Picture of Cohort logo

CHRT Cohort News Story

0.000.00%
gb flag iconLast trade - 00:00
TechnologyAdventurousMid CapNeutral

REG - Cohort PLC - Final Results <Origin Href="QuoteRef">CHRT.L</Origin> - Part 2

- Part 2: For the preceding part double click  ID:nRSb4456Ca 

deposits. 
 
During the year, the Group set up facilities in Portugal in order to
facilitate the acquisition of EID.  This was with Novo Bank which has a credit
rating of Caa1.  This was considered acceptable due to the short term that the
funds would be held in Portugal.  In the event, these funds have been held
longer than was expected due to the delay in completing the acquisition. 
 
The Group regularly reviews the ratings of the institutions with which it
holds cash and always considers this when placing a new deposit. 
 
The Group's return on net funds during the period was 0.20% to 0.75% (2015:
0.20% to 1.35%). 
 
In addition to its cash resources, the Group has in issue 41.0m ordinary
shares of 10 pence each. Of these shares 0.7m are owned by the Cohort plc
Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), which waives its rights to dividends. In
addition the Group has issued options over ordinary shares through Key
Employee Share Option and SAYE schemes to the level of 1.8m at 30 April 2016. 
 
The Group maintains a progressive dividend policy with dividends having
increased by approximately 20% per annum over the last six years and dividend
cover in the current year at 4.5 times (2015: 4.4 times) based upon the
adjusted earnings per share. 
 
The Group's cash generation in 2015/16 was better than expected but not as
strong as the previous year.  In summary, the Group's cash performance was as
follows: 
 
                                                                       2016£m  2015£m  
 Adjusted operating profit                                             11.9    10.1    
 Depreciation and other non-cash operating movements                   1.5     0.8     
 Working capital movement                                              (4.4)   9.8     
                                                                       9.0     20.7    
 Acquisition of EID (deposit only)                                     (0.7)   -       
 Acquisition of 50.001% of MCL                                         -       (5.7)   
 Acquisition of 100% of J+S                                            -       (11.7)  
 Disposal of SEA's Space business                                      -       4.0     
 Tax, dividends, capital expenditure, interest, loans and investments  (8.2)   (3.9)   
 Increase in net funds                                                 0.1     3.4     
 
 
As signalled last year, we expected working capital outflows in 2015/16 as
some of the strong, timing driven inflow in 2014/15 unwound in the early part
of the year.   However, the Group's working capital performance has been
stronger than we expected particularly at SEA where some large receipts were
received in the final months of the year in respect of the CECS programme. 
Looking forward into 2016/17 we expect a significant decrease in net funds,
primarily as a result of the investment of around £13m in acquiring EID and
the remaining shares in MCL. 
 
The significantly higher cash outflow in tax, dividends etc. was mainly due to
the investment in Cohort's own shares by the EBT, a net £3.2m outflow (2015:
inflow of £0.7m).  The use of EBT shares to satisfy employee share options
during 2015/16 will probably require further shares to be purchased by the EBT
in the coming year. 
 
The Group's customer base of Governments, major prime contractors and
international agencies make its debtor risk low.  The year end debtor days in
sales were 31 days (2015: 24 days).  This calculation is based upon dividing
the revenue by month, working backwards from April, into the trade debtors
balance (excluding unbilled income and work in progress) at the year end. This
is a more appropriate measure than calculating based upon the annual revenue
as it takes into account the heavy weighting of the Group's revenue in the
last quarter of each year.  The increase in debtor days is a reflection of the
high level of trading in the final quarter across the Group, especially at
MASS, MCL and SEA. 
 
Tax 
 
The Group's tax credit for the year ended 30 April 2016 of £54,000 (2015:
charge of £707,000) was at an effective credit rate of 1.0% (2015: charge rate
of 11.9%) of profit before tax. This includes a current year corporation tax
charge of £1,935,000 (2015: £1,485,000), a prior year corporation tax credit
of £368,000 (2015: credit of £204,000) and a deferred tax credit of £1,621,000
(2015: £574,000). 
 
Including the current year deferred tax, the effective current tax rate for
the year ended 30 April 2016 is 5.9% (2015: 16.3%).  The current tax rate
(including deferred tax) on profit before tax is lower than the standard rate
(calculated at 20.0%; 2015: 20.83%), primarily due to recognition of Research
& Development (R&D) credits, a reduction in the future UK corporation tax rate
which has increased the deferred tax credit (£0.3m), and recognition of a
statutory deduction on the exercise of share options by employees (£0.3m). 
The Group has switched its Research and Development (R&D) tax credit scheme
from the old superdeduction method to the now required R&D Expenditure Credit
(RDEC), the impact of this change being a lower tax charge of £0.2m.  The
Group will continue to recognise its R&D tax credit in the tax line, in
accordance with IAS 12. 
 
The Group's overall tax rate was below the standard corporation tax rate of
20.0% (2015: 20.83%).  The reduction is due to the reasons given above for the
current year's rate and in addition, a prior year tax credit in respect of the
recognition of tax allowable expenditure incurred in 2014/15 on the
acquisition and integration of J+S into SEA which was previously not
recognised.  Looking forward, the Group's effective current tax rate for both
2016/17 and 2017/18 is estimated at 16% and 15% respectively, taking account
of the reduction in headline tax rates and assuming the R&D tax credit regime
remains unchanged from its current level and scope.  The Group maintains a
cautious approach to previous R&D tax credit claims for tax periods that are
still open, currently 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16. 
 
Exceptional items 
 
The exceptional costs in the year were all in respect of the acquisition of
EID. These costs include £0.5m in respect of the Group's new bank facilities. 
The costs include an estimate of costs to complete the acquisition up to the
intended level of 80% although further costs in respect of this acquisition
may need to be recognised in 2016/17. 
 
Adjusted earnings per share 
 
The adjusted earnings per share of 27.18 pence (2015: 20.45 pence) is reported
in addition to the basic earnings per share and excludes the effect of
amortisation of intangible assets, exchange movement on marking forward
exchange contracts to market, revaluing the cash set aside to acquire EID and
exceptional items, all net of tax. 
 
The adjustments to the basic earnings per share in respect of the exchange
movements and other intangible asset amortisation of MCL only reflect that
proportion of the adjustment that is applicable to the equity holders of the
parent, analysed as follows: 
 
                                                                      Adjustment to adjusted operating profit  £000  Applicable Taxadjustment   £000  Adjustment to adjusted earnings per share (net of tax)£000          
 Exceptional items                                                    821                                            -                                821                                                                 
 Exchange gain on revaluing the cash held for the acquisition of EID  (537)                                          108                              (429)                                                               
 Exchange adjustment in marking forward contracts to market           (7)                                            1                                (6)                                                                 
 Amortisation of other intangible assets:                                                                                                                                                                                 
 J+S                                                                  1,187                                          (302)                            885                                                                 
 MCL                                                                  2,596                                          (602)                            1,994                                                       note 1  
                                                                      4,060                                          (795)                            3,265                                                               
 
 
Note 1: This adjustment is at 50% of the adjustment to adjusted operating
profit, reflecting the share appropriate to the equity holdings of the
parent. 
 
As reported in the Chairman's statement, the adjusted earnings per share
includes some one-off tax credits of £0.9m which when taken into account
reduces the adjusted earnings per share by 2.20 pence to 24.98 pence, 22%
higher than last year. 
 
Financial estimates and judgements 
 
In preparing the Annual Report and Accounts of Cohort plc for 2016, a number
of financial estimates and judgements have been made including: 
 
Revenue recognition on fixed-price contracts 
 
The judgement applied in recognising revenue on a fixed-price contract is made
by reference to the cost incurred, including contingency for risk and the
demonstrable progress made on delivering key stages (often referred to as
milestones) of the contract. The Group uses best estimates in applying this
judgement and where uncertainty of progress on a stage exists, revenue is not
recognised for that stage. 
 
Cost contingency on fixed-price contracts 
 
In addition to the judgement applied to revenue recognition, the cost of
delivering a contract to a particular stage represents the actual costs
incurred and committed plus an estimate of cost contingency for risk still
present in the contract at that stage. This cost contingency takes account of
the stage that the contract has reached and any judgement and uncertainty
remaining to deliver the remainder of the contract. It is usual for these cost
contingencies to reduce as the contract progresses and risk and uncertainty
reduces. 
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets 
 
The Group has recognised goodwill and other intangible assets in respect of
the acquisition of MASS (including Abacus EW), MCL and SEA (including J+S).
The other intangible assets are in respect of contracts acquired, intellectual
property rights and specific opportunities and in each case are amortised over
the expected life of the earnings associated with the other intangible asset
acquired. The goodwill, which is not subject to amortisation but to annual
impairment testing, arises from the intangible elements of the acquired
businesses for which either the value or life is not readily derived. This
includes, but is not limited to, reputation, contacts and market synergies
with existing Group members. The goodwill relating to the acquisitions of MASS
(including Abacus EW), MCL and SEA (including J+S) has been tested for
impairment as at 30 April 2016. In all three cases there was no impairment. 
 
The Group performs significant research and development work for third parties
for which tax credits are claimed.  As this is performed for third parties no
intangible asset is recognised.  Where the Group performs its own research and
development an intangible asset is only recognised where it meets the criteria
of IAS38 'Intangible Assets'. 
 
Provisions 
 
The Group makes estimates of provisions for existing commitments arising from
past events. In estimating these provisions, the Group makes judgements as to
the quantity and likelihood of the liability arising. Certain provisions
require more judgement than others.  In particular warranty provisions and
contract loss provisions have to take account of future outcomes arising from
past deliveries of products and services. In estimating these provisions, the
Group makes use of management experience, precedents and specific contract and
customer issues. 
 
Accounting policies 
 
There were no significant changes in accounting policies applying to the Group
for the year ended 30 April 2016. 
 
Additional financial reporting disclosure 
 
As in the past, the Group makes reference to additional financial reporting
over and above that required by IFRS, specifically: 
 
Adjusted operating profit 
 
The adjusted operating profit is presented to reflect the trading profit of
the Group and excludes amortisation of other intangible assets, exchange
differences on marking forward exchange contracts to market and on revaluing
cash set aside for acquiring EID and exceptional items. This enables the Group
to present its trading performance in a consistent manner year on year. The
adjusted operating profit is stated after charging the cost of share-based
payments of £197,000 (2015: £198,000) which is allocated to each business in
proportion to its employee participation in the Group's share option schemes.
The segmental analysis (see note 2) is disclosed for each business after
deducting the cost of share-based payments. 
 
The exchange adjustment on marking forward exchange contracts to market at the
year end is a requirement of IFRS and has no economic impact upon the Group's
performance or assets and liabilities. 
 
Andy Thomis                                                  Simon Walther 
 
Chief Executive Officer                                Finance Director 
 
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
 
For the year ended 30 April 2016 
 
                                                                                                                    Notes  Year ended30 April 2016£000  Year ended 30 April 2015£000  
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Revenue                                                                                                            2      112,577                      99,938                        
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Cost of sales                                                                                                             (79,061)                     (69,988)                      
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Gross profit                                                                                                              33,516                       29,950                        
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Administrative expenses                                                                                                   (28,270)                     (24,085)                      
 Operating profit                                                                                                   2      5,246                        5,865                         
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Comprising:                                                                                                                                                                          
 Adjusted operating profit                                                                                          2      11,902                       10,085                        
 Amortisation of other intangible assets (included in administrative expenses)                                             (6,379)                      (3,602)                       
 Credit/(charge) on marking forward exchange contracts to market value at the year end (included in cost of sales)         7                            (38)                          
 Exchange gain on revaluing cash held for acquisition consideration of EID (included in administrative expenses)           537                          -                             
 Exceptional items:                                                                                                                                                                   
 Costs of acquisition of EID (included in administration expenses)                                                         (821)                        -                             
 Costs of acquisition of MCL (included in administrative expenses)                                                         -                            (197)                         
 Costs of acquisition of J+S (included in administrative expenses)                                                         -                            (427)                         
 Profit on disposal of SEA's Space business (included in administrative expenses)                                          -                            44                            
 Operating profit                                                                                                   2      5,246                        5,865                         
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Finance income                                                                                                            68                           87                            
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Finance costs                                                                                                             (4)                          (5)                           
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Profit before tax                                                                                                         5,310                        5,947                         
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Income tax credit/(charge)                                                                                         3      54                           (707)                         
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Profit for the year                                                                                                5,364  5,240                        
 
 
Attributable to: 
 
 Equity holders of the parent         7,775    5,628  
                                                      
 Non-controlling interests            (2,411)  (388)  
                                                      
                               5,364  5,240    
 
 
All profit for the year is derived from continuing operations.  The
comprehensive income for each year attributable to equity shareholders of the
parent and non-controlling interests is the same as the profit for the year
distributable to the equity shareholders of the parent and non-controlling
interests. 
 
                                                                  Year ended30 April 2016Pence  Year ended 30 April 2015Pence  
 Earnings per share                                            4                                                               
 Basic                                                            19.14                         14.04                          
 Diluted                                                          18.78                         13.74                          
                                                                                                                               
 Adjusted earnings per share                                   4                                                               
 Basic                                                            27.18                         20.45                          
 Diluted                                                          26.67                         20.00                          
                                                                                                                               
 Dividends per share paid and proposed in respect of the year  5                                                               
 Interim                                                          1.90                          1.60                           
 Final                                                            4.10                          3.40                           
                                                                  6.00                          5.00                           
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
 
As at 30 April 2016 
 
                                                                      Notes    At30 April 2016£000  At30 April 2015 £000  
 ASSETS                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                          
 Non-current assets                                                                                                       
 Goodwill                                                                      36,961               36,961                
 Other intangible assets                                                       12,492               18,871                
 Property, plant and equipment                                                 10,227               10,338                
 Deferred tax asset                                                            818                  104                   
                                                                                                                          
                                                                               60,498               66,274                
                                                                                                                          
 Current assets                                                                                                           
 Inventories                                                                   2,036                1,078                 
 Trade and other receivables                                                   28,000               19,415                
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                     23,109               19,701                
                                                                                                                          
                                                                      53,145   40,194               
 Total assets                                                         113,643  106,468              
                                                                                                    
 LIABILITIES                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                          
 Current liabilities                                                                                                      
 Trade and other payables                                                      (30,223)             (25,380)              
 Current tax liabilities                                                       (570)                (786)                 
 Derivative financial instruments                                              (31)                 (38)                  
 Bank loans and overdrafts                                                     (3,297)              (4)                   
 Other creditors                                                      7        (5,500)              -                     
 Provisions                                                                    (499)                (558)                 
                                                                                                                          
                                                                               (40,120)             (26,766)              
                                                                                                                          
 Non-current liabilities                                                                                                  
 Bank loans and overdrafts                                                     (7)                  (10)                  
 Deferred tax liability                                                        (2,727)              (4,345)               
 Other creditors                                                      7        -                    (12,500)              
                                                                                                                          
                                                                               (2,734)              (16,855)              
 Total liabilities                                                             (42,854)             (43,621)              
                                                                                                                          
 Net Assets                                                                    70,789               62,847                
                                                                                                                          
 Equity                                                                                                                   
 Share capital                                                                 4,096                4,096                 
 Share premium account                                                         29,657               29,657                
 Own shares                                                                    (2,735)              (835)                 
 Share option reserve                                                          1,067                403                   
 Other reserve: option for acquiring non-controlling interest in MCL  7        (5,500)              (12,500)              
 Retained earnings                                                             38,394               33,805                
                                                                                                                          
 Total equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent            64,979               54,626                
                                                                                                                          
 Non-controlling interests                                                     5,810                8,221                 
                                                                                                                          
 Total equity                                                                  70,789               62,847                
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
 
For the year ended 30 April 2016 
 
                                                                                                  Attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent  
 Group                                                                                            Sharecapital£000                                       Sharepremiumaccount£000  Ownshares£000  Shareoptionreserve£000  Otherreserves£000  Retainedearnings£000  Total£000  Non-controlling  interests£000  Totalequity£000  
 At 1 May 2014                                                                                    4,096                                                  29,656                   (2,274)        526                     -                  30,194                62,198     -                               62,198           
 Profit for the year                                                                              -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  5,628                 5,628      (388)                           5,240            
 Transactions with owners of Group and non-controlling interests, recognised directly in equity:                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
 Equity dividends                                                                                 -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  (1,765)               (1,765)    -                               (1,765)          
 New shares issued                                                                                -                                                      1                        -              -                       -                  -                     1          -                               1                
 Vesting of restricted shares                                                                     -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  44                    44         -                               44               
 Own shares sold                                                                                  -                                                      -                        822            -                       -                  -                     822        -                               822              
 Loss on own shares sold                                                                          -                                                      -                        617            -                       -                  (617)                 -          -                               -                
 Share-based payments                                                                             -                                                      -                        -              198                     -                  -                     198        -                               198              
 Transfer of share option reserve on vesting of options                                           -                                                      -                        -              (321)                   -                  321                   -          -                               -                
 Option for acquiring non-controlling interest  in MCL                                            -                                                      -                        -              -                       (12,500)           -                     (12,500)   -                               (12,500)         
 Introduction of non-controlling interest on acquisition of MCL                                   -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  -                     -          8,609                           8,609            
 At 30 April 2015                                                                                 4,096                                                  29,657                   (835)          403                     (12,500)           33,805                54,626     8,221                           62,847           
 Profit for the year                                                                              -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  7,775                 7,775      (2,411)                         5,364            
 Transactions with owners of Group and non-controlling interests, recognised directly in equity:                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
 Equity dividends                                                                                 -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  (2,158)               (2,158)    -                               (2,158)          
 Vesting of restricted shares                                                                     -                                                      -                        -              -                       -                  76                    76         -                               76               
 Own shares acquired                                                                              -                                                      -                        (4,162)        -                       -                  -                     (4,162)    -                               (4,162)          
 Own shares sold                                                                                  -                                                      -                        914            -                       -                  -                     914        -                               914              
 Loss on own shares sold                                                                          -                                                      -                        1,348          -                       -                  (1,348)               -          -                               -                
 Share-based payments                                                                             -                                                      -                        -              197                     -                  -                     197        -                               197              
 Deferred tax adjustment in respect of share based payments                                       -                                                      -                        -              711                     -                  -                     711        -                               711              
 Transfer of share option reserve on vesting of options                                           -                                                      -                        -              (244)                   -                  244                   -          -                               -                
 Change in value of option for acquiring non-controlling interest in MCL                          -                                                      -                        -              -                       7,000              -                     7,000      -                               7,000            
 At 30 April 2016                                                                                 4,096                                                  29,657                   (2,735)        1,067                   (5,500)            38,394                64,979     5,810                           70,789           
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
 
For the year ended 30 April 2016 
 
                                                   Notes  Year ended30 April 2016£000  Year ended 30 April 2015£000  
 Net cash generated from operating activities      6      6,718                        18,798                        
                                                                                                                     
 Investing activities                                                                                                
 Interest received                                        68                           87                            
 Purchases of property, plant and equipment               (980)                        (1,063)                       
 Deposit paid for acquisition of EID               8      (744)                        -                             
 Acquisition of MCL, net of cash acquired                 -                            (5,698)                       
 Acquisition of J+S, including overdraft acquired         -                            (11,688)                      
 Disposal of SEA's Space business                         -                            4,000                         
 Net cash (used in)/from investing activities             (1,656)                      (14,362)                      
                                                                                                                     
 Financing activities                                                                                                
 Issue of new shares                                      -                            1                             
 Dividends paid                                           (2,158)                      (1,765)                       
 Repayment of borrowings                                  (3)                          (131)                         
 Drawdown of borrowings                                   3,302                        -                             
 Purchase of own shares                                   (4,162)                      -                             
 Sale of own shares                                       914                          822                           
 Net cash out flow from financing activities              (2,107)                      (1,073)                       
                                                                                                                     
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                2,955                        3,363                         
                                                                                                                     
 
 
                            At 1 May 2015   £000  Effect of foreign exchange rate changes £000  Cash Flow   £000  At 30 April 2016  £000  
                                                                                                                                          
 Funds reconciliation                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                          
 Cash and bank              19,701                453                                           2,955             23,109                  
 Short term deposits        -                     -                                             -                 -                       
 Cash and cash equivalents  19,701                453                                           2,955             23,109                  
                                                                                                                                          
 Loan                       -                     9                                             (3,302)           (3,293)                 
 Finance lease              (14)                  -                                             3                 (11)                    
 Debt                       (14)                  9                                             (3,299)           (3,304)                 
                                                                                                                                          
 Net funds                  19,687                462                                           (344)             19,805                  
 
 
NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT 
 
1.         BASIS OF PREPARATION 
 
The financial information contained within this preliminary report has been
prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU and applying at 
 
30 April 2016.  The information in this preliminary statement has been
extracted from the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2016 and
as such, does not contain all the information required to be disclosed in the
financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. 
 
50.001% of MCL was acquired 9 July 2014.  As the Group has effective control,
100% of MCL's result and balances have been consolidated from that date with
the non-controlling interest identified. 
 
100% of J+S was acquired by SEA on 1 October 2014 and has been included as
part of SEA's reported results and balances from that date. 
 
57% of EID was acquired 27 Jun 2016 and as the Group has effective control,
100% of EID's result and balances will be consolidated from that date with the
non-controlling interest identified.  As this completed after 30 April 2016,
EID has not been consolidated in the Group's result for year ended 30 April
2016 or the balances at 30 April 2016. 
 
The Group's Annual Report for the year ended 30 April 2016 has yet to be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies.  The auditors have reported on these
accounts.  Their report was not qualified and did not contain a statement
under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures for the year ended 30
April 2016 and 2014 do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. 
 
The comparative figures for the financial year ended 30 April 2015 are not the
Company's statutory accounts for that financial year.  Those accounts have
been reported on by the Company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of
Companies.  The report of the auditor was: 
 
i.              unqualified, 
 
ii.            did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor
drew attention by way of emphasis without  qualifying their report, and 
 
iii.           did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 2006. 
 
The preliminary announcement was approved by the Board and authorised for
issue on 28 June 2016. 
 
Copies of the Annual Report and accounts for the year ended 30 April 2016 will
be posted to shareholders on 29 July 2016 and available on the Company's
website (www.cohortplc.com) from that date. 
 
2.         SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS OF REVENUE AND OPERATING PROFIT 
 
                                                                                        Year ended 30 April 2016                 £000  Year ended 30 April 2015                 £000  
 Revenue                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 MASS                                                                                   31,998                                         32,528                                         
 MCL                                                                                    13,709                                         10,143                                         
 SCS                                                                                    18,097                                         16,892                                         
 SEA                                                                                    48,773                                         40,375                                         
                                                                                        112,577                                        99,938                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Adjusted Operating Profit                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 MASS                                                                                   5,956                                          5,492                                          
 MCL                                                                                    1,404                                          1,327                                          
 SCS                                                                                    1,250                                          1,319                                          
 SEA                                                                                    5,442                                          3,964                                          
 Central costs                                                                          (2,150)                                        (2,017)                                        
                                                                                        11,902                                         10,085                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Amortisation of other intangible assets                                                (6,379)                                        (3,602)                                        
 Credit/(charge) on marking forward exchange contracts to market value at the year end  7                                              (38)                                           
 Exchange gains on revaluing cash held for acquisition consideration for EID            537                                            -                                              
 Exceptional items:                                                                                                                                                                   
 Costs of acquisition of EID                                                            (821)                                          -                                              
 Costs of acquisition of MCL                                                            -                                              (197)                                          
 Costs of acquisition of J+S                                                            -                                              (427)                                          
 Profit on disposal of SEA's Space business                                             -                                              44                                             
 Operating Profit                                                                       5,246                                          5,865                                          
 
 
The above segmental analysis is the primary segmental analysis of the Group. 
 
All revenue and adjusted operating profit is in respect of continuing
operations. 
 
The operating profit as reported under IFRS is reconciled to the adjusted
operating profit as reported above by the exclusion of amortisation of other
intangible assets, change on marking forward exchange contracts to market
value at the year end, the exchange gain on revaluing cash held (in Euros) for
the acquisition consideration for EID and exceptional items. 
 
The adjusted operating profit is presented in addition to the operating profit
to provide the trading performance of the Group, as derived from its
constituent elements on a consistent basis from year to year. 
 
The adjusted operating profit is stated after charging £197,000 in respect of
share-based payments (2015: £198,000). 
 
3.         TAX (CREDIT)/CHARGE 
 
                     Year ended30 April 2016£000  Year ended 30 April 2015£000  
 Corporation tax:                                                               
 Current year        1,935                        1,485                         
 Prior year          (368)                        (204)                         
                     1,567                        1,281                         
 Deferred taxation:                                                             
 Prior year          -                            (56)                          
 Current year        (1,621)                      (518)                         
                     (1,621)                      (574)                         
                     (54)                         707                           
 
 
The current year corporation tax credit (2015: charge) includes a charge of
£nil (2015: credit of £20,000) in respect of continuing exceptional items and
the current year deferred tax credit includes a credit of £1,505,000 (2015:
credit of £721,000) in respect of the amortisation of other intangible assets
and a charge of £109,000 (2015: £8,000) in respect of marking forward exchange
contracts to market value at the year end and revaluing the cash held (in
Euros) for the purchase of EID. 
 
4.         EARNINGS PER SHARE 
 
The earnings per share are calculated by dividing the earnings for the year by
the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue as follows: 
 
                                                                                                                                                                    Year ended30 April 2016£000  Year ended 30 April 2015£000  
 Earnings                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Basic and diluted earnings                                                                                                                                         7,775                        5,628                         
 Amortisation of other intangible assets (net of tax of £1,505,000; 2015: £721,000)                                                                                 2,879                        1,992                         
 Credit in respect of revaluing cash held for the acquisition of EID (net of tax charge of £108,00)                                                                 (429)                        -                             
 (Credit)/charge in respect of marking forward exchange contracts to market value at the year end (net of tax charge of £1,000; 2015: net of tax charge of £8,000)  (6)                          23                            
 Costs of acquisition of EID (nil tax)                                                                                                                              821                          -                             
 Costs of acquisition of MCL (nil tax)                                                                                                                              -                            197                           
 Costs of acquisition of J+S (nil tax)                                                                                                                              -                            427                           
 (Profit) of disposal of SEA's Space business (including tax credit of £28,000)                                                                                     -                            (72)                          
 Adjusted basic and diluted earnings                                                                                                                                11,040                       8,195                         
 
 
The adjustments for the amortisation of intangible assets in respect of MCL
and the (credit)/charge on marking forward exchange contracts to market for
the year ended 30 April 2016  and the year ended 30 April 2015 reflect the
interests of the equity holders of the parent only and exclude the proportion
allocated to the non-controlling interest. 
 
                                                   Number      Number      
 Weighted average number of shares                                         
 For the purposes of basic earnings per share      40,622,496  40,071,658  
 Share options                                     767,501     894,739     
                                                                           
 For the purposes of diluted earnings per share    41,389,997  40,966,397  
 
 
                              Year ended30 April 2016Pence  Year ended30 April 2015Pence  
 Earnings per share                                                                       
 Basic                        19.14                         14.04                         
 Diluted                      18.78                         13.74                         
                                                                                          
 Adjusted earnings per share                                                              
 Basic                        27.18                         20.45                         
 Diluted                      26.67                         20.00                         
 
 
5.         DIVIDENDS 
 
The proposed final dividend for the year ended 30 April 2016 is 4.1 pence
(2015: 3.4 pence) per ordinary share.  This dividend will be payable 21
September 2016 to shareholders on the register at 26 August 2016. 
 
The total paid and proposed dividend for the year ended 30 April 2016 is 6.0
pence per ordinary share; a cost of £2,419,000 (2015: 5.0 pence per ordinary
share; cost of £2,031,000). 
 
The charge for the year ended 30 April 2016 of £2,158,000 is the final
dividend for the year ended 30 April 2015 paid (£1,387,000) and the interim
dividend for the year ended 30 April 2016 paid (£771,000). 
 
6.         NET CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
 
                                                             Year ended30 April 2016£000  Year ended 30 April 2015£000  
                                                                                                                        
 Profit for the year                                         5,364                        5,240                         
 Adjustments for:                                                                                                       
 Tax (credit)/charge                                         (54)                         707                           
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment               1,090                        957                           
 Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible assets        6,379                        3,602                         
 Net finance income                                          (64)                         (82)                          
 Share-based payment                                         197                          198                           
 Derivative financial instruments                            (7)                          38                            
 Decrease in provisions                                      (59)                         (356)                         
                                                                                                                        
 Operating cash inflows before movements in working capital  12,846                       10,304                        
                                                                                                                        
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                          (958)                        450                           
 (Increase)/decrease in receivables                          (8,585)                      1,861                         
 Increase in payables                                        5,203                        7,890                         
                                                             (4,340)                      10,201                        
 Cash generated by operations                                8,506                        20,505                        
 Tax paid                                                    (1,784)                      (1,702)                       
 Interest paid                                               (4)                          (5)                           
 Net cash generated from operating activities                6,718                        18,798                        
 
 
7.        ACQUISITION OF MARLBOROUGH COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED (MCL) 
 
Cohort plc acquired 50.001% of Marlborough Communications (Holdings) Limited
which in turn holds 100% of Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL) on 9 July
2014. 
 
The Sale and Purchase Agreement in respect of the acquisition of MCL includes
an option for the purchase of the remaining shares (49.999%) in MCL, the
non-controlling interest. 
 
This option is exercisable by 31 December 2016 and is capped at £12.5m.  If
the performance of MCL in the period to 30 September 2016 is such that the
amount payable for the non-controlling interest's shares exceeds the cap, the
Group has the right to negotiate the amount payable at that time or not to
acquire the non-controlling 

- More to follow, for following part double click  ID:nRSb4456Cc

Recent news on Cohort

See all news