24th May 2017 07:00
TUNGSTEN CORPORATION PLC
("Tungsten" or the "Company")
For Immediate Release
24 May 2017
Pre-Close Trading Update
Tungsten Corporation plc (LSE:TUNG), the global e-invoicing, purchase order services, analytics and financing company, today announces the following trading update for the financial year ended 30 April 2017 (FY'17).
Unaudited preliminary results
Revenue for the period is expected to be in excess of £31 million, representing growth of 20% on the prior year and above our previous guidance of at least £30m for FY'17. The increase in revenue reflects improved sales momentum, customer contract harmonisation and the impact of currency exchange rate movements. On a constant currency basis, revenue is expected to be 12% greater than the prior year.
Tungsten's EBITDA loss for FY'17 is anticipated to be below £12 million, at least £1 million better than prior guidance and demonstrates continued discipline in our cost containment and automation measures, even as exchange rate movements negatively impacted reported costs. The net impact of exchange rate movements on reported EBITDA is expected to be minimal.
Unaudited cash, including self-funded Tungsten Network Early Payment invoices, was £21.8 million at 30 April 2017. This was £1.8 million higher than guidance and included cash received from the sale of Tungsten Bank in December 2016. Outstanding Early Payment invoices totalled £4.2 million and were financed by the Group on a transitional basis prior to the implementation of additional funding arrangements with our partners. Subsequent to the year-end, £1.2 million of these Early Payment invoices have been repaid and all are scheduled to be repaid by 31 July 2017.
Tungsten's operational and financial progress in FY'17 means it is on track to achieve its goal of EBITDA breakeven on a run rate basis in calendar 2017. Management will provide further detail on Tungsten's initiatives that underpin its improved position when the Group announces FY'17 results on 24 July 2017.
Rick Hurwitz, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"Tungsten made remarkable headway in fiscal '17, reflecting great work by people across the business. FY'17 was a year of disciplined reengineering across many functions. We have strengthened our relationships with existing customers and welcomed many new members to the Tungsten Network. We have also introduced innovative products and scalable new technologies. Having successfully divested Tungsten Bank, we refocused Tungsten Network Finance and finished the year with a strong balance sheet.
"We continue to progress Tungsten's transformation, while demonstrating that the steps we are taking are yielding beneficial results. Of specific note, we attracted highly talented people to the business, added 10 new Buyers, connected 48,000 new Suppliers, processed 17.1 million invoices, and ended with £17.6 million of Tungsten Network Early Payment outstanding invoices. We've started the new financial year with encouraging momentum and a clarity of purpose that augur brightly for Tungsten's outlook."
Final results
Tungsten will announce its final results for the year ended 30 April 2017 on Monday 24 July 2017 when management will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 9:00am UK time.
To access the live webcast please click here. For participants unable to join the webcast, the dial-in number for the conference call is +44 (0)20 3003 2666 / +1 212 999 6659 with the passcode 4556574# and a presentation will be available on the Tungsten website at http://www.tungsten-network.com/uk/about/investor-relations/downloads-reports/.
A replay facility will be available until 7 August 2017. The dial-in number for the replay facility is +44 (0)20 8196 1480 / +1 866 583 1035 with the above passcode.
Enquiries
Tungsten Corporation plc Richard Hurwitz, Chief Executive Officer David Williams, Chief Financial Officer
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+44 20 7280 7713
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Panmure Gordon (Nominated Advisor) Dominic Morley/Peter Steel | +44 20 7886 2500
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Canaccord Genuity Limited (Broker) Simon Bridges/Andrew Buchanan/Emma Gabriel | +44 20 7523 8000
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Neustria Partners Robert Bailhache/Nick Henderson/Charles Gorman [email] | +44 20 3021 2580
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About Tungsten Corporation plc
Tungsten Corporation (LSE: TUNG) aims to be the world's most trusted business transaction network by using data intelligently to strengthen the global supply chain.
Tungsten Network is a secure e-invoicing and purchase order services platform that brings businesses and their Suppliers closer together with unique technology that revolutionises invoice processing, maximises efficiency and improves cash flow management. Delivering trusted connections and streamlined transactions, the network also provides users with real-time spend analysis and offers Suppliers access to invoice financing through Tungsten Network Finance, a form of alternative finance for businesses.
Tungsten Network processes invoices for 70% of the FTSE 100 and 72% of the Fortune 500. It enables Suppliers to submit tax compliant e-invoices in 47 countries, and last year processed transactions worth over £133bn for organisations such as Alliance Data, Cargill, Deutsche Lufthansa, General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, Henkel, IBM, Kellogg's and the US Federal Government.
Trusted, passionate and proven, Tungsten is making the digitisation of global commerce between Buyers and Suppliers faster, easier and smarter.
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