Company Announcements

Interim Results

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 8390D
Arcontech Group PLC
21 February 2024
 

 

ARCONTECH GROUP PLC

 

("Arcontech" or the "Group")

 

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

 

Arcontech (AIM: ARC), the provider of products and services for real-time financial market data processing and trading, reports its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2023.

 

 

Overview:

 

  • Revenue increased by 6.8% to £1,448,804 (H1 2022: £1,357,041) reflecting the new business secured during the period under review

  • Profit before tax increased by 44.7% to £538,790 (H1 2022: £372,414) reflecting the contribution from higher revenues and higher interest earned on cash deposits
  • Our preferred measure of adjusted profit before tax, which excludes the release of accruals unrelated to the underlying business, increased by 45.3% to £534,775 (H1 2022: £367,914)
  • Recurring revenues represented 100% of total revenues for the period (H1 2022: 100%)
  •  Net cash of £5,734,226 at 31 December 2023, down 2.9% (H1 2022: £5,908,814) after a record dividend payment of £468,048  paid on 3 November 2023
  • Revenue expectation for the full year remains in line with current market expectations, however, profit before tax for the year to 30 June 2024 is expected to be slightly ahead of market expectations. This is the result of higher interest income on cash balances received than previously forecast, and a reduction in operational expenditure.

       

 

 

 

Geoff Wicks, Chairman of Arcontech, said:

 

"We believe our strategy has brought us through a difficult period of poor market conditions well. Our focus is firmly on our core markets where we believe we are best placed to build sustainable growth. We have invested in our ability to grow globally and although lead times and competitive markets mean slow progress, we have started to experience some growth and we are confident about this continuing."

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Arcontech Group plc

020 7256 2300

Geoff Wicks, Chairman and Non-Executive Director


Matthew Jeffs, Chief Executive




Cavendish Capital Markets Ltd (Nomad & Broker)

020 7220 0500

Carl Holmes/George Dollemore

Harriet Ward (ECM)




 

To access more information on the Group please visit: www.arcontech.com

 

 

The interim report will only be available to view online enabling the Group to communicate in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner.


The information contained within this announcement was deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as amended.  With the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

Arcontech is beginning to see some small improvements in market conditions and new projects we have been working on come to fruition. There remain challenges in the market and lead times are longer than before but we announced one major new contract recently and we have the start of growth at existing customers. Our pipeline is improving and we are confident that we are in a good position to recover some of the ground we lost over the last few years.

 

We have retained a significant customer base, much of which is now on longer contracts. Nearly all our revenue is now recurring which provides good visibility and will help us to maintain growth. While we have been investing in our sales and support operations, careful cost control has allowed us to grow profit, although the last year's H1 profit was depressed by the impact of lost business, so flatters this year's number.

 

Revenue was £1.44 million, up 6.8% on the same period last year, Profit before tax ("PBT") was £0.54 million, up 44.7% on the same period last year. Adjusted profit before tax, which is PBT before the release of accruals for administrative costs in respect of prior years was £0.53 million, up 45.3% on the previous year.

 

Financing

 

Our balance sheet remains robust with net cash of £5.7 million, £0.2 million lower than at 31 December 2022, and £0.7 million lower than the level at 30 June 2023 after payment to shareholders of a record dividend of £0.4 million, and a change to the billing cycle for a large customer. As at the date of releasing this report the net cash balance is £6.8m. This cash position allows for continued investment in sales and products and for us to remain alert to opportunities to acquire small complementary businesses.

 

Dividend

 

No interim dividend is proposed to be paid in respect of the half year. The Board expects to continue its policy of paying a dividend following the announcement of its full year results.

 

Outlook

 

We believe our strategy has brought us through a difficult period in poor market conditions in good shape. Our focus is firmly on growth in our core markets where we believe we are best placed to build sustainable growth. We have invested in our ability to grow globally and although lead times and competitive markets mean slow progress we are confident about future growth.

 

 

 

Geoff Wicks

Chairman and Non-Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

GROUP INCOME STATEMENT AND STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 



Note

Six months ended 31

 December


Six months ended 31

 December


 

Year ended

30 June




2023


2022


2023




(unaudited)

£


(unaudited)

£


(audited)

£









Revenue



1,448,804


1,357,041


2,730,172









Administrative costs



(1,039,456)


(995,636)


(1,924,962)









Operating profit


4

409,348


361,405


805,210









Finance income



126,055


15,840


76,977









Finance costs


13

3,387


(4,831)


(6,491)









Changes in estimated variable remuneration liability


5

 

-


 

-


110,000









Profit before taxation



538,790


372,414


985,696









Taxation


7

-


-


(5,587)

 

Profit for the period after tax


 

 

538,790


372,414


 

980,109









Total comprehensive income



538,790


372,414


980,109









Profit per share (basic)



4.03p


2.78p


7.33p









Adjusted* Profit per share (basic)



4.00p


2.75p


6.44p









Profit per share (diluted)



4.02p


2.77p


7.32p









Adjusted* Profit per share (diluted)



3.99p


2.74p


6.43p

 

 

All of the results relate to continuing operations and there was no other comprehensive income in the period.

* Before release of accruals for administrative costs in respect of prior years.

 

GROUP BALANCE SHEET


 

 

Note

 

31 December 2023


 

31 December 2022


 

30 June

2023



(unaudited)

£


(unaudited)

£


(audited)

£

Non-current assets







Goodwill


1,715,153


1,715,153


1,715,153

Property, plant and equipment


6,325


4,420


5,950

Right of use asset

13

559,098


146,303


73,152

Deferred tax asset


328,000


318,000


328,000

Trade and other receivables

10

141,750


141,750


-








Total non-current assets


2,750,326


2,325,626


2,122,255








Current assets







Trade and other receivables

10

1,335,408


1,584,539


499,861

Cash and cash equivalents


5,734,226


5,908,814


6,411,241








Total current assets


7,069,634


7,493,353


6,911,102








Current liabilities







Trade and other payables

11

(473,512)


(891,203)


(427,030)

Deferred income


(1,013,405)


(1,854,240)


(881,858)

Lease liabilities

13

(68,869)


(118,994)


(40,324)

Provisions


(50,000)


-


(50,000)








Total current liabilities


(1,605,786)


(2,864,437)


(1,399,212)








Non-current liabilities







Lease liabilities

13

(483,641)


-


-

Provisions


(20,000)


-


(20,000)








Total non-current liabilities


(503,641)


-


(20,000)








Net current assets


 5,463,848


 4,628,916


5,511,890








Net assets


7,710,533


6,954,542


7,614,146








Equity







Share capital


1,671,601


1,671,601


1,671,601

Share premium account


115,761


115,761


115,761

Share option reserve


305,101


306,440


279,455

Retained earnings


5,618,070


4,860,740


5,547,328










7,710,533


6,954,542


7,614,145








 



GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 



Note

Six months ended 31

December


Six months ended 31

December


Year ended

30 June



2023


2022


2023



(unaudited)

£


(unaudited)

£


(audited)

£

Cash (used in) / generated from operating activities

12

(296,937)


383,087


 

901,422








Tax paid

7

-


(4,993)


-








Net cash generated from operating activities


(296,937)


378,094


 

901,422








Investing activities














Interest received


126,055


15,840


76,977








Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets


417


-


-

 

Purchases of plant and equipment


 

(3,471)


 

(114)


 

 (3,480)








Net cash generated from investing activities


 

123,001


 

15,726


 

            73,497








Financing activities














Dividends paid


(468,048)


(434,616)


(434,616)








Payment of lease liabilities


(35,031)


(76,859)


(155,529)















Net cash used in financing activities


(503,079)


(511,475)


(590,145)

 

 

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents


 

 

(677,015)


 

 

(117,655)


 

 

         384,772








Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


 

6,411,241


 

6,026,469


 

       6,026,469








Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


 

5,734,266


 

5,908,814


     

6,411,241

 

 

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 


Share

capital

Share

premium

Share-based payments reserve

Retained

earnings

 Total

 


                £

                £

               £

              £

                £

At 1 July 2022

1,671,601

115,761

270,825

4,913,137

6,971,324

Profit for the period

-

-

-

372,414

372,414

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

372,414

372,414

Transfer between reserves

-

-

(9,805)

9,805

-

Dividends paid

-

-

-

(434,616)

(434,616)

Share-based payments

-

-

45,420

-

45,420

Total transactions with owners

-

-

35,615

(424,811)

(389,196)

At 31 December 2022

1,671,601

115,761

306,440

4,860,740

6,954,542

Profit for the period

-

-

-

607,695

607,695

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

607,695

607,695

Transfer between reserves

-

-

(78,893)

78,893

-

Share-based payments

-

-

51,908

-

51,908

Total transactions with owners

-

-

(26,985)

78,893

51,908

At 30 June 2023

1,671,601

115,761

279,455

5,547,328

7,614,145

Profit for the period

-

-

-

538,790

538,790

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

538,790

538,790

Dividends paid

-

-

-

(468,048)

(468,048)

Share-based payments

-

-

25,646

-

25,646

Total transactions with owners

-

-

25,646

(468,048)

(442,402)

At 31 December 2023

1,671,601

115,761

305,101

5,618,070

7,710,533



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1.    The figures for the six months ended 31 December 2023, and 31 December 2022, are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those applied by the Group in the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023. The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. Several amendments and interpretations apply for the first time in 2023, but these do not have a material impact on the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group.   

2.   The financial information for the year ended 30 June 2023 set out in this interim report does not comprise the Group's statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023, which were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either Section 498(2) or Section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and did not include references to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis.

3.   Copies of this statement are available from the Company Secretary at the Company's registered office at 1st Floor 11-21 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4JU or from the Company's website at www.arcontech.com.

4.   Operating profit is stated after release of accruals for administrative expenses in respect of prior years of £4,014 (31 December 2022: £4,500; 30 June 2023: £8,393).

5.   During the year to 30 June 2023, the Group Income Statement included the release of £110,000 in accrued bonuses which was been disclosed separately. The Board's best estimate of the liability to pay bonuses as at 30 June 2022 was £170,000 which was recorded with the prior year accruals. In the year to 30 June 2023, £110,000 of this liability was released to the Group Income Statement following annual reappraisal of the estimated liability at 30 June 2023.

6.   Earnings per share have been calculated based on the profit after tax and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the half year ended 31 December 2023 of 13,372,811 (31 December 2022: 13,372,811 30 June 2023: 13,372,811).

The number of dilutive shares under option at 31 December 2023 was 26,988 (31 December 2022: 18,612; 30 June 2023: 14,805). The calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares, all of which arise from share options. A calculation is done to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at the average market price during the period, based upon the issue price of the outstanding share options including future charges to be recognised under the share-based payment arrangements.

7.   Taxation is based on the unaudited results and provision has been estimated at the rate applicable to the Company at the time of this statement and expected to be applied to the total annual earnings. No corporation tax has been charged in the period as any liability has been offset against tax losses brought forward from prior years. The tax paid represents the cash payment of tax liability from the preceding income tax year.

8.   A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2023 of 3.5 pence per share (2022: 3.25 pence per share) was paid on 3 November 2023.

9.   The Directors have elected not to apply IAS 34 Interim financial reporting.

 

10. Trade and other receivables


31 December
2023
£

(unaudited)


31 December
2022

£

(unaudited)


30 June
2023
£

(audited)

Due within one year:












Trade and other receivables

1,137,648


1,468,165


136,250







Prepayments and accrued income

197,760


116,374


221,861







Other receivables

-


-


141,750


1,335,408


1,584,539


499,861

 

 


31 December
2023
£

(unaudited)


31 December
2022

£

(unaudited)


30 June
2023
£

(audited)

Due after more than one year:












Other receivables

141,750


141,750


-


141,750


141,750


-

 

11. Trade and other payables


31 December
2023
£

(unaudited)


31 December
2022

£

(unaudited)


30 June
2023
£

(audited)







Trade payables

27,055


33,078


44,995







Other tax and social security payable

69,714


319,265


58,185







Other payables and accruals

376,743


538,860


323,850


473,512


891,203


427,030

 



 

12. Cash generated from operations



Six months ended 31

December


Six months ended 31

December


Year ended

30 June






2023


2022


2023






(unaudited)

£


(unaudited)

£


(audited)

£














Operating profit


409,348


361,405


915,210














Depreciation charge


76,688


75,390


150,377














Non-cash share option charges


25,646


45,420


97,328














Lease interest paid


(476)


(4,141)


(6,471)






 








Other interest paid


(1,141)


(690)


(20)






 








Profit on disposal of fixed assets


(152)


-


-




 

Increase in trade and other receivables


(990,910)


(1,240,846)


 

 

(9,425)














Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables


184,060


1,146,549


 

(265,577)














Increase in provisions


-


-


20,000














Cash (used in) / generated from operations


(296,937)


383,087


901,422




































13. Leases

 

As a lessee, under IFRS 16 the Group recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases on its balance sheet. The only lease applicable under IFRS 16 is the Group's office.

The key impacts on the Statement of Comprehensive Income and the Statement of Financial Position are as follows:

 


Right of use asset

£


Lease liability

£


Income statement

£

As at 1 July 2023

73,152


(40,324)


-







Recognition of new lease under IFRS 16

559,803


(552,220)


-

Depreciation

(73,857)


-


(73,857)

Liability write-back at expiry

-


5,293

1

5,293

Interest

-


(765)

 

(765)

Lease payments

-


35,506


-







Carrying value at 31 December 2023

559,098


(552,510)


(69,329)

 

1 The lease interest charge for the period under review included a credit entry to write-off the balance of the old office lease liability at expiry of the lease. The credit arose due to the final lease payment being applied on a pro-rata basis for the final quarter. The final lease payment made was £35,506 and not £40,500 which was the amount used when calculating the initial value of the lease liability.


Right of use asset

£


Lease liability

£


Income statement

£

As at 1 July 2022

219,455


(195,853)


-







Depreciation

(73,152)


-


(73,152)

Interest

-


(4,141)


(4,141)

Lease payments

-


81,000


-







Carrying value at 31 December 2022

146,303


(118,994)


(77,293)

 

 

Contractual maturity analysis of lease liabilities as at 31 December 2023

 


Less than 3 months

£

3 - 12 months

 

£

1 - 5 Years

 

£

Longer than 5 Years

£

Total

 

£

Lease liabilities

-

113,400

439,110

-

552,510

 

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