Coats Regulatory News (COA)

24 February 2017

Coats Group plc

2016 Full Year results

Coats Group plc ('Coats' or the 'Company'), the world's leading industrial thread manufacturer, today announces its unaudited results for the year ended 31 December 2016.

Highlights

· Revenue up 2% on a CER basis to $1,457 million (down 1% reported). Continued solid growth of 4% in Industrial Division achieved through market share gains, offsetting 8% decline in Crafts Americas.

· Adjusted operating profit up 16% (up 13% reported) through market share gains, cost productivity, controlled overheads and raw material price benefits.

· Adjusted EPS up 23% to 4.91c (reported EPS of 4.28c) with higher operating profit and reduction in tax rate partially offset by unrealised losses on foreign exchange hedges. 

· Adjusted free cash flow of $78 million (2015: $71 million) as net working capital continues to be controlled effectively.

· Return on capital employed increase of 600bps to 39% (2015: 33%) mainly as a result of higher profitability.

· Acquired Gotex and Fast React; both performing well and ahead of management expectations ($3m operating profit contribution in 2016).

· Cessation of regulatory action for UK Coats and Brunel pension schemes, representing approximately 90% of UK pension liabilities and scheme members.

· Rajiv Sharma became Group CEO on 1 January 2017, previously CEO Industrial Division.

· The Board recommends a final dividend of 0.84 US cents per share payable in May 2017, subject to shareholder approval, which represents a pro forma full year 2016 dividend of 1.25 c per share.

Commenting on Coats full year 2016 results Rajiv Sharma, Group Chief Executive, said:

'Coats delivered a strong performance in 2016 with operating profit growth of 16%, despite challenging market conditions. Uncertainty, volatility and pricing pressures characterised 2016. Group organic sales growth of 1%, was delivered by share gains in the Industrial Division, which was supported by the introduction of new products and adoption of our digital tools. We delivered productivity and procurement gains, and tightly managed our overheads which had a positive operational gearing effect in the Industrial Division. We completed the acquisitions of Gotex and Fast React during the year, both of which have leading positions in their markets and which are already delivering strong growth ahead of management expectations under Coats' ownership. In the Crafts division, challenging market conditions continued, especially within the handknittings segment, although showed an improving trend in the second half of the year, and cost actions were taken to manage margins.

'Following the pensions settlement agreement with the Trustees of the Coats UK and Brunel pension schemes and the cessation of regulatory action by TPR related to those schemes, we have recommended a final dividend of 0.84 US cents per share for 2016, which equates to a pro-forma full year dividend of 1.25c per share. It is our intention to pursue a progressive dividend policy.

'We enter 2017 on a solid footing however remain cautious about market conditions. We expect to continue to deliver growth in line with management's expectations through our initiatives to deliver market share gains, productivity improvements and tight cost control. We will also continue to focus on cash flow generation in order to allow us to continue to reinvest in organic and inorganic growth opportunities.'

Conference call

Coats Management will discuss this report in a webcast / conference call with analysts and investors at 0900 GMT today (24 February 2017). The webcast can be accessed via www.coats.com/investors/fy16. The conference call can be accessed by dialling +44 (0)20 3059 8125 and using participant code 'Coats'. The webcast will also be made available in archive form on www.coats.com.

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This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation.

About Coats Group plc

Coats is the world's leading industrial thread manufacturer and a major player in the Americas textile crafts market. At home in some 60 countries, Coats employs 19,000 people across six continents. Revenues in 2016 were US$1.5bn. Coats' pioneering history and innovative culture ensure the company leads the way around the world: providing complementary and value added products and services to the apparel and footwear industries; applying innovative techniques to develop high technology Performance Materials threads and yarns in areas such as automotive, composites and fibre optics; and extending the crafts offer into new markets and online. Headquartered in the UK, Coats has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange. To find out more about Coats visit www.coats.com.

Summary

In the following commentary all references to revenue are on a CER basis and all references to operating profit are on an adjusted CER basis, unless otherwise stated (Alternative Performance Measures are reconciled to the nearest corresponding statutory measure in note 14).

Coats generated revenues of $1,457 million in 2016, a 2% CER underlying growth on 2015 ($1,432 million). Industrial sales grew 4% driven by share gains in Apparel and Footwear, product innovation, geographic expansion in Performance Materials (previously Speciality), along with the impact of bolt-on acquisitions. Organic sales growth in the Industrial Division of 2% was marginally behind the 3% growth reported in H1 as mixed demand from clothing retailers and manufacturers in US consumer durable markets continued throughout the later part of the year. Crafts sales fell 8% due to a sharp contraction in the US handknitting market predominantly caused by a mild North American winter, although this contraction slowed in the latter part of 2016 (H2 decline 4%).

Group adjusted operating profit increased 16% to $158 million (2015: $136 million), although this was a lower growth rate than the strong performance delivered in H1 of 24%. Industrial full year adjusted operating profit grew 18% and margins were up 160 basis points (bps) to 12.7% due to volume growth, lower raw material prices, productivity and procurement improvements, and tight cost control. Excluding acquisitions, Industrial adjusted operating profit grew by 16%.

The 26% decline in Crafts Americas adjusted operating profit was primarily due to lower US handknittings sales. Crafts Americas margins decreased 110bps to 4.6% due to lower raw material prices that benefited margins in H2 2015 but was partially offset by tight cost control in a challenging market. The loss making UK Crafts business has now been closed and is classified as discontinued. The overhead reduction programme, initiated in 2015 following the sale of EMEA Crafts, continued to deliver in line with management expectations, although some savings are being reinvested to support growth.

Performance on a reported basis was impacted by the relative strength of the US Dollar compared to 2015, resulting in a 1% reduction in reported revenues year on year (vs a 2% growth on a CER basis), and 13% growth in adjusted operating profit (vs a 16% growth on a CER basis). As the Company reports in US Dollars and given that its global footprint generates significant revenues and expenses in a number of other currencies, a translational currency impact can arise. The main currency impact during the period was the US Dollar against Sterling, Brazilian Real, Indian Rupee, Mexican Peso, and Turkish Lira with a smaller absolute impact on operating profit compared to revenues. Furthermore, if the reported 2016 results had been translated at exchange rates as at 31 December 2016 then Group revenue and adjusted operating profit would have been $28m and $6m lower respectively.

Financial summary

Adjusted earnings per share ('EPS') increased 23% to 4.91 cents (2015: 4.00 cents) with higher adjusted operating profits (16% growth) and a reduction in tax rate (1% reduction in underlying rate) partially offset by unrealised losses on forward foreign exchange contracts of $5 million, in part due to the depreciation of Sterling vs US Dollar. The Company generated a reported attributable profit from continuing operations of $63.8m million compared to $25.4 million in 2015, as a result of a lower level of exceptional items ($23 million decrease in year net of tax), and higher adjusted operating profit ($18 million increase in 2016).

In 2016 Coats generated an adjusted free cash flow of $78 million compared to $71 million in 2015. Higher operating profits and stable capital expenditure more than offset a marginal outflow in working capital in the year which included a year-on-year reduction in sales days outstanding. Total net cash for the Group at 31 December 2016 was $78 million, a year-on-year reduction of $162 million, primarily due to $74 million foreign exchange losses on the parent group balance, $36 million spend on acquisitions and $99m UK pension scheme payments. Net cash of $78 million for the Group consisted of parent Group cash $343 million (2015: $505 million) and operating net debt of $265 million (2015: $264 million). Group net assets reduced to $91 million (2015: $354 million), a reduction of $263m which was driven by $325 million of actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes (2015: $67 million gain), offset partially by the Group's reported profit of $71 million (2015: $39 million loss).

Return on capital employed increased to 39%, from 33% at 31 December 2015, due to higher operating profits along with a $13 million reduction in capital employed.

UK Pensions Regulator investigations

On 17 February 2017, it was announced that the Company had signed binding settlement agreements with the Trustees of the UK Coats Pension Plan and Brunel Holdings Pension Scheme. The Company has received written assurances from the UK Pensions Regulator that on completion of the settlement its regulatory action will automatically cease in relation to these two schemes under the warning notices that it issued to the Company in 2013 and 2014. Following a series of Company determined corporate steps completion will occur by early March 2017.

The UK Coats Pension Plan and Brunel Holdings Pension Scheme represent approximately 90% of the Company's UK pension liabilities1 and schemes' members.

The Trustees of the Staveley scheme have not to date accepted the Company's proposal regarding that scheme and currently the UK Pension Regulator's investigation in connection with that scheme remains open. The proposal remains open to the Trustee of the Staveley scheme and the parent group cash will be used for this purpose.

Strategic progress

As previously reported, in June 2016, Coats announced the acquisitions of Gotex and Fast React Systems for an initial consideration of $28 million and $7 million respectively. Gotex designs and manufactures high-tech industrial yarns and tapes used to protect, reinforce and insulate cables and pipes in the global telecommunications, energy and oil and gas sectors. Gotex's market leading fibreglass technology and products will complement Coats' existing fibre optic product range, while Coats will support Gotex in further expanding into high-growth markets. Fast React is a provider of software solutions and expertise to manufacturers and retailers in the global apparel and footwear industries. This will enable Coats Global Services to offer an even wider range of operational improvement tools to customers and follows the successful acquisition of GSD in 2015, which has more than doubled like for like sales in 2016 when compared to the 8 months of post-acquisition ownership in 2015.

Both Gotex and Fast React are performing strongly and ahead of management expectations having delivered $3m of operating profit in the year since acquisition by leveraging Coats' global reach and strong customer relationships.

Following on from the disposal of the EMEA Crafts business last year, Coats has closed its loss-making UK Crafts operations which is classified as discontinued operations. See note 13 for more details.

Post Balance Sheet event

On 22 January 2017, the main distribution centre for the US Crafts business in Albany, Georgia suffered significant damage following a tornado strike, including one building which housed sourced products for yarns, threads and crafting implements. The decision had been taken to close the centre at the time and there were no injuries to Coats' personnel. Although buildings in the centre are leased, our initial estimate is that the tornado has damaged a significant proportion of the stock as well as causing disruption to our logistics activities. Given the extent of the damage temporary alternative premises have been found but operations are not expected to be fully back to normal until later in Q2.

The Group's insurance policies are expected to be sufficient to cover both the loss of inventory and physical assets. Although sales will be adversely impacted in the first half, lost profits as well as the incremental costs of re-establishing operations are included in the Group's business interruption insurance cover.

Corporate changes

As previously reported, on 24 June 2016, the Company de-listed from the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges and now has a single listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Simon Boddie joined the Company in July 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director and in October 2016 Fran Philips joined as a Non-Executive Director.

On 1 January 2017, Rajiv Sharma, previously CEO Industrial Division, took over as Group Chief Executive. Key focus areas of future strategy will relate to simplification activity, innovation and further development of digital capabilities all of which will be an evolution of the existing successful strategy. As such, since the start of 2017 certain strategic changes to the Group have been announced with immediate effect. These include renaming of the Speciality business to Performance Materials, in order to better reflect the present and future state of this key growth area of the business. In addition, there has been consolidation of the previous Management Board, Industrial and Crafts Leadership Teams into a single body; the Group Executive Team.

Dividend

Coats has a track record of delivering good levels of free cash through profitable sales growth, delivering self-help initiatives and investing in organic growth opportunities. The Board aims to use this free cash flow to appropriately fund its pension schemes, self-finance bolt-on acquisitions, and make returns to shareholders. Over time, and as underlying earnings and cash flows increase, the Board intends to pursue a progressive dividend policy.

Following the pensions settlement agreement with the Trustees of the UK Coats and the Brunel pension schemes and the cessation of regulatory action by the UK Pensions Regulator (TPR) related to those schemes, the Board has decided to commence the payment of ordinary dividends. The Board proposes to pay an ordinary final dividend of 0.84 US cents per share, subject to shareholder approval, on 30 May (payment date) to shareholders on the register on 5 May (record date), with an ex-dividend date of 4 May.

If the pensions settlement had been in place throughout the financial year an interim dividend of 0.41 c would have also been paid during 2016. Therefore, the pro-forma full year dividend of 1.25 c per share represents dividend earnings cover (on an adjusted EPS basis) of 3.9x times and cash cover, post pensions recurring deficit contribution payments, of 2.6x.

The ordinary final dividend will be paid in cash, in Sterling, converted at the closing exchange rates on 10 May. Shareholders will also have the option to have the dividend paid in either US dollars, Australian dollars, or New Zealand dollars. Details of these options will be sent to shareholders during March 2017 and elections for alternative payment to Sterling must be received by 8 May. If no response is received, the default payment currency of the dividend will be Sterling.

Outlook

We enter 2017 on a solid footing however remain cautious about market conditions. We expect to continue to deliver growth in line with management's expectations through our initiatives to deliver market share gains, productivity improvements and tight cost control. This growth is likely to be weighted to the second half of the year due to strong profit growth in H1 2016, and may also be subject to further foreign exchange headwinds on translation that have been seen in recent periods. We will also continue to focus on cash flow generation in order to allow us to continue to reinvest in organic and inorganic growth opportunities. 

Operating Review

In the following commentary all references to revenue are on a CER basis and all references to operating profit are on an adjusted CER basis, unless otherwise stated

Industrial

Revenue in Apparel and Footwear (A&F) grew 3% in 2016 on a CER basis. H2 sales growth reduced marginally to 2% following 3% growth in H1. In a challenging pricing environment sales growth was driven by market share gains as the underlying market growth was adversely impacted by softer retailer demand throughout the year. Coats' ability to continue to take market share was driven by several factors including deepening its relationships with retailers and brand owners through its global accounts programme, and with manufacturers, through the increasing adoption of digital services. Two years after the Company rolled out an eCommerce platform it is now live in over 25 countries, used by over 12,000 customers (manufacturers) and accounts for over 70% of our total thread orders. It has also enabled a reduction in back office headcount. In addition, market share gains were realised through the launch of innovative new products, for example in the denim and active sportswear segments.

Performance Materials5 revenue grew 9% in the year on a CER basis, including contributions from bolt-on acquisitions, with organic growth of 3% which was impacted by challenging market conditions in US consumer durable markets, in traditional markets such as outdoor goods, where destocking was prevalent. Emerging markets continued to deliver good sales growth through geographic expansion of existing products, such as furniture and upholstery. The business also continued to grow sales in new, innovative products, for example in the fibre optics sector and protective clothing, and entered new end-markets such as carbon composites. This resulted in H2 growth of 13% driven by incremental acquisition revenue (Gotex) along with an improvement in organic growth to 4% (H1 3% growth).

By region, full year revenue in Asia grew by 3% which is in line with H1 performance, with demand remaining solid in A&F despite some specific market headwinds (for example India demonetisation in H2). In the Americas revenues were marginally down with solid growth in A&F sales in Latin American markets such as Mexico and Colombia offset by the continued slowdown in some US consumer durable markets. Sales in EMEA rose 14% (7% excluding acquisitions) which was a continuation of strong H1 growth, following a challenging 2015, with growth in key A&F markets and strong performance in Performance Materials5.

Industrial operating profit increased 18% to $155 million (2015: $131 million) and margins increased 160bps to 12.7%. This reflected good volume growth driving a positive operational gearing impact, a reduction in material costs due to the lower average oil price compared to 2015 (although this benefit started to subside in H2), ongoing productivity savings, non-raw material procurement improvements along with benefits from business reorganisation activity (for example the 2015 Mexico production site relocation). These factors more than offset the challenging pricing environment allowing strong improvements in gross margin, and control of its cost base despite the structural wage and energy inflation that the Group faces across the many countries in which it operates.

Acquisitions

As previously reported, in June 2016, Coats completed the acquisition of Gotex, a company that designs, manufactures and sells a range of innovative, high performance industrial textiles to serve industries such as telecommunications (fibre optic cables), energy and oil and gas. Based near Barcelona, Spain, Gotex is a market leader in coated fibreglass yarns with proprietary technology that enables manufacturing at significantly higher speeds than conventional technology. This will complement Coats' aramid product range and strengthen Coats' presence in fibre optics. Coats will support Gotex in further expanding into high-growth markets by leveraging Coats' unrivalled geographic footprint, breadth of global customer relationships and strong corporate brand. In 2015, Gotex generated sales of approximately €14 million. The initial consideration was US$28 million, with a further payment of up to US$4 million after a two-year period, contingent on Gotex achieving certain performance targets.

In addition, in May 2016, Coats acquired Fast React, a UK based provider of software solutions and expertise to manufacturers and retailers in the apparel and footwear industries to improve their operational efficiency. The business generated revenues of approximately £4 million in 2015 ($5 million). The initial consideration was US$7 million, with further payments of up to US$4 million over a three-year period, contingent on Fast React achieving certain performance targets. The transaction enables Coats Global Services to offer an even wider range of productivity improvement tools to customers and follows the acquisition of GSD in May 2015.

Both Gotex and Fast React have performed well under Coats ownership, having delivered $16m of sales and $3m of operating profit in 2016 by leveraging Coats global reach and strong customer relationships.

Crafts

Crafts Americas revenues declined 8% to $236 million on a CER basis in 2016 (2015: $256 million). Handknitting sales declined 13% due to a sharp decline in the US handknitting market. Based on feedback from Coats major customers, the mild North American winter was a contributing factor in H1, while systems issues at a key customer also negatively impacted demand. In H2 there was a continued improvement in handknitting sales volumes resulting in a reduced CER decline of 5%. Revenue in Needlecrafts decreased 1% but with continued growth in Coats' lifestyle fabrics sales during the period. Revenues in Latin America grew 4%, with marginal volume growth supported by pricing gains.

Following the continued decline in North America sales and raw material price increases, profit in Crafts Americas for the year reduced to $11 million (2015: $15 million) and margins decreased by 110bps to 4.6%. Margin downside was limited by cost actions, such as reducing discretionary spend and tightly controlling overheads.

UK Crafts

Following the disposal of the EMEA Crafts business in 2015, Coats has closed its loss-making UK Crafts operations which is reported as a discontinued item in the full year 2016 results. In 2016 the business generated revenues of $8.8 million and an operating loss of $4.5 million. The closure has no impact on the ongoing Americas Crafts business.

Financial review

Overhead reduction programme

As previously reported, following the disposal of EMEA Crafts in July 2015, Coats reviewed elements of its cost base to establish the appropriate cost structure for a smaller and less complex Group. As a result, $14.1 million of restructuring costs were recognised in 2015. The programme continued to deliver in line with management expectations during 2016 and full benefits are expected to be realised by H1 2017, although a significant proportion of these savings will be reinvested to support the Group's growth plans.

Exceptional and acquisition related items

Net exceptional and acquisition related items before taxation and discontinued items were $4.6 million in 2016. These are related to Gotex and Fast React transaction costs, the amortisation of intangible assets acquired, and contingent consideration linked to continued employment. In 2015 net exceptional costs before taxation and discontinued items totalled $29.9 million and mainly related to the consolidation of Coats' Mexican operations, the initial provision for the overhead reduction programme and a provision for remedial work on the Lower Passaic River ('LPR'), New Jersey, USA. There are no further significant developments in relation to LPR to report. See note 10 for further details.

Non-operating results

Net finance costs in the period were $31.6 million, marginally up from $31.2 million in 2015. There was a reduction in interest on borrowings from $17 million to $14 million in 2016 partly due to fixed interest rate swaps coming to an end. There was approximately $5 million of unrealised losses on forward foreign exchange contracts in part due to the depreciation of Sterling vs US Dollar. With the movement of all the parent group cash (committed to support the Company's pension schemes) to Pound Sterling from New Zealand, Australian and US Dollars in H2 2015, interest income on the balance declined to $2 million in 2016 (2015: $5 million). IAS19 pensions interest charges reduced from $17 million to $14 million as a function of the lower pensions accounting deficit at the end of 2015.

The taxation charge for 2016 was $46.8 million (2015: $43.7 million) resulting in a reported tax rate of 38% (2015: 54%). Excluding exceptional and acquisition related items, the impact of IAS19 finance charges and foreign exchange gains/losses on the parent group cash balance, the underlying effective rate on pre-tax profits reduced by 100bps to 34% (2015: 35%). This was driven by a reduction in unrelieved losses, together with a favourable change in profit mix for the period.

Profit attributable to minority interests increased to $11.9 million (2015: $11.2 million) and is predominantly related to Coats' operations in Vietnam and Bangladesh (in which it has controlling interests).

Adjusted EPS increased 23% to 4.91 cents (2015: 4.00 cents). The higher operating profit and improvements in the underlying tax rate were partially offset by the $5m unrealised loss on forward foreign exchange contracts. Reported EPS of 4.60 cents compares to 1.81 cents in 2015 (for continuing operations); last year's result was impacted by a higher level of exceptional costs (there was a reported loss per share of 3.61 cents in 2015 due to a loss on discontinued items related to the EMEA Crafts business).

Total other comprehensive income and expense for the year was significantly impacted by actuarial losses in relation to the Group's defined benefit pension schemes of $325 million (2015: $67 million gain), as a result of changes to actuarial assumptions and asset returns.

Investment

Capital expenditure during the year, in addition to ongoing maintenance requirements, focused on new product development, process improvements, capacity expansion, health and safety, and environmental spend. The latter, which includes building effluent treatment plants, helps ensure Coats maintains its strong corporate responsibility credentials in the Industry. Total capital spend amounted to $40 million (2015: $44 million) and was 1.0 times depreciation and amortisation.

In order to support our future growth strategy and reinforce our strong environmental compliance credentials we have made the decision to increase our capital expenditure in 2017 to around 1.5 times depreciation. This spend is expected to be weighted towards the second half of the year. This investment will be funded by our operating cash flow which will continue to benefit from the management and discipline which has been in place in recent years.

Cash flow

Coats generated a $78 million adjusted free cash inflow in 2016, compared to $71 million in 2015.

EBITDA (defined as pre-exceptional operating profit before depreciation and amortisation) was $199 million, up from $183 million in 2015 (on a reported basis) due to the factors that contributed to the increase in pre-exceptional operating profit outlined earlier in the report.

There was a $3 million net working capital outflow in 2016 (2015: $19 million outflow). The movement in net working capital in the year was mainly due to increases in inventory in order to enhance service levels and lower trade creditors as we continued the implementation of a revised and consistent payment approach to suppliers to ensure we treat all parties in the supply chain in an ethical and sustainable way. These reductions were offset by lower debtors (reduction in sales days outstanding offsetting increased trading activity) and the timing of payments to other operating related creditors (for example rebate and indirect taxes payment timings).

Interest paid decreased to $14 million (2015: $15 million) as a result of a reduction in interest rates on borrowings. Tax paid increased year-on-year from $49 million to $58 million in 2016 as a result of higher profitability and increased withholding taxes from the repatriation of locally held cash around the Group. Payments to minority interests increased year-on-year to $13 million (2015: $10 million), also as a result of the increase in repatriating cash held locally around the Group.

There was an $84 million free cash outflow in 2016 (2015: $21 million outflow). This included UK pension recovery payments including administrative expenses of $99 million (2014: $34 million), of which approximately $19 million was paid to the Coats Plan, $53 million to the Staveley scheme (of which $46 million was a non-recurring contribution), and $27 million was paid to the Brunel scheme (of which $20 million was a non-recurring contribution). There was a $3 million outflow (2015: $8 million) relating to the purchase of own shares for the Employee Benefits Trust. This was to cover the continuing requirements for a share-based long term incentive scheme (in line with the standards of a FTSE 250 company) for senior employees, that more clearly aligns their interests with those of shareholders. Exceptional items included $4 million spent on the pensions investigation (2015: $9 million), and $8 million on the overhead reduction programme. In addition, $36 million was spent on the acquisition of Gotex and Fast React (2015: $6 million in relation to the GSD acquisition).

Overall, net cash for the Group reduced by $162 million in the year to $78 million. This predominantly consisted of $84 million free cash outflow (as referred to above), and $77 million foreign exchange movements ($74 million of which is in relation to parent group cash).

Balance sheet

As referred to above, the Company had a net cash position of $78 million at 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: $241 million). This included parent group cash, held in Sterling and committed to support the Group's three UK pension schemes (Sterling liabilities) of $343 million, compared to $505 million at the end of 2015. The reduction was primarily due to $80 million of pensions recovery payments (including administrative expenses) made to the Brunel and Staveley schemes in 2016 and, in US Dollar terms, due to the depreciation of Sterling ($74 million), although there is no real impact as the cash is matched to the Sterling denominated liabilities.

The Coats operating business had a net debt position of $265 million at the end of 2016 (see note 11), a marginal increase of $1 million from 31 December 2015 ($264 million). An important metric for the operating business is the leverage ratio of net debt (excluding parent group cash) to EBITDA. Net debt at 31 December 2016 was 1.3 times EBITDA for the year (1.4 times at 31 December 2015).

Pensions and other post-employment benefits

The net obligation for the Group's retirement and other post-employment defined benefit liabilities, on an IAS19 financial reporting basis, was $627 million as at 31 December 2016, up from $469 million at 31 December 2015. The increase in liabilities in the year of $158 million primarily consisted of actuarial losses of $325 million and Income Statement charges of $31 million, offset by cash payments into the UK schemes of $99 million and foreign exchange gains on Sterling liabilities of $94 million.

The deficits in the Group's UK defined benefit schemes, namely the UK Coats Plan, and Brunel and Staveley schemes, increased to $576 million (£467 million) from the position at 31 December 2015 ($423 million, £286 million). This was primarily due to an increase in liabilities largely driven by a 110bps decrease in the discount rate to 2.5% (derived using a yield curve approach, based on Sterling AA corporate bonds) as well as a 35bps increase in the rate of inflation to 3.3% (based on a market implied long term rate). The increase in liabilities was partially offset by a better than expected increase to asset values. Furthermore, in US Dollars the value of the UK net deficits have declined due to the weakening of Sterling over 2016. The reduction in the Staveley deficit was due to the £34 million payment made as part of the deficit repair plan agreed earlier this year. A £15m payment was also made to the Brunel scheme in the second half of 2016.

Pensions

Investigations

Further to its announcement of 16 December 2016, it was announced on 17 February 2017 that the Company had signed binding settlement agreements with the Trustees of the UK Coats Pension Plan and the Brunel Holdings Pension Scheme. The Company has received written assurances from the UK Pensions Regulator that on completion of the settlement its regulatory action will automatically cease in relation to these two schemes under the warning notices that it issued to the Company in 2013 and 2014. Following a series of Company determined corporate steps completion will occur by early March 2017.

The UK Coats Pension Plan and the Brunel Holdings Pension Scheme represent approximately 90% of the Company's UK pension liabilities1 and schemes' members.

The Trustee of the Staveley scheme has not to date accepted the Company's proposal regarding that scheme and currently the UK Pension Regulator's investigation in connection with that scheme remains open. The proposal remains open to the Trustee of the Staveley scheme and the parent group cash will be used for this purpose.

The Company made proposals to the Trustees of each of the three UK schemes (including the Staveley Scheme), on a comparable basis, comprising (1) upfront payments totalling £329.5 million ($406 million) from the Company's parent group cash (inclusive of the agreed Recovery Plan contributions paid to the Brunel and Staveley schemes since 1 January 2016); and (2) annual deficit recovery contributions totalling £17.5 million ($22 million) including estimated administration expenses and levies.

The principal commercial terms of the Settlement with the UK Coats Pension Plan and Brunel Holdings Pension Scheme are:

· Financial support on the basis of a combined technical provisions deficit as at 1 April 2015 of £485 million ($598 million) to be repaired by:

a) upfront payments totalling £255.5 million ($315 million) from the Company's parent group cash paid directly into the schemes (inclusive of the agreed Recovery Plan contributions paid to the Brunel scheme since 1 January 2016); and

b) annual deficit contributions totalling £14.5 million ($18 million), including estimated administration expenses and levies to be paid until 2028.

· The schemes will have access to sponsor support from Coats for future funding needs together with a Company guarantee.

· The next triennial valuation date for these schemes is to be 31 March 2018.

As a result of the settlement with the UK Coats and Brunel schemes, the principal impacts on the financial statements are anticipated to be as follows:

· Cash flow: In 2017, the UK pension deficit reduction payments (including administrative expenses) are expected to be in the region of £257 million ($317 million) (2016: $99 million), being £255.5 million ($315 million) agreed settlement with the UK Coats and Brunel schemes less certain scheduled recovery payments made during 2016 of £20 million ($25 million), along with the latest agreed on-going payments including expenses of £21 million ($26 million). These anticipated deficit recovery payments will not impact adjusted free cash flow.

· IAS 19 deficits (UK schemes): on a pro-forma basis (factoring in only cash payments made into the schemes as part of the UK Coats and Brunel settlements), the 31 December 2016 IAS 19 deficits for the Group of £467 million ($576 million) would reduce to £232 million ($286 million) following the upfront payments of £235 million ($290 million) made into the UK Coats and Brunel schemes following completion of the settlements on those schemes.

· Parent group cash: in line with the above, on a pro-forma basis, the Group net cash balance of £278 million ($343 million) as at 31 December 2016 would reduce to £43 million ($53 million) following the upfront payments of £235 million ($290 million) made into the UK Coats and Brunel schemes following completion of the settlements on those schemes. Cash remains reserved for the Staveley scheme settlement, in line with previous announcements.

The impacts on adjusted free cash flow, operating profit and adjusted EPS are not expected to be significant.

Triennial funding valuations

As noted above the next triennial funding valuations for the UK Coats and Brunel schemes have an effective date of 31 March 2018 and will need to be agreed by 30 June 2019. The Staveley Scheme's triennial funding valuation has an effective date of 31 December 2016 and would need to be agreed by 31 March 2018.

Coats Group plc

Consolidated income statement

* Restated to reflect the results of the UK Crafts business as a discontinued operation (see note 1).

Coats Group plc

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Coats Group plc

Consolidated statement of financial position

Coats Group plc

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 31 December 2016

Coats Group plc

Consolidated cash flow statement

Coats Group plc

Notes to the consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016

1. Basis of preparation

The preliminary financial information (the 'financial information') set out in this report is based on Coats Group plc's unaudited consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union, and complies with the disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority. The accounting policies adopted by the Group have been applied consistently to all periods presented.

The financial information set out in this report does not constitute the Coats Group plc's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2015 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The audit report on those accounts did not contain statements under Sections 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The audit opinion contained in that report was unmodified. The audit of the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 is not yet complete. Those accounts will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.

Whilst the financial information included in this report has been compiled in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of applicable IFRS, this report does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. Coats Group plc expects to publish full consolidated financial statements that comply with IFRS; these will be available to shareholders in March 2017.

New standards, interpretation and amendments adopted by the Group

The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the preliminary financial information as applied in the Group's annual audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Discontinued operations

Following on from the disposal of the EMEA Crafts business in 2015, Coats closed its loss-making UK Crafts operations with the business ceasing operations during the second half of 2016. The results of the UK Crafts business have been reported as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, prior year amounts in the consolidated income statement have been reclassified to discontinued operations. Note 13 provides details on the results of the UK Crafts business

Going concern

At 31 December 2016 the Group had cash and cash equivalent totalling $476.5 million (2015: $649.9 million). The Group also has various actual and contingent liabilities. The Board expects to be able to meet these obligations from existing resources. Further information on the net cash position of the Group is provided in note 11(e).

Giving due consideration to the nature of the Group's business and taking account of the following matters: the financing facilities available to the Group; the Group's foreign currency exposures; the binding settlement agreement with the Trustees of the UK Coats Pension Plan and Brunel Holdings Pension Scheme announced on 17 February 2017, the proposed settlement offer open to the Trustee of the Staveley scheme; and also taking into consideration the cash flow forecasts prepared by the Group and the sensitivity analysis associated therewith, the directors consider that the Company and the Group are going concerns and this financial information is prepared on that basis.

Principal exchange rates

The principal exchange rates (to the US dollar) used are as follows:

2. Operating segments

The Group has two reportable segments: Industrial and Crafts. Both segments includes businesses with similar operating and market characteristics. These segments are consistent with the internal reporting as reviewed by the Coats Group plc Board (the 'Chief Operating Decision Maker').

Segment revenue and results

Year ended 31 December 2016:

Unaudited

Year ended 31 December 2015 *:

Audited