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James R. Knowles (Holdings) PLC. A growing legal services, dispute resolution, loss adjusting and commercial and contractual advice consultancy group advising a broad range of companies both in the UK and overseas. INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING 31 JANUARY 2003. Overview.
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James R. Knowles (Holdings) PLC A growing legal services, dispute resolution, loss adjusting and commercial and contractual advice consultancy group advising a broad range of companies both in the UK and overseas INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING 31 JANUARY 2003
Overview • We are an international consultancy offering legal and technical advice to clients in the construction and engineering industries • Building upon our UK position we aim to become the international market leader • Establishment in North America and Australia gives true global access to all markets around the world • The current focus is to maximise profitability from all centres
Interim Results • Turnover increased by 13% • Profit before tax and exceptionals up 107% to £528,000 before exceptionals • Interest cover 8x (2002: 6x) • Dividend maintained at 0.8p per share • EPS before exceptionals 1.4p (2002: 0.5p) • Exceptionals £325,000
Exceptional Items • Exceptional items • Redundancies - £170,000 • Settlement of Canadian Dispute - £111,000 • Onerous leases - £8,000 • Discontinued operations - £36,000 • Prospects for remainder of year are good with no further exceptionals foreseen
Interim results for the six months ended 31 Jan
Segmental AnalysisTurnover %For the six months ended January 2003 2003 2002 Increasing geographical breadth of operations
Financial Position - Highlights • Gearing (Debt/Equity) 36% (2002: 21%) • New bank facility in place • Increase in debtors by 11% • Turnover increased by 13% • Timing of significant invoices • UK invoice discounting discontinued • Debtor days – 51* days (2002: 49 days) * January days (31) are deducted from the normal calculation, as January invoicing was performed on the last working day of the month
UK • Strong trading in all sectors • Maintaining position as market leaders in Adjudication • Growth in legal services • Benefits of office rationalisation beginning to flow through • Prospects for remainder of year are good
Europe • Strong recovery compared with previous year performance • French office re organised • Madrid refocused on International market • Overall satisfactory improvement
North America • Canadian companies performing well • BBCG acquisition already in profit • USA affected by delayed projects – now on stream • Turnover in excess of £1.5 million in half year • Prospects for remainder of year are good
Asia and Australia • Performance in line with expectations despite difficult markets • Only Singapore is still in loss although this has reduced compared to last year • New offices in Australia show excellent early signs for future growth and profit
Middle East • Difficult markets still but performance improved from last year • Effect of current war unpredictable but well positioned to respond to opportunities • Reasonable prospects for remainder of year
Outlook • Global network largely established, focus now on profits • Newly established offices making contribution • Attracting international clients • Despite tough markets, profitability improving and prospects are good
James R. Knowles (Holdings) PLC A growing legal services, dispute resolution, loss adjusting and commercial and contractual advice consultancy group advising a broad range of companies both in the UK and overseas