Interim Results

Highcroft Investments PLC 6 September 2001 HIGHCROFT INVESTMENTS PLC - Interim Results for the six months to 30 June 2001 - Chairman's Statement * Interim dividend increased by 6.7% to 3.2p per share. * Operating profits increased by 2% total income up by 3.5%. * Pre tax profit decline reflects the uneven incidence of asset sales. * Further strengthening of the property portfolio. * Borrowing powers have not been used and the balance sheet remains ungeared. Summary The stability of these results - a small increase in operating profits and a virtually unchanged net asset value - is, I believe, a reasonable outcome in a period when Stock Markets and business confidence have been falling. In the period under review, (and subsequently) we have continued to upgrade the quality of our property portfolio and have so far achieved this from our own resources without recourse to borrowing. The interim dividend is increased by 6.7% (to 3.2p payable on 29 October), reflecting our aim of raising the return to shareholders in real terms. Your Board is committed to the long-term enhancement of shareholders' investment and our current financial strength provides us with a solid platform for progress. Operating Activities Operating profit, for the six months to 30 June 2001, was £699,000 a rise of 2% on the equivalent period. This increase has been achieved against a background of falling Stock Markets, growing business uncertainty and falling interest rates. Total income, including interest receivable rose by 3.5% to £813,000. Net property income (+2%) continues to represent a relatively high proportion of total income - 78% against 79% in the first half of 2000 and 67% in 1999. This is a result of the increased investment in property and the negotiation of rent reviews. Higher property outgoings include professional fees relating to the benefits of such negotiations. Future periods should reflect the benefits of higher rents as we expect a steady increase in property income. Investment income is expected to increase also, albeit at a lower rate. Capital Activities We made a net investment in listed investments of £121,000 - purchases of £ 728,000 and sales of £607,000, compared with £798,000 and £664,000 respectively in 2000. On the property front, we sold properties for £979,000 (£1,412,000 in 2000). These consisted of two residential properties with vacant possession, several long lease residential freeholds producing ground rents only, and two commercial properties falling below our new criteria for the property portfolio. No purchases were made in this period but, subsequently, we have bought a property in Warrington, Cheshire for £1,775,000. The property comprises a public house and adjoining retail unit let to Yates Brothers Wine Lodges Plc for 50 years, with a 25 year break clause. The next rent review is in 2002 with five yearly rent reviews thereafter. The yield is 7.5% on the expected net rental income of £134,000. This purchase is a further move in the enhancement of the property portfolio by concentrating on larger, higher quality assets. Even after the purchase of the Warrington property, the group still has net cash. At the AGM in June, shareholders approved updated Articles of Association, which included greater borrowing powers. These have not yet been used but we are confident that the enhanced financial resources will enable us to take advantage of attractive opportunities. Taxation Gains on disposals of assets were £8,000 against £164,000 in the equivalent period last year (£42,000 gains on property, partly offset by losses of £ 34,000 on investments). However, the calculation of gains for accounts purposes is not the basis for tax on capital gains, so tax payable on these disposals is £175,000. A transfer from realised capital reserve was required to cover the net loss after tax of £167,000. Net Asset Value At 30 June 2001, net asset value was 622p per share (June 2000, 616p) a fall of 1.4% since 31 December 2000. Listed investments fell £860,000 but this was mitigated by a property surplus of £97,000 and retained profits of £367,000. Board In October 2001, Gavin Kingerlee will retire as Chief Executive and be succeeded by Jonathan Kingerlee. The Board is delighted that Gavin will continue to serve the Group in the role of non-executive deputy chairman. Shareholders will be asked to confirm Jonathan's appointment as Chief Executive at the AGM in 2002. R Craig Chairman 6 September 2001 Group Profit and Loss Account (Unaudited) for the six months ended 30 June 2001 First First Full Half Half Year Note 2001 2000 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Income from fixed asset investments and other interest receivable From properties 636 619 1,218 From investments, including net interest 177 167 350 receivable 813 786 1,568 Administrative expenses 114 103 195 Operating profit 699 683 1,373 Gains on disposals of assets 2 8 164 295 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 707 847 1,668 Taxation 3 342 425 674 Profit for the financial period 365 422 994 Losses on disposals of assets after taxation taken from realised capital reserve 167 122 57 Profit available for distribution 532 544 1,051 Dividends 4 165 155 439 Profit retained 367 389 612 Earnings per share 5 Including gains on disposals of assets 7.1 8.2 19.2 Excluding gains on disposals of assets 10.3 10.5 20.3 Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses First First Full Half Half Year 2001 2000 2000 Restated £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial 365 544 994 period Unrealised surplus/(deficit) on revaluation of: investment properties 97 1,175 1,520 listed and unlisted (860) 59 36 investments Deferred taxation 100 - (100) Total recognised gains and losses for the period (298) 1,778 2,450 Group Balance Sheet (Unaudited) as at 30 June 2001 30 June 30 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 Restated Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 20,513 19,538 21,352 Investments 7 11,050 11,571 11,855 31,563 31,109 33,207 Current assets Debtors 773 1,805 401 Cash at bank and in hand 1,058 609 380 1,831 2,414 781 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 1,246 1,420 1,276 Net current assets/(liabilities) 585 994 (495) Deferred taxation - - 100 Total assets less current liabilities 32,148 32,103 32,612 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,292 1,292 1,292 Revaluation reserve - property 5,206 5,825 5,647 - other 5,137 6,610 6,470 Capital redemption reserve 95 95 95 Realised capital reserve 13,677 12,130 12,734 Profit and loss account 6,741 6,151 6,374 Shareholders' funds 32,148 32,103 32,612 Group Cash Flow Statement for the six months ended 30 June 2001 First First Full Year Half Half 2001 2000 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating 767 (723) 1,387 activities Taxation Taxation paid (208) (100) (620) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of fixed assets - properties - - (1,688) - listed investments (728) (798) (1,626) Sale of fixed assets - properties 523 1,412 1,667 - listed investments 607 664 1,261 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from capital 402 1,278 (386) expenditure and financial investment Net cash outflow from servicing of finance Dividends paid (284) (261) (416) Increase/(decrease) in 677 194 (35) cash Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Operating profit 699 683 1,373 (Increase)/decrease in debtors 115 (1,419) (15) Increase/(decrease) in creditors (47) 13 29 767 (723) 1,387 Notes 1. Interim report This interim report will not appear as an advertisement in any newspaper but copies are being sent to all shareholders and are available at the company's registered office. The results for the six months ended 30 June 2001 are unaudited but have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those set out in the audited report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2000. The balance sheet at 30 June 2000 has been restated to incorporate the June 2000 asset valuations, which last year were included in the notes, in order to provide a meaningful comparison with June 2001. The interim report does not constitute full accounts as defined by the Companies Act 1985 but should be read in conjunction with the most recent financial statements. Full accounts for 2000 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, bearing an unqualified audit opinion. 2. Gains on disposals of assets First First Full Year Half Half 2001 2000 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on disposals of assets arising on sales of: Properties 42 136 174 Investments (34) 28 121 8 164 295 3. Taxation First Half First Half Full Year 2001 2000 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Corporation tax 167 139 322 Corporation tax on disposals of assets 175 286 352 342 425 674 The taxation charge has been based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full year. 4. Dividends The Board has declared an ordinary interim dividend of 3.20p per share (2000 3.00p) payable on 29 October 2001 to shareholders registered at 28 September 2001. 5. Earnings per share The earnings per share calculation for the first half has been made on the basis of 5,167,240 shares (2000 5,167,240) which is the number of shares in issue during the period ended 30 June 2001. In view of the uneven nature of capital disposals, an adjusted earnings per share has also been presented, based on the profit available for distribution of £532,000 (2000 £544,000). 6. Tangible assets Land and buildings (Investment properties) Total £'000 Valuation at 1 January 2001 21,352 Disposals (936) Surplus on revaluation 97 Valuation at 30 June 2001 20,513 The directors have used an internal valuation of properties at 30 June 2001, the basis of which they believe to be consistent with the external valuation prepared for 31 December 2000. 7. Investments Listed and unlisted Total £'000 Valuation at 1 January 2001 11,855 Additions 728 Disposals (673) Deficit on revaluation (860) Valuation at 30 June 2001 11,050 6 September 2001
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