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Interim result for the six months ended 31 December 2024

  • Created on the 24 February, 2025.

ARCONTECH GROUP PLC

(“Arcontech” or the “Group”)

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Arcontech (AIM: ARC), the provider of products and services for real-time financial market data processing and trading, reports its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2024.

Overview:

  • Revenue increased by 4.3% to £1,511,346 (H1 2023: £1,448,804)
  • Recurring revenues represented 97% of total revenues for the period (H1 2023: 100%)
  • Adjusted EBITDA* decreased by 12.1% to £446,513 (H1 2023: £507,668) reflecting the expected increase in staff costs

(* adjusted ebitda is defined as operating profit before depreciation, amortisation, share base payments and releases of historic accruals relating to administrative expenses)

  • Profit before tax decreased by 3.8% to £518,166 (H1 2023: £538,790)
  • Our preferred measure of adjusted profit before tax, which excludes the release of accruals unrelated to the underlying business, decreased by 7.5% to £494,360 (H1 2023: £534,775)
  • Net cash of £7,166,839 at 31 December 2024, up 24.9% (H1 2023: £5,734,226). The period under review saw the return to a normal billing cycle for one of our large customers, and a record dividend payment of £501,479 on 1 November 2024
  • Trading in line with full year market expectations and confident in the full year outturn

Geoff Wicks, Chairman of Arcontech, said:

“The improvements to market conditions we mentioned in our Preliminary Statement last year have continued and the growth has materialised. We remain cautious as customers are careful about increasing their costs and lead times remain long. However, our pipeline is strong and we are confident about our future and the full year outturn.”

Enquiries:

Arcontech Group plc020 7256 2300
Geoff Wicks, Chairman and Non-Executive Director 
Matthew Jeffs, Chief Executive 
  
Cavendish Capital Markets Ltd (Nomad & Broker)020 7220 0500
Carl Holmes/Rory Sale (Corporate Finance) Harriet Ward (Corporate Broking) 
  

To access more information on the Group please visit: www.arcontech.com

The interim report will only be available to view online enabling the Group to communicate in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner.

Chairman’s Statement

Arcontech has seen continued growth and although market conditions have improved many customers are cautious about embarking on new projects and increasing their cost base. As a result our pipeline has improved but lead times remain long. Our continued focus on our core market has ensured we continue to build the potential for future growth.

Our expected growth is likely to be tempered by some downsizing at larger customers as technology and markets change, however we are confident that new business will continue to work its way through the pipeline. With the complexity of markets changing, we have started to see some one-off contracts for work to change and embed our products into our customers’ systems. It remains a small part of our business.

Revenue was £1.51 million, up 4.3% on the same period last year, Profit before tax (“PBT”) was £0.51 million, down 3.8% on the same period last year. Adjusted profit before tax, which is PBT before the release of accruals for administrative costs in respect of prior years was £0.50 million, down 7.5% on the previous year.

Financing

Our balance sheet remains robust with net cash of £7.1 million, £1.2 million higher than at 31 December 2023. The cash generation profile for the period normalised with a return to regular timing of the billing cycle for a large customer. This cash position allows for continued investment in sales and products and for us to remain alert to opportunities to acquire small complementary businesses.

Dividend

No interim dividend is proposed to be paid in respect of the half year. The Board expects to continue its policy of paying a dividend following the announcement of its full year results.

Outlook

The improvements to market conditions we mentioned in our Preliminary Statement last year have continued and the growth has materialised. We remain cautious as customers are careful about increasing their costs and lead times remain long. However, our pipeline is strong and we are confident about our future and the full year outturn.

Geoff Wicks

Chairman and Non-Executive Director

GROUP INCOME STATEMENT AND STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

  NoteSix months ended 31  December Six months ended 31  December Year ended   30 June
   2024 2023 2024
   (unaudited) £ (unaudited) £ (audited) £
        
Revenue  1,511,346 1,448,804 2,910,232
        
Administrative costs  (1,109,882) (1,039,456) (2,040,541)
        
Operating profit 4401,464 409,348 869,691
        
Finance income  139,066 126,055 247,903
        
Finance costs 12(22,364) 3,387 (18,635)
        
        
Profit before taxation  518,166 538,790 1,098,959
        
Taxation 6  (31,302)
  Profit for the period after tax  518,166 538,790   1,067,657
        
Total comprehensive income  518,166 538,790 1,067,657
        
Profit per share (basic)  3.87p 4.03p 7.98p
        
Adjusted* Profit per share (basic)  3.70p 4.00p 7.80p
        
Profit per share (diluted)  3.85p 4.02p 7.96p
        
Adjusted* Profit per share (diluted)  3.68p 3.99p 7.78p

All of the results relate to continuing operations and there was no other comprehensive income in the period.

* Before release of accruals for administrative costs in respect of prior years.

GROUP BALANCE SHEET

     Note  31 December 2024   31 December 2023   30 June 2024
  (unaudited) £ (unaudited) £ (audited) £
Non-current assets      
Goodwill 1,715,153 1,715,153 1,715,153
Property, plant and equipment 10,220 6,325 5,404
Right of use asset12447,279 559,098 503,190
Deferred tax asset 358,000 328,000 358,000
Trade and other receivables9141,750 141,750 141,750
       
Total non-current assets 2,672,402 2,750,326 2,723,497
       
Current assets      
Trade and other receivables9821,336 1,335,408 677,069
Cash and cash equivalents 7,166,839 5,734,226 7,160,177
       
Total current assets 7,988,175 7,069,634 7,837,246
       
Current liabilities      
Trade and other payables10(594,088) (473,512) (595,190)
Deferred income (1,221,194) (1,013,405) (1,092,835)
Lease liabilities12(114,893) (68,869) (110,308)
Provisions  (50,000) 
       
Total current liabilities (1,930,175) (1,605,786) (1,798,333)
       
Non-current liabilities      
Lease liabilities12(368,748) (483,641) (427,365)
Provisions (70,000) (20,000) (70,000)
       
Total non-current liabilities (438,748) (503,641) (497,365)
       
Net current assets  6,058,000  5,463,848 6,038,913
       
Net assets 8,291,654 7,710,533 8,265,045
Equity      
Share capital 1,671,601 1,671,601 1,671,601
Share premium account 115,761 115,761 115,761
Share option reserve 340,668 305,101 330,746
Retained earnings 6,163,624 5,618,070 6,146,937
       
  8,291,654 7,710,533 8,265,045

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

  NoteSix months ended 31 December Six months ended 31 December Year ended   30 June
   2024 2023 2024
   (unaudited) £ (unaudited) £ (audited) £
Cash generated from / (used in) operating activities 11432,237 (296,937)   1,051,177
        
Tax paid 6  (15,586)
        
Net cash generated from / (used in) operating activities  432,237 (296,937)   1,035,591
        
Investing activities       
        
Interest received  137,775 126,055 247,903
        
Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets   417 417
  Purchases of plant and equipment    (7,840)   (3,471)    (12,055)
        
Net cash generated from investing activities    129,935   123,001            236,265
        
Financing activities       
        
Dividends paid  (501,479) (468,048) (468,048)
        
Payment of lease liabilities  (54,031) (35,031) (54,872)
        
        
Net cash used in financing activities  (555,510) (503,079) (522,920)
    Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents      6,662     (677,015)              748,936
        
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    7,160,177   6,411,241          6,411,241
        
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period    7,166,839   5,734,266       7,160,177

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 Share capitalShare premiumShare-option reserveRetained earnings Total  
                £                £               £              £               £
At 1 July 20231,671,601115,761279,4555,547,3287,614,145
Profit for the period538,790538,790
Total comprehensive income for the period538,790538,790
Dividends paid(468,048)(468,048)
Share-based payments25,64625,646
Total transactions with owners25,646(468,048)(442,402)
At 31 December 20231,671,601115,761305,1015,618,0707,710,533
Profit for the period528,867528,867
Total comprehensive income for the period  528,867528,867
Share-based payments25,64525,645
Total transactions with owners25,64525,645
At 30 June 20241,671,601115,761330,7466,146,9378,265,045
Profit for the period518,166518,166
Total comprehensive income for the period  518,166518,166
Dividends paid(501,479)(501,479)
Share-based payments9,9229,922
Total transactions with owners9,922(501,479)(491,557)
At 31 December 20241,671,601115,761340,6686,163,6248,291,654

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  1. The figures for the six months ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023 are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those applied by the Group in the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024. The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. Several amendments and interpretations apply for the first time in the 2025 financial year, but these do not have a material impact on the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group.   
  2. The financial information for the year ended 30 June 2024 set out in this interim report does not comprise the Group’s statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024, which were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either Section 498(2) or Section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and did not include references to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis.
  3. Copies of this statement are available from the Company Secretary at the Company’s registered office at 1st Floor 11-21 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4JU or from the Company’s website at www.arcontech.com.
  4. Operating profit is stated after release of accruals for administrative expenses in respect of prior years of £23,806 (31 December 2023: £4,014; 30 June 2024: £24,603).
  5. Earnings per share have been calculated based on the profit after tax and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the half year ended 31 December 2024 of 13,372,811 (31 December 2023: 13,372,811 30 June 2024: 13,372,811).

The number of dilutive shares under option at 31 December 2024 was 76,017 (31 December 2023: 26,988; 30 June 2024: 31,620). The calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares, all of which arise from share options. A calculation is done to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at the average market price during the period, based upon the issue price of the outstanding share options including future charges to be recognised under the share-based payment arrangements.

  • Taxation is based on the unaudited results and provision has been estimated at the rate applicable to the Company at the time of this statement and expected to be applied to the total annual earnings. No corporation tax has been charged in the period as any liability has been offset against tax losses brought forward from prior years. The tax paid represents the cash payment of tax liability from the preceding income tax year.
  • A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2024 of 3.75 pence per share (2023: 3.50 pence per share) was paid on 1 November 2024.
  • The Directors have elected not to apply IAS 34 Interim financial reporting.
  • Trade and other receivables
 31 December
2024
£
(unaudited)
 31 December
2023 £ (unaudited)
 30 June
2024
£ (audited)
Due within one year:     
      
Trade and other receivables628,762 1,137,648 458,227
      
Prepayments and accrued income192,575 197,760 218,842
      
Other receivables  
 821,336 1,335,408 677,069
 31 December
2024
£
(unaudited)
 31 December
2023 £ (unaudited)
 30 June
2024
£ (audited)
Due after more than one year:     
      
Other receivables141,750 141,750 141,750
 141,750 141,750 141,750

The long term trade receivable of £141,750 is the rental agreement deposit for the Group’s Paul Street office.

  1. Trade and other payables
 31 December
2024
£
(unaudited)
 31 December
2023 £ (unaudited)
 30 June
2024
£ (audited)
      
Trade payables88,874 27,055 61,328
      
Other tax and social security payable169,864 69,714 106,899
      
Other payables and accruals335,350 376,743 426,963
 594,088 473,512 595,190
  1. Cash generated from operations
  Six months ended 31 December Six months ended 31 December Year ended   30 June  
  2024 2023 2024  
  (unaudited) £ (unaudited) £ (audited) £  
         
Operating profit 401,464 409,348 869,691  
         
Depreciation charge 58,933 76,688 134,518  
         
Non-cash share option charges 9,922 25,646 51,291  
         
Lease interest charge (21,569) (476) (18,435)  
         
Other interest charge (795) (1,141) (200)  
         
Profit on disposal of fixed assets  (152) (151)  
  Increase in trade and other receivables (133,039) (990,910)     (318,958)  
         
Increase in trade and other payables 117,321 184,060 333,421  
Cash generated from / (used in) operations   432,237   (296,937)   1,051,177  
        

12. Leases

As a lessee, under IFRS 16 the Group recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases on its balance sheet. The only lease applicable under IFRS 16 is the Group’s office.

The key impacts on the Statement of Comprehensive Income and the Statement of Financial Position are as follows:

 Right of use asset £ Lease liability £ Income statement £
As at 1 July 2024503,190 (537,672) 
      
Depreciation(55,911)  (55,910)
Interest (21,569) (21,569)
Lease payments 75,600 
Carrying value at 31 December 2024447,279 (483,641) (77,479)
 Right of use asset £ Lease liability £ Income statement £
As at 1 July 202373,152 (40,324) 
      
Recognition of new lease under IFRS 16559,803 (552,220) 
Depreciation(73,857)  (73,857)
Liability write-back at expiry 5,29315,293
Interest (765) (765)
Lease payments 35,506 
Carrying value at 31 December 2023559,098 (552,510) (69,329)

Contractual maturity analysis of lease liabilities as at 31 December 2024

 Less than 3 months £3 – 12 months   £1 – 5 Years   £Longer than 5 Years £Total   £
Lease liabilities37,800113,400332,441483,641