Interim Results

Highcroft Investments PLC 05 August 2004 Highcroft Investments PLC for the six months ended 30 June 2004 • Interim dividend increased by 8.0% to 4.05p per share • Operating profit before disposals of assets increased by 3.2% to £772,000 • Pre tax profit after disposals of assets down by 7.5% to £773,000 • Net assets per share up to 676p (2003: 653p) Chairman's Statement Summary I am pleased to report that, in the six months to 30 June 2004, we have achieved another increase in operating profits and that our net asset value has risen to 676p per share which is again its highest ever reported value. We have made further moves, albeit modest, in altering the balance of our interests more towards property and our balance sheet remains strong. The interim dividend is 4.05p (2003: 3.75p) an increase of 8.0%, continuing our policy of payments in excess of inflation. The dividend is payable on 20 October 2004. Operating Activities Operating profit - which reflects the underlying income of the Group, excluding the more volatile short term gains or losses on capital items - increased by 3.2% to £772,000 despite extensive repairs to one residential property. Rental income was steady and investment income, including interest, was up 7.0% on the equivalent period in 2003. Capital Activities Having reviewed a number of opportunities, we announced in May that we had purchased a property located in Cirencester. The property comprises three retail units let to Going Places, Card Warehouse and Ladbrokes on leases which expire in 2009, 2014 and 2017 respectively. The property was acquired for £1,515,000 plus costs and paid for from available cash. The net income from the property is approximately £91,000 per year producing an initial yield of 5.7%. This was another step in implementing the Board's strategy of modifying the allocation of funds in order to place a greater focus on the property portfolio. While we continue to look for properties which will enhance the portfolio and secure rising rental income over the medium to long term, shareholders will be aware that the next purchase may be funded to a significant extent by long term loan finance. There was a £662,000 surplus on revaluation of our property portfolio an increase of 2.9% on a like for like basis. The independent valuers upheld the valuation we put on our Cirencester purchase. With our listed investment portfolio, we made investments of £453,000 and sold various holdings for £610,000, a net withdrawal from the portfolio of £157,000. At 30 June 2004, there was a surplus on revaluation of £21,000 - the value of the portfolio being £7,926,000, an increase of 0.3% on a like for like basis Taxation The taxation charge has risen to £191,000 (June 2003: £186,000) and in addition there is a £39,000 tax liability on realised revaluation gains which has been deducted from the realised capital reserve. Net Asset Value At 30 June 2004, net asset value was 676p per share (against 635p at June 2003 and 656p at 31 December 2003). This has been a pleasing trend and the most recent increase comes from all sources - a property portfolio surplus of £662,000, a £21,000 rise in the value of listed investments and retained profits of £372,000. The Future We have a solid trading outlook and balance sheet which gives us confidence as we move towards greater emphasis on our property interests. We believe we can continue to enhance shareholder value over the medium term and it remains our intention to raise dividends in real terms year-on-year. G J Kingerlee 4 August 2004 Group Profit and Loss Account (Unaudited) for the six months ended 30 June 2004 First Half First Half Full Year Note 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Income from fixed asset investments and other interest receivable From properties 731 725 1,457 From investments, including net interest receivable 153 143 301 884 868 1,758 Administrative expenses 112 120 209 Operating profit 772 748 1,549 Gain on disposals of assets 2 1 88 158 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 773 836 1,707 Taxation 3 191 186 409 Profit for the financial period 582 650 1,298 (Gain) on disposals of assets after taxation transferred to realised capital reserve (1) (88) (158) Profit available for distribution 581 562 1,140 Dividends 4 209 194 568 Profit retained 372 368 572 Earnings per share 5 Including gains on disposals of assets 11.3 p 12.6 p 25.1 p Excluding gains on disposals of assets 11.2 p 10.9 p 22.1 p Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses First Half First Half Full Year 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial period 582 650 1,298 Unrealised surplus on revaluation of: investment properties 662 1,242 1,320 listed and unlisted investments 21 238 996 Tax on prior years' surplus realised in year (39) - - Total recognised gains and losses for the period 1,226 2,130 3,614 Group Balance Sheet (Unaudited) as at 30 June 2004 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 27,697 25,358 25,436 Investments 7 7,927 7,584 8,062 35,624 32,942 33,498 Current assets Debtors 400 471 532 Cash at bank and in hand - 366 1,079 400 837 1,611 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 1,106 989 1,208 Net current (liabilities) /assets (706) (152) 403 Total assets less current liabilities 34,918 32,790 33,901 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,292 1,292 1,292 Revaluation reserve - property 7,222 6,187 6,560 - other 3,254 2,708 3,542 Capital redemption reserve 95 95 95 Realised capital reserve 14,596 14,625 14,325 Profit and loss account 8,459 7,883 8,087 Shareholders' funds 34,918 32,790 33,901 Group Cash Flow Statement (Unaudited) for the six months ended 30 June 2004 First Half First Half Full Year 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 873 1,227 1,977 Taxation Taxation paid (218) (336) (530) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of fixed assets - properties (1,599) (1,596) (1,596) - listed investments (453) (262) (624) Sale of fixed assets - properties - 657 660 - listed investments 610 624 1,334 Net cash outflow from capital expenditure (1,442) (577) (226) and financial investment Net cash outflow from servicing of finance Dividends paid (374) (343) (537) (Decrease) / Increase in cash (1,161) (29) 684 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Operating profit 772 748 1,549 Decrease in debtors 132 443 384 (Decrease) / Increase in creditors (31) 36 44 873 1,227 1,977 Notes (Unaudited) 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 2004 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 2003. 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 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, bearing an unqualified audit opinion. 2. Gain on disposals of assets First Half First Half Full Year 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gain on disposals of assets arising on sales of: Properties - 80 82 Investments 1 8 76 1 88 158 3. Taxation First Half First Half Full Year 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Corporation tax 192 186 399 Prior year underprovision - - 10 192 186 409 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 4.05p per share (2003: 3.75p) payable on 20 October 2004 to shareholders registered at 17 September 2004. 5. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit for the period of £582,000 (2003: £650,000) and on 5,167,240 shares (2003: 5,167,240) which is the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period ended 30 June 2004 and throughout the period since 1 January 2004. 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 £581,000 (2003: £562,000). First Half First Half Full Year 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Earnings: Basic earnings per share 582 650 1,298 Adjustment for (gain) on disposals of assets (1) (88) (158) Adjusted earnings per share 581 562 1,140 Per share amount: Basic earnings per share 11.3 p 12.6 p 25.1 p Adjustment for (gain) on disposals of assets (0.1) p (1.7) p (3.0) p Adjusted earnings per share 11.2 p 10.9 p 22.1 p 6. Tangible assets Land and buildings (Investment properties) Total £'000 Valuation at 1 January 2004 25,436 Additions 1,599 Surplus on revaluation 662 Valuation at 30 June 2004 27,697 The directors have used an independent valuation of properties at 30 June 2004, the basis of which they believe to be consistent with the external valuation prepared for 31 December 2003. 7. Investments Listed and unlisted Total £'000 Valuation at 1 January 2004 8,062 Additions 453 Disposals (609) Surplus on revaluation 21 Valuation at 30 June 2004 7,927 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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