Interim Results

RNS Number : 0504J

Quintain Estates & Development PLC

27 November 2008

 



Quintain Estates and Development PLC

('Quintain'/'Company'/'Group')

Interim results for the six months to 30 September 2008

Ongoing Progress with Cash Repatriation Programme

Highlights

• Focus on cash repatriation

  • £80m cash repatriated since 1 April 2008 against target of £100m for current financial year

  • 20% reduction in administration costs

• Tight control of capital expenditure

  • Construction in Special Projects limited to three sites 

  • Facilities in place to cover all capital commitments

• Special Projects - management initiatives

  • Planning gains at Wembley, Greenwich, City Park Gate, Birmingham and Beverley

  • Reduced construction costs through supply chain management

  • Key focus on increasing revenue from Wembley's income-producing activities

• Progress in Quintain Fund Management

  • 6% rise in funds under management to £1.06 billion (March 2008: £1 billion) 

  • Strong income generation and resilient performance by the underlying assets of each fund

  • Two new revenue generating schemes and 99% occupancy at iQ 

• Results 

  • Total assets of £1.2bn (March 2008: £1.4bn)

  • Basic NAV per share of 443p (March 2008: 584p)

  • Operating profit before recognition of non-current asset sales and revaluation of £2.14m (September 2007: loss of £2.13m)

  • Loss before tax of £51.6m (September 2007: loss of £3.9m; March 2008: loss of £54.7m)

  • Gearing of 90% at the half-year, resulting in headroom of £127m against banking covenants.

John Plender, Chairman of Quintain commented:-

'In line with the programme set out in our August Interim Management Statement, we have taken decisive action to protect and enhance our financial position by cutting overheads, repatriating cash, creating headroom and repositioning the development programme. In addition, we are actively pursing management initiatives to enhance the value of the assets across our portfolio and generate increasingly diversified revenue streams.

'The focus of Quintain's Board throughout this downturn has been, and will remain, cash preservation and the firm management of risk, progressively reinforcing the business against the continued impact of the current market conditions.'

  For further information, please contact:

Quintain Estates and Development PLC

Rebecca Worthington

Tel: [phone]

Financial Dynamics

Stephanie Highett/Dido Laurimore

Tel: [phone]

   FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

	Six months to 30 Sept 2008	Six months to 30 Sept 2007	Change (%)	Year to 31 March 2008	Change (%)
Balance Sheet
Investment and development properties (£000)	869,073	1,140,080	(23.8)	1,064,160	(18.3)
Net asset value per share (pence):
basic	443	700	(36.7)	584	(24.1)
diluted	439	693	(36.7)	578	(24.0)
Adjusted diluted (EPRA) net asset value per share (pence):	485	829	(41.5)	676	(28.3)
Total return (%)	(22.7)	7.3		(9.7)
Gearing (%) (Note)	90	33		60
Income Statement
Group turnover (£000)	20,719	24,018	(13.7)	46,676
Gross profit (£000)	15,076	16,584	(9.1)	32,690
Operating profit (loss) before recognition of results of non-current asset sales and  revaluation (£000)	2,140	(2,126)		3,233
Loss before tax (£000)	(51,595)	(3,858)		(54,740)
Earnings per share (pence):
basic	(34.3)	0.5		(31.3)
diluted	(34.3)	0.5		(31.3)

Note:

Gearing is calculated in accordance with the Group's banking covenants which require shareholders' funds to be adjusted for deferred tax.

  Chairman's Statement

Quintain's results for the six months to 30 September 2008 reflect the rapid deterioration of global economic conditions and the emergence of recession in the UK. In the August interim management statement ('IMS'), the Company announced its strategy for managing the impact of these conditions. The key priority of strengthening focus on cash has been evidenced by the 20% reduction in costs against budget and repatriation of £80m to date. Capital expenditure is being tightly controlled in line with the Company's risk management strategy.

These are the most difficult conditions the Company and many of its peers have faced, and the impact is clearly seen in yields moving out in the wider market, which is in turn reflected by the marked increase of the discount factor applied by the valuers to our schemes at Wembley and Greenwich. Whilst we expect to see further pressure on valuations, the Board is committed to taking decisive action to protect and enhance its financial position.

Position

The Group has gross property assets, including the Group's share of those within joint ventures, valued at 30 September 2008 at £1.3bn. Special Projects, our regeneration business, constitutes 59% of the Group by value, Investment Portfolio 12% and Fund Management 29%, and together they produce a gross annual income of £64.8m, excluding income from trading property sales. 

The urban regeneration business is complex and requires proven specialist management skills. However, our capital investment can be accelerated or decelerated according to market conditions. This business generated an income of £21.3m over the last year from items such as hotel operations, rent from retail parks and commercialisation of areas with very high footfall, such as those around Wembley Stadium and Arena. The Investment Portfolio remains the smallest element of Quintain, but nonetheless contributed £13.8m of income over the last year. The Fund Management business has grown its funds under management from £245m to £1.06bn in five years, focusing on less cyclical sectors with, in the majority, RPI-linked rents. It now generates income of £29.7m per annum. 

Finance

In line with the wider property sector, the valuation of the Group's directly held properties decreased 19.9% during the period to £869m. We have now seen a 30% fall in valuations across our urban regeneration schemes at Greenwich and Wembley since 30 September 2007. By contrast the less cyclical qualities of Quintain Fund Management led to more resilient valuations for this business, with the iQ student accommodation assets declining by 7% and Quintain's share of the Quercus healthcare portfolio by 5.5% from March 2008.

The decrease in Group valuations was the most significant factor in increasing gearing from 60% at the year end to 90% at 30 September 2008. This compares with our banking covenant of 110% of shareholders' funds adding back deferred tax, implying headroom in terms of potential increase in debt of £127m. We will continue to manage headroom through a programme of disposals to reduce debt and active management of assets to minimise falls in valuation. This should more than offset capital expenditure and we will continue to pay down debt as cash is progressively repatriated. Interest cover at 30 September 2008 was 1.5 times, or 2.1 times before exceptional items (31 March 2008: 1.8 times), against a banking requirement of 1.25 times. (Interest cover, per our banking covenants, is defined as operating profit before net finance expenses plus realised surpluses on disposals divided by net finance costs excluding marking to market adjustments.)

Strategy

Although the primary objective of the Company since flotation has been long term value creation, the focus of Quintain's Board throughout this downturn has been, and will remain, on cash repatriation and the firm management of risk, progressively reinforcing the business against the continued impact of the current market conditions.

Firm Management of Risk

There are four key areas:

• The cash repatriation programme announced in August and detailed in the next section is assisting gearing. We continue to bring significant sums of cash into the business through asset sales and, as planned, are in early discussions with potential equity partners regarding Wembley.

• Whilst the assets at Wembley and Greenwich have substantial residential consents, the Group's total exposure in terms of residential sales remains marginal, with £10m of receipts from further completions due to Quintain this financial year. During 2009 only £6.0m of completions are due. 

• The Group's covenant base is intentionally diverse: with the exception of Wembley Arena no single tenant represents more than 3% of the Group's combined rent roll. 

• The development pipeline is being re-sequenced to align the arrival of product to market with the ability of tenants and purchasers to commit to contracts. Although there are numerous development opportunities ready for construction, we are committed to building only the three sites that are currently active together with supporting infrastructure for these plots and the Bellway site at Greenwich. Two of the sites are co-funded with our joint venture partners. Full details of these commitments can be found in the Finance Review.

Cash repatriation

Progress has been achieved regarding the cash repatriation programme announced in August:

• With the sale of £17.5m of Quercus units after the period end, £80m has been raised to date against our target for the financial year of £100m and sales continue.

• To date, overheads have been reduced by £3.8m and a consultation period with staff is underway that is likely to result in a reduction of up to 28 posts subject to consultation with those affected. This equates to further annualised savings of £1.7m. The 20% reduction in our costs since March leaves Quintain interest cover compliant before taking account of sales.

• As previously announced, there will be no dividend payment for up to two years. (2007/8: £15.4m).

Business Delivery

Against the backdrop of a troubled market, the 6% increase in funds under management during the period and corresponding rise in income from this business is pleasing, as is the resilience of demand we are experiencing in the funds' underlying sectors. The launch of two new schemes within iQ at the start of the academic year delivered 902 more student beds to the portfolio. Strong income growth within Quercus led the fund to make a good return at property level, relative to the market, before the impact of gearing and fees at fund level.

Construction at Wembley, Greenwich and Brighton continues on time and budget and, although there has been a slowdown of development activity during the period, we have continued to enhance the value of our major assets through design, planning and commercialisation. At Greenwich the achievement of detailed consent for 550 homes within M0116 and N0602 since April has taken the total number of apartments ready for construction when the market recovers to 1,062. In October we achieved a unanimous vote from Birmingham City Council in favour of detailed consent for our 250,000 sq ft City Park Gate scheme, and at Wembley we have during the period opened our first residential building and concurrently started operating our telecoms service, Velocity1. This is a key element of our Running Towns as Businesses philosophy and scaleable from the Wembley hub to 120,000 homes across the UK.

Board 

In line with best practice, after almost nine years of service as a director Barbara Judge retired from the Board on 26 November 2008. The Company is sincerely grateful for her immense contribution over the years and in order to continue to benefit from her advice and judgement has appointed her as an adviser to the Group. David Pangbourne has been appointed as Senior Independent Director with immediate effect.

Outlook

In the context of severe market contraction, the relative performance of Quintain Fund Management is a notable achievement and the Company expects this business to continue to deliver a meaningful and increasing income for the Group. A significant rise in the number of students entering higher education and continued undersupply of accommodation create a positive context for the launch of our next three iQ schemes in September 2009, which will deliver an estimated £2.1m in additional annualised net rental income to Quintain.

Within the Special Projects business, construction has been decelerated in line with market conditions and the pipeline is being re-sequenced. Against this backdrop, we are actively securing new revenue streams from this business through focus on the commercialisation of assets, primarily through our telecoms product, advertising and event packages for major brands and estate management services. Further work will also take place during the second half of the financial year towards adding value through planning consents in readiness for an improvement in market conditions, and specifically on the application for outline consent regarding our holdings at Wembley known as the North West Lands.

Despite the significant downward impact on our valuations, we continue to operate within our banking covenants. We recognise that the market remains challenging and the Board has all options under review to maintain compliance with all our covenants. 

John Plender

Chairman

27 November 2008

  Business Review

Special Projects

We continue to take a cautious approach to the build-out of the urban regeneration schemes, with our only construction commitments being three live sites at Wembley City, Greenwich Peninsula and One Brighton, alongside infrastructure for these plots and the Bellway site at Greenwich.

Wembley City

The long term objective for our 85 acre holding at Wembley is the creation of a business generating substantial revenue from 10,000 residents, 4,000 employees and 21 million visitors a year. In the short term, in line with the Group programme of risk management and cash repatriation, we are sharply focused on the income-producing characteristics of these holdings, which already generate an income in excess of £17m per annum. 

As reported in the pre-close statement on 30 September, the first residential building at Wembley was completed on budget and schedule in August, as liquidity constraints in the mortgage market reached their peak. Following the handover of the affordable apartments to our housing association partners, sales to date have been completed on 46 of the 145 private apartments already under contract for sale, each at the full price agreed at the time of reservation. The recent lowering of the Bank of England's base rate by 1.5% supports our view that a substantial level of further unit sales are likely to be completed in this financial year. 

Construction of the second residential building (W04), the affordable housing element of which is funded by two housing associations, continues on time and on budget and is scheduled to complete in March 2010. On the site of W05, the development of the central station for Wembley City's underground waste removal system (Envac) is nearing completion. 

In June we announced the granting of detailed planning consent for W07, comprising a 10 screen cinema, residential units and 80,000 sq ft of retail. This is the last of the four blocks within our retail core (W04, W05, W07 and York House) to receive detailed consent and positions the Company well for swift delivery of this key element of the scheme when the market returns. 

As announced in June, conditional contracts were exchanged during the period with the London Borough of Brent regarding the sale of 2.25 acres for £10m on the north side of Engineers Way to enable the creation of a new Civic Centre. This agreement is conditional on obtaining detailed planning consent, but is also likely to require the granting of outline consent for Quintain's North West Lands, the application for which we expect to submit next summer. 

Following our acquisition of 5.7 acres at Second Way in January 2008, a lease to Euro Storage Ltd has this month been agreed for the entire site for an annual rent, after a one month rent free period, of £220,000, increasing to £250,000 at the start of the third year. 

Good progress has been achieved during the period regarding the commercialisation of our assets at Wembley, and income from these activities is expected to increase over the second half:

• We have now introduced rental management services for property owners in Forum House. To date the properties let by Quintain have achieved rents approximately 15% above those in the immediately surrounding area.

• Quintain's telecommunications service, Velocity1, became operational at Wembley City in November. The product, which has been developed in joint venture with fibre network specialist, Industria, offers IP telecoms, digital TV and high speed broadband internet access. The business is easily scaleable, with the infrastructure created at Wembley designed to support the provision of services to up to 120,000 new-build homes across the UK, including all of Quintain's own sites. 

• A structure has been created to drive the targeted exploitation of our assets through advertising rights, location hire and minor initiatives such as the introduction of Streetcar to the site. £1.3m was generated through this structure over the six months to 30 September 2008. 

Greenwich Peninsula

Construction of the first commercial buildings at Greenwich Peninsula continues on time and budget, with the completion of Transport for London's ('TfL') new office scheduled for April 2009. Ravensbourne College has also begun construction of their new facility adjacent to TfL's office and The O2. The College will relocate to the Peninsula in September 2010, bringing early animation to the scheme.

With 1,500 people starting work in TfL's new office next summer and 1,500 students based on the Peninsula from 2010, marketing of the retail units, comprising 21,000 sq ft within the buildings under construction, will soon begin.

Further to the announcement in June that detailed planning consent has been achieved for 153 more homes, the first apartments at Peninsula Quays received detailed planning consent in October 2008. The total number of homes now consented at Greenwich Peninsula is 1,291, with 229 apartments currently under construction by Bellway. 

Discussions with AEG during the period resulted in their agreement to extend the lease on The O2 to 100 years in return for variations regarding their proposed hotel scheme on the North West of the Peninsula. After 16 months of operation, The O2 has attracted in excess of 10 million visitors and generated annual rent of £1.6m for Quintain and our joint venture partner, Lend Lease (Europe).

  Progress on Other Schemes

Amongst Quintain's smaller schemes, only One Brighton is under construction. Work continues on time and on budget and 11 apartments have been reserved to date.

Regarding planning progress, the securing of a variation of condition (Section 73) for City Park Gate during the period transformed the focus of this scheme from residential to commercial. Birmingham City Council subsequently delivered a unanimous vote to grant detailed planning consent for the first phase in October. Comprising two buildings and new public realm, this first phase allows for 201,388 sq ft of commercial space adjacent to Moor Street Station in the Eastside regeneration scheme. It will be delivered only when a pre-let and forward funding have been secured.

As reported in the August IMS, our scheme at Beverley was called in for determination by the Secretary of State along with a competing edge-of-town retail scheme from another developer. The latter scheme has now been withdrawn. The anticipated inquiry was subsequently relegated to written representations only and a decision is expected in March 2009.

The jointly-owned Silvertown site saw leases agreed during the period, as announced in the pre-close statement, that take the annual rental income generated from the site to approximately £918,000 after a rent free period of one year for Laing O'Rourke. 

Outlook

Although we continue to add value across our urban regeneration portfolio, we have no legal commitment to build any plot beyond the three already under construction. In the current economic climate we are taking a highly pragmatic approach to our schemes and action will only be taken when it is prudent in the wider context of the Group's overall position.

  Investment Portfolio

At 30 September 2008 the Investment Portfolio was valued at £159.1m against a March valuation of £178.8m, representing a reduction in value of 11%. In line with the market, both initial and reversionary yields have moved out by at least 100 basis points. 

Over the period we have seen an increase in contracted annualised income from £11.1m to £11.8 m whilst voids have remained stable at £3.3m. An increase in voids in Warwick House and Geldard Point, Leeds were offset by positive lettings in Jersey, Tolworth, Leamington Spa and Hemel Hempstead equating to £200,000. Banctec re-geared a ten year lease at £173,000 in Sandringham House, Harlow. During the period Phase III, Arrow Valley, Redditch was successfully let on a 15 year lease to Toolstation at £736,000 per annum, contributing to total lettings during the period in excess of £1m. Since the period end an additional £85,000 of lettings have been agreed in Southampton and Jersey.

In line with our focus on cash preservation, terms have been agreed regarding the sale of three assets in at an aggregate value of £14.2m. Discussions are underway regarding the sale of two additional assets at an aggregate value of £8.3m.

Prior to the September quarter date total rent arrears amounted to 0.67% of total rent demanded relative to 1.39% at the equivalent point last year. Over the six month period we have had to increase bad debt provision to £0.2m with the default of a serviced office operator in Leeds. In the current economic climate an increase in rent arrears and bad debt position should be expected, particularly regarding industrial assets.  

  Quintain Fund Management

Our income-producing funds continue to demonstrate resilience to the impact of the global economic slowdown. Funds under management remained stable during the period at £1.06bn (March 2008: £1bn) with a fall in valuations within the funds of £50m offset principally by acquisitions and completions of £99m. Fee and investment income remain robust. 

Quercus

Quercus, our healthcare fund, returned a relatively robust performance for the six months. At property level, an outward movement in yields was compensated by strong income growth, producing a total return of (1.4)% against its IPD benchmark for the period of (7.8)%. The impact of gearing, at 45.7% against a covenant of 60%, and fees reduced fund level returns to (5.8)%. 

At operating level, the healthcare sector remains relatively sound with receding wage and cost inflation and demographic pressure continuing to support occupancy rates of over 90%. However, demands on local authority budgets and the slowing housing market could impact fee rates.

Within the Quercus portfolio, most tenants report stable operating profits and adequate levels of rent cover. Although the rent collection rate has improved marginally during the period, we continue to monitor the performance of our tenants closely and to work to find satisfactory outcomes with those that are experiencing difficulties. In one case this was achieved by closing a home and transferring the occupants to another home. During the period one operator was placed into administration but the leases have been reassigned to another Quercus tenant.

At investment level, the sector experienced further outward movement in yields during the period driven principally by concerns about the capital structures of the major operators, Southern Cross and Four Seasons. Although these operators account for only 10% of Quercus by value, the knock-on impact on yields across the sector resulted in the net initial yield on the fund moving out by 40 basis points over the period to 7%. Due to the link to RPI, average rent reviews were strong at 4.5%.

Looking forward, although investment values are underpinned by going concern values, we expect to see some movement in investment yields as the sector moves with the wider investment market. Rental growth will reduce, as RPI falls, to the contractual minimum in the care home leases of 3%. 

During the period the fund completed on £42.5m of acquisitions at an average net initial yield of 7.4% and is committed to buy one further property for £4m.  No further purchases will be made until gearing has been reduced to 40% through disposals or by raising new equity. In pursuit of this objective, the fund is currently negotiating the sale of £25m of properties at prices in line with their valuations.

At 30 September 2008 the fund had gross property assets of £853m and comprised 270 properties let to 43 tenants. The fund now has 27 investors. 

Since the period end Quintain has sold £17.5m of units in the fund as part of the Company's cash repatriation programme. 

iQ

Strong demand and rising numbers in higher education continue to support performance in our student accommodation fund.

A 9.7% (40,000) year-on-year rise in the number of people starting on courses in 2008 augments the 5.4% rise experienced in 2007, putting further pressure on an already undersupplied market. iQ opened two new schemes during the period, taking the total number of operational beds to 2,436 of which 99% are now let. All of our schemes are relatively immature but delivered like for like annual rental growth of an average of 5.5% for those schemes operational in September 2007.

The completed value of schemes within the portfolio fell by 2.1% between 31 March and 30 September 2008 with operating schemes now valued on an average net initial yield of 5.6% (March 2008: 5.5%) This outward movement reflected concern in the wider property sector but demonstrated the fund's relative resilience which is due to strong occupier demand, continuing rental growth and transactional evidence. Going forward, we expect to see a further softening of yields as the sentiment prevailing in the wider property investment market affects investor interest. At the period end, iQ had gross property assets of £168.7m. 

Five schemes are currently under construction. Three of these, delivering 1,182 additional beds, are scheduled for completion in time for the 2009 academic year. iQ's additional funding commitments across these five schemes total £78m and will largely be funded from the fund's debt facility.  At the period end the loan to value was 58.3% against a covenant of 65%. We monitor this covenant carefully with our partner, The Wellcome Trust.

The management of three schemes was brought in-house prior to the start of the academic year, resulting in a better service for tenants.

Quantum

Funds under management within Quantum have risen to £12m (March 2008: £10m) due to the acquisition of a building on Cambridge Science Park for £1.9m during the period, augmenting our existing portfolio.

With the continuing support of the South West RDA, we expect shortly to finalise our preparations for the Bristol and Bath Science Park enabling us to start on site. 

Finance Review

Headline Results

The basic net asset value per share at 30 September 2008 was 443p, a decrease of 24.1% from 584p at 31 March 2008. On a diluted basis, the net asset value per share fell 24.0% from 578p to 439p. Adjusted diluted net asset value per share, the measure recommended by The European Public Real Estate Association ('EPRA'), fell by 28.3% to 485p per share (31 March 2008: 676p).

	30 September 2008	31 March  2008	% change
NAV per share basic	443p	584p	(24.1)
NAV per share diluted	439p	578p	(24.0)
NAV per share EPRA¹	485p	676p	(28.3)
Total return per share²	(22.7)%	(9.7)%

¹ The EPRA NAV per share excludes the fair value adjustments for debt and related derivatives and deferred taxation on revaluations and is calculated on a fully diluted basis.

² The total return is calculated by the increase in net assets per the Consolidated Balance Sheet adding back the dividend paid.

Operating Performance

Gross profit for the six months fell by 9.1% to £15.1m (30 September 2007: £16.6m). Within this, gross rental income on directly owned properties fell to £10.8m, down 7.1% from £11.7m in the same period last year. Despite this, cost of sales rose marginally from £1.9m to £2.2m reflecting increased void costs, particularly arising from the new rules relating to void rates. 

	30 September 2008 £m				31 March 2008 £m
		Directly owned properties	Within joint ventures	Total		Directly owned properties	Within joint ventures	Total
Gross rental income		10.8	10.9	21.7		23.8	17.3	41.1
Contracted annualised rent		21.6	21.8	43.4		21.6	19.1	40.7
ERV*		29.3	25.5	54.8		29.2	20.1	49.3

*ERV is the estimated rental value

There were no disposals of directly owned trading properties during the period. In the same period last year the sale of Westholme Caravan Park gave rise to a £1.5m profit. 

Income from hotel operations relates to the Plaza hotel at Wembley. Gross profit for the period was £2.2m (30 September 2007: £1.9m) before charging administration expenses of £1.3m (30 September 2007: £1.2m). 

Net fees from fund management for the period grew to £3.2m (30 September 2007: £3.0m) reflecting higher levels of funds under management.

Other income rose by £0.6m to £1.0m for the period, with increased income from estate management and service charges and lower abortive project costs.

Administration expenses fell by 25% to £12.9m for the six months. The difference arose in staff costs where in particular the bonus costs in the period were substantially reduced.

Revaluation Surpluses and Deficits

The net revaluation deficit arising from directly held investment properties was £32.2m compared with a deficit of £14.2m for the same period last year. The revaluation movements on joint venture investments are incorporated within the share of profit from joint ventures which is discussed in more detail below. Development property movements are reflected in equity except where deficits arise below cost, in which case the charge and any write-back are included within the Income Statement. In the six months to 30 September 2008 the deficit on development properties reflected in the Income Statement was £1.2m (30 September 2007: deficit £1.1m). Deficits of £182.1m (30 September 2007: gain £69.6m) were reflected in equity.

Profit or Loss from Joint Ventures

The loss from joint ventures in the six months was £8.9m (30 September 2007: profit £14.5m). Before revaluation movements and tax this would have been a profit of £4.3m (30 September 2007: profit £2.3m). This excludes net fees receivable of £3.2m (30 September 2007: £3.0m) in relation to managing the funds. A summarised income statement split by joint venture is included in note 10i to the accounts.

Impairment of Other Non-Current Investments

A full impairment charge of £7.8m has been made against the Group's investment in Serrastone SA. The key factors resulting in this charge are that the product is not yet revenue generating and the future funding of the business is uncertain. There were no equivalent charges for the same period last year.

Finance Expenses

Net finance expenses for the period were £3.5m (30 September 2007: £0.9m). Interest payable has increased to £19.3m (30 September 2007: £13.0m) reflecting higher levels of drawn debt. This is discussed in more detail in the section on financing strategy and capital structure. Interest capitalised in the period of £7.4m (30 September 2007: £5.5m) relates mainly to Wembley (£6.1m) and Greenwich Peninsula (£1.0m). Interest receivable of £5.4m included £1.7m from a loan to a third party which has now been repaid in full and £2.7m from loan notes to joint ventures. The average cost of debt in the period was 6.3% (30 September 2007: 6.9%). This rate continues to fall with the reduction in interest rates after the period end. At 30 September 2008, whilst 100% of our debt was hedged, 45% was floating with caps so benefiting from reduced rates.

	30 September  2008 £m	30 September 2007 £m
Interest payable	(19.3)	(13.0)
Interest capitalised	7.4	5.5
Interest receivable	5.4	4.5
Change in fair value of ineffective interest rate swaps and caps Foreign currency transfers	(0.1) (0.2)	0.1  -
Profit on termination of interest rate swaps	3.3	2.0
Total net finance expenses	(3.5)	(0.9)

Taxation

A tax credit of £7.8m has been reflected in the Income Statement (30 September 2007: £4.5m). This arises because of the revaluation deficits in relation to the Company's investment properties.

Balance Sheet

At 30 September 2008, investment properties were valued at £189.0m after a net revaluation deficit of £32.2m. Development properties were valued at £680.0m after a revaluation deficit of £183.3m. Market conditions were very challenging during the period and have remained so after the period end.

For Wembley and Greenwich, the two largest assets in the portfolio, a greater analysis of the valuations and sensitivities is set out below.

Wembley City

	£m
As at 1 April 2008	620.0
Capital expenditure	36.7
Capitalised interest	6.1
Valuation deficit	(130.8)
As at 30 September 2008	532.0

The valuation deficit for the six months of £130.8m was driven by a 400 basis point outward movement in the discount rate to 14%. Other factors that caused a reduction in the valuation were falling residential prices and growth rates, with weighted average prices per square foot of £558 down from £606 at 31 March 2008. Near term residential growth rates fell with a further 15% reduction in house prices built in to the end of 2009 on top of the 8% fall to date. Yields on the commercial space moved out over 100 basis points to between 6.25% and 7.75% initial yield. In part mitigating these movements were a 1% reduction in building cost inflation to 4% and a series of management initiatives to add value. These include the exchange of contracts with Brent to build their offices on the North West Lands and positive progress following on from this made in planning terms, supply chain management that has reduced cost, and other revenue initiatives.

Whilst the valuation is a view of what the market may pay at any point in time, it is supported by a discounted cashflow model. This model is based on many assumptions and the table below is included to provide shareholders with a better understanding of the dynamics relating to some of these assumptions. It is a sensitivity analysis and is not necessarily an indication of the Company's view.

Valuation £m		Discount Rate
		12.5%	14%	15.5%
Amendment to forecast	+2%	722	632	556
residential growth rates	0%	610	532	464
	-2%	509	441	381

It is important to note that there is a strong correlation over time between growth rates and construction cost inflation so the impact of movements in growth rates may be materially offset by changes in cost inflation.

Greenwich Peninsula

The valuation below relates to Quintain's interests at Greenwich Peninsula as developer and landowner.

	£m
As at 1 April 2008	254.0
Capital expenditure	16.6
Capitalised interest	1.0
Valuation deficit	(49.6)
As at 30 September 2008	222.0

The valuation of Greenwich after a revaluation deficit of £49.6m was £222.0m. This is shown partly in development properties and partly within joint ventures. Residential prices fell from between £550 and £810 per sq ft to £410 to £690 per sq ft. In addition to the 20% fall in house prices to date, the cashflow builds in a further 15% fall to the end of 2009. The discount rate moved out 220 basis points to 14.7%. Commercial yields have moved out 50 basis points to around 7.5%. In part mitigating these movements were a 1% reduction in build cost inflation to 4% and initiatives on supply chain management and deal restructuring. The value of our interests in The O2 rose with the establishment of performance levels and associated income. As for Wembley, varying the discount and growth rates gives the following sensitivities:

Valuation £m		Discount Rate
		13.2%	14.7%	16.2%
Amendment to forecast	+2%	323	285	254
residential growth rates	0%	249	222	197
	-2%	185	166	147

Joint Ventures

As at 30 September 2008, Quintain had net investment in joint ventures totalling £288.9m. More detail is available in note 10i to the accounts.

Capital Commitments

The table below sets out Quintain's contractual capital commitments including our share of any commitments within joint ventures. All these commitments will be funded from existing facilities: £47.1m from Quintain's corporate facility and £67.3m from facilities within joint ventures.

	30 September 2008 £m
Group:
Wembley	26.6
Others	1.1
Joint ventures:
iQ	38.0
BioRegional Quintain	2.8
Wembley - Quintessential	0.4
Quercus	4.4
Quantum	0.2
Greenwich - N0204 / GPRL	40.9
	114.4

Financing Strategy 

Our financing strategy in the medium term is to manage a level of debt that balances the risks to the business with the higher returns on equity achieved through gearing. As described in the Chairman's statement, at 30 September 2008 our gearing as defined in our banking covenants stood at 90%. The Company has implemented a programme of asset sales to manage the level of gearing, which in isolation will otherwise rise further due to the Group's committed expenditure. In the near term the impact of sales may well be offset by further falls in asset values.

The weighted average rate of interest of the Group's debt at 30 September 2008 was 6.3% (31 March 2008: 7%). Since the period end base rates were reduced by 200 basis points. This has reduced our projected cost of debt to around 5% as 45% of our debt was not fixed.

	Covenant	30 September 2008	31 March 2008
Net borrowings		£555.9m	£516.3m
Weighted average debt maturity		5 years	5.5 years
% of net debt hedged		100%	84%
Undrawn committed facilities
Group		£154m	£81m
Joint ventures		£130m	£101m
Banking covenants
Gearing per banking covenants	110%	90%	60%
Interest cover*	1.25 times	1.5 times	1.7 times
Interest cover pre exceptionals		2.1 times	1.8 times

*Interest cover, per our banking covenants, is defined as operating profit before net finance expenses plus realised surpluses on disposals divided by net finance costs excluding marking to market adjustments.

Interest cover before exceptionals was 2.1 times (31 March 2008: 1.8 times). After providing in full for the investment in Serrastone interest cover was 1.5 times.

Hedging

At 30 September 2008, Quintain's interest rate was 100% hedged (31 March 2008: 84%). The fair value adjustment on these interest rate hedging instruments was a surplus of £2.4m (31 March 2008: deficit £0.5m). Of the movement during the period £0.1m was debited to the Income Statement, being the element relating to non-cashflow hedges and £2.5m credited directly to equity.

Quintain manages its risk in relation to interest rate movements by hedging at least 50% of the exposure and managing these positions to shareholders' benefit whilst not taking market risk. Following the reduction in base rates, in November we fixed a further £100m of debt at 3.0% in order to give us greater certainty of interest costs.

Cashflow

Net cash inflow from operating activities was £7.5m (30 September 2007: outflow £15.4m), with working capital contributing positively for the period.

The purchase and development of property assets of £20.8m and loans to joint ventures and associates of £61.0m more than offset proceeds of £43.1m from the repayment of a non-current receivable. This resulted in a net cash outflow from investing activity of £35.5m.

Key Performance Indicators

Our key performance indicators are as set out in the Group's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008. 

Financial Outlook

Conditions within the financial markets remain challenging. Although there is headroom on our gearing covenant that would allow a rise in borrowing of £127m at 30 September 2008 this would be reduced by falling property values and committed capital expenditure. Where possible this impact is being offset by asset disposals resulting in a net cash repatriation since the half year. The Group remains alert to the issue and will keep all options under review. The Group has firmly controlled costs delivering a £5.5m cut to annualised administration expenses. This, alongside our ability to take some advantage of the downward shift in base rates, means that our interest covenant remains well covered.

Risk Management

In addition to those general economic, security and regulatory risks faced by a wide range of companies that are part of the general commercial environment, we consider there to be the following specific risks faced by our Company.

Market conditions 

The income from, and value of, a property will be affected by conditions in the real estate market and wider economy. Factors such as the availability of credit, consumer and corporate confidence, interest rates, planning policy, taxation and other legislation have an impact. As we are currently experiencing, the lack of availability of debt funding is impacting both the pricing and quantum of transactions in the real estate market. For the residential market, availability and pricing of mortgages is a key factor in the current weakness.

Debt funding

Lack of availability of debt generally in the market can reduce the number of purchasers making it more difficult to sell assets, potentially resulting in a reduction in the price that the buyer would be willing to pay. Lack of availability of funds for the regeneration projects could give rise to delays with a follow-on impact on values.

The debt within the Group means that falling property values have a geared impact on shareholders' funds. Property values may decline further. Our headroom over the 110% of net worth covenant (as defined in our loan agreements) was £127m at 30 September 2008. To avoid a breach mitigating action includes a programme of disposals to reduce debt, active management of assets to minimise falls in valuation and dialogue with key stakeholders as to additional courses of action.

Key judgements 

Properties are externally valued twice a year by independent valuers. There is currently less direct evidence of property values because of a lower level of transactions than usual, giving rise to an increased level of uncertainty with respect to the values. This uncertainty is more acute in the case of our large scale urban regeneration projects where there are no direct comparables. 

Valuation risk

In addition to the inherent difficulty in valuing real estate investments and consequent uncertainty, values are subject to short term fluctuations. This is more acute in development properties. As the Group's debt facilities include a corporate gearing covenant, falls in value could lead to a potential banking default. In addition the estimates resulting from the valuation process may not reflect actual sales prices, even were such sales to occur shortly after the valuation date.

Development risks

The Group is on site with three developments (and associated infrastructure), two of which are in joint venture. Property development involves certain risks including construction cost inflation, cost overruns and delays to the completion of projects. These and other factors could give rise to losses on individual development projects. To control these risks, Quintain's in-house project management team transfers risk to contractors where possible. The supply chain management programme is creating increased visibility into costs and opportunities for cost reduction, whilst standardisation across Quintain's projects is increasing predictability. The economic recession is reducing pressure on construction costs and we may see construction cost deflation in the near term.

Whilst the Group has a substantial pipeline, we have effectively no further obligations, and will only enter into future commitments where in the judgement of the Board it is financially prudent to do so. 

Counterparty risk

The Group engages in contractual relationships with third parties in the ordinary course of business. The failure of third parties to fulfil their contractual responsibilities, for example, a bank or purchasers defaulting, could place the Group, or its projects at risk. Current exposures are purchasers of investment properties and residential units at Wembley. In addition, if one of the Group's major counterparties defaulted on its obligations to members of the Group, this could have a material effect on the Group. 

Tenant default

Tenants are likely to be facing more difficult operating conditions and there is therefore an increased risk that some may default on their rent payments. However, the large number of tenants and the diversity of their businesses and geographical spread reduces the impact on the Group.

Dependence on key personnel

The Group's future success is substantially dependent on the continued services and contributions of its Directors, senior management and other key personnel. The loss of service of any of the Group's executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on the business.

  Forward looking statements 

This document includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, 'forward-looking statements''. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms 'believes'', 'estimates'', 'plans'', 'anticipates'', 'targets'', 'aims'', 'continues'', 'projects'', 'assumes'', 'expects'', 'intends'', 'may'', 'will'', 'would'' or 'should'', or in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. 

These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the Group's result of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth strategies and the sectors in which the Group operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances. A number of factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation: conditions in the market, market position of the Group, earnings, financial position, cash flows, return on capital, anticipated investments and capital expenditures, changing business or other market conditions and general economic conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Forward-looking statements contained in this document based on past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future.  Subject to the Company's continuing obligations under the Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the Prospectus Rules, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

  Consolidated Income Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2008

	Notes	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Revenue	2	20,719	24,018	46,676
Cost of sales	2	(5,643) _______	(7,434) _______	(13,986) _______
Gross profit		15,076	16,584	32,690
Administrative expenses	4	(12,936)	(17,231)	(27,972)
Exceptional administrative expenses	4	-	(1,479)	(1,485)
		_______	_______	_______
Operating profit (loss) before recognition of   results from non-current asset sales and   revaluation		2,140	(2,126)	3,233
Profit (loss) from sale of non-current property assets		19	(76)	(3,289)
Gain on revaluation of investment properties		-	3,848	338
Deficit on revaluation of investment properties		(32,181)	(18,030)	(44,661)
Deficit on revaluation of development properties		(1,199)	(1,071)	(5,265)
Share of (loss) profit from joint ventures	10i	(8,944)	14,546	5,532
Share of loss from associate		(107)	-	(65)
Impairment of other non-current investments	10ii	(7,790)	-	-
		________	_______	_______
Operating loss before net finance    expenses		(48,062)	(2,909)	(44,177)
Finance expenses		(8,895)	(5,407)	(20,484)
Finance income		5,362	4,458	9,921
		________	_______	_______
Net finance expenses	5	(3,533)	(949)	(10,563)
		________	_______	_______
Loss before tax		(51,595)	(3,858)	(54,740)
Current tax		(83)	(134)	2,105
Deferred tax		7,837	4,663	12,511
		________	_______	_______
Tax credit for the period	6i	7,754	4,529	14,616
		________	_______	_______
(Loss) profit for the financial period attributable to     equity shareholders		(43,841)	671	(40,124)
		=======	======	======
Earnings per share (pence):	7i
basic		(34.3)	0.5	(31.3)
		=======	======	======
diluted		(34.3)	0.5	(31.3)
		=======	======	======

Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense for the six months ended 30 September 2008
	Notes	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		________	________	________
Foreign currency translation differences		(4)	184	232
Gain on revaluation of development properties		-	69,574	1,838
Deficit on revaluation of development properties		(182,083)	-	(79,006)
(Deficit) gain on revaluation of other non-current     investments		(175)	295	757
Recycling of revaluation movement on other non-current     investments	10ii	2,159	-	-
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cashflow     hedges, net of recycling		2,522	(259)	(416)
Share of recognised income and expense in joint ventures,    net of tax	10i	321	(101)	(702)
Tax on income and expense recognised directly in equity	6ii	53,493	(11,843)	33,082
		________	_______	_______
Net (expense) income recognised directly in equity		(123,767)	57,850	(44,215)
(Loss) profit for the financial period		(43,841)	671	(40,124)
		________	_______	_______
Total recognised income and expense for the financial    period		(167,608)	58,521	(84,339)
		=======	=======	=======

  Consolidated Balance Sheet

as at 30 September 2008

	Notes	Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited As at 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	________	________
Non-current assets
Investment properties	9	189,043	280,768	220,624
Development properties	9	680,030	859,312	843,536
Owner-occupied properties, plant   and equipment		2,667	1,753	2,757
Investment in joint ventures	10i	288,884	218,075	239,340
Investment in associate		1,050	1,222	1,157
Other non-current investments	10ii	11,008	13,624	15,196
Non-current receivable		-	42,987	42,987
		________	________	________
Total non-current assets		1,172,682	1,417,741	1,365,597
		________	________	________
Current assets
Trading properties		30,280	14,239	15,518
Trade and other receivables	11	26,192	31,723	39,617
Current investments		4	4	4
Cash and cash equivalents		7,677	30,307	27,982
		________	________	________
Total current assets		64,153	76,273	83,121
		________	________	________
Total assets		1,236,835	1,494,014	1,448,718
		=======	=======	=======
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	12	(37,822)	(40,727)	(36,308)
Current tax liability		(7,373)	(9,267)	(7,269)
		________	________	________
Total current liabilities		(45,195)	(49,994)	(43,577)
		________	________	________
Non-current liabilities
Bank loans and other borrowings	13	(560,647)	(378,888)	(541,637)
Deferred tax liability	6iii	(42,308)	(156,341)	(103,638)
Obligations under finance leases		(11,723)	(11,731)	(11,727)
Other payables		(8,849)	-	(2,438)
		________	________	________
Total non-current liabilities		(623,527)	(546,960)	(659,440)
		________	________	________
Total liabilities		(668,722)	(596,954)	(703,017)
		________	________	________
Net assets		568,113	897,060	745,701
		=======	=======	=======
Equity
Issued capital	16	32,511	32,460	32,483
Share premium account	15	51,518	50,895	51,343
Revaluation reserve	15	201,460	424,370	327,360
Other capital reserves	15	108,136	108,136	108,136
Cashflow hedge reserve	15	1,815	311	(322)
Translation reserve	15	314	270	318
Retained earnings	15	184,299	289,962	238,805
Own shares held reserve	15	(11,940)	(9,344)	(12,422)
		________	________	________
Equity shareholders' funds		568,113	897,060	745,701
		=======	=======	=======
Net asset value per share (pence):	7ii
basic		443	700	584
		=======	=======	=======
diluted		439	693	578
		=======	=======	=======

Consolidated Cashflow Statement 

for the six months ended 30 September 2008

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	________	_______
Operating activities
(Loss) profit for the financial period		(43,841)	671	(40,124)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of plant and equipment		399	306	622
Cost relating to share-based payment schemes		760	2,958	2,147
Net finance expenses		3,533	949	10,563
(Profit) loss on sale of properties held as non-current assets		(19)	76	3,289
Profit on sale of trading properties		-	-	(1,558)
Gain on revaluation of investment properties		-	(3,848)	(338)
Deficit on revaluation of investment properties		32,181	18,030	44,661
Deficit on revaluation of development properties		1,199	1,071	5,265
Share of loss (profit) from joint ventures		8,944	(14,546)	(5,532)
Share of loss from associate		107	-	65
(Profit) loss from sale of plant and equipment		(4)	2	2
Impairment of other investments		7,790	-	-
Tax on continuing operations		(7,754)	(4,529)	(14,616)
		______	________	________
		3,295	1,140	4,446
Decrease (increase) in trade and other receivables		9,203	(4,248)	(8,352)
Increase in trade and other payables		10,946	3,094	1,915
Increase in trading properties		(8,925)	(3,963)	(3,417)
		­­_______	________	________
Cash generated from operations		14,519	(3,977)	(5,408)
Interest paid		(14,045)	(15,742)	(36,753)
Interest received		2,990	4,472	8,527
Tax recovered (paid)		3,986	(162)	(310)
		_______	________	________
Net cashflow from operating activities		7,450 ======	(15,409) =======	(33,944) =======
Investing activities
Purchase and development of property assets		(20,753)	(36,102)	(168,362)
Purchase of plant and equipment		(387)	(557)	(1,911)
Proceeds from sales of non-current assets		6,519	53,999	81,403
Tax paid on sales of non-current assets		(4,048)	-	-
Loans to joint ventures and associate		(61,010)	(33,225)	(64,718)
Distributions received from joint ventures		2,751	2,283	3,130
Acquisition of other investments		(1,618)	(10,284)	(11,398)
Proceeds from non-current receivable		43,081	2,461	2,362
		________	________	________
Net cashflow from investing activities		(35,465) =======	(21,425) =======	(159,494) =======
Financing activities
Issue of shares		132	59	239
Investment in own shares		-	-	(3,078)
Proceeds from new borrowings		217,000	183,000	980,769
Repayment of borrowings		(197,600)	(141,000)	(775,269)
Payment of loan issue costs		(537)	(248)	(3,276)
Payment of finance lease liabilities		(409)	(410)	(819)
Equity dividends paid		(10,872)	(10,576)	(15,366)
		________	________	________
Net cashflow from financing activities		7,714 =======	30,825 =======	183,200 =======
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(20,301)	(6,009)	(10,238)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period		27,982	36,048	36,048
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held		(4)	268	2,172
		________	________	________
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		7,677 =======	30,307 =======	27,982 =======

Notes to the accounts

for the six months ended 30 September 2008

1. Accounting policies

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 March 2008 are not the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. These accounts are available on the Company's website (www.quintain-estates.com). 

The statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' with the significant accounting policies set out on pages 102 to 106 of the 2008 Annual Report and Accounts. The interim results have been prepared on a going concern basis and the assumptions regarding estimates and uncertainties are disclosed under the Risk Management section in the Financial Review. 

The Group's financial performance does not suffer materially from seasonal fluctuations.  As the Group's investment and development properties are measured at market value, the current prolonged decline in the real estate market has had a material effect on these values.  The changes in the market value of properties are disclosed in notes 9 and 10 and discussed under the Risk Management section in the Financial Review. In addition, the investment in Serrastone SA has been fully impaired in the period - see note 10ii. There have been no other changes in estimates of amounts reported in prior periods which have a material impact on these interim results. There have been no material changes in reportable contingent liabilities since 31 March 2008.

The preparation of the condensed interim financial statements under IFRS requires the Board to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expense during the reporting period. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements that are not readily apparent from other sources. However, the actual results may differ from these estimates.  

The measurement of fair value constitutes the main area of judgement exercised by the Board in respect of the Group's results. In relation to the Group's investment and development properties, the Board has relied upon the external valuations carried out by professionally qualified valuers in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation Standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The principal valuers of the Group's investment and development properties are Savills Commercial Limited and Jones Lang LaSalle Limited, while Christie + Co have valued the investment properties within Quercus, the Group's largest joint venture.  

The Board has also exercised its judgement in relation to the recognition of deferred tax assets, the estimation of the tax rate for the six month period using the tax rate expected to be applicable to the full year's results, the measurement of the fair value of derivative financial instruments, for which the Board has relied on the valuation carried out by JC Rathbone Associates Limited and in assessing the recoverability of trade receivables by reference to their age and the ability of debtors to pay. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.     

These condensed consolidated Interim Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 November 2008.

The following new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued but are not effective for the financial period beginning 1 April 2008 and have not been adopted early:  

- IFRS 8 'Operating Segments', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. 

  IFRS 8 replaces IAS 14,'Segment Reporting' and requires that segment information is presented on the same basis as that used for internal 

   management reporting. The directors are assessing the expected impact in detail but it appears unlikely that this will have a significant impact on

   the Group's disclosures.

-  IAS 1 (amendment), 'Presentation of Financial Statements', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009.  

  The Board will prepare proforma accounts under the revised disclosure requirements of this standard for the period beginning 1 April 2009. 

-  IFRIC 15, 'Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. 

  The Board is evaluating the effect of this interpretation on the revenue recognition of certain sales contracts.

2. Revenue, cost of sales and gross profit

	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008
	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross  profit £000	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Rental income	10,828	(2,221)	8,607	11,659	(1,878)	9,781	23,843	(4,804)	19,039
Income from    sale of trading    properties	-	-	-	3,000	(1,546)	1,454	3,000	(1,580)	1,420
Income from   hotel   operations	3,975	(1,773)	2,202	3,546	(1,634)	1,912	6,926	(3,350)	3,576
Fees from fund   management and   other services   provided to   related parties	4,062	(827)	3,235	3,959	(984)	2,975	10,120	(1,910)	8,210
Other income	1,854	(822)	1,032	1,854	(1,392)	462	2,787	(2,342)	445
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	20,719 ======	(5,643) ======	15,076 ======	24,018 ======	(7,434) ======	16,584 ======	46,676 ======	(13,986) ======	32,690 ======

There were no contingent rents in the current period or the comparative period though £344,000 arose in the second half of the year ended 31 March 2008 and was recognised in the accounts for that year.

The analysis of rental income and the related cost of sales (direct operating expenses) between investment and development properties was as follows: 

	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008
	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Investment     properties	7,073	(934)	6,139	9,117	(1,032)	8,085	17,584	(2,232)	15,352
Development    properties	3,755	(1,287)	2,468	2,542	(846)	1,696	6,259	(2,572)	3,687
	_______	________	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	10,828	(2,221)	8,607	11,659	(1,878)	9,781	23,843	(4,804)	19,039
	======	=======	======	======	======	======	======	======	======

Other income related to:

	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008
	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000	Revenue £000	Cost of sales £000	Gross profit £000
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Surrender   premiums	119	-	119	92	-	92	356	-	356
Management   fees and    commissions	1,164	(275)	889	1,114	(758)	356	1,378	(942)	436
Car parking    income	449	(133)	316	386	(105)	281	731	(202)	529
Abortive project   costs	-	(258)	(258)	-	(419)	(419)	-	(826)	(826)
Sundry income	122	(156)	(34)	262	(110)	152	322	(372)	(50)
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	1,854 ======	(822) ======	1,032  ======	1,854 ======	(1,392) ======	462 ======	2,787 ======	(2,342) ======	445 ======

  3. Segmental analysis

The Group's primary segments are its business segments, the results of which were as follows:

	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008	Audited Year  ended 31 March 2008
	Revenue	Gross            profit	Loss before tax	Revenue	Gross  profit	Loss before tax	Revenue	Gross profit	Loss before  tax
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Investment    portfolio	6,748	5,422	(14,850)	7,497	5,846	(12,305)	14,555	11,232	(36,422)
Special projects	10,259	6,833	(8,125)	9,447	6,595	15,410	19,222	12,909	16,847
Fund   management	3,712	2,821	(12,151)	7,074	4,143	12,696	12,899	8,549	4,855
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	20,719 ======	15,076 ======	(35,126)	24,018 ======	16,584 ======	15,801	46,676 ======	32,690 ======	(14,720)
Administrative   expenses			(12,936)			(17,231)			(27,972)
Exceptional    administrative   expenses			-			(1,479)			(1,485)
			_______			_______			_______
Operating loss   before net   finance     expenses			(48,062)			(2,909)			(44,177)
Net finance   expenses			(3,533)			(949)			(10,563)
			_______			______			_______
Loss before tax			(51,595)			(3,858)			(54,740)
			======			=====			======

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007

Audited As at 31 March 2008

Audited As at 31 March 2008

Audited As at 31 March 2008

Investment and development properties £000

Joint ventures and associate £000

Total revaluation movement   £000

Investment and development properties £000

Joint ventures and associate £000

Total revaluation movement   £000

Investment and development properties £000

Joint ventures and associate £000

Total revaluation movement   £000

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

Investment    portfolio

159,159

-

(20,296)

244,039

-

(18,473)

178,855

-

(44,425)

Special projects

691,979

99,578

(188,854)

880,556

58,952

80,157

864,780

79,254

(69,667)

Fund    management

17,935

190,356

(23,764)

15,485

160,345

8,391

20,525

161,243

(11,855)

_________

________

________

_________

_______

_______

_________

_______

_______

869,073 ========

289,934 =======

(232,914) =======

1,140,080 ========

219,297 ======

70,075 ======

1,064,160 ========

240,497 ======

(125,947) ======

4. Administrative expenses 

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Directors' remuneration		1,853	3,556	3,829
Other staff costs		5,858	8,856	13,784
		_______	_______	_______
Total staff costs		7,711	12,412	17,613
Legal and other professional fees		2,099	1,532	3,632
Office costs		1,912	2,282	4,645
(Profit) loss on sale of plant and equipment		(4)	2	2
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets		399	306	622
Operating lease payments		535	429	944
General expenses		284	268	514
		_______	_______	_______
Total administrative expenses		12,936	17,231	27,972
		======	======	======

The exceptional administrative expenses incurred in the prior periods (30 September 2007: £1,479,000, 31 March 2008: £1,485,000) related to bid defence fees and fees in relation to advice on the valuation of the Group's assets in addition to its normal valuation fees.  

5. Net finance expenses 

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts		18,679	12,296	30,205
Interest payable on other loans		257	284	542
Loan costs written-off on refinancing		-	-	2,798
Interest on obligations under finance leases		406	410	812
		_______	_______	_______
		19,342	12,990	34,357
Interest capitalised		(7,427)	(5,457)	(12,022)
		_______	_______	_______
		11,915	7,533	22,335
Profit realised on termination of interest rate swaps and caps		(3,297)	(1,986)	(1,779)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps and caps		132	(140)	(72)
Loss on foreign currency transfers		145	-	-
		_______	_______	_______
Finance expenses		8,895	5,407	20,484
Finance income: interest receivable		(5,362)	(4,458)	(9,921)
		_______	_______	_______
Net finance expenses		3,533	949	10,563
		======	======	======

Of interest capitalised in the period, the amount capitalised to development properties was £7,110,000 (30 September 2007: £5,457,000, 31 March 2008: £11,592,000) and trading properties £317,000 (30 September 2007: £nil, 31 March 2008: £430,000). The average interest rate used for capitalisation was 6.3% (30 September 2007: 6.9%, 31 March 2008: 7.0%).

In accordance with IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement', the Group has reviewed its interest rate caps together with the interest rate hedges within its joint ventures in existence as at 30 September 2008. As assessed by JC Rathbone Associates Limited, movements in fair value of the elements of those viewed as effective have been recognised through equity while all other movements, including those relating to the ineffective elements of effective hedges, are reflected in the Income Statement.

6. Tax

i) Tax charge on profit

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited  Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited  Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
UK current tax at 28% (30 September 2007 and 31 March 2008: 30%)		-	-	-
Adjustments to prior years' UK corporation tax		-	-	(2,439)
		_______	_______	_______
		-	-	(2,439)
Overseas tax		83	134	334
		_______	_______	_______
Total current tax charge (credit)		83	134	(2,105)
		_______	_______	_______
Deferred tax (note 6 iii)		(7,837)	(4,663)	(12,511)
		_______	_______	_______
Tax credit		(7,754)	(4,529)	(14,616)
		======	======	======

ii) Tax recognised directly in equity 

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept  2008 £000 _______	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000 _______	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000 _______
Deferred tax (credit) charge on revaluation of development   properties		(54,199)	11,843	(32,957)
Deferred tax charge (credit) on effective element of interest rate       swaps		706	-	(125)
		_______	_______	_______
		(53,493)	11,843	(33,082)
		======	======	======

iii) Deferred tax movements

	Audited			Unaudited	Unaudited
	1 April 2008 £000	Recognised in income £000	Recognised in equity £000	30 Sept  2008 £000	30 Sept 2007 £000
	______	_________	_________	_________	_________
Capital gains less capital losses	104,859	(7,488)	(54,199)	43,172	155,330
Capital allowances	6,200	538	-	6,738	4,577
Derivative financial instruments	(63)	22	706	665	(89)
Other temporary differences	245	157	-	402	273
Revenue tax losses	(7,603)	(1,066)	-	(8,669)	(3,750)
	_______	_______	_______	________	_______
Deferred tax provision	103,638	(7,837)	(53,493)	42,308	156,341
	======	======	======	=======	======

7. Earnings per share and net asset value per share

i) Earnings per share

	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept  2008 Loss after  tax £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 Weighted average number of shares 000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 Earnings per share pence	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept  2007 Profit after tax  £000	Unaudited Six months ended  30 Sept  2007 Weighted  average number of shares 000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept  2007 Earnings  per share pence	Audited Year  ended 31 March  2008 Loss after  tax £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 Weighted  average number of shares 000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 Earnings per share pence
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Basic	(43,841)	127,871	(34.3)	671	128,200	0.5	(40,124)	128,184	(31.3)
			=====			===			=====
Adjustments:
Employee    share-based    payment   schemes	-	-		-	1,287		-	-
	_______	_______		____	_______		_______	_______
Diluted	(43,841)	127,871	(34.3)	671	129,487	0.5	(40,124)	128,184	(31.3)
	======	======	=====	====	======	===	======	======	=====

ii) Net asset value per share

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2008

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007

Unaudited As at 30 Sept 2007

Audited As at 31 March 2008

Audited As at 31 March 2008

Audited As at 31 March 2008

Equity shareholders’ funds £000

Number of shares   000

Net asset value per share pence

Equity shareholders’ funds £000

Number of shares   000

Net asset value per share pence

Equity shareholders funds £000

Number of shares   000

Net asset value per share pence

_______

_______

____

_______

_______

____

_______

_______

____

Basic

568,113

128,212

443

897,060

128,212

700

745,701

127,790

584

===

===

===

Adjustments:

Employee      share-based      payment      schemes

3,474

1,878

10,418

2,646

9,156

2,807

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

_______

Diluted

571,587 ======

130,090 ======

439 ===

907,478 ======

130,858 ======

693 ===

754,857 ======

130,597 ======

578 ===

The number of shares in issue has been adjusted for the 2,059,388 (30 September 2007: 1,627,414, 31 March 2008: 2,139,973) shares held by ESOP Trusts and by the Group as treasury shares.

Entitlements under the Executive Directors' Performance Share Plan have been excluded from the calculation in both i) and ii) above as the commitments relate to contingently issuable shares where the conditions had not been met at the Balance Sheet date.

8. Dividends

The Board does not propose to pay an interim dividend (2007: 3.75p). The 2007 interim dividend was not included as a liability as at 30 September 2007.

The final dividend of £10,872,000 for the year ended 31 March 2008, representing 8.50p per share, was paid on 8 September 2008 and is included in the reconciliation of movements in equity. 

9. Investment and development properties

The movements in the period in investment and development properties were as follows:

		Investment properties £000	Development  properties £000	Unaudited Total £000
		_________	_______	_______
Cost or valuation:
Balance 1 April 2008		220,624	843,536	1,064,160
Transfer to trading properties		-	(5,812)	(5,812)
Additions		600	18,478	19,078
Interest capitalised		-	7,110	7,110
Revaluation deficit		(32,181)	(183,282)	(215,463)
		________	_______	_______
Balance 30 September 2008		189,043	680,030	869,073
		=======	======	======

All of the Group's properties were externally valued as at 30 September 2008 on the basis of market value by professionally qualified valuers in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation Standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The Group's land holdings at Greenwich and Wembley have been valued by Savills Commercial Limited. The discount rates which have been applied in relation to these developments were 14.7% for the Greenwich interests and 14% for the Wembley development. Other properties in the United Kingdom have been valued by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited and Christie + Co. Properties in the Channel Islands have been valued by Guy Gothard & Co.

A reconciliation of the valuations carried out by the external valuers to the carrying values shown in the Balance Sheet was as follows:

	As at  30 Sept 2008  Investment  properties £000	As at 30 Sept 2008  Development properties £000	Unaudited As at  30 Sept 2008  Total £000	As at  31 March 2008  Investment  properties £000	As at 31 March 2008 Development  properties £000	Audited  As at  31 March 2008 Total £000
	__________	___________	__________	___________	___________	___________
Investment and development     properties at market value as   determined by valuers	187,615	670,427	858,042	219,144	833,860	1,053,004
Adjustment in respect of rent-     free periods and other tenant   incentives	(538)	(178)	(716)	(486)	(105)	(591)
Adjustment in respect of     minimum payments under     head leases separately included   as a liability in the Balance Sheet	1,966	9,781	11,747	1,966	9,781	11,747
	_______	_______	_______	________	_______	________
	189,043	680,030	869,073	220,624	843,536	1,064,160
	======	======	======	=======	======	=======

10. Non-current investments

i) Investment in joint ventures

a) The movement in investment in joint ventures was as follows:

		Share of  net assets £000	Advances £000	Unaudited Total £000
		_______	_______	_______
Balance 1 April 2008		71,974	167,366	239,340
Amounts advanced		-	61,010	61,010
Distributions		(2,843)	-	(2,843)
Share of loss, net of tax		(8,944)	-	(8,944)
Share of effective portion of changes in fair value of cashflow hedges,   net of tax		321	-	321
		_______	_______	_______
Balance 30 September 2008		60,508	228,376	288,884
		======	======	======

b) The Group's interest in its principal joint ventures was as follows:

		% of share capital held	Country of incorporation	Principal joint venture partners
		_________	___________	_________________________
Quercus Healthcare Property Unit Trust (Quercus)		29.74	Channel Islands	Norwich Union Life & Pensions Limited
Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Limited (GPRL)		50.00	United Kingdom	Lend Lease Europe Limited
Meridian Delta Dome Limited (MDDL)		49.00	United Kingdom	Lend Lease Europe Limited
Greenwich Peninsula N0204 Block A&B Unit Trusts   (Greenwich Peninsula N0204)		50.00	Channel Islands	Lend Lease N0204 Block A Limited/ Lend Lease N0204 Block B Limited
iQ Unit Trust (iQ)		50.00	Channel Islands	Wellcome Trust Investment  Limited Partnership
Quantum Unit Trust (Quantum)		50.00	Channel Islands	CGNU Life Assurance Limited
Quintessential Homes (Wembley) LLP (Quintessential)		50.02	United Kingdom	Geninvest Limited/ Family Housing Development Company Limited
BioRegional Quintain Limited (BioRegional)		49.90	United Kingdom	BioRegional Properties Limited
South East Properties (Redhill) Limited		50.00	United Kingdom	South East Properties Limited

c) The Group's share of the results of its joint venture operations was as follows:

Summarised income statements    for the six months ended 30 September 2008
	Quercus £000	GPRL/ MDDL £000	Greenwich  Peninsula N0204 £000	iQ £000	Quantum £000	Quint- essential £000	BioRegional £000	Other joint ventures £000	Unaudited Group share in joint ventures £000
	_______	_______	________	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Rental income	8,982	427	-	1,314	160	-	-	-	10,883
Proceeds from sale of   trading properties	-	-	-	-	-	15,724	-	-	15,724
Other income	-	244	-	-	-	-	41	-	285
	_______	_______	______	______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	8,982	671	-	1,314	160	15,724	41	-	26,892
Cost of sales	-	(165)	-	(608)	(61)	(15,062)	-	-	(15,896)
	______	______	______	______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Gross profit	8,982	506	-	706	99	662	41	-	10,996
Administrative expenses	(1,374)	(308)	(12)	(808)	(32)	(18)	(174)	-	(2,726)
	______	_______	______	______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Operating profit (loss)     before   recognition of results from   non-current asset sales and   revaluation	7,608	198	(12)	(102)	67	644	(133)	-	8,270
Loss from sale of non-   current    property assets	(155)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	(155)
(Deficit) gain on revaluation    of investment properties	(14,551)	3,724	-	(6,396)	(85)	-	-	-	(17,308)
Share of loss from joint   ventures	-	-	-	-	-	-	(117)	-	(117)
	_______	_______	______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Operating (loss) profit	(7,098)	3,922	(12)	(6,498)	(18)	644	(250)	-	(9,310)
Finance expenses	(3,523)	-	-	(863)	-	(73)	(192)	(972)	(5,623)
Finance income	362	9	-	73	50	32	16	1,380	1,922
	_______	_______	______	______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
(Loss) profit before    taxation	(10,259)	3,931	(12)	(7,288)	32	603	(426)	408	(13,011)
Taxation	3,598	(1,137)	-	1,581	21	-	-	4	4,067
	_______	_______	______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
(Loss) profit after   taxation	(6,661)	2,794	(12)	(5,707)	53	603	(426)	412	(8,944)
	======	======	======	=====	======	======	======	======	======

Summarised balance sheets   as at 30 September 2008
	Quercus £000	GPRL/ MDDL £000	Greenwich  Peninsula N0204 £000	iQ £000	Quantum £000	Quint- essential £000	BioRegional £000	Other joint ventures £000	Unaudited Group share in joint ventures £000
	_______	_______	________	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Investment properties	251,359	-	-	64,975	3,520	-	-	-	319,854
Development properties	2,400	19,600	29,275	19,388	2,415	-	-	-	73,078
Investment in joint    ventures	-	922	-	-	-	-	2,261	-	3,183
Trading properties	-	42,407	-	-	-	15,311	2,318	-	60,036
Other assets	13,398	24,129	-	5,836	439	1,915	6,205	3,646	55,568
	______	______	______	_____	______	______	_____	_____	______
Gross assets	267,157	87,058	29,275	90,199	6,374	17,226	10,784	3,646	511,719
Current liabilities:
Bank loans and other   borrowings	-	-	-	-	-	(4,219)	-	(444)	(4,663)
Current tax liability	(1,338)	(163)	-	-	(28)	-	-	(299)	(1,828)
Non-current liabilities:
Bank loans and other   borrowings	(115,151)	-	-	(49,542)	-	-	-	-	(164,693)
Deferred tax (liability)   asset	(5,830)	(5,566)	34	1,200	62	-	-	(16)	(10,116)
Other liabilities	(735)	(16,842)	(12,689)	(2,720)	(342)	(6,213)	(1,994)	-	(41,535)
	______	_______	_______	______	______	_______	______	______	_______
Net external assets	144,103	64,487	16,620	39,137	6,066	6,794	8,790	2,887	288,884
	======	======	======	=====	======	======	======	======	======
Represented by:
Capital	40,546	15,145	(96)	(2,341)	(260)	6,254	(1,251)	2,511	60,508
Loans	103,557	49,342	16,716	41,478	6,326	540	10,041	376	228,376
	_______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	_______
Total investment	144,103	64,487	16,620	39,137	6,066	6,794	8,790	2,887	288,884
	======	======	======	======	======	======	======	======	======

The valuation of investment properties held within Quercus as at 30 September 2008 was performed by Christie + Co, Chartered Surveyors, as external valuers, on the basis of open market value and in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation Standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Properties within the Greenwich joint ventures and the iQ Unit Trust were valued by Savills Commercial Limited and those within the Quantum Unit Trust by CBRE Richard Ellis.

Summarised income statements    for the six months ended 30 September 2007
		Quercus £000	GPRL/ MDDL £000	iQ £000	Quantum £000	Quint- essential £000	BioRegional £000	Other joint  ventures £000	Unaudited Group share in joint ventures £000
		______	______	______	______	_____	_____	______	______
Rental income		6,595	95	542	-	-	-	-	7,232
Other income		-	-	-	-	-	5	-	5
		______	______	______	______	_____	_____	______	______
		6,595	95	542	-	-	5	-	7,237
Cost of sales		-	(96)	(293)	(4)	-	-	(2)	(395)
		______	______	______	______	_____	_____	______	______
Gross profit (loss)		6,595	(1)	249	(4)	-	5	(2)	6,842
Administrative expenses		(782)	(65)	(691)	(2)	(34)	(138)	(167)	(1,879)
		______	______	______	______	_____	_____	______	______
Operating profit (loss) before    recognition of results from     non-current asset sales and   revaluation		5,813	(66)	(442)	(6)	(34)	(133)	(169)	4,963
Profit from sale of non-   current property assets		185	-	-	-	-	-	-	185
Gain on revaluation   of investment properties		8,355	6,763	636	-	-	-	-	15,754
		______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Operating profit (loss)		14,353	6,697	194	(6)	(34)	(133)	(169)	20,902
Finance expenses		(2,675)	-	(383)	-	-	(63)	(2)	(3,123)
Finance income		129	-	49	10	42	4	-	234
		______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Profit (loss) before taxation		11,807	6,697	(140)	4	8	(192)	(171)	18,013
Taxation		(1,839)	(1,488)	(140)	-	-	-	-	(3,467)
		______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Profit (loss) after taxation		9,968	5,209	(280)	4	8	(192)	(171)	14,546
		======	=====	=====	=====	======	=====	=====	=====
Summarised balance sheets   as at 30 September 2007
		Quercus £000	GPRL/ MDDL £000	iQ £000	Quantum £000	Quint- essential £000	BioRegional £000	Other joint  ventures £000	Unaudited Group share in joint ventures £000
		_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
Investment properties		237,520	-	40,075	-	-	-	-	277,595
Development properties		559	13,013	19,667	1,216	-	-	-	34,455
Trading properties		-	34,472	-	-	17,352	2,735	-	54,559
Other assets		13,262	3,810	4,325	371	-	4,691	3,094	29,553
		______	______	_____	______	______	_____	_____	______
Gross assets		251,341	51,295	64,067	1,587	17,352	7,426	3,094	396,162
Current liabilities:
Current tax liability		(1,353)	-	-	-	-	-	-	(1,353)
Non-current liabilities:
Bank loans and other     borrowings		(98,569)	-	(30,905)	-	-	(602)	-	(130,076)
Deferred tax liability		(13,735)	(3,308)	(1,973)	-	-	-	(318)	(19,334)
Other liabilities		(7,159)	(3,272)	(3,939)	(239)	(11,809)	(787)	(119)	(27,324)
		______	______	______	_____	_______	_____	_____	_______
Net external assets		130,525	44,715	27,250	1,348	5,543	6,037	2,657	218,075
		======	=====	=====	======	======	=====	=====	======
Represented by:
Capital		59,988	10,602	4,079	28	5,543	(517)	2,479	82,202
Loans		70,537	34,113	23,171	1,320	-	6,554	178	135,873
		______	_____	_____	_____	_____	______	_____	_______
Total investment		130,525	44,715	27,250	1,348	5,543	6,037	2,657	218,075
		======	=====	=====	=====	=====	======	=====	======

ii) Other non-current investments

The movement in other non-current investments, all of which have been classified as available for sale, was as follows:

				Unaudited £000
				_______
Unquoted investments:
Balance 1 April 2008				15,196
Additions				1,618
Impairment as charged in the Income Statement				(7,790)
Recycling of revaluation movement from earlier periods				2,159
Revaluation deficit				(175)
				_______
Balance 30 September 2008				11,008
				======

An impairment loss of £7,790,000 was recognised in the Income Statement in relation to the Special projects business segment against the Group's investment in Serrastone SA following a revision of cashflow forecasts as a result of current economic conditions.

11. Trade and other receivables

		Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Trade receivables		14,133	14,562	20,660
Amounts due under contracts for sale		-	6,500	6,898
Other receivables		7,831	6,676	6,500
		_______	_______	_______
Trade and other receivables		21,964	27,738	34,058
Prepayments and accrued income		4,228	3,985	5,559
		_______	_______	_______
		26,192	31,723	39,617
		======	======	======

12. Trade and other payables

		Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Trade payables		3,208	6,433	2,809
Other payables		13,107	11,864	10,963
Accruals		21,507	22,430	22,536
		_______	_______	_______
		37,822	40,727	36,308
		======	======	======

13. Bank loans and other borrowings

		Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Non-current liabilities:
Bank loans		558,554	374,050	536,830
10% first mortgage debenture stock 2011 (secured)		2,093	4,838	4,807
		_______	_______	_______
		560,647	378,888	541,637
		======	======	======

The weighted average tenure of the Group's debt is five years (31 March 2008: 5.5 years) and the weighted average cost of debt was 6.3%

(31 March 2008: 7.0%). The loans are secured by floating charges over assets owned by subsidiary undertakings.

The 10% first mortgage debenture stock 2011 issued by Estates Property Investment Company Limited is secured by a cash deposit of £3,276,000 and has a redemption value of £1,971,000. The premium over par arising from fair valuing the debenture on acquisition is amortised over its remaining life.

  a) The maturity profile of the Group's debt was as follows:

			Unaudited	Unaudited	Audited	Unaudited	Unaudited	Audited
	30 Sept 2008 Bank loans and overdrafts	30 Sept 2008 Other loans	30 Sept 2008 Total debt	30 Sept  2007 Total debt	31 March 2008 Total debt	30 Sept  2008 Undrawn  facilities	30 Sept 2007 Undrawn  facilities	31 March 2008 Undrawn facilities
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
From one to two years	74,609	-	74,609	-	-	20,000	-	-
From two to five years	174,073	2,093	176,166	378,888	223,838	50,000	119,000	5,000
From five to 25 years	309,872	-	309,872	-	317,799	83,500	-	75,500
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	558,554	2,093	560,647	378,888	541,637	153,500	119,000	80,500
	======	======	======	======	======	======	======	======

b) After taking account of interest rate swaps and caps, the risk profile of the Group's borrowings was as follows:

		Unaudited 30 Sept  2008 £000	Unaudited 30 Sept  2007 £000	Audited 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Fixed or capped		549,207	229,838	429,807
Floating		11,440	149,050	111,830
		_______	_______	_______
		560,647	378,888	541,637
		======	======	======

c) The interest rate profile of the Group's fixed or capped rate debt was as follows:

Percent		Unaudited 30 Sept  2008 £000	Unaudited 30 Sept  2007 £000	Audited 31 March 2008 £000
_______		_______	_______	_______
4.0 - 5.0		248,688	-	100,000
5.0 - 6.0		99,475	-	100,000
6.0 - 7.0		49,738	225,000	225,000
7.0 - 8.0		149,213	-	-
9.0 - 10.0		2,093	4,838	4,807
		_______	_______	_______
		549,207	229,838	429,807
		======	======	======

d) The weighted average rate and the weighted average period of the Group's fixed or capped rate debt were as follows:

	Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 %	Unaudited 30 Sept 2007 %	Audited 31 March 2008 %	Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 years	Unaudited 30 Sept 2007 years	Audited 31 March 2008 years
	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______	_______
	6.3	6.5	6.0	5	5	5
	======	======	======	======	======	======

14. Financial instruments

The Group's policy is to finance its activities with equity and long term debt, the proportions depending on the profile of the operational and financial risks to the business. The Group does not speculate in treasury products but uses these only to limit potential interest rate fluctuations. It usually borrows at floating rates of interest based on LIBOR and uses hedging to achieve an interest rate profile where the majority of borrowings are fixed or capped. As at 30 September 2008, 99.8% (31 March 2008: 83.7%) of the Group's net debt was fixed or capped.

i) Effective cashflow hedges

As at 30 September 2008, the profile of the Group's interest rate swaps, which for the purposes of these financial statements have been classified as effective cashflow hedges with fair value adjustments reflected in equity, was as follows: 

			Unaudited 30 Sept 2008	Audited 31 March 2008
Amount	Maturity date	Swap rate	Fair value adjustment	Fair value adjustment
£000		%	£000	£000
______	_______	_____	_____	______
50,000	03.01.13	4.97	426	(11)
50,000	03.01.13	4.94	421	50
50,000	03.01.13	5.01	434	(85)
75,000	22.04.13	4.99	582	-
75,000	22.04.13	4.96	659	-
_______			______	_______
300,000			2,522	(46)
======			======	======

ii) Ineffective cashflow hedges   

As at 30 September 2008, the profile of the Group's interest rate caps, which for the purpose of these financial statements have been classified as ineffective with fair value adjustments reflected in the Income Statement, was as follows:  

			Unaudited 30 Sept 2008	Audited 31 March 2008
Amount	Maturity date	Swap rate	Fair value adjustment	Fair value adjustment
£000		%	£000	£000
______	_______	_____	_____	_____
25,000	03.01.13	5.50	149	314
25,000	03.01.13	5.75	149	236
25,000	22.04.13	7.50	(100)	-
25,000	22.04.13	7.50	(100)	-
25,000	22.04.13	7.50	(100)	-
75,000	22.04.13	7.50	(267)	-
50,000	03.07.13	6.50	(23)	-
_______			_____	_____
250,000			(292)	550
======			=====	=====

As at 30 September 2008, the Group also held £450,000,000 basis swaps entered into within the current period with maturity dates prior to 

31 March 2009 and positive fair value adjustments totalling £160,000 reflected in the Income Statement.

  iii) Financial instruments held in joint ventures

As at 30 September 2008, the following interest rate swaps shown at their full amount were held within Quercus, a joint venture in which the Group has a 29.74% interest (31 March 2008: 26.92%):

			Unaudited 30 Sept 2008	Audited 31 March 2008
Amount	Maturity date	Swap rate	Group's share of fair value adjustment	Group's share of fair value adjustment
£000		%	£000	£000
______	_______	____	____	_____
40,000	22.01.09	4.86	-	(112)
50,000	22.10.09	4.84	21	(216)
25,000	25.11.09	5.02	(136)	41
80,000	22.01.13	5.11	224	(143)
100,000	22.01.13	4.99	266	(31)
_______			____	_____
295,000			375	(461)
=======			====	=====

All the swaps held within Quercus were classified as effective and the Group's share of the fair value adjustments reflected in equity.

As at 30 September 2008, the following interest rate caps and collars shown at their full amount were held within iQ, a joint venture in which the Group has a 50.00% interest (31 March 2008: 50.00%):

				Unaudited 30 Sept 2008	Unaudited 30 Sept 2008	Audited  31 March 2008	Audited  31 March 2008
Amount	Maturity date	Strike rate Floor	Strike rate Cap	Group's share of fair value  adjustment	Group's share of fair value  adjustment	Group's share of fair value  adjustment	Group's share of fair value adjustment
				Income  Statement	Equity	Income Statement	Equity
£000		%	%	£000	£000	£000	£000
______	_______	______	_____	______	_____	______	______
12,951	04.10.12	5.08	6.00	112	-	(392)	-
12,951	04.10.12	5.28	5.75	-	190	-	(484)
12,951	04.10.12	4.89	6.25	87	-	(355)	-
12,952	04.10.12	4.69	6.50	62	-	(295)	-
______				_____	_____	_____	_____
51,805				261	190	(1,042)	(484)
======				=====	=====	======	=====

As at 30 September 2008, the following interest rate swap shown at its full amount was held within Greenwich Peninsula N0204, a joint venture in which the Group has a 50.00% interest (31 March 2008: 50.00%):

Amount	Maturity date	Swap rate	Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 Group's share of  fair value adjustment
£000		%	£000
_____	_______	____	_______
29,301	30.12.11	5.28	(120)
=====			======

The swap was entered into during the period and has been classified as effective with the fair value adjustment reflected in equity.

15. Reconciliation of movements in equity

		Share capital   £000	Share premium account £000	Revaluation reserve   £000	Other capital reserves £000	Cashflow hedge reserve £000	Translation reserve   £000	Retained earnings   £000	Own shares held reserve £000	Unaudited Equity shareholders’ funds £000
		_____	_______	________	_______	_______	______	_______	_______	_________
	Balance 1 April  2008	32,483	51,343	327,360	108,136	(322)	318	238,805	(12,422)	745,701
	Recognised income  and expense for  the period	-	-	(125,900)	-	2,137	(4)	(43,841)	-	(167,608)
	Issue of shares less  cost	28	175	-	-	-	-	(71)	-	132
	Cost relating to  share-based  payment schemes	-	-	-	-	-	-	760	-	760
	Shares awarded to  employees under  share-based bonus  scheme	-	-	-	-	-	-	(482)	482	-
	Dividends paid in  period	-	-	-	-	-	-	(10,872)	-	(10,872)
		______	______	________	________	_______	_______	________	________	_________
		32,511	51,518	201,460	108,136	1,815	314	184,299	(11,940)	568,113
		=====	=====	=======	=======	======	======	=======	=======	========

Part of the movement on the revaluation of investment and development properties is recognised in the Income Statement and part directly through equity.

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Recognised in Income Statement:
Gains on revaluation of investment properties:
Group		-	3,848	338
Joint ventures		-	15,754	934
Deficits on revaluation of investment properties:
Group		(32,181)	(18,030)	(44,661)
Joint ventures		(17,308)	-	-
Associate		(143)	-	(125)
Deficits on revaluation of development properties		(1,199)	(1,071)	(5,265)
Recognised directly in equity:
Gains on revaluation of development properties		-	69,574	1,838
Deficits on revaluation of development properties		(182,083)	-	(79,006)
		_______	_______	_______
		(232,914)	70,075	(125,947)
		======	======	======

As at 30 September 2008, ESOP Trusts held 2,054,154    (31 March 2008: 2,134,739) shares in the Company which had been purchased in the market at a cost of £11,908,000 (31 March 2008: £12,390,000). The purpose of the Trusts is to acquire and hold shares which will be transferred to employees to meet future obligations under the Group employee share-based payment schemes and share-based bonus entitlements. As at 30 September 2008, these shares had a market value of £4,134,000 (31 March 2008: £9,622,000). The Quintain Group Employee Benefit Trust has waived the right to receive dividends.

As at 30 September 2008, the Company also held 5,234 (31 March 2008: 5,234) of its own shares which had been purchased in the market at a cost of £32,000 (31 March 2008: £32,000). As at that date, these shares had a market value of £11,000 (31 March 2008: £24,000).

16. Share capital

			Unaudited Number of  shares 000	Unaudited  Nominal value £000
			_______	_______
Authorised as at 30 September 2008
Ordinary shares of 25p each			200,000	50,000
			======	======
Allotted, called up and fully paid
In issue as at 1 April 2008			129,826	32,483
Issue of shares under share-based payment schemes at     between 25p and 155.3p			112	28
			_______	_______
In issue as at 30 September 2008			129,938	32,511
			======	======

As at 30 September 2008, Share capital included 2,054,154 (31 March 2008: 2,134,739) shares held by ESOP Trusts. These shares had a nominal value of £513,539 (31 March 2008: £533,685). The Company also held 5,234 (31 March 2008: 5,234) of its own shares with a nominal value of £1,309

(31 March 2008: £1,309).

17. Capital commitments

As at 30 September 2008, the Group had capital commitments of £27,734,000 (31 March 2008: £16,475,000) in relation to its own development properties and £63,000 (31 March 2008: £130,000) in respect of contractual commitments for repairs, maintenance and enhancement in relation to its investment properties. The Group's share of capital commitments in relation to its joint ventures was £86,625,000 (31 March 2008: £63,939.000). 

18. Related party disclosures

During the period, the Group received the following fees in respect of services provided to its joint ventures:

		Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited Six months ended 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited Year ended 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Quercus Healthcare Property Partnership		2,084	2,235	6,416
iQ Property Partnership		1,263	1,086	2,188
Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Limited		421	402	944
BioRegional Quintain Limited		154	96	277
Quintessential Homes (Wembley) LLP		130	130	260
Quart Property Partnership		-	-	15
Quantum Property Partnership		10	10	20
		_______	_______	_______
		4,062	3,959	10,120
		======	======	======

The Group also received interest on loan notes amounting to £1,757,000 (30 Sept 2007: £1,218,000, 31 March 2008: £2,733,000) from Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Limited, £472,000 (30 Sept 2007: £nil, 31 March 2008: £nil) from Greenwich Peninsula N0204 Limited Partnerships and £520,000 (30 Sept 2007: £206,000, 31 March 2008: £691,000) from BioRegional Quintain Limited, which are included in finance income.

The following amounts due from related parties are included in Trade and Other receivables in note 11:

		Unaudited 30 Sept 2008 £000	Unaudited 30 Sept 2007 £000	Audited 31 March 2008 £000
		_______	_______	_______
Quercus Healthcare Property Partnership		3,175	2,851	11,447
South East Properties (Redhill) Limited		2,023	-	-
BioRegional Quintain Limited		1,209	762	1,278
iQ Property Partnership		813	589	589
Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Limited		726	551	303
Quintessential Homes (Wembley) LLP		201	176	-
Quart Property Partnership		-	-	29
Quantum Property Partnership		89	5	73
		_______	_______	_______
		8,236	4,934	13,719
		======	======	======

 

END

 

 

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