Final Results

Capital & Regional PLC 19 March 2002 19 March 2002 CAPITAL & REGIONAL PLC 2001 PRELIMINARY RESULTS Capital & Regional plc, the co-investing property asset manager, today announces its preliminary results for year ended 25 December 2001. Highlights • Earnings per share on revenue activities up 31% to 12.4p (2000 (restated): 9.5p) • Pre-tax profit at £11.4m including £1.4m profit on investment sales (2000 (restated): £14.2m, including £4.1m profit on investment sales) • Dividend per share increased by 9% to 6.0p (2000: 5.5p) • Fully diluted net assets per share, after adjustments for deferred tax and debt valuation increased to 329p (2000 (restated): 324p) • Since the year end, the creation of two new property funds with Morley Fund Management Limited focused on in-town covered centres (The Mall Limited Partnership) and destination retail parks (The Junction Limited Partnership) • Appointment of P-Y Gerbeau as Chief Executive of Xscape Ltd • Since year end, commenced development for a second Xscape destination in Castleford, Leeds Commenting on the results, Martin Barber, Chief Executive said: " The creation of these two property funds is a major step forward in implementing our strategy to transform the Group from a pure property investment company to a co-investing asset manager. The establishment of the funds has created the opportunity for us to leverage our specialised management skills to achieve superior returns for shareholders and investors in the funds. We are confident that we can look forward to significant expansion of these funds and enhanced returns." - ends - For further information please contact Capital & Regional on 020 7932 8000: Martin Barber, Chief Executive Lynda Coral, Financial Director Andrew Hayes / Wendy Baker, Hudson Sandler Ltd - 020 7796 4133 CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OVERVIEW STRATEGY Through the recent creation of two funds, The Mall, a £670m fund focused on in-town, covered shopping centres, and The Junction, a £340m fund focused on major retail parks, the Group has taken a significant step towards becoming a co-investing real estate asset manager, rather than an investor reliant predominantly on its own balance sheet. The Group has, in recent years, been building up highly specialised management teams in selected sectors, with the aim that each team should be a leader in its field, enabling them to create value for tenants, the Group's shareholders and investors in funds managed by the Group. The successful launch of the Mall and Junction funds confirms the direction that the Group has taken. The initial investors in the funds are the Group and clients of Morley Fund Management Limited, the UK based asset management arm of CGNU. Our objective is a significant expansion of both funds, through new investors contributing either cash or appropriate property assets. Since the completion of both of these funds took place after our year end, we thought it would be helpful to draw your attention to the proforma balance sheet detailed in Note 14 to the Financial Statements. We set out below a condensed summary. Proforma Actual Dec 2001 Dec 2001 Unaudited Unaudited £m £m Property assets 82 717 Investments in joint ventures Share of assets 612 91 Share of liabilities (322) (62) 290 29 Other net liabilities (64) (433) Convertible loan stock (24) (24) Net assets 284 289 RETURN OF CAPITAL In our recent circular issued to shareholders, we stated the intention to return £50m of capital to shareholders following the completion of The Mall Fund. We intend to achieve this return of capital through a fixed price tender offer, the details of which will be announced shortly. The Board believes it is important for all shareholders to be given the same opportunity to participate in any return of capital; the Group has a number of shareholders based in the United States of America and the Board is currently seeking relevant regulatory approvals for a tender offer. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. FINANCIAL RESULTS AND POSITION Profit before tax of £11.4m (2000 (restated): £14.2m) includes gains of £1.4m on investment sales (2000: £4.1m). Earnings per share on revenue activities have increased by 31% to 12.4p from 9.5p in the previous year. The table below demonstrates how the effect of new accounting requirements (UITF 28 - Operating Lease Incentives) reduces profit in the year by £1.7m compared to last year. 2001 2000 £000's £000's Revenue profit 10,767 9,267 UITF 28 effect (843) 809 Revenue profit restated 9,924 10,076 Profit on sale of investment properties & investments 1,439 4,092 Profit before tax 11,363 14,168 The Directors have resolved to pay a final dividend of 3.5p, making a total for the year of 6.0p per share, an increase of 9% (2000: 5.5p). The dividend will be paid on 31 May 2002 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 5 April 2002. Our facility for dividend reinvestment by shareholders continues. Set out below is the calculation of net asset value per share after contingent deferred tax on accumulated revaluation surpluses and fair value adjustment of fixed rate debt instruments to market value. 2001 2000 pence pence Diluted net assets per share 343.3 360.6 Deferred tax (11.7) (34.4) Fair value adjustment of fixed rate debt (2.7) (2.4) NAV per share 328.9 323.8 Fully diluted net assets per share, after adjustments for deferred tax and debt valuation increased to 329p compared to 324p last year. The fall in fully diluted net assets per share from 361p at December 2000 to 343p at December 2001 has been mitigated by the tax benefit of capital allowances retained on transfer of the shopping centres to The Mall Fund. The movement during the year in fully diluted shareholders' funds, net asset value per share and net asset value per share after adjustment for deferred tax and debt valuation are summarised in the table below. Shareholders' Diluted Net Net NAV funds NAV £m pence pence 25 December 2000 339.6 359.6 322.8 UITF 28 adjustment 1.0 1.0 1.0 25 December 2000 - restated 340.6 360.6 323.8 Retained profit 6.4 7.1 7.0 Tax on disposals (1.0) (1.1) 19.3 Revaluation of properties and joint ventures (33.6) (36.9) (30.9) Share re-purchases (23.3) 13.6 9.7 25 December 2001 289.1 343.3 328.9 Transfer to joint ventures (4.9) (5.4) (2.6) Proforma 284.2 337.9 326.3 In the two years from December 1999 property sales of £286m were completed realising historic cost gains of £46.5m and since December 2001 property transfers to co-investment vehicles have been completed at December 2001 values of £649m at a surplus over historic cost of £74m. The Group's borrowings at 25 December 2001 were £465.8m (2000: £615.6m) including £24.6m (2000: 24.6m) of Convertible Subordinated Unsecured Loan Stock (CULS). The Group's share of non-recourse borrowings by joint ventures was an additional £44m (2000: £27.8m). Net cash balances were £8.6m (2000: £6.1m). As shown in the proforma balance sheet in Note 14, disposals completed since the year end have reduced net debt to £87.4m with the Group's share of joint venture borrowings increased to £304.5m. December 2001 fully diluted gearing of 138% (2000: 159%) has been significantly reduced by these disposals since the year end to 20%. However, including the Group's share of joint ventures borrowings, gearing would be 119% as per the proforma balance sheet. OPERATING REVIEW Shopping Centres 2001 saw further positive development within our core shopping centre portfolio. We achieved a 7.2% increase in net passing rent level to £38.6m (2000: £36.0m). Estimated rental value increased by 4% to £44.9m (2000: £43.2m) The centres have continued to benefit from our creative management and innovative marketing and promotions. Ancillary income has increased by 38% in 2001 and occupier demand remains strong; void levels continued to decline in 2001 to 3.0% of estimated rental value (2000: 3.8%). Our average weekly footfalls increased by 3% which equates to an additional 27,250 visits per week (excluding Birmingham and Romford where major adjacent redevelopment works have temporarily suppressed footfall). Across the portfolio we continue to provide a secure, clean and vibrant shopping environment for both our shoppers and retailers. This is achieved by working together with all our business partners, local communities and authorities. Our average budgeted 2002 service charge is currently 24% below the relevant JLL Oscar benchmark, excluding marketing where we plan to spend some 14% more on marketing than this peer group. Operational savings across the portfolio have seen an 18% reduction in electricity and gas consumption. Our efforts were recognised this year by the Jupiter Asset Management Environmental Research Group for Environmental Property Management, following a property industry-wide survey. We continue to focus ourselves as a 'Community Mall business' and to provide support to numerous local community groups, such as schools and charitable organisations. We combine this local support with portfolio-wide national initiatives such as The Giving Tree scheme and Breast Cancer Awareness fundraising promotions and we were delighted to raise £40,000 for this particular organisation over the year. The Mall Fund In February 2002 we announced that the Group had completed its negotiations with Morley to form The Mall Limited Partnership, a new property fund focused on in-town covered shopping centres which is initially owned jointly by the Group and clients of Morley Fund Management Limited. Morley acts as Fund Manager and Capital & Regional is the Property and Asset Manager. We have sold eight of our shopping centres to The Mall Fund for a total consideration of £467m. Clients of Morley Fund Management Limited have sold three shopping centres to The Mall Fund for a total consideration of £189m. From the respective proceeds, under the terms of the Fund Agreements, the Group and Clients of Morley Fund Management Limited have each paid £170m in return for a 50 per cent stake each in The Mall Fund. The remaining consideration of £297m due to us has been received in cash and has been utilised to repay debt. Completion took place on 28 February 2002. The creation of The Mall Fund is in line with our stated strategy and is intended to enable us to leverage our equity and management expertise across a larger number of properties to generate greater value for our shareholders. We will, going forward, receive income both from management fees on all the properties within The Mall Fund and from distributions from The Mall Fund. We will also benefit, although indirectly, from capital increases in the value of the properties within The Mall Fund, as such increases are expected to increase the value of our investment in that fund. Our strategic objective is to increase this shopping centre fund to approximately £2bn over the next three years. The Mall Portfolio Review Aberdeen, The Trinity Centre (200,000 sq ft) Continued strong trading performance from this fully let centre driven by a 4.5% increase in footfall. Barnsley, The Alhambra Centre (170,000 sq ft) New tenants, Adams, Body Care and Perfume Shop all commenced trading during 2001. The centre continues to improve with year-on-year footfall up 5.3%. Bexleyheath, Broadway Shopping Centre (395,000 sq ft) Acquired in The Mall Fund on 28 February 2002, this is a large, major centre with strong retailer demand. We plan to work with the Local Authority to improve the centre's physical environment and to reconfigure large space users to satisfy this demand. Birmingham, The Pallasades (300,000 sq ft) Despite Railtrack's well publicised problems, negotiations on tenure regearing continue. At the same time we continue to take the opportunity to improve income and rental value. This year additional rental area was created by remodelling the South Mall together with the introduction of new tenants. Edgware, Broadwalk Shopping Centre (195,000 sq ft) Acquired in The Mall Fund on 28 February 2002, a strong, convenience centre with excellent public and private transport linkage with good extension and leisure opportunities. Epsom, The Ashley Centre (358,000 sq ft) The remodelling of West Square was completed with Hammicks the bookshop extending into a previously vacant space. Next also tripled the space it previously occupied. Footfall increased by approximately 5.5%. Falkirk, The Howgate Centre (170,000 sq ft) Clinton Cards doubled its sales area and Scottish fashion multiple, Quiz, took representation. The completion of the car park refurbishment produced increased revenues of 3.6% year-on-year. Ilford, The Exchange Mall (355,000 sq ft) Acquired in The Mall Fund on 28 February 2002, this is a large, successful centre, again with significant retailer demand to be satisfied by reconfiguration. Romford, Liberty 2 (320,000 sq ft) Wilkinsons commenced trading from the former Sainsbury's store. We assumed control of the centre car parks in advance of refurbishment. Planning consent was achieved on the adjacent Dolphin extension site. Walthamstow, Selborne Walk (281,000 sq ft) The re-letting of the former Mothercare unit to First Sport and Thomas Cook was completed. The surrender of negotiations for KwikSave supermarket were also concluded and this space will be remodelled during 2002 together with the introduction of a branded catering offer. Wood Green, Shopping City (670,000 sq ft) Our major refurbishment programme was completed in 2001 with a new Woolworths store opening and year-on-year footfall increased by 4%. Our General Manager, Mike Thompson, was runner up 'In-Town Manager of the Year' at Shopping Centre Magazine's 2001 SCEPTRE Awards. Retail Parks Tenant demand has remained buoyant throughout the year fuelled by continued consumer spending and institutional demand for retail parks remains strong. Our strategy of owning and developing retail parks through joint ownership is now well underway: The Junction Limited Partnership In November of 2001 we exchanged contracts with Morley Fund Management to form a Retail Park Investment Fund. Initially, both Capital & Regional and clients of Morley each own 50% of the Fund's equity. Morley acts as Fund Manager and Capital & Regional is the Property and Asset Manager. We have transferred six of our retail parks into the Fund for a cash consideration of £165m, of which £13.7m is deferred payable on the completion of development works under way. Of these proceeds, £85m has been re-invested in the Fund with the balance used to reduce Group debt. All of the assets that have been transferred into the Fund are retail parks, which are, or are capable of becoming, major anchored parks. Clients of Morley have transferred five of their retail parks into the Fund for £171m. Completion took place on 3 January 2002. The Fund is responsible for all development costs associated with the portfolio. Royal Bank of Scotland has extended an initial facility of £170m with further development facilities available. We believe that by merging our portfolio of large scale retail parks with that of Morley, we have created a major opportunity to enhance value by branding and providing innovative additional attractions. The Junction Limited Partnership is intended to be the first branded retail park portfolio focused on creating destination parks of over 120,000 sq ft. Our target is to increase this retail park fund to around £1.2bn over the next 3 years. The roll out of The Junction brand will commence in the summer of 2002 at Hull, and it is hoped that the entire portfolio will be rebranded within 3 years. The Junction Portfolio Review Aylesbury (94,000 sq ft) A detailed planning application has been submitted for a scheme comprising 195,000 sq ft and consent is anticipated in June 2002. Beckton (192,000 sq ft) The redevelopment, including a new 90,000 sq ft Big W, is well underway for completion set for the summer. Further phases up to 120,000 sq ft of retail and leisure floor space are planned. Hull (272,000 sq ft) The new 100,000 sq ft destination B&Q store opened in October and is trading above expectations. Planning consent for a further phase of 100,000 sq ft, where terms have already been agreed for a new 40,000 sq ft destination anchor, is anticipated during the year. Leeds (140,000 sq ft) Our proposals for this retail park, located adjacent to the M1 motorway, include widening the current restricted planning consent to enable us to attract a destination retailer providing the catalyst to let vacant space at significantly higher rents. Leicester (169,000 sq ft) This Open A1 non-food retail park is capable of extension by a further 64,000 sq ft subject to planning, land acquisition and tenant restructuring. A new letting has already been agreed at £20/sq ft, some £2.75/sq ft higher than the previous rent. Maidstone (160,000 sq ft) This scheme is already the major retail park within this prosperous town. Tenant engineering and extensions should commence this year. Oldbury (37,000 sq ft) A detailed planning application has been submitted for the first phase comprising 130,000 sq ft pre-let to Homebase and consent is anticipated during the first half of 2002. Following the Local Planning inquiry, we are hopeful of a balance of the site currently under our control, comprising 30 acres, being reallocated for retail and leisure use. Oxford (138,000 sq ft) Our proposals for this Open A1 non-food retail park include provision of first floor space to increase the size of the park to 190,000 sq ft, subject to planning and tenant restructuring. Sheffield (160,000 sq ft) Our plans for this retail park include creating space for two destination retailers thereby significantly increasing rental levels. The Capital Hill Partnership Our limited partnership with Hermes Property Unit Trust is progressing well. Planning consent has been obtained to extend the existing 160,000 sq ft retail park in Stratford upon Avon by 15,000 sq ft which has already been pre-let to Matalan. An agreement to lease for our second destination retailer, B&Q, has been exchanged for a 60,000 sq ft store. We are hopeful of obtaining planning consent to extend the park by a further 75,000 sq ft to 250,000 sq ft during 2002. The Auchinlea Partnership In January 2002, we announced the formation of the Auchinlea Partnership with Pillar to re-develop our existing Junction 10 retail park, Glasgow, together with an adjacent site of approximately 70 acres to create 'The Glasgow Fort', a 500,000 sq ft shopping and leisure park. Outline planning consent has already been granted for an open A1 scheme and a detailed planning application submitted with consent anticipated during the first half of the year. Tenant demand is very encouraging and we are looking forward to creating Scotland's premier shopping park. Xscape Xscape, our innovative development concept where retail and food and beverage are successfully combined with leisure, has had an exciting year in 2001. The first destination, in Milton Keynes, had its first full year of trading and attracted 4.2 million visitors. The scheme is almost fully let and the success of the concept was recognised at the prestigious Property Week Leisure Property Awards where Xscape won two out of four awards, The Best Major Leisure Scheme and The Best Innovative Concept. Mid-year we realised the formidable value and expansion potential of combining the two worlds of leisure property development with entrepreneurial and business skills. Consequently, we appointed P-Y Gerbeau (Former CEO of the Millennium Dome and Vice President of Euro Disney) as Chief Executive of Xscape Ltd, together with a specialised management team, to help us build Xscape as an international brand and business. Under P-Y's direction, the Xscape brand was launched at the end of November. It has received enthusiastic support from both the consumer and business communities. Following the implementation of the new focused business, brand and marketing strategies and product improvements, Xscape Milton Keynes is fulfilling its potential as a unique destination, successfully mixing retail and catering, with leisure, 'Xtreme sports' and entertainment. We believe the key to Xscape's continued success is the combination of a good property performance and brand goodwill with additional cash flow streams, including events and sponsorship, together with new target markets, including corporate hospitality, families and students. After four months of implementation the results are already validating our new strategy. We are achieving a 25% increased footfall year-on-year and substantially increased dwell times. We have targeted new market segments and introduced new brand partners and sponsors. To build on the Xscape Milton Keynes success, support Xscape as an international brand and capitalise on the first mover advantage Xscape has an immediate and aggressive expansion plan. In March 2002, we announced that the Group, together with PRICOA Property Investment Management ('PRICOA'), had completed the purchase of a 20 acre site in Castleford, Leeds to develop the second Xscape destination. The £58m development is a joint venture between the Group and Hanover Property Unit Trust, which is managed by PRICOA. Many of our lead tenants at Milton Keynes, including Cine UK Limited, Snozone Limited (a Capital & Regional subsidiary), Ellis Brigham Limited and Slivertrek Limited, have entered into pre-commitments for this new centre in Castleford. The scheme is 66% pre-let and construction has already commenced with completion expected in Autumn 2003. We continue our pre-planning of two further Xscape destinations in Braehead, Glasgow and Castrop Rauxel in the Ruhr, Germany. MANAGEMENT The strength and diversity of our management teams continues to underpin the Group's strong performance. Their innovative and unique approach to the management and marketing of these property assets enables us to continue to generate enhanced returns and future growth for our shareholders, tenants and investors in the funds. As mentioned above, our team was further strengthened this year, with the appointment of P-Y Gerbeau as Chief Executive of Xscape Ltd. His distinctive management approach has already had a very positive impact at Milton Keynes and, as we embark on the Xscape roll-out programme, his leadership has brought new and dynamic impetus to our plans. On behalf of the Board, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all our management and staff for their continued commitment to the Group during the year. OUTLOOK We believe that there is an exciting opportunity for the Group over the next few years to deliver significant value to our shareholders through the further development of our co-investing property asset management model. We are confident that the strength and depth of our management team, which has been recognised by Morley Fund Management, will attract further interest from additional investors. This would enable us to achieve our objectives to expand our funds under management significantly, at the same time as maintaining a rigorous process of selection of the property assets acquired. Tom Chandos Martin Barber CHAIRMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the year ended 25th December 2001 Unaudited Restated 2001 2000 Notes £000 £000 Turnover: group rental income and share of joint ventures' turnover 72,704 79,495 Less: share of joint ventures' turnover 6 (15,620) (11,877) Group rental income 57,084 67,618 Net property costs (8,052) (9,687) Net rental income 49,032 57,931 Profit on the sale of trading and development properties 1 183 306 49,215 58,237 Administrative expenses (8,645) (7,955) 40,570 50,282 Other operating income 679 502 Group operating profit 41,249 50,784 Share of operating profit in joint ventures and associates 6 3,068 476 44,317 51,260 Profit on sale of investment properties and investments 1 1,439 4,092 Profit on ordinary activities before interest 45,756 55,352 Income from listed investments - 659 Interest receivable and similar income 1,587 824 Interest payable and similar charges 2 (35,980) (42,667) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 11,363 14,168 Taxation (427) (413) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 10,936 13,755 Equity minority interests 250 (431) Profit attributable to the shareholders of the Company 11,186 13,324 Equity dividends paid and payable (4,731) (5,070) Profit retained in the year 6,455 8,254 Earnings per share 3a 13.6p 13.7p Earnings per share - diluted 3b 13.5p 13.7p Earnings per share on revenue activities 3c 12.4p 9.5p The results of the Group for the year related entirely to continuing operations within the meaning of Financial Reporting Standard No. 3. NOTE OF HISTORICAL COST PROFITS AND LOSSES For the year ended 25th December 2001 Unaudited Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 Reported profit on ordinary activities before taxation 11,363 14,168 Realisation of property revaluation surplus of previous years 22,157 74 Realisation of other investment revaluation surplus of previous years - 18,099 Realisation of property revaluation surplus of previous years in joint ventures - 40 Historical cost profit on ordinary activities before taxation 33,520 32,381 Historical cost profit for year retained after taxation, minority interests and dividends 24,814 23,365 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES For the year ended 25th December 2001 Unaudited Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 Share of unrealised deficit on valuation of investment properties (33,003) (32,852) Share of unrealised (deficit) / surplus on valuation of other fixed assets (117) 512 Share of unrealised deficit on valuation of properties in joint ventures (537) (561) Share of tax on revaluation surpluses realised in year (3,218) (3,614) Deferred tax asset / (liability) provided on unrealised revaluation surpluses 2,205 (2,952) Exchange differences - 3 (34,670) (39,464) Profit attributable to shareholders 11,186 13,324 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year (23,484) (26,140) RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS For the year ended 25th December 2001 Unaudited Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 Profit for the year attributable to shareholders of the Company 11,186 13,324 Equity dividends paid and payable (4,731) (5,070) Profit retained in the year 6,455 8,254 Share capital and share premium issued in year (net of expenses) 34 20 Share capital purchased and cancelled in year (including expenses) (23,325) (20,759) Other recognised gains and losses relating to year (see above) (34,670) (39,464) Net addition to shareholders' funds (51,506) (51,949) Opening shareholders' funds 340,617 392,566 Closing shareholders' funds 289,111 340,617 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET As at 25th December 2001 Unaudited Restated 2001 2000 Notes £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Property assets 5 703,338 916,485 Other fixed assets 13,966 14,521 717,304 931,006 Investment in joint ventures: 6 share of gross assets 91,497 68,084 share of gross liabilities (62,014) (38,270) 29,483 29,814 746,787 960,820 Current assets Property assets 28,126 18,846 Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year 7 8,307 5,541 amounts falling due within one year 7 29,795 42,272 Cash at bank and in hand 8,567 6,091 74,795 72,750 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 (70,655) (129,705) Net current assets / (liabilities) 4,140 (56,955) Total assets less current liabilities 750,927 903,865 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (including convertible unsecured loan stock) 9,10 (461,816) (556,582) Provisions for liabilities and charges 11 - (2,952) Net assets 289,111 344,331 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 7,886 8,874 Share premium account 161,927 161,895 Revaluation reserve 82,988 130,770 Other reserves 2,535 1,545 Profit and loss account 33,775 37,533 Equity shareholders' funds 289,111 340,617 Equity minority interests - 3,714 Capital employed 289,111 344,331 Net assets per share adjusted for minority interests 13 366.6p 383.9p Net assets per share adjusted for minority interests - diluted 13 343.3p 360.6p CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 25th December 2001 Unaudited Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 38,232 49,514 Dividends received from joint ventures 928 180 Dividends received from associates - 5 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Dividends received from listed investments - 625 Interest received 1,548 795 Interest paid (35,352) (44,063) Dividend paid to minority interests (2) - Loan arrangement costs (89) (317) (33,895) (42,960) 5,265 6,739 Taxation UK corporation tax paid (2,962) (622) UK corporation tax recovered 115 - USA withholding tax recovered 70 - (2,777) (622) Net operating cash flow 2,488 6,117 Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments for: Additions to investment properties (20,110) (56,423) Additions to properties held as current assets (18,407) (20,746) Additions to other tangible assets (306) (1,239) Loans to joint ventures (4,820) (2,433) Receipts from: Sale of investment properties 216,033 1,632 Sale of properties held as current assets 16,778 43,562 Sale of other tangible assets 112 108 Sale of investments - 25,042 Repayment of loans by joint ventures 1,710 2,337 190,990 (8,160) 193,478 (2,043) Acquisitions and disposals Additions to joint ventures - (18,025) Reclassification of cash in joint arrangement - (591) Acquisition of minority interests in subsidiary (2,929) (100) (2,929) (18,716) 190,549 (20,759) Equity dividends paid (4,855) (5,134) Cash in / (out) flow before financing 185,694 (25,893) Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 34 20 Share capital purchased and cancelled in year (33,491) (10,593) Bank loans received 72,604 108,765 Bank loans repaid (222,365) (73,596) (183,218) 24,596 Increase / (decrease) in cash 2,476 (1,297) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 25th December 2001 Unaudited 1. Asset sales Fixed assets Current assets Total 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Net sale proceeds 216,029 26,674 8,047 35,353 224,076 62,027 Cost of sales (192,433) (4,273) (7,864) (35,047) (200,297) (39,320) Historical cost profit 23,596 22,401 183 306 23,779 22,707 Revaluation surplus (22,157) (18,173) - - (22,157) (18,173) 1,439 4,228 183 306 1,622 4,534 Permanent diminution in value of fixed property asset - (225) - - - (225) Share of joint ventures - 89 - - - 89 Profit recognised on sale of assets 1,439 4,092 183 306 1,622 4,398 2. Interest payable and similar charges 2001 2000 £000 £000 Bank loans and overdrafts wholly repayable within five years 31,985 42,823 Other loans 1,663 1,663 33,648 44,486 Capitalised during year (115) (2,678) 33,533 41,808 Share of joint ventures' (see note 6) 2,447 859 35,980 42,667 3. Earnings per share a) Earnings per share have been calculated on the weighted average number of Ordinary shares of 10p each in issue during the year 82,272,918 (2000: 97,042,630) and have been based on profit on ordinary activities after taxation and minority interests of £11,186,000 (2000 (restated): £13,324,000). b) Diluted earnings per share have been calculated after allowing for the exercise of share options which have met the required exercise conditions. The calculation does not include conversion of the Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock as the effect on earnings per share is not dilutive. The weighted average number of Ordinary Shares of 10p each is 82,613,354 (2000: 97,256,996) and the relevant earnings are £11,186,000 (2000 (restated): £13,324,000). c) Earnings per share on revenue activities exclude the profit on the sale of investment properties and investments, and associated tax charge and minority interests thereon, of £1,007,000 (2000: £4,101,000). 4. Prior year adjustment - UITF 28 'Operating lease incentives' The Group has adopted Urgent Issues Task Force Abstract 28 (UITF 28), 'Operating lease incentives', in these financial statements. In accordance with the requirements of UITF 28, the previous year's results have been restated to reflect its application to all affected lease agreements starting on or after 26 December 1999. The effect of this restatement together with the impact on the current year's results are summarised below: 2001 2000 £000 £000 (Decrease) / increase in group rental income (357) 914 Reduction in share of operating profit of joint ventures (486) (105) Increase in taxation charge (236) (472) Increase in equity minority interests in profit for the year - (40) (Decrease) / increase in profit for the year attributable to shareholders of the Company (1,079) 297 Reduction in unrealised deficit on revaluation of investment properties in joint ventures 611 253 Reduction in unrealised deficit on revaluation of investment properties 1,018 509 Increase in shareholders' funds in the year 550 1,059 Decrease in carrying value of investment properties (368) (5,196) Increase in investment in joint ventures 101 148 Increase in prepayments and accrued income due after more than one year 452 5,541 Increase in prepayments and accrued income due within one year 576 1,572 Increase in corporation tax creditor (211) (472) Increase in accruals and deferred income - (494) Increase in equity minority interests - (40) 550 1,059 5. Property assets Investment properties Freehold Leasehold properties Properties Total Group £000 £000 £000 Cost or valuation: As at 25 December 2000 578,868 342,813 921,681 Less: UITF 28 adjustment (4,940) (256) (5,196) As at 25 December 2000 - restated 573,928 342,557 916,485 Additions 27,009 7,451 34,460 Amortisation of short leasehold properties - (203) (203) Disposals (195,262) (18,808) (214,070) Revaluation (15,702) (17,632) (33,334) As at 25 December 2001 389,973 313,365 703,338 The year end balance is analysed as follows: Historical cost 323,627 301,443 625,070 Revaluation surplus 66,346 11,922 78,268 A list of the valuers, and the basis of the valuations, are summarised in note 12. 6. Investment in joint ventures Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 At beginning of year 29,666 2,222 UITF 28 adjustment 148 - At beginning of year - restated 29,814 2,222 Subscription for share capital 650 18,050 Reclassification of net investment in joint arrangement - 10,600 Dividends and capital distributions received (928) (180) Share of results (see below) 703 (283) Share of taxation (see below) (227) (34) Share of property revaluation (deficit) / surplus (529) (561) At end of year - restated 29,483 29,814 UITF 28 adjustment - (148) At end of year 29,483 29,666 Analysis of investment in joint ventures: Xscape Milton Sauchiehall Exchange Keynes The Capital Hill Centre Easter Court Partnership£000 Partnership£000 Limited Holdings Properties £000 Limited Limited Others Total £000 £000 £000 £000 Group share of results: Turnover 1,495 1,067 810 11,773 475 15,620 Operating profit 1,142 1,012 818 618 (522) - 3,068 Interest receivable and similar income 20 9 13 18 3 - 63 Interest payable and similar charges (1,671) - (461) (269) (46) - (2,447) Equity minority interests - - - 19 - - 19 Profit / (loss) before tax (509) 1,021 370 386 (565) - 703 Taxation - - (87) (140) - - (227) Profit / (loss) after tax (509) 1,021 283 246 (565) - 476 Group share of: Investment properties 35,913 18,750 20,674 2,244 - - 77,581 Development properties at cost - - - 4,004 686 - 4,690 Other current assets 3,606 670 1,325 3,396 20 209 9,226 Gross assets 39,519 19,420 21,999 9,644 706 209 91,497 Current liabilities 7,933 461 1,815 2,856 7 16 13,088 Loans 23,400 - 19,775 5,251 500 - 48,926 Gross liabilities 31,333 461 21,590 8,107 507 16 62,014 Share of net assets 8,186 18,959 409 1,537 199 193 29,483 Effective Group share 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% Potential recourse to the Group Nil Nil Nil Nil 1,000 Nil Actual recourse at end of year Nil Nil Nil Nil 1,000 Nil A list of valuers and the basis of the valuation are summarised in note 12. The joint ventures all operate in the UK. 7. Debtors Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 Amounts falling due after more than one year Amounts owed by joint ventures 2,750 - Prepayments and accrued income 5,557 5,541 8,307 5,541 Amounts falling due within one year Trade debtors 16,589 16,645 Amounts owed by joint ventures 4,549 4,873 Other debtors 1,480 2,989 Tax recoverable and deferred tax 2,639 255 Prepayments and accrued income 4,538 17,510 29,795 42,272 8. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Restated 2001 2000 £000 £000 Bank loans (secured) 3,541 58,351 Unamortised issue costs (240) (352) Trade creditors 4,631 7,802 Other creditors 2,383 11,746 Taxation and social security 3,085 2,903 Corporation tax 7,952 4,186 Accruals and deferred income 46,543 42,185 Proposed dividends 2,760 2,884 70,655 129,705 9. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 2001 2000 £000 £000 Bank loans (secured) 437,650 532,600 Unamortised issue costs (148) (241) 437,502 532,359 Convertible loan stock (unsecured) 24,642 24,642 Unamortised issue costs (328) (419) 24,314 24,223 461,816 556,582 Bank loans are secured on properties valued at £699,210,000. 10. Bank loans and debt The Group's interest rate profile is after taking account of the effect of swaps, as follows: Weighted Weighted Total average Average £000 interest rate period-years Fixed and swapped loans 198,642 7.45% 2.8 Variable rate loans 267,191 5.38% n/a 465,833 6.26% Variable rate loan interest rates are based on three month LIBOR. 10. Bank loans and debt (continued) A valuation was carried out by JC Rathbone Associates Limited as at 25th December 2001 and 25th December 2000 to calculate the market value of the fixed rate instruments on a replacement basis and the expiry profile of the resulting fair value adjustment. The table below shows the market value of fixed rate debt instruments, and reflects the difference between the interest rate yield curve as at 25th December 2001 and the rate historically committed; namely the fair value adjustment. Fair value Fair value Book Notional Fair adjustment adjustment Value value value 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Convertible unsecured loan stock 24,642 n/a 24,642 - - Bank borrowings - n/a - - (324) Interest rate swaps n/a 174,000 177,570 (3,570) (3,164) 24,642 174,000 202,212 (3,570) (3,488) Minority interests - 81 Fair value adjustment attributable to Group (3,570) (3,407) Net of tax at 30% (2000: 30%) (2,499) (2,385) The fair value adjustment represents approximately 0.77% (2000: 0.57%) of Group borrowings and has a notional adverse effect on fully diluted net asset value per share of 2.7p (2000: adverse 2.4p). Interest rate swaps and bank fixed rates have been valued on a replacement basis. They have been valued against the offered side of the zero coupon yield curve commencing on 25th December 2001 and ending on the contracted expiry dates. The expiry profile of the fair value adjustment is shown in the table below: Fair value Fair value adjustment adjustment 2001 2000 £000 £000 2001 - (1,678) 2002 (3,191) (1,541) 2003 (379) (269) (3,570) (3,488) The bank loans are repayable as follows: 2001 2000 £000 £000 Aggregate amount repayable: Between one and two years 277,700 200 Between two and five years 151,350 523,600 Greater than five years 8,600 8,800 Total loans due after more than one year 437,650 532,600 Loans due in one year or less or on demand 3,541 58,351 Total loans 441,191 590,951 11. Provision for liabilities and charges Deferred taxation The amounts of deferred taxation provided and unprovided in the accounts are as follows: Provided Provided Not provided Not provided 2001 2000 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Tax on capital gains if investment assets were sold at their current valuation - 2,952 8,815 24,356 Accelerated capital allowances - - 1,870 10,442 - 2,952 10,685 34,798 Included in debtors under the heading Tax recoverable is a £2,205,000 deferred tax asset. If a provision was made for deferred taxation that has not been provided it would have an adverse effect on net assets per share of 13.6p (2000: 39.2p) and on fully diluted net assets per share of 11.7p (2000: 34.4p). 12. Valuations The properties were valued at 25th December 2001, as follows: Valuer Basis of valuation £000 Group properties DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Open market value 36,900 Insignia Richard Ellis Limited Open market value 31,310 Directors Net sale proceeds of properties sold after 25th December 2001 616,075 Directors Open market value 25,370 Total fixed property assets 709,655 Other fixed assets DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Open market value 13,500 Total property assets 723,155 Fixed property assets at 25th December 2001 as per balance sheet 703,338 UITF 28 adjustment at 25th December 2001 included in debtors 6,317 Total fixed property assets as valued above 709,655 Valuer Basis of valuation £000 Properties held by joint ventures Xscape Milton Keynes Partnership DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Open market value 75,050 Capital Hill Partnership Knight Frank Open market value 37,500 Sauchiehall Centre Limited Montagu Evans Open market value 42,500 Easter Holdings Limited Easter Holdings Limited Open market value 4,489 159,539 Valuations are at open market value as defined in the Appraisal and Valuation Manual of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. 13. Net assets per share Net assets per share have been calculated on Ordinary shares of 10p each 78,855,975 (2000: 88,734,623) in issue at the year end and have been based on net assets attributable to shareholders of £289,111,000 (2000: £340,617,000). Diluted net assets per share assume that all the CULS had converted at the balance sheet date. Diluted net assets per share have been calculated on 91,268,146 (2000: 101,146,794) Ordinary shares of 10p each and have been based on adjusted net assets attributable to shareholders of £313,334,000 (2000: £364,749,000) by adding the £24,223,000 (2000: £24,132,000) balance sheet value of CULS. 14. Post balance sheet events On 3rd January 2002 the Group transferred a portfolio of six retail parks into The Junction Limited Partnership, a joint venture with Morley Fund Management Limited, for a total consideration of £165,200,000 of which £13,700,000 was deferred. The Group simultaneously invested £85,000,000 in the new joint venture and repaid bank loans, due after one year, with the balance of the proceeds after sale costs. On 8th January 2002 the Group transferred the Junction 10 Retail Park into a joint venture with Pillar Property plc for a total consideration of £19,500,000. The Group simultaneously invested £5,200,000 in the new joint venture and repaid bank loans, due after one year, with the balance of the proceeds after sale costs. On 7th March 2002 the Group was reimbursed £1,130,000 of costs, held as current property assets, relating to the proposed redevelopment of the Junction 10 Retail Park. On 28th February 2002 the Group transferred its portfolio of eight shopping centres and a trading property into The Mall Limited Partnership, a joint venture with Morley Fund Management Limited, for a total consideration of £467,300,000. The Group simultaneously invested £170,000,000 in the new joint venture and repaid bank loans, due after one year, with the balance of the proceeds after sale and transaction costs. The Group incurred exceptional loan breakage and transaction arising from the transaction, which will be recognised in the 2002 financial statements. The effect of the above transactions on the Group balance sheet as at 25th December 2001 is as follows: Unaudited The Junction The Mall Limited Limited December Auchinlea Partnership 2001 Partnership Partnership £000 Pro-forma £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Property assets 703,338 (161,002) (19,500) (454,587) 68,249 Other fixed assets 13,966 - - - 13,966 Tangible assets 717,304 (161,002) (19,500) (454,587) 82,215 Investment in joint ventures Share of gross assets 91,497 170,000 10,700 340,000 612,197 Share of gross liabilities (62,014) (85,000) (5,500) (170,000) (322,514) 29,483 85,000 5,200 170,000 289,683 746,787 (76,002) (14,300) (284,587) 371,898 Current assets Property assets 28,126 (2,875) (1,130) (3,400) 20,721 Debtors 38,102 12,627 - (5,063) 45,666 Cash at bank and in hand 8,567 - - - 8,567 74,795 9,752 (1,130) (8,463) 74,954 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (70,655) - - - (70,655) Net current assets 4,140 9,752 (1,130) (8,463) 4,299 Total assets less current liabilities 750,927 (66,250) (15,430) (293,050) 376,197 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (461,816) 66,250 15,430 288,155 (91,981) Net assets 289,111 - - (4,895) 284,216 Net assets per share adjusted for minority interests - diluted 343.3p (5.4p) 337.9p Net bank borrowings 457,266 (66,250) (15,430) (288,155) 87,431 Gearing ratios: - including convertible unsecured loan stock 158.2% 30.8% - assuming conversion of convertible unsecured loan stock 138.1% 20.4% On 18 March 2002 a joint venture with Hanover Property Unit Trust completed a £3.5m site purchase for the development of the second Xscape complex at Castleford, Leeds. The effect of this transaction has not been reflected in the proforma balance sheet. 15. Status of financial information The financial information contained in this announcement does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 240 Companies Act 1985. The comparative figures have been extracted from the audited financial statements for the year ended 25th December 2000 which have been filed at Companies House (which have been restated for the effect of UITF 28 as detailed in Note 4). The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not contain statements under S237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 25 December 2001 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's annual general meeting. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings