Business
New Investment - TheWorks.co.uk plc
New Investment - TheWorks.co.uk plc.
About this update from Kelso Group Holdings Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nKelso Group Holdings Plc (\"Kelso\" or the \"Company\")\nInvestment in TheWorks.co.uk plc (\"TheWorks\")\n \nKelso, the main market listed investment company, is pleased to announce that it has made its second investment, having purchased 2.0 million ordinary shares in TheWorks (LSE: WRKS) at an average price of 31.3p, representing 3.2% of the issued share capital of TheWorks.\nTheWorks is the UK's leading family friendly retailer of value gifts, arts and crafts, toys and books and stationery products with 12 of its own brands, representing c.30% of revenue. It has a clear purpose of inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. Established in 1981, with currently 525 stores across the UK and Ireland, it was floated on the London Stock Market in July 2018 with a valuation of approximately £100 million at 160p per share.\nOn 30 August 2023, TheWorks reported its preliminary results for the year ended 30 April 2023 with revenue of £280.1 million, Adjusted EBITDA of £9.0 million and Adjusted PBT of £10.1 million. It also reported net cash of £10.2 million. For the year to date, TheWorks reported store like for like sales growth of 3.1% and an Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the current year to April 2024 of £10.0 million. The current share price is c.36.5p resulting in a market capitalisation £22.8 million.\nKelso believes that the business proposition of TheWorks is strong with its focus on affordability and that the valuation is highly attractive at an EV/EBITDA1 of c.1.2x. Kelso is supportive of the current board and has voted for all of the resolutions proposed at the forthcoming general meeting on 4 October 2023, save for the resolution proposing a final dividend of 1.6p per share equating to £1.0 million. Kelso believes that at such valuation levels TheWorks' cash is better served by buying its shares back for cancellation rather than paying dividends.\nKelso believes strongly in the strategy and product range of The Works. Arts and craft, puzzles, games and books have an important place in life especially when focussed at the value end of the product spectrum. We are very excited about our new investment and helping restore the intrinsic valuation of The Works which we believe is significantly higher than the current price.\n1Excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities\n\n\n\nFor further information please contact:\n\n\n&n...