Interim Results

Highcroft Investments PLC 05 September 2002 HIGHCROFT INVESTMENTS PLC Interim Report for the six months to 30 June 2002 Highcroft Investments PLC Chairman's Statement for the six months ended 30 June 2002 - Interim dividend increased by 9.4% to 3.5p per share - Operating profits increased by 3.6% - Pre tax profit down by 4% as a result of losses on asset disposals - Net assets per share 624p (June 2001 622p) despite Stock Market decline - Balance sheet strength supports the revised property strategy Summary At the interim stage last year I commented that, despite problems with falling Stock Markets and business confidence, your company acquitted itself well, and I think it appropriate to repeat these comments now. Operating profits and net assets have risen and our balance sheet remains strong. The interim dividend is proposed at 3.5p (2001 3.2p) payable on 28 October 2002. Operating Activities Operating profit, for the six months to 30 June 2002, increased by 3.6% to £724,000 - a result of higher income from our property portfolio and firm control of administrative expenses albeit offset by lower dividends and interest receivable. Property income is now almost 82% of the total; this is likely to rise further as more emphasis is put on property in line with the policy statement announced on 14 June 2002. Capital Activities In turbulent markets, we made net investments of £372,000 (purchases of £792,000 and sales of £420,000). At 30 June 2002, there was a deficit on revaluation of £604,000 - the value at 30 June being £9,389,000. On the property front, notwithstanding the company's declared policy of concentrating to a greater extent on the property portfolio, a smaller commercial property was sold for £447,000. This is in line with our practice of disposing of such commercial properties and selling residential properties when possession becomes available. There was a £460,000 surplus on revaluation of our property portfolio. Cash holdings were virtually the same level as at the year end and rose following the receipt of the property proceeds on completion in July. Given our greater emphasis on property investment and modest development opportunities, we expect to have a moderate level of borrowings in the next 18 months. Taxation Taxation has fallen to £152,000 (June 2001 £342,000) incorporating a small rise in corporation taxes on revenue and a credit on asset disposals. Net Asset Value At 30 June 2002, net asset value was 624p per share (against 622p at June 2001 and 620p at 31 December 2001). This modest increase was accounted for by a fall of £604,000 in the value of listed investments offset by a property surplus of £460,000 and retained profits of £365,000. Highcroft Investments PLC Chairman's Statement for the six months ended 30 June 2002 Board At the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 12 June 2002, shareholders voted on a poll against the resolutions to re-elect John Hewitt and Tony Phillips as non executive directors of the Company. On 20 June 2002, the Highcroft Board was pleased to announce that it had invited John Hewitt to re-join the Board as Senior Independent Director, and following his agreement his appointment took effect immediately. Shareholders will be asked to confirm his appointment at the 2003 AGM. In addition, an amicable agreement was reached with Tony Phillips who, being close to retirement age, would not have wished to accept reappointment. The Highcroft Board believes that it is now well placed to pursue the strategy, announced on 14 June, to the benefit of all shareholders. The Future While stock markets have weakened significantly subsequent to the end of the half year, we believe our balance sheet will enable us to continue to enhance shareholder value over the medium term as a result of the increased emphasis on property. It remains our intention to raise dividends in real terms year-on-year. R Craig 5 September 2002 Group Profit and Loss Account (Unaudited) for the six months ended 30 June 2002 First Half First Half Full Year Note 2002 2001 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Income from fixed asset investments and other interest receivable From properties 685 636 1,278 From investments, including net interest receivable 154 177 334 839 813 1,612 Administrative expenses 115 114 228 Operating profit 724 699 1,384 (Losses)/gains on disposals of assets 2 (46) 8 76 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 678 707 1,460 Taxation 3 152 342 626 Profit for the financial period 526 365 834 Losses on disposals of assets after taxation taken from realised capital reserve 20 167 235 Profit available for distribution 546 532 1,069 Dividends 4 181 165 478 Profit retained 365 367 591 Earnings per share 5 Including gains on disposals of assets 10.2p 7.1p 16.1p Excluding gains on disposals of assets 10.6p 10.3p 20.6p Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses First Half First Half Full Year 2002 2001 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial period 526 365 834 Unrealised surplus/(deficit) on revaluation of: investment properties 460 97 728 listed and unlisted investments (604) (860) (1,778) Deferred taxation 0 100 100 Total recognised gains and losses for the period 382 (298) (116) Group Balance Sheet (Unaudited) as at 30 June 2002 30 June 30 June 31 December 2002 2001 2001 Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 22,737 20,513 22,727 Investments 7 9,389 11,050 9,654 32,126 31,563 32,381 Current assets Debtors 724 773 462 Cash at bank and in hand 413 1,058 419 1,137 1,831 881 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 1,043 1,246 1,244 Net current assets/(liabilities) 94 585 (363) Total assets less current liabilities 32,220 32,148 32,018 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,292 1,292 1,292 Revaluation reserve - property 6,094 5,206 5,713 - other 3,585 5,137 4,131 Capital redemption reserve 95 95 95 Realised capital reserve 13,824 13,677 13,822 Profit and loss account 7,330 6,741 6,965 Shareholders' funds 32,220 32,148 32,018 Group Cash Flow Statement for the six months ended 30 June 2002 First Half First Half Full Year 2002 2001 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 937 767 1,398 Taxation Taxation paid (258) (208) (763) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of fixed assets - properties - - (1,878) - listed investments (792) (728) (893) Sale of fixed assets - properties 0 523 1,377 - listed investments 420 607 1,247 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from capital expenditure (372) 402 (147) and financial investment Net cash outflow from servicing of finance Dividends paid (313) (284) (449) (Decrease)/increase in cash (6) 677 39 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Operating profit 724 699 1,384 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 188 115 (61) Increase/(decrease) in creditors 25 (47) 75 937 767 1,398 Notes for the six months ended 30 June 2002 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 2002 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 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 2001 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, bearing an unqualified audit opinion. 2. Gains on disposals of assets First Half First Half Full Year 2002 2001 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on disposals of assets arising on sales of: Properties (13) 42 146 Investments (33) (34) (70) (46) 8 76 3. Taxation First Half First Half Full Year 2002 2001 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Corporation tax 178 167 315 Corporation tax on disposals of assets (26) 175 311 152 342 626 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 3.50p per share (2001 3.20p) payable on 28 October 2002 to shareholders registered at 27 September 2002. 5. Earnings per share The earnings per share calculation for the first half has been made on the basis of 5,167,240 shares (2001 5,167,240) which is the number of shares in issue during the period ended 30 June 2002. 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 £546,000 (2001 £532,000). 6. Tangible assets Land and buildings (Investment properties) Total £'000 Valuation at 1 January 2002 22,727 Disposals (450) Surplus on revaluation 460 Valuation at 30 June 2002 22,737 The directors have used an internal valuation of properties at 30 June 2002, the basis of which they believe to be consistent with the external valuation prepared for 31 December 2001. 7. Investments Listed and unlisted Total £'000 Valuation at 1 January 2002 9,654 Additions 792 Disposals (452) Deficit on revaluation (604) Valuation at 30 June 2002 9,389 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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