TIDMCTG
RNS Number : 2639B
Christie Group PLC
03 April 2017
3 April 2017
Christie Group plc
Preliminary results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2016
Christie Group plc ('Christie Group' or the 'Group'), the
leading provider of Professional Business Services and Stock &
Inventory Systems & Services to the leisure, retail and care
markets, is pleased to announce its preliminary results for the 12
months ended 31 December 2016.
Key points:
-- Revenue growth of 1.2% to GBP64.5m (2015: GBP63.7m)
-- Operating profit before exceptional items of GBP1.0m (2015: GBP3.8m)
-- Operating profit after exceptional items of GBP2.3m (2015: GBP3.8m)
-- Earnings per share of 5.35p per share (2015: 9.73p per share)
-- Proposed final dividend at 1.5p per share (2015: 1.5p per
share) maintains total dividend for the year at 2.50p per share
(2015: 2.50p per share)
-- Significant improvement in trading in second-half of the
year, following a subdued first half which was impacted by EU
Referendum
-- Second-half operating profit before exceptional items of GBP1.9m (2015: GBP2.0m)
-- PBS division delivers second-half operating profit before
exceptional items of GBP1.8m after first-half operating loss of
GBP0.4m
-- Progress across all businesses in the division sees SISS
division reduce operating losses before exceptional items to
GBP0.2m (2015: GBP1.0m)
-- Christie Finance wins 'Commercial Mortgage Introducer of the
Year' for the second year running at the Business MoneyFacts
Awards
Commenting on the results, David Rugg, Chief Executive of
Christie Group said:
"The pick-up in sales towards the end of 2016 continued into the
new year. We entered 2017 with a strong pipeline from which we are
poised to benefit. We anticipate improved performance in 2017."
Enquiries:
Christie Group plc
David Rugg
Chief Executive 020 7227 0707
Daniel Prickett
Chief Financial Officer 020 7227 0700
Panmure Gordon (UK)
Limited
Dominic Morley / Charles
Leigh-Pemberton
Nominated Adviser &
Broker 020 7886 2906
Notes to Editors:
Christie Group plc (CTG.L), quoted on AIM, is a leading
professional business services group with 45 offices across the UK,
Europe and Canada, catering to its specialist markets in the
leisure, retail and care sectors.
Christie Group operates in two complementary business divisions:
Professional Business Services (PBS) and Stock & Inventory
Systems & Services (SISS). These divisions trade under the
brand names: PBS - Christie & Co, Pinders, Christie Finance and
Christie Insurance: SISS - Orridge, Venners and Vennersys.
Tracing its origins back to 1846, the Group has a long
established reputation for offering essential services to client
companies in agency, valuation services, investment, consultancy,
project management, multi-functional trading systems and online
ticketing services, stock audit and inventory management. The
diversity of these services provides a natural balance to the
Group's core agency business.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.
For more information, please go to www.christiegroup.com.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
After a subdued first half, which - as previously reported - was
caused by the inertia leading up to the EU referendum, I am pleased
to advise that our trading environment recovered following the
summer holiday period.
We achieved full year revenue of GBP64.5m, and in doing so
delivered a small increase on the prior year (2015: GBP63.7m). Our
first-half operating loss before exceptionals of GBP0.9m was
eradicated in the second half and an operating profit before
exceptional items of GBP1.0m (2015: GBP3.8m) was generated for the
year as a whole.
In addition, we recorded an exceptional operating profit of
GBP1.3m (2015: GBPnil) as a result of introducing further inflation
capping to our final salary pension schemes, both of which remain
closed to new members.
As a result of all of the above, operating profit after
exceptionals totalled GBP2.3m (2015: GBP3.8m). Earnings per share
stood at 5.35p per share (2015: 9.73p per share). While this
amounted to a decrease on the prior year, it was nonetheless
reflective of an encouraging recovery in the second half after a
challenging first half.
Cash flow in the year reflected capital expenditure investment
in the business for the longer term of GBP1.3m as well as a GBP1.2m
increase in trade receivables due to the positive second half
trading. Our working capital control and bad debt experience both
remain excellent and our available cash and facilities support our
aspirations for the year ahead.
Professional Business Services
As alluded to above, it was the Corporate M & A activity
which saw a lack of activity. Whilst we deliberately strive to keep
a healthy balance between transactional and advisory services, it
is of course a fact that most advisory work, valuations,
revaluations, due diligence and consultancy work revolve around
either current transactions or plans for future transactions.
Agency activity was dispersed across our trade sectors. The star
sector during the year was Children's Day Care, which delivered
several highlights during the year with this momentum continuing
into 2017 as highlighted by its sale of Magic Nurseries to Les
Petits Chaperons Rouge in January.
Helpfully, we saw an increase in transaction activity in the
lesser regulated sectors such as Retail and Hospitality. This will
lead to our 'deal agreed' pipeline throughput accelerating, where
deals tend to conclude more quickly in these sectors so that the
conversion of pipeline to recognised revenue is swifter.
Our International transactional and advisory business, combined
with international trade from our UK base, ensured that these
activities returned an operating profit. We did, however,
experience a post-Brexit slowdown in continental Europe which we
hope will be short-lived. Our Asia desk was successful in assisting
sales in Europe to Chinese buyers. This activity continues, subject
to the more stringent close capital constraints.
Our consultancy activities have been successfully expanded into
both the dental and pharmacy sectors. Briefs included "whole of
market" reviews in order to place specific portfolio acquisition
and development opportunities in context.
Valuation instructions increased by 12%. Additionally, we
received instructions to assist lenders to comply with the European
banking regulation which requires triennial review of the values of
assets which support existing bank loans. We also assisted clients
to access actual and consequential losses in instances where it is
accepted that they had been wrongly deprived of trading assets.
Christie Finance enjoyed another good year with increasing
involvement in higher value loans. Indeed, further to the launch of
Christie Finance Corporate, the business is now mandated on a
number of sizeable lending projects, illustrating its increasing
ability to serve a diverse range of corporate clients, including
private equity houses. Affirming its growing stature, the business
won the Commercial Mortgage Introducer of the Year award at the
Business MoneyFacts awards for the second successive year.
As ever, our insurance business Christie Insurance enjoyed some
challenging assignments. The end product of insurance is claims and
for Christie Insurance this is the acid test of the products and
insurers they recommend. During the year one client suffered water
damage to one of their buildings and the client had inadvertently
failed to advise their insurers the buildings were unoccupied,
resulting in an exclusion of the required water damage cover.
Despite this, Christie Insurance was successful in persuading the
insurer to pay out on a large part of the costs their client
incurred.
Pinders, our business appraisal and building services business,
has covered some interesting assignments in addition to its normal
business valuation work. Most notably these included an Insurance
Reinstatement Assessment for a thirteenth century Grade I Listed
Castle and Building and Services Condition Surveys for a tranche of
ten Hilton Hotels. Alongside these successes, Pinders' renowned
database and depth of knowledge has brought expert witness work
where Pinders is required to establish the historic values of
business when a dispute arises.
Stock & Inventory Systems and Services
As previously reported, the introduction of the National Living
Wage meant that at a stroke, our retail counters were rewarded at a
higher level. As a result, we increased prices, but there was a
small drag effect due to timing of contractual review dates. Whilst
turnover was flat in our Retail division, we have adjusted the work
specification or value of counts in order to retain our margin. In
fact, we are now seeing "win backs" where customers had previously
chased price over competence and have now come back to
Christie.
Our supply chain service is active in growing its "good faith
receiving" audits which are becoming increasingly established
practice in retail supply.
Internationally, our operations in Benelux and France have
already secured sufficient assignments to underpin profitability
there in 2017, whilst current work trials in Germany hold out a
similar prospect for later in the year.
Our licensed trade business, Venners, continued to grow market
share and existing clients awarded us work for further brands.
Venners new Brand Reputation offering has been enthusiastically
received by those which have or wish to franchise hospitality
brands. Venners ensures that the operator conforms to the brand
service standards throughout each trading outlet through an agreed
schedule of visits and, on occasion, unannounced.
Vennersys has achieved the goal of readying its SAAS ('Software
As A Service' model) for "go lives" in 2017. We remain in a period
of intense activity as many visitor attractions are seasonal and
open at either Easter or for the summer months. Once over the
"hump" of these existing Client conversions, we will be able to
accommodate our new business pipeline on a more rapid basis. We
anticipate, with minor exceptions, being able to switch off our
legacy systems at this year end. This will reduce duplicated
helpdesk traffic.
Outlook
The year for both our divisions has started more strongly than
in 2016. We have some inflationary costs to absorb which our
budgets allow for. Your management and staff alike strive to always
deliver a service that is second to none, and on your behalf I
thank them. We plan for continued growth in 2017. Your board's
enthusiasm for the unique and logically related Group of companies
that constitute your business continues unabated.
Reflecting this optimism, your directors recommend a final
dividend of 1.5p per share (2015: 1.5p), maintaining a total of
2.5p for the year (2015: 2.5p). If approved the dividend will be
paid on 7 July 2017 to those shareholders on the register on 9 June
2017.
Philip Gwyn
Chairman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW
Stability and long-term growth
Continuing geopolitical uncertainty, not least Brexit, made
professional investors more cautious in 2016 and this limited
liquidity in our markets. Despite these constraints, the Group
managed to grow revenue slightly to GBP64.5m (2015: GBP63.7m).
Operating profit before exceptional items was lower, at GBP1.0m
(2015: GBP3.8m). However, our second half held up with an operating
profit before exceptionals in the second six months of the year of
GBP1.9m (2015: GBP2.0m).
Especially in the corporate segment, both buyers and sellers
marked time in the run-up to the June referendum. In the immediate
aftermath, the surprise nature of the result acted as a short-term
brake, but investors adapted swiftly and soon re-engaged.
Transaction volumes rebounded in the last four months of the
year.
The pause in market activity in the run-up to Brexit could be
anticipated; it resulted in a revenue shortfall in the first half
of 2016. The board took the view that our long-term interests were
better served by continuing to invest in our businesses and brands.
This meant the Group operated with surplus capacity for much of the
year. The resulting higher overheads had an impact on our overall
profitability.
Historically, our business has prospered by focusing
decision-making on medium-term outcomes and the fundamentals in our
chosen sectors. The stability of our shareholder base has played a
key role in this, helping to ensure we are not deflected from our
core purpose of achieving sustainable, long-term growth.
Focus, flexibility and resilience
There are Christie Group services at every stage of the business
lifecycle. We value businesses for prospective buyers and support
acquisitions by arranging debt finance and insurance cover. Our
inventory and stock planning services enhance operational
efficiency. We provide expert advice and services to help those
selling businesses maximise their value.
Our organisational structure underpins our resilience across the
economic cycle. We derive more predictable earnings from services
that enhance operational efficiency. Our transaction-related
services tend to be more profitable in active markets.
Our transaction-linked business is well diversified. We engage
right across our sectors, from smallest to largest, serving both
private clients and the corporate market. So when professional
markets were subdued in the first half of 2016 we continued to
conclude transactions with private clients. It demonstrates once
again the merits of a balanced group structure with a wide-ranging
portfolio of interests.
Understanding our sectors in depth is key. We acquire detailed
business intelligence by focusing on four broad economic sectors:
retail, care/medical, and leisure. We store and share
sector-specific knowledge across the Group to optimise our
services.
Business intelligence has always been at the foundation of our
offering. We aim to deliver high-quality service and advice that
commands premium pricing and is less likely to be undercut by
cost-driven competitors. It is an approach that suits clients'
needs in the knowledge economy.
Our business is built around our clients. As sector specialists,
we understand the dynamics of their markets and their businesses.
We can propose precisely targeted, practical solutions.
Professional Business Services
One recent market dynamic is the emergence of service businesses
as a popular class of alternative asset.
Alternative assets have moved into the mainstream in recent
years as investors have realised that certain financial risks
cannot be properly addressed using traditional assets.
Institutional investors are including business assets and sector
holdings in their portfolios.
In the manufacturing sector opportunities are limited. New
technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, robotics and 3D
printing, are radically reducing fixed costs. Smart manufacturers
can grow their businesses without major capital infusions. This is
freeing up capital to be invested elsewhere.
Investors are targeting businesses in our sectors. Fund
managers, private equity houses and management companies are
constructing sector-based portfolios. They are buying care homes,
hotels, pubs and restaurants as income-generating assets with
built-in inflation protection.
Take children's day care. Christie & Co has been growing its
presence here for more than a decade. The sector was once dominated
by family-led start-ups. Through government funding of childcare
provision, it is now approaching critical mass. There is an influx
of new capital: private equity houses are building regional and
national networks.
Christie & Co has the experience, scale and capabilities to
support corporate investors in this and other sectors. Our
professional guidance and sector-specific expertise can add
considerable value for buyers with limited operational experience.
We can call on detailed knowledge to build valuations, develop
acquisition strategies and launch sales campaigns. We tailor our
services to each client.
We are also reaching out to private clients. First-time buyers,
by definition, are less likely to have had dealings with us in the
past. We are finding new ways to connect with them so we can
address their requirements more effectively.
We raised our visibility in the private client market this year
by listing business properties on a leading consumer-facing
property search engine. We now have more business listings on
rightmove.co.uk than any other agency. This generates a steady
stream of enquiries.
Building sector knowledge
Knowledge is a key differentiator across the Group. We have been
formalising our processes for amassing and harvesting this
knowledge. Our consultancy division conducts research, prepares
sector-based strategic reviews and publishes thought-leadership
pieces to assist clients, shine a light on our sectors and inform
our own positioning.
In 2016, it followed up an earlier report on the UK nursing
workforce by examining funding for care services. This analysed the
funding needs for elderly and specialist care at over 200 leading
operators and every local council in the UK. It also produced
strategic reports identifying trends and market dynamics for
hotels, pubs, restaurants and the convenience sector.
Another 2016 consultancy assignment surveyed the dental sector
for a prospective investor. Its detailed intelligence on the size,
dynamics and structure of the sector gave this client a solid base
for assessing acquisitions.
We make use of data analytics to mine for industry-specific and
wider economic data. A market-leading data analytics tool was used
extensively in 2016. It yielded valuable insights into the hotel,
pub and restaurant, and medical sectors.
Pinders is a hub of expertise. Its views are frequently sought
out by banks, operators, developers and investors. It is regularly
called on in dispute resolution cases and as an expert witness.
Actual and potential lenders and owners consult it on what revenues
to expect and how to develop their business.
Clients receive detailed sector and business appraisals. They
can get informed, in-depth advice for all kinds of business
situations, including, in 2016, managing a crematorium and
maximising the use and value of an indoor bowling centre.
Christie Finance has been gaining traction as a specialist
broker. Its strong sector expertise attracts independent enquiries
as well as introductions through Christie & Co. Private equity
houses in particular appreciate its intermediation skills. It is
increasingly involved in larger transactions. Christie Insurance
continues to work closely with partner companies to forge
profitable client connections and deliver bespoke insurance
cover.
Internationalisation
Christie & Co has won an international reputation for its
professionalism and high-quality services. It supports
international transactions through its branches across Europe in 16
cities and through the Asia desk, based in London and Shanghai. Our
long-term objective is to become the leading pan-European advisor
in our chosen sectors.
The post-Brexit fall in sterling has made UK companies more
attractive for overseas investors. The Asia desk has been working
very successfully alongside our corporate teams in advising Asian
investors who want to take advantage of current preferential
currency rates.
There is a two-way flow of business in the educational sector.
Investors are looking at British educational institutions not just
as assets, but as potential international brands. British education
has a strong reputation globally. There are receptive markets in
parts of the Middle East and Asia for UK educational brands and
expertise.
Stock and Inventory Systems and Services
The fallout from the Brexit vote may raise challenges for our
stock and inventory businesses.
No one yet knows how the UK's immigration controls will operate
in future. We currently enjoy the support of colleagues from 23
nations. We anticipate more help from non-EU countries in
future.
Our stock taking businesses employ the latest technology, but
they also rely heavily on the people in the field. We strive to
both train and incentivise our colleagues to create a culture of
excellence, enthusiasm and respect.
Flexible hours contracts are sometimes criticised, but in our
experience these kinds of arrangements can often be very
successful. Low staff turnover at Venners and Orridge suggests that
this pattern of working suits people's lifestyles. Indeed, some
casual counters have stayed with Orridge for more than two
decades.
Counter costs rose again with the introduction of the national
living wage in April. This followed minimum wage and pension
legislation in previous years. We have increased our UK charge-out
rates correspondingly.
The market dynamics in the retail sector present clear growth
opportunities for Orridge's supply chain division. More and more
physical retailers are turning themselves into bricks-and-clicks
businesses. These depend on cohesive, well-ordered supply chains.
To manage that effectively they need real-time information on stock
availability and replenishment. Because physical checks need to be
conducted on a continuous basis and the counters can be based
full-time at a warehouse or supplier distribution centre, there are
savings in travel time and resource management.
Equally, we are pursuing with vigour our Pharmacy stocktaking
services. We have received a record of excellence since 1846, but
still see growth potential.
Venners has successfully changed its culture to reflect shifting
market dynamics. The big brewers are no longer dominant. The Pubs
Code regulations which came into force in May have tilted the
balance of power away from the Pubcos. The sector has more diverse
players and increased participation by private equity.
Venners has developed strong sales and marketing capabilities to
meet the new challenges posed by this changed landscape. It has
developed a broader range of services. It is no longer seen as a
loss reducer, but as a business partner capable of adding value and
enhancing profitability.
Brand reputation is an example of an area its activities add
value. Brand owners want to be sure that franchisees are meeting
their standards and guidelines. Venners compliance audits check
activity against contractual requirements and brand
recommendations.
Operational consultancy services at both Orridge and Venners
contribute to client profitability. They prepare stock plans for
retailers, licence owners and others that highlight demand for
certain stock categories. They propose what should be in stock,
when, where and at what price point. Invariably, businesses
adopting their recommendations see measurable improvements in
trading results.
Vennersys remains on track in its development of a highly
scalable attractions system with global potential. Venpos Cloud
went online for new users during 2016. It is now migrating major
existing users to the Cloud in a programmed way to ensure all
existing functionality is on the new platform. We provide an
integrated on-site and online solution for the user. Our own return
is based upon an attractive recurrent revenue model.
Responding to change
Technology and competitive forces are changing market dynamics
in many of our sectors. We respond to that by stressing light-touch
management that retains control but encourages responsibility and
self-reliance across the Group. We also need to bring new people in
and get them up to speed quickly. To that end, we have enhanced our
online training capabilities right across the Group. This is
helping to build up our knowledge base in a more controlled fashion
and in a way that recent intakes find more convenient.
Looking ahead
The pick-up in sales towards the end of 2016 continued into the
new year. We entered 2017 with a strong pipeline across our
business.
As underlying market trends re-establish themselves we are
poised to benefit. With capacity already in place we can take on
more business without incurring significant extra costs. It means
further revenue growth is likely to result in higher operating
profit returns as we benefit from our operational gearing.
Yet geopolitical uncertainties remain. The UK and Europe are
entering a very complex period. There will be bumps on the road.
With that caveat, we anticipate improved performance in 2017.
David Rugg
Chief Executive
Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2016
Note 2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Revenue 64,488 63,743
Employee benefit expenses (45,866) (42,888)
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
18,622 20,855
Depreciation and amortisation (757) (576)
Impairment (charge) / credit (194) 143
Other operating expenses (16,651) (16,659)
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Operating profit before exceptional
items 1,020 3,763
Exceptional items 2 1,328 -
Operating profit after exceptional
items 2,348 3,763
Finance costs (111) (91)
Finance income - -
Pension scheme finance costs (432) (511)
Total finance costs (543) (602)
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Profit before tax 1,805 3,161
Taxation (516) (614)
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Profit after tax 1,289 2,547
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Profit for the period after
tax attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the
parent 1,405 2,712
Non-controlling interest (116) (165)
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
1,289 2,547
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Earnings per share attributable to equity
holders - pence
Profit attributable to the equity holders
of the Company
-Basic 5 5.35 9.73
-Fully diluted 5 5.25 9.47
------------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
All amounts derive from continuing activities.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2016
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Profit after tax 1,289 2,547
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income/(losses):
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translating
foreign operations 184 (72)
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Net other comprehensive income/(losses)
to be reclassified to profit
or loss in subsequent periods 184 (72)
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Items that will not be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial (losses)/gains on
defined benefit plans (8,054) 1,676
Income tax effect 1,011 (335)
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Net other comprehensive (losses)/income
not being reclassified to profit
or loss in subsequent periods (7,043) 1,341
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive (losses)/income
for the period, net of tax (6,859) 1,269
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive (losses)/income
for the period (5,570) 3,816
------------------------------------------ --- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income/(losses) attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent (5,454) 3,981
Non-Controlling interest (116) (165)
------------------------------------ -------- ------
(5,570) 3,816
----------------------------------- -------- ------
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
As at 31 December 2016
Attributable to the Equity Holders of the
Company
Fair
value
and
other
reserves Cumulative Non
Share (Note translation Retained - Controlling Total
capital 23) reserve earnings interest equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Balance at 1 January
2015 531 4,954 544 (12,473) (289) (6,733)
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Profit/(loss) for
the year after tax - - - 2,712 (165) 2,547
Items that will not
be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss - - - 1,341 - 1,341
Items that may be
reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss - - (72) - - (72)
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Total comprehensive
income/(losses) for
the period - - (72) 4,053 (165) 3,816
Movement in respect
of employee share
scheme - 69 - - - 69
Employee share option
scheme:
-value of services
provided - 184 - - - 184
Dividends paid - - - (653) - (653)
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Balance at 31 December
2015 531 5,207 472 (9,073) (454) (3,317)
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Balance at 1 January
2016 531 5,207 472 (9,073) (454) (3,317)
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Profit/(loss) for
the year after tax - - - 1,405 (116) 1,289
Items that will not
be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss - - - (7,043) - (7,043)
Items that may be
reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss - - 184 - - 184
Total comprehensive
(losses)/income for
the period - - 184 (5,638) (116) (5,570)
Movement in respect
of employee share
scheme - 20 - - - 20
Employee share option
scheme:
-value of services
provided - 238 - - - 238
Acquisition of non
controlling interest - - - (241) 241 -
Dividends paid - - - (657) - (657)
Balance at 31 December
2016 531 5,465 656 (15,609) (329) (9,286)
------------------------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ---------
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
At 31 December 2016
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets - Goodwill 1,812 1,703
Intangible assets - Other 1,241 1,066
Property, plant and equipment 1,468 1,095
Deferred tax assets 3,901 3,266
Available-for-sale financial
assets 635 635
Other receivables 451 451
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
9,508 8,216
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Inventories 29 6
Trade and other receivables 13,226 12,007
Current tax assets 357 45
Cash and cash equivalents 1,637 3,621
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
15,249 15,679
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Total assets 24,757 23,895
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Equity
Share capital 531 531
Fair value and other reserves 5,465 5,207
Cumulative translation reserve 656 472
Retained earnings (15,609) (9,073)
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
(8,957) (2,863)
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Non-Controlling interest (329) (454)
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Total equity (9,286) (3,317)
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables 249 -
Retirement benefit obligations 18,106 11,958
Borrowings 1 7
Provisions 167 155
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
18,523 12,120
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 8,883 9,052
Current tax liabilities 152 -
Borrowings 5,624 4,288
Provisions 861 1,752
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
15,520 15,092
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities 34,043 27,212
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Total equity and liabilities 24,757 23,895
---------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2016
2016 2015
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 6 (1,016) 2,681
Interest paid (111) (91)
Tax paid (213) (831)
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Net cash generated from/(used
in) operating activities (1,340) 1,759
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Cash flow from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (PPE) (855) (571)
Proceeds from sale of PPE 16 21
Intangible asset expenditure
- software (453) (574)
Investment in available-for-sale
asset - -
Interest received - -
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Net cash used in investing
activities (1,292) (1,124)
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from invoice finance 363 56
Payment of finance lease liabilities (6) (10)
Dividends paid (657) (653)
Net cash used in financing
activities (300) (607)
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Net (decrease)/increase in
cash (2,932) 28
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of year 17 6
Exchange losses on euro bank
accounts (18) (17)
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of year (2,933) 17
-------------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------------
Notes to the Preliminary Announcement
1.BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial information set out in this announcement does not
comprise the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31
December 2016 or 31 December 2015.
The financial information has been extracted from the statutory
accounts of the Company for the years ended 31 December 2016 and 31
December 2015. The auditors reported on those accounts; their
reports were unqualified and did not contain a reference to any
matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis
without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement
under either Section 498 (2) or Section 498 (3) of the Companies
Act 2006.
The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, whereas those for the
year ended 31 December 2016 will be delivered to the Registrar of
Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.
While the financial information included in this preliminary
announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition
and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRSs), this announcement does not itself contain
sufficient information to comply with IFRSs. The Company expects to
publish full financial statements that comply with IFRSs in April
2017.
The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those
applied in the 2015 financial statements.
2. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Reduction in past service costs 1,328 -
relating to defined benefit pension
scheme
1,328 -
------------------------------------- --------- ---------
In relation to both of its defined benefit pension schemes the
Group has completed consultations relating to the indexation
increases which may be applied to future increases in pensionable
salary for active members of both schemes. The result is a
reduction in aggregated scheme liabilities of GBP1,328,000.
3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Group is organised into two main operating segments:
Professional Business Services and Stock & Inventory Systems
& Services.
The segment results for the year ended 31 December 2016 are as
follows:
Stock & Inventory Systems &
Professional Business Services
Services GBP'000
GBP'000 Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Total gross segment sales 35,139 29,455 3,533 68,127
Inter-segment sales (106) - (3,533) (3,639)
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Revenue 35,033 29,455 - 64,488
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Operating profit/(loss)
before exceptional items 1,407 (165) (222) 1,020
Exceptional items 973 286 69 1,328
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Operating profit/ (loss)
after exceptional items 2,380 121 (153) 2,348
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Finance costs (314) (142) (87) (543)
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Profit before tax 1,805
Taxation (516)
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Profit for the year after tax 1,289
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
The segment results for the year ended 31 December 2015 are as
follows:
Stock & Inventory Systems &
Professional Business Services
Services GBP'000
GBP'000 Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
Total gross segment sales 36,369 27,478 4,312 68,159
Inter-segment sales (104) - (4,312) (4,416)
------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
Revenue 36,265 27,478 - 63,743
------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit/(loss) 4,646 (953) 70 3,763
Finance costs (353) (179) (70) (602)
------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
Profit before tax 3,161
Taxation (614)
------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
Profit for the year after tax 2,547
------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
Other segment items included in the income statements for the
years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
Stock & Inventory Systems &
Professional Business Services
Services GBP'000
GBP'000 Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
31 December 2016
Depreciation and amortisation 332 394 31 757
Impairment of trade
receivables 112 82 - 194
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
31 December 2015
Depreciation and amortisation 239 326 11 576
(Reversal of)/impairment of
trade receivables (192) 49 - (143)
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
The segment assets and liabilities at 31 December 2016 and
capital expenditure for the year then ended are as follows:
Stock & Inventory Systems &
Services
Professional Business Services GBP'000
GBP'000 Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Assets 9,088 7,571 3,840 20,499
Deferred tax assets 3,901
Current tax assets 357
24,757
------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Liabilities 17,429 7,331 3,506 28,266
Borrowings 5,625
Current tax liabilities 152
------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------- ---------
34,043
------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Capital expenditure 799 492 17 1,308
------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------- ---------
The segment assets and liabilities at 31 December 2015 and
capital expenditure for the year are as follows:
Stock & Inventory Systems &
Professional Business Services Services
GBP'000 GBP'000
Other Group
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Assets 10,147 7,069 3,368 20,584
Deferred tax assets 3,266
Current tax assets 45
------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- ----------
23,895
------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Liabilities 14,189 7,024 1,704 22,917
Borrowings 4,295
Current tax liabilities -
------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- ----------
27,212
------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Capital expenditure 270 441 454 1,165
------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Segment assets consist primarily of property, plant and
equipment, intangible assets, inventories, receivables and
operating cash. They exclude taxation.
Segment liabilities comprise operating liabilities. They exclude
items such as taxation and corporate borrowings.
Capital expenditure comprises additions to property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets.
The Group manages its operating segments on a global basis. The
UK is the home country of the parent. The Group's revenue is mainly
generated in Europe.
Revenue is allocated below based on the entity's country of
domicile.
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------------
Revenue
Europe 64,122 63,444
Rest of the World 366 299
------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------------
64,488 63,743
------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------------
Total segment assets are allocated based on where the assets are located.
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------------
Total segment assets
Europe 20,325 20,529
Rest of the World 174 55
------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------------
20,499 20,584
------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------------------
Capital expenditure is allocated based on where the assets are
located.
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------- --------- ---------
Capital expenditure
Europe 1,308 1,165
Rest of World - -
--------------------- --------- ---------
1,308 1,165
--------------------- --------- ---------
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------- --------- ---------
Analysis of revenue by category
Sale of goods 148 95
Revenue from services 64,340 63,648
---------------------------------- --------- ---------
64,488 63,743
---------------------------------- --------- ---------
4. DIVIDS
A dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2016 of 1.5p
per share, amounting to a total dividend of GBP398,000 is to be
proposed at the Annual General Meeting on 14 June 2017. These
financial statements do not reflect this proposed dividend.
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE 2016 2015
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity GBP'000 GBP'000
holders
of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the
year,
which excludes the shares held in the Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) trust.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company 1,405 2,712
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Thousands Thousands
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 26,295 26,171
472 714
Adjustment for share options
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share 26,767 26,885
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Pence Pence
---------------------------------- ------ ------
Basic earnings per share 5.35 9.73
Fully diluted earnings per share 5.25 9.47
---------------------------------- ------ ------
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company
has only one category of dilutive potential ordinary shares: share
options.
The calculation is performed for the share options to determine
the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value
(determined as the average annual market share price of the
Company's shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription
rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares
calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that
would have been issued assuming the exercise of the share
options.
6. NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Group
---
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------------- -------- --------
Profit after tax 1,289 2,547
Adjustments for:
- Taxation 516 614
- Finance costs 111 91
- Interest received - -
- Dividends received - -
- Past service costs (1,328) -
- Depreciation 480 371
Amortisation of intangible
- assets 277 205
- Impairment of investments - -
in subsidiaries
(Profit)/loss on sale
of property, plant and
- equipment (10) (6)
- Foreign currency translation 18 (55)
(Decrease)/increase
- in provisions (879) (384)
- Share option charge 238 184
Movement in retirement
- benefit obligation (578) (336)
Decrease in non-current
- other receivables - 14
Changes in working capital
(excluding the effects
of exchange differences
on consolidation):
- Increase in inventories (23) (4)
Increase in trade and
- other receivables (1,203) (970)
Increase in trade and
- other payables 76 410
------------------------------ -------- --------
Cash generated from/(used
in) operations (1,016) 2,681
----------------------------------- -------- --------
Report and Accounts
Copies of the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts will be posted to
shareholders in May. Further copies may be obtained by contacting
the Company Secretary at the registered office. Alternatively, the
2016 Annual Report and Accounts will be available to download from
the investor relations section on the Company's website
www.christiegroup.com
Key dates
The Annual General Meeting of the Company is scheduled to take
place at 10.30am on Wednesday 14th June 2017 at Whitefriars House,
6 Carmelite Street, London, EC4Y 0BS.
Group Companies
Professional Business Services
Christie & Co
Christie & Co is the leading specialist firm providing
business intelligence in the hospitality, leisure, retail, care and
medical sectors. With offices across the UK, it focuses on agency,
valuation services, investment and consultancy activity in its key
sectors. Internationally, it operates from offices in the UK,
Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland and Spain.
www.christie.com www.christiecorporate.com
Christie Finance
Christie Finance has over 35 years' experience in financing
businesses in the hospitality, leisure, care, retail and medical
sectors. Its excellent relationships with the clearing banks,
centralised lenders, finance houses and building societies make it
the market leader in providing finance solutions for purchase or
re-financing in its specialist sectors.
www.christiefinance.com
Christie Insurance
With over 35 years' experience arranging business insurance in
the hospitality, leisure, care, retail and medical sectors,
Christie Insurance is a leading company in its markets. Its
excellent contacts with the UK's leading insurers enable it to
provide a premier service including tailored insurance schemes.
www.christieinsurance.com
Pinders
Pinders is the UK's leading specialist business appraisal,
valuation and consultancy company, providing professional services
to the licensed leisure, retail and care sectors, and also the
commercial and corporate business sectors. Its Building Consultancy
Division offers a full range of project management, building
monitoring and building surveying services.
www.pinders.co.uk
Stock & Inventory Systems & Services
Orridge
Orridge is Europe's longest established stocktaking business and
specialises in all fields of retail stocktaking including high
street, warehousing and factory operations, as well as supply chain
services. Orridge prides itself on the speed with which it supplies
high-quality management information to its clients.
www.orridge.co.uk
Venners
Venners is the leading supplier of stocktaking, inventory,
consultancy services and related stock management systems to the
hospitality industry. Venners is the largest and longest
established stock audit company in the sector in the UK.
www.venners.com
Vennersys
Vennersys operates in the UK and North America and delivers
online Cloud-based ticketing sales and admission Systems to visitor
attractions such as historic houses and estates, museums, zoos,
safari parks, aquaria and cinemas. It has over 20 years' experience
delivering purpose-designed solutions for clients' ticketing,
admissions, EPoS and food and beverage sales requirements.
www.vennersys.com www.vennersys.ca
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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