This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

26 September 2024

Touchstar plc

Interim results for the

Six months ended 30 June 2024

"Our outlook for 2024 remains unchanged and we continue to trade in line with our plan.

The Board has today announced that Touchstar is conducting a strategic review of its business, a sale of the Company is one of a number of possible outcomes of the strategic review.

 The long-term growth strategy and prospects of the business remain positive, and we are continuing to invest to support that growth.

A 50% increase in the interim dividend reflects our confidence."

The Board of Touchstar plc ((AIM:TST) "Touchstar", the "Company" or the "Group"), suppliers of mobile data computing solutions and managed services to a variety of industrial sectors, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 ("H1 24" and "Period").

2024 Interim Results Highlights

·      H1 24 trading is ahead of management expectations

·      As previously indicated financial results this year will be second half weighted

·      Full year expectations broadly on track

Key Financials

* Includes recurring revenue

H1 24 Financial Highlights

·      Revenue declined 6.7% as petrochemical distribution projects are scheduled for H2 24

·      Recurring revenue growth continues

·      Margins increased substantially enabling Touchstar to help offset the impact of reduced revenue

·      ATC, our access control business had a strong H1 24 which drove business outperformance to budget

·      Increase in the dividend, an indication of confidence in the business.

·      Cash balance reduced due to stock levels increasing ahead of expected H2 24 activity and increase in debtors following strong June trading. Position expected to normalise by year-end

Outlook for FY 24

As expected H1 24 was a quieter period for the business, the prospects for FY24 remain the same, with trading expected to achieve:

·      Growth in revenue year on year

·      Recurring revenue growth to continue to outpace total revenue

·      Margins for FY 24 to remain at healthy level

·      Progression of profitability and earnings per share year on year

·      H2 cash generation to be strong as timing factors in working capital unwind

Strategic Review

As announced earlier today, the Board is conducting a strategic review of the Company to identify the optimal path for future growth and value creation for its Shareholders. This review will explore various options, including a potential sale of the Company, its assets or other relevant transactions.

The Company has over time been approached by various parties about possible mergers, alliances or sale of all or parts of the business. To date these have been received and considered on an ad hoc basis. The Board now feels it is in shareholders' interests to consider the Company's options more formally and openly.

The objective of the strategic review will be to ascertain the right path for the business, one that enables shareholder value to be fully reflected, gives opportunity to our employees, and serves our customers well.

Zeus has been appointed to advise us in this process. Our intention is to reach a conclusion to this review this year.

We believe that Touchstar has demonstrated a high quality of earnings, a proven record of good growth and strong cash generation. Our question, "is remaining as a small, listed company the appropriate structure to deliver value to shareholders"?

Commenting today, Ian Martin, Chairman of Touchstar, said:  

"The Board remains confident in the long-term growth potential of the business, and we are investing to support that growth.  Our strong financial position and underlying cash generation allows us to continue to fund our organic growth plans, accelerate investment, add resource and continue to return surplus cash to shareholders. We will maintain the discipline that has delivered profitable growth in recent years"

For further information, please contact:

Information on Touchstar plc can be seen at: www.touchstarplc.com

CHAIRMAN'S INTERIM STATEMENT 2024

CHAIRMANS STATEMENT

I am pleased to report that in the six months ended 30 June 2024 the Group performed ahead of management expectations albeit the results are below H1 2023, as unlike last year the larger contracts, as we expected, are to be second half weighted.  The results for the year are broadly on track with expectations.

In the Period the Group has won new customers, controlled its costs and margins and has invested in improving our products. In addition, our access control business, ATC, has had a strong six month performance benefitting from our investment and the successful repositioning of the business as a solutions provider.

While I have great confidence in the business and its potential, I also hold high expectations for its performance. While the first half of 2024 exceeded our expectations, we can and should strive for even greater achievements. By critically evaluating our performance, we can identify areas for improvement, accelerate our positive momentum, and overcome obstacles that may hinder our progress.

As we seem to be moving out of an inflationary period, the differentiating factor of a quality business will be how revenues can be built - not just the ability to have pricing power. Touchstar needs to position itself accordingly continuing to invest in people, training and technology.  In particular, it is clear we need more sales fire power in the business especially to increase overseas sales - we are taking proactive steps to address this through ongoing recruitment efforts.

Capital Management - Dividend and Share Buybacks

As a sign of continued confidence in the longer-term future, the Board is declaring an increased interim ordinary dividend of 1.5p per share (H1 23: 1.0p). As a guide we would expect the dividend for the full year to be covered around three times by underlying basic earnings per share and our aim is to continue to increase the dividend in line with growth in earnings per share.

The interim ordinary dividend of 1.5p per share will be paid on 21 November 2024 to shareholders on the register on 25 October 2024. The ex-dividend date will be 24 October 2024.

No shares were bought back in the Period and the Board will suspend any future purchase until at least the end of the strategic review period.

The Board

 It is still the Board's and my intention that I stand down as a director and chairman of the Company. Due to several corporate developments the search for a successor was paused, and the Board has now asked that I stay in place until the conclusion of the strategic review - which I have agreed to do.

Once the strategic review is completed it is the Board's current intention that Mark Hardy will replace me as Executive Chairman, the company will appoint at least one independent non -executive director in 2025 and put in place a plan to separate the roles of CEO and Chairman.

Business review

We have made some good progress in new product developments, adding additional software modules to strengthen the products appeal in the marketplace.  The development team has grown significantly over the past 12-18 months and whilst we still plan to strengthen the team further, real progress in product functionality for the customer is being achieved. 

As mentioned in the last 12 months we have planned to expand further afield.  We have a modest footprint of international customers and whilst we know this is more challenging aspect of sales, it is important for our expansion plans.  Recruitment of additional sales resource is in play which will bolster this sales avenue further. 

During the early part of 2024, Touchstar was accredited with BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment), allowing us to broaden our reach within the access control and security markets, and since then we have been successful in securing our first fire system installation with an Educational College and taken on the maintenance and future upgrade of two well-known high street brands.   In addition, ATC won and installed their second large government contract in June.

In the same period, Touchstar has also achieved Cyber Essentials + accreditation, the UK standard for security and safeguarding cyber-attacks on the business.  This is fast becoming a customer requirement for all technology suppliers.  It builds on Touchstar best practises and is a powerful tick in the box for prospective customers going forward.

Financial results

Touchstar has delivered satisfactory results for the Period which we knew would be difficult in comparison to the prior year.

Revenue decreased 9.3% to £3,377,000 (H1 23: £3,726,000). The main factor for this is that the larger petrochemical distribution installations that were predominately weighted in the first half of 2023 are now reverting to the seasonal pattern of taking place in the second half of the year. The company has also introduced a new service which allows customers to spread the costs of their acquisition over a longer period. This reduces revenue recognition, profitability and cashflow in the short term but increases the future growth rate of recurring revenue. This is more profitable in the longer term, improves retention and acquisition of customers. In H1 2024 management estimates this reduced revenue by circa £100k and profitability by £30,000-£40,000 (H1 23: nil).

Growth in recurring revenue, as expected, softened the overall rate of decline in total sales.  For H1 24 recurring revenue represented 44% of total sales (H1 23: 38%). The business strategy is still to build the level of recurring revenues in both absolute terms and in relation to total sales.

Gross margins maintained a healthy level and improved by 370 basis points from the comparison period. In H1 24 margins were 59.1% (H1 23: 55.4 %). It should be noted the distorting effects of the low margin sale in H1 23, flattered revenue but reduced overall margin in H1 23. H1 24 also benefitted from the effect of recurring income being a higher proportion of overall revenue.

As ever the business controlled the expense base well, expenses were broadly unchanged at £1,753,000 (H1 2023: £1,763,000) despite the upward pressure on salaries continuing.

Although controlled costs and improved margins helped retain profitability in the business, these factors could not completely compensate for the decrease in revenue. In H1 24 pre-tax profits fell by 17.3% to £254,000 (H1 23: £307,000).

A tax charge of £23,000 (H1 23: £36,000) resulted in a more modest decline in H1 24 post-tax profits of 14.7% to £231,000 (FY23: £271,000).

Earnings per share reduced by 11.9% to 2.82p in H1 24 (H1 23: 3.20p). The Company did not buy back any shares in the period (H1 23: nil). The total number of shares with voting rights therefore remains at 8,200,277 (H1 23: 8,475,277).

EBITDA declined in H1 24 to £589,000 (H1 23: £657,000) as the decrease in operating profit of £56,000 was exacerbated slightly by the small decrease in depreciation and amortisation.

Spending on R & D increased as further investment was made into our technology and services. In H1 24 we invested £360,000 in R & D (H1 23: £283,000). We are budgeted to spend £750,000 in R & D in FY 24 a 29% increase on the 2023 level of investment.

The balance sheet remains strong. Cash and cash per share were lower than the prior year most of which is timing issues in working capital that is expected to reverse by year end.

Trade and other receivables were higher at H1 24 at £1,974,000 (H1 23: £1,057,000). The business experienced a high level of trading in June so those monies will flow into the business over the next few weeks. Additionally, inventories were built ahead of the expected level of activity in H2 24, these stood at £1,364,000 at the Period end (H1 23: £1,057,000). This should enable orders to be delivered and installed in a timely manner.

The order book, which we now report inclusive of recurring revenues due stood at £2,275,733 at the Period end (H1 23: £2,988,275). As we noted in the last statement customers have returned to more of a "just in time" behaviour rather than a more aggressive order placement strategy seen in the period of heightened supply chain concerns. By way of an example, June was a near £1.0m revenue month with some of the larger orders confirmed by customers only weeks ahead of installation. The business was able to respond to this quicker turnaround.

People

None of the Group's achievements would be possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of our people within the business. Their energy, adaptability, and commitment have been the driving force behind the success and quality of the business we have built.

Current trading and outlook

The Board's expectation is for a stronger second half and for the outturn of 2024 to be broadly in line with expectations. To reiterate the goals and expectations we have set the business it is encumbered on us all to deliver.

o  growth in revenue year on year;

o  recurring revenue growth outpacing total revenue growth;

o  margins at a healthy level;

o  cash to be generated by the operations;

o  continued investment in future growth prospects;

o  preservation of a solid balance sheet; and

o  Shareholder value creation.

The Board remains confident in the long-term growth strategy, and we continue to invest to support that growth. Our strong financial position and underlying cash generation allows us to continue to fund our organic growth plans, accelerate investment, add resource and continue to return surplus cash to shareholders. We will maintain the discipline that has delivered profitable growth over recent years.

I Martin

Executive Chairman

26 September 2024

Unaudited consolidated income statement for the six months ended 30 June 2024

Earnings per ordinary share (pence) attributable to owners of the parent during the period: