Worthington Grp Regulatory News (WRN)

18 Nov 2009 12:27



WORTHINGTON GROUP PLC

Interim Report

for the half year ended

30 September 2009

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The company recorded a trading profit of £11,000 (2008: loss £63,000) for the period after all head office and pension expenses. This includes a non cash charge of £50,000 (2008: £6,000) in respect of our share of losses in our associate Trimmings by Design in the period. 

Trimmings by Design continues to trade at a reduced loss and the directors have taken appropriate steps to realign the overheads of the business to sales volumes in what remains a difficult economic climate for them. However there have been some recent signs of improved trading.

Investment returns for the pension scheme assets have been positive in the period helped by the rebound in financial markets over the period and the early retirement exercise has now been largely completed.

Rental income and expenses continue to be in line with our budgets and we continue to monitor the pension scheme investments and liabilities which continue to represent the key risk to the company at present. Details

of our principal risk factors can be found in the director's report on page 3 of the 2009 Annual Report and Accounts. There have been no significant changes to the principal risks in the half year to 30 September 2009.

Since the period end we have been repaid our principal and interest in respect of our bridging loan of some £600,000 and the money has largely been relent on another loan where we have a first fixed charge on a property whose value is substantially in excess of our loan. The interest and arrangement fees generated are providing a very worthwhile contribution to income as can be seen from the increased investment income in the income statement. 

We continue to seek opportunities for our cash resources in this difficult economic climate, not withstanding the ongoing liability of the pension fund. 

J C Dwek CBE

Chairman

18 November 2009

This interim report may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations of, and assumptions and forecasts made by management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to substantial differences between the actual future results and, financial situation development or performance of the company and the estimates and historical results given herein. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements which speak only as at the date of this document. We undertake no obligation publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Worthington Group plc 

Income Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2009

There are no recognised gains or losses other than those shown in the above income statement.

All items are derived from continuing operations.

Worthington Group plc 

Balance Sheet

at 30 September 2009

Worthington Group plc 

Cash Flow Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2009

Worthington Group plc 

Notes to the Interim Statements for the six months ending 30th September 2009

1. General Information

Worthington Group plc is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

The company has its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

This condensed half-yearly financial information was approved for issue on 18 November 2009.

These interim financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts as defined by section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Full accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2009 on which the Auditors gave an unqualified report, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

2. Basis of preparation

This condensed half-yearly financial information for the 6 months ended 30 September 2009 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union. The half- yearly financial report should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2009, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS's as adopted by the European Union. 

3. Accounting policies 

Except as described below, the accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2009, as described in those financial statements. 

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

The following amendments to standards or interpretations are mandatory for the first time for the year beginning 1 April 2009, but are not currently relevant to the company. 

Standard amendments:

New interpretations: 

The following amendments to standards are relevant to the company and management currently reviewing their impact on the annual financial statements. 

4. Segmental analysis

The company only has one operating segment relating to property rental and management. Disclosure is in accordance with IAS 34. All operations are continuing and in the UK.

5. Earnings per share 

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based upon the profit/ (loss) for the period and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. 

There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share in either period.

6. Directors' Statement of Responsibilities

The Directors' confirm to the best of their knowledge:

18 November 2009

7. Related party transactions 

There were no related party transactions in the period. 

8. Independent Review Report to Worthington Group plc 

Introduction

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 September 2009, which comprises the income statement, balance sheet, statement of recognised income and expense, cash flow statement and related notes. We have read the other information 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. 

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 with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the company are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibilities 

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 out review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to who, this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of review 

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity." 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 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 September 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority. 

UHY Hacker Young Manchester LLP 18 November 2009

Chartered Accountants

St James Building 

79 Oxford Street

Manchester M1 6HT

9. Availability of Interim Report 

A copy of this report is available on the company's website at www.worthingtongroupplc.co.uk and is being sent to shareholders. Copies are also available from The Secretary, Worthington Group plc, Suite 1 Courthill House, 66 Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AP.