TIDMK3C
RNS Number : 5614N
K3 Capital Group PLC
21 January 2019
The information communicated in this announcement is inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation
596/2014.
21 January 2019
K3 CAPITAL GROUP PLC
("K3", the "Company" and including its subsidiaries, the
"Group")
Strong growth across Knightsbridge and KBS Corporate with record
levels of WIP pipeline across the Group
K3 Capital Group plc, a leading business and company sales
specialist in the UK, today announces its interim results for the
six months ended 30 November 2018.
Financial highlights
-- Group revenue GBP7.2m (H1 2018: GBP7.5m)
-- Adjusted EBITDA GBP3.1m (H1 2018: GBP3.3m)
-- Net cash GBP5.9m (H1 2018: GBP5.0m)
-- Earnings per share 5.84p (H1 2018: 6.14p)
-- Dividend per share increase of 26% to 3.60p (H1 2018: 2.85p)
-- Record WIP pipeline across the Group
Adjusted EBITDA is utilised as a key performance indicator,
reflecting profit before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation
and share based payments
Operational highlights
-- Continued organic growth across Knightsbridge and KBS
Corporate with revenues up 19% and 17% respectively
-- Due to the expected timing of a number of significant
transactions in KBS Corporate Finance moving to H2, Group Revenue
and Adjusted EBITDA are marginally below the comparative period
-- All Group companies hold the highest ever value and volume of
transactions in WIP pipeline (transactions in legal exclusivity)
moving into H2 FY19
-- Strong performance across main KPIs
-- Ongoing delivery of our 'Bigger & Better' strategy sees
the Group acting on an increasing volume of higher value sale
mandates.
-- Ranked number 1 adviser for UK deal volume in Thomson Reuters
FY18 'Small Cap' and 'Mid-Market' M&A Reviews
-- Continued investment in our people - staff numbers increased
20% whilst reducing overall payroll costs
-- Expanded and strengthened the Corporate Finance team with 11
qualified deal makers (H1 FY18: 7)
-- Introduction of the Buyer Matching Engine (BME) has delivered
a 37% increase in buyer registrations across the Group
Outlook
-- Highest ever WIP pipeline across the Group - approaching 100
transactions in legal exclusivity with several significant
transactions expected to complete within the financial year
-- 26% increase in dividend pay out for H1 reflecting
management's confidence in outlook for the full year
-- Ongoing investment in our people in line with Group
expansion, with recent capacity increases in the sales and
operational divisions of the Group expected to positively impact
future revenue
-- Continued strategy to attract higher volumes of clients at a
higher average value, to further increase both average
Non-Contingent and Transaction Fee levels across the Group
-- Ongoing investment into data and technology continues to
underpin both short and medium term growth objectives
Commenting on the results, Chief Executive of K3 Capital Group
plc, John Rigby, said:
"As a Board, we are pleased to report an encouraging trading
period for the first six months of FY19. The period has seen strong
organic growth in Knightsbridge and KBS Corporate, and continuing
improvements across major KPIs throughout the Group, resulting in a
revenue increase in the Knightsbridge brand, up 19% to GBP1.0m, and
KBS Corporate, up 17% to GBP4.6m."
"Due to the expected timing of several transactions in KBS
Corporate Finance moving from H1 into H2, and given our accounting
policy of only recognising Transaction Fee income on completion,
revenue in the Corporate Finance brand, for the reporting period,
is GBP1.7m, down from GBP2.8m in H1 2018. As a result of these
delays, coupled with the ongoing delivery of the organic growth and
'bigger and better' strategies -the KBS Corporate Finance brand
ends H1 2019 with its highest ever value and volume of WIP
pipeline."
"December once again saw a record festive period in
non-contingent fee income. With the recent capacity increases in
the sales divisions of the Group, we would expect this trend to
continue throughout the remainder of FY19 and beyond."
"Our technology driven approach to marketing has ensured that we
continue to see increased numbers of buyers, spanning private
equity, trade and plc acquirers from the UK, European and Global
marketplace. We have secured a 37% rise in the volume of buyers
attracted to the Group, as well as the average Transaction Fee
across the two brands increasing by 17% in Knightsbridge and 8% in
KBS Corporate respectively."
"The improving performance across KPIs, ongoing investment in
people and technology, coupled with the robust deal pipelines that
exist across all three trading brands, lead us to a confident
outlook for both the full year FY2019 and beyond. "
-S-
For further information please contact:
K3 Capital Group plc Tel: c/o Newgate 020
7680 6550
John Rigby, Chief Executive Officer www.k3capitalgroupplc.com
Andrew Melbourne, Chief Financial Officer
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser and Tel: 020 7220 0500
Sole Broker)
Jonny Franklin-Adams, Emily Watts,
Anthony Adams (Corporate Finance)
Tim Redfern, Richard Chambers (Corporate
Broking)
Newgate Communications Ltd (Financial Tel: 020 7680 6550
PR)
Alistair Kellie, Bob Huxford k3capital@newgatecomms.com
About K3 Capital
K3 Capital Group plc is a leading business sales and brokerage
firm headquartered in Bolton with operations throughout the UK. It
acts for vendors of businesses from c. GBP50,000 to c. GBP200
million through its three trading subsidiaries Knightsbridge, KBS
Corporate, and KBS Corporate Finance. K3, through its trading
subsidiaries, has received a number of adviser awards, most
recently achieving the number 1 position in the FY 2018 Thomson
Reuters Mid-Market M&A Review.
K3 Capital operates a disruptive business model with a direct
marketing approach to client acquisition, using incentivised and
experienced salespeople rather than advisory teams, while its
highly visible online presence and proprietary online business
valuation portal generates further leads. This innovative model,
combined with a continuing strategy towards targeting higher value
clients, are key drivers for growth and profitability.
The Group also offers all clients fully contingent and inclusive
legal fees through its partner relationship with Gateley plc.
K3 Capital Group trades on the London Stock Exchange (AIM:
K3C.L), having listed on 11 April 2017. Please visit
www.k3capitalgroupplc.com for more information.
Chief Executive's Statement
Trading Update
We are pleased to report an encouraging trading period for the
first six months of FY19. H1 has seen strong organic growth and
continuing improvements in major KPIs, resulting in revenue
increases in the Knightsbridge brand, up 19% to GBP1.0m (GBP0.8m H1
2018) and KBS Corporate, up 17% to GBP4.6m (GBP3.9m H1 2018).
Due to the expected timing of several transactions in KBS
Corporate Finance moving from H1 into H2, and given our accounting
policy of only recognising Transaction Fee income when a
transaction takes place, reported turnover in the brand for the
reporting period has declined to GBP1.7m (GBP2.8m H1 2018). As a
result of these delays, coupled with the ongoing delivery of the
organic growth and 'bigger and better' strategies - the KBS
Corporate Finance brand ends H1 2019 with its highest ever level of
WIP pipeline (transactions in legal exclusivity) consisting of 11
transactions (6 transactions H1 2018) and a significant increase in
potential Transaction Fee Income.
We are therefore reporting Group revenues of GBP7.2m for H1 2019
(GBP7.5m H1 2018), which has delivered GBP3.1m of Adjusted EBITDA
for the period (GBP3.3m H1 2018). It is encouraging to note that,
due to the low cost operating model and the variable nature of
remuneration schemes, the Group has maintained EBITDA margin at 43%
for the period (43% H1 2018). Adjusted EBITDA is utilised as a key
performance indicator, reflecting profit before interest, tax,
depreciation, amortisation and share based payments. In addition to
this, net cash has increased by 18% to GBP5.9m (GBP5.0m H1
2018).
The performance for the period under review has been underpinned
by a number of factors, which we are confident will continue to
drive future performance, these include:
-- continuing organic growth driven by the expansion of both
head office and regional sales staff, allowing increased capacity
for the Group to attract growing numbers of new clients. The
corresponding investment into operational staff allows the Group to
deliver an ever-improving quality of service across an increasing
volume of transactions;
-- improving sales and operational KPI levels throughout the
Group. Highlights include an increase of 18% in Group
Non-Contingent Fee income, and a 37% increase in the volume of
buyers attracted to the Group (NDA's received within the reporting
period)*;
-- further delivery of the 'bigger and better' strategy,
resulting in an increased average Non-Contingent Fee in
Knightsbridge of 37% and KBS Corporate of 17%. The average
Transaction Fee across the two brands has also increased by 17% in
Knightsbridge and 8% in KBS Corporate*;
-- our continued number one ranking within industry league
tables, namely Thompson Reuters 'Small Cap' and 'Mid-Market'
M&A Reviews, both of which recognise and promote the Group's
growing reputation and ongoing success within the sector,
confirming our status as the most active dealmaker in the UK;
-- further investments into our corporate finance brand, with 11
qualified accountants (7: H1 2018), strengthening our service
delivery proposition, and allowing greater capacity to handle
increasing volumes and values of larger transactions. This has
resulted in a 100% increase in the volume of corporate finance
transactions completed during the reporting period, and a
significant increase in the potential Transaction Fee value in
legal exclusivity at the end of the reporting period*;
-- ongoing investment in people with growth in staff numbers of
20% (123 to 148) and the improved training and development of our
employees. It should be noted that despite 25 additional staff in
the period, due to constantly aligning bonus structures with market
expectations, overall payroll costs have decreased by GBP0.3m over
the period*; and
-- continued investment into data and the delivery and
development of technology platforms, including our Buyer Matching
Engine, Mandate Portal, and internal CRM systems, to further drive
performance and efficiencies across the Group.
*All statistics above relate to a comparison of H1 2019 to H1
2018
Dividend
As a result of the business performance in H1 2019 being in line
with management expectations, and the Board's continued confidence
in the outlook throughout the remainder of 2019, I am pleased to
announce that the Board has agreed an interim dividend of 3.60p per
share, which represents an increase of 26% compared to the same
period in the prior year (H1 2018: 2.85p). The interim dividend
will be paid on the 15 February 2019 to shareholders registered on
1 February 2019; the ex-dividend date is 31 January 2019.
Summary and Outlook
In summary, the Board is satisfied with the Group's H1 financial
performance and is encouraged that the outlook for the remainder of
the financial year, and beyond, is positive.
Whilst Group revenues and Adjusted EBITDA are marginally below
the comparative period, the continuing organic growth and KPI
improvements across the Knightsbridge and KBS Corporate brands,
coupled with the highest ever WIP pipelines across the Group, give
management and the Board confidence in future trading. Several
significant transactions remain in the WIP pipeline and, whilst the
certainty and timing of these transactions is not guaranteed, a
number are expected to complete within the financial year.
Once again, December saw a record ever festive period in
Non-Contingent Fee income. With the recent capacity increases in
the sales divisions of the Group, we would expect this trend to
continue throughout the remainder of FY19 and beyond. This growth
is expected to be delivered by attracting both higher volumes of
clients, and a higher value of client, leading to further increases
in both average Non-Contingent and Transaction Fee levels.
The ongoing investment into people, data, and technology
continues to deliver ever increasing volume of buyers for our
clients. This will drive further operational efficiencies and we
remain excited by the prospects that this offers to the Group.
The Board therefore expects our full year earnings to be in line
with market expectations.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Six Months Ended 30 November 2018
For the
For the 6 months
6 months ended 30
ended 30 November
November 2017
2018 Unaudited Unaudited
Note GBP000 GBP000
Revenue 6 7,199 7,536
Distribution costs (505) (509)
Administrative expenses (3,644) (3,813)
Adjusted EBITDA 3,105 3,265
Share-based payments (11) (13)
Depreciation of tangible assets (41) (34)
Amortisation of intangible assets (3) (4)
----------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
---------------- ----------------
Operating profit 3,050 3,214
Finance income 4 -
---------------- ----------------
Profit before taxation 3,054 3,214
Taxation (589) (624)
---------------- ----------------
Total comprehensive income for the financial
year
Profit 2,465 2,590
========= =========
Attributable to the owners of the Company 2,465 2,590
========= =========
Earnings per share: 9
Basic GBP0.06 GBP0.06
Diluted GBP0.06 GBP0.06
All the activities of the group are from continuing
operations.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
For the Six Months Ended 30 November 2018
As at 30 November 2018 As at 30 November 2017
Unaudited Unaudited
GBP000 GBP000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 4,040 3,974
Property, plant and equipment 123 137
---------------------- ----------------------
Total non-current assets 4,163 4,111
---------------------- ----------------------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 43 26
Other assets 348 276
Cash and cash equivalents 5,886 4,969
---------------------- ----------------------
Total current assets 6,277 5,271
---------------------- ----------------------
TOTAL ASSETS 10,440 9,382
============= =============
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 1,080 1,271
Current tax liabilities 589 648
Deferred revenue 1,542 1,363
---------------------- ----------------------
Total current liabilities 3,211 3,282
---------------------- ----------------------
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities 23 4
---------------------- ----------------------
Total non-current liabilities 23 4
---------------------- ----------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 3,234 3,286
---------------------- ----------------------
NET ASSETS 7,206 6,096
============= =============
EQUITY
Equity attributable to owners of the Company:
Issued capital and share premium 2,413 2,413
Equity-settled employee benefits reserve 43 13
Retained earnings 4,750 3,670
---------------------- ----------------------
TOTAL EQUITY 7,206 6,096
============= =============
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the Six Months Ended 30 November 2018
Share Share Capital Share Retained Total
capital premium redemption Option earnings
reserve reserve
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Balance at 1 June 2017
(Audited) 422 1,991 - - 2,937 5,350
Profit and total comprehensive
income for the period - - - - 2,590 2,590
Dividends - - - - (1,857) (1,857)
Share-based payment - - - 13 - 13
---------- ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 30 November 2017
(Unaudited) 422 1,991 - 13 3,670 6,096
---------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 1 June 2018
(Audited) 422 1,991 - 32 5,831 8,276
Profit and total comprehensive
income for the period - - - - 2,465 2,465
Dividends - - - - (3,546) (3,546)
Share-based payment - - - 11 - 11
---------- ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 30 November 2018
(Unaudited) 422 1,991 - 43 4,750 7,206
---------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ----------
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended 30 November 2018
For the For the
6 months 6 months
ended ended
30 November 30 November
2018 Unaudited 2017 Unaudited
GBP000 GBP000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the period 2,465 2,590
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation 44 38
Finance costs (4) -
Income tax expense 589 624
Expense recognised in respect of equity-settled
share based payments 11 13
----------------- -----------------
3,105 3,265
Movements in working capital:
Decrease in trade and other receivables 156 79
Increase/decrease in other assets (11) 10
Decrease/increase in trade and other payables (508) 218
Increase in deferred revenue 126 226
----------------- -----------------
Cash generated from operations 2,868 3,798
Finance income received 4 -
Income taxes paid (849) (317)
----------------- -----------------
Net cash from operating activities 2,023 3,481
========== ==========
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (62) (25)
Purchase of intangible assets (51) -
Amounts advanced to related parties - -
----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (113) (25)
========== ==========
Financing activities
Repayment of bank borrowings - (431)
Dividends paid to owners of the Company (3,546) (1,857)
----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in financing activities (3,546) (2,288)
========== ==========
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (1,636) 1,168
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
the period 7,522 3,801
----------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 5,886 4,969
========== ==========
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Six Months Ended 30 November 2017
1. General Information
K3 Capital Group PLC is incorporated in England and Wales under
the Companies Act (listed on AIM, a market operated by the London
Stock Exchange PLC) with the registered number 06102618. The
address of the registered office is KBS House, 5 Springfield Court,
Summerfield Road, Bolton, BL3 2NT.
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements comprise
the Company and its subsidiaries "the Group". This announcement
contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU
Regulation 596/2014.
2. Basis of preparation
The financial information set out in this Interim Report does
not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006. The Group's statutory financial statements for
the year ended 31 May 2018, prepared under IFRS, have been filed
with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those
financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a
statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The interim financial information has been prepared in accordance
with the recognition and measurement principles of International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and on the same basis and
using the same accounting policies as used in the financial
statements for the year ended 31 May 2018, subject to the
introduction of any new accounting standards applicable in the
period.
The Interim Report has not been audited or reviewed in
accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagement
2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board.
3. Significant accounting policies
New standards, amendments to and interpretations to published
standards not yet effective
There were no new standards, interpretations or amendments
effective that had a significant effect on the Group's financial
statements.
The Directors have undertaken a review of the requirements of
IFRS 15 and consider that the Group's current revenue recognition
policy has not changed on transition to IFRS 15, which became
effective for the 31 May 2019 year end.
Given that the trade payables (all settled within credit terms)
and trade receivables (only recognised with certainty of outcome
and settled by return) and cash (all deposited within UK clearing
banks) are the only material financial instruments, there is no
material impact from applying IFRS 9, which became effective for
the 31 May 2019 year end.
As at 30 November 2018, the following Standards and
Interpretations, which have not been applied in this financial
information, were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases
had not yet been adopted by the EU):
IFRS 16 Leases
Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment
Transactions: Amendments to IFRS 2
Annual Improvements to IFRSs (2015-2017 Cycle)
The Directors are currently considering the potential impact of
adoption of these standards and interpretations in future periods
on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
The Directors have reviewed the impact of IFRS 16 which will
become effective for the 31 May 2020 year end. The Directors are
currently quantifying the impact of IFRS 16.
The Directors have not considered the impact of any other
disclosure initiatives or interpretations on the Group financial
reporting at this point in time, as their impact is not expected to
be material.
4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
There have been no material revisions to the nature and amount
of changes in estimates of amounts reported in the annual financial
statements for the year ended 31 May 2018.
5. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the
profit for the year attributable to equity holders of
the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding during the period.
The following reflects the income and share data used in the
basic and diluted earnings per share computations:
2018 2017
GBP000 GBP000
Net profit attributable to equity holders
of the Company 2,465 2,592
Initial weighted average of ordinary shares 42,210,526 42,210,526
Basic earnings per share 5.84p 6.14p
The weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes
of diluted earnings per share reconciles to the weighted average
number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic earnings
per share as follows:
2018 2017
GBP000 GBP000
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
used in the calculation of basic earnings
per share 42,210,526 42,210,526
Shares deemed to be issued for no consideration
in respect of employee options 916,203 471,363
Weighted average number of shares used
in the calculation of diluted earnings
per share 43,126,729 42,681,889
========== ==========
Diluted earnings per share 5.72p 6.07p
6. Dividends
Dividends paid on equity shares
As at 30 As at 30
November November
2018 2017
GBP000 GBP000
Ordinary shares 3,546 1,857
----------------- -----------------
Total 3,546 1,857
========== ==========
7. Revenue and segment information
The Group's revenue arises from the provision of services
fulfilling the principle activities. An analysis of revenue by
subsidiary company is shown below:
2018 Unaudited 2017 Unaudited
6 months ended 30 November GBP000 GBP000
KBS Corporate Sales Limited 4,573 3,909
KBS Corporate Finance Limited 1,674 2,828
Knightsbridge Business Sales Limited 952 799
----------------- -----------------
Total 7,199 7,536
========== ==========
========== ==========
8. Share-based payments
Employee share option plan of the Company
Details of the employee share option plan of the Company
The Company has a share option scheme for executives and senior
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.
In accordance with the terms of the plan executives and senior
employees may be granted options to purchase
ordinary shares.
Each employee share option converts into one ordinary share of
the Company on exercise. No amounts are paid
or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option. The
options carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights.
Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to
the date of their expiry.
The number of options granted is calculated in accordance with
the performance-based formula approved by the
remuneration committee. The formula rewards executives and
senior employees to the extent of the Group's and
the individual's achievement judged against both qualitative and
quantitative criteria from the following financial
measures:
-- improvement in adjusted earnings per share
-- improvement in return to shareholders
The following share-based payment arrangements were in existence
during the current and prior periods:
Option series Number Grant date Expiry date Exercise price Fair value at grant date
GBP GBP
Granted on 11 April 2017 1,193,611 11/04/2017 11/04/2027 0.95 0.11
Granted on 17 January 2018 552,022 17/01/2018 17/01/2028 1.81 0.31
All options vest over a 3 year performance period. The
performance period start date for series 1 was 1 June 2017,
and for series 2 1 December 2017. The earliest expected date for
exercise would be after publication of the Group's
annual results for the year ending 31 May 2020, in respect of
series 1 and publication of the group interim results
for the period ended 30 November 2020, in respect of series
2.
Fair value of share options granted in the year
The weighted average fair value of the share options granted
during the financial period is GBP11,021. Options were
priced using a binomial option pricing model. Where relevant,
the expected life used in the model has been adjusted
based on management's best estimate for the effect of
non-transferability, exercise restrictions (including
probability of meeting market conditions attached to the
option), and behavioural considerations. Expected
volatility is based on the historical share price volatility of
companies floated on AIM that are comparable to K3
Capital Group Plc. To allow for the effects of early exercise,
it was assumed that executives and senior employees
would exercise the options after vesting date when the share
price is two times the exercise price.
Cautionary Statement
This Interim Report has been prepared solely to provide
information to shareholders. The Interim Report should
not be relied upon by any party or for any other purpose.
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
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