Interim Results and Dividend Announcement
29 September 2008
GSC Property Holdings plc
Interim results for the 6 months to 30 June 2008
Highlights:
* Profit before interest rises 18.7% to GBP3,105,874 (2007: GBP2,615,743)
* Income up 4.4% to GBP3,980,948 (2007: GBP3,814,684)
* Dividend to be 2.0 pence (net) per share (2007: 2.5 pence)
Mark Rubin, Chief Executive commented:
"While GSC is not immune to the current market turbulence, the impact is small.
The company has a conservative balance sheet characterised by long term bank
finance at fixed rates and a portfolio of well let commercial investments. We
are poised to act quickly should investment opportunities arise which we
believe are in the interest of shareholders."
For further information please contact:
Mark Rubin, Chief Executive 01702 293 300
Jonathan Williams, Bishop Fleming (Corporate Adviser) 0117 910 0250
Anthony Spiro, Spiro Financial (Press and Investor Relations) 020 8336 6196
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GSC Property Holdings specialises in commercial property investment in the UK.
The company's strategy is to spread risk through building a diverse portfolio
to minimise exposure to any single end use or geographical area. Our objective
is to add maximum value for shareholders.
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CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT FOR THE CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED GROUP RESULTS FOR THE HALF
YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008
I am pleased to report that rental revenue in the six months to 30 June 2008
increased over four per cent to £3,980,948 (2007: £3,814,684). Operating profit
for the period rose over 20 per cent to £3,105,874 (2007: £2,575,743).
The directors have declared a dividend of 2.0 pence per share (2007: 2.5 pence
per share). It will be paid on 7 November 2008 to shareholders on the register
on 20 October 2008.
Conditions in the UK property market became increasingly difficult during the
first half of the trading year as the "credit crunch" and associated lack of
liquidity put over-borrowed businesses under pressure. GSC is riding out the
turbulence well because its long established, conservative and low risk
strategy has ensured that the company is soundly financed with long term debt
arrangements at fixed rates.
The continuing financial turbulence coupled with uncertainty on valuations has
significantly reduced activity in the property investment market. GSC did not
complete any transactions during the period although it monitored conditions
very closely and is well placed to act quickly should a suitable opportunity
arise.
The major refurbishment of the Metro Palace Court Hotel in Bournemouth was
completed in June 2008. As Golden Tulip has been acquired by Whitbread the
Metro Palace Court Hotel has been rebranded as a Premier Hotel. The hotel
reopened in early July and is trading well.
There is no doubt that the combination of high borrowing costs and extremely
tight bank lending is creating very difficult conditions for imprudently
financed property investors. We are confident that these tough conditions will
over time generate significant and attractive investment opportunities as
owners who made speculative purchases at unrealistically low yields come under
severe financing pressure.
Outlook
While GSC is not immune to the current market turbulence, the impact is small.
The company has a conservative balance sheet characterised by long term bank
finance at fixed rates and a portfolio of well let commercial investments. We
are poised to act quickly should investment opportunities arise which we
believe are in the interest of shareholders.
Alan Gerschlick
Chairman
29 September 2008
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For the half year ended 30 June 2008
note 6 months to 6 months to 12 months to
30 Jun 2008 30 Jun 2007 31 Dec 2007
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP GBP GBP
Turnover 2 3,980,948 3,814,684 7,496,055
------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit 3,908,348 3,748,084 7,166,647
Administrative and distribution (802,474) (1,172,341) (2,505,726)
expenses
Assets held for Sale - Fair - - (865,909)
Value Adjustment
------------ ------------ ------------
Operating profit 3,105,874 2,575,743 3,795,012
Profit / (Loss) on disposal of 3 - 40,000 (180,001)
fixed assets
------------ ------------ ------------
Profit before interest 3,105,874 2,615,743 3,615,011
Interest payable (net) (2,567,154) (2,003,440) (5,162,842)
------------- ------------- -------------
Profit/(Loss) on ordinary 538,720 612,303 (1,547,831)
activities before tax
Tax on profit on ordinary 4 - (183,182) -
activities
----------- ------------- -------------
Profit/(Loss) for the period 538,720 429,121 (1,547,831)
====== ======= ========
Earnings per ordinary share (p) 6 5.15 7.99 (96.77)
Statement of total realised gains and losses
6 months to 6 months to 12 months to
31 Dec 2007
30 Jun 2008 30 Jun 2007 (audited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
GBP GBP GBP
Profit/(Loss) for the 538,720 429,121 (1,547,831)
financial period
Unrealised surplus / - 400,000 (8,538,886)
(deficit) on revaluation of
property
---------- ----------- --------------
Total recognised gains and 538,720 829,121 (10,086,717)
losses for the period
====== ====== ========
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
At 30 June 2008
Unaudited Unaudited 31 December
2007
as at as at (audited)
30 June 2008 30 June 2007
Note GBP GBP GBP
Fixed Assets
Intangible assets 290,657 308,273 299,465
Tangible assets 3,724,596 3,734,664 3,751,302
Investment properties 7 93,894,000 105,257,590 93,894,000
--------------- --------------- --------------
97,909,253 109,300,527 97,944,767
========= ========= ========
Current assets
Stock 13,569 13,352 13,124
Asset held for sale 22,500,000 22,721,562 22,500,000
Debtors 1,915,714 2,336,598 1,308,953
Other short-term 200 200 200
investments
Cash at bank and in hand 2,130,397 2,970,768 3,237,947
-------------- -------------- --------------
26,559,880 28,042,480 27,060,224
======== ======== ========
Creditors: amounts falling due (13,304,443) (10,692,821) (24,886,613)
within one year
------------- --------------- --------------
Net current assets 13,255,437 17,349,659 2,173,611
------------- --------------- --------------
Total assets less current 111,164,690 126,650,186 100,118,378
liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling (79,284,804) (83,674,112) (68,463,212)
due in more than one year
Provisions: deferred tax - - -
-------------- -------------- ----------------
Total assets 31,879,886 42,976,074 31,655,166
======== ======== ==========
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 104,680 104,680 104,680
Share premium account 1,414,350 1,514,350 1,414,350
Revaluation reserve 21,659,521 30,952,674 21,659,521
Profit and loss account 8,701,335 10,404,370 8,476,615
-------------- -------------- ---------------
Shareholders' funds 31,879,886 42,976,074 31,655,166
======== ======== ==========
NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT 2008
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The accounting policies used for the audited financial statements at 31
December 2007 have been used in the preparation of this interim report.
The interim report is unaudited and does not comprise full financial
statements. The results for the year to 31 December 2007 are an abridged
summary of the financial statements for that year which have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies and on which the auditors' report was unqualified.
2. TURNOVER
Turnover represents rental income on the group's investment portfolio and
turnover from hotels, invoiced in the period and is stated net of VAT.
Included within turnover is GBP 670,700 of revenues from hotel operations
(2007: GBP 768,200).
3. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
The profit on disposal of fixed assets arises on sales of properties from the
group's investment portfolio.
4. TAX CHARGE
No provision has been made for corporation tax for the current half year
because of tax losses being brought forward from last year. The tax charge
relating to the previous half year was calculated at 30% of the profit before
tax and was based on the current estimate at that time of the effective tax
rate for the full year. The Group adopts the provisions of the UK Financial
Reporting Standard 19, however no adjustments have been made as the effect is
not material.
5. DIVIDENDS PROPOSED
The directors propose an interim dividend of 2p per share (GBP 209,360) which
will be paid on 7 November 2008 to shareholders on the register at the close of
business on 20 October 2008.
In accordance with FRS21 the company recognises dividends in the financial
statements in the period in which they are paid.
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share have been calculated to include total earnings attributable
to equity shareholders arising in the period:
6 months 6 months 12 months to
to 30 June to 30 June 31 December
2008 2007 2007
GBP GBP GBP
Total earnings/losses arising 538,720 829,121 (10,086,717)
in the period
Weighted average shares in 10,468,000 10,370,762 10,423,616
issue
Total earnings per share (p) 5.15 7.99 (96.77)
7. INVESTMENTS
In the 6 months to 30 June 2008 there were no purchases or sales of properties.
The directors of GSC Property Holdings plc accept responsibility for this
announcement