REG - Character Group PLC - AGM Statement - Trading Update

CharacterAnnouncement

19/01/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 2260A  Character Group PLC  19 January 2024

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation
(EU) No. 596/2014 4 as it forms part of UK domestic law pursuant to the Market
Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) regulations (SI 2019/310) ("MAR"), and is
disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of
MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information
Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

 

 

 

 

THE CHARACTER GROUP PLC

("Character," the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Designers, developers and international distributor of toys, games, and
giftware

 

Trading Update

 

 

 

London: Friday, 19 January 2024: The Character Group (AIM: CCT) will be
holding its Annual General Meeting today at 11.00am.  Ahead of this, the
Group provides the following trading update:

 

As we highlighted in our annual results announcement on 12 December 2023,
trading conditions across all the Group's markets have remained challenging,
with the cost-of-living crisis impacting consumer spend/demand for the second
successive Christmas.  During the first four months of the current financial
year, whilst Group turnover remained flat and largely in line with the
comparable period in FY23, we have seen an improvement in profitability.

 

Going into 2024, the strength of our product offering will be crucial in
delivering the Group's forecast sales in the second half of the current
financial year.  We are entering the Toy Fair season starting with the London
Toy Fair at Olympia next week, quickly followed by the Nurenberg Toy Fair.
Whilst these are important showcasing events for our product offerings to the
market, previews with domestic and international customers have already taken
place and these have confirmed that the portfolio is strong. Therefore we
anticipate that this view will be fully endorsed by buyers and visitors to our
stand at the forthcoming shows.

 

Overall, Character Group has a strong portfolio of products to offer the
market, a robust balance sheet, with a net cash position and substantial
unutilised working capital facilities in place.  The business continues to
trade satisfactorily, and we expect profitability for the current financial
year ending August 2024 to be in line with current market expectations.

 

A further update to shareholders will be given at the time of the publication
of the interim results for the six months to 29 February 2024, which are
scheduled to be released in May 2024.

 

As previously announced in December 2023, following the AGM, Richard King will
be retiring as Chair and will leave the Board after 33 years of service.
 Character will continue to have the benefit of his wisdom and counsel going
forward as an Honorary Adviser.  The Board takes this opportunity to thank
Richard for his dedication and commitment to the business, and on behalf of
all stakeholders wish him well in his retirement.  Subject to re-election to
office as a director by shareholders at the AGM, Carmel Warren will succeed
Richard as Non-Executive Chair.

 

 

The Character Group plc

FTSE sector:  leisure goods:

FTSE AIM All-share: symbol: CCT

Market cap: £53m

Email:  info@charactergroup.plc.uk (mailto:info@charactergroup.plc.uk)

Group website: www.thecharacter.com (http://www.thecharacter.com)

Product ranges can also be viewed at www.character-online.co.uk
(http://www.character-online.co.uk)

CHARACTER GROUP PLC CCT Stock | London Stock Exchange
(https://www.londonstockexchange.com/stock/CCT/character-group-plc/company-page)

 

 

 Enquiries to:

 The Character Group plc

 Jon Diver, Joint Managing Director

 Kiran Shah, Joint Managing Director & Group Finance Director

 Office:  +44 (0) 208 329 3377

 Mobile: +44 (0) 7831 802219 (JD)

 Mobile: +44 (0) 7956 278522 (KS)

 Panmure Gordon (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)

 Atholl Tweedie, Investment Banking

 Rupert Dearden, Corporate Broking

 Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7886 2500

 Allenby Capital Limited (Joint Broker)

 Nick Athanas, Corporate Finance

 Amrit Nahal / Tony Quirke, Sales & Corporate Broking

 Tel:  +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

 TooleyStreet Communications Limited (Investor and media relations)

 Fiona Tooley

 Tel:  +44 (0) 7785 703523

 Email: fiona@tooleystreet.com (mailto:fiona@tooleystreet.com)

 

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