TIDMWCW
RNS Number : 1574S
Walker Crips Group plc
16 November 2011
Walker Crips Group plc
Results for the six months ended 30 September 2011
Walker Crips Group plc ("Walker Crips", the "Company" or the
"Group"), the financial services firm with activities covering
stockbroking, portfolio and fund management, corporate finance and
personal financial services, today announces results for the six
months ended 30 September 2011 (the "Period").
Highlights
-- Revenue up 7% to GBP10.65m (2010: GBP9.97m)
-- Gross Profit up 2.5% to GBP7.40m (2010: GBP7.22m)
-- Pre-tax profit down 8.1% to GBP0.83m (2010: GBP0.90m)
-- Basic EPS down 5.2% to 1.65p (2010: 1.74p)
-- Interim dividend maintained at 0.94p per share (2010: 0.94p),
reflecting confidence in the Company's longer term prospects
-- Non-broking income as a proportion of total income increased to 61% (2010: 55%)
Outlook
Commenting, David Gelber, Chairman of Walker Crips, said:
'Whilst current depressed market conditions remain similar to those
experienced towards the end of the Period, with investor and market
uncertainty undermining overall confidence, the Board is confident
that the Group is well positioned to benefit from any longer term
improvement in market activity'.
Subsequent Events
The Board notes that Walker Crips had some exposure to MF Global
UK Limited when that company entered the Special Administration
Regime on 31 October 2011 and that such exposures remain unsettled.
However, based on information received to date, the Board expects
that this situation will be resolved without a material impact on
the financial or trading position of the Company.
For further information, please contact:
Walker Crips Group plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 8000
Rodney FitzGerald, Chief Executive
Stephen Bailey, Investment
Director
Altium Tel: +44 (0) 20 7484 4040
Ben Thorne
Tim Richardson
Further information on Walker Crips Group is available on the
Company's
website: www.wcgplc.co.uk
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to report a resilient and satisfactory performance
by the Group in the first half, with revenue improving 7% over the
Period to GBP10.65m (2010: GBP9.97m). This achievement should be
judged against a background of lower transaction volumes in weaker
equity markets, especially towards the end of the Period.
Commissions payable in the Period increased by 18% to GBP3.25m
(2010: GBP2.75m), due to an increase in the proportion of Group
revenues with commission sharing arrangements. Overall, gross
profit improved over the Period to GBP7.40m (2010: GBP7.22m).
Cost increases (including significantly increased property
expenses), the increased commissions payable referred to above and
the continuing negative impact of the low interest rate environment
on investment income, have all combined to reduce profit before tax
in the Period by 8% to GBP0.83m (2010: GBP0.90m).
Non-broking income as a proportion of total income continued to
improve to 61% (2010: 55%) in line with the Board's continued
desire to diversify revenue streams and be less reliant on volatile
commission revenues (see note 5).
Operations
WCAM, our in-house fund management division, continued to make
good progress over the Period, reporting increased revenues (up
11.7% to GBP2.06m) and profits (up 17% to GBP1.13m). Since the last
year end, the unit trust and other UK based mandated funds, managed
so successfully by Stephen Bailey and Jan Luthman, declined by just
1.7% to GBP566m at the Period end (31 March 2011: GBP576m; 30
September 2010: GBP516m). These funds have increased since the
Period end and at 14 November 2011 stood at GBP592m. However, the
Group's total funds under management declined by 11.3% to GBP698m
at the Period end (31 March 2011: GBP787m; 30 September 2010:
GBP750m) after the wind down of two non-core open-ended offshore
funds managed by a separate division of WCAM.
The investment management / stockbroking division saw a 7%
improvement in gross revenues during the Period to GBP7.4m (2010:
GBP7.0m). This was a robust top line performance although the
increase in shared revenue and higher administration expenses
resulted in decreased profitability for the division.
The award-winning Walker Crips Structured Investments team
continued to build upon its growing reputation in the intermediary
market place with the launch during the Period of several new
products which more easily enable experienced investors to take
medium-term positions to meet their investment strategies.
The corporate finance division suffered once again in extremely
difficult markets, with an increased loss in the Period of
GBP62,000 (2010: GBP20,000 loss) as investor confidence in the
microcap arena remained fragile. Further overhead reductions have
been implemented to better align costs and revenues in this
division during the second half of the year.
At our York-based financial services division, revenues
increased 7% to GBP1.05m (2010: GBP0.98m) which, with sound cost
control, fed directly through to the bottom line which increased
75% to GBP152,000 (2010: GBP87,000).
Expenses / Liquidity
Administrative expenses during the Period increased by 4% to
GBP6.6m (2010: GBP6.4m). This is in line with inflation and
incorporates significantly increased property costs for the Group's
head office following the expiry of the original lease incentive
arrangements. Steps have been taken to reduce operating costs in
the second half year to offset the market uncertainty and the
general decline in stockbroking revenues.
Cash balances had reduced to GBP3.4m by the Period end (31 March
2011: GBP4.3m) due to working capital movements and day to day
variations in client settlement requirements. Liquid assets, in the
form of net current assets, at the Period end of GBP7.2m remained
slightly above the year end position (31 March 2011: GBP7.1m).
Dividend
I am pleased to announce that the interim dividend is to be
maintained at 0.94p per share (2010: 0.94p per share). The Board
continues to believe in rewarding shareholders with a steady income
stream whilst funding internal growth through retained earnings.
The dividend will be paid on 9 December 2011 to those shareholders
on the register at the close of business on 25 November 2011.
Directors, Account Executives and Staff
On behalf of the Board, I would like to once again thank my
fellow directors, all account executives and members of staff for
their continued loyalty and flexibility in the face of the
uncertain market conditions experienced during the Period.
Outlook
Whilst current depressed market conditions remain similar to
those experienced towards the end of the Period, with investor and
market uncertainty undermining overall confidence, the Board is
confident that the Group is well positioned to benefit from any
longer term improvement in market activity.
Subsequent Events
The Board notes that Walker Crips had some exposure to MF Global
UK Limited when that company entered the Special Administration
Regime on 31 October 2011 and that such exposures remain unsettled.
However, based on information received to date, the Board expects
that this situation will be resolved without a material impact on
the financial or trading position of the Company.
D. M. Gelber
Chairman
16 November 2011
Walker Crips Group plc
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
For the six months ended 30 September 2011
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Notes Six months Six months Year to
to to
30 September 30 September 31 March 2011
2011 2010
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Continuing operations
Revenue 2 10,652 9,968 20,122
Commission payable (3,248) (2,746) (5,132)
------------- ------------- --------------
Gross profit 7,404 7,222 14,990
Share of after tax profit of
joint venture 1 2 11
Administrative expenses (6,612) (6,359) (13,295)
Operating profit 793 865 1,706
Investment revenues 32 34 50
Finance costs - (1) (1)
Profit before tax 825 898 1,755
------------- ------------- --------------
Taxation (227) (265) (539)
Profit for the period attributable
to equity holders of the company 598 633 1,216
------------- ------------- --------------
Earnings per share 3
Basic 1.65p 1.74p 3.35p
Diluted 1.61p 1.70p 3.27p
Walker Crips Group plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the six months ended 30 September 2011
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Year to
to to
30 September 30 September 31 March 2011
2011 2010
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit for the period 598 633 1,216
Other comprehensive income:
Loss on revaluation of available-for-sale
investments taken to equity (4) (32) (137)
Deferred tax on loss on available-for-sale
investments 1 9 61
Deferred tax on share options (2) (2) (4)
Total comprehensive income for the period
attributable to equity holders of the
company 593 608 1,136
------------- ------------- --------------
Walker Crips Group plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2011
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 September 30 September 31 March
2011 2010 2011
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Non current Assets
Goodwill 5,121 5,121 5,121
Other intangible assets 403 519 461
Property, plant and equipment 686 802 767
Investment in joint ventures 25 25 34
Available for sale investments 1,179 1,288 1,183
------------------------ ------------- ---------
7,414 7,755 7,566
Current Assets
Trade and other receivables 24,570 42,817 35,847
Trading Investments 657 314 720
Deferred tax asset 145 - 26
Cash and cash equivalents 3,378 3,160 4,281
------------------------ ------------- ---------
28,750 46,291 40,874
Total assets 36,164 54,046 48,440
------------------------ ------------- ---------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (20,920) (38,970) (33,207)
Current tax liabilities (639) (583) (568)
Deferred tax liability - (15) -
------------------------ ------------- ---------
(21,559) (39,568) (33,775)
Net current assets 7,191 6,723 7,099
------------------------ ------------- ---------
Net assets 14,605 14,478 14,665
======================== ============= =========
Equity
Share capital 2,470 2,470 2,470
Share premium account 1,626 1,626 1,626
Own shares (312) (312) (312)
Revaluation reserve 817 873 820
Other reserves 4,672 4,676 4,674
Retained earnings 5,332 5,145 5,387
Equity attributable to equity holders
of the company 14,605 14,478 14,665
======================== ============= =========
Walker Crips Group plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the six months ended 30 September 2011
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Year to
to to
30 September 30 September 31 March 2011
2011 2010
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating activities
Cash (used in) / generated from
operations (21) (1,471) 777
Interest received 15 18 33
Interest paid - (1) (1)
Tax paid (269) (253) (539)
Net cash (used in) / generated from
operating activities (275) (1,707) 270
------------- ------------- -------------------------
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (65) (109) (218)
Sale / (Purchase) of investments
held for trading 63 137 (269)
Dividends received 27 17 17
Net cash generated from / (used
in) investing activities 25 45 (470)
------------- ------------- -------------------------
Financing activities
Purchase of Treasury shares - (139) (139)
Dividends paid (653) (622) (963)
Net cash used in financing activities (653) (761) (1,102)
------------- ------------- -------------------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (903) (2,423) (1,302)
Net cash and cash equivalents at
the start of the period 4,281 5,583 5,583
Net Cash and cash equivalents at
the end of the period 3,378 3,160 4,281
Cash and cash equivalents 3,378 3,160 4,281
3,378 3,160 4,281
------------- ------------- -------------------------
Walker Crips Group plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity
For the six months ended 30 September 2011
Called Share Own shares Capital Other Revaluation Retained Total Equity
up share premium held Redemption earnings
capital
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Equity as at 31 March
2010 2,470 1,626 (173) 111 4,567 896 5,134 14,631
Revaluation of investment
at fair value (32) (32)
Deferred tax credit to
equity 9 9
Movement on deferred tax
on share options (2) (2)
Profit for the 6 months
ended 30 September 2010 633 633
--------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------- ----------- --------- ------------
Total recognised income
and expense for the
period (2) (23) 633 608
March 2010 final dividend (622) (622)
Purchase of Treasury
shares (139) (139)
Equity as at 30 September
2010 2,470 1,626 (312) 111 4,565 873 5,145 14,478
Revaluation of
investment
at fair value (105) (105)
Deferred tax credit to
equity 52 52
Movement on deferred tax
on share options (2) (2)
Profit for the 6 months
ended 31 March 2011 583 583
--------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------- ----------- --------- ------------
Total recognised income
and expense for the
period (2) (53) 583 528
September 2010 interim
dividend (341) (341)
Equity as at 31 March
2011 2,470 1,626 (312) 111 4,563 820 5,387 14,665
Revaluation of investment
at fair value (4) (4)
Deferred tax credit to
equity 1 1
Movement on deferred tax
on share options (2) (2)
Profit for the 6 months
ended 30 September 2011 598 598
--------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------- ----------- --------- ------------
Total recognised income
and expense for the
period (2) (3) 598 593
March 2011 final dividend (653) (653)
Equity as at 30 September
2011 2,470 1,626 (312) 111 4,561 817 5,332 14,605
Walker Crips Group plc
Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
For the six months ended 30 September 2011
1. Basis of preparation and accounting policies
The Group's consolidated financial statements are prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as
adopted by the EU (IFRS). These condensed financial statements are
presented in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial
Reporting.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on the basis of the accounting policies and methods of
computation set out in the Group's consolidated financial
statements for the year ended 31 March 2011.
The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the Group's audited financial statements for
the year ended 31 March 2011.The interim financial information is
unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.The Group's financial
statements for the year ended 31 March 2011 have been reported on
by the auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The
report of the auditors was unqualified and did not draw attention
to any matters by way of emphasis. They also did not contain a
statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act
2006.
Going Concern
As the net asset base remains healthy, the directors are
satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in
operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12
months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they also
conclude in accordance with guidance from the Financial Reporting
Council, that the use of the going concern basis for the
preparation of the financial statements continues to be
appropriate.
Interests in joint ventures
The Group's share of the assets, liabilities, income and
expenses of jointly controlled entities are accounted for in the
consolidated financial statements under the equity method.
Income from the sale or use of the Group's share of the output
of jointly controlled assets, and its share of the joint venture
expenses, are recognised when it is probable that the economic
benefits associated with the transactions will flow to / from the
Group and their amount can be measured accurately.
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the
cost of acquisition over the Group's interest in the fair value of
the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary or jointly
controlled entity at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially
recognised as an asset at cost and reviewed for impairment at least
annually. Any impairment is recognised immediately in profit or
loss and is not subsequently reversed in future periods.
Intangible assets
At each period end date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts
of its intangible assets to determine whether there is any
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If
any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is
estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss
(if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are
independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable
amount of the cash-generating unit to which the assets belong.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in
the computation of taxable profits, and is accounted for using the
balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are
generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and
deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that is probable
that taxable profits will be available against which deductible
temporary differences can be utilised.
Principal risks and uncertainties
Under the Financial Services Authority's Disclosure and
Transparency Rules, the Directors are required to identify those
material risks to which the company is exposed and take appropriate
steps to mitigate those risks. The principal risks and
uncertainties faced by the Group are discussed in detail in the
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2011.Since the year end,
as described in the Chairman's letter, the events at MF Global have
heightened the uncertainties faced by the Group.
Related party transactions
No transactions took place in the period that would materially
or significantly affect the financial position or performance of
the group.
2. Segmental analysis
Investment Corporate Financial Fund Total
Management Finance Services Management
Revenue (GBP'000)
6m to 30 September
2011 7,409 136 1,050 2,057 10,652
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
6m to 30 September
2010 (restated)* 6,956 186 984 1,842 9,968
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Year to 31 March 2011 13,959 308 2,021 3,834 20,122
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Unallocated Operating
Result (GBP'000) Costs Profit
6m to 30 September
2011 7 (62) 152 1,127 (431) 793
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------
6m to 30 September
2010 (restated)* 220 (20) 87 962 (384) 865
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------
Year to 31 March 2011 606 (64) 197 2,148 (1,181) 1,706
------------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------
* Prior period revenue has been re-classified between operating
divisions as determined by clients' principal activity whereas
previously these income streams were split across several
segments.
3. Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share for continuing
operations is based on the post-tax profit for the period of
GBP598,000 (2010 - GBP633,000) and on 36,301,187 (2010 -
36,301,187) ordinary shares of 6 2/3p, being the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
The effect of options would be to reduce the reported earnings
per share. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based
on 37,114,062 (2010 - 37,151,959) ordinary shares, being the
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the
period adjusted for dilutive potential ordinary shares.
4. Dividends
The interim dividend of 0.94p per share (2010: 0.94p) is payable
on 9 December 2011 to shareholders on the register at the close of
business on 25 November 2011. The interim dividend has not been
included as a liability in this interim report.
5. Total Income (GBP'000)
Six months Ended Six months Ended Year Ended
30 September 30 September 31 March 2011
2011 2010
Revenue 10,652 9,968 20,122
Investment revenues 32 34 50
----------------- ----------------- ---------------
10,684 10,002 20,172
----------------- ----------------- ---------------
The Group's income can also be categorised as follows for the
purpose of measuring a Key Performance Indicator, non-broking
income to total income.
Six months % Six months % Year Ended %
Income (GBP'000) Ended Ended 31 March
30 September 30 September 2011
2011 2010
Broking 4,123 39 4,539 45 9,620 48
Non-Broking 6,561 61 5,463 55 10,552 52
-------------- ---- -------------- ---- ----------- ----
10,684 100 10,002 100 20,172 100
-------------- ---- -------------- ---- ----------- ----
Directors' Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
(a) The condensed set of financial statements contained within
the half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance
with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU;
(b) The half yearly report from the Chairman (constituting the
interim management report) includes a fair review of the
information required by DTR 4.2.7R; and
(c) The half yearly report from the Chairman includes a fair
review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R as far as
applicable.
On Behalf of the Board
Rodney FitzGerald
Chief Executive Officer
16 November 2011
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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