TIDMCMX

RNS Number : 6785U

Catalyst Media Group PLC

30 March 2023

30 March 2023

Catalyst Media Group Plc

("CMG", "Catalyst" or the "Company")

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 December 2022

The Board of CMG (AIM: CMX) is pleased to announce the Company's unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2022.

CMG is a 20.54% shareholder in Sports Information Services (Holdings) Limited ("SIS") and the results include its share in the profits/(losses) of SIS as an equity accounted associate.

Financial Highlights for the six months to 31 December 2022

   --        CMG profit after taxation of GBP0.30 million (2021: GBP0.45 million) 
   --        Earnings per share of 1.45p (2021: 2.14p) 
   --        Net asset value per share of 170.4p (2021: 54.5p) 
   --        For the six months to 30 September 2022, SIS achieved 
   -    Revenues of GBP125.8 million (2021: GBP113.4 million) 
   -    Operating profit of GBP1.9 million (2021: GBP3.0 million) 
   -    Profit after tax on ordinary activities of GBP1.8 million (2021: profit of GBP2.4 million) 

-- On 18 November 2022, SIS declared a dividend of GBP4.4 million of which GBP0.9 million was received by CMG.

-- CMG has not declared nor paid any dividends during the reporting period or during the prior period, but a dividend of GBP0.7m (3.3p per ordinary share) was declared and paid by CMG, post the reporting period end, in January and February 2023 respectively.

Current Trading and Outlook

SIS's trading remains robust and its management continues to pursue and win new business opportunities both in terms of content acquisition, most recently securing new rights for Australian Horseracing from Victorian Thoroughbred Racing and Racing South Australia, and new customers, with the most recent deals announced being with BetGo+ and Kiron Interactive.

SIS has also recently launched the first of its esports offerings in New Jersey and Colorado which marks another significant step in the further geographic diversification of this particular business line.

SIS has advised CMG that it expects to close its financial year to 31 March 2023 with increased revenue and profit before tax year-on-year.

Enquiries:

Catalyst Media Group Plc

   Michael Rosenberg, Non-executive Chairman      Mob: 07785 727 595 
   Melvin Lawson, Non-executive Director                Tel: 020 7734 8111 
   Strand Hanson Limited                                        Tel: 020 7409 3494 

James Harris / Matthew Chandler

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Chairman's Statement

For the six-month period ended 31 December 2022, the Company achieved a net profit after taxation of GBP0.30 million (2021: GBP0.45 million).

Net assets as at 31 December 2022 were GBP35.8 million (30 June 2022: GBP35.5 million). Net cash as at 31 December 2022 was approximately GBP0.9 million (30 June 2022: GBP0.1 million).

CMG's main asset remains its 20.54% stake in SIS and, in November 2022, the Company received a dividend of GBP0.9 million from SIS. The value of CMG's investment in SIS has reduced from approximately GBP35.4 million to approximately GBP34.9 million, reflecting the impact of the dividend receipt offset by CMG's share of the profits achieved by SIS in the six months to 30 September 2022. As a result, CMG's net assets per share as at 31 December 2022 were 170.4p (2021: 54.5p). The carrying value of our investment in SIS will be reviewed again at our financial year end.

CMG equity accounts for its share in the profit of SIS which was GBP1.8 million after tax for its six-month period to 30 September 2022 (2021: GBP2.4 million). SIS's revenues for such period were GBP125.8 million (2021: GBP113.4 million) which were derived from its business of providing integrated television and data services to Licensed Betting Offices in the UK, Ireland and overseas. SIS generated an operating profit for this period of GBP1.9 million, compared to an operating profit of GBP3.0 million in the comparable period for 2021.

Following the declaration and payment of a GBP0.7m dividend (3.3p per ordinary share) in January and February 2023 respectively, CMG currently has cash reserves of approximately GBP0.2 million which is sufficient for its present requirements.

Set out below is an overview of the activities of SIS's key divisions for the period under review.

SIS - UK and Ireland Retail

SIS continues to provide a core service including Racecourse Media Group horseracing, the SIS British Greyhound Service, Irish Horseracing, Chelmsford City Horseracing, 49s and International Horseracing to almost the entire UK and Irish retail market, including all of the major UK bookmaking groups and the majority of the independent market.

In advance of the scheduled renewal dates SIS has recently renewed, on a long-term basis, a combination of production, distribution, and content deals with 80% of the major bookmaker Licensed Betting Operator ("LBO") market and is in advanced stage negotiations with the remainder of the major bookmaker LBO market. This is in addition to the majority of the Independent Retail Bookmakers who are already signed up to SIS's services through to 2024.

SIS has recently secured additional content for its UK Retail and Digital customers in the form of South African horseracing from 4Racing, Italian horseracing and Australian horseracing content from both Victorian Thoroughbred Racing and Racing South Australia.

SIS - International & Online

SIS has seen continued growth in both existing customer revenues and its customer base for its online racing content through both its 24/7 racing channels and direct content distribution. SIS has over 140 live feeds to customers designed to maximise betting opportunities for international retail and online operators and has signed up numerous international and online operators to multi-year agreements. SIS continues to progress its strategy to increase distribution, in both new and existing international and online markets, using proprietary production technology as well as ultra-low latency streaming and data pricing services.

In November 2022, SIS exercised its option to acquire a further 25% interest in Racelab Pty Limited ("Racelab"), a racing data science company in Australia, thereby increasing its total stake to 50%. Racelab provides a range of market leading products across the SIS portfolio of international horse and greyhound racing.

SIS - Non-racing content

Numbers products online, operated under the 49's brand, have grown significantly in the period, driven by a combination of increased customers and an expanded product range, and complemented by an upgrade of the 49s.co.uk website which has driven affiliates revenue. In December 2022 bet365 launched a new online draw product, Lotto365, powered by SIS's 49s business which brought the total number of events delivered under the 49's brand to over 300,000.

The SIS Competitive Gaming (e-sports) service, which was launched during lockdown in May 2020, has continued to scale the number of events created and increase revenues with new customers onboarding during the period. The business has three titles focused around eBasketball, eFootball and Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), a traditional e-sports product, and creates over 100,000 events per annum with the ability to scale further. SIS has also recently launched the first of its esports offerings in New Jersey and Colorado which marks another significant step in the further geographic diversification of this particular business line.

India

An arbitration award was made in July 2020 which the respondent has paid into court. These funds are now subject to appeals in the Delhi High Court by both parties: SIS continues to pursue claims disallowed by the arbitrators whilst the respondent attempts to nullify the award in its entirety. The overall outcome therefore remains uncertain.

The legal and associated costs relating to this claim have been significantly reduced but are still impacting SIS's profits.

SIS Current Trading and Outlook

SIS's trading remains robust, and its management continues to pursue and win new business opportunities both in terms of content acquisition, most recently securing new rights for Australian Horseracing from Victorian Thoroughbred Racing and Racing South Australia and new customers, with the most recent deals announced being with BetGo+ and Kiron Interactive.

SIS has advised CMG that it expects to close its financial year to 31 March 2023 with increased revenue and profit before tax year-on-year

SIS's cash position as of 28 February 2023 was approximately GBP51m.

As announced previously by the Company, in November 2022 SIS engaged Oakvale Capital LLP ("Oakvale Capital") to review strategic options for the SIS business and this review is ongoing. The outcome of this review process may include various courses of action for the future of the business and once the SIS board has reached any conclusions an appropriate announcement will be made by CMG.

CMG Outlook

The Board of CMG notes the positive report from SIS that its revenues and profits are expected to show increased growth for its financial year ending 31 March 2023 compared to the previous year. We look forward to the outcome of the review currently being undertaken by Oakvale Capital. Meanwhile overheads for CMG continue to remain at a very low level as in previous years.

Michael Rosenberg OBE

Chairman

29 March 2023

Consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income

 
                                               Notes          6 months          6 months     12 months 
                                                        to 31 December    to 31 December    to 30 June 
                                                                  2022              2021          2022 
 
                                                                   GBP               GBP           GBP 
                                                             Unaudited         Unaudited       Audited 
 
 Revenue                                                        12,500            12,500        25,000 
 
 Cost of sales                                                       -                 -             - 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 Gross profit                                                   12,500            12,500        25,000 
 
 Administrative expenses                                      (77,355)          (60,049)     (137,859) 
 Operating loss                                               (64,855)          (47,549)     (112,859) 
 
 Financial income                                                  874                 9            36 
 Net financial income                                              874                 9            36 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
 Share of profit of equity-accounted 
  associate                                      3             368,077           497,890     1,153,937 
 Reversal of impairment of equity-accounted 
  associate                                                          -                 -    23,391,701 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
 Profit before taxation                                        304,096           450,350    24,432,815 
 
 Taxation                                                            -                 -        23,957 
 
 Profit for the period                                         304,096           450,350    24,456,772 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
 Share of other comprehensive 
  profit of associate                                                -                 -        67,782 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                                                   304,096           450,350    24,524,554 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
 Attributable to equity holders 
  of the Company                                               304,096           450,350    24,524,554 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
 Earnings per share:                             4 
 Basic                                                           1.45p             2.14p       116.28p 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 Diluted                                                         1.45p             2.14p       116.28p 
                                                      ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 

Consolidated interim statement of financial position

 
                                Notes   31 December    31 December      30 June 
                                               2022           2021         2022 
 
                                                GBP            GBP          GBP 
                                          Unaudited      Unaudited      Audited 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Investment in associate          3      34,894,534     11,314,470   35,430,000 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                         34,894,534     11,314,470   35,430,000 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                 49,555         40,976       56,953 
 Cash and cash equivalents                  936,582        165,849       93,011 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                            986,137        206,825      149,964 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Total assets                            35,880,671     11,521,295   35,579,964 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Equity and liabilities 
 
 Capital and reserves 
  attributable to equity 
  holders of the parent 
 Share capital                            2,103,202      2,103,202    2,103,202 
 Capital redemption 
  reserve                                   711,117        711,117      711,117 
 Merger reserve                           2,402,674      2,402,674    2,402,674 
 Retained profits                        30,614,210      6,235,910   30,310,114 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                         35,831,203     11,452,903   35,527,107 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                    49,468         68,392       52,857 
                                             49,468         68,392       52,857 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Total equity and 
  liabilities                            35,880,671     11,521,295   35,579,964 
                                       ------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

Consolidated interim cash flow statement

 
                                                       6 months          6 months       12 months 
                                                 to 31 December    to 31 December           to 30 
                                                           2022              2021            June 
                                                                                             2022 
                                                            GBP               GBP 
                                                      Unaudited         Unaudited             GBP 
                                                                                          Audited 
 
 Cash flow from operating activities 
 Profit before taxation                                 304,096           450,350      24,432,815 
 Adjustments for: 
 Share of (profit) from associate                     (368,077)         (497,890)     (1,153,937) 
 Reversal of impairment in associate                          -                 -    (23,391,701) 
 Finance income                                           (874)               (9)            (36) 
 Corporation taxes recovered                             17,904                 -               - 
                                               ----------------  ----------------  -------------- 
 
 Net cash outflow from operating activities 
  before changes in working capital                    (46,951)          (47,549)       (112,859) 
 (Increase) / Decrease in trade and 
  other receivables                                    (10,506)            16,336          24,316 
 Increase / (Decrease) in trade and 
  other payables                                        (3,389)            29,223          13,688 
 
 Net cash outflow used in operating 
  activities                                           (60,846)           (1,990)        (74,855) 
                                               ----------------  ----------------  -------------- 
 
 Investing activities 
 Dividend received                                      903,543                 -               - 
 Interest received                                          874                 9              36 
 
 Net cash inflow from investing activities              904,417                 9              36 
                                               ----------------  ----------------  -------------- 
 
 
 Net movement in cash and cash equivalents 
  in the period                                         843,571           (1,981)        (74,819) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  beginning of the period                                93,011           167,830         167,830 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the period                                     936,582           165,849          93,011 
                                               ----------------  ----------------  -------------- 
 

Consolidated interim statement of changes in equity

 
                                             Share   Capital redemption       Merger     Retained   Total shareholders 
                                           capital              reserve      reserve     surplus/               equity 
                                                                    GBP                 (deficit)                  GBP 
                                               GBP            Unaudited          GBP          GBP            Unaudited 
                                         Unaudited                         Unaudited    Unaudited 
 
 At 1 July 2021                          2,103,202              711,117    2,402,674    5,785,560           11,002,553 
 
 Profit for the 6 month period to 31 
  December 2021                                  -                    -            -      450,350              450,350 
 Dividend paid to the Company's                  -                    -            -            -                    - 
 shareholders 
 Total comprehensive profit for the 
  period                                         -                    -            -      450,350              450,350 
 
 At 31 December 2021                     2,103,202              711,117    2,402,674    6,235,910           11,452,903 
                                       -----------  -------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------------- 
 
 Profit for the 6 month period to 30 
  June 2022                                      -                    -            -   24,006,422           24,006,422 
 Share of other comprehensive profit 
  of associate                                   -                    -            -       67,782               67,782 
 Total comprehensive profit for the 
  period                                         -                    -            -   24,074,204           24,074,204 
 
 At 30 June 2022                         2,103,202              711,117    2,402,674   30,310,114           35,527,107 
                                       -----------  -------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------------- 
 
 
                                                     Share       Capital       Merger     Retained           Total 
                                                   capital    redemption      reserve     surplus/    shareholders 
                                                                 reserve                 (deficit)          equity 
                                                       GBP           GBP          GBP          GBP             GBP 
                                                 Unaudited     Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited       Unaudited 
 
 At 1 July 2022                                  2,103,202       711,117    2,402,674   30,310,114      35,527,107 
 
 Profit for the 6 month period to 31 
  December 2022                                          -             -            -      304,096         304,096 
 Dividend paid to the Company's shareholders             -             -            -            -               - 
                                               -----------  ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 Total comprehensive profit for the 
  period                                                 -             -            -      304,096         304,096 
                                               -----------  ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 At 31 December 2022                             2,103,202       711,117    2,402,674   30,614,210      35,831,203 
                                               -----------  ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 

Notes to the interim financial statements

   1.       Corporate information 

CMG is a company incorporated in England and Wales and is quoted on the AIM market operated by London Stock Exchange plc.

   2.       Basis of preparation 

These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements cover the six month period from 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022 including the financial results of Sports Information Services (Holdings) Limited ("SIS") for its six month period to 30 September 2022.

These consolidated interim financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the six months ended 31 December 2022 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs and IFRIC interpretations) as adopted by the European Union and also in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

The accounting policies adopted for the preparation of these unaudited interim financial statements are consistent with the accounting policies adopted in the Group's financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022 and will remain so for the year ending 30 June 2023.

The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2022, on which the report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

New financial reporting requirements

The Group, including SIS, has applied no new financial reporting standards for the first time in preparing its financial statements for the six month period ended 31 December 2022.

Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards not yet effective

At the date of authorisation of these consolidated interim financial statements, the IASB and IFRIC have issued the following standard and interpretations which are effective for annual accounting periods beginning on or after the stated effective date. This standard is not effective for, and has not been applied in, the preparation of these consolidated interim financial statements:

-- IFRS 17: Insurance Contracts (effective as of 1 January 2023)

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Group's financial statements in the period of initial adoption.

   3.       Investment in associate 
 
                                      Total 
                                      Group 
                                        GBP 
 Cost 
 At 1 July 2022                  35,430,000 
 Additions - share of profits       368,077 
 Dividends received               (903,543) 
 
 At 31 December 2022             34,894,534 
                                ----------- 
 

The Group's interest in its associate, SIS, a company incorporated in England and Wales, is held by Alternateport Limited ("Alternateport"). Alternateport holds an investment of 20.54% in the equity share capital of SIS and is entitled to appoint a director and alternate director to the SIS board. This right has been exercised since acquisition. Alternateport is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Catalyst Media Holdings Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Board has reviewed its valuation of the Company's investment in SIS as at 31 December 2022 and has, in line with the Group's accounting policies, decreased the value of its investment by the amount of its share of profits for the period, less the value of the dividend received. As a result, the investment is now carried at a value of GBP34.9m.

 
 Share of profit of associate*    30 September   31 December   31 December     30 June 
                                          2022          2022          2021        2022 
                                     SIS Total     CMG share     CMG share   CMG share 
                                       GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000 
 Revenue: 
 SIS Betting Services                  125,746        25,828        23,283      44,849 
 
 Total revenue                         125,746        25,828        23,283      44,849 
 
 Operating profit/(loss) 
  from ongoing operations                1,929           396           616       1,430 
 Net interest receivable 
  / (payable)                              283            58           (1)           - 
 
 Profit/(loss) before tax                2,212           454           615       1,430 
 Taxation                                (420)          (86)         (117)       (276) 
                                 -------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Share of income/(loss) 
  after taxation                         1,792           368           498       1,154 
                                 -------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Net income from associate               1,792           368           498       1,154 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Actuarial gain/(loss)                       -             -             -         104 
 Deferred tax                                -             -             -        (36) 
                                             -             -             -          68 
                                 -------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 Share of gross assets 
  and liabilities of associate 
 Gross assets                          131,315        26,972        23,068      26,005 
 Gross liabilities                    (69,212)      (14,216)      (11,754)    (13,617) 
                                 -------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Net equity                             62,103        12,756        11,314      12,388 
                                 -------------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 

* - The period covered by the associate's accounts is for the six months to 30 September 2022. The revenues have been stated excluding internal revenues.

   4.       Earnings per share 

The calculation of the basic earnings per ordinary share of 10p each in the capital of the Company ("Share") is based upon the following:

 
                                                   6 months       6 months     12 months 
                                                         to             to    to 30 June 
                                                31 December    31 December          2022 
                                                       2022           2021           GBP 
                                                        GBP            GBP 
 Basic and Diluted 
 Earnings per share - pence                           1.45p          2.14p       116.28p 
 
 
 Profit attributable to equity shareholders         304,096        450,350    24,456,772 
 
 Weighted average number of Shares 
  in issue                                       21,032,030     21,032,030    21,032,030 
                                              -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

-S -

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March 30, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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