TIDMZPLA
RNS Number : 4825Q
Zoopla Property Group PLC
30 November 2016
ZPG DELIVERS RECORD REVENUES AND PROFITS
Full year results for the twelve months ended 30 September
2016
Zoopla Property Group Plc (LSE:ZPLA) ("ZPG" or the "Group"),
owner of some of the UK's most trusted home-related digital
platforms including Zoopla, uSwitch, PrimeLocation and Property
Software Group, today announces its full year results for the
twelve months ended 30 September 2016 (the "Period").
Summary Results
2016 2015 YoY %
------------------------------------------- ------ ------ -----
Revenue (GBPm) 197.7 107.6 84
Adjusted EBITDA(1) (GBPm) 77.1 48.7 58
Profit for the year (GBPm) 36.7 25.4 44
Net debt (GBPm) 146.3 93.2 57
Adjusted basic EPS(2) (pence per share) 12.7 8.4 51
Basic EPS (pence per share) 8.9 6.2 44
Proposed final dividend (pence per share) 3.7 2.5 48
Business highlights
-- Revenue increase of 84% to GBP197.7 million and Adjusted
EBITDA increase of 58% to GBP77.1 million
-- Acquisition of Property Software Group creates UK's only
end-to-end solution for property professionals
-- Continued UK Agency partner growth up 5% (ex-Property
Software Group) and listings inventory up 10%
-- Total number of unique Property partners including Property
Software Group at 23,101 at the end of the Period
-- Outperformance in Comparison Services division with record
levels of switching activity across every vertical
-- Strong traffic with over 600m visits to the Group's websites
and mobile apps, of which 68% via mobile
-- Over 23m leads generated during the Period for Property
partners including 350,000 property appraisal leads
-- Comparison leads up 22% over same period last year to 30.3m,
helping consumers save over GBP320m
-- Invested in and partnered with a number of leading and
innovative sector relevant tech start-ups
-- Developed market-leading new products for consumers and
partners such as Running Costs and MoveIT
-- Relocated into our new Group headquarters bringing all our
London-based teams together under one roof
-- Proposed final dividend of 3.7p per share, bringing total
dividend for the Period to 5.2 pence per share
-- Since the end of the Period the Group has:
o Acquired leading cloud-based estate agency website design
business, Technicweb
o Invested in and signed partnership with connected home
insurance provider, Neos
Commenting on today's announcement Alex Chesterman, Founder
& CEO of ZPG said:
"The Group has had another very successful year and we are
stronger and more diversified than ever. We delivered record
revenues and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP197.7million and GBP77.1million
respectively and continued to grow our huge and highly engaged
consumer audience with over 600m visits to our websites and apps
during the year. We continue to lead innovation in the property and
comparison markets as we work towards fulfilling our mission of
providing the most useful resources for consumers when finding,
moving and managing their home and being the most effective partner
for related businesses.
"Our Property Services division has traded in line with
management expectations with ARPA(3) growth across every vertical
and we have now seen 18 consecutive months of UK Agency partner
growth. The acquisition of Property Software Group has been
transformational, allowing us to offer the UK's only end-to-end
solution for property professionals including software, workflow,
CRM and marketing tools. As a Group, we now have significant
cross-sell opportunities with over 23,000 unique Property partners
taking at least of one of our services.
"Our Comparison Services division has performed very strongly
with record levels of switching activity and leads in every
vertical helping consumers find the best deals and save over
GBP320m off their energy bills alone during the Period.
"We generated over 53m leads across the Group for our partners
during the year, helping them to win more business and operate more
efficiently. We have launched a number of new market-leading
products as well as investing and partnering with some of the most
innovative and relevant technology startups to further enhance and
differentiate our proposition.
We are also pleased to announce today the acquisition of
Technicweb, one of the UK's leading estate agency website design
and hosting businesses as well as our investment in and strategic
partnership with Neos, the UK's first connected home insurance
provider."
Outlook
ZPG has had a good start to the new financial year across both
divisions.
In our Property Services division, the Group's compelling and
unique proposition which helps property professionals to manage,
market and maximise their business, continues to resonate.
Management is encouraged by the continued trend in UK Agency
partner growth, with over 600 branches having now returned over the
past 18 months.
The Comparison Services division has performed well, as
expected, since the end of the Period as consumers increasingly
become aware of the benefits of switching.
The Group will continue to invest across the business and
develop further products in line with our vision to be the consumer
champion at the heart of the home. Although it is early in the
year, Management remains comfortable with market expectations(4)
for the 2017 financial year. Our next trading update will be on 2
February 2017, the day of our AGM.
-S-
For further information, please contact:
Lawrence Hall, Head of Communications - lawrence.hall@zpg.co.uk
/ 07890 078 945
Rachael Malcolm, Head of Investor Relations -
rachael.malcolm@zpg.co.uk / 0203 8725 648
James Isola, Maitland 020 7379 5151
http://www.zpg.co.uk/
A webcast of the management team presentation to analysts and
investors will be made available at www.zpg.co.uk at 09.00am this
morning and registration can be accessed here. An audio dial-in
will also be made available:
UK Toll Number: 0203 003 2666
UK Toll-Free Number: 0808 109 0700
United States Toll-Free Number: 1866 966 5335
United States Toll Number: 1 646 843 4608
Participant pin: 76156743#
1. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit after adding
back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and
exceptional items.
2. Adjusted basic EPS is calculated as profit for the year
excluding exceptional items and amortisation of intangibles arising
on acquisitions, adjusted for tax and divided by the weighted
average number of shares in issue for the Period.
3. ARPA (Average revenue per advertiser) represents revenue from
property portal advertising services from the Group's Property
partners in a given month divided by the total number of Property
partners during the month, measured as a monthly average over the
period.
4. As at 29 November 2016, market expectations for Group FY17
Revenue and EBITDA were GBP219.2m and GBP85.8m, respectively
(Source: Bloomberg).
Cautionary Statement
This document contains forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements include matters that are not historical
facts. Statements containing the words "believe", "expect",
"intend", "may", "estimate" or, in each case, their negative and
words of similar meaning are forward-looking. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because
they relate to events that may or may not occur in the future. We
caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and that the Group's actual financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows, and the development of the
industry in which we operate, may differ materially from those made
in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this
document. In addition, even if the Group's financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows, and the development of the
industry in which we operate are consistent with the
forward-looking statements in this document, those results or
developments may not be indicative of results or developments in
subsequent periods. Important facts that could cause the Group's
actual results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or
the development of the industry in which we operate, to differ from
current expectations include those principal risks and
uncertainties disclosed below. As a consequence, the Group's future
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well
as the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ
from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us
or on the Group's behalf.
About Zoopla Property Group (www.zpg.co.uk)
Zoopla Property Group Plc (LSE:ZPLA) (ZPG) owns and operates
some of the UK's most trusted and effective home-related digital
platforms including Zoopla, uSwitch, PrimeLocation and Property
Software Group. Our mission is to provide the most useful resources
for consumers when finding, moving or managing their home and be
the most effective partner for related businesses.
We help consumers understand the property and home services
comparison markets and make smarter decisions, whilst helping
professionals to win more business and operate more effectively.
The Group benefits from its multi-brand, multi-channel approach and
each of our brands has a distinct market position with an
unrivalled proposition. Our websites and mobile apps attract over
50 million visits per month.
Zoopla is the UK's most comprehensive property website, helping
consumers to research the market and find their next home by
combining hundreds of thousands of property listings with market
data and local information.
uSwitch is the UK's leading comparison website for home services
switching, helping consumers to find the best deal and save money
on their gas, electricity, broadband, TV, phone and personal
finance products.
PrimeLocation is one of the UK's leading property websites,
helping house-hunters in the middle and upper tiers of the market
explore and find their dream home from the top estate and letting
agents.
Property Software Group is the UK's largest supplier of software
and workflow solutions to the property industry with a portfolio of
brands including Alto, Jupix, CFP, Vebra, Core, Encore,
MyPropertyFile and MoveIT.
Zoopla Property Group Plc was founded in 2007 and has a highly
experienced management team, led by Founder & CEO, Alex
Chesterman OBE.
Business Review
2016 has been another very successful year for ZPG as we remain
focused on being the consumer champion at the heart of the home. We
continued to lead innovation in the digital property and comparison
markets and the Group is now stronger and more diversified than
ever, delivering Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP197.7 million
and GBP77.1 million respectively during the Period.
Executing on our strategy & vision
At the time of both the uSwitch and Property Software Group
acquisitions we talked about being on a multi-year journey to
create the best fully-integrated products in the market by refining
and enhancing the experience for both our consumers and partners.
Doing so allows us to maximise the opportunity we have to fulfil
our mission of providing the most useful resources for consumers
when finding, moving or managing their home and being the most
effective partner for related businesses.
This year we continued to invest in marketing our brands and
developing our products. We created a series of new national
advertising campaigns for each of our consumer brands - Zoopla,
uSwitch and PrimeLocation - resulting in record levels of brand
awareness. We launched our innovative 'Running Costs' tool on the
Zoopla website, giving consumers an idea of the total occupancy
costs for any property including likely mortgage or rental
payments, energy costs, water bills, insurance and council tax
charges. We saw strong take-up of the Group's award-winning AdReach
product, which helps partners engage directly with their target
audience and win more business.
We have grown our huge and highly engaged consumer audience,
with over 600 million visits to our websites and apps during the
Period, delivering incredible value to our partners by generating
over 53 million leads for them during the year. And we have seen
strong mobile growth, having relaunched both the Zoopla and uSwitch
apps, with 68% of our traffic during the year coming via a mobile
device as consumers engaged with our platforms at home, at work and
on the move.
The Group also made investments and developed exclusive
strategic partnerships with some of the UK's most-promising and
innovative technology start-ups - PropertyDetective, Landbay and
Trussle - to further differentiate and enhance our consumer and
partner propositions. As a result, we have now launched individual
'Property Reports' for every home in the UK, a unique feature where
prospective buyers can get a 'Mortgage in Principle' in under 5
minutes and a new 'Invest' channel where anyone can now invest from
as little as GBP100 into the UK residential property market.
Acquisition of Property Software Group
In April, we acquired Property Software Group, the UK's
market-leading provider of software and workflow solutions to
property professionals, used in over 8,000 offices. This
acquisition is a core part of ZPG's mission and enables the Group
to now provide the UK property industry's first end-to-end solution
including software and CRM, digital marketing and market insight
tools as well as further revenue opportunities for our Property
partners. It is a key step for the Group and ensures that we remain
the most-valued partner for UK property professionals to help them
market their inventory, manage their business and maximise their
revenues.
Capital Markets Day
We held our first Capital Markets Day in September, which
allowed us to provide deeper insight into our vision and strategy
and the scale of the opportunity that exists throughout the
property journey. As part of the day, we unveiled our updated key
performance indicators ('KPIs') to reflect the evolution of the
business following our recent acquisitions and our bundled property
proposition. Full KPIs under the updated methodology for the Group
including pro forma comparators for the same period last year can
be found at the end of this release.
Property Services
Revenues in our Property Services division were GBP86.7 million
for the year, including GBP7.3 million of revenue from five months
of trading from Property Software Group. Our audience remains
highly engaged with over 45 million visits per month to our
property platform, up 2% year-on-year (YoY), delivering over 23
million leads to our Property partners over the Period.
On a like for like basis the total number of unique Property
partners increased by 6% over the past year to 23,101. We saw the
number of UK Agency partners advertising on our portals grow during
every month of financial year 2016, ending the Period up 5% at
13,373 in addition to 2,610 New Homes developments, 1,074 Overseas
agents, 415 Commercial agents and 5,003 software only partners. The
remaining 626 arise as a result of aligning the calculation method
for hybrids with our peers. Our inventory grew 10% to over 927,000
listings at the end of the Period.
On a like for like basis including Property Software Group,
combined ARPP was GBP328, up 1% on the same Period last year.
Excluding Property Software Group, ARPA increased across every
vertical as the Group's Property partners continued to advertise
their brands and market their inventory on our platform. UK Agency
ARPA grew by 2% to GBP365, reflecting the Group's pragmatic
approach to pricing during the Period. ARPA in New Homes grew by
13% to GBP377, as demand from New Homes Developers for the Group's
targeted email campaigns continued. Overseas and Commercial ARPA
grew by 1% to GBP150 and 21% to GBP129 respectively as we focused
on growing the number of partners and inventory.
As outlined at the Capital Markets Day, the Group will report
its total number of unique Property partners and Average Revenue
Per Partner (ARPP) from financial year 2017 onwards. For reference
under the updated KPI structure, the Group had a total of 23,101
unique Property partners and blended ARPP was GBP328 as at the end
of the Period, reflecting the mix effect from five months of
ownership of Property Software Group.
Comparison Services
Our Comparison Services division outperformed expectations this
year with consumer adoption of comparison websites continuing to
grow as the benefits of switching become increasingly clear. We
experienced record levels of switching across every vertical with
revenues in the division at GBP111.0 million, up 38% compared to
the same twelve-month period last year, whilst helping consumers
switch and save over GBP320 million off their energy bills
alone.
As outlined in our half year results, the Comparison Services
division had an exceptionally strong first six months with record
switching volumes in both the Energy and Communications verticals
as a result of our market-leading collective switch, energy
supplier price cuts and a highly-competitive environment for
broadband deals. We have seen these tailwinds continue in the
second half driving further outperformance as outlined below.
The performance in the Energy vertical was exceptionally strong
during the Period, driven by competitive supplier pricing, our
market-leading collective and exclusive deals and continued
regulatory support for comparison websites. In June 2016, the CMA
concluded its energy market investigation setting out a wide range
of reforms to modernise the market which specifically enable
comparison websites to play a more active role in helping consumers
to find the best deals and to save money off their household
bills.
The Communications vertical also performed strongly, driven by
highly competitive deals and consumer demand to switch to the best
broadband and TV packages. We continued to develop our Financial
Services offering with good progress in areas such as credit cards
and banking as a result of the Group's targeted approach to
launching into new verticals.
The number of Comparison Services leads generated during the
year increased to over 30 million, up 22% compared to the same
twelve-month period last year. The increase in ARPL to GBP3.67,
compared to GBP3.23 for the same twelve-month period last year, was
driven by the significant outperformance in the Energy
vertical.
Looking Ahead
Since the end of the Period, the Group has announced further
progress in differentiating its proposition for both consumers and
partners with the acquisition of Technicweb, one of the UK's
leading cloud-based estate agency website design and hosting
businesses as well as an investment in and an exclusive strategic
partnership with Neos, a leading smart home-insurance provider.
We are incredibly excited by the scale of the opportunity to
help both consumers and partners throughout the property lifecycle
and will continue to invest, integrate and innovate in product
development and audience engagement to make the most of this
opportunity across the different divisions of our business.
Finally, we will continue to work hard to attract and retain the
passion and talent we have within the business as we grow. We have
grown to 735 team members and have now moved all our London-based
staff into one Group headquarters, providing them with a
world-class working environment. I would like to welcome Andy Botha
and Mark Goddard and the whole Property Software Group team to ZPG.
I would also like to thank the Executive Management team and their
respective team members for their ongoing hard work, dedication and
commitment to our mission.
Alex Chesterman OBE
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Finance Review
Revenue increased by 84% to GBP197.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA
increased by 58% to GBP77.1 million compared to the same period
last year. The increase was partly a result of the inclusion of
twelve months of trading in the Comparison Services division and
five months of trading from Property Software Group, which we
acquired in April 2016. The Comparison Services division performed
ahead of expectations with record switching levels across every
vertical and the Property Services division performed in line with
expectations, with continued growth in the number of UK Agency
partners over the Period.
Statutory profit for the year and statutory basic EPS also
increased significantly by 44% to GBP36.7 million and 44% to 8.9p,
respectively. When reviewing performance the Directors use a number
of adjusted measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted basic
EPS, as they believe these give a more relevant indicator of the
Group's underlying performance. These measures are reconciled in
the Summary Income Statement below.
During the Period, the Group secured a GBP50 million extension
to its revolving credit facility, which was used to help fund the
acquisition of Property Software Group. As at 30 September 2016,
the Group had net debt of GBP146.3 million and substantial headroom
against its covenants.
The Group maintains a target dividend pay-out ratio of 35-45% of
profits excluding share-based payments and exceptional items and
the Directors have proposed a final dividend of 3.7 pence per
share. This, together with the interim dividend of 1.5 pence per
share, brings the total dividend to 5.2 pence per share for the
Period.
Summary Income Statement
GBPm 2016 2015 YoY %
----------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -----
Revenue 197.7 107.6 84
Operating costs (120.6) (58.9) 105
Adjusted EBITDA 77.1 48.7 58
Share-based payments (4.8) (1.9) 153
Depreciation (1.7) (0.4) 325
Amortisation of other intangibles (2.0) (1.6) 25
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions (7.5) (2.0) 275
Exceptional items (11.4) (8.2) 39
Operating profit 49.7 34.6 44
Net finance costs (3.5) (1.0) 250
Profit before tax 46.2 33.6 38
Income tax expense (9.5) (8.2) 16
Profit for the year 36.7 25.4 44
----------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -----
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions 7.5 2.0 275
Exceptional items 11.4 8.2 39
Adjustment for tax (3.2) (0.8) 300
Adjusted profit for the year 52.4 34.8 51
----------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -----
Adjusted earnings per share:
Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence per share) 12.7 8.4 51
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence per share) 12.5 8.3 51
Revenue
YoY
GBPm 2016 2015(2) %
------------------------------- ------ ---------------- ----
Property Services:
UK Agency(1) 64.3 58.3 10
New Homes 11.7 11.0 6
Other 10.7 10.6 2
------------------------------- ------ ---------------- ----
Property Services Revenue 86.7 79.9 9
------------------------------- ------ ---------------- ----
Comparison Services:
Energy 52.7 11.6 354
Communications 44.1 13.3 232
Other 14.2 2.8 407
------------------------------- ------ ---------------- ----
Comparison Services Revenue 111.0 27.7 301
------------------------------- ------ ---------------- ----
Group Revenue 197.7 107.6 84
------------------------------- ------ ---------------- ----
(1) UK Agency includes five months of trading from
Property Software Group
(2) 2015 Comparison Services Revenue represents four
months trading from uSwitch (acquired on 1 June 2015).
The Property Services division generated GBP86.7 million of
revenue, up 9% on the same period last year. UK Agency revenue,
which includes GBP7.3 million of revenue from five months of
trading from Property Software Group, was up 10% at GBP64.3
million. Excluding Property Software Group, UK Agency revenue
generated GBP57.0 million of revenue (FY15: GBP58.3 million)
against tough comparators from the same period last year, when the
Group experienced significant UK Agency churn related to Agents'
Mutual part way through the period. After adjusting for both the
contribution from Property Software Group and for revenue generated
from agents who churned part way through 2015, underlying UK Agency
revenue was up c.5%. New Homes revenue increased 6%, driven by
demand for targeted email campaigns with Other revenue, which
includes revenue from advertising, marketing services, data sales,
overseas and commercial property, continuing to perform in line
with expectations.
The Comparison Services division generated GBP111.0 million of
revenue and performed ahead of expectations across every vertical.
As a reminder, the prior year comparator includes four months of
Comparison Services trading as the business was acquired part way
through 2015.
Operating costs
Operating costs increased by 105% to GBP120.6 million, largely
attributable to the incorporation of twelve months of trading from
the Comparison Services division and five months of trading from
Property Software Group.
Property Services costs were GBP48.2 million, comprising Staff
costs of GBP22.6 million and Other Costs of GBP25.6 million. The
increase in both Staff and Other costs arose from the incorporation
of five months of costs from Property Software Group and our
ongoing investment in people, technology and marketing. In the
second half of the year, the Group strategically stepped up its
investment in above-the-line brand building activities, which
resulted in Zoopla achieving a record level of national awareness
and becoming the leading UK property portal with prompted brand
awareness of 90%. (Source: Harris Interactive, September 2016).
Comparison Services costs were GBP72.4 million, comprising Staff
costs of GBP12.6 million and Other costs of GBP59.8 million. The
Group invests in helping consumers find the best deals by
constantly optimising consumer experience, which in turn drives
conversion and generates greater exposure for our Comparison
partners. On a like-for-like basis, Other costs trended upwards in
line with revenue growth as a result of Group's strength in
performance-based marketing. The Group also increased its
above-the-line marketing of the uSwitch brand to help educate
consumers about the benefits of switching and to further grow our
brand awareness.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 58% from GBP48.7 million to GBP77.1
million compared to the prior year. Property Services Adjusted
EBITDA decreased slightly to GBP38.5 million reflecting the Group's
additional strategic investment in marketing in H2 2016 and tough
comparators against the same period last year as outlined above.
Property Services delivered a margin of 44% for the Period, lower
than the previous year due to the mix effect of incorporating five
months of Property Software Group. The Comparison Services division
generated GBP38.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA, at an increased
margin of 35%, as a result of the exceptionally strong performance
in the Energy vertical. Group margins reduced to 39% due to the mix
effect from incorporating a full year's trading from the Comparison
Services division and five months of trading from Property Software
Group.
Share-based payments
The share-based payments charge increased from GBP1.9 million to
GBP4.8 million as a result of providing for financial year 2016
grants under the Group's LTIP and deferred bonus schemes and the
first year of the VCP scheme for the CEO. As expected this charge
will increase in financial year 2017, in line with 2017 grants for
the LTIP and deferred bonus schemes.
Depreciation
Depreciation increased to GBP1.7 million due to a write-down of
leasehold improvements recognised as part of the Group's relocation
to a new headquarters. Underlying depreciation will increase in
financial year 2017 as we see a full year of depreciation charge on
costs associated with the Group's new headquarters.
Amortisation
The Group splits out amortisation of intangibles arising on
acquisitions and amortisation of other intangibles for the purposes
of calculating Adjusted basic EPS. Amortisation of acquired
intangibles increased to GBP7.5 million as a result of a full
year's amortisation charge arising on the acquisition of uSwitch
and five months charge of amortisation arising on the acquisition
of Property Software Group. The Group's amortisation of acquired
intangibles charge will increase in financial year 2017 to reflect
the valuation of Property Software Group and a full year's impact
of its respective charge.
Amortisation of other intangibles increased to GBP2.0 million
reflecting the Group's capital expenditure on building integrated
projects and products such as the 'Running Costs' tool as outlined
in the Business Review.
Exceptional items
Exceptional items include costs that Management believe to be
exceptional in nature by virtue of their size or incidence. Total
exceptional items of GBP11.4 million in 2016 represent costs
relating to the Property Software Group acquisition in addition to
deferred costs relating to the uSwitch acquisition.
Net finance costs
The Group incurred net finance costs of GBP3.5 million during
the Period. The increased charge reflects the drawdown of debt via
the Group's revolving credit facility to help fund the acquisition
of Property Software Group.
Income tax expense
The Group's income tax charge was GBP9.5 million representing an
effective income tax rate of 20.5%. This is higher than the
statutory tax rate of 20.0% due to non-deductible transaction costs
and management deferred and contingent consideration expenses
arising on acquisitions. This was offset by the revaluation of
deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the anticipated
reduction in the rate of corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017
and 17% from 1 April 2020.
Profit for the year
Adjusted profit for the year, calculated as profit for the year
after adding back exceptional items and amortisation of intangible
assets arising on acquisitions adjusted for tax, increased by 51%
to GBP52.4 million. Statutory profit increased by 44% to GBP36.7
million.
Earnings per share (EPS)
Adjusted basic EPS, which strips out the impact of exceptional
items and amortisation of intangible assets arising on
acquisitions, increased by 51% to 12.7p. Statutory basic EPS grew
by 44% to 8.9p.
Summary statement of financial position
GBPm 2016 2015
Goodwill and intangibles 322.6 253.7
Available for sale financial assets 0.7 -
Property, plant and equipment 6.4 1.9
Cash and cash equivalents 3.4 19.2
Working capital(1) 7.4 7.9
Loans and borrowings (149.7) (112.4)
Deferred and contingent consideration(2) (30.7) (38.1)
Provisions(2) (2.7) (0.8)
Tax assets and liabilities(2) (15.2) (14.2)
------------------------------------------ -------- --------
Net assets 142.2 117.2
------------------------------------------ -------- --------
The Group was in a strong financial position as at 30 September
2016 with net assets of GBP142.2 million. Intangible assets
increased to GBP322.6 million reflecting acquired intangibles as a
result of the Property Software Group acquisition. The increase in
property, plant and equipment to GBP6.4 million reflects the
Group's investment in a new headquarters as outlined in the
Business Review. The Group recognised a liability of GBP30.7
million for deferred and contingent consideration payable as a
result of the Group's acquisitions.
Net debt position
GBPm 2016 2015
Total loans and borrowings (149.7) (112.4)
Cash and cash equivalents 3.4 19.2
Net (debt)/cash (146.3) (93.2)
---------------------------- -------- --------
As at 30 September 2016 the Group had net debt of GBP146.3
million including loans and borrowings of GBP149.7 million. The
overall increase in net debt can be attributed to the acquisition
of Property Software Group in April 2016 and the payment of the
deferred consideration relating to the uSwitch acquisition and
deal-related earnout in the second half of 2016.
Summary statement of cash flows
GBPm 2016 2015
------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Net cash flows from operating activities 62.1 39.1
------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities:
Acquisitions and investments (88.6) (153.5)
Interest income received 0.1 0.2
Capital expenditure (6.5) (0.8)
Net cash used in investing activities (95.0) (154.1)
------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Proceeds on issue of debt, net of issue costs 89.4 123.3
Repayment of debt (52.5) (11.0)
Interest paid (3.0) (0.8)
Treasury shares purchased (0.4) -
Shares released from trust 0.2 0.4
Dividends paid (16.6) (8.7)
------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Net cash flows from financing activities 17.1 103.2
------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (15.8) (11.8)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 3.4 19.2
------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
1 Working capital is defined as both current and non-current,
trade and other receivables less trade and other payables
2 Includes both current and non-current balances
The Group continues to be highly cash generative with net cash
inflows from operating activities of GBP62.1 million during the
Period. This 59% increase, compared to the same period last year,
is largely due to the incorporation of twelve months of trading in
the Comparison Services division. The Group had a net outflow of
GBP88.6 million relating to the cash costs of the acquisition of
Property Software Group and deferred consideration relating to the
uSwitch acquisition.
Dividends
The Group maintains a target dividend pay-out ratio of 35-45% of
profits excluding share-based payments and exceptional items based
on the strong cash generation and long-term earnings potential of
the Group. The Directors have proposed a final dividend of 3.7
pence per share, bringing total dividends for the Period to 5.2
pence per share. Subject to shareholder approval at the 2017 Annual
General Meeting, this will be paid on 9 February 2017 to those
shareholders on the share register as at 16 December 2016.
Appendix 1: Group proforma KPIs
As outlined at ZPG's Capital Markets Day in September, the Group
has updated its key performance indicators ('KPIs') to reflect the
evolution of the business following our acquisitions and our new
bundled property proposition.
The table below shows how the Group will disclose its KPIs from
financial year 2017 onwards. The figures below are for the
twelve-month periods to 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015.
Each period includes a full year's trading in the Comparison
Services division and Property Software Group in order to give a
more meaningful comparative.
Group (GBPm) 2016(1) 2015(1) YoY%
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Property Services Revenue 96.4 94.6 2
Comparison Services Revenue 111.0 80.2 38
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Revenue 207.4 174.8 19
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Staff costs 39.8 35.2 13
Marketing costs 70.8 58.7 21
Other costs(2) 16.6 13.8 20
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Total Operating costs 127.2 107.7 18
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Adjusted EBITDA(3) 80.2 67.1 20
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
KPIs
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Visits(4) (million per month) 50.4 49.1 3
FTEs(5) 735 654 12
Divisional KPIs
Property Services:
Agency(6) (GBPm) 76.0 74.4 2
New Homes (GBPm) 11.8 11.0 7
Other(7) (GBPm) 8.6 9.2 -7
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Property Services Revenue (GBPm) 96.4 94.6 2
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Property Services Operating costs
(GBPm) 54.8 49.9 10
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Property Services Adjusted EBITDA
(GBPm) 41.6 44.7 -7
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Blended ARPP (average revenue per
partner) (8) 328 325 1
Total unique number of Property partners(9)
(000s') 23.1 21.7 6
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Comparison Services:
Energy (GBPm) 52.7 36.0 46
Communications (GBPm) 44.1 34.9 26
Other(10) (GBPm) 14.2 9.3 53
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Comparison Services Revenue (GBPm) 111.0 80.2 38
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Comparison Services Operating costs
(GBPm) 72.4 57.8 25
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
Comparison Services Adjusted EBITDA
(GBPm) 38.6 22.4 72
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
ARPL (average revenue per lead)(11) 3.67 3.23 14
Number of Comparison Services leads(12)
(million) 30.3 24.8 22
--------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -----
(1) Financial year 2015 and 2016 pro forma figures include the
following exceptional events: 1) UK Agency churn in H1 2015 which
equated to GBP4.2m of Revenue and GBP4.2m of Adjusted EBITDA; and
2) Outperformance in the Comparison Services division in FY16 which
equated to GBP15.0m of Revenue and GBP8.0m of Adjusted EBITDA
(2) Other Costs represents technology, property and
administrative costs
(3) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit after adding
back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and
exceptional items.
(4) Visits comprise individual sessions on the Group's websites
or mobile applications by users for the Period indicated as
measured by Google Analytics
(5) FTEs is defined as the average number of full time
equivalent employees across the Group
(6) Agency represents revenue generated from UK estate &
lettings agents, overseas agents and commercial property agents
(7) Other represents revenue generated from advertising,
marketing services, data sales
(8) ARPP (average revenue per partner) is defined as revenue
generated from the Group's Property partners in a given month
divided by the total number of Property partners during the month,
measured as a monthly average over the Period.
(9) Total unique number of Property partners is defined as the
total number of UK estate & lettings agency branches, new home
developers, overseas and commercial agency branches paying
subscription fees to for either advertising or software
services
(10) Other represents revenue generated from financial services
switching, boiler cover, business energy and data insight
(11) ARPL (average revenue per lead) is the revenue generated
from energy switching, communications switching, financial services
switching, boiler cover, business energy and data insight divided
by the total number of Comparison Services leads during the month,
measured as a monthly average over the period
(12) A Comparison Services lead is measured at the point when a
consumer completes an application form hosted on the Group's
website or at the point in time when the customer leaves the
Group's website having clicked through to a third party website
Principal risks and uncertainties
Description Impact Management and mitigation Movement
-------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Changing online landscape The way in which consumers Up
and consumer trends interact with businesses * Increasing user engagement levels by continuing a
The Group participates in is evolving rapidly. consumer-centric approach to product development;
fast-moving marketplaces There is a risk that
which are subject to rapid consumer engagement and
technological traffic may decline if the
development and changes in Group does not keep * Regular open dialogue with our partners to ensure
consumer trends which may up with evolving consumer that we continually develop our products to meet
impact the Group's ability trends. their needs;
to offer the Furthermore, the Group's
best products and services partners are constantly * Continual optimisation of all our websites, and
to its partners and developing their business products across all platforms and devices;
consumers. models and the
way in which they interact * Maintaining organisational flexibility, allowing fast
with consumers directly. responses to new business opportunities or threats;
Failure of the Group to and
adapt to meet
the needs of its partners * Monitoring and regularly reviewing search engine
could lead to a fall in optimisation and digital marketing spend.
the number of partners and
revenues.
The Group is also subject
to changes in policies set
by search engine
providers. Failure to
keep pace with these
changes may lead to the
Group's websites receiving
less exposure to consumers
and result in a fall in
visitor numbers.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Competitive environment If competitors can Flat
The Group operates in provide, or are perceived * Ensuring partners understand the value proposition of
marketplaces which are to provide, an enhanced advertising on the Group's websites and the unique
highly competitive. The partner or consumer benefits of its recent acquisitions;
actions of the Group's service
competitors can have a then there is a risk to * Offering attractive and competitive pricing packages
direct impact on the the Group's forecasted to partners;
Group. traffic, partner numbers,
revenue and other * Continuing to develop and extend the Group's
KPIs. innovative product offering and improve the value
The Group invests provided for partners;
significantly in marketing
to build brand awareness * Developing and maintaining a number of strong
and drive traffic to consumer brands through marketing;
its websites. Increased
digital marketing * Continuous optimisation of our websites, software and
expenditure by the consumer and partner experience to maximise
competitors, or general traffic and create a barrier to entry; and
price increases,
may cause the Group to * Diversifying risk through multiple revenue streams.
incur additional marketing
spend to ensure that it
can continue to
compete effectively.
There is the risk of
competitors entering or
targeting the Group's
primary revenue markets
and reducing the Group's
relative market share. In
addition, there is a risk
that the Group
may not be able to achieve
significant traction in
its nascent revenue
channels due to the
size, scale or market
share of existing players
in the market.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory environment There is a risk that Up
The Group operates in a changes to the regulatory * Maintaining regular open and constructive dialogue
number of regulated environment force the with all significant regulatory bodies;
environments. Certain Group to revise its
revenue streams within the strategy, * Implementing processes to ensure compliance with all
Comparison Services operations or business mandatory reporting obligations;
businesses are regulated model.
by the FCA. The Comparison Changes in regulation may * Employing a dedicated Regulation and Compliance
Services division also impact the Group's Manager; and
also voluntarily complies profitability via
with the Ofgem Confidence increased compliance costs * Regular monitoring of regulatory risks by the Board,
Code and is involved in or a fall in revenues as a Audit Committee, legal function and throughout the
regular communication result of subsequent business.
with Ofcom. changes in consumer
behaviour.
Non-compliance with
regulations set by a
regulatory body, including
data protection
regulations,
may also have both
reputational and financial
implications.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reputational and brand Damage to any of the Up
damage Group's brands could lead * Embedding a culture of transparency, social awareness
The Group operates a to a fall in consumer and ethical behaviour throughout the Group;
number of identifiable and confidence, reducing
respected brands which traffic and leads for the * Regularly reviewing the Group's risks and developing
could be damaged by Group's partners and in internal controls to mitigate the risk of error or
factors such as unethical turn impacting the Group's fraud;
or unlawful activity, poor revenue.
customer service or * Executing the Group's strategy, which has both
negative press. There is also a risk that consumers and partners at its core;
the Group's partners may
choose to terminate their * Employing a dedicated public relations team; and
existing relationship
with the Group as a result * Continually investing in the Group's brands.
of any reputational damage
which would directly
impact the Group's
revenues.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IT systems and Any failure of the Group's Flat
cyber-security IT infrastructure through * Regularly testing the security of the IT systems and
A number of the Group's IT error or attack could platforms including penetration testing and testing
systems are interdependent impair the operation of DDoS attack procedures;
and a failure in one of the Group's websites,
system or a security the processing and storage * Maintaining separate platforms for the Property
breach may disrupt the of data and the day-to-day Services and Comparison Services businesses;
efficiency and functioning management
of the Group's operations. of the Group's business. * Restricting access to data, systems and code and
The Group may In addition, any theft or ensuring all systems are secure and up to date; and
also be subject to misuse of data held within
cyber-attacks. the Group's databases * Providing training for staff on data protection and
The Group holds consumer could have both compliance and operating a Group-wide data policy.
and Partner data which reputational and financial
could be susceptible to implications for the
loss or theft. Group.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retention and recruitment Competition for qualified Down
Success depends on the talent is intense and an * Building a strong employee brand in the recruitment
continued service and inability to attract market, and building strong talent pipelines;
performance of the Group's highly skilled employees
Executive Management could adversely impact the
Team and other key Group's operations,
employees. Skilled financial condition or * Operating a structured approach to recruitment using
development, technical, prospects. specialist teams to ensure timely recruitment of high
operating, sales and Similarly, an inability to quality employees;
marketing motivate, develop and
personnel are also retain key team members
essential for the business could adversely impact
to meet its strategic the Group's operations, * Investing in succession planning and improving
goals. financial condition or learning and development, giving opportunities for
prospects. employees to upgrade skills;
The Group has a track
record of growth through * Investment in a new head office and team environment;
acquisition -integration
of these diverse * Providing competitive reward and compensation
businesses packages to all staff, comprising a blend of short
could increase the risk of and long-term incentives for managers; and
staff churn.
* Instilling the culture of the Group to build and
maintain staff loyalty.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Macroeconomic conditions Changes in the UK economy Up
The Group derives all its could lead to changes in * Regularly reviewing market conditions and indicators;
material revenues from average property prices,
markets within the UK. The the number of * Building consumer and partner brand loyalty;
Group is therefore mortgage approvals and the
dependent on the volume of transactions in * Maintaining a flexible cost base that can respond to
macroeconomic conditions the UK housing market. changing conditions;
in the UK and within each Subsequently the
of its key markets. marketing budgets of the * Diversifying risk by maintaining a balance between
See separate section below Group's partners could different revenue streams, including diversification
on the result of the UK's decrease, which could through the acquisition of uSwitch and Property
EU referendum. reduce demand for the Software Group, in order to provide protection
Group's services. against volatility within our different markets;
The Group is also exposed
to changes in consumer and * Developing revenue streams in other related/adjacent
partner behaviour and markets;
pricing driven
by fluctuations within the * Communicating the effectiveness of digital media
energy, broadband and versus alternative mediums such as print; and
mobile markets, which
could impact demand * Promoting the benefit and potential savings for
for the Group's services. consumers of home services switching.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt covenants and funding Failure of the Group to Down
The Group holds external comply with its existing * Negotiating sufficient headroom within the Group's
debt and therefore must debt covenants may lead to existing facility, including renegotiation on the
ensure compliance with its a default on the acquisition of Property Software Group;
covenant ratios. Group's borrowings and a
The Group also needs to requirement for the Group * Consideration of current debt covenants embedded into
ensure that it has the to repay any amounts budgeting and forecasting processes;
funding required to outstanding or to
deliver on its strategy renegotiate the terms of * Regularly monitoring compliance with current debt
and future growth plans its facility. covenants and available headroom;
and that it manages its The level of debt within
debt and cash balances the business and the * Proactive cash management; and
effectively. covenants in place may
also restrict the amount * Consideration of additional or alternative funding
of funds available for should significant opportunities for growth be
future growth including identified.
M&A activity.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integration of Failure to realise the Down
acquisitions Group's strategy to become * Executing the integration strategy and plan developed
The Group is highly the "consumer champion at on acquisition;
acquisitive, including the the heart of the
acquisition of uSwitch in home" and in building an * Oversight of the enlarged Group by the Executive team
2015 and Property integrated and optimised to ensure harmonisation of strategy and objectives
Software Group in 2016. consumer product offering across the Group;
The integration of new may adversely
businesses presents affect the consumer * Experienced Management team in dealing with
inherent operational, experience with a acquisitions;
strategic and cultural resulting impact on the
challenges. Group's future revenues. * Clear communication of the Group vision and strategy
Similarly, failure to to align the team;
integrate the Group's
partner offering,
particularly considering
the * Harmonisation of benefits and practices across the
acquisition of Property group
Software Group, and
leverage the Group's
unique position could lead
to a failure to generate * Relocation of all London based staff to a single
synergies and future location to encourage greater integration;
revenues.
The challenges surrounding * Communicating the benefits of acquisitions to both
integrating different partners and consumers; and
cultures and working
practices could also * Forming functional teams across the Group where
impact team retention and possible.
performance.
-------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EU referendum
The result of the UK's EU referendum has increased the level of
macroeconomic uncertainty and could increase the likelihood of the
impacts outlined under 'macroeconomic conditions' above. During the
year, the Group considered the impact of this result on the
business and its potential implications. The Directors believe that
the Group's multi-channel, multi-brand strategy creates a diverse
revenue base which means it is well placed to minimise any negative
impacts. In particular:
-- The Property Services division is largely subscription based
and is therefore less susceptible to short term shocks or
variations in the property market or wider economy;
-- A large proportion of our Property partners are engaged in
both sales and lettings which reduces the risk of any downturn in
the property market on their businesses;
-- An economic downturn increases the propensity for consumers
to search our Comparison platform for the best deals to save money
on their household expenses;
-- The Group has minimal exposure to foreign exchange although a
weaker Pound may lead to higher price inflation in areas such as
energy bills which may benefit our Comparison division; and
-- The Group has external debt with a variable interest rate and
therefore any decrease in interest rates should reduce the Group's
finance costs.
Full year results
The financial information set out below has been taken from the
consolidated financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc for
the year ended 30 September 2016 which were approved by the Board
of Directors on 29 November 2016. The financial information does
not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of sections
435(1) and (2) of the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated
financial statements will be filed with the Registrar of Companies,
subject to their approval by the Company's shareholders at the
Company's Annual General Meeting on 2 February 2016. The Company's
Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2016 will be posted
to shareholders, and will be made available on the Company's
website, in December 2016.
Independent Auditors' report to the shareholders of Zoopla
Property Group Plc on the preliminary announcement.
We confirm that we have issued an unqualified opinion on the
full financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc.
Our audit report on the full financial statements sets out the
following risks of material misstatement which had the greatest
effect on our audit strategy; the allocation of resources in our
audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team, together
with how our audit responded to those risks:
Acquisition of Property Software Group - valuation
of acquired intangible assets
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk description This is a new risk for 2016 following the
acquisition of Property Software Group in
the period. On 28 April 2016, the Group completed
its previously announced acquisition of Property
Software Group on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
The gross valuation of acquired intangible
assets as part of the purchase price allocation
("PPA") exercise is reliant on management
judgement, and hence there is a risk that
if management use inappropriate methodologies
or assumptions within the PPA exercise, that
the intangible assets will not be stated within
an acceptable range of valuations.
We have included the risk in our audit report
due to the quantum of the balance, its highly
judgemental nature, and the fact that it had
a substantial impact on our overall audit
strategy.
The purchase price was settled through consideration
of GBP69.6 million, of which GBP22.2 million
was paid in cash, GBP24.9 million was the
repayment of external debt, and a further
GBP22.5 million is deferred. An additional
GBP5.7 million is payable to management shareholders
as remuneration, contingent on them remaining
in employment.
The excess of consideration over the fair
value of net assets acquired has been recognised
as intangible assets comprised of customer
relationship intangibles of GBP20.5 million,
brands of GBP2.2 million and goodwill of GBP47.2
million.
Refer to notes 1, 1.20 and 13 for the group
accounting policy, management's consideration
of critical accounting judgements and disclosure
note respectively.
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
How the Our procedures entailed:
scope i) Auditing the acquired statement of financial
of our position prior to the purchase price allocation
audit to gain assurance over the valuation of net
responded assets acquired;
to the ii) Engaging our internal experts to review
risk the methodologies employed, and challenge
assumptions utilised by management in their
valuation of acquired intangible assets with
reference to third party data for comparable
transactions and asset types;
iii) obtaining the underlying cash flow forecast
calculations and challenging their reasonableness;
iv) Confirming that the useful economic lives
allocated to each class of asset are appropriate
based on their nature and Group accounting
policies; and
v) Reviewing the associated disclosures within
the financial statements to assess whether
they are in accordance with IFRS 3.
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
Revenue recognition in the Comparison Services division
- Valuation of accrued income
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk description Comparison services revenue is accrued each
month based upon the number of switches provided
to suppliers, net of an estimated drop-out.
At the period end there is a proportion of
switches that has not been confirmed as having
been completed and accepted by the third party
provider. There is therefore a risk in respect
the valuation of accrued revenue balance at
year-end.
During 2016, management implemented a new
system which has enabled more accurate matching
of confirmations back to original switches
and hence has enabled more accurate recognition
of accrued income.
Refer to notes 1, 1.20 and 2 for the group
accounting policy, management's consideration
of critical accounting judgements and disclosure
note respectively.
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
How the Our procedures entailed:
scope i) Assessing management's processes and the
of our design and implementation of controls in respect
audit of the appropriate recognition of revenue,
responded in particular the valuation of switches in
to the line with contractual terms and the subsequent
risk confirmation of switches through third party
customer confirmations;
ii) Verifying that for a sample of customer
contracts, that revenue had been appropriately
recognised in line with the contractual terms
and IAS 18;
iii) Analysing revenue streams to understand
the drivers of fluctuations and obtain support
for any unusual movements; and
iv) For a sample of suppliers for which there
is accrued income at year end, obtaining post
year-end confirmation of the balance from
the relevant third party.
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
Revenue recognition in the Property Services division
- Completeness of agency subscription arrangements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk description Revenue in the property services division
primarily consists of recurring subscription
payments in return for property listings on
the Group's websites. Individual contracts
exist with each customer with a range of different
terms and conditions, and as a result there
are a significant number of agreements.
Consequently there is a risk that customer
subscription agreements may not be appropriately
captured and accounted for in line with underlying
contractual terms and hence the revenue population
may not be complete.
We have included the risk in our audit report
due to the quantum of the balance and the
fact that it had a substantial impact on our
overall audit strategy.
Refer to notes 1, 1.20 and 2 for the group
accounting policy, management's consideration
of critical accounting judgements and disclosure
note respectively.
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
How the Our procedures entailed:
scope i) Analysing revenue streams to understand
of our the drivers of fluctuations including monthly
audit partner numbers and the Average Revenue per
responded Advertiser ("ARPA") trend, and obtaining support
to the for any unusual movements;
risk ii) Assessing management's processes and the
design and implementation of controls in respect
of the appropriate recognition of revenue,
in particular the billing of customers in
line with contractual terms;
iii) Selecting a sample of estate agents,
ascertaining whether they were a ZPG customer
or not, and if so, obtaining the underlying
contract to determine whether the information
within the Customer Relationship Management
system is accurate and hence the revenue population
is complete; and
iv) Verified information for a sample of customer
contracts (or equivalent agreements) selected
from the Customer Relationship Management
system to subscription details, and then in
turn back to the ledger to determine whether
revenue has been appropriately recognised.
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion
thereon, and we did not provide a separate opinion on these
matters.
Our liability for this report, and for our full audit report on
the financial statements is to the company's members as a body, in
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our
audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the
company's members those matters we are required to state to them in
an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to
anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body,
for our audit work, for our audit report or this report, or for the
opinions we have formed.
Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
The responsibility statement below has been prepared in
connection with the Company's full Annual Report for the year ended
30 September 2016. Certain parts thereof are not included within
this Announcement.
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:
a) the Group consolidated financial statements from which the
financial information within these preliminary consolidated
financial results have been extracted, are prepared in accordance
with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and give a true and
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit
of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation
taken as a whole; and
b) the Annual Report and the Business Review and Finance Review
include a fair review of the development and performance of the
business and the position of the Group and the undertakings
included in the consolidation taken as a whole together with a
description of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the
Group.
The Directors of Zoopla Property Group Plc and their respective
responsibilities are listed in the Annual Report for 2016. This
responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors and
is signed on its behalf by:
Alex Chesterman
Director
29 November 2016
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 30 September 2016 from continuing
operations
2016 2015
Notes GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Revenue 197,728 107,556
Administrative expenses (148,053) (72,994)
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Adjusted EBITDA 3 77,110 48,694
Share-based payments 24 (4,852) (1,873)
Depreciation and amortisation (11,179) (4,072)
Exceptional items 3 (11,404) (8,187)
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Operating profit 4 49,675 34,562
Finance income 51 184
Finance costs (3,564) (1,163)
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Profit before tax 46,162 33,583
Income tax expense 9 (9,484) (8,200)
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Profit for the year being total comprehensive
income 36,678 25,383
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Attributable to
Owners of the parent 36,678 25,383
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Earnings per share
Basic (pence) 11 8.9 6.2
Diluted (pence) 11 8.8 6.0
---------------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------
Consolidated statement of financial position
As at 30 September 2016
2016 2015
Notes GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 14 322,621 253,674
Property, plant and equipment 15 6,413 1,930
Available for sale financial assets 16 724 -
Trade and other receivables 17 3,262 7,446
333,020 263,050
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 17 36,615 22,780
Cash and cash equivalents 3,367 19,199
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
39,982 41,979
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Total assets 373,002 305,029
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 18 32,522 22,251
Current tax liabilities 6,146 4,990
Deferred and contingent consideration 19 28,143 35,393
Provisions 20 1,304 190
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
68,115 62,824
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings 21 149,696 112,432
Deferred and contingent consideration 19 2,533 2,739
Provisions 20 1,410 609
Deferred tax liabilities 22 9,021 9,185
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
162,660 124,965
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Total liabilities 230,775 187,789
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Net assets 142,227 117,240
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Equity attributable to owners of the
parent
Share capital 23 418 418
Share premium reserve 50 50
Other reserves 23 86,007 87,101
Retained earnings 55,752 29,671
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Total equity 142,227 117,240
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
The consolidated financial statements of Zoopla Property Group
Plc were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its
behalf by:
A Chesterman A Botha
Director Director
29 November 2016 29 November 2016
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the year ended 30 September 2016
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax 46,162 33,583
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 1,709 415
Amortisation of intangible assets 9,470 3,657
Finance income (51) (184)
Finance costs 3,564 1,163
Share-based payments 4,852 1,873
Transaction costs on acquisitions 1,256 5,130
Movement in contingent and deferred consideration 7,075 2,142
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Operating cash flow before changes in working
capital 74,037 47,779
Increase in trade and other receivables (4,991) (428)
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables 3,862 (46)
Increase in provisions 505 30
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash generated from operating activities 73,413 47,335
Income tax paid (11,290) (8,224)
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net cash flows from operating activities 62,123 39,111
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash
acquired (48,381) (146,012)
Settlement of deferred and contingent consideration (37,042) -
Amounts paid into escrow in relation to
deferred and contingent consideration (2,448) (7,436)
Acquisition of available for sale financial
assets (979) -
Disposal of available for sale financial
assets 255 -
Interest received 51 184
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (3,980) (111)
Acquisition and development of intangible
assets (2,561) (709)
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net cash flows used in investing activities (95,085) (154,084)
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities
Proceeds on issue of debt, net of issue
costs 89,358 123,291
Repayment of debt (52,500) (11,000)
Interest paid (2,942) (780)
Treasury shares purchased (414) -
Shares released from trust 182 303
Dividends paid (16,554) (8,667)
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net cash flows from financing activities 17,130 103,147
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (15,832) (11,826)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 19,199 31,025
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 3,367 19,199
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 30 September 2016
Other reserves
-------- -----------------------------
Notes Share Treasury
Share premium EBT share Merger shares Retained Total
capital reserve reserve reserve GBP000 earnings equity
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
---------------------- ----- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
At 1 October 2015 418 50 (1,017) 88,118 - 29,671 117,240
Profit and total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - - 36,678 36,678
Transactions with
owners recorded
directly in equity:
Share-based payments 24 - - - - - 3,990 3,990
Treasury shares
purchased 23 - - - - (414) - (414)
Treasury shares
released 23 - - - - 56 (56) -
Current tax on
share-based payments 9 - - - - - 217 217
Deferred tax on
share-based payments 9 - - - - - 888 888
Shares released
from trust - - 249 - - (67) 182
Transfer between
reserves(1) - - - (985) - 985 -
Dividends paid 10 - - - - - (16,554) (16,554)
---------------------- ----- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
At 30 September
2016 418 50 (768) 87,133 (358) 55,752 142,227
---------------------- ----- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Other reserves
-------- ----------------------------
Notes Share EBT Treasury
Share premium share Merger shares Retained Total
capital reserve reserve reserve GBP000 earnings equity
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
---------------------- ----- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------
At 1 October 2014 418 50 (1,566) 89,103 - 10,166 98,171
Profit and total
comprehensive
income for the
period - - - - - 25,383 25,383
Transactions with
owners recorded
directly in equity:
Share-based payments 24 - - - - - 1,723 1,723
Current tax on
share-based payments 9 - - - - - 565 565
Deferred tax on
share-based payments 9 - - - - - (238) (238)
Shares released
from trust - - 549 - - (246) 303
Transfer between
reserves(1) - - - (985) - 985 -
Dividends paid 10 - - - - - (8,667) (8,667)
---------------------- ----- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------
At 30 September
2015 418 50 (1,017) 88,118 - 29,671 117,240
---------------------- ----- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------
1 The transfer from merger reserve to retained earnings in 2016
and 2015 represents an equalisation adjustment in respect of the
amortisation charge on intangibles which arose on acquisition of
The Digital Property Group Limited on 31 May 2012.
Notes to the financial statements
1. Accounting policies
Zoopla Property Group Plc is a company domiciled and
incorporated in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered
office is The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London SE1 2LH.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of
the financial statements are set out below for the years ended 30
September 2016 and 30 September 2015. The policies have been
consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise
stated.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards, International
Accounting Standards and IFRIC Interpretations (collectively IFRS)
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as
adopted by the European Union ("adopted IFRS"). They are prepared
on the historical cost basis.
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with
adopted IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting
estimates. It also requires Management to exercise judgement in
applying the Group's accounting policies. Note 1.20 gives further
details relating to the Group's critical accounting estimates.
At the date of approval, the following standards and
interpretations which have not been applied in these financial
statements were in issue but are only effective for financial years
beginning on or after 1 January 2016:
-- IFRS 9 - financial instruments - classification of financial assets and financial liabilities
-- Amendments to IFRS 11 - accounting for acquisition of interests in joint operations
-- Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 - clarification of acceptable
methods of depreciation and amortisation
-- IFRS 15 - revenue from contracts with customers
-- Amendments to IAS 27 - equity method in separate financial statements
-- Improvements 2014 - annual improvements to IFRSs: 2012-2014
-- Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IFRS 28 - investment
entities: Applying the consolidation exception
-- Amendments to IAS 1 - Disclosure initiative
-- IFRS 16 - leases
IFRS 15 - revenue from contracts with customers is effective for
the first time for the Group's financial year commencing 1 October
2018. The Group is currently in the process of assessing the full
impact of IFRS 15. It is not currently practical to quantify the
impact of this standard.
The impact of IFRS 16 - leases is to require the Group to record
its current head office building and fleet of motor vehicles on the
statement of financial position. These items are currently treated
as operating expenses. The change in recognition is expected to
increase future depreciation charges and lead to a reduction in
operating expenses.
All other standards identified above are not expected to have a
material impact on the financial statements.
1.2 Adoption of new and revised standards
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
the policies set out in the Group's Annual Report for the year
ended 30 September 2015. No new or revised accounting standards
were adopted in the period.
1.3 Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the accounts
of Zoopla Property Group Plc ("the Company") and entities
controlled by the Company ("its subsidiaries") (together "the
Group"). Control exists when the Group has existing rights to give
it the ability to direct the relevant activities of an entity and
has the ability to affect the returns the Group will receive as a
result of its involvement with the entity. The results of
subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements
from the date control commences until the date when control
ceases.
On 28 April 2016 the Group acquired Property Software Holdings
Limited and its subsidiaries (together "Property Software Group")
from which date the results of Property Software Group have been
consolidated. Therefore, consolidated results for 2016 include five
months of performance of Property Software Group and are not a like
for like comparison for 2015. Details of the acquisition are set
out in Note 13.
On 1 June 2015 the Group acquired Ulysses Enterprises Limited
and its subsidiaries (together "uSwitch") from which date the
results of uSwitch have been consolidated. Therefore, consolidated
results for 2015 include only four months of performance within the
Group's Comparison Services division and are not a like for like
comparative for 2016. Details of the acquisition are set out in the
Group's Annual Report 2015 and are summarised in Note 13.
1.4 Going concern
The financial position of the Group shows a positive net asset
position and the Group continues to generate positive Adjusted
EBITDA, positive net cash flows from operating activities and
maintain its current dividend policy. As a consequence, the
Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its
business and financial risks successfully.
The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future, thus they continue to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting in preparing the historical financial
information.
1.5 Revenue
Revenue represents amounts due for services provided during the
period, net of value added tax. The Group recognises revenue under
two categories - Property Services and Comparison Services.
Revenue from Property Services derives principally from
subscription to the Group's property websites and from the
provision of property software to UK domestic estate agents ("UK
Agency revenue"), home developers ("New Homes revenue") and
overseas and commercial estate agents. Subscription revenue is
recognised over the period of the subscription. Software revenue
includes subscription to Software as a Service ("SaaS"), desktop
software licensing, support and installation fees. Installation
fees are recorded at fair value when the installation is complete.
Ongoing SaaS revenue, support and licensing fees are recognised
over the service period. Revenue from other property services is
recognised in the month in which the service is provided.
The main sources of Comparison Services revenue are fees
received for gas and electricity comparison services ("Energy
revenue") and mobile, broadband, pay TV and home phone comparison
services ("Communications revenue"). Revenue is recognised at the
point at which the Group generates a lead to an energy or
communications provider, based on the historical conversion of such
leads into completed switches. Revenue from other comparison
services ("Other Comparison Services revenue") is recognised in the
month in which the service is provided.
1.6 Leases
During the period the Group entered into a new 15 year lease
agreement for the Group's head office at The Cooperage, London.
All of the Group's current lease arrangements are recognised as
operating leases as the material risks and rewards incidental to
ownership remain with the lessor. Operating lease rentals are
charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a
straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Rent-free
periods, lease arrangement fees and other direct costs are
amortised through the consolidated statement of comprehensive
income over the term of the lease.
1.7 Finance income and costs
Finance income represents interest receivable on cash and
deposit balances. Interest income is recognised as it accrues using
the effective interest method.
Finance costs represent interest and certain fees charged on the
Group's revolving credit facility. Finance costs are recognised as
they accrue using the effective interest method.
1.8 Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised
at cost. This cost includes the purchase price, directly
attributable costs and the estimated present value of any future
unavoidable costs of dismantling and removing items. The
corresponding liability is recognised within provisions. Items of
property, plant and equipment are subsequently measured at cost
less accumulated depreciation and are not revalued.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets
less their residual values over their useful economic lives, using
the straight-line method, as follows:
Fixtures and over 2 to 5 years
fittings
Computer equipment over 2 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements over the lease term
Freehold property over 50 years
The Directors review the residual values and useful economic
lives of assets on an annual basis.
1.9 Business combinations
The acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses is accounted for
using the acquisition method in accordance with IFRS 3. The
consideration for each acquisition is measured at the aggregate of
fair values of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and
equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of
the acquiree, net of cash acquired. Acquisition related costs,
other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity
securities, are recognised in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income as incurred.
At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and
liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value with the
exception of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are
measured in accordance with IAS 12 - income taxes. Identifiable net
assets include the recognition of any separately identifiable
intangible assets. Further detail of the identifiable assets and
liabilities recognised during the year on the acquisition of
Property Software Group and on the 2015 acquisition of uSwitch is
provided in Note 13.
Deferred and contingent consideration are measured at fair value
at the date of acquisition. Where the amounts payable are
classified as a financial liability any subsequent change in the
fair value is charged/credited to the Group's consolidated
statement of comprehensive income. Amounts classified as equity are
not subsequently remeasured. Where consideration to management
shareholders is contingent on their continued employment the amount
is recognised as a remuneration expense in the statement of
comprehensive income over the deferral period.
1.10 Goodwill
Goodwill arising on a business combination represents the
difference between the fair value of the consideration paid and the
fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and is recorded as an
intangible asset. Goodwill is not subsequently subject to
amortisation but is tested for impairment annually and whenever the
Directors have an indication that it may be impaired. For the
purposes of impairment testing goodwill is allocated to the
cash-generating units expected to benefit from the combination. Any
impairment in carrying value is charged to the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income.
1.11 Intangible assets
Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are initially
recorded at cost. Intangibles arising on acquisition are recorded
at fair value. All intangibles are subsequently stated at initial
value less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment
losses. Amortisation is charged to the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the estimated
useful lives of the intangible assets as follows:
Brand 5-10 years
Domain names 5 years
Database 3-10 years
Customer relationships 5-10 years
Website development and 3-5 years
Computer software
1.12 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less
than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is
reduced to its recoverable amount. Where the asset does not
generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset
belongs is estimated. Any impairment loss is recognised immediately
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying
amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the
revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that this
increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that
would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised
in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised
immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive
income.
1.13 Research and development
The Group incurs expenditure on research and development in
order to develop new products and enhance the existing websites.
Research expenditure is expensed in the period in which it is
incurred. Development costs are expensed when incurred unless they
meet certain criteria for capitalisation. Development costs whereby
research findings are applied to creating a substantially enhanced
website or new product are only capitalised once the technical
feasibility and the commercial viability of the project has been
demonstrated and they can be reliably measured. Capitalised
development costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over their
expected useful economic life.
Once the new website enhancement or product is available for
use, subsequent expenditure to maintain the website or product, or
on small enhancements to the website or product, is recognised as
an expense when it is incurred.
Research and Development tax credit claims made are recognised
as a credit to administrative expenses in the financial year
relevant to the claim.
1.14 Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the
statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to
the contractual provisions of the instrument. Full details of
financial instruments are included in Note 26.
Investments in unlisted securities not meeting the definition of
associates, joint ventures or subsidiaries are classified as
available for sale financial assets and are initially recorded at
fair value plus transaction costs. The investments are then
remeasured at each subsequent reporting date to fair value. Changes
in the fair value or impairments arising from the significant or
prolonged decline in fair value of the unlisted securities are
recognised in other comprehensive income. On disposal of the asset
any gains and losses recorded within other comprehensive income are
realised and are reclassified to the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income.
Trade and other receivables are designated as loans and
receivables. They are recognised at amortised cost, which is net of
any allowance for impairment in relation to irrecoverable amounts.
This is deemed to be a reasonable approximation of their fair
value. The provision is reviewed regularly in conjunction with a
detailed analysis of historical payment profiles and past default
experience. When a trade receivable is deemed uncollectable, it is
written off against the allowance account. The Group receives
interest income on certain amounts held in escrow.
Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial
liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the
contractual arrangement.
Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are
designated as other financial liabilities. They are recognised at
their carrying amount, which is deemed to be a reasonable
approximation of their fair value.
Loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost, net of
direct costs. Direct costs are released through the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income under the effective interest
method, along with interest charged, over the life of the
instrument.
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual
interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its
liabilities. The Company's Ordinary Shares are classified as equity
instruments and are recognised at the proceeds received, net of any
direct issue costs. Repurchase of the Company's own equity
instruments is recognised and deducted directly in equity. No gain
or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale,
issue or cancellation of the Company's own equity instruments.
Financial instruments are not used for speculative purposes.
The Group's cash and cash equivalents represent amounts held in
the Group's current accounts and overnight deposits that are
immediately available.
1.15 Current tax
Current income tax comprises UK income tax and is provided at
amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and
laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the
statement of financial position date. Current tax is recognised in
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income except to the
extent that it is required to be recognised directly in equity.
1.16 Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the
carrying amount of an asset or liability in the consolidated
statement of financial position differs from its tax base, except
for differences arising on:
-- the initial recognition of goodwill;
-- the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a
transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of
the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit;
and
-- investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities
where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of
the difference and it is probable that the difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future.
Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those
instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be
available against which the difference can be utilised. Deferred
tax is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive
income except to the extent that it is required to be recognised
directly in equity.
The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax
rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the
reporting date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax
assets are recovered.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there
is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against
current tax liabilities and when deferred income tax assets and
liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation
authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable
entities where there is an intention to settle balances on a net
basis.
1.17 Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present
obligation, legal or constructive, as a result of a past event, it
is probable that the Group will be required to settle that
obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation
can be made. Provisions are measured at Management's best estimate
of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the
statement of financial position date and are discounted to present
value where the impact is material. The unwinding of any discount
is recognised in finance costs.
Dilapidation provisions are recognised based on Management's
best estimate of costs to make good the Group's leasehold
properties at the end of the lease term.
Onerous lease provisions relate to contracts whereby the
unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations exceed the economic
benefits expected to be received under it. The Group's onerous
lease provision relates to one of the Group's previous office
buildings which was vacated in September 2016.
1.18 Employee benefits: defined contribution benefit scheme
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme which
is a post-employment benefit plan under which the Group pays fixed
contributions into a fund. The Group has no legal or constructive
obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold
sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to
employee service in the current and prior periods. Contributions
payable to the fund are charged to the statement of comprehensive
income in the period to which they relate.
1.19 Share-based payments
The Group provides equity-settled share-based incentive plans
whereby Zoopla Property Group Plc grants shares or nil-cost options
over its shares to employees of its subsidiaries for their
employment services. The Group also issues warrants over shares in
Zoopla Property Group Plc to a number of the Group's estate agent
partners, allowing them to acquire shares in exchange for making
their property listings available for inclusion on the Group's
property websites.
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and partners
are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the
grant date. The fair value is measured using a suitable valuation
model, including the Black-Scholes and Monte-Carlo valuation models
where appropriate, and is charged to the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income over the vesting period. Non-market vesting
conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity
instruments expected to vest at each statement of financial
position date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised
over the vesting period is based on the number of options that
eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the
fair value of the options granted. The cumulative expense is not
adjusted for failure to meet a market vesting condition. Details
regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled
share-based payment transactions are set out in Note 24.
Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before
they vest, the increase in fair value of the options, measured
immediately before and after the modification, is charged to the
income statement over the remaining vesting period.
Within the company accounts of Zoopla Property Group Plc
equity-settled share options granted directly to employees or
estate agent partners of a subsidiary are treated as a capital
contribution to the subsidiary. The capital contribution is
measured by reference to the fair value of the share-based payments
charge for the period and is recognised as an increase in the cost
of investment with a corresponding credit to equity.
A number of shares are held in trust in order to settle future
exercises of the Group's share incentive schemes. Details of the
trusts are included in Note 24. Shares held in trust are treated as
a deduction from equity.
Employer's National Insurance Contributions are accrued, where
applicable, at a rate of 13.8%. The amount accrued is based on the
market value of the shares at 30 September 2016 after deducting the
exercise price of the share option.
1.20 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of
estimation uncertainty
Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding the
future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on
historical experience and other factors, including expectations of
future events that are believed to be reasonable under the current
circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates and
assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant
risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities within future periods are discussed
below.
Acquisition of Property Software Group
On 28 April 2016 the Group completed its acquisition of Property
Software Group. The process of determining the fair value of assets
and liabilities acquired is inherently judgemental and there is a
risk that inappropriate methodologies or assumptions could lead to
the valuation of acquired intangibles, goodwill or the fair value
of other net assets being misstated. The details of the assets and
liabilities recognised are set out in Note 13. The Group engaged
third party valuations experts to mitigate the risk associated with
the valuation of assets and liabilities on acquisition; however,
Management judgement remains in the preparation of forecasts and
other assumptions which are included within the valuation
model.
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles
The Group holds goodwill and intangibles on the statement of
financial position in respect of business acquisitions made. During
2016 the Group has recognised intangible assets and goodwill of
GBP75.9 million in respect of the acquisition of Property Software
Group. In 2015 the Group recognised GBP181.4 million in respect of
the uSwitch acquisition. Acquired intangibles include acquired
brands, customer relationships, databases, websites and software.
The Group is required to review these assets annually for
impairment. Determining whether goodwill and intangible assets are
impaired or whether a reversal of impairment of intangible assets
should be recorded requires an estimation of the recoverable value
of the relevant cash-generating unit, which represents the higher
of fair value and value in use. The value in use calculation
requires Management to estimate the future cash flows expected to
arise from the cash-generating unit, discounted using a suitable
discount rate to determine if any impairment has occurred. A key
area of judgement is deciding the long-term growth rate of the
applicable businesses and the discount rate applied to those cash
flows. Details of the assumptions used for 2016 are included in
Note 14 to the financial statements.
Revenue and accrued income
Revenue generated by the Group's Comparison Services division is
recognised predominantly from online switching services. An element
of Management judgement is required in calculating a revenue
accrual which estimates the number of successful switches based on
leads provided for each partner in the period between the last date
of billing and the latest partner data being made available. The
accrued income is estimated by considering the volume of leads that
have passed from the Group's websites to the partner, the
historical conversion of such leads into completed switches and
contracted revenue per switch. As at 30 September 2016 the Group
holds GBP17.2 million of accrued income (2015: GBP10.7 million) on
the statement of financial position.
Revenue from Property Services is predominantly subscription
based and therefore there is a lower amount of estimation
uncertainty and Management judgement involved in its recognition
and measurement.
1.21 Non-GAAP performance measures
In the analysis of the Group's financial performance certain
information disclosed in the financial statements may be prepared
on a non-GAAP basis or has been derived from amounts calculated in
accordance with IFRS but is not itself an expressly permitted GAAP
measure. These measures are reported in line with how financial
information is analysed by Management. The Directors believe that
these non-GAAP measures provide a more appropriate measure of the
Group's underlying business performance. The non-GAAP measures are
designed to increase comparability of the Group's financial
performance year on year. However, these measures may not be
comparable with non-GAAP measures adopted by other companies. The
key non-GAAP measures presented by the Group are:
-- Adjusted EBITDA - which is defined as operating profit after
adding back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and
exceptional items (Note 3); and
-- Adjusted basic EPS - which is defined as profit for the year,
excluding exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets
arising on acquisitions, adjusted for tax and divided by the
weighted average number of shares in issue for the year (Note
11).
Both of these measures are used in determining the remuneration
of the Executive Directors and Management.
2. Business segments
The Board of Directors has been identified as the Group's chief
operating decision maker. The monthly reporting pack provided to
the Board to enable assessment of the performance of the business
has been used as the basis for determining the Group's operating
segments.
Whilst the chief operating decision maker monitors the
performance of the business at a revenue and Adjusted EBITDA level,
depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments, exceptional
items, finance income and costs and income tax are all monitored on
a consolidated basis. As the Group continues to evolve we will
assess the relevance of splitting out Adjusted EBITDA for the
Property Services and Comparison Services divisions.
Assets and liabilities are also managed on a centralised basis
and are not reported to the chief operating decision maker in a
disaggregated format.
The chief operating decision maker monitors six individual
revenue streams as set out below. The six revenue streams are
grouped under two headings: Property Services and Comparison
Services. Adjusted EBITDA is monitored on an aggregated basis under
these two headings. Revenue and costs shown under the UK Agency
heading include trading for the five months from 28 April 2016 to
30 September 2016 of Property Software Group, being the period of
consolidation. The consolidated results for 2015 include only four
months of performance within the Group's Comparison Services
division and are therefore not a like for like comparative for
2016.
Property Services
-- UK Agency revenue, which represents property advertising
services and the provision of property software to UK estate agents
and lettings agents;
-- New Homes revenue, which represents property advertising
services provided to new home developers;
-- Other Property Services revenue, which predominantly
represents overseas and commercial property advertising services,
display advertising and data services.
Comparison Services
-- Energy revenue, which represents gas and electricity switching services;
-- Communications revenue, which represents mobile, broadband,
pay TV and home phone switching services; and
-- Other Comparison Services revenue, which predominantly
represents financial services switching, boiler cover, business
energy and data insight services.
All material revenues are generated in the UK.
The following table analyses the Group's revenue streams as
described above:
Property Comparison Total
Services Services Group
2016 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Revenue
UK Agency 64,257(1) - 64,257
New Homes 11,736 - 11,736
Other Property Services 10,757 - 10,757
Energy - 52,659 52,659
Communications - 44,137 44,137
Other Comparison Services - 14,182 14,182
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Total revenue 86,750 110,978 197,728
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Underlying costs (48,202) (72,416) (120,618)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Adjusted EBITDA 38,548 38,562 77,110
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Share-based payments (4,852)
Depreciation and amortisation (11,179)
Exceptional items (11,404)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Operating profit 49,675
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Finance income 51
Finance costs (3,564)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Profit before tax 46,162
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Income tax expense (9,484)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
Profit for the year being total comprehensive
income 36,678
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------
(1) Includes revenue of GBP7.3 million contributed by Property
Software Group during the year (2015: GBPNil).
Property Comparison Total
Services Services Group
2015 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Revenue
UK Agency 58,269 - 58,269
New Homes 10,965 - 10,965
Other Property Services 10,663 - 10,663
Energy - 11,576 11,576
Communications - 13,322 13,322
Other Comparison Services - 2,761 2,761
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Total revenue 79,897 27,659 107,556
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Underlying costs (39,031) (19,831) (58,862)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Adjusted EBITDA 40,866 7,828 48,694
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Share-based payments (1,873)
Depreciation and amortisation (4,072)
Exceptional items (8,187)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Operating profit 34,562
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Finance income 184
Finance costs (1,163)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Profit before tax 33,583
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Income tax expense (8,200)
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
Profit for the year being total comprehensive
income 25,383
---------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------
3. Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is used by Management as a key measure to
monitor the Group's business and the Directors believe it should be
disclosed on the face of the statement of comprehensive income to
assist in the understanding of the Group's underlying financial
performance. Furthermore, the terms of the Group's revolving credit
facility require Management to report on the Group's net debt to
Adjusted EBITDA ratio. Adjusted EBITDA is therefore considered a
key performance metric for Management, the providers of the Group's
external debt and other stakeholders.
The Group defines Adjusted EBITDA as operating profit after
adding back depreciation and amortisation, share-based payments and
exceptional items. Exceptional items include costs and income which
Management believes to be exceptional in nature by virtue of their
size or incidence. Such items would include costs associated with
business combinations, one-off gains and losses on disposal, and
similar items of a non-recurring nature together with
reorganisation costs and similar charges. In 2016 exceptional items
related to the acquisition of Property Software Group and the 2015
acquisition of uSwitch.
This is further adjusted for share-based payment expenses which
are comprised of charges relating to: (i) warrants issued to
certain of the Group's partners; and (ii) employee incentive plans
which are aimed at retaining staff and aligning employee objectives
with those of the Group. The Directors consider that excluding
share-based payments and other non-cash charges such as
depreciation and amortisation in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA gives
a more appropriate measure of the Group's underlying financial
performance and a closer approximation to the Group's operating
cash flows.
The table below presents a reconciliation of profit for the
period to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Operating profit 49,675 34,562
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 1,709 415
Amortisation of intangible assets arising
on acquisitions 7,481 2,047
Amortisation of other intangible assets 1,989 1,610
Share-based payments (Note 24) 4,852 1,873
Exceptional items 11,404 8,187
---------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Adjusted EBITDA 77,110 48,694
---------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Exceptional items comprise:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Transaction costs incurred on acquisitions 1,256 5,130
Management deferred consideration conditional
on continued employment 4,412 936
Management earn-out consideration conditional
on continued employment 2,663 1,206
Management deal related performance bonuses 3,073 915
Exceptional items 11,404 8,187
---------------------------------------------- ------- -------
4. Operating profit
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 1,709 415
Amortisation of intangible assets arising
on the acquisitions 7,481 2,047
Amortisation of other intangible assets 1,989 1,610
Research and Development tax credits (472) -
Operating lease rentals:
- Land and buildings 1,671 597
- Other 339 341
Share-based payments (Note 24) 4,852 1,873
------------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
The total gross value of research and development expenditure in
the period was GBP4.3 million, of which GBP1.5 million was
capitalised on the statement of financial position. Research and
development expenditure relates to staff costs incurred in the
development of new products and features.
5. Auditor's remuneration
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
----------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Fees payable to the Group's auditor and
its associates:
- for the audit of Zoopla Property Group
Plc and the consolidated financial statements 65 55
- for the audit of subsidiaries of Zoopla
Property Group Plc 125 135
----------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Total audit fees 190 190
----------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Fees payable to the Group's auditor and
its associates for other services to the
Group:
- Audit related assurance services 28 20
- Services related to acquisitions - 182
- Services related to corporate finance - -
transactions
----------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Total non-audit fees 28 202
----------------------------------------------- ------- -------
6. Employee costs
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Staff costs (including Directors) comprise:
Wages and salaries 30,454 17,121
Social security costs 4,839 1,966
Defined contribution pension costs 770 391
Share-based payments (Note 24) 3,584 1,757
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
39,647 21,235
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
7. Remuneration of key Management personnel
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------- ------- -------
Salary, benefits and bonus 2,959 1,949
Defined contribution pension cost 146 129
Share-based payments 1,772 448
---------------------------------- ------- -------
4,877 2,526
---------------------------------- ------- -------
Key Management personnel comprises the Chairman, the Directors
and the Managing Directors of the Property Services and Comparison
Services divisions.
Further information about the remuneration of the Directors is
provided in the audited part of the Directors' remuneration report
in the Group's Annual Report 2016.
All of the key Management personnel excluding the Chairman and
the Non-Executive Directors are members of the Group's defined
contribution pension plans (2015: all).
8. Director and employee numbers
The average monthly number of Directors and employees in
administration and Management during the period was:
2016 2015
Number Number
--------------- ------- -------
Administration 580 285
Management 19 18
--------------- ------- -------
599 303
--------------- ------- -------
9. Income tax expense
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Current tax
Current period 14,076 9,095
Adjustment in respect of prior periods (625) (145)
-------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Total current tax 13,451 8,950
-------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (3,282) (765)
Adjustment in respect of prior periods 215 -
Effect of change in UK corporation tax rate (900) 15
-------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Total deferred tax (3,967) (750)
-------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Total income tax expense 9,484 8,200
-------------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Corporation tax is calculated at 20% (2015: 20.5%) of the
taxable profit for the year.
On 15 September 2016 the Finance act 2016 confirmed a reduction
in the rate of corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 17%
from 1 April 2020. The Finance Bill was substantively enacted at
the year end date and therefore the one-off impact of remeasuring
the UK deferred tax assets and liabilities for the rate change is
recognised at 30 September 2016.
The charge for the period can be reconciled to the profit in the
statement of comprehensive income as follows:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Profit before tax 46,162 33,583
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Current corporation tax rate of 20% (2015:
20.5%) 9,232 6,885
Non-deductible expenses 1,562 1,390
Adjustments in respect of prior periods (410) (145)
Adjustment for the exercise of share options
and warrants - 104
Enhanced relief for R&D expenditure - (14)
Effect of change in UK corporation tax rate (900) (20)
Total income tax expense 9,484 8,200
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------
In addition to the amount charged to profit and loss, the
following amounts relating to tax have been recognised directly in
equity:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------------------------ ------- -------
Current tax
Credit for current tax on share-based payments (217) (565)
Deferred tax
(Credit)/charge for deferred tax on share-based
payments (888) 238
------------------------------------------------ ------- -------
Total income tax recognised directly in
equity (1,105) (327)
------------------------------------------------ ------- -------
The Group's effective tax rate for the year ended 30 September
2016 is 20.5% (2015: 24%). The effective tax is higher than the
statutory rate due to non-deductible transaction costs, management
deferred and contingent consideration incurred on acquisitions. In
2016 this has been offset by the revaluation of deferred tax assets
and liabilities as a result of the reduction in the corporation tax
rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 17% from 1 April 2020.
10. Dividends
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Interim dividend for 2016 of 1.5 pence per
Ordinary Share paid on 24 June 2016 6,210 -
Final dividend for 2015 of 2.5 pence per
Ordinary Share paid on 3 March 2016 10,344 -
Interim dividend for 2015 of 1.0 pence per
Ordinary Share paid on 24 June 2015 - 4,131
Final dividend for 2014 of 1.1 pence per
Ordinary Share paid on 23 February 2015 - 4,536
Total dividends paid in the year 16,554 8,667
------------------------------------------- ------- -------
During the year the Group paid GBP16.6 million in dividends to
shareholders. Additionally, the Directors propose a final dividend
for 2016 of 3.7 pence per share (2015: 2.5 pence per share)
resulting in a final proposed dividend of GBP15.3 million (2015:
GBP10.3 million). The dividend is subject to approval at the
Group's AGM on 2 February 2017. The final dividend proposed has not
been included as a liability at the statement of financial position
date.
11. Earnings per share
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted
earnings per share, being profit for the
year 36,678 25,383
Exceptional items (Note 3) 11,404 8,187
Amortisation of intangible assets arising
on the acquisition of subsidiaries 7,481 2,047
Adjustment for tax (3,170) (784)
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Adjusted earnings for the year 52,393 34,833
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
,
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares 413,262,135 412,509,761
Dilutive effect of share options and warrants 5,305,776 3,761,746
Dilutive effect of potentially issuable
shares - 4,063,633
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Dilutive earnings per share denominator 418,567,911 420,335,140
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Basic and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (pence) 8.9 6.2
Diluted earnings per share (pence) 8.8 6.0
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence) 12.7 8.4
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence) 12.5 8.3
----------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Adjusted Earning per Share figures for 2016 exclude the
amortisation of intangible assets arising on the acquisitions of
uSwitch and Property Software Group, which arise only on
consolidation. Management believes that excluding the amortisation
of these intangibles better reflects the underlying performance of
the Group and increases comparability of performance year on
year.
The dilutive effect of share options and warrants arises from
the various share schemes operated by the Group as set out in note
24. The dilutive effect of potentially issuable shares of 4.1
million in 2015 related to the institutional deferred consideration
on acquisition of uSwitch which could be settled in either cash or
shares. This was fully settled in cash during 2016.
12. Investment in subsidiaries
Details of the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries at 30
September 2016 are shown below. All of the subsidiaries listed are
included in the consolidated accounts of Zoopla Property Group Plc,
the ultimate parent company of the Group. The Ordinary Share
capital of each subsidiary is owned entirely by the direct parent
indicated. ZPG Limited, Ulysses Enterprises Limited and Property
Software Holdings Limited are the only direct subsidiaries of
Zoopla Property Group Plc. All subsidiaries are incorporated in the
UK and registered at The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London, SE1
2LH.
Ownership
of Ordinary
Shares and
voting interest
Country of at 30 September
Name Direct parent incorporation 2016
------------------------ -------------------- --------------- ----------------
Active
Zoopla Property
ZPG Limited Group Plc United Kingdom 100%
Ulysses Enterprises Zoopla Property
Limited Group Plc United Kingdom 100%
Ulysses Enterprises
uSwitch Digital Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
uSwitch Digital
uSwitch Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
uSwitch Communications uSwitch Digital
Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
Property Software Zoopla Property
Holdings Limited Group Plc United Kingdom 100%
Property Software
Jupix Limited Holdings Limited United Kingdom 100%
MoveIT Network Limited Jupix Limited United Kingdom 100%
Property Software Property Software
Limited Holdings Limited United Kingdom 100%
Property Software
Core Estates Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
Property Software
CFP Software Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
Vebra Investments Property Software
Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
Vebra Investments
Vebra Limited Limited United Kingdom 100%
Vebra Solutions Limited Vebra Limited United Kingdom 100%
Dormant
PSG Web Services
Limited Vebra Limited United Kingdom 100%
Real Estate Technology
Limited Vebra Limited United Kingdom 100%
------------------------ -------------------- --------------- ----------------
The acquired entity Property Software Holdings Limited and its
direct and indirect subsidiaries have a reporting period ending 31
March. The dormant subsidiaries have not taken an exemption from
the preparation of individual accounts in respect of the year ended
31 March 2016 by virtue of the s394A of Companies Act 2006. All
other subsidiaries have a reporting period ending 30 September.
13. Acquisitions
Property Software Group
On 28 April 2016 Zoopla Property Group Plc completed its
acquisition of Property Software Group through the purchase of 100%
of the issued share capital of Property Software Holdings Limited
for total consideration of GBP69.6 million as measured in
accordance with IFRS 3.
Expenses incurred on the acquisition of GBP1.3 million are
included within administration expenses in the statement of
comprehensive income. These costs have been considered exceptional
in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 (Note 3).
Property Software Group was consolidated into the Group on 28
April 2016. In the period post acquisition, Property Software Group
recorded revenue of GBP7.3 million and adjusted EBITDA of GBP1.7
million. On a like-for-like basis, assuming Property Software Group
was consolidated from the commencement of the 2016 financial year,
the combined Group would have recorded revenue of GBP207.4 million
and adjusted EBITDA of GBP80.2 million.
The purchase has been accounted for as a business combination
under the acquisition method in accordance with IFRS 3. In
calculating the goodwill arising on acquisition the fair value of
net assets acquired was assessed and no material adjustments from
book value were made to existing assets and liabilities with the
exception of "intangible assets - software" which has been recorded
at a fair value of GBP5.9 million compared to a book value of
GBP3.5 million. The Group has also recognised a number of
separately identifiable intangibles as part of the acquisition,
details of which are set out in Note 13.1.
The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are as
follows:
Fair value
GBP000
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Property, plant and equipment 463
Intangible assets - software (Note 14) 5,904
Trade receivables 1,543
Prepayments and other receivables 669
Corporation tax asset 66
Trade payables (188)
Accruals and other payables (1,707)
Deferred income (2,385)
Provisions (35)
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Total net assets acquired 4,330
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Intangible assets recognised on acquisition:
- Brand (13.1) 2,222
- Customer relationships (13.1) 20,484
Deferred tax liability arising on intangibles (4,646)
Goodwill on acquisition (Note 13.2) 47,246
---------------------------------------------- ----------
69,636
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Satisfied by:
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired 22,263
Debt assumed and discharged (Note 13.3) 24,862
Deferred and contingent consideration (Note
13.4) 22,511
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Total consideration 69,636
---------------------------------------------- ----------
13.1 Intangible assets recognised on consolidation
Brand
GBP2.2 million has been recognised in respect of brand names
operated by Property Software Group. The brands consist of desktop
software products "Vebra", "Core" and "CFP" and SaaS products
"Alto" and "Jupix". Property Software Group is an established
software developer and supplier and the brands are considered to be
highly recognisable in the UK real estate market. The brands have
been valued using a relief from royalty approach. A brand royalty
rate of 1.75% and a post-tax discount rate of 14.4% have been used
to determine the net present value of avoided cash flows. Useful
economic life of the brand assets are assessed as five years for
desktop products and ten years for SaaS products.
Customer relationships
GBP20.5 million has been recognised in respect of customer
relationships held by Property Software Group. The customer
relationships relate to existing customers with subscriptions and
licences to Property Software Group's desktop and SaaS products.
The customer relationships have been valued using a multi-period
excess earnings approach. A post-tax discount rate of 14.7% has
been applied to forecast cash flows relating to the existing
customers. Useful economic life of the customer relationships are
assessed as five years for desktop products and ten years for SaaS
products.
Software
GBP5.9 million has been recognised in respect of software assets
developed by Property Software Group. Property Software Group has
developed market leading desktop and SaaS software products. The
software has been valued using a relief from royalty approach. A
royalty rate for the software of 7% and a post-tax discount rate of
14.5% has been used to determine the net present value of avoided
cash flows. Useful economic life of the software is assessed as
three years for Desktop products and five years for SaaS
products.
13.2 Goodwill
The acquisition of Property Software Group provides a number of
benefits to the Group. The goodwill recognised on acquisition
represents the value arising from intangible assets that are not
separately identifiable under IAS 38 including the skills and
knowledge of Property Software Group's workforce.
The Board believes that the integration of Property Software
Group into the Property Services division will result in an
unrivalled UK property market proposition supporting professionals
with their software and CRM solutions, digital marketing
requirements and market insight tools along with providing them a
range of new revenue opportunities through Property Software
Group's MoveIT platform. The Board believes this unique proposition
will drive an increase in revenue from its partners.
13.3 Debt assumed and discharged
Immediately prior to acquisition Property Software Group had
outstanding debt of GBP24.9 million. The outstanding debt was
assumed and discharged by Zoopla Property Group Plc on
acquisition.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the amounts
included in the consolidated statement of cash flows:
2016
GBP000
-------------------------------------------- -------
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired on
acquisition 22,263
Debt assumed and discharged 24,862
Cash expenses incurred on acquisition 1,256
Cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries 48,381
-------------------------------------------- -------
13.4 Deferred and contingent consideration
On acquisition the Group recognised deferred consideration of
GBP22.5 million. A further GBP5.7 million is payable to Management
shareholders and is conditional on the continued employment of
Management up to and including the date of payment. In accordance
with IFRS 3, this consideration will be recognised as a
remuneration expense in the Group's consolidated statement of
comprehensive income over the deferral period of between 12 months
and 24 months from the date of acquisition. The Group is accruing
the full GBP5.7 million over the deferral period, adjusted by an
estimation of the number of leavers.
The movement in the value of deferred and contingent
consideration between the date of acquisition and 30 September 2016
is set out in Note 19.
13.5 uSwitch
On 1 June 2015 Zoopla Property Group Plc completed its
acquisition of uSwitch through the purchase of 100% of the issued
share capital of Ulysses Enterprises Limited for total
consideration of GBP177.6 million as measured in accordance with
IFRS 3. Full details of the acquisition are included in the Annual
Report 2015. On a like-for-like basis, assuming uSwitch was
consolidated from the commencement of the 2015 financial year, the
combined Group would have recorded revenue of GBP160.1 million and
adjusted EBITDA of GBP63.3 million.
The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired were as
follows:
Fair value
GBP000
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Property, plant and equipment 777
Intangible assets - computer software 86
Trade receivables 5,466
Accrued income 10,056
Prepayments and other receivables 953
Deferred tax assets 379
Trade payables (3,079)
Accruals and other payables (6,708)
Provisions (135)
Corporation tax payable (1,053)
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Total net assets acquired 6,742
Intangible assets recognised
- Brand 48,770
- Website and technology platform 2,890
- Database 900
Deferred tax liability arising on intangibles (10,512)
Goodwill on acquisition 128,782
---------------------------------------------- ----------
177,572
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Satisfied by:
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired 61,907
Debt assumed and discharged 79,675
Deferred and contingent consideration 35,990
---------------------------------------------- ----------
Total consideration 177,572
---------------------------------------------- ----------
The following table provides a reconciliation of the amounts
included in the consolidated statement of cash flows:
2015
GBP000
-------------------------------------------- ---------
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired
on acquisition (61,907)
Debt assumed and discharged (79,675)
Cash expenses incurred on acquisition (4,430)
Cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries (146,012)
--------------------------------------------- ---------
The earn-out performance period for the uSwitch acquisition
ended on 30 April 2016. As a result of the performance of the
Comparison Services division during the performance period the full
GBP30.0m became due to the business' previous shareholders. The
full amount, less a reduction for any management shareholders which
left the business prior to settlement, was paid in May 2016. Of the
amount settled, GBP2.5m is contingent on the continued employment
for a further 24 months of Management shareholders and is currently
held in escrow.
14. Intangible assets
Websites
Customer Domain and computer
Goodwill Brand relationships names software Database Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
Cost
At 1 October
2015 199,575 48,770 6,091 1,451 3,847 1,129 260,863
On acquisition
(Note 13) 47,246 2,222 20,484 - 5,904 - 75,856
Additions - - - - 2,561 - 2,561
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 30 September
2016 246,821 50,992 26,575 1,451 12,312 1,129 339,280
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 1 October
2014 70,793 - 6,091 1,451 162 229 78,726
On acquisition
(Note 13) 128,782 48,770 - - 2,976 900 181,428
Additions - - - - 709 - 709
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 30 September
2015 199,575 48,770 6,091 1,451 3,847 1,129 260,863
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
Amortisation
At 1 October
2015 - 1,626 3,696 1,109 440 318 7,189
Charge for
the year - 4,979 2,212 187 1,785 307 9,470
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 30 September
2016 - 6,605 5,908 1,296 2,225 625 16,659
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 1 October
2014 - - 2,478 847 - 207 3,532
Charge for
the year - 1,626 1,218 262 440 111 3,657
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 30 September
2015 - 1,626 3,696 1,109 440 318 7,189
Net book value
At 30 September
2016 246,821 44,387 20,667 155 10,087 504 322,621
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
At 30 September
2015 199,575 47,144 2,395 342 3,407 811 253,674
---------------- -------- ------- ---------------------- ------- ------------- -------- -------
Goodwill and intangibles are tested for impairment by comparing
the carrying amount of the cash-generating unit (CGU) with its
recoverable amount, which represents the higher of its estimated
fair value and value in use. An impairment loss is recognised when
the carrying value of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount.
The intangible assets relate to the three separate CGU's:
Comparison Services, Property Services excluding Property Software
Group and Property Software Group. Goodwill is allocated to each
CGU per the below table.
2016
GBP000
Comparison Services 128,782
Property Services excluding Property Software
Group 70,793
Property Software Group 47,246
---------------------------------------------- -------
At 30 September 2016 246,821
---------------------------------------------- -------
The recoverable amounts of intangible assets and goodwill are
based on the value in use, which is determined using cash flow
projections derived from financial plans approved by the Board
covering a three year period. They reflect Management's
expectations of revenue, EBITDA growth, capital expenditure,
working capital and operating cash flows, based on past experience
and future expectations of business performance. Cash flows beyond
the three year period have been extrapolated using perpetuity
growth rates.
A growth rate of 3% has been applied to extrapolate the cash
flows into perpetuity. Growth has been capped at 3% across both
business units so as not to exceed the long-term expected growth
rate of the country and industry the Group operates in, in
accordance with IAS 36. The pre-tax discount rate was used for each
CGU was in the range 10.1% to 14.2%.
The analysis performed calculates that the recoverable amount of
each CGU's assets exceeds their carrying value, as such no
impairment was identified. The Directors are comfortable that a
reasonable change in the underlying assumptions would not indicate
an impairment. Amending the analysis such that a growth rate into
perpetuity of negative 3%, or a reasonable increase in discount
rate, is applied across all CGU's whilst holding all other
variables constant would still not give rise to an impairment.
15. Property, plant and equipment
Fixtures Freehold
and property Computer Leasehold
fittings GBP000 equipment improvements Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
Cost
At 1 October 2015 340 - 983 1,240 2,563
Acquired on acquisitions 34 209 150 70 463
Additions 570 - 829 4,330 5,729
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2016 944 209 1,962 5,640 8,755
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 1 October 2014 209 - 359 1,107 1,675
Acquired on acquisitions 123 - 521 133 777
Additions 8 - 103 - 111
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2015 340 - 983 1,240 2,563
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 October 2015 120 - 310 203 633
Charge for the year 253 2 411 1,043 1,709
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2016 373 2 721 1,246 2,342
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 1 October 2014 35 - 126 57 218
Charge for the year 85 - 184 146 415
At 30 September 2015 120 - 310 203 633
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
Net book value
At 30 September 2016 571 207 1,241 4,394 6,413
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2015 220 - 673 1,037 1,930
------------------------- --------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------
16. Available for sale financial assets
2016
GBP000
At 1 October 2015 -
Additions 974
Disposals (250)
--------------------- -------
At 30 September 2016 724
--------------------- -------
Available for sale financial assets represent the Group's
strategic partnerships with a number of UK Proptech and Fintech
companies.
17. Trade and other receivables
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
----------------------- ------- -------
Trade receivables 8,896 8,850
Accrued income 17,228 10,740
Prepayments 3,160 2,348
Amounts held in escrow 9,884 7,446
Other receivables 709 842
----------------------- ------- -------
39,877 30,226
----------------------- ------- -------
Non-current 3,262 7,446
Current 36,615 22,780
----------------------- ------- -------
39,877 30,226
----------------------- ------- -------
The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and
other receivables is approximate to their fair value. The carrying
value also represents the maximum credit exposure.
GBP9.9 million is held in escrow for the settlement of deferred
consideration payable in relation to the acquisition of
uSwitch.
Details of the Group's exposure to credit risk are given in Note
26.
18. Trade and other payables
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Trade payables 7,618 5,507
Accruals 16,955 10,599
Other taxation and social security payments 5,865 5,512
Deferred income 1,813 380
Other payables 271 253
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
32,522 22,251
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and
other payables is approximate to their fair value. Details of the
Group's exposure to liquidity risk are given in Note 26.
19. Deferred and contingent consideration
The Group's liabilities in respect of deferred and contingent
consideration arising on the acquisition of Property Software Group
on 28 April 2016 and the acquisition of uSwitch on 1 June 2015 and
are set out below:
Contingent
consideration
Deferred -
consideration earn-out Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
--------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------
At 1 October 2015 11,976 26,156 38,132
Recognised on acquisition of Property
Software Group 22,511 - 22,511
Charge in the period for amounts conditional
on the continued employment of Management 4,412 2,663 7,075
uSwitch settlement (10,040) (27,002) (37,042)
--------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------
At 30 September 2016 28,859 1,817 30,676
--------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Current 26,813 1,330 28,143
Non-current 2,046 487 2,533
--------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------
At 1 October 2014 - - -
Recognised on acquisition of uSwitch 11,040 24,950 35,990
Charge in the period for amounts conditional
on the continued employment of Management 936 1,206 2,142
At 30 September 2015 11,976 26,156 38,132
--------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Current 10,000 25,393 35,393
Non-current 1,976 763 2,739
--------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------
20. Provisions
The movement in provisions can be analysed as follows:
Dilapidation Onerous
provisions lease Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
At 1 October 2015 799 - 799
Acquired on acquisition of Property
Software Group 35 - 35
Recognised in the period 1,375 729 2,104
Utilised in the period (224) - (224)
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
At 30 September 2016 1,985 729 2,714
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
Current 575 729 1,304
Non-current 1,410 - 1,410
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
At 1 October 2014 634 - 634
Acquired on acquisition of uSwitch 135 - 135
Charged in the period 30 - 30
Utilised in the period - - -
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
At 30 September 2015 799 - 799
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
Current 190 - 190
Non-current 609 - 609
------------------------------------ ------------ ------- -------
The dilapidation provisions relate to Management's best estimate
of costs to make good the Group's leasehold properties at the end
of the lease term. The charge in the period represents expected
exit costs on completion of the Group's new property lease at the
Cooperage, London. During the period the Group vacated a number of
previous office buildings, utilising GBP0.2m of the brought-forward
provision.
The onerous lease provision relates to Management's best
estimate of the fair value of future lease payments falling due
prior to the expected assignment of the lease of one of the Group's
previous office buildings which was vacated in September 2016. It
is anticipated that the onerous lease provision shall be fully
utilised in the 2017 financial year.
21. Loans and borrowings
On 30 April 2015 the Group entered into an agreement for the
provision of a five year, GBP150.0 million revolving credit
facility. On 18 April 2016 a GBP50.0 million extension to the
revolving credit facility was agreed to finance the acquisition of
Property Software Group.
The drawn portion of the facility incurs interest at UK Libor
plus a margin. The margin is variable based on the Group's net debt
to Adjusted EBITDA ratio. The effective interest rate for the
period is set out in Note 26.
Total
GBP000
--------------------------------------------- --------
Gross borrowings at 1 October 2015 114,000
Repayment of borrowings (46,500)
Drawdown of borrowings 84,000
--------------------------------------------- --------
Gross borrowings at 30 September 2016 151,500
--------------------------------------------- --------
Capitalised costs at 30 September 2016 (1,804)
--------------------------------------------- --------
Total loans and borrowings 149,696
--------------------------------------------- --------
Gross loans and borrowings at 1 October 2014 -
Initial draw down on acquisition of uSwitch 125,000
Repayment of borrowings (11,000)
Gross borrowings at 30 September 2015 114,000
--------------------------------------------- --------
Capitalised costs at 30 September 2015 (1,568)
--------------------------------------------- --------
Total loans and borrowings 112,432
--------------------------------------------- --------
The Group has no other loans or borrowings.
22. Deferred tax
Property,
plant
and equipment
and computer Intangible Share-based
software assets payments Other Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------- -------------- ------------ ----------- ------- --------
Deferred tax asset/(liability)
at 1 October 2015 136 (10,623) 866 436 (9,185)
On acquisition of Property
Software Group (45) (4,646) - - (4,691)
(Charge)/credit to profit
or loss (103) 2,794 778 713 4,182
Charge to equity - - 888 - 888
Prior year adjustment 38 - - (253) (215)
------------------------------- -------------- ------------ ----------- ------- --------
Deferred tax asset/(liability)
at 30 September 2016 26 (12,475) 2,532 896 (9,021)
------------------------------- -------------- ------------ ----------- ------- --------
Deferred tax asset/(liability)
at 1 October 2014 326 (784) 895 - 437
On acquisition of uSwitch - (10,512) - 379 (10,133)
(Charge)/credit to profit
or loss (190) 673 209 57 749
Charge to equity - - (238) - (238)
Deferred tax asset/(liability)
at 30 September 2015 136 (10,623) 866 436 (9,185)
------------------------------- -------------- ------------ ----------- ------- --------
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the Group
has a legally enforceable right to do so. Deferred tax assets have
been recognised in respect of all temporary differences giving rise
to income tax assets because it is probable that these assets will
be recoverable.
The following is an analysis of the deferred tax balances (after
offset) for financial reporting purposes:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
------------------------- -------- --------
Deferred tax liabilities (12,475) (10,623)
Deferred tax assets 3,454 1,438
------------------------- -------- --------
(9,021) (9,185)
------------------------- -------- --------
23. Equity
Share capital
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Shares classified as capital
Authorised
418,116,472 (2015: 418,116,472) shares of
GBP0.001 (2015: GBP0.001) each 418 418
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Called-up share capital - allotted and fully
paid
418,116,472 (2015: 418,116,472) Ordinary
Shares of GBP0.001 (2015: GBP0.001) each 418 418
--------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Ordinary Shares
The Ordinary Shares carry one vote per share and rights to
dividends, except when they are held as Treasury shares by the
Company.
Other reserves - Merger reserve
The merger reserve was created in May 2012 from the premium on
shares issued for the acquisition of The Digital Property Group
Limited. In 2014 the merger reserve increased as a result of the
Group's reorganisation prior to the IPO.
Other reserves - EBT share reserve
The EBT share reserve represents shares in issue that are held
by the Employee Benefit Trust for the purpose of settling the
Group's obligations under the Employee Share Option Scheme.
Other reserves - Treasury shares
Between 11 February 2016 and 17 February 2016 the Group acquired
188,340 of its own shares at a weighted average price of 220.0p in
order to settle the exercise of outstanding warrants. As at 31
March 2016 25,551 of the shares had been released from treasury to
satisfy warrant exercises leaving 162,789 shares in treasury with a
weighted average price of 220.0p and a total value of GBP358,000 as
at 30 September 2016.
24. Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of share-based incentive schemes for
both its employees and certain estate agent partners. The Group
recognised a total share-based payments charge of GBP4.9 million
for 2016 (2015: GBP1.9 million) as set out below:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
Employee Share Option Scheme (i) 486 600
Long-Term Incentive Plan (ii) 881 600
Share Incentive Plan (iii) 276 231
Deferred Bonus Plan (iv) 427 175
Value Creation Plan (v) 1,156 -
Management deal related performance bonus
(vi) 358 -
Warrant charges (vii) 406 117
National Insurance Contributions payable
in respect of eligible share-based payment
schemes (viii) 862 150
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
4,852 1,873
-------------------------------------------- ------- -------
i) Employee Share Option Scheme
The Group operates an equity-settled share-based incentive
scheme which was in place prior to the Group's listing on the
London Stock Exchange for all employees under an approved plan up
to 31 May 2012 and an unapproved plan thereafter. The options vest
in instalments over four years. Options are forfeited if the
employee leaves the Group before the options vest. The Group
recognised a charge of GBP0.5 million (2015: GBP0.6 million) in
respect of options under this scheme.
The Employee Share Option Scheme will continue to operate until
all shares vest or lapse, or the scheme is otherwise cancelled.
There will be no future grants under this scheme.
Details of options under the scheme outstanding at 30 September
2016 are set out below:
2016 2015
----------------- ------------------
Weighted Weighted
average average
exercise exercise
Number price Number price
'000 GBP '000 GBP
------------------------------------- ------ --------- ------- ---------
Outstanding options at the beginning
of the year 3,739 0.27 5,693 0.26
Exercised during the year (653) 0.28 (1,416) 0.21
Forfeited during the year (197) 0.34 (538) 0.32
------------------------------------- ------ --------- ------- ---------
Outstanding options at the end
of the year 2,889 0.27 3,739 0.27
------------------------------------- ------ --------- ------- ---------
The options outstanding at 30 September 2016 had a weighted
average exercise price of GBP0.27 (2015: GBP0.27) and a weighted
average remaining contractual life of 6.7 years (2015: 8.6 years).
The range of exercise prices for outstanding options is GBP0.06 to
GBP0.35 (2015: GBP0.06 to GBP0.35).
The number of options exercisable as at 30 September 2016 was
2,100,000 (2015: 2,023,000).
ii) Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Group operates an equity-settled Long-Term Incentive Plan
that grants nil-cost options to eligible employees which vest at
the end of a three year vesting period. The vesting of the options
is subject to both Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and Total
Shareholder Return (TSR) performance criteria. The Group recognised
a charge of GBP0.9 million (2015: GBP0.6 million) in respect of
this scheme.
A total of 1,465,419 options have been granted in respect of the
2016 financial year. None of the options granted are exercisable as
at 30 September 2016. The following information is relevant in the
determination of the fair value of the LTIP options granted on 9
December 2015. There were no other material grants in 2016. The
total outstanding number of LTIP options granted to date is
2,866,354.
9 December
2015
grant
--------------------------- -------------
Valuation method - TSR Monte-Carlo
Valuation method - EPS Black-Scholes
Share price at grant date GBP2.32
Exercise price GBPnil
Expected volatility 32.9%
Expected life 3 years
Expected dividend yield n/a
Risk-free interest rate 0.9%
Fair value per share - TSR GBP1.41
Fair value per share - EPS GBP2.32
--------------------------- -------------
The volatility assumption, measured at the standard deviation of
expected share price returns, has been calculated using historical
daily data of six comparator companies over a term commensurate
with the expected life of each option. Dividend equivalent payments
will be made in respect of vested options in the form of additional
shares.
iii) Share Incentive Plan (SIP)
The SIP is an all-employee share ownership plan which has been
designed to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Income Tax
(Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 so that shares can be provided to
UK employees under the SIP in a tax-efficient manner. Under the
scheme employees may be awarded Free Shares and/or offered the
opportunity to purchase Partnership Shares with one Free Matching
Share for each Partnership Share purchased. During the period the
Group granted a total of 92,581 Matching Shares all of which are
still subject to forfeiture should the employee leave within 12
months of the grant date. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.3
million (2015: GBP0.2 million) in respect of shares under this
scheme.
iv) Deferred Bonus Plan
From 1 October 2014 the Group has operated a Deferred Bonus Plan
(DBP) which defers a proportion of eligible employees' annual
bonuses into nil-cost options. The options vest over a period of
between one and three years from the end of the performance period.
The performance period for the 2016 DBP runs from 1 October 2015
until 30 September 2016. The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.4
million (2015: GBP0.2 million) in respect of this scheme. In
December 2015 a total of 317,155 options were granted in respect of
the 2015 financial year.
v) Value Creation Plan
On 1 October 2015 the Group launched the VCP. The VCP grants
nil-cost options to the Group's CEO based on Total Shareholder
Return over a three and four year period. The fair value of the
scheme is GBP4.3m spread over the four year period. A charge of
GBP1.2m (2015: GBPNil) was recognised in the 2016 financial year.
The following information is relevant in the determination of the
fair value:
1 October
2015
grant
-------------------------- -----------
Valuation method Monte-Carlo
Share price at grant date GBP2.10
Initial measurement price GBP2.19
Exercise price GBPnil
Expected volatility 26.4%
Expected life 3.24/4.24
years
Expected dividend yield 0.8%
Risk-free interest rate 0.5%
vi) Management deal related performance bonus
On 1 May 2016 an amendment was made to the uSwitch deal related
management performance bonus such that the employee can elect to
receive the bonus in the form of shares in Zoopla Property Group
Plc's shares instead of a fixed cash element. The fair value of the
employee's option to elect to receive shares is GBP1.3m to be
spread over the 2.08 year remaining term of the bonus agreement.
The Group recognised a charge of GBP0.4 million (2015: GBPNil) in
respect of this scheme. The following information is relevant in
determination of the fair value:
1 May
2016
grant
-------------------------- -------------
Valuation method Black-Scholes
Share price at grant date GBP2.94
Deemed exercise price GBP2.71
Expected volatility 32.9%
Expected life 2.08 years
Expected dividend yield 1.01%
Risk-free interest rate 0.97%
vii) Warrants
The Group has entered into agreements with a number of estate
agent partners whereby the partners agree to pay annual fees for
advertising on the Group's property websites over a five year
period in exchange for a fixed number of warrants over Ordinary
Shares. The warrants are issued annually over the five year term of
the agreements at an exercise price equal to the nominal value of
each share (GBP0.001). Some or all of the warrants are forfeited if
service agreements are terminated before the end of the term.
Between 11 February 2016 and 17 February 2016 Zoopla Property
Group Plc purchased 188,340 of its own shares, which are held in
treasury, to settle future warrant exercises. 162,789 shares
remained in treasury at 30 September 2016.
The total charge recognised for the year ended 30 September 2016
in respect of warrants was GBP0.4 million (2015: GBP0.1
million).
2016 2015
-------------------
Weighted Weighted
average average
exercise exercise
Number price Number price
'000 GBP '000 GBP
---------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Outstanding warrants at the
beginning of the year 114,009 0.001 - -
Issued during the year 142,861 0.001 137,779 0.001
Exercised during the year (25,551) 0.001 (23,770) 0.001
---------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Outstanding warrants at the
end of the year 231,319 0.001 114,009 0.001
---------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
The number of warrants outstanding at 30 September 2016 was
231,319 (2015: 114,009). The warrants had a weighted average
exercise price of GBP0.001 and a weighted average remaining
contractual life of 3.9 years (2015: 4.4 years).
The number of warrants issuable over shares in Zoopla Property
Group Plc under existing partner contracts is 1,055,000 (2015:
1,198,300). The warrants will be issued with an exercise price of
GBP0.001 over the lives of the contracts.
vii) National Insurance Contributions (NIC)
National Insurance Contributions are payable in respect of
certain share-based payment schemes. These contributions are
treated as cash-settled transactions and are accrued at a rate of
13.8%. The total NIC charge relating to share-based payment schemes
was GBP0.9m (2015: GBP0.2m).
viii) The Employee Benefit Trust and Share Incentive Plan
Trust
Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)
The Group has established an Employee Benefit Trust which is
constituted by a trust deed entered into between the Company and
Appleby Trust (Jersey) Limited. The Trust held 3,838,636 Ordinary
Shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc at 30 September 2016 (2015:
4,491,861). These shares are held to satisfy future exercises under
the Group's share-based payment schemes. Shares are allocated by
the Trust when the awards are exercised. The Trust waives its right
to any dividends. The market value of the shares held in the Trust
at 30 September 2016 was GBP14.6 million (2015: GBP9.4 million).
The cost of the shares has been deducted from equity.
Share Incentive Plan Trust (SIP Trust)
The Group has established a Share Incentive Plan Trust which is
constituted by a trust deed which was entered into between Zoopla
Property Group Plc and Yorkshire Building Society. The Trust held
602,817 Ordinary Shares in Zoopla Property Group Plc at 30
September 2016 (2015: 427,515). These shares are held to satisfy
future Free Share and Partnership and Matching Share exercises.
Shares are allocated by the Trust when the awards are exercised.
Dividends paid on shares held in the Trust are passed to the
employees when the shares are allocated. The market value of the
shares held in the Trust at 30 September 2016 was GBP2.0 million
(2015: GBP0.9 million). The cost of the shares has been deducted
from equity.
25. Related party transactions
a) Key Management personnel
The Chairman and the Directors are considered to be the key
Management personnel of the Group along with the Managing Directors
of Property and Comparison Services. Details of remuneration for
key Management personnel are shown in Note 7.
No share options were exercised by key Management personnel in
the period.
Further information on the remuneration of the Chairman and the
Directors can be found in the Directors' remuneration report in the
Group's Annual Report 2016.
b) Other Group companies
Details of transactions with subsidiaries are outlined in the
Company's financial statements. Transactions with other Group
companies have been eliminated on consolidation.
c) Other related parties
Other related party transactions are as follows:
At 30 September 2016 Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT)
owned 31.3% of the share capital of Zoopla Property Group Plc
(2015: 31.3%).
A&N Media Finance Services Limited (ANMFS), a subsidiary of
DMGT, supplied various shared services to ZPG Limited for which the
fee was GBP38,000 (2015: GBP43,000) for the year. The balance
outstanding at 30 September 2016 was GBPNil (2015: GBPNil).
There are no further related party transactions.
26. Financial instruments
Carrying amount and fair value of financial assets and
liabilities
All financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents, are
designated as "Loans and receivables" and are held at amortised
cost other than "Available for sale" financial assets which are
held at fair value as disclosed in Note 16. All financial
liabilities are classified as Other liabilities and are measured at
amortised cost. The Directors consider that the carrying amounts of
financial assets and liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the
financial statements are approximate to their fair values.
Financial risk management
The Group is exposed to the following risks from financial
instruments:
-- credit risk;
-- market risk; and
-- liquidity risk.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a
customer or bank ("counterparty") fails to meet its contractual
obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group's
maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of each period was equal
to the carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the
financial statements. The exposure to credit risk is influenced by
the individual characteristics of each counterparty.
The potential for customer default varies between the Group's
two divisions. The customer base of the Property Services division
is large, so there is no significant concentration of credit risk.
The Comparison Services division operates in a market with a small
number of customers, which creates a concentration of debtor
balances, and from time to time the amounts due from one or a
number of suppliers may be material. However, customers within this
market are often large energy and telecommunications organisations
with high credit ratings and access to significant funds. The
Group's largest customer contributed to 18% (2015: 19%) of the
Group's trade receivables balance.
The Group manages counterparty risk on its trade receivables
through strict credit control quality measures and regular aged
debt monitoring procedures. The Group reserves the right to charge
interest on overdue receivables, although it does not hold
collateral over any trade receivable balances. Overdue amounts are
regularly reviewed and impairment provisions are created where
necessary. This provision is reviewed regularly in conjunction with
a detailed analysis of ageing profile, historical payment profiles
and past default experience. The Group has long-standing
relationships with its key customers and extremely low historical
levels of customer credit defaults.
The ageing of trade receivables at the period end is as
follows:
2016 2015
------------------ ------------------
Gross Provision Gross Provision
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
----------- ------- --------- ------- ---------
0-30 days 4,634 - 7,205 -
31-60 days 3,154 (104) 1,234 -
61-90 days 721 (151) 400 (38)
91+ days 767 (125) 680 (631)
----------- ------- --------- ------- ---------
Total 9,276 (380) 9,519 (669)
----------- ------- --------- ------- ---------
In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable, the
Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade
receivable from the date credit was granted up to the period end
date.
Receivables written-off during the year to 30 September 2016 was
GBP470,000 (2015: 333,000). As at 30 September 2016 receivables of
GBP1,386,000 were past due but not impaired (2015:
GBP1,314,000).
The credit risk associated with bank and deposit balances is
mitigated by the use of banks with good credit ratings.
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in foreign exchange and
interest rates will affect the income and financial management of
the Group. The Group is not exposed to any significant currency
risk and there is a minimal interest rate risk on cash and bank
balances. However, the Group has borrowings subject to an interest
rate calculated with reference to Libor. Changes in interest rates
therefore impact the financial results of the Group. The Directors
actively monitor interest rate risk and note that interest rates
remain at a historical low. The Directors believe that any
reasonable increase in the Libor rate would not significantly
impact the Group. Therefore, the Group does not hedge its interest
rate risk at this time. At 30 September 2016 borrowings of GBP151.5
million were subject to floating interest rates (2015: GBP114.0
million).
At 30 September 2016 if Libor were to have increased by 1%
throughout the year with all other variables held constant profit
before tax would decrease by GBP1.2 million (2015: GBP0.4 million)
as a result of additional interest incurred. Therefore, the
Directors are comfortable that any sensitivity to fluctuations in
interest or exchange rates would not have a material impact on the
results of the Group.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk refers to the ability of the Group to meet the
obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are
settled in cash as they fall due. Management regularly reviews
performance against budgets and forecasts to ensure sufficient cash
funds are available to meet its contractual obligations.
The Group's activities are highly cash generative allowing it to
effectively service working capital requirements. At 30 September
2016 the Group held total cash and cash equivalents of GBP3.4
million (2015: GBP19.2 million) and net debt of GBP146.3 million
(2015: GBP93.2 million).
The Group has access to a GBP200.0 million revolving credit
facility (RCF), of which GBP151.5 million was drawn-down at 30
September 2016. The remaining GBP48.5 million undrawn facility
allows the Group to secure additional external financing should it
be required. The total facility requires the Group to meet certain
covenants based on the Group's interest cover and net debt to
Adjusted EBITDA ratio. Exceeding the covenants would result in the
Group being in breach of the facility, which may lead to the
facility being withdrawn. Management regularly monitors and models
covenant compliance and prepares detailed forecasts to ensure that
sufficient headroom is available. The Directors are satisfied that
there is reasonable headroom on each of the Group's debt covenant
ratios.
The following tables detail the Group's remaining contractual
maturities for undiscounted financial liabilities, including
interest. The contractual maturity is based on the earliest date on
which the Group may be required to settle. Where interest rates are
variable the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate
curves at 30 September 2016.
Total
Effective Within 1 2 to More than contractual
interest year 1 to 2 years 5 years 5 years amount
rate GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
--------------- --------- -------- ------------ -------- --------- ------------
2016
Trade payables 7,618 - - - 7,618
Borrowings(1) 2.9% 4,096 4,535 158,927 - 167,558
--------------- --------- -------- ------------ -------- --------- ------------
Total 11,714 4,535 158,927 - 175,176
--------------- --------- -------- ------------ -------- --------- ------------
2015
Trade payables 5,507 - - - 5,507
Borrowings(1) 3.0% 2,920 3,222 123,513 - 129,655
--------------- --------- -------- ------------ -------- --------- ------------
Total 8,427 3,222 123,513 - 135,162
--------------- --------- -------- ------------ -------- --------- ------------
1 Interest on the Group's borrowings assumes that the Group
makes no further capital repayments until maturity of the RCF in
2020.
Treasury and capital risk management
The Group's policy is to actively manage its cash and capital
structure to ensure that it complies with its current debt covenant
ratios, maintains its current dividend policy and minimises the
Group's interest payments by paying down its debt where
possible.
Management will consider the use of excess cash, including the
payment of special dividends to shareholders and M&A activity,
based on the risks and opportunities of the Group at that time.
The Directors can manage the Group's capital structure through
the issue or redemption of either debt or equity instruments and by
adjustment to the Group's dividend paid to equity holders. The
Directors believe that the current debt to equity ratio remains
appropriate but continue to monitor the efficiency of the capital
structure on an ongoing basis.
27. Operating lease commitments
At the statement of financial position date, the Group had
outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under
non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------- ------- -------
Within one year 3,267 1,139
In the second to fifth year inclusive 13,067 3,565
After five years 27,214 2,306
-------------------------------------- ------- -------
43,548 7,010
-------------------------------------- ------- -------
All operating lease commitments are in respect of property
leases held by the Group.
28. Subsequent events
On 28 November 2016 the Group entered into an agreement to
purchase 100% of the issued share capital of Technicweb Limited for
initial consideration of GBP1.5 million, deferred consideration of
GBP250,000 due 12 months from the date of completion and earn-out
consideration based on performance over a 30 month period post
acquisition.
There have been no other reportable subsequent events between 30
September 2016 and the date of signing of this report.
29. Ultimate controlling party
The Directors are of the opinion that there was no ultimate
controlling party in either period presented.
Company statement of financial position
As at 30 September 2016
2016 2015
Notes GBP000 GBP000
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Assets
Non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries 4 250,790 200,478
Intangible assets 128 -
Property, plant and equipment 5 5,315 -
Trade and other receivables 6 74,698 77,446
Deferred tax assets 600 183
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
331,531 278,107
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Current assets
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Trade and other receivables 6 9,092 164
Cash and cash equivalents 414 4,668
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
9,506 4,832
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Total assets 341,037 282,939
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 7 27,732 21,905
Deferred and contingent consideration 8 28,143 35,393
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings 9 149,696 112,432
Deferred and contingent consideration 8 2,533 2,739
Provisions 10 1,375 -
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Total liabilities 209,479 172,469
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Net assets 131,558 110,470
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Equity
Share capital 11 418 418
Share premium reserve 50 50
Other reserves 11 90,137 90,495
Retained earnings 40,953 19,507
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
Total equity 131,558 110,470
-------------------------------------- ----- ------- -------
The financial statements of Zoopla Property Group Plc (company
number 09005884) were approved and authorised for issue by the
Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:
A Chesterman A Botha
Director Director
29 November 29 November 2016
2016
Company statement of cash flows
For the year ended 30 September 2016
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax 33,649 26,119
Adjustments for:
Finance income (1,615) (618)
Finance costs 3,559 1,162
Dividend income received (47,000) (35,000)
Transaction costs on acquisition of Property
Software Group 1,256 5,130
Movement in contingent and deferred consideration 7,075 2,142
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Operating cash flow before changes in working
capital (3,076) (1,065)
Decrease in trade and other receivables 21,093 9,669
Increase in trade and other payables 4,984 20,477
Net cash flows from operating activities 23,001 29,081
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash flows (used in)/from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries (49,892) (155,540)
Settlement of deferred and contingent consideration (37,042) -
Amounts paid into escrow in relation to
deferred and contingent consideration (2,448) (7,436)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (3,441) -
Interest income received 1,615 618
Dividend income received 47,000 35,000
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net cash flows used in investing activities (44,208) (127,358)
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities
Proceeds on issue of debt, net of issue
costs 89,358 123,291
Repayment of debt (52,500) (11,000)
Interest paid (2,937) (779)
Treasury shares purchased (414) -
Dividends paid (16,554) (8,667)
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net cash flows from financing activities 16,953 102,845
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents (4,254) 4,568
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 4,668 100
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 414 4,668
---------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------
Company statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 30 September 2016
Share Treasury
Share premium shares Merger Retained Total
capital reserve GBP000 reserve earnings equity
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
At 1 October 2015 418 50 - 90,495 19,507 110,470
Profit and total comprehensive
income for the period - - - - 34,066 34,066
Transactions with owners
recorded directly in
equity:
Share-based payments - - - - 3,990 3,990
Treasury shares purchased - - (414) - - (414)
Treasury shares released - - 56 - (56) -
Dividends paid - - - - (16,554) (16,554)
------------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
At 30 September 2016 418 50 (358) 90,495 40,953 131,558
------------------------------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
Share Treasury
Share premium Shares Merger Retained Total
capital reserve GBP000 reserve earnings equity
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------
At 1 October 2014 418 50 - 90,495 151 91,114
Profit and total comprehensive
income for the period - - - - 26,302 26,302
Transactions with owners
recorded directly in
equity:
Dividends paid - - - - (8,667) (8,667)
Share-based payments - - - - 1,721 1,721
------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------
At 30 September 2015 418 50 - 90,495 19,507 110,470
------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------
Notes to the Company financial statements
1. Accounting policies and basis of accounting
The Directors have applied International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.
The accounting policies and the financial risk management
policies, where relevant to the Company, are consistent with those
of the consolidated Group as set out in Notes 1 to 29 of the
consolidated financial statements.
Statement of comprehensive income
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available under
section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented a
statement of comprehensive income. The profit for the period ended
30 September 2016 was GBP34.1 million (2015: GBP26.3 million).
2. Auditor's remuneration
The Company incurred a cost of GBP65,000 (2015: GBP55,000) for
statutory audit services for the period ended 30 September 2016.
The Company incurred a cost of GBP28,000 (2015: GBPNil) in relation
to non-audit fees provided by the statutory auditor.
3. Employee costs and Directors' remuneration
The Company has no employees other than the Directors of the
Company. Remuneration paid to the Directors was accounted for and
paid by the Company's subsidiary, ZPG Limited. Details of
Directors' remuneration are set out in the Directors' remuneration
report in the Group's Annual Report 2016.
4. Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less any
provision for impairment. The investment in subsidiaries balance of
GBP250.8 million represents the Company's 100% shareholding in ZPG
Limited, Ulysses Enterprises Limited and Property Software Holdings
Limited as set out in note 13 to the consolidated financial
statements. Property Software Holdings Limited was acquired on 28
April 2016 as detailed in note 13 to the consolidated financial
statements. Ulysses Enterprises Limited was acquired on 1 June 2015
as set out in the 2015 Annual Report.
During the year the Company recognised an increase in the
investment in ZPG Limited and Ulysses Enterprises Limited in
respect of the Group's employee share schemes. Consistent with the
Group accounting policies outlined in Note 1.19 to the consolidated
financial statements, equity-settled share options granted directly
to a subsidiary's employees are treated as a capital contribution
to the subsidiary. The capital contribution is measured by
reference to the consolidated share-based payments charge and is
recognised as an increase in the cost of investment with a
corresponding credit to retained earnings.
ZPG Ulysses Property
Limited Enterprises Software
GBP000 Limited Holdings
GBP000 Limited Total
GBP000 GBP000
------------------------------------------- --------- ------------- --------- -------
At 1 October 2015 93,053 107,425 - 200,478
Acquisition of Property Software
Group - - 46,324 46,324
Share based payment - Capital contribution 3,630 358 - 3,988
------------------------------------------- --------- ------------- --------- -------
At 30 September 2016 96,683 107,783 46,324 250,790
------------------------------------------- --------- ------------- --------- -------
At 1 October 2014 91,332 - - 91,332
Acquisition of Ulysses Enterprises
Limited - 107,425 - 107,425
Share based payment - Capital contribution 1,721 - - 1,721
------------------------------------------- --------- ------------- --------- -------
At 30 September 2015 93,053 107,425 - 200,478
------------------------------------------- --------- ------------- --------- -------
5. Property, plant and equipment
Fixtures Computer Leasehold
and fittings equipment improvements Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
Cost
At 1 October 2015 - - - -
Additions 545 440 4,330 5,315
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2016 545 440 4,330 5,315
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 October 2015 - - - -
Charge for the year - - - -
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2016 - - - -
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
Net book value
At 30 September 2016 545 440 4,330 5,315
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
At 30 September 2015 - - - -
------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------
6. Trade and other receivables
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------------------- ------- -------
Amounts receivable from Group Companies 73,405 70,000
Prepayments 501 164
Amounts held in escrow 9,884 7,446
83,790 77,610
---------------------------------------- ------- -------
Current 9,092 164
Non-current 74,698 77,446
---------------------------------------- ------- -------
83,790 77,610
---------------------------------------- ------- -------
The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and
other receivables are approximate to their fair value.
Amounts held in escrow are held for the settlement of deferred
consideration due on the acquisition of uSwitch.
The Company has a receivable of GBP48.5 million due from Ulysses
Enterprises Limited and GBP22.9 million from Property Software
Holdings Limited. Both amounts are designated as unsecured,
intercompany loans. The loans accrue interest at Libor + 2% and
have no fixed repayment dates. A trading balance of GBP2.0m is due
from Ulysses Enterprises Limited. No interest is receivable on the
balance. The Company is comfortable that these amounts are
recoverable in full.
7. Trade and other payables
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
----------------------------------- ------- -------
Trade payables 270 11
Accruals 5,964 1,894
Amounts payable to Group companies 21,498 20,000
----------------------------------- ------- -------
27,732 21,905
----------------------------------- ------- -------
At 30 September 2016 a trading balance of GBP21.5 million is due
to ZPG Limited. No interest is payable on the balance.
The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and
other payables are approximate to their fair value. All trade and
other payables are classified as current liabilities.
Details of the Group's exposure to liquidity risk are given in
Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements.
8. Deferred and contingent consideration
Details of deferred and contingent consideration are given in
Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.
9. Loans and borrowings
Details of loans and borrowings are given in Note 21 to the
consolidated financial statements.
10. Provisions
The movement in provisions can be analysed as follows:
Dilapidation
provisions
GBP000
---------------------- ------------
At 1 October 2015 -
Charged in the period 1,375
At 30 September 2016 1,375
The dilapidation provisions relate to Management's best
estimation of costs to make good the Company's leasehold property
at the end of the lease term. The charge in the period represents
expected exit costs on completion of the Company's property
lease.
11. Equity
Share capital
Details of the Company's share capital are included in Note 23
to the consolidated financial statements.
Other reserves - merger reserve
The merger reserve represents the difference between the
investment recognised in ZPG Limited on restructuring in 2014 of
GBP90.9 million and the value of the shares issued of GBP0.4
million.
Other reserves - treasury shares
Between 11 February 2016 and 17 February 2016 the Group acquired
188,340 of its own shares at a weighted average price of 220.0p in
order to settle the exercise of outstanding warrants. As at 31
March 2016 25,551 of the shares had been released from treasury to
satisfy warrant exercises, leaving 162,789 shares in treasury with
a weighted average price of 220.0p and a carrying value of
GBP358,000. The market value of treasury shares as at 30 September
2016 is GBP530,000.
12. Financial instruments
The IFRS 7 - Financial Instruments disclosures, where relevant
to the Company, are consistent with those of the Group as set out
in Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements.
13. Related parties
a) Key Management personnel
There are no employees of the Company. The Directors are
employed and/or remunerated by the Company's subsidiary, ZPG
Limited. There were no transactions during the year between the
Directors and the Company other than the issue of shares and share
options as outlined in the Directors' remuneration report in the
Group's Annual Report 2016.
b) Subsidiaries
Transactions with subsidiaries
On 28 April 2016 the Company acquired Property Software Holdings
Limited and its subsidiaries as set out in Note 13 to the
consolidated financial statements. The transaction included Zoopla
Property Group Plc assuming and discharging external debt of
GBP24.9 million through an intercompany loan with Property Software
Holdings Limited. During the period to 30 September 2016 Property
Software Holdings Limited repaid GBP2.0 million of this balance to
the Company.
During the year to 30 September 2016 Ulysses Enterprises Limited
made a drawdown of GBP8.0 million and repaid GBP28.8 million in
respect of the intercompany loan with the Company.
During the year ZPG Limited paid dividends of GBP33.0 million
(2015: 35 million) to the Company.
During the year Ulysses Enterprises Limited paid dividends of
GBP14.0 million (2015: GBPNil) to the Company.
The Company issues shares to employees and estate agent partners
of its subsidiaries as part of the Group's share-based payment and
warrant schemes as set out in Note 24 to the consolidated financial
statements.
There have been no other transactions with the Company's
subsidiaries during the year.
Year end balances with subsidiaries
At 30 September 2016 GBP48.5 million of the intercompany loan
due from Ulysses Enterprises Limited was outstanding. Interest at
Libor + 2% per annum is due on the outstanding balance.
At 30 September 2016 GBP22.9 million of the intercompany loan
due from Property Software Holdings Limited was outstanding.
Interest at Libor + 2% per annum is due on the outstanding
balance.
At 30 September 2016 a trading balance of GBP2.0m is due from
Ulysses Enterprises Limited. No interest is receivable on the
balance.
At 30 September 2016 a trading balance of GBP21.5 million is due
to ZPG Limited. This amount will be settled on receipt of any
dividend from ZPG Limited. No interest is payable on the
balance.
There were no other related party transactions in the
period.
c) Other related parties
There were no transactions between the Company and any other
related parties.
14. Subsequent events
On 28 November 2016 the Group entered into an agreement to
purchase 100% of the issued share capital of Technicweb Limited for
initial consideration of GBP1.5 million, deferred consideration of
GBP250,000 due 12 months from the date of completion and earn-out
consideration based on performance over a 30 month period post
acquisition.
There have been no other reportable subsequent events between 30
September 2016 and the date of signing of this report.
15. Ultimate controlling party
The Directors are of the opinion that there was no ultimate
controlling party in either period presented.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR DGBDBDBDBGLC
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 30, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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