REG - AssetCo PLC - Half-year Report - six months ended 31 March 2017 <Origin Href="QuoteRef">ASTO.L</Origin>
RNS Number : 8733HAssetCo PLC13 June 2017The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Providers of management and resources to the fire and emergency services in the Middle East
Date: Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Immediate Release
AssetCo plc
("AssetCo" or the "Company")
2017 Half-year Report
for the six months ended 31 March 2017
Introduction
We are pleased to report the results for the six-month period ended 31 March 2017.
Results
The Income Statement for the six months shows an Operating Profit of 1.7m (2016; 2.1m) on Revenue of 13.3m (2016; 11.0m) and a Profit before and after Taxation of 1.7m (2016; 1.9m). Revenue increased principally due to the weakness of sterling versus the United Arab Emirates Dirham in which currency our Revenue is received, however profits reduced because of an increase in the costs of litigation against Grant Thornton.
Free cash (i.e. excluding cash balances held in respect of performance bonds) increased by 5.2m during the period to 20.7m (30 September 2016; 15.5m), partly due to 3.2m cash released in respect of a performance bond. In addition to free cash, there are restricted cash balances held in respect of performance bonds amounting to 0.3m (30 September 2016; 3.3m).
UAE Contract
Our business is based on the provision of an outsourced fire service to the Abu Dhabi government, a contract we have held for the past seven years and which was expected to be extended for a year until November 2017. We have continued to supply these services satisfactorily on the same basis and on similar terms. AssetCo has now received a contract for the first five months from 17 November 2016 to 17 April 2017, which facilitates payment for that period; it is also proposed that the contract then rolls forward on similar terms and payment on the same basis.
Claim against Grant Thornton
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) concluded their investigations relating to the financial years ended 2009 and 2010 which are the focus of our claim for negligence against AssetCo plc's former auditors, Grant Thornton.
A press release from the FRC reported that Grant Thornton have admitted that their failings arose because of significant and widespread lack of professional competence and due care in the performance of their audits. Grant Thornton were fined 3.5m and received a severe reprimand, and the audit partner Mr Robert Napper was fined 200,000 and excluded from membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for three years. The full report by the FRC entitled Facts and Acts of Misconduct: Grant Thornton UK LLP and Mr Napper, is available on the FRC website www.frc.org.uk.
In the meantime, we are continuing our litigation against Grant Thornton where as previously reported we have issued formal Court proceedings, for a sum which with costs and interest is in the region of 40 million, although currently this case is not due to be heard until the summer of 2018.
Outlook
Trading continues to be in line with management's expectations; the Board will keep shareholders updated on any developments within our Abu Dhabi business and that of the Grant Thornton claim.
Tudor Davies, Chairman
AssetCo plc
13 June 2017
AssetCo plc
Income Statement
for the six months ended 31 March 2017
Six months ended
Year ended
Note
31 March
2017
31 March
2016
30 September
2016
'000
'000
'000
Revenue
13,274
11,003
23,300
Cost of sales
(9,333)
(7,922)
(16,550)
Gross profit
3,941
3,081
6,750
Administrative expenses
(2,192)
(968)
(1,874)
Operating profit
1,749
2,113
4,876
Finance income
4
7
21
Finance costs
(68)
(178)
(294)
Profit before taxation
1,685
1,942
4,603
Income tax expense
-
-
-
Profit for the period
1,685
1,942
4,603
Earnings per share (EPS):
3
Basic - pence
13.80
15.90
37.70
Diluted - pence
13.80
15.90
37.70
AssetCo plc
Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 31 March 2017
Six months ended
Year ended
31 March
2017
31 March
2016
30 September
2016
'000
'000
'000
Recognised profit for the period
1,685
1,942
4,603
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
658
839
1,858
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
658
839
1,858
Total comprehensive income for the period
2,343
2,781
6,461
AssetCo plc
Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 March 2017
At 31 March
At 30 September
2017
2016
2016
Notes
'000
'000
'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
-
-
-
Cash held in respect of a bond
4
251
2,956
240
Total non-current assets
251
2,956
240
Current assets
Inventories
-
90
-
Trade and other receivables
5
12,187
7,282
12,498
Cash and cash equivalents
4
20,708
15,494
15,470
Cash held in respect of a bond
4
13
12
3,040
Total current assets
32,908
22,878
31,008
Total assets
33,159
25,834
31,248
Shareholders' equity
Share capital
25,474
25,474
25,474
Share premium
64,941
64,941
64,941
Profit and loss account
(62,016)
(68,039)
(64,359)
Total equity
28,399
22,376
26,056
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
6
4,760
3,458
5,192
Total current liabilities
4,760
3,458
5,192
Total liabilities
4,760
3,458
5,192
Total equity and liabilities
33,159
25,834
31,248
AssetCo plc
Statement of Changes in Equity
for the six months ended 31 March 2017
Share
Capital
Share premium
Profit and loss reserve
Total
equity
'000
'000
'000
'000
Balance at 30 September 2015
25,474
64,941
(70,820)
19,595
Profit for the period
-
-
1,942
1,942
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation
-
-
839
839
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
2,781
2,781
Balance at 31 March 2016
25,474
64,941
(68,039)
22,376
Profit for the period
-
-
2,661
2,661
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation
-
-
1,019
1,019
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
3,680
3,680
Balance at 30 September 2016
25,474
64,941
(64,359)
26,056
Profit for the period
-
-
1,685
1,685
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation
-
-
658
658
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
2,343
2,343
Balance as at 31 March 2017
25,474
64,941
(62,016)
28,399
AssetCo plc
Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended 31 March 2017
Six months ended
Year ended
31 March
2017
31 March
2016
30 September
2016
Note
'000
'000
'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
7
1,811
2,410
2,151
Cash released in respect of a performance bond
3,232
-
-
Finance costs
(68)
(178)
(294)
Net cash generated from operating activities
4,975
2,232
1,857
Cash flows from investing activities
Finance income
4
7
21
Net cash generated from investing activities
4
7
21
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
4,979
2,239
1,878
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
15,470
12,836
12,836
Exchange differences on translation
259
419
756
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
20,708
15,494
15,470
AssetCo plc
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the six months ended 31 March 2017
1.
Legal status and activities
AssetCo plc (the "Company") is principally involved in the provision of management and resources to the fire and rescue emergency services in international markets. It currently trades through a branch in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its strategy is to develop this business. As at period end, the Company has no subsidiaries.
AssetCo plc is a public limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The address of its registered office is Singleton Court Business Park, Wonastow Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire NP25 5JA. The Company operates from one site in UAE.
AssetCo plc shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange
2.
Basis of preparation
The financial information in the Half-year Report has been prepared using the recognition and measurement principles of International Accounting Standards, International Financial Reporting Standards and Interpretations adopted for use in the European Union (collectively Adopted IFRSs). The principal accounting policies used in preparing the Half-year Report are those the Company expects to apply in its financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2017 and are unchanged from those disclosed in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2016.
The financial information for the six months ended 31 March 2017 and the six months ended 31 March 2016 is unaudited and does not constitute the Company's statutory financial statements for those periods. The comparative financial information for the full year ended 30 September 2016 has, however, been derived from the audited statutory financial statements for that period. A copy of those statutory financial statements has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
While the financial figures included in this Half-year Report have been computed in accordance with IFRSs applicable to interim periods, this Half-year Report does not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report as that term is defined in IAS 34.
The financial statements have been presented in sterling to the nearest thousand pounds ('000) except where otherwise indicated.
3.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
Six months ended
Year ended
31 March
2017
31 March
2016
30 September
2016
'000
'000
'000
Profit for the year
1,685
1,942
4,603
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
12,211,163
12,211,163
12,211,163
Basic earnings per share (EPS) - pence
13.80
15.90
37.70
There are no dilutive potential ordinary shares and, therefore, the calculation of diluted earnings per share is the same as for basic earnings per share.
4.
Cash and cash equivalents
31 March
30 September
2017
2016
2016
'000
'000
'000
Cash at bank and in hand
20,708
15,494
15,470
Cash and cash equivalents
20,708
15,494
15,470
UK sterling
8,343
4,839
9,840
UAE Dirhams
12,365
10,655
5,630
20,708
15,494
15,470
In addition to the above UAE Dirhams amounting to 264,000 (31 March 2016: 2,968,000 and 30 September 2016: 3,280,000) were held on deposit as security in respect of outstanding performance bonds - see note 8 Contingent liabilities.
5.
Trade and other receivables
31 March
2017
31 March
2016
30 September
2016
'000
'000
'000
Trade receivables
10,906
5,782
11,106
Other receivables
221
196
258
Prepayments and accrued income
1,060
1,304
1,134
12,187
7,282
12,498
6.
Trade and other payables
31 March
2017
31 March
2016
30 September
2016
'000
'000
'000
Trade payables
1,077
312
580
Other payables
1,196
884
2,126
Other taxation and social security
3
3
3
Accruals and deferred income
2,484
2,259
2,483
4,760
3,458
5,192
7.
Reconciliation of profit before taxation to net cash generated from operations
Six months ended
Year ended
31 March
30 September
2017
2016
2016
'000
'000
'000
Profit for the period before taxation
1,685
1,942
4,603
Depreciation and impairment
-
-
-
Finance costs
68
178
294
Finance income
(4)
(7)
(21)
(Increase) / decrease in inventories
-
(85)
-
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
855
(283)
(4,766)
(Decrease) / increase in creditors
(793)
665
2,041
Cash generated from operations
1,811
2,410
2,151
8.
Contingent liabilities
Approximate maximum potential liability
31 March
30 September
2017
2016
2016
Performance bond of AED14,461,000 related to a UAE based contract, released in full during the period.
-
2,739
3,000
Performance bond of AED11,459,000 related to a UAE based contract, expected to reduce to AED5,730,000 in 2017 and to be released in full in 2020, secured by a cash deposit of AED1,146,000
2,500
2,170
2,400
Performance bond of AED636,000 related to a UAE based contract, expected to be released in full in 2017, secured by a cash deposit of AED64,000
140
120
130
The cash deposits referred to above are the same deposits as those referred to in note 4 Cash and cash equivalents.
9.
Electronic communications
The Company is not proposing to bulk print and distribute hard copies of this Half-year Report for the six months ended 31 March 2017 unless specifically requested by individual shareholders; it can be downloaded from the Company's website at www.assetco.com.
News updates, regulatory news, & financial statements can be viewed and downloaded from the Company's website, www.assetco.com Copies can also be requested, in writing to, The Company Secretary, AssetCo plc, Singleton Court Business Park, Wonastow Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire NP25 5JA.
Enquiries:
AssetCo plc
Tudor Davies, Chairman
Tel: +44 (0) 7785 703523
or +44 (0) 20 7614 5900
Arden Partners plc
Nominated adviser and broker
John Llewellyn-Lloyd/Ciaran Walsh
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7614 5900
TooleyStreet Communications
IR and media relations
Fiona Tooley
Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 703 523
This information is provided by RNSThe company news service from the London Stock ExchangeENDIR FTMPTMBJBBIR
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