Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Regulatory News (MLC)

For Immediate Release 17 February 2017

MILLENNIUM & COPTHORNE HOTELS PLC

FINAL RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

Full year and fourth quarter results to 31 December 2016

Highlights for the full year 2016:

Highlights for the 4th quarter 2016:

Note 1: If net revaluation deficit and impairment losses are excluded, reported pre-tax profit for FY 2016 is £152m (2015: £152m). Similarly for Q4 2016, reported pre-tax profit is £46m (2015: £54m).

Note 2: Basic EPS are stated after non-controlling interests. In 2016, non-controlling interests absorbed a higher proportion of net revaluation deficit on investment properties as these relate to the REIT.

· Group RevPAR for 2016 increased by 6.6% to £76.71 (2015: £71.98). In constant currency, RevPAR fell by 2.3%. For the fourth quarter of 2016, RevPAR in constant currency fell marginally.

· Total revenue in reported currency for 2016 grew by £79m or 9.3% to £926m (2015: £847m). In constant currency, revenue was flat indicating that exchange translation contributed £79m to total reported revenue. The fall in the value of sterling against major currencies during the year following the 23 June 2016 referendum had a significant impact on Group's results.

· Hotel revenue in constant currency declined by 2.3% to £814m in 2016 as a result of lower contributions from the Group's hotels in New York and Singapore.

· The Group recognised £44m (2015: £43m) of net revaluation deficit and impairment losses of which £27m relates to properties held by CDL Hospitality Trusts and the balance primarily to several Group properties located in New York and Rest of Europe.

· Reported profit before tax for the year decreased slightly by 0.9% to £108m (2015: £109m). In constant currency, pre-tax profit dropped by 12.9% or £16m.

· The Board recommends a final ordinary dividend of 5.66p per share, giving a total ordinary dividend for the year of 7.74p per share.

Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Chairman commented:

"Our trading performance in 2016 declined with Group RevPAR in constant currency falling in each quarter of the year. Pressure on revenue and profit was intense in all of our key gateway cities. In London, leisure business in the first quarter was impacted by the November 2015 Paris terror attacks and in the second half of the year trading was affected by reduced corporate business. New York results were affected by significant under-performance at Millennium Broadway as well as the refurbishment of ONE UN's east tower, which is now complete. In Singapore there was an overall increase in visitor numbers but a reduction in the average length of visitor stay. Our rate strategy was not suited to Singapore market conditions. This resulted in less corporate business, compounding the effect of the recent increase in available hotel rooms and further reducing average room rates and occupancy. However, New Zealand performed very well.

In constant currency Group pre-tax profit dropped by 12.9%. The significant depreciation in Sterling resulted in reported profit before tax (both before and after net revaluation deficit and impairment losses) remaining flat.

The Group is taking steps to increase revenue and profit across the estate, particularly in New York and Singapore. This includes an ongoing restructuring of our sales function and strategy, and continuing improvement of our e-commerce capability. We have also announced separately today the appointment of Mr Tan Kian Seng as interim Chief Executive Officer and other Board changes."

Enquiries

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc Tel: +44 (0) 2078722444

Kok-Kee Chong, Chief Financial Officer

Angela Ong, Senior Vice-President Finance

Jonathon Grech, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

Peter Krijgsman, Financial Communications (Media)

BUSINESS REVIEW

During 2016, the global hospitality industry was affected by the increased supply of rooms in major cities, concern over terrorist attacks in Europe and increased competition from non-traditional lodging options. This was against a backdrop of considerable political change and volatility in many parts of the world.

In constant currency, total revenue was flat compared to last year. Hotel revenue fell by £19m and this was offset by higher revenue from the property division of £16m and increase in REIT revenue of £3m. Pre-tax profit for the Group decreased by 12.9%. Most of this reduction came from hotels in gateway cities, where average room rates are under continuing pressure as a result of significant growth in the number of available hotel rooms.

Property revenue increased by 60.0% to £56m (2015: £35m), mainly because of increased land sales in New Zealand and a higher contribution from Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo.

The Group's share of profit from joint ventures and associates increased by £9m to £26m (2015: £17m). The increase was principally due to a gain recognised by First Sponsor Group Limited ("FSGL") on the dilution of its interest in a project based in Dongguan, China.

Hotel operations

Hotel revenue increased by 6.4% to £814m (2015: £765m) mainly because of favourable foreign exchange movements. In constant currency, hotel revenue fell by £19m or 2.3% due to weaker performance in London, New York and Singapore.

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 6.6% to £76.71 in 2016, but decreased by 2.3% in constant currency. Both like-for-like1 RevPAR and hotel revenue for the year fell by 1.9%.

Hotel gross operating margin was lower at 31.6% (2015: 34.1%).

Note 1: Like-for-like comparisons exclude the impact of acquisitions, closures and refurbishments, and they are stated in constant currency terms.

Developments

The Group received building permit approval for the Yangdong development project in Seoul on 25 January 2017. Additional required certification processes are underway and are expected to complete by the middle of this year before construction work starts. The main contract tender process is planned to complete at the same time.

Having received final planning approval in December 2016 for a 263-room hotel and a 250-unit residential apartment block on the Group's 35,717m2 mixed use freehold landsite at Sunnyvale, California, the Group is reviewing the project cost and specification. The Group may modify certain aspects of the development, which is anticipated to take about 18 months to complete after commencement.

Management continues to explore options in relation to the freehold site occupied by the Millennium Hotel St. Louis, which was closed in January 2014.

Hotel refurbishments

The Group is continuing to review the scope and cost of refurbishment at Millennium Hotel London Mayfair. Work on the hotel is now planned to commence later this year. To minimise the impact on London occupancy, there will be a gap of at least 12 months before Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge undertakes smaller scale refurbishment work.

Refurbishment of guest rooms in the east tower of ONE UN New York was completed in early September 2016 and the tower was re-opened in time for the UN General Assembly. The Group spent US$32m (£24m) on this project in 2016.

Work on the main lobby and food and beverage outlets at the main entrance level of the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore was substantially completed in May 2016 with the affected outlets re-opening for business shortly afterwards. The remaining work on the refurbishment of function rooms at level two started in September 2016 and completed in December 2016.

Soft refurbishment of all guestrooms at M Hotel Singapore, from level 12 to level 28 is complete, with the last phase completed in December 2016.

Soft refurbishment of guestrooms at Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, from level 9 to level 19, was completed at the beginning of the 4th quarter of 2016, with the last phase at level 9 and level 10 returned to inventory in mid-October. The remaining guestrooms to be refurbished are at level 7 and level 8, work on which will take place in the middle of this year during the lower season.

Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbourcity is scheduled to re-open on completion of work in the second quarter of 2017. The hotel was closed in July 2015 for a refurbishment programme estimated to cost NZ$40m (£22m) and will be rebranded MSocial Hotel Auckland.

Acquisition

In February 2017 a subsidiary of the Group acquired the tenant's interest in the lease on the penthouse floor of the Novotel New York Times Square for a gross purchase price of US$6m. The lease has a term ending in 2080. The Group acquired the hotel, subject to the penthouse lease, in June 2014.

Disposals

The Group has in place a number of contractual arrangements with the developer of Birmingham's Paradise Circus redevelopment scheme. Pursuant to this scheme, under an agreed process, the developer has a right to acquire the existing site of the Copthorne Hotel Birmingham and the Group has both an option to sell the existing site to the developer and an option to acquire an alternative site in the redevelopment area for the construction of a new hotel. The Group continues to consider these options in discussion with the developer.

As previously reported, in September 2015 the Group received notice of an application from Network Rail Infrastructure Limited ("Network Rail") for an order to temporarily close and possess the Millennium Hotel Glasgow, and to permanently take a portion of the hotel, in connection with the redevelopment of Glasgow's Queen Street Station. The Group objected to various components of the application and a public inquiry was held in May and June 2016. This resulted in the removal of the power to temporarily close and possess the main part of the hotel. In February 2017, the Scottish Ministers stated their intention to approve the draft order, including the power to permanently take a portion of the hotel, subject to some modifications. Following the taking of the land, the Group will be entitled to compensation, which will either be negotiated or settled at the Lands Tribunal. The Group is currently considering its options, such as appealing the decision, whilst maintaining a commercial dialogue with Network Rail.

On 31 December 2016, the Group sold its 51% equity interest in Millennium & Copthorne Middle East Holdings Limited ("MCMEHL") to the other existing shareholder. MCMEHL, supported by the Group, will continue to trade under the same name with rights to operate and manage the existing portfolio and to develop future business under the Group's brand names, in the Middle East, Africa and Indian regions.

Other Group operations

Joint ventures and associates contributed £26m to profit in 2016 (2015: £17m). The Group has an effective interest of 36% in FSGL, which is listed on the Singapore Exchange and reports its results independently.

Board changes

As previously announced, Aloysius Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer, will leave the Group at the end of February 2017. A search for his successor is underway. In the meantime, as separately announced today, Mr Tan Kian Seng, Group Chief of Staff, will with effect from 1 March 2017 be appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer, currently a non-Board position.

Also announced today, Nicholas George, together with (as previously announced) Alexander Waugh, intends not to stand for re-election at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 5 May 2017 and will retire from the Board at that time. Mr George presently serves as Senior Independent Director and Mr Waugh presently chairs the Company's Remuneration Committee. In addition, Mr Howard Wu will join the Board today to further deepen the Board's information technology, data security and e-commerce experience. A further update will be provided in due course.

Dividends

The Board recommends a final ordinary dividend of 5.66p per share (2015: 4.34p) taking into account the Group's current cash position and future capital expenditure requirements. Together with the interim ordinary dividend of 2.08p per share (2015: 2.08p), the total ordinary dividend for 2016 is 7.74p per share (2015: 6.42p) representing a cover of approximately 3 times which is in line with the Group's dividend policy.

Subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 5 May 2017, the final dividend will be paid on 12 May 2017 to shareholders on the register on 17 March 2017.

Current trading

In the first 31 days of trading in 2017 Group RevPAR increased by 4.5%. London, which had a very poor comparative quarter in 2016, was up by 19.5%. New York was up by 8.9% and Australasia was up by 12.3%. RevPAR for Singapore fell by 5.2%.

This announcement contains certain statements that are or may be forward-looking with respect to the financial condition, results or operations and business of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc. By their nature forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements which speak only as of the date of this document. The Group accepts no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements or adjust them to future events or developments, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

HOTEL OPERATIONS

For comparability, the following performance review is based on calculations in constant currency whereby 31 December 2015 hotel revenue, RevPAR and average room rates have been translated at average exchange rates for the year ended 31 December 2016.

In constant currency, Group RevPAR for the year ended 31 December 2016 decreased by 2.3% to £76.71. This was due mainly to continuing challenging conditions in the Group's gateway cities and the disruption from refurbishment works. Like-for-like Group RevPAR for FY2016 fell by 1.9%.

During Q4 2016, RevPAR improved for New York, London and Australasia. RevPAR for Singapore fell by 11.7% to £82.03 (2015: £92.91). Group RevPAR was flat at £84.79 compared to last year.

# In constant currency whereby 31 December 2015 RevPAR and average room rates have been translated at average exchange rates for the year ended 31 December 2016.

US

RevPAR for the US region during 2016 decreased by 4.2% to £86.52 with growth in the newly refurbished regional US hotels being offset by slower performance in the New York properties. New York RevPAR fell by 9.9% as a result of a 4.2% point fall in occupancy and a 5.0% fall in average room rate. This was driven by an increase in the city's hotel room inventory, the impact from the refurbishment of the east tower of ONE UN New York and the conversion to theatre space of food & beverage and conference areas at Millennium Broadway Hotel New York. Excluding the impact of refurbishment at ONE UN New York, US and New York RevPAR fell by 1.3% and 5.7% respectively.

RevPAR for the regional US estate increased by 4.0% to £57.49 reflecting improved revenue performance at the recently refurbished hotels.

For Q4 2016, US RevPAR increased by 2.3% mainly because of a 3.0% point increase in occupancy. Fourth quarter performance was similar to the second and third quarters of 2016, with RevPAR improvements at some Regional US properties helping to offset New York RevPAR declines. The regional US improvement partially reflected the on-going benefit of refurbishment of some regional US hotels.

Europe

Europe RevPAR for 2016 decreased by 2.0%. Lower average room rate of 2.7% was partially offset by an increase in occupancy rate of 0.6% points. Slower performance in Europe was consistent through the year, with RevPAR falling in each quarter except for Q4 2016. This was a result of the continuing impact of terror attacks in Paris and Brussels during the first half of the year, which prompted tour cancellations by a significant number of Asian travel accounts. The UK's referendum on EU membership caused a spike in London leisure sector visitors taking advantage of the weak pound during the third quarter. However this was offset by a noticeable slowdown in corporate travel bookings.

London RevPAR for 2016 fell by 1.4%. All six London hotels registered RevPAR declines with the exception of The Bailey's Hotel London where the comparative year was adversely affected by its refurbishment in 2015. Excluding The Bailey's Hotel London, RevPAR for London dropped by 5.0%.

RevPAR for the rest of Europe fell by 1.6%. Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen had a double digit RevPAR decrease reflecting the fall in energy prices and the consequential impact on room bookings from the oil and gas sector.

Europe RevPAR for Q4 2016 was flat.

Asia

Asia RevPAR for 2016 fell by 4.0% to £68.21 contributed by lower room rate and occupancy. Throughout the year, Asian hotel performance was marked by RevPAR improvements at Group hotels located outside Singapore. Overall performance for the Rest of Asia was helped by completion of the refurbishment of Millennium Seoul Hilton, where visitor numbers also recovered following the successful containment of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2015.

Singapore RevPAR performance, on the other hand, fell for each quarter of the year, with increased competition and a decline in the Group's corporate business. In 2016, RevPAR decreased by 10.1% with all five Singapore hotels showing RevPAR declines. Weak demand from the corporate sector and new room supply continued to have a significant impact on hotel performance, with average room rate falling by 7.1% and occupancy down by 2.9% points.

In Rest of Asia, RevPAR grew by 1.9% attributable to newly refurbished guest rooms at Millennium Seoul Hilton and Grand Hyatt Taipei.

For Q4 2016, Singapore RevPAR fell 11.7% and Rest of Asia fell 2.9%.

Australasia

The Group's New Zealand estate was a consistently strong performer through the year in RevPAR terms, with strong increases in room rate and occupancy for each quarter of the year, driven by increasing international visitor arrivals. Australasia RevPAR grew by 20.9% in 2016 driven by the growth in New Zealand international tourism. Average room rate and occupancy increased by 14.7% and 4.2% points respectively. High demand was experienced in the Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown areas with spill-over to destinations such as Te Anau and Greymouth.

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront continued to perform well in its first full year of trading following its refurbishment in November 2015.

As previously announced, the Group assumed the lease of Rendezvous Grand Hotel Auckland with effect from 7 September 2016. The hotel, the largest in New Zealand with a total of 452 guestrooms, is owned by the REIT and is the Group's first Grand Millennium hotel in New Zealand.

For Q4 2016, Australasia RevPAR increased by 23.5% to £73.87 with average room rate increasing by 21.3% and occupancy up by 1.5% points.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Financial performance - full year overview

For the full year to 31 December 2016, total revenue increased by 9.3% to £926m (2015: £847m) mainly due to favourable foreign currency movements as a result of the weak pound against major currencies and higher property revenue. The Group's reported revenue benefitted from a positive foreign exchange impact of £79m during the year. Total revenue in constant currency was flat compared to last year.

On a constant currency basis, hotel revenue fell by 2.3% to £814m principally due to poor trading by the Group's hotels in New York and Singapore. During the year, ONE UN New York remained in a loss position due to refurbishment of the east tower. Performance by the Group's hotels in Singapore continued to be weak with decreases in both room rates and occupancy.

Reported profit before tax fell slightly by 0.9% to £108m (2015: £109m). During the year, a total of £44m (2015: £43m) of net revaluation deficit and impairment losses were charged to the income statement. They relate primarily to properties held by the REIT of £27m (2015: net revaluation gain £3m) and several hotels in New York and Rest of Europe.

The impairment losses are a result of M&C's annual impairment testing whereby the carrying amount of M&C's assets is compared against the estimated recoverable amount, which is the greater of the fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to each asset.

After removing the effects of the impairment losses and revaluation gains, the Group's reported profit before tax remained flat at £152m (2015: £152m).

Basic earnings per share increased by 20.6% to 24.0p (2015: 19.9p).

Financial performance - fourth quarter 2016

Revenue for the fourth quarter increased by 12.5% to £261m (Q4 2015: £232m). Profit before tax excluding impairment loss and revaluation gain decreased by 14.8% to £46m (Q4 2015: £54m) principally lower hotel profit and higher central costs.

Foreign exchange translation

The Company publishes its Group financial statements in sterling. However, the majority of the Company's subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates report their revenue, costs, assets and liabilities in currencies other than sterling. The Company translates the revenue, costs, assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates into sterling and this translation of other currencies into sterling could materially affect the amount of these items in the Group's financial statements, even if their values have not changed in their original currencies.

The table set out in Note 2 to the financial statements sets out the sterling exchange rates of the other principal currencies in the Group. Sterling weakened compared to other major currencies during the financial year, the impact of which is reflected in the translation reserve on page 10.

Financial Position and Resources

Non-current assets

The Group states land and buildings at depreciated deemed cost, being their UK GAAP carrying value, including revaluations as at 1 January 2004, together with additions thereafter less subsequent depreciation or provision for impairment. External professional open market valuations took place at the end of 2016 for all investment properties and those property assets identified as having impairment risks.

Non-current assets increased by 16.0% compared to last year, principally due to the additions to property, plant and equipment as a result of hotel refurbishment of £100m (2015: £85m), exchange gains of £574m (2015: £nil) offset by net revaluation deficit & impairment loss of £40m (2015: £43m).

Financial position

Group interest cover ratio for the year ended 31 December 2016 (excluding share of results of joint ventures and associates, and other operating income and expense) is 6 times (2015: 8 times).

At 31 December 2016, the Group had £337m cash and £546m of undrawn and committed facilities available comprising revolving credit facilities which provide the Group with financial flexibility. Most of the facilities are unsecured with unencumbered assets representing 86% of fixed assets and investment properties. At 31 December 2016, total borrowing amounted to £1,044m of which £72m was drawn under £94m of secured bank facilities.

At 31 December 2016, the Group had net debt of £707m (Dec 2015: net debt £605m). Excluding CDL Hospitality Trusts ("CDLHT"), the net debt was £232m (Dec 2015: net debt £201m).

Future funding

Of the Group's total facilities of £1,641m, £434m matures within 12 months. Excluding CDLHT, the Group's total facilities was £899m of which £266m matures within the next 12 months. Plans for refinancing of the facilities are underway.

Treasury risk management

Group treasury matters are governed by policies and procedures approved by the Board of Directors. The treasury committee monitors and reviews treasury matters on a regular basis. A written summary of major treasury activity is presented to the Board on a regular basis.

Consolidated income statement

for the year ended 31 December 2016

The financial results above derive from continuing activities.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2016

Consolidated statement of financial position

as at 31 December 2016

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 31 December 2016

Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the year ended 31 December 2016

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. General information

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements in this results announcement for Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc ("M&C" or "the Company") as at and for the year ended 31 December 2016 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as "the Group") and the Group's interests in joint ventures and associates.

These primary statements and selected notes comprise the audited consolidated financial results of the Group for the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015. This information set out in this results announcement does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006 but represents extracts from them. These extracts do not provide as full an understanding of the financial performance and position, or financial and investing activities, of the Group as the complete Annual Report.

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2015 are not the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matter to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the financial year ended 31 December 2015 are available from the Company's website at:

https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/investors/annual-report-archive/

The consolidated financial statements of the Group were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the EU. The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 were prepared by applying the accounting policies and presentation that were used in the preparation of the Group's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 16 February 2017.

The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, supported by the Directors' assessment of the Group's current and forecast financial position, and forecast trading for at least the next 12 months from the date they were approved; and are presented in the Company's functional currency of sterling, rounded to the nearest million.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

2. Foreign currency translation

The Company publishes its Group financial statements in sterling. However, the majority of the Company's subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates report their revenue, costs, assets and liabilities in currencies other than sterling. The Company translates the revenue, costs, assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates into sterling, and this translation of other currencies into sterling could materially affect the amount of these items in the Group's financial statements, even if their values have not changed in their original currencies. The following table sets out the sterling exchange rates of the other principal currencies of the Group.

3. Operating segment information

Disclosure of segmental information is principally presented in respect of the Group's geographical segments.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items principally comprise: interest-bearing loans, borrowings, cash and cash equivalents, net finance expense, taxation balances and corporate expenses.

Geographical segments

The hotel and property operations are managed on a worldwide basis and operate in seven principal geographical areas as follows:

· New York

· Regional US

· London

· Rest of Europe (including the Middle East)

· Singapore

· Rest of Asia

· Australasia

The segments reported reflect the operating segment information included in the internal reports that the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), which is the Board, regularly reviews.

The reportable segments are aligned with the structure of the Group's internal organisation which is based according to geographical region. Discrete financial information is reported to and is reviewed by the CODM on a geographical basis. Operating segments have Chief Operating Officers ("COOs") or equivalent who are directly accountable for the functioning of their segments and who maintain regular contact with the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the CODM to discuss the operational and financial performance. The CODM makes decisions about allocation of resources to the regions managed by the COOs.

The results of CDLHT have been incorporated within the existing geographical regions. In addition, CDLHT operations are reviewed separately by its board on a monthly basis.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

3. Operating segment information (continued)

Segment results

1 Hotel fixed charges include depreciation, amortisation of lease premium prepayments, property rent, taxes and insurance, operating lease rentals and management fees.

2 See Note 4 for details of other operating income and expense.

3 EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax and, depreciation and amortisation.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

3. Operating segment information (continued)

Segmental assets and liabilities