Interim Results

Savills PLC 11 September 2007 Excellent performance in the first half Savills plc, the international property consultants, today announces interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2007. • Group revenue for the six months was up 35% at £284.2m (2006: £211.1m). • Group profit before tax increased 7% to £33.2m (2006: £31.0m). • Underlying Group profit before tax* increased 27% to £32.5m (2006: £25.6m). • Basic earnings per share increased 3% to 17.8p (2006: 17.2p). • Adjusted underlying basic earnings per share* increased 25% to 17.4p (2006: 13.9p). • Interim dividend increased 20% to 6.0p (2006: 5.0p). * After adjusting for share based payments, amortisation of intangibles and impairment of goodwill and profit on disposals Peter Smith, Chairman of Savills plc, comments: 'Savills has performed strongly in the first six months to 30 June 2007 and continues to trade well. However, tightening credit markets are affecting transactional volumes in the commercial investment markets, primarily in the UK. We believe prime UK residential markets should, however, remain resilient. Overall, given the broad spread of our business, we are cautiously confident of producing a good result for the year as a whole, in line with our expectations.' *** Chairman's Statement and Interim Results follow *** Savills plc. Registered in England No. 2122174. Registered Office 20 Grosvenor Hill, Berkeley Square, London W1K 3HQ. For further information, contact: Savills 020 7409 9923 Aubrey Adams, Group Chief Executive Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571 Sarah Gestetner George Cazenove There will be an analyst presentation today at 9.30 am at 25 Finsbury Circus, London EC2M 7EE. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT RESULTS AND HIGHLIGHTS We reported in our Trading Update, released on 4 July 2007, that the Group had made a good start to the year. We noted that possible further increases in UK interest rates would continue to affect commercial property values and the resultant uncertainty could, in the short term, affect the volume of commercial transactions but should have little effect on prime residential markets; this still remains the case. We also noted that the European and Asian markets were less likely to be influenced by the increasing cost of money. I am, therefore, delighted to announce that revenue increased by 35% to £284.2m for the six months to 30 June 2007 (2006: £211.1m). Profit before tax increased to £33.2m for the six months to 30 June 2007 (2006: £31.0m including £5.0m profit on disposals). Underlying profit before tax increased by 27% to £32.5m from £25.6m. Basic earnings per share for the six months to 30 June 2007 increased to 17.8p (2006: 17.2p). Adjusted underlying earnings per share increased by 25% to 17.4p (2006: 13.9p). The Directors have decided to increase the interim dividend to 6.0p (2006: 5.0p) to be paid on 29 October 2007 to shareholders on the register as at 28 September 2007. The increase reflects our continued confidence in the performance of the business. Following the placing of Savills shares on 11 January 2007 by CBRE upon its acquisition of Trammell Crow Company we repurchased shares to the value of £21.8m for cancellation. In addition, we purchased shares to the value of £12.9m for the Employee Benefit Trust (2006: £5.0m). On 31 July 2007, in line with our strategy to invest directly in operations in the US, we acquired Granite Partners LLC, a US real estate investment banking firm, for an initial consideration of US$54.0m, of which 75% was payable on completion. As announced in August, Mark Dearsley joined the Board of Savills as Group Finance Director on 3 September 2007. Mark was previously Finance Director for the division of Aviva which is responsible for their operations outside the UK, and before that he was Aviva's Group Mergers & Acquisitions Director. We believe Mark will greatly strengthen our senior management team and will help to ensure the continuing expansion of the business in the UK and overseas. MARKETPLACE OVERVIEW UK In the first half, domestic and international investors remained active across all sectors in the UK, with their focus primarily on rental growth opportunities. The commercial office market showed tenant demand improving and levels of availability falling. In many locations this led to strong upward growth in rents and an increase in speculative development activity. Investor and tenant demand for retail property in the UK was varied with concerns about consumer confidence in the light of rising interest rates making both retailers and investors more selective about location. In the industrial and distribution markets, tenant demand was stable although distributors' margins were under pressure. There continued to be an increased level of tenant selectivity on locations for new facilities. Recent tightening of credit markets is affecting transactional volumes in commercial investment markets. Conditions have been strongest at the top end of the London residential market, where wealthy international purchasers have added to the demand from City buyers. Successive interest rate increases have led to a slowing of the mainstream UK residential markets, most notably in the north of England, the Midlands and Wales. Buyer caution has been evident largely in lower levels of price growth rather than lower volumes of transactions. Markets have been more robust in Scotland and the south of England, led by London where high demand from employment growth and in-migration is running up against a scarcity of stock. The Government's strategy to build more houses, in order to ease affordability pressures, and the development of sustainable new communities has increased the complexity and risks of developing new homes and workplaces, leading to higher demand for professional services in valuation, planning, development and building consultancy. Europe Tenant demand in Europe's major office markets was strong in the first half of 2007, with some markets showing signs that leasing activity levels could exceed the highs of 2006. In general, vacancy rates fell in most major cities which impacted positively upon rental growth. Office rental growth in Europe's major cities strengthened in the second quarter of 2007. Tenant demand was less strong in the retail markets, driven by tenant concerns about the prospects for local retail economies. Although retailers continued to open new stores, they were more selective on location. Upward rental growth on prime distribution property across Europe accelerated over the first six months of the year. In mainland Europe investor demand remained strong. Generally, investors were increasingly focused on rental growth prospects such as city centre offices; however, yields continued to harden on both office and distribution properties. Asia Pacific The investment market was particularly active over the first half of the year. Market participants included overseas investment funds, local investors and developers. In the office market, local demand remained relatively subdued while competition for en bloc investments was intense among the funds. Opportunities in the retail market were scarce and values, especially in core locations, continued to rise. In the industrial sector, higher yields continued to attract interest from funds while local developers and landlords were more focused on change of use to residential or hotels. In the office rental market, after three years of rapid rises, rents stabilised prior to substantial new supply which is expected to enter the market in 2008. Growth in the financial services sector has fuelled demand for luxury housing and rents are expected to rise further. In the residential market, prices of luxury apartments and townhouses have been appreciating strongly while more lacklustre growth has been noted in the mainstream market. US In the first half of the year the commercial real estate markets continued to grow with certain sectors experiencing tighter vacancy rates and higher rents. During the second quarter, concerns over sub-prime lending led to tightening in the credit markets. This tightening in credit has begun to affect transaction volumes. SEGMENTAL REVIEWS Transactional Advice 2007 2006 Six months to 30 June £m £m Change Revenue 134.7 94.9 +42% Underlying profit before tax 20.9 15.3 +37% Our Transactional teams across the UK had a strong first half with some notable investment deals being completed, the largest to date being the acquisition in the City of London of CityPoint for Beacon Capital for £660m. Our London Agency teams benefited from the strong demand for offices in the West End, City and the South East. The period saw large development and residential portfolio sales. In, London, in particular, we benefited from a buoyant market which has extended into the Home Counties. Interest rate increases had little impact on the top end of the market; however, there have been some signs that these rises are feeding into lower priced stock particularly outside of London. Our New Homes business benefited from a strong London market but, following UK interest rate rises, there has been increased price sensitivity elsewhere in the country. The transactional teams across Europe have benefited from the strong demand from investors for European commercial property. In particular, our German teams were very active as investors continued to focus on extensive opportunities in the German market where we have been expanding our teams to meet demand. In Asia, our transactional business has been strong particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore. The strength of the Hang Seng stock market and the general enthusiasm for real estate continued to push investor demand for commercial and retail property assets. The Singapore luxury residential market experienced significant growth. Elsewhere in Asia Pacific there has been increased deal flow in Australia, Japan, and Taipei, where we opened an office in April 2007. Consultancy 2007 2006 Six months to 30 June £m £m Change Revenue 57.1 37.7 +51% Underlying profit before tax 6.9 5.8 +19% Our Valuation teams both in the UK and Europe have increased their market share and we are seeing increased fee levels due to the recent expansion of our teams. Our newly formed Pan-European Valuation team has performed above expectation. Our other Consultancy teams, in particular our Housing, Building Consultancy and Rent Review teams, have all enjoyed a very strong first half year and have a healthy pipeline. The Residential Consultancy business experienced a strong first half, especially the Planning and Valuation departments which also enjoy a strong pipeline. The integration of Hepher Dixon has gone well, with the combined Planning business outperforming expectations. The Consultancy business in Asia continued to grow steadily. We are seeking to export our leading market position in Hong Kong to mainland China where we have a strong presence in property management and agency. In Australia, our Valuation business continued to increase its scope of operations and we now have a leading valuation team in Melbourne. Property and Facilities Management 2007 2006 Six months to 30 June £m £m Change Revenue 71.8 63.2 +14% Underlying profit before tax 3.6 4.5 (20%) In the UK, we won a number of new instructions from both existing and new clients. One notable instruction was from Resolution Asset Management for the management of three of their funds. In Europe, we continued to expand our Property Management business, in particular in Amsterdam where we now have 14 people in our Management department. Our strategy is to continue to grow and build a profitable European Property Management business in other key European centres, notably Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg. In Asia Pacific, the Property Management and Facility Management businesses have been successful in increasing their portfolio of properties under management. The businesses have also diversified into new areas including the management of retirement homes which is seen as a growth business in Hong Kong. During the first half of the year an operating business was acquired to manage a portfolio of retirement homes. In addition, we have entered into a joint venture to manage Hong Kong's only 'Eco-park', where waste and pollution issues which are increasingly relevant in Hong Kong's congested society. Financial Services 2007 2006 Six months to 30 June £m £m Change Revenue 13.3 12.1 +10% Underlying profit before tax 1.7 1.5 +13% Despite the recent rises in UK interest rates, Savills Private Finance continued to trade well, especially in the south of England. New offices have been opened in Cardiff and Windsor with further expansion planned in the second half of the year. Fund Management 2007 2006 Six months to 30 June £m £m Change Revenue 7.3 2.7 +170% Underlying profit before tax 2.1 0.1 N/A 2007 2006 As at 30 June £bn £bn Growth Funds under management 2.8 1.8 +56% In the first six months of 2007, Cordea Savills closed Serviced Land No.2 LP and launched two new funds, a German Retail Fund for international institutional investors and a pan-European Fund aimed at Italian institutional investors, as well as offering a syndication opportunity for private investors. Additional funds are planned to be launched in the second half of the year including a second Italian Opportunities vehicle and a UK Property Ventures Fund. During the first six months, Cordea Savills invested in £575m of property located in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK on behalf of funds including Italian Opportunities No.1, Europa Immobiliare No.1, the German Retail Fund, the Charities Property Fund and Serviced Land No.2 LP. In line with the growth in the range and diversity of its funds, Cordea Savills has continued to develop its resources and infrastructure with the addition of staff in the UK, Italy and Germany and with new offices opening in Dublin and Luxembourg. We continue to look at ways of accessing third party capital to facilitate the launch of new funds. This capital is more likely to come in the form of bank finance. OUTLOOK Savills has performed strongly in the first six months to 30 June 2007 and continues to trade well. However, tightening credit markets are affecting transactional volumes in the commercial investment markets, primarily in the UK. We believe prime UK residential markets should, however, remain resilient. Overall, given the board spread of our business, we are cautiously confident of producing a good result for the year as a whole, in line with our expectations. Independent review report to Savills plc Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2007 which comprises the consolidated income statement, the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2007, the consolidated statement of cash flows and the consolidated statement of recognised income and expense and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the Directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the basis set out in Note 1. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of Group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the disclosed accounting policies have been applied. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit and therefore provides a lower level of assurance. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June 2007. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants London 10 September 2007 SAVILLS plc CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited) for the period ended 30 June 2007 Six months Six months Year ended to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 Notes £m £m £m Continuing operations Revenue 2 284.2 211.1 517.6 Less: Employee benefits expense (166.1) (125.2) (306.1) Depreciation (2.8) (2.7) (5.6) Amortisation of intangibles & impairment of goodwill (1.5) (0.7) (2.4) Other operating expenses (82.1) (58.7) (129.2) Other income - - 0.8 Profit on disposal of subsidiary, associate, joint ventures & available-for-sale investments - 5.0 5.1 Operating profit 2 31.7 28.8 80.2 Finance income 2.0 2.2 4.8 Finance costs (0.7) - (1.1) 1.3 2.2 3.7 Share of post tax profit from associates & joint ventures 0.2 - 0.5 Profit before income tax 33.2 31.0 84.4 Income tax expense (including foreign tax of £1.5m, June 2006 - £1.3m and December 2006 - £4.4m) 4 (10.3) (9.7) (25.6) Profit for the period from continuing operations 22.9 21.3 58.8 Discontinued operations Profit for the period from discontinued operations 3 - 0.3 0.3 Profit after income tax 22.9 21.6 59.1 Attributable to: Equity shareholders of the Company 21.6 21.3 57.7 Minority interest 1.3 0.3 1.4 22.9 21.6 59.1 Earnings per share From continuing and discontinued operations Basic earnings per share 7 17.8p 17.2p 46.3p Diluted earnings per share 7 17.1p 16.2p 44.2p From continuing operations Basic earnings per share 7 17.8p 16.9p 46.0p Diluted earnings per share 7 17.1p 15.9p 44.0p From discontinued operations Basic earnings per share 7 - 0.3p 0.3p Diluted earnings per share 7 - 0.3p 0.2p Dividends per share Interim dividend proposed 5 6.0p 5.0p - Dividends paid 5 11.0p 8.0p 13.0p SAVILLS plc CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited) at 30 June 2007 30.06.07 30.06.06 31.12.06 Notes £m £m £m ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 16.4 15.7 16.5 Goodwill 111.5 99.8 99.9 Intangible assets 18.1 10.8 19.1 Investments in associates and joint ventures 8.2 4.7 5.6 Deferred income tax assets 14.1 21.4 20.6 Available-for-sale investments 11.3 10.1 8.8 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 1.5 - 1.5 181.1 162.5 172.0 Current assets Assets classified as held for sale 26.0 - - Work in progress 3.4 3.4 3.2 Trade and other receivables 167.1 116.6 163.9 Cash and cash equivalents 40.9 63.1 124.1 237.4 183.1 291.2 LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Borrowings 21.7 7.1 7.3 Derivative financial instruments 0.3 - 0.2 Liabilities directly related to assets 23.0 - - classified as held for sale Trade and other payables 135.9 111.8 191.8 Current income tax liabilities 7.3 7.4 10.3 Employee benefit obligations 4.1 2.6 3.0 Provisions for other liabilities and charges 1.5 0.7 1.5 193.8 129.6 214.1 Net current assets 43.6 53.5 77.1 Total assets less current liabilities 224.7 216.0 249.1 Non-current Liabilities Borrowings 6.8 11.8 12.0 Derivative financial instruments 0.1 - 0.3 Trade and other payables 7.9 1.0 2.0 Retirement and employee benefit obligations 7.3 17.4 19.0 Provisions for other liabilities and charges 2.2 2.5 1.6 Deferred income tax liabilities 1.4 1.7 1.4 25.7 34.4 36.3 Net assets 199.0 181.6 212.8 EQUITY Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company Share capital 10 3.3 3.3 3.4 Share premium 10 82.9 81.4 82.4 Other reserves 10 (2.6) 0.9 (1.8) Retained earnings 10 110.5 92.3 124.5 194.1 177.9 208.5 Minority interest 10 4.9 3.7 4.3 Total equity 199.0 181.6 212.8 SAVILLS plc CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) for the period ended 30 June 2007 Six months Six months Year ended to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 Notes £m £m £m Cash flows from operating activities Cash (used in)/generated from continuing operations 8 (14.6) 0.1 87.4 Interest received 2.0 2.2 4.7 Interest paid (0.7) - (0.9) Income tax paid (11.1) (6.5) (15.1) Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities (24.4) (4.2) 76.1 Cash flows from investing activities Outflow from sale of subsidiary, net of cash disposed - - (0.2) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 0.1 - 0.2 Proceeds from sale of associates, joint ventures and - 6.3 7.9 available-for-sale investments Dividends received 0.2 0.2 0.5 Net loans to associates and joint ventures (1.0) (1.8) (2.0) Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 9 (7.4) (26.6) (37.8) (Purchase)/sale of assets held for resale (3.0) 16.3 16.3 Purchases of property, plant and equipment (2.4) (3.4) (7.3) Purchases of intangible assets (0.5) (0.6) (1.1) Purchase of investment in associates, joint ventures and available-for-sale investments (4.0) (5.5) (2.2) Purchase of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss - - (1.5) Net cash used in investing activities (18.0) (15.1) (27.2) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issue of share capital 0.3 0.5 1.2 Proceeds from borrowings 15.1 0.3 0.2 Repurchase of own shares (21.8) - - Purchase of own shares for Employee Benefit Trust (12.9) (5.0) (5.0) Repayments of borrowings (6.6) (1.0) (1.1) Dividends paid (14.0) (10.0) (16.4) Net cash used in financing activities (39.9) (15.2) (21.1) Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts (82.3) (34.5) 27.8 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 123.7 99.9 99.9 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held (0.5) (2.2) (4.0) Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at end of period 40.9 63.2 123.7 SAVILLS plc CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME & EXPENSE (unaudited) for the period ended 30 June 2007 Six months Six months Year ended to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 Notes £m £m £m Profit for the period 22.9 21.6 59.1 Revaluation of available-for-sale investments 0.2 0.4 0.4 Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension scheme 12.1 6.4 2.5 Tax on items directly taken to reserves (3.8) 0.5 3.5 Foreign exchange translation differences (1.0) (2.1) (4.3) Net income recognised directly in equity 7.5 5.2 2.1 Total recognised income and expense for the period 30.4 26.8 61.2 Attributable to: Equity shareholders of the Company 29.2 26.5 59.6 Minority interest 1.2 0.3 1.6 30.4 26.8 61.2 NOTES 1. Basis of preparation The financial information comprises the unaudited consolidated income statement, consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of cashflows, consolidated statement of recognised income and expense and related notes as at 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2006, together with the audited consolidated balance sheet and consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 2006. This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority. In preparing this financial information management has used the principal accounting policies as set out in the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006 on pages 84 to 89. As permitted, the Group has chosen not to adopt IAS 34, 'Interim financial statements' in preparing its 2007 interim statements, and therefore this interim financial information is not considered to be in full compliance with IFRS. The 2006 Annual Report and Accounts, which are the Group's statutory accounts, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or Section 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Segment analysis Six months to Transactional Consultancy Property & Fund Financial Unallocated* Total 30 June 2007 Advice Facilities Management Services Management £m £m £m £m £m £m £m Revenue United Kingdom - Commercial 36.5 35.1 16.3 7.3 0.7 - 95.9 - Residential 56.7 12.1 5.5 - 12.6 - 86.9 93.2 47.2 21.8 7.3 13.3 - 182.8 Rest of Europe 18.2 3.4 8.1 - - - 29.7 Asia Pacific 23.3 6.5 41.9 - - - 71.7 Total revenue 134.7 57.1 71.8 7.3 13.3 - 284.2 Operating profit United Kingdom - Commercial 7.3 4.5 0.6 2.1 0.1 (1.7) 12.9 - Residential 9.8 1.6 0.2 - 1.3 - 12.9 17.1 6.1 0.8 2.1 1.4 (1.7) 25.8 Rest of Europe 0.5 0.3 (0.4) - - - 0.4 Asia Pacific 2.8 0.5 2.2 - - - 5.5 Operating profit/(loss) 20.4 6.9 2.6 2.1 1.4 (1.7) 31.7 Net finance 1.3 income Share of post tax profit from associates & joint ventures 0.2 Profit before income tax 33.2 Income tax expense (10.3) Profit for the period from continuing operations 22.9 Six months to Transactional Consultancy Property & Fund Financial Unallocated* Total 30 June 2006 Advice Facilities Management Services Manage-ment £m £m £m £m £m £m £m Revenue United Kingdom - Commercial 30.5 21.9 15.9 2.7 1.5 0.2 72.7 - Residential 40.3 9.5 3.9 - 10.6 0.3 64.6 70.8 31.4 19.8 2.7 12.1 0.5 137.3 Rest of Europe 6.8 1.1 2.5 - - - 10.4 Asia Pacific 17.3 5.2 40.9 - - - 63.4 Total revenue 94.9 37.7 63.2 2.7 12.1 0.5 211.1 Operating profit United Kingdom - Commercial 5.9 3.6 1.6 0.1 0.3 (1.7) 9.8 - Residential 11.4 1.8 0.3 - 1.0 - 14.5 17.3 5.4 1.9 0.1 1.3 (1.7) 24.3 Rest of Europe 0.4 - (0.2) - - - 0.2 Asia Pacific 1.4 0.5 2.4 - - - 4.3 Operating profit/(loss) 19.1 5.9 4.1 0.1 1.3 (1.7) 28.8 Net finance income 2.2 Share of post tax profit from associates & joint ventures - Profit before income tax 31.0 Income tax (9.7) expense Profit for the period from continuing operations 21.3 The unallocated segment includes holding company costs, Group bonuses and other expenses not directly attributable to the operating activities of the Group's business segments. *For the purpose of the segmental information above, and to assist in the comparison of segmental information, the benefit arising from the amortisation of the share based payment charge as discussed in more detail in Note 6, is retained within the unallocated segment. The June 2006 segmental analysis has been adjusted to allocate European central costs against the relevant business streams. These costs were previously shown as part of the unallocated United Kingdom - commercial segment. 3. Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations Six months Six months Year ended to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 £m £m £m Revenue - 1.1 1.1 Expenses - (0.4) (0.4) (Loss)/profit before income tax - 0.7 0.7 Income tax expense - (0.4) (0.4) (Loss)/profit before income tax - 0.3 0.3 The Cordea Savills Nordic Retail No 1 Group of companies were established in the period to provide seed assets for a proposed fund to be launched by Cordea Savills later in the year. As at 30 June 2007, the Group held 100% of the share capital of these companies and the associated assets and liabilities have been classified as held for sale as it is expected that they will be disposed of in the second half of the year on the launch of the fund to investors. There was no impact on the income statement in the period. The 2006 results relate to the assets and liabilities of the Student Halls Long Lease 1 Unit Trust (the 'Fund') which were disposed during the year ended 31 December 2006. 4. Income tax on profit from continuing operations The income tax expense has been calculated on the basis of the underlying rate in each jurisdiction adjusted for any disallowable charges. Six months Six months Year ended to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 £m £m £m United Kingdom corporation tax (9.3) (7.6) (18.7) Foreign tax (1.8) (1.4) (4.7) Deferred tax 0.8 (0.7) (2.2) (10.3) (9.7) (25.6) Six months Six months Year ended 5. Dividends to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 £m £m £m Amounts recognised as distribution to equity holders: Interim dividend of 5.0p per share - - 6.2 Ordinary final dividend of 11.0p per share (2006 - 8.0p) 13.4 10.0 10.0 13.4 10.0 16.2 Proposed interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2007 7.3 - - The Directors have recommended an interim dividend for the six months to 30 June 2007 of 6.0p per ordinary share (2006 - 5.0p). The interim dividend will be paid on 29 October 2007 to shareholders on the register as at 28 September 2007. 6. Underlying profit before tax Six months Six months Year ended (a) From continuing operations to 30.06.07 to 30.06.06 31.12.06 £m £m £m Reported profit before income tax 33.2 31.0 84.4 Adjustments: Amortisation of intangibles (excluding software) & impairment of goodwill 1.2 0.4 1.8 Share based payment adjustment (1.9) (0.8) (6.1) Sale of subsidiary, associate, joint ventures & available-for-sale investments - (5.0) (5.1) Underlying profit before tax 32.5 25.6 75.0 The Directors regard the above adjustments necessary to give a fair picture of the underlying results of the Group for the period. The adjustment for share based payment relates to the transitional impact of the accounting standard for share based compensation. The annual bonus is paid in a mixture of cash and deferred shares and the proportions can vary from one year to another. Under IFRS the deferred share element is amortised to the income statement over the vesting period whilst the cash element is expensed in the year. The adjustment above addresses this by deducting from profit the difference between the IFRS 2 charge and the value of the annual share award. (b) Segmental analysis Six months to Transactional Consultancy Property & Fund Financial Unallocated Total 30 June 2007 Advice Facilities Management Services Management £m £m £m £m £m £m £m United Kingdom - Commercial 7.7 4.5 0.6 2.1 0.1 (2.7) 12.3 - Residential 10.1 1.6 0.5 - 1.6 - 13.8 17.8 6.1 1.1 2.1 1.7 (2.7) 26.1 Rest of Europe 0.2 0.3 (0.3) - - - 0.2 Asia Pacific 2.9 0.5 2.8 - - - 6.2 Underlying profit before tax 20.9 6.9 3.6 2.1 1.7 (2.7) 32.5 Six months to Transactional Consultancy Property & Fund Financial Unallocated Total 30 June 2006 Advice Facilities Management Services Manage-ment £m £m £m £m £m £m £m United Kingdom - Commercial 6.3 3.5 1.3 0.1 0.3 (1.6) 9.9 - Residential 7.2 1.8 0.5 - 1.2 - 10.7 13.5 5.3 1.8 0.1 1.5 (1.6) 20.6 Rest of Europe 0.4 - (0.2) - - - 0.2 Asia Pacific 1.4 0.5 2.9 - - - 4.8 Underlying profit before tax 15.3 5.8 4.5 0.1 1.5 (1.6) 25.6 Year to Transactional Consultancy Property & Fund Financial Unallocated Total Advice Facilities Management Services 31 December Management 2006 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m United Kingdom - Commercial 20.5 10.6 2.8 0.7 1.0 (3.9) 31.7 - Residential 16.6 4.0 1.4 - 3.4 - 25.4 37.1 14.6 4.2 0.7 4.4 (3.9) 57.1 Rest of Europe 4.7 0.8 - - - - 5.5 Asia Pacific 4.4 0.7 7.3 - - - 12.4 Underlying profit before tax 46.2 16.1 11.5 0.7 4.4 (3.9) 75.0 7. Basic and diluted earnings per share (a) Basic and diluted earnings per share Earnings Shares EPS Earnings Shares EPS Six months to 30 June 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 £m m Pence £m m Pence From continuing and discontinued operations Basic earnings per share 21.6 121.4 17.8 21.3 124.0 17.2 Effect of additional shares issuable under option - 4.9 (0.7) - 7.5 (1.0) Diluted earnings per share 21.6 126.3 17.1 21.3 131.5 16.2 From continuing operations Basic earnings per share 21.6 121.4 17.8 21.0 124.0 16.9 Effect of additional shares issuable under option - 4.9 (0.7) - 7.5 (1.0) Diluted earnings per share 21.6 126.3 17.1 21.0 131.5 15.9 From discontinued operations Basic earnings per share - 121.4 - 0.3 124.0 0.3 Effect of additional shares issuable under option - 4.9 - - 7.5 - Diluted earnings per share - 126.3 - 0.3 131.5 0.3 Earnings Shares EPS Year to 31 December 2006 2006 2006 £m m Pence From continuing and discontinued operations Basic earnings per share 57.7 124.7 46.3 Effect of additional shares issuable under option - 5.8 (2.1) Diluted earnings per share 57.7 130.5 44.2 From continuing operations Basic earnings per share 57.4 124.7 46.0 Effect of additional shares issuable under option - 5.8 (2.0) Diluted earnings per share 57.4 130.5 44.0 From discontinued operations Basic earnings per share 0.3 124.7 0.3 Effect of additional shares issuable under option - 5.8 (0.1) Diluted earnings per share 0.3 130.5 0.2 (b) Adjusted underlying basic earnings per share Earnings Shares EPS Earnings Shares EPS Six months to 30 June 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 £m m Pence £m m Pence From continuing operations Basic earnings from continuing operations 21.6 121.4 17.8 21.0 124.0 16.9 Amortisation of intangibles (excluding software) 0.8 - 0.7 0.3 - 0.3 & impairment of goodwill after tax Share based payment adjustment after tax (1.3) - (1.1) (0.6) - (0.5) Less sale of subsidiary, associate, joint venture & available-for-sale investments after tax - - - (3.5) - (2.8) Adjusted underlying basic earnings per share 21.1 121.4 17.4 17.2 124.0 13.9 Earnings Shares EPS Year to 31 December 2006 2006 2006 £m m Pence From continuing operations Basic earnings from continuing operations 57.4 124.7 46.0 Amortisation of intangibles (excluding software) 1.3 - 1.0 & impairment of goodwill after tax Share based payment adjustment after tax (4.3) - (3.4) Less sale of subsidiary, associate, (3.5) - (2.8) joint venture & available-for-sale investments after tax Adjusted underlying basic earnings per share 50.9 124.7 40.8 Six months Six months 8. Cash generated from continuing operations to to Year ended 30.06.07 30.06.06 31.12.06 £m £m £m Profit for the year from continuing operations 22.9 21.3 58.8 Adjustments for: Income tax 10.3 9.7 25.6 Depreciation 2.8 2.7 5.6 Amortisation of intangibles 1.5 0.7 2.4 Net finance income (1.3) (2.2) (3.7) Share of post tax profit from associates & joint ventures (0.2) - (0.5) Profit on disposal of subsidiary, associate, joint venture & available-for-sale investments - (5.0) (5.1) Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 0.5 0.6 0.4 Increase in provisions 0.3 1.0 0.5 Increase/(decrease) in employee and retirement obligations 1.6 (1.0) (2.2) Charge for share based compensation 4.2 1.9 5.3 Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 42.6 29.7 87.1 (Increase)/decrease in work in progress - (0.3) 0.4 (Increase)/decrease in debtors (1.2) 12.0 (37.2) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (56.0) (41.3) 37.1 Cash (used in)/generated from operations (14.6) 0.1 87.4 9. Acquisitions On 7 January 2007, the Group acquired the share capital of Hepher Dixon Limited for consideration of £5.1m. Goodwill on acquisition of £4.3m has been provisionally determined, and is attributable to key staff and their industry reputation. Cash consideration of £2.8m was paid on 5 January 2007 with £2.3m deferred cash consideration due over the next five years. On 3 May 2007, the Group acquired the share capital of Christopher Rowland Limited for consideration of £4.3m. Provisional goodwill on acquisition of £4.2m has been determined, and is attributable to key staff and their industry reputation. Cash consideration of £2.1m was paid on 3 May 2007 with £2.2m deferred cash consideration due over the next five years. 10. Statement of changes in equity Attributable to equity holders of the Group Share Share Other Retained Minority Total capital premium reserves earnings interest equity £m £m £m £m £m £m Balance at 1 January 2007 3.4 82.4 (1.8) 124.5 4.3 212.8 Total recognised income and expense for the period Employee share option scheme: - - (0.9) 30.1 1.2 30.4 - Value of services provided - - - 4.2 - 4.2 - Exercise options - 0.2 - (0.2) - - Issue of share capital - 0.3 - - - 0.3 Purchase of own shares (0.1) - 0.1 (21.8) (21.8) Purchase of treasury shares - - - (12.9) - (12.9) Dividends - - - (13.4) (0.6) (14.0) Balance at 30 June 2007 3.3 82.9 (2.6) 110.5 4.9 199.0 Attributable to equity holders of the Group Share Share Other Retained Minority Total capital premium reserves earnings interest equity £m £m £m £m £m £m Balance at 1 January 2006 3.3 80.9 6.5 77.0 0.6 168.3 Total recognised income and - - (1.9) 28.4 0.3 26.8 expense for the period Employee share option scheme: - Value of services provided - - - 1.9 - 1.9 Issue of share capital - 0.5 - - - 0.5 Purchase of treasury shares - - - (5.0) - (5.0) Dividends - - - (10.0) (0.1) (10.1) Disposals (net of tax) - - (3.7) - - (3.7) Acquisitions - - - - 2.9 2.9 Balance at 30 June 2006 3.3 81.4 0.9 92.3 3.7 181.6 Attributable to equity holders of the Group Share Share Other Retained Minority Total capital premium reserves earnings interest equity £m £m £m £m £m £m Balance at 1 January 2006 3.3 80.9 6.5 77.0 0.6 168.3 Total recognised income and expense for the period Employee share option scheme: - - (4.2) 63.8 1.6 61.2 - Value of services provided - - - 5.3 - 5.3 - Exercise options - 0.4 - (0.4) - - Issue of share capital 0.1 1.1 - - - 1.2 Purchase of treasury shares - - - (5.0) - (5.0) Dividends - - - (16.2) (0.2) (16.4) Disposals (net of tax) - - (4.1) - - (4.1) Acquisitions - - - - 2.3 2.3 Balance at 31 December 2006 3.4 82.4 (1.8) 124.5 4.3 212.8 11. Events after Balance Sheet date On 31 July 2007, in line with our strategy to invest directly in operations in the US, we acquired Granite Partners LLC, a US real estate investment banking firm, for an initial consideration of US$54.0m, of which 75% was payable on completion. As at the date of this announcement the triennial valuation of the Group's defined benefit pension scheme was still being undertaken. This valuation will be incorporated into the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007. Copies of this statement are available from the Company website at: www.savills.com and also from: Savills plc, 20 Grosvenor Hill, Berkeley Square, London W1K 3HQ Telephone: 020 7409 9928 Fax: 020 7491 0505 Email: kcharmley@savills.com Contact: Kathryn Charmley In addition, with prior notice, copies in alternative formats i.e. large print, audio tape, braille are available if required from: Lloyds TSB Registrars, The Causeway, Worthing, West Sussex BN99 6DA End This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange IR BCGDCBSBGGRG

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