BOTB.L Regulatory News (BOTB)

15 Jan 2008 07:00

Best of the Best PLC15 January 2008 BEST.L Best of the Best plc ("Best of the Best" or "the Company") Interim results for the six months ended 31 October 2007 Best of the Best plc displays luxury cars as competition prizes within airport terminals and online Key points • Revenue up 67.3% to £3.63million (2006: £2.17million). On a management cash accounting basis revenue up 55.7% to £3.63million (2006: £2.33million) - see notes below • Profit before tax for the period of £453,000 (2006: loss £53,000). On a management cash accounting basis profit before tax was £453,000 (2006: £118,000) - see notes below • First international contract signed in January 2008 at Copenhagen Airport • Landmark site at Heathrow's Terminal 5 opens in March 2008 • Three new sites opened during the interim period • 7 year pan-airport contract signed with BAA underpins existing business • Continued growth in online sales and customers: database at 250,000 • Discussions with further international airports and non-airport venues ongoing • Directors confident of steady progress in the second half William Hindmarch, Chief Executive, said: "The solid trading experienced during the second half of the 2007 financial yearhas continued into the first six months of this year. The changes to thecompetition structures continue to prove popular and trading at the airports hasbeen strong. New airport site openings have contributed positively during theperiod, and we look forward to opening a landmark site at Heathrow's Terminal 5in March 2008. We have signed our first international site contract atCopenhagen Airport and we look forward to announcing further contracts asdiscussions proceed. In addition, we have signed a 7 year pan-airport contractwith BAA, covering seven of our existing airport sites which underpins ourposition in the UK. Our online customer base continues to increase rapidly andhas been a growing source of revenue, aided by the introduction of our newInstant Win products and our loyalty program. We are optimistic with regards to the opportunities that lie ahead for ourbusiness and I look forward to updating shareholders with further progress indue course." Enquiries: Best of the Best plc William Hindmarch, Chief Executive T: 020 7371 8866 Rupert Garton, Commercial Director Biddicks Shane Dolan T: 020 7448 1000 Charles Stanley Securities Mark Taylor T: 020 7953 2000(Nominated Adviser) Freddy Crossley Please visit www.bestofthebest.co.uk for further information Chief Executive's Statement The solid trading experienced during the second half of the 2007 financial yearhas continued into the first six months of this year. The changes to thecompetition structures continue to prove popular and trading at the airports hasbeen strong. New airport site openings have contributed positively during theperiod, and we look forward to opening a landmark site at Heathrow's Terminal 5in March 2008. We have signed our first international site contract at Copenhagen Airport, asignificant operational development for the business, and we look forward toannouncing further contracts as discussions proceed. In addition, we have signeda 7 year pan-airport contract with BAA, covering seven of our existing airportsites (previously 3 year contracts) which underpins the stability of ouroperations and strengthens our relationship with the airport operator. Ouronline customer base continues to increase rapidly and has been a growing sourceof revenue, aided by the introduction of our new Instant Win products and ourloyalty program. Results Revenue for the six months ended 31 October 2007 was £3.63million (2006:£2.17million), an increase of 67 per cent on the previous period. Profit beforetax for the six month period was £453,000 (2006: loss £53,000). The comparativefigures on a management cash accounting basis (explained below) would be revenuefor the six months of £3.63million (2006: £2.33million), and profit before taxfor the period of £453,000 (2006: £118,000). As reported in the previous interim results, our revenue recognition policy(whereby the Company does not account for revenue generated by competitions thathave not been closed on or before the end of an accounting period) wasresponsible for a material deferral of revenues in the same period last year,and was in part responsible for the significant reduction in profitabilityreported in the previous interim accounts. As predicted, due to changes in ourcompetition structures, this has not been a material issue in the current periodunder review due to competitions closing in line with the period end. Earnings per share for the period increased to 2.55 pence (2006: loss 0.38pence). The cash position of the Company remains solid at £1.70million, whilst theinventory has increased by £0.49 million to accommodate competition prizes ondisplay at new sites. The balance sheet therefore remains strong with net assetsincreasing to £3.50million (2006: £2.53million). Dividend The Board is not recommending the payment of an interim dividend but aspreviously communicated, it intends to pay a dividend for the full financialyear ending 30 April 2008. Business In contrast to the difficult trading conditions encountered during the sameperiod in 2006, the first half of this financial year has seen an extension ofthe solid trading experienced during the second half of last year. Three newsite openings during the period (Birmingham International, Heathrow Terminal 2and East Midlands International have integrated well, and are performing in linewith expectations. Site refurbishments during the interim period have deliveredthe anticipated sales uplifts, and we will continue to invest in upgrading thestandard of our other sites over the next 18 months, as well as investing in newaudiovisual exhibition technology to give customers the best possibleexperience. We have negotiated a 7 year contract with BAA covering seven of our airportsites, which will permit us to plan and invest with greater security.Unfortunately, we were unable to include our site (which closed in November2007) at Heathrow's Terminal 3 in this renegotiation, due to the plannedreconfiguration of the departure lounge and the expansion of securityfacilities. There will also be further fluctuations in passenger numbers at ourHeathrow terminals as flights and airlines are moved around subsequent to theopening of Heathrow's Terminal 5. We are, however, are looking forward to theopening of a flagship site at Heathrow Terminal 5 in March 2008, which will bean international showcase for our concept and business. We have recently signed our first international airport contract at CopenhagenAirport in Denmark, which we expect to become operational during the firstquarter of 2008, and we are actively pursuing other new locations overseas. Our customer database continues to grow rapidly and has reached 250,000registered customers. Online revenue has grown strongly with the introduction ofnew games, and a range of conversion, retention and loyalty initiatives. OurInstant Win games have broadened our product range and have performed in linewith expectations. Strategy With three new site openings during the period, and further new sites openingshortly we continue to execute our strategy of growing our physical sites inairport and other locations, both in the UK and overseas. The resulting growthin the database allows us to broaden our product range and increase thefrequency of our competitions. The returns from our higher margin online saleswill permit us to invest further in product development and online customeracquisition as well as the physical growth of our sites in airports and othersuitable locations. Outlook The Board remains positive of the trading prospects for the Company in thesecond half of the year, which has been underpinned by encouraging trading inNovember and December 2007. We continue to monitor developments and review opportunities in our sector, andlook forward to updating shareholders with further progress in due course. William HindmarchChief Executive15 January 2008 BEST OF THE BEST PLCUnaudited Income Statementfor The Period Ended 31st October 2007 Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 31/10/07 31/10/06 30/04/07 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Notes GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's CONTINUING OPERATIONS Revenue 1,2 3,632 2,170 5,861 Cost of sales (1,327) (1,022) (2,376) ________ ________ ________ GROSS PROFIT 2,305 1,148 3,485 Administrative expenses (1,898) (1,207) (2,815) ________ ________ ________ OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS) 407 (59) 670 Finance costs - (10) (12) Finance income 46 16 52 ________ ________ ________ PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX 453 (53) 710 Tax (129) 14 (152) ________ ________ ________ PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD 324 (39) 558 ======== ======== ========Earnings/(Loss)Per Share expressedin pence per share: Basic 3 2.55 (0.38) 4.99Diluted 3 2.44 (0.38) 4.93 BEST OF THE BEST PLCUnaudited Balance Sheet31 October 2007 Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 31/10/07 31/10/06 30/04/07 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Notes GBP000's GBP000's GBP000'sASSETSNON-CURRENT ASSETSProperty, plant and equipment 724 440 562Deferred tax 6 12 20 ________ ________ ________ 730 452 582 ________ ________ ________CURRENT ASSETSInventories 1,929 1,436 1,535Trade and other receivables 54 64 50Cash and cash equivalents 1,714 1,698 1,768 ________ ________ ________ 3,697 3,198 3,353 ________ ________ ________LIABILITIESCURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 658 839 666Financial liabilities - borrowings - - -Bank overdrafts - - -Interest bearing loans and borrowings - 15 -Tax payable 274 95 159 ________ ________ ________ 932 949 825 ________ ________ ________ NET CURRENT ASSETS 2,765 2,249 2,528 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIESFinancial liabilities - borrowingsInterest bearing loans and borrowings - 174 - ________ ________ ________ NET ASSETS 3,495 2,527 3,110 ========== ========== ==========SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITYCalled up share capital 636 636 636Share premium 1,783 1,815 1,783 ________ ________ ________ Share-based payment reserve 1,4 88 9 27 ________ ________ ________ Retained earnings 988 67 664 ________ ________ ________TOTAL EQUITY 3,495 2,527 3,110 ========== ========== ========== BEST OF THE BEST PLCUnaudited Cash Flow Statementfor The Period 1 May 2007 to 31 October 2007 Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 31/10/07 31/10/06 30/04/07 Unaudited Unaudited Audited Notes GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 160 (70) 497Interest paid - (10) (12)Tax paid 1 - (109) ________ ________ ________ Net cash from operating activities 161 (80) 376 ________ ________ ________ Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets (262) (62) (278)Sale of tangible fixed assets - - 18Interest received 46 16 52 ________ ________ ________ Net cash from investing activities (216) (46) (208) ________ ________ ________ Cash flows from financing activities Loan repayments in year - (3) (194)Amount withdrawn by directors - - -Share issue - 2,500 1,981Share issue costs - (487) - ________ ________ ________ Net cash from financing activities - 2,010 1,787 ________ ________ ________ Increase/(Decrease) in cash andcash equivalents (55) 1,884 1,955 ________ ________ ________ Cash and cash equivalents atbeginning of period 1,768 (187) (187) ________ ________ ________ Cash and cash equivalents atend of period 1,713 1,697 1,768 ________ ________ ________ BEST OF THE BEST PLCUnaudited Interim Statement of Changes in Equityfor the period ended 31st October 2007 Called up Share Share Based Retained Total Share Capital Premium Payment Earnings Equity Reserve GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's Balance at 1May 2006 63 138 - 343 544 Profit for the year - - - 558 558 Bonus share issue 375 (138) - (237) - Cash share issue 198 1,783 - - 1,981 Employee share optioncharge in period - - 27 - 27 ________ ________ ________ ________ ________Balance at 30April 2007 636 1,783 27 664 3,110 Bonus share issue - - - - - Cash share issue - - - - - Profit for the period - - - 324 324 Employee share optioncharge in period - - 61 - 61 ________ ________ ________ ________ ________Balance 31 October 2007 636 1,783 88 988 3,495 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Called up Share Share Based Retained Total Share Capital Premium Payment Earnings Equity Reserve GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's GBP000's Balance at 1 May 2006 63 138 - 343 544 Bonus share issue 375 (138) - (237) - Cash share issue 198 1,815 - - 2,013 Profit/ (loss)for the period - - - (39) (39) Employee share optioncharge in period - - 9 - 9 ________ ________ ________ ________ ________Balance at 31October 2006 636 1,815 9 67 2,527 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== BEST OF THE BEST PLCNotes to the Interim Financial Statementsfor the period ended 31st October 2007 1. Basis of preparation These condensed interim financial statements are for the six months ended 31st October 2007. They have been prepared with regard to the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. They do not include all of the information required for full financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements (under IFRS) of the Company for the year ended 30th April 2007. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Significant accounting policies include; Revenue recognitionRevenue represents the value of tickets sold in respect of competitions which have been completed at the accounting date. A competition is completed when the Company closes entries. Share based paymentThe Company has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 to share option schemes allowing certain employees within the Company to acquire shares of the Company. For all grants of share options, the fair value as at the date of grant, is calculated using the Black-Scholes options pricing model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of share options thatare likely to vest, except where forfeiture is only due to market based conditions not achieving the threshold for vesting. The expense is recognised over the expected life of the option 2. Segment analysis The directors consider that the primary reporting format is by business segment and that there is only one such segment being that of competition operators. This disclosure has already been provided in these financial statements. 3. Earnings/(Loss) per share Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the relevantfinancial period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the entity by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the relevant financial periods. The weighted average number of equity shares in issue is 12,718,254 (31st October 2006: 10,403,440; 30th April 2007: 11,196,262). The earnings, being the profit after tax, are £324,000 (31st October 2006: £39,000 (Loss); 30th April 2007: £558,000 (Profit)). Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting earnings and weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares. Potential ordinary shares shall be treated as dilutive when, and only when, their conversion to ordinary shares would decreaseearnings per share or increase loss per share from continuing operations. The effect of dilutive securities for the period is to increase the weighted averagenumber of shares by 585,934 shares (31st October 2006: Nil; 30th April 2007: 138,838). 4. Statement of changes in equity The share based payment reserve reflects the charge for the period in relation to share options granted during the period. The Company will continue to accruethese costs at the same rate until the vesting period is over. 5. Publication of non-statutory accounts The financial information contained in this interim statement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in sections 240 of the Companies Act 1985. All information is unaudited apart from that included for the year ended 30th April 2007. The statutory accounts for the financial year ended 30th April 2007 were prepared under IFRS as adopted by the EU. These accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion did not include references to any mattersto which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying theirreport and did not contain statements under 237(2) or (3), (accounting records or returns inadequate, accounts not agreeing with records and returns or failureto obtain necessary information and explanations) of the Companies Act 1985, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. This interim statement will be made available at the Company's registered officeat 2 Plato Place, 72-74 St Dionis Road, London SW6 4TU. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange