First Property Regulatory News (FPO)

16 Nov 2005 07:01

First Property Group PLC16 November 2005 FIRST PROPERTY GROUP PLC Interim results show solid progress and 59% increase in assets under management First Property Group plc ("Fprop" or "the Company"), the online commercialproperty transaction platform and property asset manager, announces interimresults for the six months ended 30 September 2005. The results show that theGroup continues to make good progress and highlights are as follows: • Turnover increased 7.9% to £2,537,000 (2004: £2,352,000) • Profit on ordinary activities before goodwill amortisation and taxation grew 18% to £505,000 (2004: £428,000) • Earnings per share reduced by 7.3% to 0.38 pence (2004: 0.41 pence) as a result of a £78,000 (2004:nil) provision made for the resumption of corporation tax payments • Assets under management grew by 59% to £24.2 million (2004: £15.2 million) • Assets under management expected to increase to over £200 million • Focus shifted to investment opportunities in Poland with first acquisition made • Conditional contracts signed for the purchase of three further properties in Poland worth £4.6 million with eight more worth over £25 million in the pipeline Commenting on the results, Ben Habib, chief executive, said: "The period underreview has been one of solid progress for First Property. Our assets undermanagement and sustainable lines of revenue are growing at a substantial rate. Iam particularly encouraged by the investment environment in Poland which givesme confidence that this rate will continue. "I expect income from our underwriting activities to be strong for the remainderof this year but to reduce thereafter, being replaced by income from our assetmanagement activities. "Given the continued growth of our asset management division, I am moreconfident about our prospects than I have ever been." For further information: Ben Habib, chief executive, First Property Group plc: 020 7731 2844 Richard Sunderland, Tavistock Communications: 020 7920 3150 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT Results and dividend I am pleased to report that our interim results for the six month period to 30September 2005 show that the Group continues to make good progress. Turnover for the period was £2,537,000 (2004: £2,352,000), producing an increaseof 18% in profit on ordinary activities before goodwill amortisation andtaxation of £505,000 (2004: £428,000). The Group has now virtually fully utilised tax losses brought forward. We willbe paying corporation tax for the first time this year and have made a provisionof £78,000 (2004: nil) for the taxation of profit on ordinary activities arisingin the six months to 30 September 2005. As a consequence of the provision for tax, earnings per share reduced by 7.3%from the same period last year and amounted to 0.38 pence (2004: 0.41 pence). Assets under management grew by 59% to £24.2 million (2004: £15.2 million). The Directors have resolved to maintain the dividend policy established inprevious years of only declaring a final dividend. Accordingly, there is nointerim dividend. The amount of the final dividend will be determined later inthe year. Review of operations Property transaction underwriting The property underwriting division made a good start to the year. Turnover fromthis activity amounted to £2.2 million (2004: £2.12 million) producing a grossprofit of £605,000 (2004: £586,000). We also expect that it will make a continued improved contribution for the yearto 31 March 2006, largely earned by selling properties to which we madecommitments earlier this and last year. As I mentioned when we reported our annual results in June 2005, the propertymarket in the UK has risen sharply over the last few years, even though theoccupational market has remained weak. We have therefore found it increasinglydifficult to identify properties which we would be comfortable underwriting andbuying. As a result, we expect that the contribution earned by this division inthe UK, is going to reduce from its current levels in the future. On the other hand, we have acquired two supermarkets in Poland and our newoffice in Warsaw has identified further interesting property trading situations.I anticipate that we will replace some of this revenue decline in the UK withrevenue earned in Poland. The speed with which we achieve this transition isdifficult to predict but early signs are positive. Property asset management The rate of growth of our asset management activities has been fast withrevenues earned by this division increasing by 100% to £134,000 (2004: £67,000). We now have £24.2 million (2004: £15.2 million) under management, an increase of59%. However, shareholders will recall that in August we secured a significantasset management mandate on behalf of the Universities Superannuation Scheme, toinvest £50 million in the UK, Central and Eastern Europe. It is intended that weborrow in the region of 75 per cent of the value of any properties acquired onbehalf of this fund and thus, once fully invested, we expect assets undermanagement to rise to in excess of £200 million. As with our underwriting activities we have found it difficult to identifyproperties in the UK which meet our target rates of return and investmentcriteria. We do, from time to time, come across such properties but theoccurrence is much less frequent than has hitherto been the case. The greater part of our efforts has recently been and is likely to continue tobe on buying properties in Poland rather than the UK. We bought our first Polishproperty, with a value of some £1.4 million, on behalf of a fund last month. Inaddition to this purchase, we have signed conditional contracts for the purchaseof three further properties worth £4.6 million and have agreed terms to acquireeight properties worth over £25 million. It is not possible to know withcertainty how many of these properties will come to be acquired but the pipelineis large and growing. The better investment environment in Poland gives me confidence that we willcontinue to grow our assets under management at a substantial rate. Commercial Property Database ("CPD") CPD is trading satisfactorily and earned revenues of £103,000 (2004: £100,000).We expect the division to contribute a healthy result for the year to 31 March2006. Online marketing of commercial property Revenue earned from the online sale of commercial properties was £39,000 (2004:£40,000). Given the buoyancy of the property market in the UK it has proved difficultrecruiting the right team to take this product forward and grow it to its fullpotential. However, we continue to receive sales instructions and I am confidentthat this product will come into its own. Strategy Our strategy remains to grow our sustainable lines of revenue. Particularemphasis has been placed on our asset management activities since we commencedthese operations in 2002. We will also continue to look for earnings enhancing acquisitions. We haveconsidered a number of acquisition opportunities but none of them has thus farbeen of sufficiently high quality to pursue. Current trading and prospects We are experiencing three major changes in our business, which once completedwill create a much stronger Group. First, the income we earn from our underwriting activities is likely to reduce.Second, the income we earn from our asset management activities is likely tomaterially increase. Third, a significant amount of our income is likely to beearned in Poland rather than the UK. Given that turnover from our underwriting activities is determined by the valueof properties sold, as these activities reduce, the turnover of the Group willalso reduce. This will be replaced, to some extent, by higher margin incomeearned by the asset management division. Once our existing asset management mandates have been fully invested, we expectthe Group's profit to materially exceed the level of profit we are currentlyearning. All that remains to be determined is the rate at which thistransformation takes place. Given the above, I am more confident about our prospects than I have ever beensince the Group was established. Ben HabibChief Executive 16 November 2005 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNTfor the six months to 30 September 2005 Six months to 30 September 2005 Six Year to 31 (unaudited) months to 30 March 2005 September (audited) 2004 (unaudited) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes Before Goodwill Total Total Total Goodwill Amortisation Results Results Results Amortisation £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turnover - continuing operations 2,537 - 2,537 2,352 5,650------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total turnover 2 2,537 - 2,537 2,352 5,650Cost of sales - continuing operations (1,611) - (1,611) (1,504) (3,769)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gross profit 926 926 848 1,881Net operating expenses 3 (430) (391) (821) (401) (931)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Operating profit - continuing operations 496 (391) 105 447 950------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total operating profit 496 (391) 105 447 950Income - fixed asset investment - - - - 1Share of associated companies' profits before tax 24 - 24 - 11Net interest payable (15) - (15) (19) (7)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 505 (391) 114 428 955------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 4 (78) - (78) - (2)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit on ordinary activities before minority interest 427 (391) 36 428 953Equity minority interest - - - (17) 17------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit for the period 427 (391) 36 411 970Dividend on ordinary shares - - - (18) (158)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Profit transferred to reserves 427 (391) 36 393 812------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Earnings per Ordinary 1p share - basic before goodwill amortisation 5 0.38p - 0.41p 0.92pEarning per Ordinary 1p share - basic after goodwill amortisation 5 - 0.04p 0.41p 0.92pEarnings per Ordinary 1p share - diluted before goodwill amortisation 5 0.37p - 0.40p 0.90pEarnings per Ordinary 1p share - diluted after goodwill amortisation 5 - 0.04p 0.40p 0.90p------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETas at 30 September 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes As at 30 Sept As at 30 Sept As at 31 March 2005 2005 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fixed assets Intangible assets - - - Tangible assets 22 6 21 Investments 124 25 100------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 146 31 121------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Current assets Stocks - land and buildings 5,423 3,533 4,001 Debtors 1,604 381 1,355 Cash at bank and in hand 789 2,222 1,588------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7,816 6,136 6,944------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,473) (221) (690)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net current assets 6,343 5,915 6,254------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total assets less current liabilities 6,489 5,946 6,375------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (78) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets 6,411 5,946 6,375------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capital and reserves Called up share capital 7 1,116 1,112 1,116 Share premium 7 5,298 5,292 5,298 Merger reserve 7 5,823 5,823 5,823 Profit and loss account 7 (5,826) (6,281) (5,862)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Equity shareholders' funds 6,411 5,946 6,375------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months to 30 September 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes As at 30 Sept As at 30 Sept As at 31 March 2005 2005 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 8 (1,169) 1,247 565------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Returns on investment and servicing of finance Equity dividends paid (139) (111) (111) Interest received 32 26 53 Interest paid (47) (45) (60)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash (outflow) from returns on investment and servicing of finance before taxation (154) (130) (118)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Taxation - - (2) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (8) - (19) Sale of tangible fixed assets - - - Purchase of fixed asset investments (337) (20) (85) Sale of fixed asset investments - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash (outflow) from capital expenditure and financial investment (345) (20) (106)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cash inflow/(outflow) before management of liquid resources and financing (1,668) 1,097 341------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Management of liquid resources (Increase)/decrease in short term deposits 596 (2,174) (995) Financing Issue of Ordinary share capital - 2,797 2,807 Bank overdraft - - - Loans advanced 1,003 - 134 Loans repaid (134) (2,141) (2,163)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from management of liquid resources and financing 1,465 (1,518) (217)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Decrease)/increase in cash in period (203) (421) 124------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET (DEBT)/ FUNDS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes As at 30 Sept As at 30 Sept As at 31 March 2005 2005 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Decrease)/increase in cash in period (203) (421) 124 Movement in short term deposits (596) 2,174 995 Movement in loans (869) 2,141 2,029------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Movement in net funds (1,668) 3,894 3,148 In period Net funds at beginning of period 1,454 (1,694) (1,694)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net funds/(debt) at end of period (214) 2,200 1,454------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED RESULTSfor the six months ended 30 September 2005 1. The interim accounts have been prepared on a basis which is consistent with the accounting policies adopted for the year ended 31 March 2005. 2. Turnover consists of revenue arising in the United Kingdom 99% (2004: 100%) and Poland 1% (2004: 0%) and all relates solely to the Group's principal activities. 3. Goodwill arising on consolidation has been fully written off in the period in which it arose and relates to the purchase of all the outstanding 26% minority interest in First Property Asset Management Ltd in September 2005, now a wholly owned subsidiary of First Property Group plc. There was no goodwill amortisation in the comparative year ending 31 March 2005. 4. The tax charge is based on the effective rate that is expected to apply to the profits for the full year. 5. The basic earnings per Ordinary Share is calculated on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation on the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue, during the period, of 111,601,115 (30 September 2004: 99,960,582 and 31 March 2005: 105,642,729). The diluted earnings per Ordinary Share is calculated on an adjusted profit on ordinary activities after taxation of £438,000 and an adjusted number of Ordinary shares in issue of 117,138,615. 6. The company has no recognised gains or losses other than those disclosed in the profit and loss account. 7. Capital and Reserves Share Share Merger Profit capital premium reserve and loss account £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At 1 April 2005 1,116 5,298 5,823 (5,862) Profit for the period - - - 36------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At 30 Sept 2005 1,116 5,298 5,823 (5,826)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes As at 30 Sept As at 30 Sept As at 31 March 2005 2005 2004 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Operating profit 496 447 950 Depreciation and profit on disposal of fixed assets 7 2 6 Decrease/(increase) in stocks (1,422) 196 (273) Decrease/(increase) in debtors (303) 809 (131) (Decrease)/increase in creditors 53 (207) 13------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities (1,169) 1,247 565------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. This information has been neither audited nor reviewed within the meaning of APB Bulletin 1999/4 by the Company's auditors. The financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2005, incorporating an unqualified report of the auditors, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 10. The interim results are being circulated to all shareholders. Further copies can be obtained from the registered office at 17 Quayside Lodge, William Morris Way, London SW6 2UZ. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange