Replacement - Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 4267H
Palace Capital PLC
30 November 2015
 

The following amendment has been made to the "Interim results for the 6 months ended 30 September 2015" announcement released on 30 November 2015 at 07:00 under RNS No 2813H.

 

The dividend record date and associated ex-dividend date have been amended to 11 December 2015 and 10 December 2015 respectively.  These dates appear in the Chairman's statement and note 5 of the notes to the interims financial statements.

 

All other details remain unchanged.

 

The full amended text is shown below.

 

 

Palace Capital Plc

("Palace Capital", the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Interim results for the 6 months ended 30 September 2015

 

Palace Capital, the property investment company that focuses on commercial property outside London, is pleased to announce its half yearly results for the six months to 30 September 2015.

 

Highlights

 

Corporate Highlights

·      £20m equity raised and deployed in the period

·      Portfolio valuation at 30 September 2015: £140.4 million (31 March 2015: £103.0 million)

·      EPRA* NAV per share: 404p at 30 September 2015 (HY 2014: 371p) having regard to 10p dilutive effect of equity raise

·      EPRA* earnings: £5.1 million (HY 2014: £1.8 million)

·      EPRA* EPS: 22p (HY 2014: 13p)

·      Interim dividend of 7p proposed (HY 2014: 6p), fully covered by earnings

 

Operational Highlights

·      Three acquisitions:

o   Sol Central, Northampton for £20.7 million, supported by £20 million equity fundraise

o   Bank House, King Street, Leeds for £10.0 million funded from cash

o   46-54 High Street, Sutton for £3.9 million, funded from cash

·       Two sales, both well above book value:

o   Unit 1, Clayton Manor, Burgess Hill for £1.25 million

o   54 Albert Road North, Reigate for £0.45 million

·       Appointment of Stephen Silvester to the Board as Finance Director

 

Asset Management Highlights

·      Planning application submitted to City of York Council for 82 apartments and 37,000 sq ft of offices at Hudson House, York

·      Secured the surrender of a lease held by Gala Casinos at Sol Central, Northampton for £3.0 million plus £0.8m dilapidations

·      Unit 3, Clayton Manor, Burgess Hill let for 15 years to Polar Audio at £120,000 pa initial rent

·      Extension of lease with the Bank of England at Bank House, King Street, Leeds until 2023

·      Work has started on office-to-residential conversion of 14 apartments at The Copperfields, Dartford, Kent

·      Post period end: Stratton House, Bristol - new 15-year lease with Wincanton Holdings at a headline rent of £190,000 pa

 

Financial Highlights

·      Gross debt: £51.1 million (31 March 2015: £36.2 million)

·      Loan to value net of cash: 23% (31 March 2015: 23%)

·      Weighted average cost of debt: 3.1% (31 March 2015: 3.9%)

·      £20 million loan facility with Nationwide Building Society secured on the Sequel portfolio, renegotiated for 5 years at a reduced margin of 2.45% compared to 3.75%

 

* EPRA is the European Public Real Estate Association

 

Date: 30 November 2015

 

For further information contact:

 

Palace Capital plc

Neil Sinclair, Chief Executive

Stephen Silvester, Finance Director

Tel. +44 (0)20 3301 8331

 

Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)

Nick Naylor / James Reeve

Tel. +44 (0)20 3328 5656

 

Arden Partners plc (Joint Broker)

Chris Hardie / Ciaran Walsh

Tel. +44 (0)20 7614 5917

 

Capital Access Group (Financial PR)

Simon Courtenay / Harry Rippon

Tel. +44 (0)20 3763 3400

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2015

 

I am very pleased to report our interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2015, which show that the Company has made a profit before tax of £7.6m.  The Company has significantly grown the scale of its real estate portfolio, both through recent acquisitions and upward revaluations. As at 30 September 2015, the portfolio was valued at £140.4m and our annual gross rent roll now stands at £11.6m.

 

Overview

 

We are continuing to make very good progress.  The Board is seeking to increase shareholder value by continuing to build the scale of the Company.  Our strategy is to grow by making selective acquisitions (of both portfolios and individual properties) and to actively manage our existing portfolio, which now comprises 50 properties. Our focus on growing recurring rental income continues to have a positive impact on the valuation of our properties.

 

We have the ability to take advantage of many opportunities, but only if the terms satisfy our strict valuation criteria.  To proceed with any acquisition, we have to be confident that we can add value through our style of active property management.  Our executive management team is constantly travelling around the country assessing potential opportunities, meeting property owners and reviewing properties at first hand.  We decided not to move forward with a number of the opportunities that have been offered to us during the last six months, as most of them are either in locations that we do not consider desirable or they do not offer us a sufficient return.

 

Against the backdrop of a real estate market where there is increased competition for acquisitions, we are taking full advantage of our team's experience to make sure that we can move quickly and have the resources available when an appropriate opportunity presents itself.  We continue to be very selective.  Given our in-depth experience of the real estate market, we remain convinced that this policy will hold us in good stead in the months ahead.  Despite our strict criteria for acquisitions, we remain very much in the market and we will continue to vigorously pursue opportunities that match our criteria.

 

We made three acquisitions in the six months ended 30 September 2015 with the result that our portfolio is now valued at £140.4m.  With a modest level of gearing our EPRA (European Public Real Estate Association) NAV per share has increased to 404p per share (basic NAV per share is now at 407p, however EPRA NAV takes into account the dilution of outstanding share options). Our EPRA NAV at 31 March 2015 was 393p, however we raised £20m of equity in May 2015 at 360p and this diluted the EPRA NAV in May 2015 to 383p per share. EPRA NAV has therefore increased 5% since the equity raise (21p).

 

During the half year the Company pursued its active but prudent acquisition strategy. We completed three transactions: (i) Bank House, King Street, Leeds - an 88,000 sq ft building very close to Leeds Railway Station for £10m; (ii) Sol Central, Northampton - a large 200,000 sq ft mixed use leisure scheme built in 2002 for £20.7m; and (iii) 46-54 High Street, Sutton - a 21,200 sq ft retail and office building for £3.95m.

 

We are also recycling our capital. In June 2015, we sold Unit 1, Clayton Manor, Burgess Hill for £1.25m and in April of this year we sold 54 Albert Road North, Reigate for £0.45m, both at well above book value.  We review our portfolio constantly to make sure that each property continues to match our criteria of adding value through active management to enhance the income potential and capital value.

 

Strategic Development

 

Palace has grown from £100,000 to c.£100 million market value in the last 5 years, and we intend to continue our policy of looking for portfolios especially where these have not been exposed to public marketing. We continue to look for opportunities to grow the Company while being keenly aware of the need to maximise value from our existing assets.

 

In due course it would be Palace's intention to join the Official List of the London Stock Exchange at such time as would lead to our inclusion in the All Share Index. To this end we have strengthened our Board with the appointment of a Finance Director and selective further recruitment will be made to establish a platform to support future growth. The Board has also taken the opportunity to review the remuneration structure to reflect the fact that the Company is no longer in a start-up phase and to align the longer-term rewards for key employees to the interests of shareholders. In common with listed company practice, our revised remuneration structure will be explained to shareholders in our next report and accounts. The remuneration structure has been established by the remuneration committee following advice received from remuneration consultants and consultation with our major shareholders. There are cost implications but the Board is clear that this is a key part of the retention and recruitment of high calibre individuals which is the bedrock of Palace Capital.

 

Portfolio activity

 

Our strategy remains one where we undertake the active management of our current portfolio and this is beginning to pay dividends in respect of capital growth and increased rental income. We have made good progress at a number of properties in our portfolio.

 

·      Ovest House, West Street, Brighton: The directors consider that this shop and office building is in a prime location. We are taking possession of most of the office space which will be refurbished. There is a shortage of office space in this expanding city so we are confident of increasing the income considerably.

 

·      Unit 3, Clayton Manor, Burgess Hill: Our previous tenant, Body Shop, vacated this 15,500 sq ft warehouse/office unit last December. We settled a Schedule of Dilapidations and refurbished the property, which was subsequently let to Polar Audio in August 2015.

 

·      The Copperfields, Dartford, Kent: We secured prior planning approval to convert 10,000 sq ft of vacant offices into 14 apartments. Work has started on site and these should be completed in the Spring of 2016.

 

·      Bank House, King Street, Leeds: Soon after we completed this acquisition we negotiated an extension of lease until 2023 with the Bank of England, who occupy circa 30,000 sq ft. They will pay no less than £232,000 per annum in 2020. They are currently paying £105,000 per annum, exclusive.

 

·      ICS Building and adjoining properties, Hall Road, Maldon, Essex: This is a large site where our principal tenant holds a lease until March 2017. We have instructed a professional team to pursue our development options upon lease expiry.

 

·      Unit 2, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes: The tenant has served notice to vacate this 14,500 sq ft office unit in March 2016. We completed and let the refurbished Units 3 & 4 at the same location last December and it is our intention to carry out a similar exercise on Unit 2.

 

·      Sol Central, Northampton: We negotiated a very satisfactory surrender of the existing lease with Gala Casinos for the sum of £3.0m and in addition we also received £800,000 in lieu of dilapidations. We have seen preliminary proposals to reconfigure this space and to provide new restaurant units in the Gala premises. First indications are very encouraging.

 

·      124-126, Above Bar Street, Southampton: We have had positive discussions with the City of Southampton regarding redevelopment of this site, which are being progressed by our professional team.

 

·      Victoria Road, Stoke-on-Trent: This 40,000 sq ft warehouse was vacated in late September and a satisfactory dilapidation settlement of £250,000 was reached with the outgoing tenant. The property is on the market to let and we have serious interest from potential tenants to occupy the property.

 

·      Hudson House, Toft Green, York: We secured prior approval in December 2014 to change the use of this 103,000 sq ft building from office to residential use comprising 115 apartments. The Government has now renewed this legislation and, subject to planning consent for alterations, we have until December 2017 to complete such a scheme. We also have a planning application currently with City of York Council for 82 apartments and 37,000 sq ft of offices which is under consideration at the present time.

 

·      Since the end of the half year we have concluded a lease surrender from Computershare at our 50,000 sq ft warehouse unit at Stratton House, Cater Road, Bristol and granted a new 15 year lease with a break at the tenth year at a headline rental of £190,000 per annum to Wincanton Holdings, now part of Restore plc.

 

Within our portfolio of assets we have identified certain key properties which we believe have substantial longer-term development or asset management value. Partly this is a function of their size but is also specific to location and opportunity. At the current time Bank House in Leeds, Hudson House in York and Sol Central in Northampton fall within this category.

 

In certain instances we may take decisions to further our interests which will have a short-term impact on our rental income. For instance, at York our plans for conversion of Hudson House led us to grant short tenancies which have now expired. The total rental and void rates cost of this has to be weighed against the potential value of this site and makes this a short term price worth paying. A similar decision on seeking a letting at Bank House, Leeds now arises as AXA have vacated 13,275 square feet and where we see important long term value creation. At Sol we accepted the surrender of the Gala lease resulting in a substantial profit as a first step in a reconfiguration and revitalisation of this important leisure asset.

 

Lending facilities

 

We have recently refinanced our £20m facility with Nationwide Building Society which was originally secured on the Sequel portfolio purchased from Quintain in 2013. We now have a new £20m facility for five years at a reduced margin of 2.45% as compared to 3.75%. In addition seven of our properties, which were previously part of the Sequel portfolio, have now been removed from Nationwide's security and are unencumbered.

 

We now have a very conservative borrowing level of £51.1m.  This represents a loan to value net of cash of 23% set against the current property valuations. All the properties in the portfolio, other than the former Hockenhull retail portfolio in Cheshire, have been valued by Cushman & Wakefield. The Directors' valuation of the Hockenhull retail portfolio at 30 September 2015 was unchanged at £2.26m.

 

Dividend

 

We intend to pay an interim dividend of 7p on 30 December 2015 to shareholders on the register at 11 December 2015.  As we continue to grow the Company's rental income stream, the Board intends to continue to pursue a progressive dividend policy as the business develops.

 

Strengthening the Board

 

I am delighted that Stephen Silvester joined the board as Finance Director during the period.  He has already made a significant contribution to the management of the Company.  Part of his role is to assess the options available to the Company to create the right financing platform going forwards.  The team remains tightly knit and together has created a very solid platform from which we can expand the scale of the Company. 

 

Outlook

 

I am very pleased with the exciting progress that Palace Capital is making.  The Company has made really good headway over the past three years.  The team has completed a number of excellently timed acquisitions and is working hard on enhancing the value of all our assets via a comprehensive programme of active management. 

 

We remain very grateful for the strong support shown by our shareholders and the Board is confident that our management team has the experience to continue to deliver further portfolio initiatives.  Our ambition in the near term is to build critical mass and continue to grow our portfolio of commercial properties located outside London. The Company is extremely well placed and I look to the future with continued confidence.

 

Stanley Davis

Chairman

30 November 2015. 

 

 


Palace Capital Plc

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the six months ended 30 September 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes


Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000







Gross rental income


3


8,364

3,732

8,637

Property operating expenses




(880)

(769)

(1,200)




   _______

                  

                 

Net property income

3


7,484

2,963

7,437

Administrative costs



(985)

(586)

(1,325)

Share-based payments



(50)

(5)

(114)

Acquisition costs



(413)

(639)

(639)

Gains on revaluation of investment property

8


2,308

7,292

9,769

Profit on disposal of investment properties



208

-

178




                  

                 

                   

Operating profit



8,552

9,025

15,306

Finance income



8

4

18

Finance costs



(991)

(593)

(1,416)




                  

                 

                  

Profit before taxation



7,569

8,436

13,908







Taxation

   4


(396)

(10)

107




                  

                 

                  

Profit for the period and total comprehensive income



7,173

8,426

14,015




                  

                 

                  













Earnings per ordinary share



Basic

6


                 30.6p

            60.5p  

82.4p

Diluted

6


                 30.4p

                57.5p  

80.1p

EPRA basic

6


                 21.7p

                12.7p  

27.7p







The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 


Palace Capital Plc

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

30 September 2015

 


 

Notes

Unaudited

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

31 March

2015

£000

Non current assets






Goodwill



6

6

6

Investment properties


8

140,350

99,840

102,988

Tangible fixed assets



44

31

52

Deferred tax



500

100

500

Trade and other receivables


9

935

498

924 




                   

                   

                   




141,835

100,475

104,470

Current assets






Trade and other receivables


9

4,144

1,873

3,375

Cash and cash equivalents



18,689

11,451

12,279




                   

                   

                  

Total current assets



22,833

13,324

15,654




                   

                   

                  

Total assets



164,668

113,799

120,124




                   

                   

                  

Current liabilities






Trade and other payables


10

(7,132)

(3,548)

(3,087)

Borrowings


11

(850)

(400)

(400)




                   

                   

                 

Total current liabilities



(7,982)

(3,948)

(3,487)







Net current assets

14,851

9,376

12,167







Non current liabilities






Borrowings


11

(49,678)

(33,608)

(35,407)

Obligations under finance leases



(2,070)

(1,214)

(1,214)




                   

                   

                 

Net Assets



104,938

75,029

80,016




                   

                   

                 

Equity






Share capital


13

2,862

2,292

2,307

Share premium account



59,412

40,374

40,852

Merger reserve



3,503

3,503

3,503

Capital redemption reserve



65

65

65

Share based payments



194

64

144

Retained earnings



38,902

28,731

33,145




                 

                   

                 

Equity shareholders' funds

104,938

75,029

80,016




                 

                   

                 







Basic NAV per ordinary share


7

                 407p

           374p

           396p

Diluted NAV per ordinary share


7

                 404p

           371p

           393p

EPRA NAV per ordinary share


7

                 404p

           371p

           393p

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 November 2015.

 

Palace Capital Plc

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

for the six months ended 30 September 2015

 


 

 

 

 

Notes

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000

Operating activities

 




Profit before tax


7,569

8,436

13,908

Adjustments for non cash items: 





Profit on sale of investment properties


(208)

-

(178)

Gain on revaluation of investment properties


(2,308)

(7,292)

(9,769)

Depreciation


10

1

10

Share-based payment


50

5

113

Net finance costs


983

589

1,398



                   

                

                 

Cash generated by operations


6,096

1,739

5,482

Changes in working capital


3,006

33

(1,094)



                   

                

                 

Cash flows from operations


9,102

1,772

4,388

Interest received


16

4

18

Corporation tax paid 


(137)

(9)

(14)

Interest and other finance costs paid


(1,187)

(883)

(1,611)



                   

                   

                 

Cash flows from operating activities


7,794

884

2,781






Investing activities





Purchase of tangible fixed assets


(1)

(32)

(61)

Purchase of investment property


(14,944)

(933)

(3,813)

Proceeds from disposal of investment properties


1,654

-

952



                   

                   

                 

Cash flows from investing activities


(13,291)

(965)

(2,922)






Financing activities





Issue of ordinary share capital


19,115

19,364

19,664

Dividends paid

5

(1,416)

(562)

(1,766)

Other loans repaid


(3,219)

(318)

(300)

Bank loan received


15,885

16,000

18,500

Bank loan repaid


(18,457)

(28,074)

(28,800)

Capital element of finance lease


(1)

(1)

(1)



                   

                   

                 

Cash flows from financing activities


11,907

6,409

7,297



                   

                   

                 

Net increase in cash


6,410

6,328

7,156

Opening cash and cash equivalents


12,279

5,123

5,123



                   

                   

                 

Closing cash and cash equivalents


18,689

11,451

12,279



                   

                   

                 






The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.



 

Palace Capital Plc

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the six months ended 30 September 2015

 


Share Capital

£000

Share Premium

£000

Merger reserve

£000

 

 

Capital redemption reserve

£000

 

Convertible loan equity reserve

£000

 

Share based payment reserve

£000

Retained earnings

£000

Total equity

£000










As at 31 March 2014

 

1,528

 

21,857

 

-

 

65

 

28

 

75

 

20,823

 

44,376










Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

8,426

8,426

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

5

-

5

Issue of new shares

764

18,517

3,503

-

-

-

-

22,784

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

(562)

(562)

Transfer on exercise of warrants

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(16)

 

16

 

-

Transfer on repayment of loan

-

-

-

-

(28)

-

28

-


              

                 

               

              

              

              

                 

                  

As at 30 September 2014

2,292

40,374

3,503

65

-

64

28,731

75,029










Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

108

-

108

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,589

5,589

Issue of new shares

15

478

-

-

-

-

-

493

Transfer on exercise of warrants

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(28)

 

28

 

-

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,203)

(1,203)


              

                  

                

              

              

              

                 

                  

As at 31 March 2015

2,307

40,852

3,503

65

-

144

33,145

80,016










Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

50

-

50

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,173

7,173

Issue of new shares

555

18,560

-

-

-

-

-

19,115

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,416)

(1,416)


              

                  

                

              

              

              

                 

                  

As at 30 September 2015

2,862

59,412

3,503

65

-

194

38,902

104,938


              

                  

                

              

              

              

                 

                  










The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                              


Palace Capital Plc

Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements                                           

for the six months ended 30 September 2015

 

 

1              General information

 

These financial statements are for Palace Capital Plc ("the Company") and its subsidiary undertakings.

 

The Company's shares are admitted to trading on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange plc. The Company is domiciled and registered in England and Wales and incorporated under the Companies Act 1985.  The address of its registered office is 41 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JD.

 

The nature of the Company's operations and its principal activities are that of property investment in the UK mainly through corporate acquisitions.

 

Basis of preparation

 

The condensed consolidated financial information included in this half yearly report has been prepared in accordance with the IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union. The current period information presented in this document is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The interim results have been prepared in accordance with applicable International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  These standards are collectively referred to as "IFRS".

The accounting policies and methods of computations used are consistent with those as reported in the Group's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2015 and are expected to be used in the Group's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016.

The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2015 presented in these unaudited condensed group interim financial statements does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for that period but has been derived from them. The Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 were audited and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditor's Report on the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 was unqualified and did not draw  attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the periods ended 30 September 2014 and 30 September 2015 are unaudited and have not been subject to a review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, Review of Interim Financial Information performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity, issued by the Auditing Practices Board.

 

The interim report was approved by the Board of Directors on 27 November 2015.

 

Copies of this statement are available to the public for collection at the Company's Registered Office at 41 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JD and on the Company's website, www.palacecapitalplc.com.

 

Going Concern

The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Chairman's Statement. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in these financial statements.

The Directors have reviewed the current and projected financial position of the Group, making reasonable assumptions about future trading performance. As part of the review the Directors have considered the Group's cash balances, debt maturity profile of its undrawn facilities, and the long-term nature of tenant leases. On the basis of this review, and after making due enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue operational existence for the foreseeable future. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risk successfully.

Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Half Year Report.

 

2              Segmental reporting

In prior periods the Group has reported on segments, being the original portfolios acquired. However, as a result of the growing size of the business, Management no longer report on the historical portfolio basis but rather on a property by property basis. During the period the Group operated in one business segment, being property investment in the UK and as such no further information is provided.

 

3              Net property income



Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000






Rent receivable


5,364

3,732

8,637

Surrender premium


3,000

-

-



                   

                 

                    

Gross rental income


8,364

3,732

8,637

Service charge & vacant rates


(580)

(514)

(650)

Repairs and dilapidation costs


(154)

(159)

(357)

Other property costs


(146)

(96)

(193)



                   

                 

                    

Net property income


7,484

2,963

7,437



                    

                  

                  






 

4              Taxation



Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000






Current income tax charge


396

10

20

Deferred tax


-

-

(127)



                   

                 

                    

Tax charge / (credit)


396

10

(107)



                    

                  

                  

 

5              Dividends

 






 



Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000

 

 

Ordinary dividends paid





 

 

2014 Interim dividend: 2.0p per share


-

249

249

 

 

2014 Final dividend: 2.5p per share


-

313

313

 

 

2015 Interim dividend: 6p per share


-

-

1,204

 

 

2015 Final dividend: 7p per share


1,416

-

-

 



                     

_____  __

________

 

 



1,416

562

             1,766

 

 



                    

                  

                  

 

 



Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000

 

 






 

 

Proposed dividends


                   

                 

                    

 

 

2016 Interim dividend: 7p per share


1,805

-

-

 

 



                    

                  

                  

 

 

On 30 November 2015 the Group announced it would pay an interim dividend of 7 pence per share to ordinary shareholders on the register on 11 December 2015, the ex-dividend date will be 10 December 2015 and the dividends will be paid on 30 December 2015.

 

6              Earnings per share

 

The European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) has issued Best Practices Recommendations, the latest update of which was issued in December 2014, which give guidelines for performance measures.

 

EPRA earnings are calculated taking the profit after tax excluding investment property revaluations and gains or losses on disposals, changes in the fair value of financial instruments, associated close-out costs and share-based payments and one-off exceptional items. EPRA earnings is calculated on the basis of the basic number of shares in line with IFRS earnings as the dividends to which they give rise accrue to current shareholders and therefore it is more appropriate to use the basic number of shares. The EPRA diluted earnings per share also takes into account the dilution of share options and warrants if exercised.

 

Palace Capital also report on an adjusted earnings measure which is based on recurring earnings after tax and on the basis of the basic number of shares.

 

The earnings per ordinary share for the period is calculated based upon the following information:

 



Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

£000







Profit for the period

7,173

8,426

14,015







Adjustments to arrive at EPRA profit





Gains on revaluation of investment properties

(2,308)

(7,292)

(9,769)


Profit on disposal of investment properties

(208)

-

(178)


Cost of acquisitions

413

639

639



                   

                   

                 


EPRA earnings for the period

5,070

1,773

4,707



                  

                  

                  


Adjustments to arrive at Adjusted earnings





Share-based payment

50

5

113


Surrender premium received

(3,000)

-

-



                   

                   

                 


Adjusted earnings for the period

2,120

1,778

4,820



                  

                  

                  



Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2015

000s

Unaudited

6 months to

30 September

2014

000s

Audited

Year to

31 March

2015

000s


Weighted average number of ordinary shares

23,413

13,929

17,011


Dilutive effect of share options & warrants

221

725

478



                   

                   

                 


Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares

23,634

14,654

17,489



                  

                  

                  


Earnings per ordinary share





Basic

                 30.6p

            60.5p  

                 82.4p


Diluted

                 30.4p

                57.5p  

                  80.1p


EPRA basic

                 21.7p

                12.7p  

                  27.7p


EPRA diluted

                21.5p

                12.1p  

                  26.9p


Adjusted EPS

                 9.1p

                12.8p  

                  28.3p

 

7              Net asset value per share

 

EPRA NAV calculation makes adjustments to IFRS NAV to provide stakeholders with the most relevant information on the fair value of the assets and liabilities within a true real estate investment company with a long-term investment strategy. EPRA NAV is adjusted to take effect of the exercise of options, convertibles and other equity interests and excludes the fair value of financial instruments and deferred tax on latent gains. EPRA NNNAV measure is to report net asset value including fair values of financial instruments and deferred tax on latent gains.

Net asset value is calculated using the following information:

 



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

31 March

2015

£000

 






 


Net assets at the end of the period

104,938

75,029

80,016

 


Effect of exercise of share options

109

338

109

 



                   

                   

                 

 


Diluted net assets

105,047

75,367

80,125

 


Exclude fair value of financial instruments & exclude deferred tax on latent capital gains

-

-

-



EPRA NAV

105,047

75,367

80,125

 


Include fair value of financial instruments & include deferred tax on latent capital gains

-

-

-



EPRA NNNAV

105,047

75,367

80,125

 






 



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

000s

Unaudited

30 September

2014

000s

Audited

31 March

2015

000s

 


Number of ordinary shares of 10p each issued as at the end of the period

25,781

20,076

20,226

 


Number of unexpired share options

221

249

186

 



                   

                   

                 

 


Number of diluted ordinary shares

26,002

20,325

20,412

 






 


Basic NAV per ordinary share

                  407p

           374p

           396p

 


Diluted NAV per ordinary share

                 404p

           371p

           393p

 


EPRA NAV per ordinary share

                 404p

           371p

           393p

 


EPRA NNNAV per ordinary share

                 404p

           371p

           393p

 

 

8              Investment Properties



Freehold Investment properties

Leasehold Investment properties

 

 

Total



£000

£000

£000






At 1 April 2014

41,620

17,820

59,440

Arising on acquisition of subsidiary undertaking

31,741

-

31,741

Additions

2,802

11

2,813

Gains on revaluation of investment properties

9,180

589

9,769

Disposals

(775)

-

(775)


                   

                   

                 

At 31 March 2015

84,568

18,420

102,988

Arising on acquisition of subsidiary undertaking

20,700

-

20,700

Additions

                10,916

4,885

15,801

Gains on revaluation of investment properties

                  1,197

1,111

2,308

Disposals

(1,447)

-

(1,447)


                   

                   

                 

At 30 September 2015

115,934

24,416

140,350


                   

                   

                 





                                                        

Investment properties are stated at fair value based upon external valuations and is inherently subjective.  The fair value represents the amount at which the assets could be exchanged between a knowledgeable, willing buyer and a knowledgeable, willing seller in an arms-length transaction at the date of valuation, in accordance with IFRS 13.  The fair value of each of the properties has been assessed by the directors.  In determining the fair value of investment properties, the directors make use of historical and current market data as well as existing lease agreements

 

As a result of the level of judgement used in arriving at the market valuations, the amounts which may ultimately be realised in respect of any giving property may differ from the valuations shown in the statement of financial position.

 

At 30 September 2015, the Group's freehold and leasehold investment properties were externally valued by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ("RICS") registered valuers. A reconciliation of the valuations carried out by the external valuers to the carrying values shown in the balance sheet was as follows:

 



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

31 March

2015

£000






Fair value


139,315

98,620

102,755



                 

                

                 

Adjustment in respect of minimum payment





under head leases included as a liability


2,076

1,220

1,220

Less lease incentive balance in prepayments


(1,041)

-

(987)



                 

                

                 

Carrying value


140,350

99,840

102,988



                    

                  

                  

 

Investment properties with a carrying value of £136,366,651 (31 March 2015: £101,768,108) are subject to a first charge to secure the Group's bank loans amounting to £51,092,960 (31 March 2015: £36,205,461).

Valuation process

 

The valuation reports produced by the external valuers are based on information provided by the Group such as current rents, terms and conditions of lease agreements, service charges and capital expenditure. This information is derived from the Group's financial and property management systems and is subject to the Group's overall control environment. In addition, the valuation reports are based on assumptions and valuation models used by the valuers. The assumptions are typically market related, such as yields and discount rates, and are based on their professional judgment and market observations.  Each property is considered a separate asset, based on its unique nature, characteristics and the risks of the property.

 

The executive director responsible for the valuation process, verifies all major inputs to the external valuation reports, assesses the individual property valuation changes from the prior period valuation report and holds discussions with the external valuers.  When this process is complete, the valuation report is recommended to the Audit Committee, which considers it as part of its overall responsibilities.

 

The key assumptions made in the valuation of the group's investment properties are:

- The amount and timing of future income streams;

- Anticipated maintenance costs and other landlord's liabilities; and

- An appropriate yield.

 

Valuation technique

 

The valuations reflect the tenancy data supplied by the group along with associated revenue costs and capital expenditure. The fair value of the commercial investment portfolio has been derived from capitalising the future estimated net income receipts at capitalisation rates reflected by recent arm's length sales transactions.

 

9              Trade and other receivables



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

31 March

2015

£000

Current





Trade receivables


3,197

1,503

1,848

Deposit on purchase of investment property


-

-

1,000

Prepayments and accrued income


861

220

495

Other receivables


86

150

32








               

                

                



4,144

1,873

3,375



                

                

                

Non- Current





Accrued income


935

498

924



                

                

                



935

498

924



                

                

                

 

 





10           Current trade and other payables



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

31 March

2015

£000






Trade payables


184

683

242

Accruals


1,967

1,460

394

Deferred rental income


2,756

653

1,843

Taxes


2,219

630

587

Other payables


6

122

21



                  

                  

                 



7,132

3,548

3,087



                 

                 

                 

 

11           Borrowings



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

£000

Unaudited

30 September

2014

£000

Audited

31 March

2015

£000






Current borrowings


850

400

400

Non current borrowings


49,678

33,608

35,407



                   

                   

                  

Total borrowings


50,528

34,008

35,807



                   

                   

                  






Secured bank loans drawn


51,092

34,432

36,207

Unamortised facility fees


(564)

(424)

(400)



                   

                   

              



50,528

34,008

35,807



                   

                   

                  

 

Facility and arrangement fees

 

As at 30 September 2015

Secured borrowings


Margin

%

Maturity

date

Facility

drawn

£000

Unamortised facility fees

£000

Loan

Balance

£000








Santander Bank plc


2.25%

Jun 2020

11,335

(168)

11,167

Lloyds Bank plc


2.10%

Apr 2020

4,437

(77)

4,360

National Westminster Bank plc

2.75%

Aug 2019

14,517

(185)

14,332

Nationwide Building Society*

3.75%

Oct 2016

19,603

(124)

19,479

Close Brothers Group plc

4.00%

Sep 2017

1,200

(10)

1,190





                   

                   

              





51,092

(564)

50,528





                   

                   

                  

 

*On 11 November 2015 the Group refinanced its debt facility with Nationwide for a 5 year term until November 2020 at an increased facility of £20.0 million and at a reduced margin of 2.45%.

 

12           Business combinations

 

On 17 June 2015 the group acquired 100% of the share capital of O&H Northampton Limited for a cash consideration of £1.



Carrying value at acquisition date

Adjustments

Fair value at acquisition date



£000

£000

£000






Investment properties


20,700

-

20,700

Receivables and prepayment


444

-

444

Cash at bank


228


228

Payables and other creditors


(344)

-

(344)

Corporation tax


(128)


(128)

Accrued interest


(822)


(822)

Other loans


(3,441)


(3,441)

Bank loans


(16,637)

-

(16,637)



                    

                   

                   

Net assets


-

-

-



                    

                   

                   






Consideration




                 -

Goodwill on acquisition




-





                   

Management determined that the acquisition should be accounted for as a business combination in accordance with IFRS 3 'Business Combinations'. The fair value of £1 was considered equal to the carrying value representing the entity's net assets. The fair value of the investment property at acquisition was based on a valuation performed at the time of the acquisition amounting to £20,700,000 obtained from DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Limited.

 

Acquisition related costs

The Group incurred acquisition related costs of £413,115 related to professional fees paid for due diligence, general professional fees and legal related costs.  These costs have been included in the Group's consolidated income statement.

 

13           Share capital

 

Authorised, issued and fully paid share capital is as follows:



Unaudited

 30 September

2015

Unaudited

30 September

2014

Audited

31 March

2015






Ordinary 10p shares  


25,781,229

20,075,673

20,225,673

Deferred 90p shares


315,937

315,937

315,937



                    

                   

                   

Share capital - number of shares in issue


26,097,166

20,391,610

20,541,610



                    

                    

                   

Share capital - £000's


2,862

2,292

2,307



                    

                    

                   






On 17 June 2015 the Company issued 5,555,556 ordinary 10p shares at a price of £3.60.  Issue costs amounting to £885,383 were incurred and have been deducted from the share premium account.

 

The Deferred Shares have the following rights and restrictions.  As regards income the Deferred Shares shall not entitle the holders thereof to receive any dividend or other distribution unless and until the holders of the Ordinary Shares shall have received in aggregate amongst them the sum of £100,000,000 in respect of such dividend or distribution.  As regards voting the Deferred Shares shall not entitle the holders thereof to receive notice of or to attend or vote at any General Meeting of the Company.  As regards capital on a return of capital on a winding up the holders of Deferred Shares shall only entitled to receive the amount paid up on such shares after the holders of the Ordinary Shares have received the sum of £1,000,000 for each Ordinary Share held by them and shall have no other right to participate in the assets of the Company.

 

Movement in ordinary authorised share capital



Number of ordinary shares issued

000s

Price per

share

pence

Total number of shares

000s







As at 1 Apr 2014





12,441

Exercise of warrants


June 2014

80

200

12,521

Equity issue


Aug 2014

7,555

310

20,076






              

As at 30 Sep 2014





20,076

Exercise of warrants


Feb 2015

150

200

20,226






              

As at 1 Apr 2015





20,226

Equity issue


Jun 2015

5,555

360

25,781






              

Carried forward at 30 Sep 2015





25,781






                

 

14           Retained earnings & Reserves

 

For the purpose of preparing the consolidated financial statement of the Group, the following reserves are held:

 

-       Share Capital represents the nominal value of the issued share capital of Palace Capital plc

-       Share Premium represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value consideration received for equity shares net of expenses of the share issue

-       The Merger Reserve represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value consideration for the acquisition of subsidiaries satisfied by the issue of shares in accordance with S612 of the Companies Act 2006.

-       The Capital Redemption Reserve represents the value of preference shares redeemed.

-       Share based payment reserve represents the fair value of share options expensed through the income statement to date but not exercised.

 

15           Post balance sheet events

 

On 11 November 2015 the Group refinanced its debt facility with Nationwide for a further 5 years until November 2020 at an increased facility of £20.0 million and at a reduced margin of 2.45%.

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
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