Interim Results

PRESS RELEASE Not for release before 0700, 22nd January 2004 FLETCHER KING PLC INTERIM RESULTS Fletcher King, the London based chartered surveyors and property asset managers, announces interim results for the 6 months to 31st October 2003. The results have improved on the same 6 month period in 2002 despite operating in persistently difficult market conditions. Financial highlights: · Profit before tax increased by 33% to £95,000 (2002: £71,000) · Turnover up 4.1% on the same period as last year to £2.370 million (2002 £2.277 million) · Basic earnings per share grew to 0.70p (2002: 0.62p) · Interim dividend declared at 0.3p (2002: 0.25p) Operational highlights: · First transactions completed under the discretionary investment mandate won from the British Home Stores pension fund in 2003. · The £20 million Stratton House Investment Property Syndicate now two thirds invested or committed - appetite remains amongst investors for second syndicate. · Fletcher King Howard has seen a re-emergence of construction management and is now on site with three major new assignments. · Despite an exceptionally difficult lettings market the agency department has successfully completed a number of deals. · Commenting David Fletcher, chairman of Fletcher King said: "We are pleased to be able to report that we have improved our results relative to the same period last year. We anticipate similar levels of activity as in the first half of the year with the investment market remaining strong and the current lack of stock continuing to make competition to buy fierce. We also believe the occupational markets are unlikely to be materially different in the second half of the year. The final dividend should be at least in line with last year." For further information: David Fletcher, Fletcher King: 020 7493 8400 Christopher Joll / Tim McCall, mj2 ltd: 020 7491 7776 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT RESULTS The Interim Results for the 6 months to 31st October 2003 have shown an improvement over the same period last year. Profit before tax was £95,000 (2002 £71,000) on a turnover of £2.370 million (2002 £2.277 million) with earnings per share of 0.70p (2002 0.62p). Your Directors have declared an interim dividend of 0.3 p (2002 0.25p) which will be paid on the 20th February 2004 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on the 6th February 2004. THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MARKET London Occupational demand in London and the South East continues to be subdued and many in the industry are currently calling this the bottom of the market. Although we have seen a small increase in the number of enquiries in the West End, we see no concrete evidence to support the view that the bottom of the market has been reached. Although we feel there is unlikely to be a further significant fall in rental levels, once the low point is reached the market is likely to take a year or two before recovering and positive signs of rental growth return. Outside London With the exception of the office letting markets in major provincial cities, we are seeing that demand is generally stronger outside of London. Owner occupiers, particularly for industrial property, remain a strong sector of the market despite the increase in medium term fixed interest rates. Investment Demand for bond type investments, and those where value can be added, remains extremely buoyant despite the rise in medium term interest rates over the last three months. In addition to debt financed purchasers, we saw institutions continue as buyers as they adjusted fund weightings towards the property sector. In our view the investment market is likely to remain strong for the foreseeable future. DIVISIONAL TRADING Property Asset Management The department has performed well during this half year and is actively pursuing new business. Existing clients continue to add to their portfolios. Investment and Fund Management The department has been active, but the lack of availability of good investment property has meant that turnover has remained at last year's level. A number of transactions are in the pipeline and the final out- turn for the year could be satisfactory. Valuation and Rating Both valuation and rating work has increased in the first half and we anticipate that progress will continue for the remainder of this year. Agency Although the letting markets remain difficult we have been active and have concluded a number of deals including: lettings in mid-town and a freehold office vacant possession sale in the City. The market generally is unlikely to improve in the near future. Manchester The year started rather slowly but the second quarter showed a significant increase in turnover. A number of major property acquisitions are in the pipeline for the second half and we anticipate the office will show an increase in profit over last year. Fletcher King Howard Our construction services division continues its recovery with project management commissions increasing. It has also seen the re-emergence of construction management and has started on site with three major new assignments. Stratton House Investment Property Syndicate Approximately two thirds of the fund is now invested or committed, with a view to being fully invested by April 2004. There is an appetite amongst some of our existing investors, and others, to start the next syndicate. We will hopefully do this during the coming year. OUTLOOK We anticipate similar levels of activity as in the first half and the final dividend should be at least in line with last year. The investment market will remain strong but the current lack of stock is likely to continue with fierce competition to buy. The occupational markets are unlikely to be materially different in the second half. D J R FLETCHER CHAIRMAN 22 January 2004 Registered Office Stratton House, Stratton Street London W1J 8LA Consolidated Profit and Loss Account (unaudited) for the six months to 31 October 2003 6 months 6 months to to to Year to 31 31 October October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 2,370 2,277 4,614 Operating Profit 80 61 50 Share of results of associated undertakings (3) 0 7 Interest Receivable (net) 18 10 26 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 95 71 83 Taxation (33) (16) (22) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 62 55 61 Dividends (26) (22) (88) Dividend per Share .3p .25p 1.00p Retained Profit 36 33 (27) Earnings per share - basic 0.70p 0.62p 0.69p NOTES 1. The interim figures for the six months to 31 October 2003, 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 2003. 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 2003 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 2002 - 8,807,279, April 2003 - 8,807,279). 3. This statement is being sent to shareholders. In addition copies are available from the Company Secretary at the Registered Office. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET As at As at As at (unaudited) for the six months 31 31 30 April to 31 October 2003 October October 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 209 266 221 Investment in associated undertakings 16 39 19 Other Investments 253 253 253 _________ _________ _________ 478 558 493 Current assets Debtors 1681 2143 1496 Cash at bank and in hand 930 623 1318 _________ _________ _________ 2611 2766 2814 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (672) (858) (907) _________ _________ _________ Net current assets 1939 1908 1907 Total assets less current liabilities 2417 2466 2400 Creditors Amounts falling due after one year 0 (27) (17) Provisions for liabilities and charges 0 0 (2) _________ _________ _________ Net assets 2417 2439 2381 _________ _________ _________ Capital and reserves Called up share capital 881 881 881 Share premium account 76 76 76 Profit and loss account 1460 1482 1424 _________ _________ _________ 2417 2439 2381 ========= ========= ========= CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 months 6 months Year to to to (unaudited) for the six months 31 31 30 April to 31 October 2003 October October 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from operating activities (313) (352) 375 Dividends received from associated undertakings 0 0 26 Returns on investment and servicing of finance 18 10 26 Taxation 11 0 (41) Capital expenditure and financial investment (27) (258) (262) Equity dividends paid (66) (66) (88) _________ _________ _________ Cash flow before financing (377) (666) 36 Financing (11) (15) (23) _________ _________ _________ (Decrease)/Increase in cash in the half year (388) (681) 13 _________ _________ _________
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