The Directors of Herald Holdings Limited (the "Company") announce that the unaudited consolidated results of the Company and its subsidiaries(the "Group") for the six months ended 30 September, 1998 are as follows:-

Notes:

(1) Basic earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the profit for the period attributable to shareholders of $7,118,000 (1997: $11,588,000), and on 652,918,000 (1997: 627,151,000) shares, being the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(2) Diluted earnings per share

There were no dilutive potential shares in existence during the period ended 30 September, 1998.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the period ended 30 September, 1997 was based on the profit for the period attributable to shareholders of $11,588,000 and on 642,378,000 shares, being the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the effects of all dilutive potential shares.

(3) Reconciliations

(4) Hong Kong profits tax is calculated at the rate of 16% (1997:16.5%) on the estimated assessable profits for the period. Overseas taxation is provided on the profits of the subsidiaries in accordance with the tax laws of the countries in which these subsidiaries operate.

BUSINESS REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The Group's turnover and profit attributable to shareholders for the six months to 30 September, 1998 amounted to $449,311,000 and $7,118,000 respectively. These represent a decrease of 19% and 39% respectively as compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. The decrease of the net profit was mainly due to the reduction in turnover.

The period under review was a difficult one for the Group. Both the toy division and the houseware division started the current financial year with much lower sales order books compared to that of the previous year. Facing severe competition in the toy market, the toy division's turnover and net profit dropped by 42% and 76% respectively over the prior period. The situation improved towards the end of the period when the sales order book increased to a much healthier level. In the beginning of the fiscal year, the houseware division experienced a severe drop in its business from a major Japanese customer. Nevertheless, our marketing efforts to overcome this drop were successful and the division made up its sales with business from new customers from both Japan and the United States. The division had a respectable contribution to the Group's profit.

The business of the timepiece division remained steady with a slight increase in its turnover over the same period of last year. The half-year saw the launch of a number of new brand licences in the United Kingdom including "Wrangler", "Speedo", "Elle Sport" and "Elle Petite".

After the closure of its Shanghai factory, the computer head division now concentrates its manufacturing activities in its Zhuhai facilities. The future of the newly developed higher-end head products, particularly the half-inch ferrite heads, is more promising. The division has streamlined its operation and is now more competitive in the pricing of its products. Even though the division suffered an overall loss in the first-half year, it has posted profits consecutively in the recent last three months.

Last year, the Group's results were severely affected by the poor performance of the computer head division. It is now likely that this division will have returned to profitability in the current year.

As a result, it is anticipated that the Group's profit for the year will be enhanced by this and will show an overall improvement over that of last year. At the same time, there are uncertainties concerning the retail business climate in both the United States and the United Kingdom which are the major markets for the Group's consumer products.

FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 September, 1998 the Group's financial position remained strong with a net cash surplus of $77.6 million (1997: $63.3 million). Due to seasonal patterns, the net cash surplus was $31.7 million down from $109.3 million, which was the balance as at 31 March, 1998. The decline can be largely accounted for by a corresponding increase of $67.3 million in trade debtors.

DIVIDENDS

The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 1 cent per share (1997: 1 cent). The total amount of dividend payment of $6,517,000 was based on the total number of shares in issue as at 14 December, 1998 being the latest practicable date prior to the announcement of the interim results. Dividend will be payable on 21 January, 1999 to shareholders registered in the Register of Members on 4 January, 1999.

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

The Register of Members will be closed from 31 December, 1998 to 4 January 1999, both days inclusive. Shareholders should ensure that all transfers accompanied by relevant share certificates are lodged with the Company's Registrars, Tengis Limited at 1601 Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong, for registration not later than 4:00 p.m. on 30 December, 1998 in order that they may receive their dividend entitlement.

PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF THE COMPANY'S LISTED SECURITIES

During the period, the Company repurchased a total of 1,475,000 of its shares on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, all of which were then cancelled. The premium paid on repurchase was charged against share premium in accordance with the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda (as amended). Details of the shares repurchased are as follows:

THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM

Some of the Group's older computer programmes were written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. As a result, those computer programmes have time-sensitive software that recognises a date using "00" as year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could cause a system failure or miscalculations causing disruption in operations including, among other things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in normal business activities. Most of the Group's major customers have raised their concerns over the Year 2000 problem and have requested the Group's computer systems to be Year 2000 compliant in due course.

In 1997, the Group commenced a Year 2000 compliance project to make assessment of the problems and develop and implement plans to reduce the Group's potential exposure to the problems relating to its business and operations. By the end of March 1998, the Group has completed the assessment of the issue and estimates that the total Year 2000 project cost is approximately $7.3 million, which includes $5.8 million for the purchase of new hardware and software that will be capitalised and $1.5 million that will be expensed as incurred. To 30 September, 1998, the Group incurred and expensed approximately $0.4 million for the development of a modification plan and spent and capitalised $2.3 million in respect of the purchase of new hardware and software. The remaining costs of $4.6 million will be spent over the next nine months, out of which $3.5 million in respect of hardware and software will be capitalised and $1.1 million will be treated as expenses. These additional costs have not been provided for in the accounts for the period ended 30 September, 1998 and have been neither contracted for nor authorised by the directors.

The project is estimated to be completed not later than 30 June, 1999, which is prior to any anticipated impact on its operating systems. The costs of the project and the date on which the Group believes it will complete the Year 2000 modifications are based on management's best estimates. There can be no guarantee that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. However, the directors expect the Year 2000 project will be completed on a timely basis, and the Year 2000 problem shall not have major impact on the Group's operations.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF BEST PRACTICE

The Company has complied throughout the period with the Code of Best Practice as set out by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in Appendix 14 of the Listing Rules.

George Bloch
Chairman

Hong Kong, 16 December, 1998

© Copyright 1996-2024 irasia.com Ltd. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER: irasia.com Ltd makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided on this website. Under no circumstances shall irasia.com Ltd be liable for damages resulting from the use of the information provided on this website. TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT: All intellectual property rights subsisting in the contents of this website belong to irasia.com Ltd or have been lawfully licensed to irasia.com Ltd for use on this website. All rights under applicable laws are hereby reserved. Reproduction of this website in whole or in part without the express written permission of irasia.com Ltd is strictly prohibited. TERMS OF USE: Please read the Terms of Use governing the use of our website.