REG - Online Blockchain - Half-year Report

Online BlockchainAnnouncement

16/03/2018 14:15

RNS Number : 0281I
Online Blockchain PLC
16 March 2018
16 March 2018
For immediate release
Online Blockchain PLC
("Online" or the "Company", formerly On-Line PLC)
Unaudited Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 December 2017
Online today announces unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2017 (the "Period").
Chairman's Statement
On20 December 2017,we changed Online's corporate name to Online Blockchain to reflect the projects we had been working on for some time and our activity in this emerging technology. When we had first started our research and development on Blockchain projects, general market interest in Blockchain technology was at a low level, but that changed during 2017. We believe that Blockchain development is a complimentary extension of the Company's activities and experience in the online sector.
Our first Blockchain project we announced in the Period was the first phase of our Plus 1 Coin cryptocurrency project, which we had developed in conjunction with ADVFN PLC ("ADVFN"). Following testing within the ADVFN community, ADVFN offered its customers and members a Plus 1 coin wallet, which had been built on software developed by Online. Plus 1 coin is designed as a social media cryptocurrency to enable social media users to interact and "up vote" content of other social media. As previously announced, Online and ADVFN are each bearing their own costs in respect of the Plus 1 Coin cryptocurrency cooperation project and while there are currently no financial arrangements between the two companies in respect of this project, we anticipate that Online will in due course charge publishers like ADVFN a license fee for its software which supports the wallet, on terms to be agreed.
In addition to our development activities, Online has a 17.98 percent interest in ADVFN, which has also released its interim results for the six months ended 31 December and which are summarised further below.
Following the Period end, we raised 1m through an issue of new shares to provide general working capital for the Company and to provide additional resources to invest further in the development of Blockchain projects as and when they arise. This development work dovetails with our efforts with ADVFN, which is broadening its own information service on cryptocurrencies whilst implementing our Plus1 Coin product for its international community.
We are excited about the potential opportunities for Blockchain technology. Shareholders should note that the Company's own development of additional Blockchain products are still at an early stage but we look forward to reporting further progress this year.
Following the Period end on 23 February 2018, we were also particularly pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Louden to the Board as a non-executive director, and the following provides some additional background and context to his appointment.Bill is considered one of the early pioneers of the online industry, joining CompuServe in 1979, which played a key role in the commercial development of the internet at that time. Between 1979 and 1984 at Compuserve, Bill was responsible for personal computing and communication product lines,including InfoPlex, a CompuServe commercial store and forward system, which was re-designed and developed under Bill as a consumer product, renamed as "EMAIL" and launched in 1981 (and subsequently trademarked by Compuserve between 1983 and 1984). Bill is particularly recognised for his role in leading the development and commercialisation of multi-player games at Compuserve (and thereafter as founder of the GEnie online service at General Electric), including MegaWars, the firstcommercial multi-player online game.Bill's reputation within the online industry and experience will be of great value to us.
Change of name
On 20 December 2017 the name of the Company was changed from On-Line PLC to Online Blockchain PLC.
More information about Online Blockchain PLC can be found at:www.onlineblockchain.io
ADVFN PLC
2017 was a year of consolidation at ADVFN. As reported by ADVFN in its unaudited interim accounts for the six months ended 31 December 2017, ADVFN was profitable, as set out in the table of financial performance further below.
ADVFN's sales in the 6-month interim period have shown a top line growth of 456,000, an increase of 12% on the comparable period last year, from approximately 3.8m to 4.3m. Reported operating profit for the 6-month interim period was 24,000 (2016: operating loss, 66,000).
ADVFN Financial performance for the six months ended 31 December 2017
Key financial performance for the period has been summarised as follows:

Six Months ended
Six Months ended

31 December 2017
31 December 2016

'000
'000



Turnover
4,282
3,826
Profit for the period
24
18
Operating profit/(loss)
24
(66)
Profit per share (see note 3)
0.09 p
0.07 p
Michael Hodges
Chairman
16 March 2018
A copy of this announcement is available on the Company's website, at www.onlineblockchain.io
Enquiries:
For further information please contact:


Online Blockchain PLC
Michael Hodges
+44 (0) 207 070 0909


Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser)
www.beaumontcornish.com

Roland Cornish/Michael Cornish
+44 (0) 207 628 3396
Smaller Company Capital Limited (Broker)
+44 (0) 203 651 2910
Jeremy Woodgate

Cassiopeia Ltd (Investor Relations)
Stefania Barbaglio
stefania@cassiopeia-ltd.com


The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Michael Hodges, Director.


Online Blockchain PLC (formerly On-Line PLC)
Statement of comprehensive income
for the six months ended 31 December 2017


Six months ended
Six months ended
Year ended
31 December
2017
31 December
2016
30 June
2017
Unaudited
Unaudited
Audited
'000
'000
'000

Note



Turnover

32
44
98
Share based payment

(3)


Administrative expenses

(21)
(31)
(78)





Operating profit

8
13
20
Interest payable

(15)
(1)
(2)





(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation

(7)
12
18
Tax on profit on ordinary activities

-
-
-
(Loss)/profit and total comprehensive income
for the period attributable to shareholders of the parent

(7)
12
18










(Loss)/earnings per share




Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share
2
(0.09) p
0.16 p
0.24 p
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share
2
(0.09) p
0.16 p
0.24 p










.


Online Blockchain PLC (formerly On-Line PLC)
Balance sheet
at 31 December 2017


31 December
2017
31 December
2016
30 June
2017


Unaudited
Unaudited
Audited


'000
'000
'000

Note



Non-current assets




Investments
3
868
868
868





Current assets




Trade and other receivables

159
170
125
Cash at bank and in hand

-
-
2







159
170
127





Total assets

1,027
1,038
995





Equity and liabilities




Equity




Called up share capital

3,242
3,242
3,242
Share premium account

2,205
2,205
2,205
Share based payment reserve

39
38
36
Profit and loss account

(4,532)
(4,531)
(4,525)







954
954
958





Current liabilities




Trade and other payables

24
35
37
Borrowings (bank overdraft)

49
49
-







73
84
37





Total equity and liabilities

1,027
1,038
995












Online Blockchain PLC (formerly On-Line PLC)
Statement of changes in equity
at 31 December 2017

Share
capital
Share premium
Share based payment reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity

'000
'000
'000
'000
'000






At 1 July 2016
3,242
2,205
36
(4,543)
940






Equity settled share options
-
-
2
-
2






Transactions with owners
-
-
2
-
2






Profit for the period after tax
-
-
-
12
12






Total comprehensive income
-
-
-
12
12






At 31 December 2016
3,242
2,205
38
(4,531)
954






Equity settled share options
-
-
(2)
-
(2)






Transactions with owners
-
-
(2)
-
(2)






Profit for the period after tax
-
-
-
6
6






Total comprehensive income
-
-
-
6
6






At 30 June 2017
3,242
2,205
36
(4,525)
958






Equity settled share options
-
-
3
-
3






Transactions with owners
-
-
3
-
3






Loss for the period after tax
-
-
-
(7)
(7)






Total comprehensive loss
-
-
-
(7)
(7)






At 31 December 2017
3,242
2,205
39
(4,532)
954








Online Blockchain PLC (formerly On-Line PLC)
Cash flow statements
for the six months ended 31 December 2017


Six months ended
Six months ended
Year ended


31 December 2017
31 December 2016
30 June 2017


Unaudited
Unaudited
Audited


'000
'000
'000





Cash flows from operating activities




(Loss)/profit for the period

(7)
12
18
Share based payments

3
2
-
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(34)
(11)
 34
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

(13)
3
5





Net cash used by operating activities

(51)
6
57





(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(51)
6
57
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period

2
(55)
(55)





Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

(49)
(49)
2





Cash and cash equivalents


Six months ended
Six months ended
Year ended


31 December 2017
31 December 2016
30 June 2017


Unaudited
Unaudited
Audited


'000
'000
'000





Cash at bank

-
-
2
Borrowings (bank overdraft)

(49)
(49)
-







(49)
(49)
2







Online Blockchain PLC (formerly On-Line PLC)
Notes to the interim statement
for the six months ended 31 December 2017
1. Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' (FRS 102) and with the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements are presented in Sterling () rounded to the nearest thousand except where specified.
The unaudited interim financial information is for the six month period ended 31December2017. The financial information does not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 30 June 2017.
The interim financial information has been prepared on the going concern basis which assumes the company will continue in existence for the foreseeable future. No material uncertainties that cast significant doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern have been identified by the directors. Accordingly, the directors, believe it is appropriate for the interim financial statement to be prepared on the going concern basis.
The interim financial information has not been audited nor has it been reviewed under ISRE 2410 of the Auditing Practices Board. The financial information presented does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The company statutory accounts for the year to 30 June 2017 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors, Grant Thornton UK LLP reported on these accounts and their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or Section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
2. (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share

Six months ended
Six months ended
Year
ended

31 December 2017
31 December 2016
30 June
2017

'000
'000
'000




(Loss)/profit for the period
(7)
12
18





Shares
Shares
Shares
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares
7,662,348
7,662,348
 7,662,348
Dilutive effect of options
142,860
-
-
Weighted average Ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share
7,805,208
7,662,348
 7,662,348




(Loss)/earnings per share



Basic earnings per share
(0.09) p
0.16 p
0.24 p
Diluted earnings per share
(0.09) p
0.16 p
0.24 p








Where a loss occurs the diluted loss per share does not differ from the basic loss per share as the exercise of share options would have the effect of reducing the loss per share and is therefore not dilutive.
In addition, where a profit has been recorded but the average share price for the period remains under the exercise price the existence of options is not dilutive.
Online Blockchain PLC (formerly On-Line PLC)
Notes to the interim statement
for the six months ended 31 December 2017
3. Fixed asset investments

Six months ended
Six months ended
Year
ended

31 December 2017
31 December 2016
30 June
2017

'000
'000
'000




At historical cost
868
868
868




Percentage ownership
17.98%
18.05%
17.98%








The Company owns 17.98% (2016: 18.05%) of ADVFN plc (ADVFN) which is incorporated in England and Wales and whose principal activity is the development and provision of financial information, primarily via the internet, research services and the development and exploitation of ancillary internet sites.
 The investment in ADVFN plc is treated for the purposes of financial reporting as an associate due to the common directorships held between ADVFN plc and On-line plc and the resulting level of significant influence over the associate. 
4. Dividends
The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.
5. Accounts
 Copies of this statement are being posted to shareholders shortly and will be available from the company's registered office at Suite 27, Essex Technology Centre, The Gables, Fyfield Road, Ongar, Essex, CM5 0GA and in electronic form from the Company's website, www.onlineblockchain.io

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR SFAFLMFASESD