Eastern Property Holdings reports a net profit ...
Eastern Property Holdings Limited (EPH) /
Eastern Property Holdings reports a net profit of $ 12.8 million for 2010,
compared to a net loss of $66.9 million in 2009
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Road Town, Tortola, BVI
* Â In the twelve months ended 31 December 2010 we generated a net profit of
$12.81 million compared to a net loss of $66.86 million for 2009.
* Earnings per share were $3.00 for 2010, compared to a loss per share of
$15.13 for 2009
* Russian property values have stabilised and begun to recover. Revaluations
of real estate assets have been the principal factor in the volatility of
our net profits
* Net assets at year-end 2010 were $343.31 million compared to $332.01 million
as of 31 December 2009
* Net asset value per share is $80.54 at 31 December 2010, compared to $77.89
at the end of 2009
* Our annual report, including full financial statements, will be available on
the company website after the closing of the Swiss stock exchange on 15
April.
Rental Income
Our gross rental income was $13.17 million for 2010, compared to $16.36 million
in 2009. The year on year reduction in gross rents is primarily attributable to
Petrovsky Fort, where, since 2008, the short term nature of leases, and
predominance of small locally-focused businesses - many of which were in hardest
hit sectors like construction, real estate, and finance - led to both a high
vacancy level and significantly lower rents being paid by both existing and new
tenants.
Our non-income tax expense, which in our case is generally property tax,
increased from $1.03 million in 2009 to $3.20 million in 2010. Most of the
difference is due to the initiation of property tax payments upon the completion
of Geneva House late in 2009.
The combination of lower gross rental income, and significantly higher property
taxes are the primary factors leading to a decrease of Net rental income from
$12.91 million in 2009 to $5.93 million in 2010.
Valuation movements
Our net valuation movements for 2010 came to a positive $41.38 million compared
to a negative $55.12 million in 2009.
As Russia's property markets stabilised and began to recover, we recognised a
net gain from fair value adjustments on investment property of $48.32 million in
2010, compared to a loss of $38.20 million in 2009. Most of the net gain in
2010 can be attributed to Berlin House and Geneva House in Moscow. Berlin House
benefitted from yield compression, meaning a lower capitalization rate was
applied to approximately the same long term rental income stream. Geneva House
benefitted from being delivered to the market and signing leases with a number
of blue chip international tenants.
We recognised a net loss from fair value adjustments on financial investments of
$6.93 million in 2010, compared to a net loss of $16.92 million in 2009. Most of
the loss for both periods is attributable to our investment in Sarnatus. We
recognised a net loss from fair value adjustment of $13.85 million on this
investment in 2009, and additional $6.5 million loss in 2010 as we have impaired
the value of the investment to zero.
Our net gain from foreign currency translation in 2009 was $5.64 million, thus
offsetting some negative revaluations to reduce net losses. In 2010, the
ruble/dollar exchange rate was relatively stable and we recognized a modest net
loss of $0.60 million, so had little impact on net earnings.
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses other than accrued performance fees were $9.78 million
in 2010, slightly lower than expenses of $10.45 million in 2009.
Pursuant to our Real Estate Management Agreement, Valartis International Ltd. is
entitled to a performance fee calculated on the basis of 15% of the appreciation
of our investments above their initial cost. In 2009 downward revaluations of
assets led to the reversal of $3.36 million of provisions previously made for
performance fees. Revaluation gains in 2010 resulted in provisions of $7.37
million this year. The fees accrued in 2010 were mostly attributable to Berlin
House and Geneva House.
Net Profit
Net operating profit before finance cost
Our net operating profit before finance cost was $29.84 million in 2010,
compared to loss of $44.05 million in 2009.
Finance costs
Our finance costs decreased from $8.65 million in 2009 to $7.64 million in
2010. The decrease was primarily due to the fact that in 2009 one-time charges
and costs were incurred in connection with drawing a $40 million loan from
UniCredit Bank.
Interest income
Interest income decreased from $7.82 million in 2009 to $5.50 million in 2010,
primarily due to our acquisition of 100% of Geneva House. As 50% owner of the
joint venture which built the property, only 50% of the interest accrued on our
construction loans was eliminated in consolidation. Upon acquiring 100% of the
property in mid-2010, we consolidated 100% of the loans.
Share of associates' losses
We recognised a loss from our associates, Hypercenter Investment SA and Vestive
Holdings Ltd. of $11.97 million in 2010, compared to $15.21 million in 2009.
Hypercenter Investment generated a $10.02 million loss in 2009, and a $2.01
million loss in 2010 as the holding was marked down to zero value in the absence
of reliable financial information.
Vestive generated a loss of $5.19 million in 2009, primarily due to negative
revaluations of the companies project portfolio, and a $9.96 million loss in
2010 as certain of the company's projects were lost due to cancellation of
development rights.
Net Profit
Our net profit amounted to $12.81 million in 2010, compared with a net loss of
$66.86 million in 2009.
*********
Eastern Property Holdings Ltd. is an SIX Swiss Exchange-listed real estate
development and investment company focusing on Russia. The company holds
interests in office, residential, retail and parking properties and
developments, principally in Moscow and St. Petersburg. EPH is managed by
Valartis International Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valartis Group AG.
Additional information on Eastern Property Holdings is available by contacting
Terry Olin, Tel: +41 22 716 1000.
*********
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Eastern Property Holdings Limited (EPH)
Valartis Asset Management SA/Case Postale 3458 Geneva Switzerland
WKN: 250817;ISIN: VGG290991014;
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Source: Eastern Property Holdings Limited (EPH) via Thomson Reuters ONE
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