Final Results

Barratt Developments PLC 24 September 2003 BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS TO 30TH JUNE 2003 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT The Barratt Group has yet again delivered record results with pre- tax profit rising to £288.7m and earnings per share increased by 30%. This outstanding performance extends to 11 years our record of uninterrupted and consistent growth, increasing earnings per share by over 20% per year. We are also well placed to continue this progress. We ended the financial year with record forward sales of £800m, up 29%. With sales progress since 1st July, forward sales now stand at £880m which, together with completions to date, already secures 60% of our full year projection and gives us great confidence for the year ahead. Group results for the year ended 30th June 2003 are as follows:- * Pre-tax profit amounted to £288.7m against £220.0m the previous year, an increase of 31%. * Basic earnings per share amounted to 89.1p against 68.6p the previous year, an increase of 30%. * Final dividend of 12.32p per share will be recommended against 9.89p the previous year, giving a total dividend for the year of 17.26p, an increase of 20%, 5.2 times covered. This rate of increase, which is higher than the recent historic growth in our dividends, reflects the confidence of the Board. * Turnover rose to £2,171m against £1,799m the previous year, an increase of 21%. * UK completions rose to 13,304, up 9% at an average selling price of £152,800, up 12.8%. * UK land stocks increased from 40,050 plots to 45,300 plots, equating to over 3 years' current volume. * Net cash in hand at the year end amounted to £82m, which highlights the emphasis placed on cash management. This continued strong balance sheet position was achieved notwithstanding a £290m increased investment in our land stocks and work in progress. * Return on capital employed was 34%, maintaining our position amongst the highest in the industry. These excellent results illustrate how we have again strengthened the key aspects of our business. We continue to benefit from our total geographic spread and by selling to all market sectors, at prices from £70,000 to £1.5m, with an average price of £152,800. All our markets remain sound and we produced increased sales and profits in all regions. The market overall continues to perform satisfactorily and in line with our expectations. Demand is underpinned by low interest rates, low unemployment and restricted supply due to planning constraints. We continue to demonstrate our commitment and ability to grow the business organically, which is largely attributable to our land-buying and planning skills. This has enabled us to progressively strengthen our land bank - essential in view of planning delays. Our operation in Southern California, USA, continues to make sound progress with operating profits up over 50% to £10.7m on turnover up 2% to £126.3m. On 1st July 2003 we were pleased to announce the appointment of Harold Walker, the Chairman of our Central Region, as Deputy Chief Executive. In addition, Clive Fenton, who was formerly Managing Director of our West London division, was appointed to the Board as Chairman of our Southern Region. Our strong management team has once again demonstrated its ability to succeed and on behalf of the Board I would like to thank all my colleagues throughout the Group, both office and site based. Our record results reflect their hard work, enthusiasm and skill. Looking ahead, we are extremely well-placed to build on our proven track record and we have confidence for the future. Low interest rates, continuing affordability and a more normal and sustainable market have added welcome stability. Difficulties in the current planning system ensure the supply of new homes cannot meet demand and this will continue to underpin the market. We will continue to benefit from our full geographic coverage and wide product range, supported by increased selling outlets, our strong forward sales of over £880m, together with one of the largest developable land banks in the industry. Charles Toner Chairman CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OPERATIONAL REVIEW UK HOUSING I am very pleased to report that our team across the country has produced yet another successful year for the Barratt Group. We again demonstrated the fundamental strengths which underpin our success and drive our business forward, with all key financial statistics improving for the 11th consecutive year. Our record of consistent organic growth is unrivalled in the house-building industry. We completed 13,304 new homes in the UK, 9% ahead of last year at a time when industry completions continued to lag well behind need. These helped generate Group turnover to a new record of £2,171m, up 21% which, together with further improvements in our margin, produced record pre-tax profit of £288.7m, 31% better than last year. The operating profits of our core UK housing activity rose 30% to £290.5m and our operating margin continued its improvement to 14.3%. This was due to a high sales rate, together with improvement in sales revenues, strong control of all overhead and building costs and improved land acquisition criteria. Our average selling price for private sales rose to £158,600, up 13.6% against £139,600 last year, which was partly due to increased completions south of the Midlands. Our wide geographic spread has, however, a healthy balance throughout the country with 50% in the North and Midlands and 50% in the South. As always, all overheads are strictly controlled and administration overheads were maintained at 3% of revenue, amongst the lowest in the industry, and construction cost increases are being contained. Last year they amounted to 5.4% and they are again not expected to exceed that in the current financial year. HOUSING MARKET All of our regional markets have remained active and produced improved performance, including London and the South East. Sales activity across the country has been encouraging since the beginning of the new financial year and in line with our objectives. We have a limited exposure to the higher priced Central London market but there has been renewed sales activity there in recent months. The demand for new homes is supported by low interest rates, good employment levels and the serious constraint on supply caused by continuing delays within the planning system. Whilst the fundamentals remain sound, our Group activities benefit from a number of other factors which consistently assist our performance and provide added protection from fluctuations in the market. GEOGRAPHIC AND PRODUCT DIVERSITY We greatly benefit from our total geographic spread. We have 33 operating divisions throughout England, Scotland and Wales run by local men and women with good knowledge of their local markets and sensitive to local needs. In addition, our policy of building homes serving all market sectors, but with an emphasis on affordability, maximises our opportunities to appeal to the widest range of buyers. It also prevents an over-dependence on any market sector and increases our ability to adjust production in line with any market changes. URBAN REGENERATION We remain industry leaders in the redevelopment of Britain's towns and cities with experience stretching back over 25 years - well before it became fashionable. Over 75% of our homes are built on brownfield sites, comfortably exceeding the Government's 60% urban regeneration target. The Group is, therefore, well positioned to maximise on the challenges of the current planning regime and Government's emphasis on urban regeneration. LAND AND PLANNING Our success in consistently growing our business organically is very much due to our land acquisition and planning skills. These have enabled us to continue to strengthen both the size and quality of our land bank. During the year we acquired a record 18,554 plots, 39% more than we used, increasing our total UK land stocks to 45,300. This represents over 3 years' volume and is in line with our requirements. In addition, we have 10,000 plots agreed subject to contract. This amounts to over 55,000 plots secured and being processed, equal to over 4 years' supply. Our land and planning teams were again highly successful, despite a difficult planning environment, bringing a record 21,000 plots through to planning consent, on 300 sites, more than sufficient to service our requirements in the new financial year and maintaining our land bank as one of the largest developable in the industry. This is reflected in our selling outlets, which increased by 6% to 408 at the commencement of this financial year and has since increased to 415 today. PARTNERSHIPS For many years, Barratt has also been at the forefront of providing affordable housing. In the year just ended we completed over 1,000 homes for our Housing Association partners. There is a large and growing shortage of low cost homes and our network of local divisions ensures we are well placed to help satisfy this ever growing need. Indeed, we have recently agreed more than 80 new social housing partnerships across Britain to provide over 2,000 new homes for rent and shared ownership, worth over £170m. These will be built over the next 2 years and more are under negotiation. USA Barratt American, which operates in Southern California, continued to make sound progress in the year. 598 homes were completed, up 19%, generating turnover of £126.3m, up 2% and operating profit of £10.7m, up 53%. Local market conditions remain favourable with restricted supply, low interest rates and strong demand. Our continued focus on a diverse product range with an emphasis on affordable product remains highly successful, producing increased returns which more than compensate for the planned lower average selling price. Sales since 1st July continue to show a healthy increase. Our strategic emphasis on controlled re-investment in the better markets of Southern California with an affordable average selling price, coupled with our strong forward order book, gives confidence for another successful year. SKILLS TRAINING The industry has still not recovered from the departure of thousands of skilled workers in the early 90s and the resulting skills and labour shortages continue to constrain the house-building and the wider construction industry. To help counter this, some years ago we established our Group apprentice programme and, reflecting our substantial and ongoing investment in developing future skills, this programme has now grown to over 400 apprentices nationwide. This is already the largest in the industry and we plan to extend this further. In addition, we have recently established a graduate training scheme with 35 graduates already on fast-track career paths. We plan to increase this to 50 during 2004. We are greatly encouraged by the attitude and performance of these young recruits, many of whom are already progressing within the Group. LOOKING FORWARD We have an unrivalled track record in the industry and we are in a good position to continue our growth. Our forward sales are strong, the market across the country remains sound and sufficient for us to achieve our goals. We are confident our fundamental strengths of geographic spread and diverse product mix present us with not only more development opportunities, but also greater insulation from any market fluctuations. We have a strong balance sheet, low gearing and a high return on capital. Our urban renewal skills, our planning successes and the quality of our land bank are also great assets and the strengths needed to prosper in the years ahead. These, together with the strength of our management teams across the Group, give us confidence for the future. David Pretty Group Chief Executive 24th September 2003 For further information: Mr C A Dearlove OR Ms C Lynch/Mr T Garrett Group Finance Director Weber Shandwick Square Mile Barratt Developments PLC Tel: 020 7067 0700 Tel:020 7067 0700 (24th September) 0191 286 6811 (thereafter) Further copies of the announcement can be obtained from the Company's Registered Office: Barratt Developments PLC, Wingrove House, Ponteland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 3DP The following are the unaudited results of the Group for the year ended 30th June 2003. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Group Profit and Loss Account Unaudited Audited 2003 2002 £m £m ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Group Turnover 2,171.0 1,799.4 ========================================================================= Operating profit 298.7 227.9 Net interest payable (10.0) (7.9) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 288.7 220.0 Taxation (82.3) (61.9) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 206.4 158.1 Dividends (40.2) (33.3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retained profit 166.2 124.8 ========================================================================= Earnings per share - basic 89.1p 68.6p ========================================================================= Earnings per share - diluted 88.2p 67.7p ========================================================================= Dividend per share 17.26p 14.38p ========================================================================= Dividend cover 5.2x 4.8x ========================================================================= All activities of the group are continuing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Unaudited Audited 2003 2002 £m £m ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 206.4 158.1 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (3.0) (2.1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total gains and losses recognised since last annual report 203.4 156.0 ========================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3.Group Balance Sheet Unaudited Audited 2003 2002 £m £m ----------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed assets Tangible assets 11.0 2.4 Other investments: interest in own shares 15.8 17.7 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 26.8 20.1 ================================================================= Current assets Properties held for sale 7.7 6.1 Stocks 1,730.7 1,451.3 Debtors due within one year 37.0 26.4 Debtors due after more than one year 0.5 0.5 Bank and cash 121.4 131.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1,897.3 1,616.1 Current liabilities Creditors due within one year (922.4) (753.3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Net current assets 974.9 862.8 ================================================================= Total assets less current liabilities 1,001.7 882.9 Creditors due after more than one year (77.0) (123.4) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets 924.7 759.5 ================================================================= Capital and reserves Called up share capital 23.9 23.8 Share premium 187.1 185.2 Profit retained 713.7 550.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Equity shareholders' funds 924.7 759.5 ================================================================= Net assets per share 388p 320p ================================================================= -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Group Summary Cash Flow Statement Unaudited Audited 2003 2002 £m £m -------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash inflow from operating activities Operating profit 298.7 227.9 Increase in stocks (286.3) (280.9) Increase in debtors (5.6) (1.7) Increase in creditors 106.6 199.5 Other non cash movements (0.8) (0.6) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 112.6 144.2 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (10.3) (8.8) Taxation (77.7) (59.7) Capital expenditure and financial investment (7.5) (7.1) Acquisitions and disposals - 3.7 Equity dividends paid (34.3) (30.8) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (17.2) 41.5 Financing 12.4 5.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- (Decrease)/increase in cash (4.8) 47.1 ==================================================================== Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds (Decrease)/increase in cash (4.8) 47.1 Cash flow from increase in debt (10.3) - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net funds resulting from cash flows (15.1) 47.1 Exchange movements 2.1 2.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Movement in net funds in the period (13.0) 49.7 Net funds at 1st July 94.6 44.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Net funds at 30th June 81.6 94.6 ==================================================================== The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985. The figures in the preliminary statement have been taken from the group's draft statutory accounts which have not yet been signed but upon which the auditors are expected to give an unqualified opinion. The figures for the year to 30th June 2002 are an extract from the full accounts for that year which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and on which the auditors gave an unqualified opinion. The preliminary financial information has been prepared on the basis of accounting policies set out in the company's Annual Report for the year ended 30th June 2002. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 5. Cash in Hand/(Bank Debt) £m £m ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Due within one year (5.3) (10.9) Due after more than one year (34.5) (26.3) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (39.8) (37.2) Bank and cash deposits 121.4 131.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Total net funds 81.6 94.6 ====================================================================== 6. Dividends The directors propose a final dividend of 12.32p per share (2002: 9.89p) making a total for the year of 17.26p per share (2002: 14.38p). It is proposed that the final dividend will be paid on 21st November 2003, to shareholders on the register, at close of business, on 3rd October 2003. 7. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after taxation of £206,400,000 (2002: £158,100,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the year of 231,641,125 (2002: 230,518,421). For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares in issue and ranking for dividend is adjusted to assume the conversion of all dilutive potential shares. The effect of the dilutive potential shares is 2,253,881 (2002: 3,008,294), this gives a diluted weighted average number of shares of 233,895,006 (2002: 233,526,715). 8. Net Assets Per Share Net assets per ordinary share are based on the net assets at 30th June 2003 of £924.7m (2002: £759.5m) and the number of shares in issue at that date of 238,431,250 (2002: 237,592,250). 9. Taxation In the current year, a deferred tax asset of £3.6m (2002 : £1.9m) relating to past trading losses incurred by the US operation has been recognised. In the opinion of the directors the asset will become recoverable based upon future profitable trading within the US. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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