Coats Group plc has a track record of delivering good levels of free cash through profitable sales growth, delivering self-help initiatives and investing in organic growth opportunities. The Board aims to use this free cash flow to fund its pension schemes, self-finance bolt-on acquisitions, and make returns to shareholders. As underlying earnings and cash flows increase, the Board intends to continue to pursue a progressive dividend policy.
Other financial highlights include:
Revenue growth of 1% on an CER basis in line with November trading update; 2% decline on a reported basis as a result of H1 foreign exchange translation headwinds.
o Apparel & Footwear CER revenue growth of 1.0%; core thread sales up 2.1% driven by on-going share gains;
o Performance Materials CER revenue growth of 1.4%; growth in Personal Protection, and Telecoms and Energy, offset by Transportation.
Adjusted operating profit up 5% on a CER basis to $198 million; adjusted operating margin up 50bps to 14.3%.
Adjusted EPS up 1% to 7.0 cents; 200bps reduction in underlying effective tax rate5 to 29%, offset by certain non-operational one-offs (e.g. initial impact of IFRS16 (leases) and higher year-on-year pension finance charge).
Adjusted free cash flow of $107 million reflecting strong cash conversion.
Closing net debt (excl. IFRS 16) of $150 million; net debt (incl. IFRS 16) of $215 million (0.9x leverage).
Reported operating profit of $191 million (up 30%) and basic EPS of 6.7 cents (up 73%); continued strategic progress and significantly lower net exceptional costs in the year.
