Barratt Developments PLC
19 November 2007
19 November 2007
Barratt Developments PLC
Interim Management Statement
Barratt Developments PLC is publishing today its first Interim Management
Statement as required by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency
Rules. This statement covers the 19 week period from 1 July 2007.
At the end of September, the Group issued its preliminary results for the year
ended 30 June 2007. As anticipated at the time, the cumulative impact of 5
interest rate rises over the previous 18 months, combined with the effect of the
more recent liquidity squeeze on the availability and cost of mortgage finance,
has led to a tightening of the UK housing market.
These conditions have continued throughout this period and the Group continues
to prioritise operating margins rather than volume, by focusing on cost
reduction and deploying its sales capabilities to deliver completion volumes and
sale prices at satisfactory levels.
Private sales per week per site were lower when compared with the particularly
strong period last year, but were more in line with 2005/6 levels. This
reflects the more challenging market conditions but also our decision not to
pursue the lower margin segments of the buy to let market. Cancellation rates
have continued to track broadly in line with historic norms but are above last
year's exceptionally low levels and remain sensitive to mortgage availability.
In the period to the end of October, net average selling prices increased by 2%,
despite average sales discounts running marginally higher than the same period
last year.
As a result, we expect our operating margin for the half year to be broadly in
line with the guidance given at the preliminary results.
The average number of outlets is forecast at 580 for the first half, rising to
620 in the second half, reflecting the phasing of planning approvals. Based on
current trends, first half completions are expected to be approximately 8,750
units.
We continue to maintain a strong forward order book, which currently stands at
approximately £1.8bn. Together with completions to date, we have now secured
around 61% of our full year requirement.
We continue to make good progress in delivering the announced synergy targets of
at least £30m in 2007/8 rising to at least £60m the following year. The Group's
new IT systems are currently being rolled out in accordance with plan.
Net debt at the end of the first half of the financial year is expected to be
approximately £1.7bn. At the end of October, Group net assets, excluding
goodwill, were circa £2.0bn representing just over £5.80 per share. The Board
remains committed to maximising shareholder value by prudently managing the
balance sheet, taking into account current and future market conditions.
Mark Clare, Group Chief Executive commented,
'We expect to enter the New Year with increased outlets, a highly focused sales
operation and with an increased expectation that the interest rate cycle has
peaked. However, consumer confidence and mortgage finance availability and
pricing, will be key to determining the success of the 2008 Spring selling
season.
Barratt's highly experienced management team will remain focused on efficient
and effective operational delivery, whilst optimising its land spend to ensure
we are ready to capitalise on any improvement in market conditions.
Looking forward, the fundamentals of the market remain strong with demand
exceeding supply and with a Government committed to increasing the supply of new
housing.'
- ends -
For further information please contact:
Barratt Developments PLC
Mark Clare, Group Chief Executive
Mark Pain, Group Finance Director
For analyst/investor enquiries, please contact:
Barratt Developments PLC 020 7299 4880
James Mason, Head of IR
For media enquiries, please contact:
Weber Shandwick Financial 020 7067 0700
Terry Garrett / Nick Dibden
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
*A Private Investor is a recipient of the information who meets all of the conditions set out below, the recipient:
Obtains access to the information in a personal capacity;
Is not required to be regulated or supervised by a body concerned with the regulation or supervision of investment or financial services;
Is not currently registered or qualified as a professional securities trader or investment adviser with any national or state exchange, regulatory authority, professional association or recognised professional body;
Does not currently act in any capacity as an investment adviser, whether or not they have at some time been qualified to do so;
Uses the information solely in relation to the management of their personal funds and not as a trader to the public or for the investment of corporate funds;
Does not distribute, republish or otherwise provide any information or derived works to any third party in any manner or use or process information or derived works for any commercial purposes.
Please note, this site uses cookies. Some of the cookies are essential for parts of the site to operate and have already been set. You may delete and block all cookies from this site, but if you do, parts of the site may not work. To find out more about the cookies used on Investegate and how you can manage them, see our Privacy and Cookie Policy
To continue using Investegate, please confirm that you are a private investor as well as agreeing to our Privacy and Cookie Policy & Terms.