TIDMLGT
RNS Number : 7907P
Lighthouse Group PLC
05 September 2017
The information communicated in this announcement is inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation
596/2014
Press Release 5 September 2017
Lighthouse Group plc
("Lighthouse" or "the Group")
Interim Results
Lighthouse Group plc (AIM: LGT) today announces its interim
results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.
Highlights
-- Revenues for the six months to 30 June 2017 increased by 8 per
cent. to GBP25.67 million (H1 2016: GBP23.78 million);
-- Average annualised revenue production per adviser increased by
22 per cent. to GBP117,000 (H1 2016: GBP96,000);
-- Operating expenses reduced by GBP405,000 to GBP5.73 million (H1
2016: GBP6.13 million);
-- EBITDA* increased 26 per cent. to GBP1.27 million (H1 2016: GBP1.01
million);
-- Pre-tax profits increased by GBP296,000 (36 per cent.) to GBP1.13
million (H1 2016: GBP829,000);
-- Basic earnings per share increased by 35 per cent. to 0.88 pence
per share (H1 2016: 0.65 pence per share);
-- Net cash balances GBP8.1 million (31 December 2016: GBP8.1 million);
-- Interim dividend declared of 0.12 pence per share, an increase
of 33 per cent. (H1 2016: 0.09 pence per share); and
-- Affinity contracts renewed with Usdaw and Prospect trades unions
and new contracts agreed with the Money Advice Service and the
Social Workers Union.
*Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and
Amortisation
Commenting on the results, Richard Last, Chairman of Lighthouse
Group plc, said:
"The unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2017
emphasise the further progression of the Group's activities and the
focus on sustainable operational efficiency, with EBITDA for the
six months increasing by 26 per cent. to GBP1.27 million. Continued
progress in developing proprietary financial products for both the
individual and corporate markets is expected to contribute to
future growth in profits."
For further information, please contact:
Lighthouse Group plc
Richard Last, Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 20 7065 5640
Malcolm Streatfield,
Chief Executive
Peter Smith, Finance
Director
investorenquiries@lighthousefs.uk
www.lighthousegroup.plc.uk
finnCap Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7220 0500
(Nominated Adviser to
the Company)
Adrian Hargrave
Emily Watts
Hannah Boros
Media enquiries:
IFC Advisory Limited
Graham Herring Tel: +44 (0) 20 3053 8671
Tim Metcalfe
Heather Armstrong
heather.armstrong@investor-focus.co.uk www.investor-focus.co.uk
Chairman's statement for the six months ended 30 June 2017
Trading highlights
Unaudited Unaudited
6 months 6 months
to 30 June to 30
2017 June 2016
Revenue GBP25.67 GBP23.78
million million
Gross profit GBP6.99 GBP7.14
million million
Operating costs GBP5.73 GBP6.13
million million
EBITDA * GBP1.27 GBP1.01
million million
Profit before taxation GBP1.13 GBP829,000
million
Earnings per share (basic) 0.88p 0.65p
Earnings per share (diluted) 0.83p 0.63p
* Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and
Amortisation.
Financial performance
I am pleased to report that Lighthouse has continued to make
good progress in the six months to 30 June 2017. Revenues increased
by GBP1.89 million or 8 per cent. to GBP25.67 million driven by
further income generation from our affinity relationships (revenues
in the period up GBP0.98 million or 29 per cent. to GBP4.32 million
from the GBP3.34 million achieved in the comparable period in 2016)
and continuing demand in the area of pension advice. Average
annualised revenue production per adviser increased by GBP21,000 or
22 per cent. to GBP117,000 from GBP96,000 in the first half of
2016.
Recurring revenue accounted for 49 per cent. of all Group
revenue derived from customers and amounted to GBP11.83 million
(including on-going fees of GBP8.4 million) in the period to 30
June 2017 (2016: 44 per cent., being GBP9.79 million and including
on-going fees of GBP6.46 million). The increase in recurring
revenue was broadly in line with the increase in total Group
revenues, reflecting the higher activity levels achieved in the
period.
Gross margin was lower at 27 per cent. in comparison with 30 per
cent. in the comparator period in 2016 as a result of the higher
introducer payments from the increase in affinity-sourced business,
along with refunds from the FCA re prior year charges repaid to
advisers (which resulted in lower operating costs with no overall
profit impact). Gross margin reduced marginally in financial terms
to GBP6.99 million from GBP7.14 million in 2016.
Operating costs reduced by GBP0.4 million to GBP5.73 million in
comparison with GBP6.13 million in 2016, reflecting the Group's
on-going focus on improving operational and cost efficiency.
EBITDA for the period amounted to GBP1.27 million, an increase
of GBP258,000 or 26 per cent. from the GBP1.01 million recorded in
the comparative period in 2016. This arose principally as a result
of positive trading assisted by reductions in operating costs. The
Group invested and expensed GBP400,000 in the period in the
development of its asset management business, pension products and
mortgage and protection offerings (2016: GBP434,000).
After deduction of depreciation, amortisation and net finance
costs, the Group recorded a profit before and after taxation of
GBP1.13 million (2016: GBP829,000), with basic earnings per
ordinary share of 0.88 pence (2016: 0.65 pence).
Financial position and cash flow
The Group continues to maintain a strong balance sheet with net
cash reserves amounting to GBP8.1 million at 30 June 2017 (31
December 2016: GBP8.1 million, 30 June 2016: GBP7.5 million).
Legacy matters continued to run-off in line with expectations with
GBP709,000 paid out in the period. It is pleasing to note that, as
previously reported, the financial restrictions previously imposed
by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") have now been
lifted.
Business relationships and developments
Affinity relationships continue to be an important component of
the Group's operations, particularly in Lighthouse Financial Advice
(our national division). The gross revenues derived from such
sources noted under "Financial performance" above included new
business revenues of GBP2.6 million, an increase of GBP0.8 million
over the GBP1.8 million recorded in the six months to 30 June 2017.
This increase was largely driven by the demand for pensions advice
from affinity partner members. Total revenues from affinity sources
amounted to 18 per cent. of revenues generated from customers by
the Group in the half year (2016: 14 per cent.).
The Group continues to maintain its affinity relationships with
contracts with Usdaw and the Prospect trades unions being renewed
for three years and twelve months from 1 February 2017 and 1
September 2017 respectively and a new contract signed with the
Social Workers Union for an initial eighteen-month period on 29
August 2017. The Group was also appointed as the preferred
financial adviser to staff at the Money Advice Service for an
initial twelve-month period from March 2017. The Group now has 19
contracted affinity agreements with organisations representing more
than 6 million members.
Lighthouse Financial Advice ("LFA"), the Group's National
advisory division servicing affinity-based clients, maintained the
progress made in recent periods with gross revenues increasing by
GBP1.54m or 22 per cent. to GBP8.51 million from GBP6.97 million
with a similar percentage increase in contribution to Group
profits.
The Group's Wealth Advisory division, comprising
LighthouseCarrwood (employed advisers working with accountancy
connections) and LighthouseWealth (self-employed advisers) saw
revenues grow by GBP0.49m or 12 per cent. to GBP4.66 million in the
period to 30 June 2017. The division continues to deliver valued
and independent advice to high net worth clients.
The Group continues to support its Network members in developing
client relationships whilst focusing on improved customer outcomes
and risk minimisation. The Network accounted for GBP10.95 million
of Group revenue in the first half of 2017 (2016: GBP11.11
million).
The Group's asset management business, Luceo Asset Management,
launched in September 2016, developed further in the period, with
assets under management having increased from GBP5 million at 31
December 2016 to GBP20 million as at 30 June 2017. Gross investment
flows from the actively managed fund of fund products (managed by
Octopus Investments) remain healthy, bolstered by the addition in
February 2017 of two further funds matched to different risk
profiles.
The Group expects to announce the launch of a new product area
for the Luceo range addressing the needs of customers looking for a
cost-effective passive proposition in the near future that should
augment further the regular investment flows.
The Group has staged c400 auto-enrolment compliant workplace
pension schemes for corporate clients and continues to satisfy
demand through the Corporate Pensions Trust, incorporating its
proprietary product offering the Lighthouse Pensions Trust ("LPT").
The Corporate Pensions Trust was listed by the Pensions Regulator
as an Approved Master Trust auto-enrolment solution in May 2017.
This will assist distribution of the LPT, with some 600,000
businesses still to establish an appropriate workplace pension
scheme over the period to mid-2018.
Dividends
The Board is pleased to announce an interim dividend of 0.12
pence per ordinary share (2016: 0.09 pence) which will be payable
on 10 October 2017 to shareholders on the register as at 15
September 2017. The Group's ordinary shares will go ex-dividend on
14 September 2017.
General economic background
The combination of an impending Brexit, political uncertainties
at home, in Europe and wider afield make for testing times for
stock markets. However, the legislation enacted in recent years to
provide UK individuals with significantly increased access to their
accumulated pension funds has continued to provide substantial
opportunities for the Group and its advisers to engage with and
advise customers.
Regulatory developments
The scope and number of regulatory developments continue to
increase across the entire spectrum of the financial advice market
in the UK, with MiFID II, GDPR and the extension of the Senior
Persons Regime high on the agenda for the next twelve months. The
Board is satisfied that the Group is well placed to deal with the
various requirements introduced by the aforementioned reviews and
regulations.
Strategy and Outlook
The Group remains positive as to achieving its market estimate
for the full year and continues with its strategy of developing its
own proprietary product offerings in the asset management and
workplace solutions markets whilst at the same time focusing on
opportunities that provide higher margins. The Group will continue
to seek operational efficiencies across its businesses.
Richard Last
Chairman
4 September 2017
Lighthouse Group plc
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months Year ended
ended ended 31 December
30 June 30 June 2016
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 25,673 23,776 47,919
Cost of sales (18,680) (16,636) (33,452)
Gross profit 6,993 7,140 14,467
Administrative expenses
Other operating expenses (5,725) (6,130) (12,259)
Earnings before interest,
tax, depreciation, amortisation
and exceptional items 1,268 1,010 2,208
---------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Total operating expenses (5,725) (6,130) (12,259)
Depreciation and amortisation (137) (168) (299)
Profit on disposal of - 1 -
property, plant and
equipment
Total administrative
expenses (5,862) (6,297) (12,558)
---------- ---------- -------------
Operating profit 1,131 843 1,909
Finance revenues 1 6 11
Finance costs (7) (20) (27)
Profit before taxation 1,125 829 1,893
Tax charge - - 750
Profit for the period 1,125 829 2,643
Total comprehensive
income for the period 1,125 829 2,643
========== ========== =============
Profit for the period
attributable to:
Equity holders of the
parent 1,125 829 2,643
---------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to:
Equity holders of the
parent 1,125 829 2,643
---------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Earnings per share (basic) 0.88p 0.65p 2.07p
========== ========== =============
Earnings per share (diluted) 0.83p 0.63p 1.97p
====== ====== ======
Lighthouse Group plc
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
Special Reserves Retained Total
Share non- distributable arising earnings attributable
capital reserve from to equity
share shareholders
based
payments
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January
2017 1,277 1,999 1,102 4,586 8,964
Total recognised
income and
expense
for the
period - - - 1,125 1,125
Dividends
paid - - - (230) (230)
Share-based
payment - - 39 - 39
At 30 June
2017 1,277 1,999 1,141 5,481 9,898
========== ==================== ========== ========== ==============
At 1 January
2016 1,277 1,999 1,023 2,262 6,561
Total recognised
income and
expense
for the
period - - - 829 829
Dividends
paid - - (204) (204)
Share-based
payment - - 39 - 39
---------- -------------------- ---------- ---------- --------------
At 30 June
2016 1,277 1,999 1,062 2,887 7,225
========== ==================== ========== ========== ==============
Lighthouse Group plc
Consolidated statement of financial position
at 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2017 2016 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 5,170 5,214 5,230
Property, plant and
equipment 1,180 1,273 1,240
Deferred Tax 750 - 750
7,100 6,487 7,220
---------- ---------- -------------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 8,279 11,615 9,004
Cash and cash equivalents 8,508 7,923 8,501
---------- ---------- -------------
16,787 19,538 17,505
---------- ---------- -------------
Total assets 23,887 26,025 24,725
---------- ---------- -------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (8,394) (10,318) (9,302)
Provisions (3,214) (2,905) (3,005)
---------- ---------- -------------
(11,608) (13,223) (12,307)
---------- ---------- -------------
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables (389) (423) (405)
Provisions (1,992) (5,154) (3,049)
(2,381) (5,577) (3,454)
---------- ---------- -------------
Total liabilities (13,989) (18,800) (15,761)
---------- ---------- -------------
Net assets 9,898 7,225 8,964
========== ========== =============
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 1,277 1,277 1,277
Special non-distributable
reserve 1,999 1,999 1,999
Other reserves - share-based
payments 1,141 1,062 1,102
Retained earnings 5,481 2,887 4,586
Total equity attributable
to equity holders of
the Company being total
equity 9,898 7,225 8,964
========== ========== =============
The interim financial information was approved by the Board of
Directors on 4 September 2017 and was signed on its behalf by
Malcolm Streatfield
Chief Executive
Peter Smith
Finance Director
Lighthouse Group plc
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the six months ended 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months year ended
ended ended 31 December
30 June 30 June 2016
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating activities
Profit before tax for the
period 1,125 829 1,893
Adjustments to reconcile
profit for the period to
net cash outflows from operating
activities
Finance revenues (1) (6) (11)
Finance costs 7 20 27
Depreciation of property,
plant and equipment 77 84 157
Amortisation of intangible
assets 60 84 142
Profit on disposal of property, - (1) -
plant and equipment
Share-based payments 39 39 79
Change in trade and other
receivables 725 1,651 4,262
Change in trade and other
payables (907) (344) (1,361)
Change in provisions (848) (2,488) (4,493)
Cash generated/(absorbed)
by operations 277 (132) 695
Finance costs paid (7) (20) (27)
Net cash inflow/(outflow)
from operating activities 270 (152) 668
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (17) (86) (126)
Purchase of intangible assets - (14) (88)
Proceeds from disposal of - 1 -
property, plant and equipment
Finance revenues received 1 6 11
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Net cash outflow from investing
activities (16) (93) (203)
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Financing activities
Bank loan (17) (17) (34)
Dividends paid to equity
shareholders (230) (204) (319)
Net cash outflow from financing
activities (247) (221) (353)
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Increase/(decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 7 (466) 112
Cash and cash equivalents
at the beginning of the
period 8,501 8,389 8,389
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the period 8,508 7,923 8,501
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Lighthouse Group plc
Notes to the financial information
for the six months ended 30 June 2017
1. The interim financial information, which comprises the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated
statement of changes in equity, consolidated statement of financial
position and consolidated statement of cash flows and the related
explanatory notes has been prepared on the basis of the accounting
policies set out in the Group accounts for the year ended 31
December 2016. It is unaudited but has been reviewed by the
auditor.
This information does not constitute statutory accounts for the
purpose of section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the
statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016, prepared
under International Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted for
use in the European Union, has been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies and contained an unqualified auditors' report.
2. The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share
attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company is based
on the following data:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months 6 months Year ended
ended 30 ended 30 31 December
June 2017 June 2016 2016
Earnings for the
purposes of basic
and dilutive earnings
per share (GBP'000) 1,125 829 2,643
============== ============== ==============
Weighted average
number of ordinary
shares for the
purpose of basic
earnings per share 127,700,298 127,700,298 127,700,298
Effect of the dilutive
potential on ordinary
shares: Share options 7,258,833 2,911,021 6,131,391
-------------- -------------- --------------
Weighted average
number of ordinary
shares for the
purpose of diluted
earnings per share 134,959,131 130,611,319 133,831,689
============== ============== ==============
As at 30 June 2017 there were 548,936 (30 June 2016: 660,594; 31
December 2016: 610,594) options that existed which could
potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were
regarded as being anti-dilutive and therefore were not included in
the calculation of dilutive shares, as their exercise price was
higher than the average mid-market price of the Company's ordinary
shares during the period.
3 A copy of the Interim Statement is being sent to all
shareholders and copies are available for collection indefinitely
from the Group's Head Office (address: Lighthouse Group plc, 26
Throgmorton Street, London, EC2N 2AN) or at the Group's website
(www.lighthousegroup.plc.uk).
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO LIGHTHOUSE GROUP PLC
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set
of financial statements in the half-yearly report for the six
months ended 30 June 2017 which comprises the condensed
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated
statement of changes in equity, the condensed consolidated
statement of financial position and the consolidated statement of
cash flows and the related explanatory notes. We have read the
other information contained in the half-yearly 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 the
terms of our engagement. Our review has been undertaken so that we
might state to the Company those matters we are required to state
to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility
to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this
report, or for the conclusions we have reached.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly report is the responsibility of, and has been
approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for
preparing the half-yearly report in accordance with the AIM
Rules.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the
Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU.
The condensed set of financial statements included in this
half-yearly report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34
Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on
the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly 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
UK. 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 Ireland) 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 half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2017 is
not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the
recognition and measurement requirements of IFRSs as adopted by the
EU and the AIM Rules.
Ravi Lamba
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
15 Canada Square
London
E14 5GL
4 September 2017
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR DZLFBDKFEBBB
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 05, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Lighthouse (LSE:LGT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Lighthouse (LSE:LGT)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024