Nwf Regulatory News (NWF)

NWF Group plc

For release: 31 January 2012

NWF Group plc: Interim results for the half year ended 30 November 2011

NWF Group plc, the specialist agricultural and distribution business, today announces its interim results for the half year ended 30 November 2011.

Commenting on the results, Mark Hudson, Chairman, said: 'NWF delivered a solid set of results despite a backdrop of difficult market conditions in the first half, with performance in line with the Board's expectations. Feeds performed well with the business increasing share in a market which was negatively impacted by high feed costs and good grazing conditions. Food delivered a record result in spite of continued short-term demand volatility driven by promotional activity. Fuels traded below our expectations but this was directly attributable to the warmest October and November on record.'

Financial highlights:

Operational highlights:

On the outlook for the coming six months Mark Hudson added: 'The prolonged period of exceptionally mild weather and its effect on the fuel market has adversely impacted our Fuels division's earnings in the current financial year. This shortfall is likely to result in the Group results for the current financial year coming in significantly below the Board's expectations.'

For further information please visit www.nwf.co.uk or contact: 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

NWF delivered a solid set of results despite a backdrop of difficult market conditions in the first half, with performance in line with the Board's expectations. Feeds performed well with the business increasing share in a market which was negatively impacted by high feed costs and good grazing conditions. Food delivered a record result in spite of continued short-term demand volatility driven by promotional activity. Fuels traded below our expectations but this was directly attributable to the warmest October and November on record. At the end of September, Fuels made a substantial bolt-on acquisition, Swan Petroleum, which increased the division's volumes by 10% and added further geographical penetration in the North West of England and in North Wales.

Net debt at the period end was £29.3 million, compared to £17.1 million at 30 November 2010. This increase is principally as a result of the working capital required to fund the £60 million revenue increase and £7.5 million to fund the acquisition and integration of both Swan Petroleum and Evesons Fuels (which was acquired in January 2011).

In December the Group successfully extended total banking facilities through to October 2015.

Results

Revenue for the half year ended 30 November 2011 was up 29.6% to £263.7 million (H1 2010: £203.4 million) due mainly to higher oil and feed commodity prices and increased volume in our Fuels division resulting from the successful acquisitions. Operating profit was £2.4 million, after incurring £0.3 million acquisition and integration costs, (H1 2010: £3.2 million). Profit before taxation was down 18.2% at £1.8 million (H1 2010: £2.2 million).

Basic earnings per share were down 12.5% to 2.8p (H1 2010: 3.2p). Diluted earnings per share were 2.7p (H1 2010: 3.2p).

Operating cash inflow for the period, before movements in working capital, amounted to £3.8 million (H1 2010: £4.9 million) due to reduced operating profits. Greater sales volumes in Fuels, flowing from the acquisitions, and higher sales prices in Feeds resulted in a net cash investment in working capital of £12.3 million (H1 2010: £2.3 million). Net capital expenditure in the period was £2.9 million (H1 2010: £2.1 million). The cash utilised to acquire Swan Petroleum, net of cash acquired with the business, was £2.7 million (H1 2010: £Nil).

Net debt at the period end was £29.3 million (30 November 2010: £17.1 million), with debt to EBITDA at 2.3 times (H1 2010: 1.4 times). This represents a high point in the Group's working capital cycle and is comfortably within covenanted levels.

On 6 December 2011, the Group signed a new agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group to increase facilities from £51.0 million to £55.0 million. With the exception of the bank overdraft facility of £1.0 million, which is renewed annually, these facilities are committed through to October 2015.

Net assets at 30 November 2011 increased by £1.8 million to £25.6 million (30 November 2010: £23.8 million) due mainly to the profit retained by the Group in the period and offset by an increase in the Group's defined benefit pension scheme liabilities.

Dividend

The Board has approved an unchanged interim dividend per share of 1.0p (H1 2010: 1.0p). This will be paid on 1 May 2012 to shareholders on the register on 23 March 2012. The shares will trade ex-dividend on 21 March 2012.

Operations

Feeds

Revenue increased by23.9% to £60.1 million (H1 2010: £48.5 million) as a result of higher prices. Volumes were down only 0.9% to 210,000 tonnes (H1 2010: 212,000 tonnes) against lower market volumes resulting in share growth. Operating profit of £0.6 million compares to the record £1.5 million in the prior period which had the benefit of forward purchases of raw materials. Market volumes fell in the period as a result of higher feeds prices and good grazing conditions in the autumn. Despite these factors, the business has traded in line with our expectations in the first half. Good progress has been made, particularly on increasing the market share of the blend business which was targeted at the start of the year.

Food

Revenue increased by 2.7% to £22.9 million (H1 2010: £22.3 million). Operating profit increased to a record £1.8 million (H1 2010: £1.0 million) as a result of the implementation of a number of profit improvement initiatives including: increased backloads; improved warehouse and distribution efficiencies; and new fleet. It was also due to the introduction of price changes to offset volatility of demand and improve margins. Overflow warehouses have again been utilised with average storage levels at 109,000 pallet spaces (H1 2010: 111,000) as customers anticipated greater demand from retailers and held additional stock to cope with demand volatility. Following a retender process, the contract with AB World Foods will finish during the second half. This has been partly offset by new accounts won in the period. Outbound loads were 13% lower than the same period in the prior year as a result of some change in customer mix and lower levels of demand for our customers' products from retailers. Customer service in the period remained strong at 99.6% on time in full ('OTIF') and was rewarded with bonuses.

Fuels

Revenue increased by 36.3% to £180.7 million (H1 2010: £132.6 million) as a consequence of higher crude oil prices and increased volumes from acquisitions. Volumes were up 18.2% to 201 million litres (H1 2010: 170 million litres). Operating profit (after £0.3 million acquisition and reorganisation costs) was at breakeven compared to £0.7 million in the prior year. The exceptionally warm weather conditions, including the warmest October and November period on record, led to reduced demand for heating oil. This led to increased competition for commercial business as distributors had the tanker fleet and personnel in place to respond to normal winter conditions which did not materialise. Brent crude prices increased significantly to an average of $111.50 per barrel compared to $79.36 in the prior year.

In October we announced the acquisition of Swan Petroleum, a 42 million litre fuel distributor for £2.8 million consideration. This increases the Fuel division's volume by 10% and increases our penetration in the North West of England and North Wales markets. The Fuels management team is now integrating the business into the network and it is anticipated that the acquisition will be earnings enhancing in the first full financial year.

Outlook and future prospects

The Group delivered a good performance in the first half in difficult market conditions. The acquisition of Swan Petroleum in September demonstrates the ambition of the Group to deliver both organic growth and value enhancing acquisitions.

Since the period end, in Feeds we have continued with our strategy of growing market share direct with farmers across the country despite continued commodity price volatility and uncertainty. In the Food division we continue to roll out improved systems and processes which deliver high service and more efficient warehouse and distribution operations. Demand over the Christmas period was unpredictable but high service levels were maintained.

In Fuels, whilst the integration of Swan Petroleum is being achieved ahead of the acquisition plan, the performance of the division continues to be impacted by reduced demand for heating oil and increased competition for commercial business as a result of the warm winter. Whilst action is being taken to mitigate the lower levels of demand by reducing the size of the tanker fleet and costs, this is not anticipated to be sufficient to offset a significant shortfall in earnings in the Fuels division.

The prolonged period of exceptionally mild weather and its effect on the fuel market has adversely impacted our Fuels division's earnings in the current financial year. This shortfall is likely to result in the Group results for the current financial year coming in significantly below the Board's expectations.

I look forward to updating shareholders later this year.

Mark Hudson

Chairman

31 January 2012

NWF GROUP PLCCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTFOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2011 (UNAUDITED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2011 (UNAUDITED)

The notes that follow form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements

NWF GROUP PLCCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETAS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2011 (UNAUDITED)

* During the half year ended 30 November 2011, the Group completed its initial accounting in respect of the acquisition of Evesons Fuels Limited. This has resulted in the restatement of the net assets comparative information as at 31 May 2011. This restatement has no impact on reported profits, equity or cash flow in the year ended 31 May 2011. See note 6 for further details.

The notes that follow form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

NWF GROUP PLCCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITYAS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2011 (UNAUDITED)

The notes that follow form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

NWF GROUP PLCCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTFOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2011 (UNAUDITED)

The notes that follow form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

NWF GROUP PLCNOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. General information

NWF Group plc ('the Company') is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the UK under the Companies Act 2006. The address of its registered office is NWF Group plc, Wardle, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6BP.

The Company has its primary listing on AIM, part of the London Stock Exchange.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements ('interim financial statements') were approved for issue on 31 January 2012.

These interim financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 November 2011 and 30 November 2010 are neither audited nor reviewed by the Company's auditors. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 May 2011 were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 August 2011 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors 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.

2. Basis of preparation and accounting policies

Except as described below, these interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the principal accounting policies used in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2011. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with those consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as endorsed by the European Union.

These interim financial statements do not fully comply with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as is currently permissible under the rules of AIM.

Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.

The following new EU-endorsed standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 June 2011, but have not had a material impact on the amounts reported in these interim financial statements:

Further, Amendment to IFRS 7 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures - Transfers of Financial Assets' has been issued and has received EU endorsement, but is not effective for the financial year beginning 1 June 2011 and has not been early adopted.

3. Segment information

The chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the Board of Directors ('the Board'). The Board reviews the Group's internal reporting in order to assess performance and allocate resources. The Board has determined that the operating segments, based on these reports, are Food, Feeds and Fuels.

The Board considers the business from a product/services perspective. In the Board's opinion, all of the Group's operations are carried out in the same geographical segment, namely the UK.

The nature of the products/services provided by the operating segments are summarised below:

Segment information about the above businesses is presented overleaf.

The Board assesses the performance of the operating segments based on a measure of operating profit. Finance income and costs are not included in the segment result that is assessed by the Board. Other information provided to the Board is measured in a manner consistent with that in the financial statements.

Inter-segment transactions are entered into under the normal commercial terms and conditions that would also be available to unrelated third parties.

Segment assets exclude deferred income tax assets and cash at bank and in hand. Segment liabilities exclude taxation, borrowings, retirement benefit obligations and certain derivative financial instruments. Excluded items are part of the reconciliation to consolidated total assets and liabilities.

4. Income tax expense

The income tax expense for the half year ended 30 November 2011 is based upon management's best estimate of the weighted average annual tax rate expected for the full financial year ending 31 May 2012 of 28.4% (H1 2010: 31.0%).

5. Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the half year ended 30 November 2011 is based on profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders of £1.3 million (H1 2010: £1.5 million) and on 47.1 million (H1 2010: 47.0 million) ordinary shares, representing the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

The calculations of diluted earnings per share are based on the figures shown above amended for the weighted average dilutive effect of 165,900 (H1 2010: 223,000) conditional share awards and 33,306 (H1 2010: Nil) Save As You Earn share options outstanding in the period (see note 7).

6. Business combinations

Swan Petroleum Limited

On 30 September 2011, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Swan Petroleum Limited, a fuel distribution business, for a total cash consideration of £2.8 million. The acquisition will increase the Fuels division's sales volumes by 10% and will expand the coverage of the division's operations in the UK.

Details of consideration paid, identifiable net liabilities acquired and goodwill are shown below:

Net cash outflow arising on the acquisition:

Acquisition-related costs of £0.1 million have been charged to the income statement (included within operating expenses) in the half year ended 30 November 2011.

Provisional goodwill of £2.9 million arises from the acquisition and is attributable to the acquired customer base and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Group and Swan Petroleum Limited. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Swan Petroleum Limited contributed revenue of £4.9 million and profit before taxation of £Nil to the Group's results for the half year ended 30 November 2011.

Had Swan Petroleum Limited been consolidated from 1 June 2011, the consolidated income statement for the half year ended 30 November 2011 would show revenue of £274.1 million and profit before taxation of £1.6 million.

Evesons Fuels Limited

On 17 January 2011, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Evesons Fuels Limited, an 80 million litre depot-based fuel distribution business in the Midlands and South of England, for a total cash consideration of £3.6 million. Further details on this acquisition can be found in note 10 of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2011.

As permitted by IFRS 3 (revised) 'Business Combinations', at 31 May 2011, the fair values of the certain assets (land and buildings) acquired in respect of the acquisition of Evesons Fuels Limited were considered to be provisional by the Directors. During the half year ended 30 November 2011, the Group completed its initial accounting in respect of this acquisition. This resulted in a decrease in the value of land and buildings acquired (included within property, plant and equipment) of £0.3 million and a related decrease in deferred income tax liabilities of £0.1 million, with a corresponding net increase of £0.2 million in goodwill (included within intangible assets).

The comparative information at 31 May 2011 has been restated to reflect these adjustments in accordance with IFRS 3 (revised). This restatement has no impact on reported profits, equity or cash flow for the year ended 31 May 2011.

7. Share capital

During the half year ended 30 November 2011, 169,156 (H1 2010: 76,000) shares with an aggregate nominal value of £42,289 (H1 2010: £19,000) were issued for no consideration under the Company's conditional Performance Share Plan.

The maximum total number of ordinary shares, which might vest in the future in respect of conditional Performance Share Plan awards outstanding at 30 November 2011, amounted to 1,312,199 (H1 2010:1,303,510) shares. These shares will only be issued subject to satisfying certain performance criteria.

During the half year ended 30 November 2011, the Company implemented a new Save As You Earn ('SAYE') share option scheme for the Group's eligible employees. The total number of options granted under this scheme and outstanding at 30 November 2011 amounted to 860,647 shares. These options have a vesting period of three years and can be exercised from 1 November 2014 for a period of six months at a price of £1.06 per share.

8. Subsequent events

On 6 December 2011, the Group signed a new agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group to increase its total credit facilities from £51.0 million to £55.0 million. With the exception of the bank overdraft facility of £1.0 million, which is renewed annually, these facilities are committed through to October 2015 (formerly October 2013). Included in the total facility of £55.0 million is an invoice discounting facility, the availability of which is dependent on the level of trade receivables available for refinancing and which is subject to a maximum drawdown of £44.0 million (formerly £40.0 million).

9. Interim report

Copies of this Interim Report are due to be sent to shareholders on 8 February 2012. Further copies may be obtained from the Company Secretary at NWF Group plc, Wardle, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6BP, or from the Company's website at www.nwf.co.uk.