Interim Results
Highcroft Investments PLC
05 August 2004
Highcroft Investments PLC
for the six months ended 30 June 2004
• Interim dividend increased by 8.0% to 4.05p per share
• Operating profit before disposals of assets increased by 3.2% to £772,000
• Pre tax profit after disposals of assets down by 7.5% to £773,000
• Net assets per share up to 676p (2003: 653p)
Chairman's Statement
Summary
I am pleased to report that, in the six months to 30 June 2004, we have achieved
another increase in operating profits and that our net asset value has risen to
676p per share which is again its highest ever reported value. We have made
further moves, albeit modest, in altering the balance of our interests more
towards property and our balance sheet remains strong. The interim dividend is
4.05p (2003: 3.75p) an increase of 8.0%, continuing our policy of payments in
excess of inflation. The dividend is payable on 20 October 2004.
Operating Activities
Operating profit - which reflects the underlying income of the Group, excluding
the more volatile short term gains or losses on capital items - increased by
3.2% to £772,000 despite extensive repairs to one residential property. Rental
income was steady and investment income, including interest, was up 7.0% on the
equivalent period in 2003.
Capital Activities
Having reviewed a number of opportunities, we announced in May that we had
purchased a property located in Cirencester. The property comprises three
retail units let to Going Places, Card Warehouse and Ladbrokes on leases which
expire in 2009, 2014 and 2017 respectively. The property was acquired for
£1,515,000 plus costs and paid for from available cash. The net income from the
property is approximately £91,000 per year producing an initial yield of 5.7%.
This was another step in implementing the Board's strategy of modifying the
allocation of funds in order to place a greater focus on the property portfolio.
While we continue to look for properties which will enhance the portfolio and
secure rising rental income over the medium to long term, shareholders will be
aware that the next purchase may be funded to a significant extent by long term
loan finance.
There was a £662,000 surplus on revaluation of our property portfolio an
increase of 2.9% on a like for like basis. The independent valuers upheld the
valuation we put on our Cirencester purchase.
With our listed investment portfolio, we made investments of £453,000 and sold
various holdings for £610,000, a net withdrawal from the portfolio of £157,000.
At 30 June 2004, there was a surplus on revaluation of £21,000 - the value of
the portfolio being £7,926,000, an increase of 0.3% on a like for like basis
Taxation
The taxation charge has risen to £191,000 (June 2003: £186,000) and in addition
there is a £39,000 tax liability on realised revaluation gains which has been
deducted from the realised capital reserve.
Net Asset Value
At 30 June 2004, net asset value was 676p per share (against 635p at June 2003
and 656p at 31 December 2003). This has been a pleasing trend and the most
recent increase comes from all sources - a property portfolio surplus of
£662,000, a £21,000 rise in the value of listed investments and retained profits
of £372,000.
The Future
We have a solid trading outlook and balance sheet which gives us confidence as
we move towards greater emphasis on our property interests. We believe we can
continue to enhance shareholder value over the medium term and it remains our
intention to raise dividends in real terms year-on-year.
G J Kingerlee
4 August 2004
Group Profit and Loss Account (Unaudited)
for the six months ended 30 June 2004
First Half First Half Full Year
Note 2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Income from fixed asset investments
and other interest receivable
From properties 731 725 1,457
From investments, including net interest receivable 153 143 301
884 868 1,758
Administrative expenses 112 120 209
Operating profit 772 748 1,549
Gain on disposals of assets 2 1 88 158
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 773 836 1,707
Taxation 3 191 186 409
Profit for the financial period 582 650 1,298
(Gain) on disposals of assets after taxation
transferred to realised capital reserve (1) (88) (158)
Profit available for distribution 581 562 1,140
Dividends 4 209 194 568
Profit retained 372 368 572
Earnings per share 5
Including gains on disposals of assets 11.3 p 12.6 p 25.1 p
Excluding gains on disposals of assets 11.2 p 10.9 p 22.1 p
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
First Half First Half Full Year
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Profit for the financial period 582 650 1,298
Unrealised surplus on revaluation of:
investment properties 662 1,242 1,320
listed and unlisted investments 21 238 996
Tax on prior years' surplus realised in year (39) - -
Total recognised gains and losses for the period 1,226 2,130 3,614
Group Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
as at 30 June 2004
30 June 30 June 31 December
2004 2003 2003
Note £'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 6 27,697 25,358 25,436
Investments 7 7,927 7,584 8,062
35,624 32,942 33,498
Current assets
Debtors 400 471 532
Cash at bank and in hand - 366 1,079
400 837 1,611
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year 1,106 989 1,208
Net current (liabilities) /assets (706) (152) 403
Total assets less current liabilities 34,918 32,790 33,901
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 1,292 1,292 1,292
Revaluation reserve
- property 7,222 6,187 6,560
- other 3,254 2,708 3,542
Capital redemption reserve 95 95 95
Realised capital reserve 14,596 14,625 14,325
Profit and loss account 8,459 7,883 8,087
Shareholders' funds 34,918 32,790 33,901
Group Cash Flow Statement (Unaudited)
for the six months ended 30 June 2004
First Half First Half Full Year
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 873 1,227 1,977
Taxation
Taxation paid (218) (336) (530)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of fixed assets
- properties (1,599) (1,596) (1,596)
- listed investments (453) (262) (624)
Sale of fixed assets
- properties - 657 660
- listed investments 610 624 1,334
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure (1,442) (577) (226)
and financial investment
Net cash outflow from servicing of finance
Dividends paid (374) (343) (537)
(Decrease) / Increase in cash (1,161) (29) 684
Reconciliation of operating profit to net
cash flow from operating activities
Operating profit 772 748 1,549
Decrease in debtors 132 443 384
(Decrease) / Increase in creditors (31) 36 44
873 1,227 1,977
Notes (Unaudited)
1. Interim report
This interim report will not appear as an advertisement in any newspaper but
copies are being sent to all shareholders and are available at the company's
registered office. The results for the six months ended 30 June 2004 are
unaudited but have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent
with those set out in the audited report and financial statements for the year
ended 31 December 2003.
The interim report does not constitute full accounts as defined by the Companies
Act 1985 but should be read in conjunction with the most recent financial
statements. Full accounts for 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies, bearing an unqualified audit opinion.
2. Gain on disposals of assets
First Half First Half Full Year
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gain on disposals of assets arising on sales of:
Properties - 80 82
Investments 1 8 76
1 88 158
3. Taxation
First Half First Half Full Year
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Corporation tax 192 186 399
Prior year underprovision - - 10
192 186 409
The taxation charge has been based on the estimated effective tax rate for the
full year.
4. Dividends
The Board has declared an ordinary interim dividend of 4.05p per share (2003:
3.75p) payable on 20 October 2004 to shareholders registered at 17 September
2004.
5. Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit for the period of
£582,000 (2003: £650,000) and on 5,167,240 shares (2003: 5,167,240) which is the
weighted average number of shares in issue during the period ended 30 June 2004
and throughout the period since 1 January 2004. In view of the uneven nature of
capital disposals, an adjusted earnings per share has also been presented, based
on the profit available for distribution of £581,000 (2003: £562,000).
First Half First Half Full Year
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Earnings:
Basic earnings per share 582 650 1,298
Adjustment for (gain) on disposals of assets (1) (88) (158)
Adjusted earnings per share 581 562 1,140
Per share amount:
Basic earnings per share 11.3 p 12.6 p 25.1 p
Adjustment for (gain) on disposals of assets (0.1) p (1.7) p (3.0) p
Adjusted earnings per share 11.2 p 10.9 p 22.1 p
6. Tangible assets
Land and buildings (Investment properties) Total
£'000
Valuation at 1 January 2004 25,436
Additions 1,599
Surplus on revaluation 662
Valuation at 30 June 2004 27,697
The directors have used an independent valuation of properties at 30 June 2004, the basis of
which they believe to be consistent with the external valuation prepared for 31 December 2003.
7. Investments
Listed and unlisted Total
£'000
Valuation at 1 January 2004 8,062
Additions 453
Disposals (609)
Surplus on revaluation 21
Valuation at 30 June 2004 7,927
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