TIDMCHH
RNS Number : 3691P
Churchill China PLC
31 August 2017
For immediate release 31 August 2017
CHURCHILL CHINA plc
("Churchill China" or the "Company" or the "Group")
INTERIM RESULTS
For the six months ended 30 June 2017
Churchill China plc (AIM: CHH), the manufacturer and global
distributor of performance ceramic and related products to
hospitality and retail markets, is pleased to announce its interim
results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.
Key Highlights:
-- Group revenue up 8% to GBP25.8m (H1 2016: GBP24.0m)
- Hospitality revenue growth 11% (H1 2016: 13%)
-- Operating profit up 33% to GBP2.7m (H1 2016: GBP2.0m)
-- Profit before tax up 30% to GBP2.7m (H1 2016: GBP2.0m)
-- Basic earnings per share up 32% to 19.6p (H1 2016: 14.8p)
-- Interim dividend up 17% to 7.4p (H1 2016: 6.3p)
-- Cash and deposits GBP10.3m (June 2016: GBP9.6m)
-- Further progress against key strategic objectives
Alan McWalter, Chairman of Churchill China, commented:
"Our trading in the first six months of 2017 maintained our
record of improved performance established over several years.
Given the opportunities available to us, we expect to continue to
grow and diversify our export sales and to increase the proportion
of well designed and differentiated products sold by our
business.
"Trading momentum has been maintained since 30 June 2017 and we
approach the key trading period in the year with confidence. We
continue to expect that we will meet our targets for the second
half year and remain positive in relation to our prospects for
further progress."
For further information, please contact:
Churchill China plc Tel: 01782 577566
David O'Connor / David Taylor
Buchanan Tel: 0207 466 5000
Mark Court / Sophie Cowles
/ Gemma Mostyn-Owen
N+1 Singer Tel: 0207 496 3000
Richard Lindley
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Introduction
Our results in the first six months of the year continue to
demonstrate both a strong increase in profitability and further
progress against our strategic objectives. We have once again grown
Hospitality revenues in overseas markets, increased the proportion
of sales represented by higher margin added value products and
further invested in the long term development of our business.
Whilst our overall results have also benefited from the weakness of
sterling in the short term, we remain confident that we are
implementing the right strategies for the long term success of the
business.
Financial Review
Total revenues increased by 8% to GBP25.8m (H1 2016: GBP24.0m)
with growth across each of our Hospitality export markets. This
targeted growth in overseas sales more than offset a more muted
performance in the UK and generally in Retail markets. Revenue
growth in constant currency terms was 2%.
Gross margins have improved with a substantial part of our
increased revenue coming from sales of value added product. Long
term investment in our business has allowed us to meet increased
demand effectively.
Operating profit increased by 33% to GBP2.7m (H1 2016: GBP2.0m).
Operating margins improved to 10.3% (H1 2016: 8.4%). The returns
from our market and product development over the longer term have
increased our confidence in our approach and as a result we have
brought forward further planned investments to support future
expansion.
The positive impact of favourable currency rates on revenue was
GBP1.3m. Operating profit was improved by GBP0.3m with the benefit
to revenue offset by the translational effect on imported
materials, products and overheads purchased in currency.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
increased by 31% to GBP3.6m (H1 2016: GBP2.8m).
Profit before tax rose by 30% to GBP2.7m (H1 2016: GBP2.0m),
largely a result of our improved operating performance.
Basic earnings per share improved by 32% to 19.6p (H1 2016:
14.8p).
Operating cash flow was sound, with working capital demands, as
normal, higher in the first half of the year. The cash spend on
capital projects was lower at GBP1.1m (H1 2016: GBP1.6m). We expect
a higher spend in the second half of the year as a number of
projects are completed. Net cash and deposit balances were higher
than the comparable figure in 2016 at GBP10.3m (H1 2016:
GBP9.6m).
Dividend
The Board is declaring a 17% increase in the interim dividend to
7.4p per share (H1 2016: 6.3p). We are pleased that the growth in
our profitability and strong cash position has allowed us to again
raise the dividend. The interim dividend will be paid on 5 October
2017 to shareholders on the register on 8 September 2017, with the
ex-dividend date being 7 September 2017.
Business
Overall revenues have increased across our business with strong
export growth in Hospitality more than offsetting a quieter UK
market and a further planned contraction in Retail activity.
Exports now represent 57% of revenue.
Total revenue from Hospitality customers increased by GBP2.3m
(11%) and reached a new high of GBP22.8m (H1 2016: GBP20.5m);
within this exports grew by GBP2.6m (24%) to GBP13.2m (H1 2016:
GBP10.6m). Export growth in constant currency terms was 12% (H1
2016: 24%).
We have continued to progress well against our strategic aim of
growing our position in Europe, with revenue increasing by GBP1.7m
(24%) in the first half year. We identified Europe as a market for
development several years ago and we have delivered strong and
consistent growth from our focus and investment. We have improved
our distribution in key regional markets and increased the level of
resource applied to the market as a whole. We now have a strong,
scalable presence in Europe, but believe our relatively small
market share will continue to allow us to generate further growth
opportunities.
We have also delivered increased revenues from our other target
export regions, North America and the Rest of the World. In the
first half year Hospitality sales to these markets grew by 20% and
27% respectively and whilst they are at an earlier stage of
development, we have refined our forward development plans to
reflect the growing number of opportunities that we are beginning
to identify.
As we expected, UK revenues continued to be impacted by a
slowing of growth in the market, particularly in respect of the
rate of new investment by major end users. Product replacement
sales continue to be satisfactory. We have reflected this change in
our forward plans and aim to continue to maintain our market
leading position.
Retail revenues have declined from GBP3.5m to GBP2.9m as we
switched manufacturing resource to Hospitality in line with our
strategic emphasis.
Alongside our plan to grow revenues in Hospitality, particularly
in export markets, we have prioritised a re-positioning of our
product range towards added value differentiated products. We
believe this move both improves the sustainability of our market
position and offers long term profit returns. New product
development remains a key element of our overall business plan
alongside our traditional virtues of service and product
performance. Over the last five years we have progressively
increased the percentage of our Hospitality sales represented by
added value product and we have again made good progress in this
area in the first half of 2017. Our Stonecast range continues to
grow and sales of the Studio Prints range have benefited from the
launch of our new Raku product. New product introductions have been
well received and our development pipeline remains good.
The improvements we have seen in both the scale and spread of
revenue and the breadth of our product range requires consistent
re-investment of additional margin in distribution and market
development. We have therefore accelerated investment in sales,
marketing and development resources in key market areas.
Operations
Manufacturing and logistics have performed well in the first
half year meeting increased demands from the business in terms of
volume, new product introductions and project planning and
implementation. Our key strategic target is to increase our
productivity and capability through a focus on quality, process
change and capital investment. Our investment in engineering and
logistics skills is beginning to deliver benefits.
Whilst capital spend was lower than anticipated in the first
half year we have made good progress on a number of investments. We
expect to complete three key projects in the second half of the
year, which will provide increments to production capacity, better
process flow, improved quality and customer service. We have also
begun work on our 2018 programme which is expected to increase
manufacturing space and process automation, again linked to our
target of ongoing productivity improvement.
People
We would like to express our thanks to our employees for their
continued efforts during the period, particularly those involved in
the Masterclass continuous improvement programme. The development
of our business has been supported by a matching commitment from
our staff as we continue to emphasise and invest in training and
personal development across our team.
Prospects
Our trading in the first six months of 2017 maintained our
record of improved performance established over several years.
Given the opportunities available to us, we expect to continue to
grow and diversify our export sales and to increase the proportion
of well designed and differentiated products sold by our business.
Additionally we believe that there are substantial rewards to be
gained from our focus on productivity and customer service.
We continue to expect a relatively stable UK market and are also
planning for the changes in the UK's relationship with Europe. We
believe our core strategies provide a sustainable and resilient
business model serving an increasingly diverse spread of markets
with innovative performance products.
Trading momentum has been maintained since 30 June 2017 and we
approach the key trading period in the year with confidence. We
continue to expect that we will meet our targets for the second
half year and remain positive in relation to our prospects for
further progress.
Alan McWalter
Chairman
31 August 2017
Churchill China plc
Consolidated Income Statement
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Note
Revenue 25,796 23,980 51,102
=========== =========== ===========
Operating profit 1 2,668 2,011 6,398
Share of results of associate company 82 62 157
Finance income 2 33 46 80
Finance costs 2 (123) (75) (120)
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Profit before income tax 2,660 2,044 6,515
Income tax expense 3 (516) (417) (1,230)
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Profit for the period 2,144 1,627 5,285
=========== =========== ===========
Pence Pence Pence
per per per
share share share
Basic earnings
per ordinary
share 4 19.6 14.8 48.2
Diluted basic earnings
per ordinary share 4 19.4 14.7 47.8
All the above figures
relate to continuing operations
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Other comprehensive (expense) / income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit and
loss:
Actuarial gain on retirement benefit
obligations - - (5,188)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to
profit
and loss
Impact of change in UK tax rate on deferred tax
on - - 12
revaluation reserve
Exchange differences (19) 35 60
--------------- -------------- ---------------
Other comprehensive (expense) / income (19) 35 (5,116)
Profit for the period 2,144 1,627 5,285
--------------- --------------- ----------------
Total comprehensive income for the period 2,125 1,662 169
========== ========== ==========
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company 2,125 1,662 169
========== ========== ==========
All above figures relate to continuing operations
Churchill China plc
Consolidated Balance Sheets
as at 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2017 2016 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Assets
Non Current assets
Property, plant and equipment 15,050 15,106 14,897
Intangible assets 59 57 89
Investment in associate 1,470 1,293 1,388
Deferred income tax assets 1,570 791 1,658
------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
18,149 17,247 18,032
------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
Current assets
Inventories 9,655 8,980 9,102
Trade and other receivables 9,589 8,466 9,479
Other financial assets 5,129 3,000 3,005
Cash and cash equivalents 5,226 6,631 9,734
------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
29,599 27,077 31,320
------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
Total assets 47,748 44,324 49,352
========== ========== =============
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (9,075) (8,170) (10,310)
Current income tax liabilities (658) (578) (852)
----------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Total current liabilities (9,733) (8,748) (11,162)
----------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Non current liabilities
Deferred income tax liabilities (810) (948) (834)
Retirement benefit obligations (8,139) (3,912) (8,731)
----------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Total non current liabilities (8,949) (4,860) (9,565)
----------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Total liabilities (18,682) (13,608) (20,727)
========== ========== =============
Net assets 29,066 30,716 28,625
========== ========== =============
Shareholders' equity
Issued share capital 1,103 1,103 1,103
Share premium account 2,348 2,348 2,348
Treasury shares (484) (575) (575)
Other reserves 1,476 1,431 1,544
Retained earnings 24,623 26,409 24,205
------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
29,066 30,716 28,625
=========== ========== =============
Churchill China plc
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
as at 30 June 2017
Retained Share Share Treasury Other
earnings capital premium shares reserves Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Balance at 1 January 2016 26,181 1,101 2,348 (144) 1,439 30,925
Comprehensive income
Profit for the period 1,627 - - - - 1,627
Other comprehensive income
Depreciation transfer - gross 6 - - - (6) -
Depreciation transfer - tax (1) - - - 1 -
Currency translation - - - - 35 35
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Total comprehensive income 1,632 - - - 30 1,662
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Transactions with owners
Dividends (1,395) - - - - (1,395)
Proceeds of share issue - 2 - 2 - 4
Share based payment 117 - - - (38) 79
Deferred Tax - Share based payment 16 - - - - 16
Treasury shares (142) - - (433) - (575)
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Total transactions with owners (1,404) 2 - (431) (38) (1,871)
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Balance at 30 June 2016 26,409 1,103 2,348 (575) 1,431 30,716
Comprehensive income
Profit for the period 3,658 - - - - 3,658
Other comprehensive income
Depreciation transfer - gross 6 - - - (6) -
Depreciation transfer - tax (1) - - - 1 -
Deferred tax - change in rate - - - - 12 12
Remeasurements of post employment
benefit obligation - net (5,188) - - - - (5,188)
Currency translation - - - - 25 25
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Total comprehensive income (1,525) - - - 32 (1,493)
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Transactions with owners
Dividends (690) - - - - (690)
Share based payment - - - - 81 81
Deferred tax - Share based payment 11 - - - - 11
Total transactions with owners (679) - - - 81 (598)
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Balance at 31 December 2016 24,205 1,103 2,348 (575) 1,544 28,625
Comprehensive income
Profit for the period 2,144 - - - - 2,144
Other comprehensive income
Depreciation transfer - gross 5 - - - (5) -
Depreciation transfer - tax (1) - - - 1 -
Currency translation - - - - (19) (19)
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Total comprehensive income 2,148 - - - (23) 2,125
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Transactions with owners
Dividends (1,621) - - - - (1,621)
Share based payment 123 - - - (45) 78
Deferred tax - Share based payment 32 - - - - 32
Treasury shares (264) - - 91 - (173)
Total transactions with owners (1,730) - - 91 (45) (1,684)
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Balance at 30 June 2017 24,623 1,103 2,348 (484) 1,476 29,066
--------- -------- -------- ------------------ --------- --------
Churchill China plc
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (note 5) 1,089 1,634 6,744
Interest received 33 46 80
Interest paid - - (1)
Income tax paid (614) (332) (813)
----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Net cash generated from operating activities 508 1,348 6,010
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (1,105) (1,541) (2,436)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and
equipment 25 33 93
Purchases of intangible assets (17) (51) (81)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (1,097) (1,559) (2,424)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Financing activities
Issue of ordinary shares 3 4 4
Purchase of treasury shares (176) (575) (575)
Dividends paid (1,621) (1,395) (2,085)
Sale of other financial assets 1,126 2,000 2,500
Purchase of other financial assets (3,250) (2,500) (3,005)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in financing activities (3,918) (2,466) (3,161)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash
equivalents (4,507) (2,677) 425
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year 9,734 9,307 9,307
Exchange (losses) / gains on cash and cash
equivalents (1) 1 2
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 5,226 6,631 9,734
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
1. Segmental analysis
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
As noted in the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 the format
of reporting to the Chief Operating Decision Maker, the Board of Churchill China plc, has
changed in 2017. As the degree of integration of the Company's two businesses, Hospitality
and Retail has increased, the ability to determine an allocation of costs objectively between
Hospitality and Retail markets has reduced. The majority of operations within the Group, including
people, assets and processes, are now merged and managed on a single segment basis. The allocations
necessary to produce segmental profit figures are no longer analysed internally. The Chief
Operating Decision Maker now reviews profitability on a Group basis and makes management decisions
on a single entity basis.
The figures given below analyse Group revenue between markets and geographic regions.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Revenue
Hospitality 22,838 20,527 43,961
Retail 2,958 3,453 7,141
-------------------------- ------------------------- -----------------------------------
25,796 23,980 51,102
Revenue --------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------
United Kingdom 11,067 11,656 26,207
Rest of Europe 8,989 7,536 14,605
North America 2,897 2,473 4,966
Rest of the
World 2,843 2,315 5,324
-------------------------- -------------------------- -----------------------------------
25,796 23,980 51,102
--------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------
2. Finance income and costs
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Finance income
Other interest receivable 33 46 80
Finance income 33 46 80
-------------- -------------- -----------------
Finance cost
Interest on pension scheme (123) (75) (119)
Other interest (1)
Finance costs (123) (75) (120)
-------------- -------------- -----------------
The interest cost arising from pension schemes is a non cash
item.
3. Income tax expense
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Current taxation 420 332 1,086
Deferred taxation 96 85 144
Income tax expense 516 417 1,230
-------------- -------------- -----------------
4. Earnings per ordinary share
Basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after
taxation of GBP2,144,000 (June 2016: GBP1,627,000, December 2016:
GBP5,285,000) and on 10,958,489 (June 2016: 10,982,793, December
2016: 10,972,257) ordinary shares, being the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
Diluted basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit
after taxation of GBP2,144,000 (June 2016: GBP1,627,000, December
2016: GBP5,285,000) and on 11,056,040 (June 2016: 11,077,581,
December 2016: 11,067,101) ordinary shares, being the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year of
10,958,489 (June 2016: 10,982,793, December 2016: 10,972,257)
increased by 97,551 (June 2016: 94,788, December 2016: 94,844)
shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares which
would have been issued if the outstanding options to acquire shares
in the Group had been exercised at the average price during the
period.
5. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from
continuing activities
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months to Six months to Twelve months to
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Cash flow from operations
Operating profit 2,668 2,011 6,398
Adjustments for
Depreciation 945 755 1,716
Loss/ (profit) on disposal of property, plant and
equipment 3 3 (8)
Charge for share based payment 78 79 160
Decrease in retirement benefit obligations (715) - (1,430)
Changes in working capital
Inventory (553) (620) (742)
Trade and other receivables (127) 228 (750)
Trade and other payables (1,210) (822) 1,400
Cash inflow from operations 1,089 1,634 6,744
-------------- -------------- -----------------
6. Basis of preparation and accounting policies
The interim financial information for the period to 30 June 2017
has not been audited or reviewed and does not constitute statutory
accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act
2006. The Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31
December 2016, prepared in accordance with accounting standards
adopted for use in the European Union (International Financial
Reporting Standards - IFRS), have been delivered to the Registrar
of Companies; the report of the auditors on these accounts was
unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2)
or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The interim financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, IFRIC
interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies
reporting under IFRS, under the historical cost convention as
modified by the revaluation of land and buildings, available for
sale financial assets, and financial assets and liabilities
(including derivative instruments) at fair value through the profit
and loss account. The same accounting policies, presentation and
methods of computation are followed in the interim financial
statements as were applied in the Group's last audited financial
statements.
The figures included in the statements in respect of Retirement
Benefit Obligations are those calculated under IAS 19 (Revised) as
at 31 December 2016 as adjusted for notional interest charges
derived at that date and cash payments in the period to 30 June
2017. Asset and liability figures have not been recalculated to
reflect changes in market conditions since 31 December 2016. The
next full IAS 19 Revised calculation will be undertaken at 31
December 2017.
The half-yearly report and this announcement will be available
shortly on the Company's website: www.churchill1795.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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