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Interim Results

RNS Number : 8107H

RTC Group PLC

05 August 2019

 

5 August 2019

 

RTC Group Plc

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

 

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2019

 

RTC Group Plc (AIM: RTC.L), the engineering and technical recruitment Group, is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2019.

 

Summary:

 

·        Group revenue from continuing operations increased to £46m (2018: £41m)

·        Profit before tax reduced marginally to £0.71m (2018: £0.77m)

·        Basic earnings per share fell to 3.86p (2018: 4.38p)

 

The final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018 of 2.55p per share (2018: 2.3p) was approved at the AGM on 24 April 2019 and paid to shareholders on 7 June 2019. 

 

In line with the Group's progressive dividend policy, the Directors propose an interim dividend of 1.4p per share (2018: 1.3p). The interim dividend will be paid on 29 November 2019 to shareholders on the register on 8 November 2019.

 

Commenting on the results, Bill Douie, Chairman, said:

 

"Ganymede continues to perform well with enhanced volumes on its Network Rail contract and GSS has increased its presence internationally.  ATA has encountered headwinds due to uncertainties over our future relationship with the European Union. However, although the fog has not lifted in the political arena and, therefore, by extension in industry and commerce, we remain confident of continuing our satisfactory performance in the second half of 2019 and as such are maintaining our progressive dividend policy."

 

 

The interim report is available on the Company's website www.rtcgroupplc.co.uk.

 

ENDS

Enquiries:

 

RTC Group PlcTel: 0133 286 1835
Bill Douie, Chairman
Andy Pendlebury, Chief Executive
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser)
Matt Davis / Mark Brady
www.Sparkadvisorypartners.com
Tel: 0203 368 3550
Whitman Howard Limited (Broker)
Nick Lovering / Christopher Furness
www.Whitman-howard.com
Tel: 020 7659 1234
  About RTC RTC has three principal trading subsidiaries engaged in recruitment services: ·     ATA supplies white and blue-collar engineering and technical staff to a broad range of clients; ·     Ganymede supplies blue collar contingent labour into safety critical markets; and ·     GSS provides recruitment services for international deployment.   www.rtcgroupplc.co.uk   Chairman's statement Six months ended 30 June 2019   The general economic environment has, during the first six months of 2019, become less stable globally and, in particular, in the United Kingdom (UK) as political events have created a rising level of confusion and uncertainty. This has not been helpful in our manufacturing and engineering UK recruitment business but despite that factor the Group has continued to grow overall revenues and we have enjoyed strong performances in our Rail and International activities. Ganymede continues to perform well with enhanced volumes on its Network Rail contract although continuing delays in take-up of smart meters in the domestic market has constrained volumes of installations. ATA started the year well but has encountered headwinds as uncertainties over our future relationship with the European Union accelerated in the first quarter and have remained for the rest of the period. GSS continues to increase its presence in Afghanistan and pursuing exciting opportunities both there and in the Middle East. The Derby Conference Centre continues to trade satisfactorily under it's new, energetic Managing Director. In line with the Group's progressive dividend policy, the Directors propose an interim dividend of 1.4p per share (2018: 1.3p). The interim dividend will be paid on 29 November 2019 to shareholders on the register on 8 November 2019. Although the fog has not lifted in the political arena and, therefore, by extension in industry and commerce, we remain confident of continuing our satisfactory performance in the second half of 2019.       W J C Douie                                                                                                                                       5 August 2019 Chairman Finance Director's statement Six months ended 30 June 2019   Highlights In the period ended 30 June 2019, Group revenue increased by 12% to £46.0m (2018: £41.1m).   Profit from operations was maintained at similar levels to 2018 at £0.8m.   Trading Ganymede increased revenues by 34% to £21.1m (2018: £15.7m) on the same period last year largely as a result of higher levels of demand from Network Rail and this was converted to profit from operations of £1.1m (2018: 0.7m), an increase of 57%.   GSS grew revenues by 17% to £8.1m (2018: £6.9m) reflecting a steady increase in the number of workers supplied to KBR, its longstanding international partner. Profit from operations was maintained at £0.5m (2018: £0.5m).   Market conditions, reflecting uncertainties around Brexit negotiations, resulted in a slow-down in both permanent and contract recruitment for ATA. As a result, revenues were 11% lower than the same period last year at £15.9m (2018: £17.7m) and there was a corresponding reduction in profit from operations of £0.4m to £0.5m (2018: £0.9m).   Within Central Services revenue from the Derby site continued to grow steadily in line with expectations.   Taxation The total tax charge for the period is estimated at £158,000 (2018: £148,000). This is higher than would be expected if the standard tax rate was applied to the profits for the period, as explained in note 3.   Earnings per share The basic earnings per share figure is 3.86p (2018: 4.38p).  The diluted earnings per share 3.48p (2018: 4.10p).   Adoption of new accounting standards During the period IFRS 16 Leases (effective 1 January 2019) was adopted which has resulted in the Group recognising right of use assets and lease liabilities for all qualifying contracts that are, or contain, a lease on the statement of financial position. The Group has applied the modified retrospective transition method and as such comparatives have not been restated. The impact on profit before tax for the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2019 was not material and there was no impact on opening equity at 1 January 2019 (refer note 7 for details).   Statement of financial position The Group statement of financial position has strengthened compared to the same point last year with net working capital increasing to £3.3m (2018: £2.4m). The ratio of current assets to current liabilities has increased to 1.3 (2018: 1.2) and the gearing ratio (excluding liabilities under IFRS16) decreased to 0.7 times (2018: 1.4 times).  Interest cover was 17.4 times (2018: 13.6 times) on a like for like basis excluding interest relating to lease liabilities under IFRS16.         Cash flow The positive cash flow from operations of £1.1m (2018: outflow £1.3m) for the six-month period reflects solid credit control with the temporary payment delays experienced at 30 June 2018 resolved.   Following consideration of the further guidance published in 2018, cash and cash equivalents have been represented to show the invoice discounting liabilities as financing. The movement on invoice discounting is a negative £0.6m (2018: positive £1.3m) which represents a reduction in the amount of invoice finance in use. In 2018 more finance was required due to customer payment delays.   Financing The Group's current bank facilities comprise an overdraft of £50,000 and a confidential invoice discounting facility of up to £9.0m with HSBC at a discount margin of 1.5% above base.  An increase in facility up to £11m has also been approved by HSBC but not yet invoked as the Group is operating within its current facility cap. The Board closely monitors the level of facility utilisation and availability to ensure there is enough headroom to manage current operations and support the growth of the business.  The Group continues to be focussed on cash generation and building a robust statement of financial position to support the growth of the business.   Own shares held The cost of the Group's own shares purchased through the Employee Benefit Trust is shown as a deduction from equity. 40,000 options were exercised during the period and shares held in the EBT were used to satisfy this demand. The balance of £263,919 on the own shares held reserve within equity reflects 377,027 (2018: 417,027) shares remaining in the EBT that will be used to satisfy future exercises.             S L Dye                                                                                                                                              5 August 2019 Group Finance Director                                                                                                  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income    
Six-month period ended 30 June 2019Six-month period ended 30 June 2018Year ended 31 December 2018
UnauditedUnauditedAudited
Notes£'000£'000£'000
Revenue245,98341,12587,806
Cost of sales2(38,985)(34,460)(73,908)
Gross profit26,9986,66513,898
Administrative expenses(6,196)(5,834)(11,918)
Profit from operations8028311,980
Financing expense2(94)(61)(121)
Profit before tax7087701,859
Tax expense3(158)(148)(419)
Net profit and total comprehensive income for the period5506221,440
Earnings per ordinary share4
Basic3.86p4.38p10.20p
Diluted3.48p4.10p9.36p
  Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 June 2019:    
Share capitalShare premiumOwn shares heldCapital redemption reserveShare based payment reserveProfit and lossTotal equity
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
Balance at 31 December 2018 (Audited)146120(292)503794,8335,236
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period-----550550
Dividends-----(363)(363)
Share options exercised--28-(16)(10)2
Share based payment reserve----108-108
At 30 June 2019 (Unaudited)146120(264)504715,0105,533
  Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 June 2018:    
Share capitalShare premiumOwn shares heldCapital redemption reserveShare based payment reserveProfit and lossTotal equity
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
Balance at 1 January 2018146120(473)502153,9934,051
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period-----622622
Dividends-----(327)(327)
Share options exercised--174-(76)(83)15
Share based payment reserve----70-70
At 30 June 2018 (Unaudited)146120(299)502094,2054,431
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2018:    
Share capitalShare premiumOwn shares heldCapital redemption reserveShare based payment reserveRetained earningsTotal equity
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
Balance at 1 January 2018146120(473)502153,9934,051
Total comprehensive income for the year-----1,4401,440
Dividends-----(512)(512)
Share options exercised--181-(76)(88)17
Share based payment charge----240-240
At 31 December 2018 (Audited)146120(292)503794,8335,236
    Consolidated statement of financial position      
As at 30 June 2019
Unaudited
As at 30 June 2018
Unaudited
As at 31 December 2018
Audited
£'000£'000£'000
Assets
Non-current
Goodwill132132132
Other intangible assets240382306
Property, plant and equipment1,6201,4941,648
Right-of-use assets3,216--
Deferred tax asset668266
5,2742,0902,152
Current
Cash and cash equivalents--92
Inventories1288
Trade and other receivables14,29914,90015,811
Total current assets14,31114,90815,911
Total assets19,58516,99818,063
Liabilities
Current
Trade and other payables(6,276)(6,151)(7,863)
Lease liabilities(286)--
Corporation tax(425)(324)(261)
Current borrowings(4,048)(6,026)(4,639)
Total current liabilities(11,035)(12,501)(12,763)
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities(2,959)--
Deferred tax liabilities(58)(66)(64)
Net assets5,5334,4315,236
Equity
Share capital146146146
Share premium120120120
Capital redemption reserve505050
Own shares held(264)(299)(292)
Share based payment reserve471209379
Profit and loss account5,0104,2054,833
Total equity5,5334,4315,236
Consolidated statement of cash flows      
Six-month period ended 30 June 2019 UnauditedSix-month period ended 30 June 2018 UnauditedYear ended 31 December 2018
Audited
£'000£'000£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax7087701,859
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation397204412
Employee equity settled share options charge10870240
Change in inventories(4)(2)(2)
Change in trade and other receivables1,512(1,848)(2,739)
Change in trade and other payables(1,587)(486)1,553
Cash inflow/(outflow) from operations1,134(1,292)1,323
Income tax paid--(320)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities1,134(1,292)1,003
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(136)(198)(504)
Net cash used in investing activities(136)(198)(504)
Cash flows from financing activities
Movement on invoice discounting facility(591)1,314(73)
Dividends paid(363)-(512)
Payments of lease obligations(138)--
Proceeds from exercise of share options21517
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities(1,090)1,329(568)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(92)(161)(69)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period92161161
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period--92
  Following consideration of the further guidance published in 2018, cash and cash equivalents have been represented to show the invoice discounting as financing.  Notes to the interim statement for the six months ended 30 June 2019:   1.    Accounting policies   a)     General information                  RTC Group Plc is incorporated and domiciled in England and its shares are publicly traded on AIM. The registered office address is The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby, DE24 8UX.  The company's registered number is 02558971. The principal activities of the Group are described in note 2.                                           The Board consider the principal risks and uncertainties relating to the Group for the next six months to be the same as detailed in our last Annual Report and Accounts to 31 December 2018.  The Group's financial risk management objectives and policies are consistent with those disclosed in the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2018.                    b)     Basis of preparation                  The unaudited interim Group financial information of RTC Group Plc is for the six months ended 30 June 2019 and does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of S.435 of the Companies Act 2006. The unaudited interim Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AIM rules and have not been reviewed by the Group's auditors. This report should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS's as adopted by the European Union.                    These unaudited interim Group financial statements were approved for issue on 5 August 2019.  No significant events, other than those disclosed in this document, have occurred between 30 June 2019 and this date.                    c)      Comparatives                  The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2018 do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of S.435 of the Companies Act 2006, but they have been derived from the audited financial statements for that year, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006 nor a reference to any matters which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis of matter without qualifying their report.                    Comparatives are presented under IAS17 Leases whereas the interim numbers reflect the adoption of IFRS16 Leases (refer note 7).         d)     Accounting policies   In preparing these interim financial statements, the Board have considered the impact of new standards which will be applied in the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts. Other than the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases, which is effective for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2019, there are not expected to be any changes in the accounting policies compared to those applied at 31 December 2018.   A full description of accounting policies is contained with our 2018 Annual Report and Accounts which is available on our website.   This interim announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, as adopted by the European Union as effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.   New accounting standards The Group has adopted IFRS16 (effective 1 January 2019) in these interim financial statements (refer note 7 for details).   2.     Segment analysis The Group is a provider of recruitment services that has its headquarters at the Derby Conference Centre which is contained within the Central Services segment.  The recruitment business comprises three distinct business units - ATA predominantly servicing the UK engineering market; GSS servicing the international market and Ganymede supplying labour into safety critical environments. Segment information is provided below in respect of ATA, Ganymede, GSS and the Central Services which, as well as being the head office and providing all central services for the Group, generates income from excess space at the Derby site including rental and conferencing facilities. The Group manages the trading performance of each segment by monitoring operating contribution and centrally manages working capital, borrowings and equity. Revenues are generated from permanent and temporary recruitment and contracts for labour supply in the recruitment division.  Revenue is analysed by origin of customer/point of invoicing.  All revenues have been invoiced to external customers.  During the first half of 2019, one customer in ATA contributed 10% or more of that segment's revenues being £3.6m (2018: £4.3m), one customer in GSS contributed 10% or more of that segment's revenues being £8.0m (2018: £6.5m) and one customer in Ganymede also contributed 10% or more of that segment's revenues being £14.2m (2018: £9.4m).                 Segment information for the six months ended 30 June 2019:  
RecruitmentCentralTotal
UnauditedATAGSSGanymedeServicesGroup
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
External sales revenue15,8908,07321,12889245,983
Cost of sales(13,148)(7,192)(18,158)(487)(38,985)
Gross profit2,7428812,9704056,998
Administrative expenses*(2,144)(370)(1,775)(1,519)(5,808)
Amortisation of intangibles*(27)-(66)-(93)
Amortisation of right-of-use asset*(35)-(30)(103)(168)
Depreciation*(11)(2)(16)(98)(127)
Profit / (loss) from operations5255091,083(1,315)802
Finance expense:
Interest on lease liabilities
Interest on invoice discounting facility
(50)
(44)
Profit before tax708
Tax expense(158)
  *combine to represent administrative expenses of £6,196,000 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.   Segment information for the six months ended 30 June 2018:   
RecruitmentCentralTotal
UnauditedATAGSSGanymedeServicesGroup
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
External sales revenue17,7176,88615,69183141,125
Cost of sales(14,649)(5,987)(13,443)(381)(34,460)
Gross profit3,0688992,2484506,665
Administrative expenses*(2,121)(355)(1,484)(1,670)(5,630)
Amortisation of intangibles*(25)-(65)-(90)
Depreciation*(9)(2)(17)(86)(114)
Profit / (loss) from operations913542682(1,306)831
Finance expense:
Interest on invoice discounting facility
(61)
Profit before tax770
Tax expense(148)
  *combine to represent administrative expenses of £5,834,000 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.   Segment information for the year ended 31 December 2018:  
RecruitmentCentralTotal
AuditedATAGSSGanymedeServicesGroup
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
External sales revenue35,25914,80536,0461,69687,806
Cost of sales(29,224)(12,976)(30,884)(824)(73,908)
Gross profit6,0351,8295,16287213,898
Administrative expenses*(4,291)(917)(3,077)(3,222)(11,507)
Amortisation of intangibles*(52)-(130)-(182)
Depreciation*(44)(4)(35)(146)(229)
Profit from operations1,6489081,920(2,496)1,980
Finance expense:
Interest on invoice discounting facility
(121)
Profit before tax1,859
Tax expense(419)
  *combine to represent administrative expenses of £11,918,000 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.   All assets and liabilities are held in the United Kingdom.     3.  Income tax  
Continuing operationsSix-month period ended 30 June 2019 UnauditedSix-month period ended 30 June 2018 UnauditedYear ended 31 December 2018
Audited
£'000£'000£'000
Analysis of tax:
Current tax
UK corporation tax164148367
Adjustment in respect of previous period--38
164148405
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences(6)-14
Tax158148419
          Factors affecting the tax expense The tax assessed for the six-month period ended 30 June 2019 is higher than (2018: higher than) would be expected by multiplying profit by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2018: 19%). The differences are explained below:    
Six-month period ended 30 June 2019 UnauditedSix-month period ended 30 June 2018 UnauditedYear ended 31 December 2018
Audited
Factors affecting tax expense£'000£'000£'000
Result for the period before tax7087701,859
Profit multiplied by standard rate of tax of 19% (2018: 19%)135146353
Non-deductible expenses552787
Tax credit on exercise of options(4)(25)(25)
Other differences(28)-(34)
Adjustment in respect of previous period--38
Tax charge for the period158148419
    5.   Earnings per share   The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share adjusted to allow for all dilutive potential ordinary shares.  
BasicDiluted
Six-month period ended 30 June 2019Six-month period ended 30 June 2018Six-month
period ended
30 June 2019
Six-month period ended
30 June 2018
UnauditedUnauditedUnauditedUnaudited
Earnings £'000550622550622
Basic weighted average number of shares14,234,39214,216,68014,234,39214,216,680
Dilutive effect of share options--1,552,981969,723
Fully diluted weighted average number of shares--15,787,37315,186,403
Earnings per share (pence)3.86p4.38p3.48p4.10p
  6. Borrowings   Included in current borrowings are bank overdrafts and an invoice discounting facility which is secured by a cross guarantee and debenture over all Group companies.  There have been no defaults or breaches of the terms of the facility during the current or prior period.     7.   Effects of changes in accounting policies   IFRS 16 Leases (effective 1 January 2019) sets out the principles for recognition, measurement and presentation of leases and replaces IAS 17 Leases.  Adoption of IFRS 16 has resulted in the Group recognising right of use assets and lease liabilities for all qualifying contracts that are, or contain, a lease. Instead of recognising an operating expense for its operating lease payments, the Group has recognised interest on its lease liabilities and amortisation on its right-of-use assets, impacting profit from operations and the finance expense.  The standard contains several options and exemptions which are available at initial adoption.  The Group has applied the modified retrospective transition method and adopted certain practical expedients, such that the right of use asset recognised at the 1 January 2019 was £3.3m, together with a corresponding lease obligation of £3.3m. The impact on profit before tax for the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2019 was not material. It is not expected that the impact for the financial year ended 31 December 2019 will be material and there was no impact on opening equity at 1 January 2019.   The following tables summarise the impact of adopting IFRS16 on the Group's Interim Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six-month period ended 30 June 2019 and its Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2019.   Impact on the Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income:  
Six-month period ended 30 June 2019
(Unaudited)
£'000
As reportedIFRS16
adjustments
Amounts without adoption of IFRS16
Revenue45,983-45,983
Cost of sales(38,985)-(38,958)
Gross profit6,998-6,998
Administrative expenses(6,196)(37)(6,233)
Profit from operations802(37)765
Finance expense(94)50(44)
Profit before tax70813721
Tax expense(158)(2)(160)
Total comprehensive income for the year55011561
Earnings per ordinary share:
Basic3.86p-3.94p
Diluted3.48p-3.55p
  Impact on the Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position:  
As at 30 June 2019
(Unaudited)
£'000
As reportedIFRS16
adjustments
Amounts without adoption of IFRS16
Assets
Non-current
Goodwill132-132
Other intangible assets240-240
Property, plant and equipment1,620-1,620
Right-of-use assets3,216(3,216)-
Deferred tax asset66-66
5,274(3,216)2,058
Current
Inventories12-12
Trade and other receivables14,299-14,299
Total current assets14,311-14,311
Total assets19,585(3,216)16,369
Liabilities
Current
Trade and other payables(6,276)(16)(6,292)
Lease liabilities(286)286-
Corporation tax(425)(2)(427)
Current borrowings(4,048)-(4,048)
Total current liabilities(11,035)268(10,767)
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities(2,959)2,959-
Deferred tax liabilities(58)-(58)
Net assets5,533115,544
Equity
Share capital146-146
Share premium120-120
Capital redemption reserve50-50
Own shares held(264)-(264)
Share based payment reserve471-471
Profit and loss account5,010115,021
Total equity5,533115,544
      Impact on the Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows:  
Six-month period ended 30 June 2019
Unaudited
£'000
As reportedIFRS16 adjustmentsAmounts without adoption of IFRS16
£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax70813721
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation397(168)229
Employee equity settled share options charge108-108
Change in inventories(4)-(4)
Change in trade and other receivables1,512-1,512
Change in trade and other payables(1,587)17(1,570)
Cash inflow/(outflow) from operations1,134(138)996
Income tax paid---
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities1,134(138)996
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(136)-(136)
Net cash used in investing activities(136)-(136)
Cash flows from financing activities
Movement on invoice discounting facility(591)-(591)
Dividends paid(363)-(363)
Payments of lease obligations(138)138-
Proceeds from exercise of share options2-2
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities(1,090)138(952)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(92)-(92)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period92-92
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period---
  This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.   END     IR UGUBURUPBGQP

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