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News

Half Year Financial Statement Announcement For The Period Ended 30/06/2004


BackAug 02, 2004
PART I - INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS OF QUARTERLY (Q1, Q2 & Q3),
        HALF-YEAR AND FULL YEAR RESULTS


1(a) An income statement (for the group) together with a comparative statement for the
      corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.
    In S$'000s
    2004
    2003
    +/-
    1H
    1H
    %
    Revenue
    257,327
    136,375
    88.7%
    Cost of sales
    (236,900)
    (119,450)
    98.3%
    Gross profit
    20,427
    16,925
    20.7%
    Gross Profit %
    7.9%
    12.4%
    Other operating income
    196
    390
    -49.7%
    Selling and marketing expenses
    (4,671)
    (3,816)
    22.4%
    Administrative expenses
    (5,310)
    (3,818)
    39.1%
    Other operating income/ (expenses), net
    (70)
    115
    -160.9%
    Profit from operations
    10,572
    9,796
    7.9%
    Finance costs
    (48)
    (45)
    6.7%
    Profit from ordinary activities before tax
    10,524
    9,751
    7.9%
    As % of Revenue
    4.1%
    7.2%
    Income tax expenses
    (2,141)
    (1,588)
    34.8%
    Net profit for the year after tax
    8,383
    8,163
    2.7%
    Minority interest
    (125)
    (173)
    -27.7%
    Net profit for the year
    8,258
    7,990
    3.4%
    As % of Revenue
    3.2%
    5.9%
    No. of shares ('000)

    401,385
    395,752
    Earnings per share (in cents)
    Basic
    2.06
    2.02

1(a)(ii) Profit from ordinary activities before taxation has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):
        In S$'000s
    2004
    2003
    +/-
    1H
    1H
    %
        Staff costs
    6,474
    5,282
    22.6%
        Contributions to defined contribution plans included in staff costs
    494
    429
    15.3%
        Directors' renumeration included in staff costs
    379
    224
    69.2%
        Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
    407
    704
    -42.2%
        Impairment losses recognised on:
        -property, plant and equipment
    173
    10
    1630.0%
        Amortisation of intangible assets
    34
    24
    41.7%
        Provision made/(reversed) for warranty costs
    167
    (53)
    415.1%
        Rental expenses
    533
    522
    2.1%
        Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (1)
    (60)
    -98.3%
        Exchange (gain)/loss
    187
    (4)
    4775.0%
        Number of employees
    206
    183
    12.6%
        Other operating income comprises:
        Service income
    108
    122
    -11.5%
        Interest income
        -banks
    36
    13
    176.9%
        -related corporations
    22
    155
    -85.8%
        Others
    30
    100
    -70.0%
        Total
    196
    390
    -49.7%


1(b)(i) A balance sheet (for the issuer and group), together with a comparative statement
      as at the end of the immediately preceding financial year.


    Group

    Company

    In S$'000s

    AS AT
    30/6/2004

    AS AT
    31/12/2003

    AS AT
    30/6/2004

    AS AT
    31/12/2003

    Non-current assets





    Investments in subsidiaries

    0

    0

    21,795

    21,240

    Property, plant and equipment

    1,317

    1,371

    201

    252

    Intangible assets

    68

    89

    0

    0

    Deferred tax assets

    180

    549

    0

    0

    Total Non-current assets

    1,565

    2,009

    21,996

    21,492






    Current Assets





    Inventories

    24,235

    23,591

    10,530

    14,158

    Work-in-progress

    642

    224

    15

    25

    Trade receivables

    15,414

    10,946

    3,262

    2,270

    Other receivables, deposits and prepayments

    4,104

    7,015

    3,326

    5,357

    Amounts due from:-





    - related corporations

    16,701

    24,121

    5,952

    8,948

    - holding companies

    29

    66

    4

    1

    - subsidiaries

    0

    0

    5,564

    2,495

    Cash at bank and in hand

    52,236

    16,453

    20,823

    4,272

    Total Current Assets

    113,361

    82,416

    49,476

    37,526






    Current Liabilities





    Trade payables

    49,428

    41,252

    19,057

    23,486

    Other payables and accruals

    14,635

    9,554

    4,390

    2,564

    Amounts due to:-





    - related corporations

    606

    50

    135

    11

    - subsidiaries

    0

    0

    284

    284

    - holding companies

    3

    1,905

    3

    947

    - minority shareholder

    0

    735

    0

    735

    Current tax payable

    3,366

    3,239

    1,762

    1,421

    Deferred income

    1,218

    1,044

    0

    0

    Total Current Liabilities

    69,256

    57,778

    25,631

    29,448






    Net Current Assets

    44,105

    24,638

    23,845

    8,078






    Less: Non current liabilities





    Minority interests

    924

    553

    0

    0

    Total Net Assets

    44,746

    26,094

    45,841

    29,570






    Share Capital

    8,840

    8,000

    8,840

    8,000

    Share Premium

    9,840

    0

    9,840

    0

    Reserves

    26,066

    18,094

    27,161

    21,570

    Shareholders' Equity

    44,746

    26,094

    45,841

    29,570
      Compared to 31 December 2003, the increase in net current assets was mainly due to net proceeds from initial public offering of $10.7m and profits from operations. Receivables and payables also increased as a result of increased sales. There was also a repayment of shareholder loan to the holding company and minority shareholder.


1(b)(ii) Aggregate amount of group's borrowings and debt securities.
      Amount repayable in one year or less, or on demand

      As at 30.6.2004
      As at 31.12.2003
      Secured
      Unsecured
      Secured
      Unsecured
      NIL
      NIL
      NIL
      NIL


      Amount repayable after one year

      As at 30.6.2004
      As at 31.12.2003
      Secured
      Unsecured
      Secured
      Unsecured
      NIL
      NIL
      NIL
      NIL


      Details of any collateral

      NIL


1(c) A cash flow statement (for the group), together with a comparative statement for
      the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.

In S$'000s
1H 2004
1H 2003
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Profit before taxation
10,524
9,751
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and Amortisation
407
704
Impairment of PPE
173
10
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
(1)
(60)
Amortisation
34
24
Interest income
(58)
(168)
Interest expense
48
45
Deferred Income
174
(335)
Operating profit before working capital changes
11,301
9,971
Changes in working capital:
    Inventories and work in progress
(609)
(2,929)
    Trade receivables
(3,503)
(3,271)
    Other receivables, deposits and prepayments
2,968
1,207
    Balances with related corporations
(2,465)
(500)
    Payables and accruals
12,873
1,608
Cash generated from operations
20,565
6,086
Income tax paid / Deferred tax movement
(1,759)
(872)
Interest received
57
179
Net cash inflow from operating activities
18,863
5,393
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(298)
(409)
Purchase of intangible assets
(13)
(73)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from acquisition of subsidiary
(300)
252
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary
(340)
0
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
18
60
Net cash outflow from investing activities
(933)
(170)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Balances with related corporations
7,452
4,270
Net proceeds from IPO shares issue
10,680
0
Dividend paid
0
(8,140)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities
18,132
(3,870)
Net Increase In Cash And Cash Equivalents
36,062
1,353
Cash And Cash Equivalents As At Beginning of Period
16,453
19,492
Effect of exchange rate differences on balance
(279)
95
Cash And Cash Equivalents As At End of Period
52,236
20,940
      All our 3 business segments continued to generate strong cash. Cash and Cash Equivalents as at 30 June 2004 was $52.2 million.

      Net Cash inflow from operating activities
      We generated $18.9 million from operating activities in 1H2004. This was an improvement of $13.5 million.

      Net Cash outflow from investing activities
      ? We invested $0.5 million in PT Sakalaguna Semesta, a subsidiary in Indonesia.
      ? We acquired the remaining interest in Nexwave Technologies Pte Ltd for $0.3 million.

      Net Cash inflow/outflow from financing activities
      ? DBS Bank Ltd is the manager, underwriter and placement agent for TeleChoice's IPO on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited in June this year. Net IPO proceeds of $10.7 million contributed to the increase in cash from financing activities. There were also no dividends paid to shareholders of the company in 1H2004 compared to 1H2003



1(d)(i) A statement (for the issuer and group) showing either (i) all changes in equity or
      (ii) changes in equity other than those arising from capitalisation issues and
      distributions to shareholders, together with a comparative statement for the
      corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.

Share
Share
Accumulated
Merger
Goodwill
Exchange
Total
The Group (In S$'000s)
capital
premium
profits
/(lossess)
reserve
Written
off
Translation reserve
At 1 January 2003, restated, brought forward
5,000
0
(5,747)
46,911
(2,105)
73
44,132
Translation differences relating to financial statements of foreign subsidiaries
0
0
0
0
0
113
113
In connection with the restructuring exercise
- Acquisition of additional
7% equity in STMD
0
0
0
1,455
0
0
1,455
- Issue of shares to acquire
subsidiaries
3,000
0
0
(3,000)
0
0
0
Net profit for the year
0
0
7,990
0
0
0
7,990
Interim dividends declared of
- 5% (one tier tax exempt)
0
0
(1,500)
0
0
0
(1,500)
- 15% less tax at 22%
0
0
(585)
0
0
0
(585)
As at 30 June 2003
8,000
0
158
45,366
(2,105)
186
51,605
At 1 January 2004, restated, brought forward
8,000
0
2,383
17,591
(2,105)
225
26,094
Translation differences relating to financial statements of foreign subsidiaries
0
0
0
0
0
(286)
(286)
Public issue
840
11,340
0
0
0
0
12,180
IPO Expenses *
0
(1,500)
0
0
0
0
(1,500)
Net profit for the year
0
0
8,258
0
0
0
8,258
As at 30 June 2004
8,840
9,840
10,641
17,591
(2,105)
(61)
44,746
* Estimated as at 30 June 2004

Share
Share
Accumulated
Merger
Goodwill
Exchange
Total
The Company (In S$'000s)
capital
premium
(losses)/
profits
reserve
written off
translation
At 1 January 2003, restated, brought forward
5,000
0
7,565
0
0
0
12,565
Issue of shares in connection with the Restructuring to acquire subsidiaries
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
Net profit for the year
0
0
2,451
0
0
0
2,451
Interim dividends declared of
15% less tax at 22%
0
0
(585)
0
0
0
(585)
As at 30 June 2003
8,000
0
9,431
0
0
0
17,431
At 1 January 2004, restated, brought forward
8,000
0
8,270
13,300
0
0
29,570
Public issue
840
11,340
0
0
0
0
12,180
IPO Expenses *
0
(1,500)
0
0
0
0
(1,500)
Net profit for the year
0
0
5,591
0
0
0
5,591
As at 30 June 2004
8,840
9,840
13,861
13,300
0
0
45,841

* Estimated as at 30 June 2004



1(d)(ii) Details of any changes in the company's share capital arising from rights issue,
      bonus issue, share buy-backs, exercise of share options or warrants, conversion of
      other issues of equity securities, issue of shares for cash or as consideration for
      acquisition or for any other purpose since the end of the previous period reported
      on. State also the number of shares that may be issued on conversion of all the
      outstanding convertibles as at the end of the current financial period reported on
      and as at the end of the corresponding period of the immediately preceding
      financial year.

A) Movements in Issued and Paid up Capital

No of shares
Issued and paid up Capital
Ordinary Shares of $0.02 per share
$'000
Balance as at 1 January 2004
400,000,000
8,000
Balance as at 31 March 2004
400,000,000
8,000
Issue of new shares
42,000,000
840
Balance as at 30 June 2004
442,000,000
8,840
B) Employee Share Options
As at 30 June 2004, there were unexercised options for 20,000,000 (30 June 2003: NIL) of unissued ordinary shares of $0.2079 each under TeleChoice Pre-IPO Employee Share Option Scheme.



2. Whether the figures have been audited or reviewed and in accordance with
      which auditing standard or practice.
      The figures have not been audited or reviewed by the company's auditor


3. Where the figures have been audited or reviewed, the auditors' report (including
      any qualifications or emphasis of a matter).
      Not applicable


4. Whether the same accounting policies and methods of computation as in the
      issuer's most recently audited annual financial statements have been applied.
      The group has applied the same accounting policies and method of computation in the financial statements for the current reporting period compared with the audited financial statements as at 31 December 2003


5. If there are any changes in the accounting policies and methods of computation,
      including any required by an accounting standard, what has changed, as well as
      the reasons for, and the effect of, the change.
      Not applicable


6. Earnings per ordinary share of the group for the current financial period reported
      on and the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year,
      after deducting any provision for preference dividends.

GROUP
1H04
1H03
FY03
Earnings per share for the period based on net profits attributable to shareholders:
Base on weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue (in cents)
2.06
2.02
3.59


7. Net asset value (for the issuer and group) per ordinary share based on issued share
      capital of the issuer at the end of the:-

      (a) current financial period reported on; and
      (b) immediately preceding financial year.


GROUP
COMPANY
30.6.04
31.12.03
30.6.04
31.12.03
Net assets value per ordinary share based on issued share capital at the end of the financial period/year (in cents):

10.12
6.52
10.37
7.39

8. A review of the performance of the group, to the extent necessary for a reasonable
      understanding of the group's business. It must include a discussion of the
      following:-

      (a) any significant factors that affected the turnover, costs, and earnings of the
      group for the current financial period reported on, including (where applicable)
      seasonal or cyclical factors; and

      (b) any material factors that affected the cash flow, working capital, assets or
      liabilities of the group during the current financial period reported on.


8(A) REVENUE

1H2004 vs 1H2003
1H2004
1H2003
Growth
In S$'000s
S$
$%
Distribution services
231,957
116,539
115,418
99%
Telecommunication services
15,280
13,943
1,337
10%
Mobile network and engineering services
10,090
5,893
4,197
71%
Total
257,327
136,375
120,952
89%
? The Group's revenue of $257.3 million for 1H2004 was 89% or $121.0 million higher than 1H2003. All segment registered revenue growth.
? The increase in revenue was mainly contributed by 99% growth in Distribution services segment in Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia as well as new card distribution business in Indonesia.
? With its increase in iDD minutes, the revenue of the Telecommunication services segment improved by 10%.
? New projects undertaken from SingTel Mobile Pte Ltd and StarHub Pte Ltd increased the revenue for the Mobile network and engineering services segment by 71%.


    8(B) PROFIT BEFORE TAX (PBT)
1H2004 vs 1H2003
1H2004
1H2003
Growth
In S$'000s
S$
$%
Distribution services
5,956
2,949
3,007
102%
Telecommunication services
2,470
2,604
(134)
-5%
Mobile network and engineering services
2,098
4,198
(2,100)
-50%
Total
10,524
9,751
773
8%
? The Group's PBT of $10.5 million for 1H2004 was 8% or $0.8 million higher than 1H2003.
? Distribution services segment continued to maintain its margin despite difficult market conditions. Singapore and Indonesia continued to outperform and contributed to the higher PBT. Of the $3.0 million growth in PBT, 30% or $0.9 million was contributed by overseas operations.
? In the Telecommunication services segment, despite the competitive environment, iDD minutes grew by 30% resulting in iDD PBT growth; however it was offset by the decline in paging PBT, which was in line with the declining paging market.
? The PBT from Mobile Network and engineering services segment declined due to the lower usage of mobile network services.


9. Where a forecast, or a prospect statement, has been previously disclosed to
      shareholders, any variance between it and the actual results.
      None


10. A commentary at the date of the announcement of the significant trends and
      competitive conditions of the industry in which the group operates and any
      known factors or events that may affect the group in the next reporting period
      and the next 12 months.
    Based on the current outlook and assuming that there are no material adverse changes in economic conditions or any unforeseen circumstances, the Group anticipates its 2H2004 revenue and PBT to maintain.

    Distribution Services. The Group anticipates substantial growth in revenue for all our overseas operations. The Group also anticipates the overseas operations to continue to increase its PBT contribution to the Group. The Group has commenced the recognition of the revenues of its Indonesian joint venture entity, PT Sakalaguna Semesta ("PTSS"), with effect from May 2004. PTSS engages in the distribution of pre-paid SIM cards and top-up vouchers throughout Indonesia. For 2Q2004 alone, the revenues attributable to PTSS amounted to S$6.3 million.

    Telecommunications Services. The Group anticipates that its operating performance in the Telecommunications Services segment will be maintained. The Group intends to proactively target new service and product opportunities in Singapore and throughout the region.

    Mobile Network and Engineering Services. The Group anticipates growth in its Mobile Network and Engineering Services segment, attributable to new engineering services contracts in Singapore and Indonesia. The Group will continue to fulfill contracts on 2G and 3G engineering services from SingTel Mobile Pte Ltd, StarHub Pte Ltd, PT Nokia and PT Ericsson.

    Where opportunities arise, the Group will continue to strengthen its core capabilities in the engineering, services and distribution segments by undertaking suitable opportunities for expansion into regional markets. The Group will continue to diversify and strengthen its service and product offerings with the addition of new product lines.

    This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Representative examples of these factors include (without limitation) general industry and economic conditions, interest rate trends, cost of capital and capital availability, competition from other companies and venues for the sale/distribution of goods and services, shifts in customer demands, customers and partners, changes in operating expenses, including employee wages, benefits and training, and governmental and public policy changes. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which are based on current view of management on future events.


    11. Dividend
        (a) Current Financial Period Reported On

        Any dividend declared for the current financial period reported on? None
        (b) Corresponding Period of the Immediately Preceding Financial Year

        Any dividend declared for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year? Yes

        Name of Dividend
        Interim
        Interim
        Dividend Type
        Cash
        Cash
        Dividend Amount per Share (in cents) 15 cents per ordinary share (less tax) 5 cents per ordinary share (one-tier tax)
        Optional:- Dividend Rate (in %) % per ordinary share % per ordinary share
        Par value of shares
        S$1.00
        $1.00
        Tax Rate
        22%
        tax exempt


        (c) Date payable

        Not applicable


        (d) Books closure date

        Not applicable


    12. If no dividend has been declared/recommended, a statement to that effect.
        No dividend has been declared.



    PART II - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR FULL YEAR ANNOUNCEMENT
          (This part is not applicable to Q1, Q2, Q3 or Half Year Results)


    13. Segmented revenue and results for business or geographical segments (of the
        group) in the form presented in the issuer's most recently audited annual financial
        statements, with comparative information for the immediately preceding year.
        Not applicable


    14. In the review of performance, the factors leading to any material changes in
        contributions to turnover and earnings by the business or geographical segments.
        Not applicable


    15. A breakdown of sales.
        Not applicable


    16. A breakdown of the total annual dividend (in dollar value) for the issuer's latest
        full year and its previous full year.

        Total Annual Dividend (Refer to Para 16 of Appendix 7.2 for the required details)

        Latest Full Year ()
        Previous Full Year ()
        Ordinary
        Preference
        Total: