Interim Results

Fletcher King PLC 18 January 2002 18 January 2002 Fletcher King Plc INTERIM RESULTS Fletcher King Plc, the property and construction services group, today announce their interim results for the six months to 31 October 2001. Highlights * PROFIT BEFORE TAX £141,000 (2000: £285,000) * TURNOVER £2.4 million (2000: £3.22 million) * EARNINGS PER SHARE 0.94p (2000: 2.1p) * INTERIM DIVIDEND 0.25p (2000: 1.5p) Commenting on the results, David Fletcher, Chairman, said: 'Fletcher King's results reflect the slowdown in the UK economy. However, we have some excellent prospective business in the pipeline and continue to win new instructions.' For further information, please contact:- David Fletcher, Chairman Fletcher King Plc 020 7493 8400 Claire Rowberry/Francetta Carr GCI Financial 020 7072 4215 FLETCHER KING PLC - CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT The interim results for the 6 months to 31 October 2001 are in line with directors' expectations. Profit before tax was £141,000 (2000 £285,000) producing earnings per share of 0.94p (2000 2.1p). Because of conflicting economic indicators and uncertain market conditions, your Board considers it prudent to limit the interim dividend payment and we have therefore declared an interim dividend of 0.25p (2000 1.5p) per share which will be paid on 22 February 2002 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 8 February 2002. Assuming that, at the year end, economic indicators are favourable it is the Board's intention to pay a dividend fully covered by profit and to make a transfer to reserves. Fletcher King's results reflect the slowdown in the UK economy, which was already evident towards the end of our last financial year, and the high level of uncertainty amongst both corporate occupiers and investors. This uncertainty has resulted in delayed decisions to move to new accommodation or to invest funds in income producing properties. We believe that this uncertainty is likely to continue. The traditional occupiers in the western corridor, who are largely American owned corporations, are cutting back on their space requirements as indeed are many of the investment banking, broking and fund management houses in the City of London. We agree with industry commentators that the slowdown is a correction to a market that has run ahead of itself and is in no way comparable to the major recessions of the late 1980's early 1990's and prior to that in the early 1970's. The Group's businesses in London and Manchester have delivered strong performances that reflect the strength of the economy in those regions. Birmingham experienced a disappointing first half and returned a small loss. Our construction services company, Howard Associates, which was re-branded Fletcher King Howards on 1 January 2002, continued to experience some trading difficulties. However, they have found the level of enquiries is increasing and, although a loss was produced in the first half, they are budgeting for this to be eliminated by the year end. The development of our associated business in Birmingham has not been progressing in accordance with our national strategy and we have decided, therefore, as from 1 January 2002, to transfer our 25% shareholding to our local partners Messrs Cosnett and Price. This action will be financially neutral to the performance of the Group. The uncertainties in the investment markets generally, and investors reluctance to make decisions, have affected the progress of setting up our Limited Partnership for investment in income producing commercial properties. We have significant interest from potential investors, but many are delaying final decisions until they form an opinion as to the likely economic prospects for 2002. Outlook Although the immediate future is uncertain, the initial New Year indicators are positive and we are receiving more enquiries from tenants and investors than between September 11 and Christmas and we have some excellent prospective business in the pipeline. We continue to win new instructions, have very strong and skilled teams to execute them and we are therefore hopeful that our results for the second half of our financial year will be similar to those for the first half. Your company is in robust shape to deal with the ups and downs of the coming year. David Fletcher Chairman 18 January 2002 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account (unaudited) for the six months to 31 October 2001 6 months to 6 months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 2,436 3,224 6,255 Operating Profit 99 237 369 Share of results of associated undertakings 10 0 0 Interest Receivable (net) 32 48 92 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 141 285 461 Taxation 58 101 177 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 83 184 284 Dividends 22 132 352 Dividend per Share 0.25p 1.5p 4.0p Retained Profit 61 52 (68) Earnings per share - basic 0.94p 2.1p 3.2p Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) for the six months to 31 October 2001 As at As at As at 31 October 31 October 30 April 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 373 493 390 Investment in associated undertakings 56 59 49 Other Investments 903 0 903 1332 552 1342 Current assets Debtors 2009 1953 2092 Cash at bank and in hand 1289 1687 1066 3298 3640 3158 Creditors (Amounts falling due within one year) (2,062) (1,560) (1,993) Net current assets 1236 2080 1165 Total assets less current liabilities 2568 2632 2507 Provisions for liabilities and charges (12) (17) (12) Net assets 2556 2615 2495 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 881 881 881 Share premium account 76 76 76 Profit and loss account 1599 1658 1538 2556 2615 2495 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (unaudited) for the six months to 31 October 2001 6 months to 6 months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2001 2000 2001 £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 533 (64) 506 Returns on investment and servicing finance 32 48 92 Taxation (107) 0 (202) Capital expenditure and financial investment (8) 12 (880) Equity dividends paid (220) (220) (352) Cash flow before financing 230 (224) (836) Financing (7) (7) (16) Increase / (Decrease) in cash in the half 223 (231) (852) year NOTES 1. The interim figures for the six months to 31 October 2001, which are unaudited, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 April 2001. The financial information contained in this Interim Report does not amount to statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The results for the year ended 30 April 2001 have been extracted from the published accounts for that period on which the auditors gave an unqualified report and which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Earnings per share are calculated on 8,807,279 ordinary shares in issue during the six months (October 2000 - 8,807,279, April 2001 - 8,807,279). 3. This statement is being sent to shareholders. In addition copies are available from the Company Secretary at the Registered Office.
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