For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20221129:nRSc8400Ha&default-theme=true
RNS Number : 8400H Vp PLC 29 November 2022
Press Release 29 November 2022
Vp plc
('Vp' or the 'Group')
Interim Results
Strong performance reflects resilience of the business
and the Group's leading position in diversified end markets
Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, today announces its Interim Results
for the six months ended 30 September 2022 ('H1 2023' or the 'period').
Financial Highlights
H1 2023 H1 2022 % change
Revenues (£m) 186.5 176.1 +6%
Profit before tax, amortisation and exceptional items (£m) 21.5 20.2 +6%
Return on average capital employed 14.4% 13.5% +7%
Basic EPS pre-amortisation and exceptional items (pence) 42.5 37.7 +13%
Proposed interim dividend (pence per share) 11.0 10.5 +5%
EBITDA (£m) 47.8 44.5 +7%
Net debt (£m) 148.9 131.7 +13%
Capital investment in rental fleet (£m) 33.8 31.7 +7%
Statutory profit before taxation (£m) 17.9 18.6 -4%
Profit before tax, amortisation and exceptional items inclusive of IFRS 16
impact (£m)
21.4 20.2 +6%
Operational Highlights
· Results reflect a period of continued recovery and demonstrate
strength of the business
· Sustained demand across the Group's business units
· Improved return on average capital employed demonstrates the Group's
high quality of earnings
· UK Division delivered a very satisfactory performance driven by
infrastructure and a resilient house building sector
· International Division revenues increased by 28% and operating
profits doubled
Outlook / Current H2 2023 Trading
· Inflationary pressures continue to be actively managed by increased
pricing and continued focus on efficiencies
· Fleet emissions reduction targets remain on track
· Significant financial strength of the Group and its historic track
record underpins the future
· Remain alert to both inorganic and organic growth opportunities
· Current trading is in line with the Board's expectations for the full
year
Commenting on the Interim Results, Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman of Vp plc,
said: "I am pleased to report a solid set of results that reflect a period of
continuing recovery and which demonstrate the enduring strength of our
business and the maintenance of our industry leading returns.
"Our businesses have continued to make good progress in their engagement with
customers and supply chain partners to deliver sustainable and innovative
fleet solutions as we collectively strive to reduce emissions.
"The period under review has seen continued inflationary pressure on fleet
capital costs, transport, fuel, wages, utilities and interest costs, but we
have largely mitigated these with agreed price increases combined with a
diligent focus on efficiencies within our business. We expect these actions
to remain a priority for the foreseeable future.
Notwithstanding these challenges, we remain alert to quality growth
opportunities whether organic or via acquisitions and we remain confident of
delivering a full year outcome in line with the Board's expectations."
- Ends -
The information contained in this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market
Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.
For further information:
Vp plc Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 400
Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman www.vpplc.com (http://www.vpplc.com)
Neil Stothard, Chief Executive
Allison Bainbridge, Group Finance Director
Media enquiries:
Buchanan
Henry Harrison‐Topham / Jamie Hooper / George Beale Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Vp@buchanan.uk.com (mailto:Vp@buchanan.uk.com) www.buchanan.uk.com (http://www.buchanan.uk.com)
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am very pleased to report interim results which reflect a period of
continuing recovery and demonstrate the enduring strength of the Vp business
and the maintenance of our industry leading returns.
In the six months to 30 September 2022, profit before tax, amortisation and
exceptional items rose 6% to £21.5 million (H1 2022: £20.2 million) on
revenues 6% ahead at £186.5 million (H1 2022: £176.1 million). Statutory
profit before taxation was £17.9 million (H1 2022: £18.6 million).
Earnings per share pre-amortisation and exceptional items rose 13% to 42.5
pence per share (H1 2022: 37.7 pence per share). EBITDA increased to £47.8
million (H1 2022: £44.5 million). Return on average capital employed
improved to 14.4% (H1 2022: 13.5%), again demonstrating the sustained high
quality of Group earnings.
Capital investment in equipment was £33.8 million (H1 2022: £31.7 million)
with a continuing emphasis towards providing a newer fleet of substitutional
products to facilitate our customer's journey towards lower emission
solutions.
Sustained demand across our business units, combined with supply constraints
and inflationary cost measures, has required us to increase pricing on many
product lines. Our active management response has largely mitigated these
pressures. Borrowings at the period end increased to £148.9 million (H1
2022: £131.7 million), primarily due to increases in working capital,
reflecting growth in the business, but maintaining significant investment
headroom of £41.6 million against total facilities.
Reflecting these results and our view of the future prospects of the Group,
the Board is declaring an interim dividend of 11.0 pence per share (H1 2022:
10.5 pence per share) an increase of 5% payable on 11 January 2023 to
shareholders registered at 9 December 2022.
UK Division
The UK Division delivered what, under all the circumstances, we consider a
very satisfactory performance. Improved revenues of £166.9 million (H1
2022: £160.8 million) lifted operating profits to £22.5 million (H1 2022:
£21.8 million). Statutory operating profit was £23.8 million (H1 2022:
£23.3 million).
The infrastructure sector has been a key platform of the Group's success over
many years and remains an important element of our business mix. I am
therefore pleased to say that the key sectors of water (AMP7) and rail (CP6)
programmes are now coming on stream more strongly and in line with our
expectations of this point in the cycle, although recent strike actions have
disrupted some rail workstreams. Transmission demand has been good but HS2
work has been quieter than anticipated as we transition to phase 2.
New non-residential construction has remained soft, however commercial
re-purposing of property has emerged as a buoyant alternative.
Housebuilding, despite popular commentaries, remains a resilient and
important market for us with good long-term prospects.
International Division
Operating profits before amortisation and exceptional items more than doubled
to £1.5 million (H1 2022: £0.7 million) on revenues 28% ahead at £19.6
million (H1 2022: £15.3 million). Statutory operating profit was £1.6
million (H1 2022: £ 0.7 million), well ahead of the prior period.
For the TR business in Australia, although lockdown measures were relaxed
later than in Europe, the Group has enjoyed recovery throughout its markets
and is now trading at pre covid levels.
Airpac Rentals has benefitted from the increased demand for oil and gas
resources whilst continuing its diversification into more downstream
activities. We expect a continuing improvement in demand from these sectors
as well as new applications such as geothermal drilling.
Outlook
We have emerged in good shape from a period of great disruption and our
continued recovery once again demonstrates the resilience of our business
model, and the benefits derived from occupying leadership positions in
diversified end markets.
Our businesses have continued to make good progress in their engagement with
customers and supply chain partners to deliver sustainable and innovative
fleet solutions as we collectively strive to reduce emissions with further
investment in battery and solar powered equipment and in lower emission
commercial vehicles.
The period under review has seen inflationary pressure on fleet capital costs,
transport, fuel, wages, utilities and interest costs, but we have largely
mitigated these with agreed price increases combined with a diligent focus on
efficiencies within our business. We expect these actions to remain a
priority for the foreseeable future.
Notwithstanding these challenges, we remain alert to quality growth
opportunities whether organic or via acquisitions.
We remain confident of delivering a full year outcome in line with the Board's
expectations.
Over the longer term, we believe the exceptional quality of our business
teams, our market leadership positions and the financial strength of the
Group, will continue an exemplary record of accomplishment of delivering
outstanding returns for all stakeholders.
Jeremy Pilkington
Chairman
29 November 2022
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
For the period ended 30 September 2022
Six months to Six months to Full year to
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 31 Mar 2022
Note £000 £000 £000
Revenue 3 186,487 176,103 350,915
Cost of sales (141,269) (133,354) (263,950)
Gross profit 45,218 42,749 86,965
Administrative expenses (23,378) (20,409) (43,968)
Operating profit before amortisation and exceptional items
5 25,377 23,988 46,299
Amortisation and impairment (1,669) (1,648) (3,302)
Exceptional items 4 (1,868) - -
Operating profit 3 21,840 22,340 42,997
Net financial expense 5 (3,982) (3,786) (7,353)
Profit before taxation, amortisation and exceptional items
5 21,395 20,202 38,946
Amortisation and impairment (1,669) (1,648) (3,302)
Exceptional items 4 (1,868) - -
Profit before taxation 5 17,858 18,554 35,644
Taxation 6 (4,281) (4,992) (10,109)
Profit attributable to owners of the parent 13,577 13,562 25,535
Pence Pence Pence
Basic earnings per share 8 34.24 34.26 64.49
Diluted earnings per share 8 33.86 33.90 63.83
Dividend per share 9 11.00 10.50 25.00
IFRS 16 was adopted on 1 April 2019 for statutory reporting. As a result,
the primary statements are shown on an IFRS 16 basis. Note 5 provides the
impact on the consolidated income statement for the periods ended 30 September
2022, including the £1.4 million positive impact on operating profit before
amortisation and exceptional items (£24.0 million pre-IFRS 16) and £1.5
million adverse impact on net financial expense (£2.5 million pre-IFRS 16).
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period ended 30 September 2022
Six months to Six months to Full year to
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 31 Mar 2022
£000 £000 £000
Profit for the period 13,577 13,562 25,535
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension scheme - - 693
Tax on items taken to other comprehensive income - - (183)
Impact of tax rate change - - 110
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss
Foreign exchange translation difference 1,602 (58) 361
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
- 221 221
Other comprehensive income 1,602 163 1,202
Total comprehensive income for the period 15,179 13,725 26,737
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 30 September 2022
Note Six months to Six months to Full year to
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 31 Mar 2022
£000 £000 £000
Total comprehensive income for the period
15,179 13,725 26,737
Tax movements to equity (133) 535 90
Impact of tax rate change - - (11)
Share option charge in the period 675 899 1,249
Net movement relating to shares held by Vp Employee Trust
(535) (721) (516)
Movement in minority interest - - (27)
Dividends to shareholders 9 (10,112) (9,897) (14,054)
Change in equity during the period 5,074 4,541 13,468
Equity at the start of the period 166,585 153,117 153,117
Equity at the end of the period 171,659 157,658 166,585
There were no movements in issued share capital, the capital redemption
reserve or share premium in the reported periods.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
At 30 September 2022
Note 30 Sept 2022 31 Mar 2022 30 Sept 2021
£000 £000 £000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 7 254,984 247,526 240,783
Goodwill 44,997 44,945 43,740
Intangible assets 15,834 17,477 18,848
Right of use assets 52,822 54,151 51,823
Employee benefits 2,670 2,738 2,127
Total non-current assets 371,307 366,837 357,321
Current assets
Inventories 8,657 7,956 6,794
Trade and other receivables 86,903 76,057 79,041
Cash and cash equivalents 10 9,428 13,617 10,471
Total current assets 104,988 97,630 96,306
Total assets 476,295 464,467 453,627
Current liabilities
Lease liabilities (14,172) (14,147) (14,606)
Trade and other payables (74,380) (80,676) (87,517)
Income tax payable (854) (152) (100)
Total current liabilities (89,406) (94,975) (102,223)
Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings 10 (158,370) (144,221) (142,107)
Lease liabilities (42,053) (43,496) (40,609)
Provisions (895) (1,512) -
Deferred tax liabilities (13,912) (13,678) (11,030)
Total non-current liabilities (215,230) (202,907) (193,746)
Total liabilities (304,636) (297,882) (295,969)
Net assets 171,659 166,585 157,658
Equity
Issued share capital
2,008 2,008 2,008
Capital redemption reserve 301 301 301
Share premium 16,192 16,192 16,192
Foreign currency translation reserve 577 (1,020) (1,444)
Hedging reserve - - -
Retained earnings 152,581 149,104 140,574
Total equity attributable to equity 171,659 166,585 157,631
holders of parent
Non-controlling interest - - 27
Total equity 171,659 166,585 157,658
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 30 September 2022
Note Six months to Six months to Full year to
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 31 Mar 2022
£000 £000 £000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before taxation
17,858 18,554 35,644
Adjustment for:
Share based payment charges 675 899 1,249
Depreciation 7 23,831 22,036 45,532
Depreciation of right of use assets 8,098 8,497 16,561
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles 1,669 1,648 3,302
Net financial expense 3,982 3,786 7,353
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment (5,041) (3,368) (7,045)
Release/(payment) of arrangement fees 149 (591) 314
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and provisions 51,221 51,461 102,910
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (701) 548 (614)
Increase in trade and other receivables (10,846) (12,495) (9,133)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (8,034) 2,778 (2,781)
Cash generated from operations 31,640 42,292 90,382
Interest paid (2,462) (2,317) (4,456)
Interest element of lease liability payments (1,482) (1,493) (2,940)
Interest received 4 1 2
Income tax paid (3,465) (2,895) (6,282)
Net cash flows from operating activities 24,235 35,588 76,706
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
12,202 8,241 17,819
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (36,013) (34,918) (68,679)
Acquisition of businesses and subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) - - (2,693)
Net cash flows used in investing activities (23,811) (26,677) (53,553)
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchase of own shares by Employee Trust (535) (721) (516)
Repayment of loans (10,000) (42,044) (95,044)
New loans 24,000 47,044 102,044
Arrangement fees - - (773)
Capital element of lease liability payments (8,188) (8,808) (17,149)
Dividends paid 9 (10,112) (9,897) (14,054)
Net cash flows used in financing activities (4,835) (14,426) (25,492)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (4,411) (5,515) (2,339)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 222 69 39
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 13,617 15,917 15,917
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 10 9,428 10,471 13,617
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements
1. Basis of Preparation
Vp plc (the "Company") is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom.
The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements of the Company for the
half year ended 30 September 2022 consolidate the financial information of the
Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group").
The condensed interim financial statements have been prepared using accounting
policies set out in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022. They are unaudited
and have not been reviewed by the Company's auditor. They are in accordance
with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The results for the year ended 31
March 2022 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at that date are abridged
from the Group's Annual Report and Accounts 2022 which have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those accounts was
unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did
not contain statements under sections 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act
2006.
The condensed interim financial statements do not constitute statutory
accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.
The interim announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 29 November
2022.
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of
accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income
and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In preparing
these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the significant
judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and
key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022.
The Group continues to be in a healthy financial position with total banking
facilities at the period end of £190.5 million, including an overdraft
facility. Since the year end net debt has increased by £18.3 million to
£148.9 million, which is £17.2 million higher than 30 September 2021. The
Board has evaluated the banking facilities and the associated covenants on the
basis of current forecasts, taking into account the current economic
climate. These forecasts have been subjected to sensitivity analysis,
involving the flexing of key assumptions reflecting severe but plausible
scenarios, including a downturn in economic activity. Based on this
assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be
able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due.
Having reassessed the principal risks the Directors consider it appropriate to
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim financial
information.
2. Risks and Uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group and the ways in which
they are mitigated are described on page 32 and 33 of the 31 March 2022 Annual
Report and Accounts. The principal risks and uncertainties are market,
competition, investment / product management, people, safety, financial,
contractual and legal and regulatory requirements, which remain the same for
this interim financial report.
3. Summarised Segmental Analysis
Revenue Operating Profit Before Amortisation and Exceptional Items
Sept Sept Mar Sept Sept Mar
2022 2021 2022 2022 2021 2022
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
UK 166,932 160,761 320,203 23,820 23,256 44,704
International 19,555 15,342 30,712 1,557 732 1,595
186,487 176,103 350,915 25,377 23,988 46,299
Amortisation and impairment (1,669) (1,648) (3,302)
Exceptional items (1,868) - -
Operating Profit 21,840 22,340 42,997
Assets Liabilities
Sept 2022 Mar 2022 Sept Sept 2022 Mar 2022 Sept 2021
2021
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
UK 433,870 425,382 414,744 292,261 286,524 285,425
International 42,425 39,085 38,883 12,375 11,358 10,544
476,295 464,467 453,627 304,636 297,882 295,969
Net Assets
Sept 2022 Mar 2022 Sept 2021
£000 £000 £000
UK 141,609 138,858 129,319
International 30,050 27,727 28,339
171,659 166,585 157,658
Below summarises the disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers
from the total revenue disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Income
Statement:
Sept 2022 Sept 2021 Mar 2022
£000 £000 £000
Equipment hire 140,889 134,607 266,795
Services 31,234 29,712 58,711
Sales of goods 14,364 11,784 25,409
Total revenue 186,487 176,103 350,915
4. Exceptional Items
During the half year to 30 September 2022, the Group incurred £1.9 million of
exceptional costs in relation to formal sale process costs and restructuring
costs.
Sept 2022 Sept 2021 Mar 2022
£000 £000 £000
Formal sales process 1,837 - -
Restructuring costs 31 - -
Total Exceptional Items 1,868 - -
5. Income Statement Reporting
Impact on reporting of IFRS 16
IFRS 16 Leases was adopted from 1 April 2019. For comparative purposes with
previous years, key reporting measures are also calculated using the previous
accounting methodology of IAS 17.
Basic earnings per share before the amortisation of intangibles and
exceptional items decreased by 0.03 pence for the period to 30 September 2022
as a result of IFRS 16, compared to the previous accounting methodology of IAS
17. The financial impact of the transition on the Group's Consolidated Income
Statement and EBITDA is set out below:
Sept 2022 Sept 2022 Sept 2022
Excluding IFRS 16 IFRS 16 Impact
Reported
£000 £000 £000
Operating profit before amortisation 23,960 1,417 25,377
Operating profit 20,423 1,417 21,840
EBITDA 47,791 9,515 57,306
Net financial expense (2,503) (1,479) (3,982)
Profit before taxation and amortisation 21,457 (62) 21,395
Profit before taxation 17,920 (62) 17,858
Operating profit before amortisation, segment assets and segment liabilities
all increased as a result of the change in accounting policy. The IFRS 16
adjustments that have been posted to each segment for the half year ending 30
September 2022 are as follows:
Operating Profit before Amortisation and Exceptional Items
Pre IFRS 16 Adjustment Per
IFRS 16 Note 3
£000 £000 £000
UK 22,457 1,363 23,820
International 1,503 54 1,557
23,960 1,417 25,377
Assets Liabilities
Pre IFRS 16 Adjustment Per Note 3 Pre IFRS 16 Adjustment Per Note 3
IFRS 16 IFRS 16
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
UK 384,645 49,225 433,870 240,650 51,611 292,261
International 39,645 2,780 42,425 9,589 2,786 12,375
424,290 52,005 476,295 250,239 54,397 304,636
6. Income Tax
The effective tax rate is 24.0% in the period to 30 September 2022 (H1 2022:
26.9%). The effective rate for the period reflects the current standard tax
rate of 19% (H1 2022: 19%), as adjusted for estimated permanent differences
for tax purposes offset by gains covered by exemptions. The rate includes
the effect of higher statutory tax rates levied in Australia and Germany. In
addition, exceptional costs have increased the effective tax rate by
approximately 2.2%.
7. Property, Plant and Equipment
Sept 2022 Mar 2022 Sept 2021
£000 £000 £000
Opening carrying amount 247,526 233,912 233,912
Additions 37,151 68,034 33,866
Acquisitions - 1,647 -
Depreciation (23,831) (45,532) (22,036)
Disposals (7,158) (10,774) (4,959)
Effect of movements in exchange rates 1,296 239 -
Closing carrying amount 254,984 247,526 240,783
The value of capital commitments at 30 September 2022 was £20,833,000 (31
March 2022 £14,523,000).
8. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share have been calculated on 39,651,301 shares (H1 2022:
39,581,223 shares) being the weighted average number of shares in issue during
the period. Diluted earnings per share have been calculated on 40,099,143
shares (H1 2022: 40,004,585 shares) adjusted to reflect conversion of all
potentially dilutive ordinary shares. The calculation of diluted earnings per
share does not assume conversion, exercise, or other issue of potential
ordinary shares that would have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share.
Basic earnings per share before the amortisation of intangibles and
exceptional items was 42.34 pence (H1 2022: 37.64 pence) and was based on an
after tax add back of £3,213,000 (H1 2022: £1,335,000) in respect of the
amortisation of intangibles and exceptional items. Diluted earnings per
share before amortisation of intangibles and exceptional items was 41.87 pence
(H1 2022: 37.24 pence).
9. Dividends
The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 11.00 pence per share (H1
2022: 10.5 pence) payable on 11 January 2023 to shareholders on the register
at 9 December 2022. The dividend declared will absorb an estimated £4.363
million (H1 2022: £4.157 million).
The cost of dividends in the Statement of Changes in Equity is after
adjustments for the interim and final dividends waived by the Vp Employee
Trust in relation to the shares it holds for the Group's share option schemes.
10. Analysis of Net Debt
As at Cash Non-cash As at
1 Apr 2022 Flow Movements 30 Sep 2022
£000 £000 £000 £000
Cash and cash equivalents 13,617 (4,189) - 9,428
Secured loans (145,000) (14,000) - (159,000)
Arrangement Fees 779 - (149) 630
Net debt excluding lease liabilities (130,604) (18,189) (149) (148,942)
Lease liabilities (57,643) 8,188 (6,770) (56,225)
Net debt including lease liabilities (188,247) (10,001) (6,919) (205,167)
The Group has two private placements, maturing in January 2027, with PGIM Inc.
for £65 million (drawn down in January 2020) and £28 million (drawn down in
April 2021). The Group also has committed revolving credit facilities of
£90 million which was refinanced in June 2021 and matures in June 2024. The
Group also has overdraft facilities of £7.5 million, leading to total
available facilities of £190.5 million.
11. Related Party Transactions
Transactions between Group Companies, which are related parties, have been
eliminated on consolidation and therefore do not require disclosure. The
Group has not entered into any other related party transactions in the period
which require disclosure in this interim statement.
12. Contingent Liabilities
In an international group a variety of claims arise from time to time in the
normal course of business. Such claims may arise due to actions being taken
against group companies as a result of investigations by fiscal authorities or
under regulatory requirements. Provision has been made in these consolidated
financial statements against any claims which the directors consider are
likely to result in significant liabilities.
13. Forward Looking Statements
The Chairman's Statement includes statements that are forward looking in
nature. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
assumptions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward looking statements. Statements in respect of the Group's
performance in the year to date are based upon unaudited management accounts
for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022. Nothing in this announcement
should be construed as a profit forecast.
Except as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, the Company
undertakes no obligation to update, review or change any forward looking
statements to reflect events or developments occurring after the date of this
report.
14. Alternative Performance Measures
(i) All performance measures stated as before
amortisation are also before impairment of intangibles and exceptional items.
(ii) Basic earnings per share pre amortisation and
exceptional items is reconciled to basic earnings per share in note 8.
(iii) Profit before tax, amortisation and exceptional items
is reconciled to profit before tax in the Consolidated Income Statement.
(iv) Return on average capital employed is based on profit
before tax, interest, amortisation and exceptional items divided by average
capital employed on a monthly basis using the management accounts. Profit
before tax, interest, amortisation and exceptional items is reconciled to
profit before interest and tax in the Consolidated Income Statement.
Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the half-yearly
financial report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
· the condensed consolidated set of interim financial statements has
been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted
by the EU;
· the interim management report includes a fair review of the
information required by:
(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication
of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the
financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements;
and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining
six months of the year; and
(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party
transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current
financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or
performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related
party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
By order of the Board
29 November 2022
The Board
The Directors who served during the six months to 30 September 2022 were:
Jeremy Pilkington (Chairman)
Neil Stothard (Chief Executive)
Allison Bainbridge (Group Finance Director)
Steven Rogers (Non-Executive Director)
Phil White (Non-Executive Director)
- Ends -
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 (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
. END IR UWSBRUOUAUAA