Interim Results

PRESS RELEASE Not for release before 0700, 21st January 2005 FLETCHER KING PLC INTERIM RESULTS Fletcher King sees strong results for the half year Fletcher King, the London based property fund managers, asset managers and chartered surveyors, announces today its interim results for the 6 months to 31 October 2004. The results show an increased performance on the same 6 month period last year. Financial highlights: - Profit before tax up 155% to £242,000 (2003: £95,000) - Turnover for the half year up 9% at £2.587m (2003: £2.370m) - Basic earnings per share grew 139% to 1.67p (2003: 0.7p) - Interim dividend up to 0.5p (2003: 0.3p) which will be paid on 18 February 2005 Operational highlights: - A profit of £100,000 was achieved on the sale of the minority interest in Fletcher King Manchester. - Stratton House Investment Property Syndicate is now fully invested and is currently achieving returns in excess of target. The second fund is progressing well and contracts are already exchanged for its first acquisition. - The property asset management department added approximately 500,000 sq ft to its existing portfolio. - Valuation and Rating has shown a significant increase in turnover and is on course for a successful year Commenting David Fletcher, Chairman of Fletcher King said: "I am pleased to be able to announce a strong first 6 months. The results were positively affected by the sale of our interest in Fletcher King Manchester, but all departments have performed well and this is reflected with a profit increase of 155%. The investment market has remained strong and we anticipate that activity in all departments over the next six months will continue at a satisfactory level. I look forward to the next six months and hope to be able to announce an increase in the final dividend. For further information: David Fletcher, Fletcher King: 020 7493 8400 Tim McCall, MJ2 Business Communications 020 7491 7776 Fletcher King Plc Chairman's Statement RESULTS The Interim Results for the 6 months to 31st October 2004 have shown an improvement over the same period last year. Profit before tax was £242,000 (2003 £95,000) on a turnover of £2.587 million (2003 £2.370 million) with earnings per share of 1.67p (2003 0.70p). Your Directors have declared an interim dividend of 0.5p (2003 0.3p) which will be paid on the 18th February 2005 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on the 4th February 2005. The pre-tax profit for the period included a one off profit of £100,000 resulting from the sale of the Company's minority interest in Fletcher King Manchester. THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MARKET London Occupational demand for offices in London and the South East continues to be subdued although generally there are more enquiries for space than at this time last year. The only sector of the market which has shown substantial rental growth and activity is the West End. Oversupply continues in the City, Mid-Town, Docklands and the Western Approaches suppressing rental growth. Retail and industrial rents are showing some limited growth. Outside London Occupational demand for all types of space is generally stronger outside London and owner occupiers, particularly for industrial property, remain very active. Investment Demand for all sectors of the market throughout the country continues to be strong. Many institutions have increased their weighting to property over the last twelve months, which is fuelling an already buoyant market, and prices continue to climb as yields fall. Medium term SWAP rates have fallen over the last few months increasing demand from debt financed investors. There has been increased demand in the City of London for well let buildings even though the letting market is poor and at best rents remain stable. Many are calling the top of the market. We continue to believe that with some rental growth coming through, and with the weight of money in the market, yields will compress over the next twelve months with a resultant increase in capital values. DIVISIONAL TRADING Investment and Fund Management During the first half of the year the department has seen an increase in activity compared with the same period last year. Buying for in-house clients has been active and the department has transacted a number of significant sales during the period. There is a strong pipeline of work for the remainder of the year and we anticipate the good performance to continue throughout the year. Property Asset Management The department has added approximately 500,000 sq ft with an annual rent roll of £6.5 million from four new clients to its existing portfolios. We have received approval by the Financial Services Authority to carry out general insurance activities. Valuation and Rating The first half has shown a substantial increase in turnover from the corresponding period last year and the department is on course for a successful year with a continuing, excellent pipeline of work. Rent Reviews Although the smallest department within the Company, it has had an extremely busy first half with an increase in both turnover and instructions over the corresponding period last year. It is unlikely to produce a contribution to profit for the year but is performing in line with targets. Agency The department works almost exclusively within Central London and is operating in an extremely difficult market. Despite that, it has had an active first half and has a reasonably good pipeline of work. Manchester We disposed of the Company's minority interest in the Manchester office and made a very acceptable profit as detailed above. Fletcher King Howard Our construction services division grew its business over the corresponding period last year and is on target to increase its profitability this year. Stratton House Investment Property Syndicate The first fund is now fully invested and is currently achieving returns in excess of target. A second syndicate has been formed and contracts are exchanged for its first acquisition of a £7 million industrial portfolio. Outlook The investment market will remain strong even though occupational markets will be subdued. We anticipate activity continuing at a satisfactory level for the remainder of the year and our prospects for the second half look good. D J R FLETCHER Chairman 21st January 2005 Registered Office Stratton House, Stratton Street London W1J 8LA Consolidated Profit and Loss Account (unaudited) for the six months to 31 October 2004 6 6 Year to months months to to 31 31 30 Octobe Octobe April r r 2004 2003 2004 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 2587 2370 5623 Operating Profit 195 80 279 Share of results of associated undertakings 0 (3) 9 Interest Receivable (net) 47 18 44 Profit on ordinary activities before 242 95 332 taxation Taxation (95) (33) (113) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 147 62 219 Dividends (44) (26) (203) Dividend per Share 0.5p 0.3p 2.30p Retained Profit 103 36 16 Earnings per share - 1.67p 0.70p 2.49p basic NOTES 1. The interim figures for the six months to 31 October 2004, 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 2004. 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 2004 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 2003 - 8,807,279, April 2004 - 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 to 31 October 2004 Octobe Octobe April r r 2004 2003 2004 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 203 209 178 Investment in associated 0 16 27 undertakings Other Investments 253 253 253 _______________________________ 456 478 458 Current assets Debtors 1624 1681 1640 Cash at bank and in hand 1236 930 1836 _______________________________ 2886 2611 3476 Creditors Amounts falling due within one (816) (672) (1537) year _______________________________ Net current assets 2044 1939 1939 _______________________________ Total assets less current 2500 2417 2397 liabilities Creditors Amounts falling due after one 0 0 0 year Provisions for liabilities and 0 0 0 charges _______________________________ Net assets 2500 2417 2397 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 881 881 881 Share premium account 76 76 76 Profit and loss account 1543 1460 1440 _______________________________ 2500 2417 2397 _______________________________ CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 6 Year months months to to to (unaudited) for the six months 31 31 30 to 31 October 2004 Octobe Octobe April r r 2004 2003 2004 £000 £000 £000 Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from (396) (313) 643 operating activities Returns on investment and 47 18 44 servicing of finance Taxation 0 11 (21) Capital expenditure and (62) (27) (35) financial investment Equity dividends paid (176) (66) (92) __________________________________ Cash flow before financing (587) (377) 539 Financing (13) (11) (21) __________________________________ (Decrease)/Increase in cash in (600) (388) 518 the half year
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