REG-Tarsus Grp PLC Interim Results - Part 1

Released: 29/07/2009

com:20090729:Rnsc4322W
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RNS Number : 4322W  
  
Tarsus Group PLC  
  
29 July 2009  
  
29 July 2009  
  
Tarsus Group plc  
  
Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2009  
  
Record First Half Performance  
  
Tarsus Group plc ('Tarsus' or 'the Group' or 'the Company'), the international 
business-to-business media group is pleased to announce record results for the 
six months to 30 June 2009.   
  
Operational Summary  
  
During the first half of 2009, we have continued to focus on driving revenues, 
minimising costs and increasing the attendances at our portfolio of exhibitions. 
  
  
As a result, Tarsus achieved organic revenue growth of 5% in the first half of 
this year and grew the attendance at its exhibitions by an average of 5%.   
  
Contracted revenues for 2009 stand at 86% (2008: 82%) of our internal 
projections for the full year.   
  
Divisional Highlights  
  
 
 * Strong growth from Emerging Markets 
 * Good contribution from France 
 * Resilient performance from the USA  
  
Financial Highlights  
  
 
                                           2009    2008    2007    Change*   
                                                                   %         
  Group Revenue (£ million)                19.7    14.5    11.3    74%       
  Like-for-like revenue growth             5%      12%     12%     -         
  Adjusted Profit before tax (£ million)   1.7     0.9     1.2     42%       
  Adjusted EPS (p) Interim Dividend        1.8     0.8     1.5     20%       
                                           2.0p    2.0p    1.5p    33%       
  
  
* Increase against 2007 biennial comparative period  
  
The Directors have declared an unchanged interim dividend of 2.0 pence per 
share.   
  
Following the recent appreciation of Sterling, the Board has taken a prudent 
approach and has adjusted its 2009 budgeted rates from 1 July 2009 to 1.70 US$/£ 
and 1.20 E/£. Tarsus continues to expect a positive impact from currency on the 
trading performance for 2009 compared with 2008.  
  
Neville Buch, Chairman of Tarsus, said:  
  
"Despite operating in an environment of very challenging trading conditions, 
Tarsus has performed well during the first half of the year. The Group continues 
to benefit from the considerable experience of a first class management and its 
consistent strategy of developing a high quality portfolio of market leading 
events.   
  
As was highlighted in our pre-close trading update on 1st July, the Group's 
results are heavily weighted towards the second half of the year when the 
majority of its exhibitions occur. Revenues for Tarsus's two largest 
exhibitions, the Dubai Airshow in November and Labelexpo Europe in September 
remain comfortably ahead of the comparable events in 2007.   
  
Group contracted revenues for 2009 stand at 86% (2008: 82%) of our internal 
projections for the full year. Trading continues to be in line with the Board's 
expectations and we anticipate a very satisfactory outcome for 2009."  
  
Glossary  
  
Adjusted profit before tax:   
  
Calculated using profit before tax adjusted for share option charges, 
amortisation charges and tax on profit from joint ventures.   
  
Adjusted EPS:  
  
Calculated using profit after tax attributable to equity shareholders adjusted 
for share option charges, amortisation charges and tax on profit from joint 
ventures.   
  
Like-for like revenue:   
  
Calculated at constant exchange rates adjusted for biennial events, after 
excluding acquisitions impacting for the first time in the period and 
non-recurring products and items.   
  
  For further information please contact:  
  
Tarsus Group plc:  
  
Douglas Emslie, Group Managing Director     020 8846 2700  
  
Ashley Milton, Group Finance Director          020 8846 2700  
  
Media:  
  
Matthew Moth, Madano Partnership          020 7593 4000  
  
Investor Relations:  
  
Neville Harris, IR Focus                          020 7593 4015  
  
Stephen Scott, Scott Harris                     020 7653 0030  
  
The company will be hosting a presentation to analysts at 12.30pm today at the 
offices of KBC Peel Hunt. A webcast of the presentation will be made available 
on Tarsus's website (www.tarsus.com) from 9.30am tomorrow.  
  
  CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT  
  
INTRODUCTION  
  
The first half of 2009 has been another period of good progress for Tarsus, with 
a particularly positive performance from our Emerging Markets division. Our 
established products, backed by strong brand recognition, have shown their 
resilience in very challenging trading conditions.   
  
Notwithstanding the economic downturn, exhibitions remain a vital 
business-to-business sales channel, facilitating the development of 
relationships between buyers and sellers. In an environment where expenditure is 
being closely controlled, exhibitions are continuing to increase their overall 
share of marketing budgets.  
  
Tarsus is focussed on delivering the highest quality products to its customers. 
The strength of the Group's brands, combined with the "need to have" nature of 
exhibitions, is driving our financial performance. Over the last ten years the 
Group has developed through a combination of organic growth and targeted 
acquisitions in key business-to-business sectors and geographies. This strategy, 
which has been successfully implemented by a first class management team, has 
produced a portfolio of high quality, geographically diversified assets with 
nearly all profits being generated outside the UK.    
  
FINANCIAL RESULTS  
  
A record performance  
  
First half Group revenue increased by 36% to £19.7 million (2008: £14.5 
million), with underlying like-for-like growth of 5%.  
  
Profit before tax was £0.4 million (2008: £0.2 million). Adjusted profit before 
tax was £1.7 million, an increase of almost 100% over the previous year (2008: 
£0.9 million).   
  
Basic loss per share was 0.1p (2008: 0.1p) while adjusted earnings per share 
were 1.8p (2008: 0.8p).  
  
Operating cash flow continued to be very strong with £3.4 million generated in 
the period (2008: £1.3 million). Operating cash conversion as a result was 196%, 
reflecting the difference in timing between cash collection and profit 
recognition of our large biennial events. This relationship has been exaggerated 
in the first half of the year where cash has been collected in advance for the 
large Labelexpo Europe and Dubai Airshow exhibitions.   
  
Debt & financing  
  
On 30 June 2009, net debt stood at £34.8 million, in line with our expectations. 
The Group has agreed an adjustment to its future bank covenants to give 
additional flexibility and facilitate faster growth.   
  
On 9 June 2009, the Group announced a recommended offer for the outstanding 
share capital of CapRegen plc that it did not already own, with the offer being 
declared unconditional following Court approval on 22 July. Tarsus has now 
incorporated CapRegen's investment portfolio within its own assets and since 22 
July has used CapRegen's cash to reduce Group indebtedness by a net £3.2 
million.   
  
On 6 July 2009, the Group announced the successful placing of 3,076,923 new 
ordinary shares of 5 pence each, raising additional net cash of £2.7 million.   
  
On 1 July 2009, the Group paid the final earn-out payment of $5.7 million for 
the acquisition of F&E, our Dubai business. This is the last material earn-out 
payment owed by the Group for historical acquisitions.   
  
The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 2.0p per share (2008:2.0p). 
The interim dividend will be paid on 2 October 2009 to Shareholders on the 
Register of Members of the Company on 28 August 2009. We will continue to offer 
a scrip alternative.  
  
OPERATING REVIEW  
  
Summary of Results  
  
 
                               USA                  Europe               Emerging Markets       
  £ million                    2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007   2009    2008    2007   
  Revenue                      4.6    4.1    3.8    9.7    9.2    6.9    5.4     1.2     0.6    
  Adjusted Profit Before Tax   1.4    1.3    1.2    1.0    1.3    0.8    0.7     (0.4)   0.1    
  
  
United States  
  
On a reported basis, US revenues increased by 12% in the first half, while 
adjusted profits before tax increased by 8%. On a like-for-like basis, revenues 
were 3% lower, while operating profits rose by 1%.  
  
Off-Price  
  
Tarsus has been the owner and organiser of exhibitions for the Off-Price 
(discount) clothing and accessories industries in Las Vegas since 1999. These 
events are unique to the US and are part of Las Vegas Fashion Week. Each event 
attracts over 12,000 buyers and the exhibitions are supported by Off-Price 
Apparel, our premier trade magazine for the industry.  
  
Against a background of a severely depressed retail environment in the US, the 
February Off-Price show produced a creditable performance with strong attendee 
numbers and buying activity. Lower US Dollar revenues were more than compensated 
for by the weakness of Sterling resulting in strong growth in reported revenues. 
  
  
Medical  
  
Through the acquisition of MCII in 2006, Tarsus owns and manages global events 
in the field of anti-ageing and preventive medicine. These events comprise 
conferences, educational fellowships and exhibitions.    
  
The major medical event in the first half was held in April in Orlando. Like the 
Las Vegas event in December 2008, there was some weakness in exhibitor revenues 
but the broad offering of the event meant that there was increased attendance by 
doctors at the educational and conference elements. Overall, in the first half 
MCII revenues rose 3% (in US Dollars), driven by higher margin educational 
content resulting in a strong increase in profitability.  
  
The next two US events are, firstly, the August Off-Price show where current 
indications are that it is on track to be ahead of the February 2009 show and 
comparable with the August 2008 show - a testament to its defensive qualities. 
Secondly, the San Jose Anti-Aging medical event in September is also on track to 
be ahead of the comparable 2008 event, which was held in Washington DC.    
  
Europe  
  
France  
  
The French exhibition market is the second largest in Europe, after Germany. 
Tarsus owns and manages a portfolio of exhibitions in five key sectors - IT, 
marketing, education, facilities management and clothing accessories and also 
publishes a portfolio of related trade directories.  
  
Our largest event in the period, the newly co-located IT and Services 
exhibitions in Paris in March, enjoyed strong visitor attendance and produced 
revenues on a combined basis ahead of 2008. The other key event was the Modamont 
clothing accessories show in February, which produced revenues marginally lower 
than the corresponding 2008 event.   
  
Overall in the first half, Euro revenues in France increased by 2%. The 
restructuring carried out in 2008, with a consolidation into one office and a 
shift in the balance of personnel towards sales, contributed towards a strong 
underlying rise in profitability.  
  
There are a number of important exhibitions in France in the second half 
including Modamont and Heavent (services to the events industry). While the 
Group still expects a robust performance, the recent trend in France has been 
for bookings to materialise later than previously with a corresponding reduction 
in forward visibility.  
  
Labelexpo Europe  
  
Tarsus owns the world's leading exhibitions for the Labeling industry through 
the long-established Labelexpo brand. Biennial exhibitions take place in Europe, 
the USA, China and India supported by Labels and Labeling, the world's leading 
related trade magazine.  
  
There was one significant and successful European launch in the period - the 
Digital Label Summit - which was held in Barcelona in March. Looking forward, 
the key event in Europe in the second half is Labelexpo which returns to 
Brussels in September. It is the second largest exhibition in the Group's 
portfolio and is currently tracking to be a record event, well ahead of the 2007 
edition.   
  
UK  
  
In the UK, Tarsus owns Tarsus Online Media which operates in the UK, USA, France 
and Germany with online products in the events, venues, gifts and online 
recruitment sectors.  
  
Tarsus Online Media, which represents 4% of Group revenue, produced a strong 
result in 2008 but as a predominantly advertising-led business it struggled to 
make headway in the first half and revenues declined 17%.   
  
Emerging Markets  
  
There was a very strong performance from Emerging Markets, with US Dollar 
revenues up 29% on a like-for-like basis, comprising 28% of Group revenue in the 
first half.   
  
Following the acquisition of F&E in 2007, Tarsus owns the Dubai Airshow (one of 
the top three airshows in the world) and has been launching new exhibitions into 
the region. The Group also has a joint venture in China with a portfolio of 24 
exhibitions and the travel event COTTM. The Labelexpo brand has been replicated 
into China, Latin America and India.   
  
The principal driver was our Dubai business with a record performance from our 
Gulf Pack & Print exhibitions. Also of note were the successful launches of MRO 
(aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul) and the Dubai Label Summit. Our 
educational exhibition, GESS, also had a successful second edition. Attendances 
were strong across the board.  
  
Looking forward, there are two key events in the second half. The Dubai Airshow, 
the Group's largest exhibition, takes place in November where revenues are 
tracking comfortably ahead of the 2007 edition. Labelexpo Asia takes place in 
Shanghai in early December and this event remains on course to be ahead of the 
2007 edition and a record show.  
  
OUTLOOK  
  
Despite operating in an environment of very challenging trading conditions, 
Tarsus has performed well during the first half of the year. The Group continues 
to benefit from the considerable experience of a first class management and its 
consistent strategy of developing a high quality portfolio of market leading 
events.   
  
As was highlighted in our pre-close trading update on 1st July, the Group's 
results are heavily weighted towards the second half of the year when the 
majority of its exhibitions occur. Revenues for Tarsus's two largest 
exhibitions, the Dubai Airshow in November and Labelexpo Europe in September 
remain comfortably ahead of the comparable events in 2007.   
  
Group contracted revenues for 2009 stand at 86% (2008: 82%) of our internal 
projections for the full year. Trading continues to be in line with the Board's 
expectations and we anticipate a very satisfactory outcome for 2009.  
  
Neville Buch         Douglas Emslie 
Chairman                     Group Managing Director  
  
  INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO TARSUS GROUP plc  
  
We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial 
statements in the half yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 
2009 which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Interim Income Statement, 
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income, Condensed 
Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position, Condensed Consolidated 
Interim Statement of Changes in Equity, Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement 
of Cash Flows and the related notes. We have read the other information 
contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains 
any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in 
the interim set of financial statements.  
  
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our 
engagement. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company 
those matters we are required to state to it in this 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 for our review work, for this 
report, or for the conclusions we have reached.  
  
Directors' responsibilities  
  
The half yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved 
by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half yearly 
financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the 
United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.  
  
As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the group are 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The 
condensed set of financial statements included in this half yearly financial 
report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 
34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union.  
  
Our responsibility  
  
Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the interim set 
of financial statements in the half yearly financial report based on our 
review.  
  
Scope of review  
  
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review 
Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information 
Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing 
Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial 
information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for 
financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review 
procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in 
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and 
consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware 
of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we 
do not express an audit opinion.  
  
Conclusion  
  
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe 
that the condensed set of financial statements in the half yearly financial 
report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is not prepared, in all material 
respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by 
the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United 
Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.  
  
PKF (UK) LLP  
  
28 July 2009          London, UK  
  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM INCOME STATEMENT  
  
For the six months ended 30 June   
  
 
                                                             Notes   2009       2008      
                                                                     £000       £000      
                                                                                          
  Revenue                                                    7       19,698     14,466    
                                                                                          
  Operating costs                                                    (18,730)   (13,659)  
                                                                                          
  Operating profit                                                   968        807       
                                                                                          
  Share of profit of joint venture (post tax)                        95         151       
  Finance income                                                     1          3         
  Finance costs                                                      (638)      (751)     
                                                                                          
  Profit before taxation                                             426        210       
                                                                                          
  Taxation expense                                           9       (150)      (44)      
                                                                                          
  Profit for the financial period                                    276        166       
                                                                                          
  Loss for the financial period attributable to equity                                    
  shareholders of the parent company                                 (53)       (21)      
  Profit for the financial period attributable to minority                                
  interests                                                          329        187       
                                                                                          
                                                                     276        166       
                                                                                          
  
  
 
                           Notes   2009    2008   
                                                  
  Loss per share (pence)   10                     
  - basic                          (0.1)   (0.1)  
  - diluted                        (0.1)   (0.1)  
  
  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
  
For the six months ended 30 June  
  
 
                                               Notes   2009      2008     
                                                       £000      £000     
                                                                          
  Profit for the financial period                      276       166      
                                                                          
  Other comprehensive income:                                             
  Foreign exchange translation differences     13      (9,504)   (1,468)  
  Revaluation of trade investment                      118       218      
  Other comprehensive income                           (9,386)   (1,250)  
                                                                          
  Total comprehensive expense for the period           (9,110)   (1,084)  
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
  Attributable to:                                                        
  Equity holders of the parent company                 (9,439)   (1,271)  
  Minority interest                                    329       187      
                                                                          
  Total comprehensive expense for the period           (9,110)   (1,084)  
  
  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION  
  
 
                                                               Notes   30 June     30 June     31 December      
                                                                       2009        2008        2008             
                                                                       £000        £000        £000             
                                                                       Unaudited   Unaudited   Audited          
  NON-CURRENT ASSETS                                                                                            
  Property, plant and equipment                                        1,108       948         1,221            
  Intangible assets                                            11      96,729      84,928      107,036          
  Interests in joint ventures                                          706         1,443       1,832            
  Other investments                                                    1,051       1,010       849              
  Deferred tax assets                                                  1,845       3,525       1,897            
                                                                                                                
                                                                       101,439     91,854      112,835          
                                                                                                                
  CURRENT ASSETS                                                                                                
  Trade and other receivables                                          13,794      15,348               25,165         
  Cash and cash equivalents                                            8,540       1,400                7,692          
                                                                       22,334      16,748      32,857           
                                                                                                                
  CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                                           
  Trade and other payables                                             (20,621)    (9,179)              (29,395)       
  Deferred income                                                      (23,788)    (17,660)             (23,259)       
  Bank overdrafts                                                      -           (3,763)              -              
  Interest bearing loans and borrowings                                (7,076)     (6,512)              (7,074)        
  Liabilities for current tax                                          (2,303)     (1,324)              (1,751)        
                                                                       (53,788)    (38,438)    (61,479)         
                                                                                                                
  NET CURRENT LIABILITIES                                              (31,454)    (21,690)    (28,622)         
                                                                                                                
  TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES                                69,985      70,164      84,213           
                                                                                                                
  NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                                       
  Other payables                                                       (5,308)     (4,896)              (5,443)        
  Deferred tax liability                                               (4,591)     (5,902)              (5,046)        
  Interest bearing loans and borrowings                                (32,208)    (27,496)             (34,581)       
                                                                       (42,107)    (38,294)    (45,070)         
                                                                                                                
  NET ASSETS                                                           27,878      31,870      39,143           
                                                                                                                
  EQUITY                                                                                                        
  Share capital                                                        3,111       3,056       3,095            
  Share premium account                                                172         45,546      -                
  Reserves                                                             (2,391)     (4,090)     6,995            
  Retained earnings                                                    25,915      (13,071)    28,311           
                                                                                                                
  Issued capital and reserves attributable to equity holders                                                    
  of the parent                                                        26,807      31,441      38,401           
                                                                                                                
  MINORITY INTEREST                                                    1,071       429         742              
                                                                                                                
  TOTAL EQUITY                                                         27,878      31,870      39,143           
  
  
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY  
  
 
                                                                               Other reserves                               
                                                           Share     Share                 Capital                Foreign    Retained   Minority   Total     
                                                                               Reorgan-                 Fair                                                 
                                                           capital   premium   isation     redemption   value     exchange   earnings   interest             
                                                                     account   reserve     reserve      reserve   reserve                                    
                                                           £000      £000                  £000         £000      £000       £000       £000       £000      
  As at 30 June 2009:                                                                                                                                        
  Recognised foreign exchange losses for the period        -         -                     -            -         (9,504)    -          -          (9,504)   
                                                                               -                                                                             
  Revaluation of trade investment                          -         -         -           -            118       -          -          -          118       
  Total income and expense recognised directly in equity   -         -                     -            118       (9,504)    -          -          (9,386)   
                                                                               -                                                                             
  Loss attributable to shareholders                        -         -         -           -            -         -          (53)       -          (53)      
  Total recognised income and expense                      -         -         -           -            118       (9,504)    (53)       -          (9,439)   
  Scrip dividend                                           7         100       -           -            -         -          -          -          107       
  New share capital subscribed                             9         72        -           -            -         -          -          -          81        
  Share option charge                                      -         -         -           -            -         -          101        -          101       
  Dividend paid                                            -         -         -           -            -         -          (2,444)    -          (2,444)   
  Minority interest profit for the period                  -         -         -           -            -         -          -          329        329       
  Net change in shareholders' funds                        16        172       -           -            118       (9,504)    (2,396)    329        (11,265)  
  Opening equity shareholders' funds                       3,095     -                     (443)        43        1,382      28,311     742        39,143    
                                                                               6,013                                                                         
  Closing equity shareholders' funds                       3,111     172       6,013       (443)        161       (8,122)    25,915     1,071      27,878    
                                                                                                                                                             
  As at 30 June 2008:                                                                                                                                        
  Recognised foreign exchange losses for the period        -         -                     -            -         (1,468)    -          -          (1,468)   
                                                                               -                                                                             
  Revaluation of trade investment                          -         -         -           -            218       -          -          -          218       
  Total income and expense recognised directly in equity   -         -                     -            218       (1,468)    -          -          (1,250)   
                                                                               -                                                                             
  Loss attributable to shareholders                        -         -         -           -            -         -          (21)       -          (21)      
  Total recognised income and expense                      -         -         -           -            218       (1,468)    (21)       -          (1,271)   
  Scrip dividend                                           3         110       -           -            -         -          -          -          113       
  New share capital subscribed                             11        124       -           -            -         -          -          -          135       
  Share option charge                                      -         -         -           -            -         -          85         -          85        
  Dividend paid                                            -         -         -           -            -         -          (2,130)    -          (2,130)   
  Dividend paid to minority interests                      -         -         -           -            -         -          -          (316)      (316)     
  Minority interest profit for the period                  -         -         -           -            -         -          -          187        187       
  Net change in shareholders' funds                        14        234       -           -            218       (1,468)    (2,066)    (129)      (3,197)   
  Opening equity shareholders' funds                       3,042     45,312    -           (443)        39        (2,436)    (11,005)   558        35,067    
  Closing equity shareholders' funds                       3,056     45,546    -           (443)        257       (3,904)    (13,071)   429        31,870    
                                                                                                                                                             
  
  
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS   
  
For the six months ended 30 June  
  
 
                                                          2009      2008     
                                                          £000      £000     
  Cash flows from operating activities                                       
  Profit for the period                                   276       166      
  Adjustments for:                                                           
  Depreciation                                            255       132      
  Amortisation                                            1,143     510      
  Share option charge                                     101       85       
  Share of operating profit in joint venture              (138)     (228)    
  Taxation charge - joint venture                         43        77       
  Taxation charge - other                                 150       44       
  Net interest                                            637       748      
  Operating cashflow before changes in working capital                       
  and provisions                                          2,467     1,534    
                                                                             
  Decreasein trade and other receivables                  10,490    196      
  Decreasein current trade and other payables             (9,593)   (432)    
                                                                             
  Cash generated from operations                          3,364     1,298    
                                                                             
  Interest paid                                           (266)     (793)    
  Income taxes received/(paid)                            1,109     (393)    
  Net cash from operating activities                      4,207     112      
                                                                             
  Cash flows from investing activities                                       
  Interest received                                       1         3        
  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment            (183)     (391)    
  Acquisition of intangible assets                        (66)      (75)     
  Acquisition of other investments                        (85)      (904)    
  Deferred and contingent consideration paid              (1,872)   (2,779)  
                                                                             
  Net cash outflow from investing activities              (2,205)   (4,146)  
                                                                             
  Cash flows from financing activities                                       
  Drawdown/(repayment) of borrowings                      1,748     (1,477)  
  Proceeds from the issue of share capital                81        135      
  Dividends paid to shareholders of parent company        (2,210)   (2,017)  
  Dividends paid to minority shareholders in subsidiary   -         (316)    
  companies                                                                  
                                                                             
  Net cash outflow from financing activities              (381)     (3,675)  
                                                                             
  Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    1,621     (7,709)  
  Opening cash and cash equivalents                       7,692     2,840    
  Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held       (773)     381      
  Closing cash and cash equivalents                       8,540     (4,488)  
  
  
  NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
  
1. REPORTING ENTITY  
  
Tarsus Group plc (the "Company") is a company incorporated in Jersey and 
resident in Ireland. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of 
the Company as at and for the six months ended 30 June 2009 comprise the Company 
and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group") and the Group's 
interest in jointly controlled entities.    
  
The consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 
31 December 2008 are available upon request at Metro Building, 1 Butterwick, 
London W6 8DL.  
  
2. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE  
  
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) IAS 34 Interim 
Financial Reporting. They do not constitute the Group's statutory accounts 
within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006.  
  
The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 
consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 
December 2008 which were prepared under International Financial Reporting 
Standards, as adopted by the European Union,  and have been reported on by the 
Company's auditors. The auditors' report was unqualified and did not contain a 
statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.  
  
The interim financial statements were approved by a duly appointed and 
authorised committee of the Board of Directors on 28 July 2009. The interim 
financial statements are unaudited but have been reviewed by the auditors as set 
out in their report.  
  
The Group has adopted IAS 1 (Revised) - Presentation of Financial Statements and 
IFRS 8 - Operating Segments, for the first time in these Interim Financial 
Statements.  
  
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
  
The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated 
interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its 
consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 
2008.  
  
  NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  
  
4. ESTIMATES  
  
The preparation of consolidated interim financial statements requires management 
to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of 
accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income 
and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.  
  
In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the 
significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting 
policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those 
that applied to the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year 
ended 31 December 2008.  
  
5. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT  
  
The Group's financial risk management objectives and policies are consistent 
with those disclosed in the consolidated financial statements as at and for the 
year ended 31 December 2008.  
  
6. PROFIT AND LOSS ANALYSIS  
  
The following analysis illustrates the performance of the Group's activities, 
and reconciles the Group's profit, as shown in the condensed consolidated 
interim income statement, to adjusted profits. Adjusted profit is presented to 
provide a better indication of overall financial performance and to reflect how 
the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. The adjusted profit 
excludes share option charges, amortisation of intangible assets, and taxation 
on joint ventures.  
  
 
                                                   Six months     Six months    
                                                   to 30 June     to 30 June    
                                                   2009           2008          
                                                   £000           £000          
                                                                                
  Profit for the financial period after taxation   276            166           
  Add back:                                                                     
  Taxation charge                                  150            44            
                                                   426            210           
  Add back:                                                                     
  Charge for share options                         101            85            
  Amortisation charge                              1,143          510           
  Taxation on joint ventures                       43             77            
                                                                                
  Adjusted profit before tax                       1,713          882           
  
  
  NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  
  
7. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS  
  
As at 30 June 2009, the Group is organised into three main operating segments - 
Europe, USA and Emerging Markets. These segments are the basis on which the 
Group reports its segment information for management purposes.  
  
The main activities of all segments are the production of exhibitions, 
conferences, magazines, directories, and online media.  
  
The following table sets out the revenue and profit information for the Group's 
operating segments:  
  
 
                                            Six months ended 30 June 2009                      
                                                               Emerging    Central             
                                            Europe     USA     Markets     costs      Group    
                                            £000       £000    £000        £000       £000     
                                                                                               
  Revenue                                   9,682      4,583   5,433       -          19,698   
  Profit/(loss) from operating activities   866        1,394   693         (1,985)    968      
  Net financing costs                       -          -       -           (637)      (637)    
  Share of profit from joint ventures       95         -       -           -          95       
  Profit/(loss) before tax                  961        1,394   693         (2,622)    426      
  Amortisation of intangible assets         -          -       -           1,143      1,143    
  Cost of share options                     -          -       -           101        101      
  Taxation on joint ventures                43         -       -           -          43       
  Adjusted profit before tax*               1,004      1,394   693         (1,378)    1,713    
  
  
 
                                            Six months ended 30 June 2008                      
                                                               Emerging    Central             
                                            Europe     USA     Markets     costs      Group    
                                            £000       £000    £000        £000       £000     
                                                                                               
  Revenue                                   9,164      4,064   1,238       -          14,466   
  Profit/(loss) from operating activities   1,029      1,322   (381)       (1,163)    807      
  Net financing costs                       -          -       -           (748)      (748)    
  Share of profit from joint ventures       151        -       -           -          151      
  Profit/(loss) before tax                  1,180      1,322   (381)       (1,911)    210      
  Amortisation of intangible assets         -          -       -           510        510      
  Cost of share options                     -          -       -           85         85       
  Taxation on joint ventures                77         -       -           -          77       
  Adjusted profit before tax*               1,257      1,322   (381)       (1,316)    882      
  
  
* Adjusted profit before tax represents Group profit before tax excluding share 
option charges, amortisation of intangible assets and taxation on joint 
ventures. This is the same measure as given in note 6.  
  
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  
  
8. REVENUE AND COST RECOGNITION  
  
Revenue and cost on events are recognised when an event is completed.  Most of 
the Group's major 2009 exhibitions take place in the second half of the year. 
Revenue for future events of £23,788,071 is included in current liabilities, 
£21,595,847 of which relates to events to occur in 2009 and the balance to 
events in 2010.  
  
9. INCOME TAX EXPENSE  
  
The taxation charge for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is based upon the 
estimated effective tax rate of 17% on underlying profit before tax (2008: 21%)