TIDMLTG
RNS Number : 0116J
Learning Technologies Group PLC
06 September 2016
6 September 2016
Learning Technologies Group plc
(AIM: LTG)
Interim Results 2016
Learning Technologies Group plc ("LTG" or the "Group"), the
global integrated e-learning technology and services business, is
pleased to announce interim results for the six months ended 30
June 2016, which demonstrate substantial profit and earnings growth
in line with the Board's expectations.
Financial highlights:
-- Revenue increased to GBP12.8 million (H1 2015: GBP8.4 million) - up 52%
- The proportion of recurring revenues is now 25% (H1 2015:
8%)
-- Adjusted EBITDA* more than doubled at GBP3.2 million (H1 2015: GBP1.3 million) - up 145%
-- Adjusted EBITDA* margin improved by ten percentage points to 25.4% (H1 2015: 15.8%)
-- Adjusted diluted earnings per share of 0.483p (H1 2015: 0.232p per share) - up 108%
-- Operating cash flows strong, despite significant investment
in CSL project and IP development
-- Interim dividend of 0.07p per share (H1 2015: 0.05p) - up 40%
Operational highlights:
-- Focus on extending and deepening best working practices
across the Group has improved margins
-- Acquisition of Rustici, places LTG at the heart of global
e-learning interoperability standards
- Delivers substantial recurring revenues and already performing
ahead of Board's expectations
-- Strategic investment in ground-breaking Watershed business -
USD3 million for 27% equity stake
- Analytic tools which show the impact and effectiveness of
learning programmes
-- Good progress in LEO's landmark UK Civil Service Learning
(CSL) project in partnership with KPMG LLP
- Significant upfront investment being funded from operating
cash flows
- Revenues expected to accrue in Q4 2016 and accelerate
substantially in 2017
-- Further acquisition opportunities being evaluated and
pursued, particularly in the US and UK
Andrew Brode, Chairman of LTG, said:
"The Group continues to make strong progress in its strategic
ambition to build a diversified international business with
revenues of GBP50 million. The acquisition of Rustici and
investment in Watershed bring exciting new capabilities to the
Group, which will enable us to take learning to the heart of the
business strategy at Board level. Our ability to deliver a truly
blended learning experience to large organisations has been
confirmed by the CSL project win with our partner KPMG. We will
continue to capitalise on our existing strengths to deliver further
profitable organic growth, whilst seeking new acquisition
opportunities to extend the Group's reach and scale."
*Adjusted EBITDA excludes the amortisation of
acquisition-related intangibles assets, the amortisation of
internal capitalised development costs, depreciation, share of
losses on associates, acquisition earnout charges, share based
payment charges and other exceptional items.
Enquiries:
Learning Technologies Group
plc
Jonathan Satchell, Chief Executive
Officer
Neil Elton, Group Finance +44 (0)20
Director 7402 1554
Numis Securities Limited
Stuart Skinner/Michael Wharton
(Nominated Adviser) +44 (0)20
Ben Stoop (Corporate Broker) 7260 1000
Hudson Sandler Limited +44 (0)20
Cat Valentine 7796 4133
Notes to Editors
LTG was created with the purpose of building a market-leading
business of substance and scale within the exciting and
fast-growing learning technologies sector and the Group's
award-winning businesses are at the forefront of innovation and
best practice in this sector.
It is LTG's aim to create a broad capability, international
learning technologies business with revenues in excess of GBP50m,
which it will achieve through organic growth complemented by
strategic acquisitions.
Since LTG listed on AIM in November 2013, it has made a number
of strategic acquisitions to grow its business:
April 2014 LINE
May 2014 Preloaded
July 2015 Eukleia
January 2016 Rustici and 27% equity stake in Watershed
LINE was merged with the original business, Epic, to form LEO, a
market-leading learning technologies firm with unrivalled
capability to provide custom solutions to its corporate and
government clients. It is joined by BAFTA award-winning applied
games studio Preloaded, who bring learning games specialism to the
Group and by Eukleia, experts in governance, risk and compliance
(GRC) in the financial services sector. Most recently, Rustici
brings the global leader in the support and development of the
universal technical standards for the entire e-learning industry
into the Group.
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
LTG performed well in the first half, delivering substantial
growth in revenue and profit and making excellent progress in its
strategic ambition to build a diversified international business of
scale, with revenues in excess of GBP50 million, through organic
growth and acquisition. Margins continued to strengthen across our
businesses and I am pleased to report that the Group's profit and
earnings for H1 were in line with the Board's expectations.
In December 2015, we announced that LTG had won a landmark
contract, alongside our strategic partner KPMG UK LLP, to design
and deliver blended courses that incorporate a combination of
digital, informal and classroom components for the UK Civil Service
('CSL'). A substantial number of learning components were created
by LTG in H1 and the entire library will be delivered by the
year-end. Revenues from this material contract will begin to accrue
in Q4 2016 with the majority of returns expected in 2017 and
2018.
In January 2016, we announced the acquisition of Rustici
Software LLC ('Rustici') in the US, the acknowledged global leader
in digital learning interoperability, which enables online learning
content and management systems to communicate and work together.
The initial upfront acquisition cost of USD23.6 million was part
funded by a USD20 million loan. Rustici has substantial recurring
revenues and has performed ahead of the Board's expectations in the
period under review.
At the same time, the Group acquired 27% of Watershed Systems
Inc ('Watershed') for USD3 million. Watershed is developing a
SaaS-based learning analytics capability, which evaluates the
impact and effectiveness of learning programmes. Although this is
in the early stages of development, Watershed is making tangible
progress, signing up a number of global customers and generating
compelling and objective insights into the effectiveness of
e-learning interventions.
Results
In the six months ended 30 June 2016, revenues increased by 52%
to GBP12.8 million (H1 2015: GBP8.4 million) and adjusted EBITDA
grew by 145% to GBP3.2 million (H1 2015: GBP1.3 million),
reflecting a 10 percentage point increase in adjusted EBITDA
margins from 15.8% to 25.4%.
The increase in the adjusted EBITDA margin is a result of
increased economies of scale, improved working practices, a
favourable movement in currency exchange rates in H1 2016,
equivalent to GBP96,000, and a change in the revenue mix of the
Group towards higher margin licence revenues following the
acquisition of Rustici. This margin improvement demonstrates LTG's
ability to drive operational synergies in acquired businesses and
we believe that these margin improvements are sustainable.
Recurring licence fee and support contract revenues increased from
8% in H1 2015 to 25% in H1 2016.
Operating profit of GBP0.6 million (H1 2015: GBP0.3 million) is
stated after amortisation of acquired intangibles, depreciation,
various acquisition earnout charges, unrealised foreign exchange
differences on borrowings, share based payments, share of losses on
investments and integration costs. Following the acquisitions of
Eukleia Training Limited ('Eukleia') and Rustici, amortisation of
acquired intangibles increased to GBP1.5 million (H1 2015: GBP0.4
million). The net charge for the unrealised foreign exchange loss
on the USD20 million loan taken out in January 2016 was GBP0.1
million (H1 2015: GBPnil).
A net tax credit of GBP0.5 million (H1 2015: GBP0.1 million)
includes a release of deferred tax liabilities, created from
acquired intangibles.
The Group reported a net profit of GBP0.4 million for the six
months ended 30 June 2016 (H1 2015: GBP0.4 million).
The basic earnings per share in H1 2016 were 0.094 pence (H1
2015: 0.099 pence). Adjusted diluted earnings per share as set out
in Note 5 increased by 108% to 0.483 pence (H1 2015: 0.232
pence).
LTG maintained strong operating cash flows in the period.
Operating cash outflows of GBP0.7 million (H1 2015: inflows of
GBP0.5 million) are stated after the payment of the transaction
bonus to Rustici employees of USD2.0 million (see Note 12) and
upfront costs related to the CSL project.
As part of the financing of the Rustici acquisition the Group
entered into a USD20 million term loan. The loan is amortised over
five years and repayable in quarterly instalments with a final
bullet payment in January 2019. Interest is payable based on USD
LIBOR, plus a 2.0% margin and the loan is subject to various
financial covenants.
Approximately 32% of LTG's business is undertaken for customers
outside of the UK and a growing percentage of the Group's revenues
are denominated in USD and Euros. Net USD cash inflows are used as
an approximate internal hedge against the USD loan capital and
interest repayments; therefore the business' overall exposure to
exchange rate volatility is limited. At 30 June 2016 gross cash was
GBP4.3 million and net debt was GBP9.9 million (31 December 2015:
gross and net cash of GBP7.3 million).
Overall net assets increased to GBP31.1 million at 30 June 2016
(31 December 2015: GBP25.5 million) and shareholders' funds
increased from 6.3 pence per share to 7.4 pence per share.
Operational Review
LTG has built on the operational successes of 2015 in the first
half of the year by extending and deepening best working practices
across the Group. Our aim is to deliver a first class experience to
our customers every time, ensuring that our staff are optimally
trained and work effectively. This focus on best practice has also
improved margins across our businesses because we deliver the
majority of our projects 'right first time', avoiding costly
rework.
In LEO Learning ('LEO'), we have developed a greater focus on
account management and market sector expertise; we are beginning to
see the benefits of this approach, as we extend and strengthen our
relationships with customers and move towards the delivery of a
complete end-to-end solution. At Jaguar Land Rover, for example,
LEO is working across multiple departments, including global dealer
training, marketing, manufacturing, brand experience, and HR.
Calling on the expertise of other LTG businesses when required, LEO
is delivering a wide range of products and services, including
electronic pocket guides, systems analysis, consulting, project
leadership, video production, blended learning, virtual reality and
even augmented reality. We are finding that this single account
management strategy works especially well with a number of our key
customers, who are aiming to reduce the number of their suppliers
whilst retaining a broad range of capability and innovation.
LEO has invested substantially in developing the blended
learning modules for the CSL project in the first half of the year.
The size of the LEO contractor workforce has been increased rapidly
and the management's initial focus on this landmark project has
impacted moderately on the new business win rate elsewhere in LEO
in H1 2016.
As the project moved out of the initiation phase into production
during Q2, we were able to apply more management resource to
developing the sales pipeline and are already seeing renewed sales
momentum in H2 2016. We anticipate that the production phase, and
associated upfront investment, will be completed by the end of
2016. Revenues from the CSL project will begin to accrue in Q4 2016
before escalating from 2017 onwards.
In the US, we opened a production office in Bloomington,
Indiana. The LEO US business had a slow start to the year but,
alongside the appointment of a new Senior VP, LEO US has won some
significant contracts and the prospects for H2 2016 are
significantly improved.
Our joint venture, LEO Brazil, has made steady progress in H1
2016, despite the turbulence in the Brazilian economy. Other LTG
companies are working alongside LEO Brazil to deliver high volume,
high quality content for our international customers.
Preloaded, LTG's 'games with purpose' developer, has had a
strong first half in 2016. This talented team has been greatly
enhanced by the recruitment of a new MD and Technical Director.
Their high quality work has been well received, which is affirmed
by the further contracts we have already won in H2 2016. Later this
month Penguin Random House will launch an interactive app,
developed by Preloaded, that re-imagines Stephen Hawking's book A
Brief History of Time, bringing its complex ideas and concepts to
life for a new generation. This prestigious project demonstrates
LTG's ability to take complex subject matters and convert them into
compelling learning interactions for a wide range of users.
Eukleia, the Group's specialist governance, risk and compliance
('GRC') business, was fully integrated into the Group in 2015.
Whilst EBITDA increased during the first half of 2016, revenues
were down on the comparative prior period, as regulatory
initiatives in the City of London abated in the run up to the EU
Referendum. While we continue to assess the impact of the Brexit
vote on the GRC environment, we are encouraged by the take-up of
training initiatives since the vote. Developments such as the
implementation of the Market Abuse Regulations are good examples of
the constant regulatory changes affecting the financial sector and
the imperative of delivering up to date training. Eukleia continues
to extend its success to contiguous corporate market sectors and we
are also launching a New York office for this business before the
end of the year.
gomo Learning, which delivers a SaaS based tool for creating,
hosting and tracking multi-device learning content for mobile
workforces, had an excellent start to the year. Having won the
prestigious 2015 Gold Award for the Brandon Hall Best Advance in
Content Authoring Technology, the business proceeded to add to its
already enviable roster of blue-chip customers, achieving
particular success in the US market. It is our continued investment
in the gomo platform which ensures that gomo remains the leading
SaaS authoring tool on the market. A number of gomo customers have
gone on to buy services from other LTG business units.
The acquisition of Rustici and its subsequent integration has
been achieved successfully. We relocated the team to new offices in
Nashville in May and the business has performed ahead of our
expectations in H1 2016. Rustici gives LTG a unique software
product offering that underpins the global e-learning market, as
well as recurring revenues with high retention rates. Further
details of this acquisition are included in Note 12.
Alongside the acquisition of Rustici, the Group invested USD3
million in a 27% share of the tech start-up Watershed. It has made
good progress in its development of analytic tools that enable
customers to track and assess the effectiveness of their learning
programmes through the interrogation of 'big data'. These insights
will help LTG in its ambition to 'move learning to the heart of
business strategy' by enabling business managers to objectively
understand the return on their investment in learning programmes
within the corporate and government workplace. Our share of losses
in Watershed in H1 2016 was GBP0.1 million.
Dividend
On 4 July 2016, the Company paid a final dividend of 0.10 pence
per share, giving a total dividend for 2015 of 0.15 pence per
share. This represented a 50% increase on the dividend paid
compared to 2014. Given its confidence in the continuing success of
the Group, the Board is pleased to announce that it has approved an
interim dividend of 0.07 pence per share (2015: 0.05 pence per
share). This will be paid on 28 October 2016 to shareholders on the
register at 7 October 2016.
Current Trading and outlook
The Board is pleased with the progress that the Group has made
in the first half of 2016, in particular the strengthening of
margins through best working practices and increased scale, as well
as the successful of integration of Rustici.
While it is too early to identify any potential implications
from the UK's likely exit from the European Union, we are confident
that our strategic ambitions and proven track record in acquiring,
integrating and growing businesses, both in the UK and abroad, will
ensure the Group's continued progress.
LTG continues to pursue acquisition opportunities particularly
in the US and UK and the Directors look forward to delivering
significant profitable growth in the underlying operating
businesses during the remainder of 2016.
Andrew Brode, Chairman
6 September 2016
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Six months Year Six months
to to to
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 3 12,785 19,905 8,390
Operating expense (12,199) (18,137) (8,073)
------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Operating profit* 586 1,768 317
Adjusted EBITDA 3,247 4,338 1,328
Amortisation of intangibles (1,700) (1,419) (480)
Depreciation (146) (214) (90)
Acquisition earnout (215) - -
Net foreign exchange differences
on borrowings (134) - -
Share of losses on
associates/joint
ventures 7,8 (102) (62) (41)
Share based payment costs (300) (776) (400)
Integration costs (64) (99) -
--------------------------------- ----- --- ------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Operating profit* 586 1,768 317
--------------------------------- ----- --- ------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Fair value movement on
contingent
consideration - 198 -
Costs of acquisition (104) (234) -
Finance expenses:
Charge on contingent
consideration (392) (195) (115)
Interest on borrowings (155) - -
Interest receivable - 12 7
------------------- ------------------ ------------------
(Loss)/profit before taxation (65) 1,549 209
Income tax credit/(expense) 4 453 (120) 144
------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Profit for the period/year
attributable to the owners
of the parent 388 1,429 353
Earnings per share attributable
to owners of the parent:
Basic, (pence) 5 0.094 0.382 0.099
=================== ================== ==================
Diluted, (pence) 5 0.087 0.357 0.093
=================== ================== ==================
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on
translating
foreign operations 491 33 8
Total comprehensive income
for the period 879 1,462 361
=================== ================== ==================
Consolidated statement of financial position
31 Dec
2015
30 June 30 June
2016 (unaudited) (audited) 2015 (unaudited)
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, plant and
equipment 796 543 331
Intangible assets 6 46,496 19,803 11,025
Deferred tax assets 1,094 1,029 825
Investments 7,8 1,993 - -
------------------- ------------------ ------------------
50,379 21,375 12,181
CURRENT ASSETS
Trade receivables 4,177 4,201 3,201
Other receivables,
deposits
and prepayments 9 2,194 554 470
Amounts recoverable
on contracts 2,914 1,853 2,469
Amounts due from
related parties 45 - -
Cash and bank balances 10 4,257 7,305 2,958
------------------- ------------------ ------------------
13,587 13,913 9,098
TOTAL ASSETS 63,966 35,288 21,279
=================== ================== ==================
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 11 9,323 5,835 5,560
Borrowings 2,907 - -
Corporation tax 162 309 226
Amounts owing to
related parties - 2 -
12,392 6,146 5,786
NON CURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred tax liabilities 4,046 1,182 360
Other long term liabilities 5,151 2,382 -
Borrowings 11,145 - -
Provisions 99 99 30
------------------- ------------------ ------------------
20,441 3,663 390
TOTAL LIABILITIES 32,833 9,809 6,176
=================== ================== ==================
NET ASSETS 31,133 25,479 15,103
=================== ================== ==================
EQUITY
Share capital 1,570 1,506 1,334
Share premium account 26,635 21,839 13,125
Merger relief reserve 22,269 22,269 22,269
Reverse acquisition
reserve (22,933) (22,933) (22,933)
Share-based payment
reserve 2,483 2,273 1,742
Foreign exchange
translation reserve 541 50 25
Accumulated retained
earnings/(losses) 568 475 (459)
=================== ================== ==================
TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE
TO THE OWNERS OF
THE PARENT 31,133 25,479 15,103
=================== ================== ==================
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
(GBP'000)
Share Share Merger Reverse Share Foreign Retained Total
capital Premium relief acquisition based exchange profits/(losses) equity
reserve reserve payments reserve
reserve
Balance at 1
January
2015 1,329 13,098 22,269 (22,933) 1,203 17 (574) 14,409
---------- --------- --------- ------------ --------- --------- ----------------- --------
Profit for
period - - - - - - 353 353
Exchange
differences
on translating
foreign
operations - - - - - 8 - 8
---------- --------- --------- ------------ --------- --------- ----------------- --------
Total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - - 8 353 361
Issue of shares 5 27 - - - - - 32
Share based
payment
charge /
credited to
equity - - - - 400 - - 400
Deferred tax
credit
on share
options - - - - 149 - - 149
Transfer on
exercise
and lapse of
options - - - - (10) - 10 -
Dividends paid - - - - - - (248) (248)
Balance at 30
June 2015 1,334 13,125 22,269 (22,933) 1,742 25 (459) 15,103
Profit for
period - - - - - - 1,076 1,076
Exchange
differences
on translating
foreign
operations - - - - - 25 - 25
---------- --------- --------- ------------ --------- --------- ----------------- --------
Total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - - 25 1,076 1,101
Issue of shares 172 8,931 - - - - - 9,103
Cost of issuing
shares - (257) - - - - - (257)
Sale of treasury
shares - 40 - - - - - 40
Share based
payment
charge /
credited to
equity - - - - 376 - - 376
Deferred tax
credit
on share
options - - - - 213 - - 213
Transfer on
exercise
and lapse of
options - - - - (58) - 58 -
Dividends paid - - - - - - (200) (200)
Balance at 31
December
2015 1,506 21,839 22,269 (22,933) 2,273 50 475 25,479
---------- --------- --------- ------------ --------- --------- ----------------- --------
Profit for
period - - - - - - 388 388
Exchange
differences
on translating
foreign
operations - - - - - 491 - 491
---------- --------- --------- ------------ --------- --------- ----------------- --------
Total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - - 491 388 879
Issue of shares 64 4,796 - - - - - 4,860
Share based
payment
charge /
credited to
equity - - - - 300 - - 300
Deferred tax
credit
on share
options - - - - 33 - - 33
Transfer on
exercise
and lapse of
options - - - - (123) - 123 -
Dividends
payable - - - - - - (418) (418)
Balance at 30
June 2016 1,570 26,635 22,269 (22,933) 2,483 541 568 31,133
========== ========= ========= ============ ========= ========= ================= ========
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Note Six months Six months
to Year to to
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flow from operating
activities
(Loss)/profit before
taxation (65) 1,549 209
Adjustments for:-
Share option charge 300 776 400
Cash costs of acquisition 104 234 -
Amortisation of intangible
assets 1,700 1,419 480
Depreciation of plant
and equipment 146 214 90
Share of losses of investments 102 62 41
Finance expense 392 195 115
Finance interest on
borrowings 155 - -
Fair value movement
on contingent consideration - (198) -
Interest received - (12) (7)
------------- ----------- -------------
Operating cash flow
before working capital
changes 2,834 4,239 1,328
(Increase)/decrease
in trade and other receivables (883) (49) (572)
(Increase) in amount
recoverable on contracts (1,061) (62) (663)
(Decrease)/increase
in payables (1,602) 607 417
------------- ----------- -------------
(712) 4,735 510
------------- ----------- -------------
Interest paid (157) - -
Interest received - 12 7
Income tax paid (151) (483) (127)
------------- ----------- -------------
Net cash flow from operating
activities (1,020) 4,264 390
------------- ----------- -------------
Cash flow used in investing
activities
Purchase of property,
plant and equipment (382) (232) (79)
Development of intangible
assets (378) (310) (141)
Acquisition of subsidiaries,
net of cash acquired (12,389) (5,617) -
Cash costs of acquisition (104) (234) -
Investment in associates 7,8 (2,095) (46) (25)
------------- ----------- -------------
Net cash flow used in
investing activities (15,348) (6,439) (245)
------------- ----------- -------------
Cash flow used in financing
activities
Dividends paid - (448) (248)
Cash generated from
issue of shares, net
of share issue costs 72 7,379 32
Proceed from borrowings 13,909 - -
Repayment of bank loans (683) - -
Sale of treasury shares - 40
Contingent consideration
payments in the period - (1,882) (1,337)
------------- ----------- -------------
Net cash flow from/(used
in) in financing
activities 13,298 5,089 (1,553)
------------- ----------- -------------
Net (decrease)/increase
in cash and cash equivalents (3,070) 2,914 (1,408)
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of the
year 7,305 4,358 4,358
Effects of foreign exchange
rate changes 22 33 8
----------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of the year 10 4,257 7,305 2,958
============= =========== =============
Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the six
months to 30 June 2016
1. General information
Learning Technologies Group plc ("the Company") and its
subsidiaries (together, "the Group") provide a range of e-learning
services and technologies to corporate customers. The principal
activity of the Company is that of a holding company for the Group,
as well as performing all administrative, corporate finance,
strategic and governance functions of the Group.
The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the
AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and domiciled in England
and incorporated and registered in England and Wales. The address
of its registered office is Sherborne House, 119-121 Cannon Street,
London, EC4N 5AT. The registered number of the Company is
07176993.
2. Basis of preparation
The unaudited consolidated interim financial information has
been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the
EU).
The interim results for the six months to 30 June 2016 are
neither audited nor reviewed by our auditors and the accounts in
this interim report do not therefore constitute statutory accounts
in accordance with Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.
Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been
filed with the Registrar of Companies and the auditor's report was
unqualified, did not contain any statement under Section 498(2) or
498(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and did not contain any matters to
which the auditors drew attention without qualifying their
report.
The accounting policies used in preparing the interim results
are the same as those applied to the latest audited annual
financial statements.
3. Segment analysis
Geographical information
All revenues of the Group are derived from its principal
activity, the production of interactive multimedia programmes. The
Group's revenue from external customers and non-current assets by
geographical location are detailed below.
UK Europe America Other Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
30 June 2016
(unaudited)
Revenue 8,669 492 3,077 547 12,785
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Non-current
assets 24,389 - 25,990 - 50,379
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
31 December
2015 (audited)
Revenue 17,528 559 1,638 180 19,905
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Non-current
assets 21,354 - 21 - 21,375
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
30 June 2015
(unaudited)
Revenue 7,184 618 570 18 8,390
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Non-current
assets 12,174 - 7 - 12,181
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Information about major customers
In the six months to 30 June 2016, the year ended 31 December
2015 and the six months to 30 June 2015, no customer accounted for
more than 10 percent of reported revenues.
4. Taxation
Taxation for the six months to 30 June 2016 has been calculated
by applying the estimated tax rate for the current financial year
ending 31 December 2016 to an estimated tax adjusted profit
figure.
5. Earnings per share
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit after tax attributable
to owners of the Group
: 388 1,429 353
Weighted average number
of shares:
Basic 413,821,957 373,505,000 355,129,516
Diluted 444,317,045 399,911,000 381,350,644
Basic earnings per
share (pence) 0.094 0.382 0.099
Diluted earnings per
share (pence) 0.087 0.357 0.093
Adjusted diluted earnings
per share (pence) 0.483 0.756 0.232
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company
has share options that are dilutive potential ordinary shares.
In order to give a better understanding of the underlying
operating performance of the Group, an adjusted earnings per share
comparative has been included. Adjusted earnings per share is
stated after adjusting the profit after tax attributable to equity
holders of the Group for certain charges as set out in the table
below:
30 June 31 Dec 2015 30 June 2015
2016
Profit Weighted Pence Profit Weighted Pence Profit Weighted Pence per
after average per after average per after average share
tax number share tax number share tax number
of of of
shares shares shares
GBP'000 '000 GBP'000 '000 GBP'000 '000
Basic earnings
per ordinary
share 388 413,822 0.094 1,429 373,505 0.382 353 355,130 0.099
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Effect of
adjustments:
Amortisation of
acquired
intangibles 1,536 - - 1,203 - - 407 - -
Share based
payment costs 300 - - 776 - - 400 - -
Integration costs 64 - - 99 - - - - -
Cost of
acquisitions 104 - - 234 - - - - -
Acquisition
earnout 215 - - - - - - - -
Net foreign
exchange
differences on
borrowings 134 - - - - - - - -
Fair value
movement on
contingent
consideration - - - (198) - - - - -
Interest
receivable - - - (12) - - (7) - -
Finance expense 392 - - 195 - - 115 - -
Income tax
(credit)/expense (453) - - 120 - - (144) - -
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Effect of
adjustments 2,292 - 0.554 2,417 - 0.647 771 - 0.217
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Adjusted profit
before tax 2,680 - - 3,846 - - 1,124 - -
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Adjusted weighted
tax charge 20%
(21.43%) (536) - (0.130) (824) - (0.220) (241) - (0.067)
--------- --------- ---------
Adjusted basic
earnings per
ordinary share 2,144 413,822 0.518 3,022 373,505 0.809 883 355,130 0.249
Effect of
dilutive
potential
ordinary shares:
Share options - 30,495 (0.035) - 26,406 (0.053) - 26,221 (0.017)
Adjusted diluted
earnings per
ordinary share 2,144 444,317 0.483 3,022 399,911 0.756 883 381,351 0.232
6. Intangible assets
Goodwill Customer Branding IP and Total
contracts Software
and relationships development
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost
At 1 January
2015 9,615 1,880 180 565 12,240
Additions - - - 141 141
--------- ------------------- --------- ------------- ---------
At 30 June 2015
(unaudited) 9,615 1,880 180 706 12,381
Additions on
acquisition 4,637 4,411 248 252 9,548
Additions - - - 169 169
--------- ------------------- --------- ------------- ---------
At 31 December
2015 (audited) 14,252 6,291 428 1,127 22,098
Additions on
acquisition 17,288 8,584 256 249 26,377
Additions - - - 378 378
Foreign exchange
differences 1,085 455 98 - 1,638
--------- ------------------- --------- ------------- ---------
At 30 June 2016
(unaudited) 32,625 15,330 782 1,754 50,491
Accumulated
amortisation
At 1 January
2015 - 546 24 306 876
Amortisation
charged in period - 389 18 73 480
--------- ------------------- --------- ------------- ---------
At 30 June 2015
(unaudited) - 935 42 379 1,356
Amortisation
charged in period - 674 122 143 939
--------- ------------------- --------- ------------- ---------
At 31 December
2015 (audited) - 1,609 164 522 2,295
Amortisation
charged in period - 1,471 65 164 1,700
--------- ------------------- --------- ------------- ---------
At 30 June 2016
(unaudited) - 3,080 229 686 3,995
Carrying amount
At 30 June 2015
(unaudited) 9,615 945 138 327 11,025
========= =================== ========= ============= =========
At 31 December
2015 14,252 4,682 264 605 19,803
========= =================== ========= ============= =========
At 30 June 2016
(unaudited) 32,625 12,250 553 1,068 46,496
========= =================== ========= ============= =========
7. Investments accounted for using the equity method - Joint ventures
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost of investments 274 274 253
Share of accumulated
losses (271) (271) (250)
Foreign exchange
differences (3) (3) (3)
------------- ------------- -------------
- - -
============= ============= =============
The movements in investments are as follows:
Six months Six months
to Year to to
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at beginning
of period - 16 16
Investment during
the period - 46 25
Share of losses for
the period - (62) (41)
------------ ------------ -------------
- - -
=============================================== ============ =============
The Group holds a 50% interest in LEO Brasil Tecnologia
Educaional Ltda ('LEO Brazil'); a joint venture. Where the Group's
share of losses in a joint venture exceeds its interest in the
joint venture the Group does not recognize further losses where it
has no further obligations to make further payments. Such losses
not recognized in the six months ended 30 June 2016 totaled
GBP89,000.
8. Investments accounted for using the equity method - Associates
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost of investments 2,095 - -
Share of accumulated (102) - -
losses
Foreign exchange - - -
differences
------------- ------------- -------------
1,993 - -
============= ============= =============
The movements in investments are as follows:
Six months Six months
to Year to to
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at beginning - - -
of period
Investment during 2,095 - -
the period
Share of losses for (102) - -
the period
------------- ------------ -------------
1,993 - -
============= ============ =============
The Group acquired a 27% interest in Watershed Inc ('Watershed')
on 29 January 2016 for a total consideration of $3.0 million
(GBP2.1 million). The Group's share of losses of Watershed in the
period ending 30 June 2016 was GBP0.1 million.
9. Other receivables, deposits and prepayments
30 June 31 Dec 2015 30 June 2015
2016 (unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Sundry receivables - 38 -
Prepayments 825 516 470
Deferred costs 1,369 - -
------------------ ------------ -------------
2,194 554 470
================== ============ =============
10. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash
equivalents comprise the following:-
30 June 31 Dec 2015 30 June 2015
2016 (unaudited) (audited)
(unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash and bank balances 4,257 7,305 2,958
================== ============ =============
11. Trade and other payables
30 June 31 Dec 30 June
2016 2015 2015
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Trade payables 628 814 459
Payments received
on account 2,921 1,858 1,793
Tax and social security 767 1,140 725
Contingent consideration 2,958 405 1,567
Accruals and others 2,049 1,618 1,016
------------- ------------- -------------
9,323 5,835 5,560
============= ============= =============
12. Acquisitions
On 29 January 2016 LTG acquired the entire issued share capital
of Rustici Software LLC ("Rustici"), the global market leader in
digital learning interoperability. Rustici was established in
Nashville, USA in 2002 and has been instrumental in the support and
development of the universal technical standards for the e-learning
software industry. It is the acknowledged global leader in SCORM
(Sharable Content Object Reference Model) conformance. SCORM is the
de facto industry standard for e-learning interoperability,
allowing online learning content and learning management systems to
communicate and work together.
Rustici is also the co-creator of the next generation of
learning interoperability standards, Tin Can API, or xAPI. This
global standard was created to capture rich data on every aspect of
learning experiences.
The consideration for Rustici comprised an initial payment of
USD23.6 million of which USD18 million was paid in cash and USD5.6
million in new LTG shares to the vendors (issued at a price of
30.25 pence per share). Cash consideration was adjusted to take
account of surplus cash in Rustici at completion.
Further performance based payments, capped at USD11 million, are
payable to the Rustici vendors and key employees based on ambitious
revenue growth targets in each of the years ending 31 December
2016, 2017 and 2018, payable with up to 25% in new LTG shares at
the option of the Company, and the remainder in cash. This capped
contingent deferred consideration has been discounted using a
discount factor of 10% and is held as a liability on the balance
sheet. Of this contingent deferred consideration up to USD2 million
may be payable to Rustici staff and will be recognised directly in
the income statement as it does not meet the conditions to be
recognised in the balance sheet under IFRS 3.
None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for
income tax purposes.
The following table summarises the consideration paid for
Rustici, the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
at the acquisition date.
Consideration at 29 January Fair
2016 Value
GBP'000
--------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Cash 12,999
Equity instruments (12,930,374
ordinary shares) 3,911
Contingent consideration due
in 2017 1,860
Contingent consideration due
in 2018 1,684
Contingent consideration due
in 2019 1,525
--------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Total consideration 21,979
--------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Recognised amounts of identifiable Book Fair
assets acquired and liabilities value value
assumed GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents 610 610
Property, plant and equipment 17 17
Internally generated intangible
assets 249 249
Trade and other receivables 732 732
Trade and other payables (2,663) (2,663)
Deferred tax liabilities on
acquisition - (3,094)
Intangible assets identified
on acquisition - 8,840
Total identifiable net (liabilities)/assets (1,055) 4,691
--------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Goodwill 17,288
Total 21,979
--------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
The fair value of the acquired intangible assets and deferred
tax liabilities of GBP8,840,000 and GBP3,094,000 respectively, is
provisional pending receipt of the final valuations for those
assets and liabilities.
Trade and other payables acquired on acquisition included a
GBP1,826,000 (USD2.6 million) transaction bonus liability due to
employees of Rustici, payable on completion. Of this amount USD2.0
million was paid in cash and USD0.6 million in new LTG shares.
Rustici contributed GBP2.6 million of revenue for the period
between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date and
GBP1.4 million of profit before tax. Had the acquisition of Rustici
had been completed on the first day of the financial year Group
revenues would have been GBP0.5 million higher and group profit
attributable to equity holders of the parent would have been GBP0.2
million higher.
Glossary of Terms
Augmented Reality A technology that superimposes
a computer-generated image on a
user's view of the real world.
Authoring tool Computer software which allows
its user to create multimedia applications
capable of manipulating one or
more multimedia objects allowing
a non-programmer to easily create
software with programming features.
Blended learning A solution which combines multiple
delivery methods, including e-learning,
face-to-face training, resources,
video and any other type of learning
technology.
Civil Service Provides learning and development
Learning ('CSL') for all civil servants.
Cloud-based e-learning authoring that is free
authoring from the constraints of typical
desktop solutions. Users access
authoring software over the Internet
via a secure, affordable hosted
system with no worries about software
set-up, IT configurations, desktop
installs, or missing software licenses.
e-learning The use of electronic media and
information and communication technologies
in education and includes all forms
of educational technology in learning
and teaching.
e-learning interoperability Interoperability is the ability
standards of different information technology
systems and software applications
to communicate, exchange data,
and use the information that has
been exchanged.
Gamification The application of typical elements
of game playing (e.g. point scoring,
competition with others, rules
of play) to other areas of activity,
typically as an online marketing
technique to encourage engagement
with a product or service.
GRC Governance, risk and compliance.
Learning Management A learning management system is
System a software application for the
administration, documentation,
tracking, reporting and delivery
of electronic educational technology
(also called e-learning) courses
or training programme.
Learning Record A data store system that serves
Store as a repository for learning records
of individual learners. This includes
formal and informal learning such
as activity and social learning.
Learning technologies The broad range of communication,
information and related technologies
that can be used to support learning,
teaching, and assessment.
Moodle An open-source Learning Management
System used across private, public
and not-for-profit organisations
to deliver and track their learning.
Highly customisable and benefits
from the contributions of the open
source community.
EPIC and LINE LINE was merged with the original
business, Epic, to form LEO, a
market-leading learning technologies
firm with unrivalled capability
to provide custom solutions to
its corporate and government clients.
Big Data Collecting vast amounts of information
to predict the movements of market
segments.
Rich data Collecting vast amounts of information
to predict consumer behaviour.
SaaS Software as a Service, sometimes
referred to as "software on demand"
is software that is deployed over
the internet and/or is deployed
to run behind a firewall on a local
area network or personal computer.
SCORM The de facto industry standard
for e-learning interoperability,
which enables online learning content
and management systems to communicate
and work together.
Tin Can API The Experience API (xAPI), also
known as the Tin Can API, is a
software specification that allows
learning content and learning systems
to speak to each other to record
and track learning experiences.
xAPI As above; increasingly used as
the official name of this new standard.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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