Kindred Group plc - Interim Report January - June 2020 (Unaudited)

Second quarter and first half year highlights

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Jul 24, 2020, 01:46 ET

LONDON, July 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 235.1 (226.2) million for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 4 per cent, and GBP 484.8 (450.6) million for the first half of 2020.
Underlying EBITDA for the second quarter of 2020 was GBP 51.7 (30.9) million, and GBP 94.2 (62.0) million for the first half of 2020.
Profit before tax for the second quarter of 2020 amounted to GBP 31.3 (14.7) million, and GBP 33.7 (32.4) million for the first half of 2020.
Profit after tax for the second quarter of 2020 amounted to GBP 26.8 (12.5) million, and GBP 27.8 (27.6) million for the first half of 2020.
The profit before tax was impacted by foreign currency gain on operating items of net GBP 1.8 (loss of 2.4) million and foreign currency losses of GBP 5.1 million (Nil) on retranslation of borrowings of which GBP 4.5 million are unrealised translation losses.
Free cash flow for the second quarter of 2020 amounted to GBP 74.3 (12.4) million. GBP 32.8 million of borrowings was repaid in the quarter and the net debt position has improved since the first quarter to GBP 61.0 million as at 30 June 2020.
Earnings per share for the second quarter of 2020 were GBP 0.118 (0.055) and GBP 0.123 (0.122) for the first half of 2020.
Number of active customers during the second quarter was 1,313,399 (1,478,437).

"A resilient and adaptable business"

"Gross winnings revenue for the second quarter amounted to GBP 235.1 million, achieving growth of 4 per cent despite the significant disruption to the normal sports calendar. The growth was mainly driven by positive performances across a number of markets as a result of strong focus on product differentiation."

"The decisive actions taken by Kindred to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 disruption contributed to an increase of 70 per cent in EBITDA during the quarter. The main savings were achieved in marketing, which is logical as most marketing is linked to sports events. Over the coming quarters, we plan to increase our marketing towards normal levels in line with our long-term strategy, but we will manage this process in a cautious way. Betting duties also fell compared to previous quarters, because of the significant impact of sports in the French market, which is subject to the highest tax rates."

"Our teams around the world have worked incredibly well in the new environment, both in dealing with the challenges from the pandemic and in driving efficiency as our cost reduction programme continues. Kindred remains conscious of the risk of further disruption both to sports and the wider economy, so we will continue to manage the overall cost base carefully."

"Our US business continues to develop very strongly, despite the loss of offline revenues and the disruption to sports. Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 6.0 million for the second quarter, an increase of 131 per cent from the first quarter. After less than a year of operations, the US already accounted for more than 2.5 per cent of the Group's gross winnings revenue and this share is expected to accelerate in coming quarters, especially as further states go live."

"In the period up to 19 July 2020, with approximately 20 per cent higher sportsbook margins than in 2019, average Gross winnings revenue in GBP was 40 per cent higher (41 per cent in constant currency) and actives 21 per cent higher than for the same period last year. In the US, the average daily Gross winnings revenue for the period 1 to 19 July 2020 increased by 32 per cent compared to the daily average for the second quarter 2020", says Henrik Tjärnström, CEO of Kindred Group.

Today, Friday 24 July 2020, Kindred Group's CEO Henrik Tjärnström will host a web cast in English at 09.00 CEST on www.kindredgroup.com/Q22020. For those who would like to participate in the telephone conference in connection with the presentation, the telephone numbers are UK: +44 33 3300 9264 or in the USA: +1-833-526-8380

The Kindred Group operates in locally-regulated markets through its gambling licences in the UK, Sweden, France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany (Schleswig-Holstein), Italy, Australia, Ireland, Romania, Estonia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Indiana, as well as other markets internationally through its gambling licences in Malta and Gibraltar. The Kindred Group pays betting duties in all markets in accordance with applicable local laws.