Interim Results

Panther Securities PLC 25 September 2003 Panther Securities PLC, the property investment company has today announced its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2003. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report the interim figures for the six months to 30 June 2003. Pre-tax profits amount to £1,407,000 compared to £1,417,000 for the same period for the previous year, and although virtually the same, the quality of our revenue has improved as it derives almost entirely from rental income. Rental income receivable during the half year was £4,423,000 compared to £3,508,000 in the comparable period of last year. Eurocity Properties PLC This company, which was taken over towards the end of last year, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Panther Securities PLC and following a review of its expenses contributed a pre tax profit of £140,000 for the current period. Major Transactions There were no major acquisitions during the period under review although in August we completed the acquisition of 32 & 32a Darley Street, Bradford. This property, located in the best part of the pedestrianised section of Bradford, cost £1.82 million and produces approximately £150,000 per annum exclusive from Specsavers, Orange Group and others. Included in the property is some vacant space that could be refurbished to produce extra income and we are currently investigating this possibility. Panther House Redevelopment We are in advanced discussions about the potential sale of our entire Panther House/Gray's Inn Road site with two separate parties. Under the conditional terms agreed with both parties we would receive an initial sum and a share of the profits on any future redevelopment. Should either of these proposals proceed, it would be at an initial figure substantially in excess of the current book value. A transaction of this size and nature would require shareholders' approval, when full details would be presented to all members. Bristol Redevelopment I mentioned, at some length, in my last Annual Statement, the problems we are encountering with this development. Whilst it appears that William Morrison Supermarkets have now obtained their required changes to implement the scheme, we have indicated that we are not prepared to proceed unless there is a more realistic assessment placed on the value of our interests. Our own valuers indicate that, even under compulsory purchase, we would achieve better terms than proposed by Bristol Council which still requires an excessive amount of social benefit from the funds raised from the sale of the site. Finance We currently have unutilised bank facilities of approximately £8 million available for investment or trading, and cash balances of over £7 million which will allow us to respond speedily to attractive opportunities which may arise. Dividends On 20th June 2003 we paid a special 30th anniversary interim dividend of 5p per share. A further interim dividend of 3.5p per share will be paid on 31st October 2003, and it is the Board's intention to recommend a final dividend of no less than 3.5p per share in due course. Outlook Many small to medium sized companies have experienced difficult trading conditions as a result of additional burdens placed upon them by Central and Local Government in the form of extra taxation and red tape. Nevertheless, we are still securing rent increases on most properties that come up for review and effecting satisfactory new lettings on vacant premises. I am pleased to be able to repeat once again that with our rising rent roll, conservative gearing, fixed interest rates and resources available to us, your Board remains confident that our company is well placed for continued success and, as always, I look forward to the future with optimism. Andrew S. Perloff Chairman 25th September 2003 Panther Securities P.L.C. INTERIM CONSOLIDATED RESULTS for the six months ended 30th June 2003 Six months to Six months to Year ended 30th June 30th June 31st December 2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 Turnover 4,758 3,846 8,240 Cost of sales (894) (533) (1,389) ___________ __________ ___________ Gross profit 3,864 3,313 6,851 Administrative expenses (609) (561) (1,194) ___________ __________ ___________ Operating profit 3,255 2,752 5,657 Income from participating interests (2) 18 9 Profit on sale of investment property - - 342 Interest receivable 180 192 327 Interest payable (2,026) (1,545) (3,379) ___________ __________ ___________ Profit on ordinary activities before 1,407 1,417 2,956 taxation Taxation (413) (457) (951) ___________ __________ ___________ Profit on ordinary activities after 994 960 2,005 taxation Minority interests 9 (16) (11) ___________ __________ ___________ Profit attributable to members of the parent undertaking 1,003 944 1,994 Dividends (850) (592) (1,183) ___________ __________ ___________ Retained profits for the year 153 352 811 Transferred from revaluation reserve - - 151 Purchase of own shares - - (67) Transferred from negative goodwill reserve - - 911 Retained profit brought forward 12,297 10,491 10,491 ___________ __________ ___________ Retained profit carried forward 12,450 10,843 12,297 ___________ __________ ___________ Earnings per share 5.9p 5.6p 11.8p Notes: 1. Results The six months results have been prepared on the historical cost basis modified to include the revaluation of fixed asset land and buildings, although no further revaluation has been undertaken on any part of the property portfolio since results were last reported. They are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Accounts The figures for the year to 31st December 2002 have been extracted from the statutory accounts which have been reported on by the Group's auditors and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report was unqualified and did not contain any statement under section 237(2), (3) or (4) of the Companies Act 1985. 3. Accounting policies Accounting policies and presentation are consistent to previous periods. 4. Dividends A special interim dividend of 5p per ordinary share was paid on 20th June 2003 and a further interim dividend of 3.5p per ordinary share will be paid on 31st October 2003 to shareholders on the Register on 3rd October 2003. 5. Earnings per share Earnings per ordinary share have been calculated on profit attributable to members of the holding company and on 16,986,593 (June 2002 - 16,947,117) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue throughout the six months ended 30th June 2003. 6. Copies of this report are to be sent to all shareholders and are available from the Company's registered office at Panther House, 38 Mount Pleasant, London WC1X 0AP. Panther Securities P.L.C. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET for the six months ended 30th June 2003 30th June 30th June 31st December 2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 79,807 76,501 79,769 Negative goodwill (791) (204) (893) Investments 288 299 290 ___________ __________ ___________ 79,304 76,596 79,166 ___________ __________ ___________ Current assets Stock 7,104 5,208 7,147 Current asset investments 945 239 1,015 Debtors 2,422 1,841 1,999 Cash at bank and in hand 9,230 10,255 9,690 ___________ __________ ___________ 19,701 17,543 19,851 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (9,755) (5,355) (7,258) ___________ __________ ___________ Net current assets 9,946 12,188 12,593 ___________ __________ ___________ Total assets less current liabilities 89,250 88,784 91,759 Creditors amounts falling due after more than one year (50,715) (49,610) (53,253) Minority interests (94) (1,636) (266) ___________ __________ ___________ Net assets 38,441 37,538 38,240 ___________ __________ ___________ Capital and reserves Share capital 4,250 4,237 4,226 Revaluation reserve 18,072 17,913 18,072 Profit and loss account 12,450 10,843 12,297 Share premium account 2,886 2,862 2,862 Negative goodwill reserve 212 1,123 212 Capital redemption reserve 571 560 571 ___________ __________ ___________ Shareholders' funds 38,441 37,538 38,240 ___________ __________ ___________ Net assets per share 226.2p 221.5p 226.2p Panther Securities P.L.C. GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months ended 30th June 2003 Six months to Six months to Year ended 30th June 30th June 31st December 2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 Cash inflow from operating activities 3,356 2,144 3,651 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 180 192 327 Interest paid (2,026) (1,545) (3,379) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (1,846) (1,353) (3,052) Taxation Corporate tax paid (14) (7) (864) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of investments (264) - (1,000) Sale of investments - - 1,353 Sale of tangible fixed assets - Purchase of other tangible fixed assets (44) (3,828) (7,817) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (308) (3,828) (7,464) Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of subsidiary undertaking - (139) (817) Cash at bank acquired with subsidiary - 310 310 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from Acquisitions and disposals - 171 (507) Equity dividends paid (1,435) (932) (1,524) ___________ __________ ___________ Cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (247) (3,805) (9,760) Financing (Decrease)/increase in debt (223) 4,869 10,289 Issue of ordinary share capital 48 - - Purchase of own shares - - (67) (175) 4,869 10,222 ___________ __________ ___________ Increase/(decrease) in cash (422) 1,064 462 ___________ __________ ___________ Panther Securities P.L.C. NOTES TO GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months ended 30th June 2003 1. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Six months to Six months to Year ended 30th June 30th June 31st December 2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period (422) 1,064 462 Loans acquired on acquisition - (8,095) (8,094) Cash (outflow)/inflow from increase in debt 223 (4,869) (10,289) ___________ __________ ___________ Change in net debt arising from cash flows (199) (11,900) (17,921) Net debt at start of period (46,019) (28,098) (28,098) ___________ __________ ___________ Net debt at period end (46,218) (39,998) (46,019) ___________ __________ ___________ 2. Analysis of net debt At At 1st January 30th June 2003 Cash flow 2003 £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 Cash at bank and in hand 9,690 (460) 9,230 Overdrafts (39) 38 (1) ___________ __________ ___________ 9,651 (422) 9,229 Debt due within one year (2,418) (2,314) (4,732) Debt due after one year (53,252) 2,537 (50,715) ___________ __________ ___________ (55,670) 223 (55,447) ___________ __________ ___________ (46,019) (199) (46,218) ___________ __________ ___________ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange IR SEEFILSDSEIU
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