Interim Results
PRESS RELEASE
Not for release before 0700, 21st January 2005
FLETCHER KING PLC
INTERIM RESULTS
Fletcher King sees strong results for the half year
Fletcher King, the London based property fund managers, asset managers and
chartered surveyors, announces today its interim results for the 6 months to 31
October 2004. The results show an increased performance on the same 6 month
period last year.
Financial highlights:
- Profit before tax up 155% to £242,000 (2003: £95,000)
- Turnover for the half year up 9% at £2.587m (2003: £2.370m)
- Basic earnings per share grew 139% to 1.67p (2003: 0.7p)
- Interim dividend up to 0.5p (2003: 0.3p) which will be paid on 18 February
2005
Operational highlights:
- A profit of £100,000 was achieved on the sale of the minority interest in
Fletcher King Manchester.
- Stratton House Investment Property Syndicate is now fully invested and is
currently achieving returns in excess of target. The second fund is progressing
well and contracts are already exchanged for its first acquisition.
- The property asset management department added approximately 500,000 sq ft
to its existing portfolio.
- Valuation and Rating has shown a significant increase in turnover and is on
course for a successful year
Commenting David Fletcher, Chairman of Fletcher King said:
"I am pleased to be able to announce a strong first 6 months. The results were
positively affected by the sale of our interest in Fletcher King Manchester, but
all departments have performed well and this is reflected with a profit increase
of 155%. The investment market has remained strong and we anticipate that
activity in all departments over the next six months will continue at a
satisfactory level. I look forward to the next six months and hope to be able
to announce an increase in the final dividend.
For further information:
David Fletcher, Fletcher King: 020 7493 8400
Tim McCall, MJ2 Business Communications 020 7491 7776
Fletcher King Plc Chairman's Statement
RESULTS
The Interim Results for the 6 months to 31st October 2004 have shown an
improvement over the same period last year. Profit before tax was £242,000 (2003
£95,000) on a turnover of £2.587 million (2003 £2.370 million) with earnings per
share of 1.67p (2003 0.70p). Your Directors have declared an interim dividend of
0.5p (2003 0.3p) which will be paid on the 18th February 2005 to shareholders on
the register at the close of business on the 4th February 2005. The pre-tax
profit for the period included a one off profit of £100,000 resulting from the
sale of the Company's minority interest in Fletcher King Manchester.
THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MARKET
London
Occupational demand for offices in London and the South East continues to be
subdued although generally there are more enquiries for space than at this time
last year. The only sector of the market which has shown substantial rental
growth and activity is the West End. Oversupply continues in the City, Mid-Town,
Docklands and the Western Approaches suppressing rental growth. Retail and
industrial rents are showing some limited growth.
Outside London
Occupational demand for all types of space is generally stronger outside London
and owner occupiers, particularly for industrial property, remain very active.
Investment
Demand for all sectors of the market throughout the country continues to be
strong. Many institutions have increased their weighting to property over the
last twelve months, which is fuelling an already buoyant market, and prices
continue to climb as yields fall.
Medium term SWAP rates have fallen over the last few months increasing demand from
debt financed investors.
There has been increased demand in the City of London for well let buildings even
though the letting market is poor and at best rents remain stable.
Many are calling the top of the market. We continue to believe that with some
rental growth coming through, and with the weight of money in the market, yields
will compress over the next twelve months with a resultant increase in capital
values.
DIVISIONAL TRADING
Investment and Fund Management
During the first half of the year the department has seen an increase in activity
compared with the same period last year. Buying for in-house clients has been
active and the department has transacted a number of significant sales during the
period. There is a strong pipeline of work for the remainder of the year and we
anticipate the good performance to continue throughout the year.
Property Asset Management
The department has added approximately 500,000 sq ft with an annual rent roll of
£6.5 million from four new clients to its existing portfolios. We have received
approval by the Financial Services Authority to carry out general insurance
activities.
Valuation and Rating
The first half has shown a substantial increase in turnover from the corresponding
period last year and the department is on course for a successful year with a
continuing, excellent pipeline of work.
Rent Reviews
Although the smallest department within the Company, it has had an extremely busy
first half with an increase in both turnover and instructions over the
corresponding period last year. It is unlikely to produce a contribution to
profit for the year but is performing in line with targets.
Agency
The department works almost exclusively within Central London and is operating in
an extremely difficult market. Despite that, it has had an active first half and
has a reasonably good pipeline of work.
Manchester
We disposed of the Company's minority interest in the Manchester office and made a
very acceptable profit as detailed above.
Fletcher King Howard
Our construction services division grew its business over the corresponding period
last year and is on target to increase its profitability this year.
Stratton House Investment Property Syndicate
The first fund is now fully invested and is currently achieving returns in excess
of target.
A second syndicate has been formed and contracts are exchanged for its first
acquisition of a £7 million industrial portfolio.
Outlook
The investment market will remain strong even though occupational markets will be
subdued.
We anticipate activity continuing at a satisfactory level for the remainder of
the year and our prospects for the second half look good.
D J R FLETCHER Chairman
21st January 2005
Registered Office
Stratton House, Stratton Street
London W1J 8LA
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
(unaudited) for the six months to 31 October 2004
6 6 Year to
months months
to to
31 31 30
Octobe Octobe April
r r
2004 2003 2004
£000 £000 £000
Turnover 2587 2370 5623
Operating Profit 195 80 279
Share of results of
associated
undertakings 0 (3) 9
Interest Receivable (net) 47 18 44
Profit on ordinary
activities before 242 95 332
taxation
Taxation (95) (33) (113)
Profit on ordinary
activities after taxation 147 62 219
Dividends (44) (26) (203)
Dividend per Share 0.5p 0.3p 2.30p
Retained Profit 103 36 16
Earnings per share - 1.67p 0.70p 2.49p
basic
NOTES
1. The interim figures for the six months to 31 October 2004, which
are unaudited, have been prepared
on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report
and Accounts for the year ended
30 April 2004. The financial information contained in
this Interim Report does not amount to
statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of
the Companies Act 1985.
The results for the year ended 30 April 2004 have been extracted from
the published accounts for
that period on which the auditors gave an unqualified report and which
have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies.
2. Earnings per share are calculated on 8,807,279 ordinary shares in
issue during the six months
(October 2003 - 8,807,279, April
2004 - 8,807,279).
3. This statement is being sent to shareholders. In addition copies
are available from the Company
Secretary at the Registered
Office.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET As at As at As at
(unaudited) for the six months 31 31 30
to 31 October 2004 Octobe Octobe April
r r
2004 2003 2004
£000 £000 £000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 203 209 178
Investment in associated 0 16 27
undertakings
Other Investments 253 253 253
_______________________________
456 478 458
Current assets
Debtors 1624 1681 1640
Cash at bank and in hand 1236 930 1836
_______________________________
2886 2611 3476
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one (816) (672) (1537)
year _______________________________
Net current assets 2044 1939 1939
_______________________________
Total assets less current 2500 2417 2397
liabilities
Creditors
Amounts falling due after one 0 0 0
year
Provisions for liabilities and 0 0 0
charges
_______________________________
Net assets 2500 2417 2397
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 881 881 881
Share premium account 76 76 76
Profit and loss account 1543 1460 1440
_______________________________
2500 2417 2397
_______________________________
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 6 Year
months months to
to to
(unaudited) for the six months 31 31 30
to 31 October 2004 Octobe Octobe April
r r
2004 2003 2004
£000 £000 £000
Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from (396) (313) 643
operating activities
Returns on investment and 47 18 44
servicing of finance
Taxation 0 11 (21)
Capital expenditure and (62) (27) (35)
financial investment
Equity dividends paid (176) (66) (92)
__________________________________
Cash flow before financing (587) (377) 539
Financing (13) (11) (21)
__________________________________
(Decrease)/Increase in cash in (600) (388) 518
the half year