Cppgroup Regulatory News (CPP)

26 September 2022

CPPGroup Plc

("CPP Group"; "the Group"; or "the Company")

HALF YEAR REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

CPP Group (AIM: CPP), a provider of assistance and insurance products, which reduce disruptions to everyday life for millions of customers across the world, is pleased to announce its half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2022.

Financial Highlights:

· Group revenue from continuing operations increased by 18% to £77.8 million (H1 2021 restated: £65.7 million)

· Core revenues increased by 26% to £69.5 million (H1 2021: £55.0 million)

· EBITDA from continuing operations increased by 18% to £3.1 million (H1 2021 restated: £2.6 million)

· Central overheads reduced to £4.8 million (H1 2021: £5.5 million)

· Exceptional items of £0.5 million (H1 2021: £1.5 million)

· Profit before tax from continuing operations increased to £1.3 million (H1 2021 restated: £0.5 million loss)

· Loss after tax from continuing operations improves to £0.2 million (H1 2021 restated: £1.6 million loss)

· Cash balance of £19.3 million at 30 June 2022 (H1 2021: £19.6 million)

· Dividends suspended pending completion of the strategy review (Change Programme)

Operational Highlights:

· Simplified structure focused on four business units

· Simplified the proposition away from "insurance" to "assurance" services

· Simplified the management and operational structures

· Core business (CPP India, CPP Turkey, Blink and Globiva) performing well

· Major partner renewals for CPP India, and new partner wins for both CPP Turkey and Blink

· Legacy Business (UK & European back book) revenues continue to record year-on-year decline

Simon Pyper, CEO of CPP Group, commented:

"Despite global economic headwinds, the Group has, from a trading perspective, delivered robust revenue growth, particularly from its Indian and Turkish operations. Blink, the Group's InsurTech business focused on the Global Travel Sector, also performed well, albeit from a low base. As international travel recovers, Blink is starting to see real growth in its new business pipeline both domestically and internationally. The good performance from our core markets somewhat masks the structural decline in profitability from our Legacy Businesses, a decline long understood by the business though never addressed.

On appointment, I found a business which had no adequate plan to address the decline in its Legacy Business, which had no sense of purpose, and no strategy for the future. Consequently, much of my time since appointment as CEO has been focused on simplifying the business, simplifying our proposition, and simplifying our management and operating structures. Additionally, the management team and I have been working on a broader Change Programme, the aim of which is to define what CPP's purpose is, and to set a course ("strategy") for the business which over time should improve outcomes for our key stakeholder groups.

It is my expectation that I will be able to share the key outputs from the Change Programme with shareholders in October of this year.

In spite of the uncertain economic climate, the Board remains confident in the outlook and growth prospects for our core operations. However, structural issues pertaining to our Legacy Business and associated IT costs need to be addressed which will have some impact on overall performance and we will provide further guidance in due course."

Financial and non-financial highlights - continuing operations

1. Restated to reflect China as a discontinued operation.

2. EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items.

3. Underlying profit before tax excludes exceptional items of £0.5 million (H1 2021: £1.5 million). The tax effect of the exceptional items is £nil (H1 2021: £0.1 million). Further detail of exceptional items is provided in note 4 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

4. Core revenue comprises CPP India, CPP Turkey, Blink and Globiva.

5. Legacy Business primarily comprises the UK and European renewal books of business, which are principally Card Protection and Identity Protection policies.

Enquiries:

About CPP Group:

CPP Group is a technology-driven assistance company that creates embedded and ancillary real-time assistance products and resolution services that reduce disruption to everyday life for millions of people across the world, at the time and place they are needed, CPP Group is listed on AIM, operated by the London Stock Exchange.

For more information on CPP visit https://international.cppgroup.com/

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Chief Executive's Statement

First Half Performance

Despite global economic headwinds, the Group has, from a trading perspective, delivered robust revenue growth, particularly from its Indian and Turkish operations. Blink, the Group's InsurTech business focused on the Global Travel Sector, also performed well, albeit from a low base. As international travel recovers, Blink is starting to see real growth in its new business pipeline both domestically and internationally. The good performance from our core markets somewhat masks the structural decline in profitability from our Legacy Businesses, a decline long understood by the business though never addressed.

The Group's revenue performance against prior year has also benefited from favourable comparatives (impact of COVID-19 restrictions on 2021 revenues) and foreign exchange movements. Of the 18% increase in year-on-year revenues to £77.8 million (H1 2021 restated: £65.7 million), circa 5% is due to favourable comparatives from COVID-19 and 2% is due to favourable foreign exchange movements. Adjusting for these two factors, the Group's underlying revenue growth for the first half was 11%, which given the prevailing economic environment is a more than satisfactory outcome.

EBITDA improved by 18% or £0.5 million to £3.1 million (H1 2021 restated: £2.6 million). The Legacy business, as expected, recorded a decline in EBITDA for the period of £0.4 million which partially offset the £0.4 million improvement from the Core business and the £0.4 million benefit of reduced central costs. Group EBITDA margin for the period remained broadly level with prior year at 4.0%.

Operating profit has increased to £1.3 million (H1 2021 restated: £0.3 million loss) which includes depreciation charges of £1.3 million (H1 2021 restated: £1.4 million) and exceptional items which have reduced to £0.5 million (H1 2021: £1.5 million). The exceptional items in the period principally reflect the exit costs of the former CEO. As a result, the Group's profit before tax has improved to £1.3 million (H1 2021 restated: £0.5 million loss).

Key Performance Metrics:

1. Restated to reflect China as a discontinued operation.

CPP India: EBITDA of £3.1 million (H1 2021: £2.8 million), EBITDA margin 5.1% (H1 2021: 5.6%)

Revenue has increased by £12.0m or 25% versus prior year, and by 21% on a constant currency basis, in part due to prior year comparatives being impacted by COVID-19, with volume growth derived from our My Tech, My Health, and My Home assistance products. During the period, CPP India secured contract extensions with its two largest partners, Bajaj Finance Limited (Bajaj), and SBI Cards. EBITDA margin reduced by 0.5% reflecting a modest change in revenue mix during the period towards lower margin products (particularly in My Health), and amortisation of the Bajaj marketing incentive.

Globiva: EBITDA of £1.3 million (H1 2021: £1.1 million), EBITDA margin 17.5% (H1 2021: 25.2%)

Third party revenue of £7.1 million which is +61% versus prior year, and on a constant currency basis by +55%. Revenue growth reflects new business wins and underlying occupancy (number of seats) improvement, noting that prior year comparatives reflect a business recovering from the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. The EBITDA margin has reduced by 7.7% which is function of new business growth and occupancy utilisation.

Turkey: EBITDA of £0.2 million (H1 2021: £0.4 million), EBITDA margin 14.7% (H1 2021: 23.0%)

Revenues have decreased by £0.4 million or -21% versus prior year, this reduction is all foreign exchange related as on a constant currency basis the business recorded revenue growth of 27%, reflecting in part, the development of the Turkiye Insurance relationship established in 2021. The EBITDA margin reduced by 8.3% reflecting cost inflation brought about by local economic conditions.

Blink: EBITDA loss of £0.1 million (H1 2021: £0.2 million loss)

There is a dedicated management and operational team now in place to build capacity and to drive growth. The pipeline for Blink's Travel Disruption products (Flight Delay and Lost Baggage) is starting to see real growth. Post period end, the business has started to provide its services to four new partners.

Legacy Business: EBITDA of £0.8 million (H1 2021: £1.2 million)

There has been a continued decline in both revenue and EBITDA from the UK and European Back Books (predominantly Card Protection and Identity Protection).

Central costs: £2.2 million (H1 2021: £2.6 million)

Central overheads before appropriate recharge to business units are £4.8 million (H1 2021: £5.5 million) which is a reduction of £0.7 million primarily reflecting lower Executive and Board costs. The central costs include £1.8 million (H1 2021: £2.0 million) relating to the cost of the Group's IT operations which forms the principal element of the costs recharged to business units. 

EBITDA Attributable to Shareholders

The Group holds a 51% majority interest in Globiva, a Business Processes Management company incorporated in India, with the other 49% of the shares beneficially owned by the three founders of the business. As the Group demonstrates control of the business through its majority holding, CPP is required under accounting standards to consolidate 100% of Globiva's revenues and earnings into its financial statements. The minority interest, being the 49% held by the founders, is recorded at the foot of the Group's income statement as "Attributable to non-controlling interests". When our holding in Globiva falls below the 51% threshold the Group will relinquish control and will no longer consolidate Globiva's revenues and earnings. In the normal course of business, this is expected to occur in 2026.

Taxation

The Group's tax charge from continuing operations is £1.4 million (H1 2021: £1.1 million) which reflects an effective tax rate (ETR) of 113% (H1 2021 restated: negative 232%). The tax charge mainly comprises tax payable in India, along with smaller charges from our European and Turkish markets.

The Group's ETR is expected to remain high and variable over the medium term, as the Group executes its Change Programme. The programme once complete is expected to lead to a stabilisation in the ETR at a much lower level. However, it is still expected to remain notably higher than the UK statutory rate of 19% as we make most of our taxable profit in India, provide for withholding taxes on overseas distributions and continue to generate losses in certain markets against which we are not able to recognise deferred tax assets.

Adjusted ETR

The adjusted ETR (which excludes the impact of exceptional items) at 81% (H1 2021 restated: 127%) demonstrates the progressive improvement in the Group's tax position as the Group addresses its loss-making operations and overall cost-base. The adjusted ETR reflects a more normalised tax charge for the Group.

The adjusted ETR is summarised as follows:

1. Refer to note 4 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Overall, we expect a progressive reduction in our ETR as our loss-making operations reduce, distributions from overseas markets stabilise and volatility arising from one-off charges declines.

Financial Position

The Group had cash balances at 30 June 2022 of £19.3 million (H1 2021: £19.6 million; 31 December 2021: £22.3 million). The extension of the Bajaj contract included payment of upfront fees, which along with costs to develop the IT platform in India, restructuring costs in the UK and payment of the dividend have led to the £3.1 million reduction in cash since the year end. Although the Group's cash cycle is naturally weighted to H2 this benefit will be reduced this year as development work on the India platform accelerates. Whilst the Group has previously and continues to report healthy cash balances, it should be noted that not all cash is available for distribution or able to be used on demand for working capital purposes in all parts of the Group. At present, approximately 40% of the Group's cash balances are "restricted" due to either tax, legal, or regulatory requirements.

Operational Highlights

Simplified Structure

The business is now organised around four business units being CPP India, CPP Turkey, Blink and the Legacy Business (UK & European back book) along with Central Functions. Each business unit is managed by a dedicated CEO who has full accountability for delivering agreed financial and non-financial objectives. This simplified structure will allow for local decisions to be made more quickly and moreover, allow each business to more effectively react to changing business partner needs.

Globiva is managed independently of the Group and save for CPP holding three Board seats (including the Chairman) and having the majority voting rights there is minimal management and operational interaction between the two companies.

Simplified Proposition

There is a move to providing a suite of technology-enabled assistance products and services focused around six themes: My Travel; My Tech; My Health; My Digital Life; My Home; and My Finances. Our simplified proposition reflects and supports our purpose, one of being a "technology-driven assistance company that creates embedded and ancillary real-time assistance products and resolution services that reduce disruption to everyday life for millions of people across the world, at the time and place they are needed".

Simplified Management and Operational Structure

The Executive Management Committee ("EMC"), is chaired by me and comprises the four Business Unit CEOs, the Group Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Risk and Operating Officer, the Group HR Director, and the Group Legal Counsel. The EMC is the key decision-making committee of the business focused on delivering the Group's strategic, operational, and financial objectives. The committee meets weekly.

The Operational Board, which reports to the EMC, reviews, implements, and monitors actions agreed at the EMC. In simple terms the Operational Board is focused on the "doing" whilst the EMC is focused on the "management" of the business. The Operational Board meets weekly, is chaired by me, and comprises several EMC members and other senior executives and managers of the Group.

Dividend

Due to the costs and uncertainties associated with the Change Programme, the Board has taken the decision to suspend dividend payment until further notice. If circumstances change, the Board will review and update shareholders when appropriate to do so.

Outlook

We are confident about the outlook and growth prospects for our core operations for the second half of the year. However, we do expect some softening in reported margin in the second half reflecting a modest mix change towards lower margin products, the impact of the new commercial terms agreed with Bajaj when extending the contract in May and revised incentive costs for our CPP India team. However, structural issues pertaining to our Legacy Business and associated IT costs need to be addressed which will have some impact on overall performance and we will provide further guidance in due course. Our expectations are that we will be able to provide the key outputs of the Change Programme in October.

Simon Pyper

Chief Executive Officer

23 September 2022

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

* Restated to reflect China as a discontinued operation. See note 2.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 General information

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022 do not constitute statutory accounts as defined under Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Annual Report and Financial Statements (the 'Financial Statements') for the year ended 31 December 2021 were approved by the Board on 28 March 2022 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditor, PKF Littlejohn LLP, reported on these financial statements; their report was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain statements under s498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

2 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 which were prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (UK IASs).

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved for release on 23 September 2022.

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Discontinued operations

On 27 January 2022, the Group completed the sale of its 100% shareholding in CPP Asia Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary CPP Technology Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd (together "China"). As a result, in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations, the 30 June 2021 comparative information has been restated to recognise the China operation as discontinued. Discontinued operations also include Germany, which was sold on 17 May 2021 (refer to note 8). The adjustments relating to the restatement have not been audited.

Segmental reporting

The Group has revised its segmental reporting from 1 January 2022. In accordance with IFRS 8 the operating segments have been changed to reflect the way in which the Group is now managed and how resources are allocated. The Group's operating segments are identified as India, Turkey, Blink, UK & Rest of the World (UK & ROW) and Central Functions. These segments replace the 'Ongoing Operations', 'Restricted Operations' and 'Central Functions' basis that was previously in place. The prior period segmental information has been restated to reflect the change. Further detail is included in note 3. The adjustments relating to the restatement have not been audited.

Hyperinflation

The Group has operations in Turkey, which has now met the criteria to be classified as a hyperinflationary economy. This is based on the Turkish Statistical Institute published consumer price index, which has cumulative inflation of 109.4% over a three year period as at March 2022. IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies requires that inflation accounting is applied to the financial statements of entities where the cumulative inflation rate in three years approximates or exceeds 100%. Inflation accounting aims to restate the value of the assets, liabilities and P&L items of an entity in terms of the monetary values as at the reporting period end date, to better represent their true and fair value.

This is performed by applying a conversion factor calculated using the reporting date inflation index over the inflation index at the date of recognition or revaluation of non-monetary or profit and loss financial statement line items. The CPI inflation index published by the Turkish Statistical Institute has been used for this calculation.

In Turkey's case, this has impacted other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, prepayments, contract liabilities, deferred tax, share capital and all income statement items. Monetary items are not restated as they are already recognised in terms of the monetary unit current at the balance sheet date. The exchange rate then used to retranslate all financial statement line items (including income statement items) is the period end exchange rate, which as at 30 June 2022 was 20.33.

On initial adoption in the period ending 30 June 2022, the impact of inflation to the start of the period is recognised as a movement in retained earnings. Comparative balances are not restated. Inflation for the current period has been recognised within finance costs. The inflation index has moved by 42.35% from 31 December 2021 to 30 June 2022.

The overall impact of inflation accounting in Turkey in the period has been as follows;

Insurance balances

The comparative balance sheet information as at 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 has been re-presented to recognise insurance assets and liabilities within 'trade and other receivables' and 'trade and other payables' respectively. This change reflects the immaterial nature of both the balances and the Group's insurance operations. The presentational changes have no impact on the EBITDA, operating profit, profit before tax or net assets of either the 30 June 2021 or 31 December 2021 comparatives.

Going concern

In reaching their view on the preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements on a going concern basis, the Directors are required to consider whether the Group can continue in operational existence for a period of at least 12 months from the date of this report.

The Group has a formalised process of budgeting, reporting and review along with procedures to forecast its profitability and cash flows. The plans provide information to the Directors which are used to ensure the adequacy of resources available for the Group to meet its business objectives, both in the short-term and in relation to its strategic priorities. The Group's revenue, profit and cash flow forecasts are subject to robust downside stress testing which involves modelling the impact of a combination of plausible adverse scenarios focused on crystallisation of the Group's key operational risks, taking into consideration the changing economic back drop. This is done to identify risks to liquidity and covenant compliance and enable management to formulate appropriate and timely mitigation strategies.

Taking the analysis into consideration, the Directors are satisfied that the Group has the necessary resources to continue in operational existence for a period of at least 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

3 Segmental analysis

IFRS 8 Operating segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance. The Group's operating segments have changed in the current year and the comparatives have been restated accordingly.

The Group is now managed on the basis of five broad business units:

· India (CPP India and Globiva);

· Turkey;

· Blink;

· UK & Rest of World (UK MGA business, UK legacy business (previously categorised as restricted operations), Spain, Portugal, Italy and Mexico); and

· Central Functions - central cost base required to provide expertise and operate a listed group. Central Functions is stated after the recharge of certain central costs that are appropriate to transfer to the relevant geographies for statutory purposes.

Segment revenue and performance for the current and comparative periods are presented below: