TIDMQRT

RNS Number : 8090K

Quarto Group Inc

30 August 2023

The Quarto Group, Inc.

(the "Company", "Quarto", "Group")

Half-Year Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2023

The Quarto Group, Inc. (LSE: QRT), the leading global illustrated book publisher, announces its unaudited half-year results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

 
 Results ($m)                     H1 2023   H1 2022 
-------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Group Revenue                    52.0      61.9 
 Adjusted(1) Group Operating 
  Profit                          3.1       6.7 
 Group Operating Profit           3.1       7.2 
 Adjusted(1) Profit before Tax    3.1       6.1 
 Profit before Tax                2.6       6.6 
 Profit after Tax                 1.8       4.7 
 Net Cash / (Debt)                9.1       (5.6) 
 
   1.   Adjusted measures are stated exceptional items. 

Headlines

-- Revenue down 16% at $52m against 2022, partly due to Quarto Distribution Services & Smart Lab being discontinued, with core revenue $51m, down 10% year on year.

   --     Operating profit of $3.1m down from $7.2m in 2022, driven by the reduction in revenue. 

-- Strong cash generation has continued to feature, with $14.7 million generated over the last 12 months to June 2023. Net cash position was $9.1m against a net debt position of $5.6m (June 2022)

Chief Executive, Alison Goff commented on the half year position:

"Following the economic challenges faced towards the end of 2022 and into 2023, this is a steady set of results following on from the growth in 2022. Whilst revenue and profits were down year on year, the results achieved are in line with our expectations for the seasonally weaker first half of the year.

Quarto UK, whilst sales experienced a decline of 6% year on year from $27.2m (2022) to $25.5m (2023), this is still 3% ahead of 2021. With the decline in revenue, operating profits reduced from $3.1m in 2022 to $2. 4m in 2023 , although this is still a significant improvement on 2021 at $1m. Softness across all areas of the business contributed to this decline, as consumer demand reduced and our business to business sales slowed as customers managed their inventory.

Bestsellers within the period include The King, a new title for 2023 in our very successful Little People Big Dreams series and London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers also a new title in 2023. We were also shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards including Flooded by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Klaus Flugge Prize) and Rescuing Titanic (Yoto Carnegie award).

Quarto US has also seen a decline in revenue down 23% from $34.7m to $26.5m. Excluding the discontinued Quarto Distribution Services and Smart Lab core trading is down 12%, with trade sales and custom down 7% and 44% respectively. The reduction in custom sales is purely timing of orders and we expect this to recover during the second half of 2023. Operating profit reduced by 69% to $1.3m from $4.1m, with the decline in sales.

We continue to see Beautiful Boards perform strongly, with Nascar 75 years published in 2023 also performing well.

We are now focused on the second half of the year, which will be a significant period for Quarto as we expect the trading environment to continue to be challenging. However, I am confident with inflation past its recent peak and supply chain issues now easing, we have the right plans in place to capture all potential opportunities. We are confident that these plans will enable us to navigate through these uncertain times.

The Board remains focused on ensuring we keep costs under control, drive sales, and develop further growth strategies for the remainder of 2023, 2024 and beyond."

-S -

The Legal Identifier of the Company is 549300BJ2WPX3QUATW58.

For further information, please contact:

   The Quarto Group, Inc.                                  +44 (0)20 7700 6700 

Daniel Logan, Group Finance Director

Michael Clarke, Company Secretary

About The Quarto Group

The Quarto Group (LSE: QRT) creates a wide variety of books and intellectual property products, with a mission to inspire life's experiences. Produced in many formats for adults, children and the whole family, our products are visually appealing, information rich and stimulating.

The Group encompasses a diverse portfolio of imprints and businesses that are creatively independent and expert in developing long-lasting content across specific niches of interest.

Quarto sells and distributes its products globally in over 50 countries and 40 languages, through a variety of sales channels, partnerships and routes to market.

Quarto employs c.305 talented people in the US and the UK. The group was founded in London in 1976. It is domiciled in the US and listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit quarto.com or follow us on Twitter at @TheQuartoGroup.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT

SUMMARY

Following the growth in sales in the first half of 2022 compared to 2021, the revenue in first half of 2023 declined by 16% year on year at $52m, with core revenue, excluding Quarto Distribution Services and Smart Lab, down 10% at $51m. Revenue increased year on year in 2022 by 9% (H1 2021: $56.9m, Core revenue $51.5m).

Whilst sales declined due to the disposal of Smart Lab and the scaling back of Quarto Distribution Services, gross profit margin was impacted by only 1.2% to 35.2%, with prior year at 36.4%.

The decline in revenue resulted in an adjusted group operating profit of $3.1m (H1 2022: $6.7m). The adjusted profit before tax was $2.6m (H1 2022: $6.1m).

With both US and UK reporting segments showing revenue declines year on year, this resulted in the Group's adjusted operating results also showing a reduction, as shown in the table below.

June 2023, was a significant moment, as Quarto had net cash of $9.1m, compared with net debt of $5.6m in H1 2022, with cash generation of $14.7m over the twelve-month period and $8.5m in the last 6 months (See note 7). This strong cash generation has been driven by strong trading in 2022, dynamic inventory management, tight cost controls and reduced finance costs.

The overall book market in the first six months of 2023 proved, as expected, to be even more challenging than 2022.

OPERATING REVIEW

 
 Revenue ($m)                 H1 2023   H1 2022   H1 2021 
---------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 United States                29.3      39.7      36.3 
 United Kingdom               7.5       6.6       7.9 
 Rest of the World            6.8       8.0       6.1 
 Europe                       8.4       7.6       6.6 
---------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 Total Revenue                52.0      61.9      56.9 
---------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 Adjusted Operating Profit    H1 2023   H1 2022   H1 2021 
  ($m) 
---------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 US Publishing                1.3       4.1       3.8 
 UK Publishing                2.4       3.1       1.0 
 Group overhead               (0.6)     (0.5)     (0.8) 
---------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 Total adjusted operating 
  profit                      3.1       6.7       4.0 
---------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Note: Revenue is shown by destination; adjusted operating profit is shown by segment.

The Group's decrease in revenue this year to date, is a result of soft trade sales and reduction of our custom sales, following a very strong 2022.

UK-based Frances Lincoln Children's Books imprint continues to drive forward, with the Little People, Big Dreams series continuing to be a highlight, with over 7 million copies sold in the English language to date. We continue to expand the list, with King Charles publishing in 2023, generating $535k in revenue. This series continues to grow and we add even more foreign language partners to our sales.

In the US, our Beverly-based Adult imprints, especially Motorbooks, Rockport and Walter Foster, continue to perform strongly led by Nascars 75 years and Kawaii Tarot Coloring Book.

Foreign language sales are ahead year on year, and we expect this to continue as we move into H2.

The current shortfall in Custom sales is purely timing and we expect this to recover in H2. English language co-edition sales, currently down year on year, are expected to remain flat as customers work through existing inventory and reprint orders are reduced.

The reduction in our financing costs will continue as we improve our cash position.

OUTLOOK

As we move into H2 we expect the challenges seen in H1 which have been impacting trade sales to continue. With the expected fall in inflation across both the US & UK, we should start to see a softening of the cost-of-living crisis and more buoyancy in the market.

Foreign language sales are expected to hold firm, with strong orders in the pipeline and Custom sales whilst down year on year, are expected to recover during the second half of the year.

The decision to close our Quarto Distribution Service and Smart Lab, our toy imprint, has allowed us to focus on our core publishing business, whilst reducing the overhead in those areas.

After the recent period of volatility in freight in terms of lead times and costs, we have seen significant improvement in both areas. This will allow us a greater number of options when sourcing our print, enabling us to be nimble whilst ensuring competitive pricing.

I am confident we have the right plans in place to capture all potential opportunities. The Board remains focused on keeping costs under control, driving sales, and developing further growth strategies for the remainder of 2023, 2024 and beyond.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all our staff, readers, customers, suppliers and shareholders around the world, for their continued support and commitment.

Alison Goff

Chief Executive Officer

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                                           Six months 
                                               Six months          to    Year ended 
                                                       to     30 June   31 December 
                                             30 June 2023        2022          2022 
                                                Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
 
                                      Note          $'000       $'000         $'000 
 
Continuing operations 
Revenue                                3           52,041      61,908       141,017 
Cost of sales                                    (33,699)    (39,391)      (87,319) 
------------------------------------  ----  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Gross profit                                       18,342      22,517        53,698 
 
Distribution costs                                (2,965)     (3,699)       (7,582) 
Impairment of financial assets                      (264)       (301)          (69) 
Administrative expenses                          (12,041)    (11,836)      (24,723) 
------------------------------------  ---- 
 
Operating profit before exceptional 
 items                                              3,072       6,681        21,324 
------------------------------------  ----  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Exceptional items                      4                -         491           774 
------------------------------------  ----  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Operating profit                       3            3,072       7,172        22,098 
 
Finance costs                                       (493)       (545)       (1,213) 
------------------------------------  ----  -------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Profit before tax                                   2,579       6,627        20,885 
 
Taxation                               5            (797)     (1,904)       (4,279) 
 
 
Profit for the period                               1,782       4,723        16,606 
====================================  ====  =============  ==========  ============ 
 
Attributable to: 
 
Owners of the parent                                1,782       4,723        16,606 
====================================  ====  =============  ==========  ============ 
 
Earnings per share (cents) 
 
From continuing operations 
Basic                                  6              4.4        11.5          40.6 
Diluted                                6              4.4        11.5          40.6 
 
 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                      Six months     Six months    Year ended 
                                              to             to   31 December 
                                    30 June 2023   30 June 2022          2022 
                                       Unaudited      Unaudited       Audited 
 
                                           $'000          $'000         $'000 
 
Profit for the period                      1,782          4,723        16,606 
 
Other comprehensive income which 
 may be reclassified to profit 
 or loss 
Foreign exchange translation 
 differences                                 625        (2,833)       (2,475) 
 
Total comprehensive income for 
 the period                                2,407          1,890        14,131 
=================================  =============  =============  ============ 
 
Attributable to: 
 
Owners of the parent                       2,407          1,890        14,131 
=================================  =============  =============  ============ 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

 
                                                                       31 December 
                                           30 June 2023  30 June 2022         2022 
As at 30 June 2023                   Note     Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
                                                  $'000         $'000        $'000 
Non-current assets 
Goodwill                                         18,860        18,622       18,622 
Other intangible assets                               1             2            1 
Property, plant and equipment                     7,264         4,419        7,677 
Intangible assets: pre-publication 
 costs                                           26,147        27,040       25,473 
Deferred tax assets                               1,834         2,437        1,835 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Total non-current assets                         54,106        52,520       53,608 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Current assets 
Inventories                                      20,522        22,552       21,826 
Trade and other receivables                      32,323        38,293       40,122 
Cash and cash equivalents             7          13,464         8,106       13,290 
Assets held for sales                 8               -         2,360            - 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Total current assets                             66,309        71,311       75,238 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Total assets                                    120,415       123,831      128,846 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Current liabilities 
Short term borrowings                 7         (4,362)       (3,116)      (4,636) 
Trade and other payables                       (33,254)      (42,083)     (33,869) 
Lease liabilities                               (1,231)       (1,111)        (944) 
Tax payable                                     (2,866)       (5,420)      (3,295) 
                                           ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Total current liabilities                      (41,713)      (51,730)     (42,744) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Non-current liabilities 
Medium and long-term borrowings       7               -      (10,596)      (9,301) 
Deferred tax liabilities                        (2,928)       (2,933)      (2,798) 
Tax payable                                       (386)         (386)        (386) 
Lease liabilities                               (5,641)       (3,087)      (6,277) 
                                           ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Total non-current liabilities                   (8,955)      (17,002)     (18,762) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Total liabilities                              (50,668)      (68,732)     (61,506) 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Net assets                                       69,747        55,099       67,340 
===================================  ====  ============  ============  =========== 
 
Equity 
Share capital                                     4,089         4,089        4,089 
Paid in surplus                                  48,701        48,701       48,701 
Retained earnings and other 
 reserves                                        16,957         2,309       14,550 
-----------------------------------  ----  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Total equity                                     69,747        55,099       67,340 
===================================  ====  ============  ============  =========== 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                                                                                     Equity 
                                                                                               attributable 
                                                                                                  to owners 
                                                Paid in              Translation    Retained         of the 
                                Share capital   surplus                  reserve    earnings         parent 
                                         $000      $000                     $000        $000           $000 
 
Balance at 1 January 
 2022                                   4,089    48,701                  (6,047)       6,466         53,209 
 
Profit for the period                       -         -                        -       4,723          4,723 
Foreign exchange translation 
 differences                                -         -                  (2,833)           -        (2,833) 
Total comprehensive (expense) 
 / income for the period                    -         -                  (2,833)       4,723          1,890 
------------------------------  -------------  --------  -----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
Balance at 30 June 2022                 4,089    48,701                  (8,880)      11,189         55,099 
==============================  =============  ========  =======================  ==========  ============= 
 
Balance at 1 January 
 2023                                   4,089    48,701                  (8,522)      23,072         67,340 
 
Profit for the period                       -         -                        -       1,782          1,782 
Foreign exchange translation 
 differences                                -         -                      625           -            625 
Total comprehensive (expense) 
 / income for the period                    -         -                      625       1,782          2,407 
------------------------------  -------------  --------  -----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
Balance at 30 June 2023                 4,089    48,701                  (7,897)      24,854         69,747 
==============================  =============  ========  =======================  ==========  ============= 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2022

 
                                                                                                     Equity 
                                                                                               attributable 
                                               Paid in              Translation    Retained       to owners 
                               Share capital   surplus                  reserve    earnings   of the parent 
                                        $000      $000                     $000        $000            $000 
 
Balance at 1 January 
 2022                                  4,089    48,701                  (6,047)       6,466          53,209 
 
Profit for the year                        -         -                        -      16,606          16,606 
Foreign exchange translation 
 differences                               -         -                  (2,475)           -         (2,475) 
Total comprehensive 
 (expense) / income 
 for the period                            -         -                  (2,475)      16,606          14,131 
-----------------------------  -------------  --------  -----------------------  ----------  -------------- 
Balance at 31 December 
 2022                                  4,089    48,701                  (8,522)      23,072          67,340 
=============================  =============  ========  =======================  ==========  ============== 
 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                               Six months 
                                                       to     Six months                  Year ended 
                                                  30 June             to                 31 December 
                                                     2023   30 June 2022                        2022 
                                                Unaudited      Unaudited                     Audited 
                                                    $'000          $'000                       $'000 
 
Profit for the period                               1,782          4,723                      16,606 
Adjustments for: 
     Net finance costs                                493            545                       1,213 
     Depreciation of property, plant 
      and equipment                                   813            696                       2,029 
     Software amortization                              -             50                          50 
     Tax charge                                       797          1,904                       4,279 
     Impairment of right-of-use assets                  -              -                         228 
     Amortization and amounts written 
      off pre-publication costs                     8,558         10,176                      19,935 
     Impairment of pre-publication costs            (121)              -                       (729) 
     Forgiveness of the Cares Act Loan                  -        (2,272)                     (2,272) 
     (Gain) / loss on disposal of property, 
      plant & equipment                               (1)             58                           3 
     Loss on disposal of SmartLab                       -              -                       1,498 
 
Operating cash flows before movements 
 in working capital                                12,321         15,880                      42,840 
    Decrease/ (increase) in inventories             1,597        (5,253)                     (3,299) 
   Decrease / (increase) in receivables             8,523         10,664                       8,594 
    (Decrease) / increase in payables             (1,437)       (10,279)                    (17,119) 
---------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------------------- 
 
Cash generated by operations                       21,004         11,012                      31,016 
 
Income taxes paid                                 (1,315)        (3,614)                     (7,561) 
---------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------------------- 
 
Net cash from operating activities                 19,689          7,398                      23,455 
 
Investing activities 
Net proceeds from disposal of SmartLab 
 & property, plant & equipment                          -              -                       1,437 
Net proceeds from disposal of property, 
 plant & equipment                                      1              -                           - 
Investment in pre-publication costs               (8,597)        (8,997)                    (18,067) 
Purchases of property, plant and 
 equipment                                          (190)           (35)                     (1,238) 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities             (8,786)        (9,032)                    (17,868) 
 
Financing activities 
Interest payments                                   (281)          (182)                       (397) 
Lease payments                                      (696)          (837)                     (1,708) 
External loans repaid                             (9,658)       (17,629)                    (19,693) 
External loans drawn                                    -              -                       1,500 
 
Net cash used in financing activities            (10,635)       (18,648)                    (20,298) 
 
Net increase / (decrease) in cash 
 and cash equivalents                                 268       (20,282)                    (14,711) 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
 of period                                         13,290         28,432                      28,432 
 
Foreign currency exchange differences 
 on cash and cash equivalents                        (94)           (44)                       (431) 
---------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------------------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end 
 of period                                         13,464          8,106                      13,290 
=============================================  ==========  =============  ========================== 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Notes to the condensed financial statements

1. Interim Statement

These interim consolidated financial statements are for the half year to 30 June 2023. They were approved by the board on 30 August 2023. These results are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the Group's auditor. The comparative figures for the six months to 30 June 2022 were unaudited and derived from the interim financial statements for that period.

The information for the year ended 31 December 2022 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those accounts was not qualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".

The Group's forecast and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group will be able to operate well within the level of its current banking facilities. The Directors have therefore adopted a going concern basis in preparing the Interim Information.

2. Accounting policies

The accounting policies, significant judgements and key sources of estimation adopted in the preparation of this Interim Report are consistent with those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Notes to the condensed financial statement

3. Segmental analysis

 
 
 Six months to 30 June 2023          US Publishing     UK Publishing     Total 
                                              $000              $000      $000 
 Revenue                                    26,545            25,496    52,041 
                                  ================  ================  ======== 
 
 Segment result                              1,264             2,427     3,691 
 Unallocated corporate expenses                                          (619) 
 Exceptional items                                                           - 
                                                                      -------- 
 Operating profit                                                        3,072 
 Finance costs                                                           (493) 
                                                                      -------- 
 Profit before tax                                                       2,579 
 Taxation                                                                (797) 
                                                                      -------- 
 Profit after tax                                                        1,782 
                                                                      ======== 
 
 
 Six months to 30 June 2022        US Publishing   UK Publishing     Total 
                                            $000            $000      $000 
 Revenue                                  34,650          27,258    61,908 
                                  ==============  ==============  ======== 
 
 Segment result                            4,096           3,115     7,211 
 Unallocated corporate expenses                                      (530) 
 Exceptional items                                                     491 
 Operating profit                                                    7,172 
 Finance costs                                                       (545) 
                                                                  -------- 
 Profit before tax                                                   6,627 
 Taxation                                                          (1,904) 
                                                                  -------- 
 Profit after tax                                                    4,723 
                                                                  ======== 
 
 
 Year ended 31 December 2022       US Publishing   UK Publishing     Total 
                                            $000            $000      $000 
 Revenue                                  75,329          65,688   141,017 
                                  ==============  ==============  ======== 
 
 Segment result                           10,608          11,875    22,483 
 Unallocated corporate expenses                                    (1,159) 
 Corporate exceptional items                                           774 
                                                                  -------- 
 Operating profit                                                   22,098 
 Finance costs                                                     (1,213) 
                                                                  -------- 
 Profit before tax                                                  20,885 
 Taxation                                                          (4,279) 
                                                                  -------- 
 Profit after tax                                                   16,606 
                                                                  ======== 
 

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Notes to the condensed financial statements

   3.   Segmental analysis (continued) 
 
 Geographical revenue 
 The Group generates its revenue in the 
  following geographical areas: 
 
                                Six months   Six months     Year ended 
                                        to           to    31 December 
                              30 June 2023      30 June           2022 
                                 Unaudited         2022        Audited 
                                     $'000    Unaudited          $'000 
                                                  $'000 
 United States                      29,336       39,712         85,397 
 United Kingdom                      7,512        6,556         17,052 
 Europe                              8,352        7,616         23,099 
 Rest of the World                   6,841        8,024         15,469 
 Total                              52,041       61,908        141,017 
=========================  ===============  ===========  ============= 
 
   4.   Exceptional Items 
 
                                          Six months   Six months 
                                                  to           to     Year ended 
                                             30 June      30 June    31 December 
                                                2023         2022           2022 
                                           Unaudited    Unaudited        Audited 
                                               $'000        $'000          $'000 
 Exceptional items comprised: 
 
 Impairment costs on remeasurement of 
  Disposal Group (see note 8)                      -      (1,781)              - 
 Smartlab Disposal                                 -            -        (1,498) 
 Forgiveness of Cares Act Loan                     -        2,272          2,272 
 
 Total                                             -          491            774 
======================================  ============  ===========  ============= 
 
   5.   Taxation 

Taxation for the six months to 30 June 2023 is based on the Group estimated underlying tax rate for the year.

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Notes to the condensed financial statements

   6.   Earnings per share 
 
                                              Six months 
                                                      to     Six months    Year ended 
                                                 30 June             to   31 December 
                                                    2023   30 June 2022          2022 
                                               Unaudited      Unaudited       Audited 
 
                                                   $'000          $'000         $'000 
  From continuing operations 
  Profit for the purposes of basic and 
   diluted earnings per share, being net 
   profit attributable to owners of the 
   parent                                          1,782          4,723        16,606 
  Exceptional items (net of tax)                       -          (369)       (1,160) 
--------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------  ------------ 
  Earnings for the purposes of adjusted 
   earnings per share                              1,782          4,354        15,446 
============================================  ==========  =============  ============ 
 
                                                  Number         Number        Number 
  Weighted average number of shares           40,889,000     40,889,000    40,889,100 
  Dilutive outstanding options awards                  -              -             - 
--------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------  ------------ 
  Diluted weighted average number of shares   40,889,000     40,889,000    40,899,100 
============================================  ==========  =============  ============ 
 
 
  Earnings per share (cents)                       Cents          Cents         Cents 
  From continuing operations 
  Basic                                              4.4           11.5          40.6 
  Diluted                                            4.4           11.5          40.6 
 
  Adjusted basic                                     4.4           10.6          37.8 
  Adjusted diluted                                   4.4           10.6          37.8 
 
 
   7.   Net cash 
 
                                                      30 June   31 December 
                                    30 June 2023         2022          2022 
                                       Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
 
                                           $'000        $'000         $'000 
 Net cash / (debt) comprised: 
 Cash and cash equivalents                13,464        8,106        13,290 
 Short term borrowings                   (4,362)      (3,116)       (4,636) 
 Medium and long-term borrowings               -     (10,596)       (9,301) 
---------------------------------  ------------- 
 Net cash / (debt)                         9,102      (5,606)         (647) 
=================================  =============  ===========  ============ 
 

At 30 June 2023, the Group has a $12.7m club facility, comprising a term loan, revolving credit facility and overdraft. These facilities expire on 16 July 2024 and are subject to covenants, which were all met in the current period.

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC.

Notes to the condensed financial statements

   8.   Disposal group held for sale 

Assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale

 
                                          30 June   31 December 
                        30 June 2023         2022          2022 
                           Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
 
                               $'000        $'000         $'000 
 
 Non-current assets                -           16             - 
 Current assets                    -        2,344             - 
---------------------  ------------- 
 Assets held for Sale              -        2,360             - 
=====================  =============  ===========  ============ 
 

Non-current assets held for sale are Pre-publication costs.

   9.   Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group 

There have been no changes to the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group since the year-end. These are disclosed on pages 17 to 19 of the 2022 Annual Report.

   10.   Financial instruments 

There are no material differences between the fair value of financial instruments and their carrying value.

   11.   Management Statement 

This Interim Management Report (IMR) has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Group's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. The IMR should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

The IMR contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this report but such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward-looking information.

   12.   Responsibility statement 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

a) the condensed set of financial statements, which has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the issuer, or the undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole as required by DTR 4.2.4R;

b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

c) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein).

By the order of the board

 
 Alison Goff                Andrew Cumming 
  Chief Executive Officer    Chairman 
 
 30 August 2023             30 August 2023 
 

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END

IR SDWSASEDSEIA

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 30, 2023 05:00 ET (09:00 GMT)

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