5 June 2018 – final results
The plastics and specialist lighting group has announced its annual results for the year to 31 March with revenues increasing by 5.7% to £146.2m (2017: £138.3m) although underlying pre-tax profit declined to £9.1m (2017: £11.0m). Earnings per share on the same basis fell to 9.8p (2017: 12.1p). The fall in profit was due to lower profits at the plastics business which reported certain operational issues as well as a lower level of orders. This poor performance led to a review of the division and has resulted in a number of changes to both management and personnel and operational procedures. As in previous years there is no dividend. Net debt at the company has also increased to £31.5m (2017: £26.0m). Although these results are clearly disappointing, the actions that have been taken by management are expected to see a better outcome this year with pre-tax profits in the year to 31 March 2019 forecast to rise to £11.0m for earnings per share of 11.4p. Although there is no yield as yet, the shares trade on a p/e ratio of just 7.7x and we view them as a BUY FOR RECOVERY.