RNS Number:3072E
Charnos PLC
29 May 2001


STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN ON THE PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF UNAUDITED RESULTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2000


The preliminary announcement of the unaudited results for the year ended 31st
December 2000 show a pre tax loss of #6,754,000 for the Group compared to a
pre tax loss of #1,580,000 in 1999.  External Group sales fell from #
81,959,000 to #73,828,000.

These are disappointing figures reflecting the problems we share with other
British textile companies, especially those associated closely with Marks &
Spencer.  This historic association with Marks & Spencer has been central to
the development of the Charnos Group.  Marks & Spencer continue to acknowledge
the value of our contribution by maintaining our role as a major supplier of
ladies' and children's hosiery, and of knitwear.  During 2000 we were
re-introduced as a lingerie supplier following the successful launch of the
Bioform Bra.  At the same time the continued pressures Marks & Spencer are
experiencing have had a severe impact on the Charnos results in terms of
reduced margins.

This reduction in margins, coupled with the sales decline, had a significant
impact on the cash flows during the year.

Whilst the Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2000 was robust the Group Board
are addressing the cash flow requirements within the Group and are actively
working with the Group's Bankers to ensure that appropriate funding is in
place to meet the Group requirement over the next 12 months taking into
account the significant seasonal trading of the business.  The auditors have
advised that they may require an explanatory paragraph in their audit report
depending on the outcome of these discussions.

The rearrangement of various financial facilities does require an amendment to
the Company's Articles of Association in relation to borrowing powers and it
is for this reason that this announcement, prepared on a going concern basis,
is made ahead of the finalisation of the audited accounts.

Whilst trading remains difficult the Board are encouraged by performance in
the first quarter of 2001 which shows a significant improvement over the start
of 2000. They are also confident that measures have been put in place to
improve the performance of the business over the next 12 to 18 months.
Difficult decisions have had to be taken affecting our employees.  Their
skills, enthusiasm and commitment are most vital assets within the business
and I am thankful for their understanding.

We believe the Group continues to have an important role in the British
textile industry and that this will be assured by our strong management and
our human and financial resources.


                                                                 ROLF NOSKWITH

                     CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

                              for the year ended

                              31st DECEMBER 2000

                                                            2000           1999
                                                      (unaudited)      (audited)
                                               Notes       #'000          #'000



TURNOVER..................................   2           73,828          81,959

COST OF SALES................................           (64,477)        (66,825)
 
GROSS PROFIT....................................          9,351          15,134

NET OPERATING
EXPENSES......................................         (16,016)        (17,021)

OPERATING LOSS BEFORE
EXCEPTIONAL ITEM.............................           (6,057)           (896)

EXCEPTIONAL ITEM............................ 3            (608)           (991)



OPERATING LOSS AFTER
  EXCEPTIONAL ITEM........................              (6,665)         (1,887)

PROFIT ON SALE OF FIXED ASSETS.............                321             445

INTEREST RECEIVABLE & SIMILAR INCOME.......                 75             130

INTEREST PAYABLE...........................               (485)           (268)

LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
      BEFORE TAXATION.................                  (6,754)         (1,580)

TAX ON LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES......... 4               (2)            874

LOSS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR................             (6,756)           (706)

DIVIDENDS (INCLUDING NON-EQUITY)........... 5              (35)           (381)

TRANSFER FROM RESERVES...............                   (6,791)         (1,087)



Loss per "A" ordinary share of 25p each... 6           (673.5)p         (63.0)p



All amounts under each heading between turnover and operating profit relate to
continuing operations of the Group.



There have been no recognised gains or losses other than those shown above.



               CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - 31st DECEMBER 2000


                                                  2000                 1999
                                               (unaudited)          (audited)
                                           #'000     #'000     #'000      #'000


FIXED ASSETS

 Tangible assets.................                   14,509               16,007


CURRENT ASSETS
   Stocks...........................      13,560              15,078
   Debtors..........................       7,792               7,050 
   Investments......................       1,065               5,500
   Cash at bank and in hand.........       2,435               3,185
                                          24,852              30,813


Less:

CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Creditors - amounts falling due
   within one year.............          (15,812)            (15,821)



NET CURRENT ASSETS
                                                    9,040                14,992


TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES              23,549                30,999

CREDITORS - amounts falling due after more
     than one year...........                      (4,239)               (4,898)

PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES
   AND CHARGES....................                    -                    -

                                                   19,310                26,101




CAPITAL AND RESERVES                                
CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL                             1,000                 1,000 
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT                            16,285                23,076 
OTHER RESERVES                                      2,025                 2,025 
Equity shareholders' funds                         18,810                25,601 
Non-equity shareholders' funds                        500                   500 
                                                   
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS                          19,310                26,101 
 




                          CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2000 

                                                
                                            2000                   1999  
                                         (unaudited)             (audited)      
                                        #'000     #'000       #'000     #'000 

  Net cash (outflow)/inflow                      (2,123)                3,301 
  from operating activities                                                     
            
  Returns on investments and                                                    
  servicing of finance                                                          

                    Interest received      59                   155           
                    Interest paid        (484)                 (268)           
                    Preference            (35)                  (35)           
                    dividends paid                                              
                                                                         
  Net cash outflow from                                                         
  returns on investments                           (460)                 (148) 
  and servicing of finance                                                

  Taxation                                                                    
                    Corporation tax repaid          446                   140 
                    (including advance                                          
                    corporation tax)                                            
                           
  Capital expenditure and                                                       
  financial investment                                                          

                    Payments to        (2,774)               (2,841)           
                    acquire tangible                                            
                    fixed assets                                                
   
                    Receipts                -                   540           
                    from sales                                                
                    of freehold                                               
                    property                                                  

                    Receipts              513                   241           
                    from sales                                                
                    of tangible                                               
                    fixed                                                     
                    assets                                                    

                    Government            560                   866           
                    grants                                                    
                    received                                                  

  Net cash outflow from                                                         
  capital expenditure and                                                       
  financial investment                          (1,701)               (1,194) 
                                                                    
  Equity dividends paid                           (347)               (5,554) 
                                                                
  Net cash (outflow)                                                            
  before management of                                                          
  liquid resources and                          (4,185)               (3,455) 
  financing                                                                   

  Management of                                                               
  liquid resources:                                                             
                    Sale of current              4,435                 1,000 
                    asset investments                                           
   
  Financing                                                                   
                    Bank loan                   (1,000)               (1,000) 

  (Decrease) in cash                              (750)               (3,455) 
                                                                          
 
  



Reconciliation of operating profit to net                    2000       1999 
cash (outflow)/inflow from operating profits                #'000      #'000    
                                             
  Operating loss                                           (6,665)     (1,887) 
                    Depreciation charges                    4,116       5,719 
                    Amortisation of Government grants      (1,604)     (2,418) 
                    Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets  (357)       (100) 
                    Decrease in stocks                      1,518       1,622 
                   (Increase)/decrease in debtors          (1,177)      1,589 
                    Increase/(decrease) in creditors        2,046      (1,224) 
                    Net cash (outflow)/inflow              (2,123)      3,301 
                    from operating activities                        




                 NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY UNAUDITED RESULTS


1.         Preparation of Preliminary Unaudited Results

This preliminary announcement has been agreed with the company's auditors.
The consolidated profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow
statement, as shown in the preliminary announcement, do not constitute the
statutory accounts of Charnos plc for the year ended 31 December 2000.

The 1999 statutory accounts have been filed with the Registrar of Companies
and contained an unqualified audit report and did not contain a statement
under Section 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985.

As explained in the attached Chairman's statement, rearrangements are
currently being made to various financial facilities which require an
amendment to the Company's Articles of Association relating to borrowing
powers and it is for this reason that this announcement is made ahead of the
audited accounts.

The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000 have not yet been delivered
to the Registrar, nor have the auditors reported on them. The auditors have
indicated that their report may contain an explanatory paragraph relating to
the financial facilities referred to above.


2.                   Turnover

Turnover is derived in the main in the United Kingdom and represents one
business segment.


3.                   Exceptional Item

The exceptional item represents costs associated with reorganisation and
severance payments.


4.                   Taxation

The Group has no tax charge for the year due to losses arising.  The credit in
1999, calculated at 30%, arose on the losses for the year being relieved
against previous year's profits.


5.                   Dividend

The Board is not recommending a dividend on either 'A' or 'B' ordinary shares
(1999: 'A' ordinary #34.3425; 'B' ordinary #nil). Preference share dividends
continue to be paid on the appropriate due dates.


6.                   Loss per Ordinary Share

The basic loss per ordinary share is calculated on the loss for the year of
#6,756,000 (1999: #706,000) less preference dividends of #35,000 (1999: #35,000)
and the weighted average number of 'A' ordinary shares in issue during 2000
which was 1,008,300 (1999: 1,176,753).



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