Final Results

RNS Number : 3859A
UK Commercial Property Trust Ltd
20 March 2013
 



20 March 2013

UK Commercial Property Trust Limited

("UKCPT or the "Company")

 

Final Results

 

UK Commercial Property Trust Limited (LSE: UKCM), the largest Guernsey based, UK focused commercial property investment company, announces its final results for the year ended 31 December 2012.

 

Financial Highlights

 

·        NAV per share of 69.6p as at 31 December 2012 (2011 - 75.5p);

·        Main reasons for decline in NAV over the year were as follows:

·        Property portfolio values decreased 4.5% in the year on a like-for-like basis;

·        Acquisition costs on purchase of multi-let industrial portfolio in February 2012;

·        Working Capital and SWAP movements

·        Rental income increased 9.2% in 2012 due to £164 million of new acquisitions over the last two years;

·        Share price total return of 2.5% in the year which resulted in a reduction in the discount at which the shares trade to NAV;

·        Over a five year period the Company has returned 6.7% and 36.3% on a NAV and share price total return basis respectively. This is ahead of the IPD Benchmark (1.7%) and the FTSE Real Estate Investment Trusts Index (- 25.9%);

·        The Company drew down the remaining £90 million of the Barclays Bank debt facility in the year resulting in a blended average interest rate across both debt facilities of 3.85%;

·        At 31 December 2012 the Company had gross gearing of 21.3%, one of the lowest rates in the Company's peer group;

·        Dividend yield of 8% at the year end, underpinned by a portfolio of prime assets and significantly above that of the IPD benchmark (6.3%), the FTSE Real Estate Investment Trusts Index (4.2%) and the FTSE All-Share Index (3.6%);

·        Considerable cash resources of over £77 million for income-enhancing acquisitions and asset management opportunities.

Property Highlights

 

·        Purchase of a portfolio of three multi-let industrial units, with a strong institutional tenant base, for £63.5 million (including costs) at a yield on cost of 7.3%, enhanced the income generating capacity of the portfolio and improved dividend cover;

·        During the year the Company completed 135 new leases, lease renewals and rent reviews securing £3.6 million of annual rental income for the Company;

·        A number of successful asset management initiatives completed during the year included:

·        A new letting to Deichmann Shoes Ltd at the Parade, Swindon which created a 6,000 sq. ft. flagship store and, when combined with the relocation of two other retailers, generated an increase in income of £150,000 per annum after rent free periods, increased average lease length and reduced the void ERV;

·        New lettings to Costa Coffee and Whitewall Gallery at Colmore Row in Birmingham combined with lease re-gears increased annual rental income by £200,000 p.a. and resulted in a fully let building;

·        A 10 year lease completed with Sportsdirect.com Retail Ltd for an 8,000 sq.ft unit in Kensington High Street, London, W8 at an annual rent of £440,000 per annum which was above ERV and represented an increase of £21,000 on the rent payable by the previous tenants;

·        A positive rent review settlement at George Street, Edinburgh which generated £65,000 per annum of additional income;

·        Void rate of 4.8% at 31 December 2012 (2011 - 3.4%), significantly below that of the benchmark figure of 10.0%, emphasising the quality nature of the Company's portfolio;

·        Strong average rent collection rates of 99% within twenty eight days highlighting the strong tenant base of the Company;

·        Awarded "Property Fund of the Year" at the Investment Advisor Awards 2012.

 

 

Commenting on the results, Christopher Hill, Chairman of UKCPT, said:

 

"The Board believes that UKCPT is well placed to achieve its objectives by undertaking proactive asset management initiatives to preserve and improve income. The Company has considerable cash resources which can be utilised for income enhancing acquisitions or asset management opportunities. The portfolio is of a prime nature and has a strong and well diversified tenant base which offers the potential for additional income generation. In a low interest rate environment, these factors should ensure that the Company remains an attractive proposition for investors."

 

 

Robert Boag,Senior Investment Director at Ignis Asset Mangement (UKCPT's Asset Manager) added:

 

"2012 saw continued challenges in the broader economy, further emphasising the importance of asset management in preserving and growing income and values. We believe that the overall quality of the portfolio and our ability to identify income enhancing initiatives, even in a market with selective occupier demand, offers solid prospects for future income and capital growth."

 

"The Company's strong balance sheet gives the opportunity to identify suitable acquisitions, similar to those made in 2012, in a market which continues to be characterised by deleveraging. We will continue to commit capital to sound, income producing assets which offer the potential for implementing asset management initiatives which will support dividend cover. Overall, in the current economic environment, the Company is well placed for the future."

 

 

 

 

 

For further information:

 

Ignis Investment Services Limited:                                                              0141 222 8000

Robert Boag/Graeme McDonald,

 

FTI Consulting:                                                                                            020 7831 3113

Stephanie Highett/Richard Sunderland/Will Henderson

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 

Capital Values & Gearing

31 December 2012

31 December 2011

% Change





Total assets less current liabilities (£'000)

1,073,720

1,052,296

2.0

Net asset value per share (p)*

69.60

75.50

(7.8)

Ordinary Share Price (p)

65.75

69.15

(4.9)

Discount to net asset value (%)

(5.5)

(8.4)


Gearing (%): Gross*

21.3

13.3


                      Net**

                    15.3

                     7.9


Total Return

1 year % return

3 year % return

5 year % return

NAV***

(1.0)

15.8

6.7

Share Price***

2.5

2.8

36.3





Investment Property Databank (IPD) Balanced Monthly & Quarterly Funds Benchmark

2.4

25.8

1.7

FTSE Real Estate Investment Trusts Index

30.2

22.3

(25.9)

FTSE All-Share Index

12.3

24.2

13.2

Earnings & Dividends


31 December 2012

31 December 2011





Dividends declared per ordinary share (p)


5.25

5.25

Dividend Yield (%)****


8.0

7.6

IPD Benchmark Yield (%)


6.3

6.0

FTSE Real Estate Investment Trusts Index Yield (%)


4.2

5.1

FTSE All-Share Index Yield (%)


3.6

3.5

Ongoing Charges

(as a % of average net assets) †


1.52

1.34

Void Rate (%)


4.8

3.4

European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA") NAV at 31 December 2012 - 71.0p (excludes SWAP liabilities)

*               Calculated as gross borrowings (excl. SWAP valuation) divided by total assets less current liabilities.

**             Calculated as net borrowings (gross borrowings less cash, excl SWAP valuation) divided by total assets               less current liabilities (excl cash).

***            Assumes re-investment of dividends excluding transaction costs.

****           Based on an annual dividend of 5.25p.

†              Annualised costs including direct property costs expressed as % of average net assets.


Sources: Ignis Investment Services, Investment Property Databank ("IPD")

 

Chairman's Statement

 

I am pleased to announce the Annual Results of the Company for the year to 31 December 2012. During the year, against a persistently difficult economic background, the Company's property portfolio and income base increased through selective acquisitions and successful asset management initiatives.

Economic Background

The Office for National Statistics reported that UK GDP fell by 0.3% in Q4 compared to growth of 0.9% in Q3. As a result economic growth was effectively flat over the year, undershooting most forecasts made at the beginning of 2012. Despite the continued improvement in headline unemployment statistics, the underlying economy remains sluggish and, given the disappointing Q4 figures, the outlook for 2013 is at best, challenging. In addition, the majority of Government spending cuts are still to be implemented and any recovery can always be threatened by global events.

Commercial Property Market

There can be no doubt that the commercial property market has been affected by the travails of the wider UK economy. The divergence of performance between prime and secondary properties, and between London and the rest of the UK, has continued; investors are showing little appetite for risk due to the ongoing economic uncertainty which has resulted in capital value falls over the past 12 months across most sectors. This is highlighted by a total return of 2.4% in the IPD benchmark for 2012, all of which has been driven by income, which produced 6.0% compared to a capital return of minus 3.4%.

 

Net Asset Value ("NAV")/Share Price Performance

Over the longer term, the Company has continued to outperform the property market. The NAV total return of 6.7% and share price total return of 36.3% over five years compares well to the IPD benchmark (1.7%) and the FTSE Real Estate Investment Trust Index (-25.9%) over the same period. In addition, the Company has outperformed its immediate peer group in the AIC Direct Property Sector, which returned 32.9% over five years on a share price basis.

However, the Company's NAV total return for the year was minus 1.0%, with the underperformance relative to the IPD benchmark being attributable to the following factors:

 

·      Compared to the benchmark, the portfolio is underweight in Central London offices where values have continued to increase due to significant overseas investment and the current perception that London is a safe haven;

·      The portfolio is overweight in shopping centres compared to the benchmark. Rental and capital values have been the subject of downward pressure due to negative consumer and investor sentiment. A spate of retail administrations has also undermined this sub-sector. However, it should be highlighted that this part of the portfolio is crucial for diverse income generation and the performance of other parts of the overall retail portfolio, such as retail warehouses, has held up well;

·      Transaction costs on the purchase of a portfolio of three multi-let industrial estates in February 2012;

·      Swap and working capital movements.

The share price total return of 2.5% was better than the NAV total return and reflected the discount at which the Company's shares traded to NAV in the year narrowing from 8.4% to 5.5%. The share price has continued to improve since the year end and currently trades at around NAV.

An analysis of the portfolio, its performance, successful asset management activity and future strategy are detailed in the Manager's Report.

 

Significant Property Transactions

As highlighted in the interim report, the Company purchased a portfolio of three multi-let, principally industrial estates from Segro for £63.5 million, including acquisition costs, in February 2012 reflecting a net yield on cost of 7.3%. They provide a reliable stream of income given the institutional quality of the tenants. This acquisition continues to support the Company's strategy of focusing on high quality, income-generating properties which offer the opportunity to create uplifts in capital value and income through successful asset management initiatives.

The Company sold Sovereign House, Slough, at a price of £8.6 million in September 2012. This price was in line with the expected September valuation and eliminated the Company's exposure to an asset that would have required significant capital expenditure with limited return prospects.

 

Borrowing

The industrial portfolio purchase referred to above was financed by a further £60 million drawdown of the Barclays Bank loan. The remaining £30 million of this loan facility was drawn down in November 2012 along with an interest rate swap agreement resulting in all borrowing facilities being covered by interest rate swaps. The Company has significant cash resources to act quickly and strategically in relation to acquisition or asset management opportunities, while still maintaining one of the lowest gearing levels in the Company's peer group of 21.3%. The blended interest rate across the Company's two facilities is an attractive 3.85% based on current margins, comparing favourably to the net yield on the purchase detailed above.

 

Dividends

The Company declared and paid the following dividends during the year:


Payment  Date (2012)

Dividend Rate (p)




4th interim for prior period

Feb

1.3125

1st interim

May

1.3125

2nd interim

Aug

1.3125

3rd interim

Nov

1.3125

Total


5.2500

 

On 1 February 2013 the Company declared a 4th interim dividend for the year of 1.3125p which was paid on 28 February 2013.

The yield on the Company's shares as at 31 December 2012 was 8.0% which is significantly higher than the yield on the IPD benchmark of 6.3%, the FTSE Real Estate Investment Trusts Index yield of 4.2% and also the FTSE All-Share yield of 3.6%.

 

Board Changes

On 1 February 2013 the Board announced the appointment of Mr Ken McCullagh as a non-executive Director. Mr McCullagh, who resides in Dublin, is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in the property industry and brings skills that will both complement and enhance the Board.

 

Mr Keith Dorrian will be retiring from the Board at the Annual General Meeting in June. He has been a very valuable member of the Board since the Company's inception in 2006 and I would like to express the Board's thanks to him for his extensive contribution during that time.

 



 

Outlook

In the short term, the UK economy is expected to deliver anaemic growth as evidenced by the Bank of England's recent downward revision of its 2013 growth forecast to 1.0%. This forecast continues to assume that the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis is more or less contained, which is an important assumption given the Eurozone's role as the UK's principal export market. Most expectations for a return to growth rely on improving business confidence translating into increased private sector investment that offsets the impact of reduced Government spending.

 

Property valuations are expected to remain under pressure, particularly in the retail sector, with little capital growth expected outside Central London in the next twelve months. Given this, the key to positive performance will be the successful implementation of asset management initiatives and preserving and growing income where possible. The Board believes that the Company's portfolio is well placed to achieve both of these objectives. The Company has considerable cash resources which can be utilised for income enhancing acquisitions or asset management opportunities. In addition, the portfolio is of a prime nature and has a strong and well diversified tenant base which offers the potential for additional income generation. In a low interest rate environment, these factors should ensure that the Company remains an attractive proposition for investors.

 

Christopher M.W. Hill

Chairman

19 March 2013

 

Investment Manager Review

 

Market Review

Although for many 2012 will be remembered for the Jubilee, Olympic and Paralympic celebrations, the dominant feature for the economy was a year characterised by weak economic growth with GDP flat over the year. Whilst some economic indicators, such as employment and real income growth, have shown modest improvement, there has been little prospect of a return to sustained economic growth. The ongoing travails in the Eurozone, the UK's largest export market, coupled with a Government austerity programme which has yet to be fully implemented, continues to undermine business and investor confidence. With caution the watchword, deleveraging remains the principal focus for businesses, households and banks. Despite interest rates remaining at record lows and inflation closing the year lower than it began, recent indicators imply that inflation is not totally under control and will continue to exceed the Government's target.

In the context of fragile consumer confidence, many retailers witnessed year on year growth with total retail sales increasing 0.3% over the year, despite some well known companies being placed into administration.

Against this backdrop, commercial property remained able to deliver a positive total return, with modest capital value falls driven by weakening rents and outward yield shift in most sectors again more than countered by strong income returns. Rental values softened slightly over 2012 as growth in Central London and prime assets in other core locations were offset by falls elsewhere. The retail sector saw the greatest decline in rental values as it continued to face the combined effects of a relatively weak consumer market and increasing structural challenges from online sales.

Average pricing levels drifted out over the course of the year with only Central London yields showing improvement. Existing owners and prospective investors remained reluctant to take on risk, instead preferring to concentrate on secure, core markets such as London's West End and supermarkets where property prices have continued to rise. Headline market numbers continue to mask the extent of any price discrimination between prime and secondary assets as well as the gap between stronger locations, often concentrated in the South East and the more peripheral locations. The decline in values, however, has been less extensive than many commentators expected, with the concentration of prime assets within the IPD sample a core reason for this.

 

Property at the prime end continues to attract significant interest from a wide range of investors and competition for quality assets brought to market remains intense. Activity over the market as a whole in 2012 was at a similar level to each of 2010 and 2011, with over £32.5billion of transactions recorded. Notably, London represented an even greater share of total volumes and overseas investors were the only group to inject substantial new capital into the sector, predominantly in London.

 

Performance Overview

Direct UK commercial property delivered a total return of 2.4% in 2012 (IPD Balanced Monthly & Quarterly Funds benchmark) exceeding the level suggested by the Investment Property Forum's (IPF) Consensus Forecasts issued throughout the year, demonstrating once again the resilience of the asset class in less favourable economic headwinds.

 

This resilience can be attributed to the strong and consistent income return the asset class continues to deliver which totalled 6.0% in 2012 (in line with the previous year and comparable with its long-term average). This more than outweighed the 3.4% decline in capital values reported over the year, principally driven by negative sentiment. This led to a modest increase in valuation yields, although as the year progressed, the rate of decline moderated in most sectors except retail.

 

The polarisation of London property from the rest of the country continued unabated, with Central London values increasing 5%, buoyed by rental growth, and the Rest of UK falling by 5.8%, highlighting the mismatch in occupational and investment markets between the two sectors. This also led to a widening of the gap in yields between Central London and the rest of the country, with the value growth in prime retail and office assets driving down income yields to only 4.3% due to feverish competition, particularly from investors seeking a safe haven for their capital. This competition makes investment expensive and difficult for UK institutional investors to compete in. As a consequence, towards the end of the year there was a renewed focus and debate on the risk and opportunities that exist within the secondary market and those sectors with greater income returns. This has yet to translate into improved capital values for those sectors, with the disparity between prime and secondary yields, in excess of 400bps, at its widest level since the downturn in 2007/2008.

 

The total return from property was almost identical to the CPI figure for 2012 and the scale of income return that property continues to offer investors gives a degree of protection against future rises in inflation. It also compares well with the yields available on other asset classes including highly rated corporate bonds, government bonds (especially index-linked issues, which continue to offer negative real yields), cash and the broader equity market. Property has also reasserted its credentials as a genuine diversifier of investment risk between asset classes.

 

Income

The primary focus for the Company given its investment objective remains income and the management of risk, particularly against the difficult economic background. As highlighted above, income represented the principal component of returns for 2012, and this is expected to be the case for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, it is encouraging to note that portfolio income, as reported in this annual report, grew by 9.2% over the year from acquisitions and through successful asset management initiatives offsetting the adverse impact from company administrations and leases that expired and were not renewed.

 

Annualised rental income also increased from £70.2million to £72.0million (after rent free periods) during 2012. This increase was principally driven by the portfolio acquisition of three primarily multi let industrial properties providing annualised income of £4.7million, financed from the Company's existing bank facilities. The Company's continued focus on asset management has also played its part in maintaining and enhancing income in the portfolio. Some of these successful initiatives are highlighted later.

 

Company administrations and ongoing rationalisation of corporate portfolios continued to be a significant feature of the market, particularly in the retail sector. This theme is reflected in the portfolio with a number of tenants deciding not to renew leases and an increased number of retail administrations. However, it should be emphasised that the underlying quality of the Company's portfolio, coupled with a sustained focus on asset management, resulted in much of the income affected by administrations being maintained, with many leases continuing to be honoured by the new corporate entities or lettings being achieved within a relatively short period of time.

 

Portfolio Performance

The independent portfolio valuation as at 31 December 2012 was £1,021.2million, a 4.5% fall in valuation over the year on a like for like basis. During the year, the Company acquired three multi-let industrial estates at a total investment of £63.5million.

 

The table below sets out the components of total return of the Company and of the benchmark in each sector for the year to 31 December 2012:

 


Total Return

Income Return

Capital Growth


Fund

Benchmark

Fund

Benchmark

Fund

Benchmark


%

%

%

%

%

%

Offices

3.4

3.4

7.8

5.7

-4.1

-2.2

Industrials

3.9

3.1

7.3

6.8

-3.2

-3.5

Retail

-1.3

1.0

6.3

6.0

-7.2

-4.7

Other

Commercial


7.7


6.5


6.7


5.6


1.0


0.9

Total

1.2

2.4

6.8

6.0

-5.3

-3.4

 

 

Overall, the portfolio underperformed the IPD Quarterly and Monthly benchmark due to the greater than benchmark fall in capital values not being fully offset by the superior income return enjoyed from the portfolio. The principal reason for the fall in value was the performance of the retail holdings, particularly shopping centres, but to a lesser extent the high street, allied to the underweight exposure in Central London (notably Central London offices). Income return remained consistent throughout the period, underlying the robust nature of the portfolio against a challenging environment where occupier demand was muted and average rents were flat or falling for most of the country.

 

Offices

Offices were the asset of choice during 2012 accounting for 40% of the transactional market, with £15billion invested in 2012 and London yields being at their lowest levels since Q4 2008.

 

Central London offices were the most popular asset class, driven mainly by overseas investors' unrelenting appetite for this sector, constituting 75% of total investment in the UK. Although the key drivers for many of these investors were liquidity and a safe haven investment with strong rental growth prospects, the potential for residential conversion was also a theme for many Central London acquisitions.

 

As was the case in 2011, the office sector was the best performing sector of the principal asset classes in 2012 delivering a 3.4% total return, which was exceeded only by the wide ranging other commercial sector mentioned below. The sector provided the widest divergence in performance across all sub sectors, reflecting the diverging appeal of Central London, where the West End was the strongest performer with a 10.3% total return compared to regional offices which provided a negative total return of minus 3.2%. The year saw a modest shift in sentiment towards certain South East office markets as the underlying fundamentals in some of these locations improved along with an increase in appetite for risk from some investors. Investment in and performance of the rest of the UK office sector has been dull, as many investors continue to be deterred by the ongoing challenges in the occupational markets. Even in Central London, letting activity was subdued as many occupiers remained cautious in making any major corporate decisions. The only exception in London was the Technology, Media and Telecommunications and Insurance sectors, both of which represented a significant proportion of the take up during the year.

 

The Company's office portfolio returned 3.4% in the year, performing in line with the benchmark. The composition of the overall return differed from the market, with income forming a greater element of that return, particularly from the regional office portfolio which has minimal voids and is well let to strong covenants.

 

Industrials

The strong income return from the industrial sector and more modest capital value falls enabled this sector to provide a 3.1% total return. Overall, pricing for industrial property moved out over the year, undermined by the availability of secondary property and concerns over rental value falls and take up. The availability of Grade A space in some locations remains at historically low levels. In some cases this has led to occupiers considering freehold and leasehold bespoke options although there is not sufficient confidence, development or finance in that market to see any meaningful return to speculative development, other than in a few isolated cases within the M25.

 

The strong attributes of the Company's industrial portfolio, strengthened by the portfolio acquisition earlier in the year and combined with effective asset management by the team, meant that the portfolio comfortably outperformed the market with an overall total return of 3.9%. Much of this outperformance was driven by stable yields from the Company's regional industrial properties, which are let to strong covenants in core locations.

 

Retail

The year to 31 December 2012 was another challenging year for the retail sector with weakening occupier markets undermining both rental and capital values. As a result, the sector was the weakest performer for the second consecutive year with a 1.0% total return. The capital values in all retail subsectors were downgraded with shopping centres and high street retail the hardest hit, retaining only a moderate income benefit. High street retail in the South East proved to be the most resilient with only modest capital falls aided by healthier occupational demand. The retail occupational and investment markets continue to be affected by administrations including Outdoor Group, JJB Sports, Clinton Cards and Comet. As a result, investors continue to exercise caution generally in the retail sector and there has been a drop in the overall level of investment volumes in the sector. This, allied to falling rental levels, has contributed to a fall in retail capital values of 4.7%. As we have become accustomed to over the last few years, this masks a disparity between Central London and Rest of UK where, in the case of the former, High Street retail values fell by a modest 0.4% while the rest of the country fell by 5.6%. There was evidence, however, of fierce demand for good quality retail investments that offered the right environment for retail occupiers whether that was in Central London or elsewhere in stronger regional retail locations.

 

Reflecting the wider market trend, the Company's retail portfolio had the weakest overall performance, producing a total return of minus 1.3%. Similar to the market, both the Company's shopping centres and high street retail properties were the principal focus for administrations and loss of rental income resulting in some cases in falling capital values and rents. The performance of the Company's South East retail and retail warehouse portfolios, proved to be more robust and were positively impacted by successful income and value enhancing asset management initiatives. These are highlighted in the asset management activity section below.

 

Other Commercial - Leisure

The Company's single leisure investment, The Rotunda Leisure Scheme in Kingston upon Thames, acquired in 2011, retained its position as the strongest performer within the portfolio. This property, with an overall return of 7.7%, provided a significant margin over the 6.5% total return in the broad ranging "alternatives" IPD sector which includes Leisure, Student Accommodation, Hotels, Pubs, Car Parks etc.

 

Investment Activity

In February 2012 the Company acquired an off-market portfolio of three principally multi-let industrial properties for £63.5million (including costs of acquisition) representing a net initial yield of 7.3%. The purchase was in-line with the Company's strategy to acquire sound income producing assets in sectors which improve the portfolio's income return and where our strengths in asset management can be leveraged. The portfolio comprises:

 

·      Emerald Park East, Emersons Green, Bristol - A modern industrial estate developed between 2000 and 2004, located close to Junction 19 of the M4, to the north of Bristol. The estate currently generates income of £1.7million per annum from 235,635 sq ft across 17 units, let to tenants including Knorr Bremse Systems, Sungard Availability Services and Smiths News Trading. The average unexpired lease length was four years three months to breaks and eight years six months to expiry.

·      Gatwick Gate Industrial Estate, Crawley - An industrial estate located on Charlwood Road, to the immediate south of Gatwick Airport. The estate generates income of £1.1million per annum from 144,944 sq ft of space across nine units, let to tenants including Signet Group and Cooper Callas. The average unexpired lease length was five years to expiry and break.

·       Motor Park, Eastern Road, Portsmouth -This group of car showrooms represents the principal automotive dealership location in the Portsmouth area, offering brands including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Mini, Chrysler and Jeep. The park generates income of £1.8million per annum from 162,661 sq ft of space across ten units, let to tenants including Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, Pentagon Ltd and Affinion International. Average unexpired lease length was 12 years two months to break and twelve years nine months to expiry.

 

This acquisition, aided by the realisation of some identified asset management initiatives, made a positive contribution to the portfolio with a current income return of 7.7% against the portfolio income return of 6.8%.

 

The Company sold one asset during the year. Sovereign House, Slough, an office building, was sold in September for £8.6million, which was in line with the valuation at the time. Significantly over-rented with only two years unexpired on the lease and the tenant not in occupation, the sale was in accordance with the Company's strategy to reduce exposure to those assets that demand a significant level of capital expenditure with limited total return prospects.

 

 

Asset Management Activity

Despite the continuing challenges in some markets in 2012, we continued our drive to strengthen income streams, extend lease lengths and add value to the Company's ownerships. During the year we completed 135 new leases, lease renewals and rent reviews securing £3.6m of annual rental income for the Company.

 

Of the above total, 65 new lettings were entered into in 2012 generating £3.5million of annual income after rent free periods. Their average lease length is 9 years and 4 months to expiry. 75 per cent of this letting activity took place in the shopping centre portfolio where in some cases, defensive action was taken to replace failed occupiers with short term flexible leases or, where possible, longer term leases were agreed at rental levels either in line with or above ERV. Examples include lettings to Caffè Nero to replace Priceless Shoes at the Sovereign Centre, Weston-super--Mare and Hotter Shoes to replace Jane Norman at the Pride Hill Shopping Centre in Shrewsbury.

 

At The Parade, Swindon, a letting to Deichmann Shoes involved the creation of a new 6,000 sq.ft. flagship store and the relocation of two other retailers to generate an increase in overall income of £150,000 per annum after rent free periods. This initiative also improved value and the average lease length, as well as reducing the void ERV by 26%.

 

Within the High Street sector we completed a new ten year lease with Sportsdirect.com for a new 8,000 sq. ft. unit in Kensington High Street, London, W8. The annual rent is £440,000 per annum which was above ERV and an increase of £21,000 on the rent payable by the previous tenant. In addition, the renovation of a supermarket at Marlow resulted in a rent increase of £69,500 per annum after rent free periods for the remaining 22 years of the lease and an uplift in valuation of £675,000.

 

Across the office portfolio we completed a series of asset management initiatives including at 9 Colmore Row, Birmingham, with new lettings to Costa Coffee (£89,500 p.a. on a ten year lease) and Whitewall Gallery (£75,000 p.a. on a ten year lease). When combined with lease re-gears with Ecclesiastical and 25 Moorgate, these initiatives resulted in income improving from £1.6million to £1.8million per annum (after rent free periods), longer leases and a fully let building.

 

At Charter Place, Uxbridge, we secured outline planning consent for the refurbishment of the property. Both tenants have also agreed to lease extensions, with Coca Cola agreeing a short term lease extension and Nexen agreeing to remain in occupation on a longer term basis while we work towards viability and a pre-let of the refurbished space.

 

Our exposure to other sectors, most notably leisure, helped to generate value in 2012 with n improved ERV at The Rotunda, Kingston upon Thames, following a new letting to Cattle Grid. The contract with Pizza Express at Junction 27, Leeds, became unconditional in 2012 and added £165,000 p.a. of new income to the rent roll of the park while improving both tenant mix and customer experience. Another new letting was with Costa Coffee at Great Marlborough Street, London W1, which generated £130,000 per annum on a ten year lease.

 

In the Industrial sector, lease re-gears involving Webcon and Volt Delta at Dolphin Trading Estate, Sunbury, and with Parkare at Emersons Green, Bristol, improved lease length and secured income of £342,000 p.a.

 

Despite the general economy and downward pressure on rent levels, rent review activity generated over £291,000 per annum of additional income from the 42 rent reviews that were settled in 2012. Highlights included rent review awards for Mothercare and TK Maxx at Kew Retail Park, Richmond, a Marks & Spencer distribution hub in Neasden and also on George Street, Edinburgh, where a £65,000 per annum increase in rent was negotiated with Waterstones.

 

A number of high profile occupiers within the Company's portfolio entered administrations last year, including Clinton Cards, JJB, Comet, Peacocks, Bon Marche, Julian Graves and Game Station. As a result of lease expiries at Bushey Road, Raynes Park, and break options that were exercised across the portfolio (notably at Dolphin Trading Estate, Sunbury) the Company's void position moved from 3.4% to 4.8% of ERV at the end of the year. If tenant failures through administrations etc. are included the void rate increases to 6.9%. However, both void rates are well below the benchmark figure of 10.0%.

The covenant strength of the Company's occupiers remains a source of encouragement with average rent collection figures of 99.2% per annum after 28 days in 2012. A total of £492,000 of bad debts were written off, representing only 0.7% of rental income in the year. This strength is also demonstrated by the graph below which shows the percentage of high risk rents within the portfolio compared to the benchmark.

 

Sustainability

The Company recognises that every property for which we are responsible impacts in the way we all work, live and play. We are committed to conducting our business in a way which is sustainable, protecting the environment, enhancing our properties' efficiency and reducing any negative impacts on the environment.

 

We seek to create long-term value for our investors through addressing sustainable and corporate matters responsibly. We adhere to statutory and legal requirements and we ensure in the management, refurbishment or development of our properties that measures are taken to promote the sustainable use of resources, protect the environment, reduce greenhouse emissions and minimise waste.

 

Through practical implementation we will establish targets for improving our performance in sustainability issues where these are under the control or direct influence of the landlord, with particular reference to energy consumption, water consumption and waste production. Using 2012 as a benchmark we will aim to reduce consumption by between 5-10% year on year by using low or no cost options.

 

The annual report is published on Creator paper which is made from raw materials sourced from managed and sustainable forests that are subject to strict environmental control. Pulp is ECF (elemental chlorine free) and comes from Spain, Portugal and Finland. The manufacturing processes for the Creator range are certified under the prestigious ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards.

 

Market Outlook

In its latest Inflation Report, the Bank of England acknowledged the likelihood of weak underlying growth continuing with forecast GDP growth of around 1.0% in 2013. Forecasts predicting a return to growth rely on a strong expansion in private sector investment and a relatively benign outlook on inflation feeding through to disposable income growth. As well as boosting real incomes, low inflation is crucial if the Bank is to hold interest rates at current low levels for the foreseeable future. The medium term outlook for inflation is mixed, with little protection afforded against imported inflation should there be further surges in global commodity prices. As the Government has acknowledged, the deficit reduction target will not be met until well into the next parliament and, as a result, the return of the UK to satisfactory levels of sustainable economic growth will prove a long, difficult path.

 

We continue to believe that property will remain an attractive asset class for investors through offering a relatively high income yield and clear diversification benefits. Ignis's most recent forecast for all property total returns in 2013 is 6.5% with annualised total returns for the next three years (2013-2015) of 7.7% p.a. This would represent solid performance in an environment likely to remain challenging, even if there are some signs that investor sentiment is now stabilising. Our forecast for 2013 reflects the likelihood that, outside London, economic growth will be insufficient to generate any broad-based occupier demand, restricting any real rental growth to Central London and some micro-markets. Rents in more secondary retail markets will remain under pressure, as these properties face serious obsolescence risk from the continued move from traditional retailers to online trading formats.

 

Although the divergence between prime and secondary and London and the rest of the country is expected to continue throughout 2013, many commentators feel that it will begin to narrow. With prime yields stabilising, and in some sectors at levels approaching or higher than their long term average, there is a suggestion that prime is becoming an expensive and slightly riskier option relative to the risk free alternative. With the gap between prime and secondary yields in excess of 400bps, there are nascent signs that greater opportunities might exist in the next tier of investment i.e. within good quality and well located secondary property. Although risks still exist in that broad ranging market, particularly with those sectors experiencing structural change such as retail, favourable returns driven by income can be achieved with a full appreciation of the correct property fundamentals and the associated risks.

 

Portfolio Strategy

The continued focus on income and management of risk across a prime diversified portfolio offers the best defence in uncertain times and will continue to provide a firm platform for driving attractive income returns. The overall quality of the portfolio and the Company's ability to identify income-enhancing initiatives, even in a market with selective occupier demand, offers solid prospects for future income and capital growth.

 

The retention and enhancement of income will always remain a key tenet of the Company's strategy and the portfolio expiry profile does present some opportunities for asset management initiatives to mitigate the forecast increase in voids in the short term. Some of these expiries will involve significant capital expenditure and, although in some cases the prospect of improved returns can be achieved with additional expenditure, where this is not the case then these assets should be sold. In a market where competition for prime property is fierce and at times assets can be mispriced, the potential for further sales of prime lower yielding assets for reinvestment in higher yielding (multi-let) assets or into portfolio initiatives should always remain a possibility. The priority, however, must be sales of those assets that involve significant holding costs/capital expenditure with poor return prospects. There are also a number of asset management initiatives within the portfolio which have the potential to improve both income and capital. These will be assessed further and prioritised in terms of viability and deliverability and met in part from existing cash resources.

 

Given the immediate outlook for the sector, the key objective for the Company is to reduce its exposure to the retail sector. Although mention has been made of some selective sales of high street retail assets which would help achieve this objective, the main priority will be the future strategy for the holding in Shrewsbury where good progress is being made.

 

In terms of acquisitions, whilst the assets to be acquired will be determined by the characteristics of the assets themselves, priority will be given to sectors offering a relatively high income return in which the Company has underweight positions i.e. the multi-let industrial, leisure and alternative (e.g. Student Accommodation) sectors. In addition we continue to look for opportunities in Central London that meet our income requirements. The Company's strong balance sheet gives the opportunity to identify suitable propositions in a market which continues to be characterised by deleveraging and to commit capital to sound, income producing assets which offer the potential for implementing asset management initiatives to maintain and, where possible, enhance dividend cover. Overall, in the current economic environment, the Company is well placed for the future.

 

Robert Boag

Senior Investment Director

Ignis Investment Services

19 March 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Property Portfolio

As at 31 December 2012

Property

Tenure

Sector

Principal Tenant

Value Range

The Parade, Swindon

Freehold

Shopping Centre

BHS Ltd







Over £30m

(representing 50% of the portfolio

capital value)

Great Lodge Retail Park, Turnbridge Wells

Freehold

Retail Warehouse

B & Q Plc

Junction 27 Retail Park, Birstall, Leeds

Freehold

Retail Warehouse

DSG Retail Ltd

176 - 206 Kensington High Street, London, W8

Freehold

High St, Retail

Sportsdirect.Com Retail Ltd

The Rotunda, Kingston Upon Thames

Freehold

Leisure

Odeon Cinemas Ltd

St Georges Retail Park, Leicester

Leasehold

Retail Warehouse

DSG Retail Ltd

Kew Retail Park, Richmond

Freehold

Retail Warehouse

Mothercare (UK) Ltd

Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury

Freehold

Shopping Centre

Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd

15 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1

Freehold

Office

Sony

Ocado Distribution Unit, Hatfield Business Area, Hatfield

Freehold

Industrial

Ocado Ltd

Sovereign Centre, Weston super Mare

Freehold

Shopping Centre

Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd






Dolphin Estate,Sunbury on Thames

Freehold

Industrial

Access Self Storage Properties Ltd







£20m - £29.9m

(representing 30% of the portfolio

capital value)

B&Q, Roneo Corner, Romford

Freehold

Retail Warehouse

B & Q Plc

Motor Park, Eastern Road, Portsmouth

Freehold

Industrial

Volkswagen Group UK Ltd

Emerald Park East, Emersons Green, Bristol

Freehold

Industrial

Knorr-Bremse Systems Ltd

Hannah Close, London, NW10

Freehold

Industrial

Marks & Spencer Plc

Asda, Gowerton Road, Brackmills, Northampton

Freehold

Industrial

Asda Stores Ltd

6 Arlington Street, London, SW1

Freehold

Office

Public Sector

Argos Unit, Magna Park, Lutterworth

Leasehold

Industrial

Argos Ltd

No 2 Temple Quay, Bristol

Freehold

Office

Public Sector

Broadbridge Retail Park, Horsham

Mixed

Retail Warehouse

Homebase Ltd

Charter Place,Vine Street, Uxbridge

Freehold

Office

Coca Cola

81/85 George Street, Edinburgh

Freehold

Office

Aviva Insurance Ltd

Colmore Court, 9 Colmore Row, Birmingham

Leasehold

Office

BNP Paribas






13 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1

Freehold

Office

Sony







£10m - £19.9m

(representing 17%

of the portfolio

capital value)

16/20 High Street & 1/3 Bedford Street, Exeter

Leasehold

High St, Retail

Barclays Bank Plc

Network House & Meadowside House, Hemel Hempstead

Freehold

Office

Public Sector

No 1 Temple Quay, Bristol

Freehold

Office

British Telecommunications Plc

Pall Mall Court, King Street, Manchester

Freehold

Office

AWG Business Centres Ltd

14 - 22 West Street, Marlow

Freehold

High St, Retail

Sainsbury's Supermarket Ltd

Craven House, Fouberts Place, London, W1

Freehold

Office

WH Smith Retail Holdings Ltd

140/144 Kings Road, London, SW3

Freehold

High St, Retail

French Connection Uk Ltd

Pride Hill Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury

Freehold

Shopping Centre

Next plc

Gatwick Gate Industrial Estate, Crawley

Freehold

Industrial

Signet Group Ltd

2-8 Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Freehold

High St, Retail

HSBC Bank plc

134/138 North Street, Brighton

Freehold

High St, Retail

Sportsdirect.Com Retail Ltd






52/56 Market Street, Manchester

Freehold

High St, Retail

Adidas (UK) Ltd




Up to £9.9m

(representing 3%
of the portfolio

capital value)

84 - 86 Bushey Road, Raynes Park, London, SW3

Freehold

Office

Vacant

Riverside Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury

Leasehold

Shopping Centre

Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd

Knaves Beech Industrial Estate, Loudwater

Freehold

Industrial

Dreams Plc

Freshford House, Redcliffe, Bristol

Leasehold

Office

Public Sector

146 Kings Road, London, SW3

Freehold

High St, Retail

Telefonica O2 UK Ltd

WCA Building, Bristol

Leasehold

Office

Public Sector








 

Principal Risks and Risk Uncertainties

 

The Company's assets consist of direct investments in UK commercial property. Its principal risks are therefore related to the commercial property market in general, but also the particular circumstances of the properties in which it is invested and their tenants. The Manager seeks to mitigate these risks though continual review of the portfolio utilising research produced by the Manager's in-house research team and also through asset management initiatives. More detailed explanations of these risks and the way in which they are managed are contained under the headings of credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk in note 16 to the accounts. The Board has also identified a number of specific risks that are reviewed at each Board meeting. These are as follows:

 

·   The Company and its objectives become unattractive to investors. This is mitigated through regular contact with shareholders, a regular review of share price performance and the level of discount at which the shares trade to NAV and regular meetings with the Company's broker to discuss these points and address any issues that arise.

 

·   Tenant failure or inability to let property. Due diligence work on potential tenants is undertaken before entering into new lease agreements. In addition, tenants are kept under constant review through regular contact and various reports both from managing agents and from the Manager's own reporting processes. Finally, contingency plans are put in place at units that have tenants that are believed to be in financial trouble.

 

·   Loss on Financial instruments. The Company has entered into a number of interest rate swap arrangements. These swap instruments are valued and monitored on a monthly basis by the counterparty banks. The Manager checks the valuations of these swap instruments internally to ensure they are accurate. In addition, the credit ratings of the Banks that the swaps are taken out with are assessed at every Board meeting.

 

Other risks faced by the Company include the following:

·   Economic - inflation or deflation, economic recessions and movements in interest rates could affect property valuations, and also its bank borrowings.

·   Strategic - incorrect strategy, including sector and property allocation and use of gearing, could all lead to poor returns for shareholders.

·   Regulatory - breach of regulatory rules could lead to suspension of the Company's Stock Exchange Listing, financial penalties or a qualified audit report.

·   Management and control - changes that cause the management and control of the Company to be exercised in the United Kingdom could lead to the Company becoming liable to United Kingdom taxation on income and capital gains.

·   Financial - inadequate controls by the Investment Manager or third party service providers could lead to misappropriation of assets. Inappropriate accounting policies or failure to comply with accounting standards could lead to misreporting or breaches of regulations.

·   Operational - failure of the Investment Manager's accounting systems or disruption to the Investment Manager's business, or that of third party service providers, could lead to an inability to provide accurate reporting and monitoring, leading to a loss of shareholders' confidence.

 

The Board seeks to mitigate and manage these risks through continual review, policy setting and enforcement of contractual obligations. It also regularly monitors the investment environment and the management of the Company's property portfolio and levels of gearing, and applies the principles detailed in the Turnbull Guidance Notes.



 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2012

 

 

 

 

Year ended

 

 

 

 

Year ended



31 December

2012

31 December

2011


Notes

£'000

£'000

Revenue




Rental income


75,124

68,784

(Losses)/gains on investment properties

8

(58,520)

5,098

Interest income


368

184

Total income


16,972

74,066

Expenditure




Investment management fee

2

(7,418)

(7,346)

Direct property expenses


(3,265)

(2,611)

Other expenses

3

(3,021)

(3,129)

Total expenditure


(13,704)

(13,086)

Net operating profit before finance costs


3,268

60,980

Finance costs




Finance costs

4

(8,222)

(4,193)

Loss arising on ineffective portion of interest rate swap

12

-

(3,742)



(8,222)

(7,935)

Net (loss)/profit from ordinary activities before taxation


(4,954)

53,045

Taxation on (loss)/ profit on ordinary activities

5

-

-

Net (loss)/profit for the year


(4,954)

53,045

Other comprehensive income:




Loss arising on effective portion of interest rate swap

12

(3,272)

(8,267)

Total comprehensive income for the year


(8,226)

44,778

Basic and diluted earnings per share

7

(0.41)p

4.43p

 

All of the (loss)/profit and total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to the owners of the Company. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.



Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2012

 

 


Notes

2012

£'000

2011

£'000

Non-current assets




Investment properties

8

1,015,532

1,011,775



1,015,532

1,011,775

Current assets




Trade and other receivables

10

8,024

6,709

Cash and cash equivalents


77,062

60,945



85,086

67,654

Total assets


1,100,618

1,079,429

Current liabilities




Trade and other payables

11

(22,324)

(24,014)

Interest rate swap

12

(4,574)

(3,119)

Long Term Liabilities




Bank Loan

12

(228,834)

(138,141)

Interest rate swap

12

(12,060)

(10,243)

Total liabilities


(267,792)

(175,517)

Net assets


832,826

903,912

Represented by:




Share capital

13

482,703

482,703

Treasury shares

13

(25,264)

(25,264)

Special distributable reserve


615,252

624,546

Capital reserve


(223,231)

(164,711)

Revenue reserve


-

-

Interest rate swap reserve


(16,634)

(13,362)

Equity shareholders' funds


832,826

903,912





Net asset value per share

14

69.6p

75.5p

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

 



Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2012

 











 

Share

 

Treasury

Special Distributable

 

Capital

 

Revenue

Swap

Revaluation

Non - controlling



Capital

Shares

Reserve

Reserve

Reserve

Reserve

Interest

Total


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

At 1 January 2012

482,703

(25,264)

624,546

(164,711)

-

(13,362)

-

903,912

Net loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(4,954)

-

-

(4,954)

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

(3,272)

-

(3,272)

Dividends paid

-

-

-

-

(62,860)

-

-

(62,860)

Transfer in respect of losses on investment properties

-

-

-

(58,520)

58,520

-

-

-

Transfer from special distributable reserve

-

-

(9,294)

-

9,294

-

-

-

At 31 December 2012

482,703

(25,264)

615,252

(223,231)

-

(16,634)

-

832,826

 

For the year ended 31 December 2011











 

Share

 

Treasury

Special Distributable

 

Capital

 

Revenue

Swap

Revaluation

Non - controlling



Capital

Shares

Reserve

Reserve

Reserve

Reserve

Interest

Total


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

At 1 January 2011

482,703

(25,264)

635,717

(169,809)

-

(1,353)

10

922,004

Net profit for the year

-

-

-

-

53,045

-

-

53,045

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

(8,267)

-

(8,267)

Non controlling interest bought back

-

-

-

-

-

-

(10)

(10)

Dividends paid

-

-

-

-

(62,860)

-

-

(62,860)

Transfer in respect of fair value movement on interest rate swap

-

-

-

-

3,742

(3,742)

-

-

Transfer in respect of gains on investment properties

-

-

-

5,098

(5,098)

-

-

-

Transfer from special distributable reserve

-

-

(11,171)

-

11,171

-

-

-

At 31 December 2011

482,703

(25,264)

624,546

(164,711)

-

(13,362)

-

903,912

 

 

 

 



 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2012


Year ended

31 December 2012

£'000

Year ended

31 December 2011

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities



Net (loss)/profit for the year before taxation

(4,954)

53,045

Adjustments for:



Losses/(gains) on investment properties

58,520

(5,098)

(Increase) in operating trade and other receivables

(1,315)

(1,563)

(Decrease)/increase in operating trade and other payables

(1,871)

2,536

Net finance costs

8,222

10,140

Net cash inflow from operating activities

58,602

59,060

Cash flows from investing



Purchase of investment properties

(63,545)

(100,610)

Sale of investment properties

8,600

-

Capital expenditure

(7,332)

(7,317)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(62,277)

(107,927)

Cash flows from financing activities



Proceeds from drawdown of bank loan

90,000

97,900

Loan set up costs

-

(2,205)

Buyback of non-controlling interest

-

(10)

Dividends paid

(62,860)

(62,860)

Bank loan interest paid

(3,814)

(1,695)

Payments under interest rate swap arrangement

(3,534)

(2,255)

Net cash inflow from financing activities

19,792

28,875




Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

16,117

(19,992)




Opening balance

60,945

80,937




Closing cash and cash equivalents

77,062

60,945

Represented by:



Cash at bank

22,081

41,675

Short term deposits

40,042

6,600

Money market funds

14,939

12,670


77,062

60,945

 



Notes to the Accounts

 

1. Accounting Policies

A summary of the principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the year, is set out below.

(a)  Basis of Accounting

The consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard adopted by the EU, interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee that remain in effect, and to the extent that they have been adopted by the European Union, applicable legal and regulatory requirements of Guernsey law and the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

The following new and amended IFRS are mandatory as of 1 January 2012 unless otherwise stated and the impact is stated below.

IAS 12 Income Taxes - Recovery of Underlying Assets

The amendment clarified the determination of deferred tax on investment property measured at fair value and introduces a rebuttable presumption that deferred tax on investment property measured using the fair value model in IAS 40 should be determined on the basis that its carrying amount will be recovered through sale. The amendment became effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2012, but does not have any effect on the Group's performance or in its disclosures because the tax rate for these assets in the jurisdictions in which they are located does not differ if they are recovered by sale or use.

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures - Enhanced Derecognition Disclosure Requirements

The amendment requires additional disclosures about financial assets that have been transferred but not derecognised to enable the user of the Group's financial statements to understand the relationship with those assets that have not been derecognised and their associated liabilities. The amendment became effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2011. The Group did not have any assets with these characteristics, so there has not been any effect in the presentation of the financial statements.

There have been other new and amended standards issued in 2012 but these are not considered to be applicable and hence not discussed.

(b)  Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

The preparation of the Group's financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that could require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability affected in the future.

 

Fair value of investment properties: Investment property is stated at fair value as at the balance sheet date as set out in note 1(h) and note 8 to these accounts.

The determination of the fair value of investment properties requires the use of estimates such as future cash flows from the assets. The estimate of future cash flows includes consideration of the repair and condition of the property, lease terms, future lease events, as well as other relevant factors for the particular asset. This technique is known as the Yield Method.

Volatility in the global financial system is reflected in commercial real estate markets. There was a significant reduction in transaction volumes in 2011 and, to a lesser extent, into 2012. Therefore, in arriving at their estimates of market values as at 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012, valuers used their market knowledge and professional judgement and did not rely solely on historical transactional comparables. In these circumstances, there was a greater degree of uncertainty in estimating the market values of investment property than would exist in a more active market.

Fair value of interest rate swaps: The fair value of the interest rate swaps are determined using mathematical models. The inputs to these models are taken from observable market data where possible, but where this is not possible a degree of judgement is required in estimating fair value based on assumptions in relation to swap curves and estimated values of floating interest rates. Changes in assumptions used in the model could affect the reported fair value.

(c) Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated accounts comprise the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries drawn up to 31 December each year. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and cease to be consolidated from the date on which control is transferred out of the Group.

(d) Functional and Presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of the Group are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ("the functional currency") which is pounds sterling. The financial statements are also presented in pounds sterling. All figures in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand.

(e) Revenue Recognition

Rental income, excluding VAT, arising on investment properties is accounted for in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on a straight line basis over the lease term of ongoing leases. Surrender lease premiums paid and rent free periods granted are required to be recorded as a current asset and amortised over the period from the date of the lease commencement to the earliest termination date. Interest income is accounted for on an accruals basis.

 

(f)     Expenses

Expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. The Group's investment management and administration fees, finance costs and all other expenses are charged through the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

(g)    Taxation

Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity and not in profit or loss. Positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation are periodically evaluated and provisions established where appropriate.

Deferred income tax is provided using the liability method on all temporary differences at the reporting date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. Deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences, carried forward tax credits or tax losses can be utilised. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. In determining the expected manner of realisation of an asset the directors consider that the Group will recover the value of investment property through sale. Deferred income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity and not in profit or loss.

(h)    Investment Properties

Investment property comprises completed property that is held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both. Property held under a lease is classified as investment property when the definition of an investment property is met.

Investment property is measured initially at cost including transaction costs. Transaction costs include transfer taxes, professional fees for legal services and initial leasing commissions to bring the property to the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating. The carrying amount also includes the cost of replacing part of an existing investment property at the time that cost is incurred if the recognition criteria are met.

Subsequent to initial recognition, investment property is stated at fair value. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair values are included in the income statement in the year in which they arise. For the purposes of these financial statements, in order to avoid double accounting, the assessed fair value is:

·      Reduced by the carrying amount of any accrued income resulting from the spreading of lease incentives and/or minimum lease payments

·      Increased by the carrying amount of any liability to the superior leaseholder or freeholder that has been recognised in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation

 

Investment property is derecognised when it has been disposed of or permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefit is expected from its disposal. Any gains or losses on the retirement or disposal of investment property are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year of retirement or disposal.

Gains or losses on the disposal of investment property are determined as the difference between net disposal proceeds and the carrying value of the asset in the previous full period financial statements.

(i)   Operating Lease Contracts - the Group as Lessor

The Group has entered into commercial property leases on its investment property portfolio. The Group has determined, based on an evaluation of the terms and conditions of the arrangements that it retains all the significant risks and rewards of ownership of these properties and so accounts for leases as operating leases.

(j)   Share Issue Expenses

Incremental external costs directly attributable to the issue of shares that would otherwise have been avoided are written off to reserves.

(k)  Segmental Reporting

The Directors are of the opinion that the Group is engaged in a single segment of business being property investment in the United Kingdom.

(l)   Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash in hand, demand deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments readily convertible within three months or less to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

(m) Trade and Other Receivables

Trade receivables, which are generally due for settlement at the relevant quarter end are recognised and carried at the original invoice amount less an allowance for any uncollectible amounts. An estimate for doubtful debts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are written off when identified.

(n)  Reserves Special Reserve

The special reserve is a distributable reserve to be used for all purposes permitted under Guernsey law, including the buyback of shares and the payment of dividends.

Capital Reserve

The following are accounted for in this reserve:

- gains and losses on the disposal of investment properties

- increases and decreases in the fair value of investment properties held at the year end

 

Revenue Reserve

Any surplus arising from the net profit on ordinary activities after taxation and payment of dividends is taken to this reserve, with any deficit charged to the special distributable reserve.

 

Interest Rate Swap Reserve

Any surplus/deficit arising from the marked to market valuation of the swap instrument is credited/charged to this account.

Treasury Share Reserve

This represents the cost of shares bought back by the Company and held in Treasury.

(o) Interest-bearing borrowings

All bank loans and borrowings are initially recognised at cost, being the fair value of the consideration received net of arrangement costs associated with the borrowing. After initial recognition, all interest bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any loan arrangement costs and any discount or premium on settlement.

On maturity, bank loans are recognised at par, which is equivalent to amortised cost. Bank loans redeemed before maturity are recognised at amortised cost with any charges associated with early redemptions being taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

(p) Derivative financial instruments

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its risk associated with interest rate fluctuations.

Derivative instruments are initially recognised in the Balance Sheet at their fair value. Fair value is determined by reference to market values for similar instruments. Transaction costs are expensed immediately.

Gains or losses arising on the fair value of cash flow hedges in the form of derivative instruments are taken directly to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Such gains and losses are taken to a reserve created specifically for that purpose, described as the Interest Rate Swap Reserve in the Balance Sheet.

On maturity or early redemption the unrealised gains or losses arising from cash flow hedges in the form of derivative instruments, initially recognised in Other Comprehensive Income, are transferred to profit or loss.

The Group considers its interest rate swaps qualify for hedge accounting when the following criteria are satisfied:

- The instrument must be related to an asset or liability - It must change the character of the interest rate by converting a variable rate to a fixed rate or vice versa;

- It must match the principal amounts and maturity date of the hedged item; and

- As a cash flow hedge the forecast transaction (incurring interest payable on the bank loan) that is subject to the hedge must be highly probable and must present an exposure to variations in cash flows that could ultimately affect the profit or loss. The effectiveness of the hedge must be capable of reliable measurement and must be assessed as highly effective on an ongoing basis throughout the financial reporting periods for which the hedge was designated.

 

If a derivative instrument does not satisfy the Group's criteria to qualify for hedge accounting that instrument will be deemed as an ineffective hedge.

Should any portion of an ineffective hedge be directly related to an underlying asset or liability, that portion of the derivative instrument would be assessed against the Group's effective hedge criteria to establish if that portion qualifies to be recognised as an effective hedge.

Where a portion of an ineffective hedge qualifies against the Group's criteria to be classified as an effective hedge that portion of the derivative instrument is accounted for as a separate and effective hedge instrument and included in other comprehensive income.

Gains or losses arising on any derivative instrument or portion of a derivative instrument which is deemed to be ineffective are recognised in the profit or loss. Gains and losses, regardless of whether related to effective or ineffective hedges, are taken to a reserve created specifically for that purpose described in the balance sheet as the Interest Rate Swap Reserve.

(q) New standards not applied

There are a number of new standards, amendments and interpretations that have been issued but are not yet effective for this accounting year and have not been adopted early. The impact of these standards has not yet been assessed by the Group but will be in due course. There have been other new and amended standards issued in 2012 which are not effective for the accounting period under review. However, these are not considered to be applicable and hence not discussed.

IAS 1 Financial Statement Presentation - Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income

The amendments to IAS 1 change the grouping of items presented in OCI. Items that could be reclassified (or recycled) to profit or loss at a future point in time (for example, upon derecognition or settlement) would be presented separately from items that will never be reclassified. The amendment becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2012.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement

IFRS 9 as issued reflects the first phase of the IASB's work on the replacement of IAS 39 and applies to classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities as defined in IAS 39. The standard was initially effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013, but Amendments to IFRS 9 Mandatory Effective Date of IFRS 9 and Transition Disclosures, issued in December 2011, moved the mandatory effective date to 1 January 2015. In subsequent phases, the IASB will address hedge accounting and impairment of financial assets.

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements

IFRS 10 replaces the portion of IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements that addresses the accounting for consolidated financial statements. IFRS 10 establishes a single control model that applies to all entities including special purpose entities. The changes introduced by IFRS 10 will require management to exercise significant judgement to determine which entities are controlled, and therefore, are required to be consolidated by a parent, compared with the requirements that were in IAS 27. This standard becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements

IFRS 11 replaces IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures and SIC-13 Jointly-controlled Entities - Non-monetary Contributions by Venturers. IFRS 11 removes the option to account for jointly controlled entities (JCEs) using proportionate consolidation. Instead, joint arrangements that meet the definition of a Joint Venture must be accounted for using the equity method. Otherwise joint arrangements are accounted for by recognising the Group's share of the arrangements assets and liabilities. IFRS 11 becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Involvement with Other Entities

IFRS 12 includes all of the disclosures that were previously in IAS 27 related to consolidated financial statements, as well as all of the disclosures that were previously included in IAS 31 and IAS 28. These disclosures relate to an entity's interests in subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and structured entities. A number of new disclosures are also required including: a requirement to disclose judgements made in determining if the Group controls, has joint control or significant influence over an entity; and a requirement to disclose judgements made in determining the type of joint arrangement in which the Group has an interest. This standard becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement

IFRS 13 establishes a single source of guidance under IFRS for all fair value measurements. IFRS 13 does not change when an entity is required to use fair value, but rather provides guidance on how to measure fair value under IFRS when fair value is required or permitted. IFRS 13 becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

 

In May 2010, the IASB issued improvements to IFRS for 2012 which became effective for periods ending October 2012 and thereafter. These covered seven amendments to four standards and one interpretation, none of which materially affected the Group.

 

 

2.Fees


Year ended

Year ended


31 December 2012

31 December 2011


£'000

£'000

Investment management fee

7,418

7,346

 

The Company's Investment Manager, Ignis Investment Services Limited, receives an aggregate annual fee from the Group at an annual rate of 0.75 per cent of the of the Total Assets, less the amount of the Group's borrowings, plus an amount calculated at the rate of 0.50 per cent, of the value of the assets of the Group represented by borrowings. Due to the increasing complexity of the Group structure, the Board agreed to increase the administration fee payable to the Manager. The Investment Manager is now entitled to an administration fee amounting to £165,000 (2011: £114,000) which will increase annually in line with inflation. Both fees are payable quarterly in arrears. The fees of any managing agents appointed by the Investment Manager are payable out of the Investment Management fee. The Investment Management agreement is terminable by any of the parties to it on 12 months' notice.

 

3. Other expenses


Year ended

31 December 2012

£'000

Year ended

31 December 2011

£'000

Professional fees

1,700

1,353

Movement in bad debt provision

170

362

Directors' fees*

170

132

Administration fee

165

114

Facility fees

348

607

Administration and company secretarial fees

85

87

Regulatory fees

104

90

Auditor's remuneration for:



Statutory audit

48

49

Taxation advisory services

60

182

Other expenses

171

153


3,021

3,129

*In the year ended 31 December 2011 other than Mr Robertson, the Directors received an additional £5,000 each in relation to the set up of a new loan facility. This £20,000 was charged to set up costs to be amortised over the life of the loan facility and is therefore not included in the cost of £132,000.

 

4.Finance costs

Year ended

31 December 2012

£'000

Year ended

31 December 2011

£'000

 

Interest on principal loan amount

4,141

1,695

Amounts payable in respect of interest rate swap arrangement

3,717

2,255

Amortisation of loan set up fees

243


4,193

 

 

5. Taxation

UK Commercial Property Trust Limited owns four Guernsey tax exempt subsidiaries, UK Commercial Property GP Limited (GP), UK Commercial Property Holdings Limited (UKCPH), UK Commercial Property Estates Limited (UKCPEL) and UK Commercial Property Estates Holdings Limited (UKCPEH) (formerly SCP Group Limited (SCP)). GP and UKCPH are partners in a Guernsey Limited Partnership ("the Partnership") and own six Jersey Property Unit Trusts. UKCPEL owns three Jersey Property Unit Trusts. The Partnership, UKCPH and UCKPEL own a portfolio of UK properties and derived rental income from those properties. As the Partnership, GP, UKCPH, UKCPEL and UKCPEH are considered tax transparent in the UK, their taxable results are liable to UK income tax at the rate of 20 per cent on their respective net rental income.

A reconciliation of the income tax charge applicable to the results from ordinary activities at the statutory income tax rate to the charge for the year is as follows:

 


Year ended

Year ended


31 December 2012

31 December 2011


£'000

£'000

Net profit before tax

(4,954)

53,045

UK income tax at a rate of 20 per cent

(991)

10,609

Effect of:



Capital losses/(gains) on investment properties not taxable

10,786

(1,955)

Lease incentive adjustment not allowable for tax purposes

193

935

Capital losses realised not taxable

725

-

Income not taxable

(74)

(37)

Intercompany loan interest

(12,520)

(11,744)

Expenditure not allowed for income tax purposes

1,466

1,463

Deferred tax asset not provided for

415

729

Total tax charge

-

-

 

The Group has unused tax losses carried forward of £26,257,978 (2011: £22,084,000). These will only be utilised if the Group has profits chargeable to income tax in the future.

The Company and its subsidiaries are exempt from Guernsey taxation under the Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1989. A fixed annual fee of £600 per company is payable to the States of Guernsey in respect of this exemption. No charge to Guernsey taxation will arise on capital gains.

The Directors intend to conduct the Group's affairs such that management and control is not exercised in the United Kingdom and so that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries carries on any trade in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the Company and its subsidiaries will not be liable for United Kingdom taxation on their income or gains other than certain income deriving from a United Kingdom source.

 

6.Dividends

2011 Fourth interim of 1.3125p per share paid

Year ended

31 December 2012

£'000

Year ended

31 December 2011

£'000

28 February 2012 (2010 Fifth interim: 1.3125p)

15,715

15,715

 

2012 First interim of 1.3125p per share paid



 

31 May 2012 (2011 First interim: 1.3125p)

15,715

15,715

 

2012 Second interim of 1.3125p per share paid



 

31 August 2012 (2011 Second interim: 1.3125p)

15,715

15,715

 

2012 Third interim of 1.3125p per share paid



 

30 November 2012 (2011 Third interim: 1.3125p)

15,715

15,715

 


62,860

62,860

 

 

A fourth interim dividend of 1.3125p was paid on 28 February 2013 to shareholders on the register on 13 February 2013. Although this payment relates to the year ended 31 December 2012, under International Financial Reporting Standards it will be accounted for in the year ending 31 December 2013.

 

7.Basic and diluted Earnings per Share

The earnings per share (EPS) are based on the net loss for the year of £4,954,000 (2011: profit £53,045,000) and on 1,197,348,858 (2011: 1,197,348,858) Ordinary Shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year (excluding Treasury Shares). As there are no dilutive instruments outstanding, basic and diluted earnings per share are identical.

The EPRA EPS for the year ended 31 December 2012 is 4.47p per share (2011: 4.32p). This is calculated after excluding any losses/gain on investment properties and losses arising on ineffective portions of interest rate swaps from the Net (loss)/profit for the year.

 

 

 

 



8.Investment Properties

Freehold and Leasehold properties

Year ended 31 December 2012

£'000

Year ended

31 December 2011

£'000

Opening valuation

1,011,775

898,750

Purchases at cost

63,545

100,610

Capital expenditure

7,332

7,317

(Loss)/gain on revaluation to market value

(56,157)

9,773

Disposals at prior year valuation

(10,000)

-

Adjustment for lease incentives

(963)

(4,675)

Fair value at 31 December 2012

1,015,532

1,011,775

(Losses)/gains on investment properties at fair value comprise



Valuation (losses)/gains

(56,157)

9,773

Movement in provision for lease incentives

(963)

(4,675)

Loss on disposal

(1,400)

-


(58,520)

5,098

Losses on investment properties sold



Original cost of investment properties sold

(12,227)

-

Sale proceeds

8,600

-

Losses on investment properties sold

(3,627)

-

Recognised in previous periods

(2,227)

-

Recognised in current period

(1,400)

-


(3,627)

-

 

CB Richard Ellis Limited, Chartered Surveyors (the "Property Valuer") completed a valuation of Group investment properties at 31 December 2012 on an open market basis in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Standards issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which is deemed to equate to market value. Market value is determined by reference to market based evidence, which is the amount for which each asset could be exchanged between a knowledgeable, willing buyer and a knowledgeable, willing seller in an arms length transaction as at the valuation date. The market value of these investment properties amounted to £1,021,170,000 (2011 - £1,016,450,000). The difference between the market value and the fair value at 31 December 2012 consists of accrued income relating to the pre-payment for rent-free periods recognised over the life of the lease totalling £5,638,000 (2011 - £4,675,000) which is separately recorded in the accounts as a current asset.

The Group has entered into leases on its property portfolio as lessor (See note 18 for further information). No one property accounts for more than 15 per cent of the gross assets of the Group. All leasehold properties have more than 60 years remaining on the lease term. There are no restrictions on the realisability of the Group's investment properties or on the remittance of income or proceeds of disposal. However, the Group's investments comprise UK commercial property, which may be difficult to realise. Property and property related assets are inherently difficult to value due to the individual nature of such property. As a result, valuations are subject to substantial uncertainty. There is no assurance that the estimates resulting from the valuation process will reflect the actual sales price even where the actual sales occur shortly after the valuation date.

In addition to the above, the property portfolio fair value as at 31 December 2012 is based on the following:

·      The Estimated Net Annual Rent for each property, which is based on the current rental value of each of the properties, which reflects the terms of the leases where the property, or part of the property, are let at the date of valuation. If the property, or parts thereof, are vacant at the date of valuation, the rental value reflects the rent the valuer considers would be obtainable on an open market letting as at the date of valuation.

·      The valuer has assumed that all rent reviews are to be assessed by reference to full current rents. Also there is an assumption that all tenants will meet their obligations under their leases, and are responsible for insurance, payment of business rates, and all repairs, whether directly or by means of a service charge.

·      The valuer has not made any adjustments to reflect any liability to taxation that may arise on disposal, nor any costs associated with disposals incurred by the owner.

·      The valuer assumes an initial yield in the region of 5 to 7 per cent for the majority of the properties, with the reversionary yield being in the region of 5 to 8 per cent.

·      The property valuer takes account of deleterious materials included in the construction of the investment properties in arriving at its estimate of open market valuation when the Investment Manager advises of the presence of such materials.

The majority of the leases are on a full repairing basis and as such the Group is not liable for costs in respect of repairs or maintenance to its investment properties.

Sensitivity analysis

The table below presents the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in the most significant assumptions underlying the valuation of investment property.


2012

2011


£'000

£'000

Increase in yield of 25bps

(39,070)

(40,430)

Increase in expected vacancy rate of 1%

(10,411)

(10,312)

 

9.Investment in Subsidiary Undertakings

The Company owns 100 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of UK Commercial Property Holdings Limited (UKCPH), a company incorporated in Guernsey whose principal business is that of an investment and property company.

 

The Company owns 100 per cent of the issued share capital of UK Commercial Property GP Limited, (GP), a company incorporated in Guernsey whose principal business is that of an investment and property company.

 

UKCPT Limited Partnership, (GLP), is a Guernsey limited partnership, and it holds a portfolio of properties. UKCPH and GP, have a partnership interest of 99 and 1 per cent respectively in the GLP. The GP is the general partner and UKCPH is a limited partner of the GLP.

 

The Company owns 100 per cent of the issued share capital of UK Commercial Property Nominee Limited, a company incorporated in Guernsey whose principal business is that of a nominee company.

 

The Company owns 100 per cent of the issued share capital of UK Commercial Property Estates Holdings Limited (formerly SCP Group Limited), a company incorporated in Guernsey whose principal business is that of a holding company. UK Commercial Property Estates Holdings Limited owns 100 per cent of the issued share capital of UK Commercial Property Estates Limited, a company incorporated in Guernsey whose principal business is that of an investment and property company.

 

In addition the Group wholly owns nine Jersey Property Unit Trusts. The principal business of the Unit Trusts is that of investment in property.

 

10.Trade and other receivables


2012

2011


£'000

£'000

Rents receivable (net of provision for bad debts)

 1,240

 513

Other debtors and prepayments

6,784

6,196


8,024

6,709

 

Rental income which has not been provided for is considered recoverable and has not been impaired.

 

11.Trade and other payables


2012

2011


£'000

£'000

Rental income received in advance

14,942

14,814

Investment Manager fee payable

1,861

1,904

VAT payable

2,819

2,301

Other payables

2,702

4,995


22,324

24,014

 

The Group's payment policy is to ensure settlement of supplier invoices in accordance with stated terms.

 

12.Bank Loans and Interest rate swaps


2012

2011


£'000

£'000

Total Facilities available

230,000

230,000

Drawn down:



Lloyds facility

80,000

80,000

Barclays facility

150,000

 60,000

Set up costs incurred

(2,541)

(2,541)

Accumulated amortisation of set up costs

 728

364

Accrued variable rate interest on bank loan

647

318

Total due

228,834

138,141

 

(i) Lloyds Facility

The Company has a seven year £80 million facility, maturing in June 2015, with Lloyds Banking Group plc, all of which is drawn down. The bank loan is secured on a proportion of the property portfolio of the Group. Under bank covenants related to the loan the Company is to ensure that at all times:

 

·    The loan to value percentage does not exceed 50 per cent (this is defined as the ratio of the loan compared to the aggregate of the open market property valuations plus any cash deposits);

 

·      The qualifying adjusted net rental income for any calculation period (any 3 month period) is not less than 175 per cent of the projected finance costs for that period;

 

·      No single tenant accounts for more than 30 per cent of the total net rental income;

 

·        The five largest tenants do not account for more than 50 per cent of total net rental income;

 

·      No single property accounts for more than 25 per cent of the gross secured asset value (this is defined as the sum of the value of the properties as stated in the latest valuations plus any cash deposits);

The Company met all the covenant tests during the year.

Interest rate exposure has been hedged by the purchase of two interest rate swap contracts. The hedge has been achieved by matching the notional amount of the swaps with the loan principal and matching the swap term to the loan term.

Interest on the swaps is receivable at a variable rate calculated on the same LIBOR basis as for the bank loan (as detailed below but excluding margins) and payable at a fixed rate of 3.0 per cent per annum on £42.1 million and 2.215 per cent per annum on £37.9 million respectively. The fair value of the liability in respect of the two interest rate swap contracts at 31 December 2012 is £4 million (2011: £4 million) which is based on the marked to market value. Both swaps are deemed effective for accounting purposes.

Interest is payable by the Company at a rate equal to the aggregate of LIBOR, mandatory costs of the Bank and a margin. The applicable margin depends on the ratio of all loans made available to the Company (under the Bank Facility or otherwise) to the "Gross Assets Value", expressed as a percentage (the "LTV Percentage"). "Gross Assets Value" takes into account the value of the properties and any other assets held by the Company and the Guarantors (currently UK Commercial Property Holdings Limited, UK Commercial Property GP Limited and UKCPT Limited Partnership) as well as unsecured cash. If the LTV percentage is greater than 5 per cent and does not exceed 10 per cent, the margin is 0.55 per cent per annum. If the LTV percentage is greater than 10 per cent and does not exceed 40 per cent, the margin is 0.60 per cent per annum. If the LTV percentage is greater than 40 per cent and does not exceed 50 per cent, the margin is 0.70 per cent per annum. As at 31 December 2012 the applicable margin was 0.60 per cent.

(ii) Barclays Facility

The Group also has a seven year £150 million facility, maturing in May 2018, with Barclays Bank plc taken out in May 2011. As at 31 December 2012 this entire loan was drawn down. The bank loan is secured on the property portfolio held by UKCPEL. Under bank covenants related to the loan UKCPEL is to ensure that at all times:

·        The loan to value percentage does not exceed 60 per cent

·        Interest cover at the relevant payment date is not less than 160 per cent

UKPCEL met all covenant tests during the year.

Interest rate exposure has been hedged by the purchase of three interest rate swap contracts. The hedge has been achieved by matching the notional amount of the swaps with the loan principal and matching the swap term to the loan term.

As at 31 December 2012 the Group had in place interest rate swaps totalling £150 million with Barclays Bank plc (2011: £100 million). All of these interest rate swaps effectively hedged the current drawn down loan with Barclays Bank plc (2011: £60 million). The remainder of the interest rate swap in 2011 was deemed as an ineffective swap under International Financial Reporting Standards.

Interest on the swaps is receivable at a variable rate calculated on the same LIBOR basis as for the bank loan (as detailed below but excluding margins) and payable at a fixed rate of 2.9925 per cent per annum on the £100 million swap, 1.2 per cent per annum on the £30 million swap and 1.893 per cent per annum on the £20 million swap. The fair value of the liability in respect of the interest rate swap contracts at 31 December 2012 is £12.6 million (2011: £9.3 million) which is based on the marked to market value.

Interest is payable by UKPCEL at a rate equal to the aggregate of LIBOR, mandatory costs of the Bank and a margin. The applicable margin depends on the ratio of all loans made available to the Company (under the Bank Facility or otherwise) to the market value of the property portfolio in UKCPEL expressed as a percentage (the "LTV Percentage") as well as any cash generated from the sale of one of these properties. If the LTV percentage is equal to or less than 25 per cent, the margin is 1.60 per cent per annum. If the LTV Percentage is greater than 25 per cent and does not exceed 35 per cent, the margin is 1.70 per cent per annum. If the LTV Percentage is greater than 35 per cent and does not exceed 40 per cent, the margin is 1.85 per cent per annum. If the LTV Percentage is greater than 40 per cent and does not exceed 45 per cent, the margin is 1.95 per cent per annum. If the LTV Percentage is greater than 45 per cent and does not exceed 60 per cent, the margin is 2.0 per cent per annum. As at 31 December 2012 the applicable margin was 1.70 per cent.

(iii) Total Facilities

As at 31 December 2012 the Group therefore had in place aggregate interest rate swap instruments totalling £230 million all of which were deemed to be effective hedges.

The revaluation of these swaps at the year end resulted in a loss arising on interest rate swaps of £3.3 million (2011: £12 million). Of the total loss arising on interest rate swaps, £3.3 million related to effective hedge instruments (2011: £8.3 million) and none of this

(2011: £3.7 million) related to ineffective hedge instruments. The ineffective portion of the loss is recognised in the profit and loss and the effective portion is recognised in other comprehensive income.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps as at 31 December 2012 amounted to £16.6 million (2011: £13.4 million). Based on current yield curves £4.6 million of this value relates to the next 12 months and is therefore classified as a current liability. The remainder is classified as a long term liability.

 

13.Share capital accounts


2012

2011


£'000

£'000

Share capital



Share capital as at 31 December

482,703

482,703

 

(number of shares in issue at the year end being 1,238,794,000)

 

Treasury shares



Balance in Treasury account as at 31 December

(25,264)

(25,264)

(number of shares held in Treasury being 41,445,142 Ordinary Shares of 25 pence each at 31 December 2012 and 2011).

 

Ordinary shareholders participate in all general meetings of the Company on the basis of one vote for each share held.

 

14.Net Asset Value per Share

The net asset value per ordinary share is based on net assets of £832,826,000 (2011: £903,912,000) and 1,197,348,858 (2011: 1,197,348,858) Ordinary Shares, being the number of Ordinary Shares in issue at the year end, excluding Treasury Shares.

 

15.Related Party Transactions

No Director has an interest in any transactions which are or were unusual in their nature or significant to the nature of the Group.

Ignis Investment Services Limited received fees for its services as investment managers. Further details are provided in notes 2 and 3. The total management fee charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income during the year was £7,418,000 (2011: £7,346,000) of which £1,818,000 (2011: £1,875,000) remained payable at the year end. The Investment Manager also received an administration fee of £165,000 (2011: £114,000), of which £41,000 (2011: £29,000) remained payable at the year end.

The Directors of the Company received fees for their services. Total fees for the year were £170,000 (2011: £152,500) none of which remained payable at the year end (2011: nil).

The Group invests in the Ignis Liquidity fund which is also managed by the Investment Manager. As at 31 December 2012 the Company had invested £14.9 million in the Ignis Liquidity Fund (2011: £12.7 million). This amount is included within cash and cash equivalents. No additional fees are payable to Ignis as a result of this investment.

The Company's immediate parent and ultimate controlling party are disclosed in the Report of the Directors.

 

16.Financial Instruments and Investment Properties

The Group's investment objective is to provide Ordinary Shareholders with an attractive level of income together with the potential for income and capital growth from investing in a diversified UK commercial property portfolio.

Consistent with that objective, the Group holds UK commercial property investments. The Group's financial instruments consist of cash, receivables and payables that arise directly from its operations and loan facilities and swap instruments.

The main risks arising from the Group's financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk and interest rate risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing its risk exposure. These policies are summarised below and remained unchanged during the year.

 

Fair values

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities is not materially different from the carrying value in the financial statements.

Fair value hierarchy

The following table shows an analysis of the fair values of financial instruments recognised in the balance sheet by level of the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

31 December 2012

 Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total fair value


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Interest rate swap

-

(16,634)

-

(16,634)

31 December 2011

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total fair value


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Interest rate swap

-

(13,362)

-

(13,362)

 

Explanation of the fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Use of a model with inputs (other than quoted prices included in level 1) that are directly or indirectly observable market data.

 Level 3 - Use of a model with inputs that are not based on observable market data.

The fair value of the derivative interest rate swap contract is estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using current market interest rates and yield curves over the remaining term of the instrument.

Real Estate Risk

The Group has identified the following risks associated with the real estate portfolio:

·        The cost of any development schemes may increase if there are delays in the planning process. The Group uses advisers who are experts in the specific planning requirements in the scheme's location in order to reduce the risks that may arise in the planning process;

·        A major tenant may become insolvent causing a significant loss of rental income and a reduction in the value of the associated property (see also credit risk below). To reduce this risk, the Group reviews the financial status of all prospective tenants and decides on the appropriate level of security required via rental deposits or guarantees;

·        The exposure of the fair values of the portfolio to market and occupier fundamentals.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the market value of properties and financial instruments will change. A 10 per cent increase in the fair value of the investment properties held as at 31 December 2012 would have increased net assets available to shareholders and increased the net profit by £101.6 million (2011: £101.2 million). A 10 per cent decrease in the fair value would have reduced net assets available to shareholders and net profit by £101.6 million (2011: £101.2 million).

The calculations above are based on investment property valuations at the respective balance sheet dates and are not representative of the year as a whole, nor reflective of future market conditions.

 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or counterparty will be unable or unwilling to meet a commitment that it has entered into with the Group.

 

 



At the reporting date, the maturity of the Group's financial assets was:

 

Financial Assets 2012

3 months or less

£'000

More than
3 months but less
than one year
£'000

More than
one year

£'000

Total

£'000

Cash and Cash equivalents

77,062

-

-

77,062

Rent receivable

1,240

-

-

1,240

Other debtors

200

63

827

1,090


78,502

63

827

79,392

Financial Assets 2011

3 months

More than

More than

Total


or less

3 months but less
than one year

one year



£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash and Cash equivalents

60,945

-

-

60,945

Rent receivable

513

-

-

513

Other debtors

-

145

561

706


61,458

145

561

62,164

 

In the event of default by a tenant, the Group will suffer a rental shortfall and incur additional costs, including legal expenses, in maintaining, insuring and re-letting the property until it is re-let. The Board receives regular reports on concentrations of risk and any tenants in arrears. The Investment Manager monitors such reports in order to anticipate and minimise the impact of defaults by tenants.

The Company has a diversified tenant portfolio. The maximum credit risk from the rent receivables of the Group at 31 December 2012 is £1,240,000 (2011: £513,000). The Group holds rental deposits of £827,000 (2011: £561,000) as collateral against tenant arrears/defaults. There is no credit risk associated with the financial liabilities of the Group.

All of the cash is placed with financial institutions with a credit rating of A or above. A sum of £14.9 million (2011: £12.7 million) of the year end cash balance is held in the Ignis Liquidity Fund, which is a money market fund and has a triple A rating. Bankruptcy or insolvency of a financial institution may cause the Group's ability to access cash placed on deposit to be delayed or limited. Should the credit quality or the financial position of the banks currently employed significantly deteriorate, the Investment Manager would move the cash holdings to another financial institution subject to restrictions under the loan facility.

There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in realising assets or otherwise raising funds to meet financial commitments. While commercial properties are not immediately realisable, the Group has sufficient cash resources to meet liabilities.

The Group's liquidity risk is managed on an ongoing basis by the Investment Manager and monitored on a quarterly basis by the Board. In certain circumstances, the terms of the Group's bank loan entitles the lender to require early repayment, and in such circumstances the Group's ability to maintain dividend levels and the net asset value attributable to the ordinary shares could be adversely affected.

As at 31 December 2012 the cash balance was £77,062,000 (2011: £60,945,000).

 

At the reporting date, the maturity of the Group's liabilities was:

Financial Liabilities 2012

3 months
or less

£'000

More than
3 months but less
than one year
£'000

More than
one year

£'000

Total

£'000

Bank loan and interest rate swap

2,252

6,755

264,389

273,396

Other creditors

18,678

-

827

19,505


20,930

6,755

265,216

292,901

Financial Liabilities 2011

3 months

More than

More than

Total


or less

3 months but less
than one year

one year



£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Bank loan

1,546

4,639

176,395

182,580

Other creditors

21,152

-

561

21,713


22,698

4,639

176,956

204,293

 

Interest rate risk

The cash balance as shown in the Balance Sheet, is its carrying amount and has a maturity of less than one year.

Interest is receivable on cash at a variable rate ranging from 0.2 per cent to 0.9 per cent at the year end and deposits are re-priced at intervals of less than one year.

An increase of 1 per cent in interest rates as at the reporting date would have increased the reported profit by £771,000 (2011: increased the reported profit by £1,009,000). A decrease of 1 per cent would have reduced the reported profit by £771,000 (2011: decreased the reported profit by £1,009,000). The effect on equity is nil (excluding the impact of a charge in retained earnings as a result of a change in net profit).

As the Company's bank loans have been hedged by interest rate swaps, these loans are not subject to interest rate cashflow risk.

As at 31 December 2012 the Company had in place a total of £230 million of interest rate swap instruments (2011: £180 million). The values of these instruments are marked to market and will change if interest rates change. It is estimated that an increase of 1 per cent in interest rates would result in the swap liability falling by £9.2 million which would increase the reported profit by the same amount. A decrease of 1 per cent in interest rates would result in the swap liability increasing by £9.2 million which would decrease the reported profit by the same amount.

 

The other financial assets and liabilities of Group are non-interest bearing and are therefore not subject to interest rate risk.

Foreign Currency Risk

There was no foreign currency risk as at 31 December 2012 or 31 December 2011 as assets and liabilities of the Group are maintained in pounds Sterling.

Capital Management Policies

The Group considers that capital comprises issued ordinary shares, net of shares held in Treasury, and long-term borrowings. The Group's capital is deployed in the acquisition and management of property assets meeting the Group's investment criteria with a view to earning returns for shareholders which are typically made by way of payment of regular dividends. The Company also has a policy on the buyback of shares which it sets out in the Directors' Authority to Buy Back Shares section of the Directors' Report.

The Group's capital is managed in accordance with investment policy which is to hold a diversified property portfolio of freehold and long leasehold UK commercial properties. The Group invests in income producing properties. The Group will principally invest in four commercial property sectors: office, retail, industrial and leisure. The Group is permitted to invest up to 15 per cent of its Total Assets in indirect property funds and other listed investment companies. The Group is permitted to invest cash, held by it for working capital purposes and awaiting investments, in cash deposits, gilts and money market funds.

The Group monitors capital primarily through regular financial reporting and also through a gearing policy. Gearing is defined as gross borrowings divided by total assets less current liabilities. The Group's gearing policy is set out in the Investment Policy section of the Report of the Directors. The Group is not subject to externally imposed regulatory capital requirements but does have banking covenants on which it monitors and reports on a quarterly basis. Included in these covenants are requirements to monitor loan to value ratios which is calculated as the amount of outstanding debt divided by the market value of the properties secured. The Group's Loan to value ratio is shown below.

 

The Group did not breach any of its loan covenants, nor did it default on any other of its obligations under its loan arrangements in the year to 31 December 2012.

 


2012

2011


£'000

£'000

Carrying amount of interest-bearing loans and borrowings

228,834

138,141

External valuation of completed investment property

1,021,170

1,016,450

Loan to value ratio

22.41%

13.59%

 

17.Capital Commitments

The Company has no contracted capital commitments as at 31 December 2012 (31 December 2011 - nil).

 

18.Lease Length

The Group leases out its investment properties under operating leases.

The future income under non-cancellable operating leases, based on the unexpired lease length at the year end was as follows (based on total rentals):

 


31 December 2012

31 December 2011


£'000

£'000

Less than one year

70,492

69,767

Between one and five years

210,029

211,816

Over five years

336,781

365,574

Total

617,302

647,157

 

The largest single tenant at the year end accounted for 6.04 per cent (2011: 6.13 per cent) of the current annual rental income.

The unoccupied property expressed as a percentage of annualised total rental value was 4.8 per cent (2011: 3.4 per cent) at the year end.

The Group has entered into commercial property leases on its investment property portfolio. These properties, held under operating leases, are measured under the fair value model as the properties are held to earn rentals. The majority of these non-cancellable leases have remaining non-cancellable lease terms of between 1 and 15 years.

 

19.Service charge

The Company's managing agents Jones Lang LaSalle manage service charge accounts for all the Company's properties. The Company pays the service charge on any vacant units. Service charges on rental properties are recharged to tenants. The total service charge incurred in the year to 31 December 2012 was £7.3 million (2011: £6.7 million). Of this figure, the service charge paid by the Group in respect of void units was £1.3 million (2011: £1.1 million). These amounts are included in direct property expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

20.Post Balance Sheet Events

On 31 January 2013, the Company sold 2-8 Buchanan Street, Glasgow for £10.45 million which was in-line with valuation.

 

 

 

This Annual Financial Report announcement is not the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012 received an audit report which was unqualified.

 

 

The Annual Report will be posted to shareholders in April 2013 and additional copies will be available from the Manager (Tel. 0141 222 8606) or by download from the Company's webpage (www.ukcpt.co.uk).

 

Please note that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the amount they originally invested.

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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