TIDMHW.
RNS Number : 5019J
Harwood Wealth Management Group PLC
29 June 2017
29 June 2017
Harwood Wealth Management Group PLC
("HWMG" or the "Group")
Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 April
2017
Harwood Wealth Management Group (AIM: HW.), a leading UK-based
financial planning and discretionary wealth management business, is
pleased to announce its unaudited consolidated interim results for
the six months ended 30 April 2017.
Highlights:
-- Assets under influence (AUI) up 94% to GBP3.3bn(1) (H1 2016: GBP1.7bn)
-- Revenue up 53% to GBP7.8m (H1 2016: GBP5.1m) of which approximately 75% is recurring
-- Gross profit up 63% to GBP4.9m (H1 2016: GBP3.0m)
-- Adjusted EBITDA(2) up 64% to GBP1.8m (H1 2016: GBP1.1m)
-- Net cash generated by operations of GBP1.5m (H1 2016:
GBP1.0m) and total cash balances at the period end of GBP19.8m (H1
2016: GBP12.1m)
-- Four acquisitions completed during the period, including
Network Direct Limited (Network Direct), for an aggregate
consideration of GBP2.1m
-- Successful placing in April 2017 raising GBP10.4m before expenses
-- Interim dividend of 1.00 pence per share proposed
Peter Mann, Chairman of Harwood Wealth Management Group,
commented:
"These are strong results reflecting the ongoing success of our
strategy to deliver profitable organic and acquisitive growth. The
acquisition of Network Direct in February 2017 was a major
milestone and has considerably increased the scale of the Group. In
line with our strategy we will continue to make acquisitions and
have a strong pipeline of potential opportunities.
"The market for financial advice is highly fragmented and with
our strong balance sheet and cash reserves the Board is confident
that the Group is well placed to continue its growth journey."
(1) AUI includes approximately GBP1.0bn (H1 2016: Nil) related
to Network Direct Ltd that was acquired in February and GBP0.3bn
from other acquisitions
(2) Adjusted EBITDA, being earnings before interest, taxation,
depreciation, amortisation and exceptional costs, is a non IFRS
measure which the Group uses to assess its performance.
For further information please contact:
Harwood Wealth Management
Group plc
Neil Dunkley, Joint Chief
Executive Officer
Alan Durrant, Joint Chief
Executive Officer +44 (0)23 9355 2004
N+1 Singer Advisory LLP
Alex Price / Alex Laughton-Scott +44 (0)20 7496 3000
Alma PR
Josh Royston / Robyn
Fisher / John Coles +44 (0)20 8004 4218
Website
www.harwoodwealth.co.uk
Joint CEOs' statement
Introduction
The Company continues to focus on profitable growth in three
areas: organic, through both the existing client base and
attracting new clients; acquisitions of small to medium sized
financial advisory and wealth management businesses which can help
to fuel future organic growth; and improving the efficiency of our
operations and economies of scale as the business grows. We are
pleased with the performance of the Group across all these areas in
the first six months of the year. The acquisition of Network Direct
had a significant impact on AUI and we are also pleased with the
overall growth achieved and the control of operating expenses
despite the enhanced scale of the Group.
Assets under influence (AUI) and assets under management
(AUM)
The acquisition of Network Direct in February 2017 and the
associated GBP1.0bn of AUI was the main factor contributing to the
94% overall growth in the Group's AUI to GBP3.3bn from GBP1.7bn in
the 12 months to 30 April 2017. Additional acquisitions made during
the same period added approximately GBP0.3bn and the remaining
growth of GBP0.3bn resulted from a combination of organic and
market value growth.
AUM also grew substantially by 41% to GBP819m from GBP581m. This
growth has been delivered primarily through our strategy of
acquiring client portfolios and providing suitable investment
solutions that meets each individual client's needs.
Revenue analysis
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Revenues GBP'ms GBP'ms GBP'ms
Financial Planning 6.1 4.5 9.8
Investment Management 1.4 0.6 1.8
Network Services 0.3 - -
7.8 5.1 11.6
========== ========== ==========
In addition to the contribution of Network Direct (Network
Services) to the growth in revenue to GBP7.8m from GBP5.1m the
Group's Investment Management revenue has more than doubled
compared with the same period in the previous year. This was partly
attributable to the full effect of the acquisition of Wellian prior
to our listing on AIM in March 2016 but also to the increase in AUM
to GBP819m from GBP581m. It is encouraging to note the growth in
AUM in H1 2017 of GBP126m was higher than the growth in AUM in H2
2016 of GBP112m. Income from Financial Planning includes 42% growth
of new business to GBP1.7m from GBP1.2m and the balance derived
from acquisitions.
Gross profit and margins
Overall, both gross profit and gross margin improved to GBP4.9m
(H1 2016: GBP3.0m) and to 63% (H1 2016: 59%) respectively. The
analysis in the table below shows that the gross profit margin in
the core Financial Planning business has increased to 57% from 53%.
This is attributable to the blend of margins from the recurring
revenue of acquisitions and new business activity. The Investment
Management gross profit has more than doubled and the margin
improved over 2016 reflecting some economies of scale. The Network
Direct business provides network services to financial advisers and
the margin was in line with expectations.
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Gross Profits GBP'ms % GBP'ms % GBP'ms %
Financial Planning 3.5 57 2.4 53 5.5 56
Investment Management 1.3 93 0.6 100 1.6 89
Network Services 0.1 33 - - -
4.9 63 3.0 59 7.1 61
========== === ========== ==== ========== ===
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses increased to GBP4.2m from GBP2.5m as the
scale of the Group continues to grow. The ratio of administrative
expenses to revenue increased to 54% from 49%. However, it should
also be noted that the comparative period (six months to April
2016) did not include the full impact of the additional costs of
being listed on AIM. In addition, administrative expenses includes
amortisation of GBP1.2m (H1 2016: GBP0.6m).
Administrative expenses excluding amortisation and depreciation
increased to GBP3.0m from GBP1.9m and as a percentage of revenue
increased slightly to 38% from 37%.
Profitability
The primary measure of profitability in the sector is adjusted
EBITDA, being earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and
amortisation and exceptional costs. Adjusted EBITDA for the period
showed growth of 64% to GBP1.8m (H1 2016: GBP1.1m).
The profit before taxation of GBP330,000 was 4.2% of revenue (H1
2016: 0.3%).
Cash
The Group had no debt or borrowings at the period end and had a
cash balance of GBP19.8m, up by GBP9.3m during the period.
The cash generated by operating activities of GBP1.5m plus
GBP10.0m (after expenses) from the placing of new shares during the
period totalled a cash inflow of GBP11.5m. In the six months under
review GBP2.2m was spent on new acquisitions and settling the
deferred consideration of some previously acquired businesses.
Discounted deferred consideration liabilities on the balance
sheet total GBP5.2m of which GBP3.2m is payable within 12
months.
Financial advisers, network members and staff headcount
The number of financial advisers was unchanged from October 2016
at 83. Network Direct members, that are not employees, stood at 90.
Staff headcount grew to 112 (H1 2016: 90) incorporating 17 staff
from the Network Direct transaction.
Acquisitions
The Group completed the asset acquisition of the client
portfolios of two IFA businesses and the entire issued share
capital of another similar business for a total consideration of
GBP0.6m. These were acquired in line with the Group's standard
model using a multiple of recurring revenue and an earn-out
contingent on actual results.
The Group also acquired the entire issued share capital of
Network Direct Ltd, a provider of network services to financial
advisers. The provisional consideration of GBP1.2m for Network
Direct included GBP0.9m paid in cash on completion.
The provisional values of acquisitions whose first anniversary
since completion arose during the period were reviewed based on the
first 11 months' actual results since completion. Overall, this
resulted in a net increase in the total consideration for these
acquisitions of GBP0.3m and a corresponding increase in deferred
consideration and tax liabilities.
Post-period end a further two acquisitions have been completed
at a provisional total discounted cost of GBP585,000. In addition,
three contracts have been exchanged awaiting completion, and
non-binding heads of terms/proposals have been issued to 11
potential vendors.
We continue to see a strong pipeline of high quality businesses
looking to engage with us. Some are driven by specific factors such
as increasing capital adequacy costs or the need to invest in new
technology. In many cases, the principals have simply reached a
stage of their career at which they have planned to retire. Whilst
we recognise that there have always been competitors in the market
looking for acquisitions, we do not sense any change in the number
of such competitors. As a well-funded business that has a proven
expertise in efficiently buying businesses, we are an attractive
choice for anyone seeking to sell their business and our increased
profile since joining AIM has led to a greater number of potential
vendors approaching us directly.
Placing of new shares
On 19 April 2017, the Group successfully raised GBP10.4m before
expenses from the placing of 6,954,000 new ordinary shares. The net
proceeds of GBP10.0m will be used principally to finance new
acquisitions.
Dividends
A final dividend of 2.00 pence per ordinary share in respect of
the year ended 31 October 2016 was approved by shareholders at the
Group's Annual General Meeting held on 19 April 2017. The total
dividend of GBP1.3m was paid on 12 May 2017. The directors are
proposing an interim dividend of 1.00 pence per share to be paid to
shareholders on 10 November 2017 based on the register of
shareholders at close of business on 27 October 2017.
Outlook
Our strategy is to deliver profitable growth, both organic and
through acquisitions. The Group has successfully completed 57
acquisitions to date and has a healthy pipeline of potential
acquisitions at various stages of progression. The Directors
continue to seek new acquisition opportunities that meet the
Group's established criteria as well as new advisers to join the
Group to meet the financial advice needs of the growing client
base. The Directors are encouraged by the ongoing momentum in our
investment management businesses which continue to add assets
without increasing investment management costs. It is also pleasing
to report that the demand for financial advice from clients has
never been greater, driven in part by tax and other legislative
changes, most notably pension freedoms.
We have a strong balance sheet and cash reserves and are
confident that our clear strategy will continue to deliver strong
and profitable growth.
Neil Dunkley
Alan Durrant
Joint Chief Executive Officers
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Note GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Revenue 7,791 5,116 11,605
Cost of sales (2,934) (2,132) (4,513)
Gross profit 4,857 2,984 7,092
Administrative expenses (4,246) (2,525) (5,940)
Exceptional items 3 (20) (263) (336)
Operating profit 591 196 816
Investment income 12 6 18
Finance costs (273) (188) (463)
Profit before taxation 330 14 371
Income tax (expense)/credit 4 (180) 120 (253)
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period attributable to
equity owners of parent 150 134 118
========== ========== ==========
Earnings per share pence pence pence
Basic and fully diluted 6 0.27 0.31 0.24
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 15,640 11,938 14,749
Property, plant and equipment 21 24 20
15,661 11,962 14,769
---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 833 642 621
Cash and cash equivalents 19,798 12,124 10,526
20,631 12,766 11,147
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets 36,292 24,728 25,916
---------- ---------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 3,416 3,194 3,879
Accruals and deferred income 1,455 602 341
Current tax liabilities 586 450 882
Dividends payable 1,251 - -
6,708 4,246 5,102
---------- ---------- ----------
Net current assets 13,923 8,520 6,045
---------- ---------- ----------
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables 2,023 1,947 2,219
Deferred tax liabilities 1,357 1,190 1,266
3,380 3,137 3,485
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities 10,088 7,383 8,587
---------- ---------- ----------
Net assets 26,204 17,345 17,329
========== ========== ==========
Equity
Called up share capital 156 139 139
Share premium account 25,500 15,541 15,541
Retained earnings 548 1,665 1,649
Total equity attributable to the owners of the parent 26,204 17,345 17,329
========== ========== ==========
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Attributable to the
owners of the parent
Share
Share premium Retained
capital account earnings Total
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Balance at 1 November 2015 100 3,979 1,885 5,964
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period - - 134 134
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Issue of share capital 39 12,558 - 12,597
Dividends - - (354) (354)
Costs of share issue - (996) - (996)
Total transactions with owners recognised directly in equity 39 11,562 (354) 11,247
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Balance at 30 April 2016 139 15,541 1,665 17,345
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period - - (16) (16)
Balance at 31 October 2016 139 15,541 1,649 17,329
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period - - 150 150
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Issue of share capital 17 10,414 - 10,431
Dividends payable - - (1,251) (1,251)
Costs of share issue - (455) - (455)
Total transactions with owners recognised directly in equity 17 9,959 (1,251) 8,725
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Balance at 30 April 2017 156 25,500 548 26,204
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before income tax 330 14 371
Non-cash adjustments
Depreciation and amortisation 1,209 605 1,581
Net finance costs 261 182 445
Working capital adjustments
(Increase) in trade and other receivables (73) (35) (12)
Increase in trade and other payables 449 295 78
Cash inflow from operating activities 2,176 1,061 2,463
Income tax paid (681) (64) (63)
Interest paid - - -
Net cash generated by operations 1,495 997 2,400
---------- ---------- ----------
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets (608) (1,027) (3,601)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (3) - -
Interest received 12 6 18
Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired (1,600) (363) (802)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,199) (1,384) (4,385)
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares 9,976 8,974 8,974
Repayment of borrowings - (12) (12)
Dividends paid - (354) (354)
Net cash generated from/(used in) 9,976 8,608 8,608
---------- ---------- ----------
financing activities
Net increase in cash and equivalents 9,272 8,221 6,623
Cash and equivalents brought forward 10,526 3,903 3,903
Cash and equivalents carried forward 19,798 12,124 10,526
---------- ---------- ----------
Notes to the interim financial information
1. General Information
The interim financial information is unaudited. This condensed
consolidated interim financial information was approved by the
Directors and authorised for issue on 27 June 2017.
Harwood Wealth Management Group plc is a public limited
liability company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales.
The Group's business activities are principally the provision of
financial advice and investment management to the retail market.
The address of the registered office is 5 Lancer House Hussar
Court, Westside View, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 7SE. The
Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock
Exchange.
2. Basis of preparation and Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation
The Group has not applied IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting,
which is not mandatory for UK AIM listed companies, in the
preparation of this half-yearly report.
This condensed, consolidated interim financial information for
the six months ended 30 April 2017 does not comply, therefore with
all the requirements of IAS 34, "Interim financial reporting" as
adopted by the European Union. The consolidated interim financial
information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial
statements of Harwood Wealth Management Group plc for the year
ended 31 October 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with
IFRS as adopted by the European Union.
This condensed consolidated interim financial information does
not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434
of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31
October 2016 were approved by the Board of directors on 23 January
2017 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the
auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an
emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement
under sections 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Accounting policies
The accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial
information for the six months ended 30 April 2017 are in
accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by
the European Union (EU) and are consistent with those which will be
adopted in the annual statutory financial statements for the year
ended 31 October 2017.
While the financial information included has been prepared in
accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS,
as adopted by the EU, these financial statements do not contain
sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.
Basis of consolidation
These interim consolidated financial statements consolidate the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings
as at 30 April 2017. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the
date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains
control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such
control may cease. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are
prepared for the same reporting period as the parent company, using
consistent accounting policies.
3. Exceptional costs
The GBP20,000 of exceptional costs relates to GBP7,000 of
acquisition costs and GBP13,000 in respect of the final settlement
of the contingent consideration for GBPSD (an asset acquisition
completed in October 2014).
4. Taxation
An analysis of the income tax expense/ (credit) is detailed
below:
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Income tax expense
Current taxation 356 70 463
Adjustments in respect of prior periods - - 81
Total current tax expense 356 70 544
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (109) (68) (271)
Effect of change in tax rate (67) (122) (20)
Total deferred tax credit (176) (190) (291)
Income tax expense/(credit) 180 (120) 253
========== ========== ==========
5. Business combinations
In the period the Group completed the acquisitions of the entire
share capital of Network Direct Ltd (NDL) and WT Financial Ltd (WT
Fin) for a total consideration of GBP1.4m. The assets and
liabilities acquired were as follows:
NDL WT Fin Total
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Acquired client portfolio - 350 350
Client relationships 890 - 890
Tangible assets 3 - 3
Receivables 125 14 139
Cash & equivalents 262 5 267
Payables (303) (18) (321)
Deferred tax (151) (60) (211)
826 291 1,117
The business combination has been recognised as follows:
Cash on completion 900 159 1,059
Contingent cash consideration 200 132 332
1,100 291 1,391
Net assets acquired as above (826) (291) (1,117)
Goodwill arising 274 - 274
--------- --------- ---------
The initial accounting has not yet been completed in respect of
all acquisitions and therefore the values are provisional.
In addition, two acquired client portfolios have been purchased
in the period for a consideration of GBP0.3m, payable in cash on
completion (GBP0.1m) and the balance (GBP0.2m) on deferred
terms.
6. Earnings per share
On 19 April 2017 6,954,000 ordinary shares of 0.0025 pence each
were issued at a placing price of 150 pence per share.
Basic earnings per share are calculated using a weighted average
number of shares of 56,049,966 for the period (H1 2016:
42,826,564). Adjusted EBITDA has been shown as it is a common
metric used by the market to monitor similar businesses.
6 Months 6 Months Year
ended ended ended
30-Apr-17 30-Apr-16 31-Oct-16
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
Net Profit 150 134 118
Income tax 180 (120) 253
Net finance expense 261 182 445
Depreciation 6 6 9
Amortisation 1,203 599 1,572
Exceptional items 20 263 336
Adjusted EBITDA 1,820 1,064 2,733
Basic adjusted EBITDA per share - pence 3.25 2.48 5.55
Statutory EPS - pence 0.27 0.31 0.24
7. Dividends
All Ordinary Shares carry equal dividend rights.
As a holding company, the ability of the Group to pay dividends
will principally depend upon dividends paid to it by its operating
subsidiaries.
8. Subsequent events
Acquisition of the business and assets of In Partnership
Design
On the 5 May 2017 the Group agreed to buy the financial advisory
business carried on by In Partnership Financial Design. Following
an initial payment of GBP223,800 the transaction completed on the
27 May 2016. In addition, further amounts totalling GBP111,900 are
to be paid on the first and second anniversaries of completion
contingent upon results.
Acquisition of the business and assets of Neil Antell
On 5 May 2017 the Group agreed to buy the financial advisory
business carried on by Neil Antell. Following an initial payment of
GBP93,280, the transaction completed on the 26 May 2017. In
addition, further amounts totalling GBP46,640 are to be paid on the
first and second anniversaries of completion contingent upon
results.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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