Record HY Results Continue to Underpin Character's Position as the UK's Leading Independent Toy Company

LONDON, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

   
                                                   Half-year     Half-year   Full-year

    Key Performance Indicators                         ended         ended       ended

    - continuing operations             Change February 2016 February 2015 August 2015
    Revenue                             +12.0%      GBP65.2m      GBP58.2m    GBP99.1m
    Underlying operating profit*        +20.8%       GBP8.7m       GBP7.2m    GBP10.4m
    Operating profit                     +1.1%       GBP8.8m       GBP8.7m    GBP12.5m
    Underlying pre-tax profit*          +22.9%       GBP8.6m       GBP7.0m    GBP10.2m
    Pre-tax profit                       +2.4%       GBP8.7m       GBP8.5m    GBP12.3m
    Underlying basic earnings per
    share*                              +13.6%        32.43p        28.55p      38.83p
    Underlying diluted earnings per
    share*                              +13.9%        30.69p        26.94p      36.57p
    Basic earnings per share             -7.9%        32.85p        35.66p      48.56p
    Diluted earnings per share           -7.6%        31.09p        33.65p      45.73p
    Dividend per share                    +40%          7.0p          5.0p       11.0p
    Underlying EBITDA*                    +30%      GBP10.4m       GBP8.0m    GBP11.9m
    EBITDA                              +10.5%      GBP10.5m       GBP9.5m    GBP13.9m
    Net cash                           +237.2%      GBP14.5m       GBP4.3m     GBP4.5m

   
    * Excludes mark to market
    profit adjustments on FX
    derivative positions                          GBP0.1m    GBP1.5m    GBP2.1m

   
                        Ø Significant organic growth, revenue up 12% on comparative period

                    Ø International sales now represent approximately 25% of total revenue

      Ø Revenue growth is from our Top 10 performing brands, which now include Teletubbies
                                                                   (launched January 2016)

                       Ø Peppa Pig continues to deliver a consistently high level of sales

                               Ø New licenses acquired in period include Stretch Armstrong

                                                         Ø Main Board further strengthened

                                           Ø Profitable and cash generative business model

                      Ø Progressive dividend policy, interim dividend up 40% over 2015 HY1

"The Group continues to deliver highly credible results which is reflected in improved revenues and increased underlying profit before tax on the same half-year period last year." 

"We are very fortunate at this time not only to have strength and depth across our brands but also a wide spread of customers and suppliers, with many of whom we have long term trusted relationships.  We are also very pleased with the progress we are making in overseas markets as demonstrated by the increased level of International sales, particularly in the USA."  

"Overall, current trading continues to be encouraging, and we remain on target to achieve market expectations for the full financial year ending 31 August 2016." 

   
    The full Half Yearly Report can be viewed at http://www.thecharacter.com

    or
    http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/CCT/12
    793344.html

    Product ranges can be viewed at http://www.character-online.co.uk.

   
   

    Enquiries:
    The Character Group plc
    Office: +44 (0) 208 329 3377
    Email: [email protected]

    TooleyStreet Communications Limited
    Tel: +44 (0) 7785 703523
   

SOURCE THE CHARACTER GROUP