PHSC PLC - Interim Results

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3 December 2015                                   PHSC PLC                    ("PHSC", the "Company", or the "Group")     Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2015                   GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S STATEMENTFinancial Highlights  * Group turnover for first half down 18% at £3.354m compared with £4.129m    last year.  * EBITDA reduces to £229k, versus £444k after cost of acquisitions last year.  * Basic earnings per share down 45% at 1.23p compared with 2.26p last year.  * Cash position increased from £138k at 30 Sept 2014 to £611k  * Net asset value (unaudited) up to £6.635m from £6.622m last year.  * Pro-forma net asset value (unaudited) per share of 53.3p compared to a    current share price (mid) of 24.5p.  * Near-threefold increase in EBITDA in Q2 versus Q1, as new contracts and    cost savings take effect.Trading overviewAs indicated in our previous trading update, the conclusion of two largecontracts resulted in a hiatus in our order book which we have been seeking toaddress. In our pre-AGM trading update covering the first four months, wereported EBITDA of circa £66k. It can be seen from today's announcement thatthe final two months of H1 generated an additional £139k of profit, enabling usto climb up to £229k EBITDA for the first half of the year. Although somewhatless than at this stage in 2014-15, the recent upturn in performance has giventhe board a degree of confidence that subsidiaries are successfully adjustingto their new circumstances. The breakdown of performance by individualsubsidiary later in this statement will show that the single most significantfactor was a gap in the order book of B to B Links Limited. The subsidiary didnot have the benefit of last year's large one-off contract and this coincidedwith work deferrals from a major customer. Those orders were subsequentlyreleased to us for fulfilment and the positive effect can be seen in Q2'simproved performance.Our QCS International Limited subsidiary is now rolling out a programme oftraining and consultancy support in connection with recent revisions tointernational quality standards ISO 9001and ISO 14001. This programme wasforecast to have commenced in Q2 but there was a delay in official publicationby the standards body. This resulted in the subsidiary having to postpone anumber of transitional courses but these will now commence in Q3.Health and safety consultancy and training activity continued to take place inline with expected customer demand. The conclusion of a large valueasbestos-related project with a leading university detrimentally affectedincome and caused an overmanning situation which has now been rectified.OutlookThe Group traditionally performs better in the second half of the financialyear, although this trend was interrupted in 2014-15 by the exceptionalperformance of B to B Links in the first half. Based on the current order bookwe expect to see further progress from existing subsidiaries in Q3 and Q4,giving us a stronger second half to the current year.Dividend prospectsThe Board is not declaring an interim dividend but intends to recommend anappropriate final dividend in line with its stated policy of at leastmaintaining the level of dividend.Cash FlowThe bank balance stood at £611k as at the date of the interim accounts,compared with £138k this time last year. The relatively low balance last yearwas caused by meeting our obligations in respect of acquisition payments thatfell due in that period.An agreement has been put in place with our bankers, HSBC, that allows theGroup to call upon an overdraft facility of £200k. This facility is due forreview in November 2016. We are confident that our cash balance and theavailability of bank funding will enable us to meet all our financialobligations over the foreseeable future.Performance by Trading SubsidiariesProfit/loss figures for individual subsidiaries are stated before tax andinter-company charges (including the costs of operating the plc which arerecovered through management charges to trading subsidiaries), interest paidand received, depreciation and amortisation.Adamson's Laboratory Services LimitedRevenue of £1,105,100 yielding a profit of £102,900 (the equivalent figures forthe same period last year were £1,288,600 and £67,400).Inspection Services (UK) LimitedInvoiced sales of £106,500 yielding a profit of £18,800 (the figures for thesame period last year were £96,300 and £8,900).Personnel Health and Safety Consultants LimitedInvoiced sales of £328,300 yielding a profit of £132,000 (the figures for thesame period last year were £390,800 and £191,200).RSA Environmental Health LimitedInvoiced sales of £209,700 resulting in a profit of £21,000 (the figures forthe same period last year were £198,200 and £8,000).Quality Leisure Management LimitedInvoiced sales of £239,600 resulting in a profit of £34,900 (the figures forthe same period last year were £246,800 and £57,000).QCS International LimitedInvoiced sales of £245,000 yielding a profit of £58,000 (the figures for thesame period last year were £254,000 and £58,900).B to B Links LimitedInvoiced sales of £1,120,100 yielding a profit of £58,900 (the figures for thesame period last year were £1,654,300 and £402,000)Stephen King - Group Chief Executive OfficerFor further information please contact:PHSC plcStephen King 01622 717700www.phsc.plc.ukSanlam Securities UK Limited (Nominated adviser and broker) 020 7628 2200Lindsay Mair/James ThomasGroup Statement of Comprehensive                   Six          Six        YearIncome                                          months       months                                                                          ended                                                 ended        ended                                               30 Sept      30 Sept      31 Mar                                                    15           14          15                                      Note   Unaudited    Unaudited                                                 £'000        £'000       £'000Continuing operationsRevenue                                  3       3,354        4,129       7,731Cost of sales                                  (1,804)      (2,249)     (4,226)Gross profit                                     1,550        1,880       3,505Administrative expenses                        (1,345)      (1,383)     (2,739)Exceptional administrative expenses      2           -         (75)       (263)Profit from operations                             205          422         503Finance income                                       -            -           1Finance costs                                        -            -         (1)Profit before taxation                             205          422         503Corporation tax expense                           (49)        (136)       (154)Profit for the period after tax attributableto owners of parent                      3         156          286         349Total comprehensive income attributable to         156          286         349owners of the parentAttributable to:Equity holders of the Group                        156          286         349Basic and diluted Earnings per Share     5       1.23p        2.26p       2.75pfor profit after tax from continuingoperations attributable to the equityholders of the Group during theperiodGroup Statement of Financial Position          30 Sept      30 Sept      31 Mar                                                    15           14          15                                             Unaudited    Unaudited                                     Note        £'000        £'000       £'000Non-current assetsProperty, plant and equipment           4          684          686         689Goodwill                                         4,580        4,560       4,580                                                 5,264        5,246       5,269Current assetsInventories                                        224          228         216Trade and other receivables                      1,864        2,922       1,980Cash and cash equivalents                          611          138         462                                                 2,699        3,288       2,658Total assets                            3        7,963        8,534       7,927Current liabilitiesTrade and other payables                         1,126        1,475       1,156Financial liabilities                                -            2           -Current corporation tax payable                    134          237         105Short term provisions                                -          130           -                                                 1,260        1,844       1,261Non-current liabilitiesDeferred taxation liabilities                       68           68          68                                                    68           68          68Total liabilities                                1,328        1,912       1,329Net assets                                       6,635        6,622       6,598Capital and reserves attributable toequityholders of the GroupCalled up share capital                          1,268        1,268       1,268Share premium account                            1,831        1,831       1,831Capital redemption reserve                         144          144         144Retained earnings                                3,392        3,379       3,355                                                 6,635        6,622       6,598Group Statement of Changesin Equity                              Share     Share      Capital   Retained     Total                            Capital                                      Premium   Redemption   Earnings                                                   Reserve                              £'000     £'000        £'000      £'000     £'000Balance at 1 April 2015       1,268     1,831          144      3,355     6,598Profit for the period             -         -            -        156       156attributable to equityholdersDividends                         -         -            -      (119)     (119)Balance at 30 September 201   1,268     1,831          144      3,392     6,6355Balance at 1 April 2014       1,268     1,831          144      3,197     6,440Profit for the period             -         -            -        286       286attributable to equityholdersDividends                         -         -            -      (104)     (104)Balance at 30 September 201   1,268     1,831          144      3,379     6,6224Group Statement of Cash Flows                       Six          Six        Year                                                 months       months                                                  ended        ended       ended                                                30 Sept      30 Sept      31 Mar                                                     15           14          15                                              Unaudited    Unaudited                                                  £'000        £'000       £'000Cash flows generated from/(used by)operating activitiesCash generated from/(used by) operations            306        (231)         739Interest paid                                         -            -         (1)Tax paid                                           (20)         (27)       (177)Net cash (used by)/generated from                   286        (258)         561operating activitiesCash flows used in investing activitiesPurchase of property, plant and equipment          (18)         (12)        (59)Purchase of subsidiary companies net of               -        (200)       (564)cash acquiredDisposal of fixed assets                              -                        1Interest received                                     -            -           1Net cash used in investing activities              (18)        (212)       (621)Cash flows used in financing activitiesDividends paid to group shareholders              (119)        (104)       (190)Net cash used in financing activities             (119)        (104)       (190)Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash            149        (574)       (250)equivalentsCash and cash equivalents at beginning of           462          712         712periodCash and cash equivalents at end of period          611          138         462Notes to the cash flow statementCash generated from/(used by) operationsOperating profit - continuing operations            205          422         503Depreciation charge                                  24           22          52Goodwill impairment                                   -           49          29Fair value movement in contingent                     -            -         233considerationLoss on sale of fixed assets                          -            -          12Increase in inventories                             (8)         (73)        (61)Decrease/(increase) in trade and other              115        (987)        (44)receivables(Decrease)/increase in trade and other             (30)          341          21payablesDecrease in financial liabilities                     -          (5)         (6)Cash generated from/(used by) operations            306        (231)         739Notes to the Financial Statements1. Basis of preparationThese condensed consolidated financial statements are presented on the basis ofInternational Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EuropeanUnion and interpretations issued by the International Financial ReportingInterpretations Committee (IFRIC) and have been prepared in accordance with AIMrules and the Companies Act 2006, as applicable to companies reporting underIFRS.The financial information contained in this report, which has not been audited,does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by Section 434 of theCompanies Act 2006. The Group's statutory financial statements for the yearended 31 March 2015, prepared under IFRS have been filed with the Registrar ofCompanies. The auditors' report for the 2014 financial statements wasunqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of theCompanies Act 2006.The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed withinthese interim financial statements as adopted in the most recent annualfinancial statements.New IFRS standards and interpretations not adoptedCertain new standards, amendments and interpretations of existing standardsthat have been published and which have not been applied in these financialstatements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yetbeen adopted by the EU)IFRS standards and interpretations issued (and EU adopted) but Effective date -not yet effective                                                    accounting                                                               period beginningTitle                                                                  on/afterIFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement                                       01/01/2013IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production of a Surface Mine         01/01/2013IFRS 1 Amendments - Government Loans                                 01/01/2013Transition Guidance (Amendments to IFRS 10, 11 and 12)               01/01/2013Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting         01/01/2014(Amendments to IAS 39)Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS          01/01/201427)IAS 36 Amendments Recoverable Amount Disclosures for                 01/01/2014non-Financial AssetsIFRIC 21 Levies                                                      01/01/2014IFRS Standards and Interpretations issued by IASB but not yet  Effective date -EU approved                                                          accounting                                                               period beginningTitle                                                                  on/afterIAS 19 Amendment - Defined Benefit Plans: Employee                   01/07/2014ContributionsIFRS 10 and IAS 28 Amendments: Sale or Contribution of               01/01/2016Assets between an Investor and its Associate or JointVentureIAS 27 Amendment: Equity Method in Separate Financial                01/01/2016StatementsIAS 16 and IAS 41 Amendments: Agriculture Bearer Plants              01/01/2016IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts                                 01/01/2016IAS 16 and IAS 38 Amendments: Clarification of Acceptable            01/01/2016Methods of Depreciation and AmortisationIFRS 11 Amendments: Accounting for Acquisitions of Interest          01/01/2016in Joint OperationsIFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers                        01/01/2017IFRS 9 Financial Instruments                                         01/01/2018The adoption of these standards, amendments and interpretations is not expectedto have a material impact on the group's profit for the period or equity.Application of these standards will result in some changes in presentation ofinformation within the condensed interim financial statements.The information presented within these interim financial statements is incompliance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting". This requires the use ofcertain accounting estimates and requires that management exercise judgement inthe process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving ahigh degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where the assumptions andestimates are significant to the interim financial statements are disclosedbelow:(a) ProvisionsThe balance sheet of B to B Links Limited includes a £24k provision in respectof potential repairs and replacements under warranty. The assumed risk isexpressed in percentage terms over the two year warranty period. A further £3kprovision relates to work that may be required under retention clauses.(b) Impairment of goodwillOur interim review of the value of goodwill in the balance sheet did nothighlight any conditions which would give rise to a material impairment and forthis reason the Board is to defer any decision regarding any additionalimpairment of goodwill until the year end.                                              30 Sept      30 Sept    31 Mar 15                                                   15           14                                            Unaudited    Unaudited2   Exceptional Administrative                  £'000        £'000        £'000    Expenses    QCS International Limited:                      -           26           26    Acquisition payment in excess of    provision    B to B Links Limited:                           -            -          208    Acquisition payment in excess of    provision    PHSC plc:                                       -           49           29    Goodwill impairment as detailed    in (b) above                                                    -           75          263Notes to the Financial Statements(continued)                                              30 Sept      30 Sept    31 Mar 15                                                   15           14                                            Unaudited    Unaudited3   Segmental Reporting                         £'000        £'000        £'000    Revenue    PHSC plc                                        -            -            -    Personnel Health & Safety                     328          391          754    Consultants Ltd    RSA Environmental Health Ltd                  210          198          422    Adamson's Laboratory Services Ltd           1,105        1,289        2,694    Inspection Services Ltd                       106           96          196    Quality Leisure Management Ltd                240          246          534    Q C S International Ltd                       245          254          527    B to B Links Ltd                            1,120        1,655        2,604                                                3,354        4,129        7,731    Profit/(loss) after taxation    PHSC plc                                       15         (41)         (61)    Personnel Health & Safety                      71           78          171    Consultants Ltd    RSA Environmental Health Ltd                    7            -           11    Adamson's Laboratory Services Ltd              25         (45)           85    Inspection Services Ltd                        13            2            6    Quality Leisure Management Ltd                 14           24           66    Q C S International Ltd                        34           42          117    B to B Links Ltd                             (23)          301          231                                                  156          361          626    Taxation adjustment (group loss relief          -            -         (14)    and deferred tax)    Additional acquisition payment (QCS/B           -         (26)        (234)    to B Links)    Goodwill impairment                             -         (49)         (29)                                                  156          286          349    Total assets    PHSC plc                                    6,337        5,890        4,889    Personnel Health & Safety                     422          464          811    Consultants Ltd    RSA Environmental Health Limited              476          492          596    Adamson's Laboratory Services Ltd             815        1,219        1,377    Inspection Services Ltd                        57           54          111    Quality Leisure Management Ltd                 98          111          258    Q C S International Ltd                       103           88          307    B to B Links Ltd                            1,126        1,730        1,049                                                9,434       10,048        9,398    Adjustment of goodwill                    (1,471)      (1,514)      (1,471)                                                7,963        8,534        7,927Notes to the Financial Statements       30 Sept 15    30 Sept 14    31 Mar 15(continued)                                         Unaudited     Unaudited4    Property, plant and equipment           £'000         £'000        £'000     Cost or valuation     Brought forward                         1,055         1,124        1,127     Additions                                  18            12           59     Disposals                                   -             -        (132)     Carried forward                         1,073         1,136        1,054     Depreciation     Brought forward                           365           428          432     Charge                                     24            22           52     Disposals                                   -             -        (119)     Carried forward                           389           450          365     Net book value                            684           686          6895    Earnings per share     The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on     the following data.                                        30 Sept 15    30 Sept 14      31 Mar 15                                             £'000         £'000          £'000                                         Unaudited     Unaudited     Earnings     Continuing activities                     156           286            349     Number of shares                   30 Sept 15    30 Sept 14      31 Mar 15     Weighted average number of     shares for     the purpose of basic earnings      12,686,353    12,686,353     12,686,353     per shareEND