SCIENCE GROUP PLC
('Science Group', the 'Group' or the 'Company')
INTERIM RESULTS
FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2021
Summary
· Record H1 results, ahead of the Board's upgraded expectations
· Group revenue growth of 10% to £40.7m (H1 2020: £36.9m) and 16% on constant currency basis
· Adjusted* operating profit increased by 47% to £7.25m (H1 2020: £4.9m)
· Adjusted* basic EPS growth of 51% to 13.3 pence (2020: 8.8 pence) and increase of 125% compared to H1 2019
· Review of future strategy for Frontier Smart Technologies completed, including margin enhancing royalty buyout
· Balance sheet remains strong with gross cash of £29.0m and net funds of £13.0m (2020: £22.0m and £4.9m) providing opportunity for further corporate activity
Enquiries:
Science Group plc
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 875 200
Martyn Ratcliffe, Chairman
www.sciencegroup.com
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Nick Adams, Alex Price
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7710 7600
Liberum Capital Limited (Joint Broker)
Neil Patel, Cameron Duncan
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
* Alternative performance measures are provided in order to enhance the shareholders' ability to evaluate and analyse the underlying financial performance of the Group. Refer to Note 1 for detail and explanation of the measures used.
Interim Results 2021
Science Group is an international, science-led services and product development organisation comprising three operating divisions: R&D Consultancy; Regulatory & Compliance; and Frontier Smart Technologies. The Group has a very strong balance sheet with significant cash resources and freehold property assets.
The Group achieved record results in H1 2021 delivering strong organic growth and a substantial increase in profitability, despite significant currency exchange headwinds. For the six months ended 30 June 2021, Group revenue was £40.7 million (H1 2020: £36.9 million), an organic growth rate of 10%, equivalent to 16% on a constant currency basis. The Group's adjusted operating profit increased by 47% to £7.25 million (H1 2020: £4.9 million) and by approx. 120% relative to the same period two years ago (H1 2019: £3.3 million). Adjusted profit before tax was £6.9 million (H1 2020: £4.6 million).
Due to the Group's strong cash generation, self-funding of acquisitions and share buy-back programme, this strong performance has been achieved without shareholder dilution. As a result, adjusted basic earnings per share increased by 51% to 13.3 pence (H1 2020: 8.8 pence) and 125% over the past two years (H1 2019: 5.9 pence).
The Group retains a robust balance sheet with gross cash (excluding client funds) at 30 June 2021 of £29.0 million (30 June 2020: £22.0 million) and net funds of £13.0 million (30 June 2020: £4.9 million). The long term debt of £15.9 million is secured on the freehold properties. Excluding treasury shares, at 30 June 2021, the Company had 41.2 million shares in issue (30 June 2020: 41.6 million and 30 June 2019: 41.1 million) and held 0.8 million (30 June 2020: 0.4 million) shares in treasury. Total voting rights at 30 June 2021 were 41.1 million.
R&D Consultancy
The R&D Consultancy Division was established through the integration of the Group's Advisory, Applied Science and Product Development business activities. This Division combines leading science and engineering capabilities with expertise in key vertical sectors, namely: Medical; Consumer; Food & Beverage; and Industrial, Chemical & Energy. In the first half of 2021, the Medical Sector continued to be particularly strong, with the other sectors, which were more affected by the pandemic, reflecting their respective market sector environments. Most sectors are now seeing the initial signs of global economic recovery.
For the six months ended 30 June 2021, the R&D Consultancy Division generated services revenue of £15.2 million (H1 2020: £15.2 million). This is a good performance against a challenging comparator since the first half of 2020 included the one-off UK ventilator initiative. Furthermore, since 50% of the division revenue is invoiced in US Dollars and 7% in Euro in the first half of 2021, this performance has been achieved despite the material currency exchange headwinds and growth in services revenue would have been 4% on a constant currency basis.
For the period ended 30 June 2021, the Group's Services businesses (R&D Consultancy and Regulatory & Compliance) reported an aggregate adjusted operating profit margin of 19% (H1 2020: 16%).
Regulatory & Compliance
The Regulatory & Compliance Division includes the North American and European operations of TSG, acquired in 2017, and the Leatherhead Food Research business, acquired in 2015. The Division reported continued progress in the first half of 2021, including the launch of a new US capability in medical device regulatory advice, further strengthening the synergies with the R&D Consultancy Division.
For the six months ended 30 June 2021, the Regulatory & Compliance Division generated revenue of £10.5 million (H1 2020: £10.0 million), of which around 23% is of a recurring nature. This organic growth, equivalent to approx. 8% on a constant currency basis, was broadly consistent between the North American and European operations. As noted above, the Group's Services businesses (R&D Consultancy and Regulatory & Compliance) reported an aggregate adjusted operating profit margin of 19% (H1 2020: 16%).
Frontier Smart Technologies ('Frontier')
For the six months ended 30 June 2021, Frontier reported revenue of £13.6 million (H1 2020: £7.5 million) and an adjusted operating profit margin of 22% (H1 2020: 7%). This exceptionally strong performance reflects the momentum from the second half of 2020, but also a weaker comparator in the first half of 2020 due to the post-acquisition integration and the initial impact of the Covid pandemic. The most significant challenge in the current year continues to be the availability of materials associated with the global semiconductor supply constraints.
On 11 January 2021, having successfully completed the turnaround phase, the Board initiated a review of the strategy for the Frontier business. An update was provided on 19 May informing shareholders that the Board had concluded that the review had identified a number of opportunities to further enhance and develop the business and that Frontier was to be retained within the Group.
As part of the review, an agreement was reached with Imagination Technologies Limited ("Imagination") to buy out future royalties associated with the use of the Imagination licensed technology by Frontier and Group entities in consumer electronics (including DAB radio broadcast) for the sum of $6.0 million. For the year ended 31 December 2020, Frontier paid royalties of $1.0 million to Imagination in relation to licensing the technology. This agreement is effective 1 July 2021 and is anticipated to enhance the Frontier profit contribution in the second half of the year.
One of the growth opportunities identified in the strategy review was developing the SmartRadio market, an integrated product category that combines DAB, FM and Internet radio. In progressing this opportunity, the Board is exploring both internal developments and potential acquisition opportunities.
In summary, the Board considers the Frontier acquisition to have been very successful and anticipate a rapid payback of the cost of acquisition, including transaction and restructuring costs. The strategy review has set out the future direction for this very profitable business.
Freehold Properties
Science Group owns two freehold properties, Harston Mill near Cambridge and Great Burgh in Epsom. The Group's triennial freehold property valuations were undertaken in March 2021. Despite the timing in the midst of the Covid pandemic, there were only minor changes to the valuations with a range between £23 million and £35 million, the latter being a sale & leaseback model. The properties are held on the balance sheet on a cost basis at £21.1 million (30 June 2020: £21.3 million).
For the six months ended 30 June 2021, the rental and associated services income of £0.3 million (H1 2020: £0.6 million) was generated from third-party tenants and £1.5 million (H1 2020: £1.6 million) from the Group's operating businesses. Intra-group charges are eliminated on Group consolidation but this approach ensures that the reported profit for each operating business includes property rental at market rates.
The Group's debt of £15.9 million at 30 June 2021 (£17.1 million at 30 June 2020) is primarily secured against the freehold property assets and the associated interest charge for the six month period was £0.3 million (H1 2020: £0.4 million). Interest on the debt is reported below operating profit in the consolidated results. There are no operating covenants on the debt provided that net bank debt does not exceed £10 million.
The deferred transfer of the Harston Mill property from Sagentia Limited to Quadro Harston Limited, formerly Sagentia Technology Advisory Limited, is now well advanced and is awaiting final bank approval before being completed. Resolving this legacy issue provides a more appropriate and flexible corporate structure and better aligns with the debt model related to the freehold properties. A tax cash outflow of £2.0 million is anticipated in 2021.
Corporate
The corporate function is responsible for Group and PLC matters, together with the strategic development of Science Group. In the period to 30 June 2021, Corporate costs were £1.4 million (H1 2020: £0.9 million) due to one-off items.
The Board continues to explore opportunities to increase the scale of the Group. In recent months, such opportunities have included add-on acquisitions into each of the operating divisions and larger acquisitions which would extend the Group's capabilities. There can be no certainty that any acquisitions will be completed.
Summary
In summary, the performance of Science Group in the first half of 2021 has been well ahead of the Board's expectations, with all divisions performing well. The excellent first half provides a solid platform for the rest of the year.
Frontier is now an integral part of Science Group. Despite the pandemic, the post-acquisition turnaround was very successful and the Board anticipates a rapid payback of the cost of acquisition. The strategy review identified a number of opportunities to further enhance the profitability of this business and areas for future investment.
The effectiveness of the Group's acquisition strategy and its disciplined operating model, funded by strong cash generation, is clearly demonstrated by the substantial increase in adjusted operating profit and earnings per share over the past decade. This is particularly apparent in the past two years as a result of the larger acquisition in 2019. With a strong balance sheet including significant cash resources, the Board continues to explore both add-on acquisitions and larger opportunities to increase the scale of the Group.
Consolidated Income Statement
For the period ended 30 June 2021
Note
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Revenue
4
40,655
36,895
73,663
Direct operating expenses
(23,555)
(22,945)
(43,861)
Sales and marketing expenditure
(4,388)
(4,108)
(8,112)
Administrative expenses
(6,981)
(6,994)
(14,561)
Adjusted operating profit
7,250
4,925
10,885
Acquisition integration costs
-
(127)
(10)
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
(1,208)
(1,259)
(2,507)
Share based payment charge
(311)
(691)
(1,239)
Operating profit
5,731
2,848
7,129
Finance income
-
5
9
Finance costs
(340)
(376)
(746)
Profit before income tax
5,391
2,477
6,392
Income tax (charge)/credit (including R&D tax credit of £124,000 (H1-20 £142,000))
6
(711)
(465)
647
Profit for the period
4
4,680
2,012
7,039
Earnings per share
Earnings per share from continuing operations (basic)
7
11.4p
4.8p
16.9p
Earnings per share from continuing operations (diluted)
7
11.1p
4.6p
16.7p
Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations (basic)
7
13.3p
8.8p
19.4p
Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations (diluted)
7
13.0p
8.5p
19.1p
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period ended 30 June 2021
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Profit for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
4,680
2,012
7,039
Profit for the period
4,680
2,012
7,039
Other comprehensive income Items that will or may be reclassified to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
(186)
799
(358)
Fair value gain/(loss) on interest rate swap
382
(536)
(519)
Deferred tax on interest rate swap
(71)
101
96
Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period
125
364
(781)
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
4,805
2,376
6,258
Total comprehensive income for the period
4,805
2,376
6,258
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (unaudited)
For the period ended 30 June 2021
Group
Issued capital £000
Share premium £000
Treasury Stock £000
Merger reserve £000
Translation reserve £000
Cash flow hedge reserve £000
Retained earnings £000
Total - Share- holders' funds £000
Total equity £000
Balance at 1 January 2020
421
9,102
(660)
10,343
(679)
-
17,742
36,269
36,269
Purchase of own shares
-
-
(166)
-
-
-
-
(166)
(166)
Share based payment charge
-
-
-
-
-
-
691
691
691
Deferred tax on share based payment transactions
-
-
-
-
-
-
(63)
(63)
(63)
Transactions with owners
-
-
(166)
-
-
-
628
462
462
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,012
2,012
2,012
Other comprehensive income:
Transfer of cash flow hedge reserve from retained earnings
-
-
-
-
-
(115)
115
-
-
Fair value (loss) on interest rate swap
-
-
-
-
-
(536)
-
(536)
(536)
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
-
-
-
-
799
-
-
799
799
Deferred tax on interest rate swap
-
-
-
-
-
101
-
101
101
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
-
-
799
(550)
2,127
2,376
2,376
Balance at 30 June 2020
421
9,102
(826)
10,343
120
(550)
20,497
39,107
39,107
Group
Issued capital £000
Share premium £000
Treasury Stock £000
Merger reserve £000
Translation reserve £000
Cash flow hedge reserve £000
Retained earnings £000
Total - Share- holders' funds £000
Total equity £000
Balance at 1 July 2020
421
9,102
(826)
10,343
120
(550)
20,497
39,107
39,107
Purchase of own shares
(1,506)
(1,506)
(1,506)
Issue of shares out of treasury stock
-
-
436
-
-
-
(429)
7
7
Dividends paid
-
-
-
-
-
-
(830)
(830)
(830)
Share based payment charge
-
-
-
-
-
-
548
548
548
Deferred tax on share based payment transactions
-
-
-
-
-
-
182
182
182
Total contributions and distributions
-
-
(1,070)
-
-
-
(529)
(1,599)
(1,599)
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,027
5,027
5,027
Other comprehensive income:
Fair value gain on interest rate swap
-
-
-
-
-
17
-
17
17
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
-
-
-
-
(1,157)
-
-
(1,157)
(1,157)
Deferred tax on interest rate swap
-
-
-
-
-
(5)
-
(5)
(5)
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
-
-
(1,157)
12
5,027
3,882
3,882
Balance at 31 December 2020
421
9,102
(1,896)
10,343
(1,037)
(538)
24,995
41,390
41,390
Group
Issued capital £000
Share premium £000
Treasury Stock £000
Merger reserve £000
Translation reserve £000
Cashflow hedge reserve £000
Retained earnings £000
Total - Share- holders' funds £000
Total equity £000
Balance at 1 January 2021
421
9,102
(1,896)
10,343
(1,037)
(538)
24,995
41,390
41,390
Purchase of own shares
-
-
(238)
-
-
-
-
(238)
(238)
Issue of shares out of treasury stock
-
-
183
-
-
-
(182)
1
1
Dividends paid
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,642)
(1,642)
(1,642)
Share based payment charge
-
-
-
-
-
-
311
311
311
Deferred tax on share based payment transactions
-
-
-
-
-
-
264
264
264
Transactions with owners
-
-
(55)
-
-
-
(1,249)
(1,304)
(1,304)
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,680
4,680
4,680
Other comprehensive income:
Fair value gain on interest rate swap
-
-
-
-
-
382
-
382
382
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
-
-
-
-
(186)
-
-
(186)
(186)
Deferred tax on interest rate swap
-
-
-
-
-
(71)
-
(71)
(71)
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
-
-
(186)
311
4,680
4,805
4,805
Balance at 30 June 2021
421
9,102
(1,951)
10,343
(1,223)
(227)
28,426
44,891
44,891
Consolidated Balance Sheet
At 30 June 2021
Note
At 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
At 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
At 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Assets
Non-current assets
Acquisition related intangible assets
9,221
12,512
10,514
Goodwill
13,604
13,998
13,657
Property, plant and equipment
23,542
24,766
23,809
Deferred tax assets
711
51
1,322
47,078
51,327
49,302
Current assets
Inventories
1,214
1,781
1,263
Trade and other receivables
10,862
9,450
10,784
Current tax asset
2,793
264
1,627
Cash and cash equivalents - Client funds
8
2,228
4,121
2,015
Cash and cash equivalents - Group cash
8
28,962
22,001
27,059
46,059
37,617
42,748
Total assets
93,137
88,944
92,050
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
25,899
23,862
26,365
Current tax liabilities
231
577
394
Provisions
9
877
669
678
Borrowings
10
1,200
1,200
1,200
Lease liabilities
11
1,191
1,423
1,247
29,398
27,731
29,884
Non-current liabilities
Provisions
9
679
506
659
Borrowings
10
14,715
15,908
15,307
Lease liabilities
11
499
1,736
1,038
Derivative financial liabilities
252
651
634
Deferred tax liabilities
2,703
3,305
3,138
18,848
22,106
20,776
Total liabilities
48,246
49,837
50,660
Net assets
44,891
39,107
41,390
Shareholders' equity
Share capital
421
421
421
Share premium
9,102
9,102
9,102
Treasury stock
(1,951)
(826)
(1,896)
Merger reserve
10,343
10,343
10,343
Translation reserve
(1,223)
120
(1,037)
Cash flow hedge reserve
(227)
(550)
(538)
Retained earnings
28,426
20,497
24,995
Total equity
44,891
39,107
41,390
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 30 June 2021
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Profit before income tax
5,391
2,477
6,392
Adjustments for:
Amortisation on acquisition related intangible assets
1,208
1,259
2,507
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment
364
580
904
Impairment of right of use assets
-
540
513
Depreciation of right of use assets
401
548
1,067
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
-
-
7
Net interest cost
340
376
737
Share based payment charge
311
691
1,239
Decrease in inventories
49
279
394
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
(79)
825
(546)
Increase in payables representing client funds
213
2,604
498
(Decrease)/increase in payables excluding balances representing client funds
(670)
366
5,976
Change in provisions
228
510
735
Cash generated from operations
7,756
11,055
20,423
Loan interest paid
(293)
(300)
(753)
UK corporation tax paid
(1,131)
(292)
(1,799)
Foreign corporation tax paid
(540)
(24)
(184)
Cash flows from operating activities
5,792
10,439
17,687
Interest received
-
5
9
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(411)
(38)
(143)
Cash flow used in investing activities
(411)
(33)
(134)
Issue of shares out of treasury
1
-
7
Repurchase of own shares
(238)
(166)
(1,672)
Dividends paid
(1,642)
-
(830)
Proceeds from bank loans
-
1,500
1,500
Repayment of bank loans
(600)
(600)
(1,200)
Payment of lease liabilities
(720)
(742)
(1,339)
Cash flows used in financing activities
(3,199)
(8)
(3,534)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the period
2,182
10,398
14,019
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
29,074
15,429
15,429
Exchange (loss)/gain on cash
(66)
295
(374)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
31,190
26,122
29,074
Cash and cash equivalents is analysed as follows:
Six months ended 30 Jun 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Cash and cash equivalents - Client funds
2,228
4,121
2,015
Cash and cash equivalents - Group cash
28,962
22,001
27,059
31,190
26,122
29,074
Extracts from notes to the financial statements
1. General information
The financial information for the 6 months ended 30 June 2021 set out in this interim report is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information included for the year ended 31 December 2020 has been extracted from the 2020 Financial Statements of Science Group plc. The Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or Section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
These unaudited interim results have been approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 23 July 2021.
The Group and Company financial statements of Science Group plc for the year ended 31 December 2020 were prepared under IFRS (as adopted by the EU) and have been audited by Grant Thornton UK LLP. Copies of the Financial Statements are available from the Company's registered office: Harston Mill, Harston, Cambridge, CB22 7GG and can be found on the Company's website at www.sciencegroup.com.
Science Group plc (the 'Company') and its subsidiaries (together 'Science Group' or 'Group') is an international, science-led services and product development organisation with a freehold property asset base.
The Company is the ultimate parent company in which results of all the Science Group companies are consolidated.
The Company is incorporated in England and Wales and is listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (SAG).
Alternative performance measures
The Group uses alternative (non-Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ('non-GAAP')) performance measures of 'adjusted operating profit', 'adjusted earnings per share' and 'net funds' which are not defined within the International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). These are explained in the 2020 Financial Statements and the calculations are as follows:
(a) Adjusted operating profit
The calculation of this measure is shown on the Consolidated Income Statement.
(b) Adjusted earnings per share
The calculation of this measure is disclosed in Note 7.
(c) Net funds
This measure is calculated as follows:
In £000 unless otherwise stated
At 30 June 2021
At 30 June 2020
At 31 December 2020
Cash and cash equivalents - Group cash
28,962
22,001
27,059
Borrowings
(15,915)
(17,108)
(16,507)
Net funds
13,047
4,893
10,552
2. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these interim financial statements are unchanged from those set out in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020. These policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented.
2.1 Basis of preparation
These interim consolidated financial statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2021. They have been prepared based on the measurement and recognition principles of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU and IFRIC interpretations issued and effective at the time of preparing these statements.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments and share based payments which are measured at fair value.
Going concern - the Directors have considered the current cash balance of £29.0m (excluding client funds) and assessed forecast future cash flows for the next 12 months. There are no events or conditions which cast significant doubt on the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern. The term loan has no operating covenants while the Group net bank debt is less than £10 million. On the basis of the forecast future cash flows, the Directors do not expect the Group net bank debt to exceed £10 million at any time during the forecast period. The Directors are satisfied that the Group has adequate cash and financing resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least a year following the release of these unaudited interim results and therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim financial statements.
3. Financial risk management
3.1 Financial risk factors
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest risk and price risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest-rate risk. The Group's overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group's financial performance.
4. Segmental information
The Group is structured into 4 reporting Segments: Services Operating Business, Product Operating Business, Freehold Properties and Corporate. The Services Operating Business comprises two operating divisions: R&D Consultancy and Regulatory & Compliance. Frontier Smart Technologies, the third operating division, is the Product Operating Business. The performance of the Operating Businesses are shown separately from the value generated by the Group's significant freehold property assets and the Corporate costs to provide greater transparency and facilitate shareholder analysis of the component parts of the Group.
Financial information is provided to the chief operating decision makers ('CODMs') in line with this structure. The divisions of R&D Consultancy and Regulatory & Compliance have been aggregated resulting in one Services Operating Business segment because the divisions have similar economic characteristics such as similar long-term average gross margins, trends in sales growth and operating cash flows and are also similar in respect of their nature, delivery and types of customers that the services are provided to. This aggregation does not impact the user's ability to understand the entity's performance, its prospects for future cash flows or the user's decisions about the entity as a whole as it is a fair representation of the performance of each division.
In the Services Operating Business Segment, services revenue includes all consultancy fees and other revenue includes recharged materials, expenses and licence revenue generated directly from the Services Operating Business activities. Product Operating Business revenue includes sales of chips and modules which are incorporated into digital radios. The Freehold Properties segment includes the results for the two freehold properties owned by the Group. Income is derived from third party tenants from the Harston Mill site and from the Services and Product Operating Businesses which have been charged equivalent to market-based rents for their utilised property space and associated costs. Corporate costs include PLC/Group costs.
The segmental analysis is reviewed to operating profit. Other resources are shared across the Group.
Services Operating Business
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Services revenue
25,750
25,268
48,198
Other
1,029
3,506
4,077
Revenue
26,779
28,774
52,275
Adjusted operating profit
5,177
4,520
9,068
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
(746)
(757)
(1,513)
Share based payment charge
(278)
(569)
(946)
Operating profit
4,153
3,194
6,609
Product Operating Business
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Product revenue
13,620
7,541
20,540
Revenue
13,620
7,541
20,540
Adjusted operating profit
2,967
495
3,245
Acquisition and integration costs
-
(127)
(10)
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
(462)
(502)
(994)
Share based payment charge
(98)
(77)
(185)
Operating profit/(loss)
2,407
(211)
2,056
Freehold Properties
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Inter-company property income
1,522
1,573
3,189
Third party property income
256
580
848
Revenue
1,778
2,153
4,037
Adjusted operating profit
495
794
954
Share based payment charge
(10)
(7)
(21)
Operating profit
485
787
933
Corporate
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Adjusted operating loss
(1,389)
(884)
(2,382)
Share based payment credit/(charge)
75
(38)
(87)
Operating loss
(1,314)
(922)
(2,469)
Group
Six months ended 30 June 2021 Total (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 Total (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 Total (Audited) £000
Services revenue
25,750
25,268
48,198
Product revenue
13,620
7,541
20,540
Third party property income
256
580
848
Other
1,029
3,506
4,077
Revenue
40,655
36,895
73,663
Adjusted operating profit
7,250
4,925
10,885
Acquisition and integration costs
-
(127)
(10)
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
(1,208)
(1,259)
(2,507)
Share based payment charge
(311)
(691)
(1,239)
Operating profit
5,731
2,848
7,129
Finance charges (net)
(340)
(371)
(737)
Profit before income tax
5,391
2,477
6,392
Income tax (charge)/credit
(711)
(465)
647
Profit for the period
4,680
2,012
7,039
In the Freehold Properties segment, income includes £1.5 million (H1 2020: £1.6 million) generated from inter-segment recharges. The corresponding cost is included within the Operating Business segments and is eliminated on consolidation.
5. Revenue
The Group's operations and main revenue streams are those described in the last annual financial statements. The Group's revenue is derived from contracts with customers.
Disaggregation of revenue
In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by geographical market and by the currency in which the contract is denominated for the Operating Business. Property revenue is generated in the UK and denominated in GBP.
For the 6 months ended 30 June (Unaudited)
Currency
USD £000
EUR £000
GBP £000
Other £000
Total £000
2021
25,209
1,855
13,583
8
40,655
2020
17,316
1,669
17,844
66
36,895
Geographical market
North America £000
Europe (excl UK) £000
UK £000
Asia £000
Other £000
Total £000
2021
13,469
6,344
5,482
15,196
164
40,655
2020
11,215
6,752
10,475
8,188
265
36,895
6. Income tax
The income tax charge for the period ended 30 June 2021 is charged at the effective tax rate calculated for the period using reasonable estimates and incorporating both current and deferred taxation:
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Profit before tax
5,391
2,477
6,392
Current taxation
(958)
(1,114)
(1,492)
Current taxation - adjustment in respect of prior years
(126)
-
240
Deferred taxation
249
507
1,806
Deferred taxation - adjustment in respect of prior years
-
-
(155)
R&D tax credit
124
142
248
Tax (charge)/credit
(711)
(465)
647
Effective tax rate
13.2%
18.8%
(10.1%)
The Group claims Research and Development tax credits under both the R&D Expenditure Credit scheme and the Small or Medium-sized scheme. In the year ended 31 December 2020, the tax credit arose primarily due to the recognition of tax losses within Frontier as a deferred tax asset.
7. Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the following results and number of shares:
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Profit for the financial period
4,680
2,012
7,039
Weighted average number of shares:
For basic earnings per share
41,217,451
41,681,034
41,631,118
For fully diluted earnings per share
42,366,174
43,314,594
42,229,766
Earnings per share:
Pence
Pence
Pence
Basic earnings per share
11.4
4.8
16.9
Fully diluted earnings per share
11.1
4.6
16.7
The calculation of adjusted earnings per share is as follows:
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Adjusted* profit after tax for the period
5,500
3,671
8,078
Weighted average number of shares:
For basic earnings per share
41,217,451
41,681,034
41,631,118
For fully diluted earnings per share
42,366,174
43,314,594
42,229,766
Adjusted earnings per share:
Pence
Pence
Pence
Basic earnings per share
13.3
8.8
19.4
Fully diluted earnings per share
13.0
8.5
19.1
*Calculation of adjusted profit after tax:
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Adjusted operating profit
7,250
4,925
10,885
Finance income
-
5
9
Finance costs
(340)
(376)
(746)
Adjusted profit before tax
6,910
4,554
10,148
Tax charge at approx. blended average tax rate of 20.4% (H1-20: 19.4%)
(1,410)
(883)
(2,070)
Adjusted profit after tax
5,500
3,671
8,078
8. Cash and cash equivalents
Six months ended 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
Six months ended 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
Year ended 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Cash and cash equivalents - Client funds
2,228
4,121
2,015
Cash and cash equivalents - Group cash
28,962
22,001
27,059
31,190
26,122
29,074
The Group receives cash from clients for the purpose of payment of registration fees to regulatory bodies and other project pass through costs. Client funds are separated in the day to day operations of the business, are separately identified for reporting purposes and are unrestricted.
9. Provisions
(Unaudited)
Dilapid -ations £000
Restruct-uring £000
Legal £000
Other £000
Total £000
At 1 January 2020
562
90
-
-
652
Increase in provision
13
-
562
-
575
Utilisation of provision
(26)
-
(59)
-
(85)
Loss on foreign currency fluctuations
31
-
2
-
33
At 30 June 2020
580
90
505
-
1,175
Increase in provision
264
-
97
14
375
Utilisation of provision
-
(10)
(90)
-
(100)
Provision reversed during the year
(36)
-
-
-
(36)
Gain on foreign currency fluctuations
(44)
-
(33)
-
(77)
At 31 December 2020
764
80
479
14
1,337
Increase in provision
20
-
240
6
266
Utilisation of provision
(5)
(10)
(23)
-
(38)
Gain on foreign currency fluctuations
(6)
-
(3)
-
(9)
At 30 June 2021
773
70
693
20
1,556
At 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
At 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
At 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Current liabilities
877
669
678
Non-current liabilities
679
506
659
1,556
1,175
1,337
Legal provisions represent the best estimate of the future cost of responding to US subpoenas relating to litigation and investigations directed at third parties. The business will seek to recover these costs against the third party but cannot be guaranteed. The restructuring provision relates to the costs associated with the closure of some non-trading Group entities and is anticipated to be utilised during the next 12 months.
10. Borrowings
At 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
At 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
At 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Non-current bank borrowings
14,715
15,908
15,307
Current bank borrowings
1,200
1,200
1,200
15,915
17,108
16,507
The Group has a 10-year fixed term loan and has interest rate swaps in place to fix the interest at an effective rate of 3.5%. The repayment profile of the loan is £1.2 million per annum over the term with the remaining balance repaid on expiry of loan in 2026.
11. Lease liabilities
At 30 June 2021 (Unaudited) £000
At 30 June 2020 (Unaudited) £000
At 31 December 2020 (Audited) £000
Non-current lease liabilities
499
1,736
1,038
Current lease liabilities
1,191
1,423
1,247
1,690
3,159
2,285
Lease liabilities arise on leased properties held by the Group. The leases have remaining periods of between 1 and 4 years from the balance sheet date.
12. Subsequent events
On 15 July 2021, an agreement was reached with Imagination Technologies Limited, effective 1 July 2021, to settle all future royalties associated with the use of the licensed technology in the consumer electronics market (including DAB radio broadcast) for a single payment of $6.0 million (£4.3 million).
13. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In preparing these interim financial statements, management has made judgements and estimates that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those described in the last annual financial statements.
- Ends -
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