TIDMOBE
RNS Number : 2537L
Oberon Investments Group PLC
30 December 2022
The information communicated within this announcement is deemed
to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market
Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 which is part of UK law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the
publication of this announcement, this information is considered to
be in the public domain.
Oberon Investments Group plc
('Oberon' or the 'Company' or the 'Group')
Unaudited results for the six months ended 30 September
2022,
Oberon Investments Group plc (AQSE: OBE), the boutique
investment management, wealth planning and corporate broking group,
announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 30
September 2022 (the 'period').
Following the fundraising at the beginning of the year, the six
months to 30 September 2022 have been a period of investment in
teams, technology and systems to create a platform for future
growth. The inevitable impact of the weak capital markets has been
tempered by further development of the Group, organic inflows of
funds and opportunities arising from new teams joining.
Highlights
-- Following the oversubscribed fundraise in Q1 of 2022, this
has been a period of investment in Oberon's platform for
sustainable future growth.
-- Market falls (FTSE 250 down 19% over the period) were offset
by new client wins and inflow of assets, with recurring investment
management fee revenues unchanged.
-- Despite Corporate Broking clients increasing from 15 to 22 in
the period, slower corporate markets resulted in delays to IPOs and
fundraises, leading to an overall slight decline in revenue for the
Group.
-- Following new team signings (in both Investment Management
and Corporate Broking, in the period and post period end)
management expects growth to resume with increased revenues in
2023/24 across all divisions.
-- Revenue GBP2.6m (2021: GBP3.4m).
-- EBITDA* loss of GBP(1.3)m (2021: profit of GBP6k), reflecting
the increased investment in platform, systems and controls for the
future.
-- Loss before tax: GBP(1.7)m (2021: profit before tax of GBP128k).
-- Strong balance sheet with net assets of GBP4.8m (2021:
GBP3.7m) including net cash of GBP2.3m (2021: GBP1.5m).
-- Material investment in technology and consolidation of wealth
platforms over the period will lead to significant cost savings
post period end.
-- Funds under management and administration ('FUMA') over
GBP1bn as at 30 September 2022 (2021: GBP765m).
* EBITDA above is reported as earnings before interest,
corporation tax, depreciation, amortisation, share based payment
charges and changes in the value of current asset investments.
Current trading, new business wins and outlook
-- Following the period end, Oberon has signed contracts with a
number of new teams who are expected to add further fee earning
revenue and FUMA to our existing funds.
-- This, combined with a number of cost-saving initiatives,
means that management expects growth to resume during 2023.
Chief Executive Officer Simon McGivern said: "Net inflows of
clients and assets have offset market declines in the wealth
management division, with the underlying performance of our
Investment Management division being relatively strong. We expect
FUMA growth to continue in the new year, with further new client
wins and the arrival of new teams. While the general corporate
market has been weak, the Corporate Broking division has continued
to increase its retained client base and recurring fee revenue for
this division has increased considerably. We expect this growing
client base to generate strong revenues from IPO and secondary
fundraises next year as markets recover.
We have also invested considerably in our infrastructure, which
is already starting to yield reduced costs as we consolidate our
trading platforms and further automate a number of functions .
We remain extremely positive about the prospects for Oberon and
are looking forward to announcing further team wins and progress
across other divisions in the coming months."
Enquiries:
Oberon Investments Group plc Via Novum Securities
Simon McGivern / John Beaumont
AQSE Corporate Adviser and Broker
Novum Securities Limited
Richard Potts , George Duxberry 020 7399 9400
Notes for editors
Oberon operates in the UK wealth and fund management sector and
in the corporate broking and financial advisory sectors. Since
Oberon Investments Ltd was established in April 2017, Oberon
group's FUMA have grown to in excess of GBP1bn as at 30 September
2022. This has been achieved organically by adding new clients and
new fund managers, attracted by the emerging brand and by a number
of small, selective and accretive acquisitions. Oberon Capital, the
corporate broking division, provides advice and raises capital for
companies from seed and early-stage funding through to IPO and
beyond.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT
Overview
Over the period, the FTSE 250 was down by nearly 19%, with the
FTSE AIM market down over 22%. Total investment management revenues
were down by 14.7%, mainly due to declines in dealing commissions.
Investment Management fees remaining unchanged with new client wins
and increases in inflows of assets offsetting market falls.
Post period end, a number of new teams have signed with Oberon,
expecting to bring further growth in FUMA and revenues.
Furthermore, the Corporate Broking team have continued to grow
their retained client base (from 15 to 22 over the period).
Business Review
Summary of revenues by activity
------------------------------------ ---------------------------
6m to 6m to %
Sept'22 Sept'21 change
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------ -------- -------- -------
Total Investment Management revenue 1,609 1,886 -14.7%
Corporate Broking & Advisory 1,031 1,562 -34.0%
Revenue 2,640 3,448 -23.4%
------------------------------------ -------- -------- -------
Investment Management and Wealth Planning
Despite the decline in the markets, Funds Under Management and
Administration ('FUMA') continued to grow over the period due to
considerable new net inflows. Post period end, a number of new
teams have joined the business who we expect to help continue this
trend and bring further quality fee generating revenue.
Total investment management revenues, including commissions,
financial planning fees and investment income declined by 14.7% to
GBP1.6m (2021: GBP1.9m) reflecting the impact of weaker trading
commissions on an otherwise stable performance of the investment
management business and the growth in financial planning
revenues.
Corporate Broking & Advisory
Corporate Broking and Advisory revenues, reflecting the tough
environment for raising funds, declined by 34.0% to GBP1.0m (2021:
GBP1.6m) - although recent performance has been encouraging. We
also expect the backlog of fundraising programs to reverse soon,
with a number of clients needing to access capital markets, both
through IPOs and secondary raises.
Recurring revenues from retainer fees in this division has grown
from GBP80k in H1'22 to GBP208k in H1'23, and when market
conditions settle, we expect this division to benefit from a
backlog of deal flow and fundraises.
Operating Costs
------------------------------ ---------------------------
6m to 6m to %
Sept'22 Sept'21 change
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ -------- -------- -------
Staff costs (exc. share
based charges) 2,184 1,692 29.1%
Other cash operating costs 1,744 1,750 (0.3)%
------------------------------ -------- -------- -------
Total cash operating expenses 3,928 3,442 14.1%
Non-cash operating costs 180 146 23.3%
------------------------------ -------- -------- -------
Total operating costs 4,108 3,588 14.5%
------------------------------ -------- -------- -------
In line with the firm's strategy to develop the business for
growth, staff costs have risen compared to the prior period,
reflecting both the increase in the number of employees and the
competitive nature of our industry. The increase in staff costs
have principally been in the compliance, operations and front of
office departments where we continue to strengthen the business and
position it for further growth.
Current trading and outlook
Following the recent period of investment, we feel we have a
very strong platform for the future. We have very strong teams
across all divisions, combined with a solid infrastructure to
monitor and control growth going forwards. A number of new product
launches in 2022/23 (such as the new EIS fund and special
situations service) are expected to generate high margin revenue,
alongside our continually growing discretionary Investment
Management business.
The outlook for corporate fund raising remains uncertain, and
this is likely to have some impact, in the short-term, on our
Corporate Broking business. However, it is an area where we have
invested carefully and expect revenues to return strongly as and
when markets stabilise. Further to this, it has been encouraging to
hear that the government and UK Regulators are working together to
encourage growth and to increase the competitiveness and
attractiveness of UK financial markets.
I would like to thank all our clients and shareholders for their
continued support and to express the appreciation of the entire
Oberon Board for the ceaseless hard work and commitment of our
staff.
Simon McGivern
Chief Executive Officer
29 December 2022
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the six month period ended 30 September 2022
Six months Six months Year
Ended Ended ended
30 Sept'22 30 Sept'21 31 Mar'22
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
----------------------------------
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------
Revenue 2 2,640 3,448 6,726
Operating expenses 3 (4,108) (3,588) (7,496)
(Losses)/gains on investments (178) 289 212
---------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------
Operating (loss)/profit (1,646) 149 (558)
Finance income - 1 1
Finance cost (27) (22) (24)
---------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,673) 128 (581)
Tax on (loss)/profit - - -
---------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------
(Loss)/profit after tax
attributable to
equity holders of the parent (1,673) 128 (581)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
for the period (1,673) 128 (581)
---------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------
(Loss)/earnings per share
(p)
Basic (p) 4 (0.356) 0.031 (0.141)
Diluted (p) 4 N/A 0.029 N/A
---------------------------------- ------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ----------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
At 30 September 2022
At 30 Sept At 30 Sept At 31 March
2022 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------- -----------------------
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 1,631 1,895 1,741
Plant, property and equipment 262 215 271
Total non-current assets 1,893 2,110 2,012
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Current assets
Investments 212 167 519
Debtors 6 2,725 4,720 3,479
Cash 2,287 1,571 3,160
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Total current assets 5,224 6,458 7,158
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Total assets 7,117 8,568 9,170
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Creditors: amounts falling due
within
one year 7 (2,281) (4,740) (2,649)
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Net Current Assets 2,943 1,718 4,509
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Creditors: amounts falling due
after
one year 8 (30) (157) (132)
----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Net assets 4,806 3,671 6,389
--------------------------------- ============================= ======================= =======================
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 2,350 2,061 2,345
Share premium account 6,002 2,836 5,950
Share option reserves 140 78 107
Merger relief reserve 11,337 11,337 11,337
Reverse acquisition reserve (9,558) (9,558) (9,558)
Retained earnings (5,465) (3,083) (3,792)
--------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
Total equity 4,806 3,671 6,389
--------------------------------- ============================= ======================= =======================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the six month period ended 30
September 2022 Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 March
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Operating activities before tax
(Loss)/profit from ordinary activities
after tax (1,673) 128 (581)
Adjustments for:
Losses/(gains) on current asset investments 178 (289) (213)
Depreciation 32 30 62
Amortisation 115 108 224
Investment income (32) (1) (1)
Finance costs 27 22 24
Employment related share based charges 33 8 36
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 754 (1,299) (71)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (395) 942 (1,092)
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Cash used in operations (961) (351) (1,612)
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (23) (180) (267)
Deferred consideration paid (28) - (111)
Acquisition of subsidiary - (223) (223)
Acquisition of cash in acquired business - 31 31
Cash invested in current asset investments - (45) (473)
Cash from sale of current asset investments 151 241 241
Repayment of loans advanced by the
Group - 217 217
Corporation tax paid (8) - -
Interest paid (27) (22) (24)
Interest received 32 1 1
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Net cash from investing activities 97 20 (608)
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Financing activities
Issue of equity - 50 3,532
Repayment of borrowings (8) (2) (6)
Repayment of capital from finance
leases - (3) (3)
Net cash flows from financing activities (8) 45 3,523
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents (872) (286) 1,303
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of
the period 3,159 1,857 1,857
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the period 2,287 1,571 3,160
-------------------------------------------- ================ ============ ================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the six month period ended 30 September 2022
Merger Reverse
Share Share relief acquisition Warrant Option Retained Total
capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve losses equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance as at 31 March 2021
(audited) 2,039 2,725 11,337 (9,558) 53 - (3,194) 3,402
Exercise of warrants 10 40 - - - - - 50
Issue of shares 12 71 - - - - - 83
Share based charges - - - - (53) 78 (17) 8
Profit for the period - - - - - - 128 128
-------- -------- -------- ------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Balance as at 30 September
2021 (unaudited) 2,061 2,836 11,337 (9,558) - 78 (3,083) 3,671
======== ======== ======== ============= ======== ======== ========= ========
Issue of shares 284 3,125 - - - - - 3,409
Costs of raising funds - (11) - - - - - (11)
Share based charges - - - - - 29 - 29
Loss for the period - - - - - - (709) (709)
-------- -------- -------- ------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Balance as at 31 March 2022
(audited) 2,345 5,950 11,337 (9,558) - 107 (3,792) 6,389
======== ======== ======== ============= ======== ======== ========= ========
Issue of shares 5 52 - - - - - 57
Share based charges - - - - - 33 - 33
Loss for the period - - - - - - (1,673) (1,673)
-------- -------- -------- ------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Balance as at 30 September
2022 (unaudited) 2,350 6,002 11,337 (9,558) - 140 (5,465) 4,806
======== ======== ======== ============= ======== ======== ========= ========
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) Basis of preparation
As permitted under AQSE listing rules, IAS 34, 'Interim
Financial Reporting' has not been applied in this interim
report.
The financial information presented in this report has been
prepared using accounting policies that are expected to be applied
in the preparation of the financial statements for the year ending
31 March 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial
Reporting Standard 102 - 'The Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS
102'), and the Companies Act 2006, and these principles are
disclosed in the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March
2022.
The financial information in this interim report does not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of
the Companies Act 2006.
The Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2022 have been
filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditors'
Report on the Annual Report and Financial Statement for 2022 was
unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of
emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of
the Companies Act 2006.
Going concern
The Directors believe that, taking into account its available
cash and liquid assets, the Group will have adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The
Directors are pleased to report that current trading is in line
with budget but are aware that this may not continue if market
conditions become less favourable. However, to help mitigate
against the risk of a downturn in the market some of the Group's
current asset investments have been sold during the period and
this, together with the Group's strong cash position, has reassured
the Directors that the Group's liquid assets could be accessed at
short notice should market conditions deteriorate further. For this
reason, the Directors continue to believe it is appropriate to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Financial
Statements.
Accounting policies
The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of
computation are followed in these set of financial statements as
are applied in the Group's latest audited Report and Accounts for
the year ended 31 March 2022.
2) Revenue
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 March
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ ------------ ------------ --------------
Investment management revenue 1,609 1,886 4,259
Corporate finance revenue 1,031 1,562 2,467
Total revenue 2,640 3,448 6,726
---------------------------------- ============ ============ ==============
3) Operating costs
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 March
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Staff costs 2,184 1,692 4,106
Other operating costs 1,744 1,750 3,068
Staff and other costs 3,928 3,442 7,174
Share based payments 33 8 36
Depreciation of tangible
assets 32 30 62
Amortisation of intangible
assets 115 108 224
Total operating costs 4,108 3,588 7,496
------------------------------- ============ ============ ==============
4) (Loss)/earnings per share
The basic loss per share of 0.356p (2021: earnings per share of
0.031p) is calculated on a loss after tax of GBP1,673k (2021:
profit after tax of GBP128k) and a weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period of 469,676,755 (2021:
411,025,351). For the year to 31 March 2022, the basic loss per
share of 0.14p is calculated on a loss after tax of GBP581k and a
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year
of 411,944,569.
The loss incurred by the Group means that the effect of any
outstanding options would be considered anti-dilutive and is
ignored for the purposes of the loss per share calculation for both
the 6 month period to 30 September 2022 and the year ended 31 March
2022. However, for the 6 month period to 30 September 2021, diluted
earnings per share takes account of the impact of the outstanding
options which had been granted. In compliance with IAS33 (using the
Treasury stock method), at 30 September 2021, this resulted in an
additional 34,611,489 shares being added to the weighted average
number of shares in issue (stated above), to calculate the diluted
earnings per share.
5) Debtors
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 March
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------ ------------ ------------ --------------
Trade debtors 1,332 3,653 1,411
Rent and other deposits 64 64 63
Other debtors 119 128 841
Prepayments and accrued
income 1,210 875 1,164
---------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Total 2,725 4,720 3,479
---------------------------- ============ ============ ==============
6) Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 March
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Trade creditors 1,469 3,690 1,312
Other taxes and social security 170 169 159
Other creditors 62 39 90
Borrowings 10 10 10
Deferred consideration 97 83 65
Accruals and deferred income 473 749 1,013
------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ --------------
Total 2,281 4,740 2,649
------------------------------------ ============ ============ ==============
7) Creditors: amounts falling
due after one year
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 March
30 Sept 2022 30 Sept 2021 2022
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Borrowings 29 39 34
Deferred consideration - 117 98
Other creditors 1 1 -
Total 30 157 132
------------------------------- ============ ============ ==============
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO OBERON INVESTMENTS GROUP PLC
We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set
of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the
six months ended 30 September 2022 which comprises the Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of
Financial Position, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity,
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and related notes.
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that
causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements
in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30
September 2022 is not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with UK Accounting Standards.
Basis for Conclusion
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410, "Review of Interim
Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the
Entity" ("ISRE") issued for use in the United Kingdom. A review of
interim financial information consists of making enquiries,
primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting
matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A
review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and
consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would
become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in
an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the
company are prepared in accordance with UK Accounting
Standards.
Conclusions Relating to Going Concern
Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than
those performed in an audit as described in the Basis of Conclusion
section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to
suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going
concern basis of accounting or that management have identified
material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not
appropriately disclosed.
This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in
accordance with this ISRE, however future events or conditions may
cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.
Responsibilities of directors
The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly
financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct
Authority.
In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are
responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the
directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's Responsibilities
In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for
expressing to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of
financial statement in the half-yearly financial report. Our
conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern,
are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit
procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of
this report.
Use of our report
Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our
engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in
respect of half-yearly financial reporting in accordance with the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's
Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is
entitled to rely upon this report unless such a person is a person
entitled to rely on this report by virtue of and for the purpose of
our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so
by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept
responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other
purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such
liability.
Haysmacintyre LLP
Chartered Accountants 10 Queen Street Place
London
29 December 2022 EC4R 1AG
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