TIDM38EO
RNS Number : 1235T
Metropolitan Funding PLC
22 November 2021
Metropolitan Funding PLC
Thames Valley Housing Association (TVHA) trading update and
unaudited consolidated financial results for the six months ended
30 September 2021
TVHA, one of the UK's leading providers of affordable housing
and care and support services, announces a trading update for the
first six months (H1) of the financial year 2021/22.
Highlights
-- Operating surplus of GBP70.4m (H1 2020: GBP72.6m) and a total
surplus of GBP31.8m (H1 2020: GBP37.4m).
-- Operating margin of 33.2% (31.1%) for the first six months of the year
-- Revenues down 9% compared with equivalent period last year at
GBP212m (2020: GBP233m), largely due to prior year bulk sale at
Clapham Park to ResiCap.
-- Robust arrears performance of c.4.8% (March 2021 c.5%),
reflecting the extent of our support to customers through the
pandemic.
-- GBP750m (March 2021: GBP790m) of available liquidity.
-- Strong sales with 229 (245) units completed in the first
half. We have sold down stock and are well positioned to face any
future challenges in the market.
-- Total fire safety spend GBP8.1m (H1 2020 GBP5.7m).
-- S&P confirmed the Group rating as A- (Stable) in December
2020 and a second rating, A (Stable) was awarded by Fitch in July
2021.
-- Metropolitan Housing Trust (MHT) completed a GBP250m
Sustainable bond issue at a coupon of 1.875% (Yield 1.99%) as part
of a GBP2.0bn EMTN programme, supported by Ritterwald accreditation
and a SPO from imug.
-- 391 new homes completed (H1 2020: 302) and on track to
complete more than 820 new homes in the full year.
-- Selected as a Strategic Partner by Homes England and the GLA
as part of the new Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026, securing
GBP250m of grant funding for more than 2,500 homes.
-- A proposed new Joint Venture with Countryside for the
regeneration of Clapham Park, south London, was announced on 5
October 2021. The Venture aims to deliver nearly 2,500 homes over
the next 12 years alongside a raft of public realm, landscaping and
infrastructure upgrades and community investment initiatives.
Geeta Nanda, Chief Executive, commented:
"The final six months of the 2020/21 financial year have seen
MTVH start to move beyond the pandemic. We do so in a robust
financial position, underscored by both a healthy operating surplus
and a strong level of liquidity. Our position has been bolstered by
the establishment of a GBP2.0bn EMTN programme, as the precursor to
a GBP250m bond issue in July 2021. Our financial strength has been
highlighted by S&P which confirmed an A- (Stable) rating in
December 2020, while a second rating, A (Stable) was awarded by
Fitch in July 2021.
All our operations and customer services have been fully
restored to pre-pandemic levels, however, we are acutely aware that
many customers are facing financial and other pressures due to a
combination of factors including the removal of the Universal
Credit top up, the end of the government's furlough scheme and the
increasing cost of living. We remain thoroughly committed to their
wellbeing and ensuring that their needs continue to be met. It is
therefore particularly gratifying that rent arrears have decreased
during this half-year period, to c.4.8%, which is testament to the
support offered to customers amidst the recovery from the Covid-19
pandemic. Equally, there have been notable successes across our
frontline services. For example, despite the complexities of home
visits during the pandemic, our home repairs service maintained
excellent service and in fact complaints reduced significantly.
We have also revamped much of our online and digital offering to
customers, to offer a more direct and effective service. The recent
launch of our new corporate website is the first phase of bringing
together our digital assets and creating a single customer
experience. Meanwhile, our new rent collection software,
Powercurve, notifies customers of arrears much earlier, making it
easier to support customers during a period of financial
hardship.
Building safety remains a key priority for us as an organisation
and for our customers. We are keenly monitoring progress of the
Building Safety Bill, while ensuring that our Safer Buildings
programme continues to make good progress. We have recorded a total
spend of GBP8.1m on fire safety works during the period.
As the UK looks to meet zero-carbon targets, we continue to take
significant strides towards greener and more sustainable homes.
3,134 homes have benefitted from our wall cavity insulation
programme. The work completed is equivalent to GBP351,000 saved in
total bills and 1,419 annual tonnes of carbon saved. MTVH was
Highly Commended in an award for this work. In further recognition
of our efforts in this area, we received Sustainable Housing
Certification from Ritterwald.
Our development plans continue to flourish. 391 new homes were
completed during the second half of the financial year, placing us
on track to complete more than 820 new homes in the full year.
Significant progress has been made at our flagship regeneration
scheme at Clapham Park, South London. Countryside was selected as
our Joint Venture partner and will help deliver nearly 2,500 homes
over the next 12 years, plus a range of infrastructure upgrades,
community and environmental spaces, enhancing quality of life for
the entire community.
Looking ahead, we have enjoyed tremendous success in securing
grant funding for our future programme. MTVH was selected as a
Strategic Partner by Homes England, as part of the new Affordable
Homes Programme 2021-2026. In total, we have secured almost a
quarter of a billion pounds across Homes England and the GLA to
deliver 2,500 new affordable homes. We look forward to developing
these homes, boosting surrounding communities and giving more
people the opportunity to live well."
Board Membership Changes
The Board of MTVH is regularly refreshed in line with the NHF
Rules. Grania Long and Mike Dunn both retire by rotation at the end
of December 2021. Lesley-Anne Alexander CBE also retired on October
4 2021.
The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Denis Hone
CBE and Trevor Moross from 1 January 2022.
Results overview - Thames Valley Housing Group
H1 2020 comparatives include the initial impact of the Covid
lockdown and therefore a more realistic comparison is to H1 2019
results (RNS released 27 October 2091
https://www.mtvh.co.uk/?attachment_id=2437 ). Key H1 2019
highlights are Operating Surplus GBP68.4m, Operating margin 32.9%,
GBP128m spent on new property developments, GBP29m on capitalised
repairs and Overheads GBP89m. MTVH had GBP475m of available
liquidity at 30 September 2019.
Turnover from core Customer Services operations (ie excluding
home sales) was up 3% period on period as the business benefited
from another year of CPI +1% rent settlement. Increased fees and
other income offset the slight drop-in care and support income.
Revenues from home sales are down 41% largely due to the prior
period including the completion of 73 bulk sale units (worth
GBP32m) at Clapham Park to ResiCap. We sold 229 units (including
206 first tranche sales) in the first six months of the year,
compared to 245 (including 140 first tranche sales) in the same
period last year. In general, prices for homes, particularly Shared
Ownership, remain in line with our expectations, with a strong
pipeline. Average H1 sales margin was 17.3% (H1 2020: 12.4%).
Operating surplus (including profit from disposals) is GBP2.1m
lower than the same period last year at GBP70.4m (2020: GBP72.6m),
with higher profits on disposals of GBP12.9m buoyed by strong
staircasing and redemption activity. Operating costs are higher at
GBP99m (2020 GBP85m), as we invest in fire safety and our existing
stock, and operational improvements to front line customer focused
activity, supported by increased headcount. The prior period also
witnessed lower operating costs due to a temporary recruitment
freeze, a minimum viable service provision to the end of July 2020.
Overheads were GBP2.6m higher than last year as a result of lifting
the recruitment freeze and the return to offices. Operating margin
for the first six months is 2.1 ppts higher at 33.2% (2020: 31.1%),
due to the accretive effect of higher staircasing and redemption
volumes.
Cashflow from operations through the first six months was
GBP33.9m lower than the corresponding period last year due to
resumption of normal activity levels and the impact of the bulk
sale to ResiCap.
Investment in new development projects totalled GBP83.7m (2020:
GBP86.5m) in the period to 30 September and GBP23.8m (2020: GBP7m)
was spent on capitalised repairs to the existing estate.
Underlying net interest costs (excluding mark to market
movements on derivatives) are GBP0.3m higher than the same period
last year. At 30 September 2021, we had GBP750m (2020: GBP776m) of
available liquidity (both cash and committed facilities) and total
debt of GBP1,923m (2020: GBP1,908m).
The organisation completed 391 homes during the first half of
the year (2020: 320) and remains on track to deliver more than 820
new homes for the full year.
Thames Valley Housing Association's Standard & Poor's credit
rating was confirmed as A- (Stable outlook) in December 2020 and a
second rating, A (Stable) was awarded by Fitch Ratings in July
2021.
Outlook
This outlook statement is subject to the uncertainty/unforeseen
business interruption that might be caused by the continuing impact
of the pandemic and government measures in terms of travel and
social distancing should the number of Covid cases increase and the
NHS be seen to be overwhelmed. The economic environment remains
challenging, with rising inflation, supply chain and labour
shortages, and concerns over energy supplies.
The core housing business continues to perform well despite the
lingering impact of Covid-19. Total revenue including home sales is
expected to be around 10% lower than last year due to the prior
year bulk sale. Underlying operating surplus is in line with
expectations.
Fire safety remains a risk to MTVH and the wider sector given
the number of homes in ownership and management. The longer term
impact of remediation obligations has led to a reduction in our
capacity to develop new homes, particularly homes for sale.
We are continuing with our Safer Buildings programme driven by
our desire to put customer safety first. We have completed the
review of blocks over 18m and commenced a risk-based approach to
the review of blocks under 18m, to determine the extent of any
remediation requirements. We have access to NHBC and the
government's Safer Buildings Fund where we meet qualification
requirements, however we expect that developers/warranty providers
will pick up the costs of remediation for newer buildings.
Liquidity management remains a key focus to mitigate the impact
of wider economic shocks.
The 2021 Spending Review contained a number of key housing
announcements including the GBP800m Social Housing Decarbonisation
Fund, the Residential Property Developers Tax to support the
GBP5.0bn fund to remove unsafe cladding from the highest risk
buildings. In addition, there will be GBP639m pa fund for rough
sleeping and homelessness by 2024. These announcements are all
welcomed in supporting the sector strategies of reducing
homelessness and the delivery of new homes.
MTVH signed up as an early adopter of the Sustainability
Reporting Standard for Social Housing as part of its wider
Sustainability Strategy and will report for the first time this
year. Ritterwald awarded MTVH the Sustainable Housing Certification
and the EMTN was issued under a Sustainable Financing Framework,
both of which were supported by a Second Party Opinion (SPO) from
imug rating.
TVHA will report results for the year ended 31 March 2021,
trading as Metropolitan Thames Valley, in summer 2022.
Consolidated financials
Statement of comprehensive income
GBP000's FY20/21 H1 30/09/2021 H1 30/09/2020 PoP %
Audited Unaudited Unaudited
Rent and service charge
income 301,487 155,415 151,233 2.8
Care and support income 16,400 8,059 8,171 -1.4
Outright/first tranche
sales 107,947 37,755 64,280 -41.3
Fees and other income 19,933 10,782 9,671 11.5
-------------- -------------- --------
Total turnover 445,767 212,011 233,355 -9.1
---------- -------------- -------------- --------
Outright/first tranche
cost of sales -96,111 -31,215 -56,287 -44.5
Operating costs -179,252 -99,477 -84,770 17.3
Depreciation -35,520 -18,752 -17,221 8.9
Overheads -26,776 -14,559 -12,001 21.3
Profits on disposals 29,588 22,405 9,474 136.5
Non recurring (merger - -
costs)
-------------- -------------- --------
Operating surplus 137,696 70,413 72,550 -2.9
---------- -------------- -------------- --------
Net interest -75,022 -38,329 -38,058 0.7
Fair value movements
and other instrument
revaluations -1,341 -331 2,911 -111.4
Exceptional items -707 - -
-------------- -------------- --------
Profit before tax 60,626 31,753 37,403 -15.1
---------- -------------- -------------- --------
Sales margin for the first six months 17.3% (2020: 12.4%)
Operating margin for the first six months 33.2% (2020:
31.1%)
Statement of financial position
GBP000's FY20/21 H1 30/09/2021 H1 30/09/2020 PoP %
Audited Unaudited Unaudited
Tangible fixed
assets 4,628,088 4,681,132 4,587,252 2.0
Homebuy and investments 261,997 259,672 268,199 -3.2
Current assets 346,143 281,035 292,362 -3.9
Creditors - amounts
falling due within
one year -615,086 -343,902 -351,171 -2.1
---------- -------------- --------------
Total assets
less current
liabilities 4,621,142 4,877,937 4,796,642 1.7
---------- -------------- -------------- ------
Creditors due
after more than
one year 2,066,702 2,291,932 2,277,211 0.6
Provisions and
pension obligations 75,489 73,196 28,877 153.5
Reserves 2,478,951 2,512,809 2,490,554 0.9
4,621,142 4,877,937 4,796,642 1.7
---------- -------------- -------------- ------
Cashflow
GBP000's FY20/21 H1 30/09/2021 H1 30/09/2020
Audited Unaudited Unaudited
Net cashflow from operations 125,451 44,375 61,813
Sales proceeds 110,524 41,458 60,713
Development expenditure -158,853 -83,666 -86,520
---------- -------------- --------------
Total net cashflow from
operations 77,122 2,167 36,006
---------- -------------- --------------
Disposal proceeds 72,192 58,141 24,796
Major repairs -24,193 -23,846 -7,049
Other -12,031 647 -5,911
Net drawdown (repayment)
of debt 23,275 -44,158 -27,906
Net interest/fees -91,200 -33,620 -48,296
Net cash movement in
period 45,165 -40,670 -28,361
---------- -------------- --------------
Opening cash 68,307 113,473 68,307
Restricted cash 42,811 45,210 41,052
Closing cash 156,283 118,013 80,998
---------- -------------- --------------
Enquiries
Please contact Donald McKenzie, Director of Corporate Finance,
on 0203-535-4434/ 07738-714126 or at donald.mckenzie@mtvh.co.uk
This information for investors is also available on our
website:
https://www.mtvh.co.uk/about-us/investors/
Notes
1) Operating margin is operating surplus/turnover
2) Thames Valley Housing Association (TVHA) is the parent of the
group trading under the brand of Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH).
Metropolitan Housing Trust (MHT) is a wholly owned subsidiary of
TVHA and MHT owns 100% of the shares of Metropolitan Funding
Plc.
Disclaimer
The information in this announcement of unaudited consolidated
interim results has been prepared by the Thames Valley Housing
Association group and is for information purposes only.
The unaudited results announcement should not be construed as an
offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, or any
interest in any such securities, and nothing herein should be
construed as a recommendation or advice to invest in any such
securities.
This unaudited results announcement contains certain
'forward-looking' statements reflecting, among other things, our
current views on markets, activities and prospects. By their
nature, forward looking statements involve a number of risks,
uncertainties or assumptions that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by those
statements. Actual outcomes may differ materially. Such statements
are a correct reflection of our views only on the publication date
and no representation or warranty is given in relation to them,
including as to their completeness or accuracy or the basis on
which they were prepared. Financial results quoted are unaudited.
We do not undertake to update or revise such public statements as
our expectations change in response to events. Accordingly undue
reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements.
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