RNS Number:1402G
International Greetings PLC
08 December 2004


                          International Greetings plc

                     Interim results show continued growth

8 December 2004. International Greetings plc ("International Greetings" or "the
Group") (AIM: IGR), the leading designer and manufacturer of private label
greetings products and film and television character based licensed stationery,
announces today interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2004.

Financial highlights

* Turnover for the period grew 16% to #61.8m (2003: #53.5m)
* Adjusted profit* before tax increased 17% to #6.3m
* Adjusted earnings* per share also increased 17% to 10.5p
* The first full six month contribution turnover from Hoomark, the Group's 
Netherlands based European subsidiary, was in-line with expectations with an
operating profit of #0.4m on turnover of #4.5m
* Excluding Hoomark's results, Group turnover increased by 7% and adjusted 
profit* before tax improved by 12%
* US$ like-for-like sales up 23% in the US
* Interim dividend up 17% to 1.75p per share (2003: 1.5p)

* excluding amortisation of goodwill of #182,000 (6 months to 30th September
2003 : #87,000) and exceptional item of #nil (6 months to 30th September 2003:
#684,000)

Operational highlights

* New long term licence signed with Disney extending geographical coverage 
and encompassing all the forthcoming Disney film releases, including the recently
released blockbuster "The Incredibles"
* Board strengthened with the appointment of Keith James, the former Chairman 
of Eversheds LLP
* Design teams already working with major retail clients on designs for Christmas 2005

Commenting on the results, Nick Fisher, CEO of International Greetings said:
"I am delighted that we have delivered another strong set of interim results for
the Group. Hoomark, the gift wrap manufacturer we acquired last year, has
performed well and has strengthened our business in Europe. Our decision to
refocus the US division has been successful, with US$ like-for-like sales up
23%. We are now well into the second half of the year and are optimistic about
the full-year's performance."

For further information:
Nick Fisher, International Greetings:                               01707 630630
Richard Sunderland, Tavistock Communications:                      020 7920 3150
rsunderland@tavistock.co.uk
Graeme Cull, Arden Partners:                                       0121 423 8960    

Interim Statement - 2004

I am delighted to announce strong interim results for the six months to 30th
September 2004. Turnover for the period grew 16% to #61.8m, with adjusted profit* 
before taxation and adjusted basic earnings* per share both increasing 17% to
#6.3m and 10.5p respectively. These results include a full six month turnover of
#4.5m and operating profit contribution of #0.4m from Hoomark, our Netherlands
based subsidiary, which was acquired in November 2003. The integration of
Hoomark into the Group has proceeded well and I am pleased to report that its
performance is in line with our expectations. Excluding Hoomark's results, the
Group's turnover increased by 7% and adjusted profit* before tax improved by
12%.

The refocusing of the US division during the past 18 months has resulted in a
strong performance, with US$ like-for-like sales up 23%. Movements in period-end
exchange rates mean that, after translation into sterling, the reported increase
in turnover is 12%.

The acquisition of Hoomark and the licensed Christmas decoration business last
year, has significantly strengthened our trading relationship with Disney
Consumer Products and, as a result, we recently signed a new long term licence
for our core product categories with them. This new licence encompasses all the
forthcoming Disney film releases, including the recently released blockbuster
"The Incredibles", for which we have supplied stationery and Christmas based
merchandise. Krackajack, which we acquired in June this year, has been
successfully integrated into our cracker division and has helped to further
strengthen our position in that market.

As part of our on-going strategy of reducing costs and maintaining our
competitive position, we recently made the decision to transfer the
manufacturing of greetings cards and tags from the UK to a new facility in
Eastern Europe, currently in the process of being established. It is anticipated
that this new facility will be operational by 31st March 2005, in time to meet
next year's production requirements for these products. The exceptional one-off
costs of transferring this production facility, which are estimated to be
approximately #700,000, will be mostly incurred during the six month period to
31st March 2005. We are confident that this lower cost base will not only enable
us to add value to existing products but will provide a platform for further
growth in Europe.

On 1st August 2004, we announced the appointment of Keith James as a
non-executive board director. Keith has an extensive background in domestic and
international corporate law and recently retired as Chairman of Eversheds LLP,
one of the largest legal practices in Europe. His vast experience in all aspects
of business will be invaluable to the Group during our next important period of
growth. Hugh Child, a non-executive director since January 2002 retired from the
Board, and we thank him for the considerable contribution he made during his
time with us.

* excluding amortisation of goodwill of #182,000 (6 months to 30th September
2003 : #87,0000) and exceptional item of #nil (6 months to 30th September 2003 :
#684,000)

Current Trading

Whilst the trend continues for consumers to carry out their Christmas shopping
later each year, we have now completed the bulk of the season's deliveries to
our customers and are optimistic about our full year's performance. In a
challenging retail environment, we have demonstrated our ability to deliver
quality, design-based products to our customers that meet their margin
requirements and satisfy the ever more sophisticated demands of the consumer.
Our creative and sales teams are already working with the in-house teams of many
of our major retail clients and are clearly focussed on the range and design
developments for the Christmas 2005 season.

Reflecting our continued confidence in the future prospects and financial
strength of the Group, we are proposing an interim dividend of 1.75p per share,
an increase of 17% over last year. The dividend will be paid on 21st January
2005 to all shareholders on the register on 17th December 2004.

John Elfed Jones CBE DL
Chairman
International Greetings PLC

Interim Report 2004

Consolidated profit and loss account
for the six months to 30th September 2004
                                           Note           Unaudited           Unaudited         Audited
                                                        6 months to         6 months to    12 months to
                                                       30 September        30 September   31 March 2004
                                                               2004                2003
                                                               #000                #000            #000
                                                      -------------       -------------      ----------
Turnover                                      2              61,781              53,471         126,689
-----------------------                     ---       -------------       -------------      ----------

Operating profit
before exceptional
item                                          2               6,140               5,444          12,021
-----------------------                     ---             -------             -------        --------
Exceptional item                              3                   -                (684)           (684)
-----------------------                     ---        -------------       -------------      ----------
                                      
Operating profit                                              6,140               4,760          11,337
------------------                                          -------             -------        --------
Net interest
payable                                                         (30)               (154)           (137)
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------
                                       
Profit before
taxation                                                      6,110               4,606          11,200
------------------------                                    -------             -------        --------
Taxation                                      5              (1,809)             (1,403)         (3,142)
-----------------------                     ---        -------------       -------------      ----------
                                       
Profit after
taxation                                                      4,301               3,203           8,058
-----------------------                                     -------             -------         -------

Dividend proposed                                              (759)               (662)         (2,774)
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------

Retained profit                                               3,542               2,541           5,284
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------
                                       
Earnings per share                            4
--------------------                        ---                 

Basic                                                          10.1p                7.7p           19.2p
                                                              -------              ------         -------
Adjusted basic
excluding goodwill
and exceptional
item                                                           10.5p                9.0p           20.7p
Diluted                                                        10.0p                7.6p           19.1p
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------
                                       
Dividend per
ordinary share                                                 1.75p                1.5p            6.5p
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------
   

                                                           
Statement of recognised gains and losses
for the six months to 30 September 2004
-----------------------------------------                
                                                          Unaudited           Unaudited         Audited
                                                        6 months to         6 months to    12 months to
                                                       30 September        30 September        31 March 
                                                               2004                2003            2004
                                                               #000                #000            #000
                                       
Profit for the period                                         4,301               3,203           8,058
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------
 
Currency translation differences                                                          
arising on foreign currency net investments                       99               (243)           (835)
-----------------------                                -------------       -------------      ----------


Total recognised gains and losses
relating to the period                                         4,400               2,960           7,223
-----------------------                    ------       -------------       -------------      ----------


International Greetings PLC
Interim Report 2004
Consolidated balance sheet
at 30th September 2004
                         Note     Unaudited        Unaudited           Audited
                               30 September     30 September      31 March 2004
                                       2004             2003
                                       #000             #000              #000


Fixed assets

Intangible assets -
goodwill                              2,557              978             2,737

Tangible assets                      25,484           21,856            23,271
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------
                                     28,041           22,834            26,008


Current assets

Stocks                               39,110           36,629            22,069

Debtors                              45,873           44,059            11,492

Cash at bank and in
hand                                      5                1            16,233
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------
                                     84,988           80,689            49,794


Creditors: amounts
falling due within
one year                            (60,257)         (56,172)          (25,583)
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------

Net current assets                   24,731           24,517            24,211
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------

Total assets less
current liabilities                  52,772           47,351            50,219


Creditors: amounts
falling due after
more than one year                   (1,999)          (3,315)           (3,059)

Provisions for
liabilities and
charges                                (199)            (382)             (243)

Deferred income                      (2,656)          (2,824)           (2,802)
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------
Net assets                           47,918           40,830            44,115
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------


Capital and reserves

Called up share 
capital                               2,129            2,109             2,112

Share premium
account                               2,515            1,652             1,703

Potential issue of
shares                                  413                -             1,080

Other reserves                          280              773               181

Profit and loss
account                              42,581           36,296            39,039
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------

Equity shareholders'
funds                       6        47,918           40,830            44,115
-----------------------  ------ -------------    -------------        ----------



International Greetings PLC
Interim Report 2004
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the six months to 30th September 2004

                         Note       Unaudited       Unaudited         Audited
                                  6 months to      6 months to    12 months to
                                 30 September     30 September   31 March 2004
                                         2004            2003
                                         #000            #000            #000

Net cash
(outflow)/inflow
from operating
activities                  7         (28,585)        (27,105)         23,695

Returns on
investments and
servicing of
finance                     8             (21)           (151)           (191)

Taxation                               (1,399)         (1,165)         (3,175)

Capital expenditure         8          (3,408)         (2,221)         (4,842)

Acquisitions and
disposals                   8          (1,520)              -          (7,777)

Equity dividends
paid                                   (2,126)         (1,878)         (2,511)
-----------------------  ------   -------------   -------------      ----------

Cash (outflow)/
inflow before
financing                             (37,059)        (32,520)          5,199

Financing                   8          (1,276)          4,977           1,440
-----------------------  ------   -------------   -------------      ----------
(Decrease)/increase
in cash                               (38,335)        (27,543)          6,639
-----------------------  ------   -------------   -------------      ----------



Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net (debt)/funds
for the six months to 30th September 2004
                             Unaudited          Unaudited              Audited

                           6 months to        6 months to         12 months to

                            30 September       30tSeptember      31 March 2004
                                  2004               2003
                                  #000               #000                 #000

(Decrease)/increase in
cash in the period             (38,335)           (27,543)               6,639
Cash outflow/(inflow)
from debt and lease
financing                        1,438             (4,374)                (783)
-----------------------    -------------      -------------           ----------
Change in net
(debt)/funds resulting
from cash flows                (36,897)           (31,917)               5,856
Inception of finance
leases                               -                  -                 (180)
Finance leases
acquired with
subsidiary                           -                  -                 (393)
Translation
differences                       (276)               327                1,552
-----------------------    -------------      -------------           ----------
Movement in net
(debt)/funds in the
period                         (37,173)           (31,590)               6,835
Net funds at beginning
of period                       10,268              3,433                3,433
-----------------------    -------------      -------------           ----------
Net (debt)/funds at
end of period                  (26,905)           (28,157)              10,268
-----------------------    -------------      -------------           ----------

Notes:

1 Basis of Preparation

The interim statement has been prepared under the same accounting policies as
those used for the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2004.
The comparative figures for the year ended 31st March 2004 are an abridged
version of the published accounts and are not the company's statutory accounts
for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on without
qualification by the auditors, and without any statement under Section 237 (2)
or (3) of the Companies Act 1985, and have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies.

2 Acquisitions

(a) On 19th November 2003, the Group acquired 100% of the issued
share capital of Hoomark Giftwrap Partners BV. During the period from the date
of acquisition to 31st March 2004, the Group's results included turnover of
#2.05m and an operating loss of #458,000 attributable to Hoomark.

(b) On 1st June 2004, the Group purchased certain assets and the business of
Krakajack Limited, a supplier of Christmas crackers to the catering market, for
an initial consideration of #1.52m. This represented #800,000 in respect of
plant and machinery and #720,000 in respect of stock. No goodwill arose on this
acquisition. In addition to this amount, an agreed percentage of sales made to
Krakajack customers in 2004 and 2005 will be payable to the vendors. This amount
is expected to amount to approximately #100,000. During the period to 30th
September 2004, sales to Krakajack customers totalled #182,000. Following
Krakajack's integration into the Group's Christmas cracker division, it is not
possible to separately identify the operating profit attributable to these
sales.

3 Exceptional Item

The exceptional item of #684,000 during the six months to 30th September 2003
and the year ended 31st March 2004 represented the one-off start-up costs
associated with the establishment of a new business division involved in the
design and selling of licensed Christmas decorations.

4 Earnings Per Share

                                Unaudited         Unaudited              Audited 
                               6 months to      6 months to         12 months to
                              30 September     30 September        31 March 2004
                               
                                     2004             2003
Adjusted basic earnings per
share excluding goodwill and
exceptional item                     10.5p             9.0p               20.7p
Loss per share on goodwill           (0.4p)           (0.2p)              (0.4p)
Loss per share on exceptional
item                                    -             (1.1p)              (1.1p)
-----------------------       -------------    -------------          ----------
Basic earnings per share             10.1p             7.7p               19.2p
-----------------------       -------------    -------------          ----------
Diluted earnings per share           10.0p             7.6p               19.1p
-----------------------       -------------    -------------          ----------

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on 42,378,290 (6 months to
30th September 2003: 41,788,924, 12 months to 31st March 2004: 41,995,174)
ordinary shares being the average number of shares in issue during the period.
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on 42,883,669 (6 months
to 30th September 2003: 41,993,399, 12 months to 31st March 2004: 42,180,513)
ordinary shares. The difference of 505,380 (6 months to 30th September 2003:
204,475, 12 months to 31st March 2004: 185,339) represents the dilutive effect
of outstanding employee share options which have been calculated in accordance
with FRS 14.

Adjusted basic earnings per share excluding goodwill and exceptional item is
calculated after adjusting for amortisation of goodwill of #182,000 (6 months to
30th September 2003: #87,000, 12 months to 31st March 2004: #233,000), the
exceptional item of #nil (6 months to 30th September 2003: #684,000, 12 months
to 31st March 2004: #684,000) and the tax relief thereon.

5         Taxation

The taxation charge for the six months ended 30th September 2004 is based on the
estimated tax rate for the full year.


6         Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds

                                               Unaudited    Unaudited          Audited
                                             6 months to   6 months to       12 months
                                            30 September  30 September   31 March 2004
                                                    2004          2003
                                                    #000          #000            #000

Profit for the period                              4,301         3,203           8,058
Dividend                                            (759)         (662)         (2,774)
-----------------------                      ------------- -------------      ----------
                                                   3,542         2,541           5,284
                                                 -------       --------         -------     
Other recognised gains
and losses relating to
the period (net)                                      99          (243)           (835)

New share capital
subscribed                                           829           603             657
Potential issue of
shares                                              (667)            -           1,080
-----------------------                      ------------- -------------      ----------
                                         
Net addition to
shareholders' funds                                3,803         2,901           6,186

Opening shareholders'
funds                                             44,115        37,929          37,929
-----------------------                      ------------- -------------      ----------
Closing shareholders'
funds                                             47,918        40,830          44,115
-----------------------                      ------------- -------------      ----------

7  Reconciliation of operating profit to 
   net cash (outflow)/ inflow from operating activities

                                             Unaudited     Unaudited         Audited
                                           6 months to   6 months to    12 months to
                                          30 September  30 September   31 March 2004
                                                  2004          2003
                                                  #000          #000            #000
                                       

Operating profit
before exceptional
item                                             6,140         4,760          12,021
Exceptional item                                     -             -            (684)
Depreciation charge                              2,102         1,896           4,466
(Increase)/decrease in stocks                  (16,129)      (15,027)          1,454
(Increase)/decrease in debtors                 (34,364)      (34,556)          2,073
Increase in creditors                           13,634        15,927           4,431
Grant income                                      (150)         (192)           (299)
Goodwill amortisation                              182            87             233
-------------------------                  ------------- -------------      ----------
Net cash
(outflow)/inflow from
operating activities                           (28,585)      (27,105)         23,695
-------------------------                  ------------- -------------      ----------





8         Gross Cash Flows

                                       Unaudited     Unaudited         Audited
                                     6 months to   6 months to    12 months to
                                    30 September  30 September   31 March 2004
                                            2004          2003
                                            #000          #000            #000
                                 
Returns on investment and servicing
of finance
Net interest paid                            (11)         (137)           (153)
Interest element of
finance lease
repayments                                   (10)          (14)            (38)
-------------------------            ------------- -------------      ----------
                                             (21)         (151)           (191)
                                     ------------- -------------      ----------

Capital expenditure

Purchase of tangible fixed assets         (3,438)       (2,322)         (5,016)
Disposal of tangible fixed assets             30           101             174
                                    ------------- -------------      ----------
                                          (3,408)       (2,221)         (4,842)
                                    ------------- -------------      ----------

Acquisition and disposals
Acquisition cost                          (1,520)            -          (1,226)
Net overdraft acquired
with subsidiary                                -             -          (6,551)
-------------------------            ------------- -------------      ----------
                                          (1,520)            -          (7,777)
                                    ------------- -------------      ----------
                                               
Financing
                                              
New shares issued                            162           603             657
New net loans                             (1,269)        4,466             970
Capital element of
finance lease payments                      (169)          (92)           (187)
                                    ------------- -------------      ----------
                                          (1,276)        4,977           1,440
                                    ------------- -------------      ----------

9         Analysis of movement in net (debt)/funds

                            At 31 March Cash Flow      Exchange  At 30 September
                                   2004                Movement             2004
                                   #000      #000          #000             #000
                       

Cash at bank
and in hand                    16,233     (16,228)            -               5
Overdrafts                     (2,324)    (22,107)         (219)        (24,650)
                          ------------ ----------- -------------  --------------
                               13,909     (38,335)         (219)        (24,645)
                          ------------ ----------- -------------  --------------

Bank loans                     (2,557)      1,269           (42)         (1,330)
Finance leases                 (1,084)        169           (15)           (930)
---------------            ------------ ----------- -------------  --------------
                               (3,641)      1,438           (57)         (2,260)
                          ------------ ----------- -------------  --------------
Total net
funds/(debt)                   10,268     (36,897)         (276)        (26,905)
---------------            ------------ ----------- -------------  --------------




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
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