Interim Results

Mountview Estates PLC 12 December 2001 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Herewith are the unaudited Accounts for the six months ended on 30 September 2001. Profit on ordinary activities before taxation fell only slightly, but such is the incidence of taxation that profit on ordinary activities after taxation shows a modest increase and earnings per share are up from 134.5 pence to 136.2 pence. These results have been achieved despite a 77% increase in interest charges consequent upon the rise in our borrowings chiefly caused by the acquisition at the beginning of May of seventy flats in prime central London locations. The highlight of our activities during these six months might well have been the acquisition of the London flats, the benefits of which are yet to accrue, but everything has been overshadowed by the atrocities of 11 September. House prices were already rising more slowly and buyers were showing less urgency in completing deals, but since 11 September downward economic trends have been accelerated and we must necessarily be cautious about the coming months because whilst low interest rates are helping to sustain the housing market we cannot expect to escape all the consequences of a world economic downturn, nor can we expect to be exempt from whatever may afflict other sectors of the British economy. The most significant recent move that we have been able to make on behalf of our shareholders occurred after 30 September 2001. It took place at the EGM on 12 November 2001 when shareholders voted in favour of the resolution to buy back for cancellation 14.99% of the Company's shares then held by BPT plc. The manner in which the buy back has been financed is such that the Company should not be inhibited in making purchases and developing the business in the short and medium term. Indeed we are confident that in the long term the benefits of this transaction will accrue to all continuing shareholders. The buy-back has already enabled us to raise the interim dividend from 30 pence per share to 36 pence per share (an increase of 20%) at an additional cost of less than £30,000. Indeed, although nominal earnings per share for the six months ended on 30 September 2001 have risen to 136.2 pence (an increase of 1%), the amount attributable to each share would have been 160.2 pence (an increase of 19%) had the share capital as reduced on 12 November been in place for all of the first half. Whilst the buy back of 14.99% of the Company's shares caused an increase in the percentage of shares held by the Sinclair family concert party, the placing of the balance of the BPT holding, which had taken place on 11 October 2001, introduced a significant number of new shareholders, all of whom we welcome to Mountview Estates. The interim dividend of 36 pence per share will be payable on 25 March 2002 to shareholders on the register at 22 February 2002. 12 December 2001 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account (unaudited). Notes Half Year Half Year Full Year ended ended ended 30.09.2001 30.09.2000 31.03.2001 £ £ £ Turnover 2 17,838,646.00 18,490,604.00 36,492,741.00 Cost of Sales (6,153,004.00) (7,331,529.00) (12,867,278.00) Gross Profit 11,685,642.00 11,159,075.00 23,625,463.00 Administrative Expenses (1,341,376.00) (1,347,267.00) (1,942,055.00) Operating Profit 10,344,266.00 9,811,808.00 21,683,408.00 Interest Payable (1,402,006.00) (791,715.00) (1,675,020.00) Profit on ordinary activities 8,942,260.00 9,020,093.00 20,008,388.00 before taxation Tax on ordinary activities (2,695,969.00) (2,848,893.00) (6,008,861.00) Profit on ordinary 3 6,246,291.00 6,171,200.00 13,999,527.00 activities after taxation Dividends 4 (1,403,645.00) (1,376,123.00) (3,577,919.00) Retained Profit for the period 4,842,646.00 4,795,077.00 10,421,608.00 Earnings per Share 5 136.2.p 134.5p 305.2p Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) As at As at As at 30.09.2001 30.09.2000 31 .3.2001 £ £ £ Fixed Assets Intangible assets 221,511.00 310,116.00 265,814.00 Tangible Assets 25,819,481 20,426,797 25,320,266.00 26,040,992.00 20,736,913.00 25,586,080.00 Current Assets Stocks 130,002,697.00 98,266,376.00 106,078,226.00 Debtors: due within one year 218,301.00 600,451.00 416,775.00 due after one year 0.00 0.00 Cash at Bank and in hand 77,091.00 126,892.00 261,706.00 130,298,089.00 98,993,719.00 106,756,707.00 Creditors: amounts failing due (29,909,158.00) (24,368,387.00) (26,825,511.00) within one year Net Current Assets 100,388,931.00 74,625,332.00 79,931,196.00 Total Assets less Current 126,429,923.00 95,362,245.00 105,517,276.00 Liabilities Creditors: Amounts failing due after more than one year (22,000,000.00) (4,890,000.00) (5,930,000.00) 104,429,923.00 90,472,245.00 99,587,276.00 Capital and Reserves Called up share capital 229,354.00 229,354.00 229,354.00 Revaluation Reserve 5,846,215.00 2,357,715.00 5,846,215.00 Capital Redemption Reserve 20,646.00 20,646.00 20,646.00 Capital Reserve 24,660.00 24,660.00 24,660.00 Other Reserves 56,000.00 56,000.00 56,000.00 Profit and Loss Account 98,253,048.00 87,783,870.00 93,410,401.00 104,429,923.00 90,472,245.00 99,587,276.00 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Half year ended Half year ended Full Year ended 30.09.2001 30.09.2000 30.09.2001 Cash (outflow) Inflow from (12,930,405.00) 4,658,069.00 8,633,695.00 operating activities Returns on Investment and (1,390,098.00) (792,960.00) (1,672,997.00) servicing of finance Taxation (2,495,718.00) (2,263,114.00) (6,339,859.00) Capital expenditure and (552,727.00) (17,916.00) (1,494,675.00) financial investment Equity dividend paid (2,201,796.00) (2,285,527.00) (3,466,955.00) Cash ( outflow)/ inflow before (19,570,744.00) (701,448.00) (4,340,791.00) use of liquid resources and financing Financing 20,070,000.00 800,000.00 1,840,000.00 Increase/(decrease) in cash 499,256.00 98,552.00 (2,500,791.00) flow for the period Reconciliation of Net Cash flow movement in Net Debt Increase (Decrease) in cash in 499,256.00 98,552.00 (2,500,791.00) the period Change in Net Debt resulting 499,256.00 98,552.00 (2,500,791.00) from Cash Flow New Loans due within one year (4,000,000.00) New Loans falling due after (16,070,000.00) (800,000.00) (1,840,000.00) more than one year Net debt at the beginning of (25,124,314.00) (20,783,523.00) (20,783,523.00) the period Net debt at the end of the (44,695,058.00) (21,484,971.00) (25,124,314.00) period For further information: Frank Malcolm, Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited (brokers to Mountview Estates) Tel: 0131 529 0311
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