3 September 2015
EMPRESARIA GROUP PLC
("Empresaria" or the "Group")
Half Yearly Results for the six months ended 30 June 2015
Empresaria (AIM: EMR), the international specialist staffing group, announces its unaudited interim results for the six month period ended 30 June 2015.
The Group continues to deliver on its strategy with a strong first half performance showing growth in profit over the prior year with earnings per share up 45% on 2014. The Board is confident that results for the full year will be ahead of current market expectations.
Financial Highlights |
2015 |
2014 |
% change |
% change (constant currency)** |
Revenue |
£92.4m |
£94.0m |
(2%) |
3% |
Net fee income (gross profit) |
£24.1m |
£21.6m |
12% |
16% |
Operating profit |
£2.9m |
£2.3m |
26% |
36% |
Adjusted operating profit* |
£3.0m |
£2.4m |
25% |
35% |
Profit before tax |
£2.7m |
£2.0m |
35% |
44% |
Adjusted profit before tax* |
£2.8m |
£2.1m |
33% |
44% |
Earnings per share |
3.2p |
2.2p |
45% |
|
Adjusted earnings per share* |
3.4p |
2.5p |
36% |
|
· Profit before tax up 35% (constant currency up 44%)
· Permanent revenue up 29% (constant currency up 28%)
· Temporary revenue down 5% (constant currency level with prior year)
· Net fee income ("NFI") up 12% (constant currency up 16%)
· Eight consecutive quarters of underlying growth in NFI over the prior year
· Conversion ratio (adjusted operating profit divided by net fee income) increased to 12.4% (2014: 10.9%)
· 30% reduction in net debt to £9.9m (2014: £14.2m)
* Adjusted to exclude amortisation of intangible assets, exceptional items and gain or loss on disposal of business.
** The constant currency movement is calculated by translating the 2014 results at the 2015 exchange rates.
Chief Executive Officer, Joost Kreulen said:
"The Group has delivered strong results for the first half of the year having continued to deliver on its stated strategy: strengthening a multi-branded Group with a focus on developing leading brands that are diversified and balanced by geography and sector. We continue to improve the quality of the Group's revenue, which although not showing overall growth at present will continue to drive improvements in profitability. We are pleased with the progress from the investments made in 2014 and we continue to look for further investment opportunities to help drive our business forward.
"Based on performance to date, we are confident that results for the full year will be ahead of current market expectations and look forward to delivering further growth. Despite increasing currency headwinds, market conditions are generally favourable and we see further opportunities to grow our business over the coming years."
- Ends -
Enquiries:
Empresaria Group plc Joost Kreulen, Chief Executive Officer Spencer Wreford, Group Finance Director |
via Redleaf |
Arden Partners (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
John Llewellyn-Lloyd / Steve Douglas / Ciaran Walsh |
020 7614 5900 |
The investor presentation of these results will be made available during the course of today on the Group's website: www.empresaria.com
Notes for editors:
§ Empresaria Group plc is an international specialist staffing group operating in 18 countries across the globe including UK, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, China, India, Chile, Thailand, Singapore, Finland, UAE and Australia.
§ The Group offers both temporary and permanent staffing solutions in several sectors including Financial, IT Digital & Design, Technical & Industrial and Retail.
§ Empresaria applies a multi brand, management equity philosophy and business model, with Group company management teams holding significant equity in their own business.
§ The Group is listed on AIM under ticker EMR. For more information: http://www.empresaria.com/
Board statement
Performance overview
The Group is continuing to deliver on its brand led strategy to produce sustainable growth in earnings per share, with a 45% increase against the prior year. Profit before tax grew by 35% to £2.7m, up 44% on a constant currency basis.
After the investments made last year, in both new office openings and new brands joining the Group, the investment focus in the first half of 2015 has been to integrate these businesses. We are pleased that all the investments are trading in line with expectations and delivering an increased contribution against last year.
Permanent revenue grew by 29% (28% in constant currency) with market conditions generally favourable and investments over the last few years being in areas with a strong permanent sales focus. The new office openings and external investments made in 2014 contributed 16% of the growth, with notable growth also in Financial, Executive search (especially in Thailand) and our Offshore Recruitment Services business in India, together contributing 12% of the increase over the prior year. There were lower performances from our Chinese executive search and Indonesian training businesses. Costs are being reduced in these businesses in light of lower levels of demand.
Temporary revenue declined by 5% (flat in constant currency), with nearly 85% of the Group's currency impact due to the weak Euro. Contributing to this performance was the Group's decision to exit a number of our small businesses in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Malaysia at the beginning of the year due to the lack of profitability - lost sales impact was 1% in 2015. In the UK there was a 6% decrease due to the end of the London Heathrow T2 project and a planned move away from low value work in the Technical & Industrial sector. Excluding these issues, growth from the rest of the Group was an 8% increase in constant currency. The Group temporary margin increased to 15.9% (2014: 15.3%).
Net fee income, a key performance indicator, grew by 12% (16% in constant currency), helped by the strong growth in permanent revenue. Permanent sales represented 47% of net fee income in the first half of 2015 (2014: 40%), as the mix of business has continued to shift. We are focused on rebalancing this over time to a higher proportion of temporary sales as part of our investment strategy. The share of net fee income from professional and specialist levels increased from 81% in 2014 (half year and full year) to 86%.
The conversion ratio also increased for the fourth year in a row, up to 12.4% (2014: 10.9%). Costs are closely managed with 80% of the increase being in staff costs as we continued to invest in new staff across the Group, with a 17% increase in the average number of staff over the prior year.
|
Average number of employees 2015 |
Average number of employees 2014 |
Increase/ (decrease) |
UK |
229 |
192 |
37 |
Continental Europe |
123 |
133 |
(10) |
Rest of the World |
704 |
576 |
128 |
Total |
1,056 |
901 |
155 |
The largest increase in employee numbers was in India, up by 100. In line with the sales growth, increased staff numbers were also notable in Financial, Executive search and the impact of the new brands acquired last year. In Continental Europe the reduction is due to the disposed businesses.
Operating profit of £2.9m was up 26% on 2014 (£2.3m), up 36% in constant currency.
Interest costs reduced in the period, in line with the reduction in net debt. The net debt at the end of June 2015 was £9.9m, down 30% on the prior year of £14.2m. Average net debt levels across the first six months were down 39% on prior year. The ratio of net debt to trade receivables was 32% at the end of June, in line with the year end 2014 and down on the same time last year of 44%. Debtor days at the end of June were 52, in line with the prior year.
Profit before tax was up 35% to £2.7m (2014: £2.0m), up 45% in constant currency. On an adjusted basis, excluding amortisation costs, profit was £2.8m, up 33% on 2014.
The tax charge in the period was £0.9m (2014: £0.7m) representing an effective rate of 34%, a reduction against 35% in the prior year.
Basic earnings per share in the period were 3.2p (2014: 2.2p) an increase of 45%. On an adjusted basis the growth was 36% to 3.4p (2014: 2.5p). This measure excludes exceptional items, intangible amortisation and gain or loss on business disposals, so provides a better understanding of the underlying trading performance.
Operations
UK
£'m |
30 June 2015 |
30 June 2014 |
30 June 2013 |
Revenue |
31.9 |
33.6 |
33.6 |
Net fee income |
9.3 |
7.8 |
7.8 |
Adjusted operating profit |
1.0 |
1.0 |
0.9 |
% of Group NFI |
39% |
36% |
38% |
Overall UK revenue was down 5% due primarily to two factors in the Technical & Industrial sector: £3.7m was due to the end of the London Heathrow T2 project which finished in 2014, and there was circa £2m impact from the planned reduction in low value work.
The other sectors grew by 7% on prior year and there was an increase in permanent revenue of £1.5m (up 37% on prior year), half of which arose from the investment in Ball & Hoolahan made in December 2014, with growth across Financial, Technical & Industrial and Domestic services.
The temporary margin increased to 14.5% (2014: 13.1%) and together with temporary sales from Ball & Hoolahan, helped offset the lower revenue from Technical & Industrial, so the temporary net fee income was only slightly down on prior year. Net fee income was up 19%, due to the growth in permanent revenue, which now represents nearly 60% of net fee income.
Adjusted operating profit was flat at £1.0m (2014: £1.0m). This reflects the investment made in staff, with the average number up 19% on prior year. Also due to the growth in net fee income, the share of central costs allocated to the region has increased, with underlying operating profit up 7%. Market conditions remain positive, in particular in the Financial sector. Within Technical & Industrial, our largest brand is refocussing sales efforts further away from the low value end of the market which is not only negatively impacting on sales, but also reducing productivity in the short-term. We expect this to continue for the rest of the year.
Continental Europe
£'m |
30 June 2015 |
30 June 2014 |
30 June 2013 |
Revenue |
36.0 |
37.4 |
38.6 |
Net fee income |
6.6 |
6.8 |
6.7 |
Adjusted operating profit |
1.1 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
% of Group NFI |
27% |
31% |
32% |
Revenue decreased by 4% to £36.0m (2014: £37.4m) due to the disposal of the business in the Czech Republic and closure in Slovakia (impact of £0.7m) and currency movements (£4.0m). In constant currency revenue growth in Germany & Austria was 10% but was flat on a reported basis.
Net fee income of £6.6m (2014: £6.8m) was also affected by currency. The temporary margin increased from 17.8% to 18.4%. Cost savings and the exit from the loss making GiT business helped adjusted operating profit increase by 57% to £1.1m (2014: £0.7m).
In Germany, the Logistics services division has performed very strongly, with revenue growth of 24%. Within the temporary division revenue was stable, with cost savings helping to improve profit contribution. Market conditions in Germany were positive during the period, despite the uncertainty around the Greek debt crisis.
In our Healthcare business, the economic situation in Finland remains difficult. Net fee income was down and this was offset by lower costs. The business continues to increase its sales with local candidates as it transitions away from an import model.
Rest of the World
£'m |
30 June 2015 |
30 June 2014 |
30 June 2013 |
Revenue |
24.5 |
23.0 |
23.4 |
Net fee income |
8.2 |
7.0 |
6.4 |
Adjusted operating profit |
0.9 |
0.7 |
0.8 |
% of Group NFI |
34% |
33% |
30% |
Revenue increased by 7% to £24.5m (2014: £23.0m), primarily from permanent sales which grew by 24%. This was helped by the investments made last year in new office openings and the acquisition in Dubai. Together these represented 15% of the growth, with stand out performances also in Australia (IT, digital & design), Thailand (Executive search) and India (Offshore recruitment services - Other sector). Against this we saw disappointing results in China (Executive search) and from our training business in Indonesia. Both these businesses are reducing costs in line with lower sales, but have performed below prior year levels.
Temporary sales were up 1%, although up 4% on a constant currency basis. The main currency impact was in Japan and Australia. Temporary sales were strongest in IT, digital & design, both in Japan and Australia. In Chile we saw good growth in temporary sales but this was partially offset by a reduction in the traditional outsourced services. In Japan our Retail sector business faced candidate shortage issues which negatively impacted revenue and profit.
The temporary margin across the region was stable at 13.5% (2014: 13.6%).
Costs increased due to the investment in new staff, with average staff numbers up 22% on prior year, albeit largely in India where pay rates are lower. In India a second centre was opened in 2014 to accommodate sales growth. This has been filled quicker than anticipated so we are now looking to open a third centre in the second half of this year, earlier than originally planned. Adjusted operating profit increased by 29% to £0.9m (2014: £0.7m).
Market conditions are generally favourable, although the economic situation in South East Asia could lead to a slowdown in that region. In our largest markets outside South East Asia, being Japan, UAE and India, we see continued growth prospects for our businesses.
Investment in brands
In June 2015 we increased our interest in PT Monroe Consulting Group (Executive search in Indonesia) by 10%, taking our interest up to 90%. The consideration was £0.3m, all paid in cash.
In 2014 we entered into sale agreements to dispose of GiT in the Czech Republic and Metis in Malaysia. We also decided to close down the GiT operations in Slovakia. The completion of these transactions took place in the first two months of 2015. Disposal costs were £0.1m, covered by the provision made in 2014. There are no further costs recognised in 2015.
We do not anticipate any material purchases of minority shares during the remainder of 2015. The number of management shareholders has not increased in the first half of the year, but we are progressing matters with a number of brand managers that we expect to finalise before the end of the year.
Treasury
Cash generated from operations in the period was £0.2m, down from £0.8m in 2014, due to an investment in working capital of £2.8m (2014 £2.0m) and the payment of £0.5m to clear the liability for social security costs in Germany following the finalisation of this matter in 2014. No further costs or payments are due on this matter.
There was £0.3m cash outflow on purchasing minority shares and the increased final dividend to shareholders of £0.3m was paid in June. In the second half of the year we expect to pay the deferred consideration on the investment in Ball & Hoolahan of £0.5m.
During the period we finalised arrangements with HSBC to change the UK based revolving credit facility being used to fund German working capital financing, for locally based facilities provided directly to our German business. The new facilities comprise a three year term loan of €5m and an increased overdraft to €8m. All Group businesses with significant temporary sales now have local bank facilities in place. Centrally there is a £5m overdraft facility.
Following the repayment of the revolving credit facility, the bank is now simplifying the security and covenant requirements, much of which will be removed. Until that time the Group has to meet certain bank covenant tests on a quarterly basis. These tests were all met during the period. The figures at 30 June 2015 were:
Covenant |
Target |
Actual |
Net debt:EBITDA |
< 2.5 times |
0.6 |
Interest cover |
> 3.0 times |
20.3 |
Debt service cover |
> 1.25 times |
2.8 |
Dividend
The Group traditionally pays a final dividend and therefore, in line with prior years, the Board is not recommending the payment of an interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2015 (2014: nil).
Outlook
The Group has delivered a strong first half result, as we continue to manage the Group to deliver growth in net fee income and an improving conversion ratio. Net debt has reduced against the prior year in what is traditionally the weaker half year for cash flows.
We follow a clear multi-brand strategy to build scalable leading businesses with a Group that is balanced and diversified by sector and geography. Part of our strategy is to invest in the Group and we are pleased with how the investments made last year are performing. In line with this strategy and our prior successes, we continue to look for suitable investment opportunities to bolt on to existing brands, to fill gaps within our current sector coverage or to improve our geographic spread.
We are experiencing currency headwinds in some of our key markets, in particular Continental Europe, Japan and Chile, which we expect to impact negatively on the second half performance. However, based on our performance to date and the opportunities we see in our markets, we are confident that results for the full year will be ahead of current market expectations and look forward to delivering further growth.
2 September 2015
Condensed consolidated income statement |
Six months ended 30 June 2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 30 June 2015 |
6 months to 30 June 2014 |
Year to 31 December 2014 |
|
|
Unaudited |
Unaudited |
|
|
Notes |
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
92.4 |
94.0 |
187.9 |
Cost of sales |
|
(68.3) |
(72.4) |
(143.3) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net fee income |
|
24.1 |
21.6 |
44.6 |
Administrative costs |
|
(21.1) |
(19.2) |
(38.0) |
Operating profit before exceptional items and intangible amortisation |
|
3.0 |
2.4 |
6.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exceptional items |
11 |
- |
- |
0.1 |
Loss on business disposal |
|
- |
- |
(0.1) |
Intangible amortisation |
|
(0.1) |
(0.1) |
(0.2) |
Operating profit |
|
2.9 |
2.3 |
6.4 |
Finance income |
4 |
- |
- |
0.1 |
Finance cost |
4 |
(0.2) |
(0.3) |
(0.6) |
Profit before tax |
|
2.7 |
2.0 |
5.9 |
Income tax |
7 |
(0.9) |
(0.7) |
(2.1) |
Profit for the period from continued operations |
|
1.8 |
1.3 |
3.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the year |
|
1.8 |
1.3 |
3.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent |
|
1.5 |
1.1 |
3.5 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
|
|
1.8 |
1.3 |
3.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
Basic (pence) |
6 |
3.3 |
2.2 |
7.8 |
Diluted (pence) |
6 |
3.2 |
2.2 |
7.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share (adjusted) |
|
|
|
|
Basic (pence) |
6 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
8.3 |
Diluted (pence) |
6 |
3.4 |
2.5 |
8.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income |
|
Six months ended 30 June 2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 months to 30 June 2015 |
6 months to 30 June 2014 |
Year to 31 December 2014 |
|
|
Unaudited |
Unaudited |
|
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to income statement: |
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations |
|
(1.1) |
(0.6) |
(0.9) |
Items that will not be reclassified to income statement: |
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations of non-controlling interest |
|
(0.2) |
(0.2) |
(0.1) |
Net expense recognised directly in equity |
|
(1.3) |
(0.8) |
(1.0) |
Profit for the year |
|
1.8 |
1.3 |
3.8 |
Total comprehensive income for the year |
|
0.5 |
0.5 |
2.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent |
|
0.4 |
0.4 |
2.6 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
|
|
0.5 |
0.5 |
2.8 |
Condensed consolidated balance sheet |
|
|
|
|
As at 30 June 2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 June 2015 |
30 June 2014 |
31 December 2014 |
|
|
Unaudited |
Unaudited |
|
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
Notes |
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
1.1 |
1.0 |
1.2 |
Goodwill |
|
22.5 |
24.1 |
23.7 |
Other intangible assets |
|
2.1 |
1.9 |
2.3 |
Deferred tax assets |
|
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.9 |
|
|
26.4 |
27.7 |
28.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables |
9 |
36.5 |
37.0 |
34.5 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
6.3 |
5.0 |
7.8 |
|
|
42.8 |
42.0 |
42.3 |
Total assets |
|
69.2 |
69.7 |
70.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
10 |
22.2 |
22.5 |
21.9 |
Current tax liabilities |
|
2.6 |
1.6 |
2.7 |
Borrowings |
8 |
12.4 |
12.6 |
11.2 |
|
|
37.2 |
36.7 |
35.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Borrowings |
8 |
3.8 |
6.6 |
6.4 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
1.1 |
1.2 |
1.1 |
Total non-current liabilities |
|
4.9 |
7.8 |
7.5 |
Total liabilities |
|
42.1 |
44.5 |
43.3 |
Net assets |
|
27.1 |
25.2 |
27.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
Share capital |
|
2.2 |
2.2 |
2.2 |
Share premium account |
|
19.4 |
19.4 |
19.4 |
Merger reserve |
|
0.9 |
0.9 |
0.9 |
Retranslation reserve |
|
0.4 |
2.0 |
1.8 |
Equity reserve |
|
(7.2) |
(6.7) |
(7.1) |
Other reserves |
|
(0.7) |
(1.1) |
(1.1) |
Retained earnings |
|
9.0 |
5.3 |
7.8 |
Equity attributable to owners of the company |
|
24.0 |
22.0 |
23.9 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
3.1 |
3.2 |
3.2 |
Total equity |
|
27.1 |
25.2 |
27.1 |