BREI.L Regulatory News (BREI)

F&C UK Real Estate Investments Ltd - Interim Results

PR Newswire

London, February 28

Interim results in respect of the period ended 31 December 2016

The Chairman, Vikram Lall, stated:

It has been a period of great uncertainty in the aftermath of the Brexit vote but despite this background the Group has experienced six months of steady performance driven by the portfolio’s income return, occupancy rate and recent leasing successes. The net asset value (‘NAV’) total return per share for the period was 0.5 per cent and the NAV per share at the period end was 97.2 pence.

Our share price recovered over the six months as markets rebounded from the initial shock of the referendum result. Our share price total return was 14.8 per cent over the period and our shares were trading at a slight premium to the NAV of 1.9 per cent at the period end, compared to a discount of 10.8 per cent as at 30 June 2016.

Property Market

The UK property market delivered a total return of 1.0 per cent in the six months to December 2016 according to the Investment Property Databank (IPD) Quarterly Index benchmark for all assets. Performance was affected in the first part of the period by the reaction to the Brexit vote. Whilst occupier markets remained relatively resilient, capital values fell by 2.4 per cent in the quarter to 30 September 2016 before improving to deliver 1.0 per cent growth in the three months to 31 December 2016.

This stabilisation may have been helped by the UK economic backdrop, with GDP growth being little changed during the latter part of 2016, coupled with further monetary easing, a speedy change in political leadership and some clarity emerging with respect to the Brexit process.

Investors have become more cautious since the vote. Investment activity has slowed, although a lower sterling exchange rate has helped support investment from overseas buyers and pricing within the core markets, particularly Central London. UK Institutions were net sellers of property during the period. Banks continue to lend but are focusing on lower risk assets and margins have increased.

Despite the initial turmoil and the liquidity problems faced by some open-ended funds, the period did not see a return to the levels of distressed selling witnessed during the global financial crisis. There were some deals renegotiated, delayed or aborted, especially for large lot sizes but a majority progressed without issue. There was however an increased focus on income security with property secured on long leases particularly in favour.

Yields edged out at the all-property level during the period reflecting the increased uncertainty in the market, but the yield gap against the risk free rates remains well above the long-term average.

Despite volatility in the capital markets, the income return was largely unaffected delivering 2.4 per cent over the six month period, reflecting continued resilience in the occupier markets.

Rental growth for standing investments was 0.9 per cent over the period but has been patchy and shows significant variation subject to geography and sector.

The period was characterised by relative strength in the industrial and distribution sectors and for alternative assets with retail and office property recovering to deliver positive total returns in the latter part of the reporting period.

Property Portfolio

During the period the Company’s portfolio returned 1.5 per cent, driven by a 3.0 per cent income return.

Continuing the trend of last half year period, the Company’s best performing assets were predominantly within the industrial sector, and again located in the South East. The largest contributor to returns was a property at Chippenham Drive, Milton Keynes as a result of the refurbishment and subsequent re-letting which completed in December 2016. Lakeside Industrial Estate, Colnbrook and the two unit industrial estate at Southampton International Park, Eastleigh also featured as key contributors.

Led by letting success at both Milton Keynes and at our retail asset at The Parade, Leamington Spa the vacancy rate on the portfolio decreased to 3.0 per cent as at period end (against 7.1 per cent for the IPD Quarterly Universe), down from 4.2 per cent at 30 June 2016. This is despite the new void at Standard Hill, Nottingham, a property which is now vacant following the activation of a break clause by the office tenant. This property is currently subject to refurbishment, due for practical completion in the second half of 2017.

The initial yield on the portfolio is 5.4 per cent and the average weighted unexpired lease term of the portfolio is now 7.1 years. The largest ten tenants by rent, all bar one rated as negligible risk by IPD, account for 44 per cent of total income. The portfolio remains well balanced both geographically and by sector split, with a 60 per cent weighting to London and the South East.

The Company sold one property at King William House, Hull and exchanged on the sale of another at George Street, Croydon (a sale which has now completed post period). No properties were purchased over the six months; however, following the receipt of sales proceeds and the recent equity issuance, we are now looking to the market on an opportunistic basis to secure suitable acquisitions to support the Company’s objective.

Dividends

The first interim dividend for the year ending 30 June 2017 of 1.25 pence per share was paid in December 2016, with a second interim dividend of 1.25 pence per share to be paid on 31 March 2017 to shareholders on the register on 10 March 2017.

The dividend cover for the six months was 104.2 per cent, although this was influenced by the payment of a break penalty by the tenant at Standard Hill, Nottingham in lieu of activating a break clause. The dividend cover net of this event was 91.6 per cent.

The dividend is currently at a sustainable level, and in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, it is expected that the Company will continue to pay quarterly dividends at this rate, the equivalent of 5 pence per share per annum.

Borrowings

The Group currently has borrowings of £106 million made up of a £90 million 11-year non-amortising term loan facility agreement with Canada Life Investments and a £20 million 5-year revolving credit facility agreement with Barclays Bank plc, £16 million of which is currently drawn down. Net of cash, this represented 28.9 per cent of the investment properties of the Group as at 31 December 2016. The weighted average interest rate (including amortisation of refinancing costs) on the Group's total current borrowings is 3.2 per cent. The interest rate on the Group's total borrowings has fallen by 2.5 per cent following the refinancing in November 2015 and this has positively contributed to dividend cover. The Company continues to maintain a prudent attitude to gearing.

The Group had £12.0 million of cash available at 31 December 2016 with a further £4.0 million of the revolving credit facility also available if required.

Outlook

Attention has been focused on Brexit over the past six months and this is expected to remain a major area of uncertainty. However, economic and political developments in the US and approaching elections in several European countries may also affect sentiment. The UK’s large, mature and relatively transparent property market could be viewed favourably by global investors if risk perception increases elsewhere.

At the property level, the imposition of the new business rates regime will affect occupancy costs. While not a direct cost to landlords on occupied property, the situation will be closely monitored to ensure that the portfolio is appropriately positioned to manage any potential impact. With economic growth projected to remain positive, but subdued, we would expect to see a renewed focus on property market fundamentals with income as the main driver of performance. The Manager believes that while the market remains challenging, commercial property’s income return will help to deliver acceptable relative performance with prime, securely let property leading the way.

Enquiries to:The Company SecretaryNorthern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) LimitedTrafalgar CourtLes BanquesSt Peter PortGuernsey GY1 3QLTel: 01481 745001Fax: 01481 745051P Lowe, S MacraeF&C Investment Business LimitedTel: 0207 628 8000Fax: 0131 225 2375 

F&C UK Real Estate Investments LimitedCondensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

F&C UK Real Estate Investments LimitedCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

F&C UK Real Estate Investments LimitedCondensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

F&C UK Real Estate Investments LimitedCondensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

F&C UK Real Estate Investments Limited

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statementsfor the six months to 31 December 2016

1. General information

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ and the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2016. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the Group for the year ended 30 June 2016 which were prepared under full IFRS requirements. The accounting policies used in preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those of the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2016.

2. Dividends and property income distributions gross of income tax

A second interim dividend for the year to 30 June 2017, of 1.25 pence per share, will be paid on 31 March 2017 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 10 March 2017.

3. Earnings per share

Earnings per Ordinary Share are based on 238,705,539 Ordinary Shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period (31 December 2015: 235,846,572 and 30 June 2016: 237,264,306). Earnings for the six months to 31 December 2016 should not be taken as a guide to the results for the year to 30 June 2017.

4. Investment properties

All the Group’s investment properties were valued as at 31 December 2016 by qualified professional valuers working in the company of Cushman & Wakefield, Chartered Surveyors. All such valuers are chartered surveyors, being members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (‘RICS’). There were no significant changes to the valuation techniques used during the period and these valuation techniques are detailed in the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 June 2016. The market value of these investment properties amounted to £331,450,000 (31 December 2015: £342,075,000; 30 June 2016: £339,150,000), however an adjustment has been made for lease incentives of £5,005,000 that are already accounted for as an asset.

5. Interest-bearing bank loans

On 9 November 2015, the Group entered into an eleven year £90 million non-amortising term loan agreement with Canada Life and a five year £20 million revolving credit facility agreement with Barclays. The interest rate payable on the Canada Life loan is at a fixed rate of 3.36% per annum and the interest payable on the Barclays loan is at a variable rate based on 3 month LIBOR plus a margin of 1.45% per annum. During the period, the Company repaid £4 million of the revolving credit facility to Barclays.

At 31 December 2016 borrowings of £106 million were drawn down. The balance sheet value is stated at an amortised cost of £104,956,000 (31 December 2015: £108,512,000 and 30 June 2016: £108,845,000). Amortised cost is calculated by deducting loan arrangement costs, which are amortised back over the life of the loan. The fair value of the Canada Life loan is shown in note 6.

6. Fair value measurements

The fair value measurements for financial assets and financial liabilities are categorised into different levels in the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs to valuation techniques used. 

The different levels are defined as follows:

All of the Group’s investments in direct property are included in Level 3 as it involves the use of significant inputs. There were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the six month period ended 31 December 2016.

Other than the fair values stated in the table below, the fair value of all other financial assets and liabilities is not materially different from their carrying value in the financial statements.

\* The fair value of the interest-bearing Canada Life Loan is based on the yield on the Treasury 2% 2025 which would be used as the basis for calculating the early repayment of such loan plus the appropriate margin.

The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies are consistent with those disclosed in the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 June 2016.

7. Share capital

The Company issued nil Ordinary Shares during the period.

8. Net asset value per share

The net asset value per Ordinary Share is based on net assets of £231,959,000 (31 December 2015: £238,541,000 and 30 June 2016: £236,742,000) and 238,705,539 Ordinary Shares (31 December 2015: 238,705,539 and 30 June 2016: 238,705,539) being the number of shares in issue at the period end.

9. Going concern

In assessing the going concern basis of accounting the Directors have had regard to the guidance issued by the Financial Reporting Council. They have considered the current cash position of the Group, the availability of the loans and compliance with their covenants, forecast rental income and other forecast cash flows. The Group has agreements relating to its borrowing facilities with which it has complied during the period. Based on this information the Directors believe that the Group has the ability to meet its financial obligations as they fall due for a period of twelve months from the date of the approval of the accounts. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

10. Related party transactions

No Director has an interest in any transactions which are or were unusual in their nature or significant to the Group. F&C Investment Business Limited received fees for its services as Investment Managers. The total charge to the Income Statement during the period was £1,046,000.

11. Operating segments

The Board has considered the requirements of IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’. The Board is of the view that the Group is engaged in a single segment of business, being property investment, and in one geographical area, the United Kingdom, and that therefore the Group has only a single operating segment. The Board of Directors, as a whole, has been identified as constituting the chief operating decision maker of the Group. The key measure of performance used by the Board to assess the Group’s performance is the total return on the Group’s net asset value, as calculated under IFRS, and therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

12. Investment in subsidiary undertakings

The Group results consolidate those of IRP Holdings Limited (‘IRPH’) and IPT Property Holdings Limited (‘IPTH’). IRPH and IPTH are companies incorporated in Guernsey whose principal business is that of an investment and property company. These companies are 100 per cent owned by the Group’s ultimate parent company, which is F&C UK Real Estate Investments Limited.

13. Subsequent events

There are no material subsequent events that need to be disclosed.

14.  The report and accounts for the half-year ended 31 December 2016 will be posted to shareholders and made available on the websites www.fcre.co.uk and www.fcre.gg shortly.

Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Group’s assets consist of direct investments in UK commercial property. Its principal risks are therefore related to the UK commercial property market in general but also the particular circumstances of the properties in which it is invested and their tenants. Other risks faced by the Group include market, investment and strategic, regulatory, tax efficiency, financial, reporting, credit and operational risks. The Group is also exposed to risks in relation to its financial instruments. These risks, and the way in which they are mitigated and managed, are described in more detail under the heading ‘Principal Risks and Risk Management’ within the Business Model and Strategy in the Group’s Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2016. The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties have not changed materially since the date of that report and are not expected to change materially for the remaining six months of the Group’s financial year.

Directors’ Responsibility Statement in Respect of the Half-yearly Financial Report

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

On behalf of the BoardVikram LallChairman28 February 2017