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REG - Synectics PLC - Half-year Report

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RNS Number : 0716S  Synectics PLC  12 July 2022

 RNS  12 July 2022

 

Synectics plc

("Synectics" or the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Interim results for the six months ended 31 May 2022

 

Synectics plc (AIM: SNX), a leader in the design, integration and support of
advanced security and surveillance systems, reports its unaudited interim
results for the six months ended 31 May 2022 ("H1 2022").

 

Headlines

 ·             Substantial profit turn-around against same period last year - profit before
               tax £0.5 million (H1 2021: £(0.8) million loss)
 ·             H1 2022 revenue £22.8 million (H1 2021: £22.0 million)
 ·             Diluted earnings per share 2.4p (H1 2021: (2.9)p loss)
 ·             Order book as at 31 May 2022 solid at £29.6 million (31 May 2021: £30.3
               million) with a strong pipeline of expected orders
 ·             Net cash as at 31 May 2022 higher than expected at £4.2 million (31 May 2021:
               £3.5 million) with no bank debt and £3.0 million undrawn facility
 ·             Strong gross margin performance in both operating divisions
 ·             Activity levels in the Company's major end-user markets generally continue to
               gather momentum
 ·             The Board expects further improved results in the seasonally stronger second
               half of this financial year

 

Commenting on the results, Paul Webb, Chief Executive of Synectics, said:

"A strong team performance has delivered a substantial turnaround in profits
despite challenges in the supply chain, and with some end markets still
subdued. We expect this trajectory of revenue and profit growth to continue in
the second half of this year and beyond."

 

For further information, please contact:

 Synectics plc                                                Tel: +44 (0) 114 280 2828

 David Coghlan, Chairman

 Paul Webb, Chief Executive
 Amanda Larnder, Finance Director

 email: info@synecticsplc.com (mailto:info@synecticsplc.com)  www.synecticsplc.com (http://www.synecticsplc.com)

 Shore Capital                                                Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4050
 Tom Griffiths / David Coaten

Media enquiries:

 Intelligent Conversation                                Tel: +44 (0) 161 694 3979
 Claire Evans
 email: claire@weareic.com (mailto:claire@weareic.com)

 

Chairman's Statement

Overview

Trading in the first half of 2022 was in line with the Board's expectations
and produced considerable progress. Pleasingly, profits were ahead of the
seasonally stronger second half of last year and represented a significant
turnaround from the same period last year.

The improved results were largely driven by revenue growth of over 20 percent.
in the Company's core Systems division, and were supported by improved margins
in the Security division.

Activity levels in the major end-user markets that Synectics serves generally
continued to gather momentum as markets severely affected by the pandemic
began their recovery, particularly in oil & gas and US gaming. That
recovery is, as yet, less evident in casinos and gaming resorts in
Asia-Pacific where leisure travel has remained subdued.

Overall, the Board is pleased with Synectics' performance in H1 2022 and
expects a continuation of the trajectory of improvement in the second half of
this financial year.

 

Results

Synectics' revenue for the period was 4 percent ahead of H1 2021 at £22.8
million (2021: £22.0 million).

The Group recorded an underlying profit before tax for H1 2022 of £0.5
million (H1 2021: £(0.8) million loss). There were no non-underlying items
and therefore, the profit before tax was also £0.5 million (H1 2021: £(0.8)
million loss). Diluted earnings per share were 2.4p (H1 2021: (2.9)p loss).

There was no material impact of foreign exchange movements on results for the
half year. Net cash as at 31 May 2022 was higher than expected at £4.2
million (31 May 2021: £3.5 million). The Company has no bank debt and
available undrawn facilities of £3.0 million.

Order book as at 31 May 2022 was solid at £29.6 million (31 May 2021: £30.3
million) with approximately £16 million (31 May 2021: £15 million) of this
expected to trade in this financial year. Together with a strong pipeline of
expected orders, this supports the Board's expectations for improved trading
in the second half of the year.

More details on these results are set out below in the divisional reports.

 

Dividend

In the Company's Annual Report for FY 2021, the Board set out its intention to
pay only a final dividend in respect of the year ending 30 November 2022.
Accordingly, no interim dividend is being declared.

 

Business Review

 

Systems Division

Synectics' Systems division provides specialist electronic surveillance
systems, based on its proprietary technology, to global end customers with
large-scale, highly complex security requirements, particularly for transport
& infrastructure, gaming, high security & public space protection and
oil & gas operations.

 

 £000                        Six months ended  Six months ended  Year ended

                             31 May            31 May            30 Nov

                             2022              2021              2021

 Revenue                     11,816            9,801             20,661
 Gross margin(1)             50.4%             47.8%             46.4%
 Operating profit/(loss)(1)  722               (482)             58
 Operating margin(1)         6.1%              (4.9)%            0.3%

( )

(1) Before Group central costs.

 

These improved results were largely driven by revenue growth of approximately
20 percent. as markets severely affected by the pandemic began their recovery,
coupled with strong gross margins.

The Systems division's strong gross margins reflect both its ability to pass
on cost increases and further progress in the Group's strategy of increased
software content in its deliveries.

Although the division experienced some disruption to its supply chains from
the prevalent global issues, proactive management meant that there was no
material impact on either delivery schedules or margins.

Notable during the period were the award of a substantial long-term contract
to provide security management software support for the UK energy company
National Grid, across its estate, which was announced in March 2022, and a
number of oil & gas projects that meant revenues in that sector increased
by over 40 percent from the prior year, albeit from a low level.

As mentioned above, activity levels in the major end-user markets that
Synectics serves generally continue to gather momentum, particularly in the
oil & gas and gaming sectors where revenues were well ahead against the
same period last year.

Europe, Middle East & Africa (Revenue £7.3 million (H1 2021: £6.5
million))

Revenues were ahead of the prior year, primarily due to improvements in the
oil & gas market - a trend which is expected to continue.

Solid performance in public space, transport and infrastructure markets, at a
similar level to the prior year, was built on continuing work for major
customers in the City of London, West Midlands and Berlin.

 

Asia Pacific (Revenue £2.3 million (H1 2021: £1.7 million))

The period saw improvements in both oil & gas and gaming revenues in the
region from the low levels of the prior year.

Travel and business in the region remained very difficult in the period, but
with travel possible in recent months, and increased activity, the Board
expects further improvements in H2, with more meaningful progress in 2023.

 

North America (Revenue £2.2 million (H1 2021: £1.6 million))

Synectics' current activities in North America, almost exclusively in casino
operations, recorded an increase in revenue as casino operations resumed.

The Board expects further progress here in H2, whilst noting that casino
operators are signalling that current economic conditions are hindering their
expected recovery.

 

Technology Development

Continued investment in our intellectual property and technology base within
the Systems division remains an important priority for the Group, and during
H1 2022 this investment continued at planned levels.

Expenditure on technology development during H1 2022 was maintained at £1.6
million (H1 2021: £1.7 million) of which £0.2 million (H1 2021: £0.3
million) was capitalised and the remainder expensed to the income statement.
In addition, £0.5 million (H1 2021: £0.4 million) of previously capitalised
development was amortised in the period.  These figures are all included
within the results of the Systems division set out above.

The latest generation of Synectics' Synergy software has been developed as a
hybrid Cloud platform - allowing customers to combine Cloud services with
traditional IT infrastructure, and evolve to Cloud solutions at a time and
speed that are right for them.

Following successful initial deployments of Cloud-native and hybrid solutions,
Synectics' development efforts have been focused on extending Synergy's
functionality "beyond the control room" towards an anywhere, anytime concept,
with web-native video technology ensuring low-barrier access to users wherever
they may be, on any device.

The Group's large projects for advanced infrastructure surveillance, including
Deutsche Bahn in Berlin and the Cloud-based deployment of Synergy for the City
of London Corporation and City of London Police, along with further successful
adoption of primary Cloud products such as Synectics' Cloud Evidence Locker,
continue to act as important references for Synectics' core advanced
technology.

These capabilities and concepts have been presented to many existing and
potential customers, and marketing activity has been increased - with
excellent feedback.

The next-generation Synergy Web platform enables users, via strict access
permissions and encrypted communications, to access vital Synergy features,
including management reports and dashboards, and live and historic incidents.

The Synergy Ecosystem continues to be extended with numerous new integrations
to third-party systems. While these new integration drivers have historically
been developed in-house by the Synectics Technology Centre team, recent
developments now allow third parties to undertake such integrations.

We continue to work closely with our customers to understand their future
needs and to support their transition into hybrid and Cloud solutions at a
time that is right for them. Our technology choices will support customers on
their journey to the Cloud, and Synectics' feature development continues to
focus on solutions which align with their evolving IT and operational
requirements.

 

Security Division

Synectics' Security division is a leading UK provider of design, integration,
monitoring, and management of large-scale electronic security systems for
critical and regulated environments. Its main markets are in critical
infrastructure, transport, and public space. Its capabilities include UK
government security-cleared personnel and facilities, nationwide project
delivery and service support, and an in-house 24-hour monitoring centre and
helpdesk. Synectics Security supplies proprietary products and technology from
Synectics' Systems division as well as selected outside partners, and also
provides highly-regarded security monitoring and facilities management
services.

 £000                 Six months ended  Six months ended  Year ended

                      31 May            31 May            30 Nov

                      2022              2021              2021

 Revenue              11,804            13,106            24,965
 Gross margin(1)      25.8%             23.6%             24.1%
 Operating profit(1)  575               497               924
 Operating margin(1)  4.9%              3.8%              3.7%

 

(1) Before Group central costs.

 

Synectics Security, the Group's UK-focused integration division, experienced a
decline in revenues compared to the same period last year largely due to
customer-led delays on several major projects that had been expected to be
largely completed in the half.

However, the division's long-term strategy to raise operating margins is
continuing to bear fruit.  An improved mix of business, principally from a
higher proportion of targeted high-security work, drove higher gross margins,
and the continued focus on control of costs and tighter project management
delivered an operating profit in H1 2022 that was better than the satisfactory
result achieved in the same period last year.

In the UK public sector, whilst local authority funding continues to be
constrained, initiatives such as the Government's Safer Streets programme
provide opportunities with a number of local councils that have significant
central funding available.

Orders from the UK bus market continued at broadly similar levels to last
year, with bus registrations largely in line with those seen in the second
half of last year.

Notable contract wins in the period included new and extended security systems
for two UK police forces, a significant new Government-funded research and
development facility, and a large contract for new zero-emission electric
buses in Ireland.

Ongoing contracts with the City of London Police, Irish Rail and others, along
with a strong pipeline of expected orders, underpin an expectation of
increased revenues in the second half with operating margins broadly in line
with those achieved in H1 2022.

 

Strategy

Synectics' strategy remains to develop and capitalise on its market-leading
positions within relevant sectors of the global surveillance and security
market where customers value high-performance, sector-specific capability. Its
core market sectors continue to be transport & infrastructure (including
"safe city" projects), casinos and gaming resorts, high security facilities
and oil & gas. It achieves product differentiation, cost competitiveness
and scalability in these markets by maintaining a standard modular core
technology engine which supports solutions tailored as required for specific
sectors and customers. The solution can now be delivered in traditional, cloud
or hybrid cloud versions, providing full flexibility for a customer's desired
technical deployment.

Significant technology development investment is focused on expanding the
range of capabilities of the core Synergy platform to enable end-to-end
control of the overall surveillance and security operations function. To
customers whose other options would largely be based on bespoke development,
the Synectics' alternative offers the flexibility and power they need, but at
a lower cost and with substantially reduced risk.

Once installed, these software-based systems tend to engender long-term
customer relationships and recurring revenue, with contracts for ongoing
licensing, support and upgrades.

In the UK and Ireland, Synectics' technology is increasingly delivered via its
in-house integration division, as well as through third-party integration
partners. Globally, delivery is either direct or via local specialist
partners.

 

Board Changes

Shortly after the end of the half year, the Company has announced several
actual and planned changes to the composition of the Board. In early June
2022, we welcomed Andrew Lockwood, who has joined as an independent
Non-executive Director. Andrew has particularly relevant experience in the
successful scaling of enterprise software systems.

We have also recently announced the departure of David Bedford as Group
Finance Director, and I would like to thank him for his contributions over his
two and a half years in the role. David's replacement is Amanda Larnder, who
is well known to us all at Synectics, having been Group Financial Controller
and subsequently Acting Finance Director until 2019, prior to the relocation
of the Group's head office from the Midlands to Sheffield. She will be a
strong addition to the senior management team and the Board.

Finally, the Company also announced in June my intention to retire as Chairman
and from the Board by the end of 2022, as soon as a suitable replacement has
been found and a proper transition completed. As our main markets are emerging
from the severe impacts of the pandemic, Synectics has restored profitability,
strengthened its competitive positions and is on an expected trajectory for
significant growth. Having had the honour of chairing Synectics for the last
16 years, it is now time for me to step back from my current commitments to a
less direct role and support the future success of the Company as an actively
engaged outside shareholder.

 

Outlook

The recovery of results in the second half of 2021 was largely driven by
restructuring efficiencies and cost-saving measures implemented in the
preceding financial year. By important contrast, the progress in 2022 so far
has been led by a significant and continuing resumption of revenue growth in
the core Systems division, coupled with strong gross margins. Margin growth in
both divisions has been achieved despite the well-documented difficulties with
global supply chains and input price inflation affecting the electronics
industry generally, and is evidence of the Group's successful strategy of
targeting software-intensive business from customers with critical
surveillance needs.

Based on the current pipeline of anticipated business, the Board expects
Synectics' trajectory of revenue and profit growth to continue in the second
half and beyond.

 

David Coghlan

Chairman

12 July 2022

Consolidated income statement

For the six months ended 31 May 2022

 

                                                                            Notes   Unaudited     Unaudited

                                                                                    six months    six months

                                                                                   ended          ended

                                                                                   31 May 2022    31 May 2021

                                                                                   £000           £000
 Revenue                                                                    3      22,765         21,958
 Cost of sales                                                                     (13,767)       (14,173)
 Gross profit                                                                      8,998          7,785
 Operating expenses                                                                (8,473)        (8,641)
 Other income                                                                      -              97
 Profit/(loss) from operations, before non-underlying items                        525            (759)
 Non-underlying items                                                              -              (12)
 Profit/(loss) from operations                                                     525            (771)
 Finance costs                                                                     (40)           (39)
 Profit/(loss) before tax                                                          485            (810)
 Income tax (charge)/credit                                                 4      (80)           313
 Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to equity holders of the Parent         405            (497)
 Company
 Basic earnings/(loss) per share                                            7      2.4p           (2.9)p
 Diluted earnings/(loss) per share                                          7      2.4p           (2.9)p

 

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the six months ended 31 May 2022

 

                                                                           Unaudited     Unaudited

                                                                           six months    six months

                                                                          ended          ended

                                                                          31 May 2022    31 May 2021

                                                                          £000           £000
 Profit/(loss) for the period                                             405            (497)
 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
 Re-measurement loss on defined benefit pension scheme, net of tax        -              (1,073)
                                                                          405            (1,570)
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
 Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations                18             (267)
 (Losses)/gains on a hedge of a net investment taken to equity            (7)            128
                                                                          11             (139)
 Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period attributable to equity  416            (1,709)
 holders of the Parent Company

 

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at 31 May 2022

 

                                                              Notes  Unaudited     Unaudited     30 Nov

                                                                     31 May 2022   31 May 2021   2021

                                                                      £000          £000         £000
 Non-current assets
 Property, plant and equipment                                       4,464         5,432         4,981
 Intangible assets                                                   21,389        21,912        21,728
 Retirement benefit asset                                     6      -             -             -
 Deferred tax assets                                                 2,387         2,452         2,452
                                                                     28,240        29,796        29,161
 Current assets
 Inventories                                                         4,481         4,390         3,936
 Trade and other receivables                                         10,586        11,316        11,156
 Contract assets                                                     6,701         6,738         5,244
 Tax assets                                                          -             39            -
 Cash and cash equivalents                                           4,201         3,488         4,641
                                                                     25,969        25,971        24,977
 Total assets                                                        54,209        55,767        54,138
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                            (10,966)      (13,376)      (10,902)
 Contract liabilities                                                (3,169)       (2,448)       (3,096)
 Lease liabilities                                                   (494)         (915)         (816)
 Tax liabilities                                                     (15)          -             -
 Current provisions                                                  (517)         (400)         (487)
                                                                     (15,161)      (17,139)      (15,301)
 Non-current liabilities
 Non-current provisions                                              (1,037)       (552)         (921)
 Lease liabilities                                                   (1,959)       (2,168)       (2,023)
 Deferred tax liabilities                                            (549)         (548)         (549)
                                                                     (3,545)       (3,268)       (3,493)
 Total liabilities                                                   (18,706)      (20,407)      (18,794)
 Net assets                                                          35,503        35,360        35,344
 Equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company
 Called up share capital                                             3,559         3,559         3,559
 Share premium account                                               16,043        16,043        16,043
 Merger reserve                                                      9,971         9,971         9,971
 Other reserves                                                      (1,436)       (1,448)       (1,436)
 Currency translation reserve                                        783           780           772
 Retained earnings                                                   6,583         6,455         6,435
 Total equity                                                        35,503        35,360        35,344

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the six months ended 31 May 2022

 

                                                                                 Called up  Share                          Currency

                                                                                 share      premium   Merger     Other     translation   Retained   Total

                                                                                 capital    account   reserve   reserves   reserve       earnings   £000

                                                                                 £000       £000      £000       £000      £000          £000
 At 1 December 2020                                                              3,559      16,043    9,971     (1,448)    919           7,987      37,031
 Loss for the period                                                             -          -         -         -          -             (497)      (497)
 Other comprehensive income
 Currency translation adjustment                                                 -          -         -         -          (139)         -          (139)
 Re-measurement loss on defined benefit pension scheme, net of tax (see note 6)  -          -         -         -          -             (1,073)    (1,073)
 Total other comprehensive loss                                                  -          -         -         -          (139)         (1,073)    (1,212)
 Total comprehensive loss for the period                                                                                   (139)         (1,570)    (1,709)
 Dividends paid                                                                  -          -         -         -          -             -          -
 Credit in relation to share-based payments                                      -          -         -         -          -             38         38
 Share scheme interests realised in the period                                   -          -         -         -          -             -          -
 At 31 May 2021                                                                  3,559      16,043    9,971     (1,448)    780           6,455      35,360
 Profit for the period                                                           -          -         -         -          -             18         18
 Other comprehensive income
 Currency translation adjustment                                                 -          -         -         -          (8)           -          (8)
 Total other comprehensive income                                                -          -         -         -          (8)           -          (8)
 Total comprehensive loss for the period                                         -          -         -         -          (8)           18         10
 Credit in relation to share-based payments                                      -          -         -         -          -             (26)       (26)
 Share scheme interests realised in the period                                   -          -         -         12         -             (12)       -
 At 30 November 2021                                                             3,559      16,043    9,971     (1,436)    772           6,435      35,344
 Profit for the period                                                           -          -         -         -          -             405        405
 Other comprehensive income
 Currency translation adjustment                                                 -          -         -         -          11            -          11
 Total other comprehensive income                                                -          -         -         -          11            -          11
 Total comprehensive profit for the period                                       -          -         -         -          11            405        416
 Dividends paid                                                                  -          -         -         -          -             (258)      (258)
 Credit in relation to share-based payments                                      -          -         -         -          -             1          1
 At 31 May 2022                                                                  3,559      16,043    9,971     (1,436)    783           6,583      35,503

 

Consolidated cash flow statement

For the six months ended 31 May 2022

 

                                                                Unaudited     Unaudited

                                                                six months    six months

                                                               ended          ended

                                                               31 May 2022    31 May 2021

                                                               £000           £000
 Cash flows from operating activities
 Profit/(loss) for the period                                  405            (497)
 Income tax expense/(credit)                                   80             (313)
 Finance costs                                                 40             39
 Depreciation and amortisation charge                          1,105          1,090
 Loss/(profit) on disposal of non-current assets               22             (1)
 Net foreign exchange differences                              (121)          134
 Net movement in provisions                                    48             (1,349)
 Share-based payment charge                                    1              38
 Operating cash flows before movement in working capital       1,580          490
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                            (540)          350
 Increase in trade, other and contract receivables             (689)          (1,107)
 Increase/(decrease) in trade, other and contract payables     57             (1,010)
 Cash generated from/(used in) operations                      408            (2,626)
 Tax received                                                  28             224
 Net cash from/(used in) operating activities                  436            (2,402)
 Cash flows from investing activities
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                     (51)           (99)
 Capitalised development costs                                 (160)          (265)
 Purchased software                                            (19)           (89)
 Net cash used in investing activities                         (230)          (453)
 Cash flows from financing activities
 Lease payments                                                (426)          (551)
 Dividends paid                                                (258)          -
 Net cash used in financing activities                         (684)          (551)
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  38             30
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents          (440)          (3,376)
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period      4,641          6,864
 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period            4,201          3,488

 

Notes

For the six months ended 31 May 2022

 

1 General information

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the
Board of Directors on 11 July 2022.

2 Basis of preparation

These consolidated interim financial statements of the Group are for the six
months ended 31 May 2022.

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 30 November 2021 are the
Group's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those statutory accounts
have been reported on by the Group'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 its report and (iii) did not contain a statement
under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months to
31 May 2022 do not include all the information and disclosures required in the
annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's
annual financial statements as at 30 November 2021.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months to
31 May 2022 have not been audited or reviewed by an auditor pursuant to the
Auditing Practices Board guidance on Review of Interim Financial Information.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months to
31 May 2022 have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies
expected to be adopted by the Company for the year ending 30 November 2022.
The Group's latest annual financial statements for the year ended 30 November
2021 were prepared under IFRS in conformity with requirements of the Companies
Act 2006. These accounting policies are drawn up in accordance with UK adopted
International Accounting Standards, in accordance with the presentation,
recognition and measurement criteria of: International Accounting Standards in
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and the AIM Rules
for Companies.

Significant accounting policies

AIM-listed companies are not required to comply with IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting' and accordingly the Company has taken advantage of this exemption.

3 Segmental analysis

Revenue by operating segment

 Revenue                                   Unaudited     Unaudited

                                           six months    six months

                                          ended          ended

                                          31 May 2022    31 May 2021

                                          £000           £000
 Systems                                  11,816         9,801
 Security                                 11,804         13,106
 Total segmental revenue                  23,620         22,907
 Reconciliation to consolidated revenue:
 Intra-Group sales                        (855)          (949)
                                          22,765         21,958

 

Underlying operating result by operating segment

 Underlying operating profit/(loss)                                   Unaudited     Unaudited

                                                                      six months    six months

                                                                     ended          ended

                                                                     31 May 2022    31 May 2021

                                                                     £000           £000
 Systems                                                             722            (482)
 Security                                                            575            497
 Total segmental underlying operating profit                         1,297          15
 Reconciliation to consolidated underlying operating profit/(loss):
 Central costs                                                       (772)          (774)
                                                                     525            (759)

 

Underlying operating profit from operations is reconciled to total profit from
operations as follows:

                                      Unaudited     Unaudited

                                      six months    six months

                                     ended          ended

                                     31 May 2022    31 May 2021

                                     £000           £000
 Underlying operating profit/(loss)  525            (759)
 Non-underlying items                -              (12)
                                     525            (771)

 

4 Taxation

The tax charge of £80,000 (2021: £313,000 credit) for the period is based on
the estimated rate of corporation tax that is likely to be effective for the
year to 30 November 2022.

5 Dividends

The Board does not propose to pay an interim dividend (2021: £nil).

6 Retirement benefit asset

In 2020 the decision was taken by the Trustees of the scheme and approved by
the plc Board of Directors to secure a 'buy-out' for all remaining defined
benefit pension scheme liabilities, by an insurance company, and to wind up
the pension scheme. On 8 December 2020, the agreement with the insurance
company to buy out the liabilities was signed, and the actuarial valuation was
altered in line with IFRIC 14 (13). The economic benefit available as a refund
was measured including the costs to the plan of settling the plan liabilities
in this way. This resulted in a remeasurement loss of £1,073,000 recognised
in other comprehensive income in the comparative period.

7 Earnings per share

Earnings per share are as follows:

                             Unaudited         Unaudited

                             six months        six months

                             ended             ended

                             31 May 2022       31 May 2021

                             Pence per share   Pence per share
 Basic earnings per share    2.4               (2.9)
 Diluted earnings per share  2.4               (2.9)

 

The calculations of basic and underlying earnings per share are based upon:

                                                                          Unaudited     Unaudited

                                                                          six months    six months

                                                                          ended         ended

                                                                          31 May 2022   31 May 2021

                                                                          £000          £000
 Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share                        405           (497)
 Non-underlying items                                                     -             12
 Impact of non-underlying items on tax expense for the period             -             (4)
 Earnings for underlying basic and underlying diluted earnings per share  405           (489)

 

                                                                   Unaudited     Unaudited

                                                                   six months    six months

                                                                   ended         ended

                                                                   31 May 2022   31 May 2021

                                                                   000           000
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares - basic calculation    16,886        16,889
 Dilutive potential ordinary shares arising from share options     -             32
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares - diluted calculation  16,886        16,921

 

8 Availability of results

Copies of this statement are available on the Group's website
(www.synecticsplc.com) and will be available shortly from Synectics plc,
Synectics House, 3-4 Broadfield Close, Sheffield, England S8 0XN.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.   END  IR EASXFFDLAEFA

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