Interim Results

Barratt Developments PLC 26 March 2003 BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS PLC INTERIM RESULTS TO 31ST DECEMBER 2002 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT The first half year produced another excellent performance for the Group. Record pre-tax profits of £105.3m were achieved during the period and we further extended our track record of increasing earnings per share by over 20% per year. We started 2003 with record forward sales, up 43% to £700m, and forward sales now stand at over £800m. Together with completions to date this secures 90% of our full year sales projection and we are therefore well set to achieve our 11th successive year of uninterrupted growth. Group results for the half year ended 31st December 2002, with comparisons against the six months ended 31st December 2001, are as follows:- * Pre-tax profit increased to a record £105.3m against £77.6m, an increase of 36%. * Basic earnings per share amounted to 32.5p against 23.8p, an increase of 37%. * The interim dividend is 4.94p, an increase of 10%. * Operating profits amounted to £109.5m against £82.6m, an increase of 33%. * Group turnover rose to £951m, against £753m, an increase of 26% and the average selling price rose to £145,500, an increase of 14%. * In the UK we achieved 6,102 completions, an increase of 11%. * UK land stocks increased by 2,200 plots over and above usage to 42,250 plots. * Borrowings were £81.4m (10% gearing) against £10.8m (2% gearing), notwithstanding an increased investment in land and work in progress of £326.9m. * Despite this substantial investment in our future profit growth, our return on capital of 32% maintains our position as an industry leader. An excellent performance in which we again improved all of the key financial statistics reflecting the consistent organic growth of our business. As always, we benefit enormously from our total geographical spread and by serving all market sectors at prices ranging from £62,000 to £1.6m, with an average of £145,500. Throughout the period all of our regions traded successfully and we increased sales reservations by 10% year on year. All of our regional markets remain robust despite some moderation, especially at the top end of the market in the South, where we have limited exposure. We have an unrivalled track record of adapting to varying market conditions and we offer our purchasers assistance tailored to meet local needs. We also have proven skills and long experience in dealing with a very difficult planning regime. Over the half year we achieved planning approvals for over 10,000 plots on 147 sites. We acquired 8,302 plots, 36% more than we used, substantially increasing our total land stocks to 42,250 plots. This is one of the largest developable land banks in the industry, fully meeting our forward requirements. During the period selling outlets increased by 6% to 410. Our extensive experience and skills in developing brownfield and multi-use sites across Britain enables us to maximise on the Government's emphasis on urban renewal. Over 75% of our land has had a former use, comfortably exceeding Government regeneration targets, and our diverse product range and designs help to overcome planning challenges and satisfy customer aspirations. Our Southern California operation made excellent progress and produced another strong performance in the period, increasing profits by 52% to £3.5m from 242 completions. We have moved to a more affordable product and this is benefiting our sales performance there. At a lower average selling price of £233,000, sales reservations were up 24%, thereby maintaining healthy turnover levels. As in the UK, the market is underpinned by low interest rates and a restricted supply and we fully anticipate further profit growth in line with our expectations. The quality of the product and service we provide to our buyers was again recognised recently when Barratt site manager Keith May won the top national award for quality workmanship in the NHBC Pride In The Job campaign. This followed Gold Awards for Best Brownfield Development, Best Starter Home and Best Luxury Development in the coveted annual What House? awards. We have previously paid tribute to Frank Eaton, our former Chairman and Chief Executive who died in October 2002. Our very experienced management team and strong divisional structure, ably led by David Pretty, will continue to take the business forward. We are confident we can sustain our progress, notwithstanding the short term uncertainties in the market. Low interest rates, good affordability and a more normal and sustainable market will add welcome stability. Planning constraints, which are ensuring the supply of new homes cannot meet demand, will also continue to underpin the housing market. We benefit from a wide geographical spread throughout the country, successfully selling to all market sectors. We have record sales outlets and strong forward sales, which are now over £800m, up 38% year on year and we have one of the largest developable land banks in the industry. We are, therefore, well positioned to produce further excellent results. Charles Toner Chairman 26th March 2003 The following are the unaudited results of the Group for the half year ended 31st December 2002. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Half year ended Half Year ended Year ended 31st December 31st December 30th June 2002 2001 2002 £m £m £m ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GROUP TURNOVER 950.5 752.8 1,799.4 ========================================================================================= OPERATING PROFIT 109.5 82.6 227.9 NET INTEREST PAYABLE (4.2) (5.0) (7.9) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION 105.3 77.6 220.0 TAXATION (30.0) (22.9) (61.9) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION 75.3 54.7 158.1 DIVIDENDS (11.4) (10.4) (33.3) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RETAINED PROFIT 63.9 44.3 124.8 ========================================================================================= EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC 32.5p 23.8p 68.6p ========================================================================================= EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED 32.2p 23.5p 67.7p ========================================================================================= DIVIDEND PER SHARE 4.94p 4.49p 14.38p ========================================================================================= DIVIDEND COVER 6.6x 5.3x 4.8x ========================================================================================= All activities of the group are continuing. The interim dividend of 4.94p per share (2001 4.49p per share) will be paid on 23rd May 2003 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11th April 2003. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. STATEMENT OF TOTAL Half year ended Half Year ended Year ended RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 31st December 31st December 30th June 2002 2001 2002 £m £m £m ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 75.3 54.7 158.1 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (2.0) (0.8) (2.1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total gains and losses recognised in period 73.3 53.9 156.0 ========================================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. GROUP BALANCE SHEET Half year ended Half Year ended Year ended 31st December 31st December 30th June 2002 2001 2002 £m £m £m ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 7.4 1.8 2.4 Other investments : interest in own shares 17.7 16.6 17.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25.1 18.4 20.1 =============================================================================== CURRENT ASSETS Properties held for sale 6.6 5.7 6.1 Stocks 1,599.4 1,307.7 1,451.3 Debtors due within one year 26.8 26.3 26.4 Debtors due after more than one year 0.6 0.7 0.5 Bank and cash 12.4 30.1 131.8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,645.8 1,370.5 1,616.1 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors due within one year (749.5) (627.8) (753.3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET CURRENT ASSETS 896.3 742.7 862.8 =============================================================================== TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 921.4 761.1 882.9 CREDITORS DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR (99.7) (84.7) (123.4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSETS 821.7 676.4 759.5 =============================================================================== CAPITAL AND RESERVES Share capital 23.8 23.6 23.8 Share premium 185.5 181.5 185.2 Profit retained 612.4 471.3 550.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 821.7 676.4 759.5 =============================================================================== NET ASSETS PER SHARE 346p 287p 320p =============================================================================== GEARING 10% 2% - =============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT Half year ended Half Year ended Year ended 31st December 31st December 30th June 2002 2001 2002 £m £m £m Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities Operating profit 109.5 82.6 227.9 Increase in stocks (153.0) (132.9) (280.9) Increase in debtors (0.7) (1.8) (1.7) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (72.3) 40.3 199.5 Other non cash movements (0.1) (0.5) (0.6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (116.6) (12.3) 144.2 Returns on investments and servicing of finance (3.6) (5.5) (8.8) Taxation (29.5) (19.1) (59.7) Capital expenditure and financial investment (5.4) (5.1) (7.1) Acquisitions and disposals - 3.7 3.7 Equity dividends paid (22.9) (20.4) (30.8) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (178.0) (58.7) 41.5 Financing 0.4 2.3 5.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Decrease)/increase in cash (177.6) (56.4) 47.1 =============================================================================== Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt (Decrease)/increase in cash (177.6) (56.4) 47.1 Cash flow from increase in debt - (0.4) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net (debt)/funds (177.6) (56.8) 47.1 resulting from cashflows Exchange movements 1.6 1.1 2.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Movement in net (debt)/funds in the period (176.0) (55.7) 49.7 Net funds at 1st July 94.6 44.9 44.9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net (debt)/funds at 31st December/30th June (81.4) (10.8) 94.6 =============================================================================== The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985. 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 interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of accounting policies adopted for the year ended 30th June 2002. These policies are set out in the company's Annual Report and Accounts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For further information: Mr C.A. Dearlove OR Ms. Chris Lynch/Mr Terry Garrett Group Finance Director Weber Shandwick Square Mile Barratt Developments PLC Telephone: 0191 286 6811 Telephone: 020 7067 0700 * * * * * * * * * * * * 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. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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