Click here to download the PayPoint Preliminary Results Presentation.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Transactions processed up 24% to 322 million with strong growth in all sectors
• Increased market share of utility and TV Licensing payments
• Prepaid energy transactions stimulated by cold weather and energy price increases
• Operating margins ^{3, 4} increased from 33% to 42%
• PayPoint terminal outlets have increased to over 15,000, up 17% on March 2005
• New, faster, more reliable terminal rolled out to agents

David Newlands, Chairman of PayPoint, said “We have had an excellent year. The improvements in our range of products and services, brand awareness and the increase in our network all stimulated revenue growth. Our operational gearing has delivered most of the growth in net revenue to the bottom line. TheBBC TV Licence contract awarded to PayPoint in March, marks a major milestone in the Company's development, reinforcing our credibility as a sole provider of a national service. We are securing capacity for future profitable growth by investing in infrastructure including new communications and polling hardware, development of new peripheral information technology systems and the refurbishment and extension of our operating base. We are confident of continuing growth in the current year in which trading has started well."

1. _{^{Net revenue is revenue less commissions payable to retail agents and the cost of those mobile top-ups where PayPoint is the principal.}}
2. _{^{Adjusted earnings per share are based on profits before exceptional items after taxation.}}
3. _{^{Operating margins are operating profit before exceptional items expressed as a percentage of net revenue.}}
4. _{^{Net revenue, operating profit before exceptional items, adjusted earnings per share and operating margins are measures which the directors believe assist with a better understanding of the underlying performance of the group. The reconciliation to statutory amounts can be found in notes 2 and 6 and on the face of the consolidated income statement.}}

Enquiries:

PayPoint plc 01707 600 300
Dominic Taylor, Chief Executive
George Earle, Finance Director

Finsbury 020 7251 3801
Rollo Head
Don Hunter

This announcement is available on the PayPoint plc website:

PayPoint is a leading branded payment collection network used, primarily, for the cash payment of bills and services and prepayments for mobile telephones and energy meters. There are over 15,000 retail outlets using PayPoint’s payment terminals. 

Its clients include most of the UK and Ireland’s major energy, cable, mobile and fixed line telephony  companies. Its blue chip client list also extends to numerous water companies, local authorities, housing  associations, credit unions and a growing transport and travel base.

To see the full press release please click here.