Final Results - Replacement
Solitaire Group PLC
23 April 2002
The issuer advises that the following replaces the Final Results announcement
released today at 07:00 under RNS Number 9039U.
In the Chairman's Statement, the registration date should have read '24 May
2002' and not '22 May 2002' as previously stated.
All other details remain unchanged. The full amended text appears below.
23 April 2002
SOLITAIRE GROUP Plc
Solitaire is a leading national provider of property management services
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2001
'Another year of solid progress for Solitaire'
For further information:
Graham Shapiro, Joint Managing Director Tel: 020 8364 8497
Solitaire Group Plc
David Millham / Tarquin Edwards Tel: 020 7929 5599
Holborn
Results Highlights
Change Year ended Year ended
31 Dec 2001 31 Dec 2000
Turnover +22.4% £5,062,000 £4,136,000
Profit before tax, amortisation, +12.2% £1,651,000 £1,472,000
exceptional costs & interest
Profit before tax -4.4% £1,159,000 £1,212,000
Earnings per share before amortisation +21.7% 25.8p 21.2p
and exceptional costs
Earnings per share 0% 17.6p 17.6p
Final dividend +8.0% 6.75p 6.25p
Total dividend +8.0% 9.5p 8.80p
• Properties under management have increased by over 16%
• New instructions for management continue at record levels with further
growth forecast this year
• PIPS expected to make a positive contribution to group earnings this
year and the value of property under management is anticipated to grow further
• Moss Kaye acquisition moves Solitaire into the field of commercial
property and facilitates the cross-selling of professional services and
expertise across the group
• The proposed Commonhold & Leasehold Reform legislation should provide
opportunities for new property management contracts
George Brutton, Chairman of Solitaire Group Plc, commented:
'The continuing growth and medium to long term nature of Solitaire's core
business of residential management confirms Solitaire's position as one of the
UK market leaders in its sector. House builders continue to have faith in the
UK economy and are increasing the pace of their developments. Solitaire will
energetically look to benefit from this and from other opportunities as they
arise in forthcoming years.'
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to report another year of solid progress for Solitaire. It is
significant that in excess of 70% of our turnover and profits result from
recurring income in our core business of property management. The number of
properties under management (including those managed by Moss Kaye) has grown by
over 16% from last year.
Results
Turnover increased by £926,000, up 22% to £5,062,000 (2000: £4,136,000) for the
twelve months to 31 December 2001. This excellent growth is the result of a
strong performance from our property management operations and the inclusion of
the results of Moss Kaye from 1 June 2001. However, the group has experienced
increasing competition in the rented property business.
The operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2001, before writing off
exceptional costs, goodwill amortisation and interest, increased by 12% to
£1,651,000 (2000: £1,472,000). Adjusted earnings per share, before exceptional
costs, goodwill amortisation and interest, increased by 21.7% to 25.8p (2000:
21.2p).
The acquisition of Moss Kaye has increased goodwill amortisation by £31,000 to
£140,000 (2000: £109,000). The group incurred certain costs relating to
abortive acquisitions and the promotion of new initiatives in 2001. These have
been included within exceptional costs, which also include the balance of
unrecovered abortive acquisition costs from 1999 and the transfer to reserves
relating to the exercise of share options necessary under UTIF 17.
Accordingly, after exceptional costs, goodwill amortisation and interest,
pre-tax profits were £1,159,000 (2000: £1,212,000). Basic earnings per share
were 17.6p (2000: 17.6p).
The board is recommending the payment of an increased final dividend of 6.75p
(2000: 6.25p) per share making a total for the year of 9.5p (2000: 8.8p). This
will be paid on 24 June 2002 to shareholders on the register on 24 May 2002.
Business development
The board continues to focus strategically on organic growth, as well as on the
acquisition of companies that can provide a strong fit with Solitaire's
underlying business. On the 31 May 2001, Solitaire acquired the business of Moss
Kaye and Roy Frank (now renamed Moss Kaye Pembertons Limited), the leading North
London property management, commercial estate agency and professional services
business. This acquisition has provided the group with increased and exciting
opportunities to expand into the area of commercial property and it enables the
company to provide a better service to its property clients by cross-selling
professional services between group members.
Property Investment Portfolio Management Services ('PIPS') is expected to make a
positive contribution to group earnings this year as the size of its property
management portfolio continues to expand following strong demand for its
services.
People
We have an excellent management team whose dedication and clear focus enables
the group to provide the highest level of service to its clients. I would like
to express my sincere thanks to our staff, all of whom have worked hard and
contributed to the continued success of the group over the last year.
The future
The continuing growth and medium to long-term nature of Solitaire's core
business of residential management confirms Solitaire's position as one of the
UK's market leaders in its sector. House builders continue to have faith in the
UK economy and are increasing the pace of their developments. Solitaire will
seek to benefit from this and from other opportunities as they arise in future
years. Furthermore, I anticipate increasing opportunities for the acquisition
of new property management contracts, following the passing of the Commonhold
and Leasehold Reform Bill into law.
George Brutton FRICS
Chairman
23 April 2002
Consolidated profit and loss account
Year ended 31 December
Continuing Acquisitions
operations
2001 2001 2001 2000
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
________ ________ ________ _______
Turnover 4,447 615 5,062 4,136
Operating expenses
External fees and commissions 242 3 245 282
Other administration expenses 2,666 500 3,166 2,382
________ ________ ________ _______
1,539 112 1,651 1,472
Amortisation of goodwill and development
costs
140 - 140 109
Exceptional costs 2 233 - 233 53
________ ________ ________ _______
Operating profit 1,166 112 1,278 1,310
________ ________
Interest receivable 8 22
Interest payable (127) (120)
________ _______
Profit on ordinary activities before 1,159 1,212
taxation
Taxation on ordinary activities 354 410
________ _______
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 805 802
Dividends 5 433 401
________ _______
Retained profit for the year 372 401
________ _______
Basic and diluted earnings per share 5 17.6p 17.6p
Adjustment for amortisation 3.1p 2.4p
Adjustment for exceptional costs 5.1p 1.2p
________ _______
Adjusted earnings per share 25.8p 21.2p
________ _______
Balance sheets
31 December
Group Company
2001 2000 2001 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
________ ________ ________ _______
Assets employed
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 1,880 1,005 - -
Tangible assets 3 9,642 5,899 3,190 3,190
________ _______ ________ _______
11,522 6,904 3,190 3,190
________ _______ ________ _______
Current assets
Debtors 1,976 1,693 2,684 1,876
Cash and deposits 226 198 3 2
________ _______ ________ _______
2,202 1,891 2,687 1,878
Creditors: amounts falling due within 2,527 1,799 1,553 1,210
one year
________ _______ ________ _______
Net current (liabilities) / assets (325) 92 1,134 668
________ _______ ________ _______
Total assets less current liabilities 11,197 6,996 4,324 3,858
Creditors: amounts falling due after 1,659 996 350 350
more than one year
________ _______ ________ _______
9,538 6,000 3,974 3,508
________ _______ ________ _______
Financed by
Called-up share capital 462 456 462 456
Share premium 2,647 2,486 2,647 2,486
Revaluation reserve 4,731 1,731 - -
Profit and loss account 1,698 1,327 865 566
________ _______ ________ _______
Equity shareholders' funds 9,538 6,000 3,974 3,508
________ _______ ________ _______
Consolidated cash flow statement
Year ended 31 December
2001 2000
£'000 £'000
________ _______
Cash flow from operating activities 1,283 1,410
Returns on investments and servicing of finance (119) (98)
Taxation (384) (286)
Capital expenditure and financial investment (824) (413)
Acquisition of subsidiary (1,015) -
Equity dividends paid (411) (369)
________ _______
Cash (outflow) / inflow before use of liquid
resources and financing (1,470) 244
Financing 786 (280)
________ _______
Decrease in cash in the year (684) (36)
________ _______
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Decrease in cash in the year (684) (36)
Cash flow from financing (786) 280
________ _______
Changes in net funds resulting from cash flows (1,470) 244
Net debt at the beginning of the year (1,121) (1,365)
________ _______
Net debt at the end of the year (2,591) (1,121)
________ _______
SOLITAIRE GROUP Plc
Notes
1. The results and balance sheet incorporate the audited results of Solitaire Group Plc and all its
subsidiaries made up to 31 December 2001 and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the
audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2000.
2. Certain costs resulting from abortive acquisitions and initiatives and transfers to reserves have
been written off as exceptional costs. These costs are not, in the main, an allowable expense in
the calculation of the tax charge for the year.
3. The directors have revalued the freehold reversions held by the group at the year end and
increased the value by £3,000,000
4. During the year the company paid an interim dividend of 2.75p (2000: 2.55p) per share. The
company has proposed a final dividend of 6.75p (2000: 6.25p) per share making a total of 9.5p
(2000: 8.8p) for the year.
5. The calculation of earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2001 is based on earnings of
£805,000 (2000: £802,000) and a weighted average number of shares in issue of 4,575,873 (2000:
4,561,831). There is no significant difference between basic and diluted earnings per share in
2001 and 2000. The adjusted earnings per share are based on the profits for the year after tax
adjusted for amortisation of goodwill and development costs and exceptional costs.
6. The results for the year ended 31 December 2001 have been extracted from the audited financial
statements, which will shortly be sent to shareholders and filed with the Registrar of Companies.
The auditor's report on these accounts was unqualified.
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