TIDMFUTR
RNS Number : 3376Z
Future PLC
17 May 2019
17 May 2019
FUTURE plc
HALF YEAR RESULTS 2019
Record half year results
Future plc (LSE: FUTR, "Future", "the Group"), the global
platform for specialist media, today publishes results for the six
months ended 31 March 2019.
Highlights
Financial results for the six months ended 31 March 2019
Adjusted results 2019 2018 Var
Revenue (GBP'm) 108.7 53.6(1) 103%
------ -------- -----
Adjusted EBITDA(3) (GBP'm) 23.7 8.8 169%
------ -------- -----
Adjusted EBITDA margin % 22% 16% 38%
------ -------- -----
Adjusted diluted EPS (p) 20.5 10.7(2) 92%
------ -------- -----
Statutory results
------ -------- -----
Operating profit (GBPm) 10.0 3.8 163%
------ -------- -----
Diluted EPS (p) 8.7 5.9(2) 47%
------ -------- -----
-- Strong start to year achieving a step change in scale, with
adjusted EBITDA(3) increasing by 169% to GBP23.7m (2018: GBP8.8m),
following significant acquisition of Purch in September 2018
-- Continuing strong organic(6) growth whilst significantly
expanding scale of group reflected in adjusted diluted EPS growth
of 92%
-- Significant growth in audience across the Group, with overall
online audience up 188% year-on-year, and organic sites up 25%
-- Total revenue up 103% to GBP108.7m; Media revenue up 180%,
now accounting for 70% of Group revenues, underpinned by organic(6)
Media revenue growth of 38% at constant currency (42% at actual
currency)
-- Stated ambition to diversify revenue geographically into US
is progressing well with 52%(5) of Group revenue now coming from
the US (2018: 20%); market leader in consumer technology in US
-- Ongoing improvements to operating leverage resulting in
EBITDA margin increase to 22% from 16% in 2018
-- Highly cash generative business with adjusted free
cashflows(4) up 172% to GBP27.5m (2018: GBP10.1m)
-- New GBP135m financing package (GBP90m Revolving Credit
Facility with GBP45m accordion) to underpin growth strategy
-- Company returns to Premium Segment of Official List of London Stock Exchange
Zillah Byng-Thorne, Future's Chief Executive, said:
"We have delivered a record breaking first half of the financial
year and the continued execution of our strategy to deliver growth
through audience engagement and technology innovation is generating
clear value across the business.
"In addition, we continue our ambition to expand the scale and
diversification of the Group. This was accelerated in the first
half through two acquisitions: Mobile Nations increases our
presence and positioning in the technology sector in the US, whilst
ProCycling and Cyclingnews.com give us a credible foothold in a new
specialist community.
"We have seen the strong momentum continue as we enter the
second half of this financial year, with acquisitions performing
well and continued positive organic(6) growth in the Media
division. Going forward we will continue to drive scale and value
through the successful execution of our strategy as a global
platform business, driven by technology with diversified revenue
streams."
(1) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. Revenue and net operating expenses have
both increased by GBP2.5m with a net nil impact on operating
profit.
(2) 2018 figures have been restated to reflect the bonus element
of the rights issue that took place in August 2018.
(3) Earnings before share based payments and associated social
security costs, interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and
exceptional items (adjusting items, in aggregate, of GBP12.6m
(2018: GBP3.7m)).
(4) Adjusted free cashflows defined as operating cashflows
excluding exceptional items less capex
(5) Net of revenue between segments
(6) Organic revenue defined as performance of the like-for-like
portfolio (i.e. an asset owned for a full financial year in the
comparative period).
Enquiries:
Future plc 01225 442244
Zillah Byng-Thorne, Chief Executive
--------------
Penny Ladkin-Brand, Chief Financial
Officer
--------------
Instinctif Partners 020 7457 2020
--------------
Kay Larsen/Chantal Woolcock
--------------
Certain information contained in this announcement would have
constituted inside information (as defined by Article 7 of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014) prior to its release as part of this
announcement.
Note to editors
Future is a global platform business for specialist media,
driven by technology, with diversified revenue streams.
The Media division has three complementary high-growth revenue
streams: eCommerce, events and digital advertising. It operates in
a number of sectors including technology, gaming and entertainment,
creative and photography, music, home interest, hobbies and B2B and
its brands include TechRadar, PC Gamer, Tom's Guide, Homebuilding
& Renovating Show, GamesRadar+, The Photography Show, Top Ten
Reviews, Live Science, Android Central, Guitar World, MusicRadar,
Space.com, NY TV Week, Tom's Hardware and Cyclingnews.com.
The Magazine division focuses on publishing specialist content,
with 80 publications and over 537 bookazines published per year,
totalling global circulation of 1.2m. The Magazine portfolio spans
technology, gaming and entertainment, music, creative and
photography, hobbies, home interest and B2B. Its titles include
Classic Rock, Guitar Player, FourFourTwo, Homebuilding &
Renovating, Digital Camera, Guitarist, How It Works, Total Film,
What Hi-Fi?, ProCycling and Music Week.
Strategic overview
Record half year results
Future made major progress in the execution of the strategy to
build a technology enabled global specialist media platform. In the
six months to 31 March 2019, the Group has achieved a significant
step change in scale, particularly in the US, through the
acquisition of the consumer division of Purch in September 2018 and
the acquisition of Mobile Nations in March 2019. Revenue increased
103% to GBP108.7m with 70% of Group revenues from the Media
division (2018: 50%). Adjusted EBITDA has increased by 169% to
GBP23.7m (2018: GBP8.8m), a record result for the Group.
Alongside this, the core business has continued to perform well
with strong organic(6) revenue growth of 14% at constant currency
(16% at actual currency). The adjusted EBITDA margin increased to
22% (2018: 16%) as a result of the increasing scale of the Group
and the shifting revenue mix. Cash conversion has also been
pleasing with cash from operations of GBP26.7m.
During the period, the Group returned to the Premium Segment of
the Official List of the London Stock Exchange, reflecting the
ambition of the Group to broaden and strengthen its shareholder
base.
In addition a significant refinancing was undertaken, with a
GBP90m RCF now in place and an additional uncommitted GBP45m
accordion facility providing additional balance sheet strength to
support the Group's next phase of growth.
Progress on building a scalable media platform
The Purch integration has progressed well with back office
operations now fully embedded into Future and the combined
businesses operating as one new organisation. As a direct benefit,
Future has achieved market leadership in the consumer technology
category in the US with comScore now recognising Future as the
largest digital network for consumer tech news.
Future has enhanced its technology platform through the addition
of "RAMP" advertising technology which was acquired as part of
Purch. Considerable testing was undertaken during the first half to
identify the optimal combination of Future's advertising technology
solutions, "Bordeaux" and RAMP, resulting in the creation of
"Hybrid" a best of breed advertising technology solution. In line
with the Group's focus on developing a simplified and scalable
technology stack, the new ad tech solution Hybrid was migrated to
all organic(6) Future sites during April. Migration of the Purch
sites to Hybrid will happen concurrently with the migration to the
Vanilla website platform.
The first of the Purch websites, Space.com, was migrated during
February onto Future's Vanilla website platform, with the remaining
websites to be migrated during the rest of the calendar year.
Space.com has had a double digit audience uplift following the
migration. In addition, the User Forum technology that drives
engagement with forum members on the Purch sites was migrated onto
a new fully GDPR compliant solution during the first half of the
year. The Group now has 18 sites on the Vanilla platform in total,
with three migrated in the last six months.
Some of the benefits of Future best practice have been realised
in advance of the website migrations including the sharing of SEO
best practice to support audience growth, and the introduction of
new eCommerce processes. Since the acquisition, a number of brands
have achieved significant audience growth: Laptop audience has
risen 14% year-on-year and Livescience is up 11% year-on-year. In
addition, Tom's Guide's 2018 Black Friday weekend revenue was its
largest ever, up 155% on the prior year, and its audience has risen
by 28% year-on-year (excluding forums).
Acquisitions
Future continued its commitment to expand in the US by acquiring
Mobile Nations in March 2019. Mobile Nations is a fast-growing
digital technology media company which reinforces Future's status
as a leading consumer technology publisher. Mobile Nations' key
brands include consumer technology websites Android Central, iMore,
Windows Central and Thrifter. Mobile Nations' focus, supporting its
consumers in making better-informed buying decisions, is aligned
with Future's strategy of combining content, community and
commerce. Mobile Nations has a total audience of 39m, and delivered
EBITDA of GBP6.2m in the 12 months prior to the acquisition. Whilst
still early days, the business is performing well and is trading in
line with expectations.
In February 2019 the Group also acquired two cycling brands from
Immediate Media - ProCycling magazine and Cyclingnews.com. These
long-established and profitable brands in the professional cycling
market have strong digital subscriptions, export and licensing
revenues. Cyclingnews has 2.3m podcast downloads, a testament to
its strong audience engagement. Total audience reach is 2.1m, and
revenues in the last 12 months prior to the acquisition were
GBP2.0m. This acquisition enables Future to reach a new community
of cycling enthusiasts to add to its other specialist communities,
further diversifying its reach within outdoor leisure.
Operational review
A key objective of the Group is the diversification of revenues
and the first half results show good progress on the achievement of
this objective with a significant increase in the revenue mix from
Media and also the US.
Revenue by geography
GBPm HY19 HY18(i) YoY Var 2018 Full Year
--------------- ------ -------- -------- ---------------
US(ii) 56.2 10.6 430% 39.0
UK(ii) 52.5 43.0 22% 85.6
--------------- ------ -------- -------- ---------------
Total revenue 108.7 53.6 103% 124.6
--------------- ------ -------- -------- ---------------
(i) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. UK segment revenue has increased by
GBP2.0m and US segment revenue by GBP0.5m.
(ii) Net of revenue between segments.
Revenue by division
GBPm HY19 HY18(iii) YoY Var 2018 Full Year
--------------- ------ ---------- -------- ---------------
Media 75.7 27.0 180% 64.2
Magazine 33.0 26.6 24% 60.4
--------------- ------ ---------- -------- ---------------
Total revenue 108.7 53.6 103% 124.6
--------------- ------ ---------- -------- ---------------
(iii) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. Media revenue has increased by GBP0.8m
and Magazine revenue by GBP1.7m.
Both Future's UK and US operations have performed well in H1,
with UK revenue up 22% to GBP52.5m (2018: GBP43.0m) and US revenue
up 430% to GBP56.2m (2018: GBP10.6m), of which 54% is organic(6) at
constant currency (62% at actual currency). As a result, 52% of
Group revenue (net of revenue between segments) is now derived from
the US. This US growth has been significantly boosted by
acquisitions of NewBay and Purch's consumer division in 2018.
As a pure-play digital business, the acquisition of Purch's
consumer division has had a significantly positive impact on Media
revenues. Underlying Media revenue organic(6) growth of 38% at
constant currency (42% at actual currency) has also been very
strong over this period. Growth in Media has been driven by both
digital advertising, which has seen a particularly strong
performance in programmatic revenues, and by eCommerce.
The acquisition of NewBay brought a large number of B2B events,
particularly in the US, which has driven a 53% increase in events
revenue to GBP11.2m (2018: GBP7.3m).
In the Magazine division, revenue increased by 24% to GBP33.0m
(2018: GBP26.6m). This growth was driven by the acquisitions of
NewBay and the four specialist brands from Haymarket in 2018
H2.
As a content-led business Future seeks to meet the needs of its
specialist communities which it measures through the strength of
its audience and the effective monetisation of that audience.
In the first half of the year Future saw its online audience
reach increase to 192m through the increased scale of the
Group.
Current trading and outlook
We have seen the strong momentum continue as we enter the second
half of the financial year, with acquisitions performing well and
continued positive organic growth in the Media division. While the
backdrop of an uncertain economic outlook remains, the Board
anticipates the Group's performance for the full year to be ahead
of its previous expectations.
Financial summary
HY19 HY18
GBPm GBPm(iv)
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Revenue 108.7 53.6
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Adjusted EBITDA 23.7 8.8
Depreciation (0.4) (0.3)
Adjusted amortisation (0.7) (1.0)
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Adjusted operating profit 22.6 7.5
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Finance costs (1.1) (0.5)
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Adjusted profit before tax 21.5 7.0
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Statutory operating profit 10.0 3.8
----------------------------- ------ ----------
Statutory profit before tax 8.9 3.3
----------------------------- ------ ----------
(iv) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. Revenue and net operating expenses have
both increased by GBP2.5m with a net nil impact on operating
profit.
Items described as adjusted in the table above exclude the items
detailed as 'adjusting' in the reconciliation below. Adjusted items
are a non-GAAP measure. For further details refer to the section on
the reconciliation of non-statutory measures.
Earnings per share
HY19 HY18(v)
----- ---------
Adjusted basic earnings per share (p) 21.5 11.5
Basic earnings per share (p) 9.2 6.3
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (p) 20.5 10.7
Diluted earnings per share (p) 8.7 5.9
----------------------------------------- ----- ---------
(v) 2018 figures have been restated to reflect the bonus element
of the 2018 rights issue.
Adjusted earnings per share is based on profit after taxation
which is then adjusted to exclude share based payments including
related social security costs, exceptional items, amortisation of
intangible assets arising on acquisitions and related tax
effects.
The adjusted profit after tax amounted to GBP17.6m (2018:
GBP6.1m) and the weighted average diluted number of shares in issue
was 85.9m (2018: restated 57.5m), the increase reflecting the
impact of the rights issue that was completed in August 2018 to
fund the Purch acquisition and the issue of 0.6m shares in the
period for the acquisition of Mobile Nations.
Reconciliation of non-statutory measures
Statutory profit before tax reconciles to adjusted operating
profit as follows:
HY19 HY18
GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------
Adjusted operating profit 22.6 7.5
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------
Finance costs (1.1) (0.5)
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------
Adjusted profit before tax 21.5 7.0
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------
Adjusting items:
Share based payments (including related social security costs) (5.2) (1.4)
Exceptional costs (2.3) (0.3)
Amortisation of acquired intangibles (5.1) (2.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------
Statutory profit before tax 8.9 3.3
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------
The financial review is based primarily on a comparison of
adjusted results for the six months ended 31 March 2019 with those
for the six months ended 31 March 2018. Unless otherwise stated,
change percentages relate to a comparison of these two periods and
all comparatives have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of IFRS
15 Revenue from contracts with customers.
Revenue
Group revenue was GBP108.7m which includes a GBP3.7m uplift as a
result of adopting IFRS 15 (2018: GBP53.6m with GBP2.5m uplift),
reflecting the acquisitions during the period and in 2018, which
contributed GBP46.5m of revenue, and the strong growth of Media
revenues.
The adjustment for IFRS 15 relates principally to revenues which
have previously been shown net of agents' commission and have
therefore now been grossed up, with an equal and opposite
adjustment in cost of sales. The impact of the IFRS 15 adjustment
has increased in the period due to the change in revenue mix.
EBITDA
The Group's adjusted EBITDA increased to GBP23.7m (2018:
GBP8.8m), reflecting the strong growth of the Media division and
the US business and the operating leverage provided by the
increased scale of the Group.
Statutory exceptional items
Exceptional costs amounted to GBP2.3m (2018: GBP0.3m) and relate
to the costs of returning to the Premium Segment of the Official
List (GBP0.8m), the acquisition of Mobile Nations (GBP1.1m) and the
integration of Purch (GBP0.4m).
Finance costs and refinancing
During the period the Group agreed a new GBP90m multi-currency
Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF"). The RCF, which replaces Future's
existing debt facilities, has an initial maturity of February 2023
and includes an incremental uncommitted GBP45m accordion, providing
additional flexibility. The RCF has improved terms on the existing
debt facilities and is being provided by HSBC, Natwest and Bank of
Ireland.
Finance costs increased to GBP1.1m (2018: GBP0.5m), reflecting
the draw-down of the RCF to fund the Mobile Nations acquisition and
the release of prepaid arrangement fees on the Group's previous
bank facility. The Group has continued to focus on efficient
management of its cash position.
Taxation
The tax amount for the six months ended 31 March 2019 is based
on the effective rate, estimated on a full year basis, being
applied to the statutory profit for the six months ended 31 March
2019. The deferred tax asset as at 31 March 2019 primarily relates
to historic US losses which we expect to be able to use against
future profits generated in the US.
Cashflow and net debt
Net debt at 31 March 2019 was GBP38.8m (2018: GBP2.0m).
Cash inflow from operations before exceptional items was
GBP29.2m (2018: GBP11.1m). Exceptional cashflows of GBP2.5m
represent the cost of returning to the Premium Segment of the
Official List, the acquisition of Mobile Nations, the integration
of Purch and vacant property lease costs.
Capital expenditure was GBP1.7m (2018: GBP1.0m) in the
period.
A reconciliation of adjusted operating cash inflow to cash
inflow from operations is included below:
HY19 HY18
GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------- ------ ------
Adjusted operating cash inflow 29.2 11.1
Cash flows related to exceptional items (2.5) (0.7)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------
Cash inflow from operations 26.7 10.4
----------------------------------------- ------ ------
Principal risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties for the six months are
largely unchanged from those detailed in the Group's Annual Report
and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2018. Reference should
be made to pages 28 to 30 of the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts
for more detail on the potential impact of risks and examples of
mitigation.
The nature of the Group's business means there are no specific
risks to the Group associated with Brexit other than the impact of
general economic uncertainty on consumer sentiment.
Condensed consolidated interim financial statements
Consolidated income statement
for the six months ended 31 March 2019
6 months to 31 March 2019 6 months to 31 March 2018(1)
Adjusted Adjusting Statutory Adjusted Adjusting Statutory
results items results results items results
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Revenue 1,2 108.7 - 108.7 53.6 - 53.6
Net operating
expenses 3 (86.1) (12.6) (98.7) (46.1) (3.7) (49.8)
---------------- ---- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
Operating
profit 22.6 (12.6) 10.0 7.5 (3.7) 3.8
Finance costs 6 (1.1) - (1.1) (0.5) - (0.5)
---------------- ---- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
Profit before
tax 1 21.5 (12.6) 8.9 7.0 (3.7) 3.3
Tax on
profit/(loss) 7 (3.9) 2.5 (1.4) (0.9) 1.0 0.1
---------------- ---- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
Profit for the
period
attributable
to owners of
the parent 17.6 (10.1) 7.5 6.1 (2.7) 3.4
---------------- ---- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
(1) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. Revenue and net operating expenses have
both increased by GBP2.5m with a net nil impact on operating
profit.
Earnings per 15p Ordinary share
6 months to 31 March 2019 6 months to 31 March 2018(1)
Adjusted Adjusting Statutory Adjusted Adjusting Statutory
results items results results items results
Note pence pence pence pence pence pence
Basic earnings
per share 9 21.5 (12.3) 9.2 11.5 (5.2) 6.3
Diluted
earnings per
share 9 20.5 (11.8) 8.7 10.7 (4.8) 5.9
--------------- ----- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(1) 2018 figures have been restated to reflect the bonus element
of the rights issue that took place in August 2018.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the six months ended 31 March 2019
6 months to 31 March
6 months to 31 March 2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Profit for the period 7.5 3.4
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Items that may be reclassified to the consolidated income
statement
Currency translation differences (0.8) (0.4)
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Other comprehensive expense for the period (0.8) (0.4)
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to owners
of the parent 6.7 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the six months ended 31 March 2019
Share
Issued share premium Treasury Accumulated
capital account Merger reserve reserve losses Total equity
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Balance at 1
October 2018 12.2 97.2 124.9 (0.3) (61.4) 172.6
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Profit for the
period - - - - 7.5 7.5
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Currency
translation
differences - - - - (0.8) (0.8)
Other
comprehensive
expense for
the period - - - - (0.8) (0.8)
Total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - 6.7 6.7
Share capital
issued during
the period 0.2 - 4.1 - - 4.3
Share schemes
- Value of
employees'
services 5 - - - - 1.9 1.9
- Deferred tax
on share
options - - - - 1.5 1.5
Dividends paid
to
shareholders - - - - (0.4) (0.4)
Balance at 31
March 2019 12.4 97.2 129.0 (0.3) (51.7) 186.6
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Balance at 1
October 2017 6.8 47.4 122.5 (0.3) (115.1) 61.3
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Profit for the
period - - - - 3.4 3.4
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Currency
translation
differences - - - - (0.4) (0.4)
Other
comprehensive
expense for
the period - - - - (0.4) (0.4)
Total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - 3.0 3.0
Share schemes
- Value of
employees'
services 5 - - - - 1.2 1.2
- Deferred tax
on share
options - - - - 0.5 0.5
Balance at 31
March 2018 6.8 47.4 122.5 (0.3) (110.4) 66.0
---------------- ----- --------------- --------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------
Consolidated balance sheet
as at 31 March 2019
30 September
31 March 2019 31 March 2018 2018
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 1.7 1.1 1.7
Intangible assets - goodwill 10 205.5 65.7 99.8
Intangible assets - other 10 68.9 24.1 103.6
Investments 0.2 0.2 0.2
Financial asset - derivative 11 0.6 - -
Deferred tax 2.3 4.7 5.3
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Total non-current assets 279.2 95.8 210.6
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Current assets
Inventories - 0.8 -
Corporation tax recoverable 0.1 0.2 0.1
Trade and other receivables 35.4 16.2 37.6
Cash and cash equivalents 5.7 17.5 6.4
Total current assets 41.2 34.7 44.1
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Total assets 320.4 130.5 254.7
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Issued share capital 12 12.4 6.8 12.2
Share premium account 97.2 47.4 97.2
Merger reserve 129.0 122.5 124.9
Treasury reserve (0.3) (0.3) (0.3)
Accumulated losses (51.7) (110.4) (61.4)
Total equity 186.6 66.0 172.6
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities - interest-bearing loans and borrowings 44.5 17.0 15.7
Deferred tax - 4.4 5.1
Provisions 2.4 2.3 2.8
Contingent consideration 11,13 29.3 - -
Other non-current liabilities 0.5 0.5 0.5
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Total non-current liabilities 76.7 24.2 24.1
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities - interest-bearing loans and borrowings - 2.5 8.5
Financial liabilities - derivatives - 0.1 -
Trade and other payables 54.7 35.2 48.4
Corporation tax payable 2.4 2.5 1.1
Total current liabilities 57.1 40.3 58.0
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Total liabilities 133.8 64.5 82.1
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Total equity and liabilities 320.4 130.5 254.7
--------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -------------
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the six months ended 31 March 2019
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 31 March
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------------------------ ---- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 26.7 10.4
Interest paid (0.4) (0.4)
Tax paid (1.0) (0.9)
------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash generated from operating activities 25.3 9.1
------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (0.4) (0.4)
Purchase of computer software and website development (1.3) (0.6)
Purchase of magazine titles and events (1.7) -
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings, net of cash acquired (41.1) 0.3
Disposal of magazine titles and trademarks 0.5 -
Purchase of derivative (0.7) -
Net cash used in investing activities (44.7) (0.7)
------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid (0.4) -
Draw down of bank loans 52.2 -
Repayment of bank loans (32.4) (0.6)
Bank arrangement fees (0.7) -
Net cash generated/(used) from financing activities 18.7 (0.6)
------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (0.7) 7.8
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 6.4 10.1
Exchange adjustments - (0.4)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 5.7 17.5
------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement
for the six months ended 31 March 2019
A. Cash generated from operations
The reconciliation of profit for the period to cash flows
generated from operations is set out below:
6 months to
31 March 6 months to 31 March
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ------------ ---------------------
Profit for the period 7.5 3.4
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge 0.4 0.3
Amortisation of intangible assets 5.8 3.0
Share schemes
- Value of employees' services 1.9 1.2
- National insurance costs on share schemes 3.3 0.2
Net finance costs 1.1 0.5
Tax charge/(credit) 1.4 (0.1)
Cash generated before changes in working capital and provisions 21.4 8.5
Movement in provisions (0.4) (0.3)
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 1.4 (2.8)
Increase in trade and other payables 4.3 5.0
Cash generated from operations 26.7 10.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------------
B. Analysis of net debt
31 September Cash Other non- cash changes Exchange movements 31 March
2018 flows 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- ------------- ------- ------------------------ ------------------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents 6.4 (0.7) - - 5.7
Debt due within one year (8.5) 8.5 - - -
Debt due after more than one year (15.7) (28.3) 0.4 (0.9) (44.5)
---------------------------------- ------------- ------- ------------------------ ------------------- ---------
Net debt (17.8) (20.5) 0.4 (0.9) (38.8)
---------------------------------- ------------- ------- ------------------------ ------------------- ---------
On 14 February 2019 the Group signed a new GBP90 million
multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF"). The RCF, which
replaces the Group's existing debt facilities, which were repaid in
full, has an initial maturity of February 2023 and includes an
incremental uncommitted GBP45 million accordion, providing
additional flexibility. The RCF has improved terms on the existing
debt facilities and is being provided by HSBC, Natwest and Bank of
Ireland.
C. Reconciliation of movement in net debt
6 months to
31 March 6 months to
2019 31 March 2018
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------
Net debt at start of period (17.8) (10.0)
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (0.7) 7.8
Movement in borrowings (19.8) 0.6
Other non-cash changes 0.4 -
Exchange movements (0.9) (0.4)
Net debt at end of period (38.8) (2.0)
-------------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------
Basis of preparation
This unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial
information for the six months ended 31 March 2019 has been
prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34
Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union, and
in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the
Financial Conduct Authority.
The interim financial information contained in the Interim
Report should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report for the
year ended 30 September 2018.
The Interim Report does not constitute statutory accounts as
defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not been
audited. A copy of the statutory financial statements for the year
ended 30 September 2018 has been filed with the Registrar of
Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified,
and it did not contain any statements under section 498(2) or
section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The auditors have carried
out a review of the Interim Report and their review report is
included at the back of this report.
Having considered the Group's funding position and latest
forecasts, the Directors believe that there is a reasonable
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the
Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing
the condensed interim financial information.
As stated in the financial statements for the year ended 30
September 2018 the following amendments to existing standards have
been applied where applicable: amendments as a result of Annual
Improvements 2014-2016 Cycle; and amendments to IFRS 2
Classification and measurement of share-based payment transactions.
The Group has adopted IFRS 9 Financial instruments and IFRS 15
Revenue from contracts with customers from 1 October 2018. The
accounting policies adopted, methods of computation and
presentation are otherwise consistent with those set out in the
Group's statutory accounts for the financial year ended 30
September 2018.
There has been no material impact from the adoption of new
standards, amendments to standards or interpretations which are
relevant to the Group, other than as set out below.
Applying IFRS 9 has resulted in changes to the measurement and
disclosure of financial instruments and introduces a new expected
loss impairment model. The Group has adopted the simplified
approach to recognise lifetime credit losses for trade receivables.
The adoption of the standard has not had a significant impact on
the Group's consolidated results or financial position.
The Group's accounting policy for trade receivables under IFRS 9
is as follows:
Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at their
transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost. The
provision for impairment is calculated based on lifetime expected
credit losses in accordance with IFRS 9.
IFRS 15 replaces the risk and reward approach of IAS 18 Revenue
with a contract based five-step model. The Group has elected to
apply the fully retrospective method for initial application,
applying IFRS 15 retrospectively (and restating comparatives) from
the period beginning 1 October 2017.
As part of the implementation, the Group has conducted a
thorough analysis of all material revenue streams and customer
contracts and reviewed sales and accounting processes. Print and
digital magazine newstrade and subscription revenue, and digital
advertising revenues and expenses have changed as a result of the
new standard. Based on the enhanced guidance around the
principal/agent approach, revenue is recognised as the amount paid
by the end consumer, rather than the amount remitted by the agent.
Related commissions paid to agents are recognised as an expense
within cost of sales. There has been no material impact on
transition relating to any other revenue streams within the
Group.
The adoption of IFRS 15 has resulted in an increase in revenue
of GBP3.7m for the six months ending 31 March 2019, along with an
increase in cost of sales of GBP3.7m, compared to what would have
been reported under IAS 18. The comparative period income statement
for the six months ending 31 March 2018 has been restated for an
increase in revenue of GBP2.5m and an increase in cost of sales of
GBP2.5m. There has been no impact on retained earnings at the date
of transition or subsequently.
The group's accounting policy for revenue under IFRS 15 is as
follows:
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised in the
income statement in line with the five-step model in IFRS 15, to
reflect the pattern of transfer of goods and services to the
customer. Revenue is recognised in the income statement when
control passes to the customer. If the customer simultaneously
receives and consumes the benefits of the contract, revenue is
recognised over time. Otherwise, revenue is recognised at a point
in time.
Revenue comprises the transaction price of the contract, being
consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and
services in the ordinary course of the Group's activities. Revenue
is shown net of value-added tax, estimated returns, rebates and
discounts and after eliminating sales within the Group.
For print and digital magazine newstrade and subscription
revenue, and digital advertising revenues and expenses, revenue is
recognised as the amount paid by the end consumer, rather than the
amount remitted by the agent. Related commissions paid to agents
are recognised as an expense within cost of sales.
The following recognition criteria also apply:
-- Magazine newsstand circulation and advertising revenue is
recognised according to the date that the related publication goes
on sale
-- Online advertising revenue is recognised over the period
during which the advertisements are served
-- Revenue from the sale of digital magazine subscriptions is
recognised uniformly over the term of the subscription
-- Event income is recognised when the event has taken place
-- Licensing revenue is recognised on the supply of the licensed content
-- Other revenue is recognised at the time of sale or provision of service
The Group is continuing to assess the impact of IFRS 16 Leases,
which will be effective for the year ending 30 September 2020.
Adoption of this standard will result in the recognition on balance
sheet of assets and liabilities relating to leases which are
currently being accounted for as operating leases. The Group
anticipates a material increase in reported assets and liabilities,
as well as additional disclosures.
Presentation of non-statutory measures
The Directors believe that adjusted results and adjusted
earnings per share provide additional useful information on the
core operational performance of the Group to shareholders, and
review the results of the Group on an adjusted basis internally.
The term 'adjusted' is not a defined term under IFRS and may not
therefore be comparable with similarly titled profit measurements
reported by other companies. It is not intended to be a substitute
for, or superior to, IFRS measurements of profit. Adjustments are
made in respect of:
Share-based payments - share-based payment expenses or credits,
together with the associated social security costs, are excluded
from the adjusted results of the Group as the Directors believe
they result in a level of charge that would distort the user's view
of the core trading performance of the Group.
Exceptional items - the Group considers items of income and
expense as exceptional and excludes them from the adjusted results
where the nature of the item, or its size, is material and likely
to be non-recurring in nature (in the medium term) so as to assist
the user of the financial statements to better understand the
results of the core operations of the Group. Details of exceptional
items are shown in note 4.
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets - the amortisation
charge for those intangible assets recognised on business
combinations is excluded from the adjusted results of the Group
since they are non-cash charges arising from non-trading investment
activities. As such, they are not considered reflective of the core
trading performance of the Group.
The tax related to adjusting items is the tax effect of the
items above that are allowable deductions for tax purposes
calculated using the standard rate of corporation tax in the
relevant jurisdiction.
A reconciliation of adjusted operating profit to profit before
tax is shown below:
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 31 March
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Adjusted operating profit 22.6 7.5
Finance costs (1.1) (0.5)
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Adjusted profit before tax 21.5 7.0
Adjusting items:
Share based payments (including social security costs) (5.2) (1.4)
Exceptional items (2.3) (0.3)
Amortisation of acquired intangibles (5.1) (2.0)
Profit before tax 8.9 3.3
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
A reconciliation between adjusted and statutory earnings per
share measures is shown in note 9.
Notes to the financial information
for the six months ended 31 March 2019
1. Segmental reporting
The Group is organised and arranged primarily by reportable
segment. The Executive Directors consider the performance of the
business from a geographical perspective, namely the UK and the US.
The Australian business is considered to be part of the UK segment
and is not reported separately due to its size.
Segment revenue
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 2019 31 March 2018(1)
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------- --------------- ------------------
UK 58.2 44.0
US 57.1 10.9
Revenue between segments (6.6) (1.3)
Total 108.7 53.6
-------------------------- --------------- ------------------
(1) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. UK segment revenue has increased by
GBP2.0m and US segment revenue by GBP0.5m.
Transactions between segments are carried out at arm's
length.
Segment adjusted EBITDA
6 months to
31 March 6 months to
2019 31 March 2018
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------- ------------ ---------------
UK 13.0 4.2
US 10.7 4.6
Total segment adjusted EBITDA 23.7 8.8
------------------------------- ------------ ---------------
EBITDA is used by the Executive Directors to assess the
performance of each segment.
A reconciliation of total segment EBITDA to profit before tax is
provided as follows:
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 2019 31 March 2018
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Total segment adjusted EBITDA 23.7 8.8
Share based payments (including social security costs) (5.2) (1.4)
Depreciation (0.4) (0.3)
Amortisation (5.8) (3.0)
Exceptional items (2.3) (0.3)
Net finance costs (1.1) (0.5)
Profit before tax 8.9 3.3
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
2. Revenue
An additional analysis of the Group's revenue is shown
below:
6 months to 31 March 2019 6 months to 31 March 2018(1)
GBPm GBPm
---------- -------------------------- -----------------------------
Media 75.7 27.0
Magazine 33.0 26.6
Total 108.7 53.6
---------- -------------------------- -----------------------------
(1) Restated for the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
contracts with customers. Media revenue has increased by GBP0.8m
and Magazine revenue by GBP1.7m.
The Group has applied IFRS 15 from 1 October 2018, using the
fully retrospective method for initial application, meaning
comparative periods have been restated from 1 October 2017.
Under the principal/agent requirements of IFRS 15, revenue is
recognised as the amount paid by the end consumer, rather than the
amount remitted by the agent. Related commissions paid to agents
will be recognised as an expense within cost of sales. There has
been no material impact on transition relating to any other revenue
streams within the Group.
The adoption of IFRS 15 has resulted in an increase in revenue
of GBP3.7m for the six months ending 31 March 2019, along with an
increase in cost of sales of GBP3.7m, compared to what would have
been reported under IAS 18. The comparative period income statement
for the six months ending 31 March 2018 has been restated for an
increase in revenue of GBP2.5m and an increase in cost of sales of
GBP2.5m. There has been no impact on retained earnings at the date
of transition or subsequently.
See note 1 for disaggregation of revenue by geography.
3. Net operating expenses
Operating profit is stated after charging:
6 months to 31 March 2019 6 months to 31 March
2018
Adjusted Adjusting Statutory Adjusted Adjusting Statutory
results items results results items results
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Cost of sales (60.4) - (60.4) (33.3) - (33.3)
Share based payments
(including social security
costs) - (5.2) (5.2) - (1.4) (1.4)
Exceptional items (note
4) - (2.3) (2.3) - (0.3) (0.3)
Depreciation (0.4) - (0.4) (0.3) - (0.3)
Amortisation (0.7) (5.1) (5.8) (1.0) (2.0) (3.0)
Other administration
expenses (24.6) - (24.6) (11.5) - (11.5)
Total (86.1) (12.6) (98.7) (46.1) (3.7) (49.8)
----------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
4. Exceptional items
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 31 March
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Premium listing costs 0.8 -
Acquisition and integration related costs 1.5 -
Restructuring and redundancy costs - 0.3
Total 2.3 0.3
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
5. Employee costs
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 2019 31 March 2018
GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Wages and salaries 23.8 12.9
Social security costs 5.8 1.5
Other pension costs 0.6 0.3
Share schemes
- Value of employees' services 1.9 1.2
--------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Total employee costs 32.1 15.9
--------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
IFRS 2 Share-based Payment requires an expense for equity
instruments granted to be recognised over the appropriate vesting
period, measured at their fair value at the date of grant.
The fair value has been calculated using the Monte Carlo and
Black-Scholes models, using the most appropriate model for each
scheme. Assumptions have been made in these models for expected
volatility, risk-free rates and dividend yields.
Key management personnel compensation
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 2019 31 March 2018
GBPm GBPm
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 1.2 0.8
Share schemes
- Value of employees' services 0.9 0.7
Total 2.1 1.5
------------------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Key management personnel are deemed to be the members of the
Board of Future plc. It is this Board which has responsibility for
planning, directing and controlling the activities of the
Group.
6. Finance costs
6 months to
6 months to 31 March
31 March 2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Interest payable on interest-bearing loans and borrowings 0.6 0.3
Amortisation of bank loan arrangement fees 0.5 0.1
Other finance costs - 0.1
1.1 0.5
----------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
On 14 February 2019 the Group signed a GBP90 million
multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF"), including an
incremental uncommitted GBP45 million accordion, providing
additional flexibility. Included within amortisation of bank loan
arrangement fees is the release of prepaid costs in relation to the
previous loan facility.
7. Tax on profit
The tax amount for the six months ended 31 March 2019 is based
on the effective rate, estimated on a full year basis by territory,
being applied to the taxable profits or losses of each territory
for the six months ended 31 March 2019.
8. Dividends
6 months to
6 months to 31 March
Equity dividends 31 March 2019 2018
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------
Number of shares in issue at end of period (million) 82.5 45.7
Dividends paid and payable in period (pence per share) 0.05 -
Dividends paid and payable in period (GBPm) (0.4) -
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------
Interim dividends are recognised in the period in which they are
paid and final dividends are recognised in the period in which they
are approved. The dividend in respect of the year ended 30
September 2018 was paid on 15 February 2019. The Board has not
proposed a dividend for the six months ended 31 March 2019.
9. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted
average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the period.
Diluted earnings per share have been calculated by taking into
account the dilutive effect of shares that would be issued on
conversion into Ordinary shares of awards held under employee share
schemes.
Adjusted earnings per share remove the effect of share based
payments, exceptional items, amortisation of intangible assets
arising on business combinations and any related tax effects from
the calculation.
6 months to 6 months to
31 March 31 March
2019 2018(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
Adjustments to profit after tax:
Profit after tax (GBPm) 7.5 3.4
Share based payments (including social security costs) (GBPm) 5.2 1.4
Exceptional items (GBPm) 2.3 0.3
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions (GBPm) 5.1 2.0
Tax effect of the above adjustments (GBPm) (2.5) (1.0)
Adjusted profit after tax (GBPm) 17.6 6.1
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
Weighted average number of shares in issue during the period:
- Basic 81,719,444 53,503,698
- Dilutive effect of share options 4,132,152 4,037,666
- Diluted 85,851,596 57,541,364
Basic earnings per share (in pence) 9.2 6.3
Adjusted basic earnings per share (in pence) 21.5 11.5
Diluted earnings per share (in pence) 8.7 5.9
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (in pence) 20.5 10.7
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
The adjustments to profit after tax have the following effect:
Basic earnings per share (pence) 9.2 6.3
Share based payments (including social security costs) (pence) 6.4 2.6
Exceptional items (pence) 2.8 0.6
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions (pence) 6.2 3.7
Tax effect of the above adjustments (pence) (3.1) (1.7)
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence) 21.5 11.5
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
Diluted earnings per share (pence) 8.7 5.9
Share based payments (including social security costs) (pence) 6.1 2.4
Exceptional items (pence) 2.7 0.5
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions (pence) 5.9 3.5
Tax effect of the above adjustments (pence) (2.9) (1.6)
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence) 20.5 10.7
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------
(1) 2018 figures have been restated to reflect the bonus element
of the rights issue that took place in August 2018.
10. Intangible assets
Magazine
Goodwill and website Other Total
Group GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
Cost
At 1 October 2017 329.2 38.2 18.8 386.2
Additions through business combinations 34.1 83.3 - 117.4
Other additions - - 1.2 1.2
Adjustments to fair value on prior (0.2) - - (0.2)
year acquisitions
Exchange adjustments 0.9 0.1 - 1.0
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
At 30 September 2018 364.0 121.6 20.0 505.6
Additions through business combinations 74.4 0.4 - 74.8
Other additions - - 1.3 1.3
Adjustments to fair value on prior 31.5 (30.6) - 0.9
year acquisitions
Disposal (0.2) - - (0.2)
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
At 31 March 2019 469.7 91.4 21.3 582.4
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 October 2017 (263.4) (14.2) (16.3) (293.9)
Charge for the year - (5.7) (1.6) (7.3)
Exchange adjustments (0.8) (0.2) - (1.0)
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
At 30 September 2018 (264.2) (20.1) (17.9) (302.2)
Charge for the year - (5.1) (0.7) (5.8)
Exchange adjustments - - - -
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
At 31 March 2019 (264.2) (25.2) (18.6) (308.0)
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
Net book value at 31 March 2019 205.5 66.2 2.7 274.4
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
Net book value at 30 September
2018 99.8 101.5 2.1 203.4
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
Net book value at 1 October 2017 65.8 24.0 2.5 92.3
------------------------------------------ --------- ------------- -------- ---------
Acquired intangibles relate mainly to trademarks, advertising
relationships, publishing rights and customer lists. These assets
are amortised over their estimated economic lives, typically
ranging between one and ten years.
Any residual amount arising as a result of the purchase
consideration being in excess of the value of acquired assets is
recorded as goodwill.
Further details regarding the intangible assets acquired during
the year through business combinations are set out in note 14.
Other intangibles relate to capitalised software costs and
website development costs which are internally generated.
Amortisation is included within administration expenses in the
consolidated income statement.
11. Financial instruments
Adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments became effective for the Group from
1 October 2018. The standard has been applied fully
retrospectively, as required by IFRS 9, but the designation of
financial assets and liabilities has been taken at the date of
initial application. The Group has adopted the simplified approach
to recognise lifetime credit losses for trade receivables. The
change in approach has not had a material impact on the provision
for bad debt.
IFRS 9 largely retains the existing classifications for
financial liabilities. For the Group's financial assets, the
following table shows the new measurement categories under IFRS
9:
Financial asset IFRS 9 classification Previous classification under IAS 39
------------------------------ ---------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents Amortised cost Loans and receivables
Trade and other receivables Amortised cost Loans and receivables
Derivative - purchased option Fair value through profit or loss N/a
------------------------------ ---------------------------------- -------------------------------------
There has not been a significant impact on the carrying amounts
of assets held.
The following table presents the Group's financial assets and
liabilities that are measured at fair value at 31 March 2019:
Level 2 Level 3
Fair value Fair value
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------ ------------- ------------
Assets
Financial asset - derivative 0.6 -
Liabilities
Contingent consideration - 29.3
------------------------------ ------------- ------------
The contingent consideration relates to the acquisition of MoNa
Mobile Nations, LLC (see note 14 for further details). A derivative
foreign currency option to buy $30m in June 2020 was acquired in
order to hedge the currency exposure arising on the contingent
consideration. In the comparative period no financial assets or
liabilities were measured at fair value. There were no transfers
between levels in the current or prior period.
The derivative option has been valued using rates available from
publicly-quoted sources.
The contingent consideration has been valued using a
scenario-based approach drawing from internal EBITDAE projections
and forecasts and weighting them according to the perceived
probability of being achieved. The outcome is then discounted to
reflect the market risk related to the earn outs and underlying
achievement of the EBITDAE targets. The discount rate of 9% was
determined using a Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) approach.
The main level 3 inputs used in valuing the contingent
consideration are EBITDAE and the discount rate, as shown in the
table below.
Assumption
--------------- ---------------
Discount rate 9%
EBITDAE $7.1m - $12.5m
---------------- ---------------
The table below sets out the sensitivity of level 3 inputs to a
10% change in the assumptions, which is considered to be a
reasonably possible alternative assumption:
Assumption Increase/(decrease) Increase/(decrease) in liability
-------------- -------------------- ---------------------------------
Discount rate 10% GBP(0.3)m
Discount rate (10)% GBP0.3m
EBITDAE 10% GBP7.4m
EBITDAE (10)% GBP(13.1)m
-------------- -------------------- ---------------------------------
12. Issued share capital
During the period 353,350 Ordinary shares (31 March 2018:
350,380) with a nominal value of GBP53,003 (31 March 2018:
GBP52,557) were issued by the Company pursuant to share scheme
exercises throughout the period.
Additionally, 615,166 Ordinary shares were issued as
consideration for the acquisition of MoNa Mobile Nations, LLC, with
a nominal value of $5 million.
As at 31 March 2019 there were 82,487,107 Ordinary shares in
issue (31 March 2018: 45,743,194).
13. Contingent assets and contingent liabilities
At 31 March 2019 there were no material contingent assets (31
March 2018: GBPnil). During the period, a contingent liability of
GBP29.3m was recognised for variable deferred contingent
consideration on the acquisition of MoNa Mobile Nations, LLC (31
March 2018: GBPnil). See note 14 for further details regarding the
acquisition.
14. Acquisitions
Immediate Media titles
On 13 February 2019 Future plc acquired two specialist consumer
brands from Immediate Media, CyclingNews.com and Procycling
Magazine, for consideration of GBP1.65 million. Cycling News is the
leading cycling news website in the UK, while Procycling is the
market-leading magazine within the professional cycling arena. Fair
values of assets relating to this acquisition are provisional.
MoNa Mobile Nations, LLC
On 1 March 2019 Future plc acquired MoNa Mobile Nations, LLC
("Mobile Nations"), a leading global digital publisher focused on
consumer electronics and based in the US. The initial cash
consideration paid was $55 million with a further $5 million
satisfied through the issue of 615,166 new ordinary shares. In
addition, a further variable deferred contingent consideration up
to a total value of $60 million will be paid, subject to meeting
certain financial targets based on the year ending 31 March 2020.
100% of the voting equity interest was acquired.
The impact of the acquisition on the consolidated balance sheet
was:
Provisional
fair value
GBPm
------------------------------ ------------
Intangible assets 0.4
Trade and other receivables 2.6
Trade and other payables (0.1)
------------------------------ ------------
Net assets acquired 2.9
------------------------------ ------------
Goodwill 72.7
------------------------------ ------------
75.6
------------------------------ ------------
Consideration:
Cash 42.0
Equity shares 4.3
------------------------------ ------------
Total consideration paid 46.3
------------------------------ ------------
Contingent consideration 29.3
------------------------------ ------------
Total consideration 75.6
------------------------------ ------------
Included within the Group's results for the period are revenues
of GBP1.1m and a profit before tax of GBP0.5m (excluding deal fees,
associated integration costs and acquired intangible amortisation)
from Mobile Nations.
If the acquisition had been completed on the first day of the
financial year, it would have contributed GBP7.7m of revenue and a
profit before tax of GBP3.7m (excluding deal fees, associated
integration costs and acquired intangible amortisation) during the
period.
The fair values are described as 'provisional' as the
acquisition occurred within one month of the balance sheet date and
so further time is required in order to fully ascertain the fair
value of assets and liabilities acquired.
See note 11 for the assumptions used in determining the fair
value of the contingent consideration and sensitivities of these
assumptions to a reasonably possible change.
Acquisition of Purch Group LLC - update to fair values
On 4 September 2018, Future US Inc. acquired 100% of the share
capital of Purch Group LLC, as disclosed in the Annual Report for
the year ended 30 September 2018. An update to the fair value of
the assets has been performed, as detailed below:
Fair value
GBPm
------------------------------ -----------
Intangible assets
- Customer relationships 17.3
- Brands 21.9
- Software 2.8
Trade and other receivables 10.9
Trade and other payables (4.8)
------------------------------ -----------
Net assets acquired 48.1
------------------------------ -----------
Goodwill 51.7
------------------------------ -----------
99.8
------------------------------ -----------
Consideration:
Cash 99.8
------------------------------ -----------
Total consideration 99.8
------------------------------ -----------
The Purch acquisition occurred within one month of the FY18
balance sheet date and following the passage of time further
information has become available to the Directors which has enabled
the calculation of the fair value of the assets and liabilities
acquired to be refined. As part of this exercise, assets previously
identified as websites have been re-categorised as brands to better
reflect the underlying nature of the intangible assets
acquired.
Statement of Directors' responsibilities in respect of the
financial statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and
regulation.
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial
statements for each financial 6 month period. Under that law the
Directors have prepared the Group financial statements in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)
as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the Directors
must not approve the Group financial statements unless they are
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of
affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for
that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors
are required to:
-- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-- state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European
Union have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-- make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
-- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue
in business.
The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets
of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group's
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the
financial position of the Group and enable them to ensure that the
financial statements and the Directors' Remuneration Report comply
with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group financial
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity
of the company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Directors' confirmations
The Directors consider that the annual report and accounts,
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group's
position and performance, business model and strategy.
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in
the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities confirm that, to the
best of their knowledge:
-- the Group financial statements, which have been prepared in
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, give a true
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
profit of the Group; and
-- the Operational Review includes a fair review of the
development and performance of the business and the position of the
Group, together with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that it faces.
In the case of each Director in office at the date the
Directors' Report is approved:
-- so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit
information of which the Group's auditors are unaware; and
-- they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken
as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant
audit information and to establish that the Group's auditors are
aware of that information.
A list of current Directors is maintained on the Future plc
website, www.futureplc.com.
By order of the Board
Directors
Richard Huntingford
Independent Non-Executive Chairman
Zillah Byng-Thorne
Chief Executive
Penny Ladkin-Brand
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Hugo Drayton
Independent Non-Executive
Alan Newman
Independent Non-Executive
Rob Hattrell
Independent Non-Executive
17 May 2019
The maintenance and integrity of the Future plc website is the
responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the
auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and,
accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes
that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were
initially presented on the website.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation
in other jurisdictions.
Independent review report to Future plc
Report on the condensed consolidated interim financial
statements
Our conclusion
We have reviewed Future plc's condensed consolidated interim
financial statements (the "interim financial statements") in the
half-year results announcement of Future plc for the 6 month period
ended 31 March 2019. Based on our review, nothing has come to our
attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial
statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim
Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
What we have reviewed
The interim financial statements comprise:
-- the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2019;
-- the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement
of comprehensive income for the period then ended;
-- the consolidated cash flow statement for the period then ended;
-- the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period then ended; and
-- the explanatory notes to the interim financial statements.
The interim financial statements included in the half year
results have been prepared in accordance with International
Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted
by the European Union and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct
Authority.
As disclosed in the basis of preparation to the interim
financial statements, the financial reporting framework that has
been applied in the preparation of the full annual financial
statements of the Group is applicable law and International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European
Union.
Responsibilities for the interim financial statements and the
review
Our responsibilities and those of the Directors
The half-year results announcement, including the interim
financial statements, is the responsibility of, and has been
approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for
preparing the half-year results announcement in accordance with the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim
financial statements in the half-year results announcement based on
our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been
prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of complying
with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of
the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other
purpose. We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom
this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
What a review of interim financial statements involves
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of
Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor
of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in
the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information
consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for
financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other
review procedures.
A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted
in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and,
consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would
become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in
an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
We have read the other information contained in the half-year
results announcement and considered whether it contains any
apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the
information in the interim financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
Bristol
17 May 2019
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR MMGMKRVGGLZM
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