6 May 2021 07:00
6th May 2021
SEC Newgate S.p.A.
("SEC Newgate" or the "Group")
2020 Results Update, First Dividend Distribution, Notice of Results
and
Notice of AGM
The Board of SEC Newgate (AIM: SECN), the insight-driven global strategic communications group that works at the nexus of business, politics, communities, markets and media, is pleased to provide an update on results (unaudited) for the year ended 31 December 2020.
· Turnover of €65.3m (2019: €47.6m)
· Gross Profit of €56.1m (2019: €37.6m)
· Profit before Tax of €3.0m (2019: €1.3m)
· Group net Debt (at 31 December 2020) of €7.4m (excluding the impact of c. €5.6 million IFRS 16 adjustments for leases) (2019: €8.7m (excluding the impact of c. €8.4 million IFRS 16 adjustments for leases))
Note: 2019 results include four months of the enlarged Group's trading performance following the merger of SEC S.p.A. and Porta Communications plc
The Company expects to announce its audited consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2020 during the week commencing 24 May 2021.
Given the very positive result of end year 2020, the Board has decided to propose a dividend of 0.5 pence per share to be approved at the General Assembly. The dividend reflects the growth of the Group and the Board's confidence in the outlook. If approved at the General Assembly to be held on 8 June 2021, the dividend will be paid on 25 June 2021 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 June 2021. The shares will become ex-dividend on 10 June 2021.
The Company's Annual General Meeting (General Assembly) has been called for 7th June (first call) and for 8th June 2021 (second call). For detailed information please refer to the notice of call, to be published shortly on the Company's website https://www.secnewgate.com/investors/
Commenting the unaudited results, Fiorenzo Tagliabue, Group CEO, said:
"We are extremely pleased with the result the Group has achieved which has outperformed our original budget for 2020, despite the global pandemic. The Group has demonstrated great resilience and has delivered on its promise by developing new opportunities, getting closer to our clients and stakeholders, whilst always putting the health and safety of our colleagues at the forefront. Our first ever dividend distribution, while small in value, is a clear signal of the excellent health of our organisation and our optimism for the future."
- ends -
For further information please contact:
SEC Newgate S.p.A. | |
Fiorenzo Tagliabue (Group CEO) | Tel: +39 335 6008858 tagliabue@secrp.com
|
Emma Kane (Deputy Group CEO)
| Tel: +44 (0) 7876 338339 emma.kane@secnewgate.co.uk |
Sergio Penna (Group CFO) | Tel: +39 338 8357936 penna@secrp.com |
Arden Partners (Nominated Adviser and Broker) | |
Richard Johnson / Benjamin Cryer
| Tel: +44 20 7614 5900 |
Notes to Editors
· SEC Newgate is an award winning strategic communications firm, which ranks in the Top 30 groups in the world. The Agency's team consists of about 600 staff, working in 37 offices across 5 continents.
· SEC Newgate's focus is on achieving positive outcomes through communications, advocacy and research, helping clients clearly demonstrate their purpose, value, and impact locally, nationally and internationally.
· Further information is available at the Group's website: www.secnewgate.com
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
The information contained in this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No 596/2014. With the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.