Not logged in
  Home   Markets   Shares   Funds   Portfolio   Toolbox   Charting   Alerts   Directory   
 Admin   

Mon 14 Nov 2005, 12:00 Lewis Group unaudited interim results for the six
Lewis Group unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2005
LEWIS GROUP LIMITED                                                             
Registration number: 2004/009817/06                                             
Share code: LEW                                                                 
ISIN: ZAE000058236                                                              
LEWIS GROUP UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
HIGHLIGHTS                                                                      
* MERCHANDISE SALES UP BY 14.5%                                                 
* NORMALISED OPERATING MARGIN UP FROM 22.8% TO 23.2%                            
* INTERIM DIVIDEND INCREASED BY 44.3%                                           
* GROSS PROFIT MARGIN UP FROM 33.8% TO 35.5%                                    
* HEADLINE EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                   
  - NORMALISED:  INCREASED BY 23.4%                                             
  - IFRS BASIS:  DECREASED BY 9.8%                                              
COMMENTARY                                                                      
The Lewis Group is pleased to announce its interim results for the six-month    
period ended 30 September 2005. The results have been prepared in compliance    
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Earnings reflect the   
consequence of applying these accounting conventions.                           
NORMALISED EARNINGS                                                             
While we support the efforts of the accounting profession to achieve consistency
in financial reporting, the current position resulting from the application of  
IFRS 2 share-based payments does not represent our current performance.         
Consequently, to assist shareholders in the interpretation of the results,      
normalised headline earnings reflecting the economic performance of the         
underlying operations and excluding distortions created by accounting           
conventions has been presented.                                                 
At the time of the listing, share awards and options were granted to qualifying 
employees and executives to reward them for their contribution in bringing Lewis
to the listing, to align the interests of employees with the interests of Lewis 
and its shareholders and to provide them with an incentive to further advance   
the interests of Lewis in future. GUS Holdings BV, the then holding company,    
agreed to make available 4% of the issued shares for no consideration to meet   
these commitments. In terms of IFRS 2, notwithstanding that the awards and      
options were granted at no cost to Lewis, share-based payments are required to  
be expensed over the vesting period. The adoption of IFRS 2 resulted in a charge
for the 2005 financial year of R10.8 million.                                   
On 26 May 2005, GUS sold its remaining 50% interest in Lewis. This sale resulted
in a change in control and in terms of the rules of the various schemes, the    
share awards and options vested immediately. In terms of IFRS 2, any accelerated
vesting of the share awards and options requires immediate recognition of the   
unrecognised portion. The unrecognised portion to be immediately expensed       
through the income statement was R58.4 million.                                 
This charge arose from shares made available for no consideration by the former 
holding company and results in no economic cost or dilutionary effect to        
existing shareholders. The charge has no impact on operating performance, net   
asset value, cash position or gearing of Lewis.                                 
Sept              %          Sept          March    
                            2005         Change          2004           2005    
                              Rm                           Rm             Rm    
Trading revenue         1 332.2                       1 186.6        2 511.2    
Normalised                                                                      
operating profit           309.4           14.6         270.0          593.5    
As per IFRS                                                                     
income statement           251.0                        270.0          582.7    
Share-based payment                                                             
excluded                    58.4                            -           10.8    
Normalised operating                                                            
margins                    23.2%                        22.8%          23.6%    
Normalised profit                                                               
before  finance costs      328.6           14.9         286.0          631.1    
Normalised profit                                                               
before taxation            323.3           26.5         255.6          588.4    
Normalised                                                                      
attributable earnings      220.0           23.2         178.6          406.0    
Normalised earnings                                                             
per share (cents)          222.5           24.6         178.6          406.0    
Normalised headline                                                             
earnings per                                                                    
share (cents)              219.7           23.4         178.1          400.9    
TRADING ENVIRONMENT                                                             
The South African economy has matured appreciably and a solid platform has been 
laid for growth through government"s disciplined fiscal stance. The stable      
interest rate and inflation environment as well as real wage increases have     
enhanced the disposable income of consumers.                                    
The provision of infrastructure by the state and the announcement of the        
intention to intensify spending in this area should accelerate private sector   
activity and further stimulate growth.                                          
The emerging black middle class, which forms the core of our target market,     
continues to grow at a rapid rate and while key economic factors remain stable, 
we expect consumer confidence and demand to continue to drive the current       
favourable retail cycle.                                                        
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE                                                           
The first half"s performance was shaped by the following major factors:         
* Solid sales growth off a high base in the Lewis chain, combined with high     
sales growths in Best Electric and Lifestyle Living.                            
* New store openings in all three chains are on track.                          
* Improved gross profit margins mainly due to enhanced product sourcing and     
differentiation in the market.                                                  
* Maintaining the good quality of the credit book.                              
* Strong cash flow from trading. Gearing remains at low levels.                 
Income statement overview                                                       
Trading revenue increased by 12.3% to R1 332 million. This was driven by        
merchandise sales growth of 14.5% to R724 million (11.1% on a like-for-like     
basis). The Lewis chain grew merchandise sales by 10.6% to R617 million. Best   
Electric sales grew by 31.9% from R55 million to R72 million. Lifestyle Living  
posted strong growth of 75%, at R35 million.                                    
Overall price deflation for the six months was 7.1% with an increase of 14.5% in
value and volume increasing by 21.6%. Furniture sales, which account for 48% of 
total sales, increased by 7.8% in rand terms and 8.5% in unit sales. Sales of   
electronic and electrical appliances increased by 21.6% in value and 31.8% in   
volumes.                                                                        
Cash and short-term credit sales have settled at current levels (30.8%). Lewis  
chain reflected a 2% decline in cash business during the period. Lifestyle      
Living has a much higher percentage of cash sales versus credit mainly due to   
its market segment.                                                             
Net insurance revenue and finance charges earned grew by 10.3% and 7.3% to R187 
million and R314 million respectively. The growth of both of these lines of     
revenue was slower than the growth in merchandise sales due to the low interest 
rate environment and the additional insurance reserves resulting from buoyant   
trade.                                                                          
The merchandise margin increased to 35.5% from 33.8% driven by competitive      
supply chain initiatives.                                                       
Operating costs, excluding bad and doubtful debts and share-based payments      
increased by 9.7% to R505 million. Certain costs have been incurred earlier than
anticipated, but it is envisaged that full year costs will be in line with      
budget.                                                                         
Bad debt charges at R46 million were R2 million lower than last year. The       
increase in the impairment provision of R4 million compares to a release of R11 
million in the corresponding period. This is a consequence of the growth in the 
debtors book. The impairment provision as a percentage of gross instalment      
debtors decreased from 15.3% to 14.2%.                                          
Normalised operating profit grew by 14.6% to R309 million with the Group"s      
normalised operating margin increasing from 22.8% to 23.2%, aided by the strong 
sales growth and gross margin increases.                                        
Finance costs declined by R25 million as a result of low gearing, low interest  
rates and the cessation of interest payments to the former holding company.     
Headline earnings on an IFRS basis decreased by 10.8% from R178 million to R159 
million as a result of the share-based payment charge in terms of IFRS 2.       
Normalised headline earnings increased by 22% from R178 million to R217 million.
Earnings per share and headline earnings per share presented on an IFRS basis   
decreased by 8.6% and 9.8% respectively. Fully diluted earnings per share and   
headline earnings per share decreased by 8.6% and 9.9%. This decline is         
attributable to the share-based payment charge in terms of IFRS 2.              
On a normalised basis, earnings per share and headline earnings per share       
increased by 24.6% and 23.4% respectively. Similarly, fully diluted normalised  
earnings per share and normalised headline earnings per share increased by 24.4%
and 23.2%.                                                                      
Balance sheet                                                                   
Inventory levels increased significantly as a consequence of our strategy to    
advance imported stock deliveries, to take advantage of new merchandise         
developments and buoyant trade. This was partly funded by an increase in trade  
and other payables.                                                             
Gross instalment sale receivables increased by 5.2% to R2 735 million. The      
increase in instalment sale receivables relative to revenue growth reflects the 
quality of our debt collection and the current favourable credit environment.   
Total debtors provisions have increased from 34.9% at September 2004 to 36.6% of
gross instalment receivables. This increase is due to accounting provisions for 
unearned finance charges and insurance income that results from an increase in  
sales volumes.                                                                  
Cash flow                                                                       
Lewis continues to generate significant cash. Effective follow-up and a         
favourable credit environment were the main contributors to this position.      
Following shareholder approval, the Group has commenced a general share         
repurchase. This will be, as expected, earnings enhancing and further improve   
our return on equity. To date, 2.1% of shares in issue have been repurchased at 
an average market price of R43.51 per share and at a total cost of R92 million. 
OPERATIONAL REVIEW                                                              
The focus during the past six months has been on further enhancing the          
merchandise offering to attract new customers while continuing to retain        
existing customers through our Re-serve system. Upgraded merchandise ranges were
added in response to customer demand and changing customer demographics.        
Enhancements and improvements in credit granting and the behavioural scorecard  
were implemented in our drive to further improve the quality of debtors. A      
campaign to regain settled customers was introduced with very successful        
results.                                                                        
Sales in both the furniture and electrical categories have been good. The       
electronics section (TVs, home theatre and DVDs) although achieving             
substantially more unit sales, is still being affected by price deflation,      
albeit at lower levels than last year.                                          
The increased sales growth in all three chains is very encouraging.             
During the period one Lewis store was opened and three small non-performing     
stores were closed resulting in 398 stores at period-end. Lewis will open six   
new stores in the second half of this financial year. Best Electric comprised 66
stores after opening eight new stores. A further four new stores will open this 
year. The Lifestyle Living chain ended on 14 stores after it closed four old-   
format stores and opened one new-format store.                                  
The launch of the Lifestyle Living store card in June 2005 has been encouraging.
The financial services division products were further enhanced with a funeral   
plan scheme being launched in July 2005.                                        
Group trading revenue and normalised operating profit per square metre          
increased, from the corresponding six-month period, by 12.4% to R6 451 and 14.8%
to R1 498 per square metre respectively.                                        
The National Credit Bill was approved in parliament in October 2005. Draft      
regulations governing interest rates etc. are due to be published during the    
first quarter of 2006. Whilst the impact on the credit industry will be         
significant, the company is confident that its leading-edge credit granting and 
current IT systems will assist it in meeting the anticipated administrative     
requirements of the Bill.                                                       
STRATEGY                                                                        
Our focus remains on the following key strategic business initiatives:          
* Generating profitable revenue growth through:                                 
-increasing sales from existing stores using innovative merchandising and       
marketing strategies; and                                                       
-expanding the store base;                                                      
* Driving operational efficiencies;                                             
* Acquisitions that complement and add value to our business;                   
* Optimisation of the balance sheet; and                                        
* Developing ancillary products through strategic partnerships.                 
PROSPECTS                                                                       
The Lewis Board remains confident, based on the current momentum in the         
business, that furniture, electrical and appliance sales will continue to grow  
in real terms in the coming year.                                               
Productivity will be enhanced further through economies of scale from the       
inclusion of new stores and a continued focus on operational efficiencies.      
Consequently, share owners can expect meaningful earnings growth.               
DIRECTORATE                                                                     
David Nurek, Alan Smart, Hilton Saven and Ben van der Ross remained directors   
during the period. David Tyler resigned on 5 August 2005 and we are pleased to  
announce the appointment of Professor Fatima Abrahams with effect from 1        
September 2005.                                                                 
DECLARATION OF INTERIM DIVIDEND NO. 3                                           
The Board has approved an interim dividend which represents a two-and-a-half    
times dividend cover (previously 3 times covered). The dividend has been        
calculated on normalised earnings attributable to shareholders.                 
Notice is hereby given that an interim dividend of 88 cents per share in respect
of the period ended 30 September 2005 has been declared payable to the holders  
of ordinary shares recorded in the books of the company on Friday 27 January    
2006. The last day to trade cum dividend will therefore be Friday 20 January    
2006 and Lewis shares will trade ex-dividend from Monday 23 January 2006.       
Payment of the dividend will be made on Monday 30 January 2006. Share           
certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday 23      
January 2006 and Friday 27 January 2006, both days inclusive.                   
For and on behalf of the Board                                                  
David Nurek                     Alan Smart                                      
Chairman                        Chief Executive Officer                         
Cape Town                                                                       
14 November 2005                                                                
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT                                                          
                                       6 months      6 months      12 months    
                                          ended         ended          ended    
30 Sept       30 Sept       31 March    
                                           2005          2004           2005    
                                             Rm            Rm             Rm    
                           Notes      Unaudited      Restated       Restated    
Trading revenue                2        1 332.2       1 186.6        2 511.2    
Dividends and interest                                                          
income                                     21.0          26.8           46.8    
Total revenue                           1 353.2       1 213.4        2 558.0    
Merchandise sales              2          724.0         632.5        1 351.9    
Cost of merchandise sales               (467.3)        (418.7)        (885.0)   
Gross profit                              256.7         213.8          466.9    
Other trading revenue          2          608.2         554.1        1 159.3    
Operating costs                         (613.9)        (497.9)      (1 043.5)   
Employment costs                        (214.4)        (194.5)        (406.0)   
Share-based payments                     (58.4)             -          (10.8)   
Administration and IT                    (76.2)         (71.1)        (134.5)   
Bad debts and impairment                                                        
provision                      3         (50.7)         (37.6)        (101.6)   
Marketing                                (48.5)         (40.6)         (79.6)   
Occupancy costs                          (46.8)         (42.8)         (87.9)   
Transport and travel                     (48.6)         (42.2)         (85.6)   
Depreciation                             (21.5)         (20.9)         (36.9)   
Other operating costs                    (48.8)         (48.2)        (100.6)   
Operating profit                          251.0         270.0          582.7    
Investment income                          19.2          16.0           37.6    
Profit before finance costs               270.2         286.0          620.3    
Net finance costs              4          (5.3)         (30.4)         (42.7)   
Profit before taxation                    264.9         255.6          577.6    
Taxation                                (103.3)         (77.0)        (182.4)   
Net profit attributable to                                                      
ordinary shareholders                     161.6         178.6          395.2    
Reconciliation of headline                                                      
earnings                                                                        
Net profit attributable to                                                      
ordinary shareholders                     161.6         178.6          395.2    
Adjusted for                                                                    
Profit on disposal of                                                         
  property, plant and equipment           (2.5)         (1.9)           (3.9)   
  Disposal/impairment of                                                        
  available-for-sale assets               (1.2)           1.0          (2.9)    
Taxation effect                           0.9           0.4            1.7    
Headline earnings                         158.8         178.1          390.1    
Number of ordinary shares (000)                                                 
In issue                                100 000       100 000        100 000    
Weighted average                         98 878       100 000        100 000    
Fully diluted weighted average           99 004       100 000        100 000    
Earnings per share (cents)                163.4         178.6          395.2    
Headline earnings per share                                                     
(cents)                                   160.6         178.1          390.1    
Fully diluted earnings                                                          
per share (cents)                         163.2         178.6          395.2    
Fully diluted headline                                                          
earnings per share (cents)                160.4         178.1          390.1    
GROUP BALANCE SHEET                                                             
                                        30 Sept       30 Sept       31 March    
                                           2005          2004           2005    
Rm            Rm             Rm    
                            Note      Unaudited      Restated       Restated    
Assets                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Property, plant and                                                             
equipment                                 156.0         159.5          159.5    
Investments - insurance                                                         
business                                  433.6         381.9          400.6    
Deferred taxation                          86.7             -           48.7    
                                          676.3         541.4          608.8    
Current assets                                                                  
Investments - insurance                                                         
business                                   97.8         119.0          105.2    
Inventories                               248.5         168.5          155.8    
Trade and other receivables    5        1 779.9       1 741.9        1 750.6    
Cash on hand and deposits                  88.4          58.4           55.3    
2 214.6       2 087.8        2 066.9    
Total assets                            2 890.9       2 629.2        2 675.7    
Equity and liabilities                                                          
Capital and reserves                                                            
Shareholders" equity                                                            
and reserves                            2 130.8       1 880.7        2 059.6    
Non-current liabilities                                                         
Interest-bearing borrowings                 1.7           1.9            1.7    
Deferred taxation                          16.1          18.6           12.0    
Retirement benefits                        74.2          77.0           72.4    
                                           92.0          97.5           86.1    
Current liabilities                                                             
Trade and other payables                  335.2         251.5          225.2    
Taxation                                   97.1          40.8          125.6    
Current portion of                                                              
interest-bearing                                                                
borrowings                                  0.8           8.2            7.2    
Overdrafts and short-term                                                       
interest-bearing borrowings               235.0         350.5          172.0    
                                          668.1         651.0          530.0    
Total equity and liabilities            2 890.9       2 629.2        2 675.7    
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                            
                           Share           Non-                                 
                     capital and  distributable Distributable                   
premium       reserves      reserves          Total    
                              Rm             Rm            Rm            Rm     
Balance at                                                                      
30 September 2004                                                               
(restated)                 676.9           27.2       1 176.6        1 880.7    
Net profit                                                                      
attributable to                                                                 
ordinary shareholders          -              -         216.6          216.6    
Fair value adjustments                                                          
of available-for-sale                                                           
investments, net of tax        -           18.5             -           18.5    
Profit on disposal of                                                           
available-for-sale                                                              
investments recognised,                                                         
net of tax                     -           (3.1)            -          (3.1)    
Share-based payment            -           10.8             -           10.8    
Transfer to contingency                                                         
reserve                        -            1.8          (1.8)            -     
Foreign currency                                                                
translation reserve                                                             
movement                       -           (2.9)            -           (2.9)   
Dividends paid                 -              -         (61.0)         (61.0)   
Balance at 31 March 2005                                                        
(restated)                 676.9           52.3       1 330.4        2 059.6    
Net profit attributable                                                         
to ordinary shareholders       -              -         161.6          161.6    
Fair value adjustments                                                          
of available-for-sale                                                           
investments, net of tax        -           29.3             -           29.3    
Profit on disposal of                                                           
available-for-sale                                                              
investments recognised,                                                         
net of tax                     -           (1.0)            -           (1.0)   
Share-based payment            -           58.4             -           58.4    
Transfer of share-based                                                         
payment reserve to                                                              
retained income on vesting     -          (69.2)         69.2              -    
Treasury shares:                                                                
  Share repurchase                                                              
  programme                (92.0)             -             -          (92.0)   
Share Trust               (0.3)             -             -           (0.3)   
Share awards to employees    0.2              -          (0.2)            -     
Profit on sale of own                                                           
shares                         -              -           2.3            2.3    
Transfer to contingency                                                         
reserve                        -            1.4          (1.4)            -     
Foreign currency                                                                
translation reserve movement   -          (14.2)            -          (14.2)   
Dividends paid                 -              -         (72.9)         (72.9)   
Balance at                                                                      
30 September 2005          584.8           57.0       1 489.0        2 130.8    
ABRIDGED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT                                              
6 months      6 months      12 months    
                                          ended         ended          ended    
                                        30 Sept       30 Sept       31 March    
                                           2005          2004           2005    
Rm            Rm             Rm    
                           Notes      Unaudited     Unaudited        Audited    
Cash flow from operating                                                        
activities                                                                      
Cash flow from trading         7          337.9         295.1          610.7    
Working capital movement       8          (33.9)         22.2           14.5    
Cash generated from                                                             
operations                                304.0         317.3          625.2    
Dividends and interest                                                          
received                                   21.0          26.8           46.8    
Interest paid                              (8.3)       (305.4)        (319.9)   
Taxation paid                            (170.3)       (128.3)        (207.6)   
Dividends paid                            (72.9)            -          (61.0)   
Cash retained                                                                   
from/(utilised by)                                                              
operating activities                       73.5         (89.6)          83.5    
Net cash outflow from                                                           
investing activities                      (7.0)         (56.6)         (53.0)   
Net cash outflow from                                                           
financing activities                      (96.4)       (504.7)        (506.0)   
Net decrease in cash and                                                        
cash equivalents                          (29.9)       (650.9)        (475.5)   
Cash and cash equivalents                                                       
at the beginning of the period           (116.7)        358.8          358.8    
Cash and cash equivalents                                                       
at the end of the period                 (146.6)       (292.1)        (116.7)   
GROUP SEGMENT REPORT                                                            
                                       6 months      6 months      12 months    
ended         ended          ended    
                                        30 Sept       30 Sept       31 March    
                                           2005          2004           2005    
                                             Rm            Rm            Rm     
Unaudited      Restated       Restated    
BUSINESS GROUPING                                                               
Trading revenue                                                                 
Merchandise                             1 145.6       1 017.4        2 153.6    
Insurance                                 186.6         169.2          357.6    
Total                                   1 332.2       1 186.6        2 511.2    
Operating profit                                                                
Merchandise                               231.8         201.2          449.7    
Insurance                                  77.6          68.8          143.8    
Total*                                    309.4         270.0          593.5    
GEOGRAPHICAL                                                                    
Revenue                                                                         
South Africa                            1 187.9       1 047.8        2 229.1    
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia                                                      
and Swaziland                             144.3         138.8          282.1    
Total                                   1 332.2       1 186.6        2 511.2    
* The operating profit excludes the share-based payment.                        
NOTES TO THE GROUP INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                 
1. Basis of accounting                                                          
These consolidated interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), specifically IAS 34 on    
interim financial reporting. The Group is adopting IFRS for the first time which
requires changes in accounting policies and the use of transitional arrangements
under IFRS. These have all been detailed in a separate section in this          
announcement entitled: "Compliance with International Financial Reporting       
Standards".                                                                     
                                        30 Sept       30 Sept       31 March    
                                           2005          2004           2005    
Rm            Rm            Rm     
                                      Unaudited      Restated       Restated    
2. Trading revenue                                                              
Merchandise sales                         724.0         632.5        1 351.9    
Other trading revenue                     608.2         554.1        1 159.3    
Finance charges earned                    313.9         292.5          605.0    
Net insurance income                      186.6         169.2          357.6    
  Gross insurance income                  261.1         234.5          501.0    
Reinsurance premiums                    (74.5)        (65.3)        (143.4)   
Fees for services rendered                107.7          92.4          196.7    
                                        1 332.2       1 186.6        2 511.2    
3. Bad debts and impairment                                                     
provision                                                                       
Bad debts, bad debt recoveries                                                  
and repossession losses                    46.4          48.1          125.3    
Movement in impairment provision            4.3         (10.5)         (23.7)   
50.7          37.6          101.6    
4. Net finance costs                                                            
Interest paid:                                                                  
- Fellow subsidiary                           -          32.8           32.8    
- Bank and loans                            5.8           7.4           17.8    
- Other                                     2.5             -            4.2    
Interest received:                                                              
- Bank                                     (3.0)         (9.8)         (12.0)   
- Other                                       -             -           (0.1)   
                                            5.3          30.4           42.7    
5. Trade and other receivables                                                  
Instalment sale and loan receivables    2 734.7       2 599.5        2 677.1    
Provision for unearned finance                                                  
charges and unearned                                                            
maintenance income                       (452.8)       (365.8)        (414.4)   
Impairment provision                     (389.7)       (398.6)        (385.4)   
Provision for unearned                                                          
insurance premiums                       (159.8)       (143.0)        (154.4)   
  Unearned insurance premiums            (263.9)       (235.1)        (254.9)   
  Less: reinsurer"s technical                                                   
reserves                                104.1          92.1          100.5    
Net instalment sale and                                                         
loan receivables                        1 732.4       1 692.1        1 722.9    
Other receivables                          47.5          49.8           27.7    
1 779.9       1 741.9        1 750.6    
The credit terms of instalment                                                  
sale and loan receivables range                                                 
from 6 to 24 months. Amounts                                                    
due from instalment sale and                                                    
loan receivables after one year                                                 
are reflected as current, as they                                               
form part of the normal operating                                               
cycle.                                                                          
6. Material capital commitments                                                 
There were no material capital                                                  
commitments contracted for or                                                   
authorised and contracted at                                                    
the end of the period under review.                                             
7. Cash flow from trading                                                       
Operating profit                          251.0         270.0          582.7    
Adjusted for:                                                                   
Depreciation and amortisation              21.5          20.9           36.9    
Share-based payment                        58.4             -           10.8    
Profit on sale of property,                                                     
plant and equipment                       (2.5)          (1.9)          (3.9)   
Movement in debtors impairment                                                  
provision                                   4.3         (10.5)         (23.7)   
Movement in retirement benefits                                                 
provisions                                  1.8           1.8           (2.8)   
Movement in other provisions                3.4          14.8           10.7    
                                          337.9         295.1          610.7    
8. Working capital movement                                                     
Increase in inventory                     (94.4)        (19.1)          (5.5)   
(Increase)/decrease in trade                                                    
and other receivables                     (47.8)         20.4           21.9    
Increase/(decrease) in trade and                                                
other payables                            108.3          20.9           (1.9)   
                                          (33.9)         22.2           14.5    
KEY RATIOS FOR THE GROUP                                                        
                                       6 months      6 months      12 months    
ended         ended          ended    
                                        30 Sept       30 Sept       31 March    
                                           2005          2004          2005     
Operating efficiency ratios                                                     
Merchandise gross profit %                35.5%         33.8%           34.5%   
Normalised operating margin %             23.2%         22.8%           23.6%   
Number of stores                            478           472            475    
Trading revenue per store (R000"s)        2 787         2 514          5 287    
Normalised operating profit per store (R000"s)                              647 
572          1 249                                                              
Number of employees (average)             5 818         5 694          5 713    
Trading revenue per                                                             
employee (R000"s)                           229           208            440    
Normalised operating profit                                                     
per employee (R000"s)                        53            47            104    
Trading space (sqm)                     206 501       206 786        207 595    
Trading revenue per sqm (R)               6 451         5 738         12 097    
Normalised operating                                                            
profit per sqm (R)                        1 498         1 305          2 859    
Current ratios                              3.3           3.2            3.9    
Credit ratios                                                                   
Cash and short-term credit                                                      
sales % of total sales                    30.8%         31.0%          30.1%    
Bad debts and impairment                                                        
charge as a % of the gross                                                      
debtors book                               1.9%          1.4%           3.8%    
Debtors impairment provision                                                    
as a % of gross instalment                                                      
receivables                               14.2%          15.3%         14.4%    
Total debtors provisions as                                                     
a % of gross instalment receivables       36.6%         34.9%          35.6%    
Credit applications decline rate          24.6%         20.4%          20.5%    
Average age of book (months)               14.5          14.7           14.8    
Arrear % (full contractual)               25.0%         27.6%          25.7%    
Shareholder ratios                                                              
Net asset value per share (cents)         2 131         1 881          2 060    
Gearing ratio                              7.0%         16.1%           6.1%    
Normalised return on average equity       21.0%         20.8%          22.1%    
Normalised return on average                                                    
capital employed                          19.4%         17.0%          18.5%    
Notes:                                                                          
1. All ratios are based on figures at the end of the period unless otherwise    
disclosed.                                                                      
2. For the applicable ratios, revenue will be the trading revenue.              
3. Where a ratio is referred to as normalised, the earnings used in that ratio  
will exclude the share-based payment.                                           
4. Employees reflect only permanent employees.                                  
5. Normalised ROE for September 2004 and March 2005 have been restated to       
exclude the effects of the restructuring prior to listing.                      
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS ("IFRS")            
In accordance with the requirements of the JSE the Group has adopted            
International Financial Reporting Standards from 1 April 2005. These standards  
are subject to ongoing review and interpretation by the International Accounting
Standards Board. Consequently, IFRS information at year-end may differ from the 
information contained herein.                                                   
In complying with IFRS, comparative information has been restated and the       
following accounting policy changes made:                                       
1. IFRS 1: Transitional Arrangements (1 April 2004)                             
1.1 Fair Value as Deemed Cost                                                   
The Group elected to apply the fair value of land and buildings as deemed cost. 
Accordingly, depreciation previously provided has been reversed. Deferred tax   
has been provided on the revalued amount at the income tax rate.                
1.2 Employee Benefits                                                           
Unrecognised actuarial gains and losses at the date of transition has been      
recognised and charged against retained income.                                 
1.3 Cumulative Translation Differences                                          
Foreign currency adjustments arising on the translation of foreign operations   
("FCTR") will continue to be recognised directly in equity. The balance on the  
FCTR was reset to zero at transition.                                           
1.4 Designation of Financial Instruments                                        
Gilts held by Monarch Insurance Company have been designated as available-for-  
sale (previously recognised as fair value through profit and loss).             
2. Income Statement Reclassifications                                           
In terms of IAS 1, the following material reclassifications were made in the    
income statement with comparatives restated accordingly:                        
- Insurance premiums paid to reinsurers are deducted from insurance premiums    
written. This was previously included in cost of sales. In addition, reinsurance
commissions received have been included in revenue.                             
- Settlement discounts have been reclassified to cost of sales with an          
appropriate adjustment to inventory valuation under IAS 2.                      
3. IFRS 2: Share-based Payments                                                 
In accordance with IFRS 2, share-based payments are recognised as an expense in 
the income statement over the vesting period with a corresponding credit to     
equity.                                                                         
4. IAS 17 - Property Leases                                                     
In terms of IAS 17 and SAICA Circular 7/2005 operating leases with fixed        
escalations have been recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the
lease term and not on the basis of the cash outflows as in previous years.      
5. IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment                                       
Depreciation will be provided on buildings at deemed cost (refer 1.1). The      
residual value will be reassessed at each balance sheet date.                   
The effect of adopting IFRS is reflected below:                                 
IFRS Income Statement Impact                         31 March        30 Sept    
                                                         2005           2004    
                                                           Rm             Rm    
As previously reported                                  408.9          181.7    
Employee benefits - IFRS 1                                2.3              -    
Designation of financial instruments - IFRS 1            (5.6)          (3.2)   
Share-based payments - IFRS 2                           (10.8)             -    
Occupancy cost - IAS 17                                   0.8            0.3    
Depreciation - IAS 16                                    (0.1)           0.2    
Settlement discount in inventory - IAS 2                 (0.3)          (0.4)   
As reported under IFRS                                  395.2          178.6    
IFRS Impact on Shareholders" Equity                                             
31 March       30 Sept        1 April    
                                           2005          2004           2004    
                                            Rm             Rm             Rm    
As previously reported                  2 059.4       1 883.1        1 310.0    
Fair value deemed as cost - IFRS 1         34.7          34.7           34.7    
Employee benefits - IFRS 1                (25.2)        (27.5)         (27.5)   
Occupancy cost - IAS 17                    (6.2)         (6.7)         (7.0)    
Depreciation - IAS 16                      (0.1)          0.2              -    
Settlement discount in                                                          
inventory - IAS 2                          (3.0)         (3.1)          (2.7)   
As reported under IFRS                 2 059. 6        1 880.7       1 307.5    
Executive director:             AJ Smart (Chief Executive Officer)              
Non-executive directors:        DM Nurek* (Chairman), H Saven*,                 
                                B van der Ross*, F Abrahams*                    
                                * Independent                                   
Company secretary:              PB Croucher                                     
Registered office:              53A Victoria Road, Woodstock, 7925              
Registration number:            2004/009817/06                                  
Share code:                     LEW                                             
ISIN:                           ZAE000058236                                    
Transfer secretaries:           Computershare Investor Services 2004            
                                (Pty) Ltd, 70 Marshall Street,                  
                                Johannesburg, 2001                              
                                PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107                
Auditors:                       PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.                     
Sponsor:                        UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd                      
These results are also available on our website: www.lewisgroup.co.za           
Date: 14/11/2005 12:00:31 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
Other Profile Group sites: FundsData Online (unit trust data)  |  Profile Group corporate site
[  Terms of Use |  Privacy Policy |  PAIA manual |  FAQs/Help |  Site Map |  © Copyright Reserved 2026  ]
  


Powered by ProfileData

Profile Mobile App Google Play Store Apple App Store


Follow us on: