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UK banknote printer De La Rue fears for its future | UK banknote printer De La Rue fears for its future |
(34 minutes later) | |
De La Rue, the company that prints the UK's banknotes, has said there is a risk that the firm will collapse if its turnaround plan fails to work. | De La Rue, the company that prints the UK's banknotes, has said there is a risk that the firm will collapse if its turnaround plan fails to work. |
The announcement came as it suspended its dividend and reported a loss in the first half of its financial year. | The announcement came as it suspended its dividend and reported a loss in the first half of its financial year. |
De La Rue said its warning was based on a worst-case scenario. | De La Rue said its warning was based on a worst-case scenario. |
However, it concluded that there was "a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt on the group's ability to operate as a going concern". | However, it concluded that there was "a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt on the group's ability to operate as a going concern". |
UK-based De La Rue prints about a third of the world's banknotes and employs more than 2,500 people globally. | |
It appointed a new chief executive, Clive Vacher, in October as part of a management shake-up. | It appointed a new chief executive, Clive Vacher, in October as part of a management shake-up. |
Shares fell 20% on the news in early trading on Tuesday. | Shares fell 20% on the news in early trading on Tuesday. |
De La Rue has faced some big setbacks in the past two years, including the loss of the post-Brexit UK passport printing contract in March 2018. | De La Rue has faced some big setbacks in the past two years, including the loss of the post-Brexit UK passport printing contract in March 2018. |
In May last year, it had to write off £18m after Venezuela's central bank failed to pay its bills. | In May last year, it had to write off £18m after Venezuela's central bank failed to pay its bills. |
It is also under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office in connection with "suspected corruption" in South Sudan. | It is also under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office in connection with "suspected corruption" in South Sudan. |
The company reported a £12.1m pre-tax loss for the six months to 28 September, compared with a £7.1m profit in the same period last year. | The company reported a £12.1m pre-tax loss for the six months to 28 September, compared with a £7.1m profit in the same period last year. |
In its results statement, the company said it was accelerating its restructuring plan, including a reduction in overhead costs. | In its results statement, the company said it was accelerating its restructuring plan, including a reduction in overhead costs. |
It is also planning new banknote security feature products to bolster its position in the "increasingly competitive" banknote market. | It is also planning new banknote security feature products to bolster its position in the "increasingly competitive" banknote market. |
"De La Rue is teetering on the brink," said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for Markets.com. | "De La Rue is teetering on the brink," said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for Markets.com. |
"Bad management and decisions seems to be the main reason for the malaise." | "Bad management and decisions seems to be the main reason for the malaise." |