises bottom ash and ash from the burning of biomass and
municipal waste to generate energy. The largest waste stream by
tonnage is asbestos and other contaminated waste materials and
soils, mainly from construction sectors. A key growth market in
Treatment and Disposal is low level radioactive waste
decommissioning.
Adjusted revenues, excluding landfill tax, increased by 2% to
GBP23.3m (2017: GBP22.9m), with a small reduction in disposal
revenue (mainly from construction soils) offset by increased
revenue from new contract wins in treatment. Radioactive waste
volumes were in line with the first half of 2017 albeit that half
was very strong.
The adjusted operating profit of Treatment and Disposal
increased by 19% to GBP4.8m (2017: GBP4.0m) due to previously
announced cost savings with an annualised value of GBP4m and
increased sales.
The Treatment and Disposal strategy is to continue to win new
treatment contracts, optimise the use of our treatment plants,
maximise the market opportunity from growth in EfW ash waste
volumes, nuclear decommissioning and construction sector
wastes.
North Sea Services (NSS)
The NSS business unit operates in the North Sea Oil & Gas
market. The primary revenue streams are from drilling waste
management (DWM), including the rental of offshore engineers and
equipment to customers, production waste management, onshore &
marine industrial services, decommissioning and water
treatment.
NSS revenue increased by 20% to GBP9.6m (2017: GBP8.0m) on new
customer wins in Industrial Services and Waste Management. This
segment saw an increase in adjusted operating profit to GBP0.8m
(2017: GBP0.3m) due to revenue increase, cost savings, better mix
and the impact of increased decommissioning in the North Sea.
The NSS strategy continues to gain traction as the business
moves up the supply chain, dealing directly with Oil & Gas
operators and top-tier customers, so providing opportunities to
widen its service scope more directly with those customers. The NSS
facility at the Port of Dundee for the management of waste arising
onshore from the decommissioning of offshore assets is now fully
operational. This enhances the opportunity for Augean to service
the growing North Sea decommissioning market, a multi-billion pound
programme decommissioning hundreds of offshore assets which is
expected to be active for over 20 years. NSS actively markets these
facilities alongside other operators at the port, which in turn
cements its international position as a decommissioning facility
for the North Sea.
Discontinued operations
Augean Integrated Services (AIS) and Colt Industrial
Services
AIS was sold on 16th March 2018 to Regen Holdings for total
consideration of GBP4.0m. The fixed assets of the Colt business
were sold to Future Industrial on 22nd June 2018 for GBP1.0m. The
total consideration of GBP5.0m has been used to reduce net
debt.
HMRC assessment
Having taken legal advice confirming its position, Augean
continues to believe that the Landfill Tax (LFT) Assessments
received to date are to protect HMRC's four-year lookback.
Protective assessments have continued to be issued although not on
a consistent basis with currently 9 in total at a value of
GBP14.8m. There has been no further update on the pre-assessment
notifications previously announced in April. Augean is maintaining
positive discussions with HMRC in an effort to resolve the matter.
The Group will robustly challenge the LFT Assessments that it has
or may receive from HMRC, through the tax tribunal system if
appropriate. Augean continues to work with stakeholders in the
waste and other affected industry sectors about the broader adverse
implications for the continued and necessary proper treatment of
hazardous waste.
The Group intends to account for the legal costs of the dispute
with HMRC as an exceptional item but not to make a provision for
assessments received to date based on the strength of independent
legal and professional advice received. Further announcements will
be made at the appropriate time.
Financial performance
Group overview
A summary of the Group's financial performance, from continuing
operations and excluding exceptional items, is as follows. The 2017
comparative has been re stated where appropriate to exclude
operations discontinued in 2018.
GBP'm except where stated 2018 2017
Adjusted Revenue* 32.9 30.9
------ ------
Adjusted Operating profit* 4.9 3.8
------ ------
Adjusted Profit before
taxation 4.5 3.3
------ ------
Adjusted Profit after
taxation 3.8 2.7
------ ------
Net operating cash flow 6.2 4.2
------ ------
Basic adjusted earnings
per share 3.18 2.62
------ ------
Return on capital employed 14.4% 12.3%
------ ------
* excluding intra segment trading, discontinued operations and
landfill tax, adjusted operating profit excludes exceptional items
and loss from discontinued operations.
Exceptional items are detailed below.
Trading, adjusted operating profit and EBITDA
Adjusted revenue from continuing operations, excluding landfill
tax, for the six months ended 30 June 2018 increased by 7% to
GBP32.9m (2017: GBP30.9m).
Adjusted operating profit before exceptional items from
continuing operations increased by 29% to GBP4.9m (2017: GBP3.8m)
and adjusted profit before tax increased by 36% to GBP4.5m (2017:
GBP3.3m), on the same basis.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and
amortisation (EBITDA), from continuing operations and before
exceptional items, is determined as follows:
2018 2017
GBP'm GBP'm
Operating profit 4.9 3.8
------- -------
Depreciation and amortisation 3.1 2.0
------- -------
EBITDA 8.0 5.8
------- -------
Exceptional items
Exceptional items in 2018 totalled a net profit of GBP1.4m
before taxation being the profit on the sale of AIS of GBP1.2m,
profit on disposal of Colt assets of GBP0.2m offset by GBP0.1m of
net landfill tax legal costs / other costs.
Finance costs
Total finance charges were GBP0.4m (2017: GBP0.4m) including the
interest on bank debt and other financial liabilities and also
included non-cash unwinding of discounts on provisions.
Earnings per share
Adjusted basic earnings per share (EPS), from continuing
operations and excluding exceptional items, increased by 21% to
3.18 pence (2017: 2.62 pence) due to the increased sales and lower
costs.
The Group made an adjusted profit after taxation, from
continuing operations and excluding exceptional items, of GBP3.3m
(2017: GBP2.7m), all of which was attributable to equity
shareholders.
The total number of ordinary shares in issue increased during
the period from 103,048,167 to 103,428,392 with the weighted
average number of shares in issue decreasing from 104,743,685 to
103,981,192 for the purposes of basic EPS due to the expiration of
share options.
Dividend
The Board has decided not to declare an interim dividend given
the HMRC situation as described (2017 interim and final: Nil).
Cash flow and net debt
Underlying net operating cash flows were generated from
continuing trading as follows:
2018 2017
GBP'm GBP'm
EBITDA from continuing operations
and before exceptional items 8.0 5.8
------- -------
Net working capital movements - (0.8)
------- -------
Interest and taxation payments (1.1) (0.9)
------- -------
Other - 0.1
------- -------
Net operating cash flows from continuing
operations and before exceptional
items 6.9 4.2
------- -------
The cash flow of the Group is summarised as follows:
2018 2017
GBP'm GBP'm
Net operating cash flows from continuing
operations 6.9 4.2
------- -------
Net operating cash flows from discontinued
operations (2.0) (0.3)
------- -------
Total net operating cash flows 4.9 3.9
------- -------
Maintenance capital expenditure (1.4) (2.2)
------- -------
Post-maintenance free cash flow 3.5 1.7
------- -------
Development capital expenditure (0.4) (2.5)
------- -------
Free cash flow 3.1 (0.8)
------- -------
Sale of Business and assets 5.0 -
------- -------
Net cash generation before dividends 8.1 (0.8)
------- -------
Dividend payments - (1.0)
------- -------
Net cash generation 8.1 (1.8)
------- -------
Underlying net operating cash flow as a percentage of EBITDA was
86% in 2018 (2017: 72%).
The operating cash flow of the Group of GBP4.9m was used to pay
down debt and fund the future growth of the Group, with Capital
investment in property, plant & equipment and intangible assets
made by the Group totalling GBP1.8m (2017: GBP4.7m), split between
maintenance capital (to lengthen the productive life of existing
assets) of GBP1.4m and expansion capital (for targeted future
growth) of GBP0.4m.
Post-maintenance free cash flow, as set out in the table above,
represents the underlying cash generation of the Group, before any
investment in future growth or the payment of dividends to
shareholders.
As a result of the above net cash inflow, net debt, defined as
total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents, was at GBP2.7m at
30(th) June 2018 compared with GBP10.8m at 31 December 2017. This
represented gearing, defined as net debt divided by net assets, of
5% (31 December 2017: 22%). The ratio of net debt to EBITDA, from
continuing operations and before exceptional items, was 0.3 times
(2017: 0.8 times).
Financing
During 2018, the activities of the Group were substantially
funded by a bank facility, comprising a revolving credit facility
and bank overdraft. That facility was renewed on 21 March 2016 with
HSBC Bank plc at a level of GBP20m.The maturity of the facility is
October 2020 and the overdraft is reviewed annually. HSBC has, at
31 December 2017 and through to end of March 2019, waived breach of
the taxation clause of the bank credit facility which requires
potential liabilities associated with tax disputes to be less than
GBP0.1m. As at 30 June 2018, the net debt is GBP2.7m with headroom
available to the Group of GBP17.3m. The Group expects to be debt
free at year-end 2018.
Balance sheet and return on capital employed
Consolidated net assets were GBP53.7m on 30 June 2018 (2017:
GBP56.2m) and net tangible assets, excluding goodwill and other
intangible assets, were GBP33.8m (2017: GBP30.1m), of which all was
attributable to equity shareholders of the Group in both years.
Return on capital employed, from continuing operations and
excluding exceptional items, defined as adjusted operating profit
divided by average capital employed, where capital employed is net
assets excluding net debt, increased to 14.4% in 2018 (2017:
12.3%).
Outlook
Given continuing growth in our key strategic markets of Energy
from Waste plants, Treatment, Nuclear and North Sea decommissioning
combined with the full year benefit of cost saving, we expect to
deliver full year financial results that exceed current market
expectation. We plan to be debt free by year-end, subject to no
change in the current HMRC position.
Jim Meredith
Executive Chairman
18 September 2018
Unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
Represented Represented
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Year
Ended Ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2018 2017 2017
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Continuing operations
Revenue 4 37,524 35,316 70,229
Operating expenses (32,598) (31,568) (62,864)
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating profit before exceptional items 4,926 3,748 7,365
Exceptional items 1,359 - (8,605)
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating profit / (loss) 6,285 3,748 (1,240)
Net finance charges (413) (408) (850)
Profit / (loss) before tax 5,872 3,340 (2,090)
Taxation 5 (1,233) (645) (597)
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Profit / (loss) from continuing operations 4,639 2,695 (2,687)
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinuing operations (1,181) (394) (807)
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Profit for the period and total comprehensive
income attributable to equity shareholders 3,458 2,301 (3,494)
---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings / (loss) per share
Basic 3.35p 2.24p (3.40)p
Diluted 6 3.33p 2.20p (3.34)p
Unaudited consolidated statement of financial position
At 30 June 2018
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Non-current assets
Goodwill 19,757 23,997 19,757
Other intangible assets 115 2,121 323
Property, plant and equipment 44,717 47,097 46,678
Deferred tax asset 1,243 1,176 1,243
65,832 74,391 68,001
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Current assets
Inventories 326 458 440
Trade and other receivables 18,138 16,053 19,570
Cash and cash equivalents 5,235 2,849 6,579
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
23,699 19,360 26,589
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (17,615) (13,794) (18,287)
Current tax liabilities (887) (808) (652)
Borrowings - (3) -
Provisions (200) (65) (50)
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
(18,702) (14,670) (18,989)
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Net current assets 4,997 4,690 7,600
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (7,900) (15,356) (17,378)
Provisions (9,251) (7,553) (8,118)
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
(17,151) (22,909) (25,496)
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Net assets 53,678 56,172 50,105
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Equity
Share capital 10,300 10,284 10,295
Share premium account 800 795 757
Retained earnings 42,578 45,093 39,053
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Total equity 53,678 56,172 50,105
------------------------------ --------- --------- -----------
Unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2018 2017 2017
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating activities
Cash generated from operations 7 5,951 4,794 10,530
Finance charges paid (298) (477) (429)
Tax paid (719) (400) (650)
Net cash generated from operating activities 4,934 3,917 9,451
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant
and equipment 1,000 - 62
Purchases of property, plant, equipment
and intangibles (1,846) (4,728) (8,830)
Sale of business (net of cash) 3,998 - -
Net cash used in investing activities 3,152 (4,728) (8,768)
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Financing activities
Issue of equity 48 - 28
(Repayment) / Drawdown of loan facilities (9,478) 1,500 3,711
Repayments of obligations under finance
leases - (1) (4)
Dividends paid - (1,027) (1,027)
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash generated from financing activities (9,430) 472 2,708
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash
equivalents (1,344) (339) 3,391
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period 6,579 3,188 3,188
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 5,235 2,849 6,579
--------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- ----------- -----------
Unaudited consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
Share Share Retained Shareholders'
capital premium earnings equity
account
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2017 10,275 748 43,544 54,567
Total comprehensive income
for the period
Retained profit - - 2,301 2,301
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total comprehensive income
for the period - - 2,301 2,301
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Transactions with owners
of the Company
Issue of equity 9 47 - 56
Dividends paid - - (1,027) (1,027)
Share-based payments - - 275 275
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total transactions with the
owners of the Company 9 47 (752) (696)
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
At 30 June 2017 10,284 795 45,093 56,172
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total comprehensive income
for the period
Retained profit - - (5,795) (5,795)
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total comprehensive income
for the period - - (5,795) (5,795)
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Transactions with owners
of the Company
Issue of equity 11 (38) - (27)
Share-based payments - - (81) (81)
Tax relating to transactions
with owners of the Company - - (164) (164)
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total transactions with the
owners of the Company 11 (38) (245) (272)
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
At 31 December 2017 10,295 757 39,053 50,105
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total comprehensive income
for the period
Retained profit - - 3,458 3,458
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total comprehensive income
for the period - - 3,458 3,458
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Transactions with owners
of the Company
Issue of equity 5 43 - 48
Share-based payments - - 67 67
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
Total transactions with the
owners of the Company 5 43 67 115
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
At 30 June 2018 10,300 800 42,578 53,678
----------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------------
1 Statutory information
The financial information in the interim report does not
constitute statutory accounts as defined by Section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006 and has not been audited or reviewed.
The financial information relating to the year ended 31 December
2017 is an extract from the latest published financial statements
on which the auditor gave an unmodified report that did not contain
statements under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006
and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
The interim financial statements for the six months ended 30
June 2018 are available from the Group's website at
www.augeanplc.com.
2 Accounting policies
The interim financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies and on a basis
consistent with the accounting policies and methods of computation
as published by the Group in its Annual Report for the year ended
31 December 2017, which is available on the Group's website.
3 Basis of preparation
The Group has chosen not to adopt IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Statements' in preparing these interim financial statements and
therefore the Interim financial information is not in full
compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards.
Having considered the material uncertainty around the HMRC issue
and after making further enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources
to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
Financial forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably
possible changes and sensitivities in trading performance and the
market value of the Group's assets, have been prepared and show
that the Group is expected to be able to operate within the level
of the current banking facility.
The Group have considered the impact of changes in IRFS 9 and
IFRS 15 on the interim results. This is not expected to impact the
full year results which will be prepared in compliance with these
standards.
The Directors are confident that the Company will be able to
meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next 12 months. As a
result, the financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis.
4 Operating segments
The Group has two reportable segments. The two segments are the
Group's strategic business units. These business units are
monitored and strategic decisions are made on the basis of each
business unit's operating performance. The Group's business units
provide different services to their customers and are managed
separately as they are subject to different risks and returns. The
Group's internal organisation and management structure and its
system of internal financial reporting are based primarily on these
operating business units. For each of the business units, the
Group's Executive Chairman (the chief operating decision-maker)
reviews internal management reports on at least a monthly basis.
The following summary describes the operations of each of the
Group's reportable segments:
-- Treatment and disposal: Augean provides waste remediation,
incineration, management, treatment and disposal services through
its seven sites across the UK.
-- Augean North Sea Services: Augean provides waste management
and waste processing services to oil and gas operators.
Information regarding the results of each reportable segment is
included below. Performance is measured based on the segment
operating profit, as included in the internal management reports
that are reviewed by the Group's Executive Chairman. This profit
measure for each business unit is used to measure performance as
management believes that such information is the most relevant in
evaluating the results of each of the business units relative to
other entities that operate within these sectors.
All activities arise almost exclusively within the United
Kingdom. Inter-segment trading is undertaken on normal commercial
terms.
The segmental results for the six months ended 30 June 2018 were
as follows:
Treatment North Sea
and disposal Services Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Revenue
Incinerator Ash 6,037 - 6,037
Other landfill activities 5,705 - 5,705
Waste treatment activities 9,392 - 9,392
Incineration of waste 1,408 - 1,408
Radioactive waste management 1,219 - 1,219
Services to North Sea production
and exploration customers - 9,604 9,604
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Total revenue net of landfill
tax 23,761 9,604 33,365
Landfill tax 4,619 - 4,619
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Total revenue including inter-segment
sales 28,380 9,604 37,984
Inter-segment sales (458) (2) (460)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Revenue 27,922 9,602 37,524
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Result
Operating profit before exceptional
items 4,765 759 5,524
Exceptional items 1,359 - 1,359
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Operating profit 6,124 759 6,883
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Finance charges (413)
Central costs (598)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit before taxation 5,872
Taxation (1,233)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit before tax 4,639
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit from discontinued operations (1,181)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit after Tax 3,458
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Exceptional items comprise GBP1.2m profit on disposal relating
to the AIS business and GBP0.2m relating to the sale of Colt assets
offset by professional fees relating to landfill tax and other
costs.
The segmental results for the six months ended 30 June 2017,
represented to separately classify discontinued operations, were as
follows:
Treatment North Sea
and disposal Services Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Revenue
Incinerator Ash 5,753 - 5,753
Other landfill activities 7,047 - 7,047
Waste treatment activities 8,272 - 8,272
Incineration of waste 1,286 - 1,286
Radioactive waste management 1,191 - 1,191
Services to Oil production
and exploration customers - 8,058 8,058
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Total revenue net of landfill
tax 23,549 8,058 31,607
Landfill tax 4,441 - 4,441
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Total revenue including inter-segment
sales 27,990 8,058 36,048
Inter-segment sales (680) (52) (732)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Revenue 27,310 8,006 35,316
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Result
Operating profit before exceptional
items 4,004 283 4,287
Exceptional items - - -
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Operating profit 4,004 283 4,287
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Finance charges (408)
Central costs (539)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit before taxation 3,340
Taxation (645)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit before tax for continuing
operations 2,695
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit from discontinued operations (394)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
Profit Before Tax 2,301
--------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------
5 Taxation
The taxation charge for the six month period ended 30 June 2018
has been based on the anticipated full year effective tax rate of
19.0% (six months ended 30 June 2017: 20%).
All deferred tax liabilities and assets have arisen on the
temporary timing differences between the tax base of relevant
assets and their carrying value in the statement of financial
position. No change in deferred tax compared to the position at 31
December 2017 has been reflected in these statements. The taxation
charge for the six month period to 30 June 2018 is all reflected
within current tax, consistent with the 30 June 2017 position.
6 Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share (EPS) is based on
the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of GBP3,458,000
(six months ended 30 June 2017: GBP2,301,000, year ended 31
December 2017: GBP3,494,000 loss) and a weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding of 103,174,871 (six months ended 30
June 2017: 104,743,685, year ended 31 December 2017: 104,599,450),
calculated as follows:
Unaudited Represented Represented
Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted
EPS 3,458 2,301 (3,494)
Exceptional items (net of associated taxation) (1,359) - 7,842
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
Earnings for the purposes of adjusted basic
and diluted EPS 2,099 2,301 4,348
(Profit) / Loss for discontinued operations 1,181 394 807
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
Earnings for the purposes of adjusted basic
and diluted EPS - continuing operations 3,280 2,695 5,155
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
Number of shares Number Number Number
Weighted average number of shares for basic
earnings per share 103,174,871 102,748,383 102,808,863
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares
from share options 806,321 1,995,302 1,790,587
----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Weighted average number of shares for diluted
earnings per share 103,981,192 104,743,685 104,599,450
----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings per share
Basic 3.35p 2.24p (3.40)p
Diluted 3.33p 2.20p (3.34)p
----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Adjusted earnings per share
Basic 2.03p 2.24p 4.23p
Diluted 2.02p 2.20p 4.16p
----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Adjusted earnings per share - Continuing
Operations
Basic 3.18p 2.62p 5.01p
Diluted 3.15p 2.57p 4.93p
----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
The exceptional items have been adjusted, in the adjusted EPS,
to better reflect the underlying performance of the business, when
presenting basic and diluted EPS.
7 Reconciliation of operating profit to cash generated from
operations
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Operating profit 4,827 3,259 (2,243)
Amortisation of intangible assets 36 143 447
Depreciation 3,286 2,162 5,938
Impairment charge - - 6,307
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation
and amortisation (EBITDA) 8,149 5,564 10,449
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Share-based payments 67 275 194
Increase in inventories 115 (81) (59)
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables (1,837) 2,320 (1,109)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 1,187 (3,114) 474
(Decrease) / increase in provisions 131 (170) 520
(Profit) / Loss on disposal of property, plant
and equipment (1,861) - 61
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Cash generated from operations 5,951 4,794 10,530
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------
The above EBITDA and cash flow generated from operations both
include a net cash outflow of GBP706,000 relating to exceptional
items (H1 2017: outflow of GBP970,000). Operating loss from
discontinued operations was GBP1,458,000 (H1 2017: GBP489,000)
8 Analysis of changes in net debt
Audited Unaudited
31 December Cash Other 30 June
2017 flow movement 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------- ------------ -------- --------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents 6,579 (1,344) - 5,235
Bank loans (17,378) 9,395 83 (7,900)
Net debt (10,799) 8,051 83 (2,665)
--------------------------- ------------ -------- --------- ----------
9 Contingent Liability
As previously announced, the Group has continued to receive
further landfill tax assessments for Augean North and Augean South.
HMRC has been discussing with the Group whether it has paid
sufficient landfill tax in relation to its treatment and disposal
of hazardous waste. Those discussions are ongoing. HMRC has not
required the Group to make any cash payment associated with these
assessments.
Based on the legal and other advice received by the Group over
several years, Augean is confident that the Group has met its
obligations in respect of landfill tax, consistent with the law and
official guidance at the time. We understand this has been issued
in order to protect HMRC against that period falling out of time (a
four year look back applies for landfill tax) whilst they undertake
further enquiries and discussion with the Group. The Group believes
this assessment to be without merit and an appeal is ongoing
supported by advice from leading counsel and its solicitors. We
will robustly challenge this landfill tax assessment and any other
subsequent assessment which may be received from HMRC, through the
tax tribunal system if appropriate. The Group currently intends to
account for the legal costs of the dispute with HMRC as an
exceptional item but not to make a provision for this assessment
based on the strength of independent legal and professional advice
received.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR QDLFFVKFBBBL
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