13 November 2024
Merit Group plc
("Merit", the "Company" or "the Group")
UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Merit Group plc (AIM: MRIT), the data and intelligence business, announces its unaudited interim results for the half year ended 30 September 2024 which are in line with the Trading Update announced on 21 October 2024.
Financial Highlights
§ Revenue of £9.3m down 6.1% (H1 FY24: £9.9m)
§ Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 32% to £1.2m (H1 FY24: £1.8m)
§ Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 5.1 percentage points from 18.5% to 13.4%
§ Net cash generated from operating activities of £0.7m (H1 FY24: £0.7m)
§ Loss before tax of £0.2m (H1 FY24: profit of £0.5m)
§ Net Debt 1 of £2.3m as at 30 September 2024 (30 September 2023: £2.5m) with total available debt facilities of £3.7m
| | H1 FY25 | H1 FY24 | |
| | 30 Sep 24 | 30 Sep 23 | Change 5 |
| |
|
|
|
| Revenue | £9.3m | £9.9m | -6.1% |
| Gross profit | £4.1m | £4.7m | -13.8% |
| Gross margin 2 | 44.0% | 47.9% |
|
| Adjusted EBITDA 3 | £1.2m | £1.8m | -32.0% |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin 4 | 13.4% | 18.5% |
|
| (Loss)/profit before tax | -£0.2m | £0.5m | |
| Basic (Loss)/earnings per share | -1.27p | 1.47p | |
1. Net debt comprises the aggregate of gross debt, excluding IFRS16 lease liabilities, and cash and cash equivalents as outlined in Note 9.
2. Gross margin is Gross profit as a percentage of Revenue.
3. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation of intangible assets, share-based payments and non-recurring items.
4. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Revenue.
5. Year-on-year percentage change figures and margins are calculated on unrounded numbers.
Operational Highlights
We have invested in the products which are core to our client offerings and the tools & technology which enable our colleagues to deliver first class services, including having:
§ Developed and launched an AI-led, marketing data collection platform; enabling MD&T to profitably serve clients faster, with more accurate data and at a competitive price point;
§ Developed and integrated a new Dods People platform, providing extensive and unrivalled coverage of the Westminster and Brussels political and public affairs communities;
§ Within MD&T, developed a Knowledge Agent platform using multiple AI models to enable users to extract data points form reports, diagrams, correspondence, web sites and PDFs.
§ Delivered election specific content packages for the UK and European Union elections undertaken in H1;
§ Renewed user IT equipment for 70% of our global workforce and commenced the renewal of our IT infrastructure to ensure we have the capabilities, security and resilience expected in our marketplaces;
We have continued to invest in expanding our sales & marketing capabilities, in order to drive long-term growth, including having:
§ Further added to MD&Ts sales capabilities with the recruitment of a dedicated technology sales team who have proven experience in technology solutions;
§ increased the size of our MD&T outbound tele-sales teams who are now delivering 40-50 new business appointments each month;
§ completed the recruitment of our expanded Dods Political Intelligence sales & marketing team with a Brussels-based Marketing manager and additional new business sales resource;
Whilst making these investments, we continue to tightly manage our costs and cashflows, evidenced as follows:
§ Dods Political Intelligence EBITDA margin maintained at 30%+, and on an underlying basis (excluding contribution from Other Operating Income) at 25%+
§ MD&T EBITDA margin held at double-digit levels (10% v 19% in H1 FY24), despite the fall in revenue and additional investment in sales & marketing
§ Net cash generated from operating activities maintained at £0.7m (H1 FY24: £0.7m)
Phil Machray, CEO and CFO of Merit Group plc, said;
"The underlying market demand for data and data-related technology is forecast to continue to grow in the coming years and MD&T is well positioned to benefit from this structural market growth. We have taken steps to strengthen sales and marketing capabilities across the Group and expect to see growth in the sales pipeline and an improvement in prospect conversion over the next 18 months. Clearly the current dip in revenues combined with the additional costs of investment in product, sales & marketing is having and will have an impact on profitability in the short-term. We are confident of returning revenue to growth in the year to 31 March 2026; and, given the Company's strong operational gearing, expect to report a strong return to profitability. We remain confident in delivering FY25 performance in line with the guidance provided in our October 2024 Trading Update.
Our focus remains on strong operational management, whilst pursuing revenue and earnings growth, and we remain confident in the longer term outlook of the business."
Mark Smith, Chairman, commented;
"Whilst our focus remains on operational management and investing in organic growth, we will continue to explore opportunities to generate growth beyond what we can expect organically within the context of maximising value for shareholders."
For further information, please contact:
Merit Group plc
Philip Machray - CEO/CFO 020 7593 5500
Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nomad and Broker)
Bobbie Hilliam 020 7523 8150
Harry Pardoe
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL REVIEW
Whilst trading of the Dods Political Intelligence business continues to perform in line with management's expectations, the revenues of MD&T in the period have fallen by 8.5% year-on-year, as projects within the Data Technology division have reached their conclusion and conversion of the sales pipeline for new work has fallen short of expectations with both macro and local factors impacting prospects' willingness to commit to scale IT projects.
Group Revenue therefore decreased by 6.1% compared to H1 FY24, with Dods Political Intelligence revenues of £3.5m in line with the £3.5m reported in H1 FY24 and MD&T revenues of £5.8m falling 8.5% compared to the £6.4m reported in H1 FY24.
The reduction in revenue is mirrored by a £0.7m reduction in Gross profit, as the investments in product, sales and marketing have offset the natural reduction in costs to serve. Gross profit margin has therefore reduced by four percentage points from 48% in H1 FY24 to 44% in the current period.
Administration costs have been tightly controlled in the period and are down 7.7% compared to H1 FY24, despite inflationary cost pressures in both the UK and India. £0.1m of Other Operating Income was recognised in the period, primarily relating to R&D tax credits, which helped to offset the £0.3m reduction in Other Operating Income derived from transitional services provided to the previously disposed MET operations during the comparative period.
The lower group revenue performance, combined with the above mentioned investments and cost movements has driven a reduction in Adjusted EBITDA - down 32.1% from £1.8m in H1 FY24 to £1.2m in the current period.
Merit Data & Technology
The Merit Data & Technology (Merit D&T) business provides a range of data and intelligence products and services, as well as data technology solutions.
For data & intelligence, the business has a long-standing customer base that provide the business with high levels of recurring revenue. Revenues of £3.3m in the period from these activities were relatively stable (down 4% on the £3.4m reported in H1 FY24). Within Data Technology, projects are shorter in nature and typically have a scheduled project-end or reduced level of activity after the core technology-build phase. As a consequence, revenues are less recurring in nature. Having achieved significant growth in these revenues last year, adding some £1.2 million of Data Technology revenues in FY24, it is disappointing to report a 13.6% decline to £2.6m in the period (H1 F24: £3.0m) as a consequence of not winning and onboarding sufficient opportunities to replace the completed projects.
Revenue and gross profit shortfalls, have resulted in an Adjusted EBIDTA for MD&T of £0.6m
in the period, down 51% compared to H1 FY24.
Despite the pressure on revenues, we have retained our focus on pursuing long-term growth and continue to operate with an increased level of sales & marketing resources compared to prior periods. We have recruited a dedicated technology sales team who have proven experience in technology solutions. We have secured new clients in the period including Diversified Communications, With Intelligence, Hyve, Honch and TMT Finance.
In addition, we continued to invest in our capabilities, including having developed and launched a new AI-led, marketing data collection platform which allows us to serve our marketing data clients faster, with more accurate data and at a competitive price point. We continue to make similar developments in our data-scraping and data-collecting technologies including the development of a Knowledge Agent platform, which uses multiple AI models to enable users to extract data points form reports, diagrams, correspondence, web sites and PDFs.
Dods Political Intelligence
Dods Political Intelligence (Dods) is a provider of mission critical UK and European policy and political data and intelligence to over 700 subscribers. Dods is the UK's industry leader with an enviable reputation for the comprehensiveness of its service and the quality of its analysis and consultancy. The business benefits from subscription revenues from a large, diverse and loyal subscriber base of blue-chip customers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
In the first half of the year, Dods revenue declined by 1.8% to £3.5m. Whilst the period included some short-term revenues from Election Package products, the elections in both Westminster and Brussels provide a degree of disruption to the renewal of clients' subscriptions as a result of their being a moratorium on new policy statements by both parliaments during this time. With new Parliaments now elected in Europe and the UK, we expect a busier period in the rest of the year.
Dods reported Adjusted EBITDA of £1.1m, in line with the £1.1m in the same period last year, despite a reduction in Other Operating Income derived from the provision of transitional services to the businesses that were disposed of in November 2022. Those transitional services arrangements (reported as Other Operating Income, not Revenue) largely came to an end in FY24. On an underlying basis, excluding the other operating income and associated costs, the first half margin was 27% compared to 25% in H1 FY24.
In April, we launched a three year growth plan for Dods, the 'Strategy for Growth', underpinned by new customer research and investment in further product and service improvements, with the first significant success being the launch of a new integrated Dods People platform, providing extensive and unrivalled coverage of the Westminster and Brussels political and public affairs communities within our core Political Intelligence Platform. We also completed the recruitment of our expanded Dods sales & marketing team with a Brussels-based marketing manager and additional new business sales resource.
Central
Central costs continue to be closely managed and were reduced by 14% year-on-year to £0.4m in the first half, driven in part by the restructuring of the Board roles in January 2024.
In contrast to prior years, the Group reports no non-recurring items in the period, reflecting the substantial completion of the Group's restructuring.
Outlook
Despite challenging economic conditions and the recent fall in revenue, the underlying market demand for data and data-related technology is forecast to continue to grow in the coming years and the Board believes that MD&T is well positioned to benefit from this structural market growth. The Board has taken steps to strengthen sales and marketing capabilities across the Group and expects to see growth in the sales pipeline and an improvement in prospect conversion over the next 18 months. The Board is confident of delivering performance in line with the guidance provided in our October 2024 Trading Update; returning revenue to growth in the year to 31 March 2026; and, given the Company's strong operational gearing, expects to then report a strong return to profitability.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income Statement
The Group's revenue decreased by 6.1% to £9.3m (H1 FY24: £9.9m).
Revenues from Merit Data and Technology (MD&T) were £0.5m lower than the equivalent prior half year (H1 FY25: £5.8m compared to H1 FY24: £6.4m), representing a decrease of 8%. Dods revenues for the period decreased by 2% to £3.5m (H1 FY24: £3.5m).
Gross profit for the period decreased to £4.1m compared to the prior period (H1 FY24: £4.7m). Gross margin decreased from 48% to 44%, driven by the Group's reduced revenue and the impact of its operational gearing.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased by £0.6m to £1.2m (H1 FY24: £1.8m) due to the fall in revenue, operational gearing, and a reduction of £0.2m in the contribution form transitional services provided to the disposed MET business during the period.
The reduction in operating profit, from £0.9m in H1 FY24 to an operating profit of £0.2m in the current period, reflects the £0.7m period-on-period reduction in Gross Profit, together with the reduction in other operating income relating mainly to the transitional services (see Note 12), offset by a £0.2m saving in Administrative expenses. The Group's operating profit is stated after non-cash depreciation and amortisation charges of £1.0m (H1 FY24: £0.9m).
The net finance expense for the year of £0.5m compares to £0.3m in H1 FY24, reflecting a £0.3m adverse movement in the mark-to-market valuation of forward currency swaps, with the INR/GBP rate increasing to 112 Indian Rupees to the pound at 30 September 2024.
The loss for the year from Continuing Operations, after a tax charge of £0.1m (H1 FY24: £0.2m), amounted to £0.3m (H1 FY24: profit of £0.4m).
Earnings and Dividends
Earnings per share (basic and diluted) from Continuing Operations in the period were a loss of 1.27 pence (H1 FY24: earnings of 1.47 pence, basic and diluted) and were based on the loss for the period of £0.3m (H1 FY24: profit of £0.4m) with a weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 23,956,124.
Adjusted earnings per share, both basic and diluted, from Continuing Operations in the period were 1.08 pence (H1 FY24: 3.16 pence) and were based on the adjusted profit after tax for the period of £0.3m (H1 FY24: £0.8m).
Whilst the Company's focus remains on maintaining financial flexibility and repositioning the business for future growth, the Board is not proposing a dividend (H1 FY24: £nil).
Going Concern
The Directors have considered the position and projections of the Group for the purpose of assessing Going Concern and remain satisfied with the Group's funding and liquidity position.
Statement of Financial Position
Assets
Non-current assets of £36.9m (31 March 2024: £37.3m) comprise goodwill of £26.9m (31 March 2024: £26.9m), intangible assets of £7.2m (31 March 2024: £7.3m), property, plant and equipment of £0.6m (31 March 2024: £0.6m), IFRS16 rights-of-use assets of £1.5m (31 March 2024: £1.9m), investments of £0.4m (31 March 2024: £0.4m) and deferred tax assets amounting to £0.3m (31 March 2024: £0.3m). Movements in the year reflect amortisation and depreciation charges in the period.
Current assets comprise Trade and other receivables of £3.8m (31 March 2024: £4.3m) and cash balances of £0.5m at the period end (31 March 2024: £0.8m).
Total assets of the Group were £41.2m (31 March 2024: £42.4m).
Liabilities
Current liabilities of £8.5m (31 March 2024: £8.8m) comprise Trade and other payables of £5.2m (31 March 2024: £5.7m), bank loans and borrowings of £2.4m (31 March 2024: £2.1m), IFRS16 lease liabilities of £0.8m (31 March 2024: £1.0m) and defined benefit pension liabilities of £0.1m (31 March 2024: £0.1m).
Non-current liabilities of £1.4m (31 March 2024: £1.7m) comprise bank loans and borrowings of £0.5m (31 March 2024: £0.6m), IFRS16 lease liabilities of £0.6m (31 March 2024: £0.9m) and defined benefit pension liabilities of £0.3m (31 March 2024: £0.3m).
Movements in the year primarily reflect the repayment of £0.5m of IFRS16 lease liabilities and the drawdown of £0.2m of bank loans and borrowings.
Capital and reserves
Total equity decreased by £0.6m to £31.3m (31 March 2024: £31.9m), reflecting the retained loss for the period of £0.3m and £0.3m of exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Cash flows, liquidity and capital resources
Net cash generated by operations was an £0.7m inflow in the period by comparison to £0.8m in H1 FY24. After tax, net cash generated from operating activities amounted to £0.7m (H1 FY24: inflow of £0.7m).
Investing activities, primarily related to the addition of IT equipment and the internal development of software amounted to £0.5m in the period, compared to £0.2m in H1 FY24.
Total financing outflows were £0.4m in the period (H1 FY24; £1.4m) comprising capital repayments on leases (£0.5m) and repayment of scheduled term-loan payments (£0.7m), offset by a further £0.9m draw down on the RCF facilities.
Net debt amounted to £2.3m at the period end (31 March 2024: £1.9m).
At 30 September 2024, the Group had bank debt of £2.9m (31 March 2024: £2.6m) comprising amounts owed on term loans and amounts drawn on a revolving credit facility (RCF).
The Group had a term loan with £0.6m outstanding (31 March 2024: £0.7m) taken out in July 2022 over a five-year period, with interest at 3.5% over Bank of England interest rate. The £1.8m term loan taken out in March 2023 to part-fund disposal of the Shard lease, of which £0.6m was outstanding at 31 March 2024, had been fully repaid at the period end.
In addition, the Group had a £3.0m RCF facility available through to September 2027, of which £2.2m was drawn at the period end (31 March: £1.3m). Due to its revolving nature, this loan is all shown as due within one year.
Phil Machray
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer
Merit Group plc
Condensed consolidated income statement
For the half year ended 30 September 2024
|
|
Note |
Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 £'000 |
Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 £'000 |
Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 | ||
| |
|
| | | ||
| Revenue
| 3
| 9,293 | 9,899 | 19,895
| ||
| Cost of sales
| | (5,201) | (5,154) | (10,730) | ||
|
Gross profit | | 4,092 |
4,745 |
9,165 | ||
| | |
|
| | ||
| Administrative expenses | | (3,965) | (4,170) | (7,850) | ||
| Other operating income | | 114 | 293 | 346 | ||
|
Operating profit | | 241 | 868 | 1,661 | ||
|
Memorandum: | |
| | | ||
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 3 | 1,243 | 1,829 | 3,989 | ||
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | | (129) | (88) | (173) | ||
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | | (421) | (406) | (833) | ||
| Amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations | | (293) | (294) | (587) | ||
| Amortisation of software intangible assets | | (187) | (142) | (345) | ||
| Adjusted EBIT(2) | | 213 | 899 | (2,051) | ||
| Share-based payments credit/(charge) | | 28 | (31) | (63) | ||
| Non-recurring items | 4 |
| | | ||
| People-related costs | | - | - | (202) | ||
| Fair value movement on investments | | - | - | (125) | ||
|
Operating profit | | 241 | 868 | 1,661 | ||
| Net finance credit/(expense)
| | (465) | (339) | (777) | ||
| (Loss)/profit before tax from Continuing Operations | | (224) | 529 | 884 | ||
|
Income tax charge
| | (80) | (176) | (336) | ||
|
(Loss)/profit for the period from Continuing Operations
| | (304) | 353 | 548 | ||
| Loss from Discontinued Operations | | - | - | (354) | ||
|
(Loss)/profit for the period
| | (304) | 353 | 194 | ||
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the operating profit after adding back depreciation, amortisation, share-based payments, and non-recurring items.
(2) Adjusted EBIT is defined as the operating profit after adding back share-based payments and non-recurring items.
Earnings per share (pence)
| Basic and Diluted | | p per share | p per share | p per share |
| Continuing Operations | 5 | (1.27p) | 1.47p | 2.29p |
| Discontinued Operations
| 5 | - | - | (1.48p) |
|
Basic total
| 5 | (1.27p) | 1.47p | 0.81p |
The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these unaudited interim results.
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the half year ended 30 September 2024
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 £'000 | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
|
(Loss)/profit for the period |
(304) |
353 |
194 |
| |
| | |
| Items that may be subsequently reclassified to Profit and loss: |
| | |
| Foreign currency translation:
| | | |
| Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
| (254) | 2 | (138) |
| | (254) | 2 | (138) |
| Remeasurement of defined benefits obligation | 7 | (31) | (15) |
| Other comprehensive income for the period | (247) | (29) | (153) |
| Total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the period | (551) | 324 | 41 |
The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these unaudited interim results.
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
As at 30 September 2024
|
|
Note |
Unaudited 30 Sept 2024 £'000 |
Unaudited 30 Sept 2023 £'000 |
Audited 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
|
| |
|
| Non-current assets
| |
| |
|
| Goodwill | | 26,919 | 26,919 | 26,919 |
| Intangible assets | 7 | 7,174 | 7,566 | 7,300 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 8 | 604 | 381 | 584 |
| Right-of-use assets | 10 | 1,493 | 2,198 | 1,914 |
| Investments | | 350 | 474 | 350 |
| Deferred tax assets | | 334 | 184 | 277 |
| Total non-current assets | | 36,874 | 37,722 | 37,344 |
| Current assets | |
| | |
| Trade and other receivables | | 3,750 | 5,503 | 4,299 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | 545 | 1,069 | 782 |
| Total current assets | | 4,295 | 6,572 | 5,081 |
| Total assets | | 41,169 | 44,294 | 42,425 |
|
| |
| | |
| Current liabilities | |
| | |
| Trade and other payables | | 5,267 | 6,085 | 5,692 |
| Defined benefit pension obligation | | 70 | 77 | 79 |
| Bank loan/RCF | 9 | 2,391 | 2,910 | 2,091 |
| Lease liability | 10 | 790 | 597 | 977 |
| Total current liabilities | | 8,518 | 9,669 | 8,839 |
| Non-current liabilities | |
| | |
| Pension obligation | | 261 | 312 | 283 |
| Bank loan/RCF | 9 | 462 | 621 | 552 |
| Lease liability | 10 | 649 | 1,583 | 893 |
| Total non-current liabilities | | 1,372 | 2,516 | 1,728 |
| Capital and reserves | |
| | |
| Issued capital | 11 | 6,708 | 6,708 | 6,708 |
| Share premium | | 1,067 | 1,067 | 1,067 |
| Retained profit | | 10,237 | 10,700 | 10,541 |
| Redemption reserve | | 13,680 | 13,680 | 13,680 |
| Translation reserve | | (516) | (122) | (262) |
| Other reserves | | (5) | (28) | (12) |
| Share option reserve | | 108 | 104 | 136 |
| Total equity | | 31,279 | 32,109 | 31,858 |
| Total equity and liabilities | | 41,169 | 44,294 | 42,425 |
The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these unaudited interim results.
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the half year ended 30 September 2024
|
Unaudited |
Share capital £'000 |
Share premium reserve1 £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Capital redemption reserve2 £'000 |
Translation reserve3 £'000 |
Other reserves £'000 |
Share option reserve4 £'000 |
Total shareholders' funds £'000 |
| |
|
| | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| At 1 April 2023 | 6,708 | 1,067 | 10,347 | 13,680 | (124) | 3 | 73 | 31,754 |
| Total comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | |
| Profit for the six-month period to 30 September 2023 | - | - | 353 | - | - | - | - | 353 |
| Currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | 2 |
| Remeasurement of defined benefits obligations | - | - | - | - | - | (31) | - | (31) |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Share-based payments | - | - | - | - | - | - | 31 | 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| At 30 September 2023 | 6,708 | 1,067 | 10,700 | 13,680 | (122) | (28) | 104 | 32,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | |
| Loss for the six-month period to 31 March 2024 | - | - | (159) | - | - | - | - | (159) |
| Currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | (140) | - | - | (140) |
| Remeasurement of defined benefits obligations | - | - | - | - | - | 16 | - | 16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Share-based payments | - | - | - | - | - | - | 32 | 32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| At 31 March 2024 | 6,708 | 1,067 | 10,541 | 13,680 | (262) | (12) | 136 | 31,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss for the six-month period to 30 September 2024 | - | - | (304) | - | - | - | - | (304) |
| Currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | (254) | - | - | (254) |
| Remeasurement of defined benefits obligations | - | - | - | - | - | 7 | - | 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Share-based payments
| - | - | - | - | - | - | (28) | (28) |
| At 30 September 2024 | 6,708 | 1,067 | 10,237 | 13,680 | (516) | (5) | 108 | 31,279 |
1 The share premium reserve represents the amount paid to the Company by shareholders above the nominal value of shares issued.
2 The capital redemption reserve is a non-distributable reserve created on cancellation of deferred shares.
3 The translation reserve comprises foreign currency translation differences arising from the translation of financial statements of the Group's foreign entities into Sterling.
4 The share option reserve represents the cumulative expense recognised in relation to equity-settled share-based payments.
The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these unaudited interim results.
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
For the half year ended 30 September 2024
|
|
Note | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 £'000 | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
|
| | |
| Cash generated by operations | 6 | 673 | 836 | 2,287 |
| Taxation paid | | - | (181) | (426) |
| Net cash generated from operating activities | | 673 | 655 | 1,861 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |
| | |
| Interest and similar income received | | 7 | 18 | 26 |
| Additions to intangible assets | | (354) | (94) | (324) |
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | | (149) | (128) | (418) |
| Acquisition of investments | | - | (24) | (25) |
| Proceeds on disposal of operations | | - | - | 450 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | (496) | (228) | (291) |
| | |
| | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |
| | |
| Interest and similar expenses paid | | (120) | (215) | (407) |
| Payment of lease liabilities | | (480) | (494) | (1,003) |
| Receipt on disposal of lease liabilities | | - | 462 | 577 |
| Net drawdowns/(repayments) of bank facility | | 210 | (1,184) | (2,072) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | (390) | (1,431) | (2,905) |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | (213) | (1,004) | (1,335) |
| Opening cash and cash equivalents | | 782 | 2,144 | 2,144 |
| Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held | | (24) | (71) | (27) |
| Closing cash at bank | | 545 | 1,069 | 782 |
|
Comprised of: | |
| | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | 545 | 1,069 | 782 |
| Closing cash at bank | | 545 | 1,069 | 782 |
The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these unaudited interim results.
1. General information
Nature of operations
The principal activities of Merit Group plc and its subsidiaries (the "Group") is the creation and aggregation of high-quality data and intelligence information and the provision of data technology services.
The Group operates primarily in the UK, Europe and India.
Merit Group plc is a Company incorporated in England and Wales and listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in London. The registered office of the Company and head office of the Group is 9th Floor, The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG.
Basis of preparation
This condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted in the UK. The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. As required by AIM Rules, the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared applying accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the Group's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The condensed consolidated financial statements are neither audited in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) nor subject to review as per International Standard on Review Engagements (ISRE) 2410. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2024 have been extracted from the Group's statutory accounts for that financial period. 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 not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Going concern
The Directors have considered the financial projections of the Group, including cash flow forecasts and the availability of committed bank facilities for the coming 12 months. They are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources for the foreseeable future and that it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.
Approval date
The condensed set of interim financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and were approved by the Board on 13 November 2024.
2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
When preparing financial statements, the Group makes estimates and judgements concerning the future. These estimates and judgements are typically based on historical experience and expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable at the time. In the future, by definition, actual events and experience may deviate from these estimates and judgements.
The Directors considered the critical accounting judgements and estimates applied in the condensed consolidated financial statements were the same as those applied in the Group's last statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
3. Segmental information
Business segments
The Group considers that it has two operating business segments, Merit Data & Technology (MD&T) and Dods, plus a (non-revenue generating) central corporate segment.
The Merit Data & Technology business segment focuses on the provision of data and intelligence, including marketing data, and the provision of data-related technology, including data engineering, machine learning, software development, and technology resourcing.
The Dods business segment concentrates on the provision of key information and insights into the political and public policy environments around the UK and the European Union.
The central corporate segment contains the activities and costs associated with the Group's head office and PLC listing.
The following table provides an analysis of the Group's segment revenue by business segment.
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 £'000 | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
| | |
| Merit Data & Technology
| 5,835 | 6,376 | 12,869 |
| Dods
| 3,458 | 3,523 | 7,026 |
|
| 9,293 | 9,899 | 19,895 |
No client accounted for more than 10 percent of total revenue.
| Group Revenue by stream
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 £'000 | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
| | |
| Data and Intelligence | 3,276 | 3,414 | 6,760 |
| Data Technology | 2,559 | 2,962 | 6,109 |
| Political Intelligence | 3,458 | 3,523 | 7,026 |
|
| 9,293 | 9,899 | 19,895 |
|
Unaudited half year ended 30 Sep 2024 Business segment profit before tax
|
MD&T 30 Sep 2024 £'000
|
Dods 30 Sep 2024 £'000 |
Central 30 Sep 2024 £'000 |
Total 30 Sep 2024 £'000 |
| Adjusted EBITDA
| 615 | 1,056 | (428) | 1,243 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | (86) | (43) | - | (129) |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | (250) | (171) | - | (421) |
| Amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations | (255) | (38) | - | (293) |
| Amortisation of software intangible assets | (42) | (145) | - | (187) |
| Share based payments | - | - | 28 | 28 |
| Operating profit/(loss) | (18) | 659 | (400) | 241 |
| Net finance expense | (298) | (39) | (128) | (465) |
| Profit/(loss) before tax | (316) | 620 | (528) | (224) |
|
Unaudited half year ended 30 Sep 2023 Business segment profit before tax
|
MD&T 30 Sep 2023 £'000
|
Dods 30 Sep 2023 £'000 |
Central 30 Sep 2023 £'000 |
Total 30 Sep 2023 £'000 |
| Adjusted EBITDA
| 1,241 | 1,087 | (499) | 1,829 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | (55) | (33) | - | (88) |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | (260) | (146) | - | (406) |
| Amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations | (255) | (39) | - | (294) |
| Amortisation of software intangible assets | - | (142) | - | (142) |
| Share based payments | - | - | (31) | (31) |
| Operating profit/(loss) | 671 | 727 | (530) | 868 |
| Net finance expense | (80) | (45) | (214) | (339) |
| Profit/(loss) before tax | 591 | 682 | (744) | 529 |
|
Audited year ended 31 Mar 2024 Business segment profit before tax
|
MD&T 31 Mar 2024 £'000
|
Dods 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
Central 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
Total 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| Adjusted EBITDA
| 2,761 | 2,249 | (1,021) | 3,989 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | (98) | (75) | - | (173) |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | (517) | (316) | - | (833) |
| Amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations | (510) | (77) | - | (587) |
| Amortisation of software intangible assets | (61) | (284) | - | (345) |
| Share based payments | - | - | (63) | (63) |
| Non-recurring items | | | |
|
| People-related costs | - | (27) | (175) | (202) |
| Fair value movement on investments | - | - | (125) | (125) |
| Operating profit/(loss) | 1,575 | 1,470 | (1,384) | 1,661 |
| Net finance expense | (297) | (98) | (382) | (777) |
| Profit/(loss) before tax from Continuing Operations | 1,278 | 1,372 | (1,766) | 884 |
4. Non-recurring items
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2024 £'000
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2023 £'000
| Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
| | |
| Fair value movement on investments | - | - | (125) |
| People-related costs
| - | - | (202) |
|
| - | - | (327) |
People-related costs incurred in the year ended 31 March 2024 include deferred cash consideration on the acquisition of Meritgroup Limited. Also included are redundancy costs reflecting the effect of Group initiatives to appropriately restructure the business.
5. Earnings per share
|
Continuing Operations | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2024 £'000
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
| | |
| (Loss)/profit attributable to shareholders
| (304) | 353 | 548 |
| Add: non-recurring items
| - | - | 327 |
| Add: amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations
| 293 | 294 | 587 |
| Add: net exchange (gains)/losses | 297 | 79 | 250 |
| Add: share-based payment (credit)/expense
| (28) | 31 | 63 |
| Adjusted post-tax profit from Continuing Operations attributable to shareholders | 258 | 757 | 1,775 |
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 Ordinary shares
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 Ordinary shares | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 Ordinary shares |
| |
| | |
| Weighted average number of shares
|
| | |
| In issue during the period - basic
| 23,956,124 | 23,956,124 | 23,956,124 |
| Adjustment for share options
| - | - | - |
| In issue during the period - diluted
| 23,956,124 | 23,956,124 | 23,956,124 |
Performance Share Plan (PSP) options over 1,420,791 Ordinary shares have not been included in the calculation of diluted EPS for any of the above dates because their exercise is contingent on the satisfaction of certain criteria that had not been met at those dates.
|
Continuing Operations | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2024 Pence per share
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2023 Pence per share | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 Pence per share |
| |
|
| |
| Earnings per share |
|
| |
| Basic | (1.27) | 1.47 | 2.29 |
| Diluted | (1.27) | 1.47 | 2.29 |
| Adjusted earnings per share
|
| | |
| Basic | 1.08 | 3.16 | 7.41 |
| Diluted | 1.08 | 3.16 | 7.41 |
6. Cash generated by operations
|
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2024 £'000 | Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sept 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
|
| | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | |
| | |
| (Loss)/profit for the period | | (304) | 353 | 194 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | | 129 | 88 | 173 |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | | 421 | 406 | 833 |
| Amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations | | 293 | 294 | 587 |
| Amortisation of other intangible assets | | 187 | 142 | 345 |
| Share-based payments charge | | (28) | 31 | 63 |
| Loss on disposal of fixed asset | | - | - | 2 |
| Fair value movement on investments | | - | - | 125 |
| Lease interest expense | | 49 | 64 | 124 |
| Profit on disposal of operations (before tax) | | - | - | 354 |
| Interest income | | (7) | (18) | (26) |
| Interest expense | | 120 | 215 | 407 |
| Foreign exchange on operating items | | (12) | 4 | 6 |
| Income tax charge | | 80 | 176 | 336 |
| Operating cash flows before movement in working capital | | 928 | 1,755 | 3,523 |
| Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables | | 549 | (463) | 176 |
| Decrease in trade and other payables | | (804) | (456) | (1,412) |
|
Cash generated by operations
| | 673 | 836 | 2,287 |
7. Intangible assets
|
| Assets acquired through business combinations |
Software | Under Construction Capitalised costs |
Total |
|
| £'000
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |
| | | |
| Cost
| | | | |
| At 1 April 2023
| 11,209 | 2,176 | 144 | 13,529 |
| Additions - internally generated
| - | 22 | 302 | 324 |
| Software brought into use | - | 144 | (144) | - |
|
At 31 March 2024
| 11,209 | 2,342 | 302 | 13,853 |
| Additions - internally generated | - | 53 | 301 | 354 |
| At 30 September 2024 | 11,209 | 2,395 | 603 | 14,207 |
| Accumulated amortisation
| | | | |
| At 1 April 2023
| 5,090 | 531 | - | 5,621 |
| Charge for the year | 587 | 345 | - | 932 |
|
At 31 March 2024
| 5,677 | 876 | - | 6,553 |
| Charge for the period
| 293 | 187 | - | 480 |
| At 30 September 2024 | 5,970 | 1,063 | - | 7,033 |
| Net book value
| | | | |
| At 31 March 2023 - audited
| 6,119 | 1,645 | 144 | 7,908 |
| At 31 March 2024 - audited
| 5,532 | 1,466 | 302 | 7,300 |
| At 30 September 2024 - unaudited | 5,239 | 1,332 | 603 | 7,174 |
8. Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
Leasehold Improvements | IT Equipment and Fixtures and Fittings
|
Total |
|
|
| £'000
| £'000 | £'000 |
| |
|
| | |
| Cost
|
| | | |
| At 1 April 2023
|
| - | 1,449 | 1,449 |
| Additions
|
| 93 | 325 | 418 |
| Disposals |
| - | (4) | (4) |
|
At 31 March 2024
|
| 93 | 1,770 | 1,863 |
| Additions |
| - | 149 | 149 |
| Disposals
|
| - | (6) | (6) |
| At 30 September 2024 |
| 93 | 1,913 | 2,006 |
| Accumulated depreciation
|
| | | |
| At 1 April 2023
|
| - | 1,108 | 1,108 |
| Charge for the year
|
| 23 | 150 | 173 |
| Disposals |
| - | (2) | (2) |
|
At 31 March 2024
|
| 23 | 1,256 | 1,279 |
| Charge for the period |
| 24 | 105 | 129 |
| Disposals |
| - | (6) | (6) |
| At 30 September 2024 |
| 47 | 1,355 | 1,402 |
| Net book value
|
| | | |
| At 31 March 2023 - audited
|
| - | 341 | 341 |
| At 31 March 2024 - audited
|
| 70 | 514 | 584 |
| At 30 September 2024 - unaudited |
| 46 | 558 | 604 |
9. Net debt
Net debt comprises the aggregate of loans and borrowings, excluding IFRS16 lease liabilities, and cash and cash equivalents, as follows:
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2024 £'000
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 |
| |
| | |
| Bank loan / RCF due within one year | 2,391 | 2,910 | 2,091 |
| Bank loan due after more than one year | 462 | 621 | 552 |
|
| 2,853 | 3,531 | 2,643 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | (545) | (1,069) | (782) |
| Net Debt | 2,308 | 2,462 | 1,861 |
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
At 30 September 2024, the Company's secured loan facilities provided by Barclays comprised:
§ Term Loan: a £1 million, five-year term loan, amortising on a straight-line basis at c.£50,000 per quarter from July 2022;
§ RCF: a £3 million non-amortising, revolving credit facility for the five-year duration of the Term Loan;
§ Both the Term Loan and RCF accrues interest at 3.5% above Bank of England base rate.
On 22 March 2023, the Company secured a further £1.8 million 18-month Term Loan, amortising on a straight-line basis at £300,000 per quarter, in order to fund the disposal of the Company's Shard lease. This loan had been fully settled in accordance with its repayment schedule by 30 September 2024.
10. Leases
|
|
| Right-of-use assets £'000 | Lease liabilities £'000 |
| As at 1 April 2023
|
| 1,874 | (1,880) |
| Additions |
| 873 | (873) |
| Depreciation |
| (833) | - |
| Lease Interest |
| - | (124) |
| Lease payments |
| - | 1,007 |
| As at 31 March 2024 | | 1,914 | (1,870) |
| Depreciation |
| (421) | - |
| Lease Interest |
| - | (49) |
| Lease payments |
| - | 480 |
| As at 30 September 2024 |
| 1,493 | (1,439) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Current
|
|
| (790) |
| Non-current
|
|
| (649) |
The Consolidated income statement includes the following amounts relating to leases:
|
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2024 £'000
| Unaudited Half year ended 30 Sep 2023 £'000 | Audited Year ended 31 Mar 2024 £'000 | |||
| |
|
|
|
| ||
| Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets
| 421 | 406 | 833 |
| ||
| Interest expense (included in finance cost) | 48 | 64 | 124 |
| ||
The right-of-use assets relate to office space in four locations and at the balance sheet date have remaining terms ranging up to 5 years.
There were £20,000 of expenses relating to diminutive payments not included in the measurement of lease liabilities (H1 FY24: £20,000).
Lease liabilities includes liabilities in respect of IT equipment with a cost of £77,000 (31 March 2024: £77,000). These assets are capitalised within IT Equipment and Fixtures and Fittings(see Note 8).
11. Issued Share Capital
|
| 28p ordinary shares Number |
Total £'000 |
| Issued share capital as at 30 September 2023
| 23,956,124 | 6,708 |
| Issued share capital as at 31 March 2024
| 23,956,124 | 6,708 |
| Issued share capital as at 30 September 2024 | 23,956,124 | 6,708 |
12. Related party transactions
MET operations
As part of the disposal of the MET Operations in November 2022, the Group agreed to provide transitional services to the Political Holdings Limited group of companies covering areas such as occupancy, IT systems and support and finance and accounting services. Political Holdings Limited is considered a related party as it is controlled by Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, a substantial shareholder in the Company and Angela Entwistle, a non-executive director of the Company, is a director of Political Holdings Limited. In total, the group charged £13,407 for these services during the period (H1 FY24: £293,364), which has been recognised as Other Operating Income within the Income Statement. At 30 September 2024, a balance of £86,206 (31 March 2024: £72,799) was outstanding in respect of invoicing for these services.
Since its acquisition of the MET operations, the Political Holdings Limited group has been a customer of MD&T and was billed £41,130 (H1 FY24: £56,476) during the period for marketing and data services. At 30 September 2024, there was a balance of £102,485 (31 March 2024: £62,302) due.
Further, as part of the disposal, the Group has continued to act as agent for the Political Holdings Limited group, invoicing customers, collecting book debts and paying for services under contracts which were pending legal novation to Political Holdings Limited group companies. During the period, revenue of £nil (H1 FY24: £887,393) was invoiced, cash of £83,807 (H1 FY24: £1,968,961) was collected and payments for purchases and payroll amounting to £105,025 (H1 FY24: £769,009) were made by the Group on behalf of Political Holdings Limited group companies. None of these revenues or costs are recognised within the Income Statement of the Group. At 30 September 2024, £nil (31 March 2024: £12,946) of funds were held on trust for Political Holdings Limited group companies.
Meritgroup Limited acquisition
On acquisition of Meritgroup Limited, an arm's length non-repairing 7-year lease was entered into between a Merit subsidiary (Letrim Intelligence Services Private Limited) and Merit Software Services Private Limited. Cornelius Conlon, a Director of the Group, is the beneficial owner of Merit Software Services Private Limited. The lease relates to the Chennai office of MD&T. During the period, £303,339 (H1 FY24: £366,800) was payable to Merit Software Services Private Limited in relation to the lease and other property-related costs. At 30 September 2024, a balance of £3,670 (31 March 2024: £nil) was outstanding in respect of these services.
Other related party transactions
During the current and previous period, Deacon Street Partners Limited, a company related by virtue of Angela Entwistle, a Director of the Company also being a Director, invoiced £15,000 (H1 FY24: £15,000) to the Company for the services of Angela Entwistle as a Non-Executive Director. At 30 September 2024 the balance outstanding was £2,500 (31 March 2024: £2,500).
System1 Group plc, a company related by virtue of Philip Machray, a Director of the Company also being a Director, is a customer of MD&T and was billed £38,705 (H1 FY23: £76,700) for Technology Resourcing Services. At 30 September 2024 the balance outstanding was £8,200 (31 March 2024: £12,100).
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