TIDMHW.
RNS Number : 3427T
Harwood Wealth Management Group PLC
03 July 2018
3 July 2018
Harwood Wealth Management Group PLC
("HWMG" or the "Group")
Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 April
2018
Harwood Wealth Management Group (AIM: HW.), a leading UK-based
financial planning and discretionary wealth management business, is
pleased to announce its unaudited consolidated interim results for
the six months ended 30 April 2018.
Financial highlights:
-- Assets under influence (AUI) up 30% to GBP4.3bn (H1 2017: GBP3.3bn)
o 37% of this growth was through acquisition
-- Revenue up 44% to GBP15.1m (H1 2017: GBP10.5m) of which approximately 68% is recurring
-- Gross profit up 39% to GBP6.8m (H1 2017: GBP4.9m)
-- Gross margin at 45% (H1 2017: 47%), reflecting the full
impact of the acquisition of Network Direct, a naturally lower
margin business
-- Adjusted EBITDA[1] up 50% to GBP2.7m (H1 2017: GBP1.8m)
-- EPS increased to 0.91p (H1 2017: 0.27p)
-- Net cash generated by operations of GBP2.2m (H1 2017:
GBP1.5m) and total cash balances at the period end of GBP13.9m (H1
2017: GBP19.8m)
-- Interim dividend of 1.08 pence per share (H1 2017: 1.00) proposed
-- Nine acquisitions completed during the period for an
aggregate consideration of GBP10.9m (GBP9.2m net of cash
acquired)
Peter Mann, Chairman of Harwood Wealth Management Group,
commented:
"The first half of the year has seen substantial progress, with
the Group delivering profitable growth across all its divisions,
achieved in line with our clear growth strategy. Harwood completed
nine acquisitions in the period, many of which were on a larger
scale than those executed in previous years. These acquisitions are
important not only in boosting our earnings but also building the
Group's capabilities and driving future growth. To date, all
companies acquired have integrated well and are performing as
expected.
Through maintaining the highest levels of service to our
clients, providing advice and solutions truly appropriate to their
needs, the Group continues to build on its strong client
relationships as well as attracting an ever-increasing number of
external mandates.
The Group's growth strategy remains appropriate to the market
place we serve today, as demonstrated by the strong results
achieved thus far and continued momentum into the second half. With
strong visibility on revenues and an excellent pipeline of
acquisition opportunities available to us, we look forward to the
remainder of the year and beyond with confidence."
For further information please contact:
Harwood Wealth Management Group plc
Alan Durrant, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)23 9355 2004
N+1 Singer Advisory LLP
Shaun Dobson
Ben Farrow +44 (0)20 7496 3000
Alma PR
Rebecca Sanders-Hewett / Susie Hudson +44 (0)20 8004 4218
Website
www.harwoodwealth.co.uk
CEO's statement
Introduction
The Group remains focused on delivering profitable growth in
three areas: organic, through both the existing client base and
attracting new clients; acquisitions of small to medium sized
financial advisory and wealth management businesses which can help
to fuel future organic growth; and improving the efficiency of our
operations and economies of scale as the business grows.
Over the first half of the year we have made progress across all
areas. The Group has continued to rapidly grow its client bank,
alongside many of our existing clients choosing to expand their
accounts with us as they turn to advisers they trust in order to
navigate new tax and other legislative changes. It has also been a
busy period for acquisitions, with the Group taking on nine quality
businesses; the client portfolios of four IFA businesses and the
entire issued share capital of five similar businesses. We are
confident that they will be beneficial to our future growth and are
pleased to note that they have benefitted from integration with
Harwood as expected so far. The Group has begun to see the impacts
of growing economies of scale, with more potential vendors
approaching us directly and our administrative expenses as a ratio
of revenues dropping.
Assets under influence (AUI) and assets under management
(AUM)
-- Organic growth and asset market price movement accounted for
63% of the growth in AUI to GBP4.3bn (H1 2017: GBP3.3bn).
-- AUM doubled to GBP1.6bn (2017 H1: GBP0.8bn). This growth has
been delivered primarily through our strategy of acquiring client
portfolios and providing suitable investment solutions that meet
each individual client's needs.
-- External mandates successes, including Frenkel Topping,
boosted AUM and the investment performance of the centralised
investment proposition continues to attract new clients. Being
selected to manage mandates such as these is further validation of
the strength of our investment management credentials. Wellian
Investment Solutions was also awarded Platinum awards for the
Best-Balanced Portfolio and the Best-Aggressive Portfolio in the
boutique firm category at the Portfolio Adviser Wealth Manager
Awards in January 2018.
Revenue analysis
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Restated
Revenues GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm
Financial Planning 6.6 6.1 12.9
Investment Management 2.1 1.4 3.2
Network 6.4 3.0 9.8
15.1 10.5 25.9
========== ========== ==========
All three business divisions contributed to the 44% growth in
revenue.
-- The Financial Planning business delivered an increase in
income of 8%. Acquisitions accounted for a 5-percentage point
revenue growth and the balance being net organic growth. The
Financial Planning division also grew the AUM of the Group's
centralised investment proposition by 28% to GBP648m (H1 2017:
GBP506m).
-- The Investment Management business grew revenues 50%, with
mandates driven by the discretionary fund management subsidiary
accounting for 81% of the growth. The balance was delivered from
the Financial Planning business as highlighted above.
-- The full period impact of the Network Direct acquisition led
the growth in the Network Services division. This division was the
major revenue growth driver over the period and accounted for 74%
of the growth in revenue to GBP15.1m from GBP10.5m.
Organic growth accounted for GBP0.7m of the revenue increase
over the period, a 7% organic growth rate. It is estimated that 68%
of the Group's total revenue is of a recurring nature. The Network
Direct business has a lower recurring income stream of just over
50% because there was previously no investment management offering
within the business. The Group's recurring revenue excluding the
Network Direct impact is estimated to be 84%.
Gross profit and margins
Overall gross profit has improved by 39% to GBP6.8m (H1 2017:
GBP4.9m) with all divisions showing an increase to the prior
period. The improvement in the Financial Planning gross margins
results from acquisitive activity. As highlighted earlier, the
Investment Management AUM has grown strongly but some of the large
organic mandate successes have naturally been at a lower gross
margin. Network Direct is a structurally different business and a
gross margin of 9% is as expected. The full period impact of this
acquisition has driven the blended gross margin's decline to 45%
(H1 2017: 47%). The gross margin excluding Network Direct increased
to 71% (H1 2017: 64%).
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Restated
Source of gross profits and margin GBP'm % GBP'm % GBP'm %
Financial Planning 4.3 65 3.5 57 7.4 57
Investment Management 1.9 90 1.3 93 3.0 94
Network 0.6 9 0.1 3 0.8 8
6.8 45 4.9 47 11.2 43
========== === ========== === ========== ===
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses increased to GBP5.5m from GBP4.2m as the
scale of the Group's operations continues to grow. Pleasingly, the
ratio of administrative expenses to revenue fell to 36% from 40% as
the Group benefits from economies of scale and a close focus on
cost control. Administrative expenses include amortisation of
GBP1.4m (H1 2017: GBP1.2m).
Administrative expenses excluding amortisation and depreciation
increased to GBP4.1m from GBP3.0m and as a percentage of revenue
decreased to 27% from 29%.
Exceptional items
In the period under review, some final deferred consideration
payments in connection with prior period acquisitions were settled.
These payments were contingent on actual recurring revenues
received. At the time of completion, the deferred consideration was
estimated based on the expected future recurring revenue. If the
actual revenue is higher than expected, the final contingent
consideration is also higher than the deferred consideration on the
balance sheet and the difference is written off (or written on if
the actual revenue is lower) to the profit and loss. The net
write-off in the period was GBP123,000 (H1 2017: GBP20,000).
Profitability
The primary measure of profitability in the sector is adjusted
EBITDA, being earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and
amortisation and exceptional items. Adjusted EBITDA for the period
showed growth of 50% to GBP2.7m (H1 2017: GBP1.8m).
The profit before taxation of GBP932,000 was 6.2% of revenue (H1
2017: 3.1%).
Cash
In the six months under review, the net cash generated by
operations was GBP2.2m, the net cash used in investing activities
was GBP6.6m and the net cash used in financing activities was
GBP0.6m. Discounted deferred consideration liabilities on the
balance sheet total GBP7.1m of which GBP5.0m is payable within 12
months. The Group had no debt or borrowings at the period end and
had a cash balance of GBP13.9m, down by GBP5.0m during the
period.
After taking account of the deferred consideration liabilities
(GBP7.1m), the dividend payable (GBP1.4m) and the Financial Conduct
Authority's financial resource requirements (GBP1.8m), the amount
of "free" cash available for acquisitions was GBP3.6m.
Financial advisers, network members and staff headcount
The number of financial advisers increased to 94 (H1 2017: 83).
Network Direct members, who are not employees, stood at 87 (H1
2017: 90). Total staff headcount grew to 138 (H1 2017: 112). The
Group welcomed the new advisers to support our organic and
acquisitive growth strategy and continues to seek additional
high-quality advisers.
Acquisitions
The Group completed the asset acquisition of the client
portfolios of four IFA businesses and the entire issued share
capital of another five similar businesses for an aggregate
consideration of GBP10.9m (GBP9.2m net of cash acquired). These
were acquired in line with the Group's rigorous selection model
using a multiple of recurring revenue and an earn-out contingent on
actual results. Integration of these businesses has progressed well
and performing as expected.
Post period end non-binding heads of terms have been entered
into with a further 18 potential business vendors.
We continue to see a strong pipeline of high quality businesses
looking to engage with us. Some are driven by specific factors such
as increasing capital adequacy costs or the need to invest in new
technology. In other cases, the principals have simply reached a
stage of their career at which they wish to retire. Whilst we
recognise that there have always been competitors in the market
looking for acquisitions, we do not sense any change in the number
of such competitors. As a well-funded business that has a proven
expertise in efficiently buying businesses, and with a culture that
focuses on customers, clients and people, we are an attractive
choice for anyone seeking to sell their business. Our increased
profile since joining AIM has led to a greater number of potential
vendors approaching us directly.
Dividends
Harwood has a progressive dividend policy in place and, in line
with this, a final dividend of 2.24 pence per ordinary share in
respect of the year ended 31 October 2017 was approved by
shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 18
April 2018. The final dividend, a total of GBP1.4m, was paid on 11
May 2018. The directors are proposing an interim dividend of 1.08
pence per share to be paid to shareholders on 9 November 2018 based
on the register of shareholders at close of business on 26 October
2018.
Outlook
Our strategy is to deliver profitable growth, both organic and
through acquisitions. The Group has successfully completed 69
acquisitions to date and has a healthy pipeline of potential
acquisitions at various stages of progression for which the
Directors are reviewing various financing options. The Directors
are encouraged by the ongoing momentum in our investment management
businesses which continue to add assets without increasing
investment management costs. It is also pleasing to report that the
demand for financial advice from clients has never been greater,
driven in part by tax and other legislative changes, most notably
pension freedoms.
We have a strong balance sheet and cash reserves and are
confident that our clear strategy will continue to deliver strong
and profitable growth.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my
colleagues for their hard work in delivering excellence to our
clients. To our clients I say thank you for the ongoing trust you
place in us to deliver you the performance and service you
seek.
Alan Durrant
Chief Executive Officer
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited
Unaudited Restated Audited
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 15,135 10,509 25,885
Cost of sales (8,289) (5,652) (14,719)
Gross profit 6,846 4,857 11,166
Administrative expenses (5,528) (4,246) (9,410)
Exceptional items 3 (123) (20) -
Operating profit 1,195 591 1,756
Investment income 15 12 19
Finance costs (278) (273) (577)
Profit before taxation 932 330 1,198
Income tax charge 4 (365) (180) (492)
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period attributable to
equity owners of parent 567 150 706
========== ========== ==========
Earnings per share pence pence pence
Basic and fully diluted 6 0.91 0.27 1.19
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 24,437 15,640 15,033
Property, plant and equipment 35 21 24
24,472 15,661 15,057
---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 1,283 833 1,075
Cash and cash equivalents 13,914 19,798 18,959
15,197 20,631 20,034
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets 39,669 36,292 35,091
---------- ---------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 6,383 3,416 5,160
Accruals and deferred income 1,244 1,455 1,284
Current tax liabilities 651 586 474
Dividends payable 1,401 1,251 -
9,679 6,708 6,918
---------- ---------- ----------
Net current assets 5,518 13,923 13,116
---------- ---------- ----------
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables 2,125 2,023 252
Deferred tax liabilities 2,564 1,357 1,161
4,689 3,380 1,413
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities 14,368 10,088 8,331
---------- ---------- ----------
Net assets 25,301 26,204 26,760
========== ========== ==========
Equity
Called up share capital 156 156 156
Share premium account 25,500 25,500 25,500
Retained earnings (355) 548 1,104
Total equity attributable to the owners of the parent 25,301 26,204 26,760
========== ========== ==========
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Attributable to the
owners of the parent
Share
Share premium Retained
capital account earnings Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 1 November 2016 139 15,541 1,649 17,329
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period - - 150 150
-------- -------- --------- --------
Issue of share capital 17 10,414 - 10,431
Dividends - - (1,251) (1,251)
Costs of share issue - (455) - (455)
Total transactions with owners recognised directly in equity 17 9,959 (1,251) 8,725
-------- -------- --------- --------
Balance at 30 April 2017 156 25,500 548 26,204
-------- -------- --------- --------
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period - - 556 556
Balance at 31 October 2017 156 25,500 1,104 26,760
-------- -------- --------- --------
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period - - 567 567
-------- -------- --------- --------
Dividends payable - - (2,026) (2,026)
Total transactions with owners recognised directly in equity - - (2,026) (2,026)
-------- -------- --------- --------
Balance at 30 April 2018 156 25,500 (355) 25,301
-------- -------- --------- --------
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before income tax 932 330 1,198
Non-cash adjustments
Depreciation and amortisation 1,390 1,209 2,563
Net finance costs 263 261 558
Working capital adjustments
(Increase) in trade and other receivables (144) (73) (316)
Increase in trade and other payables 225 449 917
Cash inflow from operating activities 2,666 2,176 4,920
Income tax paid (466) (681) (1,212)
Interest paid - - -
Net cash generated by operations 2,200 1,495 3,708
---------- ---------- ----------
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets (1,622) (608) (1,690)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (13) (3) (12)
Interest received 15 12 19
Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired (5,000) (1,600) (2,317)
Net cash used in investing activities (6,620) (2,199) (4,000)
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares (net of costs) - 9,976 9,976
Dividends paid (625) - (1,251)
Net cash (used in)/generated from (625) 9,976 8,725
---------- ---------- ----------
financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (5,045) 9,272 8,433
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 18,959 10,526 10,526
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 13,914 19,798 18,959
---------- ---------- ----------
Notes to the interim financial information
1. General Information
The interim financial information is unaudited. This condensed
consolidated interim financial information was approved by the
Directors and authorised for issue on 3 July 2018.
Harwood Wealth Management Group plc is a public limited
liability company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales.
The Group's business activities are principally the provision of
financial advice and investment management to the retail market.
The address of the registered office is 5 Lancer House, Hussar
Court, Westside View, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 7SE. The
Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock
Exchange.
2. Basis of preparation and Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation
The Group has not applied IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting,
which is not mandatory for UK AIM listed companies, in the
preparation of this half-yearly report.
This condensed, consolidated interim financial information for
the six months ended 30 April 2018 does not comply, therefore with
all the requirements of IAS 34, "Interim financial reporting" as
adopted by the European Union. The consolidated interim financial
information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial
statements of Harwood Wealth Management Group plc for the year
ended 31 October 2017, which have been prepared in accordance with
IFRS as adopted by the European Union.
This condensed consolidated interim financial information does
not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434
of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31
October 2017 were approved by the Board of directors on 22 January
2018 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the
auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an
emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement
under sections 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Accounting policies
The accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial
information for the six months ended 30 April 2018 are in
accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by
the European Union (EU) and are consistent with those which will be
adopted in the annual statutory financial statements for the year
ended 31 October 2018.
While the financial information included has been prepared in
accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS,
as adopted by the EU, these financial statements do not contain
sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.
Basis of consolidation
These interim consolidated financial statements consolidate the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings
as at 30 April 2018. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the
date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains
control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such
control may cease. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are
prepared for the same reporting period as the parent company, using
consistent accounting policies.
Restatement of comparatives
Revenue from network services, which is a network of Appointed
Representative financial advisers comprises firstly the initial
fees receivable from clients on inception of a new policy or
investment product, and then the recurring service fees (trail
income) that follow. On 1 February 2017, the Group acquired the
entire share capital of Network Direct Limited (NDL). The initial
accounting treatment for network services revenue arising from this
acquisition were recorded in the H1 2017 unaudited interim results
net of any Appointed Representative payments for services in
connection with the initial or recurring fees. The accounting
treatment was amended in the full year audited accounts following a
detailed assessment of the commercial and legal arrangements in
place.
The effect of the adjustment on the comparative figures is as
follows:
Revenue Cost of sales Gross profit
Period ended 30 April 2017 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
As previously reported 7,791 (2,934) 4,857
Adjustment 2,718 (2,718) -
As restated 10,509 (5,652) 4,857
3. Exceptional items
In the period under review, some final deferred consideration
payments in connection with prior period acquisitions were settled.
These payments were contingent on actual recurring revenues
received. At the time of completion, the deferred consideration was
estimated based on the expected future recurring revenue. If the
actual revenue is higher than expected, the final contingent
consideration is also higher than the deferred consideration on the
balance sheet and the difference is written off (or written on if
the actual revenue is lower) to the profit and loss. The net
write-off in the period was GBP123,000 (H1 2017: GBP20,000).
4. Taxation
An analysis of the income tax charge for the period is detailed
below:
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current tax
Total current tax charge 497 356 769
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (132) (109) (210)
Effect of change in tax rate - (67) (67)
Total deferred tax charge (132) (176) (277)
Total tax charge 365 180 492
========== ========== ==========
5. Business combinations
In the period the Group completed the acquisitions of the entire
share capital of Finance For Life Ltd (FFL), Anthony Harding &
Partners Ltd (AH&P), Wealth Planning Services Ltd (WPL), AE
Financial Services Ltd (AEFS) and Fund Management Ltd (FM) for a
total consideration of GBP9.1m. The assets and liabilities acquired
were as follows:
FFL AH&P WPS AEFS FM Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Acquired client portfolio 1,080 1,283 363 5,063 1,234 9,023
Tangible assets - - - 5 - 5
Receivables - - - 63 - 63
Cash & cash equivalents - - - 1,660 36 1,696
Trade and other payables - - - (1) - (1)
Accruals and deferred income - - - (29) - (29)
Current tax - - - (130) (16) (146)
Deferred tax (183) (218) (62) (861) (210) (1,534)
Net assets acquired 897 1,065 301 5,770 1,044 9,077
Goodwill arising - - - - - -
The business combination has been recognised as follows:
Cash on completion 486 591 170 3,897 566 5,710
Contingent cash consideration 411 474 131 1,873 478 3,367
Total consideration 897 1,065 301 5,770 1,044 9,077
Less cash acquired - - - (1,660) (36) (1,696)
Total consideration less cash acquired 897 1,065 301 4,110 1,008 7,381
The initial accounting has not yet been completed in respect of
all acquisitions and therefore the values are provisional.
In addition, four acquired client portfolios have been purchased
in the period for a consideration of GBP1.8m, of which GBP1.0m was
payable in cash on completion and the balance of GBP0.8m on
deferred terms.
6. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are calculated using a weighted average
number of shares of 62,542,927 for the period (H1 2017:
56,049,966). Adjusted EBITDA per share has also been shown, as it
is a common metric used by the market to monitor similar
businesses.
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-18 30-Apr-17 31-Oct-17
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit for the period 567 150 706
Income tax 365 180 492
Net finance expense 263 261 558
Depreciation 7 6 11
Amortisation 1,383 1,203 2,552
Exceptional items 123 20 -
Adjusted EBITDA 2,708 1,820 4,319
Statutory EPS - pence 0.91 0.27 1.19
Basic adjusted EBITDA per share - pence 4.33 3.25 7.28
7. 2017 dividends
On 10 November 2017 the Company paid an interim dividend of 1.00
pence per ordinary share totalling GBP0.6m.
At the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 18 April 2018,
the Shareholders approved a final dividend of 2.24 pence per
ordinary share totalling GBP1.4m payable on the 11 May 2018. This
is included as a current liability in the consolidated statement of
financial position for the six months period ended 30 April
2018.
All Ordinary Shares carry equal dividend rights.
As a holding company, the ability of the Group to pay dividends
will principally depend upon dividends paid to it by its operating
subsidiaries.
[1] Adjusted EBITDA, being earnings before interest, taxation,
depreciation, amortisation and exceptional costs, is a non IFRS
measure which the Group uses to assess its performance.
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 LLFVADSIFIIT
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