Majestic Wine WINE claims it is reaping the rewards of its transformation plan with second half profits up by 51% and the restoration of a final dividend being proposed with a payment of 3.6% compared to zero last year. Both operationally and financially it claims it is past the tipping point but the figures still have to be taken in context. The company has made a loss for the year of £1.5m compared to last years profit of £4.7m and on an underlying basis adjusted profit before tax on a year by year basis fell by 29.2% and EBIT by 28.4%.
As transformation benefits work their way through, the target is still for sales of £500m by 2019 and analysts current profit forecasts are expected to be met, despite the continuation of difficult trading conditions.
System1 Group SYS1 Produced strong results for the year to the 3rd April December and, because of a change in the year end,also for the 15 months to 31st March. The final dividend is to jump from 3.5p per share to 6.4p, on top of which there will also be a special dividend of 26.1p per share. The company formerly known as Brainjuicer won, for the sixth consecutive year, the award for being the most innovative company of the year.
For the 12 months to 21st December revenue rose by 24% on a constant currency basis, profit before tax by 38% and earnings per share by 33%. comparative figures are not provided for the 15 month period to the new year end. The first quarter of the new financial year has been a little slower than the company expected.
Atkins WS. ATK claims a year of strong financial and strategic progress with significant growth in the US. Revenue grew by 11.8% on a constant currency basis and underlying profit before tax for the year 31st March was up by 18.4% and diluted earnings per share by 26.1%.