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Thu 12 Apr 2012, 8:00 BCK - Blackstar Group SE - Full Year results for the year ended
BCK
BCK                                                                             
BCK - Blackstar Group SE - Full Year results for the year ended                 
31 December 2011                                                                
Blackstar Group SE                                                              
Previously Blackstar Group PLC                                                  
(Incorporated in England and Wales)                                             
(Company number SE 30)                                                          
(registered as an external company with limited liability in the Republic of    
South Africa under registration number 2011/008274/10)                          
Share code: BCK                                                                 
ISIN: GB00B0W3NL87                                                              
("Blackstar" or "the Company" or "the Group")                                   
Full Year results for the year ended 31 December 2011                           
Blackstar, the specialist investment company whose principal focus is to gain   
exposure to the growth on the African continent largely through companies in    
South Africa, is pleased to announce full year results for the year ended 31    
December 2011.                                                                  
Key highlights                                                                  
During the review period                                                        
- Successful listing on the Altx of the JSE Limited and capital raising of      
R100 million (GBP8.9 million)                                                   
- Realisation of investment in Ferro Industrial Products (Pty) Limited          
("Ferro") for R200 million (GBP18.2 million), generating a return of 4.0        
times money                                                                     
- Payment of a special dividend of 80.53 cents (6.5 pence) per ordinary share   
- Repurchase of 3.75% of the Company`s ordinary shares in issue                 
- Successful restructuring and de-risking of Blackstar`s exposure to its        
steel interests                                                                 
Post the review period                                                          
- Acquisition of 28% in Mvelaphanda Group Limited for R470 million (GBP38       
million) in January 2012;                                                       
- Entered into an agreement to dispose of half of Blackstar`s investment in     
Litha Healthcare Group Limited for R201 million (GBP16.6 million), which will   
generate a return of 4.6 times money in South African Rand and 5.4 times        
money in Pounds Sterling when completed;                                        
- Current portfolio now diverse and represents good growth opportunities;       
- Blackstar now well positioned to pursue new opportunities;                    
- Net asset value ("NAV") per share at 31 March 2012 of R13.32 (GBP1.09).       
Commenting on the results and prospects for 2012, Andrew Bonamour, Non-         
executive Director, said:                                                       
"It has been a very busy 12 months for Blackstar in which we listed on our      
home exchange in Johannesburg and also completed the acquisition of             
Mvelaphanda earlier this year.  Our current portfolio of assets now             
represents some outstanding opportunities to realise significant returns for    
shareholders and our current pipeline continues to look encouraging."           
"The Board therefore remain positive about the long-term trading prospects      
for Blackstar and believe 2012 could be a landmark year in terms of             
operational performance."                                                       
Directors` statement                                                            
Introduction                                                                    
The period under review had many highlights for Blackstar as we exited a        
number of investments on very favourable terms and invested in some excellent   
businesses. Completing the sale of its 54% interest in Ferro for GBP18.2        
million, realising a return of 4.0 times money and an internal rate of return   
of 72% in Pounds Sterling was an excellent deal for our shareholders. Our       
investment in Ferro is a great example of our ability to identify               
investments, generate cash flows from the investment and then execute a         
successful exit.                                                                
Our struggling carbon steel division Baldwins, was sold for a 5% interest in    
Robor (Pty) Limited ("Robor"). This removed significant funding risk from the   
Group and gave Blackstar an interest in a well managed, diversified steel       
business with appropriate scale. During 2011, Blackstar received a dividend     
of GBP0.1 million from Robor.                                                   
I recommend that shareholders refer to Annexure A, which provides a breakdown   
of Blackstar`s most recent intrinsic NAV at 31 March 2012. The Directors        
believe this is a useful tool in identifying the true inherent value of each    
investment held. Annexure A also includes an analysis of the Turnover and       
Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation ("EBITDA")    
which provides an indication of the performance of the underlying               
investments.                                                                    
Secondary Listing on the JSE                                                    
Blackstar completed a secondary listing on the Altx of the JSE Limited          
("JSE") on 12 August 2011 and raised R100 million (GBP8.9 million) through      
the issue of new shares to South African investors as part of the secondary     
listing process. The listing was positive for the Group and has attracted       
shareholder interest in South Africa.                                           
The listing is beginning to reap the desired benefits. Trading in the           
Company`s shares on the JSE has attracted increased interest from South         
African based investors and over the first three months has steadily            
improved. In addition, South African institutions have acquired shares off      
the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM") and      
transferred those shares to the JSE shareholders` register. As a result,        
future tradability and liquidity of the share will be further enhanced as a     
result of its listing on the JSE.                                               
Investment and Market Review                                                    
Steel Investments                                                               
During the review period, Blackstar completed a successful restructuring of     
its steel interest`s (representing 18.2% of the current gross asset value),     
which included the following:                                                   
- the sale of the carbon steel division Baldwins for a 5% equity interest in    
Robor, a large, dividend paying, diversified steel business with a strong       
experienced management team;                                                    
- the separation of the two remaining divisions namely, Global Roofing          
Solutions (Pty) Limited ("GRS") and Stalcor (Pty) Limited ("Stalcor"),          
previously KMG Steel Service Centres (Pty) Limited, into two independent        
operating companies, and the closure of Stalcor`s head office and two of its    
branches; and                                                                   
- the successful re-banking of GRS and Stalcor with two other banks, with the   
resultant ring-fencing of working capital facilities within the individual      
businesses.                                                                     
Blackstar now holds its steel interests in three distinct companies:            
- 6% stake in Robor - South Africa`s largest tube and pipe manufacturer;        
- 100% of GRS - the largest steel roofing and cladding company in South         
Africa; and                                                                     
- 100% of Stalcor - one of the three appointed distributors of stainless        
steel and aluminium in South Africa.                                            
Stalcor has been rebranded, relaunched, has a new management team in place      
and we believe after a lot of hard work, the company is on the road to          
recovery having returned to profitability in early 2012. Stalcor also           
launched a Customer Loyalty Trust which has been a huge success and is          
beginning to have positive results for the business. Together with Stalcor`s    
management, Blackstar is looking at a number of strategic alternatives for      
the business.                                                                   
GRS, Robor and Stalcor should be beneficiaries of the South African             
Government`s proposed R3.2 trillion infrastructure spend as articulated in      
the recent Budget speech. Robor and GRS are well managed companies with large   
African footprints. Robor exports to 55 countries worldwide, 16 of which are    
within Africa. GRS are in the process of consolidating their Gauteng            
operations into one facility and effective January 2012 GRS has closed its      
paint line, which due to the age of the equipment is no longer able to          
produce cost effectively. Both these initiatives are expected to result in      
significant cost savings and earnings enhancement for GRS.                      
While the steel market remains challenging, Blackstar has seen a significant    
turnaround in its steel investments following the restructuring of the          
various underlying companies that took place during 2011.                       
During February 2012, Blackstar acquired additional shares in Robor for an      
amount of R5 million which represented an additional 1% in Robor, increasing    
its holding to 6%. The amount paid for the additional shares was at an          
attractive price relative to the value placed on the initial 5% Blackstar       
received for selling its Baldwins interest to Robor.                            
Litha                                                                           
Litha Healthcare Group Limited ("Litha") (representing 32.7% of the current     
gross asset value) continued to perform well and recently reported an           
earnings per share increase of 40%. Since Blackstar`s executive involvement     
with Litha the share price has increased some 300% from 2010 to 31 March        
2012. Blackstar has played a key role in the development of Litha and in our    
view Litha`s prospects have never looked better.                                
In February 2012 Litha announced its acquisition of 100% of Pharmaplan (Pty)    
Limited ("Pharmaplan") from Toronto listed Paladin Laboratory Inc.              
("Paladin") for R590 million in cash and shares. Pharmaplan is one of the       
fastest growing specialist pharmaceutical companies in South Africa.            
Blackstar was intimately involved in securing, structuring and negotiating      
the transaction.                                                                
The acquisition of Pharmaplan will change the Litha business, giving it the     
appropriate scale in all three divisions in which it operates, namely           
pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices. Following the Paladin            
acquisition, the Litha Pharma Division is expected to become Litha`s most       
profitable division by earnings, and as such the Litha group`s profitability    
is expected to be positively impacted. Our involvement with Litha has been      
another great example of how deployment of Blackstar`s intellectual capital     
into its portfolio investments can be transformative for the company whilst     
also delivering real value for Blackstar shareholders.                          
Properties                                                                      
Blackstar continued to grow its real estate portfolio (representing 1.8% of     
the current gross asset value) by acquiring, through its 100% held              
subsidiary, Blackstar Real Estate (Pty) Limited ("BRE"), a commercial           
property in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa for R58 million (GBP5.3 million).    
The property is held through a property holding company with BRE owning 70%     
of the ordinary shares and Litha owning 30% of the ordinary shares. Blackstar   
secured R45 million (GBP4.1 million) of debt funding from a bank, to be held    
in the property holding company over 10 years and Litha has entered into a 12   
year lease to occupy the property.                                              
This acquisition was a significant addition to Blackstar`s property portfolio   
and the Group now has gross property assets of R109 million (GBP8.7 million)    
which offers the Group exposure to the South African commercial, retail and     
industrial real estate sectors. Blackstar believes that the property            
transactions that have been structured by the Group make attractive             
investment propositions as all of the properties are situated in key            
locations and have long term leases signed with strong tenants.                 
The Group continues to explore property opportunities in the South African      
real estate sector. Blackstar invests in property opportunities where the       
tenant`s ability to meet rental obligations can be reasonably assessed and      
understood and the resultant returns on equity can be enhanced by leverage.     
Given Blackstar`s investment portfolio mix, the Group is able to structure      
opportunities that are cash flow neutral post initial investment and that       
allow significant returns on patient capital over the life of the leases.       
Opportunities out of Blackstar`s portfolio companies represent good examples    
of these.                                                                       
Other                                                                           
At year-end Blackstar held an investment of GBP1.2 million in Shoprite          
Holdings Limited ("Shoprite") (representing 1.0% of the current gross asset     
value). Shoprite is the largest fast moving consumer goods retailer in          
Africa, with a presence in 16 countries. Blackstar acquired the shares in       
Shoprite`s secondary listing in Lusaka, Zambia, instead of the Johannesburg     
Stock Exchange because the Lusaka shares traded at a 43% discount to JSE        
share price. The Zambian PE ratio of 13x, dividend yield of 4%, contrasted      
favourably with the comparable Johannesburg multiples of 22x and 2%.            
Blackstar`s investment in Shoprite has appreciated by 30% at year-end since     
date of acquisition, largely due to the narrowing of the discount between its   
share price in Lusaka and its share price in South Africa.                      
Shoprite have subsequently laid charges against their transfer secretary in     
Zambia, Lewis Nathan Advocates, whom it accuses of selling Shoprite treasury    
shares outside its mandate. Shoprite have also suspended all dividends to       
shareholders on the Zambian exchange pending the outcome of the legal action    
against Lewis Nathan. Blackstar along with other shareholders has engaged       
Shoprite on this matter and is working to resolve the shareholder element of    
the dispute.                                                                    
The remainder of the portfolio fared well in 2011, in line with expectations.   
The services derivative investment (representing 8.9% of the current gross      
asset value) is expected to be realised in the second or third quarter of       
2012.                                                                           
Post year-end activities                                                        
In January 2012, Blackstar acquired 28% of Mvelaphanda Group Limited ("MVG")    
(representing 36.7% of the current gross asset value) for a total cash          
consideration of R470 million (GBP38 million), equivalent to R3.20 per MVG      
share and has become the largest single investor in MVG. To fund this           
acquisition, Blackstar used R150 million (GBP12 million) of its own cash        
resources and R320 million (GBP26 million) from a debt facility provided by     
Investec Bank Limited ("Investec") for the purpose of this transaction. The     
Investec debt is repayable in two bullet payments over the next two years and   
bears interest at South African Prime rate plus 15 basis points with the        
interest payable semi annually in arrears. While the debt is in place there     
are the normal restrictive covenants.                                           
MVG is an iconic South-Africa-focused broad-based black economically            
empowered investment holding company listed on the Main Board of the JSE.       
MVG`s diversified portfolio includes significant investments in South           
Africa`s financial, media, entertainment, construction and healthcare           
sectors. Andrew Bonamour and William Marshall-Smith, Chief Executive Officer    
and Director of Blackstar Group (Pty) Limited ("Blackstar SA") respectively     
have been appointed to the MVG board. Andrew has assumed the role of interim    
chief executive officer and William the role of interim financial director of   
MVG, with their directors` fees to be paid to Blackstar. MVG`s offices have     
been relocated to Blackstar`s premises and we are now actively involved in      
MVG`s various investments.                                                      
As previously mentioned, in February 2012, Blackstar announced that it had      
entered into a conditional agreement for the sale of 72,989,078 ordinary        
shares in Litha to Paladin for a cash consideration of R201 million (GBP16.6    
million). The disposal represents 50% of Blackstar`s interest in Litha and      
equates to R2.75 per Litha share. On completion, the disposal proceeds will     
represent a 4.6 times return on investment in South African Rand and 5.4        
times return in Pounds Sterling, which equates to a 32% IRR and 36% IRR,        
respectively, over the five year holding period.                                
The disposal forms part of a larger transaction, facilitating Litha`s           
acquisition of 100% of Pharmaplan from Paladin for R590 million in cash and     
shares. Following this transaction, Blackstar will retain 13.4% of the          
ordinary share capital of Litha. Blackstar will also earn a R5 million          
(GBP0.4 million) corporate finance fee, payable in cash, for its role as        
originator and underwriter of the transaction.                                  
The sale agreement is subject to the fulfilment of certain suspensive           
conditions, which are standard in a transaction of this nature, including the   
approval of the South African Competition Authorities. Blackstar`s remaining    
shares will be subject to a six-month lock up, with Paladin having a pre-       
emptive right over these shares. The transaction is expected to be completed    
in the second half of 2012.                                                     
Financial review                                                                
The financial review encompasses the results of Blackstar`s four reporting      
segments namely: Investment activities (being the Blackstar investment          
portfolio including property company BRE and its subsidiaries, and the          
associate Navigare (Pty) Limited ("Navigare"); Industrial metals (being         
Stalcor, GRS and its subsidiaries); Industrial chemicals (being Ferro up to 1   
July 2011, being the effective date of sale); and Healthcare (being the         
associate Litha). Associates Litha and Navigare have been equity accounted      
and included as single line items on the consolidated income statement and      
balance sheet.                                                                  
Financial performance                                                           
As a result of the sale of Baldwins, closure of two of Stalcor`s branches and   
the sale of Ferro, the results of these operations have been separately         
disclosed in the consolidated income statement under the heading "profit from   
discontinued operations" and comparatives have been restated. A detailed        
income statement for discontinued operations is provided within the notes to    
the consolidated financial statements.                                          
The operating profit before net investment income of GBP3.5 million for the     
current financial year therefore comprises the results of the remaining         
trading businesses - GRS and Stalcor as well as net gains on associates. GRS    
contributed GBP2.1 million to the Group`s operating profit from continuing      
operations, whilst Stalcor generated an operating loss of GBP0.1 million.       
Blackstar`s share of profit from associates amounted to GBP2.9 million, of      
which Litha contributed the majority of the profit.                             
An exceptional gain of GBP2.2 million has been recognised under net gains       
from associates on dilution of Blackstar`s shareholding in Litha from 45% to    
39% as Litha issued shares in April 2011 at R2.20 to non-controlling            
shareholders in order to implement its acquisition of the remaining 49% of      
Litha Healthcare Holdings (Pty) Limited.                                        
A net gain on investments of GBP0.6 million was recognised in the current       
financial year which includes a gain of GBP2.4 million that arose as            
Blackstar entered into a forward exchange contract to convert the Ferro South   
African Rand proceeds to Pounds Sterling, and a loss of GBP1.8 million mainly   
arising on the disposal of the investment in Adreach Group (Pty) Limited. The   
Group also generated GBP0.9 million in fees, dividends and interest during      
the current financial year.                                                     
Once-off exceptional costs of GBP2.4 million were incurred during the year      
which include: costs incurred on the secondary listing on the Altx;             
conversion of the Company to a Societas Europaea and transfer to Malta; and     
deal costs arising on the aborted offer to acquire the entire share capital     
of MVG.                                                                         
Total impairments of GBP12.2 million (2010: GBP11.7 million) have been          
recognised on goodwill and intangible assets. These impairments were the main   
reason for the overall reported loss from continuing operations of GBP12.9      
million. Impairments are discussed in the goodwill and intangibles section      
below.                                                                          
Net profit from discontinued operations amounted to GBP5.7 million in 2011      
which comprises the trading results of the discontinued operations from 1       
January 2011 to date of closure or sale which amounted to net loss of GBP2.2    
million (2010: GBP9.3 million) and the net gains on disposal of the             
discontinued operations which amounted to GBP7.9 million.                       
The loss after taxation attributable to equity holders of Blackstar amounted    
to GBP7.6 million for the year ended 31 December 2011 compared to a loss of     
GBP11.1 million in the prior year.                                              
Balance sheet changes                                                           
Gross assets amounted to GBP95.1 million at 31 December 2011. The decline       
from the prior year is mainly attributable to the sale of Ferro and Baldwins    
and further impairments recognised on goodwill and intangible assets during     
the current financial year.                                                     
Investments in associates comprise GBP16.3 million in respect of Litha and      
GBP0.1 million in respect of Navigare. Investments classified as loans and      
receivables amounted to GBP2.2 million at year-end, a minor increase from the   
prior year. Investments at fair value through profit and loss amounted to       
GBP14.1 million at year-end and comprise the derivative investment in a         
services company of GBP7.7 million, shares in Robor received on the sale of     
the Baldwins divisions with a fair value of GBP3.5 million, and other smaller   
listed and unlisted investments.                                                
Borrowings declined from GBP13.8 million to GBP7.7 million at year-end mainly   
due to the exclusion of Ferro`s debt as a result of the sale of Ferro during    
the current financial year. Additional mortgage bonds were also taken out by    
the property companies within the Group amounting to GBP5.2 million.            
Other financial liabilities declined from GBP29.5 million to GBP7.1 million     
at year end. This is attributable to the restructuring that took place within   
Stalcor and the sale of the Baldwins division. Stalcor no longer requires an    
inventory financing facility and GRS`s facility remained unutilised at year-    
end. Such facilities amounted to GBP15.9 million at the end of the prior        
year. In addition, the debtors invoice discounting facility utilised by both    
Stalcor and GRS was reduced from GBP9.1 million to GBP6.1 million. All debt     
is ring-fenced within each subsidiary.                                          
GBP8.9 million was raised through the capital raising and secondary listing     
on the Altx of the JSE Limited, which resulted in the increases to share        
capital and share premium. The shares bought back by the Company in December    
2011 were held in treasury at year-end, until such time as the shares have      
been cancelled.                                                                 
The significant difference between intrinsic NAV (as referred to in Annexure    
A) and consolidated NAV would mainly be due to the fact that Litha is equity    
accounted in the consolidated balance sheet with a carrying value of GBP16.3    
million compared to a fair value of GBP32.6 million at year-end.                
Cash and cash equivalents increased by GBP1.2 million to GBP20.3 million at     
year-end. Significant cash flow movements during the year included: GBP23.1     
million cash inflow on disposal of discontinued operations; GBP16.8 million     
cash outflow on settlement of other financial liabilities mainly in Stalcor     
and GRS; GBP5.0 million cash outflow on acquisition of investment property      
and GBP4.3 million cash inflow as a result of external debt raised to finance   
these acquisitions; GBP8.9 million cash inflow on capital raising; GBP6.2       
million cash outflow on payment of a dividend to shareholders; and GBP2.3       
million cash outflow on buy-back of shares.                                     
Goodwill and intangible assets                                                  
Blackstar`s intangible assets declined from GBP13.3 million to GBP2.9 million   
at year-end. The decrease of GBP10.4 million arose mainly on the disposal of    
Ferro and its intangible assets of GBP7.7 million as well as amortisation and   
impairments of intangible assets which were recognised on acquisition of GRS.   
The remaining intangible assets at year-end comprise acquired marketing-        
related intangibles (brand names and registered trademarks) that arose on the   
acquisitions of GRS.                                                            
Goodwill declined from GBP18.8 million to GBP2.9 million at year-end.           
Goodwill is tested for impairment at each reporting date. An impairment of      
GBP1.9 million was recognised, which arose on the acquisition of GRS as a       
result of the difficult market conditions. The goodwill in relation to          
Blackstar SA and the internalisation of investment advisory arrangements was    
impaired by GBP9.4 million in line with the decline in Blackstar Group`s net    
asset value and the term of the previous investment advisory agreement. The     
balance of the decrease arose on the disposal of Ferro.                         
The remaining goodwill comprises GBP1.9 million relating to the acquisition     
of Blackstar SA and the internalisation of investment advisory arrangements,    
and GBP0.9 million relating to acquisitions made by GRS.                        
Share buy-backs                                                                 
In December 2011, Blackstar purchased 3,200,000 ordinary shares of EUR0.76      
each in the Company at a price of 71 pence per share, representing 3.75% of     
the issued ordinary share capital prior to such purchases. The shares were      
cancelled in January 2012. Further buy-backs are not permitted under the        
terms of the Investec debt facility.                                            
Dividends                                                                       
Following the sale of Ferro, the Board declared and paid a special dividend     
of 6.5 pence per ordinary share for shareholders on the UK register or 80.53    
cents per ordinary share for shareholders on the South African register.        
As the Company is currently utilising its debt facility with Investec, the      
Board has resolved not to declare a further dividend for the year.              
Conversion to a Societas Europaea and Transfer to Malta                         
After obtaining approval from shareholders on 22 June 2011, Blackstar           
converted into a Societas Europaea or European public limited liability         
company on 27 June 2011.                                                        
Following approval by Blackstar`s shareholders on 10 February 2012 of the       
transfer of the Company`s registered office from the United Kingdom to Malta,   
the Company shall in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of    
8 October 2001 on the Statute for a European Company, take all steps            
necessary to effect the transfer to Malta. It is expected the transfer will     
become effective during the second quarter of 2012.                             
Current Trading and Outlook                                                     
New capital regulatory requirements, including those of Basel 3, are causing    
a shift on both a global and local front in regard to on-balance sheet          
investments held by commercial and investment banks. Their capital allocation   
reviews in regard to such investments is providing private equity groups with   
an avenue to source new deals.                                                  
2011 was a successful year for Blackstar. I feel the consolidated financial     
statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards           
("IFRS") do not give a full reflection of this success, mainly due to the       
discontinued operations representing the disposal of the investment in Ferro,   
the restructuring of Blackstar`s exposure to its steel interests and the        
lower value of our Litha investment, which is equity accounted as an            
associate rather than carried at fair value. As a result I recommend that       
shareholders refer to Annexure A, which provides shareholders with a true       
understanding of the value inherent in Blackstar`s portfolio. The intrinsic     
net asset value ("NAV") of R13.23 (GBP1.09) at 31 March 2012, reflects the      
solid asset base and strong financial position of the company.                  
The move to Malta will significantly reduce the administrative and legal        
costs which arise from being present in two jurisdictions. Blackstar also       
believe that Malta will be the most efficient jurisdiction for the Company      
with respect to distributions to shareholders. The Group will continue to       
focus its attention on unlocking further value from its current portfolio of    
investments as evidenced by some of the abovementioned post year-end            
transactions. Blackstar`s strong balance sheet has positioned it favourably     
to pursue a range of interesting new NAV enhancing opportunities in 2012.       
Andrew Bonamour                                                                 
Luxembourg                                                                      
12 April 2012                                                                   
Annexure A                                                                      
Intrinsic NAV as at 31 March 2012                                               
Unaudited     Unaudited     
                                                      GBP`000         R`000     
Mvelaphanda Group Limited                               41,384       505,950    
Litha Healthcare Group Limited                          36,836       450,343    
Global Roofing Solutions (Pty) Limited                  12,678       155,000    
Services derivative                                     10,015       122,441    
Stalcor (Pty) Limited                                    3,681        45,000    
Robor (Pty) Limited                                      4,172        51,000    
Blackstar Real Estate (Pty) Limited                      2,053        25,098    
Other listed                                             1,176        14,379    
Other unlisted                                             692         8,455    
Net debt                                              (23,262)     (284,396)    
Intrinsic NAV                                           89,425     1,093,270    
Intrinsic NAV per share (in Sterling/Rands)               1.09         13.32    
Ordinary share price on 31 March 2012                     0.77          9.80    
Ordinary share price discount to NAV                       29%           26%    
Notes                                                                           
1 The intrinsic NAV provides a measure of the underlying value of the Group`s   
assets and does not indicate when the investments will be realised, nor does    
it guarantee the value at which the investments will be realised.               
2 For the purposes of determining the intrinsic values, listed investments on   
recognised stock exchanges are valued using quoted bid prices and unlisted      
investments are shown at directors` valuation, determined using the             
discounted cash flow methodology. This methodology uses reasonable              
assumptions and estimations of cash flows and terminal values, and applies an   
appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate that quantifies the investment`s        
inherent risk to calculate a present value. Given the subjective nature of      
valuations, the Group is cautious and conservative in determining the           
valuations and has a track record of selling its unlisted investments in the    
ordinary course of business above the levels at which it values them.           
3 50% of the investment in Litha Healthcare Group Limited has been valued at    
R2.75 per share, being the price of the disposal of 50% of Blackstar`s          
interest, and the balance has been valued using quoted bid price on 31 March    
2012.                                                                           
4 The investment in Blackstar Real Estate (Pty) Limited is carried at cost,     
being the capital invested plus accrued interest, where applicable.             
5 All amounts have been translated using the closing exchange rates at 31       
March 2012.                                                                     
6 Net debt represents debt less cash at the centre, excluding subsidiaries      
and comprises Investec debt less cash resources.                                
7 Other unlisted comprises investments in Navigare Securities (Pty) Limited     
and FBDC Investors Offshore L.P ("Facebook").                                   
8 Other listed comprises investments in Shoprite Holdings Limited.              
Analysis of Turnover and EBITDA                                                 
2011          2011        2010          2010     
                            GBP`000         R`000     GBP`000         R`000     
Turnover from continuing                                                        
operations                                                                      
Litha Healthcare Group Limited 150,230   1,747,026     111,017     1,254,873    
Global Roofing Solutions (Pty)                                                  
Limited                       48,178       560,274     46,904        530,179    
Stalcor (Pty) Limited         42,880       501,497     44,687        505,111    
Robor (Pty) Limited *        213,197     2,479,273     168,685     1,906,714    
EBITDA from continuing                                                          
operations                                                                      
Litha Healthcare Group Limited  11,568     161,107      10,054       144,770    
Global Roofing Solutions (Pty)                                                  
Limited                        2,519        29,290       1,045        11,812    
Stalcor (Pty) Limited            257         2,984         107         1,206    
Robor (Pty) Limited *         17,243       200,515      15,482       175,002    
* These figures are stated as per the audited financials for the year ended     
30 September 2011.                                                              
Consolidated income statement                                                   
for the year ended 31 December 2011                                             
As restated*     
                                                      2011             2010     
                                                   GBP`000          GBP`000     
Revenue                                              91,058           91,591    
Cost of sales                                      (78,887)         (78,792)    
Gross profit                                         12,171           12,799    
Sales and distribution costs                        (1,551)          (1,590)    
Administrative expenses - Trading businesses                                    
Administrative expenses                             (9,885)         (12,013)    
Impairment of goodwill                              (1,945)          (2,808)    
Impairment of intangible assets                       (861)            (732)    
                                                  (12,691)         (15,553)     
Other income-Trading businesses                        497              195     
Net gain in respect of associates                                               
Share of profits of associates                        2,902            1,539    
Exceptional gain on dilution of interest in associate  2,188               -    
5,090            1,539     
Operating profit/(loss) before net investment income  3,516          (2,610)    
Net investment income                                                           
Net gains on investments                                632            5,666    
Fees, dividends and interest from loans, receivables                            
and investments                                         866            1,247    
Administrative expenses - Investments                 1,498            6,913    
Administrative expenses - Impairment of goodwill    (9,437)          (3,500)    
Foreign exchange (losses)/gains                     (1,316)              596    
Exceptional costs                                   (2,374)                -    
Administrative expenses - Other                     (3,288)          (3,217)    
                                                  (16,415)          (6,121)     
Other income                                            454            1,162    
Loss from operations                               (10,947)            (656)    
Finance income                                          191              229    
Finance costs                                       (1,732)          (2,282)    
Loss before taxation                               (12,488)          (2,709)    
Taxation                                              (421)          (1,180)    
Loss from continuing operations                                                 
                                                  (12,909)          (3,889)     
Discontinued operations                                                         
Profit/(loss) from discontinued                                                 
operations, net of taxation                           5,692          (9,280)    
Loss for the year                                   (7,217)         (13,169)    
(Loss)/profit for the period attributable to:                                   
Equity holders of the parent                        (7,584)         (11,121)    
Non-controlling interests                               367          (2,048)    
                                                   (7,217)         (13,169)     
Basic and diluted losses per ordinary share                                     
attributable to equity holders (in pence)            (9.62)          (14.39)    
Basic and diluted losses per ordinary share                                     
attributable to equity                                                          
holders from continuing operations (in pence)       (16.25)           (4.05)    
* The comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2010 was           
restated to present income generated and expenses incurred by discontinued      
operations separately from continuing operations.                               
Headline earnings reconciliation                                                
                                                               As restated*     
                                                      2011             2010     
                                                   GBP`000          GBP`000     
Loss for the period attributable to equity                                      
holders of the parent                               (7,584)         (11,121)    
Adjusted for:                                                                   
Exceptional gain on dilution of interest in associate (2,188)              -    
Gain on disposal of discontinued operation          (7,861)                     
Gain on deemed disposal of a subsidiary                   -            (870)    
Impairment of intangible assets                         861            1,729    
Impairment of goodwill                               11,382           10,003    
Impairment of property, plant and equipment             202                -    
Reclassification adjustments from other                                         
comprehensive income                                      -          (2,684)    
Non-headline items included in equity accounted                                 
earnings of associates                                (248)              168    
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment    (91)             (25)    
Total tax effects of adjustments                      (272)            (477)    
Total non-controlling interests` effects                                        
of adjustments                                           15            (163)    
Headline losses                                     (5,784)          (3,440)    
Basic and diluted headline losses per ordinary share                            
attributable to equity holders (in pence)            (7.34)           (4.45)    
Disclosure of headline earnings has been provided in accordance with the JSE    
Listings Requirements.                                                          
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income                                  
for the year ended 31 December 2011                                             
2011         2010     
                                                       GBP`000      GBP`000     
Loss for the year                                       (7,217)     (13,169)    
Other comprehensive income:                                                     
Currency translation differences on investments and                             
Rand denominated assets and liabilities                 (3,966)        3,342    
Currency translation differences on translation of                              
foreign subsidiaries and associates                     (5,109)        1,300    
Release of foreign currency translation reserve on                              
disposal of subsidiary                                  (1,261)            -    
-                                                                               
Net comprehensive (loss)/income recognised directly                             
in equity                                              (10,336)        4,642    
Total comprehensive loss for the year                  (17,553)      (8,527)    
Attributable to:                                                                
Equity holders of the parent                           (18,095)      (6,216)    
Non-controlling interests                                   542      (2,311)    
                                                      (17,553)      (8,527)     
Consolidated statement of changes in equity                                     
for the year ended 31 December 2011                                             
Capital     Treasury     
                                          Share     redemption       shares     
                      Share capital     premium        reserve      reserve     
                            GBP`000     GBP`000        GBP`000      GBP`000     
Balance as at 31 December                                                       
2009                          53,023           -         30,156            -    
Total comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period                                                    
Loss for the period                -           -              -            -    
Other comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period       -           -              -            -    
                                  -           -              -            -     
Charge for share-based payment     -           -              -            -    
Cancellation of capital                                                         
redemption reserve fund            -           -       (30,156)            -    
Buy-back of ordinary shares  (2,893)           -          2,893            -    
Arising on acquisition                                                          
of a subsidiary                    -           -              -            -    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on acquisition                                                
of additional interests                                                         
in subsidiary                      -           -              -            -    
Arising on deemed                                                               
disposal of                                                                     
subsidiary on additional                                                        
shares being issued by                                                          
the subsidiary                     -           -              -            -    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interest arising on conversion                                                  
of preference shares held in a                                                  
subsidiary into ordinary shares    -           -              -            -    
Interim dividend paid              -           -              -            -    
Balance as at 31                                                                
December 2010                 50,130           -          2,893            -    
                                       Foreign currency                         
                               Retained     translation     Attributable to     
earnings         reserve      equity holders     
                                GBP`000         GBP`000             GBP`000     
Balance as at 31 December                                                       
2009                               8,976           9,594             101,749    
Total comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period                                                    
Loss for the period             (11,121)               -            (11,121)    
Other comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period          -            4,905               4,905    
                               (11,121)           4,905             (6,216)     
Charge for share-based payment        23               -                  23    
Cancellation of capital                                                         
redemption reserve fund           30,156               -                   -    
Buy-back of ordinary shares      (3,079)               -             (3,079)    
Arising on acquisition of a                                                     
subsidiary                               -               -                      
-                                                                               
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on acquisition                                                
of additional interests in                                                      
subsidiary                            14               -                  14    
Arising on deemed disposal of                                                   
subsidiary on additional                                                        
shares being issued by the                                                      
subsidiary                             -             105                 105    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interest arising on conversion                                                  
of preference shares held in                                                    
a subsidiary into ordinary                                                      
shares                           (1,907)               -             (1,907)    
Interim dividend paid              (493)               -               (493)    
Balance as at 31 December 2010    22,569          14,604              90,196    
Non-                      
                                               controlling     Total equity     
                                                 interests                      
                                                   GBP`000          GBP`000     
Balance as at 31 December 2009                      (1,994)           99,755    
Total comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period                                                    
Loss for the period                                 (2,048)         (13,169)    
Other comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period                          (263)            4,642    
                                                   (2,311)          (8,527)     
Charge for share-based payment                            8               31    
Cancellation of capital                                                         
redemption reserve fund                                   -                -    
Buy-back of ordinary shares                               -          (3,079)    
Arising on acquisition of a subsidiary               10,122           10,122    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on acquisition                                                
of additional interests in subsidiary                  (14)                -    
Arising on deemed disposal of subsidiary                                        
on additional shares being issued by                                            
the subsidiary                                     (10,192)         (10,087)    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interest arising on conversion                                                  
of preference shares held in a                                                  
subsidiary into ordinary shares                       1,907                -    
Interim dividend paid                                     -            (493)    
Balance as at 31 December 2010                      (2,474)           87,722    
An interim dividend of 0.65 pence per ordinary share was declared on 29         
October 2010.                                                                   
                                                       Capital     Treasury     
                              Share       Share     redemption       shares     
capital     premium        reserve      reserve     
                            GBP`000     GBP`000        GBP`000      GBP`000     
Balance as at 31 December                                                       
2010                          50,130           -          2,893            -    
Total comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period                                                    
Loss for the period                -           -              -            -    
Other comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period       -           -              -            -    
                                  -           -              -            -     
Capital raising                6,923       1,974              -            -    
Buy-back of ordinary shares        -           -              -      (2,272)    
Arising on reclassification of                                                  
investment, now a subsidiary       -           -              -            -    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on subsidiary                                                 
share buy-back of shares from                                                   
non-controlling shareholders       -           -              -            -    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on acquisition                                                
of additional interests in                                                      
subsidiary                         -           -              -            -    
Arising on disposal of subsidiary   -          -              -            -    
Release of foreign currency                                                     
translation reserve on                                                          
disposal of investments                                                         
Dividend paid                      -           -              -            -    
Balance as at 31 December                                                       
2011                          57,053       1,974          2,893      (2,272)    
                                                Foreign                         
                                               currency                         
                               Retained     translation     Attributable to     
earnings         reserve      equity holders     
                                GBP`000         GBP`000             GBP`000     
Balance as at 31 December 2010    22,569          14,604              90,196    
Total comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period                                                    
Loss for the period              (7,584)               -             (7,584)    
Other comprehensive                                                             
income/(loss) for the period           -        (10,511)            (10,511)    
(7,584)        (10,511)            (18,095)     
Capital raising                        -               -               8,897    
Buy-back of ordinary shares            -               -             (2,272)    
Arising on reclassification of                                                  
investment, now a subsidiary           -               -                   -    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on subsidiary                                                 
share buy-back of shares from                                                   
non-controlling shareholders     (4,577)               -             (4,577)    
Reduction in non-controlling                                                    
interests arising on acquisition                                                
of additional interests in                                                      
subsidiary                         (415)               -               (415)    
Arising on disposal of subsidiary      -               -                   -    
Release of foreign currency                                                     
translation reserve on disposal                                                 
of investments                       815           (815)                   -    
Dividend paid                    (6,217)               -             (6,217)    
Balance as at 31 December                                                       
2011                               4,591           3,278              67,517    
Non-                      
                                               controlling     Total equity     
                                                 interests                      
                                                   GBP`000          GBP`000     
Balance as at 31 December 2010                      (2,474)           87,722    
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period                                
Loss for the period                                     367          (7,217)    
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period        175         (10,336)    
542         (17,553)     
Capital raising                                           -            8,897    
Buy-back of ordinary shares                                 -                   
(2,272)                                                                         
Arising on reclassification of investment,                                      
now a subsidiary                                          6                6    
Reduction in non-controlling interests                                          
arising on subsidiary share buy-back of                                         
shares from non controlling shareholders              4,577                -    
Reduction in non-controlling interests                                          
arising on acquisition of additional                                            
interests in subsidiary                                 415                -    
Arising on disposal of subsidiary                   (3,126)          (3,126)    
Release of foreign currency translation reserve                                 
on disposal of investments                                -                -    
Dividend paid                                             -          (6,217)    
Balance as at 31 December 2011                         (60)           67,457    
A final dividend of 0.90 pence per ordinary share was declared on 6 May 2011.   
A special dividend of 6.5 pence per ordinary share was declared on 11           
November 2011.                                                                  
Consolidated balance sheet                                                      
as at 31 December 2011                                                          
                                                          2011         2010     
                                                       GBP`000      GBP`000     
Non-current assets                                                              
Property, plant and equipment                             7,563       21,666    
Investment properties                                     7,018            -    
Goodwill                                                  2,884       18,835    
Intangible assets                                         2,947       13,281    
Investments in associates                                16,437       14,637    
Investments classified as loans and receivables           1,303          873    
Investments at fair value through profit and loss        10,398       12,056    
Other financial assets                                        -           52    
Deferred tax assets                                          92          125    
Current assets                                                                  
                                                        48,642       81,525     
Investments classified as loans and receivables             883          502    
Investments at fair value through profit and loss         3,687          545    
Other financial assets                                        2           26    
Current tax assets                                           24          423    
Trade and other receivables                              11,540       25,105    
Inventories                                              10,042       27,006    
Cash and cash equivalents                                20,334       19,196    
                                                        46,512       72,803     
Total assets                                             95,154      154,328    
Non-current liabilities                                                         
Borrowings                                              (7,077)     (12,538)    
Other financial liabilities                               (785)      (3,937)    
Provisions                                                (199)        (197)    
Deferred tax liabilities                                (1,499)      (4,733)    
Current liabilities                                                             
                                                       (9,560)     (21,405)     
Borrowings                                                (602)      (1,295)    
Other financial liabilities                             (6,308)     (25,540)    
Provisions                                                 (93)        (288)    
Current tax liabilities                                    (85)        (442)    
Trade and other payables                               (11,044)     (17,635)    
Bank overdrafts                                             (5)          (1)    
                                                      (18,137)     (45,201)     
Total liabilities                                      (27,697)     (66,606)    
Total net assets                                         67,457       87,722    
Equity                                                                          
Share capital                                            57,053       50,130    
Share premium                                             1,974            -    
Capital redemption reserve                                2,893        2,893    
Treasury shares reserve                                 (2,272)            -    
Foreign currency translation reserve                      3,278       14,604    
Retained earnings                                         4,591       22,569    
Total equity attributable to equity holders              67,517       90,196    
Non-controlling interest                                   (60)      (2,474)    
Total equity                                             67,457       87,722    
Net asset value per share (in pence)                         79          121    
Consolidated cash flow statement                                                
for the year ended 31 December 2011                                             
                                                          2011         2010     
                                                       GBP`000      GBP`000     
Cash flow from operating activities                                             
Cash generated by operations                              2,013       13,795    
Interest received                                           310          461    
Interest paid                                           (1,627)      (4,525)    
Dividends received                                          230        5,798    
Taxation paid                                           (1,431)      (2,645)    
Cash (absorbed)/generated by operating activities         (505)       12,884    
Cash flow from investing activities                                             
Purchase of property, plant and equipment               (1,164)      (2,748)    
Purchase of investment property                         (5,018)            -    
Additions to investments classified as loans                                    
and receivables                                         (1,883)        (746)    
Purchase of investments at fair value through profit                            
or loss                                                 (2,965)      (5,019)    
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired             2        (176)    
Cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiary and subsequent                        
deemed disposal                                               -      (4,950)    
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment     446          127    
Proceeds from disposal of investments                     3,080       21,667    
Disposal of discontinued operations, net of cash disposed  23,006          -    
Cash generated by investing activities                   15,504        8,155    
Cash flow from financing activities                                             
Proceeds from borrowings                                  4,728        1,312    
Repayment of borrowings                                 (2,181)     (14,866)    
Movement in other financial liabilities (including                              
short-term funding facilities)                         (16,804)      (2,232)    
Buy-back of ordinary shares                             (2,272)      (3,079)    
Capital raising                                           8,897            -    
Dividends paid to equity holders of the parent          (6,217)        (493)    
Cash absorbed by financing activities                  (13,849)     (19,358)    
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                 1,150        1,681    
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year   19,195       17,319    
Exchange (losses/)gains on cash and cash equivalents       (16)          195    
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year         20,329       19,195    
Notes to the consolidated financial statements                                  
for the year ended 31 December 2011                                             
1. Financial information                                                        
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International    
Financial Reporting Standards.                                                  
The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company`s       
statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 or 2010 as defined in    
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended    
31 December 2010 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those    
for the year ended 31 December 2011 will be delivered following the Company`s   
annual general meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts, their     
reports were unqualified and did not include references to any matters to       
which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their   
reports. Their reports for the year ended 31 December 2011 and 31 December      
2010 did not contain statements under Sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies   
Act 2006.                                                                       
2. Distribution of the annual report and accounts to shareholders               
Copies of the Group`s audited statutory accounts for the year ended 31          
December 2011 will be dispatched to shareholders shortly.                       
For further information, please contact:                                        
Blackstar Group SE                                                              
John Kleynhans                                                                  
+352 402 505 427                                                                
Liberum Capital Limited                                                         
Chris Bowman/Christopher Britton                                                
+44 (0) 20 3100 2222                                                            
PSG Capital (Pty) Limited                                                       
David Tosi/Willie Honeyball                                                     
+27(0) 21 887 9602                                                              
Buchanan                                                                        
Jeremy Garcia/Gabriella Clinkard                                                
+27 (0) 20 7466 5000                                                            
Date: 12/04/2012 08:00:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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