RNS Number:3765J
NBA Quantum PLC
31 March 2003
NBA QUANTUM PLC
31 March 2003
NBA QUANTUM PLC ("NBA Quantum")
INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002
KEY POINTS:
* Turnover lower reflecting development of joint venture
operation
* Profit before tax and amortisation #46,000
* Successful development of Bionic Productions joint venture
* Formation of NBA Quantum Asia
Commenting, Bob Jervis (Chairman) stated:
"A considerable step up in growth is always going to present a challenge, but
the Board is determined that the solid foundations now laid for BPL, the renewed
focus on NBAQI together with the establishment of NBA Quantum Asia and planned
expansion in the US through DMS International will result in a radical step
change in the growth of NBA."
Enquiries:
Peter Brasier, Finance Director
020 7318 9787
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
NBA Quantum, the specialist Management Consultant to the construction and
engineering, petrochemical, marine and associated industries announces its
interim results for the six months ended the 31st December 2002.
The profit before tax and amortisation of goodwill was #46,000 (2002 - #307,000)
on a gross turnover of #1,238,000 (2001 - #1,465,000). Earnings per share
(before goodwill amortisation of #112,000) were 0.49p (2001 - 3.40p). As in
previous years, no interim dividend is being declared. Net assets at the half
year were #5.67 million of which #1.04 million was cash.
We had anticipated a year of significant growth and while we are seeing an
increased enquiry level for our services there has been a delay in the
implementation of a number of projects. This has had a consequential effect on
profitability for the first half, compounded by the efforts made in building up
Bionic Productions Limited ("BPL") as a valuable long term asset. Given the
economic (and latterly, the political) situation, it has clearly not been a time
to take unnecessary risk. The Board adopted a policy of caution but now believes
there is evidence to suggest a possible gradual economic recovery and is
implementing a process of "re-engineering" to drive organic growth and
acquisition strategy more aggressively and to provide shareholders with the
returns expected of it.
As part of that we considered that the development of BPL would be a strategic
step in the growth of the Group and it provides other parts of the Group with
new opportunities such as Private Finance Initiative and Corporate Insolvency
work from which the Group will benefit in due course.
NBA QUANTUM INTERNATIONAL ("NBAQI")
We are seeing an increased enquiry level for services in our core business but
there has been a delay in the implementation of a number of projects. In
addition the successful establishment of a firm base for BPL has taken more
NBAQI time and resources than originally envisaged. Given the general economic
climate, the Board was reluctant to commit new and additional resources to that
initial growth of BPL and chose instead to use existing, particularly marketing,
resources which inevitably had an impact on the remainder of the business.
Management resources are now being redeployed back to NBAQI with the focus on
attracting larger clients and projects for the main core business.
The reduction in NBAQI's turnover (62% of net group turnover against 71% in
2001) reflected this although there was an improvement in S E Asian business
during the period. In the second half we have already announced a prestigious
contract win in S.E. Asia on a third section of the high profile Taiwan High
Speed Rail Project, a technologically complex 345km $15bn High Speed Rail
construction project which is due to open in 2005.
S.E. Asia is unquestionably an area of future growth and we have formed NBA
Quantum Asia to provide a local identity for the area.
DMS INTERNATIONAL ("DMS")
DMS, our United States subsidiary with offices in Washington, Boston and
Florida, has continued to develop, with US dollar turnover increasing by 7.5%
for the period. Adverse exchange rate movements resulted in sterling terms in a
3% reduction in turnover to #414,000 representing 38% net group turnover (2001:
#426,000, representing 29%).
With the change in the economic climate, DMS International is beginning to see
more work related to claims and dispute resolution and indeed, our drive into
the insurance support sector is also showing very positive results with the
introduction of DMS's Bonding and Surety services.
We are planning a more aggressive approach to the development of the United
States market by DMS both through organic and acquisitive growth.
BIONIC PRODUCTIONS ("BPL")
The development of BPL, our 50% joint venture, is a strategic step in the growth
of the Group. BPL is a valuable long-term asset and it provides other parts of
the Group with new opportunities such as Private Finance Initiative and
Corporate Insolvency work from which the Group will benefit in due course.
Encouragingly and with the marketing resources applied to it, our initial
estimates for BPL have been substantially exceeded with the company generating
turnover of #308,000 in the period to December compared with an initial annual
projection of #200,000. NBA's share of that turnover of #154,000 represented 12%
of group turnover.
During this start-up period, BPL was appointed to act in respect of:
* 9 major PFI bids with national and international contracting consortia;
* 2 contract dispute resolution projects;
* 12 commercial new media assignments;
* 3 environmental awareness campaigns; and
* 1 operations and maintenance project for a large retail organization
During the second half BPL has secured further projects for major customers
including Barclays Bank plc, Defence Estates and the Skanska/Mill PFI bid. The
order book remains good.
The Board intends to continue the development of BPL into areas of business such
as construction claims and dispute resolution, electronic operations and
maintenance manuals and product placement
OUTLOOK
A considerable step up in growth is always going to present a challenge, but the
Board is determined that the solid foundations now laid for BPL, the renewed
focus on NBAQI together with the establishment of NBA Quantum Asia and planned
expansion in the US through DMS International will result in a radical step
change in the growth of NBA.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Consolidated
Profit & Loss Account
Note Results before
amortisation of Amortisation of
goodwill goodwill 6 months to 31 6 months to 31
December 2002 December 2001
#'000 #'000 #'000 #'000
Turnover 4 1,237,901 #1,237,901 1,465,254
Deduct share of joint 154,349 154,349
venture revenue
------------ ----------- -----------
1,083,552 1,083,552 1,465,254
OPERATING PROFIT/LOSS 26,780 111,558 (84,778) 173,624
Share of operating profit 6,563 6,563
in joint venture
------------ ----------- -----------
33,343 (78,215) 173,624
Interest receivable less
interest payable 12,676 12,676 21,546
------------ ----------- -----------
PROFIT ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION 46,019 (65,539) 195,170
Taxation on ordinary 16,431 16,431 101,936
activities
------------ ----------- -----------
PROFIT ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITES AFTER TAXATION
AND RETAINED PROFIT FOR THE
PERIOD 29,588 111,558 (81,970) 93,234
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR THE 3
PERIOD 0.49p (1.36p)
Previous period 3.40p 1.55p
Turnover and operating profit are derived from continuing obligations.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002
2002 2001
#'000 #'000
Group profit for the period (81,970) 93,234
Loss on foreign currency translation (41,631) (18,645)
--------- -------
Total recognised gains and losses relating to the period (123,601) 74,589
--------- -------
UNAUDITED SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Note 31 December 2002 31 December 2001
#'000 #'000 #'000 #'000
Fixed Assets 3,833,537 4,059,807
Investment in Joint
Venture
- Share of gross assets 149,504
- Share of gross liabilities 143,663 5,841
----------
Other Investments 35,027
--------- ---------
3,874,405 4,059,807
Current Assets
- Debtors 1,288,567 1,376,450
- Investments 61,250 64,823
- Cash at bank and in 1,041,479 1,502,050
hand
---------- ---------
2,391,296 2,943,323
Creditors: Amounts
falling due within
one year 444,196 852,823
---------- ---------
Net Current Assets 1,947,100 2,090,500
--------- ---------
Total Assets Less
Current Liabilities 5,821,505 6,150,307
Creditors: Amounts
Falling due
after more than one 57,000 55,909
year
--------- ---------
5,764,505 6,094,398
Provisions for
Liabilities and Charges 96,554 99,611
--------- ---------
Net Assets 5,667,951 5,994,787
--------- ---------
Capital and Reserves
- Called up share
capital 602,837 602,837
- Share premium account 5,013,295 5,013,295
- Profit and loss
account 51,819 378,654
--------- ---------
Equity Shareholders' 5
Funds 5,667,951 5,994,787
========= =========
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Unaudited
Note 6 Months to 6 Months to 31
December
31 December
2002 2001
#'000 #'000
NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 6 164,542 594,265
----------- -----------
RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND SERVICING OF FINANCE
Interest received less interest payable 12,676 21,546
----------- -----------
TAXATION
UK Corporation tax paid - (51,477)
Overseas taxation paid (39,966) (4,648)
----------- -----------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE & FINANCIAL INVESTMENT
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (83,958) (29,268)
----------- -----------
DECREASE IN SHORT TERM DEPOSITS AND 138 (621)
INVESTMENT
----------- -----------
FINANCING
Capital element of hire purchase payments 58,806 (14,076)
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
INCREASE IN CASH IN PERIOD 112,238 515,721
=========== ===========
NOTES
1 Basis of preparation
The unaudited interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of
the accounting policies set out in the Group's financial statements for the year
ended 30 June 2002.
2 Comparative figures
The comparative figures are the six months to 31 December 2001. The financial
information contained in this interim statement does not constitute statutory
accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial
information for the full preceding year is based on the statutory accounts
extracted from the statutory accounts for the financial year ended 30 June 2002.
These accounts, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies, were
audited and reported on without qualification by the auditors and did not
contain a statement under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
3 Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share before and after amortisation is based on
a profit of #29,588 and loss of #81,970 respectively and the weighted number of
shares in issue for the period of 6,028,370 (December 2001, #204,792, #93,234
and 6,028,370).
4 Segmental analysis
The table below sets out turnover for each geographic area of operation.
6 months to 6 months to
31 December 31 December
2002 2001
# #
UK 522,488 984,551
Share of Joint Venture 154,349 -
Rest of the World 146,689 54,424
USA 414,373 426,279
---------- ---------
1,237,899 1,465,254
========== =========
The operating profit of the Group and the net assets of the Group arose in
the UK and USA (2002, all in the UK and USA)
5 Reconciliation of movement in Shareholders' Funds
6 months to 6 months to
31 December 31 December
2002 2001
# #
(Loss)/Profit for the period (81,970) 93,234
Other recognised losses (41,631) (18,645)
----------- ----------
Net additions to shareholders' funds (123,601) 74,589
Opening shareholders' funds at 1 July 2002 5,791,552 5,920,198
----------- ----------
Closing shareholders' funds at 31 December 2002 5,667,951 5,994,787
=========== ==========
Shareholders' funds are attributable to equitable interests only.
6 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
a) Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating
activities
6 months to 6 months to
31 December 31 December
2002 2001
# #
Operating loss/profit (84,777) 173,624
Depreciation charges 35,638 17,569
Amortisation of goodwill 111,558 111,558
Decrease in debtors 224,808 367,246
Decrease in creditors (122,685) (69,152)
Decrease in provisions 0 (7,201)
---------- ----------
Net cash inflow from operating activities 164,542 593,644
========== ==========
b) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds (debt)
6 months to 6 months to
31 December 31 December
2002 2001
# #
Increase in cash in period
112,238 515,721
Cash inflow/outflow on hire purchase loans (58,806) 14,076
Increase in deposits and investments 138 621
Currency translation difference (32,173) 0
---------- ----------
21,397 530,418
Opening net funds 984,774 931,034
---------- ----------
Closing net funds 1,006,171 1,461,452
========== ==========
c) Analysis of changes in net funds
At 1 July Cash Flow Exchange At 31 December
2002 Difference 2002
# # # #
Cash in hand 958,416 112,238 (29,175) 1,041,479
Hire purchase loans (38,107) (58,806) 355 (96,558)
Current asset 64,465 138 (3,353) 61,250
-------- -------- -------- ----------
investments 984,774 53,570 (32,173) 1,006,171
======== ======== ======== ==========
7 Copies of Statement and Accounts
A copy of this report will be sent to shareholders and further copies and of
the report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2002 are available on request
from the company's registered office, 14 Half Moon Street, London W1J 7BD
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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