TIDMITQ

RNS Number : 6196R

InterQuest Group PLC

22 September 2017

InterQuest Group plc

("InterQuest" or "the Group")

Interim Results

InterQuest Group plc (AIM: ITQ), the specialist recruitment business operating in the 'new digital economy', announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

Financial highlights

-- Revenue down 6% to GBP69.1m (2016: GBP73.8m)

-- Net Fee Income ("NFI") increased 2% to GBP11.2m (2016: GBP11.0m)

-- NFI from permanent placements increased 34% to GBP5.1m (2016: GBP3.8m)

-- NFI from temporary contract placements decreased 15% to GBP6.0m (2016: GBP7.1m)

-- Adjusted PBT* down 23% to GBP1.0m (2016: GBP1.3m)

-- Like for like PBT* excluding Rees Draper Wright down 62% to GBP0.5m (2016: GBP1.3m)

-- Net profit of GBP0.2m (2016 after goodwill impairment of GBP3.2m: GBP2.4m loss)

-- Diluted adjusted earnings per share 2.2 pence (2016: 3.0 pence)

-- Basic earnings per share of 0.5 pence (2016: 6.7 pence loss)

-- Net cash generated in operating activities GBP3.0m (2016: net cash used GBP2.9m)

-- Net debt, consisting of our working capital facility net of cash balances held, decreased during the period to GBP3.3m (2016: GBP9.9m)

-- No interim dividend paid (2016: 0.5 pence)

*Adjusted for share based payment charge, amortisation, impairment and non-recurring items

Operational highlights

-- The average permanent fee per placement, excluding the higher value fees earned from the executive search division, has increased by 7% to GBP7.3k (2016: GBP6.8k) through emphasizing the development and placement of senior relationships and roles.

-- The Group has added a further significant client in the Solutions division. Net Fee Income earned through Solutions clients increased by 14% to GBP1.9m (2016: GBP1.6m).

-- The Group increased its bank facility to GBP24m (2016: GBP20m) and reduced banking costs with a new banking arrangement agreed through HSBC.

Chris Eldridge, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The Group has generated profit before tax, share based payments and non-recurring costs of GBP1m, a reduction from GBP1.3m in the same period in 2016. Like for like profit before tax, share based payments and non-recurring costs, excluding Rees Draper Wright acquired in August 2016, amounted to GBP0.5m a reduction of 62%. The Group continues its transformation programme at ECOM which has seen the division's profits grow marginally in the period following a non-cash impairment charge of GBP3.2m in the prior year due to a significant reduction in profitability. The financial services, analytics, networks and public sector have seen a decline in demand compared to the prior period which has impacted our results for the year. We have added a further client to our Solutions business and we continue to develop our business geographically focusing on higher margin opportunities as evidenced by the fact that our contract recruitment margins and average permanent placement fees have increased during the period.

Gary Ashworth, Chairman, commented: "The Group's results for the first half of 2017 continue to reflect the challenging nature of the UK staffing business during the ongoing Brexit uncertainty and are below our expectations. Rees Draper Wright has given the Group a platform to expand into the US market and we have invested in that market by expanding the InterQuest offering into our New York office. A structural change in the senior management at the end of 2016 and early 2017 has meant further restructuring of certain divisions which will take some time to develop but which we estimate will contribute to profits in the medium and long term.

On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all of my colleagues across the Group for their contribution to the transformation and for their commitment to the future success of the Group."

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

Enquiries:

 
 Chris Eldridge, Chief Executive Officer    +44 (0)20 7025 0100 
  David Bygrave, Chief Financial Officer     +44 (0)20 7025 0100 
 

Chief Executive's Review

Our customers continue to adapt to the transformative nature of the digital economy, willing to consider digital solutions in almost every aspect of their business process. Every industry has been affected and InterQuest is delivering solutions to staffing needs in mainstream and disruptive tech companies, as well as aviation and mining among many others that need permanent and contract recruitment in the areas of digital design, cyber security, digital networks, analytics, change management and other high end niche skills sets.

Market demand for these skills is increasing and continues to outstrip supply with the Group's resourcing talent specialising in finding and delivering skilled candidates for its customers. Key to resourcing these critical experienced individuals is the Group's award winning marketing function for candidates which generates information and encourages debate for customers and candidates alike.

The Group's contractor numbers were affected in 2016 and continued into 2017 by a reduction in demand in financial services post Brexit and also in the public sector which saw a further squeeze from the public purse. Action has been taken to refocus these businesses and gradual signs of recovery are already being seen in the public sector business. In 2017 the Group has engaged new senior management in additional areas affected by the lower contractor levels, namely analytics, telecommunications and other niche sectors.

The Group continues to invest in learning and development for our staff resulting in an improvement in retention rates.

During the first half of the year the Group has expanded the Rees Draper Wright office in New York to incorporate staff from InterQuest focused on opportunities in digital design, analytics, risk and cyber security. The Group also leased a new headquarters building in London with the ability to seat approximately 130 staff and staff from the three offices in London are gradually moving there as the refurbishment allows.

The non-recurring costs incurred by the Group in the defence of the bid by Chisbridge Limited amounted GBP0.5m.

On entering the second half of 2017 the business has become more heavily weighted towards fees from permanent placements with 46% of Net Fee Income being generated from permanent placement fees (2016: 35%). Permanent placement fees are, by their very nature, more volatile, particularly in the higher value search business.

Like for like average permanent recruitment fees were 7% higher in the first half of 2017, excluding the impact of the executive search division which has significantly higher than normal average permanent fees. Contract recruitment margins for professional recruitment deals (those at margins over 12%) increased from 17.6% in 2016 to 18.0% in 2017 although the volume decreased, with net fee income from these contractors declining by GBP1m compared to 2016. Contract recruitment margins on all deals (excluding payroll) decreased to 12.8% from 13.2%.

The Group's policy of not declaring a dividend until EBITDA is at least twice the net debt of the Group means that no interim dividend has been declared (2016: 0.5 pence).

The trading performance in the first half of 2017 was disappointing but masks further operational progress made across a number of our key developmental objectives including growing our managed service business, enhancing the Group's learning and development capability, improving retention, enabling increased levels of cross selling and preparing for international expansion. However, the Group is conscious of the continued economic uncertainty in the UK and continues to progress its plans keeping them sufficiently responsive to further changes in market conditions.

I thank all our colleagues across the InterQuest Group for their exemplary determination to meet the needs of our customers and those of the Group.

Chris Eldridge, Chief Executive Officer

22 September 2017

Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income

 
                                        6 months      6 months        12 months 
                                              to            to               to 
                                         30 June       30 June      31 December 
                                            2017          2016             2016 
                                       Unaudited     Unaudited          Audited 
                              Note       GBP'000       GBP'000          GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                                  69,079        73,770          143,610 
 Cost of sales                          (57,901)      (62,816)        (121,863) 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Gross profit                             11,178        10,954           21,747 
 
 Amortisation                              (202)         (172)            (345) 
 Other administration 
  costs                                  (9,827)       (9,341)         (18,154) 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Total administrative 
  expenses                              (10,029)       (9,513)         (18,498) 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Operating profit before 
  non-recurring items                      1,149         1,441            3,249 
 
 Impairment                    8               -       (3,152)          (3,152) 
 Acquisition costs                             -             -             (28) 
 Share based payment 
  charge                                    (35)         (272)            (212) 
 Other non-recurring 
  items                        5           (580)          (34)            (284) 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Operating profit/(loss)                     534       (2,017)            (427) 
 
 Finance costs                             (130)         (178)            (312) 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  tax                                        404       (2,195)            (739) 
 
 Income tax expense            6           (206)         (214)            (505) 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Profit/(loss) for 
  the period/year                            198       (2,409)          (1,244) 
 
 Profit/(loss) and 
  total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) for 
  the period/year                            198       (2,409)          (1,244) 
                                    ============  ============  =============== 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the parent                        188       (2,436)          (1,297) 
 Non-controlling interests                    10            27               53 
                                    ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) for 
  the period/year                            198       (2,409)          (1,244) 
                                    ============  ============  =============== 
 
 Earnings per share: 
                                           Pence         Pence            Pence 
 Basic earnings/(loss) 
  per share                                  0.5         (6.7)              3.4 
                                    ============  ============  =============== 
 Diluted earnings/(loss) 
  per share                                  0.5         (6.5)              3.3 
                                    ============  ============  =============== 
 

All results for the Group are derived from continuing operations in the current and prior periods.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this unaudited condensed consolidated interim report.

Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position

 
                                           30 June       30 June     31 December 
                                              2017          2016            2016 
                                         Unaudited     Unaudited         Audited 
                                Note       GBP'000       GBP'000         GBP'000 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                                    402           533             480 
 Investments                                     -             -              60 
 Goodwill                                   16,596        15,715          16,596 
 Other intangible assets                       685           827             887 
 Total non-current 
  assets                                    17,683        17,075          18,023 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                25,519        31,967          25,978 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   1,622           807           1,541 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Total current assets                       27,141        32,774          27,519 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Total assets                               44,824        49,849          45,542 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                 (17,158)      (17,293)        (14,828) 
 Borrowings                      9         (4,950)      (10,752)         (7,094) 
 Current tax payable                         (455)       (1,030)         (1,218) 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Total current liabilities                (22,563)      (29,075)        (23,140) 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred income tax 
  liability                                  (296)         (205)           (296) 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Total non-current 
  liabilities                                (296)         (205)           (296) 
 Total liabilities                        (22,859)      (29,280)        (23,436) 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Net assets                                 21,965        20,569          22,106 
                                      ============  ============  ============== 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                                 376           363             374 
 Share premium account                      11,338        10,646          11,338 
 Capital redemption 
  reserve                                       12            12              12 
 Retained earnings                           8,361         7,666           8,549 
 Share based payment 
  reserve                                    2,446         2,471           2,411 
 Share buy back reserve                      (666)         (666)           (666) 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Total issued share 
  capital and reserves 
  attributable to the 
  owners of the parent                      21,867        20,492          22,018 
 Non-controlling interests                      98            77              88 
                                      ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Total equity                               21,965        20,569          22,106 
                                      ============  ============  ============== 
 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this unaudited condensed consolidated interim report.

Unaudited condensed interim statement of changes in equity

 
                           Share      Share       Capital     Retained     Share      Share         Non         Total 
                           capital    premium    redemption    earnings     based       buy      controlling    equity 
                                      account     reserve                  payment     back       interest 
                                                                           reserve    reserve 
                           GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Balance at 1 January 
  2016 - Audited               359     10,632            12      10,829      2,199      (666)             50    23,415 
                         ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 Comprehensive 
  income 
 Profit for the 
  period                         -          -             -     (2,436)          -          -             27   (2,409) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                         -          -             -     (2,436)          -          -             27   (2,409) 
 
 Transactions with 
  owners 
 Movement in share 
  based payment 
  reserve                        -          -             -           -        272          -              -       272 
 Issue of share 
  capital                        4         14             -           -          -          -              -        18 
 Dividends                       -          -             -       (727)          -          -              -     (727) 
 Total transactions 
  with owners                    4         14             -       (727)        272          -              -     (437) 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2016 - Unaudited        363     10,646            12       7,666      2,471      (666)             77    20,569 
                         =========  =========  ============  ==========  =========  =========  =============  ======== 
 
 Balance at 1 July 
  2016                         363     10,646            12       7,666      2,471      (666)             77    20,569 
                         ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 Comprehensive 
  income 
 Profit for the 
  period                         -          -             -       1,139          -          -             26     1,165 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                         -          -             -       1,139          -          -             26     1,165 
 Transactions with 
  owners 
 Movement in share 
  based payment 
  reserve                        -          -             -           -       (60)          -              -      (60) 
 Issue of share 
  capital                       11        692             -           -          -          -              -       703 
 Deferred tax credit             -          -             -       (103)          -          -              -     (103) 
 Dividends                       -          -             -       (168)          -          -              -     (168) 
 RDW step acquisition 
  MI acquired                    -          -             -          15          -          -           (15)         - 
 Total transactions 
  with owners                   11        692             -       (256)       (60)          -           (15)       372 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2016 
  - Audited                    374     11,338            12       8,549      2,411      (666)             88    22,106 
                         =========  =========  ============  ==========  =========  =========  =============  ======== 
 Balance at 1 January 
  2017                         374     11,338            12       8,549      2,411      (666)             88    22,106 
                         ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 Comprehensive 
  income 
 Profit for the 
  period                         -          -             -         188          -          -             10       198 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                         -          -             -         188          -          -             10       198 
 
 Transactions with 
  owners 
 Movement in share 
  based payment 
  reserve                        -          -             -                     35          -              -        35 
 Issue of share 
  capital                        2          -             -           -          -          -              -         2 
 Dividends                       -          -             -       (376)          -          -              -     (376) 
 Total transactions 
  with owners                    2          -             -       (376)         35          -              -     (339) 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2017 - Unaudited        376     11,338            12       8,361      2,446      (666)             98    21,965 
                         =========  =========  ============  ==========  =========  =========  =============  ======== 
 

Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows

 
                                           6 months      6 months        12 months 
                                                 to            to               to 
                                            30 June       30 June      31 December 
                                               2017          2016             2016 
                                          Unaudited     Unaudited          Audited 
                                            GBP'000       GBP'000          GBP'000 
 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Profit/(loss) after taxation                   198       (2,409)          (1,244) 
 Adjustments for: 
     Depreciation                               381           221              411 
     Share-based payment charge                  35           272              212 
     Finance costs                              130           178              312 
     Unrealised gain on investment              (2)             -                - 
     Amortisation                               202           172              345 
     Impairment                                   -         3,152            3,152 
     Income tax expense                         206           214              505 
     Increase in trade and other 
      receivables                               459       (4,550)            1,439 
     Reclassification of investments             62             -                - 
      held in current assets 
     Increase in trade and other 
      payables                                2,330           594          (1,870) 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Cash generated from/(used 
  in) operations                              4,001       (2,156)            3,262 
 Income taxes paid                            (969)         (759)            (755) 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Net cash generated from/(used 
  in) operating activities                    3,032       (2,915)            2,507 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Cash flows from investing 
  activities 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                               (303)         (144)            (279) 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries, 
  net of cash acquired                            -             -          (1,503) 
 Investment income                                3             -                - 
 Net cash used in from investing 
  activities                                  (300)         (144)          (1,782) 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
 Proceeds from issue of share 
  capital                                         2            18              721 
 Net (decrease) / increase 
  in discounting facility                   (2,144)         3,572             (86) 
 Interest paid                                (133)         (178)            (312) 
 Dividends paid                               (376)         (727)            (923) 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Net cash (used in) / received 
  from financing activities                 (2,651)         2,685            (600) 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Net increase in cash and 
  cash equivalents                               95         (374)              125 
 Effects of currency translation 
  on cash and cash equivalents                 (14)             -              235 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at beginning of period/year                 1,541         1,181            1,181 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period/year                       1,622           807            1,541 
                                       ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this unaudited condensed consolidated interim report.

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report

   1          Nature of operations and general information 

The InterQuest Group is a specialist technology recruitment business. The Group focuses on both permanent and contract recruitment across a range of sectors, specifically in high growth functions including digital, information security, analytics, telecommunications, change management and other high value niche markets. This is underpinned by an expanding capability in recruitment process outsourcing, helping our clients procure resources in a highly effective manner.

The Group's strategy is to continue to focus on those markets that are experiencing growth due to high demand for transformational technologies. We are witnessing acute skill shortages for technologies that will enable our clients to either augment or transform their operating model to capitalise on the new digital economy. This demand is having an upward impact on salaries as well as permanent and contract recruitment margins.

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim report has been approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 22 September 2017.

The financial information set out in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 is based on the statutory accounts for the year then ended which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

   2          Basis of preparation 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim report is for the six months ended 30 June 2017 and has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies expected to be used in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim report should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union (EU).

The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group for the purposes of preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report.

   3          Summary of significant accounting policies 

The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in this unaudited condensed consolidated interim report as were applied in the preparation of the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report

   4          Revenue and segmental reporting 

For management reporting purposes the Group is organised into the following five divisions:-

1. Niche - comprising specialist recruitment practices focused on Analytics, Business Intelligence, Cyber Security, Internet of Things, Telecommunications, Business Change, Risk and Compliance which provide access to talent in some of the most critical areas of demand in the modern economy;

2. ECOM Recruitment Limited - the UK's leading recruiter in the digital market space which the Group acquired in November 2013;

3. Enterprise - comprising our Recruitment Process Outsourcing services together with legacy client relationships with significant customers in the financial services and retail sectors;

   4.   Public sector - focussed on the public sector and not for profit markets; and 
   5.   Other - including the group sales function. 

All business units provide contract and permanent recruitment services and have similar economic characteristics and are considered to meet the aggregation criteria of IFRS.

Information regarding segment assets is not provided to the Group's chief operating decision maker. This is because the Group considers net fee income (gross profit) and profitability for the purpose of making decisions about allocation of resources.

Six month period to 30 June 2017

 
                     Niche      ECOM   Enterprise    Public       RDW     Other     Total 
                                                     Sector 
                   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Revenue            20,022     6,588       28,041    11,039     1,817     1,572    69,079 
 Gross profit        3,833     1,930        2,107     1,196     1,695       417    11,178 
 
 Divisional 
  EBITA              1,128       233        1,085       721       540   (2,356)     1,351 
 
 Reconciling items to amounts reported in the 
  interim statement of comprehensive income: 
 Amortisation                                                                       (202) 
 Share based payment 
  charge                                                                             (35) 
 Non-recurring 
  items                                                                             (580) 
                                                                                 -------- 
 IFRS operating 
  profit                                                                              534 
 Finance costs                                                                      (130) 
                                                                                 -------- 
 Profit before 
  tax                                                                                 404 
                                                                                 ======== 
 

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report

   4          Revenue and segmental reporting (continued) 

Six months to 30 June 2016

 
                     Niche      ECOM   Enterprise    Public       RDW     Other     Total 
                                                     Sector 
                   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Revenue            27,675     6,137       25,749    12,434         -     1,775    73,770 
 Gross profit        5,374     1,621        2,292     1,041         -       626    10,954 
 
 Divisional 
  EBITA              1,713       153          794       517         -   (1,564)     1,613 
 
 Reconciling items to amounts reported in the 
  interim statement of comprehensive income: 
 Amortisation                                                                       (172) 
 Impairment                                                                       (3,152) 
 Share based payment 
  charge                                                                            (272) 
 Non-recurring 
  items                                                                              (34) 
                                                                                 -------- 
 IFRS operating 
  profit                                                                          (2,017) 
 Finance costs                                                                      (178) 
                                                                                 -------- 
 Profit before 
  tax                                                                             (2,195) 
                                                                                 ======== 
 

There are no external customers who individually represent more than 10% of the entity's external revenues during the six month period ended 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016.

 
                       Revenue                  Gross profit 
                Six month     Six month    Six month     Six month 
                   period        period    period to        period 
               to 30 June    to 30 June      30 June    to 30 June 
                     2017          2016         2017          2016 
                  GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
 Permanent          5,135         3,833        5,135         3,833 
 Contract          63,944        69,937        6,043         7,121 
             ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
                   69,079        73,770       11,178        10,954 
             ============  ============  ===========  ============ 
 

The Group does not report items below EBITA by segment in its internal management reporting.

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report

   5          Other non-recurring items 
 
                                  6 months     6 months        12 months 
                                        to           to               to 
                                   30 June      30 June      31 December 
                                      2017         2016             2016 
                                   GBP'000      GBP'000          GBP'000 
 
 
 Professional adviser                (453)            -                - 
  and legal fees in defence 
  of the bid by Chisbridge 
  Limited 
 Redundancy and loss 
  of office costs                    (127)         (34)            (284) 
                               -----------  -----------  --------------- 
 Total non-recurring 
  items                              (580)         (34)            (284) 
                               -----------  -----------  --------------- 
 
   6          Income tax expense 
 
                                  6 months     6 months        12 months 
                                        to           to               to 
                                   30 June      30 June      31 December 
                                      2017         2016             2016 
                                   GBP'000      GBP'000          GBP'000 
 
 Current tax 
 Corporation tax on profits 
  for the period/year                  206          222              503 
 Adjustment in respect 
  of prior periods                       -            -             (90) 
 Total current tax                     206          222              413 
 
 Deferred tax 
 Origination and reversal 
  of temporary difference                -          (8)              115 
 Adjustment in respect 
  of prior periods                                    -             (23) 
 Total deferred tax                      -          (8)               92 
 
 Total income tax expense              206          214              505 
                               -----------  -----------  --------------- 
 

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report

   7          Earnings per share 

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period/year.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share, adjusted to allow for the issue of shares and the post-tax effect of dividends and/or interest, on the assumed conversion of all dilutive options and other dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Reconciliations of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below.

 
                                             6 months     6 months        12 months 
                                                   to           to               to 
                                              30 June      30 June      31 December 
                                                 2017         2016             2016 
                                   Note       GBP'000      GBP'000          GBP'000 
 
 Profit/(loss) for the 
  year attributable to 
  the owners of the parent                        188      (2,436)          (1,282) 
 
 Adjustments to basic 
  earnings 
 Intangible assets amortisation                   202          172              345 
 Tax on intangible asset 
  amortisation                                   (40)         (34)             (69) 
 Impairment                                         -        3,152            3,152 
 Deferred tax credit 
  on impairment of goodwill                         -            -            (630) 
 Share based payment 
  charge                                           35          272              212 
 Deferred tax credit 
  on share based payment                          (7)         (54)             (42) 
 Non-recurring professional                       453            -                - 
  fees 
 Tax credit on non-recurring                     (91)            -                - 
  professional fees 
 Fees related to acquisition 
  of RDW-RD Limited                                 -            -               28 
 Redundancy and loss 
  of office costs                                 127           34              284 
 Tax on loss of office 
  costs                                          (25)          (7)             (57) 
 Adjusted earnings                                842        1,099            1,941 
                                          -----------  -----------  --------------- 
 
 Number of shares 
 Weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares for 
  the purposes of basic 
  earnings per share                       37,574,926   36,204,457       36,401,381 
 
 Weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares for 
  the purposes of diluted 
  earnings per share                       38,672,290   37,213,139       37,831,536 
 
 Earnings per share                             Pence        Pence            Pence 
 Basic earnings/(loss) 
  per share                                       0.5        (6.7)              3.4 
 Diluted earnings per 
  share                                           0.5        (6.5)              3.3 
 
 Adjusted earnings per 
  share 
 Basic earnings/(loss) 
  per share                                       2.2          3.0              7.2 
 Diluted earnings per 
  share                                           2.2          3.0              7.0 
 

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim report

   8              Impairment of goodwill 

On 26 November 2013, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of ECOM Recruitment Limited ("ECOM"), the UK's leading digital technology recruitment business for a total consideration of up to GBP7.04 million.

At 30 June 2016 the Board conducted a review of the carrying value of the intangibles and goodwill associated with the business of ECOM and as a result of that review the goodwill was impaired by GBP3,152k which was treated as a non-recurring item in the prior period. The carrying value of the goodwill at 30 June 2016 was GBP1,710k.

No further impairment is considered necessary in the period ended 30 June 2017.

   9              Borrowings 

The Group continues to finance its activities through borrowings using a confidential trade receivables finance facility. During the period the Group has replaced its lead bank with new banking arrangements from HSBC with an increased facility limit of GBP24m (2016: GBP20m) with a decreased interest rate and annual fee. The facility has a three month rolling notice period following the expiry of an initial term ending in March 2018. The Group cannot utilise invoices if they remain unpaid 120 days from the end of the month in which they were issued.

   10           Subsequent events 

On 18 May 2017, Chisbridge Limited announced its intention to make a cash offer, with a loan note alternative, for the whole of the issued and to be issued share capital of InterQuest. The full terms of, and conditions to, the Offer and the procedures for acceptance were set out in the Offer Document published by Chisbridge on 1 June 2017.

On 25 July 2017, Chisbridge received valid acceptances from InterQuest shareholders in respect of 19,552,500 InterQuest Shares, representing 50.58% of the issued ordinary share capital of InterQuest, which Chisbridge counted towards the satisfaction of the acceptance condition of the Offer set out in the Offer Document, declaring the Offer unconditional in all respects.

On 8 August 2017, the closing date of the offer, Chisbridge received valid acceptances from InterQuest shareholders in respect of 22,544,070 InterQuest Shares, representing 58.32% of the issued ordinary share capital of InterQuest.

During July 2017, following the announcement of the bid by Chisbridge, several members of staff exercised their share options. The total number of share options exercised in July amounted to 921,229 shares.

   11           Interim report 

This report will also be available from the Company's registered office and on Company's website www.interquestgroup.com.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR ELLFLDKFBBBX

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 22, 2017 11:07 ET (15:07 GMT)

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