Ann: FLLYR: MHI: Full year results to 30 June 201

• Release Date: 17/08/12 10:30
• Summary: FLLYR: MHI: Full year results to 30 June 2012
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MHI
17/08/2012 08:30
FLLYR

REL: 0830 HRS Michael Hill International Limited

FLLYR: MHI: Full year results to 30 June 2012

Michael Hill International Limited

 Results for announcement to the market

  Reporting Period   12 months to 30 June 2012
  Previous Reporting Period   12 months to 30 June 2011

      Percentage
     Amount Change
     $NZ'000 %
  Revenue from ordinary activities   511,497 4.5%
  Profit from ordinary activities after tax attributable to members   36,511
  5.8%
  Net profit for the period attributable to members   36,511 5.8%

      Imputed
     Amount amount
     per security per security
  Final dividend for year ended 30 June 2012 3.5 cents  nil
  Record date  28 September 2012
  Dividend payment date    5 October 2012

 Michael Hill International Limited's accounts have been audited and an
unqualified audit opinion was given.

 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Profit Announcement
Michael Hill International Limited today announced an after tax profit of
$36.511m for the twelve
months ended 30 June 2012, up 5.8% on the corresponding period last year.

Summary of Key Points (all values stated in NZD unless stated otherwise)

o Operating revenue of $511.497m up 4.5% on same period last year
o EBIT of $45.892m up 0.6% on same period last year
o Same store sales were 0.3% down on same period last year
o Net profit before tax of $42.036m up 5.1% on same period last year
o Net profit after tax of $36.511m up 5.8% on same period last year
o Revenue collected from Professional Care Plans of $26.955m for the period

o Net debt of $20.994m at 30 June 2012 down from $36.873m last year
o Operating cash flow of $52.131m up from $43.319m last year
o 15 new stores opened and 3 closed during the period
o Total of 252 stores open at 30 June 2012
o Final dividend of 3.5 cents per share up 16.7%
o Total dividend for the year of 5.5 cents up 22.2% from 4.5 cents in 2011

o Equity ratio of 60.1% at 30 June 2012

New Zealand Retail Operations
The New Zealand retail segment revenue increased by 7.1% to $109.110m for the
twelve months, with an operating surplus of $21.550m, an increase of 16.6% on
the corresponding period last year. Same store sales during the twelve months
increased by 7.3% (5.4% last year).
The operating surplus as a percentage of revenue increased to 19.8% (18.1%
last year).

One new store opened in New Zealand during the period, as follows:
o Pukekohe, Northern Region

No stores were closed during the period, giving a total of 53 stores
operating in New Zealand as at 30 June 2012.

Australian Retail Operations
The Australian retail segment increased its revenue by 3.1% to AU$259.032m
for the twelve months with an operating surplus of AU$36.798m, compared to
AU$38.650m for the previous corresponding period, a decrease of 4.8%. Same
store sales in local currency decreased 2.1% for the twelve months (4.7%
increase last year).

The operating surplus as a percentage of revenue was 14.2% (15.4% last year).

10 new stores were opened in Australia during the period, as follows:
o Burleigh, Queensland
o Canberra Centre, ACT
o Chatswood, New South Wales
o Doncaster, Victoria
o Highlands Marketplace, New South Wales
o Marrickville, New South Wales
o Orange, New South Wales
o Peninsula Fair, Queensland
o Runaway Bay, Queensland
o Warrnambool, Victoria

Three stores were closed during the period, giving a total of 153 stores
operating in Australia as at 30 June 2012.

Canadian Retail Operations
The Canadian retail segment increased its revenue by 20% for the twelve
months to CA$44.265m and there was an operating surplus of CA$0.518m compared
to a loss of CA$0.237m for the previous corresponding period. Same stores
sales in local currency increased 5.8% for the twelve months (12.1% last
year).

Four new stores were opened during the period, as follows:
o Market Mall, Alberta
o Polo Park, Manitoba
o Scarborough, Ontario
o St Vital, Manitoba

No stores were closed during the period, giving a total of 37 stores
operating in Canada as at 30 June 2012.

US Retail Operations
The US retail segment increased its revenue by 17.7% for the twelve months to
US$9.576m for the twelve months and there was an operating loss of US$2.650m
for the same period (US$3.410m last year). Same stores sales in local
currency increased 17.2% for the twelve months.

The board is satisfied with the progress of the US operation over the past
twelve months but acknowledges there is still a long way to go before the
business is proven up in the US market. Focus remains on improving both the
top line sales and the margins in order to grow the bottom line of the nine
stores over the coming twelve months.

There were nine stores open as at 30 June 2012.

Professional Care Plan (PCP)
As the PCP business is still relatively new (having been introduced in
October 2010) the Group feels that it remains too early to accurately predict
the margins and therefore profitability of the PCP business. The Group is
confident, however, that the PCP's will contribute positively to the margins
and profits of the overall business.

PCP sales for the financial year were $26,955,284. An amount of $6,025,417
has been included as revenue in the segment figures stated above from the
current and prior periods.

PCP sales are carried on the balance sheet as deferred revenue and then
brought to revenue in the P&L over the life of the plans (3 Year and Life
Time) in proportion to the expected cost of meeting commitments under the
PCP's. It is assumed that the liability for accounting purposes of the life
time plans will expire within 10 years from date of sale. The estimate of
expected commitments under the relevant PCP is based on a combination of our
own experience and overseas research. These estimates will be updated as the
company gathers actual data over the coming years. The costs of meeting the
liability under the respective PCP's is brought to account in the period
incurred.

The following table summarises the revenue treatment of the PCP business.

 The following figures are in NZ Dollars  Last Year  This Year

 PCP sales collected for the year    $11,672,271 $26,955,284
 PCP revenue brought to income for the year    $559,799 $6,025,417
 Deferred revenue carried forward on balance sheet     $11,069,275
$31,669,686

 *PCP's have been sold since October 2010

Outstanding Tax Issues from Group Restructuring in 2008
It will be recalled that the Group currently has two unresolved tax matters
relating to the way the Group valued and financed the sale of intellectual
property from one of our New Zealand companies to one of our Australian
companies.

In New Zealand, the Inland Revenue (IR) has questioned the manner in which
the transaction was financed. In Australia, the Australian Taxation Office
(ATO) has queried the value at which the intellectual property was
transferred. The Group does not agree with the positions advanced by either
the IR or ATO and believes the tax treatment and values it has adopted are
correct.  Discussions continue with both the IR and ATO within their dispute
process frameworks, but it remains unclear when final resolution will be
achieved in respect of either matter.

In New Zealand, the amount in dispute is $17,858,000, being the tax effect of
deductions claimed by the New Zealand Group from the date of the sale through
to 30 June 2011. The tax effect of deductions for the 2012 financial year is
$6,778,000.  In the event any tax liability was payable, the Group would also
incur an interest expense.

In respect of Australia, the value at which the intellectual property was
transferred was originally determined by reference to an independent
valuation carried out by an internationally recognised firm and a deferred
tax asset was raised in 2009 based on that valuation.  The deferred tax asset
balance at 30 June 2012 was $42,592,000 as a result of depreciation of
components of the intellectual property and a previously announced adjustment
in value. The ATO has signalled that it has issues with aspects of that
valuation which, if correct, would reduce the amount of depreciation able to
be deducted by the Group. As noted, the Group does not accept the ATO's
position and believes the ATO's views are based on a number of factual, legal
and technical valuation errors. The Group is presently preparing, and will
file shortly, a formal response to the ATO.

Both matters are capable of being resolved by agreement, but if the Group is
unable to find common ground with either the IR or ATO then further formal
legal processes may be needed to achieve resolution. As is the case with
almost all legal processes there is inherent uncertainty as to the outcome
and the Group does not believe that the outcome of either process can be
predicted or the range of possible implications quantified.  The board does
not consider that either of the above ongoing tax matters require a provision
in the Group's 2012 financial statements but further detail is included at
note 33 to the Financial Statements.

Dividend
The Directors are pleased to announce a final dividend of 3.5cents per share
(2011 - 3.0cents), with no imputation credits attached for New Zealand
shareholders and full franking credits for Australian shareholders. The
dividend will be paid on Friday, 5 October 2012 with the record date being
Friday, 28 September 2012. Including the 2.0 cent per share interim dividend
paid on 2 April 2012, the total dividend for the year will be 5.5cents, an
increase of 22.2% on the previous corresponding period (2011 - 4.5cents).

Due to the internal restructuring of the Group in December 2008, the company
is unlikely to be in a position to impute dividends for some years; however
this will depend on the performance of the segment in the coming years and
also on the level of dividend to be paid in future periods.

Whilst the 2011-12 final dividend is fully franked to Australian resident
shareholders, it is possible that future dividends will only be partially
franked due to the likelihood of future dividend payout exceeding the level
of tax liability in Australia. However, this position can change over time
depending on a number of variables and the company will keep the market
informed each time a dividend is declared.

Cash Flows / Balance Sheets
The Group has reported net operating cash flows of $52.131m for the twelve
months, compared to $43.319m for the previous year.

The surplus from operations is a result of:
o Profit excluding non cash items    $44.540m
o Decrease in other payables $  0.579m
o Increase in deferred revenues from Professional Care Plan    $21.182m
o Increase in inventory levels   ($16.056)m
o Other miscellaneous items    $    1.886m
Net Cash Inflow from Operations Surplus for Year    $52.131m

The Group's balance sheet continues to be sound with an equity ratio of 60.1%
as at 30 June 2012 (60.9% in 2011) and a working capital ratio of 3.1:1
(3.3:1 in 2011).

Summary
2011-12 witnessed a continued good recovery in revenue in New Zealand, Canada
and the US while sales were tougher to make in our largest market Australia.
The "same store" sales growth in New Zealand, Canada and the US are
commendable achievements and demonstrate the strength of the Michael Hill
retail system to recover from severe downturns in domestic economies. A big
focus in the coming year will be to drive "same store" sales revenue in
Australia our largest market. Additional resources have been placed in this
market with a view to turning around the results from 2011-12. The directors
are satisfied with the overall performance of the group and they remain
confident in the continued growth and profitability of the group.

The Directors remain confident in the continued growth and profitability of
the group.

Sir Michael Hill 16/08/2012
Chairman
Internet Home Page - www.michaelhill.com
All inquiries should be made to Mike Parsell CEO phone +61 403 246655
End CA:00226072 For:MHI    Type:FLLYR      Time:2012-08-17 08:30:22