TIDMCEPS

RNS Number : 3151L

CEPS PLC

05 September 2023

5 September 2023

CEPS PLC

("CEPS", "CEPS Group" "Group" or "Company")

HALF-YEARLY REPORT

The Board is pleased to announce its unaudited half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The country, both the public and businesses, have in the main recovered from the problems caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The painful price pressures brought on by the problems caused by the Russian invasion of the Ukraine are also abating as supply chains catch up with the rapidly changing market.

The general poor understanding of how inflation "works" has been clearly exposed in the general media as the passage of time will, in the end, cause inflation to decline to normal levels. This of course begs the question as to what is normal! Periodically over the past 15 years some observers have been very concerned about the spectre of deflation in the United Kingdom. Other analysts have put forward strong views that some inflation is a positive for a healthy economy. This recent inflation spike was caused principally by a very rapid rise in energy prices and food prices. Both were caused by supply shortages rather than excess demand. A look at a graph for spot gas prices over the past five years shows that prices have declined to the level prevailing in April 2021. Going back 25 years, spot rates are the same level as they were in August 1999. In addition, the recent strengthening of Sterling, in particular against the US Dollar, also helps in the battle against inflation.

Raising interest rates has always been used as part of the Treasury's response to curbing inflation. However, over the past 30 years the percentage of mortgages on fixed term rates has risen from almost nil to about 80% of the market. Consequently, any change in interest rates, which always has a lagged effect, is now even slower in its impact. In fact, for the large number of people who have cash savings and no debt, the raising of interest rates has been highly beneficial.

I suspect that over the next 16 months the state of play in the UK will be much improved on where things sit today. Growth in GDP, whilst weak, is beating the experts' forecasts with the IMF and Bank of England having to revise their estimates upwards. The United Kingdom, forecast by these august bodies to be bottom of the G7 growth tables, appears to be continually confounding views.

Review of the period

We remain pleased with the ongoing progress being made by the CEPS Group. Despite the general depressing tone of the mass media, the BBC, the Bank of England and the IMF, we are hoping for a background of steadily improving macroeconomic conditions for the rest of the year and with this state continuing into 2024. However, whilst our companies have continued to make progress, the outlook for the future, whilst a war is being fought on the eastern edge of Europe, remains uncertain.

Reports across many sectors and from many businesses is that input cost inflation has abated such that it is now seen to be a 2022 problem. With a very modest uptick in unemployment over the past three months and a very gradual return to work of the "economically inactive" the shortage of available labour appears to be abating.

Operational review

Aford Awards

The company has continued its organic development. In addition, the integration of the business and assets of Impact Promotional Merchandise, acquired last year, has made a big difference to the strength, breadth, and depth of the company. In common with the developments in the Hickton Group last year, Aford Awards had been effectively overtrading off its historical structure for several years and consequently was finding growth very hard to achieve. With the recent acquisitions, the company has had to add more overhead and operational structure to put it in a position where it can manage its growth in the future in a controlled manner.

The maximum interim deferred payment of GBP210,000 was paid to the vendor of the business of Impact Promotional Merchandise on 14 March 2023. A further four payments will be made amounting to a maximum total of GBP240,000 over the next 18 months.

Friedman's including Milano International

Friedman's has produced a further growth in sales with profits to match. Milano has also started to grow revenue and EBITDA contribution. Both Friedman's and Milano have outperformed budgeted expectations.

Having been highly dependent on the senior management, steps are being taken to broaden and deepen the management function as appropriate for a company of its size and ambition.

Hickton Group

The Hickton Group has had an excellent first six months of this financial year with sales, gross profit and EBITDA being ahead of budget.

On 6 July 2023, the Company purchased a further 1.4% (1,625 shares) of Hickton Group and GBP56,884 8% Investor Loan Notes for GBP58,509, taking its shareholding from 52.4% to 53.8%. This is of course a very low risk way of CEPS PLC achieving growth by acquisition.

Vale Brothers

The company has continued to struggle, in common with all its competitors, as demand for its products has been very weak. Further restructuring is taking place to "right-size" the business for the prevailing demand.

Financial review

It is pleasing that sales for the Group for the first six months of 2023 at GBP15.05m were solidly up on the comparable period in 2022 of GBP12.99m, an increase of 15.9%.

Aford Awards generated revenue of GBP1.99m for the first six months of 2023 compared to GBP1.56m for the same period in 2022. The segmental result, presented as EBITDA, was GBP393,000 in H1 2023 compared to GBP410,000 in the same period in the previous year. As highlighted above in the operational review, more overhead has been put in place and it is expected that the benefit of this will be seen in the second half.

Revenue from Friedman's and Milano International was GBP3.52m in H1 2023 compared to GBP3.19m in H1 2022, with a return to more normal trading conditions. EBITDA also improved from GBP227,000 in H1 2021 to GBP545,000 in H1 2023.

Hickton Group's revenue in H1 2023 increased to GBP9.55m from GBP8.24m in the same period of 2022. The CEPS Board is very pleased with the recovery in Hickton and can confirm that the issues of the second half of last year have been resolved. Consequently, EBITDA has increased from GBP820,000 in the first six months of 2022 to GBP1.01m in H1 of 2023.

The operating profit for CEPS Group increased by 47.3% from GBP930,000 in H1 2022 to GBP1.37m in H1 2023. Included within operating profit are CEPS Group costs which have increased to GBP188,000 for the six months (2022: GBP167,000). Part of this increase can be explained by the fact that the Head Office operation is now run from its own offices in Bath. Increased professional costs account for the rest of the increase.

Vale Brothers has reported a loss for the period to June 2023. The Group, as at 31 December 2022, was carrying a GBPnil investment in respect of its shareholding and GBPnil for the loan notes receivable from this associate and has no contractual commitment to provide any further funding. Consistent with this position, the Group is not required to account for a share of this loss and has, therefore, included GBPnil in the results. As stated above, further action is being taken to restructure the business.

Net finance costs have increased slightly period-on-period from GBP344,000 in H1 2022 to GBP393,000 in H1 2023. Much of the debt is on fixed rate terms and, as cash generation increases, overall debt is expected to decline and, consequently, the finance charge is expected to reduce.

The corporation tax charge of GBP184,000 (H1 2022: GBP67,000) is primarily a provisional charge on the profits generated by the Hickton Group.

Profit after tax for the period was GBP793,000 compared to GBP460,000 for the first six months of 2022. This has resulted in an improved earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent of 1.93p (H1 2022: 1.07p).

The Group saw an improvement in net cash generated from operating activities between the two periods. This amounted to GBP2.01m in H1 2023 and GBP825,000 in H1 2022. Net debt has also fallen from GBP6.08m at 30 June 2022 to GBP5.67m at 30 June 2023. Both these factors explain the improvement in the gearing ratio from 158% at 30 June 2022 to 107% at 30 June 2023. As at 30 June 2023 CEPS Group had GBP1.49m cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank overdrafts) (H1 2022: GBP1.74m).

Dividend

The Board remains keen to recommence the payment of dividends after a very long time of non-payment. However, this will need a balance sheet reconstruction to allow this to happen as the first step in this process. Proposals to effect this will be put forward to shareholders in the near future.

Prospects

The Board is pleased to see the progress for the first six months evidenced in these interim accounts during a period of relative trading normality, as compared to recent years. Whilst the macro position is uncertain, the CEPS Group of companies have clear objectives and are set up to continue to improve their performance. The management teams are showing determination and resilience to ensure that their companies emerge from the current difficulties in a better place in their markets.

David Horner

Chairman

4 September 2023

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 (which forms part of domestic UK law pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).

The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

Enquiries

 
 CEPS PLC 
  David Horner, Chairman              +44 1225 483030 
 Cairn Financial Advisers LLP 
  James Caithie / Sandy Jamieson 
  / Emily Staples                     +44 20 7213 0880 
 

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi ed by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe", "could", "should" "envisage", "estimate", "intend", "may", "plan", "potentially", "expect", "will" or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re ect the directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the directors .

CEPS PLC

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                        Note                                 Audited 
                                                 Unaudited     Unaudited   12 months 
                                                  6 months      6 months       to 31 
                                                to 30 June    to 30 June    December 
                                                      2023          2022        2022 
                                                   GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                                 3          15,054        12,988      26,449 
 Cost of sales                                     (8,867)       (7,652)    (15,538) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                                        6,187         5,336      10,911 
 Other operating income                                 20            24          47 
 Administration expenses                           (4,837)       (4,430)     (8,835) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Operating profit                        3           1,370           930       2,123 
 
 Analysis of operating profit 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Trading                                             1,538         1,073       2,476 
 Other operating income                                 20            24          47 
 Group costs                                         (188)         (167)       (400) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
                                                     1,370           930       2,123 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Share of associate loss                                 -          (59)        (66) 
 Net finance costs                                   (393)         (344)       (711) 
 Profit before tax                                     977           527       1,346 
 Taxation                                            (184)          (67)       (270) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Profit for the period                                 793           460       1,076 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Actuarial gain on defined 
  benefit pension plans                                  -             -          54 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Other comprehensive income 
  for the period, net of tax                             -             -          54 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period                                       793           460       1,130 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 Income attributable to: 
 Owners of the parent                                  405           224         460 
 Non-controlling interest                              388           236         616 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
                                                       793           460       1,076 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Total comprehensive income 
  attributable to: 
 Owners of the parent                                  405           224         514 
 Non-controlling interest                              388           236         616 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
                                                       793           460       1,130 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Earnings per share attributable 
  to owners of the parent during 
  the period 
 basic and diluted                       4           1.93p         1.07p       2.19p 
                                              ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 

CEPS PLC

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2023

 
                                       Note   Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
                                                  as at       as at         as at 
                                                30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                   2023        2022          2022 
                                                GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment          5         1,098         693           671 
 Right-of-use assets                    5         1,857       1,850         1,694 
 Intangible assets                               11,649      11,830        11,728 
 Investment in associate                              -           7             - 
                                                 14,604      14,380        14,093 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                      2,296       1,781         2,138 
 Trade and other receivables                      4,840       4,145         4,006 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  (excluding bank overdrafts)                     1,488       1,743         1,284 
                                                  8,624       7,669         7,428 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Total assets                           3        23,228      22,049        21,521 
                                             ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
 Equity 
 Capital and reserves attributable 
  to owners of the parent 
 Called up share capital                8         2,100       2,100         2,100 
 Share premium                                    7,017       7,017         7,017 
 Retained earnings                              (7,121)     (7,816)       (7,526) 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                  1,996       1,301         1,591 
 Non-controlling interest in equity               3,312       2,544         2,924 
 Total equity                           3         5,308       3,845         4,515 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Liabilities 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                       7,648       8,219         8,367 
 Lease liabilities                                1,636       1,652         1,522 
 Trade and other payables                           120         240           208 
 Deferred tax liability                             338         344           338 
                                                  9,742      10,455        10,435 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                       1,822       2,097         1,487 
 Lease liabilities                                  373         342           313 
 Trade and other payables                         4,263       4,180         3,325 
 Current tax liabilities                          1,720       1,130         1,446 
                                                  8,178       7,749         6,571 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Total liabilities                      3      17,920      18,204          17,006 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Total equity and liabilities                    23,228      22,049        21,521 
                                             ==========  ==========  ============ 
 

CEPS PLC

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                                    Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
                                                     6 months    6 months     12 months 
                                                           to          to            to 
                                                      30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                         2023        2022          2022 
                                                      GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Profit for the financial period                          793         460         1,076 
 Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation and amortisation                            390         360           719 
 Loss on disposal of fixed assets                           2           -             6 
 Pension contributions less than administrative 
  charge                                                    -           -            69 
 Share of associate loss                                    -          59            66 
 Net finance costs                                        393         344           711 
 Taxation charge                                          184          67           270 
 Changes in working capital 
   Movement in inventories                              (158)       (161)         (518) 
   Movement in trade and other receivables              (834)     (1,109)         (970) 
   Movement in trade and other payables                 1,347         881           301 
                                                   ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Cash generated from operations                         2,117         901         1,730 
 Corporation tax paid                                   (111)        (76)          (61) 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                            2,006         825         1,669 
                                                   ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Interest received                                          6           6            12 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses, 
  net of cash acquired (including deferred 
  consideration)                                        (223)       (575)         (611) 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment              (525)        (32)         (120) 
 Proceeds from sale of assets                               -           -             3 
 Purchase of intangible fixed assets                     (23)        (74)          (75) 
 Net cash used in investing activities                  (765)       (675)         (791) 
                                                   ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from borrowings                                   -         437           396 
 Repayment of borrowings                                (405)       (332)         (773) 
 Dividends paid to minority shareholders 
  in a subsidiary                                           -       (157)         (157) 
 Interest paid                                          (451)       (268)         (815) 
 Lease liability payments                               (181)       (168)         (326) 
 Net cash flow used in financing 
  activities                                          (1,037)       (488)       (1,675) 
                                                   ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash 
  and cash equivalents                                    204       (338)         (797) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  beginning of the period                               1,284       2,081         2,081 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the period                                     1,488       1,743         1,284 
                                                   ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents 
 Cash at bank and in hand                               1,488       1,743         1,284 
                                                   ==========  ==========  ============ 
 

CEPS PLC

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                      Share      Share    Retained   Attributable   Non-controlling     Total 
                                    capital    premium    earnings      to owners          interest    equity 
                                                                           of the 
                                                                           parent 
                                    GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000        GBP'000           GBP'000   GBP'000 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
  At 1 January 2022                   2,100      7,017     (8,040)          1,077             2,465     3,542 
   (audited) 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 Profit and total comprehensive 
  income for the period                   -          -         224            224               236       460 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 Dividends paid to 
  minority shareholders 
  in a subsidiary                         -          -           -              -             (157)     (157) 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 30 June 2022 (unaudited)          2,100      7,017     (7,816)          1,301             2,544     3,845 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 Actuarial gain                           -          -          54             54                 -        54 
 Profit for the period                    -          -         236            236               380       616 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the financial 
  period                                  -          -         290            290               380       670 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022 
  (audited)                           2,100      7,017     (7,526)          1,591             2,924     4,515 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 Profit and total comprehensive 
  income for the financial 
  period                                  -          -         405            405               388       793 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 30 June 2023 (unaudited)          2,100      7,017     (7,121)          1,996             3,312     5,308 
                                  ---------  ---------  ----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 

Notes to the financial information

   1.    General information 

CEPS PLC (the "Company") is a company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The Company is a public company limited by shares, which is admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office is 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL.

The registered number of the Company is 00507461.

This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information was approved by the directors for issue on 5 September 2023.

This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 were approved by the Board of directors on 4 May 2023 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information has not been reviewed or audited.

There is no specific seasonality in relation to the condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information.

Basis of preparation

This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2023 has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the United Kingdom.

Accounting policies

The accounting policies applied are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 and with those to be applied for the year ending 31 December 2023, as described in the 2022 annual financial statements. There are no new standards or interpretations expected to be adopted in 2023 that would have a significant impact on the financial statements.

   2.    Exceptional items 

There have been no material exceptional items in the period ended 30 June 2023 (2022: none).

   3.    Segmental analysis 

The chief operating decision maker of the Group is its Board. Each operating segment regularly reports its performance to the Board which, based on those reports, allocates resources to and assesses the performance of those operating segments.

Operating segments and their principal activities are as follows:

- Aford Awards, including Impact Promotional Merchandise, a sports trophy, engraving and promotional merchandising company;

- Friedman's, a convertor and distributor of specialist lycra, including Milano International (trading as Milano Pro-Sport), a designer and manufacturer of leotards; and

- Hickton Group, comprising Hickton Quality Control, BRCS, Cook Brown Building Control, Cook Brown Energy, Morgan Lambert and Qualitas Compliance, providers of services in the construction industry.

The United Kingdom is the main country of operation from which the Group derives its revenue and operating profit and is the principal location of the assets of the Group. The Group information provided below, therefore, also represents the geographical segmental analysis. Of the GBP15,054,000

(2022: GBP12,988,000) of revenue, GBP14,188,000 (2021: GBP12,115,000) is derived from UK customers.

The Board assesses the performance of each operating segment by a measure of adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and Group costs. Other information provided to the Board is measured in a manner consistent with that in the financial statements.

   i)     Results by segment 

Unaudited 6 months to 30 June 2023

 
 
                                       Aford                  Hickton     Total 
                                      Awards   Friedman's       Group     Group 
                                     GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Revenue                               1,985        3,520       9,549    15,054 
                                    --------  -----------  ----------  -------- 
 Segmental result (EBITDA)               393          545       1,010     1,948 
 Right-of-use depreciation charge       (37)         (84)        (47)     (168) 
 Depreciation and amortisation 
  charge                                (69)        (113)        (40)     (222) 
                                    --------  -----------  ---------- 
 Group costs                                                              (188) 
 Net finance costs                                                        (393) 
 Profit before taxation                                                     977 
 Taxation                                                                 (184) 
                                                                       -------- 
 Profit for the period                                                      793 
                                                                       ======== 
 

Unaudited 6 months to 30 June 2022

 
 
                                       Aford                  Hickton     Total 
                                      Awards   Friedman's       Group     Group 
                                     GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Revenue                               1,560        3,192       8,236    12,988 
                                    --------  -----------  ----------  -------- 
 Segmental result (EBITDA)               410          227         820     1,457 
 Right-of-use depreciation charge       (38)         (70)        (53)     (161) 
 Depreciation and amortisation 
  charge                                (45)         (96)        (58)     (199) 
                                    --------  -----------  ---------- 
 Group costs                                                              (167) 
 Share of associate loss                                                   (59) 
 Net finance costs                                                        (344) 
 Profit before taxation                                                     527 
 Taxation                                                                  (67) 
                                                                       -------- 
 Profit for the period                                                      460 
                                                                       ======== 
 

Audited 12 months to 31 December 2022

 
 
                                    Aford                  Hickton     Total 
                                   Awards   Friedman's       Group     Group 
                                  GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Revenue                            3,086        6,423      16,940    26,449 
                                 --------  -----------  ----------  -------- 
 Segmental result (EBITDA)            546          897       1,800     3,243 
 Right-of-use depreciation 
  charge                             (75)        (129)       (100)     (304) 
 Depreciation and amortisation 
  charge                            (115)        (183)       (117)     (415) 
                                 --------  -----------  ---------- 
 Group costs                                                           (400) 
 Share of associate loss                                                (66) 
 Net finance costs                                                     (712) 
 Profit before taxation                                                1,346 
 Taxation                                                              (270) 
                                                                    -------- 
 Profit for the year                                                   1,076 
                                                                    ======== 
 
   ii)     Assets and liabilities by segment 
 
 Unaudited as at            Segment assets      Segment liabilities     Segment net assets/(liabilities) 
  30 June 
                              2023      2022        2023        2022               2023               2022 
                           GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000            GBP'000            GBP'000 
 Continuing operations: 
 CEPS Group                    192       167     (5,455)     (5,322)            (5,263)            (5,155) 
 Aford Awards                4,099     4,039     (2,028)     (2,152)              2,071              1,887 
 Friedman's                  8,377     7,538     (2,884)     (2,390)              5,493              5,148 
 Hickton Group              10,560    10,305     (7,553)     (8,340)              3,007              1,965 
 Total - Group              23,228    22,049    (17,920)    (18,204)              5,308              3,845 
                          ========  ========  ==========  ==========  =================  ================= 
 
 Audited as at 31             Segment assets     Segment liabilities      Segment net assets/(liabilities) 
  December 2022 
                                     GBP'000                 GBP'000                               GBP'000 
 Continuing operations: 
 CEPS Group                              286                 (5,410)                               (5,124) 
 Aford Awards                          4,014                 (2,170)                                 1,844 
 Friedman's                            7,575                 (2,244)                                 5,331 
 Hickton Group                         9,646                 (7,182)                                 2,464 
 Total - Group                        21,521                (17,006)                                 4,515 
                          ==================  ======================  ==================================== 
 
   4.    Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is calculated on the profit after taxation for the period attributable to owners of the Company of GBP405,000 (2022: GBP224,000) and on 21,000,000 (2022: 21,000,000) ordinary shares, being the weighted number in issue during the period.

   5.    Property, plant and equipment 

In the period ended 30 June 2023, a subsidiary in the Friedman's segment purchased the freehold property, formerly leased for the operations, for GBP388,000 plus costs.

GBP284,000 of the increase in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the period ended 30 June 2023 results from a rent review in respect of existing premises.

   6.    Net debt and gearing 

Gearing ratios at 30 June 2023, 30 June 2022 and 31 December 2022 are as follows:

 
                                            Group           Group   Group audited 
                                        unaudited       unaudited     31 December 
                                     30 June 2023    30 June 2022            2022 
                                          GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
 Total borrowings                           7,161           7,818           7,420 
 Less: cash and cash equivalents          (1,488)         (1,743)         (1,284) 
                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Net debt                                   5,673           6,075           6,136 
                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total equity                               5,308           3,845           4,515 
                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Gearing ratio                               107%            158%            136% 
 

In order to provide a more meaningful gearing ratio, total borrowings are the sum of bank borrowings and third-party debt, excluding loan notes used to finance the Group's acquisitions.

   7.       Pension scheme 

Further to the announcement on 13 December 2021 that the Trustees of the Company's defined benefit scheme (the Dinkie Heel plc Retirement Benefits Scheme (the "Scheme")) had entered into a buy-in contract with Aviva, the Scheme continues to be formally wound-up.

It is expected that the Scheme will have surplus funds once the final balancing premium is paid to Aviva, conditional on the Scheme completing a process to verify the detailed amounts payable to members and dependants. This process should be complete within the next six months. The amount the Trustees expect may be left over is in the order of GBP700,000 (the "Surplus") although it may be more or less than that. In accordance with the formal rules of the Scheme, it is the intention of the Trustees to pay the Surplus to CEPS PLC, as the employer for the Scheme, after deducting the required amount of tax, currently expected to be 35% and the net amount receivable would then be GBP455,000.

Historically, the actuarial surplus on the Scheme has not been recognised in the Company's accounts as the Company does not have an unconditional right to refunds of surpluses arising in the Scheme. The contingent asset will not be recognised until there is certainty over the final amount and receipt and any payment of the surplus to CEPS PLC will have a positive impact on the Company's and Group's balance sheet when it is received.

   8.       Share capital and premium 
 
                                      Number      Share      Share 
                                   of shares    capital    premium      Total 
                                                GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 At 1 January 2023 and 30 June 
  2023                            21,000,000      2,100      7,017      9,117 
                                 -----------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
   9.       Post balance sheet events 

On 6 July 2023, the Company purchased a further 1.4% (1,625 shares) of Hickton Group and GBP56,884 8% Investor Loan Notes for GBP58,509, taking its shareholding from 52.4% to 53.8%.

   10.     Related-party transactions 

During the period the Company entered into the following transactions with its subsidiary groups:

 
                                     Aford Awards 
                                   Group Holdings 
                                          Limited           Signature           Hickton 
                                          GBP'000     Fabrics Limited     Group Limited 
                                                              GBP'000           GBP'000 
 Loan note interest receivable 
 - 6 months to 30 June 
  2023                                         38                  29                95 
 - 6 months to 30 June 
  2022                                         32                  30                95 
 - For the year to 31 
  December 2022 (audited)                      70                  60               191 
 Management charge income 
  receivable 
 - 6 months to 30 June 
  2023                                         10                  18                 6 
 - 6 months to 30 June 
  2022                                         10                  18                 6 
 - For the year to 31 
  December 2022 (audited)                      20                  35                13 
 Amount owed to the Company 
 - 30 June 2023                             1,310                 969             2,453 
 - 30 June 2022                             1,235               1,164             2,382 
 - For the year to 31 
  December 2022 (audited)                   1,235               1,000             2,406 
 

The Company is under the control of its shareholders and not any one individual party.

Statement of directors' responsibility

The directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, these condensed consolidated half--yearly financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the United Kingdom. The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R, namely:

-- 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

-- material related-party transactions in the first six months of the financial year and any material changes in the related-party transactions described in the last Annual Report.

A list of current directors is maintained on the CEPS PLC website: www.cepsplc.com

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END

IR FLFLVAVISIIV

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 05, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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