RNS Number:3091P
Horizon Technology Group PLC
03 September 2003


                          Horizon Technology Group plc

                                Interim Results
                             For the six months to
                                  30 June 2003


Horizon Technology Group plc, a leading system integrator and distributor of
information technology products in the UK and Ireland announces its interim
results for the six months to 30 June 2003.


                      Horizon exceeds market expectations


*  Diluted Earnings Per Share adjusted exceeds market expectations at 3.33 cent;

*  Strong improvement in services, resulting in an increase in enterprise 
   solutions gross profit margin from 14.7% to 15.9%;

*  In a challenging but stabilising IT market, Horizon has maintained revenues, 
   improved profitability and increased tangible net worth;

*  Net cash balances are well ahead of expectations, resulting in further 
   strengthening of financial position and balance sheet; and

*  Due to increased efficiencies, productivity improvements have been 
   significant - revenue per employee has now reached a very satisfactory Euro1.26m 
   per annum.



Earnings Highlights - Six Months to 30 June 2003
                                                                                 Consensus
                                                      Actual                        Broker                             %
                                                       Euro'000                   Expectation                      Increase
                                                                                     Euro'000

Turnover                                             128,520                       136,415                        (5.8%)
Gross profit                                          14,914                        14,920                          0.0%
Trading profit (pre goodwill)                          3,291                         2,831                         16.2%


EBIT                                                   2,527                         2,131                         18.6%
Diluted EPS adjusted (cent)                             3.33                          2.54                         31.1%



Commenting on the results: Samir Naji, Executive Chairman of Horizon Technology
Group plc said: "Despite the challenging environment, Horizon has maintained
consistently high customer satisfaction levels, deepened its relationships with
partners such as Hewlett Packard and Sun Microsystems and continued to win
customers increasing its penetration in markets such as life-sciences,
healthcare and retail.

Horizon has also made significant market share gains in its traditionally strong
sectors such as telecommunications and finance. Combined with effective cost
control, these factors have allowed Horizon to further improve its financial
position. The group is well positioned to take advantage of any improvement in
the market and deliver growth in earnings going forward."

About Horizon:

Horizon Technology Group plc is a leading system integrator and distributor of
information technology products in the UK and Ireland.



For more information contact:

Paul McSharry
Financial Dynamics Ireland
Tel:   +353-1-6633633
Email: paulmc@fdireland.ie






INTERIM REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
for the six months ended 30 June 2003


OVERVIEW

The first half of 2003 saw the return of stability in the IT market and
Horizon's business and an end to the group's two year long consolidation
process. The IT market is still challenging but the group has maintained
revenues, improved profitability and EPS and increased tangible net worth.
Horizon's strong financial position and careful management of its cost base and
capital resources combined with continued focus on performance improvement have
delivered good progress in the first half of 2003.

The following table sets out a summary of the profit and loss for the six months
to June 2003 and a comparison with the two previous six month periods. The six
months to June 2002 was the peak half year for Horizon in turnover terms and the
results for that period incorporate a number of businesses which were
subsequently sold or discontinued and therefore a comparison with the six months
to December 2002 is more meaningful.

                                                             Six months to         Six months to           Six months to
                                                              30 June 2003           31 Dec 2002            30 June 2002
                                                                     Euro'000                 Euro'000                   Euro'000

Turnover                                                           128,520               128,485                 192,927
Gross profit                                                        14,914                15,323                  24,491
Staff and other costs                                               10,990                11,435                  20,362
Trading profit (pre goodwill)                                        3,291                 3,176                   2,559
EBIT                                                                 2,527                 2,477                   1,498
Retained profit/(loss)                                                 148               (6,428)                 (7,161)
Diluted EPS adjusted (cent)                                           3.33                  3.33                    1.26



Revenue for the six months to June 2003 at Euro128.5m was practically identical to
the previous six month period in euro terms with a 2.5% increase in local
currency terms. Distribution and channel services revenue increased 23% over the
previous six month period while enterprise solutions revenue decreased by 12.8%
in euro terms or 8.9% in local currency terms. The growth in revenue in the
Irish distribution and channel services division was attributable to stronger
customer demand, an improvement in market share and a one-off benefit from a
Northern Ireland government rollout of IT equipment to schools. The weakness in
enterprise solutions revenue arose in the UK enterprise infrastructure and
services (EIS) business, which grew significantly since its launch in 2000, but
as expected, suffered in the first half of 2003 as a result of reduced customer
spending, particularly in very large, lower margin capital projects. The Irish
EIS and the Irish enterprise application and services (EAS) businesses continued
to perform strongly.

Gross profit margin for the six months to June 2003 at 11.6% was down from the
11.9% achieved in the six months to December 2002, reflecting the change in the
sales mix between distribution and channel services revenue and enterprise
solutions revenue. The gross profit margin in the enterprise solutions division
increased from 14.7% to 15.9% reflecting higher services content and a change in
the sales mix in the UK EIS business. In the distribution and channel services
division gross profit margins fell principally because of a very low margin on
the project to rollout IT infrastructure to schools in Northern Ireland.

Trading profit (pre goodwill) for the six months to June 2003 at Euro3.29m is up
28.6% on the comparative six month period to June 2002 and 3.6% on the previous
six month period. The improvement on the previous six month period is primarily
due to a further 5.7% cut in staff costs and a 1.2% reduction in other costs, as
the group continued to benefit from its internal emphasis on cost efficiency and
overhead reduction. Headcount has remained relatively static over the six month
period. The current full time equivalent headcount of 204 compares to 208 six
months ago. Costs have been reduced by 46% since the equivalent period of last
year and by 68% from the peak level in March 2001. Productivity improvements
have been significant, revenue per employee is now a very satisfactory Euro1.26m
per annum.

Progress has been made in the drive to reduce the future lease obligations for
properties that lie vacant. These liabilities arose from the sale of the Cisco
training business and the restructuring process. The group has entered into, or
expects to enter into, agreements to sub-let, assign or otherwise dispose of a
number of these obligations. The combined benefit of these agreements is to
create annual cash inflow of Euro1m thereby reducing the annual cost of vacant
properties from Euro2.9m to Euro1.9m in early years. The directors have estimated the
income that can reasonably be expected from remaining vacant properties and,
having taken into account the weakness of the commercial property market, have
concluded that the accounts should include a non-operating exceptional charge of
Euro1.25m and a balance sheet provision for future costs of Euro5.7m.

The group's cash flow and financial position remain strong. Net cash balances at
30 June 2003 were Euro2.5m. In the six-month period to June 2003, stock days were
reduced by 4 to 24 days and debtors days were trimmed by 6 to 43 days. This was
offset, as expected, by a 16 day reduction in creditors days, principally
attributable to the reduction in the credit received from HP following the HP/
Compaq merger.

Through careful management of the cash conversion cycle, capital efficiency has
shown a marked improvement. Working capital has been reduced over an 18 month
period by Euro33m or from 42 days to 9 days. A number of factors contributed to the
particularly low level of working capital of Euro6.6m at 30 June 2003 and a more
realistic maintainable level for the future will be approximately Euro8m higher.



OUTLOOK

Although the market has become less volatile, IT spending shows no sign of
significant improvement in the short term. Unit volumes and services delivered
will show reasonable growth but as a result of productivity improvements and
reductions in vendors margins, market revenue growth will be marginal, if any.

However, Horizon has completed its consolidation process and has strong market
positions, a very competitive cost structure and efficient processes. In
addition, it has excellent relationships with blue-chip customers and global IT
vendors and a debt free balance sheet. Leveraging these competitive advantages
has enabled Horizon to grow market share even in challenging market conditions
and the group expects this trend to continue.

The group will continue to develop and enhance its existing businesses to create
growth in profit and cash flow. Although the group remains cautious, it will
constantly monitor the developing IT market in the UK and Ireland to identify
new opportunities that would achieve growth in profit and shareholder value.

Horizon is a profitable group, commercially and financially well positioned and
ready to take advantage of any upturn in market conditions.


Samir Naji
Executive Chairman

2 September 2003





OPERATING REVIEW
for the six months ended 30 June 2003



DIVISIONAL ANALYSIS

The group operates through two separate trading divisions, namely enterprise
solutions (previously referred to as IT services) and distribution and channel
services. The performance of each division is detailed below.



ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS DIVISION

This division assists customers in implementing IT strategies through the
provision of IT infrastructure, development and consulting services
predominately to blue-chip corporate clients. The division includes the Irish
and UK based EIS businesses and the Irish EAS business and has a current full
time equivalent staff count of 144.

The enterprise solutions division aims to provide customers with a full
portfolio of solutions, which link business strategies with integrated IT
solutions and architectures. It operates in the UK and Irish markets.


                                                              Six months to          Six months to         Six months to
                                                               30 June 2003            31 Dec 2002          30 June 2002
                                                                      Euro'000                  Euro'000                 Euro'000

Turnover                                                             71,896                 82,423               131,574
Gross profit                                                         11,451                 12,129                20,572
Gross margin                                                          15.9%                  14.7%                 15.6%


The division's turnover at Euro71.9m was down 12.8% on the previous six months or
8.9% in local currency terms. The weakness in enterprise solutions revenue arose
in the UK EIS business which has shown significant growth since its launch in
2000, but as expected, suffered in the first half of 2003 as a result of reduced
IT expenditure in the UK, particularly in very large capital projects. However,
these projects typically had lower gross profit margins. The reduced number of
very large capital projects and the group's focus on services had the effect of
pushing up the average services content within contracts and therefore the
overall gross margin of the division increased from 14.7% to 15.9%.

Despite the challenging environment, the Irish EIS and EAS businesses continued
to perform strongly and broadened their industry footprints with customer wins
in newer markets such as life-sciences, healthcare and retail, while also
gaining market share from competitors in their traditionally strong markets of
telecommunications and finance. Recent customer wins include the provision of
systems or services to EBS Building Society, AIB, Pepsi-Cola, O2, Wyeth
Nutritional amongst many others. The UK based EIS business has strengthened its
relationship with system integrators and shown particular strength in its
penetration of the UK government sector, a trend that is expected to continue.



DISTRIBUTION AND CHANNEL SERVICES DIVISION

Clarity Distribution is Ireland's leading value-added distributor of computer
and IT products. It offers leading edge supply chain management services to
resellers and to global technology vendors.


                                                              Six months to         Six months to          Six months to
                                                               30 June 2003           31 Dec 2002           30 June 2002
                                                                      Euro'000                 Euro'000                  Euro'000

Turnover                                                             56,624                46,063                 61,065
Gross profit                                                          3,463                 3,175                  3,888
Gross margin                                                           6.1%                  6.9%                   6.4%


Divisional turnover was up 23% on the previous six month period but 7% down on
the corresponding period of the previous year. Gross profit has increased by 9%
but gross profit margin has reduced to 6.1% mainly because of the impact of a
large Northern Ireland government rollout of IT equipment to schools on which
the group earned a very low margin. Excluding this project, gross profit margin
was 6.6%.

The division had a strong half year and experienced significant growth in its
share of the Irish HP distribution market. Eight of the top ten Irish HP
resellers use Clarity Distribution as their primary source of HP product.





CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
for the six months ended 30 June 2003
                                                                             Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                                         Six months to    Six months to       Year ended
                                                                          30 June 2003     30 June 2002      31 Dec 2002
                                                                 Note            Euro'000            Euro'000            Euro'000

TURNOVER                                                          2/5          128,520          192,927          321,412
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
GROSS PROFIT                                                        2           14,914           24,491           39,814
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST,
DEPRECIATION, AND GOODWILL
AMORTISATION (EBITDA)                                                            3,924            4,129            8,017
Depreciation                                                                     (633)          (1,570)          (2,282)
Amortisation of intangibles                                                      (764)          (1,061)          (1,760)
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
OPERATING PROFIT (EBIT)                                             5            2,527            1,498            3,975
NON-OPERATING EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS:                                    4
Costs of fundamental restructuring                                               (160)            (613)          (2,132)
Disposal and termination of business units                                     (1,533)          (6,271)         (13,176)
Diminution in value of long term investments                                         -            (161)            (161)
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
                                                                                   834          (5,547)         (11,494)
Net interest charge                                                              (353)            (643)            (977)
Unwinding of discount                                                            (164)                -                -
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
PROFIT/(LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION                               317          (6,190)         (12,471)
Taxation on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities                                 (169)            (971)          (1,109)
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
PROFIT/(LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION                                148          (7,161)         (13,580)
Minority interests (including non-equity minority                                    -                -              (9)
interests)
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
PROFIT/(LOSS) RETAINED FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD AND                                148          (7,161)         (13,589)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY
                                                                              ________         ________         ________
Earnings per share:                                                 3
Basic earnings per ordinary shares (cent)                                         0.23          (10.99)          (20.93)
Basic earnings per ordinary shares adjusted* (cent)                               3.63             1.36             4.97
Diluted earnings per ordinary shares (cent)                                       0.21          (10.99)          (19.39)
Diluted earnings per ordinary shares adjusted* (cent)                             3.33             1.26             4.60



*Earnings per share adjusted for non-operating exceptional items, amortisation
of intangibles, and unwinding of discount.






GROUP STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
for the six months ended 30 June 2003

                                                                        Unaudited             Unaudited          Audited
                                                                 Six months ended      Six months ended       Year ended
                                                                     30 June 2003          30 June 2002      31 Dec 2002
                                                                            Euro'000                 Euro'000            Euro'000

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the parent company                   148               (7,161)         (13,589)
Exchange difference on retranslation of net assets of                       (371)               (1,002)          (1,001)
subsidiary undertakings
                                                                       __________            __________       __________
TOTAL RECOGNISED LOSSES                                                     (223)               (8,163)         (14,590)
RELATING TO THE PERIOD                                                 __________            __________       __________






RECONCILIATION OF SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS
for the six months ended 30 June 2003
                                                                        Unaudited             Unaudited          Audited
                                                                 Six months ended      Six months ended       Year ended
                                                                     30 June 2003          30 June 2002      31 Dec 2002
                                                                            Euro'000                 Euro'000            Euro'000

Total recognised losses                                                     (223)               (8,163)         (14,590)
Expenses on share issue                                                       (8)                  (19)             (34)
Re-instatement of goodwill previously                                           -                     -              947
written off
Shares to be issued by way of deferred
consideration on acquisitions                                                  68               (2,370)          (4,563)
                                                                       __________            __________       __________
Total movements during the period                                           (163)              (10,552)         (18,240)
Shareholders' funds at beginning of period                                 13,677                31,917           31,917
                                                                       __________            __________       __________
Shareholders' funds at end of period                                       13,514                21,365           13,677
                                                                       __________            __________       __________





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
at 30 June 2003
                                                                            Unaudited        Unaudited           Audited
                                                                         30 June 2003     30 June 2002       31 Dec 2002
                                                              Note              Euro'000            Euro'000             Euro'000

FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets                                                               9,271           14,018             9,899
Tangible assets                                                                 4,224            7,100             4,787
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
                                                                               13,495           21,118            14,686
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks                                                                         15,136           14,190            18,137
Debtors                                                                        35,782           71,239            41,293
Cash at bank and in hand                                                       17,786           11,139             9,330
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
                                                                               68,704           96,568            68,760
CREDITORS: amounts falling due within                            6           (61,618)         (88,312)          (62,087)
one year                                                                   __________       __________        __________

NET CURRENT ASSETS                                                              7,086            8,256             6,673
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES                                          20,581           29,374            21,359
CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one               7            (1,263)          (4,914)           (1,417)
year
PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES                           8            (5,687)          (2,978)           (6,148)
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
                                                                               13,631           21,482            13,794
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital                                                         4,755            4,533             4,754
Shares to be issued after period end                                            3,085            6,852             3,200
Share premium                                                                  67,134           65,737            66,960
Profit and loss account                                                      (45,913)         (40,210)          (45,690)
Cost of shares of the company held in an ESOP                                (15,547)         (15,547)          (15,547)
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
Shareholders' funds (all equity interests)                                     13,514           21,365            13,677
Minority interests:
Non-equity                                                                        117              117               117
                                                                           __________       __________        __________
                                                                               13,631           21,482            13,794
                                                                           __________       __________        __________




CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the six months ended 30 June 2003

                                                                      Unaudited             Unaudited            Audited
                                                               Six months ended      Six months ended         Year ended
                                                                   30 June 2003          30 June 2002        31 Dec 2002
                                                      Note                Euro'000                 Euro'000              Euro'000

CASH OUTFLOW/(INFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          9              (1,221)                25,800             38,083
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
RETURNS ON INVESTMENT AND SERVICING OF FINANCE
Net interest paid                                                         (334)                 (619)            (1,021)
Dividends paid to minority interests                                          -                     -                (9)
Interest element of finance lease rental payments                          (31)                  (55)              (109)
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND                          (365)                 (674)            (1,139)
SERVICING OF FINANCE
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
TAXATION
Irish corporation tax refund/(paid)                                          66               (1,341)            (1,443)
Overseas taxation (paid)/refund                                               -                 (143)                824
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM TAXATION                                      66               (1,484)              (619)
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets                                 (158)                 (940)              (852)
Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets                                  4                   122                422
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                (154)                 (818)              (430)
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings                                       (206)                 (510)            (3,823)
Sale of subsidiaries                                                      (555)                 9,227              8,046
Net cash transferred with subsidiaries sold                                   -                 (668)              (891)
                                                                      _________             _________         __________
NET CASH (OUTFLOW)/INFLOW FROM ACQUISITIONS AND                           (761)                 8,049              3,332
DISPOSALS
                                                                      _________             _________         __________
CASH (OUTFLOW)/INFLOW BEFORE USE OF LIQUID                              (2,435)                30,873             39,227
RESOURCES AND FINANCING
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING                      10(c)                (237)               (5,703)           (10,723)
CASH INFLOW FROM MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES                               -                 1,016              1,016
                                                                     __________            __________         __________
(DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH                          10(b)              (2,672)                26,186             29,520
                                                                     __________            __________         __________





NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.   BASIS OF PREPARATION

     The interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2003 have 
     been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the 
     financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2002.

     The interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2003 are 
     unaudited. The summary financial statements for the year ended 31 December 
     2002 represent abbreviated versions of the group's full accounts for that 
     period, on which the Auditors issued an unqualified audit report.


2.   SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

     Segmental information in relation to turnover and gross profit is given in 
     the operating review.


3.   EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE
                                                                   Six months ended     Six months ended      Year ended
                                                                       30 June 2003         30 June 2002     31 Dec 2002
                                                                              Euro'000                Euro'000           Euro'000
The computation of basic and diluted earnings
per share is set out below:
Numerator
Profit/(loss) after tax and minority interests                                  148              (7,161)        (13,589)
Non-operating exceptional items                                               1,279                6,988          15,052
Amortisation of intangibles                                                     764                1,061           1,760
Unwinding of discount                                                           164                    -               -
                                                                         __________           __________      __________
Adjusted profit before exceptional items, amortisation, and                   2,355                  888           3,223
unwinding of discount
Denominator
Weighted average number of shares in issue for the period ('000)             64,815               65,131          64,912
Dilutive potential ordinary shares:
Deferred consideration                                                        5,477                5,458           4,971
Employee share options                                                          387                    -             190
                                                                         __________           __________      __________
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares ('000)                    70,679               70,589          70,073
                                                                         __________           __________      __________
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per ordinary shares (cent)                                      0.23              (10.99)         (20.93)
Basic earnings per ordinary shares adjusted* (cent)                            3.63                 1.36            4.97
Diluted earnings per ordinary shares (cent)                                    0.21              (10.99)         (19.39)
Diluted earnings per ordinary shares adjusted* (cent)                          3.33                 1.26            4.60



* Earnings per share adjusted for non-operating exceptional items, amortisation 
of intangibles, and unwinding of discount.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary 
shares, namely share options and future contingent share issues.



4.   EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

     Non-operating exceptional items give rise to a taxation credit of Euro414,000.



5.   CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     In the year to December 2002, Horizon disposed of its CISCO training 
     business, the HTS Group, and three of its smaller application consultancy 
     businesses; iFusion Limited, Webfactory Limited and Fusion Business 
     Solutions (UK) Limited.


     CONTINUING OPERATIONS COMPARATIVE FIGURES

                                        Continuing       Continuing       Discontinued       Continuing     Discontinued
                                     Six months to    Six months to      Six months to       Year ended       Year ended
                                      30 June 2003     30 June 2002       30 June 2002      31 Dec 2002      31 Dec 2002
                                             Euro'000            Euro'000              Euro'000            Euro'000            Euro'000

    TURNOVER                               128,520          181,460             11,467          310,048           11,364
                                        __________       __________         __________       __________       __________
    OPERATING PROFIT (EBIT)                  2,527            2,995            (1,497)            5,647          (1,672)
                                        __________       __________         __________       __________       __________




6.   CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year

                                                                      30 June 2003        30 June 2002       31 Dec 2002
                                                                             Euro'000               Euro'000             Euro'000

    Trade Creditors                                                         26,792              58,932            43,792
    Accruals                                                                17,701              14,313            12,663
    PAYE/PRSI                                                                 (26)                 483               186
    VAT                                                                      1,226                 770             1,027
    Corporation Tax                                                            372                 293                70
    Overseas taxation                                                          404               (576)               404
    Bank borrowings                                                         14,983               8,510             3,708
    Acquisition loan note                                                       37               4,615                40
    Obligations under finance leases                                           129                 972               197
                                                                       ___________          __________       ___________
                                                                            61,618              88,312            62,087
                                                                       ___________          __________       ___________



7.   CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year

                                                                     30 June 2003        30 June 2002        31 Dec 2002
                                                                            Euro'000               Euro'000              Euro'000

    Bank borrowings                                                             -                 106                 99
    Obligations under finance leases                                          138                 254                193
    Other creditors and accruals                                            1,125               4,554              1,125
                                                                      ___________          __________        ___________
                                                                            1,263               4,914              1,417
                                                                      ___________          __________        ___________



8.   PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES

                                                                                                                   Total
                                                                                                                   Euro'000

At beginning of period                                                                                             6,148
Provided in period                                                                                                 1,250
Unwinding of discount                                                                                                164
Utilised during period                                                                                           (1,875)
                                                                                                             ___________
At end of period                                                                                                   5,687
                                                                                                             ___________


Following the sale of the Cisco training business and as a result of the
implementation of the group's fundamental restructuring plan the group has a
number of properties that lie vacant. Provision has been made for the best
estimate of the net present value of the unavoidable lease payments on these
properties, being the difference between the future rental costs and related
expenses and any income reasonably expected to be derived from their being sub-
let. The provision is expected to be utilised over the life of the leases, which
range from two years to ten years and is included in the total above.



9.   RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH
     (OUTFLOW)/INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                                                              Six months ended      Six months ended          Year ended
                                                                  30 June 2003          30 June 2002         31 Dec 2002
                                                                         Euro'000                 Euro'000               Euro'000

Operating profit                                                         2,527                 1,498               3,975
Non-operating exceptional items                                        (1,693)               (7,045)            (15,469)
Non-cash exceptional items                                               (848)                 4,963              12,919
Depreciation and amortisation of intangibles                             1,397                 2,631               4,042
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets                                    2                    10                  25
Decrease/(increase) in debtors                                           4,669               (2,515)              25,646
Decrease/(increase) in stocks                                            2,439                 1,940             (2,056)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors                                       (9,714)                24,318               9,001
                                                                   ___________           ___________         ___________
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities                    (1,221)                25,800              38,083
                                                                   ___________           ___________         ___________





10.  ANALYSIS OF NET CASH AND FINANCING AND RECONCILIATION
     OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET CASH

     (a)     Analysis of cash

                                                    31 Dec 2002          Cashflow          Translation      30 June 2003
                                                        Opening             Euro'000           Adjustment           Closing
                                                          Euro'000                                  Euro'000             Euro'000

Cash                                                      9,330             8,649                (193)            17,786
Overdraft                                               (3,688)          (11,321)                   26          (14,983)
                                                       ________          ________             ________          ________
                                                          5,642           (2,672)                (167)             2,803

Short term loans                                           (20)                20                    -                 -
Long term loans                                            (99)                99                    -                 -
Finance lease obligations                                 (390)               110                   13             (267)
Acquisition loan notes                                     (40)                 -                    3              (37)
                                                       ________          ________             ________          ________
                                                          5,093           (2,443)                (151)             2,499
                                                       ________          ________             ________          ________


     (b)     Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash


                                                                                                                   Euro'000

Decrease in cash in period                                                                                       (2,672)
Cash outflow from decrease in debt and lease financing                                                               229
                                                                                                              __________

Change in net cash resulting from cash flows                                                                     (2,443)
Translation adjustment                                                                                             (151)
                                                                                                              __________

Movement in net cash in the period                                                                               (2,594)
Net cash at 31 December 2002                                                                                       5,093
                                                                                                              __________

Net cash at 30 June 2003                                                                                           2,499
                                                                                                              __________




     (c)      Net cash outflow from financing

                                                                  Six months ended    Six months ended        Year ended
                                                                      30 June 2003        30 June 2002       31 Dec 2002
                                                                             Euro'000               Euro'000             Euro'000

Net movements in short term borrowings                                        (20)             (3,866)           (8,701)
Net movements in long term borrowings                                         (99)               (923)             (930)
Expenses on issue of ordinary share capital                                    (8)                (19)              (34)
Capital element of finance lease rental payments                             (110)               (895)           (1,058)
                                                                        __________          __________        __________
Net cash outflow from financing                                              (237)             (5,703)          (10,723)
                                                                        __________          __________        __________




11.  PUBLICATION OF NON-STATUTORY ACCOUNTS

     The financial information contained in this interim statement does not 
     constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 19 of the Companies 
     (Amendment) Act, 1986. The financial information for the full preceding 
     accounting period is based on the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 
     December 2002.



12.  APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS

     The interim accounts (unaudited) were approved by the board of directors on 
     2 September 2003.




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

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