First Property Regulatory News (FPO)

First Property Group plc

Interim results for the six months to 30 September 2023

First Property Group plc (AIM: FPO), the award-winning property fund manager and investor with operations in the United Kingdom and Central Europe, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2023.

Highlights:

· Statutory loss before tax: £0.65 million (30 September 2022 profit before tax: £2.39 million)

· Cash: £6.71 million (31 March 2023: £7.65 million)

· Net debt: £22.22 million (31 March 2023: £22.01 million)

· Third party Assets Under Management ("AUM"): £304 million (31 March 2023: £400 million)

· Total AUM: £358 million (31 March 2023: £454 million)

· Weighted average unexpired fund management contract term at 30 September 2023: 2 years, 1 month (31 March 2023: 2 years, 9 months)

Financial summary:

Commenting on the results, Ben Habib, Chief Executive of First Property, said:

"Markets have been as challenging over the last year as I have ever known them. The rapid increase in interest rates, with a commensurate collapse in demand for commercial property, both occupationally and for investment, had created a perfect storm. For fifteen years interest rates had been near zero and global markets supported by borrowings in dollars with investment in developing countries and more "risky" assets - the so called carry trade.

"With the Federal Reserve aggressively increasing interest rates, that carry trade has reversed equally aggressively with capital flooding back to the United States.

"So, whilst it is disappointing to report a loss, this was created by a mark down in property values and not as a result of a deterioration in trading. The Group is robust.

"Inflation is now reducing, and interest rates are likely to be close to their peak. They have already been reduced in Poland.

"Markets are steadying and we are seeing an uptick in investment demand, though it is too early to be certain.

"We also have occupational demand for the vacant space in the office blocks we own in Warsaw and Gdynia, with particular demand for the former. As we lease up this space, we will start again to generate good levels of cash, as we have historically done.

"In the meantime, our cash balance is good, with over £6 million on the balance sheet, giving us the firepower we need to fitout the space as it is leased.

"We are also seeing some interesting lending propositions for our new debt division. We have yet to make a loan but our market knowhow and the number of deals we are considering has considerably increased.

"I am once again beginning to be excited about the future."

Investor presentation:

A briefing for analysts and investors will be held at 11.00hrs today via Investor Meet Company. To participate it is necessary to register at https://www.investormeetcompany.com/first-property-group-plc/register-investor and select to meet the Company. Those who have already registered and selected to meet the Company will be automatically invited. A copy of the accompanying investor presentation and a recording of the call will be posted on the Group's website.

For further information please contact:

Notes to Investors and Editors:

First Property Group plc is an award-winning property fund manager and investor with operations in the United Kingdom and Central Europe. Its focus is on higher yielding commercial property with sustainable cash flows. The Company is flexible and takes an active approach to asset management. Its earnings are derived from:

· Fund Management - via its FCA regulated and AIFMD approved subsidiary, First Property Asset Management Ltd ("FPAM"), which earns fees from investing for third parties in property. FPAM currently manages twelve funds which are invested across the United Kingdom, Poland and Romania.

· Group Properties - principal investments by the Group, to earn a return on its own capital, usually in partnership with third parties. Investments include six directly held properties in Poland and one in Romania, and non-controlling interests in nine of the twelve funds managed by FPAM.

Quoted on AIM, First Property has offices in London and Warsaw. Around one third of the shares in First Property are owned by directors, management and their families. Further information about the Group and its properties can be found at: www.fprop.com.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT

Performance:

I am pleased to report interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2023.

Revenue earned by the Group was £3.97 million (30 September 2022: £4.19 million) yielding a loss before tax of £0.65 million (30 September 2022 profit before tax: £2.39 million). The loss was caused by a reduction of £0.82 million in the fair value of the Group's investment in one of its associates, Fprop Opportunities plc ("FOP"). Otherwise, the Group has been trading in line with market expectations.

The rapid increase in interest rates and consequent flight of capital from our markets has materially impacted property values. The Group has been shielded from much of this by its accounting policy of holding properties at the lower of cost or value. However, the cost of the Group's share in FOP, which is invested in five commercial properties in Poland, was rebased in October 2018 when the Group's share in it reduced below 50%, resulting in it being deconsolidated from the accounts of the Group and recognised as an associate at the then prevailing property values. In the six months to 30 September 2023 the five properties owned by FOP decreased in value by £2.2 million, of which the Group's share amounted to £0.82 million. 

Diluted loss per share amounted to 0.99 pence (30 September 2022 earnings per share: 1.83 pence).

The Group ended the period with net assets calculated under the cost basis of accounting of £41.65 million (31 March 2023: £43.44 million), equating to 37.56 pence per share (31 March 2023: 39.18 pence per share). The net assets of the Group with property values adjusted to their market value less any deferred tax liabilities (EPRA basis) was £49.22 million, or 43.56 pence per share (31 March 2023: £52.54 million, or 46.50 pence per share). The market values of Group properties are independently assessed once a year, on 31 March, except for the five properties held by FOP which are also assessed as at 30 September.

Gross debt at the period end amounted to £28.93 million (31 March 2023: £29.66 million), which was secured against six commercial properties in Poland and one in Romania. Of this, £16.95 million was non-interest bearing and represents deferred consideration payable for the purchase of two properties in Poland.

The Group's gearing ratio, calculated with its seven directly owned properties at book value, was 40.99% (31 March 2023: 40.57%). Using market values for these properties the gearing ratio was 37.02% (31 March 2023: 36.08%).

The Group's seven directly owned properties are held in separate non-recourse special purpose vehicles without any cross collateralisation of the debt or Group guarantees.

Group cash balances at the period end stood at £6.71 million (31 March 2023: £7.65 million), equivalent to 6.05 pence per share (31 March 2023: 6.90 pence per share).

Dividend:

The Directors have resolved not to pay a dividend (30 September 2022: 0.25 pence per share) until the Group returns to profitability. Our cash balances are good and it is important we preserve this until we emerge from these turbulent times.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

PROPERTY FUND MANAGEMENT ("First Property Asset Management Ltd" or "FPAM")

Third party assets under management at the period end decreased by 24% to £304.6 million (31 March 2023: £400.4 million). The decrease was attributable mainly to the decrease in value of properties held in third party managed funds of £87.1 million.

The large decrease in value of third-party funds was mainly related to the write down in value of properties held by Fprop Offices LP ("Fprop Offices") and Fprop Phoenix Ltd ("Fprop Phoenix"), which experienced write downs of £28.8 million and £47.0 million, respectively. We do not earn a fixed fee from Fprop Offices, and the reduction in value of the fund does not reduce our recurring fee income. Fprop Offices is due to be wound up next year.

63.3% of third-party assets under management were located in the UK, 33.9% in Poland and 2.8% in Romania.

Revenue earned by this division decreased to £1.26 million (30 September 2022: £1.66 million), resulting in profit before unallocated central overheads and tax decreasing to £0.16 million (30 September 2022: £0.52 million).

At the period end fund management fee income, excluding performance fees, was being earned at an annualised rate of £2.06 million (31 March 2023: £2.55 million).

FPAM's weighted average unexpired fund management contract term at the period-end was 2 years, 1 month (31 March 2023: 2 years, 9 months).

The reconciliation of movement in third party funds under management during the period is shown below:

An overview of the value and maturity of each of the funds managed by FPAM is set out below:

* Not subject to recent revaluation.

The sub sector weightings of investments in FPAM funds is set out in the table below:

GROUP PROPERTIES DIVISION

At the period end the Group Properties division comprised seven directly owned commercial properties in Poland and Romania valued at £53.28 million (31 March 2023: £53.97 million), and interests in nine of the twelve funds managed by FPAM (classified as Associates and Investments) valued at £22.30 million (31 March 2023: £25.27 million).

The contribution to Group profit before tax and unallocated central overheads from this division was £0.09 million (30 September 2022: £2.40 million), of which the seven directly owned properties contributed £0.27 million (30 September 2022: £0.98 million) and the Associates and Investments contributed a loss of £0.18 million (30 September 2022 profit: £1.42 million).

The reduced contribution from the Associates and Investments was mainly due to the write down by £0.82 million in value of the Group's share in FOP. In addition, distributions in respect of the Group's 11.1% share in Fprop UK Special Opportunities LP ("SPEC OPPS") of £0.08 million were less than the contribution in the same period last year of £1.20 million. Last year's higher contribution was driven by property sales.

Nearly one third of the vacant office space in the Group's directly held office properties in Gdynia and Warsaw (Blue Tower), which it acquired in 2021 and 2022 respectively and which totalled some 20,000 square metres, has been leased. Net operating income should improve by some ?2 million per annum once this vacant space is fully let. Tenant demand remains steady in both cities.

1. Directly owned properties (all accounted for under the cost model):

The book value of the Group's seven directly owned properties was £47.13 million. Their market value, as at 30 September 2023, was £53.28 million.

*Prior to the deduction of unallocated central overhead expenses.

**5PT, a fund in which the Group gained a controlling interest in financial year ended 31 March 2023 (previously recognised as an associate).

The debt secured against these seven properties amounted to £28.93 million (31 March 2023: £29.66 million), including deferred consideration of £16.95 million (31 March 2023: £17.02 million) which is non-interest bearing.

Interest costs on the £11.99 million of interest-bearing debt amounted to £0.38 million in the period (30 September 2022: £0.19 million). This equates to an average borrowing cost of 2.6% per annum when expressed as a percentage of total Group debt, or 6.3% if the non-interest-bearing element is excluded. A one percentage point increase in interest rates would impact the cost of the floating rate loans and would increase the Group's annual interest bill by some £120,000 per annum (31 March 2023: £127,000).

All five bank loans are held in separate non-recourse special purpose vehicles and are not guaranteed by the Group.

The Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term (WAULT) of the seven properties as at 30 September 2023 was 4 years, 3 months (31 March 2023: 3 years, 6 months).

In July the Group acquired for £0.21 million the minority interest (being 23%) in E and S Estates Ltd ("E and S"), a fund managed by the Group, resulting in it owning 100% of the shares in issue. E and S owns a supermarket in Praga, a suburb of Warsaw, valued at ?3.36 million. It contributed some £50,000 in net profit in the six months just ended, a return on net equity of around 7% on an annualised basis.

Associates and Investments ("A&I's")

These comprise non-controlling interests in nine of the twelve funds managed by FPAM, of which five are accounted for as "associates" under the cost model and four are accounted for as "investments in funds" and held at fair value. It is the accounting policy of the Group to carry its interests in associates at the lower of cost or market value.

The contribution from this segment amounted to a loss before tax and unallocated central overheads of £0.18 million (30 September 2022: profit £1.42 million), mainly due to the write down by £0.82 million of the Group's 45.71% share in FOP. At their new value of £61.5 million, the properties held by FOP yield income of some 8.5% per annum, they are 97% leased by net lettable area and the vast majority of rent payable is subject to annual increases linked to inflation.

The book value of the five associates was £17.06 million (31 March 2023: £17.59 million). Their market value was £19.33 million (31 March 2023: £20.73 million).

The value of the four investments in funds reduced to £2.97 million (31 March 2023: £4.54 million). The reduction was mainly due to the decrease in value by £1.0 million of the Group's co-investment in Fprop Offices, an explanation for which is in the section entitled "Fund Management Division".

An overview of the Associates and Investments is set out in the table below: 

*Consolidated into the Group

New Loan Division (secured lending against commercial property):

Since its establishment in June 2023, this division has originated over £600 million in enquiries for new senior loans. It has yet to complete its first loan but we are hopeful of doing so soon.

The division is offering senior loans at a relatively high loan to value of 65% without obliging the borrower to amortise the debt during its term. This enables the properties against which such loans are advanced to support relatively high interest rates of 9% to 10% per annum.

As previously reported, no new employees will, initially, be required to be employed to roll out this product and the Group does not intend to use its own cash to make such loans. It may, however, invest alongside third parties in any fund structures set up to make such loans.

Commercial Property Market Outlook

Poland:

GDP growth contracted by 0.8% per annum in the first half of 2023, resulting in forecasters downgrading their full year GDP growth estimates to 0.2% per annum, the lowest it has been in our entire time investing in that country. GDP growth is expected to rebound in 2024, to 2.8% per annum (previous forecasts were at 2.2% per annum).

Unemployment was at a historic low of 5.0% in August, which, in combination with strong nominal wage increases, is expected to drive economic activity in 2024.

The National Bank of Poland's key policy interest rate was cut in September by 75bp and in October by 25bp and now stands at 5.75% per annum. Inflation has fallen from some 17% year on year to around 4%.

Investment demand for commercial property remains weak but occupational demand remains steady. The development of new property is at a cyclical low.

Rental values in Poland are contractually mostly linked to inflation, which offers some protection from inflation as long as the economy remains buoyant, and tenants can afford to pay their contractual increases.

United Kingdom:

The Bank of England held interest rates at 5.25% per annum in September and again in October, unchanged for the first time in 15 meetings of the Monetary Policy Committee ("MPC"). The Consumer Price Index ("CPI") increased by 4.7% on an annualised basis in October, a rate which is less than half of its peak of 11.1% in October 2022, but still above the 2% target of the Bank of England. Economic growth is close to nil.

The commercial property investment market remains generally weak, in particular for offices and shopping centres. The occupier market is also generally weak, including for industrial property, where strong demand over the last several years has stalled.

Current Trading and Prospects

Markets have been as challenging over the last year as I have ever known them. The rapid increase in interest rates, with a commensurate collapse in demand for commercial property, both occupationally and for investment, had created a perfect storm. For fifteen years interest rates had been near zero and global markets supported by borrowings in dollars with investment in developing countries and more "risky" assets - the so called carry trade.

With the Federal Reserve aggressively increasing interest rates, that carry trade has reversed equally aggressively with capital flooding back to the United States.

So, whilst it is disappointing to report a loss, this was created by a mark down in property values and not as a result of a deterioration in trading. The Group is robust.

Inflation is now reducing, and interest rates are likely to be close to their peak. They have already been reduced in Poland.

Markets are steadying and we are seeing an uptick in investment demand, though it is too early to be certain.

We also have occupational demand for the vacant space in the office blocks we own in Warsaw and Gdynia, with particular demand for the former. As we lease up this space, we will start again to generate good levels of cash, as we have always historically done.

In the meantime, our cash balance is good, with over £6 million on the balance sheet, giving us the firepower we need to fitout the space as it is leased.

We are also seeing some interesting lending propositions for our new debt division. We have yet to make a loan but our market knowhow and the number of deals we are considering has considerably increased.

I am once again beginning to be excited about the future.

Ben Habib

Chief Executive

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the six months to 30 September 2023

All operations are continuing.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the six months to 30 September 2023

All operations are continuing.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 September 2023

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the six months to 30 September 2023

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

for the six months to 30 September 2023

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

for the six months ended 30 September 2023

1. Basis of Preparation

· These interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 September 2023 have not been audited or reviewed and do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. They have been prepared in accordance with the Group's accounting policies as set out in the Group's latest annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 and are in compliance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting". These accounting policies are drawn up in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.

· The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 are not the full statutory accounts for the financial year but are abridged from those accounts prepared under IFRS which have been reported on by the Group's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified, did not include references to any matter to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

· These interim financial statements were approved by a committee of the Board on 23 November 2023.

2. Segmental Analysis 

Segment reporting for the six months to 30 September 2023

Revenue for the six months to 30 September 2023 from continuing operations consists of revenue arising in the United Kingdom 18% (30 September 2022: 27%) and Central and Eastern Europe 82% (30 September 2022: 73%) and all relates solely to the Group's principal activities.

Direct costs incurred by First Property relating to the cost of the Board and the related share listing costs are shown separately under unallocated central costs.

Segment reporting for the six months to 30 September 2022

Segment reporting for the year to 31 March 2023