Final Results
R.E.A.Hldgs PLC
25 April 2007
Preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2006
=======================================================
Highlights
• Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of £6,208,000 (2005 £4,520,000),
an increase of 37%
• Fresh fruit bunch crops of 334,076 tonnes (2005 313,335 tonnes) an increase
of 7%
• Development of an additional 6,500 hectares of oil palm during the year
against a target of 6,000 hectares
• Some 25,000 hectares now developed, of which just over half was in commercial
production during 2006
• Significant strengthening of the group's financial position during the year
with majority of debt now long term
• Palm oil prices now at historically high levels, reflecting the prospect of
strong demand from the food and bio-fuel industries
• The directors see a bright future for the group, with plantings of recent
years coming to maturity and realistic prospects of being able to continue
extension planting at a rapid rate for several years to come
Presentation of annual report
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the company are presented
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). The
company continues to prepare its individual financial statements in accordance
with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and, as was the case in the
annual report for 2005, to present those statements separately from the
consolidated financial statements.
Results
Profit before tax for 2006, as shown in the accompanying consolidated income
statement, amounted to £10,625,000 representing a 10 per cent increase over the
profit before tax of the preceding year of £9,622,000. The 2006 results were
struck after significantly higher administrative expenses than in 2005
(£3.00 million against £1.57 million). This was principally caused by two
factors: a requirement to provide for national insurance in respect of a
director's outstanding share options to reflect increases in the company's
ordinary share price, and an exchange loss of £503,000 resulting from the
appreciation of sterling against the US dollar during 2006 (2005: gain of
£505,000).
Gains on revaluation of biological assets were again an important component of
the reported profits and amounted to £4.68 million against £4.13 million in
2005. In both years, the gains principally reflected projected increases in
future production arising from the continuing extension planting programme and
the increasing maturity of existing planted areas.
At the after tax level, profit for the year at £7.45 million was 18 per cent
ahead of the £6.30 million achieved in 2005. The percentage increase in profit
attributable to ordinary shareholders was materially higher at 37 per cent. This
was the consequence of a reduction in profit attributable to minority interests
following the company's acquisition, in early 2006, of the former 12.3 per cent
minority interest in the company's subsidiary, Makassar Investments Limited
('Makassar').
Operations
The crop outturn for 2006 amounted to 334,076 tonnes of oil pam fresh fruit
bunches ('FFB') and represented an increase of some 6.6 per cent on the FFB crop
for 2005 of 313,355 tonnes but a shortfall of 5.4 per cent on the 2006 budgeted
FFB crop of 353,000 tonnes.
The failure to achieve the budgeted FFB crop is attributed by the directors to
reduced rainfall in the second half of the year, coupled with a normal cyclic
depression in the cropping cycle, resulting in lower cropping levels in the
second half. Rainfall for 2006 as a whole amounted to 2,967 mm. Whilst this
was considerably lower than the rainfall of the preceding year, which was closer
to 5,000 mm, it was still well above the minimum level of rainfall generally
regarded as necessary for oil palm cultivation. However, the pattern of
rainfall during the year was characteristic of an El Nino weather event. The
usual onset of rains in September was delayed until November while December
rainfall was unevenly distributed.
The crude palm oil ('CPO') and palm kernel extraction rates for 2006 were,
respectively, 23.2 per cent and 3.8 per cent as compared with the rates of 23.4
per cent and 4.0 per cent achieved in 2005. The CPO extraction rate for 2005
was itself a reduction on the CPO extraction rates achieved by the group in
earlier years and this was attributed by the directors to very damp conditions
during 2005 inhibiting the weevil activity upon which cross-pollination depends,
leading to poor fruit set. The effects of this continued to be felt during the
early months of 2006 so that the CPO extraction rate for the first half of 2006
remained low. With fruit quality returning to normal during the second half,
CPO extraction rates steadily improved and in the final quarter exceeded 24 per
cent. Rates have continued to improve in the first quarter of 2007. As with
the CPO extraction rate, the palm kernel extraction rate for 2006 was negatively
affected by poor fruit set. The group's second palm oil mill was brought into
production as planned in the second half of 2006 and provides additional
capacity needed to process the FFB crops that will be harvested from the areas
coming into production from 2007 onwards. The second mill incorporates, within
the overall facility, a palm kernel crushing plant in which the palm kernel
output from both oil mills can be further processed to extract the crude palm
kernel oil ('CPKO') that the palm kernels contain. The second oil mill has the
capacity to generate more electrical power than is needed for the mill's
processing of FFB and the surplus capacity is utilised to power the kernel
crushing plant. Although the kernel crushing plant was commissioned at the same
time as the second oil mill, commercial production of CPKO was delayed by
initial teething problems with the filtration equipment installed. These have
now been resolved and the plant has moved to full scale production from the
start of 2007.
Delays to land clearing operations during 2005 meant that of the development
programme originally planned for 2005, development of 2,250 hectares was carried
forward. The development programme for 2006 was to complete this balance
together with a further 3,750 hectares giving a total target of 6,000 hectares.
Actual development completed in 2006 in fact amounted to some 6,500 hectares
taking the total developed area of the group's estates at 31 December 2006 to
just under 25,000 hectares.
The directors had originally planned that the extension planting development
target for 2007 should be 7,000 hectares but have now reduced that target by the
500 hectare excess over target achieved in 2006. Accordingly, the 2007
extension planting development target for 2007 has been set at 6,500 hectares.
This represents an ambitious planting target but the achievement of the 2006
development target provides encouragement that the group has the logistical
capacity to manage this scale of extension planting. Successful implementation
of the full 2007 development programme will, however, depend upon the titling of
land allocations held by the group proceeding as planned so that land becomes
available for development in time, and to an extent sufficient, to meet the
requirements of the development programme (as should be the case if the titling
process proceeds in accordance with the anticipated timetable).
The group continues to seek allocation of additional areas suitable for planting
with oil palms within the vicinity of its existing operations. Discussions have
recently commenced in respect of two new prospective areas within the Province
of East Kalimantan and are continuing in respect of a land area of 8,000
hectares.
Sustainability
The continuing expansion of the group's operations is bringing with it
increasing social obligations. The group has always been committed to ensuring
the sustainability of its operations. Development to date has followed an
environmental master plan that was based on a detailed environmental assessment
made by independent experts in 1995 and since periodically updated. Furthermore
the group has for many years helped local communities both by providing staff
and equipment on an ad hoc basis to assist community development and by
encouraging and supporting smallholder programmes. With the growth in the
group's operations, it was decided during 2006 that additional dedicated
management would be required to meet the many demands that sustainability
requirements place on responsible oil palm producers and a start has been made
in recruiting personnel with the specific skills needed to meet the high
standards that the group aims to achieve.
Finance
In the first quarter of 2006, the longstanding dispute between the group and
Mr M E Zukerman and his associated interests (the 'MEZ group') was finally
resolved with the payment by the group to the MEZ group of $6,000,000 in cash,
in settlement of various claims by the MEZ group, and the acquisition by the
company, for a consideration of $19,000,000, of the minority interest in
Makassar formerly owned by the MEZ group. This consideration was satisfied by
the issue by the company to the MEZ group of $19,000,000 nominal of 7.5 per cent
dollar notes 2012/14 ('dollar notes').
Between February and May 2006, the company issued a total of 4,200,000 new
ordinary shares and 3,000,000 new preference shares for cash to raise some
£13,400,000, net of expenses. Of these monies, $6,000,000 was applied in
refinancing the $6,000,000 payment to the MEZ group and $5,700,000 in funding
liquidation distributions to third party shareholders in the company's
subsidiary, Makassar Participation plc, which was then wound up.
Proposals agreed in April 2006 with the holders of the company's then
outstanding 1,548,807 warrants resulted in the subsequent exercise by or on
behalf of warrant holders of all such warrants with a consequent cash inflow to
the company of £876,000. A further net cash inflow of $5,400,000 was received
by the company during July and August 2006 from the completion of the dollar
note offering programme, with the issue of a further $6,000,000 nominal of
dollar notes increasing the nominal amount of dollar notes in issue to the full
$30,000,000 originally authorised.
In December 2006, £15,000,000 of a proposed total issue of £22,000,000 nominal
of 9.5 per cent guaranteed sterling notes 2015/17 ('sterling notes') were issued
for cash at a subscription price of 98.33 per cent of par by REA Finance B.V.
('REA Finance'), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company formed for the
purposes of this issue.
The early months of 2007 have seen further significant changes in the group's
indebtedness. In January 2007, REA Finance issued a further £7,000,000 nominal
of sterling notes at 99.6574 per cent of par to increase the nominal amount of
sterling notes in issue to the full £22,000,000 that had initially been
proposed. Subsequently, the group was successful in arranging a nine year
sterling US dollar debt swap to convert the sterling proceeds of the sterling
note issue to US dollars while hedging the currency risk of the continuing
sterling liability represented by the notes. Following that debt swap,
$12.25 million of bank loans was prepaid. Normal repayments of bank
indebtedness in 2007 to-date have amounted to a further $5.25 million.
The combined effect of the foregoing transactions has been to eliminate all
group minority interests, other than interests representing local investor
participations in Indonesia, and to provide the group with substantial longer
term debt financing. On the basis of present CPO prices, the directors expect
that operating cash flows for the remainder of 2007, together with the group's
existing cash resources, will exceed the amount required to fund both the
planned development programme for the year and near term debt repayments.
However, looking beyond 2007 and allowing for the fact that CPO prices may not
be sustained at present levels, the group is likely to require a modest amount
of further funding if, as the directors hope will be the case, extension
planting is continued at a high level. The directors are currently considering
early action to address the probable requirement.
Dividends
The fixed semi-annual dividends on the 9 per cent cumulative preference shares
that fell due on 30 June and 31 December 2006 were duly paid.
An interim dividend in lieu of final in respect of 2006 of 1p per ordinary share
was declared by the directors on 20 December 2006 and paid on 9 February 2007.
This was the first ordinary dividend paid by the group since early 2000 and
reflected the directors' confidence that the group's improving financial
situation and prospects could support the resumption of ordinary dividends.
Staff
The directors extend their thanks to all of the group's staff for their
continued loyalty and hard work.
Prospects
The directors do not believe that the unusual pattern of 2006 rainfall will have
resulted in anything more than minor water deficits in some estate areas.
Accordingly, the FFB crop for 2007 has been budgeted at 380,000 tonnes with the
expected increase over 2006 reflecting a budgetary assumption of average
rainfall (both as to quantum and distribution) and the maturing of the 3,000
hectares of oil palms planted by the group in 2004 (being the first extension
planting by the group under the new extension planting programme initiated in
2003). The directors anticipate that crops for 2007 will be weighted towards
the second half of the year. Crops to end March 2007 were approximately 9,000
tonnes below budget but, as the monthly phasing of each year's crop varies from
year to year, this should not be taken as indicating a likelihood that the FFB
crop for 2007 as a whole will be below budget.
The CPO price, spot CIF Rotterdam, rose strongly in the second half of 2006 to
finish the year at slightly over $600 per tonne. Prices have remained firm
going into 2007 and have further strengthened in recent weeks to above $700 per
tonne following a period of lower than expected CPO production in Malaysia and
optimistic forecasts about additional medium term demand for CPO and other
vegetable oils from the bio-diesel market. A strong increase in ethanol
production capacity worldwide has resulted in markedly increased corn prices
and it has been forecast that this will lead to increased plantings of corn,
particularly in North America. It may be expected that additional corn
hectarage will be planted at the expense of soybean in which case a reduction
in the present plentiful stock of soybeans worldwide is likely.
Whilst expectations of bio-fuel demand and concerns over availability of
feedstock have probably been the dominant factors in the recent increase in CPO
prices, the CPO market is currently also benefiting from health concerns in
relation to trans-fatty acids. Such acids are formed when vegetable oils are
artificially hardened by hydrogenation. Poly-unsaturated oils, such as soyabean
oil, rape oil and sunflower oil, require hydrogenation before they can be used
for shortening or other solid fat applications but CPO does not.
The group took advantage of firm CPO prices to sell forward some 20 per cent of
its projected production for the period to June 2008 at an average price of
$620 per tonne CIF Rotterdam. It remains dependent upon future CPO prices as
respects the balance of its production but if, as now appears possible, CPO
prices remain at or near current levels, the directors are optimistic that 2007
will prove another good year for the group.
Continuing cost inflation in Indonesia has to be an area of some concern to the
group but this concern is for the moment more than outweighed by positive
factors. The group now has an established operating base and a solid financial
structure, the plantings of recent years are coming to maturity and the group
has realistic prospects of being able to continue its extension planting
programme at a rapid rate for several years to come. The directors therefore
see the group as having a bright future.
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005
=================================== £'000 £'000
Revenue 17,833 14,944
Cost of sales (8,060) (6,641)
------ ------
Gross profit 9,773 8,303
Net gain arising from changes in fair value of
biological assets 4,677 4,133
Other operating income 5 6
Distribution costs (283) (190)
Administrative expenses (3,004) (1,572)
------ ------
Operating profit 11,168 10,680
Investment revenues 344 98
Finance costs (887) (1,156)
------ ------
Profit before tax 10,625 9,622
Tax (3,171) (3,323)
------ ------
Profit for the year 7,454 6,299
====== ======
Attributable to:
Ordinary shareholders 6,208 4,520
Preference shareholders 965 765
Minority interests 281 1,014
------ ------
7,454 6,299
====== ======
Earnings per 25p ordinary share
Basic 21.5p 20.0p
Diluted 20.3p 16.7p
All operations in both years are continuing
Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2006 2006 2005
============================================== £'000 £'000
Non-current assets:
Goodwill 6,417 -
Biological assets 73,212 68,192
Property, plant and equipment 14,615 10,565
Prepaid operating lease rentals 2,643 661
Deferred tax assets 5,445 5,619
Non-current receivables 1,141 1,193
------- ------
Total non-current assets 103,473 86,230
------- ------
Current assets:
Inventories 2,600 2,017
Trade and other receivables 2,022 2,854
Cash and cash equivalents 19,014 5,007
------ ------
Total current assets 23,636 9,878
------- ------
Total assets 127,109 96,108
------- ------
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables (4,305) (7,122)
Current tax liabilities (112) (141)
Obligations under finance leases (154) (354)
Bank loans (10,969) (2,180)
Other loans and payables (202) (149)
------ ------
Total current liabilities (15,742) (9,946)
------ ------
Non-current liabilities:
Bank loans (9,821) (19,913)
Sterling notes (13,984) -
US dollar notes (14,953) (2,852)
Deferred tax liabilities (16,961) (17,372)
Obligations under finance leases (17) (190)
Other loans and payables (1,793) (1,702)
------ ------
Total non-current liabilities (57,529) (42,029)
------ ------
Total liabilities (73,271) (51,975)
------ ------
Net assets 53,838 44,133
====== ======
Equity:
Share capital 19,218 14,788
Share premium account 10,995 2,627
Capital redemption reserve - 3,240
Warrants - 1,162
Translation reserve (11,523) (5,858)
Special reserve (non-distributable) 1,892 -
Retained earnings 32,950 21,668
------ ------
53,532 37,627
Minority interests 306 6,506
------ ------
Total equity 53,838 44,133
====== ======
Consolidated statement of recognised income and
expense for the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005
=============================================== £'000 £'000
Exchange translation differences (6,166) 3,522
Tax on items taken directly to equity 224 352
------ ------
Net (loss)/income recognised directly in equity (5,942) 3,874
Profit for the year 7,454 6,299
Share based payment - deferred tax credit 967 -
------ ------
Total recognised income and expense for the year 2,479 10,173
====== ======
Attributable to:
Ordinary shareholders 1,508 7,791
Preference shareholders 965 765
Minority interests 6 1,617
------ ------
2,479 10,173
====== ======
Reconciliation of movements in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005
===================================== £'000 £'000
Total recognised income and expense for the year 2,479 10,173
Issue of new ordinary shares by way of
placings and open offer (net of costs) 10,367 -
Issue of new preference shares by way of
placings (net of costs) 3,071 -
Issue of new ordinary shares on exercise of
share options 82 -
Issue of new ordinary shares on exercise of warrants 876 2
Issue of new ordinary shares arising on conversion of
convertible loan stock - 7
Issue of new ordinary shares arising on restructuring
of balance of convertible loan stock and write off of
debt and equity issuance costs - (384)
Subscription of new shares by minority interest in
subsidiary companies 110 -
Dividends to minority shareholders of a subsidiary - (236)
Dividends to preference shareholders (965) (765)
Liquidation distribution to preference
shareholders in a subsidiary (2,304) -
Acquisition of minority interest in a subsidiary (4,011) -
------ ------
9,705 8,797
Equity at beginning of year 44,133 35,336
------ ------
Equity at end of year 53,838 44,133
====== ======
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005
=================================== £'000 £'000
Operating profit 11,168 10,680
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 843 806
Amortisation of prepaid operating lease rentals 50 19
Amortisation of sterling and US dollar
note issue expenses 31 -
Biological gain (4,677) (4,133)
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment - (5)
Loss on disposal of investment - 9
------ ------
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 7,415 7,376
Increase in inventories (762) (116)
Decrease / (increase) in receivables 542 (647)
(Decrease) / increase in payables (1,454) 2,933
Exchange differences 125 (505)
------ ------
Cash generated by operations 5,866 9,041
Taxes paid (119) (59)
Interest paid (1,482) (1,008)
------ ------
Net cash from operating activities 4,265 7,974
------ ------
Investing activities
Interest received 344 98
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment - 15
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (6,471) (2,931)
Expenditure on biological assets (10,094) (5,660)
Expenditure on prepaid operating lease rentals (1,539) (332)
Costs incurred in acquisition of minority
interest in subsidiary (199) -
Disposal of investments - 1,058
------ ------
Net cash used in investing activities (17,959) (7,752)
------ ------
Financing activities
Preference dividends paid (965) (765)
Repayment of borrowings (2,015) (17,463)
Repayment of obligations under finance leases (329) (158)
Proceeds of issue of new share capital in
subsidiaries to minority shareholders 110 -
Proceeds of issue of preference share capital
less expenses 3,071 -
Proceeds of issue of ordinary share capital less
expenses 10,376 (138)
Proceeds of issue of new ordinary share capital on
exercise of warrants 876 -
Liquidation distribution to preference shareholders
in a subsidiary (3,094) -
Issue of US dollar notes, net of expenses 2,901 (49)
Issue of sterling notes, net of expenses 13,981 -
New borrowings raised 3,494 22,093
------ ------
Net cash from financing activities 28,406 3,520
------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 14,712 3,742
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 5,007 1,061
Effect of exchange rate changes (705) 204
------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 19,014 5,007
====== ======
Notes
=====
Revenue 2006 2005
------- £'000 £'000
Sales of goods 17,724 14,770
Revenue from services 109 174
------ ------
17,833 14,944
Other operating income 5 6
Investment income 344 98
------ ------
Total revenue 18,182 15,048
====== ======
Segment information
-------------------
In the table below, the group's sales are analysed by geographical origin and
the carrying amount of segment net assets and additions to property, plant and
equipment by geographical area of location. No analyses are provided by business
segment as the group has only one business segment.
2006 2005
£'m £'m
Sales by geographical market:
United Kingdom 0.1 0.2
Europe - 0.6
Indonesia 13.6 8.8
Rest of Asia 4.1 5.3
------ ------
17.8 14.9
====== ======
Carrying amount of segment net assets by
geographical area of asset location:
United Kingdom and Europe 13.5 0.9
Indonesia 40.3 43.2
------ ------
53.8 44.1
====== ======
Biological assets 2006 2005
----------------- £'000 £'000
Beginning of year 68,192 51,765
Reclassification of expenditure in prior years
between land, plantations and other
non-current assets (758) -
Additions to planted area and costs to maturity 10,113 5,660
Net biological gain 4,677 4,133
Exchange differences (9,012) 6,592
Transfers - 42
------ ------
End of year 73,212 68,192
====== ======
Finance costs 2006 2005
------------- £'000 £'000
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts 2,043 1,302
Interest on convertible loan stock - 95
Interest on US dollar notes 1,081 94
Interest on sterling notes 105 -
Interest on other loans 33 168
Interest on obligations under finance leases 34 64
------ ------
3,296 1,723
Amount included as additions to biological assets (1,960) (967)
Amount capitalised on acquisition (57) -
------ ------
1,279 756
Other finance charges 203 277
Exchange loss on repayment of long term intra-group
foreign currency loans - 123
Exchange gain on redemption of preference shares
held by minority interests in a subsidiary (595) -
------ ------
887 1,156
====== ======
Amount included as additions to biological assets arose on the general pool
of borrowings applicable to the Indonesian operations and reflected a
capitalisation rate of 44.7 per cent (2005 - 40.6 per cent).
Tax 2006 2005
--- £'000 £'000
Current tax:
UK corporation tax - -
Foreign tax 119 79
------ ------
Total current tax 119 79
------ ------
Deferred tax:
Current year 3,052 3,244
Attributable to an increase in the rate of tax - -
------ ------
Total deferred tax 3,052 3,244
------ ------
Total tax 3,171 3,323
====== ======
Dividends 2006 2005
--------- £'000 £'000
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders:
Preference dividends of 9p per share 965 765
Ordinary dividends - -
------ ------
965 765
====== ======
Earnings per share 2006 2005
------------------ £'000 £'000
Earnings for the purpose of basic earnings per share
being net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 6,208 4,520
Interest on convertible loan stock (net of tax) - 66
------ ------
Earnings for the purpose of diluted earnings per share 6,208 4,586
====== ======
'000 '000
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for
the purpose of basic earnings per share 28,857 22,631
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares 1,666 4,784
------ ------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for
the purpose of diluted earnings per share 30,523 27,415
====== ======
Events after the balance sheet date
-----------------------------------
An interim dividend of 1p per ordinary share in lieu of final in respect of the
year ended 31 December 2006 was paid on 9 February 2007. In accordance with
IAS10 'Events after the Balance Sheet Date' this dividend has not been included
in these financial statements.
On 24 January 2007 the company's subsidiary, REA Finance B.V., issued a further
£7 million nominal of 9.5 per cent guaranteed sterling notes 2015/17 at a price
of 99.6574 per cent of par. This issue ranks pari passu in all respects with the
previous issue of £15 million nominal. The group has also entered into a cross
currency interest rate swap to convert the sterling proceeds of the issue of
£22 million nominal of the sterling notes into US dollars and to provide a hedge
against the currency risk of the continuing liability represented by the
sterling notes.
Financial information and publication of annual report
------------------------------------------------------
Whilst the financial information included in this preliminary announcement (the
'preliminary financial information') has been computed in accordance with IFRS,
this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with
IFRS. The company expects to publish its 2006 annual report, incorporating its
consolidated financial statements, in early May 2007.
The preliminary financial information does not constitute statutory accounts of
the company for the years ended 31 December 2005 or 2006, but is derived from
those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2005 have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their
reports were unqualified and did not contain statements under sections 237(2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31
December 2006 will be finalised on the basis of financial information presented
by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the
Registrar of Companies following the company's annual general meeting.
This announcement was approved by the board of the company on 25 April 2007. The
2007 annual general meeting is being convened for 5 June 2007.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR PUUMCCUPMGBA
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