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Preliminary Results

29th Apr 2010 18:19

RNS Number : 0908L
RAM Investment Group PLC
29 April 2010
 



29 April 2010

 

 

RAM INVESTMENT GROUP PLC

('RAM' or the 'Company')

 

Preliminary Results

 

RAM Investment Group, the AIM-listed investor in digital technologies, announces its preliminary results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2009.

 

Relevant points:

·; Foundation laid for profitable future

·; Contracts won by Train FX ("TFX") & RAM Vision ("RV")

·; Sales to grow on same cost base

·; Prudent impairments against non-core investments

·; Pre-tax loss of £1.85m (2008 seven months: £304,000 profit)

RAM Chairman Tim Baldwin said: "During 2009 your company moved from a position of no operating activities and a modest balance sheet to becoming a revenue producing group with two divisions, a strengthened board and an enlarged balance sheet. Since revenues started only towards the end of the year, the accounts do not reflect the revenue outlook of the Group in 2010 and beyond.

"The first TFX Passenger Information Systems are now being manufactured for installation on First Great Western. European legislation is helping support this need for passenger information. We believe that few suppliers are able to supply the required technology and that therefore TFX is well positioned to win many more contracts and to become a profitable business for years to come.

"RV has seen a significant uplift in its activity on a like for like basis. The rebranding has been well received by the industry. Our range of advertising clients has continued to broaden. RV now has a bigger network in shopping malls than when trading under ASG Media.

"With 2010 commencing positively, your Board is confident that its strategy ensures long term shareholder value which will enable it to implement a progressive dividend policy in the future".

 

ENDS

 

Contact:

 

For further information please call:

 

Tim Baldwin RAM investment Group Plc 0207 518 4303

 

Sandy Jamieson Libertas Capital Corporate Finance Limited 0207 569 9650

 

Monisha Varadan Rivington Street Corporate Finance Limited 0207 562 3389

 

Paul Quade 020 7248 8010

 

CityRoad Communications 07947 186694

 

 

Appendix

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

During 2009 your Company moved from a position of no operating activities, a modest balance sheet and one employee to becoming a revenue-producing group with two divisions, a strengthened board, an enlarged balance sheet and 27 employees. Since revenues started only towards the end of the year, the accounts do not reflect the revenue outlook of the Company and its subsidiaries ("Group") in 2010 and beyond.

 

The consolidated figures include TrainFX Limited for four months and RAM Vision Limited for two months. The headline loss includes a prudent impairment of share investments of £224,243 and a non cash share option cost of £103,799.

 

The two significant developments of last year were the acquisition of 49.9% of TrainFX Limited ("TFX") and gaining board control with the option to acquire the balance of the equity as well as the establishment of a 100% owned subsidiary RAM Vision Limited ("RV"). These two businesses are complementary and form the base for our expected growth over the next few years. Further details of these companies can be seen at the respective websites: www.trainfx.com and www.ram-vision.co.uk.

 

The Group raised new financing of £2.5m net cash in 2009. The vast majority of this has gone into acquiring an interest in TFX and developing its business with the balance used to strengthen the Group and for the development of RV.

 

Shares in TFX were bought from Vision Media Group PLC shortly before it went into administration in June 2009 (TFX did not go into administration). Since RV was formed in November 2009, it has been operating its business using the assets acquired by the Group from ASL Media Limited and Freelance Media Limited, both wholly owned subsidiaries of ASG Media Plc, (together the "ASG Group"), which went into administration in November 2009. In December 2009, the Company bought Estates Media Partners Limited ("EMP") in consideration of which it issued shares to the sellers of EMP. For a more detailed review of the acquisitions please see the Appendix to this announcement.

 

TFX's predecessor parent company invested considerable capital into its business. This was to develop the engineering and software technology which is now being sold to the train operating companies.

 

Equally the ASG Group invested considerable capital into its business to develop a national network of digital screens primarily in major shopping centres across the UK. RV has now taken over this operation following the purchase of ASG Group assets by the Group.

 

The shares in TFX were purchased when it was in a pre-revenue state, but by November TFX started winning contracts, a process that has continued in 2010.

 

Although RV was just a start up company in November 2009 it still contributed turnover of £300,000 in the last two months of the year. This was despite significant amount of time and effort required to renegotiate all the contracts previously entered into by the ASG Group.

 

Other Investing Activities

 

In order to strengthen the balance sheet in the early stages, your Company acquired some non-core investments during the year on a share swap basis to boost its balance sheet. One of these has subsequently been sold. The cash proceeds have been received in part this year with more expected over the next two years.

 

The legacy Greek litigation case was won and should bring in net cash of around £90,000 over the next few months which has been assigned to a consortium of creditors to reduce the debt level of the Company.

 

Following Vision Media Group plc's descent into administration our small holding in it was written down to zero and our holdings in Alpha Prospects plc and CEC Unet plc were reviewed and impaired accordingly.

Outlook

 

The Group now employs 27 people. Their skill set range encompasses engineering, finance, sales, marketing and creative digital media. The Group expects to grow sales significantly in the years ahead without much additional increase in overhead.

 

The two macro drivers for the Group are very favourable. These are the growth in Digital Out Of Home ('DOOH') advertising and the requirements for substantive technology upgrades on existing trains for improved passenger information and security.

 

The current year has started very well. TFX has now won a number of major contracts. To date these are to sell its passenger information systems equipment and train management information solutions to train operating companies in the UK. In due course we also expect to win orders for CCTV upgrades.

 

The first TFX Passenger Information Systems ("PIS") are now being manufactured for installation on the First Great Western route from London to Reading. European directives derived legislation is helping support this need for passenger information. The board believes that there are few other suppliers able to supply the required technology in this new market and that therefore TFX is well placed win many more contracts and become a profitable business for years to come.

 

TFX also has the contractual opportunity of establishing a digital network of screens on commuter trains going into London to generate recurring advertising and media revenue. This is a business very similar to RV and we expect to benefit from RV's knowledge of the DOOH market.

 

TFX is now ready to install its digital screens on First Capital Connect trains. On completion, passengers will benefit from enhanced travel information and news and weather reports. To start its installation program your Company will be required to raise capital this year. The advertising income that your Company forecasts from the screens on trains will supplement the rolling revenue from the TFX engineering sales and eventually overtake it.

 

Your Company intends to raise sufficient finance for the working capital required by the Group for the next eighteen months and for the capital expenditure needed by RV to extend its screen network and by TFX to commence the installation of digital screens onto its first London commuter rail line.

RV has seen a significant uplift in its activity on a like for like basis. The rebranding has been well-received by the industry. Our range of advertising clients has continued to broaden. Besides winning longer term contracts, a welcome trend of advertisers booking now well in advance has developed. We are also starting to book highly profitable 'short burst' campaigns.

 

RV now has a bigger presence in shopping malls than when the network was operated by the ASG Group. Moreover, RV has broadened its relationships with the addition of more property companies, achieved through agreeing to operate and market existing screen networks.

 

Because of RV's critical mass in national advertising, there are likely to be other strategic opportunities in the DOOH sector.

 

The board was strengthened with the appointment of Mark Edmonds as Communications Director and Iain Manley as Finance Director from his previous Non-Executive position. Your board is currently looking at a short list for a vacant non-executive director position and will make a further announcement shortly. 

 

With 2010 commencing positively, your board is confident that its strategy ensures long term shareholder value which will enable it, in the future, to implement a progressive dividend policy.

 

 

 

Tim Baldwin

Executive Chairman

 

 

 

 

RAM INVESTMENT GROUP PLC

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009

 

12 Months to

7 Months to

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2008

  

£

£

Continuing operations

Revenue

360,753

-

 

Cost of sales

(224,598)

-

Gross profit

136,155

-

Administrative expenses

(1,682,179)

(88,717)

Loss on disposal of assets

(148,997)

-

Gain on disposal for available-for-sale financial assets

-

393,600

Operating (Loss)/Profit

(1,695,021)

304,883

Finance income

85

620

Finance costs

(127,281)

(1,249)

Finance costs - net

(127,196)

(629)

Share of loss of associate

(29,048)

-

(Loss)/Profit before income tax

(1,851,265)

304,254

Income tax expense

-

-

(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations

(1,851,265)

304,254

(Loss)/Profit attributable to:

Owners of the parent

(1,492,304)

304,254

Non-controlling interest

(358,961)

-

(1,851,265)

304,254

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share - continuing operations

(3.5)p

2.2p

Diluted earnings per share - continuing operations

(3.5)p

2.2p

 

 

RAM INVESTMENT GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

 

12 Months to

7 Months to

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2008

£

£

(Loss)/Profit for the year

(1,851,265)

304,254

Other comprehensive income:

Changes in fair value of available for sale financial assets

(225,243)

(10,408)

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

(225,243)

(10,408)

Total comprehensive income for the year

(2,076,508)

293,846

Attributable to:

Owners of the parent

(1,717,547)

293,846

Non-controlling interest

(358,961)

-

Total comprehensive income for the year

(2,076,508)

293,846

 

 

RAM INVESTMENT GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009

 

12 Months to

7 Months to

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2008

£

£

Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant & equipment

277,133

-

Intangible assets

2,163,834

-

Available-for-sale financial assets

365,650

219,592

2,806,617

219,592

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

608,143

21,832

Cash and cash equivalents

439,390

29,865

1,047,533

51,697

Total assets

3,854,150

271,289

Equity

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the company

Ordinary shares

759,884

133,153

Deferred shares

9,983,447

9,983,447

Share premium account

Merger reserve

14,876,985

327,272

11,601,271

-

Shares to be issued reserve

113,799

-

Retained earnings

(23,310,115)

(21,592,568)

Non-controlling interest

(358,961)

-

Total equity

2,392,311

125,303

Liabilities

Non current liabilities

Borrowings

190,000

-

190,000

-

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

1,056,839

145,986

Borrowings

215,000

-

1,271,839

145,986

Total liabilities

1,461,839

145,986

Total equity and liabilities

3,854,150

217,289

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

Share capital

Share premium

Retained earnings

Shares to be issued reserve

Merger Reserve

Total

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

£

£

£

£

£

£

£

£

Balance at 1 June 2008

10,040,226

11,372,145

(21,886,414)

-

-

(474,043)

-

(474,043)

Profit for year

-

-

304,254

-

-

304,254

-

304,254

Other comprehensive income:

Changes in fair value of available for sale financial assets

-

-

(10,408)

-

-

(10,408)

-

(10,408)

Transactions with owners:

Issue of share capital

76,374

229,126

-

-

-

305,500

-

305,500

Balance as at 31 December 2008

10,116,600

11,601,271

(21,592,568)

-

-

125,303

-

125,303

Loss for year

-

-

(1,492,304)

-

-

(1,492,304)

(358,961)

(1,851,265)

Other comprehensive income:

Changes in fair value of available for sale financial assets

-

-

(225,243)

-

-

(225,243)

-

(225,243)

Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of associate

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Transactions with owners:

Issue of share capital

626,731

3,369,156

-

-

327,272

4,323,159

-

4,323,159

Costs of issue of share capital

-

(93,442)

-

-

-

(93,442)

-

(93,442)

Share options issued

-

-

-

103,799

-

103,799

-

103,799

Convertible loan-equity component

-

-

-

10,000

-

10,000

-

10,000

Balance as at 31 December 2009

10,743,331

14,876,985

(23,310,115)

113,799

327,272

2,751,272

(358,961)

2,392,311

 

 

 

RAM INVESTMENT GROUP PLC

 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009

 

Group

12 Months to

7 Months to

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2008

£

£

Cash flows from operating activities

(Loss) / Profit before tax

(2,076,508)

293,846

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

84,461

-

Equity-settled share based payment transactions

178,149

-

Share of loss from associate

29,048

-

Net finance income recognised in profit or loss

127,197

629

Change in value of available for sale financial assets

225,243

10,408

Loss/ (gain) on disposal of financial assets

114,120

(393,600)

(1,318,290)

(88,717)

Changes in working capital:

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(199,348)

(15,878)

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

(675,052)

31,097

Cash used in operations

(2,192,690)

(73,498)

 

Interest paid

(127,281)

(1,249)

Net cash used in operating activities

(2,319,971)

(74,747)

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

85

620

Loans granted to associate

(159,499)

-

Proceeds from sale of investment

157,915

-

Acquisition of plant & machinery

(34,632)

-

Acquisition of financial assets

-

230,000

Acquisition of subsidiary net of cash

10,121

-

Acquisition of goodwill

(175,000)

-

Net cash (used in)/ generated from investing activities

(201,010)

(229,380)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

2,590,506

305,500

Proceeds from issue of convertible notes

200,000

-

Proceeds from borrowings

335,000

-

Repayment of other short term loans

(195,000)

(3,749)

Net cash generated from/ (used in) financing activities

2,930,506

301,751

Increase/(decrease) in cash equivalents

409,525

(2,376)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

29,865

32,241

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

439,390

29,865

 

 

The financial information in this announcement does not comprise statutory accounts for the purpose of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006 for the years ended 31 December 2008 or 2009. It has been extracted from the Company's consolidated accounts for the period to 31 December 2009 which are currently unaudited.

.

Whilst the information in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS's) this announcement in itself does not give sufficient information to comply with IFRS's.

 

GOING CONCERN

 

The directors are aware that the Group's future solvency is dependent on their being successful in raising funds in order to implement the Group's investment strategy. Since the end of the accounting period there has been considerable progress made towards achieving the Group's objectives. The directors' plans for raising funds are at an advanced stage and having considered the forecasts for the twelve-month period from the date of signing these financial statements the directors believe that the Group's financial resources will be sufficient to enable the Group to continue in operation for the foreseeable future.

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which assumes that the Company and its subsidiaries will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The validity of this assumption depends on the successful raising of additional funds.

Whilst the directors are presently uncertain as to the outcome of the fund raise, plans for raising funds are at an advanced stage and they believe that it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on the going concern basis.

 

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

NEW PLANET INVESTMENTS

 

On 7 May 2009 to complete a 100% acquisition the Group acquired the remaining 81.8% of the issued capital of New Planet Investments Limited ("NPI") for a purchase price of £400,000 satisfied by the issue of 7,272,727 ordinary shares in the Company to the other shareholders of NPI. As at 31 December 2008 the Group held 18.2% of the issued share capital of NPI. At this date the fair value of the net assets and liabilities in New Planet Investments Limited equalled £173,886 and consequently there is no goodwill on the initial investment. The business contributed £29,523 net loss to the Group for the period from 7 May 2009 to 31 December 2009. The business did not contribute any revenue to the Group as it was dormant. If the acquisition had occurred on 1st January 2009 the contribution to consolidated profit for the period would have been unchanged.

 

NPI was acquired because it had the benefit of a non-legally binding exclusivity arrangement with Vision Media Group Plc (the parent company of TrainFX Limited) in relation to TFX and had entered into advance negotiations for the purchase of TFX (including preparation of arrangements under which it would have acquired TFX).

 

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:

 

Book values

Fair value adjustments

Fair values

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash and cash equivalents

298

-

298

Intangible fixed assets

347,500

-

347,500

Trade and other payables

(23,912)

-

(23,912)

Borrowings

(150,000)

-

(150,000)

 

Net assets

 

 

173,886

 

-

 

173,886

 

The consideration for the acquisition and the goodwill arising on acquisition are as follows:

 

£

Purchase consideration:

 

Fair value of shares issued

 

400,000

 

7,272,727 ordinary shares were issued at 5.5 pence per share to the vendors for the acquisition of New Planet Investments Limited.

TRAINFX LIMITED

On 7 May 2009 the Group acquired 49.9% of the issued capital of TrainFX Limited for £920,000. At this date the fair value of the net assets and liabilities in TrainFX Limited equalled x and consequently there is no goodwill on the initial investment. On 3 September 2009, the Group gained board control of TrainFX Limited and hence it has been treated as a subsidiary of RAM Investment Group plc from that date. The business contributed £684,549 net loss to the Group for the period from 3 September 2009 to 31 December 2009. If the acquisition had occurred on 1st January 2009 management estimates that consolidated loss for the year would have been £953,653. No revenues were generated in the year. In determining these amounts, management has assumed that the fair value adjustments that arose on the date of acquisition would have been the same if the acquisition on 1st January 2009.

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:

Book values

Fair value adjustments

Fair values

£

£

£

Cash and cash equivalents

384,423

-

384,423

Property, plant and equipment

233,015

-

233,015

Intangible fixed assets

327,054

-

327,054

Trade and other receivables

334,876

-

334,876

Trade and other payables

(3,831,247)

-

(3,831,247)

 

Net assets

 

(2,551,879)

 

 

-

 

(2,551,879)

 

The consideration for the acquisition and the goodwill arising on acquisition are as follows:

 

£

Purchase consideration:

 

Cash paid

 

920,000

 

RAM VISION LIMITED

On 5 November 2009 the Group incorporated a new company, RAM Vision Limited (originally named ASG Estates Limited on incorporation). The Group owns 100% of the issued share capital and has board control. The business contributed £32,004 net loss to the Group for the period from 5 November to 31 December 2009.

ESTATES MEDIA PARTNERS LIMITED

Estates Media Partners Limited is a similar business to RV. It was acquired to increase the scale of the media business.

On 22 December 2009 the Group acquired a 100% of the issued share capital of Estates Media Partners Limited ("EMP") for a purchase price of £325,000 satisfied by the issue of 3,333,334 ordinary shares in the Company to the shareholders of EMP. At this date the fair value of the net assets and liabilities in Estates Media Partners Limited £16,137 and consequently goodwill on the initial investment was £x.

Book values

Fair value adjustments

Fair values

£

£

£

Cash and cash equivalents

5,164

-

5,164

Property, plant and equipment

28,162

-

28,162

Trade and other receivables

12,390

-

12,390

Trade and other payables

(29,579)

-

(29,579)

 

Net assets

 

16,137

 

 

-

 

16,137

 

The consideration for the acquisition and the goodwill arising on acquisition are as follows:

 

£

Purchase consideration:

 

Fair value of shares issued

 

325,000

 

3,333,334 ordinary shares were issued at 9.75 pence per share to the vendors as part of the consideration for the acquisition of Estates Media Partners Limited.

 

There were no other acquisitions during the year ended 31 December 2009.

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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