First Property Regulatory News (FPO)

6 Jun 2006 07:01

First Property Group PLC06 June 2006 6 June 2006 FIRST PROPERTY GROUP PLC ("First Property" or the "Company") PRELIMINARY RESULTS For Year Ended 31 March 2006 First Property Group plc (AIM: FPO), the property asset manager announcespreliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2006. Highlights of the results are as follows: Financial Highlights • Turnover grew 47% to £8,312,000 (2005: £5,650,000) • Profit on ordinary activities before taxation and goodwill amortisation increased 22% to £1,167,000 (2005: £955,000) • Recommended total final dividend per share increased 20% to 0.15p (2005: 0.125p) • Net assets appreciated 7.5% to £7,005,000 (2005: £6,515,000) Corporate Highlights • Assets under management increased 143% to £51 million (2005: £21 million) • First Property Asset Management now has six funds each earning a rate of return for its shareholders in excess of 9% per annum • Universities Superannuation Scheme asset management mandate secured in August 2005 to invest £50 million (£200 million once geared) in the UK,Central and Eastern Europe • Strong pipeline of opportunities to acquire Central European properties • Acquisition of First Property Services in February 2006, which has since performed ahead of budget and won several significant contracts • Further good rate of growth in assets under management expected Commenting on the results, Ben Habib, chief executive, said, "First Property iscurrently experiencing a number of changes, which are resulting in a muchstrengthened Group. While our underwriting and trading division is likely toreturn less income this year, we are experiencing strong growth in our assetmanagement business which we expect to provide more transparent and sustainablerevenue streams going forward." "The next 12 to 18 months promise to be exciting for First Property and we areconfident that we have established a strong platform from which to grow." For further information: Ben Habib Richard Sunderland/Rachel DrysdaleFirst Property Group plc Tavistock CommunicationsTel: 020 7731 2844 Tel: 020 7920 3150www.fprop.com rsunderland@tavistock.co.uk CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT Results and dividend I am pleased to report that the results for the year to 31 March 2006 showanother period of progress for the Group. Turnover for the year grew to£8,312,000 (2005: £5,650,000), providing an increased gross profit of £2,318,000(2005: £1,881,000) and a profit on ordinary activities before taxation andgoodwill amortisation of £1,167,000 (2005: £955,000). Diluted earnings perordinary share before goodwill amortisation were slightly lower than theprevious year at 0.83 pence (2005: 0.90 pence) as a result of the Group nowhaving fully utilised tax losses brought forward. During the period, net assetsincreased to £7,005,000 (2005: £6,515,000). Assets under management more than doubled to over £51 million (2005: £21million). On the basis of these results, and our continued confidence in the Company'sperformance, the Directors have resolved to recommend an increased dividend forthe year of 0.15 pence per share (2005: 0.125 pence per share), which, ifapproved, will be paid on 29 September 2006 to shareholders on the register at25 August 2006. Review of operations Property asset management------------------------- Revenue earned by this division during the year amounted to £503,000 (2005:£334,000). Of the fees earned, £217,000 (2005: £146,000) was in respect of superperformance fees. We now have over £51 million of property assets under management (2005: £21million) and are in the process of investing our most recent fund on behalf ofthe Universities Superannuation Scheme which, when fully invested, will increaseassets under management to over £200 million. Our experience of the Central European property market is bearing out theexpectations we had of it. We are able to find many more attractive propertiesto acquire than in the UK, as evidenced by the rapid growth of our activities inthat region. At the time of writing, we have acquired, on behalf of our funds,some £19 million worth of Central European property and have under offer some£75 million going through the due diligence process. Naturally, some of theseacquisitions will fail to occur but our pipeline is full and I am confident thatwe will succeed with a high proportion. The pre-tax rates of return on equity earned from rent alone by our variousfunds remains very healthy, with all of them earning a rate in excess of 9% perannum. We see no immediate reason why this rate of return should reduce and weanticipate earning similarly high rates from our prospective propertyacquisitions. The Group's growth is now focussed primarily on asset management activities.Given the large number of attractive properties we are working to acquire, I amconfident that we will achieve significant growth over the next year or two andcontinue to deliver high rates of return to our clients. Property transaction underwriting and trading--------------------------------------------- Turnover from this activity was £7,375,000 (2005: £5,058,000), producing a grossprofit contribution of £1,547,000 (2005: £1,307,000). As I mentioned when we reported our final and interim results last year, theproperty market in the UK has risen sharply over the last few years, even thoughthe occupational market has remained weak. This situation remains the case.Consequently, there are now fewer trading opportunities in the UK. Therefore,the contribution to turnover and profit from this activity, for the year to 31March 2007, is very likely to reduce substantially. We have identified a number of interesting properties to trade in CentralEurope, but our activities there are in their infancy and it is unlikely that wewill be able, in the short term, to fully replace the opportunities which weremore readily available in the UK some two to three years ago. First Property Services Ltd--------------------------- In February we acquired 60% of First Property Services Ltd (FPS), a new company,for a cash consideration of £60,000. The remaining 40% is owned by themanagement of the business. FPS is engaged in the provision of facilities maintenance and building servicesto clients in the commercial property sector. At the time of our acquisition,FPS was managing contracts worth over £500,000 in fee income. Since then thecompany has won further contracts worth, in aggregate, over £850,000 from arange of different clients including a number of blue chip companies. FPS alsoprovides services to buildings managed by the Group. In the short time since we acquired our interest in FPS, the company hasperformed ahead of budget and secured some valuable and profitable contracts.The business is managed by an experienced team of people and I am confident thatit will return a good result for the year to 31 March 2007. Online activities----------------- Commercial Property Database ("CPD") is trading satisfactorily and earnedrevenues of £199,000 (2005: £204,000). We expect the division to contribute asimilar result for the year to 31 March 2007. During the period, we continued to sell properties successfully through ouronline system. Revenue earned from the online sale of commercial properties was£59,000 (2005: £54,000). Both CPD and our online sales of property provide excellent services but growingthese income streams has proven difficult. We remain convinced that at somepoint in time the online sale of commercial property will establish itself butpredicting when this might happen is impossible. Our aim with these activitiesis, therefore, to continue to provide the services but not to distract ourselvesfrom our asset management and other activities. Strategy Our strategy remains to grow our sustainable lines of revenue, most notably ourasset management division. We will also continue to target interestingproperties through our underwriting and trading activities. In order to bolster CPD and the online sales division, we continue to look forearnings enhancing acquisitions, although none that we have considered have thusfar been of a sufficiently high quality to pursue. Current trading and prospects As I mentioned when we reported our interim results, we are experiencing majorchanges in our business, which are resulting in a much stronger Group. The principal change is that the income we earn from our asset managementbusiness is likely to increase materially, and will, in due course, more thanreplace our currently reducing income from underwriting and trading activities.Given that turnover from these latter activities is determined by the value ofproperties sold, as these activities reduce, the turnover of the Group will alsosubstantially reduce in the short term. Once our existing asset management mandates have been fully invested, we expectthe Group's profit to significantly exceed the level of profit we are currentlyearning. In the meantime, the profit earned for the year to 31 March 2007, willbe determined by the speed of investment achieved in the next six to ninemonths. I remain very confident in the Group's prospects. Ben HabibChief Executive6 June 2006 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 March 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Restated Audited ------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes Total Goodwill Before goodwill Total results amortisation amortisation results £'000 £'000 -------------------------------------------------------------------Turnover- continuing operations 8,312 - 8,312 5 ,650-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total turnover 8,312 - 8,312 5,650Cost of sales (5,994) - (5,994) (3,769)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gross profit 2,318 - 2,318 1,881Net operating expenses (1,517) (391) (1,126) (931)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Operating profit- continuing operations 801 (391) 1,192 950-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total operating profit 801 (391) 1,192 950Income - fixed asset investment 2 - 2 1Share of associated company'sprofit before tax 23 - 23 11Net interest payable (50) - (50) (7)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 776 (391) 1,167 955Taxation on ordinary activities (236) - (236) (2)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit for the year before minority interest 540 (391) 931 953Equity minority interest 20 - 20 17-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit for the year 560 (391) 951 970Dividend on ordinary shares 3 (140) - (140) (111)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit transferred to reserves 5,6 420 (391) 811 859-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Earnings per Ordinary 1p share - basic 2 0.50p 0.85p 0.92p - diluted 2 0.49p 0.83p 0.90p CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSESfor the year ended 31 March 2006 Notes 2006 2005 (Unaudited) Restated Audited-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 5 70 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net Gain recognised directly in Reserves 5 70 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit for year after tax 5 420 859-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total recognised gains for year 490 859------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETat 31 March 2006 2006 2005 (Unaudited) Restated Audited Notes Group Group------------------------------------------------------------------------------ £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fixed assetsIntangible assets 16 -Tangible assets 220 21Investments 230 100------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 466 121------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Current assetsStocks 2,698 4,001Debtors 5,706 1,355Cash at bank and in hand 1,189 1,588------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9,593 6,944------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (2,962) (550)------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net current assets 6,631 6,394------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total assets less current liabilities 7,097 6,515------------------------------------------------------------------------------Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (92) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net assets 7,005 6,515------------------------------------------------------------------------------Capital and reservesCalled up share capital 4 1,116 1,116Share premium 5 5,298 5,298Merger reserve 5 5,823 5,823Foreign Exchange Translation Reserve 5 70 -Profit and loss account 5 (5,302) (5,722)------------------------------------------------------------------------------Equity shareholders' funds 6 7,005 6,515------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTfor the year ended 31 March 2006 Notes 2006 2005 £'000 £'000 (Unaudited) (Audited) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 7 (850) 565-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Returns on investments and servicing of finance- Dividends paid (140) (112)- Dividends received 2 1- Interest received 101 53- Interest paid (151) (60)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net cash (outflow) from returns on investments and servicing of finance before taxation (188) (118)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Taxation (1) (2)Capital expenditure and financial investment- Purchase of tangible fixed assets (222) (19)- Purchase of intangible fixed assets (16) -- Purchase of fixed asset investments (111) (85)- Sale of tangible fixed assets 7 -- Purchase of minority interest (336)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net cash (outflow)/from capital expenditure and financial investment (679) (106)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cash inflow/(outflow) before management of liquid resources and financing (1,717) 341-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Management of liquid resources- Decrease/(increase) in short term deposits 8 508 (995)Financing- Issue of shares net of expenses - 2,807- Bank overdraft 3 -- Finance Lease 145 -- Loans advanced 1,304 134- Loan repayments (134) (2,163)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net cash (outflow)/inflow from management of liquid resources and financing 1,826 (217)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Increase in cash in the year 8 109 124------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Notes 2006 2005 £'000 £'000-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Increase in cash in the year 109 124Movement in short term deposits (508) 995Movement in loans and bank overdraft (1,318) 2,029-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Movement in net funds in the year (1,717) 3,148Net funds at 1 April 1,454 (1,694)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net funds at 31 March 8 (263) 1,454------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Basis of preparation The figures for the year ended 31 March 2006 are unaudited and are not fullfinancial statements. The figures for the years ended 31 March 2006 and 31 March2005 are non-statutory. The figures for the year ended 31 March 2005 areextracts from the full financial statements delivered to the Registrar ofCompanies, as restated to comply with FRS 21. The report of the auditors onthose financial statements was unqualified and contained no statements undereither Section 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Earnings per share The calculation of basic earnings per share on the net basis is based on theprofit for the year of £951,000 (2005: £970,000) and on 111,601,115 (2005:105,642,729) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of ordinaryshares in issue and ranking for dividend during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per share on the net basis is based on anadjusted profit for the year of £958,000 (2005: £980,000) and on 114,901,115(2005: 108,842,729) ordinary shares being the adjusted weighted average numberof ordinary shares at the year-end including ordinary shares under option whichare exercisable at less than the market price at the year-end. 3. Dividend on ordinary shares 2006 2005 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------Final Dividend for 2004, paid on new issues - 18Final Dividend paid for previous year 140 93------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 140 111------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Called-up share capital 2006 2005 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------Authorised240,000,000 (2005: 240,000,000) Ordinary shares of 1p each 2,400 2,400 Allotted, called up and fully paid111,601,115 (2004: 111,601,115) Ordinary shares of 1p each 1,116 1,116------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Share premium account and reserves Group Foreign Exchange Profit Share Translation Merger and Loss Premium Reserve Reserve Account £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------ At 1 April 2005 5,298 - 5,823 (5,722)Profit for the financial period - - - 420Increase in Foreign Exchange - 70 - -Translation Reserve-------------------------------------------------------------------------At 31 March 2006 5,298 70 5,823 (5,302)------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Reconciliation of movements in equity shareholders' funds Group 2006 2005 £'000 £'000----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Opening shareholders' funds 6,515 2,849Profit for the financial period 420 859New share capital issued - 185Share premium - 2,726Increase in merger reserve - -Share issue costs - (104)Increase in foreign exchange translation reserve 70 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Closing shareholders' funds 7,005 6,515----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 2006 2005 £'000 £'000-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Operating profit 801 950Depreciation and profit on disposal of fixed assets 18 6Amortisation of goodwill 391 -Movement in foreign exchange translation reserve 70 -(Increase)/decrease in stocks 1,303 (273)(Increase)/decrease in trade debtors (3,892) (241)(Increase)/decrease in prepayments and other debtors (261) 110Increase/(decrease) in trade creditors 149 (32)Increase/(decrease) in taxation and social security (54) 1Increase/(decrease) in other creditors, accruals and deferred income 625 44-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities (850) 565------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Reconciliation of movement in net funds 1 April 2005 Cash flow 31 March 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cash at bank and in hand 1,588 (399) 1,189Short term deposits (1,009) 508 (501)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cash (excluding short term deposits) 579 109 688Short term deposits 1,009 (508) 501Debt due within one yearOverdraft - (3) (3)Finance Lease - (53) (53)Property loan (134) (1,170) (1,304)Debt due after one yearFinance Lease - (92) (92)------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,454 (1,717) (263)------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Report circulation Copies of this preliminary results announcement are available from the Company'sregistered office at 17 Quayside, William Morris Way, London SW6 2UZ. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be sent to shareholders by 14August 2006 for approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 19September 2006 and will also be available at the Company's registered office. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange