ESR.L Regulatory News (ESR)

13 Dec 2006 07:00

ENSOR HOLDINGS PLC INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2006 Chairman's Statement SALES UP: 4% to ‚£14,010,000PROFIT UP: 19% to ‚£715,000DIVIDEND UP: 4% to 0.39p per share Results

I am pleased to report steady progress, with an increase in sales for the period to ‚£14,010,000 (2005 : ‚£13,528,000) and, despite rather difficult trading conditions in our industry, we have improved our profit on our activities before interest to ‚£832,000 (2005 : ‚£758,000). We have contained our financial costs at ‚£117,000 (2005 : ‚£155,000), making a total profit before tax of ‚£715,000 (2005 : ‚£603,000). Our taxation is a little higher at ‚£232,000 (2005 : ‚£198,000). I feel that this is a very good result contributed by all our trading companies.

Trading

Trading since the half-year end is improving and our order books are higher. Our companies have started the second part of the year extremely well. We have not yet completed the partial relocation of our timber and fencing business but some of the costs have already been expended. Our purchases of materials through our Chinese office have increased, thereby ensuring better margins. The quality control in China is an important factor in our purchasing programme. All our companies which supply to the construction industry have performed well and are anticipating an improvement for the remainder of the year.

Balance Sheet and Pensions

Whilst we no longer operate a defined benefit pension scheme, we continue to make additional payments into our pension fund. Our balance sheet has improved and remains strong. Net debt is much improved at ‚£2,338,000 (2005 : ‚£ 2,980,000) and represents 32% of shareholders funds (2005 : 47%).

Opportunities

We are studying a number of opportunities for increasing shareholder value, including opportunities for acquisitions, but these will only be completed if they fit into our strategy for improved return on capital.

Dividend

We are proposing to pay a dividend, increased by some 4% at 0.39p per share (2005 : 0.375p per share), which will be payable on 26 January 2007 to shareholders registered on 29 December 2006.

Staff

To all our staff, I give my thanks for their hard work during the period.

K A Harrison TDChairman13 December 2006 Group Profit and Loss Account

for the six months ended 30 September 2006

Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months 30/9/06 30/9/05 31/3/06 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 Turnover Continuing operations 14,010 13,528 26,704 Operating profit Continuing operations 903 829 1,279 Pension scheme curtailment - - 374 Amortisation of goodwill (71) (71) (142) Profit on ordinary activities before interest 832 758 1,511 Interest payable (94) (95) (193) Other finance charges (23) (60) (155) Profit before taxation 715 603 1,163 Taxation (232) (198) (362) Profit for the period 483 405 801 Earnings per share Basic 1.6p 1.4p 2.7p Fully diluted 1.6p 1.3p 2.7p Basic before pension scheme credit 1.6p 1.4p 1.8p Dividends per share Dividends paid per share 0.625p 0.625p 1.000p

Dividends proposed per share 0.390p 0.375p 0.625p

Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses

for the six months ended 30 September 2006

Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months 30/9/06 30/9/05 31/3/06 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 Profit for the period 483 405 801 Actuarial gain and related deferred tax - - 389 483 405 1,190 Prior year adjustment - - (2,254) Total recognised gains and losses for the period 483 405 (1,064) Group Balance Sheetat 30 September 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months 30/9/06 30/9/05 31/3/06 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 Fixed assets Goodwill 2,209 2,351 2,280 Tangible assets 3,424 3,571 3,525 5,633 5,922 5,805 Current assets Stocks 4,575 4,329 4,369 Debtors 6,411 6,233 5,768 Creditors falling due within one year (7,687) (7,748) (7,234) Net current assets 3,299 2,814 2,903 Total assets less current liabilities 8,932 8,736 8,708 Creditors falling due after one year - (150) (54) Net assets excluding pension liability 8,932 8,586 8,654 Pension liability (1,602) (2,235) (1,628) 7,330 6,351 7,026 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 2,945 2,941 2,941 Share premium account 471 470 470 Revaluation reserve 874 880 877 Profit and loss account 3,040 2,060 2,738 Equity shareholders' funds 7,330 6,351 7,026

Reconciliation of Shareholders' Funds

for the six months ended 30 September 2006

Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months 30/9/06 30/9/05 31/3/06 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 Opening shareholders' funds 7,026 6,130 6,130 Recognised gains for the period 483 405 1,190 Dividends paid (184) (184) (294) Issue of ordinary share capital 5 - - Closing shareholders' funds 7,330 6,351 7,026 Group Cash Flow Statementfor the six months ended 30 September 2006 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months 12 months 30/9/06 30/9/05 31/3/06 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 ‚£'000 Operating profit 832 758 1,511

Depreciation and amortisation 302 312 621

Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets (1) (2) (14) Movement in working capital (493) (912) (281) Contributions to pension scheme in excess of charge to profit and loss (38) - (120) Pension scheme curtailment - - (374) Net cash inflow from operating activities 602 156 1,343 Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (117) (155) (188) Net cash outflow from payment of taxation - - (399) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (129) (237) (417) Net cash outflow from acquisition - (855) (855) Equity dividends paid (184) (184) (294) Net cash inflow /(outflow) before use of liquid resources and financing 172 (1,275) (810) Issue of ordinary share capital 5 - - Repayment of term loans (100) (100) (100) Capital element of finance lease payments (7) (24) (49) Net cash outflow from financing (102) (124) (249) Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 70 (1,399) (1,059) Analysis of net debt Bank overdraft 2,179 2,589 2,249 Debt repayable by instalments: Due within one year 159 241 212 Due after more than one year - 150 54 2,338 2,980 2,515 Notes

1. The unaudited results for the six months have been prepared on a basis

consistent with the accounting policies disclosed in the Group's 2006 accounts

and do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of

the Companies Act 1985.

2. The figures for the year ended 31 March 2006 have been extracted from the

statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and

received an unqualified audit report.

3. The tax charge is based on the estimated tax rate for the year to 31 March

2007.

4. The calculation of earnings per share for the period is based on the profit

after taxation divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, being 29,426,205 (6 months to 30 September 2005 - 29,405,659 and year ended 31 March 2006 - 29,405,659). Ends Enquiries Ensor Holdings PLC 0161 945 5953 Ken Harrison Hanson Westhouse LLP 0113 246 2610Tim Feather / Matthew Johnson