Final Results

Cardiff Property PLC 25 November 2002 The Cardiff Property plc 56 Station Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 9LF Tel: 01784 437444 Fax: 01784 439157 E-mail: webmaster@cardiff-property.com Web: www.cardiff-property.com FOR RELEASE 7.00 AM 25 NOVEMBER 2002 (The group, including Campmoss, specialises in property investment and development in the Thames Valley. The portfolio, valued in excess of £32m, is primarily located to the west of London, close to Heathrow Airport and in Surrey and Berkshire .) PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2002 HIGHLIGHTS Group turnover £1.8m (2001: £5.8m) Property sales £0.2m (2001: £4.2m) Net asset value per share: Excluding FRS 19 - 715p (2001: 652p) +10% Including FRS 19 - 704p (2001: 646p) Profit before tax £1.2m (2001: £2.3m) - 49% Earnings per share 31.2p (2001: 58.7p) - 47% Total dividend for the year 6.3p per share (2001: 5.6p) + 13% Final dividend 4.5p per share (2001: 4.0p) Gearing nil (2001: nil) Richard Wollenberg, chairman, commented: 'The year under review has seen a further increase in the underlying value of the company's ordinary shares. Over the year and probably more evident in the last two quarters the level of letting activity has fallen both for commercial and residential property. As a result of previous property sales and a cautious approach to new acquisitions the group's financial position remains strong with nil gearing.' For further information: The Cardiff Property plc Richard Wollenberg 01784 437444 Old Mutual Securities Ltd Kevin Wilson 0161 819 2110 Beattie Financial Brian Coleman-Smith 020 7398 3300 Chairman's statement Dear shareholder The year under review has seen a further increase in the underlying value of the company's ordinary shares. The group including Campmoss Property continues to revise and improve, where possible, existing planning consents for its commercial and residential property as well as progressing with its development programme. For the year to 30 September 2002 pre-tax profit was £1.15m (2001: £2.26m) including a contribution from Campmoss Property, our 47.62% joint venture undertaking, of £0.19m (2001: £0.19m). Turnover totalled £1.85m (2001: £5.82m) which included gross rental income of £1.66m (2001: £1.64m) and overage payments amounting to £0.19m received in the first half of the year in respect of previous sales. The gross rental income for the current year has remained similar to last year despite the sale of income producing property completed during our previous accounting year. Net profits attributable to shareholders amounted to £0.75m (2001 restated: £1.63m) and earnings per share were 31.2p (2001 restated: 58.7p). Dividend Your directors are recommending a final dividend of 4.5p per share (2001: 4.0p) making a total dividend for the year of 6.3p (2001: 5.6p) an increase of 12.5%. The final dividend will be paid on 14 February 2003 to shareholders on the register on 17 January 2003. Financial The financial statements before you have been prepared adopting the new accounting standard, FRS 19 - Deferred Taxation, which has had an effect on both earnings and net assets per share. The comparative figures for 2001 have been restated to show a direct comparison. Full details are set out in the annual report. Your directors are of the view, along with other property companies and analysts, that accounting for deferred tax which is unlikely to materialise, gives a distorting effect to the accounts. For a more correct understanding net assets per share data has been presented both excluding and including the effects of FRS 19. As a result of previous property sales and a cautious approach to new acquisitions the group's financial position remains strong with nil gearing. Your directors believe that this continues to be the most appropriate policy in the current market. The company's commercial and residential investment portfolio was valued at the year end by Cushman & Wakefield, Healey & Baker and Aitchison Raffety respectively, producing a total value of £6.08m (2001: £6.21m). This figure excludes property in the course of development or those undergoing upgrading or refurbishment works. The values of these properties are included as stock in the balance sheet at cost or market values whichever is the lower. Total assets of the group were £20.50m (2001 restated: £21.86m) including our share of the net assets of Campmoss Property of £4.51m (2001 restated: £4.38m). The total property portfolio under management, including Campmoss Property, is valued in excess of £32m. Net assets before adjusting for FRS 19 were £15.51m (2001: £17.03m) equivalent to 715p per share (2001: 652p) an increase of 10% over the year. After accounting for FRS 19 net assets were £15.26m (2001 restated: £16.88m) equivalent to 704p per share (2001 restated: 646p). The group's balance sheet remains strong with cash placed on short to medium term deposit amounting to £5.09m. Long-term borrowings of £3.2m (2001: £3.2m) are linked to base rate. The group's existing bank borrowing arrangements have been renewed for a further year and remain available to take advantage of opportunities as and when they arise. To enhance shareholder value your directors continue to follow their policy of purchasing the company's ordinary shares for cancellation at a substantial discount to their underlying value. At an extraordinary general meeting held on 19 September 2002 shareholders renewed the directors' authority to acquire shares and 90,000 ordinary shares were purchased and cancelled on 24 September 2002. The annual renewal of this authority will be placed before shareholders at the forthcoming annual general meeting. During the year a total of 444,000 ordinary shares, including the 90,000 referred to above, were purchased at a cost of £2.36m, at prices ranging between 510p and 545p per share and cancelled. The Thames Valley, Heathrow, the M25, M4 and M3 motorways As expressed in my last annual and interim reports to shareholders your directors have adopted a cautious approach to the property market. The weakness of world stock markets has restricted expansion plans of many companies even though retail demand appears to remain strong. The lettings market is not immune to the present uncertain state of the economy and world affairs and inevitably the Thames Valley, a barometer of activity in technology related businesses, has suffered. Over the year and probably more evident in the last two quarters the level of letting activity has fallen both for commercial and residential property. In the office sector prospective tenants are being offered attractive incentives to enter into a lease commitment and as a consequence underlying rental levels have probably fallen by around 10%-15%. The Thames Valley, especially west of London and close to Heathrow, has experienced real annual rental increases over the past five years and your directors consider the adjustment as a reasonable reaction to the current uncertainty in the market place. Low interest and deposit rates set against much higher income yields available from the property market are encouraging institutions and private individuals to increase their property portfolio weighting. Well located commercial properties let to strong covenants and on medium to long-term leases continue to attract considerable investment attention and inevitably capital values have increased. The capital value of low risk income producing commercial and industrial property will remain firm as long as interest rates continue at their current levels. Residential property values in Surrey and Berkshire have again seen an increase over the year although during the last few months certain properties have re-appeared on the market at slightly lower asking prices. This primarily relates to the higher end of the market but, as always, location and quality of design will attract a premium. Any weakness in the market will be limited by the restrictive planning process, the low cost of borrowing and the acknowledged quality of life that the area offers. Commercial investments Our investment portfolio is located within the Thames Valley and to the west of Heathrow, at Windsor and Egham. These properties are let to well known covenants on medium to long-term institutional type leases. At The White House, Egham, rent reviews for the first floor office area have been agreed whilst we remain in discussions with the six ground floor retail shop tenants. An increase of just over 10% in rental terms is expected once all reviews have been agreed. We continue to negotiate a lease renewal with The Royal Mail regarding the post office sorting centre at Cardiff. At the Windsor Business Centre following receipt of planning permission, one of the business units has been upgraded to incorporate further office space for the existing tenant. The annual rental income from this property has increased to just under £247,000 per annum. Gross rental income from our commercial property portfolio now totals £0.78m per annum. Residential At Ashleigh Lodge, Virginia Water, Surrey, a revised planning permission has been granted and the development of a 5 bedroom executive house of just under 4,800 sq ft recently commenced. The property stands in approximately 2 acres of grounds within the Green Belt. A smaller residential property in Egham, acquired at the beginning of the year, has also received planning permission for the redevelopment of four new terraced houses. Discussions are taking place at present with a view to either disposing of the site or developing the project ourselves. We retain two high-yielding residential properties in Windsor and Egham, both of which have recently been re-let on short-term tenancies. Campmoss Property Company Limited At the year-end the directors of Campmoss, taking a cautious view of the market and account of external advice where available, have assessed the current market value of the portfolio at £24.19m (2001: £21.56m). Property in the course of development is valued at cost. Gross rental income from these investments is currently in excess of £1.78m per annum. The investment properties are primarily let to well known covenants on long-term leases. At Britannia Wharf, Woking, rent reviews have been agreed for the majority of the 28,750 sq ft office space. The annual rental income is now just under £600,000, an increase of 10%. At Maidenhead, the development of a new 30,000 sq ft high grade office building has been completed on time and to budget. The new building has been designed to allow letting of the building to one or more tenants and agents have been appointed. In the current market a suitable letting may take time to achieve, but once secured the capital value of this investment should increase significantly. At York Road, Maidenhead, planning permission for a new 10,000 sq ft high grade office building, with good underground parking facilities has been granted and building works have commenced. Completion is expected towards the middle of next year. Discussions with the planning authorities in respect of two new office schemes at Worplesdon, Guildford, and Bracknell, Berkshire, continue. In the meantime part of the existing office and retail premises at Bracknell continues to be let on a short-term basis. Campmoss Property recently increased its borrowing facilities at lower rates of interest and, together with existing cash balances, has sufficient funds available to complete the current development programme. At the year end net borrowings totalled £13.26m (2001: £10.90m). Gearing was 124% (2001 restated: 119%). Quoted investments A cash distribution was received during the year from our shareholding in Grantchester Holdings plc. We retain our shareholdings in HACAS Group PLC, which provides outsourcing and consultancy services to the public and social housing sector and The Celltalk Group plc, a call centre based retailer of mobile phones. Despite adverse conditions the market value of our quoted portfolio remains in excess of cost. I remain a director of HACAS and Celltalk both of which are quoted on AIM. Shareholders telephone dealing service A telephone dealing service for the company's ordinary shares has been made available to shareholders by our registrars, Computershare Investor Services PLC. Further details are set out in a separate information sheet enclosed with this report and accounts. This service may be particularly useful to some of our smaller shareholders, but should not be construed as an encouragement to buy or sell the company's shares. If in doubt shareholders should contact their financial advisors. Management and staff Our small but focused management team has again achieved good progress in the current year. I therefore wish to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the group, including our joint venture partners, for their effort and support throughout a challenging but successful year. Post balance sheet events and outlook Our shareholding in Grantchester Holdings plc has been sold following a cash offer and an overage payment received, following a successful planning outcome at a property sold last year. The group's residential project at Virginia Water, Surrey, and new office development at Maidenhead, Berkshire, continue on budget and in accordance with the expected timetable. Our assets, based in the Thames Valley, are in prime locations offering high quality space with good car parking facilities. These factors always will be important in determining investment values. The group is well placed to respond to opportunities that present themselves and I look forward to achieving further underlying value in what I am sure will be another challenging year. J R Wollenberg Chairman 25 November 2002 Consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 30 September 2002 2002 2001 (Restated) £'000 £'000 Turnover Group and share of joint venture undertaking 1,847 5,822 Less: share of joint venture undertaking (857) (820) ______ ______ Group turnover 990 5,002 Cost of sales (55) (2,993) ______ ______ Gross profit 935 2,009 Administrative expenses (416) (473) Other operating income 192 184 ______ ______ Operating profit Group 711 1,720 Share of operating profit in joint venture undertaking 617 615 ______ ______ Total 1,328 2,335 Profit on sale of investment property (group) 240 247 Profit on sale of other investments (group) 62 141 Amounts written off investments (group) (204) (208) ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities before interest 1,426 2,515 Interest receivable and similar income Group 315 398 Share of joint venture undertaking 5 14 Interest payable Group (159) (229) Share of joint venture undertaking (436) (434) ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,151 2,264 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (401) (638) ______ ______ Profit on ordinary activities after taxation being profit for the financial year 750 1,626 attributable to shareholders Dividends (139) (148) ______ ______ Retained profit for the financial year 611 1,478 ===== ===== The above results relate entirely to continuing activities. There were no acquisitions or disposals of businesses during the year. 2002 2001 (Restated) £'000 £'000 Earnings per share - pence Before adjusting for FRS 19 Basic 35.4 76.4 Diluted 34.8 75.2 ===== ===== After adjusting for FRS 19 Basic 31.2 58.7 Diluted 30.7 57.8 ===== ===== 2002 2001 £'000 £'000 Dividends Interim paid 1.8p (2001: 1.6p) 42 44 Final proposed 4.5p (2001: 4.0p) 97 104 _____ _____ 139 148 ===== ===== Consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses for the year ended 30 September 2002 2002 2001 (Restated) £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial year 750 1,626 Unrealised surplus/(deficit) on revaluation of investment properties in the year 125 (90) (group) ______ ______ Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial year 875 1,536 Prior year adjustment relating to accounting policy for deferred tax (150) - _______ ______ Total recognised gains and losses since last annual report 725 1,536 ====== ===== Consolidated balance sheet at 30 September 2002 2002 2001 (Restated) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets: Investment properties 6,080 6,210 Other 12 7 ______ ______ 6,092 6,217 Investments: Investment in joint venture undertaking Share of gross assets 12,098 11,469 Share of gross liabilities (7,589) (7,088) ______ ______ 4,509 4,381 Other investments 368 608 ______ ______ 4,877 4,989 ______ ______ 10,969 11,206 Current assets Stock and work in progress 2,451 2,106 Debtors 1,992 579 Cash at bank and in hand 5,086 7,964 ______ ______ 9,529 10,649 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (2,083) (1,008) ______ ______ Net current assets 7,446 9,641 ______ ______ Total assets less current liabilities 18,415 20,847 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than (2,560) (3,200) one year Provisions for liabilities and charges (595) (765) ______ ______ Net assets 15,260 16,882 ===== ===== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 434 523 Share premium account 4,815 4,815 Investment property revaluation reserve 4,152 4,162 Other reserves 2,200 2,111 Profit and loss account 3,659 5,271 ______ ______ Shareholders' funds - equity 15,260 16,882 ===== ===== Net assets per share - pence: Before adjusting for FRS 19 715 652 ===== ===== After adjusting for FRS 19 704 646 ===== ===== Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 30 September 2002 2002 2001 £'000 £'000 Cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (1,328) 4,572 Returns on investment and servicing of finance 145 157 Taxation (157) - Capital expenditure and financial investment 629 995 Equity dividends paid (146) (139) ______ ______ Cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (857) 5,585 Financing (1,997) (805) ______ ______ (Decrease)/increase in cash in the year (2,854) 4,780 ===== ===== Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds/(debt) (Decrease)/increase in cash and movement in net funds/(debt) in the year (2,854) 4,780 resulting from cash flows Net funds/(debt) at beginning of year 4,730 (50) ______ ______ Net funds at end of year 1,876 4,730 ===== ===== Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Operating profit - group 711 1,720 Depreciation charges 9 11 (Increase)/decrease in stock and work in progress (345) 1,184 (Increase)/decrease in debtors (1,483) 1,473 Increase in creditors and provisions (220) 184 ______ ______ Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (1,328) 4,572 ===== ===== Summary preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2002 2002 2001 (Restated) £'000 £'000 Turnover 1,847 5,822 Gross rental income 1,662 1,637 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,151 2,264 Taxation (401) (638) Profit for the financial year attributable to shareholders 750 1,626 Dividend: Interim 1.8p (2001: 1.6p) per share 42 44 Final 4.5p (2001: 4.0p) per share 97 104 Earnings per share: Basic 31.2 58.7 Diluted 30.7 57.8 Notes i) Basic earnings per share has been calculated using the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year of 2,401,174 (2001: 2,769,889). Diluted earnings per share has been calculated in accordance with FRS14. ii) The taxation charge represents tax on profits of the year less management expenses brought forward. The basis is consistent with the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2001, except that FRS19 - Deferred Tax has been adopted. The standard requires that full provision is made for deferred tax and the comparative figures have been restated to reflect its adoption. iii) The board recommends that the final dividend be increased to 4.5p (2001: 4.0p) payable on 14 February 2003 to shareholders on the register at 17 January 2003, giving a total increase for the year of 13%. iv) The annual general meeting will be held on 14 January 2003. v) The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 30 September 2002 or 2001. Statutory accounts for 2001 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2002 will be delivered following the company's annual general meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. vi) A copy of the report and accounts will be submitted to the document viewing facility at the Financial Services Authority. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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