Interim Results 2001

Bovis Homes Group PLC 10 September 2001 BOVIS HOMES GROUP PLC INTERIM RESULTS Unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2001 The Board of Bovis Homes Group PLC today announced its interim results for 2001. * Operating profit increased 14% to £31.7 million (2000: £27.7 million) * Pre tax profit increased 8% to £28.6 million (2000: £26.5 million) * Earnings per share increased by 8% to 17.6p (2000: 16.3p) * Operating margin increased to 21.8% (2000: 21.4%) * Plots with planning consent increased to 11,005 plots (Dec 2000: 10,133 plots) * Strategic land holdings increased to 20,016 potential plots (Dec 2000: 18,016 potential plots) * Interim dividend increased 8% to 4.2 pence net per ordinary share (2000: 3.9 pence) * Period end net borrowings of £105.5 million (34.3% gearing) Commenting on the results, Malcolm Harris, the Chief Executive of Bovis Homes Group PLC said: 'The first six months results were in line with our expectations, reflecting the poor weather conditions endured during 2000 and the first quarter of 2001. Build production has increased and is now running at a level to meet year end requirements. Land investments made during the first six months have been particularly successful including a major site at Hatfield where we intend building a high quality new village. In addition to increasing the size and quality of our consented land bank, we have further strengthened our strategic land holdings, adding 2,000 potential plots. This clearly demonstrates our long term investment strategy to grow the business and deliver superior returns to our shareholders. Reservations are running ahead of the comparable period in 2000 and based upon current market conditions we are confident of the prospects of the Group for the full year and are in a good position for 2002.' Enquiries: Malcolm Harris, Chief Executive Andrew Best / Emily Bruning Bovis Homes Group PLC Shared Value Limited Tel: 020 7321 5010 Tel: 020 7321 5010 on Monday 10 September on Monday 10 September Tel: 01474 872427 Tel: 020 7321 5010 thereafter thereafter Chairman's interim statement Bovis Homes has strengthened its position during the first half of 2001 with a solid improvement in profit, an increase in operating margin and a further enhancement of its asset base. The Group has maintained its focus on maximising shareholder returns and has accelerated its investment in prime locations to underpin the future growth of the Group. Results For the six months ended 30 June 2001 the Group achieved a pre tax profit of £28.6 million representing an increase of 8% over the pre tax profit of £26.5 million for the same period in 2000. Earnings per share improved by 8% to 17.6 pence. The Group's operating margin increased to 21.8% compared with 21.4% for the first six months of 2000. The Group's average sales price rose to £138,000 for the current year compared to £121,200 for the comparable six months of 2000. An increase in the proportion of 'room in the roof' and three storey properties, with a 11% contribution at the half year, increased the average size of property legally completed thus underpinning the 14% rise in average sales price. Average sales price per square foot increased by 8%. As previously advised at the time of the announcement of the 2000 preliminary results on 12 March 2001 and re-affirmed at the annual general meeting on 1 May 2001 the Group anticipated that the split of profits between the first and second half of the year would be more weighted towards the latter six months due to poor weather conditions experienced in late 2000 and early 2001 which delayed building work on a number of sites. In consequence, the Group legally completed 979 homes in the first six months of 2001 compared with 1,056 legal completions in the same period last year. Dividends The interim dividend of the Company will amount to 4.2 pence net per share, an increase of 8% over 2000's interim dividend. This dividend will be paid on 23 November 2001 to holders of ordinary shares on the register at the close of business on 26 October 2001. Land The Group's land buying expertise and resulting high quality land bank continue to be key factors in the success of the Group. Efforts to secure sites in prime locations have been successful, including the Group's acquisition of land in Hatfield to build a new village, providing a strong asset base for present and future development. At 30 June 2001 the Group held 11,005 plots of consented land compared with 10,133 plots at the start of the year. The strategic land bank stood at 20,016 potential plots at 30 June 2001, an increase of 2,000 potential plots over the 18,016 potential plots held at the start of the year. Market conditions Affordability in the housing market remains strong even though prices have been reported by the Halifax in recent months as increasing ahead of earnings growth. Recent decreases in interest rates and steady consumer confidence have maintained demand for new housing through 2001 to date. With stable fundamentals in the economy, including low inflation, low interest rates, and low unemployment relative to the last decade, consumer confidence remains reasonably strong. Prospects The plans announced in the 2000 Annual Report and Accounts to grow the Group in structure and levels of activity remain a commitment of the Group. Within this plan the strategies aimed at maximising shareholder return through optimising the utilisation of our land and designing added value products will continue to be applied consistently. The half year results along with a reservations order book ahead of this time last year provide a good platform for the second half of 2001 and given current market conditions we are confident of the prospects of the Group for the full year. Sir Nigel Mobbs Chairman 10 September 2001 Group profit and loss account For the six months ended 30 June 2001 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2001 30 June 31 Dec 2000 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 -------- -------- -------- Turnover - continuing operations 145,231 129,687 304,996 Cost of sales (99,416) (88,566) (207,170) -------- -------- -------- Gross profit 45,815 41,121 97,826 Administrative expenses (14,091) (13,389) (27,135) -------- -------- -------- Operating profit - continuing operations 31,724 27,732 70,691 Interest receivable and similar income 119 52 88 Interest payable and similar charges (3,258) (1,312) (3,710) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 28,585 26,472 67,069 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (8,600) (8,000) (19,700) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 19,985 18,472 47,369 Dividends proposed/paid (4,817) (4,410) (13,252) -------- -------- ------- Retained profit for the financial period 15,168 14,062 34,117 -------- -------- -------- Basic earnings per ordinary share 17.6p 16.3p 42.0p -------- --------- -------- Diluted earnings per ordinary share 17.4p 16.2p 41.5p -------- -------- -------- In both the current and preceding financial periods there were no other recognised gains or losses. In both the current and preceding financial periods there was no material difference between the historical cost profits and losses and those reported in the profit and loss account. Group balance sheet At 30 June 2001 30 June 2001 30 June 31 Dec 2000 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 -------- -------- -------- Fixed assets Tangible assets 9,913 8,502 8,584 Investments 1,514 1,259 1,051 --------- -------- -------- 11,427 9,761 9,635 -------- -------- -------- Current assets Stocks and work in progress 552,764 402,712 458,585 Debtors due within one year 6,041 6,701 8,671 Debtors due after more than one year 8,023 5,214 4,884 Cash 2 290 1,039 -------- -------- -------- 566,830 414,917 473,179 -------- -------- -------- Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (108,993) (105,116) (113,428) --------- -------- -------- Net current assets 457,837 309,801 359,751 -------- -------- -------- Total assets less current liabilities 469,264 319,562 369,386 -------- -------- -------- Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (160,075) (48,946) (77,861) Provisions for liabilities and charges (1,326) (1,602) (1,473) -------- -------- -------- Net assets 307,863 269,014 290,052 -------- -------- -------- Capital and reserves Called up share capital 57,411 56,539 56,785 Share premium 135,452 132,698 133,435 Revaluation reserve 817 817 817 Profit and loss account 114,183 78,960 99,015 -------- -------- -------- Equity shareholders' funds 307,863 269,014 290,052 --------- -------- -------- Group cash flow statement For the six months ended 30 June 2001 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2001 30 June 31 Dec 2000 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 -------- -------- -------- Net cash outflow from operating activities (24,644) (20,807) (23,395) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 119 52 88 Interest paid (3,263) (1,249) (3,424) -------- -------- -------- (3,144) (1,197) (3,336) -------- -------- -------- Taxation paid (7,600) (5,100) (18,096) ------- -------- -------- Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (2,282) (1,073) (2,040) Sale of tangible fixed assets 125 193 234 Purchase of investments (665) (586) (581) -------- -------- -------- (2,822) (1,466) (2,387) -------- -------- -------- Equity dividend paid (8,878) (8,124) (12,518) -------- -------- -------- Cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (47,088) (36,694) (59,732) Management of liquid resources and financing Increase in borrowings 42,151 30,862 61,000 Issue of ordinary share capital 2,643 17 1,000 -------- -------- -------- 44,794 30,879 62,000 -------- --------- -------- (Decrease)/increase in cash (2,294) (5,815) 2,268 ======== ======== ======== Group reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds For the six months ended 30 June 2001 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2001 30 June 31 Dec 2000 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 -------- -------- -------- Opening shareholders' funds 290,052 254,935 254,935 Issue of ordinary shares 2,643 17 1,000 Total recognised gains and losses for the period 19,985 18,472 47,369 Dividends paid and proposed (4,817) (4,410) (13,252) -------- -------- -------- Closing shareholders' funds 307,863 269,014 290,052 ======== ======== ======== Group reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows For the six months ended 30 June 2001 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2001 30 June 31 Dec 2000 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 -------- -------- -------- Operating profit 31,724 27,732 70,691 Depreciation and amortisation 1,044 784 1,831 Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets (16) (11) (13) Increase in stocks (94,179) (42,437) (98,310) (Increase)/decrease in debtors (509) 1,254 (374) Increase/(decrease) in creditors 37,292 (8,129) 2,780 -------- -------- -------- Net cash outflow from operating activities (24,644) (20,807) (23,395) ======== ======== ======== Group reconciliation and analysis of net debt For the six months ended 30 June 2001 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 30 June 2001 30 June 31 Dec 2000 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £000 £000 £000 -------- -------- -------- (Decrease)/increase in cash (2,294) (5,815) 2,268 Cash outflow from change in debt (42,151) (30,862) (61,000) -------- -------- -------- Change in net debt (44,445) (36,677) (58,732) Opening net debt (61,011) (2,279) (2,279) -------- -------- -------- Closing net debt (105,456) (38,956) (61,011) ======== ======== ======== Analysis of net debt: Cash 2 290 1,039 Bank overdraft (2,307) (8,384) (1,050) Borrowings (103,151) (30,862) (61,000) -------- -------- -------- (105,456) (38,956) (61,011) ======== ======== ======== Notes 1. Basis of preparation The interim accounts have been prepared on a basis consistent with the accounting policies adopted for the year ended 31 December 2000 including the classification of borrowings under bilateral committed revolving loan facilities as long term. These policies are set out in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts. The Group has adopted the new accounting standard FRS18: 'Accounting Policies' during the first half of 2001. There has been no effect on the Group's results in the first half of 2001 arising from the implementation of this standard. The interim accounts do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. In line with the Urgent Issues Task Force Information Sheet No 48 dated 5 July 2001, assets related to long term incentive plans have been classified in investments for the current and prior year results. The interim accounts for the six months ended 30 June 2000 and 30 June 2001 have not been audited. The abridged information in these interim accounts relating to the year ended 31 December 2000 is derived from the full accounts upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion and which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Earnings per share Basic earnings per ordinary share for the six months ended 30 June 2001 is calculated on profit after tax of £19,985,000 (six months ended 30 June 2000: £18,472,000; year ended 31 December 2000: £47,369,000) over the weighted average of 113,693,156 (six months ended 30 June 2000: 113,070,189; year ended 31 December 2000: 112,735,747) ordinary shares in issue during the period. Diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated on profit after tax of £19,985,000 (six months ended 30 June 2000: £18,472,000; year ended 31 December 2000: £47,369,000) over the diluted weighted average of 114,765,827 (six months ended 30 June 2000: 114,408,855; year ended 31 December 2000: 114,184,319) ordinary shares potentially in issue during the year. The diluted average number of shares is calculated in accordance with FRS 14 'Earnings Per Share'. The dilutive effect relates to the average number of potential ordinary shares held under option during the year. This dilutive effect amounts to the number of ordinary shares which would be purchased using the aggregate difference in value between the market value of shares and the share option exercise price. The market value of shares has been calculated using the average ordinary share price during the year. Only share options which have met their cumulative performance criteria have been included in the dilution calculation. There is no dilutive effect on the profit after tax used in the diluted earnings per share calculation. 3. Dividends The interim dividend of 4.2 pence net per ordinary share will be paid on 23 November 2001 to holders of ordinary shares on the register at the close of business on 26 October 2001. 4. Taxation The rate of corporation tax applied was 30% for the six months to 30 June 2001 and for the six months ended 30 June 2000.

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