Portmeirion Regulatory News (PMP)

31 July 2014

PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

('Portmeirion' or 'the Group')

Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2014

Portmeirion Group is pleased to announce a strong performance for the six months ended 30 June 2014 in line with market expectations, despite challenging global conditions.

Highlights

· Revenue of £24.5 million up by 3% on the comparative period (2013: £23.8 million).

· Profit before tax up by 42% to £1.2 million (2013: £0.9 million).

· EBITDA up by 21% to £1.9 million (2013: £1.5 million).

· Earnings per share up by 53% to 9.21p (2013: 6.03p).

· Interim dividend increased by 10% to 5.50 pence per share (2013: 5.00 pence per share).

· Sales growth of 7% in UK driven by increase in online sales of more than 50%.

· Production at our Stoke-on-Trent factory continuing at record levels with average of 147,000 pieces per week for H1 (full year 2013: 128,000 pieces per week).

· Strong order book for H2.

Dick Steele, Non-executive Chairman, commented:

"The performance of Portmeirion Group in the first six months of 2014 has been in line with our expectations and we remain confident of the outcome for the full year to 31 December 2014."

Enquiries:

Interim Review

The performance of Portmeirion Group for the first six months of 2014 has been in line with our expectations.

We have previously commented on why our first half year is an inappropriate guide for the full year. This is mainly because of the operational gearing inherent in a manufacturing business with a heavy reliance on second half sales. Our US market, which is particularly biased towards the second half and the Christmas trading period, is fundamental to the success of our business.

Dividend

The Board is proposing a dividend of 5.50 pence per share (2013: 5.00 pence per share), an increase of 10% which is in line with the percentage increase in the final dividend for 2013.

The interim dividend will be paid on 1 October 2014. The ex-dividend date will be 3 September 2014 with a record date of 5 September 2014.

We are continuing with our policy of having the interim dividend determined by the prior final dividend, rather than being a presage for the following final, subject to the needs of the business. The final dividend will be determined when we know the results for 2014. This approach allows us to better allocate dividend increases and payments taking account of our important second half year so as to provide optimum payments to shareholders.

The Board is committed to a progressive dividend policy. It is a core part of our strategy. Our longstanding aim is to maintain a sustainable level of dividend cover whilst increasing dividends whenever our prudent views of future trading conditions and business cash needs allow us so to do. We have increased our dividend for five consecutive years.

Revenues

Our revenues for the first six months of 2014 were £24.5 million (2013 first half year: £23.8 million), 3.1% higher than the comparative period. The 2013 full year revenues were £58.3 million.

In the United States, our largest market on a full year basis, sales increased by 4.0% in local currency, however, when translated into sterling the sales were 3.8% lower as sterling has strengthened against the US dollar since last year. In the United Kingdom, our second largest market on a full year basis, sales increased by 6.9% and South Korea, our third largest market, was slightly down on last year by 1.2%.

We continue to generate revenue through online sales. In the UK, our own direct online sales increased by more than 50% in the period under review from £346,000 to £529,000 due to refined online marketing. In the US we achieved US$400,000 of online sales having only launched this new website in the second half of 2013.

Profits

Profit before tax has increased by 42% over the comparative period to £1,213,000 (2013 first half year: £853,000, 2013 full year: £7,009,000); earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation are £1,872,000 (2013 first half year: £1,544,000, 2013 full year: £8,257,000).

We have continued to suffer from the protectionist Anti-Dumping Duty imposed on us by the European Commission. This cost us over £300,000 in the first half of 2014, similar to the cost suffered during the same period last year. We expect the full year costs to be at least double the first half figure. This cost is manageable and we continue to explore opportunities to reduce it.

Balance Sheet

Our net cash balance at 30 June 2014 was £2.7 million; this compares with £5.9 million at 30 June 2013 and £6.2 million at 31 December 2013. In July 2013 we invested £3.9 million of cash in the long leasehold of our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse, so this amount is reflected in the reduction in cash balances compared to 30 June 2013.

As is normal in our trading pattern we are investing in our stock balances with our important second half year to deliver. Stocks at 30 June 2014 were £14.5 million which compares to £12.6 million at 30 June 2013 and £11.7 million at 31 December 2013. Our stock valuation policies are prudent, rigorous and consistently applied.

During the half year we have paid £716,000 to purchase our own shares at an average price of £7.45 each. These are held to satisfy employee share and incentive scheme awards in future years.

We paid £0.4 million into our long closed defined benefit pension scheme in the first half year; this is the same amount as in the comparative period last year. We will pay a total of £0.8 million in 2014.

Production

Our management team have once again achieved record levels of production from our Stoke-on-Trent factory. Average weekly output of best pieces amounted to 147,000 in the first six months of this year, this compares to the full year average of 128,000 per week in 2013 and 92,000 per week in 2008. We continue to set ourselves challenging targets and then surpass them.

Our Stoke-on-Trent factory produces the finest English earthenware, a product for which we have a worldwide reputation. We source our porcelain, bone china, cookware, glassware, fabrics, tablemats and cutlery from all over the world and from the best of factories - all of which are inspected by us. All the products which we sell with our brand names on are subject to our quality standards.

Products and Brands

Pictures of our current patterns can be found at www.portmeirion.co.uk, www.spode.co.uk, www.royalworcester.co.uk and www.pimpernelinternational.co.uk. Online purchasing is also available at these sites.

We have continued to develop new patterns and extensions to existing patterns. During the year we have launched Portmeirion Agapanthus and Portmeirion Agapanthus Stripe, we have added a wonderful Poppy motif to Portmeirion Botanic Garden and Sophie Conran for Portmeirion has enjoyed range extensions including a Christmas Collection and additional items for the exciting ceramic coated metal cookware range. Kiwi motifs now feature within Portmeirion Pomona. Ambiance and Coast are two new contemporary patterns.

Spode Delamere Rural takes the well established Spode Woodland pattern to a new colourway, and nearly two hundred years after it was first introduced we can still find exciting new items for the Spode Blue Italian pattern.

Outlook

Our second half year remains the key for our full year results. We have strong forward orders for the second half year. Our four brands are stronger than ever, our designs are world beating, our quality standards do not compromise, our financial position is robust and our people are ready.

We remain confident for the future; our strategy remains unchanged.

Richard Steele Lawrence Bryan

Non-executive Chairman Chief Executive

Independent Review Report to Portmeirion Group PLC

Introduction

We have been engaged by Portmeirion Group PLC to review the interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2014, which comprises the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of cash flows, the reconciliation of movement in shareholders' equity and related notes 1 to 7. We have read the other information contained in the interim statement and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the interim financial information.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors

The interim statement, including the interim financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim statement in accordance with the AIM Rules issued by the London Stock Exchange, which require that the interim statement must be prepared and presented in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the Company's annual accounts having regard to the accounting standards applicable to such annual accounts.

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the interim financial information in the interim statement based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial information in the interim statement for the six months ended 30 June 2014 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the AIM Rules issued by the London Stock Exchange.

Mazars LLP

Chartered Accountants

45 Church Street

Birmingham

B3 2RT

30 July 2014

Notes:

(a) The maintenance and integrity of the Portmeirion Group PLC website is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by us does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, we accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim statement since it was initially presented on the website.

(b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Consolidated Income Statement

Unaudited

All the above figures relate to continuing operations.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Unaudited

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Unaudited

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Unaudited

Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders' Equity

Unaudited

Notes to the Interim Financial Information

1. Basis of preparation

The interim financial information has not been audited and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 but has been reviewed by the auditors in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. The Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2013, prepared in accordance with accounting standards adopted for use in the European Union (International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)), have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS on the historical cost basis, except that derivative financial instruments are stated at their fair value. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial information as were applied in the Group's last annual audited financial statements.

2. Geographical segments

The following table provides an analysis of the Group's revenue by geographical market, irrespective of the origin of the products:

3. Finance costs

4. Taxation

Tax for the interim period is charged at 19.9% (year to 31 December 2013: 20.0%) representing the best estimate of the weighted average annual corporation tax rate expected for the full year. Deferred tax has been calculated at a rate of 20%.

Notes to the Interim Financial Information

Continued

5. Dividend

A dividend of 5.50p (2013: 5.00p) per ordinary share will be paid on 1 October 2014 to shareholders on the register on 5 September 2014.

6. Earnings per share

The earnings per share is calculated on profit after tax of £972,000 (June 2013: £633,000; December 2013: £5,609,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares of 10,556,134 (June 2013: 10,491,426; December 2013: 10,531,715) in issue during the period. The share options in existence during the six months ended 30 June 2014 have a dilutive effect. Diluted earnings per share is calculated on earnings of £972,000 (June 2013: £633,000; December 2013: £5,609,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares of 10,605,438 (June 2013: 10,581,509; December 2013: 10,614,087).

7. Reconciliation of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

8. Availability of document

A copy of the interim results will shortly be available on the Company website at www.portmeiriongroup.com