Half-year Report
RNS Number : 6089Z Fletcher King PLC 18 December 2017 FLETCHER KING PLC Interim Results for the 6 months ended 31 October 2017 Financial Highlights Turnover : 1,489,000 (2016: 1,680,000) PBT : 148,000 (2016: 163,000) Basic EPS : 1.26p per share (2016: 1.37p per share) Dividend : 1.00p per share (2016: 1.00p per share) Operational Highlights Performance continues to be supported by steady and predictable revenue from asset management and fund management clients. Revenues from ratings appeals and valuations were lower than normal during the period but this was compensated by a good volume of property sales. The two SHIPS properties, in which the company co-invests and acts as adviser, are now on the market for letting following completion of refurbishment programs. Commenting on the results David Fletcher, Chairman of Fletcher King said: "We had a reasonable first half which was much in line with expectations. Brexit uncertainty will continue to impact the market and sentiment will remain cautious. However, we expect steady progress for the remainder of the year during which we hope to have fully let and sold at least one of our SHIPS investment properties". ENQUIRIES: Fletcher King Plc David Fletcher Tel: 020 7493 8400 Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nomad) James Caithie / Tony Rawlinson Tel: 020 7213 0880 The interim results are available on the Company's website: www.fletcherking.co.uk CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Results Turnover for the period was 1,489,000 (2016: 1,680,000) with a profit before tax of 148,000 (2016: 163,000). Your Directors have declared an interim dividend of 1.0p per share (2016: 1.0p per share) to be paid on 16 February 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 19 January 2018. The Commercial Property Market Overall, with the exception of the retail sector, both the capital and leasing markets have generally held up well despite continued uncertainty surrounding the terms of our exit from the EU. The letting market for industrials is very strong, almost throughout the country, and is fuelled by the increase of online shopping. Conversely internet shopping is adversely impacting the retail letting market where demand is generally poor and rents are falling in many traditional high streets. Office rents in the major regional cities have been rising and demand is generally good. However, Central London office rents, particularly in the City, have fallen back from their previous highs but take-up is still reasonable for the very best stock. The investment market is very strong for industrials and well located offices and yields on industrials, in particular, are at their lowest ever. Retail however remains resolutely in the doldrums. Business Overview We had a reasonable first half which was much in line with expectations. The investment department was busy with a good volume of sales. The Valuation Office Agency continues to be very slow to progress outstanding 2010 Rating List appeals. Our volume of business was lower than anticipated as was the volume of bank valuation instructions. The asset management department continues to produce a steady and secure income flow. Outlook Brexit uncertainty will continue to impact the market and sentiment will remain cautious. We expect steady progress for the remainder of the year and there are signs of a pick-up in the volume of valuation instructions and rating appeals being listed for a hearing. The investment department has some good sales instructions which should be completed in the second half. The refurbishment of our two SHIPS properties is completed. The letting of the City building is slow but we have good interest in Clerkenwell. We would hope to have let and sold one of them by the year end. David Fletcher Chairman 15 December 2017 Fletcher King Plc Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income for the 6 months ended 31 October 2017
| 6 months ended | 6 months ended | Year ended | |||
| 31 October | 31 October | 30 April | |||
| 2017 (Unaudited) | 2016 (Unaudited) | 2017 (Audited) | |||
| 000 | 000 | 000 | |||
| Revenue | 1,489 | 1,680 | 4,094 | ||
| Employee benefits expense | (750) | (927) | (2,129) | ||
| Depreciation expense | (17) | (17) | (34) | ||
| Other operating expenses | (575) | (590) | (1,214) | ||
| Operating profit | 147 | 146 | 717 | ||
| Income from investments | - | 11 | 12 | ||
| Finance income | 1 | 6 | 9 | ||
| Profit before taxation | 148 | 163 | 738 | ||
| Taxation | (32) | (37) | (159) | ||
| Profit for the period | 116 | 126 | 579 | ||
| Total comprehensive income for the period | 116 | 126 | 579 | ||
| Earnings per share (note 4) | |||||
| - Basic | 1.26p | 1.37p | 6.29p | ||
| - Diluted | 1.25p | 1.37p | 6.29p | ||
| Dividends per share | |||||
| Interim dividend proposed | 1.00p | 1.00p | - | ||
| Dividends paid | 1.00p | 1.00p | 4.00p |
| 31 October | 31 October | 30 April | ||||
| 2017 (Unaudited) | 2016 (Unaudited) | 2017 (Audited) | ||||
| 000 | 000 | 000 | ||||
| Assets | ||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 13 | 32 | 16 | |||
| Available for sale investments | 1,588 | 1,368 | 1,588 | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 16 | 18 | 16 | |||
| 1,617 | 1,418 | 1,620 | ||||
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Trade and other receivables | 937 | 766 | 1,495 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,187 | 2,641 | 2,733 | |||
| 3,124 | 3,407 | 4,228 | ||||
| Total assets | 4,741 | 4,825 | 5,848 | |||
| Liabilities | ||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||
| Trade and other payables | 280 | 200 | 568 | |||
| Current taxation liabilities | 35 | 320 | 97 | |||
| Other creditors | 286 | 366 | 883 | |||
| Total liabilities | 601 | 886 | 1,548 | |||
| Shareholders' equity | ||||||
| Share capital | 921 | 921 | 921 | |||
| Share premium | 140 | 140 | 140 | |||
| Reserves | 3,079 | 2,878 | 3,239 | |||
| Total shareholders' equity | 4,140 | 3,939 | 4,300 | |||
| Total equity and liabilities | 4,741 | 4,825 | 5,848 | |||
| Profit | |||||||||
| Share | Share | and | TOTAL | ||||||
| capital | premium | loss | EQUITY | ||||||
| 000 | 000 | 000 | 000 | ||||||
| Balance at 1 May 2017 | 921 | 140 | 3,239 | 4,300 | |||||
| Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | 116 | 116 | |||||
| Equity dividends paid | - | - | (276) | (276) | |||||
| Balance at 31 October 2017 (Unaudited) | 921 | 140 | 3,079 | 4,140 | |||||
| Balance at 1 May 2016 | 921 | 140 | 2,844 | 3,905 | |||||
| Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | 126 | 126 | |||||
| Equity dividends paid | - | - | (92) | (92) | |||||
| Balance at 31 October 2016 (Unaudited) | 921 | 140 | 2,878 | 3,939 | |||||
| Balance at 1 May 2016 | 921 | 140 | 2,844 | 3,905 | |||||
| Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | 579 | 579 | |||||
| Equity dividends paid | - | - | (184) | (184) | |||||
| Balance at 30 April 2017 (Audited) | 921 | 140 | 3,239 | 4,300 |
| 6 months ended | 6 months ended | Year ended | ||||
| 31 October | 31 October | 30 April | ||||
| 2017 (Unaudited) | 2016 (Unaudited) | 2017 (Audited) | ||||
| 000 | 000 | 000 | ||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
| Profit before taxation from continuing operations | 148 | 163 | 738 | |||
| Adjustments for: | ||||||
| Depreciation expense | 17 | 17 | 34 | |||
| Income from investments | - | (11) | (12) | |||
| Finance income | (1) | (6) | (9) | |||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
| before movement in working capital | 164 | 163 | 751 | |||
| Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables | 558 | 105 | (624) | |||
| (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables | (885) | (306) | 579 | |||
| Cash (absorbed)/generated from operations | (163) | (38) | 706 | |||
| Taxation (paid)/ received | (94) | 2 | (342) | |||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | (257) | (36) | 364 | |||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
| Purchase of investments | - | (94) | (314) | |||
| Purchase of fixed assets | (14) | - | - | |||
| Finance income | 1 | 6 | 9 | |||
| Income from investments | - | 11 | 12 | |||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | (13) | (77) | (293) | |||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
| Dividends paid to shareholders | (276) | (92) | (184) | |||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (276) | (92) | (184) | |||
| Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents | (546) | (205) | (113) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at start of period | 2,733 | 2,846 | 2,846 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||
| at end of period | 2,187 | 2,641 | 2,733 | |||
| 6 months to 31 October 2017 Number | 6 months to 31 October 2016 Number | Year ended 30 April 2017 Number | |
| Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share | 9,209,779 | 9,209,779 | 9,209,779 |
| Share options | 58,907 | - | - |
| Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share | 9,268,686 | 9,209,779 | 9,209,779 |
| 000 | 000 | 000 | |
| Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share: | 116 | 126 | 579 |
| Basic earnings per share | 1.26p | 1.37p | 6.29p |
| Diluted earnings per share | 1.25p | 1.37p | 6.29p |