30 Sep 2008 07:00
ο»Ώ
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30 September 2008 |
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc
("IPT" or "the Company" or "the Group")
Interim Results
Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc (AIM:IPH), the UK's leading online direct marketing company, today announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2008.
Business OverviewΒ
|
β |
Revenue increased by 6% to Β£16.3m (June 2007: Β£15.4m). |
|
β |
Operating loss was Β£7.9m (June 2007: Profit Β£0.6m). |
|
β |
Adjusted operating loss* was Β£0.7m (June 2007: Profit Β£1.0m).Β |
|
β |
Adjusted loss per share** was 3.9p (June 2007: Profit 1.3p) Basic loss per share was 20.9p (June 2007: Profit 0.3p).Β |
|
β |
Continuing profitability of the French businesses. |
|
β |
On 29 September 2008 the Group disposed of itsΒ CoreΒ UKΒ businesses for Β£1.3m in cash. |
- Ends -
For further information:
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IPTΒ Holdings plc |
|
|
Nicholas Ward,Β ExecutiveΒ Chairman |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7932 4100 |
|
Canaccord Adams |
|
|
Mark Williams, Corporate Finance |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7050 6500Β |
|
mark.williams@canaccordadams.com |
www.canaccordadams.comΒ |
Media enquiries:
|
Abchurch |
|
|
Charlie JackΒ / Jack Ballantyne |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7714 |
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jack.ballantyne@abchurch-group.comΒ |
www.abchurch-group.com |
The following descriptions are applied consistently throughout the interim report:
*Β Adjusted operating loss/profit is operating loss/profit before share-based payment charge, adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets, amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets, impairment of non-acquisition related intangible assets and impairment of goodwill and acquisition related intangible assets. (See Note 4).Β
**AdjustedΒ loss/earnings per share isΒ loss/profit for the period before share-based payment charge, adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets, amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets, impairment of non-acquisition related intangible assets,Β impairment of goodwill and acquisition related intangible assets,Β foreign currency translation adjustment and interest accretion on contingent consideration,Β foreign exchange movement on foreign currency loan,Β andΒ the tax effect of the above items.Β (See Note 6).
Β Β CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Introduction
On 15 AprilΒ 2008, following publication of disappointing results for the year ended 31 December 2007,Β Interactive Prospect Targeting Holding plc (hereafter "IPT" or "the Group" or "the Company"),Β announced it was to carry out a strategic review of all Group operations. On 20 June 2008,Β I was appointed to the BoardΒ as Executive Chairman, one of my tasks beingΒ to assist with the completion of this ongoing review.Β Subsequently,Β it became apparent that urgent actionΒ wasΒ needed to ensure the survival of the Group, as the underperformingΒ UKΒ business had not been restored to profit and the losses being incurred were not sustainable given the available Group resources.Β In addition, the Group entered into discussion with its bankers regarding a defaultΒ onΒ its banking covenantsΒ andΒ aΒ missedΒ loanΒ repayment, due in July 2008.Β Β
The level of losses in theΒ UKΒ coupled with restrictions on the use of funds inΒ France, which have arisen as a result of French dividend regulations and earnout arrangements entered into upon acquisition of these businesses,Β haveΒ resulted in a short-term funding issue for the Group.Β The Board therefore focussed on exploring all options for the loss-makingΒ UKΒ business and on maintaining ongoing discussionsΒ with the Company's bank to secure the Group's funding requirements.Β
Disposal ofΒ UKΒ businesses
On 29 September 2008,Β the Group announced that it has sold its core UK Customer Acquisition and ListΒ Rental business toΒ a subsidiary ofΒ Volvere plc for a cash consideration of Β£1.3m, the proceeds of which will be used to assist with the working capital needs of the Group. The Group has also agreed that in the event of aΒ furtherΒ sale of these businessesΒ by the acquiring companyΒ within the next 12 months for a purchase price in excess of Β£1m,Β the Group will receiveΒ a portion of theΒ sales proceedsΒ above Β£1m.Β
The followingΒ UKΒ businesses:Β Emailbureau,Β Tpoll,Β Newsletters Online, EveryinvestorΒ and Integra Insight,Β have not been soldΒ as part of this agreement. However, taken together, theseΒ UKΒ businesses are not profitable and the Group remains in active discussions about theirΒ future.Β
None of the Group's three French businesses (DirectinetΒ SA, NP6 and Net Collections) are included in the sale. As announced on 15 September 2008, the Board is considering the sale of one of its French subsidiaries.
Details of amendment to the Group's loanΒ
As part of the sale process,Β the Group has agreed in principle to amend theΒ bank covenants andΒ terms of its existing loan of β¬6.5mΒ with Barclays Bank. In principle the loan is to be repaid in four equal instalments from October 2009 to April 2011.Β A re-scheduling fee of 10%Β of the loan is to be added to the principal loan and is payable in October 2011. The loan and re-scheduling fee incur an interest rate ofΒ 5% over Euribor, reducing to 2.5%Β over Euribor once β¬3.25mΒ ofΒ principal has been repaid. A penalty will be incurred if β¬3,250,000 principal is not repaid by 31 March 2009. The penalty will be calculated as 10%Β of the sum of β¬3,250,000 less principal payments to 31 March 2009. Any penalty arising would be added to the principal and payable in October 2011.Β
The bank will receive warrants to subscribe at par up to a maximum of 3mΒ shares inΒ IPT. These are exercisable at any time before 31 March 2012. There is a prohibition on payment of dividends byΒ IPTΒ until the loan is repaid in full.
Board
As a result of the disposal of theΒ CoreΒ UK business, Lionel Thain resigned yesterday from the Board. Eoin Ryan will resign from the Board today. Both have left the Group and are taking up positions with the acquiring company.
GoingΒ concern
As mentioned in Note 1,Β the Directors, having conducted a review of the trading prospects of the Group including a cash flow forecast which considers the Group's funding requirements to the end ofΒ SeptemberΒ 2009, continue to be of the view that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements onΒ a going concern basis.Β
Current tradingΒ andΒ outlook
ThisΒ interim periodΒ has been an extremely difficult chapter for the Group.Β What started as a strategic review turned into a fight for the survival of the Group. Although the outcome is disappointing, your Board has no doubt thatΒ yesterday'sΒ announcement represents the best value for shareholders. There is further work to do, including determining the future of the remainingΒ UKΒ activities, accessing funds in the French subsidiaries and putting inΒ placeΒ arrangements for the long termΒ management of these companies.Β The Board will explore all options for the early repayment of the Barclays loan, including the possible disposal of one of the French subsidiaries. Our aim is to ensure that the Group can continue to operate viably in the long term, albeit on a reduced basis.
Nicholas Ward
Chairman
29 September 2008
BUSINESS REVIEW
Results
Group revenue in the 6 months endedΒ 30Β June 2008 increased by 6% to Β£16.3m (June 2007: Β£15.4m).Β FranceΒ revenue grew by 76% toΒ Β£9.5m (June 2007: Β£5.4m)Β due toΒ the acquisition of NP6Β in June 2007,Β Directinet'sΒ continued growthΒ andΒ the launch of NetcollectionsΒ in 2007.Β UKΒ revenue decreased by 29% to Β£7.1m (June 2007: Β£10.0m)Β reflectingΒ theΒ continued decline in the core data rental and emailΒ broadcast businesses.Β GroupΒ adjustedΒ operatingΒ loss in the 6 months ended June 2008 was (Β£0.7m) (June 2007:Β profit Β£1.0m).Β Group operating profit includes a Β£1.1m charge for foreign exchange movements in relation to the Group's bank loan and deferred consideration liabilities. The increase in value of the French subsidiaries due to foreign exchange movements of Β£2.4m goes directly to equity.
FranceΒ adjustedΒ operating profit grew by 97% to Β£2.0m (June 2007: Β£1.0m) includingΒ the impact ofΒ the acquisition of NP6 and organic revenue growthΒ inΒ Directinet. UK AdjustedΒ operatingΒ loss wasΒ (Β£2.3m)Β (June 2007:Β profit Β£0.3m). Despite implementing cost saving measures during the period,Β UKΒ profitabilityΒ fell due to the decline inΒ high marginΒ data rentalΒ revenuesΒ andΒ debtor write-offs andΒ provisions, some of which related to debts from the prior period.
UKΒ operating loss wasΒ (Β£9.2m)Β (June 2007:Β profit Β£0.3m). TheΒ UKΒ resultΒ included:
ChargesΒ of Β£5.1m (June 2007:Β nil) relatingΒ to the impairment of goodwill onΒ acquiredΒ UKΒ subsidiariesΒ of Β£4.3mΒ and acquisition related intangible assetsΒ ofΒ Β£0.8m.Β These represent theΒ balance ofΒ goodwill and intangibleΒ assets recognised on theΒ acquisition ofΒ UKΒ businesses. The businessesΒ are not forecast to be profitable in the foreseeable futureΒ and are not expected to have significant value on disposal.Β
Charges totallingΒ Β£1.8m (June 2007:Β nil) relating to the impairment of data and website intangible assets.Β Marketing expensesΒ forΒ data acquisition are capitalised as incurred and amortised over the expected life of the data.Β Profits from the utilisation ofΒ the data assetsΒ are not currently foreseen.Β Accordingly,Β the values previously capitalised have been subject to impairmentΒ of Β£1.6m.Β Website development costsΒ are also capitalised as incurred.Β Of the websites developed, several have been closed down and those still in operation are not forecast to be profitable in theΒ foreseeableΒ future. The capitalised website costsΒ of Β£0.2mΒ have been impairedΒ in full.
GroupΒ tax charge wasΒ Β£0.8m despite incurring a loss before tax. The tax charge reflects tax payable on French profits and a write-down of deferred tax assets in theΒ UK. No deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of losses incurred in theΒ UKΒ as utilisation of these losses is not probable.
Group loss after tax for the period wasΒ (Β£9.9m)Β (June 2007: Profit Β£0.2m). Basic loss per share for the period wasΒ (20.9p)Β (June 2007:Β profitΒ 0.3p).
Overview
In 2007 and during the first half of 2008Β the Group'sΒ French businesses have continued to grow whileΒ UKΒ operationsΒ performed significantly belowΒ expectation.
France
Directinet continues to dominate the French market for email marketing, servicing a strong blue-chip client base. Although the economic conditions inΒ FranceΒ are difficult,Β Directinet have increased revenues year-on-year.Β TheΒ French market isΒ alsoΒ exposedΒ toΒ difficulties associated with email deliveryΒ but to a lesserΒ extentΒ than in theΒ UK. DirectinetΒ hasΒ recognised an opportunity to deliver additional agency services to clients thus leveraging its client baseΒ and diversifying its offering.
NP6 has developed its MailperformanceΒ email broadcasting softwareΒ to be a leading provider of broadcasting solutions inΒ France. It is experiencing strong growth in thisΒ alreadyΒ commoditised marketplace.
Netcollections, a customer acquisition business launched in the second half of 2007, has already built a strong client base and is exploiting the high demand for opt-in email data inΒ France. As a start-upΒ businessΒ itΒ was loss-making in the six months to June 2008Β but revenues have grown significantly inΒ this periodΒ compared to the second half of 2007.
UKΒ
Whilst theΒ UKΒ customer acquisition business has recovered from the execution issues affecting the operation of its flagship site, myoffers.co.uk, in 2007, revenue growth has been restricted by the ability to acquire cost-effective traffic. This necessitated the need to source additional traffic at higher costs to satisfy client demand thereby resulting in lower margins. TheΒ UKΒ business also changed its business model to include large contracts to be satisfied by outsourced consolidated lead generation. These contracts provided compensating increases in revenue, albeit without the ability to add the out-sourced leads to the list rental database.
TheΒ UKΒ marketΒ research businesses have also experienced lowerΒ thanΒ expectedΒ revenues in 2008 against the backdrop of difficult economic conditions and increasing competition. Tpoll isΒ continuing to develop its own consumer panels, which are expected toΒ enable it toΒ deliver margin improvement once scale is achieved. Integra Insight has increased revenues andΒ reduced lossesΒ in the six months toΒ 30Β June 2008.
TheΒ UKΒ emailΒ broadcastΒ businessΒ was severely affected by the loss of key staff in 2007 and revenues have decreased by 56% in the six months endedΒ 30Β June 2008 compared to the same periodΒ in 2007. In 2008,Β the business has been rebranded under theΒ 'MailperformanceΒ UK'Β brandΒ to reflect the use of Group proprietary email delivery softwareΒ of the same nameΒ developed by NP6.Β
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO INTERACTIVE PROSPECT TARGETING HOLDINGSΒ PLCΒ
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2008 which comprises theΒ income statement, the balance sheet, the statement of recognised income and expense, the cash flow statement and related notes 1 toΒ 9. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
This report is made solely to theΒ Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to theΒ Company those matters we are required to state to them 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 theΒ Company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance withΒ theΒ AIMΒ Rules of the London Stock Exchange.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.Β The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies the Company intends to use in preparing its next annual financial statements.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.
Scope of ReviewΒ
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UKΒ andΒ Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in theΒ United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, 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 (UKΒ andΒ 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 condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance withΒ theΒ AIMΒ Rules of the London Stock Exchange.Β
Emphasis of matter - going concern
Without qualifying our conclusion, we draw attention to the disclosures made in note 1 of the condensed financial statements concerning the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. These include the following uncertainties:Β
successful negotiation with management of DirectinetΒ SAΒ regarding: i) terms of earnout payments in relation to year ending 31 December 2008, which would result in removal of restrictions on the use of the French funds and ii) arrangements for the future management of the businesses;
the disposal of one of the French subsidiaries; and
finalisation of the contractual agreement for the renegotiation of the loan payment terms and covenants with the bank by 17 October 2008.
These events and conditions, along with other matters as set forth in note 1, indicate the existence of material uncertainties which may cast significant doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. The interim financial information does not include the adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going concern, which would include writing down the carrying value of assets, including goodwill, to their recoverable amount and providing for any further liabilities that might arise as it is not practicable to determine or quantify them.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered AuditorΒ
Reading,Β United Kingdom
29 September 2008
Β Β CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTΒ
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNEΒ 2008
|
Β |
6 months ended 30 JuneΒ 2008 |
6 months endedΒ 30 JuneΒ 2007Β |
YearΒ endedΒ 31 December 2007Β |
|
|
Notes |
Unaudited Β£'000 |
Unaudited Amended (See note 1) Β£'000 |
Audited Amended (See note 1) Β£'000 |
|
|
Revenue |
3 |
16,314 |
15,396 |
33,244 |
|
Cost of sales |
(6,199) |
(5,584) |
(12,626) |
|
|
Gross profit |
10,115 |
9,812 |
20,618 |
|
|
Administrative expenses |
||||
|
Share-based payment charge |
(18) |
(67) |
(145) |
|
|
Adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets |
- |
(20) |
(30) |
|
|
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets |
(287) |
(223) |
(506) |
|
|
Impairment of non-Β acquisition relatedΒ intangible assets |
Β (1,751) |
- |
- |
|
|
Impairment of goodwillΒ and acquisition related intangibles |
Β (5,142) |
- |
- |
|
|
Other administrative expenses |
(10,788) |
(8,856) |
(19,310) |
|
|
Total administrative expenses |
(17,986) |
(9,166) |
(19,991) |
|
|
Operating (loss)/profit |
(7,871) |
646 |
627 |
|
|
Investment revenue |
33 |
60 |
142 |
|
|
Finance costs |
||||
|
- Interest on bank overdraft and loans |
(152) |
- |
(145) |
|
|
- Foreign exchange loss on loan payable |
(346) |
- |
(439) |
|
|
- Changes to deferred consideration payable |
(733) |
(179) |
(1,151) |
|
|
(Loss)/profit before tax |
(9,069) |
527 |
(966) |
|
|
Tax |
5 |
(805) |
(375) |
(695) |
|
(Loss)/profit for the period |
(9,874) |
152 |
(1,661) |
|
|
(Loss)/profit attributable to equity holders of the parent |
(9,874) |
152 |
(1,661) |
|
|
(Loss)/earnings per shareΒ |
6 |
|||
|
Basic and diluted (pence)Β |
(20.9) |
0.3 |
(3.7) |
All results are derived from continuing operations.
Β Β
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOMEΒ ANDΒ EXPENSES
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNEΒ 2008
|
6 months ended 30 JuneΒ 2008 |
6 months endedΒ 30 JuneΒ 2007Β |
YearΒ endedΒ 31 December 2007Β |
||
|
Unaudited Β£'000 |
Unaudited Amended (see note 1) Β£'000 |
Audited Β£'000 |
||
|
Tax taken directly to equity - current tax |
1 |
Β 29 |
43 |
|
|
Tax taken directly to equity - deferred tax |
(185) |
Β (132) |
(153) |
|
|
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations |
2,405 |
Β (382) |
2,307 |
|
|
Net income/(expense)Β recognised directly in equity |
2,221 |
Β (485) |
2,197 |
|
|
(Loss)/profit for the period |
(9,874) |
Β 152 |
(1,661) |
|
|
Total recognised income and expense for theΒ period |
(7,653) |
Β (333) |
536 |
|
|
Prior year amendment - deferred considerationΒ (see note 1) |
- |
Β - |
(400) |
|
|
Total recognised income and expense since last report |
(7,653) |
Β (333) |
136 |
|
|
The total recognised income and expense in theΒ periodΒ is attributable to: |
||||
|
Equity holders of the parent |
(7,653) |
Β (333) |
536 |
Β Β
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AT 30 JUNEΒ 2008
|
30 JuneΒ 2008 |
30 JuneΒ 2007Β |
31 December 2007Β |
||
|
Notes |
Unaudited Β£'000 |
Unaudited Amended (seeΒ Note 1) Β£'000 |
Audited Β£'000 |
|
|
Non-current assets |
||||
|
Goodwill |
28,512 |
28,950 |
31,006 |
|
|
Other intangible assets |
2,990 |
6,298 |
5,951 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
992 |
849 |
949 |
|
|
Deferred tax asset |
25 |
537 |
679 |
|
|
32,519 |
Β 36,634 |
38,585 |
||
|
Current assets |
||||
|
Trade and other receivables |
11,036 |
11,679 |
14,198 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
2,900 |
5,238 |
4,710 |
|
|
13,936 |
Β 16,917 |
18,908 |
||
|
Total assets |
46,455 |
Β 53,551 |
57,493 |
|
|
Current liabilities |
||||
|
Trade and other payables |
(8,001) |
Β (6,751) |
(9,467) |
|
|
Current tax liabilities |
(138) |
Β (396) |
(440) |
|
|
Obligations under finance leases |
(69) |
Β - |
- |
|
|
Bank loans and overdrafts |
(5,142) |
Β (242) |
(800) |
|
|
Deferred consideration payable |
(3,858) |
Β (3,819) |
(4,254) |
|
|
(17,208) |
Β (11,208) |
(14,961) |
||
|
Non-current liabilities |
||||
|
Deferred tax liability |
(886) |
Β (1,309) |
(1,223) |
|
|
Bank loans |
- |
Β (4,357) |
(3,997) |
|
|
Deferred consideration payable |
- |
Β (3,610) |
(3,546) |
|
|
(886) |
Β (9,276) |
(8,766) |
||
|
Total liabilities |
(18,094) |
Β (20,484) |
(23,727) |
|
|
Net assets |
28,361 |
Β 33,067 |
33,766 |
|
|
Equity |
||||
|
Share capital |
7 |
202 |
179 |
179 |
|
Share premium account |
7 |
26,680 |
24,475 |
24,475 |
|
Own shares |
7 |
(527) |
(317) |
(529) |
|
Share option reserve |
7 |
297 |
202 |
279 |
|
Other reserves |
7 |
2,372 |
2,372 |
2,372 |
|
RetainedΒ (deficit)/earnings |
7 |
(663) |
6,156 |
6,990 |
|
Total equity |
7 |
28,361 |
33,067 |
33,766 |
This interim reportΒ wasΒ approved by the Board of Directors onΒ 29 SeptemberΒ 2008.
Signed on behalf of the Board
Eoin Ryan
Director
Β
Β
CONSOLIDATEDΒ CASHΒ FLOWΒ STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNEΒ 2008
|
Notes |
6 months ended 30 JuneΒ 2008 |
6 months endedΒ 30 JuneΒ 2007Β |
YearΒ endedΒ 31 DecemberΒ 2007Β |
|
|
Unaudited Β£'000 |
Unaudited Β£'000 |
Audited Β£'000 |
||
|
Net cashΒ inflow/(outflow)Β from operating activities |
8 |
1,336 |
(380) |
588 |
|
Investing activities |
||||
|
Interest received |
33 |
60 |
142 |
|
|
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
- |
- |
21 |
|
|
Purchases of plant, property and equipment |
(370) |
(248) |
(602) |
|
|
Purchases ofΒ data and websiteΒ expenditure |
(604) |
(660) |
(1,464) |
|
|
Deferred consideration on acquisitions |
(2,337) |
(1,064) |
(1,033) |
|
|
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings |
- |
(4,214) |
(4,566) |
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(3,278) |
(6,126) |
(7,502) |
|
|
Financing activities |
||||
|
New bank loans |
- |
4,357 |
4,357 |
|
|
Interest paid |
(151) |
- |
(145) |
|
|
Proceeds on issue of shares |
2 |
- |
- |
|
|
Purchase of own shares |
- |
(102) |
(294) |
|
|
NewΒ finance leases |
69 |
- |
- |
|
|
Net cash from financing activities |
(80) |
4,255 |
3,918 |
|
|
Net decreaseΒ increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,022) |
(2,251) |
(2,996) |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
4,710 |
7,455 |
7,455 |
|
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes |
212 |
34 |
251 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
2,900 |
5,238 |
4,710 |
Β
Β
Β
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM REPORT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNEΒ 2008
Β
1. Accounting policies
Β
Basis ofΒ accounting
The GroupΒ preparesΒ consolidated financial statementsΒ in accordance withΒ the measurement and recognition criteria ofΒ International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') including International Accounting Standards ('IAS') and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') and its committees, and as interpreted by any regulatory bodies applicable to the Group, as adopted for use in the European Union and in compliance with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation.Β The interim report is unaudited and has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the financial statements for the year ended 31 DecemberΒ 2007.Β
As a result of significantΒ UKΒ lossesΒ in the first half of 2008 and contractual restrictions on the use of funds from the French businesses (which are profit-making), the Group has postponed capital loan repayments first due in July 2008, on the loan taken out in June 2007 to support the acquisition of NP6. The Group is in breach of certain conditions and covenants under this loan.
As disclosed in its announcement to the market on 11 August 2008, the Group has held discussions with its Bank to obtain a waiver of these breaches and to agree amendments to the terms of the Bank's facilities.Β As disclosed inΒ its announcement to the market on 29Β September 2008,Β the Group hasΒ disposed of its UK Customer Acquisition and List Rental businesses. As part of this sale process,Β theΒ BankΒ has agreed in principle,Β following theΒ above mentionedΒ sale, to amend theΒ covenant and paymentΒ termsΒ of the loan facility withΒ the GroupΒ including the formal waiver of allΒ currentΒ breaches in the loan facility.Β
In accordance with IAS 1, the total borrowings have been classified as current debt in the balance sheet as at 30 June 2008.Β
The interim statements have been prepared onΒ aΒ going concern basis. The Directors continue to be of the view that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on this basis. In forming this view the Directors have conducted a review of the trading prospects of the Group including a cash flow forecast which considers the Group's funding requirements to the end ofΒ SeptemberΒ 2009. The Directors have been taking appropriate legal and financial advice throughout the course of this review.
The projections show that the Group has sufficient financial resources to meet its trading and financial obligations. However, the forecasts are based on the successful resolution of the following issues:
The Directors haveΒ made a proposal to the vendors of Directinet toΒ accept amendments to certain commercial terms of the earn-out agreementsΒ in order toΒ allow some cash inflows fromΒ FranceΒ into theΒ UK. These discussions are ongoing.
As mentioned above theΒ BankΒ have agreedΒ in principleΒ revised covenant and payment terms,Β followingΒ aΒ successful completion of theΒ sale of the UK Customer Acquisition and List Rental business, which will allow the business to continue to trade for the foreseeable future.
There is a risk that the above conditions may not be achieved and they constitute a material uncertainty as to the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. The interim financial information does not includeΒ anyΒ adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going concern, which would include writing down the carrying value of assets, including goodwill, to their recoverable amount and providing for any further liabilities that might arise, as it is not practicable to determine or quantify them.
Change in classification of capitalised data amortisation
The Group has changed the classification of amortisation of its data assets in its financial statements. Prior to the change in classification, amortisation of the data assets was recognised within administrative expenses. The revised approach is to recognise the amortisation of data assets within cost of sales. This classification is considered to provide users of the financial statements with a more relevant gross profit figure.
Change in classification of capitalised data amortisation (continued)
The impact of this change in classification has been to increase the cost of sales by the amount of amortisation of the data asset and reduce administrative expenses by the corresponding amount. There is no impact on operating profit.Β
The comparative figures presented in the income statement for the 6 month period ended 30 June 2007 and theΒ yearΒ ended 31 December 2007 have been restated to reflect this change in classification.Β In theΒ 6 monthsΒ ended 30 June 2007, cost of sales has increased by Β£555,000 with a corresponding decrease in administrative costs.Β In the year ended 31 December 2007, cost of sales hasΒ increased by Β£1,170,000 with a corresponding decrease in administrative costs.
Prior yearΒ amendment
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
6 months ended
30 June
2007
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Amended
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Foreign currency gain on deferred consideration payable
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
5
|
|
Interest accretion on deferred consideration payable
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(184)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(179)
|
Β
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Inter-segmental
sales
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Revenue
|
7,083
|
9,537
|
(306)
|
-
|
16,314
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Adjusted operating (loss)/profit (note 4)
|
(2,268)
|
1,956
|
-
|
(361)
|
(673)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Share-based payment charge
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(18)
|
(18)
|
|
Adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
|
(77)
|
(210)
|
-
|
-
|
(287)
|
|
Impairment of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
(1,751)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,751)
|
|
Impairment of goodwill and acquisition related intangible assets
|
(5,142)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(5,142)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Operating (loss)/profit from continuing operations
|
(9,238)
|
1,746
|
-
|
(379)
|
(7,871)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Investment revenue
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
33
|
|
Finance costs
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(1,231)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Loss for the half-year before taxation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(9,069)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Taxation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(805)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Loss for the half-year
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(9,874)
|
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Inter-segmental
sales
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Revenue
|
9,976
|
5,420
|
-
|
-
|
15,396
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Adjusted operating profit/(loss) (note 4)
|
346
|
993
|
-
|
(383)
|
956
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Share-based payment charge
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(67)
|
(67)
|
|
Adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets
|
(20)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(20)
|
|
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
|
(72)
|
(151)
|
-
|
-
|
(223)
|
|
Impairment of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Impairment of goodwill and acquisition related intangible assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Operating profit/(loss) from continuing operations
|
254
|
842
|
-
|
(450)
|
646
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Investment revenue
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
60
|
|
Finance costs
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(179)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Profit for the half-year before taxation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
527
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Taxation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
(375)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Profit for the half-year
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
152
|
Β
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Capital additions
|
782
|
191
|
-
|
973
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation and amortisation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment
|
331
|
49
|
-
|
380
|
|
Amortisation of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
639
|
24
|
-
|
663
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
1,047
|
283
|
-
|
1,330
|
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Capital additions
|
862
|
46
|
-
|
908
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation and amortisation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment
|
208
|
28
|
-
|
236
|
|
Amortisation of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
685
|
4
|
-
|
689
|
|
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
|
72
|
151
|
-
|
223
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
965
|
183
|
-
|
1,148
|
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Capital additions
|
1,835
|
231
|
-
|
2,066
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation and amortisation
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment
|
405
|
74
|
-
|
479
|
|
Amortisation of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
1,441
|
64
|
-
|
1,505
|
|
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
|
145
|
361
|
-
|
506
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
1,991
|
499
|
-
|
2,490
|
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Segment assets
|
8,516
|
37,903
|
36
|
46,455
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Segment liabilities
|
11,174
|
6,921
|
-
|
18,094
|
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Segment assets
|
18,846
|
34,941
|
(236)
|
53,551
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Segment liabilities
|
15,597
|
5,364
|
(477)
|
20,484
|
|
Β
Β
|
UK
Β£β000
|
France
Β£β000
|
Unallocated
Β£β000
|
Consolidated
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Segment assets
|
14,882
|
42,403
|
208
|
57,493
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Segment liabilities
|
16,791
|
6,782
|
154
|
23,727
|
|
Β
|
6 months ended
30 June
2008
Unaudited
Β
Β
Β£β000
|
6 months ended
30 June
2007
Unaudited
Amended
(see note 1)
Β£β000
|
Year
ended
31 December
2007
Audited
Β
Β
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Reported operating (loss)/profit
|
(7,871)
|
646
|
627
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Add back:
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
- share-based payment charge
|
18
|
67
|
145
|
|
- adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets
|
-
|
20
|
30
|
|
- amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
|
287
|
223
|
506
|
|
- impairment of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
1,751
|
-
|
-
|
|
- impairment of goodwill and acquisition related intangibles
|
5,142
|
-
|
-
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Adjusted operating (loss)/ profit
|
(673)
|
956
|
1,308
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
6 months ended
30 June 2008
|
6 months ended
30 June 2007
|
Year ended 31 December 2007
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Unaudited
Β
Β£β000
|
Unaudited
Amended
Β£β000
|
Audited
Β
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Current tax
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Corporation tax
|
Β
|
(686)
|
(357)
|
(931)
|
|
Adjustment in respect of prior years
|
Β
|
22
|
-
|
-
|
|
Foreign tax credit
|
Β
|
-
|
50
|
50
|
|
Released through equity
|
Β
|
(1)
|
(29)
|
(43)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
(665)
|
(336)
|
(924)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Deferred tax
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
(Decrease)/increase in deferred tax asset
|
Β
|
(478)
|
(111)
|
48
|
|
Decrease in deferred tax liability primarily relating to intangibles
|
Β
|
Β
338
|
Β
91
|
Β
181
|
|
Adjustment in respect of prior years
|
Β
|
-
|
(19)
|
-
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
(140)
|
(39)
|
229
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Total tax expense
|
Β
|
(805)
|
(375)
|
(695)
|
|
Β
|
6 months ended
30 June 2008
Unaudited
Β
|
6 months ended
30 June 2007
Unaudited
Amended (see note 1)
|
Year ended
31 December 2007
Audited
Amended
|
||||||
|
Β
|
(Loss)/
profit
Β£β000
|
Number of shares
β000
|
Pence per share
|
(Loss)/
profit
Β£β000
|
Number of shares
β000
|
Pence per share
|
(Loss)/
profit
Β£β000
|
Number of shares
β000
|
Pence per share
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Adjusted earnings per share
|
(1,823)
|
47,160
|
(3.9)
|
557
|
44,431
|
1.3
|
446
|
44,739
|
1.0
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Reconciliation to reported earnings:
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
- share-based payment charge
|
(18)
|
-
|
-
|
(67)
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
(145)
|
-
|
(0.3)
|
|
- adjustment to goodwill on recognition of tax assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(20)
|
-
|
-
|
(30)
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
|
- amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
|
Β
(287)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(0.6)
|
Β
(223)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(0.6)
|
Β
(506)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(1.1)
|
|
- impairment of non-acquisition related intangible assets
|
Β
(1,751)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(3.7)
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
|
- impairment of goodwill and acquisition related intangibles
|
Β
(5,142)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(11.0)
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
|
- foreign currency translation adjustment and interest accretion on contingent consideration
|
Β
Β
Β
(733)
|
Β
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
Β
(1.6)
|
Β
Β
Β
(179)
|
Β
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
Β
(0.4)
|
Β
Β
Β
(1,151)
|
Β
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
Β
(2.6)
|
|
- foreign exchange movement on foreign currency loan
|
Β
(346)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(0.7)
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
-
|
Β
(439)
|
Β
-
|
Β
(1.0)
|
|
- tax effect of the above items
|
306
|
-
|
0.6
|
84
|
-
|
0.2
|
164
|
-
|
0.4
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Β
Basic (loss)/earnings
|
Β
(9,874)
|
Β
47,160
|
Β
(20.9)
|
Β
152
|
Β
44,431
|
Β
0.3
|
Β
(1,661)
|
Β
44,739
|
Β
(3.7)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Impact of share options and share consideration payable under earn-outs
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
307
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
-
|
Β
Β
-
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Diluted earnings
|
(9,874)
|
47,160
|
(20.9)
|
152
|
44,738
|
0.3
|
(1,661)
|
44,739
|
(3.7)
|
|
Β
|
Called up share capital
Β£β000
|
Share
premium
account
Β£β000
|
Own shares
Β£β000
|
Share option reserve
Β£β000
|
Β
Other reserve
Β£β000
|
Profit and loss account
Β£β000
|
Β
Β
Total
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Unaudited
|
Unaudited
|
Unaudited
|
Unaudited
|
Unaudited
|
Unaudited
|
Unaudited
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
At 1 January 2008
|
179
|
24,475
|
(529)
|
279
|
2,372
|
6,990
|
33,766
|
|
Issue of shares
|
23
|
2,205
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,228
|
|
Loss retained for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9,874)
|
(9,874)
|
|
Items taken directly to equity
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,221
|
2,220
|
|
Share options exercised
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
Share-based payment transactions
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
At 30 June 2008
|
202
|
26,680
|
(527)
|
297
|
2,372
|
(663)
|
28,359
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
6 months ended
30 June
2008
|
Β
6 months ended
30 June
2007
|
Β
Β
Year ended 31 December 2007
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Unaudited
Β
Β
Β£β000
|
Unaudited
Amended
(see note 1)
Β£β000
|
Audited
Β
Β
Β£β000
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Operating (loss)/profit
|
Β
|
(7,871)
|
646
|
627
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Depreciation, amortisation and goodwill reduction expense
|
Β
|
1,353
|
1,168
|
2,520
|
|
Impairment of data assets
|
Β
|
1,751
|
-
|
-
|
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
Β
|
5,142
|
-
|
-
|
|
Share-based payment charges
|
Β
|
18
|
67
|
145
|
|
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
|
Β
|
23
|
-
|
-
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in receivables
|
Β
|
3,332
|
(2,170)
|
(4,939)
|
|
(Decrease)/increase in payables
|
Β
|
(1,537)
|
197
|
3,426
|
|
Taxation paid
|
Β
|
(875)
|
(288)
|
(1,191)
|
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
Β
|
|
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities
|
Β
|
1,336
|
(380)
|
588
|
Follow the stocks