Business
Half Year Results
Half Year Results.
About this update from Character Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n RNS Number : 8218K Character Group PLC 27 April 2010 \n \n\n \nThe Character Group plc\n \nDesigners, developers and international distributors of toys, games and giftware\n \nDate: Tuesday, 27 April 2010\nEmbargoed: 7.00am\n \nHalf-year results for the six months ended 28 February 2010\n \nStrategy of developing own product lines and selectively distributing third party lines has produced a significant turnaround for the business\n \n· Group sales £43.1 million (2009: £37.8 million) +14.1%\n \n· Profit before tax £3.73 million against a loss of £3.84 million (an improvement of £7.57m)\n \n· Basic earnings per share 10.25 pence compared to a loss of 8.44 pence (an improvement of 18.69 pence)\n \n· The Group has maintained a strong and healthy balance sheet and remains cash positive with cash generated from operations at £13.95 million compared to £7.89 million at the same point in 2009\n \n· Return to progressive dividend policy - 2.0 pence interim dividend paid on 26 March 2010 (2009: nil)\n \n· Exceptional on-going consumer demand continues for key product lines:\n- ZhuZhu Pets (formerly GoGo Pets), and Kung Zhu to be released shortly\n- HM Armed Forces, Peppa Pig, Scooby Doo and the new Doctor Who range all expected to realise gross revenues of around £10 million per brand in this 2010 calendar year\n- Postman Pat, Fireman Sam and Let's Cook are also expected to realise around £5 million per brand this calendar year\n \n· This year will see the Group move into US market with own developed products\n \n\"We are pleased to report that our strategy of developing our own-branded toy ranges and selectively distributing third-party product lines has finally matured to where we have achieved a significant turnaround for the business.\"\n \n\"The underlying strength of our portfolio and the enthusiasm f...