Victoria Regulatory News (VCP)

12 Nov 2008 07:00



Issued by Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd, Birmingham

Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Victoria PLC

("Victoria" or "the Group")

Leading manufacturers of high quality carpets in the UK, Australia and Ireland

Half-Year Results for the six months ended 27 September 2008

"solid performance in difficult economic conditions"

"The Group's geographical spread and high quality product portfolio, coupled with prudent management, has given it the ability to be able to continue to invest in areas which offer the best future growth potential. This has enabled the business to perform ahead of the market in trading conditions which are now undoubtedly the worst we have seen in several decades.

"Given the high degree of uncertainty that now exists in all our markets, and coupled with the likelihood that they may yet deteriorate still further, the Board anticipates that the results for the full year are likely to be significantly down on those achieved last year.

"This being said, we remain confident that we have a sound and solid business model to see out the down-turn and to build upon once confidence returns to the markets and the global economies".

Alexander Anton, Chairman

FULL STATEMENT ATTACHED

Worcester Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 1JR England

Telephone: 01562 749300 Fax: 01562 749649

Registered in England No. 282204

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Victoria PLC

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

OVERVIEW

The Group's geographical spread and high quality product portfolio, coupled with prudent management, has given it the ability to be able to continue to invest in areas which offer the best future growth potential. This has enabled the business to perform ahead of the market in trading conditions which are now undoubtedly the worst we have seen in several decades.

Against this backdrop, the first half of the current financial year has seen Victoria deliver a solid performance in difficult economic conditions. However, as we are all aware, the global economy has continued to deteriorate over the last two months making future trading difficult to predict.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Revenue from the Group's activities increased in the half-year by 13.8% from £28.76 million to £32.71 million. This improvement was enhanced in Sterling terms by a strong average exchange rate in both the Australian Dollar and Euro in the first half. Sales revenue in the UK was, however, flat, but were up in local currency terms by 9.7% in Australia and 11.5% in Ireland.

Group Operating profit increased by 3.5% from £1.58 million to £1.64 million, however, underlying Operating profits in the UK were down by 44.7%, flat in Ireland and up in Australia by 5.6%.

Pre-tax profit increased 2.8% from £1.25 million to £1.28 million and earnings per share improved from 12.92p to 13.02p per share.

Group borrowings increased from £7.60 million at 29 March 2008 to £12.00 million at 27 September 2008. This is in-line with plan, and reflects the tufted expansion investment programme in Australia and an increase in working capital to support its revenue growth. The Group trades well within its current banking facilities, which provides sufficient capacity to cover both future capital expenditure and planned working capital requirements.

As announced in June and confirmed in the 2008 Report & Accounts, the Group will introduce an Interim dividend commencing in the current financial year. An Interim dividend of 4 pence per share will be paid on 18 December 2008 to all shareholders on the register as at 21 November 2008.

OPERATIONAL REVIEW

UNITED KINGDOM

After a promising start to the financial year, Victoria's UK sales declined markedly in August and September 2008. As a result, revenue for the six months was flat at £12.44 million, compared to £12.43 million in the corresponding period last year. This, however, compares favourably with many of the Group's UK competitors.

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Operating profits reduced from £262k to £145k (-44.7%) which reflects the adverse impact of both material and overhead cost inflation, resulting in the decline in Pre-tax profits down from £135k to £57k (-57.7%), in the period. 

Despite challenging market conditions, particularly in the residential sector, Victoria has continued with its move into the contract floorcovering market in the UK and is currently establishing a specialist contract flooring division. A promising start has already been made in this venture, with the cost of this investment, in part, being reflected in the first half-year's results. The full benefits of this investment have not yet been seen, but will be in the future as we utilise our skills to develop our market position in this complementary market.

IRELAND

The Group's Irish businesses have made a strong start to the first half of the financial year. Sales revenue grew by 11.5% from €3.84 million to €4.28 million. Operating profits increased by 1.2% from €174k to €176k, with Operating margin down from 4.5% to 4.1%. Pre-tax profits were up from €147k to €163k, an increase of 11.2% over the same period last year.

The Republic of Ireland is now officially in recession and we are watching the market carefully. The business has, however, continued to invest in both new product ranges and point of sale display materials and we are also hopeful that we will benefit from the move into the wider contract flooring market.

AUSTRALIA

The business saw strong sales growth in the first half-year with sales up by 9.7% from A$32.70 million to A$35.88 million. Operating profit advanced by 5.6% from A$ 3.37 million to A$3.56 million, with Operating margin down slightly from 10.3% to 9.9%. Pre-tax profits were up from A$3.04 million to A$3.18 million, an increase of 4.6%. In Sterling terms these increases were aided by a relatively strong average Australian Dollar exchange rate which meant that revenues were up by 23.1%, whilst Operating profits increased by 18.4% and Pre-tax profits by 17.3% upon consolidation into Sterling.

The Group's investment of A$8.5 million in additional tufting capacity in Australia announced earlier this year is progressing well. Two of the planned four new machines are already installed and operational, with the remaining two tufting machines now in the process of being commissioned. The planned benefits of this investment through increased sales and profitability may, in the short-term, be impacted by the now weakening economy.

CANADA

Sales in Colin Campbell, our Associate Canadian business, were up by 3.4% to C$5.04 million in the half-year. Pre-tax profit reduced from C$252k to C$41k.  Profitability was affected in the period by the charge in the financial accounts relating to sampling and warehousing costs involved in the roll out of our "Nature's Carpets®" product offering into the United States. We are excited at the growth prospects afforded by this new environmental and eco-friendly range of floorcoverings, but the short-term expectations have to be tempered by the current state of the housing market in the United States.

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PERSONNEL

As previously notified to the market Aram Shishmanian stands down from the Board as a Non-executive director with effect from today to take up his role as CEO of the World Gold Council. We thank Aram for his contribution to the Board over the last year and wish him well in his new challenge. Nikki Beckett has now been appointed to the role of senior Non-executive director, as well as Chairman of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. The Board is currently engaged in a recruitment process and envisages having a new Non-executive director in place by the end of the current financial year. 

As well as recognising Aram's contribution to the Board, it is also important to acknowledge the role played by the management and employees in the success of the Company. It is their continued commitment and loyalty that will make the difference as we all work together in developing the further potential of our business for both these challenging times and in future years.

OUTLOOK

Since the end of the first half-year we have witnessed unprecedented turmoil around the globe and the impact of this has severely affected consumer and business confidence in all of the markets in which we trade. The trading environment continues to be extremely difficult. 

With the UK and Ireland both having entered into recession, the housing market likely to weaken still further and unemployment to rise, it may be at least 18 months before we see a return to more normal trading conditions.

Towards the end of the first half-year our Australian operation also began to witness a hardening in its markets and within the last month it has seen a significant slowdown in the Australian economy.

At this time, the market lacks any clear visibility as to whether this is a short-term downturn or a longer term trend. Furthermore, there is also a degree of uncertainty about the direction of the Australian Dollar / Sterling exchange rate and its possible impact on the consolidation of profits into the Group's result at the year-end.

Given the high degree of uncertainty that now exists in all our markets, and coupled with the likelihood that they may yet deteriorate still further, the Board anticipates that the results for the full year are likely to be significantly down on those achieved last year.

This being said, we remain confident that we have a sound and solid business model to see out the down-turn and to build upon once confidence returns to the markets and the global economies.

Alexander Anton

Chairman

12 November 2008

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Victoria PLC

Consolidated Income Statement

For the 26 weeks ended 27 September 2008 (unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income & Expense

For the 26 weeks ended 27 September 2008 (unaudited)

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Victoria PLC

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 27 September 2008 (unaudited)

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Victoria PLC

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the 26 weeks ended 27 September 2008 (unaudited)

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Victoria PLC

Notes to the Half Year Financial Statements

For the 26 weeks ended 27 September 2008 (unaudited)

1 General information

These condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 27 September 2008 have not been audited or reviewed by the Auditors. They were approved by the Board of directors on 11 November 2008.

The information for the year ended 29 March 2008 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified.

2 Accounting policies

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group's financial statements for the year ended 29 March 2008, which were prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

The accounting policies and basis of consolidation of these condensed financial statements are consistent with those applied and set out on pages 44 to 48 of the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 29 March 2008.

3 Segmental information

For management purposes, the Group is organised into four operating divisions according to the geographical areas where they are managed. These divisions form the basis on which the Group reports its primary segment information, plus the Canadian associate. The three segments are UK, Ireland and Australia, to which is added the Canadian associate.

Geographical segment information for revenue, operating profit and a reconciliation to entity net profit is presented below.

* The share of profits of the associated company is shown net of tax as required by IAS1.

Intersegment sales between the UK and Ireland and Australia were immaterial in the current and comparative periods.

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4 Tax

Corporation tax for the half year is charged at 29.6% (2007: 28.2%), representing the best estimate of the weighted average annual corporation tax rate expected for the full financial year.

5 Earnings per share

The calculation of earnings per ordinary equity share in the parent entity is based on the following earnings and number of shares:

No arrangements existed during the period or the comparative period that might require the issue of shares and hence the diluted earnings per share are the same as the basic earnings per share.

6 Dividends

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7 Notes to the cash flow statement

a) Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

b) Analysis of net debt

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8 Rates of exchange

The results of overseas subsidiary and associated undertakings have been translated into sterling at the average exchange rates prevailing during the periods. The balance sheets are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the period ends:

9 Related party transactions

During the period, the Group had transactions with its associate comprising sales of goods to the value of £384k (2007: £197k) and provision of services worth £44k (2007: £41k). At 27 September 2008 the Group was owed £332k (2007: £243k). All goods and services were provided at market rates.

10 Risks and uncertainties

The Board continuously assesses and monitors the key risks of the business. The key risks that could affect the Group's medium term performance and the factors which mitigate these risks have not changed from those set out on page 17 of the Group's 2008 Annual Report, a copy of which is available on the Group's website - www.victoria.plc.uk. The Chairman's Statement includes consideration of uncertainties affecting the Group in the remaining six months of the year.

11 Information rights

Under Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006, registered shareholders of fully listed companies are able to nominate the underlying beneficial owners of their shares to receive information rights from 1 October 2007. Companies are required to fulfil these requests from 1 January 2008.

Please note that beneficial owners of shares nominated by the registered holders of those shares are required to direct all communications to the registered holder of their shares rather than to the Company's registrar, Capita Registrars, or the Company directly.

12 Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, "Interim financial reporting" as adopted by the European Union, and includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7 and 4.2.9 of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.