TIDMSAGA
RNS Number : 8134A
SAGA PLC
29 March 2017
29 March 2017
Saga plc
Preliminary Results for the full year ended 31 January 2017
Consistent financial performance: membership based on customer
insight to be launched in 2017
Saga plc ("Saga" or "the Group"), the UK's specialist in
products and services for life after 50, announces its preliminary
results for the twelve months ended 31 January 2017.
Financial highlights
31 January 31 January Change
2017 2016
------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ---------
Profit before tax from continuing
operations GBP193.3m GBP176.2m 9.7%
Underlying profit before tax
(1) GBP187.4m GBP177.4m 5.6%
Basic earnings per share from
continuing operations 14.1p 13.3p 6.0%
Proposed full year dividend 8.5p 7.2p 18.1%
Available operating cash flow(2) GBP217.6m GBP178.1m 22.2%
Net debt(3) GBP464.8m GBP547.7m (15.1)%
Debt ratio (net debt to EBITDA) 1.9x 2.3x (0.4)x
-- Consistent delivery of profit growth
o Underlying profit before tax, excluding derivative gains and
the Ogden discount rate impact increased by 5.6%
-- Sustained cash generation, leading to further deleveraging
o Now within medium-term target range of between 1.5 and 2.0
times
-- 18.1% growth in proposed full year dividend, equating to a
payout ratio of 62%(4) (FY 2016: 57%(5) )
Divisional Highlights
Retail broking
-- Strong performance in competitive environment with significant improvement in motor
-- Motor panel performing as expected
-- Broking profit per customer grew 5.7% to GBP46.0 (FY 2016: GBP43.5)
Insurance underwriting
-- Continued strong performance in motor underwriting
-- Profit before tax (excluding Ogden impact) of GBP77.1m (FY
2016: GBP84.1m) with lower reserve releases
-- Impact of change in Ogden discount rate from 2.5% to -0.75% of GBP4m
-- Positive capital release from underwriter
Travel
-- Profit growth across travel business, despite scheduled maintenance of Saga Sapphire
-- Robust trading performance and visibility for FY 2018
departures, with current reservations 8% ahead of prior year
-- New cruise ship on track for delivery in June 2019
Customer work
-- Enhanced customer understanding assisting retention and acquisition
-- Driving proposition development across all divisions
-- Identification of c.500k High-affinity Customers ("HACs")
-- Launch of the Saga membership scheme, 'Saga Possibilities' later this year
Commenting on the results, Lance Batchelor, Group Chief
Executive Officer, said:
"For the third successive year since IPO, we have delivered a
strong set of financial results. Underlying profit before tax(1) is
up 5.6%, consistent with our ongoing objective of delivering
consistent, sustainable profit growth. Debt is down sharply, and I
am very pleased that the dividend has again materially
increased.
Our performance has continued to prove the strength of the Saga
business model, which builds multi-decade relationships with our
target demographic through a range of excellent products and
services. This breadth allows us to deliver consistently for our
shareholders, despite the ebbs, flows and challenges in the
insurance and travel markets.
We have progressed our intensive work to better understand which
Saga customers are our most valuable, and how we can best reward
and retain them, as well as nurture the next generation. We know
more about Saga's core customers than ever before, which is leading
to more efficient acquisition, retention and up-sell of our
products. It means we can better help our customers to enjoy their
retirement to the full.
The new financial year will be a busy and exciting one. In the
second half, we will launch our membership scheme, "Saga
Possibilities", allowing us to deepen our relationship with our
customers and find a variety of ways to thank them for their
loyalty. In future, I will normally refer to "Saga Members" rather
than customers, a significant shift after 65 years of Saga
history.
Also in 2017, we will finalise the design details of our first
purpose built ship, Saga's "Spirit of Discovery". We will start
selling cabins later this year for her first season, summer
2019.
Our confidence in continuing to deliver a consistent financial
performance in 2017 is strong. We have started the financial year
well, and I look ahead with a great deal of optimism for the
business."
A preliminary results and capital markets presentation to
analysts and investors will be held at 09.45 at the offices of
Numis, 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LT. The presentation
will be broadcast via a webcast and a conference call for
registered participants. Registration for the webcast can be
completed at http://corporate.saga.co.uk/. The conference call can
be accessed on: UK: 0203 059 8125, all other locations: +44 203 059
8125
For further information please contact:
Saga plc
Mark Watkins, Investor Relations Director Tel: 07738 777 479
Email: mark.watkins@saga.co.uk
Duncan Browne, Head of Investor Relations Tel: 07710 440 528
and Financial Media Email: duncan.browne@saga.co.uk
Paul Green, Director of Communications Tel: 01303 776023 / 07714 414859
Email: paul.green@saga.co.uk
MHP
Tim Rowntree/Simon Hockridge/Reg Hoare Tel: 020 3128 8100
Email: saga@mhpc.com
Notes to editors
Saga is a specialist in the provision of products and services
for life after 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and
trusted brands in the UK and is known for its high level of
customer service and its high quality, award winning products and
services including cruises and holidays, insurance, personal
finance and publishing. saga.co.uk
1Profit before tax excluding derivatives and Ogden impact
2 Net cash flow from operating activities after capital
expenditure but before tax and interest paid and non-trading
items
3 Bank debt and borrowings, excluding any overdrafts held by
restricted trading subsidiaries, net of available cash
4 Based on profit after tax excluding derivatives and Ogden
impact
5 Excluding the one-off impact of Acromas tax losses
Chairman's statement
I am delighted to present another strong set of results.
We have continued to deliver on our progressive dividend policy
this year, increasing our dividend by 18.1% to 8.5p. This equates
to a payout ratio of 62%(7) of net earnings, compared to 57%(8) in
the previous year. Last year, we increased our target payout range
from 40%-60%, to 50%-70% as a sign of our confidence that we will
continue to deliver strong financial performance. This year's
decision to increase the dividend again reflects the Board's
ongoing confidence in the sustainability of our dividend policy,
which is supported by a strong track record of profit growth and
cash generation through our capital efficient model.
Financially, we have again delivered growth in underlying profit
before tax of 5.6% to GBP187.4m and basic earnings per share by
6.0% to 14.1p. Furthermore we have continued to be highly cash
generative, resulting in a further deleveraging such that our net
debt to EBITDA ratio has reduced to 1.9 times.
Our focus on customer need has been the driving force behind the
growth of the business. Our customers remain at the heart of
everything we do and it is a great credit to the company that so
many continue to support us through sustained ownership of our
shares. The management team has done a lot of work throughout the
year to deepen our understanding of our customers. This is helping
us to interact differently and more efficiently with both existing
and prospective customers.
I would like to thank all of our shareholders, both
institutional and retail for their ongoing support and to welcome
those who have joined us during the year, including the many new
institutional investors on our register.
I would also like to thank our employees. Their dedication to
customer care and innovation enable us to deliver the exacting
standards our customers value so highly.
The Saga Board is a strong group of individuals who have brought
relevant and valuable experience and skills to bear in shaping
Saga's thinking and strategy. We continue to be confident in Saga's
ability to deliver long-term sustainable returns for our
shareholders by delivering consistent profitable growth with a
capital efficient model.
Our Group Chief Executive, Lance Batchelor, continues to
effectively deliver on the execution of our strategy. Lance leads a
strong Executive Team which comprises a mix of new hires and
established staff. Their energy, commitment and focus on key
strategic deliverables throughout the year have had a marked impact
on our results.
7 Based on profit after tax excluding derivatives and Ogden
impact
(8) Excluding the one-off benefit of Acromas tax losses
Group CEO's statement
Overview
I am very pleased that we have again delivered consistent profit
growth in line with our stated targets. We have achieved this
alongside some important strategic developments, particularly the
work we have done to enhance our understanding of our customers and
to develop our vision for building future value by improving our
customers' experience.
Same clear strategy
We have continued to deliver on the clear strategy for
sustainable earnings growth that we laid out in early 2015. This
strategy has remained consistent and is focused on:
1. Becoming increasingly customer-centric.
2. Growing profits in our insurance and travel businesses.
3. Investing for future growth.
4. Maintaining our efficient operating model.
5. Developing our people.
Customer work
Our growing understanding of our customers has provided us with
a unique opportunity to use our rich proprietary data to interact
with them more efficiently to better understand what they want and
to deliver it right across the business. We are also able to
identify customers who are more likely to have an affinity with the
brand over time, and to use our marketing resources more
effectively by targeting and rewarding those customers who are, or
have the propensity to be Higher-affinity Customers.
Through this work, we have identified a core group of c.500k
HACs that form around 20% of our customer base, and have
contributed around 80% of customer value over the last three years.
This HAC group has the following key characteristics, all of which
deliver greater lifetime value to Saga. They:
-- buy premium versions of what we sell;
-- have higher retention levels; and
-- have a higher propensity to buy multiple products across the
Group, holding an average of 2.1 core products each.
We now fully understand the journeys by which these customers
have developed a high affinity for Saga and the reasons why certain
customers have not. This means that we are now in a position to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our direct marketing
model to better identify and target existing or potential HACs.
Historically, we have managed a highly effective product
marketing approach, evidenced by our industry leading customer
acquisition costs in insurance. This marketing was based on average
returns. By looking at it from the viewpoint of customer affinity,
rather than by value of product, we can significantly refine this
model to increase efficiency.
Just as importantly, we have been able to identify customers who
have an affinity with the brand but who currently have neither the
long tenure, nor multiple product holdings. By considering their
purchasing propensities, we can ensure that we approach and market
to them in a way that optimises the likelihood of them developing
an affinity with Saga.
We have made a key improvement to our systems capability which
will enable us to do this. In our core insurance and travel
businesses, we have two excellent acquisition machines, whose
demographic focus means we are constantly 'touching' current and
new, potentially high-affinity, customers. The improved capability
enables us to monitor in real time what customers are doing and,
just as importantly, what they have done while journeying through
any of our systems, both online and through our call centres. It
will also enable us to automatically offer the customer the right
product based on their history and their propensity to buy.
Membership
Saga's brand is synonymous with life after 50 in the UK. Thanks
to the consistent delivery of tailored products, underpinned by
exceptional service over many decades, customers often refer to
being 'Saga members' without ever having run an official membership
scheme.
Utilising the customer work we will create a membership scheme
that rewards and incentivises our customers both to stay with Saga
and deepen their relationship with us. The scheme, which will
launch in the second half of the year, is open to all existing Saga
customers and will be named "Saga Possibilities". Its mission
statement is to: "Help you, our Members, get more out of Saga and
do more of the things that matter most to you".
Saga Possibilities will be structured around four key
components:
-- Experiences: provide members with a constant stream of
inspiring products and experiences they can try.
-- Expertise: the go-to place for the over 50's for subject
matter expertise, providing information, inspiration and insight on
topics that matter most.
-- Everyday: to make the little things in life more enjoyable, easier and better value.
-- Enhanced Saga products: every product and service that Saga
sells will have extra enhancements for our members.
We believe that the combination of our increasing customer
insight, data capability and membership will be extremely powerful,
helping us to focus our efforts on rewarding, retaining and growing
our target customer base and deepening our relationship with them.
Our goal is therefore to grow the number of products held by HACs
by 20% over the next 5 years.
Divisional review
Retail broking
Our retail broking business provides tailored products and
services, ranging from motor to pet insurance, to millions of
customers each year. Its role is to develop tailored products,
price them to the customer and then source the cheapest cost of
risk. This is achieved through our panels of third party insurers,
which operate across both our motor and home businesses, or through
solus arrangements, for example in travel or private medical
insurance. Our in-house underwriter, AICL, sits on both motor and
home panels and competes for the business on equal terms. If
underwritten by a third party, the product is manufactured as a
Saga product, and the customer interaction will always be managed
by us. This approach to sourcing underwriting gives us the
flexibility to operate a portfolio of products that takes advantage
of, or protects against, prevailing market conditions at any given
time. Overall, the business performed strongly, with profit before
tax increasing by 9.1% to GBP138.0m (2016: GBP126.5m).
Motor broking
We have delivered a strong improvement in motor broking
profitability, growing profit before tax by 58% to GBP45.2m (2016:
GBP28.6m). This was driven by a combination of improved yield
management, improved efficiencies in marketing and operations and
the benefit of the motor panel.
The introduction of the motor panel in summer 2015 has driven
GBP3m of additional profit in the year, with around 30% of net
premium for renewal policies being placed with third party
underwriters by the end of the year. These policies tend to be for
younger, higher risk drivers, meaning we are able to achieve a
higher margin in our broking business without the need for holding
capital in our underwriter.
The enhancement of our customer understanding is assisting in
focusing retention and acquisition efforts on customers who are
expected to add the greatest value to the Group. We have focused a
greater marketing effort during the year on these core
customers.
Home broking
The UK home insurance market continues to be highly competitive,
with limited evidence of premium inflation in the market. Despite
these difficult conditions, we chose to maintain policy volumes
with a small reduction in profits. Profit before tax decreased to
GBP61.2m (2016: GBP63.4m).
The combination of the panel, including our underwriter,
participating on a no risk basis through our co-insurance and
reinsurance arrangements, enables us to access a competitive cost
of risk with no downside underwriting risk.
Other broking
Within other insurance (primarily private medical insurance
('PMI') and travel insurance), customer numbers have been stable
and profit before tax was GBP31.6m (2016: GBP34.5m).
PMI performed strongly, with high levels of persistency and
robust demand. As part of our ongoing drive to enhance the customer
proposition, we have continued to improve the GP fast-track service
and have extended the GP helpline facility. These popular
initiatives are not widely available, and demonstrate our knowledge
of our customer base, and our expertise in delivering bespoke
products that particularly appeal to our demographic.
In travel insurance, we saw some weakening of demand in the
latter part of the year, and some pressure on net rates, as the
effects of the currency move worked through. The differentiated
aspects of our travel insurance product range have ensured that our
offering has remained popular with customers. This includes a
recent add-on that significantly reduces the cost of car insurance,
and access to our travel hub.
Both our travel insurance and PMI products play an important
role in the Group's customer acquisition strategy, allowing us to
reach high quality customers with the resources and time both to
travel and invest in their health. We are applying our new customer
insight in a way that is already enhancing cross-sell between our
insurance and travel businesses.
Current trading in retail broking
Given our varied retail broking product lines, we always
experience varying market conditions in different businesses.
Overall, we have seen a very positive start to the year on motor
premiums, with strong upwards movement on new business. This is
currently running in excess of claims inflation, and sets us on a
strong footing to improve motor broking profits during the year. We
have recently started to see the effects of the Ogden rate change
being reflected in premiums across the market and affecting the net
rates on the panel. However, this will take time to work
through.
Home has continued to be difficult, with limited sign of premium
inflation against a backdrop of claims inflation. Therefore, we
expect another tough year for this market, particularly given the
benign weather conditions over the winter period.
Private medical insurance is progressing well. Concerns over the
NHS, and its ongoing funding, are leading to higher levels of
interest and quotes. We expect this to continue, but with demand
increasing on the private sector, we may see the emergence of
increasing claims frequency and, thus, inflation.
Travel insurance demand is stable. We are starting to see the
impact of sterling depreciation, which is filtering through to
higher prices and may suppress demand going forward.
Overall, we remain positive on trading for our retail broking
business for the coming year.
Insurance underwriting
AICL, our underwriter, retains its competitive advantage and
high panel share of older, lower risk drivers; as a result, it
remains a vital part of the Group. Its rigorous focus on these
drivers, along with ongoing efficient management of claims, has led
to an excellent underwriting result. AICL targets a 3% return on
net premiums and a strong return on equity, which it has
consistently delivered over many years. The excellent management of
claims costs has also delivered a high level of reserve releases.
Profit before tax was GBP73.1m (2016: GBP84.1m), with the reduction
due to reducing reserve releases and the first year of cost
associated with our new quota share arrangement.
AICL's high quality book has a track record of generating
consistent earnings for the Group. The implementation of the quota
share arrangement with NewRe, covering 75% of the downside risk of
all motor policies written from 1 August 2015 for accidents
occurring from 1 February 2016, has decreased our ongoing capital
requirements for this business, lowering both risk and volatility.
This has given us further confidence that AICL can continue to
provide a solid contribution to our earnings in the future.
Reserve releases
With our clear targeted returns within AICL, the net pricing
provided to the retail broking business provides flexibility in
pricing to customers, and retains a large proportion of the Group's
earnings within broking activities.
We have seen a decrease in reserve releases from GBP68.0m to
GBP63.0m (excluding the Ogden effect) during the year. We expect
the importance of reserve releases in Group earnings to decline
gradually over coming years.
Ogden discount rate change
On 27 February 2017, the government announced the reduction in
the Ogden discount rate, used to value long term liabilities, from
2.5% to minus 0.75%. Within the existing reserve surplus, AICL had
already assumed a significant reduction in this rate. When combined
with the relatively low frequency and severity of claims for our
underwritten drivers, the net additional impact on the Group was
limited to GBP4m.
Travel
This year, our multi award winning travel business took over
211,000 customers around the world, as well as taking home 65
awards at the UK travel awards and continuing to receive
exceptionally high levels of positive feedback from customers. The
business maintained its trajectory of profitable growth, and is
expected to approach its stretch target of doubling EBITDA to
GBP40m one year early by the end of FY 2018. Overall, profit before
tax excluding derivatives in travel increased by 10.4% to GBP14.9m
(2016: GBP13.5m). Our new target is to grow profit before tax in
the travel business by four to five times over the next five
years.
Tour operating
We have delivered excellent earnings growth within our tour
operating business, with profit before tax increasing by 32% to
GBP11.5m (2016: GBP8.7m). We continue to see a shift in the mix of
sales to longer-haul, higher-value products, as customers look
beyond some of the more traditional holiday destinations. This
demonstrates that our customers continue to value the security that
products such as our river cruising and guided holidays offer -
highly differentiated and tailored for the needs of our
demographic.
The customer focused approach is key here, and, based on deep
customer insight, we have developed four thematic product segments
that we can apply and then tailor to the majority of our customer
base. These are: Go For It, Discover, Unwind and Stay and Explore.
By broadening our offering within these categories, we are also
succeeding in attracting younger, first time buyers to the
brand.
The profile of these customers tends to be higher value, making
them a natural fit for cross-selling and our membership scheme.
Combined with the optimised digital approach the travel business is
taking with its online offering, this is providing a quality
customer acquisition route as part of the Group's wider
strategy.
Cruising
Cruising remains essential to Saga's brand and customer
offering. Our two cruise ships, the Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl
II, had another good year, with exceptionally high customer
satisfaction levels. We have significantly improved the yield
management of our ships. While load factors have reduced marginally
to 82%, we have increased the per diem rates by 8% through various
value enhancements to the cruise product offering, including free
wine with lunch and dinner, a newly established cruise services
team and other enhancements to the customer experience.
We continued to invest in the resilience of the cruise ships,
with the scheduled maintenance of the Saga Sapphire during the year
impacting profit by c.GBP5m, as expected.
We remain very excited about the prospects for the new ship,
with the project on track. As part of the design project, we are
undertaking significant customer research. The results so far have
proven hugely helpful and informative to both product and
proposition design, and will ensure that the experience remains
relevant for customers well into the future.
The first itineraries for the new ship will be going on sale
later this year. We have already had over 10,000 customers register
their interest in our new ship with over 50% securing their place
on the first set of itineraries with payment of a deposit. Indeed,
these 10,000 registered customers would equate to filling our first
12 cruises.
Current trading
Our travel business has excellent visibility due to our
customers' propensity to book holidays far in advance. In both tour
operating and cruising, we have already secured the substantial
majority of our FY 2018 sales targets. Reservations for departures
in FY 2018 as at 18 March 2017 are 8% ahead of the comparable
reservation position one year ago. As previously noted in our
post-Brexit poll, less than 1% of our customers said that they were
reconsidering their future holiday plans as a result of the
referendum result, and general economic confidence amongst our
customers remains strong.
Cruise capacity is 5% higher year on year, with the 63 days of
Sapphire wet dock in 2016/17 being followed by two dry docks in
2017/18, meaning that 41 days of trading will be given to further
ship investment in 2017/18.
Trading to week ending
18 March 2017 2017/18 Growth 2016/17
Tour operating revenue
GBPm 275.9 8.2% 254.9
Tour operating passengers 142.6 1.1% 141.1
Cruise revenue GBPm 76.0 8.0% 70.4
Cruise passengers 22.1 15.7% 19.1
Emerging businesses - continuing to invest for future growth
Saga is learning its way into three new categories, all of which
have the capacity to contribute materially for us in future: money,
health and retirement villages.
Money: this business is made up of a variety of products -
credit cards, equity release, savings, loans and wealth management.
The team is working on some exciting new products for test in 2017,
based on our clear understanding of what our customers want.
Healthcare: Saga operates a number of brands in the homecare
sector, where we look after people in their own home. Fastest
growing is Saga homecare, which operates in a trial area around
Hertfordshire. During 2017, we will be cautiously expanding the
area covered and the number of Saga customers we serve.
Retirement villages: since 2015, we have worked closely with
Wadswick Green in Wiltshire, helping them meet Saga customers and
explain the benefits of dedicated village living to them. This
relationship has been mutually successful, and we are now
considering expansion deeper into the category.
Conclusion - the Saga investment case
With a clear strategy in place to continue to drive profit
growth through the core businesses, and enhance the value of our
most loyal customers, we have made a positive start to the current
year, and I would like to touch again on the key takeaways that
make Saga a strong investment case:
How we are different:
-- Our focus on an older and growing demographic
-- Our strong customer relationships and brand loyalty leads to
better customer acquisition and retention
-- Multiple businesses with tailored, differentiated offerings
means the business is less exposed and carries less risk
The model works
-- We have consistently delivered steady earnings growth over time
-- We have demonstrated another year of strong earnings growth and cashflow
Confidence in future delivery
Our existing strategy is robust. The in-depth work we have
undertaken to better understand our customers has provided the
logical next step in the evolution of our model. We are now in a
position to use our enhanced insight, data capability and
membership scheme to become a more efficient organisation,
ensuring:
-- We retain and deepen our customer relationships with:
o increased persistency
o better cross-sell
o low acquisition costs
-- We improve new customer targeting:
o more efficient acquisition spend
-- We generate increased profits at lower risk, with lower capital
o higher quality of earnings
We are already seeing the benefits of this work in our current
business performance. These early signs of successful
implementation have further increased our confidence that we can
continue to leverage Saga's differentiated model to drive increased
customer engagement and loyalty. This gives us further confidence
to deliver consistent, sustainable earnings growth through
increased efficiency and customer value across the business.
Chief Financial Officer's Review
I am pleased to report that the Group has delivered another
strong financial performance, with profit before tax from
continuing operations 9.7% higher at GBP193.3m. Excluding
derivatives and the one-off impact of Ogden rate change, profit
before tax increased by 5.6%. Strong cash flows have enabled us to
further deleverage to 1.9x from 2.3x at the start of the year, with
net debt reducing from GBP547.7m to GBP464.8m. Based on these
results and our positive expectations for the business, we are
proposing to increase our final dividend to 5.8p, leading to growth
in the full year dividend of 18.1% to 8.5p per share.
Income Statement
Group Income Statement 12m Growth 12m
to to
Jan Jan
2017 2016
-------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Revenue GBP871.3m (9.5%) GBP963.2m
------------ ------------
Trading EBITDA(9) GBP246.1m 3.1% GBP238.8m
Depreciation & amortisation
(excluding acquired intangibles) (GBP33.1m) (GBP27.8m)
Trading Profit GBP213.0m 0.9% GBP211.0m
Non-trading costs (GBP1.9m) (GBP3.3m)
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles (GBP6.5m) (GBP6.3m)
Net finance costs (GBP17.2m) (GBP24.0m)
Profit before tax excluding
derivatives and the Ogden
impact GBP187.4m 5.6% GBP177.4m
Net fair value gains / (losses)
on derivatives GBP9.9m (GBP1.2m)
Ogden rate change
impact (GBP4.0m) -
Profit before tax from continuing
operations GBP193.3m 9.7% GBP176.2m
------------ ------------
Tax expense (GBP36.0m) 28.1% (GBP28.1m)
Loss after tax for the year
from discontinued operations - (GBP6.9m)
Profit after tax GBP157.3m 11.4% GBP141.2m
------------ ------------
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings per share from
continuing operations 14.1p 6.0% 13.3p
Earnings per share 14.1p 11.0% 12.7p
(9) Earnings before interest payable, tax, depreciation and
amortisation, non-trading items and fair value gains and losses on
derivative financial instruments
Revenue from continuing operations decreased by 9.5% to
GBP871.3m (2016: GBP963.2m), due to the accounting for the new
funds-withheld quota share agreement in motor insurance. Our total
customer spend with Saga increased by 4.7% to GBP1,182m (2016:
GBP1,129m), which includes gross written premiums and insurance
premium tax for all insurance policies sold.
Trading EBITDA grew by 3.1% to GBP246.1m (2016: GBP238.8m), with
the current period incurring a profit impact of approximately GBP5m
from the scheduled Saga Sapphire maintenance. Trading Profit
increased by 0.9% to GBP213.0m (2016: GBP211.0m), with depreciation
and amortisation increasing by GBP5.3m due to investment in the
ongoing maintenance of both ships and in software. Now that the
impact of IPO expenses seen in previous years has diminished, and
the amortisation of intangibles acquired with the Destinology and
Bennetts businesses has reached a steady state, profit before tax
has replaced Trading Profit as the Group's key performance
measure.
Profit before tax, excluding derivatives and the Ogden rate
change impact, increased by 5.6% to GBP187.4m (2016: GBP177.4m),
benefiting from a decrease in finance costs of GBP6.8m as a result
of high levels of cash generation enabling continued deleveraging
and a reduction in LIBOR, coupled with a GBP1.4m reduction in
non-trading costs.
Profit before tax from continuing operations for the year was
GBP193.3m, an increase of 9.7%, which was further impacted by gains
on derivative instruments that do not meet the criteria to qualify
as hedges for accounting purposes and a GBP4.0m profit impact from
the change in the Ogden discount rate from 2.5% to -0.75% that was
announced by the UK Government on 27 February 2017.
Net finance costs
Finance costs in the year were GBP17.2m (2016: GBP24.0m), with
the reduction due to lower interest costs on lower average
borrowings, a lower charge associated with the pension scheme and
the ending of the charge associated with the unwinding of the
discount on the deferred consideration associated with
Destinology.
Tax expense
The Group's tax expense for the year was GBP36.0m (2016:
GBP28.1m) representing a tax effective rate of 18.6% (2016: 15.9%).
The current year benefited from a GBP2.7m one-off positive impact
from the utilisation under group relief rules of tax losses brought
forward from the Allied business that was disposed of on 1 December
2015. The prior year benefitted from a GBP7.6m one-off reduction in
the tax expense due to the utilisation under group relief rules of
tax losses from Acromas, which arose when Saga was a part of the
Acromas Group. Going forward the tax charge is likely to be more in
line with the underlying corporation tax rate.
Earnings per share
The Group's basic earnings per share were 14.1p (2016: 12.7p),
with basic earnings per share from continuing operations for the
same period of 14.1p (2016: 13.3p).
Dividends
The Directors have proposed a final dividend of 5.8p per share,
which, combined with the interim dividend of 2.7p per share, will
deliver a total dividend for the financial year ending 31 January
2017 of 8.5p per share (2016: 7.2p). This equates to a payout ratio
of 62%(10) compared with the Group's basic earnings per share from
continuing operations, excluding derivatives and the Ogden rate
impact (2016: 57% excluding the one-off benefit of Acromas tax
losses).
Saga offers a share alternative in the form of a dividend
re-investment plan ("DRIP") for those shareholders who wish to
elect to use their dividend payments to purchase additional Shares
in the Group, rather than receive a cash payment. The last date for
shareholders to elect to participate in the DRIP will be 5 June
2017.
Cash flow and liquidity
The Group delivered an excellent cash flow performance in the
year to 31 January 2017, achieving an available operating cash flow
of GBP217.6m, 88.4% of Trading EBITDA. This cash flow increased by
GBP39.5m on the previous period, driven by a higher payout from
AICL as a result of the historical, strong underlying solvency
capital position and the initial impact of the quota share on
solvency capital. The working capital outflow in the current year
included the payment to Acromas for tax losses recognised in the
prior year.
(10) Based on profit after tax excluding derivatives and Ogden
impact
Available Cash Flow 12m to Growth 12m to
Jan Jan
2017 2016
---------------------------------- ------------- -------- ------------
Trading EBITDA GBP246.1m 3.1% GBP238.8m
Less Trading EBITDA relating
to restricted businesses (GBP109.9m) 14.7% (GBP95.8m)
Intra-group dividends paid
by restricted businesses GBP115.0m 94.9% GBP59.0m
Working capital and non-cash
items (GBP13.6m) 267.6% (GBP3.7m)
Capital expenditure funded
with available cash (GBP20.0m) (1.0%) (GBP20.2m)
Available operating cash flow GBP217.6m 22.2% GBP178.1m
------------- ------------
Available operating cash flow
% 88.4% 74.6%
Available operating cash flow reconciles to net cash flows from
operating activities as follows:
12m to 12m to
Jan Jan
2017 2016
----------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash flow from operating
activities (reported) GBP138.5m GBP150.4m
Exclude cash impact of:
Trading of restricted
divisions (GBP62.4m) (GBP61.5m)
Cash released from restricted
divisions GBP115.0m GBP59.0m
Non-trading costs GBP5.9m GBP13.4m
Interest paid GBP15.6m GBP21.6m
------------ ------------
GBP74.1m GBP32.5m
Include capital expenditure
funded from available
cash (GBP20.0m) (GBP20.2m)
Exclude 'non-operating'
interest and tax cash
flows GBP25.0m GBP15.4m
Available operating cash
flow GBP217.6m GBP178.1m
------------ ------------
Financing
Continued strong cash flows have enabled the Group to reduce its
ratio of net debt to Trading EBITDA to 1.9 from 2.3. As at 31
January 2017, net debt was GBP464.8m, comprising GBP380.0m of gross
debt and GBP100.0m of drawn revolving credit facility, offset by
GBP15.2m of available cash. This compared with net debt as at 31
January 2016 of GBP547.7m, comprising GBP480.0m of gross debt and
GBP75.0m of drawn revolving credit facility, offset by GBP7.3m of
available cash.
It is the Group's intention to maintain a debt ratio of between
1.5 and 2.0 up to the delivery of the first ship expected in
mid-2019. The Group is on track to reduce its debt to the lower end
of this range before any debt associated with the ship is drawn
down.
Pensions
Over the year, the valuation of the Group's pension scheme has
strengthened on an IAS19R basis by GBP5.1m to a deficit of GBP13.7m
(January 2016: deficit GBP18.8m).
Saga Scheme 12m to 12m to
Jan Jan
2017 2016
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Fair value of scheme assets GBP276.8m GBP218.6m
Present value of defined
benefit obligation (GBP290.5m) (GBP237.4m)
Defined benefit scheme
liability (GBP13.7m) (GBP18.8m)
------------- -------------
The strengthening has been driven by a GBP58.2m increase in the
fair value of the scheme assets to GBP276.8m (January 2016:
GBP218.6m). . This was largely offset by an increase in the scheme
liabilities of GBP53.1m to GBP290.5m (January 2016: GBP237.4m),
driven by a fall in corporate bond yields over the period and an
increase in the expectation of the future rate of inflation.
Net assets
Since 31 January 2016, total assets and liabilities have reduced
by GBP53.3m and GBP160.3m respectively, increasing overall net
assets by GBP107.0m.
Total assets have reduced primarily as a result of a decrease in
financial assets of GBP44.4m, which coincides with the release of
surplus solvency capital from the Group's underwriting
business.
The reduction in total liabilities reflects a GBP90.7m reduction
in financial liabilities following the repayment of debt during the
period, enabled through continued positive cash generation and the
release of surplus solvency capital. This was coupled with an
associated GBP61.0m reduction in gross insurance contract
liabilities in line with further positive claims experience
throughout the year, and a reduction in trade and other payables of
GBP9.1m reflecting a reduction in accruals for costs relating to
the build of the new ship and non-trading costs that were paid
during the year.
Segmental performance
12m Growth 12m
to to
Jan Jan
2017 2016
-------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Revenue
Motor Broking GBP127.5m 42.5% GBP89.5m
Home Broking GBP89.8m (0.2%) GBP90.0m
Other Broking GBP80.4m (2.4%) GBP82.4m
Underwriting GBP112.3m (54.8%) GBP248.2m
------------ ------------
GBP410.0m (19.6%) GBP510.1m
Travel GBP432.0m 2.1% GBP423.1m
Emerging Businesses and
Central Costs GBP29.3m (2.3%) GBP30.0m
GBP871.3m (9.5%) GBP963.2m
------------ ------------
Profit before tax excluding
derivatives and the Ogden
impact
Motor Broking GBP45.2m 58.0% GBP28.6m
Home Broking GBP61.2m (3.5%) GBP63.4m
Other Broking GBP31.6m (8.4%) GBP34.5m
Underwriting GBP77.1m (8.3%) GBP84.1m
------------ ------------
GBP215.1m 2.1% GBP210.6m
Travel GBP14.9m 10.4% GBP13.5m
Emerging Businesses and
Central Costs (GBP42.6m) (8.8%) (GBP46.7m)
GBP187.4m 5.6% GBP177.4m
------------ ------------
Total revenue for the insurance businesses decreased by 19.6% to
GBP410.0m (2016: GBP510.1m), due to the accounting for the quota
share agreement in motor insurance, which required GBP110.5m of
earned premiums ceded under the agreement to be accounted for as a
deduction from revenue. The net impact on profit of the quota share
was a GBP1.6m cost. Travel revenue increased by 2.1% to GBP432.0m,
as the impact of the Saga Sapphire scheduled maintenance was more
than offset by strong revenue growth in tour operations.
The retail broking insurance business increased profit before
tax by 9.1%, with a particularly strong performance in motor
broking. Underwriting profit reduced by GBP7.0m, as a result of
reducing reserve releases and the cost of quota share. Travel
increased profits by 10.4%, even after the effect of the Sapphire
scheduled maintenance, which had a profit impact of around GBP5m.
Emerging businesses and central costs saw an 8.8% decrease in
losses before tax reflecting the reduction in finance costs.
Retail broking
12m to Jan 2017 Growth 12m to Jan 2016
--------
Motor Home Other Total Motor Home Other Total
Broking Broking Broking Broking Broking Broking Broking Broking
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- -------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Revenue GBP127.5m GBP89.8m GBP80.4m GBP297.7m 13.7% GBP89.5m GBP90.0m GBP82.4m GBP261.9m
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Gross profit GBP124.4m GBP89.8m GBP63.4m GBP277.6m 14.2% GBP87.0m GBP89.7m GBP66.3m GBP243.0m
Operating
expenses (GBP79.2m) (GBP28.6m) (GBP31.8m) (GBP139.6m) 19.8% (GBP58.4m) (GBP26.3m) (GBP31.8m) (GBP116.5m)
Profit
before tax GBP45.2m GBP61.2m GBP31.6m GBP138.0m 9.1% GBP28.6m GBP63.4m GBP34.5m GBP126.5m
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Number of policies sold:
- core 1,366k 1,254k 381k 3,001k 3.2% 1,238k 1,287k 383k 2,908k
- add-ons 1,619k 529k 9k 2,157k 6.7% 1,475k 546k 1k 2,022k
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
2,985k 1,783k 390k 5,158k 4.6% 2,713k 1,833k 384k 4,930k
GWP GBP320.5m GBP155.7m GBP128.1m GBP604.3m (3.8%) GBP327.9m GBP175.3m GBP125.0m GBP628.2m
Overall revenue from retail broking grew by 13.7% to GBP297.7m
(2016: GBP261.9m), despite a competitive motor market and a home
market with limited inflation. Overall profit before tax grew by
9.1% to GBP138.0m (2016: GBP126.5m). Across each of our products,
we have balanced volume and profit to deliver this strong
result.
The results for motor broking reflect the benefit of the number
of initiatives that have been implemented during 2015 and 2016,
with growth in both revenue and profit before tax, which increased
by GBP38.0m and GBP16.6m respectively.
The introduction of the motor panel in summer 2015 contributed
GBP3m of additional profit in the year, with around 30% of net
premium for renewal policies being placed with third party
underwriters by the end of the year. Given the different risk
profile of drivers underwritten by external underwriters, these
policies had an average gross written premium significantly higher
than those underwritten in-house, generating an additional net
revenue and profit per policy. The written to earned benefit
associated with the growth in the motor panel contributed an
additional GBP4m of profit.
Improved yield management contributed additional profit of
GBP4m, with modest growth in Saga core motor policies being
achieved with a lower level of discounting. The full year impact of
Bennetts, acquired on 1 July 2015, contributed an additional GBP2m
profit, coupled with GBP4m of further written to earned benefit
largely driven by the introduction of the arrangement fee in
November 2015.
In a home market with stable average customer premiums and
modest claims inflation increasing net rates, we chose to maintain
volumes at a similar level, leading to consistent revenues of
GBP89.8m (2016: GBP90.0m), with a small reduction in profit to
GBP61.2m (2016: GBP63.4m).
Revenue and profit before tax from other insurance lines was
GBP80.4m and GBP31.6m respectively (2016: GBP82.4m and GBP34.5m),
with higher revenues from both private medical and travel insurance
being offset by revenue in the prior year from the legal services
product, which was discontinued at the end of 2015, and a decrease
in credit hire and repair income. Core policies decreased slightly
to 381k (2016: 383k), which was mainly due to a reduction in pet
insurance policies sold. Profit was impacted by a more challenging
travel market towards the end of the year, with net rate pressure
becoming prevalent due to the depreciation of sterling.
Insurance underwriting
Underwriting P&L
12m to Jan 2017 Growth 12m to Jan
2016
---------
Reported Ogden Quota Share Underlying Reported
impact
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- --------- ------------
Revenue A GBP112.3m (GBP0.7m) (GBP110.5m) GBP223.5m (10.0%) GBP248.2m
Claims costs B (GBP93.9m) - GBP102.0m (GBP195.9m) (11.2%) (GBP220.6)
Reserve (GBP3.1m)
releases C GBP59.9m - GBP63.0m (7.4%) GBP68.0m
Other cost of
sales D (GBP9.6m) (GBP0.2m) GBP11.8m (GBP21.2m) 2.4% (GBP20.7m)
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------
E (GBP43.6m) (GBP3.3m) GBP113.8m (GBP154.1m) (11.1%) (GBP173.3)
Gross profit GBP68.7m (GBP4.0m) GBP3.3m GBP69.4m (7.3%) GBP74.9m
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------
Operating -
expenses F (GBP2.8m) GBP2.6m (GBP5.4m) 0.0% (GBP5.4m)
Investment -
return GBP7.2m (GBP7.5m) GBP14.7m 0.7% GBP14.6m
Quota share net cost - - GBP1.6m (GBP1.6m) n/a -
Profit before
tax GBP73.1m (GBP4.0m) - GBP77.1m (8.3%) GBP84.1m
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------
Reported loss
ratio (B+C)/A 30.3% 59.5% (2.0%) 61.5%
Expense ratio (D+F)/A 11.0% 11.9% 1.4% 10.5%
Reported COR (E+F)/A 41.3% 71.4% (0.6%) 72.0%
Pure COR (E+F-C)/A 94.7% 99.6% 0.2% 99.4%
Excluding the impact of the new funds-withheld quota share
agreement that became effective from 1 February 2016 and the impact
of the Ogden rate change, underwriting revenue decreased by 10.0%
to GBP223.5m (2016: GBP248.2m). This was due to the introduction of
the motor panel, which has resulted in the likelihood of higher
risk, higher premium motor policies now being underwritten by
third-party underwriters, and which has led to in a fall in both
AICL's earned policy volumes and average earned premiums. This in
turn has resulted in lower claims costs, which, coupled with
favourable claims experience, decreased by 11.2% to GBP195.9m
(2016: GBP220.6m).
Favourable experience in small and large personal injury claims
enabled the business to release GBP63.0m of reserves held in
respect of previous accident years, GBP5.0m lower than the previous
year.
When excluding the effect of the reserve releases and the impact
of the quota share, the underwriting business delivered a broadly
stable pure combined operating ratio(11) of 99.6%.
The reduced level of reserve releases, combined with the net
cost of the new quota share agreement of GBP1.6m, for which there
was no comparable cost in the prior year, has resulted in a
decrease in the underlying profit before tax from underwriting
activity to GBP77.1m (2016: GBP84.1m). The Ogden rate change had an
additional net profit impact of GBP4.0m, reducing the reported
profit before tax from underwriting to GBP73.1m.
(11) The ratio of the claims costs (excluding reserve releases)
and expenses incurred to underwrite insurance (numerator) to the
revenue earned by AICL (denominator) in a given period.
Reserving
12m to Jan 2017
Total Ogden Underlying Growth 12m
rate to
changes Jan
Reserve Releases 2016
---------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------
Motor insurance GBP59.2m (GBP3.1m) GBP62.3m (6.6%) GBP66.7m
Home insurance (GBP0.1m) - (GBP0.1m) (150.0%) GBP0.2m
Other insurance GBP0.8m - GBP0.8m (27.3%) GBP1.1m
Total GBP59.9m (GBP3.1m) GBP63.0m (7.4%) GBP68.0m
----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Favourable claims development experience during the twelve
months to 31 January 2017 has resulted in a reduction in the
reserves required in respect of prior year claims. This has been
driven by the experience on large and small personal injury claims
and has enabled reserve releases totalling GBP63.0m during the
year, offset by a GBP3.1m increase in prior year reserves that was
required as a result of the Ogden discount rate change. There has
been no deterioration in the underlying reserve margin held as a
proportion of best estimate claims reserves year-on-year.
Analysis of insurance contract liabilities at 31 January 2017
and 31 January 2016 is as follows:
12m to Jan 2017 12m to Jan 2016
Gross Reinsurance Net Gross Reinsurance Net
Assets Assets
--------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Reported claims GBP313.3m (GBP70.1m) GBP243.2m GBP341.5m (GBP70.7m) GBP270.8m
Incurred but
not reported* GBP193.7m (GBP23.7m) GBP170.0m GBP209.2m (GBP30.9m) GBP178.3m
Claims handling
provision GBP10.0m - GBP10.0m GBP10.9m - GBP10.9m
----------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Total claims
outstanding GBP517.0m (GBP93.8m) GBP423.2m GBP561.6m (GBP101.6m) GBP460.0m
Unearned premiums GBP125.3m (GBP3.7m) GBP121.6m GBP141.7m (GBP4.8m) GBP136.9m
Total
** GBP642.3m (GBP97.5m) GBP544.8m GBP703.3m (GBP106.4m) GBP596.9m
----------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- -----------
* includes amounts for reported claims that are expected to
become periodical payment orders.
** excludes funds-withheld quota share agreement
The Group's total insurance contract liabilities net of
reinsurance assets have reduced by GBP52.1m as at 31 January 2017
from the previous year end, driven by a GBP27.6m reduction in
reported claims reserves, GBP15.3m less in unearned premium reserve
and a GBP8.3m reduction in IBNR claims reserves.
Investment portfolio
The majority of the Group's financial assets are held by its
underwriting entity and represent premium income received and
invested to settle claims and to meet regulatory capital
requirements. The maturity profile of the invested financial assets
is aligned with the expected cash outflow profile associated with
the settlement of claims in the future.
The amount held in invested funds decreased by GBP77.9m compared
with the previous year, from GBP624.7m as at 31 January 2016 to
GBP546.8m as at 31 January 2017. As at 31 January 2017, 94% of the
financial assets held by the Group were invested with
counterparties with a risk rating of A or above, which is up 2
percentage points on the previous year and reflects the improved
credit risk rating of the Group's counterparties.
At 31 January 2017 AAA AA A Unrated Total
--------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Underwriting investment
portfolio:
Deposits with financial
institutions GBP30.0m GBP90.9m GBP188.6m - GBP309.5m
Debt securities GBP79.5m - - - GBP79.5m
Money market funds GBP122.1m - - - GBP122.1m
Hedge funds - - - GBP22.7m GBP22.7m
Loan funds - - - GBP6.5m GBP6.5m
Loan notes - - - GBP5.2m GBP5.2m
Unlisted equity
shares - - - GBP1.3m GBP1.3m
Total invested funds GBP231.6m GBP90.9m GBP188.6m GBP35.7m GBP546.8m
Hedging derivative
assets - GBP50.0m GBP3.5m - GBP53.5m
Total financial assets GBP231.6m GBP140.9m GBP192.1m GBP35.7m GBP600.3m
----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -------------
At 31 January 2016 AAA AA A Unrated Total
--------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Underwriting investment
portfolio:
Deposits with financial
institutions GBP30.0m GBP140.3m GBP243.3m - GBP413.6m
Debt securities GBP85.2m - - - GBP85.2m
Money market funds GBP75.9m - - - GBP75.9m
Hedge funds - - - GBP26.7m GBP26.7m
Loan funds - - - GBP19.3m GBP19.3m
Loan notes - - - GBP3.8m GBP3.8m
Unlisted equity
shares - - - GBP0.2m GBP0.2m
Total invested funds GBP191.1m GBP140.3m GBP243.3m GBP50.0m GBP624.7m
Hedging derivative
assets - GBP10.1m GBP9.9m - GBP20.0m
Total financial assets GBP191.1m GBP150.4m GBP253.2m GBP50.0m GBP644.7m
----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Solvency capital
12m 12m
to to
Jan Jan
2017 2016
------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Solvency Capital Requirement
(SCR) GBP102.9m GBP128.8m
Available capital GBP146.7m GBP219.6m
Surplus GBP43.8m GBP90.8m
----------- -----------
Coverage 143% 170%
Under Solvency II the Group had an SCR of GBP102.9m at 31 Jan
2017 (2016: GBP128.8m), benefiting from the claims experience and
the initial impact of the quota share agreement. Available capital
was GBP146.7m (2016: GBP219.6m), giving a coverage ratio of 143%
(2016: 170%). The reduction of SCR has enabled the Group to release
a significant amount of capital from the underwriter. Even with the
effect of Ogden, the coverage ratio remains robust.
The following table shows a range of impacts against the base
Solvency II coverage ratio:
Sensitivities
---------------------------- -----------
Base solvency II coverage 143%
Interest rates +/- 1% +5% / -6%
Equities -15% -2%
Credit spreads 50bps -4%
3 large losses of GBP10m
each -4%
Travel
The travel business has had another strong year of trading.
Despite having lower capacity days in Cruising due to scheduled
maintenance of the Saga Sapphire in the first half of the year, the
business has achieved growth in both revenue and profit before tax
excluding derivatives, which are up 2.1% and 10.4%
respectively.
12m to Jan 2017 Growth 12m to Jan 2016
---------
Tour Cruising Total Tour Cruising Total
Operations Travel Operations Travel
---------------- ------------- ---------- ----------- --------- ------------- ---------- -----------
Revenue GBP350.1m GBP81.9m GBP432.0m 2.1% GBP336.9m GBP86.2m GBP423.1m
------------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ---------- -----------
Profit before
tax excluding
derivatives GBP11.5m GBP3.4m GBP14.9m 10.4% GBP8.7m GBP4.8m GBP13.5m
------------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ---------- -----------
Number of
holidays
passengers 190k n/a 190k 0.5% 189k n/a 189k
Number of cruise
passengers n/a 21k 21k (12.5%) n/a 24k 24k
Number of cruise
passenger days n/a 301k 301k (11.2%) n/a 339k 339k
The tour operations business generated a 3.9% increase in
revenue to GBP350.1m (2016: GBP336.9m) from 190k passengers (2016:
189k). This reflects a continued shift in product mix towards
higher value, higher margin long-haul river cruise and third party
cruise products.
Profit before tax from tour operations grew by 32.2% to
GBP11.5m. This was due to three factors. Firstly, the increased
revenue generated greater margin. Secondly, a programme of back
office redesign and cost control initiatives enabled the business
to mitigate any cost inflation and hold its operating expenses
flat. Finally, the prior year included a trading loss associated
with the Bel Jou hotel that was sold on 20 July 2016. Overall
profit margin improved to 3.3% (2016: 2.6%).
Saga Cruising delivered revenue of GBP81.9m (2016: GBP86.2m).
The Saga Sapphire was out of operation for scheduled maintenance
for 63 days between April and June, which impacted revenue and
profit by approximately GBP9m and GBP5m respectively. Offsetting
this was an improvement in yields, enabled through various value
enhancements to the cruise product offering, including free wine
with lunch and dinner, a newly established cruise services team and
other enhancements to the customer experience. Profit before tax
from the cruising business was GBP3.4m (2016: GBP4.8m).
Emerging businesses and central costs
12m to Growth 12m to
Jan 2017 Jan 2016
------------ ------------
Revenue GBP29.3m (2.3%) GBP30.0m
------------ ------------
Gross profit GBP14.3m 5.1% GBP13.6m
------------ ------------
Loss before tax (GBP42.6m) 8.8% (GBP46.7m)
------------ ------------
Revenue from emerging businesses (which includes personal
finance, healthcare services, retirement villages and the media
businesses) decreased by 2.3% to GBP29.3m (2016: GBP30.0m),
although these businesses delivered a 5.1% increase in gross profit
to GBP14.3m (2016: GBP13.6m).
The overall loss before tax from this segment reduced by 8.8% to
GBP42.6m (2016: GBP46.7m). This was due to a reduction in finance
costs due to lower levels of debt and a decrease in LIBOR, and a
reduction in the non-trading items due to IPO expenses in the prior
year, offset by an increase in operating expenses reflecting the
increased level of investment in the healthcare, personal finance
and retirement villages businesses.
Financial outlook and guidance
During the year ending 31 January 2018, profits from insurance
broking are expected to increase with improved yield management,
operational and marketing efficiencies and the ongoing positive
impact of the motor panel.
With the strong growth in revenue on forward travel reservations
combined with the additional positive effects of the efficiency
initiatives, profitability for the travel business is expected to
step forward strongly year on year, primarily within the tour
operating businesses. The uplift in Cruise capacity and profit will
be limited due to two dry docks taking place in the current year,
leading to 41 days when the ships are out of service.
With average net debt expected to be significantly lower year on
year, finance costs are expected to reduce again in the coming
year.
Reserve releases are expected to reduce again this year and
increased investments will be made in membership and our future
insurance broking platform.
Subject to market conditions remaining materially consistent,
the Group is aiming to deliver ongoing consistent profit growth
this year.
While the Group's leverage reduced significantly in the year to
31 January 2017, this benefited from the one-off move towards a
sustainable, longer term solvency ratio level and therefore the
rate of leverage reduction will be lower in the coming year. The
Group is retaining the target debt range of 1.5 to 2.0 times Net
Debt to Trading EBITDA, consistent with the dividend payout ratio
of 50% to 70% of net earnings.
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 January 2017
Note 2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Revenue 3 871.3 963.2
Cost of sales 3 (422.7) (544.2)
--------- ---------
Gross profit 448.6 419.0
Administrative and selling expenses (251.6) (227.3)
Investment income 5.0 11.0
Finance costs (18.6) (25.2)
Finance income 11.3 -
Share of loss of joint ventures (1.4) (1.3)
Profit before tax from continuing
operations 193.3 176.2
Tax expense 5 (36.0) (28.1)
--------- ---------
Profit for the year from continuing
operations 157.3 148.1
Loss after tax for the year from discontinued
operations 18 - (6.9)
Profit for the year 157.3 141.2
========= =========
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 157.3 140.9
Non-controlling interests - 0.3
--------- ---------
157.3 141.2
========= =========
Earnings per share:
Basic 7 14.1p 12.7p
Diluted 7 14.0p 12.6p
Earnings per share for continuing
operations:
Basic 7 14.1p 13.3p
Diluted 7 14.0p 13.2p
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 January 2017
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Profit for the year 157.3 141.2
Other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income to be reclassified
to income statement in subsequent
years
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign operations 0.7 (1.2)
Net gain on cash flow hedges 32.0 16.6
Associated tax effect (5.3) (3.0)
Net gain / (loss) on available for
sale financial assets 1.0 (1.6)
Associated tax effect (0.1) 0.4
------- -------
28.3 11.2
Other comprehensive income not to
be reclassified to income statement
in subsequent years
Re-measurement gains on defined benefit
plans 4.6 26.6
Associated tax effect (1.1) (4.8)
------- -------
3.5 21.8
------- -------
Total other comprehensive income 31.8 33.0
------- -------
Total comprehensive income for the
year 189.1 174.2
======= =======
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 189.1 173.9
Non-controlling interests - 0.3
189.1 174.2
======= =======
Consolidated statement of financial position
as at 31 January 2017
Note 2017 2016
Assets GBP'm GBP'm
Goodwill 9 1,485.0 1,485.0
Intangible fixed assets 10 53.8 52.3
Investment in joint ventures 1.4 1.6
Property, plant and equipment 11 131.5 140.6
Financial assets 12 600.3 644.7
Deferred tax assets 5 16.3 22.1
Reinsurance assets 15 97.5 106.4
Inventories 5.6 4.9
Trade and other receivables 198.7 188.0
Cash and short-term deposits 13 108.7 106.5
Total assets 2,698.8 2,752.1
========= =========
Liabilities
Retirement benefit scheme obligations 14 13.7 18.8
Gross insurance contract liabilities 15 642.3 703.3
Provisions 4.0 4.0
Financial liabilities 12 489.8 580.5
Current tax liabilities 14.9 15.0
Deferred tax liabilities 5 21.5 17.4
Other liabilities 134.9 133.3
Trade and other payables 182.5 191.6
Total liabilities 1,503.6 1,663.9
--------- ---------
Equity
Issued capital 11.2 11.2
Share premium 519.3 519.3
Retained earnings 607.8 527.0
Share-based payment reserve 15.6 17.7
Foreign currency translation reserve - (0.7)
Available for sale reserve 3.3 2.4
Hedging reserve 38.0 11.3
Total equity 1,195.2 1,088.2
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and equity 2,698.8 2,752.1
========= =========
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 January 2017
Attributable to the equity holders
of the parent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign Available
Share-based currency for
Issued Share Retained payment translation sale Hedging Non-controlling Total
capital premium earnings reserve reserve reserve reserve Total interests equity
GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm
At 1 February
2016 11.2 519.3 527.0 17.7 (0.7) 2.4 11.3 1,088.2 - 1,088.2
Profit for the
year - - 157.3 - - - - 157.3 - 157.3
Other
comprehensive
income - - 3.5 - 0.7 0.9 26.7 31.8 - 31.8
---------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------------- ---------
Total
comprehensive
income - - 160.8 - 0.7 0.9 26.7 189.1 - 189.1
Dividends paid
(note 6) - - (86.1) - - - - (86.1) - (86.1)
Share based
payment
charge (note
17) - - - 4.9 - - - 4.9 - 4.9
Exercise of
share
options - - 6.1 (7.0) - - - (0.9) - (0.9)
At 31 January
2017 11.2 519.3 607.8 15.6 - 3.3 38.0 1,195.2 - 1,195.2
========== ========= ========== ============= ============= =========== ========== ========= ================= =========
At 1 February
2015 11.1 519.4 410.7 40.7 0.5 3.6 (2.3) 983.7 0.4 984.1
Profit for the
year - - 140.9 - - - - 140.9 0.3 141.2
Other
comprehensive
income - - 21.8 - (1.2) (1.2) 13.6 33.0 - 33.0
---------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------------- ---------
Total
comprehensive
income - - 162.7 - (1.2) (1.2) 13.6 173.9 0.3 174.2
Bonus shares
issued 0.1 (0.1) - - - - - - - -
Dividends paid
(note 6) - - (70.4) - - - - (70.4) (0.7) (71.1)
Share based
payment
charge (note
17) - - - 2.8 - - - 2.8 - 2.8
Exercise of
share
options - - 11.1 (12.9) - - - (1.8) - (1.8)
Issue of free
shares - - 12.9 (12.9) - - - - - -
---------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------------- ---------
At 31 January
2016 11.2 519.3 527.0 17.7 (0.7) 2.4 11.3 1,088.2 - 1,088.2
========== ========= ========== ============= ============= =========== ========== ========= ================= =========
Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 January 2017
Note 2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Profit before tax from continuing
operations 193.3 176.2
Loss before tax from discontinued
operations - (7.2)
--------- ---------
Profit before tax 193.3 169.0
Depreciation, impairment and
loss on disposal of property,
plant and equipment 21.6 23.4
Amortisation and impairment of
intangible assets 18.1 14.1
Share-based payment transactions 4.0 1.1
Transactions relating to disposal
group held for sale - 7.3
Finance costs 18.6 25.2
Finance income (11.3) -
Share of loss of joint ventures 1.4 1.3
Interest income from investments (5.0) (11.0)
Movements in other assets and
liabilities (58.8) (56.5)
--------- ---------
181.9 173.9
Interest received 5.0 13.5
Interest paid (15.8) (21.6)
Income tax paid (32.6) (15.4)
--------- ---------
Net cash flows from operating
activities 138.5 150.4
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment 0.2 -
Purchase of property, plant and equipment,
and intangible fixed assets (43.9) (33.8)
Net disposal of financial assets 124.7 64.3
Acquisition of subsidiaries 8 - (26.7)
Disposal of subsidiaries - (8.2)
Investment in joint venture (1.3) (3.0)
Net cash flows used in investing
activities 79.7 (7.4)
Financing activities
Payment of finance lease liabilities (0.5) (0.5)
Net payment of borrowings 16 (75.0) (145.0)
Dividends paid (86.3) (70.0)
--------- ---------
Net cash flows used in financing
activities (161.8) (215.5)
Net increase / (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents 56.4 (72.5)
Net foreign exchange differences 0.7 (1.0)
Cash and cash equivalents at
the start of the year 164.4 237.9
Cash and cash equivalents at
the end of the year 13 221.5 164.4
========= =========
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
1 Corporate information
Saga plc (the 'Company') is a public limited company
incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom under the
Companies Act 2006 (registration number 8804263) The Company is
registered in England and its registered office is located at
Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE.
The consolidated financial statements of Saga plc and the
entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries, collectively
'Saga Group' or 'the Group') for the year ended 31 January 2017
were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 28 March 2017
and will be made available on the Company's website in due
course.
2.1 Basis of preparation
The results in this preliminary announcement have been taken
from the Group's 2017 Annual report and accounts. The consolidated
financial statements have been prepared and approved by the
Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board (IASB) and as endorsed by the European Union (EU),
and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to those
reporting under IFRS.
The basis of preparation, basis of consolidation and summary of
significant accounting policies applicable to the Group's
consolidated financial statements can be found in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements in the 2017 Annual report and
accounts.
The preliminary announcement for the year ended 31 January 2017
does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated financial statements for
the full year ended 31 January 2017 have been audited by Ernst
& Young LLP (EY). Their report was unqualified and did not
contain any statement under section 498(2) or section 498(3) of the
Companies Act 2006.
2.2 Summary of significant accounting policies
There have been no significant changes to the accounting
policies of the Group during the year ended 31 January 2017, except
for changes required to appropriately reflect the contractual terms
of the new quota share reinsurance agreement in motor insurance
that became effective from 1 February 2016. Full details of the
accounting policies of the Group can be found in the Annual report
and accounts for the year ended 31 January 2017 available at
www.corporate.saga.co.uk.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
2.3 Standards issued but not yet effective
The following is a list of standards and amendments to standards
that are in issue but are not effective or adopted as at 31 January
2017. Comment on these new standards or amendments is as
follows:
i. IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments'
In July 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments'
that will essentially replace IAS 39. The classification and
measurement of financial assets and liabilities will be directly
linked to the nature of the instrument's contractual cash flows and
the business model employed by the holder of the instrument. The
Group has begun work to determine the full impact of this standard
on the Group's financial statements. Our initial assessment is that
the standard is likely to enable a greater proportion of
derivatives to qualify for hedge accounting, and so reduce the
volatility of derivative gains and losses in the Group's income
statement. Besides from this, the Group believes that the standard
is unlikely to have a significant effect on the recognition,
measurement and presentation of its other financial instruments.
The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after
1 January 2018, and was endorsed by the EU on 22 November 2016.
ii. IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'
The objective of IFRS 15 is to establish the principles that an
entity should apply to report useful information to users of
financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and
uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a contract with
a customer. The Group has begun work to determine the full impact
of this standard on the Group's financial statements.
Our initial assessment is that the standard will be unlikely to
have a material impact on the Group's financial statements. For
insurance brokerage, the majority of the Group's performance
obligations are discharged when arranging cover for its customers,
which is on or just before the cover start date of the policy and
is when the Group currently recognises the associated revenue.
Revenue from insurance underwriting is out of scope and so is
unaffected by this standard. For tour operations, the majority of
the Group's performance obligations are discharged on the
customer's departure date, which is when the Group currently
recognises the associated revenue. For Cruising, revenue is
currently recognised on a straight-line basis over the duration of
each cruise, and this is likely to remain appropriate under the new
standard. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on
or after 1 January 2018, and was endorsed by the EU on 22 September
2016.
iii. IFRS 16 'Leases'
IFRS 16 specifies how to recognise, measure, present and
disclose leases, and will essentially replace IAS 17. The impact of
this standard on the Group's financial statements is still being
assessed. The standard was issued in January 2016 and is effective
for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019,
although this is yet to be endorsed by the EU.
iv. Amendments to IAS 12 'Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for
Unrealised Losses'
The amendments to IAS 12 clarify the recognition of deferred tax
assets for unrealised losses related to debt instruments measured
at fair value. The amendment is effective for annual periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2017, with earlier application
being permitted, although this is yet to be endorsed by the EU and
will have no effect on the Group's financial statements.
v. Amendments to IAS 7 'Disclosure Initiative'
The amendments require an entity to provide disclosures that
enable users of financial statements to evaluate changes in
liabilities arising from financing activities, including both
changes arising from cash flows and non-cash changes. The
amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1
January 2017, with earlier application being permitted, although
this is yet to be endorsed by the EU and will have no effect on the
Group's financial statements.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
2.3 Standards issued but not yet effective
vi. Clarifications to IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with
Customers'
The amendments provide some illustrative factors that an entity
might consider in making the assessment as to whether promised
goods or services are distinct. The amendments are effective for
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with earlier
application being permitted, although this is yet to be endorsed by
the EU.
vii. Amendments to IFRS 2 'Classification and Measurement of
Share-based Payment Transactions'
The amendments to IFRS 2 clarify the accounting for the effects
of vesting and non-vesting conditions on cash-settled share-based
payments, the classification of share-based payment transactions
with net settlement features for withholding tax obligations and
the accounting for a modification to the terms and conditions of a
share-based payment that changes the transaction from cash-settled
to equity-settled. The amendments are effective for annual periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with earlier application
being permitted, although this is yet to be endorsed by the EU and
will have no effect on the Group's financial statements.
viii. Amendments to IAS 40 'Transfers of Investment Property'
The amendments to IFRS 40 clarify that an entity can only
reclassify a property to / from investment property when, and only
when, there is evidence that a change in the use of the property
has occurred. The amendments are effective for annual periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with earlier application
being permitted, although this is yet to be endorsed by the EU and
will have no effect on the Group's financial statements.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
2.4 Significant accounting judgements, estimates and
assumptions
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources
of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year
are discussed below:
i) Valuation of insurance contract liabilities
For insurance contracts, estimates have to be made both for the
expected ultimate cost of claims reported at the reporting date and
for the expected ultimate cost of claims incurred but not yet
reported ('IBNR') at the reporting date. It can take a significant
period of time before the ultimate claims cost can be established
with certainty. For some types of policies, IBNR claims form the
majority of the liability in the statement of financial
position.
The ultimate cost of outstanding claims is estimated by using a
range of standard actuarial claims projection techniques, such as
Chain Ladder and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods.
The main assumption underlying these techniques is that past
claims development experience can be used to project future claims
development and hence ultimate claims costs. As such, these methods
extrapolate the development of paid and incurred losses, average
costs per claim and claim numbers based on the observed development
of earlier years and expected loss ratios. Historical claims
development is mainly analysed by accident years, but can also be
further analysed by geographical area, as well as by significant
business lines and claim types. Large claims are usually separately
addressed, either by being reserved at the face value of loss
adjuster estimates or separately projected in order to reflect
their future development. In most cases, no explicit assumptions
are made regarding future rates of claims inflation or loss ratios.
Instead, the assumptions used are those implicit in the historical
claims development data on which the projections are based.
Additional qualitative judgement is used to assess the extent to
which past trends may not apply in future, (e.g. to reflect one-off
occurrences, changes in external or market factors such as public
attitudes to claiming, economic conditions, levels of claims
inflation, judicial decisions and legislation, as well as internal
factors such as portfolio mix, policy features and claims handling
procedures) in order to arrive at the estimated ultimate cost of
claims that present the likely outcome from the range of possible
outcomes, taking account of all of the uncertainties involved.
The ultimate cost of claims is not discounted except for those
in respect of periodical payment orders ('PPOs'). The valuation of
these claims involves making assumptions about the rate of
inflation and the expected rate of return on assets to determine
the discount rate. Due to the size of PPO claims, the ultimate cost
is highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions. The
assumptions are reviewed at each reporting date.
Similar judgements, estimates and assumptions are employed in
the assessment of the adequacy of provisions for unearned premium.
Judgement is also required in determining whether the pattern of
insurance service provided by a contract requires amortisation of
unearned premium on a basis other than time apportionment.
ii) Goodwill impairment testing
The Group determines whether goodwill is impaired on an annual
basis. This requires an estimation of the value in use of the CGUs
to which goodwill is allocated. The value in use calculation
requires the Group to estimate the future cash flows expected to
arise from the CGUs at a suitable discount rate in order to
calculate present value.
iii) Valuation of pension benefit obligation
The cost of defined benefit pension plans and the present value
of the pension obligation are determined using actuarial
valuations. The actuarial valuation involves making assumptions
about discount rates, expected rates of return on assets, future
salary increases, mortality rates and future pension increases. Due
to the complexity of the valuation, the underlying assumptions and
its long term nature, a defined benefit obligation is highly
sensitive to changes in these assumptions. All assumptions are
reviewed at each reporting date.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
3 Segmental information
For management purposes, the Group is organised into business
units based on their products and services. The Group has three
reportable operating segments as follows:
-- Insurance: the segment primarily comprises general insurance
products. Revenue is derived primarily from insurance premiums and
broking revenues. This segment is further analysed into four
product sub-segments:
o Motor broking
o Home broking
o Other insurance broking
o Underwriting
-- Travel: the segment primarily comprises the operation and
delivery of package tours and cruise holiday products. The Group
owns and operates two cruise ships and throughout the year owned
and operated one hotel. All other holiday products are packaged
together with third party supplied accommodation, flights and other
transport arrangements.
-- Emerging Businesses and Central Costs: the segment comprises
the Group's other businesses and its central cost base. The other
businesses primarily include the financial services product
offering including the wealth management joint venture, the
domiciliary care services offering, a monthly subscription magazine
product and the Group's internal mailing house.
Segment performance is primarily evaluated using the Group's key
performance measure of profit before tax. Items not allocated to a
segment relate to transactions that do not form part of the
on-going segment performance or which are managed on a Group
basis.
Transfer prices between operating segments are set on an arm's
length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third
parties. Segment income, expenses and results includes transfers
between business segments which are then eliminated on
consolidation.
Current taxes, deferred taxes and certain financial assets and
liabilities are not allocated to segments as they are also managed
on a group basis.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
3 Segmental information (continued)
Insurance Travel Emerging Adjustments Total
Businesses
and
Central
Costs
--------- ------------ ------------- ---------
2017 Motor Home Other Under-writing Total
broking broking insurance
broking
GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm
Revenue 127.5 89.8 80.4 112.3 410.0 432.0 36.5 (7.2) 871.3
Cost of sales (3.1) - (17.0) (43.6) (63.7) (344.0) (15.0) - (422.7)
--------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------
Gross profit 124.4 89.8 63.4 68.7 346.3 88.0 21.5 (7.2) 448.6
========= ========= =========== =============== ========= ========= ============ ============= =========
Administrative
and selling
expenses (79.2) (28.6) (31.8) (2.8) (142.4) (73.3) (43.1) 7.2 (251.6)
Investment
income - - - 7.2 7.2 0.2 (2.4) - 5.0
Finance costs - - - - - - (18.6) - (18.6)
Finance income - - - - - - 1.4 - 1.4
Share of loss
of joint
venture - - - - - - (1.4) - (1.4)
--------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------
Profit before
tax and
derivative
gains and
losses 45.2 61.2 31.6 73.1 211.1 14.9 (42.6) - 183.4
Net fair value
gain on
derivative
financial
instruments - - - - - 9.9 - - 9.9
--------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------
Profit before
tax from
continuing
operations 45.2 61.2 31.6 73.1 211.1 24.8 (42.6) - 193.3
========= ========= =========== =============== ========= ========= ============ ============= =========
Total assets
less
liabilities 345.8 68.3 (222.0) 1,003.1 1,195.2
========= ========= ============ ============= =========
All revenue is generated solely in the UK.
Cost of sales within the Insurance segment comprises claims
costs incurred on insurance policies underwritten by the Group (see
note 3b).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
3 Segmental information (continued)
Insurance Travel Emerging Adjustments Total
Businesses
and
Central
Costs
--------- ------------ ------------- -------
2016 Motor Home Other Under-writing Total
broking broking insurance
broking
GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm
Revenue 89.5 90.0 82.4 248.2 510.1 423.1 37.1 (7.1) 963.2
Cost of sales (2.5) (0.3) (16.1) (173.3) (192.2) (337.2) (16.4) 1.6 (544.2)
--------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- --------------
Gross profit 87.0 89.7 66.3 74.9 317.9 85.9 20.7 (5.5) 419.0
========= ========= =========== =============== ========= ========= ============ ============= ==============
Administrative
and selling
expenses (58.4) (26.3) (31.8) (5.4) (121.9) (72.8) (38.1) 5.5 (227.3)
Investment
income - - - 14.6 14.6 0.4 (4.0) - 11.0
Finance costs - - - - - - (24.0) - (24.0)
Share of loss
of joint
ventures - - - - - - (1.3) - (1.3)
--------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- --------------
Profit before
tax and
derivative
gains and
losses 28.6 63.4 34.5 84.1 210.6 13.5 (46.7) - 177.4
Net fair value
loss on
derivative
financial
instruments - - - - - (1.2) - - (1.2)
--------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- --------------
Profit before
tax from
continuing
operations 28.6 63.4 34.5 84.1 210.6 12.3 (46.7) - 176.2
========= ========= =========== =============== ========= ========= ============ ============= ==============
Total assets
less
liabilities 372.1 29.2 (242.6) 929.5 1,088.2
========= ========= ============ ============= ==============
All revenue is generated solely in the UK.
Cost of sales within the Insurance segment comprises claims
costs incurred on insurance policies underwritten by the Group (see
note 3b).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
3 Segmental information (continued)
Total assets less liabilities detailed as adjustments relates to
the following unallocated items:
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Goodwill (note 9) 1,485.0 1,485.0
Bank loans (note 16) (475.2) (547.7)
Deferred tax - non-pension scheme
related (6.7) (7.8)
--------- ---------
1,003.1 929.5
========= =========
a Analysis of insurance revenue
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Gross earned premiums on insurance
underwritten by the Group 292.4 322.6
Less: ceded to reinsurers (123.1) (6.9)
Net earned premiums on insurance
underwritten by the Group
- Motor broking 54.3 73.0
- Home broking 12.2 12.9
- Other insurance broking 1.4 1.4
- Underwriting 101.4 228.4
--------- -------
169.3 315.7
Other income from insurance products 240.7 194.4
--------- -------
410.0 510.1
========= =======
b Analysis of insurance cost of sales
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Gross claims incurred on insurance
underwritten by the Group 149.4 219.3
Less: ceded to reinsurers (103.8) (44.4)
Net claims incurred on insurance
underwritten by the Group
- Motor broking 3.1 2.5
- Underwriting 42.5 172.4
--------- --------
45.6 174.9
Other cost of sales 18.1 17.3
--------- --------
63.7 192.2
========= ========
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
4 Non-trading items
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Share-based payment costs (note
17) 0.5 0.3
Flotation and other costs 0.3 2.6
Restructuring costs 1.8 1.3
Acquisition of subsidiaries (note
8) - 0.5
Release of contingent consideration
liability - (7.1)
Supplier insolvency - 4.7
Impairment of property - 3.8
Insurance claims (0.7) (3.1)
Other non-trading items - 0.3
1.9 3.3
======= =======
Flotation and other costs comprise the cost of awards made at
the time of the IPO and which vest over a period of time
post-award.
Restructuring costs represent costs associated with
restructuring and reorganising a number of Group operations and
includes staff-related costs such as redundancy and other
termination costs, together with various professional fees for
advice and processes associated with the restructuring.
During the prior year, a significant supplier of legal services
to our customers and our partner in the Saga Law Limited joint
venture became insolvent and went into administration; this
represents all costs incurred as a consequence and includes legal
fees to put in place new arrangements, the cost of re-doing work by
a replacement law firm, and lost profits from the joint
venture.
Impairment of property represents the write-down of the carrying
value of the Group's hotel in St Lucia following the decision to
dispose of this asset and includes the costs of disposal.
During the current and prior years, the Group received amounts
under insurance policies towards the cost of cancelled or curtailed
cruises; the costs of these operational issues were treated as
non-trading items in prior periods.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
5 Tax
The major components of the income tax expense are:
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Consolidated income statement
Current income tax
Current income tax charge 36.2 32.7
Adjustments in respect of previous
years (3.6) (8.4)
------- -------
32.6 24.3
------- -------
Deferred tax
Relating to origination and reversal
of temporary differences 3.0 2.8
Effect of tax rate change on opening
balance 0.4 1.0
Tax expense in the income statement 36.0 28.1
======= =======
The Group's tax expense for the year was GBP36.0m (2016:
GBP28.1m) representing a tax effective rate of 18.6% (2016:
15.9%).
The expense for the current year includes benefits of GBP2.7m
and GBP0.3m from the utilisation under the group relief rules of
tax losses from Nestor Primecare Services Limited and Saga
Investment Services Limited respectively. The tax losses for Nestor
Primecare Services Limited arose when it formed part of the Group
in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Nestor Primecare
Services Limited and Saga Investment Services Limited tax losses,
the underlying tax effective rate was 20.2%.
The expense for the prior year included a GBP7.6m benefit from
the utilisation under the group relief rules of tax losses from
Acromas, which arose when Saga was a part of the Acromas Group.
Excluding the impact of the Acromas tax losses, the underlying tax
effective rate was 20.3%.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
5 Tax (continued)
Reconciliation of net deferred tax assets / (liabilities)
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
At 1 February 4.7 17.4
Tax credit recognised in the income
statement (3.4) (3.8)
Tax credit recognised in other
comprehensive income (6.5) (7.4)
Deferred taxes acquired in business
combinations - (2.7)
Deferred tax charge attributable
to discontinued operations - 1.2
At 31 January (5.2) 4.7
======= =======
Reductions were enacted in the Finance Act 2015 to reduce the
rate from 20% to 19% from 1 April 2017, and to 18% from 1 April
2020. A further reduction to 17% from 1 April 2020 was announced on
16 March 2016 and has been enacted at the balance sheet date. As a
result, the closing deferred tax balances have been reflected at
17%.
The Group has tax losses which arose in the UK of GBP4.2m (2016:
GBP4.2m) that are available indefinitely for offsetting against
future taxable profits of the companies in which the losses
arose.
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these
losses as they may not be used to offset taxable profits elsewhere
in the Group, they have arisen in subsidiaries that have been
loss-making for some time, and there are no other tax planning
opportunities or other evidence of recoverability in the near
future. If the Group were able to recognise all unrecognised
deferred tax assets, the profit would increase by GBP0.7m (2016:
GBP0.8m).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
6 Dividends
During the year, the Company paid an ordinary dividend of 5.0p
per share (2016: 4.1p per share), relating to the year ended 31
January 2016, and also paid an interim dividend of 2.7p per share
(2016: 2.2p per share) for the year ended 31 January 2017. The
total dividends paid for the year were GBP86.1m (2016:
GBP70.4m).
The Directors propose a final dividend for the year ended 31
January 2017 of 5.8p per share, which is subject to approval by
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 22 June 2017 and
would be paid on 30 June 2017. These financial statements do not
reflect this dividend payable.
7 Earnings per share
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit after tax for the
year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the
period. Diluted EPS is calculated by also including the weighted
average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on
conversion of all potentially dilutive options.
There have been no other transactions involving ordinary shares
or potential ordinary shares between the reporting date and the
date of authorisation of these financial statements.
The calculation of basic and diluted EPS is as follows:
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Profit attributable to ordinary
equity holders 157.3 140.9
Profit from continuing operations 157.3 148.1
========= =========
Weighted average number of 'm 'm
ordinary shares
Original shares 800.0 800.0
297.3m shares issued on 29
May 2014 297.3 297.3
Free shares issued on 5 June
2015 7.0 7.3
IPO share options exercised 9.7 6.5
--------- ---------
Weighted average number for
Basic EPS 1,114.0 1,111.1
Dilutive options
IPO share options not yet exercised 3.5 6.6
Other share options not yet
vested 0.1 2.4
LTIP share options not yet 4.4 -
vested
Deferred bonus plan 0.3 0.2
--------- ---------
Weighted average number for
Diluted EPS 1,122.3 1,120.3
========= =========
Basic EPS 14.1p 12.7p
--------- ---------
Basic EPS for continuing operations 14.1p 13.3p
--------- ---------
Diluted EPS 14.0p 12.6p
--------- ---------
Diluted EPS for continuing
operations 14.0p 13.2p
--------- ---------
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
8 Acquisitions
a Acquisitions during the year ended 31 January 2017
There were no acquisitions in the year ended 31 January
2017.
b Acquisitions in prior periods
i) Destinology Limited
On 13 August 2014, the Group acquired a 75% shareholding in
Destinology Limited ('Destinology') with an option to acquire the
remaining 25% shareholding at a later date. Accordingly, the
subsequent purchase was considered to be a linked transaction and
Destinology was consolidated as a 100% subsidiary.
ii) Bennetts Biking Services Limited
On 1 July 2015, the Group acquired a 100% shareholding in
Bennetts Biking Services Limited ('Bennetts'), the UK's premier
motorbike insurance specialist.
The acquisition cost of GBP26.3m was settled in cash.
Transaction costs of GBP0.5m were expensed and included as part of
the non-trading items within administrative and selling expenses.
Cash of GBP0.4m was acquired with Bennetts, resulting in a net cash
outflow of GBP25.9m.
The fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of
Bennetts acquired on the date of acquisition were:
GBP'm
Assets
Brand 3.8
Customer relationships 3.9
Contracts 5.8
Software 1.6
Trade and other receivables (gross and expected
to be received) 1.4
Cash 0.4
----------------------
Total assets 16.9
----------------------
Liabilities
Trade and other payables 1.5
Deferred tax liability 2.7
Total liabilities 4.2
----------------------
Total identifiable net assets at fair value 12.7
Goodwill arising on acquisition (note 9) 13.6
----------------------
Purchase consideration transferred 26.3
----------------------
The goodwill arising on acquisition of GBP13.6m represents the
fair value arising from the acquired management structure,
strategic knowledge, capability and other synergies arising on
acquisition.
9 Goodwill
The net book value of goodwill is GBP1,485.0m (2016:
GBP1,485.0m). During the prior year, the Group acquired GBP13.6m of
goodwill with its acquisition of Bennetts (see note 8).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
10 Intangible fixed assets
During the year, the Group capitalised GBP19.6m (2016: GBP16.5m)
of software assets. In the prior year the Group acquired GBP15.1m
of other intangible fixed assets with its acquisition of Bennetts
(see note 8). During the year the Group charged GBP18.1m of
amortisation to its intangible assets (2016: GBP14.1m).
11 Property, plant and equipment
During the year, the Group capitalised assets with a cost of
GBP12.6m (2016: GBP30.8m), and charged GBP21.6m of depreciation and
impairment to its property, plant and equipment (2016: 23.4m) .
On 21 December 2015, the Group contracted with Meyer Werft GmbH
& Co. KG to purchase a new cruise ship for delivery in July
2019, with an option to purchase a second similar cruise ship for
delivery in 2021. The new ship will replace one of the Group's
existing two ships.
The first stage payment for the new ship was made in February
2016. Three similar stage payments will be made during the
construction period (24 months, 18 months, and 12 months prior to
delivery) funded via cash resources of the Group. The remaining
element of the contract price is due on delivery of the ship, and
the Group entered into appropriate financing for this on 21
December 2015.
As at 31 January 2017, the capital amount contracted but not
provided for in the financial statements in respect of the ship
amounted to GBP280.1m (2016: GBP280.1m).
On 17 February 2017, certain entities in the Group were served
with legal proceedings by the broker who acted on behalf of the
ship yard for the committed purchase of the new cruise ship. The
claimant has brought a claim alleging that these Saga companies are
liable to pay commission on the first ship, plus interest and legal
costs and separately, commission on the second ship should the
option to purchase be exercised. The amount of the claim is up to
EUR7 million, depending on whether the option for the purchase of a
second ship is exercised.
It is too early in the litigation process to evaluate Saga's
position on liability and quantum. As such, no amounts have been
provided for this in the financial statements. Furthermore, in the
event the claim is successful, the cost will be capitalised as part
of assets in the course of construction within property, plant and
equipment.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
12 Financial assets and financial liabilities
a) Financial assets
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Fair value through profit
or loss
Foreign exchange forward
contracts 3.7 3.3
Fuel oil swaps 1.3 -
Loan funds 6.5 19.3
Hedge funds 22.7 26.7
34.2 49.3
------- --------
Fair value through the hedging
reserve
Foreign exchange forward
contracts 47.3 16.7
Fuel oil swaps 1.2 -
------- --------
48.5 16.7
------- --------
Loans and receivables
Deposits with financial
institutions 309.5 413.6
309.5 413.6
------- --------
Available for sale investments
Debt securities 79.5 85.2
Money market funds 122.1 75.9
Unlisted equity shares 1.3 0.2
Loan notes 5.2 3.8
------- --------
208.1 165.1
------- --------
Total financial assets 600.3 644.7
======= ========
Current 310.5 288.8
Non-current 289.8 355.9
------- --------
600.3 644.7
======= ========
b) Financial liabilities
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Fair value through profit
or loss
Foreign exchange forward
contracts 1.0 5.5
Fuel oil swaps 0.3 4.1
------- -------
1.3 9.6
------- -------
Fair value through the hedging
reserve
Foreign exchange forward
contracts 1.0 1.2
Fuel oil swaps - 1.9
------- -------
1.0 3.1
------- -------
Loans and borrowings
Bank loans (note 16) 475.2 547.7
Finance leases and hire
purchase obligations 2.9 2.2
Bank overdrafts 9.4 17.9
487.5 567.8
------- -------
Total financial liabilities 489.8 580.5
======= =======
Current 12.5 27.8
Non-current 477.3 552.7
------- -------
489.8 580.5
======= =======
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
12 Financial assets and financial liabilities (continued)
c) Fair value hierarchy
As at 31 January 2017 As at 31 January 2016
Level Level Level Level Level Level
1 2 3 Total 1 2 3 Total
GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm
Financial assets measured at fair value
Foreign exchange forwards - 51.0 - 51.0 - 20.0 - 20.0
Fuel oil swaps - 2.5 - 2.5 - - - -
Loan funds - 6.5 - 6.5 - 19.3 - 19.3
Hedge funds - 22.7 - 22.7 - 26.7 - 26.7
Debt securities 79.5 - - 79.5 85.2 - - 85.2
Money market funds - 122.1 - 122.1 - 75.9 - 75.9
Unlisted equity shares - - 1.3 1.3 - - 0.2 0.2
Loan notes - - 5.2 5.2 - - 3.8 3.8
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Financial liabilities measured at fair
value
Foreign exchange forwards - 2.0 - 2.0 - 6.7 - 6.7
Fuel oil swaps - 0.3 - 0.3 - 6.0 - 6.0
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Assets for which fair values are disclosed
Deposits with institutions - 309.5 - 309.5 - 413.6 - 413.6
Liabilities for which fair values are
disclosed
Bank loans - 475.2 - 475.2 - 547.7 - 547.7
Finance leases and hire
purchase obligations - 2.9 - 2.9 - 2.2 - 2.2
Bank overdrafts - 9.4 - 9.4 - 17.9 - 17.9
d) Other information
Debt securities, money market funds and deposits with financial
institutions relate to monies held by the Group's insurance
business and are subject to contractual restrictions and are not
readily available to be used for other purposes within the
Group.
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 in the
hierarchy and no non-recurring fair value measurements of assets
and liabilities.
The Group operates a programme of economic hedging against its
foreign currency and fuel oil exposures. During the year, the Group
designated 322 foreign exchange forward currency contracts as
hedges of highly probable foreign currency cash expenses in future
periods, and designated 77 fuel oil swaps as hedges of highly
probable fuel oil purchases in future periods. As at 31 January
2017, the Group has designated 404 forward currency contracts and
103 fuel oil swaps as hedges.
During the year, the Group recognised net gains of GBP11.1m
(2016: GBP6.3m gains) on cash flow hedging instruments through
other comprehensive income into the hedging reserve. Additionally,
the Group recognised net gains of GBP34.2m (2016: GBP10.3m gains)
through other comprehensive income into the hedging reserve, in
relation to the specific hedging instrument for the acquisition of
a new ship (note 16). The overall net gains of GBP45.3m are offset
by a net GBP1.9m loss on forecast transactions recognised in the
financial statements. The Group recognised a GBP0.8 loss (2016:
GBP0.3m loss) though the income statement in respect of the
ineffective portion of hedges measured during the year.
There has been no de-designation of hedges during the year ended
31 January 2017 as a result of cash flows forecast that are no
longer expected to occur, or as a result of failed ineffectiveness
testing. During the year, the Group recognised a GBP11.4m gain
through the income statement in respect of matured hedges, which
has been recycled from other comprehensive income. No amounts have
been removed from the hedging reserve to be included in the
carrying value of non-financial assets and liabilities.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
13 Cash and cash equivalents
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Cash at bank and in hand 55.5 36.9
Short-term deposits 53.2 69.6
------- --------
Cash and short-term deposits 108.7 106.5
Money markets funds 122.1 75.9
Bank overdraft (9.3) (18.0)
Cash and cash equivalents in the
cash flow statement 221.5 164.4
======= ========
Included within cash and cash equivalents are amounts held by
the Group's travel and insurance businesses which are subject to
contractual or regulatory restrictions. These amounts held are not
readily available to be used for other purposes within the Group
and total GBP206.4m (2016: GBP156.6m).
14 Retirement benefit schemes
The Group operates retirement benefit schemes for the employees
of the Group consisting of defined contribution plans and defined
benefit plans.
a. Defined contribution plans
There are a number of defined contribution schemes in the Group.
The total charge for the year in respect of the defined
contribution schemes was GBP0.8m (2016: GBP1.3m). The assets of
these schemes are held separately from those of the Group in funds
under the control of Trustees.
b. Defined benefit plans
The Group operates a funded defined benefit scheme, the Saga
Pension Scheme ("Saga scheme"), which is open to new members who
accrue benefits on a career average salary basis. The assets of the
scheme are held separately from those of the Group in independently
administered funds.
During the prior year, the Group operated two other funded
defined benefit schemes, the Nestor Healthcare Group Retirement
Benefits Scheme and the Healthcall Group Limited Pension Scheme
('Nestor schemes'), which provided benefits based on final salary
and was closed to new members. Both of these schemes were part of
the liabilities held for sale and were disposed of when the Group
completed the sale of the local authority section of the healthcare
business, Allied Healthcare, on 30 November 2015.
The fair value of the assets and present value of the
obligations of the Saga defined benefit scheme are as follows:
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Fair value of scheme assets 276.8 218.6
Present value of defined benefit
obligation (290.5) (237.4)
--------- ---------
Defined benefit scheme obligation (13.7) (18.8)
========= =========
The present values of the defined benefit obligation, the
related current service cost and any past service costs have been
measured using the projected unit credit method.
During the year ended 31 January 2017, the net liability of the
Saga scheme has improved by GBP5.1m to a total liability of
GBP13.7m.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
15 Insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets
The analysis of gross and net insurance liabilities is as
follows:
2017 2016
Gross GBP'm GBP'm
Claims outstanding 517.0 561.6
Provision for unearned premiums 125.3 141.7
------- -------
Total gross liabilities 642.3 703.3
======= =======
2017 2016
Recoverable from reinsurers GBP'm GBP'm
Claims outstanding 93.8 101.6
Provision for unearned premiums 3.7 4.8
-------- -------
Total reinsurers' share of insurance
liabilities (as presented on the
face of the statement of financial
position) 97.5 106.4
Amounts recoverable under funds withheld
quota share agreements recognised
within trade payables:
- Claims outstanding 55.5 -
- Provision for unearned premiums 66.1 -
-------- -------
Total reinsurers' share of insurance
liabilities after funds withheld
quota share 219.1 106.4
======== =======
Analysed as:
Claims outstanding 149.3 101.6
Provision for unearned premiums 69.8 4.8
-------- -------
Total reinsurers' share of insurance
liabilities after funds withheld
quota share 219.1 106.4
======== =======
2017 2016
Net GBP'm GBP'm
Claims outstanding 423.2 460.0
Provision for unearned premiums 121.6 136.9
-------- -------
Total net insurance liabilities 544.8 596.9
Amounts recoverable under funds withheld
quota share agreements recognised
within trade payables:
- Claims outstanding (55.5) (-)
- Provision for unearned premiums (66.1) (-)
-------- -------
Total net insurance liabilities after
funds withheld quota share 423.2 596.9
======== =======
Analysed as:
Claims outstanding 367.7 460.0
Provision for unearned premiums 55.5 136.9
-------- -------
Total net insurance liabilities after
funds withheld quota share 423.2 596.9
======== =======
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
15 Insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets (continued)
Reconciliation of movements in claims outstanding
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Gross claims outstanding at 1 February 561.6 552.4
Less: reinsurance claims outstanding (101.6) (60.2)
--------- ---------
Net claims outstanding at 1 February 460.0 492.2
Gross claims incurred 149.4 219.3
Less: reinsurance recoveries (103.8) (44.4)
--------- ---------
Net claims incurred (note 3b) 45.6 174.9
Gross claims paid (194.0) (210.1)
Less: received from reinsurance 56.1 3.0
--------- ---------
Net claims paid (137.9) (207.1)
Gross claims outstanding at 31 January 517.0 561.6
Less: reinsurance claims outstanding (149.3) (101.6)
--------- ---------
Net claims outstanding at 31 January 367.7 460.0
========= =========
The development of the loss ratios on an accident year basis
over the last eight years is as follows:
Financial Year ended 31 January
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
----------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Accident
Year 2010 73% 73% 72% 70% 68% 67% 66% 64%
2011 78% 78% 76% 75% 71% 69% 67%
2012 76% 70% 62% 62% 57% 54%
2013 75% 72% 66% 62% 58%
2014 75% 71% 65% 62%
2015 67% 69% 66%
2016 70% 71%
2017 55%
Favourable claims development over the year has resulted in a
GBP59.9m (2016: GBP68.0m) reduction in net claims incurred in
respect of prior years.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
16 Loans and borrowings
2017 2016
GBP'm GBP'm
Bank loans 380.0 480.0
Revolving credit facility 100.0 75.0
Accrued interest payable 0.1 0.6
------- -------
480.1 555.6
Less: deferred issue costs (4.9) (7.9)
------- -------
475.2 547.7
======= =======
During the year, the Group repaid GBP100.0m (2016: GBP220.0m) of
its Senior Facilities Agreement, and at 31 January 2017 had drawn
GBP100.0m (2016: GBP75.0m) of its GBP150.0m revolving credit
facility. The Group incurs commitment fees on undrawn facilities
and interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% on drawn facilities.
The debt matures in April 2019, and interest is incurred at a
variable rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%. The Group is required to comply
with a leverage covenant on a quarterly basis and had significant
headroom against this covenant at 31 January 2017.
During the year, the Group charged GBP17.6m (2016: GBP21.8m) to
the income statement in respect of fees and interest associated
with the Senior Facilities Agreement. In addition, interest charged
to the income statement includes GBP1.0m (2016: GBP3.4m) relating
to interest on finance lease liabilities, net finance expense on
pension schemes and other interest costs.
On 21 December 2015, the Group entered into a 12 year fixed rate
Sterling loan, backed by an export credit guarantee, in connection
with the purchase of a new cruise ship (see note 11). Stage
payments will be made during the construction period and this loan
will finance the final payment on delivery. The loan value of
approximately GBP245m will be repaid in 24 broadly equal
instalments, with the first payment 6 months after delivery. The
effective interest rate on the loan (including arrangement and
commitment fees) is 4.29%.
On the date the finance was entered into, the Group purchased
Euro currency forwards totalling GBP273.2m to lock the cost of the
ship. These have been designated as cash flow hedges and remain
outstanding as at 31 January 2017 (note 12d).
The Group has an option to purchase a second ship for the same
price within the contract; the option must be exercised by 21
December 2017. The Group may be released from this option at any
time although should the option to purchase not be exercised, a fee
would become payable. The likelihood of incurring such a fee is
considered extremely remote.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
17 Share-based payments
The Group has granted a number of different equity-based awards
which it has determined to be share-based payments. New awards
granted during the year were as follows:
a) On 16 May 2016, options over 3,749,786 shares were issued
under the Long-Term Incentive Plan to certain Directors and other
senior employees which vest and become exercisable on the third
anniversary of the grant date and are 50% linked to EPS performance
and 50% linked to TSR performance.
b) On 27 May 2016, options over 334,522 shares were issued under
the Deferred Bonus Plan ("DBP") to the Executive Directors
reflecting their deferred bonus in respect of 2015/16, which vest
and become exercisable on the third anniversary of the grant
date.
c) On 29 May 2016, 474,508 shares were awarded to eligible staff
on the 2nd anniversary of the IPO and allocated at GBPnil cost;
these shares become beneficially owned over a three year period
from allocation subject to continuing service.
d) On 1 October 2016, options over 83,488 shares were issued
under the Long-Term Incentive Plan to certain Directors and other
senior employees which vest and become exercisable on the third
anniversary of the grant date and are 50% linked to EPS performance
and 50% linked to TSR performance.
The fair values of all awards are assessed using techniques
based upon the "Black-Scholes" pricing model. The Group charged
GBP4.7m during the year (2016: GBP2.8m) to the income statement in
respect of equity-settled share-based payment transactions. Of
this, GBP0.5m (2016: GBP0.3m) is included within non-trading items
(note 4).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
18 Discontinued operations and assets held for sale
On 30 November 2015, the Group completed the sale of the local
authority section of the Healthcare business, Allied
Healthcare.
The impact of the discontinued operation on the profit for the
prior year was as follows:
2016
GBP'm
Loss after tax, before amortisation
of acquired intangibles (7.9)
Gain on disposal of discontinued
operations 1.0
-------
(6.9)
=======
The impact of the discontinued operation on the reported
earnings per share was as follows:
2016
Basic and diluted earnings per share
from discontinued operations (0.6p)
========
The gain on disposal of Allied Healthcare was as follows:
GBP'm
Cash consideration received 10.1
Fair value of other consideration
receivable 3.8
Pension scheme contribution (9.2)
Net assets disposed (3.1)
Costs of disposal not previously
provided for (0.6)
-------
1.0
=======
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
18 Discontinued operations and assets held for sale (continued)
The results of Allied Healthcare for the prior period were as
follows:
2016
GBP'm
Revenue 206.2
Cost of sales (149.2)
---------
Gross profit 57.0
Administrative and selling expenses (58.4)
Non-trading items (6.4)
Net finance expense on retirement
benefit schemes (0.4)
Loss before tax (8.2)
Tax expense 0.3
---------
Loss for the period from discontinued
operations (7.9)
=========
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent (8.2)
Non-controlling interest 0.3
---------
(7.9)
=========
The net cash flows of Allied Healthcare during the period to
disposal are as follows:
2016
GBP'm
Operating (12.2)
Investing 0.1
Financing 8.4
Net cash outflow (3.7)
19 Related party transactions
During the year ended 31 January 2016, the Saga Group agreed
terms for the utilisation under the group relief rules of
corporation tax losses from Acromas SPC Co Limited and Acromas Mid
Co Limited, indirect investees in the Group, at a cost of 50% of
the tax affected face value. Amounts payable by the Group in
respect of the surrender of these tax losses of GBP7.6m were unpaid
at 31 January 2016 (see note 5) and settled in February 2016.
G Williams, an independent Non-Executive Director of Saga plc,
serves on the board of WNS (Holdings) Limited, the parent company
of WNS Global Services (UK Limited) and WNS Assistance Limited,
both of which Acromas Insurance Company Limited and PEC Services
Limited, subsidiaries of Saga plc, traded with during the year.
These subsidiaries of WNS (Holdings) Limited provided claim
handling management services to Acromas Insurance Company Limited
and PEC Services Limited, and during the year ended 31 January 2017
earned total fees of GBP3.6m (2016: GBP3.5m); further payments to
these subsidiaries of WNS (Holdings) Limited in respect of repair
costs on claims handled totalled GBP37.2m (2016: GBP40.2m). As at
31 January 2017, amounts owing to these subsidiaries of WNS
(Holdings) Limited for fees and repair costs totalled GBP2.2m
(2016: GBP1.5m).
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR UWSBRBOAOUAR
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 29, 2017 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)
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