TIDMDX.
RNS Number : 7701Q
DX (Group) PLC
02 March 2021
2 March 2021
AIM: DX.
DX (Group) plc
("DX" or "the Group" or "the Company")
A leading provider of delivery solutions,
including parcel freight, secure courier and logistics
services
Interim Results
For the 27 weeks ended 2 January 2021
Rebuilding Profitability
Key Points
Financial
H1 ended H1 ended Change FY ended
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 Jun
2021 2019 2020
---------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Revenue GBP182.7m GBP170.1m + GBP329.3m
GBP12.6m
EBITDA GBP16.3m GBP10.4m +GBP5.9m GBP24.9m
Adjusted profit GBP5.9m GBP0.4m +GBP5.5m GBP4.5m
from operating
activities(1)
Reported GBP5.2m GBP(0.3)m +GBP5.5m GBP3.0m
profit/(loss)
from
operating
activities
Adjusted GBP3.8m GBP(1.7)m +GBP5.5m GBP0.2m
profit/(loss)
before
tax(1)
Reported GBP3.1m GBP(2.4)m +GBP5.5m GBP(1.3)m
profit/(loss)
before
tax
Adjusted
earnings/(loss)
per
share(1) 0.65p (0.35)p +1.00p (0.05)p
Reported
earnings/(loss)
per
share - basic 0.52p (0.47)p +0.99p (0.31)p
Net GBP14.1m GBP(8.4)m +GBP22.5m GBP12.3m
cash/(debt)(1)
Cash flow from GBP12.8m GBP3.5m +GBP9.3m GBP33.5m
operating
activities
---------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
-- Revenue up 7% to GBP182.7m, driven by ongoing turnaround at DX Freight division
-- Adjusted profit from operating activities of GBP5.9m (H1 2020: GBP0.4m)
-- Adjusted operating profit margin(1) of 3.2% (H1 2020: margin of 0.2%)
-- Adjusted profit before tax(1) of GBP3.8m (H1 2020: loss of GBP1.7m), a GBP5.5m turnaround
-- Adjusted earnings per share(1) of 0.6p (H1 2020: loss per share of 0.3p)
-- Net cash of GBP14.1m at period end (H1 2020: net debt of
GBP8.4m) reflected improved profitability, GBP11.4m of deferred VAT
and other agreed deferred payments, increased capital expenditure
and seasonal increase in working capital
Operational
-- DX Freight division:
- Revenue up 19% to GBP103.4m; profit from operating activities
of GBP8.1m, a GBP9.5m improvement (H1 2020: loss of GBP1.4m)
- Core irregular dimension and weight ("IDW") business grew
significantly, adding new volumes at attractive commercial
rates
- High operational leverage led to significant margin expansion
- Three new depots opened, with two further depots planned in H2
-- DX Express division:
- Revenue down 5% to GBP79.3m; profit from operating activities
of GBP7.4m (H1 2020: GBP11.1m)
- Performance reflected anticipated decline in Document Exchange
revenue, cessation of HMPO contract, and impact of coronavirus
restrictions on customers' activities
- New 'Estimated Time of Arrival' (ETA) functionality is helping to secure new business
- Growth initiatives in place, including investment in eight new depots
-- Central overheads:
- Strong cost control with only a small increase in central
overheads, including finance costs, to GBP12.4m (H1 2020:
GBP12.1m)
Outlook
-- Healthy pipeline of opportunities in the parcels market,
building on our new ETA technology and expanding network
-- Trading to date in H2 is significantly ahead of the same
period last year, in line with management expectations, and the
Board expects further strong progress in rebuilding profitability
this financial year. It views prospects further ahead with an
increasing level of confidence.
Lloyd Dunn, CEO, commented:
"This is an excellent performance from the Group, despite the
challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic for some areas of
operations. Strong volume growth at DX Freight has been the
principal driver of growth, offsetting the anticipated challenges
at DX Express.
"Our focus is now on rebuilding profitability, having returned
DX to profit in the last financial year. We will achieve this
through continued volume and margin growth, driven by high service
levels, and efficiency and productivity initiatives. Our GBP10m
capital investment programme, now in its second year, will support
our plans across both divisions.
"Trading in the second half is significantly ahead of the same
period last year, in line with our expectations, and with
anticipated levels of new business, as well as greater clarity over
a return to more normal levels of activity, we look forward to
another year of continued progress. Looking further ahead, we view
prospects with an increasingly level of confidence."
Notes
(1) The Group uses alternative performance measures ("APMs") to
measure performance. See notes 2 and 10 to the financial
information for details of APMs used, including reconciliations of
these APMs to IFRS reported measures.
From 1 July 2019 the Group changed its reporting periods from a
calendar basis to a '4-5-4 weekly' basis, which better reflects its
cost base and operations. This financial year will comprise of 53
weeks trading to 3 July 2021. The period to 2 January 2021 is
consequently from 28 June 2020 to 2 January 2021 (27 weeks),
whereas the comparative period was from 1 July 2019 to 28 December
2019 (26 weeks less one day). The year ended 27 June 2020 comprised
52 weeks less one day.
The current year full financial statements will be prepared for
the period 28 June 2020 to 3 July 2021. Future years will be for
either 52 weeks or occasionally 53 weeks in order to keep the
year-end date as close as possible to 30 June.
Enquiries:
DX (Group) plc T: 020 3178 6378 (c/o
KTZ
www.dxdelivery.com Communications)
Lloyd Dunn, Chief Executive Officer
David Mulligan, Chief Financial Officer
finnCap (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker T: 020 7220 0500
to DX)
Matt Goode/Simon Hicks (Corporate Finance)
Andrew Burdis (Corporate Broking)
Liberum (Joint Broker to DX) T: 020 3100 2000
Robert Morton/Euan Brown/William Hall
KTZ Communications T: 020 3178 6378
Katie Tzouliadis
Dan Mahoney
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it
forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with
the company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
INTERIM STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
In the last financial year to 27 June 2020, DX returned to
pre-tax profit, and we stated that our focus for the next phase of
the Group's development would be on rebuilding profitability. This
would be driven by volume and margin expansion, underpinned by
further efficiency and productivity improvements. I am pleased to
report strong progress.
Over the first half of the current financial year, despite the
challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, in particular for
DX Express, revenue increased by 7% over the same period last year
to GBP182.7 million (H1 2020: GBP170.1 million) and the Group
generated an adjusted profit before tax of GBP3.8 million (H1 2020:
loss of GBP1.7 million), a GBP5.5 million improvement on the same
period in 2019. This improvement mainly reflects excellent progress
at DX Freight, where we have increased both volumes and
margins.
We have also made good progress in our GBP10 million capital
investment programme, now in its second year. On top of the GBP3.4
million we invested over the last financial year, we invested a
further GBP2.7 million during the period. We remain on track to
complete the investment programme, which is targeted on refreshing
and further developing existing IT systems, expanding and upgrading
our site network, and improving the Group's operational capability
with an increasing level of sortation mechanisation at our hubs and
depots.
Our focus now remains on delivering high levels of service,
securing profitable new business by applying our strong commercial
disciplines, and operational improvement as we expand our capacity
and networks in order to deliver long-term sustainable profit and
cash generation.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenue in the 27 weeks from 28 June 2020 to 2 January 2021
increased by 7% to GBP182.7 million (H1 2020: GBP170.1 million).
This was largely driven by strong growth at DX Freight, which
offset the expected decrease in revenue at DX Express. EBITDA
increased by 58% to GBP16.3 million (H1 2020: GBP10.4 million),
reflecting growing margins at DX Freight and strong control of
central overheads. This helped to drive a GBP5.5 million increase
in adjusted profit from operating activities to GBP5.9 million
(2019: GBP0.4 million).
The Group moved back to pre-tax profitability at the interim
stage in the financial year, generating an adjusted profit before
tax of GBP3.8 million (H1 2020: loss of GBP1.7 million). The
adjusted earnings per share was 0.65p (H1 2020: loss per share of
0.35p). These figures are adjusted for the share-based payments
charge and the amortisation of acquired intangibles, which together
totalled GBP0.7 million (H1 2020: GBP0.7 million).
The Group's financial position remains strong with net cash at 2
January 2021 of GBP14.2 million (H1 2020: net debt of GBP8.4
million). This cash position currently benefits from GBP11.4
million of deferred VAT and other agreed deferred payments (which
arose in H2 2020 and are expected to unwind through to February
2022), and also reflects the seasonal increase in working capital,
higher capital expenditure and tax paid during the period.
Net cash generated from operating activities increased to
GBP12.8 million (H1 2020: GBP3.5 million), reflecting the improved
profitability offset by the seasonal working capital increase and
payments of interest and tax.
DX FREIGHT
DX Freight's strong performance in the first half of the
financial year was better than we had originally expected, and the
division continued to make excellent progress with record service
levels and improved productivity and efficiency.
Revenue rose by 19% to GBP103.4 million (H1 2020: GBP86.9
million) and after moving back into profitability in the second
half of the last financial year, profit from operating activities
in the first half of the current financial year continued the
upward momentum, increasing by GBP9.5 million on the prior period
to GBP8.1 million (H1 2020: loss of GBP1.4 million). This
performance reflected not only healthy levels of profitable new
business but also strong growth in operating margin to 7.8% (H1
2020: negative margin of 1.6%).
DX 1-Man, the core service in this division, was at the heart of
the performance improvement. Revenue increased by 34% to GBP75.9
million, supported by significantly improved levels of productivity
and customer service. Revenue at DX 2-Man & Logistics decreased
by 10% to GBP27.5 million reflecting our decision to end certain
low margin contracts, which contributed to the overall improvement
in the division's profitability and margin.
We opened three new depots in the period, at Westbury, Oxford
and Burnley, which have expanded the network to 45 depots. Two
further depots are earmarked for opening by the end of this
financial year as well as significant upgrades to two existing
sites at Glasgow and Hoddesdon. A further four new sites are
planned over the next two years.
The expansion of our network has already added important
additional capacity and will help to improve further both
efficiency and service delivery, with reduced stem mileage and
closer proximity to customers.
Our strategy for DX Freight is to continue to expand our market
share in irregular dimension and weight items ("IDW"), which is a
growth segment of the parcel market, by securing new business on
profitable commercial terms. We also plan to grow our 2-Man and
Logistics services through broadening our customer base.
DX EXPRESS
Revenue at DX Express reduced as expected by 5% to GBP79.3
million (H1 2020: GBP83.2 million). This reflected the cessation of
the HMPO contract during the prior year and lower Document Exchange
activity, largely offset by new business wins. As anticipated, the
various coronavirus restrictions impacted volumes in the
short-term, especially with non-essential retail customers, and the
mix of business has become more skewed towards B2C activity than
normal, which reduces overall delivery efficiency. Accordingly,
profit from operating activities reduced to GBP7.4 million (H1
2020: GBP11.1 million).
DX Secure Courier's revenue was in line with the prior year at
GBP57.9 million (H1 2020: GBP58.0 million). The revenue
contribution from DX Exchange (including Mail) decreased by GBP3.8
million to GBP21.4 million (H1 2020: GBP25.2 million).
During the period we secured profitable new Secure Courier
business in a capacity-constrained market and at the same time
maintained high levels of customer service. The new ETA system,
introduced in April 2020, is now well established across the
division and has improved the customer experience by providing
deliveries in a 2-hour window and sending notifications and
delivery options to the parcel recipient.
While this market remains competitive, there are healthy levels
of opportunities, which give us the confidence to further invest in
the network and to expand the number of depots. We plan to open two
new depots, at Rotherham and Glasgow in the near future, and a
further six depots over the next two years.
Document Exchange continued to face the challenges from
lockdown. It has been affected by many in the legal profession
continuing to work away from the office environment, and by
activity in the housing market and the Courts system remaining
below normal levels. Nonetheless, we still believe there are
opportunities to grow the Document Exchange network in the longer
term and are investing in two key initiatives. The first is to
separate the Document Exchange delivery network from Secure
Courier. This will provide greater flexibility for pre-9.00 a.m.
deliveries, which are at the heart of the success of Document
Exchange. Secondly, we are developing a 'Digital Document Exchange'
to allow the secure digital exchange of legal documents. This will
be included as part of the annual subscription as an alternative
option to the physical delivery of documents, and will provide an
added benefit to our members.
Brexit changes to import and export processes have presented
some challenges, mainly to DX Express as we move parcels and
freight between the UK and the Republic of Ireland and also into
Northern Ireland. Whilst the overall cross-border volumes are not
significant and are at lower levels than normal, it is an important
service that we provide to our customers. We are pleased to have
maintained a good service since the start of 2021 and teething
problems with customs systems are steadily being overcome, with
systems increasingly being automated.
The overall parcels market continues to grow at a strong rate
and our strategy for DX Express is to provide customers with a
reliable, next-day service based on strong relationships, centred
on security and tracked items through our network of local
depots.
OUTLOOK
We are very encouraged by the Group's performance in the first
half of this financial year, in particular the strong recovery in
profitability and margin at DX Freight. Despite the short-term
impact on DX Express from the lockdown measures, we see a healthy
pipeline of opportunities in the parcels market, building on our
new ETA technology and our expanding network.
The second half of the financial year typically generates a
greater proportion of annual earnings and cash flow than the first.
With the planned easing of the national coronavirus-related
restrictions, we now have greater clarity over when we can expect
more normal levels of activity to return. This is especially
relevant for our non-essential retail customers, which affects DX
Express in particular. Given the robust current volumes and
anticipated levels of new business, we expect the Group to make
further strong progress with improving the overall level of
operating margin and rebuilding profitability.
With trading to date in the second half of the financial year
significantly ahead of the same period last year, and in line with
our expectations, we look forward to another year of continued
progress. Looking further ahead, we view prospects with an
increasing level of confidence.
Lloyd Dunn, Chief Executive
Officer
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Revenue of GBP182.7 million for the first half was 7% ahead of
the comparable period in the prior year (H1 2020: GBP170.1
million), reflecting strong growth in the DX Freight division,
whilst revenue in the DX Express division has decreased due to the
anticipated decline in Document Exchange and the other DX Express
services maintained similar levels to prior year.
Adjusted profit from operating activities for the period
increased by GBP5.5 million to GBP5.9 million (H1 2020: GBP0.4
million profit) as a result of the productivity efficiency, revenue
improvements undertaken by management and strong cost control with
a small increase in central overheads, including finance costs, to
GBP12.4m (H1 2020: GBP12.1m).
Net cash at 2 January 2021 was GBP14.1 million (28 December
2019: net debt of GBP8.4 million) and operating cash flow inflow
for the period was GBP12.8 million (H1 2020: GBP3.5 million).
Period Period
ended ended
2 January 28 December
2021 2019 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------
Revenue 182.7 170.1 12.6
Operating costs before depreciation, amortisation, and share-based payments
charge (166.4) (159.7) (6.7)
EBITDA(1) 16.3 10.4 5.9
Depreciation (10.2) (9.8) (0.4)
Amortisation of software and development costs (0.2) (0.2) -
Adjusted profit from operating activities(1) 5.9 0.4 5.5
Amortisation of acquired intangibles (0.1) (0.1) -
Share-based payments charge (0.6) (0.6) -
Reported profit/(loss) from operating activities 5.2 (0.3) 5.5
Finance costs (2.1) (2.1) -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------
Profit/(loss) before tax 3.1 (2.4) 5.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------
(1) See notes 2 and 10 for details of alternative performance
measures ("APMs") used, including reconciliations of APMs to IFRS
reported measures.
Revenue by segment
A breakdown of Group revenue is shown below and further
commentary on each Division's performance is provided in the
Interim Statement.
Period Period
ended ended
2 January 28 December
2021 2019 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------- ----------- ------------- -------
DX Freight 103.4 86.9 16.5
DX Express 79.3 83.2 (3.9)
---------------- ----------- -------------
Total revenue 182.7 170.1 12.6
---------------- ----------- ------------- -------
Net assets
A summary of the Group's net assets is set out below:
2 January 28 December 27 June
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------------------- ---------- ------------ --------
Non-current assets 125.3 122.6 123.9
Current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 29.5 36.5 33.6
Cash and cash equivalents 14.1 1.2 12.3
Current liabilities excluding debt (67.1) (58.5) (73.5)
Non-current liabilities (75.2) (70.7) (73.3)
Invoice discounting facility - (9.6) -
Net assets 26.6 21.5 23.0
---------------------------------------------------- ---------- ------------ --------
The increase in net assets since the period ended 27 June 2020
represents the profit for the period and change in equity relating
to share-based payment transactions.
Cash flow and net cash/(debt)
Period Period
ended ended
2 January 28 December
2021 2019 Change
Cash flow: GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------- -------
EBITDA(1) 16.3 10.4 5.9
Movement in working capital (1.2) (4.7) 3.3
Interest paid (2.1) (2.0) (0.1)
Tax paid - net (0.2) (0.2) -
Net cash generated in operating
activities 12.8 3.5 9.2
Capital expenditure (2.7) (2.2) (0.5)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets - - -
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------- -------
Free cash flow 10.1 1.3 8.7
Drawings on short term facility - 6.5 (6.5)
Lease repayments (8.3) (8.4) 0.1
Net increase/(decrease) in cash 1.8 (0.6) 2.3
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------- -------
2 January 28 December 27 June
2021 2019 2020
Net cash/(debt): GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------- ---------- ------------ --------
Gross debt - (9.6) -
Cash and cash equivalents 14.1 1.2 12.3
--------------------------- ---------- ------------
Net cash/(debt)(1) 14.1 (8.4) 12.3
--------------------------- ---------- ------------ --------
(1) See notes 2 and 10 for details of alternative performance
measures ("APMs") used, including reconciliations of APMs to IFRS
reported measures.
Net cash at 2 January 2021 was GBP14.1 million, an increase of
GBP1.8 million since the period ended 27 June 2020. The increase
was driven by the increasing EBITDA and offset by the increased
capital expenditure. Net cash generated from operating activities
was GBP12.8 million (H1 2020: GBP3.5 million), whilst capital
expenditure was GBP2.7 million, resulting in free cash inflow of
GBP10.1 million for the period (H1 2020: GBP1.3 million
inflow).
Working capital increased by GBP1.2 million in the period, due
to a reduction in payables and deferred income outweighing the
reduction in receivables.
Interest paid in the period was GBP2.1 million, a small increase
from GBP2.0 million in the prior year.
Tax for the period was a net payment of GBP0.2 million (H1 2020:
GBP0.2 million payment), consisting of a rebate of GBP0.1 million
relating to prior years along with a tax payment of GBP0.3 million
relating to the Group's Irish operations.
Capital expenditure for the period was GBP2.7 million (H1 2020:
GBP2.2 million), consisting principally of investment in IT and
operational equipment along with property and security
improvements. The rate of investment is expected to increase
markedly in the second half as capital expenditure is expected to
be approximately GBP6.5 million for this financial year.
EBITDA (IAS17)
To assist users of our accounts to understand the impact of
moving to IFRS16 'Leases' a reconciliation of EBITDA reported under
IFRS16 to that reported under IAS17 is set out below:
Period Period Period
ended ended Ended
2 January 28 December 27 June
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------
Reported EBITDA per IFRS16 16.3 10.4 24.9
Deduct IAS 17 rental charge (10.3) (10.3) (20.5)
EBITDA per IAS 17 6.0 0.1 4.4
----------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------
David Mulligan, Chief Financial Officer
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the period ended 2 January 2021
Period Period Period
ended ended ended
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 Jun
2021 2019 2020
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
Revenue 3 182.7 170.1 329.3
Operating costs (177.5) (170.4) (326.3)
---------
Profit/(loss) from operating
activities 5.2 (0.3) 3.0
Analysis of results from operating
activities:
EBITDA 16.3 10.4 24.9
Depreciation and amortisation (10.5) (10.1) (20.7)
Share-based payments charge (0.6) (0.6) (1.2)
Profit/(loss) from operating
activities 5.2 (0.3) 3.0
--------- -------- --------
Finance costs 5 (2.1) (2.1) (4.3)
Profit/(loss) before tax 3.1 (2.4) (1.3)
Tax (0.1) (0.3) (0.5)
Profit/(loss) for the period 3.0 (2.7) (1.8)
--------- -------- --------
Other comprehensive expense - - -
--------- -------- --------
Total comprehensive expense
for the period 3.0 (2.7) (1.8)
--------- -------- --------
Earnings/(loss) per share (pence):
Basic 6 0.52 (0.47) (0.31)
Diluted 6 0.46 (0.47) (0.31)
Adjusted 6 0.65 (0.35) (0.05)
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 2 January 2021
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 June
2021 2019 2020
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 11.5 10.5 10.4
Right-of-use asset 11 80.4 78.6 80.2
Intangible assets and goodwill 31.1 31.2 31.0
Deferred tax assets 2.3 2.3 2.3
------ -------
Total non-current assets 125.3 122.6 123.9
------ ------- --------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 29.4 36.5 33.5
Current tax receivable 0.1 - 0.1
Cash and cash equivalents 14.1 1.2 12.3
------ ------- --------
Total current assets 43.6 37.7 45.9
------ ------- --------
Total assets 168.9 160.3 169.8
------ ------- --------
Equity
Share capital 5.7 5.7 5.7
Share premium 25.2 25.2 25.2
Retained earnings (4.3) (9.4) (7.9)
------ ------- --------
Total equity 26.6 21.5 23.0
------ ------- --------
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities 12 69.2 66.7 68.3
Provisions 6.0 4.0 5.0
------ -------
Total non-current liabilities 75.2 70.7 73.3
------ ------- --------
Current liabilities
Current tax liabilities - - -
Loans and borrowings 7 - 9.6 -
Trade and other payables 38.8 28.9 42.0
Lease liabilities 12 15.8 15.1 15.8
Deferred income 10.5 13.7 14.2
Provisions 2.0 0.8 1.5
------ ------- --------
Total current liabilities 67.1 68.1 73.5
------ ------- --------
Total liabilities 142.3 138.8 146.8
------ ------- --------
Total equity and liabilities 168.9 160.3 169.8
------ ------- --------
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the period ended 2 January 2021
Retained
Share capital Share premium earnings Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
At 1 July 2019 5.7 25.2 (7.3) 23.6
Loss for the period - - (2.7) (2.7)
Other comprehensive expense - - - -
Share-based payment transactions - - 0.6 0.6
At 28 December 2019 5.7 25.2 (9.4) 21.5
-------------- -------------- ---------- ------
Profit for the period - - 0.9 0.9
Other comprehensive expense - - - -
Share-based payment transactions - - 0.6 0.6
At 27 June 2020 5.7 25.2 (7.9) 23.0
-------------- -------------- ---------- ------
Profit for the period - - 3.0 3.0
Other comprehensive expense - - - -
Share-based payment transactions - - 0.6 0.6
At 2 January 2021 5.7 25.2 (4.3) 26.6
-------------- -------------- ---------- ------
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the period ended 2 January 2021
Period Period Period
ended ended ended
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 June
2021 2019 2020
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
Cash generated from operations 8 15.1 5.7 38.1
------- -------- ---------
- Interest paid (2.1) (2.0) (4.2)
- Tax paid - net (0.2) (0.2) (0.4)
------- -------- ---------
Net cash generated from operating activities 12.8 3.5 33.5
------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (2.4) (1.8) (2.7)
Software and development expenditure (0.3) (0.4) (0.6)
Net cash used in investing activities (2.7) (2.2) (3.3)
------- -------- ---------
Net increase in cash before financing activities 10.1 1.3 30.2
------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Movement on invoice discounting facility - 6.5 (3.1)
Lease repayments (8.3) (8.4) (16.6)
Net cash used in financing activities (8.3) (1.9) (19.7)
------- -------- ---------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1.8 (0.6) 10.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12.3 1.8 1.8
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held - - -
------- -------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 14.1 1.2 12.3
------- -------- ---------
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1 General information
DX (Group) plc is incorporated in England and domiciled in the
United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Ditton
Park, Riding Court Road, Datchet, Slough, SL3 9GL. The registered
number of the Company is 08696699.
The condensed interim financial statements were approved by the
Board of Directors on 1 March 2020.
2 Basis of preparation
The condensed consolidated interim financial information has
been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standard IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the UK's Financial Services Authority, which
are applicable to DX (Group) plc. The accounting policies applied
in these condensed interim financial statements are the same as
those set out in the annual report and accounts for the period
ended 27 June 2020.
From 1 July 2019 the Group changed its reporting periods from a
calendar basis to a '4-5-4 weekly' basis which better reflects its
cost base and operations. The period to 2 January 2021 is
consequently from 28 June 2020 to 2 January 2021 (27 weeks),
whereas the comparative half-year period was from 1 July 19 to 28
December 2019 (26 weeks less one day). The period ended 27 June
2020 was for 52 weeks less one day. The current year full financial
statements will be prepared for the period 28 June 2019 to 3 July
2021. Future years will be for either 52 weeks or occasionally 53
weeks in order to keep the year-end date as close as possible to 30
June.
The half year results for the current and comparative period are
unaudited. The information for the period ended 27 June 2020 does
not constitute statutory consolidated financial statements as
defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The annual report
and accounts for that year has been filed with the Registrar of
Companies and the audit opinion on those accounts was
unmodified.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis, which the Directors consider to be appropriate as they are
confident the Group and the Company will have sufficient funds to
continue to meet their liabilities as they fall due for at least 12
months from the date of approval of the financial statements. This
is notwithstanding the Group's net current liabilities of GBP23.5
million as at 2 January 2021. Included within the net liabilities
is GBP10.5 million (2020: GBP13.7 million) of deferred income
representing an obligation to deliver a service but not a cash
liability and GBP15.8 million representing lease liabilities whose
payment are spread over the forthcoming year and not payable in the
immediate short-term.
The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period
from the date of approval of these financial statements up to 30
June 2023, comprising a base case and a severe but plausible
downside scenario in order to assess how any second wave of the
coronavirus could impact the Group. These indicate that, even
taking into account reasonably possible downsides, the Group will
have sufficient funds, through its invoice discounting facility
with a rolling three-month notice period or similar alternative
sources of finance, to meet its liabilities as they fall due for
that period. While the invoice discounting facility is cancellable
by either party on a three-month notice period, the Directors are
confident facilities will remain available throughout the forecast
period. See note 10 in the Annual Report and Accounts for further
information on the Group's borrowing facilities.
The base case assumes a reduced level of activity from the
coronavirus pandemic through to the end of the year ending 3 July
2021 and that the Group achieves the expected levels of new
business and overall performance. Within the base case there are
contingencies to allow for a shortfall in the expected level of
performance. The severe but plausible downside case assumes that
the impact of a further wave will be similar to the first in terms
of length and severity but a repeat of the Government's Coronavirus
Job Retention Scheme would not be available. The Directors have
assumed that Group revenue will reduce by GBP13 million and EBITDA
by GBP7 million compared with the budgeted levels of performance in
the third quarter of the next financial year. It is also assumed
that steps would be taken to protect the Group's financial
position, such as deferring capital expenditure, significantly
reducing areas of expenditure, such as use of subcontractors and
travel and accommodation costs, and that deferral of payments are
agreed with suppliers as necessary. In both scenarios, the Group
has sufficient liquidity and adequate headroom within its existing
invoice discounting facilities ("IDF") and will not need to
renegotiate the terms of the IDF. Consequently, the Directors are
confident that the Company will have sufficient funds to continue
to meet liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from
the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have
prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.
The preparation of financial information in conformity with IAS
34 requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reported period. Although these estimates are
based on management's best knowledge of the amount, event or
actions, actual events ultimately may differ from those
estimates.
The Group use alternative performance measures ("APMs") to
measure performance. These APMs are applied consistently from one
period to the next and the Directors believe that this information
is important for the shareholders as it allows them to understand
the difference between the reported results and the trading
performance excluding certain non-cash charges and other items
which are not expected to recur. Details of the APMs used by the
Group along with reconciliations to the respective IFRS reported
measures are shown in note 10.
3 Revenue
In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by service. The
table also includes a reconciliation of the disaggregated revenue
with the Group's reportable segments (see note 4).
Period Period Period
ended ended ended
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 Jun
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
DX Freight
1-Man 75.9 56.5 112.4
2-Man & Logistics 27.5 30.4 56.6
Total DX Freight 103.4 86.9 169.0
------- -------- --------
DX Express
Secure Courier 57.9 58.0 112.1
Exchange (including mail) 21.4 25.2 48.2
Total DX Express 79.3 83.2 160.3
------- -------- --------
Total revenue 182.7 170.1 329.3
------- -------- --------
4 Segment information
Period ended 2 January 2021: DX DX
Freight Express Central Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Revenue 103.4 79.3 - 182.7
Costs before overheads (85.2) (65.7) - (150.9)
--------- ---------
Profit before overheads 18.2 13.6 - 31.8
Overheads (2.7) (3.6) (9.2) (15.5)
---------
EBITDA 15.5 10.0 (9.2) 16.3
---------
Depreciation and amortisation (7.4) (2.6) (0.5) (10.5)
Share-based payments charge - - (0.6) (0.6)
---------
Results from operating activities 8.1 7.4 (10.3) 5.2
Finance costs - - (2.1) (2.1)
---------
Profit/(loss) before tax 8.1 7.4 (12.4) 3.1
Tax - - (0.1) (0.1)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Profit/(loss) for the period 8.1 7.4 (12.5) 3.0
--------- --------- -------- --------
Period ended 28 December DX DX
2019: Freight Express Central Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Revenue 86.9 83.2 - 170.1
Costs before overheads (78.5) (65.6) - (144.1)
--------- ---------
Profit before overheads 8.4 17.6 - 26.0
Overheads (2.7) (4.0) (8.9) (15.6)
---------
EBITDA 5.7 13.6 (8.9) 10.4
---------
Depreciation and amortisation (7.1) (2.5) (0.5) (10.1)
Share-based payments charge - - (0.6) (0.6)
---------
Results from operating activities (1.4) 11.1 (10.0) (0.3)
Finance costs - - (2.1) (2.1)
---------
Profit/(loss) before tax (1.4) 11.1 (12.1) (2.4)
Tax - - (0.3) (0.3)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Profit/(loss) for the period (1.4) 11.1 (12.4) (2.7)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Period ended 27 June 2020: DX DX
Freight Express Central Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Revenue 169.0 160.3 - 329.3
Costs before overheads (150.3) (124.6) - (274.9)
--------- ---------
Profit before overheads 18.7 35.7 - 54.4
Overheads (4.9) (7.4) (17.2) (29.5)
---------
EBITDA 13.8 28.3 (17.2) 24.9
---------
Depreciation and amortisation (14.4) (5.4) (0.9) (20.7)
Share-based payments charge - - (1.2) (1.2)
---------
Results from operating activities (0.6) 22.9 (19.3) 3.0
Finance costs - - (4.3) (4.3)
---------
Profit/(loss) before tax (0.6) 22.9 (23.6) (1.3)
Tax - - (0.5) (0.5)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Profit/(loss) for the year (0.6) 22.9 (24.1) (1.8)
--------- --------- -------- --------
The Board of Directors is considered to be the chief operating
decision maker ("the CODM"). The Group has two separate Divisions,
DX Freight and DX Express. Whilst the CODM considers that assets
and liabilities are reviewed on a Group basis, the profitability of
these two Divisions is reviewed and managed separately. Given
overheads are largely integrated, the EBITDA of the two Divisions
above is shown before any allocation of certain central overheads
between DX Freight and DX Express. Central overheads comprise costs
relating to finance, legal, personnel, property, internal audit,
IT, procurement and administrative activities that cannot be
specifically allocated to an individual division. The CODM
considers there to be only one material geographical segment, being
the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
5 Finance costs
Period Period Period
ended ended ended
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 June
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Interest on bank borrowings 0.1 0.2 0.3
Amortisation of financing costs - - 0.1
Interest on lease liabilities 2.0 1.9 3.9
Total finance costs 2.1 2.1 4.3
------- -------- ---------
.
6 Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share at 2 January 2021 is
based on the profit after tax for the period and the weighted
average number of shares in issue.
Adjusted earnings per share is calculated based on the profit
after tax, adjusted for certain non-cash charges and other items
which are not expected to recur. Adjusted earnings per share
represents an alternative performance measure. Further details
about the use of alternative performance measures are detailed in
notes 2 and 10.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted
average number of shares in issue, adjusted for any potentially
dilutive share options issued under the Group's share option
programmes.
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 June
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Profit/(loss) for the period 3.0 (2.7) (1.8)
Adjusted for:
- Amortisation of acquired intangibles 0.1 0.1 0.3
- Share-based payments charge 0.6 0.6 1.2
Adjusted profit/(loss) for the
period 3.7 (2.0) (0.3)
-------- -------- --------
Million Million Million
Weighted average number of shares
in issue 573.7 573.7 573.7
Potentially dilutive share options 82.0 - -
-------- --------
Weighted average number of diluted
ordinary shares 655.7 573.7 573.7
-------- -------- --------
Pence Pence Pence
Basic earnings/(loss) per share 0.52 (0.47) (0.31)
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 0.46 (0.47) (0.31)
Adjusted earnings/(loss) per share 0.65 (0.35) (0.05)
-------- -------- --------
The following instruments were not included in the calculation
of diluted earnings per share, because to do so would have been
anti-dilutive.
Million Million Million
Potentially dilutive share options - 20.7 0.7
--------- -------- --------
7 Loans and borrowings
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 June
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Current liabilities
Invoice discounting facility - 9.6 -
- 9.6 -
------ ------- --------
Total Loans and borrowings - 9.6 -
------ ------- --------
The Group has a GBP20.0 million evergreen invoice discounting
facility. Drawings on the invoice discounting facility at 2 January
2021 were GBPnil (H1 2020: GBP9.6 million).
8 Cash generated from operating activities
Period Period Period
ended ended ended
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 Jun
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit/(loss) for the period 3.0 (2.7) (1.8)
Adjustments for:
- Depreciation 10.2 9.8 20.1
- Amortisation of intangible assets 0.3 0.3 0.6
- Finance costs 2.1 2.1 4.3
- Tax expense 0.1 0.3 0.5
- Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 0.6 0.6 1.2
Net cash profit 16.3 10.4 25.0
------- -------- --------
Changes in:
- Trade and other receivables 4.1 5.2 8.2
- Trade and other payables (3.1) (6.4) 6.3
- Deferred income (3.7) (3.5) (3.1)
- Provisions 1.5 - 1.7
------- -------- --------
Net change in working capital (1.2) (4.7) 13.1
------- -------- --------
Cash generated from operations 15.1 5.7 38.1
------- -------- --------
9 Related party transactions
The nature of other related party transactions of the Group have
not changed from those described in the annual report and accounts
for the period ended 27 June 2020.
All transactions undertaken with related parties were undertaken
at arms' length and on normal commercial terms.
10 Alternative performance measures ("APMs")
The Group use APMs to measure performance. These APMs are
applied consistently from one period to the next and the Directors
believe that this information is important for the shareholders as
it allows them to understand the difference between the reported
results and the trading performance excluding certain non-cash
charges and other items which are not expected to recur. The Group
presents EBITDA, adjusted profit before tax ("adjusted PBT"),
adjusted earnings per share ("adjusted EPS") and adjusted profit
from operating activities, which are calculated as the statutory
measures stated before amortisation of acquired intangibles and
share-based payments charge, including related tax where
applicable. The Group also presents net debt, calculated as gross
debt before debt issue costs and net of cash. The reconciliations
between these APMs and the IFRS reported measures are shown in the
below locations:
APM IFRS reported measure Location of reconciliation
EBITDA Profit/(loss) from operating Note 4
activities
Adjusted PBT/LBT Profit or loss before See below
tax
Adjusted EPS/LPS Earnings or loss per share Note 6
Net cash/net debt Net cash/net debt Financial review
section
Adjusted profit/(loss) Profit/(loss) from operating Financial review
from operating activities activities section
The reconciliation of the adjusted loss before tax APM to the
IFRS reported measure of loss before tax is shown below:
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 June
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Reported profit/(loss) before tax 3.1 (2.4) (1.3)
Adjusted for:
- Amortisation of acquired intangibles 0.1 0.1 0.3
- Share-based payments charge 0.6 0.6 1.2
Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax 3.8 (1.7) 0.2
------ ------- --------
11 Right-of-use asset
Total
GBPm
----------------------------------- ------
Recognised on transition to IFRS
16 at 1 July 2019 80.0
Additions 6.4
Lease extensions 1.1
Depreciation (8.9)
Net book value as at 28 December
2019 78.6
Additions 9.3
Lease extensions 1.7
Depreciation (9.3)
Disposal (0.1)
Net book value as at 27 June 2020 80.2
Additions 3.8
Lease extensions 5.5
Depreciation (9.1)
Net book value as at 2 January
2021 80.4
----------------------------------- ------
12 Lease liabilities
Leases typically consist of leases for premises, vehicles and
equipment such to support operations and to help service the
Group's customers. Leases of land and buildings are usually subject
to rent reviews at specified intervals and provide for the lessees
to pay all insurance, maintenance and repair costs.
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 Jun
2021 2019 2020
Maturity analysis - contractual GBPm GBPm GBPm
undiscounted cash flows
-------------------------------------- ------ ------- -------
Less than one year 19.0 22.8 19.1
One to five years 50.6 55.7 54.2
More than five years 29.6 25.6 25.0
Total undiscounted lease liabilities 99.2 104.1 98.3
-------------------------------------- ------ ------- -------
2 Jan 28 Dec 27 Jun
2021 2019 2020
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- ------ ------- -------
Current
Lease liabilities 15.8 15.1 15.8
Non-current
Lease liabilities 69.2 66.7 68.3
Lease liabilities included in
the statement of financial position 85.0 81.8 84.1
-------------------------------------- ------ ------- -------
The amounts charged to the income statement due to the practical
expedients taken are shown below:
2 Jan 2021 28 Dec 2020 27 Jun 2020
Plant Plant
and equip- and Plant
Property ment Property equip-ment Property and equip-ment
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- --------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ----------------
Expense relating
to short-term leases 0.1 - 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.3
Expense relating
to low-value leases - - - 0.1 - 0.2
0.1 - 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
----------------------- --------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ----------------
13 Events subsequent to the balance sheet date
On 28 January 2021 the Group launched an all-employee
Save-As-You-Earn Scheme ("SAYE") to encourage share ownership
amongst employees. The option price was set at 25.82p and the
number of shares subject to option was 9,063,910. The impact on the
income statement will be a non-cash share based payment charge of
approximately GBP475,000 per annum.
As announced on 4 February 2021 the Group amended the
Performance Share Plan agreement so as to introduce a further
three-year period of retention for each tranche of Recovery Awards
following their anticipated vesting in December 2021 and December
2022.
On 22 February 2021 the Group agreed a new GBP20 million invoice
discounting facility ("IDF") with Barclays Bank plc replacing the
existing IDF facility. The facility is a rolling facility, with a
minimum period of twelve months and three months' notice by either
party, and on broadly similar commercial terms to the facility it
is replacing.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement may include certain forward-looking
statements, beliefs or opinions, including statements with respect
to DX's business, financial condition and results of operations.
These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes",
"estimates", "plans", "anticipates", "targets", "aims",
"continues", "expects", "intends", "hopes", "may", "will", "would",
"could" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other
various or comparable terminology. These statements are made by the
DX Directors in good faith based on the information available to
them at the date of this announcement and reflect the DX Directors'
beliefs and expectations. By their nature these statements involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. A number of
factors could cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements, including, without limitation, developments in the
global economy, changes in UK government policies, spending and
procurement methodologies, and failure in health, safety or
environmental policies.
No representation or warranty is made that any of these
statements or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast
results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as
at the date of this announcement and DX (Group) plc and its
advisers expressly disclaim any obligations or undertaking to
release any update of, or revisions to, any forward-looking
statements in this announcement. No statement in the announcement
is intended to be, or intended to be construed as, a profit
forecast or to be interpreted to mean that earnings per DX (Group)
plc share for the current or future financial years will
necessarily match or exceed the historical earnings. As a result,
you are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements.
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