TIDMMHG

RNS Number : 6942P

Merchant House Group PLC

29 October 2012

MERCHANT HOUSE GROUP PLC

("MHG or "the Group")

INTERIM STATEMENT

For the 6 months ended 30 June 2012

The Board of MHG is pleased to announce interims results for the six month period ended 30 June 2012.

Financial Results

In the half year to June 2012:

   --     Turnover increased by 31% to GBP4.0 million (6 months to June 2011: GBP3.1 million) 
   --     Gross profit increased by 20% to GBP1.3 million (6 months to June 2011: GBP1.1 million) 

-- Operating loss of GBP1.4 million (6 months to June 2011: GBP0.5 million loss) after charging GBP0.5 million in respect of acquisition costs of IFA members

Revenues have continued to grow, especially within our IFA business, Merchant House Financial Services Ltd, where sales of GBP2.7 million in the first half compare to sales of GBP2.2 million for the same period last year and GBP4.7 million in the whole of 2011.

Within Merchant Capital Ltd, predominantly Structured Products, sales were GBP1.3 million compared to GBP0.9 million for the same period last year and GBP2.9 million for the whole of 2011.

Net debt grew to GBP1.6 million at the period end (30 June 2011: net cash of GBP0.09 million). As shareholders will know, the Group has procured an aggregate investment of GBP2 million from Beia Capital Ltd and Beia Investment Partners LLP (together "Beia") of which these results reflect the first GBP0.25 million, received as a convertible loan. Subsequent to the period end, a further GBP1.35 million before expenses has been received leaving GBP0.4 million to be remitted by 22 November 2012.

Operating Review

In the structured products division of Merchant Capital Limited, following a strong start to the year, sales slowed following the difficulties previously reported around the loss and subsequent replacement of our custodian. Whilst the UK retail business has been particularly difficult and is likely to remain so in the short term, the marketing of plans offshore has provided a continuing source of sales. In order to expand the latter market, a new sales team has recently been appointed and as it is settles into the business is expected to contribute to more diversified sales.

The client assets held by the previous custodian have been transferred in full to Reyker Securities plc, our new custodian. Whilst some client monies remain to be released by the special administrator of the previous custodian, it is understood that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme protections will mean that no clients affected by the special administration will incur a loss.

The asset management division has also been through a difficult period as a consequence of the suspension of the Group's shares and weak stock markets caused largely by the uncertainty in Europe. Four UCITS funds were liquidated in 2012 as redemptions resulted in uneconomic fund sizes. In contrast, a new UCITS fund has recently been approved by the central bank of Ireland and is expected to launch in the near future. Whilst assets under management have fallen in the UCITS business, revenues have not as yet been adversely affected but new funds will have to be launched if this is to be sustained. Current total assets under management are approximately USD25 million and there are plans to launch additional funds.

PYXMarkets, the options trading platform was, as reported, launched in the second quarter of 2012. Following an initial period of low trading volumes, the group expects to accelerate the promotion of this business.

Merchant House Financial Services Limited has since the beginning of the year made progress in the reduction of its monthly running costs and in reducing the number of low profit advisors. This has been implemented during a period, in which as previously mentioned, revenues have increased by approximately 22% over the same period last year. The business, in partnership with our regulatory principal, has also made progress in being RDR (the new regulatory regime under which IFA businesses will have to operate from early 2013) ready. This is against a generally accepted opinion that much of the IFA market still has some way to go to be RDR ready.

Financial Position and Prospects

The difficulties outlined above and reported this year, as well as the suspension on AIM, have inevitably impacted the business, the Group's financial and trading position and its performance within the regulatory framework in which it operates. The directors have considered the short term trading prospects of the Group together with the current financial position of the Group. That includes a number of creditors who are due monies outside their normal settlement terms and with which the Company is in ongoing discussions to allow settlement over a period of time. The final GBP0.4 million due from Beia in respect of their investment in 1 billion shares at a price of 0.04p, the receipt of which having initially been delayed by the need for approval by the FSA, is now expected shortly but it is clear that additional funds will be required in the short term to provide sufficient working capital and investment in the business.

The directors are therefore pursuing a number of fund raising opportunities with a view to raising additional funds. This includes a funding agreement under negotiation which the Board believes would, in conjunction with the GBP0.4 million to be received from Beia, deliver the required finance, either immediately on completion or in stages. There are also other opportunities in negotiation.

However, the adequacy of working capital at this time remains uncertain and as sufficient funding may not be received in the short term, the Board is also exploring all other options available to it, which may include asset or business disposals, and there is also a risk of cancellation of trading on AIM. The Company's shares remain suspended from trading on AIM and shareholders will be updated in due course.

Outlook

While the Board's immediate focus is on the successful conclusion to raising sufficient funds, it is positive that the underlying businesses have made good progress this year and the Board looks forward to the continued development of the business in the final quarter and into next year.

Also during the period under review, the board has been strengthened with the addition of Mr James Keane and Mr Stephen Drew, who were appointed on 19 June.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our employees for their continued hard work and commitment and shareholders for their continued support.

James Holmes

Chairman

26 October 2012

Enquiries;

Merchant House Group PLC

James Holmes, Chairman +44 (0) 20 3544 4793

Chris Day, CEO

Allenby Capital Ltd, Nominated Adviser

+44 (0) 20 3328 5656

Jeremy Porter

James Reeve

Consolidated income statement

Period ended 30 June 2012

 
                                                  Six month                    Six month                    Year ended 
                                                     period                       period                   31 December 
                                                      ended                        ended 
                                                    30 June                      30 June                          2011 
                                                       2012                         2011 
                                                (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)                     (Audited) 
                          Note                          GBP                          GBP                           GBP 
 Revenue                                          4,011,907                    3,061,626                     7,696,738 
 Cost of sales                                  (2,714,562)                  (1,979,261)                   (7,451,698) 
 Gross profit                                     1,297,345                    1,082,365                       245,040 
 Surplus of fair value                                    -                            - 
  over purchase cost                                                                                                 - 
 Sales and marketing 
  expenses                                         (36,331)                            -                       (7,482) 
 Administrative 
  expenses                                      (2,130,028)                  (1,952,845)                   (4,336,148) 
 Acquisition cost of                              (533,082)                                                          - 
 IFA Members &                                                                         - 
 Clawbacks 
 Other operating income                                   -                      313,379                       146,792 
 Realised gain on                                         -                       33,643                             - 
 current 
 asset investments 
 Unrealised (loss)/gain                                   -                        (470)                             - 
 on current asset 
 investments 
 Disposal of non 
  controlling 
  interest                                                -                            -                        10,749 
 Impairment loss on 
  investments                                             -                            -                     (500,000) 
 (Loss)/Profit from 
  operations                                    (1,402,096)                    (523,928)                   (4,441,049) 
 Finance expense                                   (55,965)                     (10,507)                     (719,974) 
 Investment income                                        -                      109,943                       193,461 
 Share of profit of 
  equity-accounted 
  investees 
  (net of tax)                                            -                            -                     (665,490) 
 (Loss)/Profit Before 
  Taxation                                      (1,458,061)                    (424,492)                   (5,633,052) 
 Income tax expense        3                              -                            -                        19,493 
 (Loss)/Profit for 
  the financial period                          (1,458,061)                    (424,492)                   (5,613,559) 
                                ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                          (1,400,959)                    (424,492)                   (5,547,545) 
 Non-controlling 
  interests                                        (57,102)                            -                      (66,014) 
                                                (1,458,061)                    (424,492)                   (5,613,559) 
                                ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 (Loss)/Profit per 
  share (pence)            4                        (0.03)p                      (0.05)p                       (0.26p) 
 Diluted (Loss)/Profit 
  per share (pence)        4                        (0.03)p                      (0.02)p                       (0.16p) 
-----------------------  -----  ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Period ended 30 June 2012

 
                                    Six month     Six month           Year ended 
                                       period        period          31 December 
                                        ended         ended 
                                      30 June       30 June                 2011 
                                         2012          2011 
                                  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)            (Audited) 
                                          GBP           GBP                  GBP 
 Profit/(Loss) for 
  the year attributable 
  to the parent's equity 
  holders                         (1,400,959)     (424,492)          (5,547,545) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) for 
  the year attributable 
  to the parent's equity 
  holders                         (1,400,959)     (424,492)          (5,547,545) 
-------------------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------------- 
 

Consolidated statement of financial position

at 30 June 2012

 
                                                                                                                 As at 
                                                      As at                        As at                   31 December 
                                                    30 June                      30 June                          2011 
                                                       2012                         2011 
                                                (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)                     (Audited) 
                                                        GBP                          GBP                           GBP 
 ASSETS 
 Non Current Assets 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                                          15,401                       15,702                        13,429 
 Investment in group                                      -                      665,490                             - 
  undertakings 
                                                     15,401                      681,192                        13,429 
 Current Assets 
 Trade and other receivables                      3,787,424                    3,656,175                     3,055,260 
 Cash and cash equivalents                          184,815                      387,042                       141,801 
 Investments                                          2,847                      502,371                         2,847 
 Total current assets                             3,975,086                    4,545,588                     3,199,908 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                     3,990,487                    5,226,780                     3,213,337 
                                ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 
 Current Liabilities: 
 Loans and borrowings                               748,560                      160,200                       661,646 
 Trade and other payables                         5,096,137                    3,040,670                     3,897,496 
                                                  5,844,697                    3,200,870                     4,559,142 
 Non current liabilities: 
 Loans and borrowings                               556,498                      262,645                       199,866 
 Subordinated loan                                  100,000                      100,000                       100,000 
                                                    656,498                      362,645                       299,866 
 Equity and Reserves 
 Called up share capital                            967,504                      720,252                       867,592 
 Shares to be issued                                 12,235                            -                        12,235 
 Convertible loan notes                             376,572                      307,855                       471,572 
 Share premium                                    4,731,923                    2,577,224                     4,143,810 
 Retained Earnings                              (8,466,077)                  (1,942,065)                   (7,065,118) 
 Equity attributable 
  to equity holders 
  of the parent                                 (2,377,843)                    1,663,266                   (1,569,909) 
 Non-controlling interest                         (132,865)                            -                      (75,763) 
 Total Equity                                   (2,510,708)                    1,663,266                   (1,645,672) 
                                ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                     3,990,487                    5,226,781                     3,213,337 
------------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Period ended 30 June 2012

 
                                                                           Attributable to owners of the Company                                                                           Non-            Total Equity 
                                                                                                                                                                                    Controlling 
                                                                                                                                                                                       interest 
                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                   Convertible                Share Capital                 Share Premium                    Retained                             Total 
                                     Loan Note                                                                               earnings 
                                           GBP                          GBP                           GBP                         GBP                               GBP                     GBP                               GBP 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2011                                 293,043                      671,199                     2,139,775                 (1,517,573)                         1,586,444                       -                         1,586,444 
 Disposal of non                             -                            -                             -                           -                                 -                       -                                 - 
 controlling 
 interest 
 Total 
  Comprehensive 
  Income for the 
  year                                       -                            -                             -                 (5,547,545)                       (5,547,545)                (66,014)                       (5,613,559) 
 Movement in 
  equity 
  component of 
  Loan 
  Note                                 178,529                            -                             -                           -                           178,529                       -                           178,529 
 Pre-acquisition 
  losses                                     -                            -                             -                           -                                 -                (10,749)                          (10,749) 
                                       178,529                            -                             -                 (5,547,545)                       (5,369,016)                (76,763)                       (5,445,779) 
 Transactions 
 with 
 owners recorded 
 directly 
 in equity: 
 Share Capital                               -                            -                             -                           -                                 -                   1,000                             1,000 
 Shares issued                               -                      208,628                     2,004,035                           -                         2,212,663                       -                         2,212,663 
                                             -                      208,628                     2,004,035                           -                         2,212,663                   1,000                         2,213,663 
                   ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ----------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------  ----------------------  -------------------------------- 
 Balance at 31 
  December 
  2011                                 471,572                      879,827                     4,143,810                 (7,065,118)                       (1,569,909)                (75,763)                       (1,645,672) 
 Total 
  Comprehensive 
  Income for the 
  year                                       -                            -                             -                 (1,400,959)                       (1,400,959)                (57,102)                       (1,458,061) 
 Movement in 
  equity                              (95,000)                            -                             -                           -                          (95,000)                       -                          (95,000) 
                                       376,572                      879,827                     4,143,810                 (8,466,077)                       (3,065,868)               (132,865)                       (3,198,733) 
 Transactions 
 with 
 owners recorded 
 directly 
 in equity: 
 Share issue                                 -                       99,912                       588,113                           -                           688,025                       -                           688,025 
 Shares to be                                -                            -                             -                           -                                 -                       -                                 - 
 issued 
 Balance at 30 
  June 
  2012                                 376,572                      979,739                     4,731,923                 (8,466,077)                       (2,377,843)               (132,865)                       (2,510,708) 
-----------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ----------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------------  ----------------------  -------------------------------- 
 

Consolidated cash flow statement

Period ended 30 June 2012

 
                                                  Six month                    Six month                    Year ended 
                                                     period                       period                   31 December 
                                                      ended                        ended 
                                                    30 June                      30 June                          2011 
                                                       2012                         2011 
                                                (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)                     (Audited) 
                                                        GBP                          GBP                           GBP 
 Reconciliation of 
  operating loss to 
  net cash flow from 
  operating activities 
 Operating profit/(loss)                        (1,402,096)                    (523,928)                   (4,441,049) 
 (Increase) in trade 
  & other receivables                             (801,831)                    (222,092)                       378,823 
 Increase in trade 
  & other payables                                1,065,968                      107,245                       990,113 
 Depreciation                                             -                        4,381                         8,239 
 
 Impairment of investment                                 -                            -                       500,000 
 Unrealised loss/(gain)                                   -                     (33,173)                             - 
  on current asset investments 
 Disposal of non controlling 
  interest                                                -                            -                      (10,749) 
 Tax payable                                        213,632                            -                        19,493 
 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow 
  from operating activities                       (924,327)                    (667,567)                   (2,555,130) 
 
 Investing Activities 
 Financial income                                         -                      109,943                       193,461 
 Sales of investments                                     -                            -                         1,000 
 Purchase of plant 
  & equipment                                       (1,974)                      (2,853)                       (4,438) 
 
 Net cashflow from 
  investing activities                              (1,974)                      107,090                       190,023 
 
 Financing activities 
 Proceeds from share 
  issue                                             688,025                      345,000                     2,212,663 
 Loan proceeds                                    1,301,297                      303,650                     1,391,247 
 Loans repaid                                     (857,752)                            -                     (518,862) 
 Loan notes converted 
  to ordinary shares                               (95,000)                            -                     (141,500) 
 Financial expense                                 (67,255)                     (10,507)                     (719,974) 
 
 Net cash inflow from 
  financing activities                              969,315                      638,143                     2,223,574 
 
 Increase/(decrease) 
  in cash & cash equivalents                         43,014                       77,666                     (141,533) 
------------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

Period ended 30 June 2012

 
                                     Six month                    Six month            Year ended 
                                        period                       period           31 December 
                                         ended                        ended 
                                       30 June                      30 June                  2011 
                                          2012                         2011 
                                   (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)             (Audited) 
                                           GBP                          GBP                   GBP 
 
 Increase/(decrease) 
  in cash in the period                 43,014                       77,666             (141,533) 
 Cash inflow from issue 
  of loan note                     (1,301,297)                    (303,650)           (1,391,247) 
 Loan note repaid                      857,752                            -               518,862 
 Loan notes converted 
  to ordinary shares                    95,000                            -               141,500 
 Movement in year                    (305,531)                    (225,984)             (872,418) 
 Net (debt) brought 
  forward                          (1,291,284)                      318,866             (418,866) 
 
 
 Net (debt) carried 
  forward                          (1,596,815)                       92,882           (1,291,284) 
------------------------  --------------------  ---------------------------  -------------------- 
 

Notes

   1.     Basis of accounting 

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2012 have been prepared under applicable International Financial Reporting Standards adopted by the European Union ('IFRS') and in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2011.

The interim financial statements have been prepared under the same accounting policies as those used for the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011. A number of IFRS's and Interpretations have been endorsed by the EU in the period to 30 June 2012 and although they have been adopted by the Group, none of them has had a material impact on the Group's financial statement.

The Group's 2011 annual report provides full details of significant judgements and estimates used in the application of the Group's accounting policies. There have been no significant changes to these judgements and estimates during the period.

The financial information included in this document is unaudited and does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2011 are not the company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the company's auditor and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did include a reference to matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report (see below), and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

   2.     Going concern 

The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 drew attention to the significant uncertainties surrounding whether the company would be able to continue as a going concern. The directors have considered the short term trading prospects of the Group together with the current financial position of the Group. That includes a number of creditors who are due monies outside their normal settlement terms and with which the Company is in ongoing discussions to allow settlement over a period of time.

The directors are therefore pursuing a number of fund raising opportunities with a view to raising sufficient funds, which in conjunction with the GBP0.4 million still to be received from Beia, is expected to deliver the required finance, either immediately on completion or in stages.

Assuming these, compliance with regulatory requirements and the trading prospects of the Group, the Board considers it remains appropriate to prepare these statements on a going concern basis.

   3.     Taxation 

No provision for corporation tax has been provided for, due to tax losses incurred in the current period.

Loss per share

 
                              Six month     Six month    Year ended 
                                 period        period   31 December 
                                  ended         ended 
                                30 June       30 June          2011 
                                   2012          2011 
                            (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     (Audited) 
 (Loss)/Profit per 
  ordinary share (pence)       (0.034)p       (0.05)p       (0.26)p 
 
 Diluted (Loss)/Profit 
  per ordinary share 
  (pence)                      (0.026)p       (0.02)p       (0.16)p 
-------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The loss per share has been calculated on the net basis on the consolidated loss excluding associate for the period ended 30 June 2012, after taxation, of GBP(1.4 million) (June 2011: GBP(0.4 million), December 2011: GBP(5.5 million)) using the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue at the period of 4,097,910,741 (June 2011: 774,540,549, December 2011: 2,157,289,310).

Diluted earnings per share have been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue, diluted for the effect of share and loan conversion rights and warrants. There were unexercised share and loan conversion rights and warrants on shares in existence at the period end of 1,289,950,166 (June 2011: 1,777,797,247, December 2011: 2,157,289,310).

Availability of statement

A copy of this statement is available to shareholders and members of the public, free of charge, from the Company's website: http://www.merchanthousegroup.com/investor-relations

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR PGGAGUUPPGQQ

Merchant House (LSE:MHG)
過去 株価チャート
から 5 2024 まで 6 2024 Merchant Houseのチャートをもっと見るにはこちらをクリック
Merchant House (LSE:MHG)
過去 株価チャート
から 6 2023 まで 6 2024 Merchant Houseのチャートをもっと見るにはこちらをクリック