TIDMDWF
RNS Number : 8478M
DWF Group PLC
26 May 2022
DWF Group plc
("DWF" or the "Company")
LEI: 213800O9QREOHTOGQ266
26 May 2022
FY22 Trading Statement
Continuing trend of profitable growth and working capital
improvement
DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business
services, today issues the following trading update for its
financial year ended 30 April 2022 (FY22).
-- The Group expects to report:
o net revenue of cGBP350m (unaudited) reflecting
like-for-like(1) growth of more than 6%, including 9% growth in
DWF's biggest market, the UK
o adjusted profit before tax of not less than GBP41m, in line
with market expectations and 20% higher than the prior year
o lock-up days at circa 180 days (FY21: 186 days)
-- Agreement reached with Hauzen, an independent law firm in
Hong Kong, that extends the Group's global network of
associations
-- Healthy pipeline of M&A opportunities under consideration
-- Confident in medium term guidance provided in July 2021
The Group enjoyed strong activity levels in the year, delivering
like-for-like revenue growth of more than 6%. The UK was a
particular standout market with 9% revenue growth.
Growth continued in H2, with business activity and utilisation
having normalised from the peak of H1, as colleagues took
much-deserved holiday after almost two years of pandemic
restrictions. Despite an increase in Covid related sickness absence
during Q4 (which has now normalised), the rate of revenue growth
during that period was 8% reflecting momentum that gives confidence
in the FY23 outlook.
Adjusted profit before tax is in line with expectations(2) and
20% ahead of a strong prior year. This represents a 1.6 percentage
point increase in adjusted PBT margin to 11.7%.
Working capital has continued to trend in line with previously
stated targets with lockup days now at circa 180.
Sir Nigel Knowles, Chief Executive Officer, said: "The FY22
results demonstrate significant progress towards our medium term
guidance which we are confident will continue during FY23. We have
enjoyed strong like-for-like growth and a 20% increase in adjusted
profit before tax, underpinned by our integrated model and our less
cyclical businesses, such as insurance, litigation and regulatory
work, where we do not see the sort of volatility that can occur in
more transaction focussed firms.
"We are continuing to build out our international footprint,
with the latest agreement signed with Hauzen in Hong Kong. This is
a key global financial centre and we see a clear opportunity to
increase activity focused on areas where we have sector strength,
but without overcommitting operationally.
"As our integrated model matures, we expect strong organic
growth to continue and we are also seeing a number of opportunities
for future M&A. Whilst we are mindful of the ongoing
inflationary backdrop and geopolitical uncertainties, we look
forward to making more progress in FY23 and delivering further
value to all of our stakeholders."
DWF will publish its full--year results on 21 July 2022.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse
Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom
domestic law by virtue of the European (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon
the publication of this announcement, this inside information is
now considered to be in the public domain.
The person responsible for making this announcement on behalf of
the Company is Chris Stefani, Group Chief Financial Officer.
1 Like-for-like ('LfL') revenue growth removes both the impact
of acquisitions and restructured operations.
2 DWF believes consensus adjusted PBT, prior to this
announcement, was GBP40.8m
For further information:
DWF Group plc
James Igoe +44(0)7971 783533
Head of Communications & IR
Maitland/amo
Sam Turvey +44(0)20 7379 5151
Sam Cartwright
dwf-maitland@maitland.co.uk
About the Company
DWF is a global provider of integrated legal and business
services provided through its three offerings of Legal Advisory,
Mindcrest and Connected Services. It has approximately 4,000 people
and offices and associations located across the globe. The Company
became the first Main Market Premium Listed legal business on the
London Stock Exchange in March 2019. DWF recorded revenue of
GBP338.1 million in the year ended 30 April 2021. For more
information visit: dwfgroup.com
DWF's three divisions represent its single Integrated Legal
Management approach through which the Group can seamlessly combine
any number of these services to deliver bespoke solutions to its
clients with greater efficiency, price certainty and transparency.
This approach enables DWF to offer clients solutions that combine
traditional law firm services with new, modern legal and business
services relevant to today's companies and the challenges and
opportunities they face.
Forward looking statements
This announcement contains certain forward--looking statements
with respect to the Company's current targets, expectations and
projections about future performance, anticipated events or trends
and other matters that are not historical facts. These
forward--looking statements, which sometimes use words such as
"aim", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan" "estimate",
"expect" and words of similar meaning, include all matters that are
not historical facts and reflect the directors' beliefs and
expectations and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that could cause actual results and performance to
differ materially from any expected future results or performance
expressed or implied by the forward--looking statement.
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