TIDMDTY
RNS Number : 3789W
Dignity PLC
01 August 2018
For immediate release 1 August 2018
Dignity plc
Interim results for the 26 week period ended 29 June 2018
Dignity plc (Dignity or the Group), the UK's only listed
provider of funeral related services, announces its unaudited
interim results for the 26 week period ended 29 June 2018.
26 week 26 week
period period
ended ended Increase/
29 June 30 June (decrease)
2018 2017 per cent
---------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------------
Revenue (GBPmillion) 174.7 169.8 3
Underlying operating profit(*) (GBPmillion) 56.4 59.5 (5)
Underlying profit before tax(*) (GBPmillion) 43.4 46.1 (6)
Underlying earnings per share(*) (pence) 69.4 74.1 (6)
Cash generated from operations before
non-underlying items* (GBPmillion) 65.6 61.9 6
Operating profit (GBPmillion) 51.5 58.7 (12)
Profit before tax (GBPmillion) 38.5 45.3 (15)
Basic earnings per share (pence) 61.4 72.5 (15)
Number of deaths 324,000 308,000 5
Interim dividend (pence) 8.64 8.64 -
---------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------------
* The reasons for the Group's use of alternative performance
measures, definitions and where relevant reconciliations, are
provided in the section on Non-GAAP measures on page 30.
Key points
-- Strong financial performance ahead of market's expectations;
-- Number of deaths significantly higher than the prior period;
-- Increased funeral market share;
-- Three year transformation plan for funeral operations now determined;
-- Solid performance from crematoria;
-- Acquisition activity continues;
-- Pre-need business experiencing tougher market conditions; and
-- Strong cash generation continues to fund the Group's plans.
Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity plc commented:
"We are pleased with the strong and better than originally
expected financial performance in the first half of this year.
Strong cash generation will support planned investments and costs
which form part of our plan for the funeral business. Our focus
remains on building a new lower cost model in our funeral business
which will provide more competitive prices and a superior, future
ready proposition. We have made good progress, but it is still
early days. We have completed our operating review which has
yielded a three part transformation plan while our trials continue
to yield valuable information. We are confident that the changes
will position Dignity for long-term, sustainable and profitable
growth while maintaining the highest possible standards of client
service."
For more information
Mike McCollum, Chief Executive
Steve Whittern, Finance Director
Dignity plc +44 (0)20 7466 5000
Richard Oldworth
Chris Lane
Catriona Flint
Buchanan +44 (0)20 7466 5000
www.buchanan.uk.com Dignity@buchanan.uk.com
Notes
A presentation for analysts and institutional investors will be
held today at 9.00am (BST) at Buchanan Communications, 107
Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. All participants must be pre-registered
in order to attend the meeting.
A live audio webcast and conference call facility will be
available. A webcast replay facility will be available after the
analyst meeting via the same link.
Webcast http://webcasting.buchanan.uk.com/broadcast/5b321921f8666a0e93e96cde
Conference UK Toll: 02034281542
call UK Toll Free: 08082370040
Participant PIN code: 13821565#
URL for international dial in numbers:
(listen only) http://events.arkadin.com/ev/docs/FEL_Events_International_Access_List.pdf
Chairman's statement
Financial summary
Following the unexpected eight per cent increase in the number
of deaths in the first quarter of the year, the number of deaths in
the second quarter were approximately one per cent higher than the
same period in 2017. The Board now anticipates 600,000 deaths based
on the first half of 2018.
Underlying operating profits decreased by five per cent to
GBP56.4 million (2017: GBP59.5 million), a smaller decline than
anticipated at the beginning of the year. This primarily
reflects:
- lower average incomes in funeral operations following the
changes to pricing made in January 2018;
- lower profitability of the Group's pre-arranged funeral plan business; and
- a higher than anticipated number of deaths.
Further details are provided in the Business and Financial
Review.
Underlying earnings per share decreased by six per cent to 69.4
pence per share (2017: 74.1 pence per share), principally driven by
the reduction in underlying operating profits.
CMA and HM Treasury
We support and welcome the Competition and Markets Authority
('CMA') market study of funeral and crematoria services and the HM
Treasury consultation on the funeral plan sector, which were both
announced on 1 June 2018.
We believe there is a need for much higher standards, greater
transparency on pricing and more consumer choice across the sector.
We have made this case to the CMA and HM Treasury and will continue
to work closely with both parties.
Our commitment to putting funeral prices online, to unbundle the
price structure in our funeral business and our decision to request
that a greater percentage of each funeral plan's sales value
remains in the Trust rather than being paid to us at the time of
sale, demonstrates our desire to lead the industry in best
practice. See Business and Financial Review for further
information.
Given the CMA is not due to issue its preliminary findings until
November 2018 and the HM Treasury consultation on pre-need closes
on 1 August 2018, it is too early to report anything further at
this stage. The Group will make further announcements as
appropriate.
Dividends
The Group paid a final dividend of 15.74 pence per Ordinary
Share on 29 June 2018.
The Group proposes to pay an unchanged interim dividend of 8.64
pence per Ordinary Share on 26 October 2018 to shareholders on the
register at 21 September 2018.
Our staff
We continue to have a group of very dedicated, professional
staff, who continue to be focused on serving families to the best
of their ability.
Our funeral business
A significant amount of resource has been invested in the review
of our funeral business. As the Group has acquired businesses, it
has in many cases, consciously decided to maintain their autonomy.
This creates an opportunity to rationalise our operations. In
addition, through significant investment in technology, price and
promotional activities, we can enable our customer facing staff to
focus on the parts of the job they find most rewarding: looking
after families with an unrivalled level of service using
appropriate facilities. The conclusions and plan for the coming
years are set out in this announcement, supported by a more
detailed presentation, which is available on the Group's investor
website www.dignityfuneralsplc.co.uk.
Outlook
The Group is performing well compared to current market
expectations. Whilst lower profitability is expected from pre-need,
reflecting a greater proportion of each funeral plan's sales value
being retained in the Trusts until the plan is used, this is offset
by the stronger than expected performance from funeral operations.
Consequently, the Board's expectations for 2018 remain as upgraded
in May 2018.
2019 is likely to see underlying profitability lower than 2018,
but in line with current market expectations. In the medium term,
the Board believes that targeting solid single digit increases in
underlying operating profit is appropriate and achievable.
Peter Hindley
Chairman
1 August 2018
The Group's funeral business: the transformation plan
The need for change
For over two years, the Group has consistently alerted the
investment community to the increasingly competitive environment in
which it operates. Some customers are increasingly price-conscious
and, in an over-supplied industry, are shopping around more. This
continued to have an increasing impact on the Group's market share,
with a significant reduction in the average number of funerals per
location noted since 2015. Specifically, the largest player in the
market, the Co-operative Group ('the Co-op'), reduced the price of
its entry level funerals in 2016 and again in late 2017.
In January 2018, we announced that we had taken decisive action
to reduce the price of our Simple Funerals by approximately 25 per
cent to match the Co-op's prices. We subsequently announced that we
were working to develop our plans for the funeral business and that
we had engaged L.E.K. Consulting ('LEK') to help us focus on three
areas, namely:
1. Understanding the relationship between price, service and
volume to develop a broader proposition for customers across a
number of market segments;
2. Developing a more streamlined network operating model that
can consistently deliver these propositions at lower cost; and
3. Developing a modern, efficient central operating model to support the reconfigured network.
Progress to date
Market share
Market share for the first half of 2018 was 12.1 per cent,
compared to 11.8 per cent for the same period in 2017 and 11.5 per
cent for 2017 as a whole. This position includes the benefit of
acquisitions made part way through 2017 and 2018. On a comparable
basis, excluding any volumes from locations not contributing for
the whole of 2017 and 2018 to date, market share was 11.4 per cent,
compared to 11.5 per cent for the same period in 2017 and 11.1 per
cent for the whole of 2017. This very positive performance is
indicative that the changes to the Group's pricing and service
model to date have already made a significant difference.
While still too early to be certain, this leads the Group to
conclude that a future outlook of stable, comparable market share,
should be achievable through a combination of service, price and
promotion. We will have a clearer picture at the end of the
year.
Trials
Trials are fundamental to understanding the relationship between
price, service and volume and building a new proposition.
In addition to the price changes announced in January 2018, we
announced in May 2018 that further trials were under way,
structured in the following way:
-- One quarter of the Group's portfolio had no changes applied;
-- A similar proportion had introduced a Limited Service Funeral Package;
-- A third quarter had implemented reductions to full service prices; and
-- The remaining quarter had introduced a new funeral package and reduced prices.
We extended these trials to the end of June 2018 and they are
still ongoing with a variety of iterations planned. The price
reduction in the Simple Funeral in January 2018 and the trials have
had a significant impact on overall average income, albeit with
average income remaining above our original expectations.
FY 2018(*)
Board's Q1 2018 Q2 2018 H1 2018
Funeral type expectations Actual Actual Actual
Average
revenue
(GBP) Full service 3,800 3,875 3,700 3,800
Simple and Limited
service 1,965 2,100 2,340 2,240
Pre-need 1,650 1,680 1,680 1,680
Other 500 580 535 560
Volume
mix (%) Full service 44 55 48 52
Simple and Limited
service 20 12 20 15
Pre-need 30 28 26 27
Other 6 5 6 6
Weighted average 2,590 2,883 2,713 2,799
Ancillary revenue 280 212 225 224
-------------------------------- -------------- -------- -------- --------
Average revenue 2,870 3,095 2,938 3,023
-------------------------------- -------------- -------- -------- --------
*As per January 2018 trading update
There is insufficient data to conclude on whether individual
trials have had a meaningfully different impact on market share,
with the entire country so far responding in a broadly similar
manner since the original price reduction in January 2018.
Our transformation plan
We are now in a position to report on our operational review. We
are embarking on a wide-ranging transformation plan, backed by a
major investment programme. Our plan underlines our commitment to
build a funeral business that remains focused on quality, whilst
being able to adapt to a changing marketplace. Our plan has three
objectives:
1. Enhance the customer proposition;
2. Invest in and simplify the operating model; and
3. Streamline support to enable investment.
1. Enhance the customer proposition
Implement a more client-centric service model
The service model will be adapted to better suit evolving client
needs and to improve efficiency.
We will provide customers with a more tailored service, allowing
them to choose how they wish to interact with Dignity in arranging
a funeral through more mobile staff and improved digital
capabilities.
Launch new product and pricing structure
We have developed a new tiered proposition, specifically
targeting different market segments, that will provide greater
flexibility to meet individual client needs. We will have a clearer
picture of our preferred service offers and price points by the end
of the year, but currently anticipate overall average income in the
second half of 2018 and in 2019 to broadly reflect our original
January 2018 expectations.
By unbundling our prices and services to provide our customers
with greater flexibility to create the right funeral for their
loved one, we will be able to provide greater consistency and
competitiveness on price, while reflecting Dignity's premium
service levels.
Build national brands
Building national brands leverages our scale and addresses the
needs of increasingly digital clients. Through the Dignity and
Simplicity names, we plan to build known, national brands to
leverage scale advantages in the digital age. We will develop our
marketing proposition to promote the Group's commitment to high
standards of care, quality of service delivery and competitive
entry prices. We also recognise that our established local trading
names continue to have significant value.
2. Invest in and simplify the operating model
Separate front and back of house
The purpose or our operational review was to develop a more
streamlined network operating model that can consistently deliver a
broader proposition at lower cost. This will be achieved by
separating the network used to interact with customers (e.g.
locations to arrange funerals and pay respects to the deceased
supported by funeral arrangement staff); and that used for service
delivery (e.g. mortuaries and fleet supported by funeral staff).
The separation of front and back of house activities in this way
will enable specialisation and drive efficiency gains.
As a result of the high standards operated by Dignity, service
delivery locations have always required significant investment to
ensure appropriate mortuary facilities, refrigeration and fleet. As
we have acquired a substantial number of autonomous businesses over
many years, the number of these service locations has inevitably
grown and a degree of rationalisation is now appropriate. The focus
of the service delivery model changes will be to ensure the Group
benefits from its scale. As such, investment will be focused on
fewer service locations, improving capital efficiency and
technology will be implemented to optimise rostering of staff and
vehicles.
Right-sized branch network
The existing network will be right-sized and enhanced. Low
performing and highly geographically overlapping locations will be
rationalised. Customer facing locations will be focused on three
formats: Prestige (offering outstanding facilities), full service
(offering full facilities including chapels of rest) and satellites
(primarily offering arrangement meetings). Furthermore, mobile
staff will be introduced to extend coverage to areas where
traditional branches are not economically viable. Our focus will
also be to ensure that all facilities continue to set the industry
standard for the quality of care provided for the deceased.
Scale operating networks
By better allocating resources, efficiencies will allow us to
reduce the number of operating networks (e.g. collections of
locations sharing facilities) and centralise operations where
appropriate (e.g. mortuaries and fleet) more consistently. This new
structure will also enable synergies from new geographical openings
and acquisitions.
3. Streamline support to enable investment
Simplified, focused management structure
We will introduce consistency and focus on management roles,
which will enable simplification. Specialised front and back of
house roles will be created to support process excellence, whilst
lowering the cost base.
Invest in support capabilities and IT systems
We can support our operational staff better by investing in
centralised facilities and staff to help their effectiveness. This
will be supported through significant investment in technology.
Locations and jobs
We need to ensure that we are located in the right locations
around the country. This will involve closing some locations in
areas where we have many and adding others in areas where we have
few or none.
Clearly these are significant changes to the way we operate and
will take a number of years to implement, so this is the start of
the journey. I am sad to say there will be implications for
headcount in the funeral division where there will be an overall
modest reduction in staff. However, our aim will be to, as far as
possible, manage that through natural turnover.
Timetable
The transition programme is expected to be largely completed
over a three year timeframe. Our focus will initially be on back of
house facilities and the necessary changes to the management
structure.
A Transformation Director, reporting directly to the Chief
Executive, has been appointed and will begin in early August. His
role will be to establish the project management office and
coordinate all necessary resources, both internal and external, to
ensure the plan is delivered on time. He will be supported by
external advisers and a project management team as necessary.
Additional investment and costs
Delivering the transformation outlined above will require
investment of approximately GBP50 million over the next three
years, with GBP17 million funded from property disposals and the
remaining GBP33 million from existing resources. This investment is
anticipated to deliver GBP8 million of annualised additional
underlying operating profits by 2021.
Any provisions related to transformation costs are expected to
be made in the second half of 2018 once the detailed implementation
approach has been approved by the Board.
The Group will provide its next update on progress when it
releases its third quarter trading update on 12 November 2018.
Business and financial review
Introduction
The Group's operations are managed across three distinct
divisions: funerals, crematoria and pre-arranged funeral plans.
Funeral services relate to the provision of funerals and ancillary
items, such as memorials and floral tributes. Crematoria services
relate to cremation services and the sale of memorials and burial
plots at Dignity operated crematoria and cemeteries. Pre-arranged
funeral plans represent the sale of funerals in advance to
customers wishing to make their own funeral arrangements in
advance.
Initial estimated deaths in Britain for the first half of 2018
were 324,000 (2017: 308,000), an increase of five per cent compared
to the same period last year.
Funeral services
At 29 June 2018, the Group operated a network of 831 (June 2017:
811; December 2017: 826) funeral locations throughout the UK
generally trading under established local trading names. The change
to the portfolio reflects the acquisition of four additional
funeral locations, six new satellite locations and five
closures.
In the first half of 2018, the Group conducted 39,700 funerals
(2017: 36,700) in the United Kingdom; an eight per cent increase on
the prior year. Approximately one and a half per cent of these
funerals were performed in Northern Ireland (2017: one and a half
per cent). Excluding Northern Ireland, these funerals represented
approximately 12.1 per cent (June 2017: 11.8 per cent; December
2017: 11.5 per cent) of total estimated deaths in Great Britain.
Whilst funerals divided by estimated deaths is a reasonable measure
of our market share, the Group does not have a complete national
presence and consequently, this calculation can only ever be an
estimate.
Underlying operating profit was GBP42.1 million (2017: GBP45.1
million), 6.7 per cent lower than the same period in 2017. In broad
terms, this can be explained by the following factors:
GBPm
Underlying operating profit
- June 2017 45.1
Impact of:
Higher deaths 5.5
Market share (1.5)
Lower average incomes (5.5)
Cost base increases (3.5)
Acquisition activity 2.0
Underlying operating profit
- June 2018 42.1
Dignity will shortly publish the first of two major research
projects which commenced in 2017 and concluded in May 2018. It
identifies what UK consumers assume, want and expect from Funeral
Directors. This very much supports our view that care of the
deceased is a critical element of the important service funeral
directors provide for the bereaved. UK consumers assume funeral
directors are the same, that the market is regulated and operating
to minimum standards, when in fact none of these statements are
true. The Group will share this research with policymakers and call
for greater regulation and transparency, whilst ensuring that
customers get the best service and choice of pricing.
Crematoria
The Group operates 45 crematoria (June 2017: 45; December 2017:
45) and is the largest single operator of crematoria in Great
Britain. The Group performed 35,400 cremations (2017: 33,700) in
the period.
These volumes represent approximately 10.9 per cent (June 2017:
11.0 per cent; December 2017: 10.7 per cent) of total estimated
deaths in Great Britain.
Underlying operating profit was GBP23.4 million (2017: GBP20.9
million), an increase of 12.0 per cent. Sales of memorials and
other items equated to GBP258 per cremation (2017: GBP255 per
cremation).
In July 2018, the Group's 46(th) crematorium in Derby began
trading. Trent Valley crematorium represents an investment of
GBP5.1 million and follows a similar model to previous new build
locations. This state of the art location is expected to perform
approximately 1,000 cremations per year, albeit it is likely to
take five to seven years before reaching this level of activity.
The Group's two other locations under construction are due to open
in late 2019. Options for further locations are being pursued, but
are limited by the lack of locations where the necessary 800 to
1,000 cremations would be demanded on an annual basis. This is the
level, at current cremation fees, that is necessary to justify the
capital investment.
Dignity will shortly publish the report "Cost, Quality,
Seclusion and Time. What do UK customers want from a cremation
funeral?" Commencing in July 2017 and the second of two major
research studies, it includes qualitative and quantitative research
with customers and funeral directors, qualitative research with
representatives of industry bodies and local authority crematoria
representatives, plus an audit conducted by Trajectory of the
service standards and practices of 292 crematoria in the UK. It
reveals customers' relative priorities regarding crematoria costs,
time and other aspects of quality, with privacy provided from
longer service times being their highest priority. Dignity leads
the industry, providing service times of 54 minutes on average.
This is significantly in excess of the industry average, with some
crematoria offering as little as 20 minutes. Dignity will be
calling for 45 minutes as the minimum standard.
Pre-arranged funeral plans
Active pre-arranged funeral plans were approximately 470,000 at
the end of the period (June 2017: 427,000; December 2017: 450,000).
Although a broadly similar number of plans were sold in each
period, 20 per cent fewer trust based plans were sold, offset by
greater insurance based plans in 2018. There has been considerable
adverse publicity about the funeral plan market which may have
contributed to the reduced activity. These plans continue to
represent future potential incremental business for the funeral
division. However, insurance based plans do not generate a profit
for the pre-need division and thus underlying operating profits
were lower, at GBP2.8 million (2017: GBP4.9 million).
Although the pre-arranged funeral plan trusts are well funded,
holding approximately GBP500 more assets per plan at 29 December
2017 than was paid out in 2017 to perform each funeral, the Group
has concluded that it should reduce the level of marketing
allowance it seeks to claim from the trusts when it makes a plan
sale, thereby leaving a greater proportion of the plan's sales
value in the trust available for when the plan holder dies and the
plan is used. The Group believes that it has long led the industry
in best practice and given its calls for higher levels of capital
solvency to protect consumers, feels this is the appropriate course
of action.
This change will be made from the beginning of the second half
of 2018 to a level that covers the marketing costs incurred.
Therefore, the pre-need division is not expected to contribute any
profit at the time of sale following the change. However, for the
vast majority of pre-arranged funerals which are ultimately
performed by the Group, this represents a timing difference as the
Group will benefit from the greater proportion of the plan value
when the funeral is provided.
Despite a smaller number of trust based plans sold in the
period, the unfulfilled trust plans still represent approximately
GBP1 billion of cash flows due to the Group in future years.
As described in note 1, forthcoming accounting standards may
result in the Group being required to change its accounting policy
for the recognition of monies received from the trust in advance of
performing the funeral (e.g. marketing allowances). Although the
analysis is ongoing it is likely that marketing allowances will not
be recognised as revenue at the time of the sale but instead at the
time the funeral is performed.
Central overheads
Central overheads relate to central services that are not
specifically attributed to a particular operating division. These
include the provision of IT, finance, personnel and Directors'
emoluments. In addition, and consistent with previous periods, the
Group records centrally the costs of incentive bonus arrangements,
such as Long-Term Incentive Plans ('LTIPs') and annual performance
bonuses, which are provided to over 100 managers working across the
business.
Costs in the period were GBP11.9 million (2017: GBP11.4
million). The current period includes approximately GBP1 million
relating to digital promotion and associated activities, together
with a release of GBP1.7 million in respect of executive directors'
bonuses earned in 2017 but waived in 2018.
Marketing and digital activity
The Group has made further progress with the implementation of
its digital strategy. Traffic to the Group's websites for the first
half comparable year on year period has significantly increased,
with site visits up 33 per cent from 550,000 to 735,000. Our new
Funeral Notices digital service was successfully trialled in the
first half of 2018 and which, once fully adopted, has the potential
to introduce two and a half million new consumers annually to our
brands. Further development on mobile friendly architecture and
optimisation have seen us retain our position as the funeral
website with the highest domain authority in the UK.
Significant progress is being made on a new website and on the
development of essential local and national content. Listing our
funeral prices online is a priority for the Group. Our Simple
Funeral prices have been listed online since the first quarter of
2018. A database of local disbursement prices is being collated
along with a new central database of our local funeral prices,
which combined will allow us to fully publish our prices online by
the end of the first quarter of 2019.
The Group has committed an additional GBP3 million per annum to
its marketing budget. This brings the total anticipated annual
marketing investment to an increase of GBP6 million over that
incurred in 2016. A significant proportion of this will be
allocated to pay per click promotional activities. Investment is
also being directed into building a strong internal digital
marketing unit, supported by leading external experts. Clearer and
stronger positions are being developed for the Group's brands,
which will receive significant advertising support from the fourth
quarter of 2018 onward.
Simplicity Cremations
Our Simplicity Cremation business continues to perform well and
is operating at a run rate of approximately 1,000 cremations per
year. We have launched the Simplicity pre-arranged funeral plan and
the Group launched in April 2018 an attended direct cremation under
the Simplicity brand to help this business continue to grow. This
allows a limited number of people to attend a short committal
service at a time and date of the Group's choosing for an
additional GBP250. The Group's direct cremation services are only
currently available online. Visits to the Simplicity website
increase significantly to 280,000 in the first half of 2018
compared to 37,000 in the same period in 2017.
Corporate development activity
The Group has invested GBP5.4 million in acquiring four
established funeral locations and has invested GBP0.7 million in
the current satellite location programme.
The Group continues to progress the remaining two locations with
planning permission for new crematoria. These are due to open in
2019 and represent a capital commitment of approximately GBP11
million. The Group is also appealing an unsuccessful
application.
Earnings per share
Underlying earnings per share decreased six per cent to 69.4
pence per Ordinary Share, principally driven by the five per cent
decrease in underlying operating profits.
Cash flow and cash balances
The Group continues to be strongly cash generative. Cash
generated from operations, before non-underlying items, was GBP65.6
million (2017: GBP61.9 million). This cash generation reflects
continued efficient operating profit conversion, which has been
assisted by much lower working capital movements than last year.
This is attributed to timing differences and lower cash bonus
payments than the previous period.
In addition to the corporate development activity in the period,
the Group spent GBP9.9 million (2017: GBP12.8 million) on purchases
of property, plant and equipment. The Group continues to expect to
incur approximately GBP20 million in the full year on maintenance
capital expenditure.
29 30
Jun Jun
This is analysed as: 2018 2017
GBPm GBPm
Maintenance capital expenditure:
Funeral services 3.5 5.3
Crematoria 2.7 2.2
Other 0.6 2.0
Total maintenance capital expenditure(a) 6.8 9.5
Branch relocations 0.3 2.0
Satellite locations 0.7 0.4
Development of new crematoria and cemeteries 2.1 0.9
Total property, plant and equipment 9.9 12.8
Partly funded by:
Disposal proceeds (0.3) (0.4)
Net capital expenditure 9.6 12.4
(a) Maintenance capital expenditure includes vehicle replacement
programme, improvements to locations and purchases of other
tangible and intangible assets.
Cash balances at the end of the period were GBP64.0 million
(June 2017: GBP65.4 million; December 2017: GBP49.3 million).
Pensions
The Group's pension scheme deficit has improved since December
2017 to GBP20.7 million (June 2017: GBP24.9 million; December 2017:
GBP24.0 million). During the period, the Group agreed a schedule of
contributions with the pension scheme trustees following completion
of the triennial valuation to April 2017. This has resulted in an
annual cash obligation of approximately GBP2.2 million per annum
with effect from 2018.
Taxation
The Group's effective tax rate for 2018 is expected to be 20 per
cent before the effect of non-underlying items. The effective rate
for 2019 and beyond is expected to be approximately one per cent
higher than the headline rate of Corporation Tax for the relevant
period.
Capital structure and financing
Drawn facilities
The Group's principal source of long-term debt financing
continues to be the Secured Notes issued in 2014. The Group's
Secured A Notes are rated A by Fitch and Standard & Poor's. The
Group's Secured B Notes are rated BBB by Fitch. During the period
and as previously announced, Standard & Poor's lowered the
rating of the Group's Secured B Notes to BB from BBB. This has no
impact on the financial covenant or any other obligation of the
Secured Notes from a Group perspective. Given the duration of the
Secured Notes, this structure is capable of being used to
periodically issue further Secured Notes when deemed appropriate
and subject to market conditions. Given the recent trading updates,
the Group does not have any plans for such an issue in the
immediate future. Such an issue would also require the rating of
the Secured B Notes by Standard & Poor's to be at least
BBB.
The Group's primary financial covenant under the Secured Notes
(which is applicable to the securitised subgroup of Dignity)
requires EBITDA to total debt service to be above 1.5 times. The
ratio at 29 June 2018 was 3.09 times (June 2017: 3.41 times;
December 2017: 3.24 times). Further details are in note 8.
As set out in note 8, the Group's gross amounts owing on its
debt obligations were GBP561.2 million (June 2017: GBP586.0
million; December 2017: GBP565.7 million). Net debt was GBP497.4
million (June 2017 GBP520.8 million; December 2017: GBP516.9
million).
Revolving credit facility
The Group has the benefit of a GBP50 million revolving credit
facility ('RCF'), provided by the Royal Bank of Scotland, which is
secured against certain trade and assets held by legal entities
outside the Group's securitisation structure.
The facility is available until July 2021, with the option to
renew, subject to the bank's consent at the time, by a further
year. The margin on the facility ranges from 150 to 225 basis
points depending on the resulting gross leverage.
This provides the Group ongoing flexibility in a cost effective
manner, as if undrawn, the facility represents an annual cost of
approximately GBP0.3 million. Given the Group's healthy cash
balances, the RCF is undrawn at the time of the release of this
announcement.
Post balance sheet events
There were no significant post balance sheet events.
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this Interim Report are forward-looking.
Please see page 33 for further details.
Going concern
The Directors receive and review regularly management accounts,
cash balances, forecasts and the annual budget together, with
covenant reporting. After careful consideration and mindful of the
current market conditions, the Directors confirm they are satisfied
that the Group has adequate resources to continue operating for the
foreseeable future. The Directors formally considered this matter
at the Board meeting held on 26 July 2018. For this reason, they
continue to adopt the going concern basis for preparing the Interim
Report.
Our key performance indicators
The Group uses the following key performance indicators both to
manage the business and monitor the Group's delivery against its
strategy and objectives. We monitor our performance by measuring
and tracking KPIs that we believe are important to our longer-term
success. In the light of the change in pricing strategy and
transformation plan announced, it is expected that the Group's
KPIs, as they relate to a newly stated set of strategic objectives,
will be reviewed during the second half of 2018 to ensure they
remain appropriate.
Group Performance
KPI KPI definitions 26 week period Developments
ended in 2018
29 June 2018
Total estimated This is as reported 324,000 Deaths were higher
number of deaths by the Office for (H1 2017: 308,000) than anticipated
in Britain (number) National Statistics. (a) in the period.
(FY 2017: 590,000)(b) ONS expectations
are for lower
deaths in 2018.
Funeral market This is the number 12.1% The increase
share excluding of funerals performed in market share
Northern Ireland by the Group in is more than
(per cent) Britain divided anticipated,
by the total estimated as discussed
number of deaths in the report.
in Britain.
(H1 2017: 11.8%)(a)
(FY 2017: 11.5%)(b)
Number of funerals This is the number 39,700 Changes are a
performed (number) of funerals performed consequence of
according to our the total number
operational data. of deaths and
the Group's market
share.
(H1 2017: 36,700)(a)
(FY 2017: 68,800)(b)
Crematoria market This is the number 10.9% Market share
share (per cent) of cremations performed has increased,
by the Group divided principally reflecting
by the total estimated the effect of
number of deaths recent acquisitions
in Britain. and Simplicity
Cremations.
(H1 2017: 11.0%)(a)
(FY 2017: 10.7%)(b)
Number of cremations This is the number 35,400 Changes are a
performed (number) of cremations performed consequence of
according to our the total number
operational data. of deaths and
the Group's market
share.
(H1 2017: 33,700)(a)
(FY 2017: 63,400)(b)
Active pre-arranged This is the number 470,000 This increase
funeral plans of pre-arranged (H1 2017: 427,000)(a) reflects continued
(number) funeral plans where (FY 2017: 450,000)(b) sales activity
the Group has an offset by the
obligation to provide crystallisation
a funeral in the of plans sold
future. in previous periods.
Underlying earnings This is underlying 69.4 pence This reduction
per share (pence) profit after tax (H1 2017: 74.1 follows the decrease
divided by the weighted pence)(a) in underlying
average number of (FY 2017: 128.3 operating profit.
Ordinary Shares pence)(b)
in issue in the
period.
Underlying operating This is the statutory GBP56.4 million This primarily
profit (GBP operating profit (H1 2017: GBP59.5 reflects lower
million) of the Group excluding million)(a) profitability
non-underlying items. (FY 2017: GBP104.6 of the Group's
million)(b) funeral and pre-arranged
funeral plan
businesses.
Cash generated This is the statutory GBP65.6 million The Group continues
from operations cash generated from (H1 2017: GBP61.9 to convert operating
(GBP million) operations excluding million)(a) profit into cash
non-underlying items. (FY 2017: GBP115.4 efficiently.
million)(b)
In addition to these key performance indicators, the Group
closely monitors the results of its client surveys. Highlights of
these results can be found on the following page.
(a) H1 2017 relates to the 26 weeks ended 30 June 2017.
(b) FY 2017 relates to the 52 weeks ended 29 December 2017.
Client satisfaction in our funeral business
We strive to maintain and improve client satisfaction across our
business. Our funeral service survey results continue to
demonstrate this commitment. In the last five years, we have
received approximately 160,000 responses. The percentages below
report the responses for the one year up to the relevant balance
sheet date.
Reputation and recommendation
99.0% (December 2017: 99.0%)
99.0 per cent of respondents said that we met or exceeded their
expectations.
97.5% (December 2017: 97.7%)
97.5 per cent of respondents would recommend us.
Quality of service and care
99.9% (December 2017: 99.9%)
99.9 per cent thought our staff were respectful.
99.6% (December 2017: 99.7%)
99.6 per cent thought our staff listened to their needs and
wishes.
99.1% (December 2017: 99.1%)
99.1 per cent agreed that our staff were compassionate and
caring.
High standards of facilities and fleet
99.8% (December 2017: 99.8%)
99.8 per cent thought our premises were clean and tidy.
99.7% (December 2017: 99.8%)
99.7 per cent thought our vehicles were clean and
comfortable.
In the detail
99.2% (December 2017: 99.3%)
99.2 per cent of clients agreed that our staff had fully
explained what would happen before and during the funeral.
99.1% (December 2017: 99.0%)
99.1 per cent said that the funeral service took place on
time.
98.4% (December 2017: 98.0%)
98.4 per cent said that the final invoice matched the estimate
provided.
Mike McCollum
Chief Executive
1 August 2018
Principal risks and uncertainties
Our principal Group risks
Outlined here is our assessment of the principal risks facing
the Group. In assessing which risks should be classified as
principal, we assess the probability of the risk materialising and
the financial or strategic impact of the risk.
Risk appetite
Risk appetite is the level of risk the Group is willing to take
to achieve its strategic objectives and is set by the Board. The
Board looks at the Group's appetite to risk across a number of
areas including market, financing, operations, strategy and
execution, developments, cybersecurity and technology and
brand.
The Group's risk appetite is set in the context of our focus on
one sector - funeral services. As experts in this sector we are
able to mitigate the risk involved in growing the business by
acquisition, development and our active asset management strategy.
This focus on our core strengths is balanced by a more cautious
approach to risk in other areas.
Whilst the Group's structured approach to risk management
continues, its risk appetite increased as detailed in the 2017
Annual Report, given the changes in the market and the Group's
subsequent response. Consequently commentary below indicating no
change in risk is in comparison to a higher comparative risk.
Our approach to risk management
The Group has a well established governance structure with
internal control and risk management systems. The risk management
process:
-- Provides a framework to identify, assess and manage risks,
both positive and negative, to the Group's overall strategy and the
contribution of its individual operations.
-- Allows the Board to fulfil its governance responsibilities by
making a balanced and understandable assessment of the operation of
the risk management process and inputs.
Responsibilities and actions
The Board
The Board is responsible for monitoring the Group's risk and
their mitigants.
Risk process
Every six months the Audit Committee formally considers the risk
register and approves it for adoption by the Board.
Risk assessment
Executive Directors and senior management are responsible for
identifying and assessing business risks.
Identify
Risks are identified through discussion with senior management
and incorporated in the risk register as appropriate.
Assess
The potential impact and likelihood of occurrence of each risk
is considered.
Mitigating activities
Mitigants are identified against each risk where possible.
Review and internal audit
The link between each risk and the Group's policies and
procedures is identified. Where relevant, appropriate work is
performed by the Group's internal audit function to assist in
ensuring the related procedures and policies are appropriately
understood and operated where they serve to mitigate risks.
Risk governance
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group's internal
control systems and for reviewing their effectiveness. This has
been designed to assist the Board in making more risk-informed,
strategic decisions with a view to creating and protecting
shareholder value.
Operational risk management
Risk and impact Mitigating activities 2018 commentary Change
Significant reduction in The profile of deaths The number of No significant
the death rate has historically followed deaths in 2018 change
There is a risk that the a similar profile was higher than to 2017
number of deaths in any year to that predicted expected.
significantly reduces. This by the ONS, giving
would have a direct result the Group the ability
on the financial performance to plan its business
of both the funeral and crematoria accordingly. The risk
divisions. is mitigated by the
geographical spread
of locations, the
ability to control
costs and the ability
to acquire funerals.
--------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
Nationwide adverse publicity This risk is addressed There have been No significant
Nationwide adverse publicity by ensuring appropriate no such events change
for Dignity could result policies and procedures in the period. to 2017
in a significant reduction are in place, which
in the number of funerals are designed to ensure
or cremations performed in excellent client service
any financial period. For and careful selection
pre-arranged funeral plans, of reputable partners.
adverse publicity for the
Group or one of its partners
could result in a reduction
in the number of plans sold
or an increase in the number
of plans cancelled. This
would have a direct and significant
impact on the financial performance
of that division and the
Group as a whole.
--------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
Risk and impact Mitigating activities 2018 commentary Change
Ability to increase average The Group believes Average revenues No significant
revenues per funeral or cremation that its focus on excellent reduced in the change
Operating profit growth is client service helps first half of to 2017
in part attributable to increases to mitigate this risk. 2018 and may
in the average revenue per However, in the light continue to do
funeral or cremation. There of developing market so.
can be no guarantee that future conditions, the Group
average revenues per funeral took decisive action
or cremation will be maintained to reduce its funeral
or increased. pricing in January
2018, which will be
supported by an improved
online presence.
Whilst the Group has
no desire to engage
in a price war we have
responded to the price
reduction instigated
by the Co-op, the largest
player in the UK, and
given how competitive
the market is, if necessary
Dignity will revisit
its pricing again.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Significant reduction in market The Group believes Market share No significant
share that this risk is mitigated was stronger change
It is possible that other for funeral operations than expected to 2017
external factors, such as by reputation and recommendation in the first
new competitors and the increased being a key driver half of 2018.
impact of the internet on to the choice of funeral
the sector, could result in director being used.
a significant reduction in In addition, the Group's
market share within funeral actions in January
or crematoria operations. 2018 on pricing and
This would have a direct result promotion seek to protect
on the financial performance the Group's funeral
of those divisions. market share. For crematoria
operations this is
mitigated by the lack
of geographical areas
where there are sufficient
potential clients to
justify the capital
required to build new
crematoria.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Demographic shifts in population In such situations, There have been No significant
There can be no assurance Dignity would seek no material changes, change
that demographic shifts in to follow the population with satellites to 2017
population will not lead to shift. This is mitigated being opened
a reduced demand for funeral by the geographical and businesses
services in areas where Dignity spread of locations acquired in appropriate
operates. coupled with the ability areas.
to acquire funeral
locations in areas
of higher demand.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Competition Established local reputation We have commented No significant
The UK funeral services market continues to be important on the increasingly change
and crematoria market is currently in attracting clients, competitive environment to 2017,
very fragmented. although this is declining. across our business. but
In addition, the Group increased
There can be no assurance is enhancing and developing competition
that there will not be further its digital presence. for
consolidation in the industry the
or that increased competition There are barriers pre-need
in the industry, whether in to entry in the crematoria business
the form of intensified price market due to the need
competition, service competition, to obtain planning
over capacity or otherwise, approval for new crematoria
would not lead to an erosion and the cost of developing
of the Group's market share, new crematoria.
average revenues or costs
and consequently a reduction There are a number
in its profitability. of potential affinity
partners who could
The retention of affinity replace existing ones
partners who sell the Group's or add to existing
pre-arranged funeral plans relationships.
is essential to the long-term
development of the pre-arranged
funeral plan division. The
loss of an affinity partner
could lead to a reduction
in the amount of profit recognised
in that division at the time
of sale. Failure to replenish
or increase the bank of pre-arranged
funeral plans could affect
market share of the funeral
division in the longer-term.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Taxes There are currently No significant No significant
There can be no assurance specific exemptions changes noted change
that changes will not be made under European legislation in the period. to 2017
to UK taxes, such as VAT. for the UK on the VAT
VAT is not currently chargeable treatment of funerals.
on the majority of the Group's Any change would apply
services. The introduction to the industry as
of such a tax could therefore a whole and not just
significantly increase the the Group.
cost to clients of the Group's
services.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Regulation of pre-arranged Any changes would apply We continue to See
funeral plans to the industry as seek regulation commentary
Pre-arranged funeral plans a whole and not just of our markets on HM
are not a regulated product, the Group. This risk and welcome the Treasury
but are subject to a specific is also mitigated through consultation consultation
financial services exemption. the high standards by HM Treasury
Changes to the basis of any of selling and administration and hopefully,
regulation could affect the of pre-arranged funeral consequential
Group's opportunity to sell plans operated by the regulation.
pre-arranged funeral plans Group.
in the future or could result
in the Group not being able
to draw down the current level
of marketing allowances, which
would have a direct impact
on the profitability of the
pre-arranged funeral plan
division.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Regulation of the funeral The Group already operates We continue to See
industry at a very high standard, seek regulation comment
Regulation could result in using facilities appropriate of our markets on CMA
increased compliance costs for the dignified care and welcome the market
for the industry as a whole of the deceased. market study study
or other unforeseen consequences. by the CMA, which
will hopefully
drive regulation
of the industry.
---------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Risk and impact Mitigating activities 2018 commentary Change
Changes in the funding of There is considerable The latest actuarial No significant
the pre-arranged funeral regulation around valuation of the change
plan business insurance companies pre-arranged funeral to 2017
The Group has given commitments which is designed, plan Trusts demonstrates
to pre-arranged funeral plan amongst other things, an actuarial surplus.
members to provide certain to ensure that the This is supported
funeral services in the future. insurance companies by robust average
meet their obligations. assets per plan.
Funding for these plans is
reliant on either insurance The Trusts hold assets
companies paying the amounts with the objective
owed or the pre-arranged of achieving returns
funeral plan Trusts having slightly in excess
sufficient assets. of inflation.
If this is not the case,
then the Group may receive
a lower amount per funeral
than expected and thus generate
lower profits.
----------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Implementation of the Transformation This risk is being Work begins on New
Plan mitigated by the the implementation risk
Following the Stock Market detailed plans developed on 1 August 2018.
Announcement on 19 January with LEK who have
2018 Dignity appointed LEK a proven track record
to conduct an operational in business transformation,
review and assist in developing their continued involvement
a transformation plan. This and the appointment
plan has three objectives: of a Transformation
1. Enhance the customer proposition; Director who will
2. Invest in and simplify manage the process
the operating model; and within a clearly
3. Streamline support to defined and accountable
enable investment. project framework.
A risk exists that the plan
Is either not implemented
correctly or proves to be
materially disruptive to
the funeral business.
----------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Financial risk management
Risk and impact Mitigating activities 2018 commentary Change
Financial Covenant under The nature of the Current trading No significant
the Secured Notes Group's debt means continues to support change
The Group's Secured Notes that the denominator the Group's financial to 2017
requires EBITDA to total is now fixed unless obligations with
debt service to be above further Secured Notes significant headroom.
1.5 times. If this financial are issued in the
covenant (which is applicable future. This means The downgrade
to the securitised subgroup that the covenant by Standard &
of Dignity) is not achieved, headroom will change Poor's of the
then this may lead to an proportionately with Groups Secured
Event of Default under the changes in EBITDA B Notes has no
terms of the Secured Notes, generated by the impact on the
which could result in the securitised subgroup. financial covenant
Security Trustee taking control or any other obligation
of the securitisation group of the Secured
on behalf of the Secured Notes from a Group
Noteholders. perspective.
In addition, the Group is
required to achieve a more
stringent ratio of 1.85 times
for the same test in order
to be permitted to transfer
excess cash from the securitisation
group to Dignity plc. If
this stricter test is not
achieved, then the Group's
ability to pay dividends
would be impacted.
----------------------- ------------------------- ---------------
Consolidated income statement (unaudited)
for the 26 week period ended 29 June 2018
52 week
period
ended
26 week period 29 Dec
ended 2017
-----------------
29 Jun 30 Jun (audited)
2018 2017
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------------- ----- -------- ------- ------------
Revenue 2 174.7 169.8 324.0
Cost of sales (68.3) (66.3) (130.6)
Gross profit 106.4 103.5 193.4
Administrative expenses (54.9) (44.8) (95.4)
Operating profit 2 51.5 58.7 98.0
Finance costs 3 (13.1) (13.5) (26.9)
Finance income 3 0.1 0.1 0.1
Profit before tax 2 38.5 45.3 71.2
Taxation 4 (7.8) (9.2) (13.4)
Profit for the period attributable to equity
shareholders 30.7 36.1 57.8
---------------------------------------------- ----- -------- ------- ------------
Earnings per share for profit attributable
to equity shareholders
* Basic (pence) 5 61.4p 72.5p 115.8p
* Diluted (pence) 5 61.4p 72.3p 115.6p
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (unaudited)
for the 26 week period ended 29 June 2018
52 week
period
ended
26 week period 29 Dec
ended 2017
----------------------
29 Jun 30 Jun (audited)
2018 2017
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Profit for the period 30.7 36.1 57.8
Items that will not be reclassified
to profit or loss
Remeasurement gain on retirement benefit
obligations 2.8 1.8 3.2
Tax charge on remeasurement on retirement
benefit obligations (0.5) (0.3) (0.5)
Other comprehensive income 2.3 1.5 2.7
Comprehensive income for the
period 33.0 37.6 60.5
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent 33.0 37.6 60.5
Consolidated balance sheet (unaudited)
as at 29 June 2018
29 Jun 30 Jun 29 Dec
2018 2017 17 (audited)
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 231.5 223.3 226.1
Intangible assets 157.3 155.3 159.4
Property, plant and equipment 248.3 242.1 248.0
Financial and other assets 15.5 12.6 14.3
652.6 633.3 647.8
Current assets
Inventories 7.4 7.0 7.3
Trade and other receivables 33.0 34.7 38.3
Cash and cash equivalents 7 64.0 65.4 49.3
104.4 107.1 94.9
Total assets 757.0 740.4 742.7
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities 9.3 24.8 4.5
Trade and other payables 52.2 52.3 57.8
Current tax liabilities 7.2 7.9 6.2
Provisions for liabilities 1.6 1.6 1.5
70.3 86.6 70.0
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities 551.9 561.2 561.2
Deferred tax liabilities 31.2 29.4 30.3
Other non-current liabilities 2.2 2.7 2.3
Provisions for liabilities 8.9 7.7 8.5
Retirement benefit obligation 20.7 24.9 24.0
614.9 625.9 626.3
Total liabilities 685.2 712.5 696.3
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary share capital 6.2 6.2 6.2
Share premium account 12.4 11.4 11.1
Capital redemption reserve 141.7 141.7 141.7
Other reserves (5.6) (4.8) (4.6)
Retained earnings (82.9) (126.6) (108.0)
Total equity 71.8 27.9 46.4
Total equity and liabilities 757.0 740.4 742.7
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (unaudited)
as at 29 June 2018
Ordinary Share Capital
share premium redemption Other Retained Total
capital account reserve reserves earnings equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Shareholders' equity as at
30 December 2016 6.1 8.5 141.7 (3.5) (156.3) (3.5)
Profit for the 26 weeks ended
30 June 2017 - - - - 36.1 36.1
Remeasurement gain on defined
benefit obligations - - - - 1.8 1.8
Tax on pensions - - - - (0.3) (0.3)
Total comprehensive income - - - - 37.6 37.6
Effects of employee share
options - - - 1.3 - 1.3
Tax on employee share options - - - 0.2 - 0.2
Proceeds from share issue(1) 0.1 2.9 - - - 3.0
Gift to Employee Benefit Trust - - - (2.8) - (2.8)
Dividends (note 6) - - - - (7.9) (7.9)
Shareholders' equity as at
30 June 2017 6.2 11.4 141.7 (4.8) (126.6) 27.9
Profit for the 26 weeks ended
29 December 2017 - - - - 21.7 21.7
Remeasurement gain on defined
benefit obligations - - - - 1.4 1.4
Tax on pensions - - - - (0.2) (0.2)
Total comprehensive income - - - - 22.9 22.9
Tax on employee share options - - - (0.1) - (0.1)
Adjustment relating to share
options and Employee Benefit
Trust - (0.3) - 0.3 - -
Dividends (note 6) - - - - (4.3) (4.3)
Shareholders' equity as at
29 December 2017 6.2 11.1 141.7 (4.6) (108.0) 46.4
Profit for the 26 weeks ended
29 June 2018 - - - - 30.7 30.7
Remeasurement gain on defined
benefit obligations - - - - 2.8 2.8
Tax on pensions - - - - (0.5) (0.5)
Total comprehensive income - - - - 33.0 33.0
Effects of employee share
options - - - 0.4 - 0.4
Tax on employee share options - - - (0.1) - (0.1)
Proceeds from share issue(2) - 1.3 - - - 1.3
Gift to Employee Benefit Trust - - - (1.3) - (1.3)
Dividends (note 6) - - - - (7.9) (7.9)
Shareholders' equity as at
29 June 2018 6.2 12.4 141.7 (5.6) (82.9) 71.8
(1) Relating to issue of 184,672 shares under 2014 LTIP scheme
and 9,079 shares under 2013 SAYE scheme.
(2) Relating to issue of 77,038 shares under 2015 LTIP scheme.
The above amounts relate to transactions with owners of the
Company except for the items reported within total comprehensive
income.
Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve represents GBP80,002,465 B Shares
that were issued on 2 August 2006 and redeemed for cash on the same
day and GBP19,274,610 B Shares that were issued on 10 October 2010
and redeemed for cash on 11 October 2010, GBP22,263,112 B Shares
that were issued on 12 August 2013 and redeemed for cash on 20
August 2013 and GBP20,154,070 B Shares that were issued and
redeemed for cash in November 2014.
Other reserves
Other reserves includes movements relating to the Group's SAYE
and LTIP schemes and associated deferred tax, together with a
GBP12.3 million merger reserve.
Consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited)
for the 26 week period ended 29 June 2018 52 week
period
ended
26 week period 29 Dec
ended 2017
29 Jun 30 Jun (audited)
2018 2017
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------------------- ----- -------- ------- ----------
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations before non-underlying
items 9 65.6 61.9 115.4
External transaction costs in respect of acquisitions
and aborted transactions (1.4) (0.8) (2.9)
Transformation costs (1.6) - -
Cash generated from operations 62.6 61.1 112.5
Finance income received 0.1 0.1 0.1
Finance costs paid (12.9) (13.2) (25.7)
Transfer from restricted bank accounts
for finance costs 0.3 0.3 0.3
Payments to restricted bank accounts
for finance costs 7 - - (0.3)
Total payments in respect of finance
costs (12.6) (12.9) (25.7)
Tax paid (6.6) (5.4) (11.9)
Net cash generated from operating
activities 43.5 42.9 75.0
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in financial asset - - (1.0)
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses
(net of cash acquired) 11 (6.5) (20.0) (28.3)
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment 0.3 0.4 0.6
Maintenance capital expenditure(1) (6.8) (9.5) (20.2)
Branch relocations (0.3) (2.0) (2.2)
Satellite locations (0.7) (0.4) (1.1)
Development of new crematoria and
cemeteries (2.1) (0.9) (3.5)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and
intangible assets (9.9) (12.8) (27.0)
Net cash used in investing activities (16.1) (32.4) (55.7)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue costs in respect of debt
facility - - (0.4)
Proceeds from share issue - 0.1 0.1
Repayment of Crematoria Acquisition Facility - - (15.8)
Payments due under Secured Notes (4.5) (4.4) (8.8)
Total payments in respect of borrowings (4.5) (4.4) (24.6)
Dividends paid to shareholders
on Ordinary Shares 6 (7.9) (7.9) (12.2)
Net cash used in financing activities (12.4) (12.2) (37.1)
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 15.0 (1.7) (17.8)
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the period 49.0 67.1 66.8
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the period 7 64.0 65.4 49.0
Restricted cash 7 - - 0.3
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the period as
reported in the consolidated balance
sheet 7 64.0 65.4 49.3
(1) Maintenance capital expenditure includes vehicle replacement
programme, improvements to locations and purchases of other
tangible and intangible assets.
Notes to the interim financial information 2018 (unaudited)
for the 26 week period ended 29 June 2018
1 Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of
these financial statements are set out below. These policies have
been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless
otherwise stated.
Basis of preparation
The interim condensed consolidated financial information of
Dignity plc (the 'Company') is for the 26 week period ended 29 June
2018 and comprises the results, assets and liabilities of the
Company and its subsidiaries (the 'Group').
The interim condensed consolidated financial information has
been reviewed, not audited and does not constitute statutory
accounts within the meaning of s434 of the Companies Act 2006. This
interim condensed consolidated financial information has been
prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS
34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European
Union.
The interim condensed consolidated financial information has
been prepared in accordance with all applicable International
Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRSs'), as adopted by the European
Union, that are expected to apply to the Group's Financial Report
for the 52 week period ended 28 December 2018. They do not include
all of the information required for full annual financial
statements, and should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the 52
week period ended 29 December 2017. The Directors approved this
interim condensed consolidated financial information on 1 August
2018.
The accounting policies applied by the Group in this interim
condensed consolidated financial information are the same as those
applied by the Group in its audited consolidated financial
statements as at and for the 52 week period ended 29 December 2017,
which are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. The basis of
consolidation is set out in the Group's accounting policies in
those financial statements.
The preparation of interim condensed consolidated financial
information requires management to make judgments, estimates and
assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and income and
expenses. In preparing this interim condensed consolidated
financial information, the significant judgments made by management
in applying the Group's accounting policies and key source of
estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to the
audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the 52 week
period ended 29 December 2017. Comparative information has been
presented as at and for the 26 week period ended 30 June 2017, and
as at and for the 52 week period ended 29 December 2017.
The comparative figures for the 52 week period ended 29 December
2017 do not constitute statutory accounts for the purposes of s434
of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the Group's statutory accounts
for the 52 week period ended 29 December 2017 have been delivered
to the Registrar of Companies and contained an unqualified
auditors' report which did not contain a statement made under
section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Update to standards, amendments and interpretations to existing
standards that are not yet effective and have not been early
adopted
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. This standard is effective for
accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and will
therefore impact the Group's 2019 financial results. The impact of
this standard is currently being assessed however, it is not
expected to have a material impact on the Group due to the nature
of the Group's financial instruments.
IFRS 15, Revenue from contracts with customers. This standard is
effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January
2018 and will therefore impact the Group's 2019 financial results.
This standard establishes a new five step model that will apply to
revenue arising from contracts with customers. The principles in
IFRS 15 provide a more structured approach to measure and recognise
revenue. The impact of this standard is currently being assessed.
It is likely that this will result in a change to the accounting
policy for the Group's pre-arranged funeral plan operation, whereby
marketing allowances received at the point of sale will, in
essence, be viewed as a deposit for a future service. Marketing
allowances are therefore likely to be shown as deferred revenue
until the funeral is performed, at which point the revenue will be
recognised, in addition (and as currently) to the funds received
for the performance of the funeral. As a consequence, commissions
paid relating to plans sold would be carried as an asset until the
point of death.
IFRS 16, Leases. This standard is effective for accounting
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and will therefore
impact the Group's 2020 financial results. Under the standard a
lessee is required to recognise a right-of-use asset representing
its right to use the underlying leased asset and a lease liability
representing its obligation to make lease payments. Approximately
50 per cent of the Group's properties are on lease terms that are
currently accounted for as an operating lease but which will result
in the recognition of both an asset and a liability under the new
standard. As the notes to the 29 December 2017 consolidated
accounts demonstrate, the Group has total minimum future lease
payments under non-cancellable operating leases of approximately
GBP213 million. Whilst the net present value of this commitment
will be less than this amount, the grossing up of the Group's
balance sheet that will be required to reflect this new standard
will be material and will also impact on the Group's reported
profit after tax. The Group is assessing this and is currently
collating all the necessary historical data for each lease to
complete its analysis. This accounting change does not affect the
cash flows or underlying economics of the business.
The Group's securitisation documents contemplate accounting
policy changes and provide a mechanism that ensure covenant
calculations are not materially impacted to the detriment of either
the Group or Noteholders.
2 Revenue and segmental analysis
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with
internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker
who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing
performance of the operating segments. The chief operating decision
maker of the Group has been identified as the three Executive
Directors. The Group has three reporting segments, funeral
services, crematoria and pre-arranged funeral plans. The Group also
reports central overheads, which comprise unallocated central
expenses.
Funeral services relate to the provision of funerals and
ancillary items, such as memorials and floral tributes.
Crematoria services relate to cremation services and the sale of
memorials and burial plots at the Dignity operated crematoria and
cemeteries.
Pre-arranged funeral plans represent the sale of funerals in
advance to customers wishing to make their own funeral arrangements
and the marketing and administration costs associated with making
such sales.
Substantially all Group revenue is derived from, and
substantially all of the Group's net assets and liabilities are
located in, the United Kingdom and Channel Islands and relates to
services provided. Overseas transactions are not material.
Underlying operating profit is stated before non-underlying
items as defined on page 30.
The revenue and operating profit/ (loss), by segment, was as
follows:
26 week period ended 29 June 2018
Underlying
operating
profit/
(loss)
before Underlying Underlying
depreciation depreciation operating Operating
and and profit/ Non-underlying profit/
Revenue amortisation amortisation (loss) items (loss)
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------- -------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Funeral services 120.1 48.4 (6.3) 42.1 (2.4) 39.7
Crematoria 42.1 25.6 (2.2) 23.4 (0.2) 23.2
Pre-arranged
funeral
plans 12.5 2.8 - 2.8 (0.3) 2.5
Central
overheads - (11.2) (0.7) (11.9) (2.0) (13.9)
Group 174.7 65.6 (9.2) 56.4 (4.9) 51.5
Finance costs (13.1) - (13.1)
Finance income 0.1 - 0.1
Profit before
tax 43.4 (4.9) 38.5
Taxation (8.7) 0.9 (7.8)
Underlying earnings for
the period 34.7
Total other
items (4.0)
Profit after
taxation 30.7
Earnings per share for profit attributable to equity
shareholders
- Basic (pence) 69.4p 61.4p
- Diluted
(pence) 61.4p
2 Revenue and segmental analysis (continued)
26 week period ended 30 June 2017
Underlying
operating
profit/
(loss)
before Underlying Underlying
depreciation depreciation operating Operating
and and profit/ Non-underlying profit/
Revenue amortisation amortisation (loss) items (loss)
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------- -------- -------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Funeral
services 116.7 51.2 (6.1) 45.1 (0.7) 44.4
Crematoria 38.4 23.1 (2.2) 20.9 (0.1) 20.8
Pre-arranged
funeral
plans 14.7 5.0 (0.1) 4.9 - 4.9
Central
overheads - (10.9) (0.5) (11.4) - (11.4)
Group 169.8 68.4 (8.9) 59.5 (0.8) 58.7
Finance costs (13.5) - (13.5)
Finance income 0.1 - 0.1
Profit before
tax 46.1 (0.8) 45.3
Taxation (9.2) - (9.2)
Underlying earnings for
the period 36.9
Total other
items (0.8)
Profit after
taxation 36.1
Earnings per share for profit attributable to equity
shareholders
- Basic (pence) 74.1p 72.5p
- Diluted
(pence) 72.3p
52 week period ended 29 December
2017
Underlying
operating
profit/
(loss) Underlying
before Underlying operating Operating
depreciation depreciation profit/ Non-underlying profit/
Revenue and amortisation and amortisation (loss) items (loss)
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- -------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- ----------
Funeral services 221.8 91.7 (12.2) 79.5 (2.5) 77.0
Crematoria 74.0 43.9 (3.9) 40.0 (1.8) 38.2
Pre-arranged funeral
plans 28.2 8.0 - 8.0 (0.2) 7.8
Central overheads - (21.9) (1.0) (22.9) (2.1) (25.0)
Group 324.0 121.7 (17.1) 104.6 (6.6) 98.0
Finance costs (26.9) - (26.9)
Finance income 0.1 - 0.1
Profit before tax 77.8 (6.6) 71.2
Taxation (13.8) 0.4 (13.4)
Underlying earnings
for the period 64.0
Total other items (6.2)
Profit after taxation 57.8
Earnings per share for profit attributable
to equity shareholders
- Basic (pence) 128.3p 115.8p
- Diluted (pence) 115.6p
3 Net finance costs
52 week
26 week period period ended
ended
--------------------------
29 30 Jun 29 Dec
Jun 2017 2017
2018
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Finance costs
Secured Notes 12.1 12.2 24.4
Amortisation of issue costs - - 0.1
Crematoria Acquisition Facility - 0.3 0.4
Other loans 0.7 0.7 1.3
Net finance cost on retirement benefit
obligations 0.3 0.3 0.6
Unwinding of discounts - - 0.1
Finance costs 13.1 13.5 26.9
Finance income
Bank deposits (0.1) (0.1) (0.1)
Finance income (0.1) (0.1) (0.1)
Net finance costs 13.0 13.4 26.8
4 Taxation
The taxation charge on continuing operations in the period is
based on a full year estimated effective tax rate, before the
effects of non-underlying items, of 20.0 per cent (2017: 20.0 per
cent) on profit before tax for the 26 week period ended 29 June
2018.
52 week
26 week period period
ended ended
------------------------
29 Jun 30 Jun 29 Dec
2018 2017 2017
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------- --------------- ------- --------
Taxation 7.8 9.2 13.4
----------- --------------- ------- --------
In the prior period, the standard rate of Corporation Tax in the
UK changed from 20 per cent to 19 per cent. Changes were also
substantively enacted that will mean the standard rate will reduce
further to 17 per cent from 1 April 2020. Further rate changes are
possible. Each percentage point reduction in Corporation Tax rate
is expected to reduce the deferred tax liability by approximately
GBP0.3 million.
5 Earnings per share (EPS)
The calculation of basic earnings per Ordinary Share has been
based on the profit attributable to equity shareholders for the
relevant period.
For diluted earnings per Ordinary Share, the weighted average
number of Ordinary Shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion
of any dilutive potential Ordinary Shares.
The Group has two classes of potentially dilutive Ordinary
Shares being those share options granted to employees under the
Group's SAYE Scheme and the contingently issuable shares under the
Group's LTIP Schemes. At the balance sheet date, the performance
criteria for the vesting of the awards under the LTIP Schemes are
assessed, as required by IAS 33, and to the extent that the
performance criteria have been met those contingently issuable
shares are included within the diluted EPS calculations.
The Group's underlying measures of profitability exclude
non-underlying items (net of taxation).
5 Earnings per share (EPS) (continued)
Reconciliations of the earnings and the weighted average number
of shares used in the calculations are set out below:
Weighted
average
number Per share
Earnings of shares amount
GBPm millions pence
26 week period ended 29 June 2018
Underlying profit after taxation and EPS 34.7 50.0 69.4
Less: Non-underlying items (net of taxation
of GBP0.9 million) (4.0)
Profit attributable to shareholders - Basic
EPS 30.7 50.0 61.4
Profit attributable to shareholders - Diluted
EPS 30.7 50.0 61.4
26 week period ended 30 June 2017
Underlying profit after taxation and EPS 36.9 49.8 74.1
Less: Non-underlying items (net of taxation
of GBPnil million) (0.8)
Profit attributable to shareholders - Basic
EPS 36.1 49.8 72.5
Profit attributable to shareholders - Diluted
EPS 36.1 49.9 72.3
52 week period ended 29 December 2017
Underlying profit after taxation and EPS 64.0 49.9 128.3
Add: Non-underlying items (net of taxation
of GBP0.4 million) (6.2)
Profit attributable to shareholders - Basic
EPS 57.8 49.9 115.8
Profit attributable to shareholders - Diluted
EPS 57.8 50.0 115.6
6 Dividends
On 29 June 2018, the Group paid a final dividend, in respect of
2017, of 15.74 pence per share (2017: 15.74 pence per share)
totalling GBP7.9 million (2017: GBP7.9 million).
On 1 August 2018, the Directors declared an interim dividend, in
respect of 2018, of 8.64 pence per share (2017: 8.64 pence per
share) totalling GBP4.3 million (2017: GBP4.3 million), which will
be paid on 26 October 2018 to those shareholders on the register at
the close of business on 21 September 2018.
7 Cash and cash equivalents
29 Jun 30 Jun 29 Dec
2018 2017 2017
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Operating cash as reported in the consolidated
statement of
cash flows as cash and cash equivalents 64.0 65.4 49.0
Amounts set aside for debt service payments - - 0.3
Cash and cash equivalents as reported in
the balance sheet 64.0 65.4 49.3
Amounts set aside for debt service payments
This amount was transferred to restricted bank accounts which
could only be used for the payment of the interest and principal on
the Secured Notes, the repayment of liabilities due on the Group's
commitment fees due on its undrawn borrowing facilities and for no
other purpose. Consequently, this amount does not meet the
definition of cash and cash equivalents in IAS 7, Statement of Cash
Flows. In June 2018 and June 2017, no amounts were required to be
set aside. In December 2017 this amount was used to pay these
respective parties on 3 January 2018. Of this amount GBPnil million
(December 2017: GBP0.3 million) is shown within the Statement of
Cash Flows as 'Payments to restricted bank accounts for finance
costs'.
8 Net debt
29 Jun 30 Jun 29 Dec
2018 2017 2017
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Net amounts owing on Secured Notes per financial
statements (560.6) (569.5) (565.1)
Add: unamortised issue costs (0.6) (0.7) (0.6)
Gross amounts owing on Secured Notes (561.2) (570.2) (565.7)
Net amounts owing on Crematoria Acquisition - (15.8)
Facility per financial statements -
Gross amounts owing (561.2) (586.0) (565.7)
Accrued interest on Secured Notes - - (0.3)
Accrued interest on Crematoria Acquisition
Facility and Revolving Credit Facility (0.2) (0.2) (0.2)
Cash and cash equivalents 64.0 65.4 49.3
Net debt (497.4) (520.8) (516.9)
In addition to the above, the consolidated balance sheet also
includes finance lease obligations and other financial liabilities
which totalled GBP0.6 million (June 2017: GBP0.7 million; December
2017: GBP0.6 million). These amounts do not represent sources of
funding for the Group and are therefore excluded from the
calculation of net debt.
The Group's primary financial covenant in respect of the Secured
Notes requires EBITDA to total debt service ('EBITDA DSCR') to be
at least 1.5 times. At 29 June 2018, the actual ratio was 3.09
times (June 2017: 3.41 times; December 2017: 3.24 times).
These ratios are calculated for EBITDA and total debt service on
a 12 month rolling basis and reported quarterly. In addition, both
terms are specifically defined in the legal agreement relating to
the Secured Notes. As such, they cannot be accurately calculated
from the contents of this report.
9 Reconciliation of cash generated from operations
52 week
26 week period period
ended ended
29 Jun 30 Jun 29 Dec
2018 2017 2017
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Net profit for the period 30.7 36.1 57.8
Adjustments for:
Taxation 7.8 9.2 13.4
Net finance costs 13.0 13.4 26.8
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - - 0.1
Depreciation charges 9.2 8.4 17.0
Amortisation of intangibles 2.5 0.5 1.9
Movement in inventories (0.1) (0.9) (1.2)
Movement in trade receivables 3.7 1.7 (0.1)
Movement in trade payables (3.3) (1.6) 0.9
External transaction costs 0.4 0.8 4.7
Transformation costs 2.0 - -
Changes in other working capital (excluding
acquisitions) (0.7) (7.2) (7.1)
Employee share option charges 0.4 1.5 1.2
Cash generated from operations before
non-underlying items 65.6 61.9 115.4
10 Financial risk management and financial instruments
(a) Financial risk factors
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial
risks: market risk (including interest rate risk and other price
risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.
The condensed interim financial statements do not include all
financial risk management information and disclosures required in
the annual financial statements; they should be read in conjunction
with the Group's annual financial statements as at 29 December
2017. There have been no changes in the approach to risk management
or in any risk management policies since the year end.
(b) Liquidity risk
Compared to 29 December 2017, there was no material change in
the contractual undiscounted cash out flows for financial
liabilities.
(c) Fair value of current and non-current financial assets and liabilities
29 Jun 2018 30 Jun 2017 29 Dec 2017
Nominal Book Fair Nominal Book Fair value Nominal Book Fair
value value value value value GBPm value value value
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Secured A Notes -
3.5456% maturing
31 December 2034 204.8 204.6 218.5 213.7 213.5 238.9 209.3 209.1 234.9
Secured B Notes -
4.6956% maturing
31 December 2049 356.4 356.0 346.3 356.4 356.0 440.3 356.4 356.0 451.6
Crematoria
Acquisition
Facility - - - 15.8 15.8 15.8 - - -
Total 561.2 560.6 564.8 585.9 585.3 695.0 565.7 565.1 686.5
The Crematoria Acquisition Facility and Secured Notes are held
at amortised cost. Other categories of financial instruments
include trade receivables and trade payables, however there is no
difference between the book value and fair value of these
items.
The fair values of the Secured Notes are their market value at
the balance sheet date and are considered to be level 1.
The fair value of the Crematoria Acquisition Facility is
considered to be nominal value, given the nature of the loan and
the source of the cash flows support its repayment and is
considered to be level 3. During 2017, the Group repaid the GBP15.8
million Crematoria Acquisition Facility that was previously fully
drawn.
In addition to the above:
(a) Financial liabilities include finance lease payables of
GBP0.6 million (June 2017: GBP0.7 million; December 2017: GBP0.6
million), which represent the present value of future minimum lease
payments. At 29 June 2018 there is no difference between the
nominal value, book value and fair value of this liability; and
(b) Financial assets include GBP1.0 million in respect of assets
held at fair value. The underlying investment is accounted for as
an asset held for sale in accordance with IAS 39 and has been
initially measured at the fair value of consideration paid with
subsequent measurement based upon a level 3 fair value estimate. At
29 June 2018 there is no difference between the nominal value, book
value and fair value of this asset.
11 Acquisitions and disposals
(a) Acquisition of subsidiary and other businesses
Provisional
fair value
GBPm
Property, plant and equipment 0.2
Intangible assets: trade names 3.4
Cash acquired 0.1
Receivables 0.3
Provisions (0.1)
Other working capital (0.3)
Deferred taxation (0.6)
Net assets acquired 3.0
Goodwill arising 2.9
5.9
Satisfied by:
Cash paid on completion (funded from internally generated cash) 5.3
Accrued consideration 0.1
Adjustment to prior year consideration 0.5
Total consideration 5.9
During 2018, the Group acquired the operational interest of four
funeral locations.
The residual excess of the consideration paid over the net
assets acquired is recognised as goodwill, none of which is tax
deductible. This goodwill represents future benefits to the Group
in terms of revenue, market share and delivering the Group's
strategy.
The fair values ascribed reflect provisional amounts, which will
be finalised in 2018. These fair values reflect the recognition of
trade names and associated deferred taxation, and adjustments to
reflect the fair value of other working capital items such as
receivables, inventories and accruals which are immaterial.
During 2018, the fair values ascribed to trade names that were
acquired as part of 2017 acquisitions were revisited as permitted
under IFRS 3. This has resulted in a reduction in the fair value
ascribed to 2017 acquired trade names of GBP3.0 million, with a
corresponding reduction in related deferred tax liabilities of
GBP0.5 million and an increase in goodwill of GBP2.5 million.
Each acquisition made followed the Group's strategy to acquire
locations that will help the Group grow and create value for
shareholders.
All acquisitions have been accounted for under the acquisition
method. None were individually material and consequently have been
aggregated. The aggregated impact of the acquisitions on the Income
Statement for the period is not material.
(b) Reconciliation to cash flow statement
GBPm
Cash paid on completion 5.3
Cash paid in respect of prior year acquisitions 1.2
Cash paid in respect of deferred consideration 0.1
Cash acquired on acquisition (0.1)
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses as reported in
the cash flow statement 6.5
(c) Acquisition and disposals of property, plant and
equipment
In addition to the above, there were additions in relation to
crematoria developments totalling GBP2.1 million (June 2017: GBP0.9
million; December 2017: GBP3.5 million) and GBP7.8 million (June
2017: GBP11.9 million; December 2017: GBP23.5 million) of other
additions to property, plant and equipment in the period. The Group
also received proceeds of GBP0.3 million (June 2017: GBP0.4
million; December 2017: GBP0.6 million) from disposals of property,
plant and equipment, which had a net book value of GBP0.3 million
(June 2017: GBP0.4 million; December 2017: GBP0.7 million).
The Group had capital expenditure authorised by the Board and
contracted for at the balance sheet date of GBP24.4 million (June
2017: GBP22.0 million; December 2017: GBP11.7 million) in respect
of property, plant and equipment.
12 Pensions
An actuarial valuation of the Scheme as at 6 April 2017 was
completed on 31 May 2018 using the Projected Unit funding method
and assumptions agreed by the Company and the Scheme Trustees. The
valuation disclosed a funding shortfall at 6 April 2017 of GBP16.4
million. To eliminate this shortfall, the Company has agreed to pay
contributions of GBP1.7 million per annum over the period from 1
July 2018 to 31 March 2024, a total of GBP9.8 million. The Company
is also paying GBP0.5 million per annum to fund Scheme expenses and
the cost of future benefit accrual for the remaining active members
of the Scheme. In addition, the Group made a payment of GBP1.1
million to the scheme in May 2018 to settle the s75 liability which
arose when Dignity (2002) Limited ceased its participation in the
scheme.
13 Pre-arranged funeral plan trust
During the period, the Group entered into transactions with the
National Funeral Trust, the Trust for Age UK Funeral Plans and the
Dignity Limited Trust Fund (the 'Principal Trusts') and the Trusts
related to businesses acquired since 2013 ('Recent Trusts') (and
collectively, the 'Trusts') associated with the pre-arranged
funeral plan businesses. The nature of the relationship with the
Trusts is set out in the accounting policies in the 2017 Annual
Report in. Amounts may only be paid out of the Trusts in accordance
with the relevant Trust Deeds.
Transactions principally comprise:
-- The recovery of marketing and administration allowances in
relation to plans sold net of cancellations (which are recognised
by the Group as revenue within the pre-arranged funeral plan
division at the time of the sale); and
-- Receipts from the Trusts in respect of funerals provided
(which are recognised by the Group as revenue within the funeral
division when the funeral is performed).
Transactions also include:
-- Receipts from the Trusts in respect of cancellations by existing members;
-- Reimbursement by the Trusts of expenses paid by the Group on
behalf of the respective Trusts; and
-- The payment of realised surpluses generated by the Trust
funds as and when the Trustees sanction such payments.
Transactions are summarised below:
Amounts due to
the
Transactions during Group at the period
the period end
52 week 52 week
26 week period 26 week period
period ended ended period ended ended
----------------- -----------------
29 30 29 Dec 29 30 29 Dec
Jun Jun 2017 Jun Jun 2017
2018 2017 2018 2017
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Dignity Limited Trust Fund 0.1 0.2 0.3 - - -
National Funeral Trust 27.0 25.8 49.0 7.9 7.0 8.2
Trust for Age UK Funeral Plans 18.4 18.8 35.0 3.6 3.7 3.9
Recent Trusts 0.6 2.8 3.7 0.1 0.1 -
Total 46.1 47.6 88.0 11.6 10.8 12.1
Amounts due to the Group from the Trusts are included in Trade
and other receivables.
14 Post balance sheet events
There were no significant post balance sheet events.
15 Interim Report
Copies of this Interim Report are available at the Group's
website www.dignityfuneralsplc.co.uk.
16 Securitisation
In accordance with the terms of the securitisation carried out
in April 2003, Dignity (2002) Limited (the holding company of those
companies subject to the securitisation) has today issued reports
to the Rating Agencies (Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's),
the Security Trustee and the holders of the notes issued in
connection with the securitisation confirming compliance with the
covenants established under the securitisation.
17 Seasonality
The Group's financial results and cash flows have historically
been subject to seasonal trends between the first half and second
half of the financial period. Traditionally, the first half of the
financial period sees slightly higher revenue and profitability.
There is no assurance that this trend will continue in the
future.
Non-GAAP measures
(a) Alternative performance measures
The Board believes that whilst statutory reporting measures
provide a useful indication of the financial performance of the
Group, additional insight is gained by excluding certain
non-recurring or non-trading transactions. Underlying measures are
those used in the day to day management of the business.
1. The Group's underlying measures of profitability exclude
profit or loss on sale of fixed assets, external transaction costs,
amortisation of acquisition related intangibles and exceptional
items in respect of taxation. Given the planned transformation of
the Group's funeral business will result in significant, directly
attributable non-recurring costs, these amounts will also be
excluded from the Group's underlying profit measures. Non-recurring
costs will include external advisers' fees, directly attributable
internal costs, including staff costs wholly related to the
transformation (such as the Transformation Director and project
management office) and direct costs relating to activities
terminated part way through the year. These items have been
adjusted for in determining underlying measures of profitability as
these underlying measures are those used in the day to day
management of the business and allow for greater comparability
across periods and are collectively referred to as 'non-underlying
items'.
2. Underlying profit measures (including divisional measures)
are calculated as profit before non-underlying items.
3. Underlying earnings per share is calculated as profit on
ordinary activities after taxation, before non-underlying items
(net of tax), divided by the weighted average number of Ordinary
Shares in issue in the period.
4. Cash generated from operations excludes non-underlying items on a cash paid basis.
In December 2017, following the commencement of amortisation of
acquired intangible trade names and other crematoria related
acquired intangibles, acquisition related amortisation was excluded
in determining underlying profitability measures. Acquisition
related amortisation is defined as being the amortisation arising
in respect of trade names, use of third party brand names and other
crematoria related acquired intangibles. Reported amounts for the
first half of 2017 have not been restated. If restated, underlying
operating profit would have been GBP59.9 million and underlying
earnings per share would have been 74.7 pence.
(b) Non-underlying items
Pre-arranged
Funeral funeral Central
services Crematoria plans overheads Group
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
26 week period ended 29 June 2018
Amortisation of acquisition related intangibles 2.2 0.2 0.1 - 2.5
External transaction costs 0.2 - 0.2 - 0.4
Transformation costs - - - 2.0 2.0
2.4 0.2 0.3 2.0 4.9
26 week period ended 30 June 2017
External transaction costs 0.7 0.1 - - 0.8
52 week period ended 29 December 2017
Amortisation of acquisition related intangibles 1.1 0.5 0.2 - 1.8
External transaction costs 1.3 1.3 - 2.1 4.7
Loss on sale of fixed assets 0.1 - - - 0.1
2.5 1.8 0.2 2.1 6.6
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:
(a) The interim condensed consolidated financial information has
been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European
Union; and
(b) The Interim Report includes a fair review of the information as required by:
-- DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules,
being an indication of important events that have occurred during
the first half of 2018 and their impact on the interim condensed
consolidated financial information; and a description of the
principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining second half of
the year; and
-- DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules,
being related party transactions that have taken place in the first
half of 2018 and any material changes in the related party
transactions described in the last Annual Report.
The Directors of Dignity plc and their functions are listed
below:
Peter Hindley - Non-Executive Chairman
Mike McCollum - Chief Executive
Steve Whittern - Finance Director
Richard Portman - Corporate Services Director
David Blackwood - Senior Non-Executive Director
Jane Ashcroft - Non-Executive Director
Mary McNamara - Non-Executive Director
By order of the Board
Steve Whittern
Finance Director
1 August 2018
Independent review report to Dignity plc
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set
of financial statements in the Interim Report for the 26 week
period ended 29 June 2018 which comprises the consolidated income
statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the
consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of changes
in equity, the consolidated statement of cash flows and notes 1 to
17. We have read the other information contained in the Interim
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 the company in accordance with
guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements
2410 (UK and Ireland) "Review of Interim Financial Information
Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the
Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the
Company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we
have formed.
Directors' Responsibilities
The Interim Report is the responsibility of, and has been
approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for
preparing the Interim Report in accordance with the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial
Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the
Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included
in this Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial
Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.
Our Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on
the condensed set of financial statements in the Interim Report
based on our review.
Scope of Review
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of
Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor
of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in
the United Kingdom. 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 (UK) 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 Interim Report for 26 week period ended 29 June 2018 is not
prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European
Union and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the
United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Ernst & Young LLP
Birmingham
1 August 2018
Forward-looking statements
This Interim Report and the Dignity plc investor website may
contain certain 'forward-looking statements' with respect to
Dignity plc ('Company') and the Group's financial condition,
results of its operations and business, and certain plans,
strategy, objectives, goals and expectations with respect to these
items and the economies and markets in which the Group
operates.
Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always,
identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as
'anticipates', 'aims', 'due', 'could', 'may', 'should', 'will',
'would', 'expects', 'believes', 'intends', 'plans', 'targets',
'goal' or 'estimates' or, in each case, their negative or other
variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future performance. By their very nature
forward-looking statements are inherently unpredictable,
speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to
events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.
Many of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties relate to
factors that are beyond the Group's ability to control or estimate
precisely. There are a number of such factors that could cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the economies
and markets in which the Group operates; changes in the legal,
regulatory and competition frameworks in which the Group operates;
changes in the markets from which the Group raises finance; the
impact of legal or other proceedings against or which affect the
Group; changes in accounting practices and interpretation of
accounting standards under IFRS, and changes in interest and
exchange rates.
Any forward-looking statements made in this Interim Report or
the Dignity plc investor website, or made subsequently, which are
attributable to the Company or any other member of the Group, or
persons acting on their behalf, are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the factors referred to in this statement. Each
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made.
Except as required by its legal or statutory obligations, the
Company does not intend to update any forward-looking
statements.
Nothing in this Interim Report or on the Dignity plc investor
website should be construed as a profit forecast or an invitation
to deal in the securities of the Company.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR MMGFNVMFGRZM
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