TIDMSMP
RNS Number : 6843T
St. Modwen Properties PLC
22 July 2020
Date of issue: 22 July 2020
LEI: 213800WMV4WVES8TQH05
This announcement contains inside information.
ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC
("St. Modwen" or "the Company")
Results for the half year ended 31 May 2020
St. Modwen rebuilds momentum with focus on structural growth
sectors
Rob Hudson, Interim Chief Executive of St. Modwen,
commented:
"Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic our focus has been on
protecting our people and customers and preserving our strong
financial position. Whilst our results for the half year reflect
the disruption of the crisis, our decisive actions have worked to
rebuild the momentum achieved over recent years, with strong demand
for industrial/logistics space and new homes. Although the wider
economic outlook will remain uncertain for some time to come,
structural growth trends in these key markets for us remain
positive and, to an extent, have even accelerated further. With our
proven strategy and solid balance sheet, we stand well placed for
future growth."
Financial highlights
Non-statutory measures(1) May 2020 Prior Statutory measures May 2020 Prior
period(2) period(2)
------------------------------ -------- ---------- --------------------- -------- ----------
EPRA NTA per share (pence)(3) 430.8 490.8 NAV per share (pence) 423.1 484.2
Total accounting return Interim dividend per
(%) (12.6) 2.2 share (pence) 1.1 3.6
Adjusted EPRA earnings (Loss)/profit for the
(GBPm) 4.7 16.2 half year (GBPm) (134.5) 23.1
Adjusted EPRA EPS (pence) 2.1 7.3 Basic EPS (pence) (60.5) 10.5
See-through loan-to-value
(%) 28.1 19.6 Group net debt (GBPm) 418.3 314.1
------------------------------ -------- ---------- --------------------- -------- ----------
-- NAV per share down 12.6% to 423.1 pence (Nov 2019: 484.2
pence) due to pressure on land/retail values.
-- Total accounting return of (12.6)% (2019: 2.2%), in line with reduction in NAV.
-- Adjusted EPRA EPS of 2.1 pence (2019: 7.3 pence), in line with guidance in June.
-- Interim dividend of 1.1 pence (2019: 3.6 pence), reflecting our standard dividend policy.
-- Half year loss of GBP134.5m (2019: GBP23.1m profit), 43% of
which revaluation of large, complex Wales sites.
-- See-through LTV of 28.1% (Nov 2019: 19.6%), or 25.7%
including cash held on short-term deposit.
Operational highlights
Momentum has been rebuilt after initial disruption, resulting in
operational performance being ahead of initial expectations, whilst
positive structural trends in industrial/logistics have accelerated
even further and residential demand has returned since lockdown.
With a solid financial base, this leaves us well placed for future
growth.
-- Industrial & Logistics:
o Industrial and logistics exposure now accounts for 48% of
portfolio (Nov 2019: 44%) following new developments, improving
overall resilience, with valuations largely stable and 95% of March
and 86% of June rent received, ahead of this point last quarter,
and the overall Group collection of 82% and 71%.
o On track to deliver 1.2m sq ft of new space this year, with
53% of associated GBP7.7m ERV let or under offer, up from 18% of
committed pipeline at start of 2020, reflecting continued strong
demand.
o Preparing to grow committed pipeline to c. 1.5m sq ft in 2021,
with significant further potential in 19m sq ft future pipeline and
attractive c. 8% yield on cost and c. 9% yield on incremental
capex.
-- St. Modwen Homes:
o Sold 280 units (2019: 411 units) reflecting a pause in build
activity during lockdown, with margins down by similar proportion
to 10.7% (2019: 14.8%) as operating costs are spread over lower
number of sales.
o Overall private sales, including reserved and exchanged units,
on par vs this time last year, with sales rate of 0.8 per week
since end of March, ASP in line with book value and private order
book up 31%.
o Home Builders Federation customer satisfaction rating tracking
over 95%, supporting 5* rating, and net promotor score of 70 (2019:
76), underlining high quality and continued focus on customer
service.
-- Strategic Land & Regeneration:
o Residual retail assets impacted by mandatory closure of
non-essential shops during lockdown, with 65% of March rent
received and, so far, 51% of June, ahead of this time last
quarter.
o Exchanged contracts to sell GBP47m of residential land, GBP17m
of which in July at pricing in line with pre-COVID levels, plus
GBP12m of non-core assets, with c. GBP200m of disposals planned for
the next c. 3 years.
o Valuation of retail assets and residential land down GBP113m,
61% driven by large, complex Wales sites.
-- Responding to the current climate:
o Protected financial strength, with see-through cash of GBP157m
and no Group debt maturing until 2023.
o Amended interest cover covenants of Group debt facilities and
eligible to access CCFF funding scheme, which remains unutilised
but provides assurance in the event of a severe market
deterioration.
o Reduced cost base, resulting in c. GBP6-7m saving this year,
or c. 15% of 2019 business unit operating and central
administrative expenses; St. Modwen decided not to use Government
CJRS furlough support.
Enquiries:
St. Modwen Properties PLC
Rob Hudson, Interim Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0)121 222
9400
Tom Gough, Head of External Communications and www.stmodwen.co.uk
Stakeholder Relations
FTI Consulting
Dido Laurimore Tel: +44 (0)20 3727
1000
Ellie Sweeney stmodwen@fticonsulting.com
A webcast for analysts and investors will be held at 9.00am
today and presentation slides will be available to download via
www.stmodwen.co.uk . Details for the live dial-in facility and
webcast are as follows:
Participants (UK): Tel: +44 (0)330 336 9105
Password: 6469711
Webcast link: https://webcasting.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/5efb0d30c61412571796328f
(1) Reconciliations between all the statutory and non-statutory
measures and the explanations as to why the non-statutory measures
give valuable further insight into the Group's performance are
given in notes 2 and 3 to the condensed Group financial
statements.
(2) Prior period measures are for the six months ended 31 May
2019 other than EPRA NTA per share, NAV per share, see-through
loan-to-value and Group net borrowings, which are as at 30 November
2019. Comparative references to 2019 are for the six months ended
31 May 2019 and comparative references to Nov 2019 are as at 30
November 2019.
(3) In October 2019, EPRA issued new best practice
recommendations that replaced EPRA net asset value (NAV) with three
new measures of net asset value. The Group has determined that EPRA
net tangible assets (NTA) is the most relevant measure hence this
is now reported in place of EPRA NAV. Prior period comparatives are
stated under the new definition on EPRA NTA. Further detail is
given in note 3 to the condensed Group financial statements.
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes",
"estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "goal",
"target", "aim", "may", "will", "would", "could" or "should" or, in
each case, their negative or other variations or comparable
terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters
that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements by their
nature, involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future
events and circumstances. Actual outcomes and results may differ
materially from any outcomes or results expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements
made by or on behalf of the Company are made in good faith based on
the information available at the time the statement is made; 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. The Company does not undertake to update forward
looking statements to reflect any changes in its expectations with
regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. Nothing in this
announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.
The person responsible for arranging the release of this
information on behalf of the Company is Rob Hudson, Interim Chief
Executive.
CHAIR'S STATEMENT
Following a positive start to 2020, our response to the COVID-19
pandemic which since ensued has been focused on our responsibility
towards all our stakeholders. In March, we paused activity across
our sites to protect the health of our people and customers. During
this time we continued to pay our employees who were temporarily
furloughed their full entitled salary, although we decided against
using the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to fund
this cost. The period saw us working closely with our customers to
support those impacted by site closures, and whilst we protected
our liquidity and strong balance sheet, we ensured continued prompt
payments to our supply chain.
We also took a number of measures to reduce our cost base,
including a reduction in all discretionary spend and bonuses, the
20% reduction in Board pay and fees we announced in March, a
temporary tapered reduction in pay for our higher earners and some
selective redundancies. In March, at the onset of the crisis, the
Board also took the difficult decision to cancel the proposed
payment of the 2019 final dividend, preserving GBP11m of liquidity
in the business. We fully recognise the impact of these decisions
and the Board appreciates the support of our people and
shareholders during this difficult period. In particular, we are
grateful for the dedication of all our teams, whose hard work under
challenging circumstances, either at home or on our sites, has
meant that our recent operational performance has been ahead of the
assumptions we made in our initial stress-testing. We have seen a
reduction in the valuation of our residual retail assets and
residential land portfolio, with our two large sites in South Wales
in particular impacted by a number of factors specific to these
complex sites. Whilst the wider economic outlook remains uncertain,
our positive operational performance means we are pleased to
announce that we will pay an interim dividend of 1.1 pence per
share, based on our policy to pay out c. 50% of our adjusted EPRA
EPS.
Looking forward, the structural growth trends underpinning our
strategic focus on industrial/logistics and residential remain
positive. As a Board, we therefore remain highly supportive of the
Company's strategy, which is built around our core purpose
'Changing places. Creating better futures.' and we currently do not
intend for this to change. The search process for a new CEO was
inevitably paused during lockdown, but we will provide an update on
this when appropriate. Despite the uncertainties around the
near-term economic outlook, the Board is confident that continued
delivery on our strategy will create significant value for all our
stakeholders over time.
INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW
Overview
We had a positive start to 2020, but at the end of March the
growing momentum in our business was disrupted by the unprecedented
social and economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We
paused virtually all activity on our sites at the end of March but
were able to restart activity safely in May. Having strengthened
our financial position further and reduced our cost base we have
been able to rebuild momentum quickly. Although the near-term
outlook remains highly uncertain, the structural growth trends in
our key sectors, residential and industrial/logistics, remain
positive and with respect to the latter have even accelerated, so
with a solid financial base, this leaves us well placed for the
future.
Our results reflect the impact of the COVID-19 crisis during the
half year. Our NAV per share fell 12.6% to 423.1 pence (Nov 2019:
484.2 pence) due to a 12.1% reduction in our portfolio valuation.
43% of this is related to our two residential sites in South Wales,
driven by an increase in development risk premium, changes in
legislation, Section 106 and remediation cost, yet the value of the
core part of our portfolio, Industrial & Logistics, proved
resilient (-1.1%). As a result, EPRA NTA per share fell 12.2% to
430.8 pence (Nov 2019: 490.8 pence) (1) and our total accounting
return for the period was (12.6)% (2019: 2.2%). Adjusted EPRA
earnings were GBP4.7m (2019: GBP16.2m), in line with our guidance
in our trading update in June, reflecting GBP7.6m lower St. Modwen
Homes profit due to the pause in build activity, plus a GBP6.1m
reduction in rental income due to last year's disposals and higher
expected credit loss provisions. As such, adjusted EPRA EPS was 2.1
pence (2019: 7.3 pence), resulting in an interim dividend of 1.1
pence per share. Driven by the fall in property values, the loss
for half year was GBP134.5m (2019: GBP23.1m profit), resulting in
basic EPS of (60.5) pence (2019: 10.5 pence). Our see-through LTV
stands at 28.1%, or 25.7% including cash held on a short-term
deposit.
Key financial performance metrics 2020 Prior period Change
%
----------------------------------------- ------- ------------ --------
NAV per share (pence) 423.1 484.2 -12.6
EPRA NTA per share (pence)(1) 430.8 490.8 -12.2
Interim dividend per share (pence) 1.1 3.6 -69.4
Total accounting return (%) (12.6) 2.2 -14.8ppt
(Loss)/profit for the half year (GBPm) (134.5) 23.1 N/A
Adjusted EPRA earnings (GBPm) 4.7 16.2 -71.0
Basic earnings per share (pence) (60.5) 10.5 N/A
Adjusted EPRA earnings per share (pence) 2.1 7.3 -71.2
See-through net borrowings(2) (GBPm) 395.4 290.6 +36.1
See-through loan-to-value(2) (%) 28.1 19.6 +8.5ppt
----------------------------------------- ------- ------------ --------
(1) In October 2019, EPRA issued new best practice
recommendations that replaced EPRA net asset value (NAV) with three
new measures of net asset value. The Group has determined that EPRA
net tangible assets (NTA) is the most relevant measure hence this
is now reported in place of EPRA NAV. Prior period comparatives are
stated under the new definition on EPRA NTA. Further detail is
given in note 3 to the condensed Group financial statements.
(2) Including the Group's share of net borrowings (being net
debt at amortised cost less lease liabilities) and property held in
joint ventures and associates.
Responding to the current climate
The start of 2020 saw a continuation of the positive momentum
that we achieved during 2019, with housing sales by the middle of
March ahead of our planned growth rate and industrial and logistics
completions on track to grow by over 50% this year; yet, as the
COVID-19 pandemic spread, we quickly adjusted our focus.
-- People : to protect our people, customers and partners, we
paused activity across our sites on 24 March and closed our sales
outlets, non-essential shops and Trentham estate. We temporarily
furloughed most of our site-based employees but, following
Government guidelines, we restarted work on our sites safely in May
and reopened our sales outlets, retail assets and Trentham shortly
after, bringing back most of our people. Our office-based employees
continue to predominantly work from home, in line with Government
advice.
-- Liquidity and financial strength : to protect our liquidity
and balance sheet, we cut any uncommitted spend, cancelled the 2019
final dividend, and drew down all our revolving credit facilities
in March. We ran scenario analyses to stress-test the impact of
varying degrees of falls in housebuilding profits and rental income
and amended our interest cover covenants at no extra cost,
providing headroom to withstand a substantial fall in both items
until the end of 2021. We secured access to GBP175m of funding
under the Government's Covid Corporate Finance Facility (CCFF),
which remains unutilised but provides assurance in the event of a
severe deterioration in market conditions and since the period-end,
we have repaid the surplus cash drawn on our revolving credit
facility. As a result of all this, our financial position remains
strong.
-- Adapting ways of working : given the temporary closure of
non-essential shops and pause in build activity, we worked closely
with our customers, be it tenants or homebuyers, to support them
during this period, but we also expanded our digital offer and
marketing efforts to capture new opportunities. As a result, our
St. Modwen Homes customer satisfaction rate is over 95% and since
late March our average sales rate has been 0.8 per week, whilst
Industrial & Logistics leasing is ahead of this time last year.
We took a number of steps to manage costs, including a 20%
reduction in Board pay and fees, a reduction in all discretionary
spend and bonuses, a temporary tapered reduction in pay for higher
earners, and in June, some selective redundancies.
-- Our wider impact : recognising the significant social
challenges this crisis brings for many, we have made donations to
local causes in the heart of the communities that we serve and we
are working with local organisations, from foodbanks to
volunteering groups, where we can make a meaningful difference,
with a combined GBP150,000 of funding initially pledged. We also
offer a discount for key workers when buying a new home from us. We
continued to pay any employees on furlough their full entitled
salaries, whilst we decided it would not be appropriate to use the
Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to fund this
cost. We have worked closely with our supply chain partners and
continued to pay them on time.
We are mindful that the significant economic and social
challenges resulting from COVID-19 could affect consumer and
business confidence for some time to come. That being said, the
structural growth drivers in our two key strategic sectors,
residential and industrial/logistics, remain positive and have even
accelerated in recent months in the case of the latter. Combined
with our solid financial base, this leaves us well placed for the
future.
Industrial & Logistics
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically sped up the shift from
physical to online retail; a trend which has been a major driver
for logistics demand in recent years. It took seven years for
online to grow from 10% to 20% of UK retail sales, but it took
broadly seven weeks to grow from 20% to 30% by April this year.
This shift has continued since and whilst some of this will likely
revert as social distancing normalises, much of it will likely
prove permanent, as consumer habits have changed for good. In
addition, the disruption caused by the pandemic has increased the
focus on the resilience of supply chains. With a total potential
pipeline of nearly 20m sq ft, we are well positioned to capitalise
on the demand for modern industrial and logistics space this is set
to generate. With a yield on cost of c. 8% and yield on incremental
capex of c. 9%, this is a key source of future growth and returns,
hence our priority is to accelerate investment into this part of
our business.
Reflecting the strong underlying trends, performance in our
Industrial & Logistics business has been solid in the first
half of 2020. Industrial and logistics assets now make up 48% of
our portfolio, up from 19% three years ago, and this will continue
to grow. We received 95% of the rent due in the March quarter and
so far, 86% of the rent due in June, which is ahead of this time
last quarter. A delay in build activity and a pause in uncommitted
spend at the start of the crisis in March means we expect to
complete 1.2m sq ft of space in 2020 instead of the 1.5m sq ft
planned at the start of the year (2019: 0.9m sq ft). 53% of the
associated GBP7.7m ERV is already let or under offer, up from 18%
in February, whilst 74% of the GBP5.5m ERV we completed last year
is now let or under offer (Feb 2020: 58%), with around half of
these lettings secured during lockdown. We plan to start c. 0.6m sq
ft of new projects shortly as we prepare for 2021 completions to
grow to c. 1.5m sq ft, subject to continued demand.
St. Modwen Homes
The UK population continues to grow, underpinning structural
long-term demand for affordable homes and, whilst it is early days,
the increased time spent at home as a result of the pandemic may
well raise people's focus on the quality and suitability of their
living space. Our differentiated homes, designed around height and
light; focus on the regions, where affordability remains much
better than in London; and our high-quality product and customer
experience, reflected in our 5* HBF customer satisfaction rating
and 70 net promoter score (Feb 2020: 76), all mean that with an
existing 6,100-plot pipeline we are well positioned.
Customer demand has remained resilient so far. The pause in
build activity between March and the middle of May means we
completed the sale of 280 units during the half year, 32% less than
the first half of 2019 (411 units). As business unit operating
costs are spread over this smaller number of sales, our operating
margin for the half year was down by a broadly similar amount at
10.7% (2019: 14.8%). However, our average sales rate since the end
of March has been well ahead of the overall market average, at 0.8
per week (net of cancellations) and since reopening our sales
offices in May, this has been well ahead of that. As such, to date,
overall private sales, including units which are reserved or
exchanged, are on par vs this time last year at just over 800 units
(excl. 142 affordable). Over 98% of our homes are below the new
GBP500,000 stamp duty threshold in England.
We are mindful that uncertainty remains and unemployment is set
to rise but are encouraged that going into the second half of the
year, our private forward order book is up 31% vs last year and
average sales prices remain stable. Should current conditions
persist, we would expect margins in the second half of 2020 to
improve. However, we are unlikely to fully make up for the impact
of the effectively c. 9-10 weeks of build activity we lost in
volumes and margin relative to 2019, when we sold 1,060 units at a
14.8% margin. Beyond 2020, we aim to return to volume growth and
margin improvement, dependent on market conditions remaining
stable.
Strategic Land & Regeneration
Our priority for Strategic Land & Regeneration is to
monetise the value from our portfolio, either by accelerating the
delivery of our current projects, such as Longbridge, where despite
a pause in the first half, momentum remains positive, or by selling
assets which no longer fit our strategy. Our focus for strategic
land is on capital-light opportunities, to improve our overall
return on capital and grow our income. We reduced our portfolio
from GBP1.2bn in May 2017 to GBP513m at the end of 2019, selling
retail assets and land without any overall negative impact on
valuations. This improved our resilience, yet our residual assets
were significantly impacted by the pandemic.
Despite the mandatory closing of our residual non-core retail
and retail regeneration assets and closing of Trentham at the end
of March, we received 65% of the SL&R rent due over the March
quarter. With all assets now reopened, we have received 51% of the
June quarter rent so far, which is well ahead of this time last
quarter. Reflecting these challenging market conditions, our
residual retail valuations were down 19% over the half year.
Excluding our two sites in South Wales, residential land values
were down 16%, principally reflecting an increase in the assumed
development risk premium in the current climate. In the case of the
two sites in Wales, additional changes in legislation, Section 106
and remediation costs resulted in a write-down of GBP69m (-53%). As
a result, our SL&R portfolio is now valued at GBP385m, equating
to 27% of our total portfolio. Our two Wales sites make up GBP61m
of this, of which c. 20% is contracted to be sold, and our residual
non-core commercial assets are GBP58m.
We continue to recycle capital, as the returns from reinvesting
our capital into our profitable industrial and logistics pipeline
outweigh the returns from retaining non-income producing surplus
land on our balance sheet. We have exchanged contracts for the sale
of GBP17m of residential land this month, in line with pre-COVID-19
prices, in addition to GBP30m during the half year, and we sold
GBP12m of non-core assets since the start of 2020. In total, we
intend to sell c. GBP200m of non-core assets and land over the next
c. 3 years.
Looking forward
Unsurprisingly, the positive momentum in our business during the
first few months of 2020 saw an abrupt impact in March due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. However, we have managed to quickly rebuild
momentum since then. As a result, in St Modwen Homes our sales rate
has been well ahead of the wider market, in Industrial &
Logistics development lettings are ahead of this time last year and
in Strategic Land & Regeneration we have already sold a broadly
similar amount of residential land in 2020 than in any of the last
five full financial years. This would not have been possible
without the incredibly hard work of all our people, whose
dedication throughout this most challenging period in living memory
is something we are immensely proud of and grateful for.
Whilst our financial results for the half year are inevitably
impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, the long-term structural growth
drivers supporting our key markets, industrial/logistics and
residential, remain positive and arguably have strengthened even
further. Government policy remains supportive for housebuilding in
particular, as shown by the recently announced increase in stamp
duty threshold, proposals to simplify planning and plans to
stimulate investment in the regions, where most of our activity
sits. Still, near-term economic risks remain elevated, as the
pandemic adds to the pre-existing uncertainties around Brexit, with
the UK having formally left the EU in January and the current
transition period set to end in December.
Importantly, our financial position is strong, with ample
liquidity, a modest 25.7% see-through LTV (incl. cash on short-term
deposit), no Group debt maturities until 2023 and significant
headroom against our covenants. As we remain mindful of the wider
risks, we continue to focus on protecting this strong position but
as the last few months have proven, the short-cycle nature of our
developments means we can adjust activity quickly to any changes in
demand. Our strategy is clear, built around our core purpose
'Changing places. Creating better futures.', and the launch of our
six responsible business ambitions earlier this year will help
truly bring our purpose to life in the coming years. Whilst
visibility in the near term remains low, with 77% of our portfolio
in industrial and logistics and St. Modwen Homes, compared to just
35% three years ago, the majority of our portfolio is now focused
on those parts of our business which generate the highest return on
capital employed and both sectors are underpinned by structural
growth drivers. As a result, we remain confident that delivering on
our strategy will continue to deliver a significant improvement in
income and return on capital over time.
PORTFOLIO AND OPERATIONAL REVIEW
Portfolio overview
Investments & disposals
Our strategy remains focused on recycling capital out of the
lower returning parts of our portfolio, to build a high-quality
industrial and logistics business by accelerating the delivery of
our substantial and profitable pipeline, and to accelerate the
delivery of new homes on land we already own and control. We sold
GBP950m of assets in the 2.5 years prior to the start of 2020,
which improved our portfolio quality, resilience and returns, as
this significantly reduced our exposure to residential land and
retail assets. Despite the challenges presented by lockdown and
some inevitable delays, the momentum in further repositioning our
portfolio is encouraging.
We invested GBP73m in developments during the first half of 2020
(excluding housebuilding). We sold six non-core assets for GBP8m
during the half year and agreed the sale of GBP30m of residential
land. This includes GBP25m in South Wales, where completion is
phased over the coming years. Since the end of May, we have
exchanged contracts for the sale of GBP17m of residential land, in
line with pre-COVID-19 prices, plus a further four non-core assets
for GBP4m. We are in active negotiations on further disposals and
are targeting the sale of c. GBP200m of non-core assets and land
over the next c. 3 years.
EPRA net initial
Amount(1) yield(2)
GBPm %
--------------------------------------- --------- ----------------
Disposals during first half of 2020(3)
Industrial and logistics 4 5.8
Non-core retail 1 1.3
Non-core other 7 9.2
Residential land 30 N/A
Total 42 4.9
--------------------------------------- --------- ----------------
Disposals post period end (3)
Non-core retail 1 7.3
Non-core other 3 N/A
Residential land 17 N/A
--------------------------------------- --------- ----------------
Total 21 7.3
--------------------------------------- --------- ----------------
(1) Based on the Group's share of amounts relating to joint
ventures and associates.
(2) Based on income producing assets excluding land.
(3) Excluding land transfers to St. Modwen Homes and completed
home sales, but including agreements to sell.
Portfolio valuation
Our portfolio value reduced to GBP1.41bn during the first half
of 2020, representing a decrease of 12.1% adjusted for investments
and disposals. This partly reflects the effects of COVID-19 as at
the May valuation date, reflected in higher risk premiums and some
yield softening, although uncertainty appears to have slightly
abated since then in some parts of the investment market. Our
industrial and logistics exposure continues to grow, now making up
48% of our portfolio compared to 19% three years ago (Nov 2019:
44%), including the industrial assets which are part of our
Longbridge regeneration site. The rest of our regeneration assets,
non-core assets and strategic land make up 23%, while St. Modwen
Homes work in progress and land comprises a further 29%.
The value of our Industrial & Logistics assets was resilient
despite the wider economic turmoil. Valuations were down a marginal
1.1%, as 11.4% upside on developments was offset by a 3.1%
reduction in the value of our existing assets. ERVs were virtually
stable on a like-for-like basis but yields softened slightly as a
result of COVID-19, principally for more secondary assets or assets
with shorter lease terms. We expect valuations to remain relatively
resilient, as occupier and investor interest both remain
strong.
Conversely, the valuation of our residual Strategic Land &
Regeneration assets was down materially. We reduced our capital
invested in this part of the business from GBP1.2bn in mid-2017 to
GBP513m by the end of 2019, but our residual portfolio saw a 25.2%
fall in value in the first half of 2020. This was principally
driven by a 53.3% fall in the value of our two sites in South
Wales, Coed Darcy in Neath and Llanwern in Newport, which combined
made up around half of our residential land by value at the end of
2019. This valuation reduction is driven by a reassessment of the
development risk premium in the current climate reflecting the size
and nature of both sites, which at c. 4,000 plots each are
considerably larger than any of our other sites, new legislation
around surface water drainage in Wales, Section 106 changes and
remediation cost. As land values in Wales are much lower in
proportion to house prices than in the rest of the UK, due to its
lower house prices, small movements in development value or cost
per plot have a highly geared impact on land values.
As a result, Coed Darcy now makes up GBP15m of the GBP385m
SL&R portfolio. Llanwern makes up GBP46m, of which 26% is
contracted to be sold, and with four housebuilders on site or about
to start building, demand and activity at this site is positive.
Any investment in servicing future phases of land is matched to
land sales, matching cash outflow with guaranteed inflows.
Valuations of the rest of our other residential land were down
16.4% on average, chiefly reflecting an increase in assumed
development risk premium attributable to COVID-19. Elsewhere, the
valuation of our non-core retail assets and retail regeneration
assets, which combined make up 7% of our portfolio by value, was
down 19.2%.
This reflected a combination of yield expansion and pressure on
rental income given the challenging environment for retailers over
the past few months. The value of our other regeneration assets was
down 11.9% and our GBP33m other non-core assets were down 16.3%.
Whilst structural challenges remain for retail in particular, we
continue to see good interest in residential land in attractive
locations.
EPRA net
Portfolio Valuation initial Equivalent LFL equivalent LFL ERV
value movement yield(1) yield(1) yield shift(1) growth(1)
GBPm % % % bps %
------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------- ----------
Industrial & Logistics 618 (1.1) 3.7 6.6 10 (0.6)
------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------- ----------
St. Modwen Homes 402 -
------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------- ----------
Residential land 172 (34.6)
Retail-led regeneration 67 (19.9) 8.1 8.9 40 (3.9)
Other regeneration 88 (11.9) 6.8 7.3 10 (2.3)
Non-core retail 25 (17.5) 9.5 13.4 90 (4.4)
Non-core other 33 (16.3) 6.4 7.2 30 (1.0)
------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------- ----------
Strategic Land &
Regeneration 385 (25.4) 7.5 8.9 - (3.4)
------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------- ----------
Total portfolio 1,405 (12.1) 4.6 7.1 - (1.5)
------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------- ----------
(1) On completed investment assets only, excluding current
developments and land.
Operational performance
At the end of May 2020, the annualised passing rent on our
portfolio amounted to GBP41.3m, excluding GBP2.5m of contracted
rent which is currently subject to rent-frees. This represents an
increase compared to the GBP38.4m at the end of 2019, chiefly due
to new lettings and the expiry of rent-free periods on recently
completed developments. With GBP6.1m of ERV let since the
period-end, pre-let or under offer, and good interest in our
remaining space, we expect this number to continue to grow.
Like-for-like rental income was down GBP4.7m, which reflected an
increase in credit loss provision and a GBP1.7m reduction in income
from the temporary closure of Trentham Gardens due to COVID-19, a
one-off adjustment vs last year's rent and GBP1.1m reduction from
properties being vacated for future redevelopment. Aside from these
effects, like-for-like income was stable. Industrial &
Logistics now makes up 59% of our overall passing rent, which will
continue to grow and improve our resilience of income. This is
reflected in our rent collection, as, to date, we have received 95%
of the rent due in Industrial & Logistics for the March quarter
and we have so far received 86% for June, which is ahead of the
same point last quarter. In SL&R, where c. 60% of rent is
retail related, we received 65% of the rent due in the March
quarter and 51% so far for June - again ahead of the same point
this time last quarter. As a result, our overall rent received for
the Group is 82% for the March quarter and 71% for June. We agreed
to waive 3% of rent and continue to work with our customers on the
remaining element.
Our overall vacancy increased to 24.1% during the half year, up
from 20.8% at the end of 2019, but excluding the impact of
disposals and developments our like-for-like occupancy improved
1.4ppt during the period. Around 50% of the vacancy at the end of
May comprised newly developed industrial and logistics space, of
which c. 40% is under offer. Around 20% of our vacant space is
deliberately held back for future development. We signed 0.5m sq ft
of new leases and lease renewals during the year, generating
GBP2.8m of annualised rental income. On average, re-lettings and
renewals were agreed 5% above previous passing rent and in line
with ERV. The average lease term to first break of our portfolio
was virtually stable at 4.6 years (Nov 2019: 4.7 years).
Passing rent(1) ERV Vacancy
GBPm GBPm %
------------------------------ --------------- ---- -------
Industrial & Logistics 24.5 37.8 29.2
------------------------------ --------------- ---- -------
St. Modwen Homes - - -
------------------------------ --------------- ---- -------
Residential land 0.8 1.3 29.4
Retail-led regeneration 6.6 7.1 11.2
Other regeneration 4.6 3.8 2.3
Non-core retail 3.6 4.1 21.7
Non-core other 1.2 1.4 23.9
------------------------------ --------------- ---- -------
Strategic Land & Regeneration 16.8 17.7 13.1
------------------------------ --------------- ---- -------
Total portfolio 41.3 55.5 24.1
------------------------------ --------------- ---- -------
(1) Excluding turnover rent at Trentham Gardens.
Industrial & Logistics
Development completions
During the first half of 2020, we invested GBP44m in industrial
and logistics capex. We completed 0.5m sq ft of space during the
period, so combined with the 0.7m sq ft we expect to complete in
the second half of the year we are on track to deliver 1.2m sq ft
of space in 2020 (2019: 0.9m sq ft). The expected ERV on this has
increased slightly to GBP7.7m, which with total development cost of
GBP102m represents a 7.5% yield on cost once fully let. At present,
32% of our 2020 pipeline is let, with a further 21% under offer,
which shows continued momentum in leasing, as this time last year
only 36% of our 2019 pipeline was let or under offer. Completions
during the period included a 321,000 sq ft unit in Tamworth and two
units in Doncaster totalling 74,000 sq ft, of which one is let.
In total, we signed GBP5.1m development lettings during the half
year, including the second unit at our scheme in Gloucester (56,000
sq ft), which was let to a multi-channel retailer on a 15-year
fixed lease, the second unit at Tamworth (49,000 sq ft), which was
let to a food supply chain business on a 10-year fixed lease, and
the second unit at Worcester (48,000 sq ft), which was let for 8
years to a food takeaway and delivery packaging company.
On average, lettings have been slightly above our expected ERVs
although we have seen a small increase in incentives on some
individual deals. Our 2019 completions are currently 74% let or
under offer, up from 58% at the start of 2020. Whilst we have seen
some inevitable delays in decision-making during lockdown, this is
a step up from last year, as one year ago, our 2018 pipeline was
65% let or under offer.
Current developments
At the end of March we paused two projects in our committed
pipeline that we had not yet started, totalling 0.3m sq ft, so
following the completion of 0.5m sq ft of space in the first half
of 2020, we are on site with a further 0.7m sq ft to complete in
the second half. Future expenditure on this is GBP19m and we expect
these projects to deliver a 7.2% yield on cost once let. This
partly reflects our pre-let development at Gatwick, as valuation
yields around London are lower than in the rest of the UK. 11 out
of the 13 units set to complete in the second half are pre-let or
under offer, at terms ahead of our investment appraisals. This
provides us with confidence for future developments hence we plan
to shortly start a further c. 0.6m sq ft of projects for delivery
mostly in the first half of 2021, as we prepare to grow completions
to c. 1.5m sq ft next year, subject to continued occupier
demand.
Our current pipeline and planned near-term starts are focused on
small to medium sized units, with an average size of c. 50,000 sq
ft. This leaves us well placed to meet the growing demand for last
mile delivery space and modern warehouses near urban locations and
good availability of labour. Overall availability in the logistics
market has remained stable since the end of 2019, especially at the
smaller to medium end of the market, whilst take-up has been very
strong in the first half of 2020. We continue to avoid speculative
development of mega-box space although we remain open to develop
larger units on a pre-let basis.
Expected Let/pre-sold Total Current Future Yield
Size Units completion (1) dev cost book value capex ERV on cost
Project 000 sq % GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm %
ft
----------------------- ------ ----- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------- ------ ---- --------
Chippenham 106 1 H2 2020 -
Gatwick 100 1 H2 2020 100
Worcester 95 3 H2 2020 80
Lincoln 80 2 H2 2020 32
Stoke Central 43 1 H2 2020 -
Stoke South 103 2 H2 2020 -
Stoke South 81 3 H2 2020 -
Industrial & Logistics
- to be retained 608 13 45 65 60 19 4.7 7.2
----------------------- ------ ----- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------- ------ ---- --------
Stoke Central 43 1 H2 2020 100
----------------------- ------ ----- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------- ------ ---- --------
Industrial & Logistics
- to be sold 43 1 100 4 - 1
----------------------- ------ ----- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------- ------ ---- --------
Total 651 14 45 69 60 20
----------------------- ------ ----- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------- ------ ---- --------
(1) Based on ERV for projects to be retained and total
development cost for projects to be sold.
Future pipeline
The COVID-19 pandemic is dramatically accelerating the ongoing
shift from physical to online retail, which has been a major
structural growth driver for demand for warehouse space in recent
years. In addition, the disruption caused by the pandemic has
increased the focus on the resilience of supply chains. With a c.
19m sq ft total pipeline we are well placed to capture the demand
for modern space this is expected to generate, so our priority is
to accelerate investment in this part of our business and to that
extent, we also continue to invest in our own capabilities to
further improve our customer relationships. In addition to our 0.7m
sq ft committed pipeline, we have a further 7.6m sq ft of consented
space, which could deliver c. GBP48.5m of ERV. With future capex of
GBP510-560m and total development cost including land we already
own of GBP580-630m, this could deliver a c. 9% yield on incremental
capex and c. 8% yield on cost. However, as we aim to further grow
our built to suit activity, we will be pragmatic about the
trade-off between development risk and return. Despite the
temporary delay in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue
to aim to grow our development activity to up to c. 2m sq ft p.a.
in the near future, which is expected to drive meaningful growth in
earnings and development upside.
St. Modwen Homes
Development completions
Our decision to temporarily close our sites and sales offices on
24 March significantly affected completions for the first half of
2020. We reopened our sites in the middle of May, but the delay in
build activity meant we completed the sale of 280 units in the half
year; 32% less than in the first half of last year (2019: 411
units). As business unit operating costs were spread over this
lower number of sales, our operating margin fell by a broadly
similar proportion to 10.7% (2019: 14.8%). Our private ASP
increased 0.7% to GBP269,000 (2019: GBP267,000), with like-for-like
sales prices up 1.5%. Despite the challenging environment, we are
pleased our quality and safety remained outstanding: our HBF
customer satisfaction rating is currently tracking at over 95%,
supporting our 5* rating; our net promotor score stands at 74 (Feb
2020: 76); and our accident frequency rate remains less than
one-tenth of the industry average.
Operational performance metrics Six months to 31 Six months to 31 Change %
May 2020 May 2019
-------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------
Total units sold 280 411 -31.9
Private units sold 249 359 -30.6
Affordable units sold 31 52 -40.4
Private sales rate 0.6 0.8 -25.0
Private ASP (GBPk) 269 267 +0.7
Affordable ASP (GBPk) 119 127 -6.3
Operating margin (%) 10.7 14.8 -4.1ppt
-------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------
Current developments
Despite the lower level of completions in the first half of
2020, customer demand has remained strong. As a result, our total
private sales for the year to date, including units which are
exchanged and reserved, are on par with this time last year at 800
units. 427 of these units have already completed or exchanged.
Since the start of lockdown at the end of March, our average sales
rate has been 0.8 per week net of any cancellations and since
reopening our sales offices, this has been well ahead of this.
Whilst this may reflect some element of pent-up demand, we are
encouraged to go into the second half of 2020 with a private order
book which is up 31% year on year and average sales prices in line
with book value. Moreover, over 98% of our homes fall under the
recently increased stamp duty threshold of GBP500,000.
We originally targeted to grow volumes by up to 20% this year,
but in March we put on hold the planned opening of any new sales
outlets which underpinned this level of growth. As such, we are
currently sales active on 24 outlets (early 2020: 21) but given the
better than expected performance so far, we now expect to open a
further two outlets in the coming months, subject to market
conditions remaining supportive. Our sites had been operating at c.
75% efficiency since restarting activity in May, reflecting social
distancing rules but are now getting close to 100% efficiency. If
current market conditions persist, we would expect margins and
volumes to recover in the second half of 2020, but we do not expect
to fully make up for the c. 9-10 weeks of lost time in terms of
build activity relative to last year, when we sold 1,060 units and
achieved an operating margin of 14.8%.
Future pipeline
The long-term structural trends underpinning demand for more,
affordable homes remain positive, so with an existing land bank of
c. 6,100 plots, excluding strategic land held by the Group, focused
on the regions where affordability remains good, St. Modwen Homes
is well placed to benefit from this. Moreover, having spent much
more time at home recently, for many people there is an increased
focus on the quality and suitability of their living space, which
our differentiated homes, built around height and light, and
high-quality product are perfectly suited to. As we continue to
diversify our offering to our customers following the first
partnerships with a shared-ownership and registered provider last
year, we expanded activity in this space this year.
As such, our pipeline provides optionality to return to volume
growth and margin improvement in 2021, subject to market conditions
remaining stable. Still, as our land bank has been transferred from
the Group to St. Modwen Homes at market value over the last couple
of years, this continues to reduce our margin by an estimated c.
2-3ppt relative to housebuilders who have always held their land at
historic cost.
Strategic Land & Regeneration
Current developments
At Longbridge, we completed the development of our 15-year
pre-let 21,100 sq ft office building and at New Covent Garden
Market, the relocation of the market facilities through our 50/50
JV with VINCI is ongoing, ahead of the release of 10 acres of
residential development land to the JV in the medium term.
Following the sale of our interests at Kirkby last year, the
development of the retail extension for which we are acting as
development manager for the Council is progressing well.
Future pipeline
Consistent with our strategy over the last three years, we
continue to focus on monetising the value in our portfolio, either
by accelerating the delivery of existing projects, or by selling
those assets which are surplus to our own development needs, or no
longer fit our strategy. At Longbridge, we paused the investment in
new development starts we had planned for this year at the onset of
the pandemic, but we continue to see positive momentum in preparing
the future phases of this important scheme. This site is currently
c. 45% developed and significant opportunities remain, so we
continue to progress this flagship project. We also continue to
actively progress disposals, as we see more upside in recycling
capital into our profitable industrial and logistics pipeline than
holding on to surplus land which does not generate any return.
Aside from monetising the value in our existing portfolio, we
continue to focus on new capital-light strategic land
opportunities, as these underpin the longer-term growth potential
of our two other business units. The Group's owned residential land
bank at the end of May comprised c. 17,000 plots (Nov 2019:
17,500), of which 6,100 plots were held by St. Modwen Homes and
10,900 by our Strategic Land & Regeneration business. Of the
latter, c. 3,300 plots comprise strategic land which is still
subject to planning, while the remaining c. 7,600 plots are sites
that we will continue to invest in to prepare for disposal to
third-party housebuilders. These include 660 plots where we have
already exchanged contracts to sell, but where the transfer of land
is set to complete in the near future. In addition, we control land
via development agreements which could cater for a further c.
11,200 homes in the long term (Nov 2019: 11,300), around 40% of
which is still subject to planning.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
Our financial performance for the half year has, as expected,
been impacted markedly by the disruption caused by the COVID-19
pandemic. In line with our guidance in our trading update in June,
adjusted EPRA earnings came out at GBP4.7m (2019: GBP16.2m), driven
by a GBP10.6m reduction in gross housebuilding profit and a GBP6.1m
reduction in net rental and other income due to last year's
disposals and an increase in expected credit loss provision, partly
offset by GBP4.6m lower operating and administrative expenses. As a
result, adjusted EPRA EPS was 2.1 pence (2019: 7.3 pence). Whilst
our core Industrial & Logistics portfolio proved resilient, the
revaluation deficit on our residential land and residual retail
assets meant we recorded a net loss for the half year of GBP134.5m
(2019: GBP23.1m net profit). As a result, basic EPS was (60.5)
pence (2019: 10.5 pence). This resulted in a 12.6% reduction in NAV
per share to 423.1 pence (Nov 2019: 484.2 pence), whilst EPRA NTA
per share reduced 12.2% to 430.8 pence (Nov 2019: 490.8 pence)(1)
.
As we indicated at the start of the year, net borrowings
increased due to the reinvestment of disposal proceeds into our
pipeline, but despite this and the reduction in asset values, our
see-through LTV remains modest at 28.1%, or 25.7% including our
share of GBP34.5m of cash held on a short-term deposit. This means
we have headroom to withstand a further c. 40% fall in values
before we reach our tightest LTV covenant and following an
amendment of our Group debt facilities, our interest cover
covenants could now withstand a downside scenario of a material
fall in housing sales volumes and prices and a loss of the majority
of retail rent until the end of 2021.
Our total accounting return for the half year was similar to the
movement in NAV per share at (12.6)% as we decided at the onset of
the crisis in March to not pay our 5.1 pence per share final 2019
dividend. Since then, our performance has been better than we had
assumed in our initial stress-testing, our financial position has
been strengthened and we decided it would not be appropriate to use
the Government's CJRS support scheme. In view of this, we will
therefore pay an interim dividend of 1.1 pence per share (2019: 3.6
pence), based on our standard dividend policy to pay out c. 50% of
adjusted EPRA EPS. This interim dividend is to be paid on 2
September to shareholders on the register as at 7 August 2020.
(1) In October 2019, EPRA issued new best practice
recommendations that replaced EPRA net asset value (NAV) with three
new measures of net asset value. The Group has determined that EPRA
net tangible assets (NTA) is the most relevant measure hence this
is now reported in place of EPRA NAV. Prior period comparatives are
stated under the new definition on EPRA NTA. Further detail is
given in note 3 to the condensed Group financial statements.
Presentation of financial information
Due to the number of significant joint venture arrangements, the
statutory financial statement disclosures do not always provide a
straightforward way of understanding our business. Reconciliations
between all the statutory and non-statutory measures and the
explanations as to why the non-statutory measures give valuable
further insight into the Group's performance are given in notes 2
and 3 to the condensed Group financial statements. The Group has
four material joint ventures; three of which are in partnership
with VINCI, comprising the NCGM operation and joint ventures at
Uxbridge and Mill Hill (the latter through The Inglis Consortium),
both of which are engaged in the remediation and subsequent sale of
land, and one is in partnership with Salhia, Key Property
Investments (KPI), which owns a portfolio of principally
income-producing industrial assets.
We use adjusted EPRA earnings and adjusted EPRA EPS as key
performance measures, which exclude non-cash valuation gains and
losses. As our residential developments are built to sell,
residential profits are cash-based and therefore included in this
metric, but as our commercial developments are predominantly built
to hold, commercial development profits are largely non-cash. As
such, these are excluded from adjusted EPRA earnings, other than
development fee income. Following the release of new best practice
recommendations by EPRA, we have replaced the reporting of EPRA net
asset value (EPRA NAV) with EPRA net tangible assets (EPRA NTA)
within these results. A reconciliation between the two measures is
given in note 3 to the condensed Group financial statements.
Our financial reporting is aligned to our three operational
business units, Industrial & Logistics, St. Modwen Homes, and
Strategic Land & Regeneration, with items which are not
directly allocated to specific business activities, such as
borrowings and interest costs, held centrally and presented
separately.
Six months ended 31 May 2020 2019
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial St. Modwen Strategic
& Logistics Homes Land & Regeneration Unallocated Total Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm(1) GBPm(1)
------------------------------- ------------ ------------------ -------------------- ----------- ------- -------
Gross rental income 12.2 - 8.9 - 21.1 25.0
Property outgoings (3.0) - (3.6) - (6.6) (5.1)
Other net income - - - - - 0.7
------------------------------- ------------ ------------------ -------------------- ----------- ------- -------
Net rental and other income 9.2 - 5.3 - 14.5 20.6
Housebuilding profit - 12.1 1.7 - 13.8 24.4
Development fee income 0.1 - 0.7 - 0.8 1.6
Business unit direct operating
expenses (1.0) (4.5) (2.5) - (8.0) (11.1)
Central administrative
expenses - - - (9.8) (9.8) (11.3)
Net interest costs - - - (5.5) (5.5) (4.5)
Taxation on adjusted EPRA
earnings - - - (1.1) (1.1) (3.5)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 8.3 7.6 5.2 (16.4) 4.7 16.2
Property revaluation &
development (losses)/gains (6.9) (1.8) (131.9) (12.1) (152.7) 13.1
Property disposal
(losses)/gains (1.1) - (3.0) - (4.1) 0.2
Impairment of intangibles - - - (3.0) (3.0) -
Net other finance costs - - (1.4) (2.5) (3.9) (5.2)
Tax on other earnings - - - 24.5 24.5 (1.2)
Less non-controlling interests
on other earnings - - - 0.1 0.1 0.2
------------------------------- ------------ ------------------ -------------------- ----------- ------- -------
Profit/(loss) attributable
to the owners of the Company 0.3 5.8 (131.1) (9.4) (134.4) 23.3
------------------------------- ------------ ------------------ -------------------- ----------- ------- -------
Basic earnings per share
(pence) (60.5) 10.5
------------------------------- ------------ ------------------ -------------------- ----------- ------- -------
(1) This table is presented on a proportionally consolidated
basis, including the Group's share of profits and losses of joint
ventures and associates in the income statement categories to which
they relate, rather than on a statutory basis as one line
representing the share of net losses of those joint ventures and
associates.
Net rental and other income
The Group's share of gross rental income decreased to GBP21.1m,
with GBP2.7m of the GBP3.9m decline vs 2019 driven by last year's
non-core asset disposals and GBP0.6m by a fall in income at
Trentham as a result of its temporary closure. Gross rental income
in Industrial & Logistics increased to GBP12.2m (2019:
GBP11.3m), but this is expected to grow more meaningfully in the
second half of 2020. Gross rental income in Strategic Land &
Regeneration reduced to GBP8.9m (2019: GBP13.7m) due to the
aforementioned disposals and Trentham impact. Overall net rental
and other income was down GBP6.1m to GBP14.5m, with the difference
compared with the GBP3.9m reduction in gross rent primarily
reflecting a GBP1.4m expected credit provision as a result of
COVID-19. Whilst we expect net rental income to grow in the second
half of the year, we now expect net rental and other income for
2020 to remain well below last year (2019: GBP40.1m). Nevertheless,
we still anticipate rental income to grow in 2021, driven by
Industrial & Logistics developments.
Housebuilding profit
Gross profit from housebuilding activities decreased to GBP13.8m
(2019: GBP24.4m). Within this, St. Modwen Homes' gross profit fell
to GBP12.1m (2019: GBP20.9m) due to the reduction in sales as a
result of the delay in build activity during lockdown, whilst net
operating profit reduced to GBP7.6m (2019: GBP15.2m). Should
current market conditions persist, we would expect this to grow
meaningfully in the second half of the year given our current order
book. The Persimmon JV, which forms part of our Strategic Land
& Regeneration business, delivered GBP1.7m of profit (2019:
GBP3.5m). This JV is now expected to draw to a close in 2021, with
relatively minimal profit to come from here.
Business unit direct operating expenses and central
administrative expenses
Business unit operating expenses are those costs which are
directly linked to the operating activities of our three business
units. During the half year, these decreased to GBP8.0m (2019:
GBP11.1m), whilst central administrative expenses decreased to
GBP9.8m (2019: GBP11.3m). This reflects the measures we have taken
to reduce our cost base and, as a result of these, we expect
business unit operating and administrative expenses combined to
come out lower than expected, at a level which is c. 15% below last
year (2019: GBP44.1m).
Interest and other finance costs
Net interest costs for the half year increased to GBP5.5 m
(2019: GBP4.5m) on a see-through basis, partly due to an increase
in borrowings due to investment in our pipeline but also due to our
decision to draw all our available facilities at the end of March.
We have repaid most of this since the period-end, but as our net
borrowings are higher than at the start of the year, we expect net
interest cost in the second half of 2020 to be broadly similar to
the first half of the year. We capitalised GBP1.7m of interest
costs on commercial developments during the half year (2019:
GBP1.5m).
Net other finance costs were down slightly to GBP3.9m (2019:
GBP5.2m). This includes a GBP1.4m charge for discount unwinds,
principally on our share of the long-term commitment to deliver the
NCGM project, and a GBP0.3m charge for the amortisation of
arrangement fees in relation to our loan facilities. Combined,
these costs have averaged c. GBP7m p.a. in recent years. The final
element of our other finance costs relates to the mark-to-market
valuation of our derivatives, which is driven by the movement in
swap rates and resulted in a GBP2.2m expense in the half year
(2019: GBP2.4m).
Investment property revaluation, development and disposal
gains/losses
All our investment properties are independently valued every six
months by our external valuers, Cushman & Wakefield, who base
their valuations upon open market transactions between a willing
buyer and a willing seller at the balance sheet date. In accordance
with accounting standards, valuation movements are reflected as
gains or losses in the income statement. We also independently
assess our work in progress for any impairment issues. The external
valuation report from Cushman & Wakefield contains a material
uncertainty clause, which is in line with the RICS guidance to
valuers at the end of May and solely reflects the increased
difficulty in determining asset values when few, if any, comparable
transactions have occurred in the period leading up the May
valuation. We note that since the period end, RICS guidance has
been to remove this material uncertainty clause for a number of
sub-sectors, including industrial, which makes up c. 60% of our
investment properties.
During the first half of 2020, we recorded a net revaluation and
development loss of GBP152.7m, compared to a GBP13.1m gain in 2019.
At GBP131.9m, most of this loss was driven by Strategic Land &
Regeneration, reflecting significant write-downs on its residential
land and retail assets in particular, as downwards valuation
movements in Industrial & Logistics were relatively small at
GBP6.9m. The remaining GBP13.9m includes an element of COVID-19
related costs for site-based staff which were temporarily
furloughed during lockdown, a small element of historical utility
cost write-offs and an increase in a number of provisions. We
recognised a GBP4.1m loss on disposals (2019: GBP0.2m gain), which
reflects the selling cost of a number of disposals we made, plus
the write-down of a small element of WIP on potential future
projects, which is treated as a disposal.
Taxation and profit
Our net loss for the half year was GBP134.5m (2019: GBP23.1m
profit), while our total tax credit (including joint venture tax)
for the half year was GBP23.4m (2019: GBP4.7m tax charge).
The tax rate is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax
of 19%, predominantly due to the increase in the rate used to
recognise deferred tax from 17% to 19%. This gave rise to a tax
charge of GBP3.0m, being 2.0% of Group profit before tax. As
signalled previously, the effective tax rate is expected to remain
slightly below the standard rate of tax.
Return on capital
Our total accounting return for the half year amounted to
(12.6)% (2019: 2.2%). Our segmental reporting below provides
insight into how our three business units contribute to our overall
Group returns. The return on capital employed over the past 12
months for St. Modwen Homes is highest at 8.5%, ahead of Industrial
& Logistics at 6.5% and Strategic Land & Regeneration at
(26.3)%. We expect the ROCE in Industrial & Logistics and St.
Modwen Homes to remain ahead of Strategic Land &
Regeneration.
30 Nov
31 May 2020 2019
Industrial St. Modwen Strategic
& Logistics Homes Land & Regeneration Unallocated Total(1) Total(1)
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
Property portfolio 618.2 401.9 385.2 - 1,405.3 1,484.6
Other assets 7.7 21.3 73.5 94.2 196.7 206.6
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
Gross assets 625.9 423.2 458.7 94.2 1,602.0 1,691.2
Net borrowings - - - (395.4) (395.4) (290.6)
Lease liabilities - - - (8.6) (8.6) (9.2)
Other liabilities (18.3) (22.3) (111.5) (102.8) (254.9) (311.0)
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
Gross liabilities (18.3) (22.3) (111.5) (506.8) (658.9) (610.8)
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
Net assets 607.6 400.9 347.2 (412.6) 943.1 1,080.4
Non-controlling interests - - - (3.0) (3.0) (4.7)
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
Equity attributable
to owners of the Company 607.6 400.9 347.2 (415.6) 940.1 1,075.7
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
Business unit ROCE(2) 6.5% 8.5% (26.3)%
NAV per share (pence)(1) 423.1 484.2
EPRA NTA per share
(pence)(1) (3) 430.8 490.8
-------------------------- ------------ ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------- --------
(1) This table is presented on a proportionally consolidated
basis, including the Group's share of assets and liabilities of
joint ventures and associates in the balance sheet categories to
which they relate, rather than on a statutory basis as one line
representing the share of net assets of those joint ventures and
associates.
(2) Business unit returns on capital employed are calculated as
the business unit profit before interest and tax for the a rolling
12-month period divided by the average business unit net assets,
after adding back any business unit specific net borrowings, for
the 12-month period.
(3) In October 2019, EPRA issued new best practice
recommendations that replaced EPRA net asset value (NAV) with three
new measures of net asset value. The Group has determined that EPRA
net tangible assets (NTA) is the most relevant measure hence this
is now reported in place of EPRA NAV. Prior period comparatives are
stated under the new definition on EPRA NTA. Further detail is
given in note 3 to the condensed Group financial statements.
Net asset value
The reduction in property values reduced the net asset value
attributable to shareholders of the Group for the first half of
2020 by GBP135.6m to GBP940.1m (Nov 2019: GBP1,075.7m). As a
result, net asset value per share decreased 12.6% over the year to
423.1 pence (Nov 2019: 484.2 pence). EPRA NTA per share decreased
by 12.2% to
430.8 pence (Nov 2019: 490.8 pence)(1) .
Net borrowings and loan-to-value
Net borrowings on a see-through basis increased by GBP104.8m to
GBP395.4m (Nov 2019: GBP290.6m) during the first half of 2020 as
we, as planned, reinvested part of last year's disposal proceeds.
This excludes GBP34.5m (representing our 50% share) of cash held in
a development account for the NCGM project delivery, which is held
in a deposit account until 1 December 2020 and therefore does not
qualify as cash in our net borrowings calculation.
As a result of the increase in borrowings and reduction in
property values, our see-through LTV increased to 28.1% (Nov 2019:
19.6%), or 25.7% including the GBP34.5m of cash held on deposit
until December. The latter is in line with our target to keep our
overall LTV in the mid to high-20s, but we remain conservative in
our approach to financial leverage and with GBP35m disposal
receipts contracted to come in and further disposals expected, we
anticipate see-through net borrowings to reduce in the second half
of 2020.
May 2020(1) Nov 2019(1)
Gross borrowings(2) (GBPm) 552.1 357.8
Net borrowings(2) (GBPm) 395.4 290.6
Loan-to-value(3) (%) 28.1 19.6
Loan-to-value (including cash held on short-term
deposit)(3) (%) 25.7 17.1
------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
(1) Proportionally consolidated, including the Group's share of
joint ventures and associates.
(2) Borrowings are stated at amortised cost and exclude lease
liabilities.
(3) See-through loan-to-values are reconciled in note 2 to the
condensed Group financial statements.
Financing
Aside from the KPI JV facility (GBP15m our share, of which
GBP1.8m is drawn) which matures in January 2021, we have no debt
maturing until December 2023 and our average debt maturity stands
at 4.4 years (Nov 2019: 4.9 years). Since the period end we
received confirmation that we are eligible to access up to GBP175m
of funding under the Government's Covid Corporate Financing
Facility, should that be required, which provides assurance in the
event of a severe deterioration in market conditions.
May 2020 Nov 2019
---------------------------------- -------- ----------
Available facilities (GBPm) 565.0 565.0
Average duration of facilities
(years) 4.4 4.9
Weighted average interest rate(1)
(%) 2.7 3.5
Percentage of gross borrowings
fixed or hedged (%) 42.6 65.7
----------------------------------- -------- --------
(1) The weighted average interest rate is calculated using
current interest rates, commitment fees and hedging profile applied
to the see-through gross borrowings at 31 May 2020, thereby
assuming constant net borrowing levels for 2020.
Hedging and cost of debt
Our weighted average interest rate reduced to 2.7% (Nov 2019:
3.5%) due to the full drawdown of our revolving credit facility at
the end of March. Since the period end, we have started to
normalise our cash balances, so as a result, part of the reduction
in interest rate in the first half of the year will revert in the
second half. We aim to have predictable costs attached to our
borrowings, so our policy is to hedge a significant portion of our
interest rate risk. The proportion of borrowings which are fixed or
hedged at the end of May was lower than usual at 42.6% (Nov 2019:
65.7%) due to our large cash balance, but this will increase as
this cash is reduced and we continue to manage our interest rate
risk via a combination of caps and hedges.
Corporate funding covenants
Covenant compliance continues at all levels and across all
metrics and we continue to operate with considerable headroom
against all measures. Our portfolio could withstand an almost 40%
fall in values before our tightest loan-to-value covenant would be
breached. W e have also agreed an amendment of the interest cover
covenants on our Group debt facilities since the period-end. This
has no impact on our interest cost but means that our interest
cover could now withstand a downside scenario of a very material
fall in housing sales volumes and prices and a loss of the majority
of retail rent until the end of 2021. Further detail is provided in
the going concern statement within the condensed Group accounting
policies note.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Group's principal risks are listed below. They are monitored
by the Risk Assurance and Compliance Committee, the Executive
Committee, the Audit Committee and the Board. Our principal risks
have been amended in comparison to those detailed on pages 36-39 of
our 2019 annual report, with the risk in relation to Customer and
supply chain management being split into two specific risks.
COVID-19 has also had a significant impact on the evaluation of our
risks, as set out below, and in relation to the principal risks. We
do not believe, however, that there has been any material change to
Environmental risk since our 2019 annual report.
The impact of COVID-19
In response to COVID-19, we quickly enacted our crisis
management and business continuity procedures to manage the
immediate impact of the pandemic, with regular daily/weekly
Executive Committee and bi-weekly Board updates to continually
assess and review our risks and how we mitigate the increased
impacts being felt across the Group. The impact of COVID-19 is
being managed under five key themes: macroeconomics; health &
safety; finance; supply chain; and people. Key actions in respect
of COVID-19 have included:
-- Closing our offices, retail assets and construction sites in
March following Government guidelines. In line with updated
Government guidelines, our sites and retail assets have now been
reopened on a phased basis, with significant work undertaken with
our staff, customers, suppliers and tenants to manage the health
and safety risks and robust COVID-19 safeguards in place in line
with Government guidelines;
-- Due to temporarily closing our sites, furloughing around 50%
of staff across the Group on full entitled pay, without use of the
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Most of our staff have now
returned to work as most of our sites have reopened;
-- Managing our cost base during this period of uncertainty,
including cancelling any discretionary spend, reducing all bonuses
and variable pay and a 20% voluntary reduction in Board pay and
fees, and a temporary tapered reduction in pay for higher
earners;
-- Protecting our liquidity and financial position, including
cancelling our final dividend for the year ended 30 November 2019,
pausing uncommitted capital expenditure, drawing down on our
revolving credit facilities, agreeing revised covenants and
securing access to the CCFF programme, although we currently have
no intention of utilising the latter;
-- Enabling all of our office-based staff to work from home in
line with our crisis management plans, which had been tested in
2019 well ahead of this pandemic. Our business continuity and
remote working plans have worked well and our staff have benefitted
from increased communications and engagement on mental health and
wellbeing, which has and will continue to be a major area of focus
throughout 2020; and
-- Preparing, in advance of the easing of lockdown restrictions,
bounce back plans focussing on health and rebuilding momentum, with
continued strong relationship management with customers and the
supply chain to manage associated risks.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19 the UK has seen the largest fall
in GDP, 20.4% in April, and forecasters warn of recession in the UK
and global economies, so our principal risks below have inherently
increased due to this. However, our significant portfolio
repositioning over the past three years means that the majority of
our assets are focused on residential and industrial and logistics;
sectors where long term structural growth drivers remain positive,
and we are also adapting our ways of working to capture any
opportunities where possible.
Brexit
Significant focus in 2019 was on Brexit and having left the EU
on 31 January 2020, the UK and EU entered into a 'transition
period' designed to agree future trading arrangements by the end of
2020. We have continued to assess our risk exposure and the Group's
principal risks and uncertainties take into account the potential
for the UK and EU to not reach agreement on future trading
arrangements. We continue to assess the impact this could have on
the Group, however, we have already put in place mitigating actions
and we continue to monitor and adjust our responses along with
consideration of the effects of COVID-19.
A summary of those principal risks that we believe have seen the
most material change is provided below.
Principal Change in our assessment of the risk
risk
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes The COVID-19 crisis is causing significant economic challenges
in economic which could affect consumer and business confidence for some
and market time to come. This will have a significant impact on our financial
conditions and operational performance in the short term, but our focus
on residential and industrial and logistics means the majority
of our business is in areas where long-term demand remains
positive. In the near-term, a rise in unemployment could affect
housing sales and house prices and our residual retail assets
have been impacted significantly by lockdown measures, on
top of what were already challenging trading conditions. Conversely,
our industrial and logistics portfolio has been relatively
resilient, as demand for space remains robust, so we have
continued to improve our resilience by selling non-core assets
and land to reinvest in industrial and logistics.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Social and COVID-19 has had a significant impact on customer behaviour
technological and we expect much of this to continue. This affects the way
change in which customers interact and engage with us, so we have
revised our digital strategy and marketing materials and are
focusing on customers in more resilient areas. We are also
evaluating changes to future customer demands, such as an
increase in home office and green space in residential, and
growth in logistics space from an acceleration in the shift
from physical to online retail.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Product We temporarily closed down activity on the majority of our
and service sites across SMH, Industrial & Logistics, and at Trentham,
delivery at the end of March to protect the health and safety of our
people, partners and customers. We have since restarted work
in line with Government guidelines, but the delays caused
by the temporary pause in activity and changes in ways of
working based on new social distancing rules have had an impact
on the planned delivery of our homes and industrial and logistics
projects. We have stayed in close contact with our customers
throughout this to manage expectations and continue to focus
on delivering a high-quality product safely.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer The effects of the crisis have a major impact on customers
management across the business, so we have continued to liaise with them
and engagement to support them where necessary and mitigate the risk of customer
failure. This has resulted in a rent collection rate with
82% of rent due in March, April and May being collected and
positive performance in housebuilding, with a sales rate of
0.8 since the end of March 2020, in line with our sales rate
over the last few years. We are mindful of the economic challenges
ahead and continue to monitor this closely. We have realigned
and added resource to our various teams to support this.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply chain Supply chain risk has increased as a result of a deterioration
management in overall market conditions, so we continually monitor the
financial health of key suppliers and seek alternatives to
cover any potential exposure. We have maintained a close dialogue
with our supply chain partners throughout this crisis and
maintain a robust level of materials inventory, in addition
to a significant amount of imported materials held to mitigate
any risks from Brexit.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Management We have followed the changing Government guidelines since
of health the onset of the crisis and have continued to communicate
and safety any changes promptly to our staff, supply chain and customers.
This culminated in closing the majority of our sites in March
2020, but these have gradually been reopened, in accordance
with Government guidance and following stringent protocols
to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. This also
includes return to work protocols for our office-based staff.
Prior to restarting activity on sites, we established detailed
return to site plans and communicated these with the supply
chain. We maintain strict social distancing protocols and
processes, along with hygiene protocols and clear processes
for on-site working, plot restrictions and one-way traffic.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial We have significantly reduced the amount of borrowings in
the business over the past three years and as we had no near-term
debt maturities, we entered the crisis on strong financial
footing. As financial risk increased materially in light of
the COVID-19 crisis, we responded quickly to maintain this
strong financial position, amongst others by cancelling our
final dividend, reducing our cost base, cutting non-committed
capital expenditure, drawing down our RCF to ensure access
to cash, agreeing revised covenants with our lenders to increase
headroom in the event of a material reduction in trading performance
and obtaining access to the CCFF programme, although we currently
have no intention of utilising the latter.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Management The COVID-19 crisis has increased the risk around management
of the portfolio of the portfolio and future pipeline, so we have realigned
and future and increased resource in our business to manage this, focusing
pipeline on leasing our projects and existing assets, rent recovery,
working with tenants to support them throughout this challenging
period, operating assets safely based on Government guidelines
and recycling capital out of our non-core assets into higher
growth parts of our business.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
People The COVID-19 crisis continues to have a significant impact
on our people. As we have temporarily closed our offices,
our office-based staff continue to work from home, many of
our site-based staff had been temporarily furloughed whilst
activity on our sites was paused during lockdown. Most of
our staff have since returned, as we restarted activity on
site, and we have continued to pay those on furlough their
full entitled salary without using the Government CJRS scheme.
A temporary tapered reduction in pay for higher earners has
been reverted to normal, reflecting the positive operational
performance.
Our investments in IT and robust business continuity plans
has meant that the transition to working from home has been
smooth, with relatively few concerns. We are mindful of the
challenges to prolonged working from home and reduced face-to-face
contact, so we have introduced dedicated communications around
wellbeing and mental health support and have established policies
around a future return to the office in a safe way.
----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Hudson
Interim Chief Executive
21 July 2020
CONDENSED GROUP INCOME STATEMENT
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May
2020 2019 30 Nov 2019
Total Total Underlying Exceptional(1) Total
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
Revenue 1 120.5 173.2 429.9 - 429.9
Costs 1 (110.2) (129.5) (331.1) (22.5) (353.6)
Investment property disposal
losses (2.5) (0.5) (5.2) - (5.2)
Investment property revaluation
(losses)/gains (128.4) 15.3 47.5 - 47.5
Net loss of joint ventures and
associates (post-tax) 5 (9.2) (0.7) (2.6) - (2.6)
Administrative expenses 1 (20.7) (22.2) (43.8) - (43.8)
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
(Loss)/profit before interest
and tax (150.5) 35.6 94.7 (22.5) 72.2
Finance costs 6 (8.6) (8.9) (15.8) - (15.8)
Finance income 6 1.0 1.4 2.5 - 2.5
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
(Loss)/profit before tax (158.1) 28.1 81.4 (22.5) 58.9
Taxation 9b 23.6 (5.0) (13.4) 4.0 (9.4)
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
(Loss)/profit for the period (134.5) 23.1 68.0 (18.5) 49.5
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
Attributable to:
Owners of the Company (134.4) 23.3 68.0 (17.3) 50.7
Non-controlling interests (0.1) (0.2) - (1.2) (1.2)
-------------------------------- ----- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
(Loss)/profit for the period (134.5) 23.1 68.0 (18.5) 49.5
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
(1) Refer to note 9a for details of the exceptional item in the year
ended 30 November 2019.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
Notes Pence Pence Pence
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
Basic earnings per share 7 (60.5) 10.5 22.8
Diluted earnings per share 7 (60.5) 10.4 22.6
-------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
(Loss)/profit for the period (134.5) 23.1 49.5
Items that will not be reclassified
to profit and loss:
Pension fund actuarial gains/(losses) 0.1 (0.1) 0.1
Total comprehensive (expense)/income
for the period (134.4) 23.0 49.6
--------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Attributable to:
Owners of the Company (134.3) 23.2 50.8
Non-controlling interests (0.1) (0.2) (1.2)
----------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Total comprehensive (expense)/income
for the period (134.4) 23.0 49.6
--------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
CONDENSED GROUP BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 May 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Non-current assets
Investment properties 860.3 1,008.0 958.1
Operating property, plant and equipment
and intangibles 24.3 25.7 26.7
Investments in joint ventures and
associates 75.2 88.7 86.0
Trade and other receivables 11.1 3.5 11.3
Derivative financial instruments 8 - 0.3 0.2
970.9 1,126.2 1,082.3
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Current assets
Inventories 432.1 370.0 416.5
Assets held for sale 9g 26.3 - 15.8
Trade and other receivables 91.3 80.9 88.5
Current tax assets 1.8 - -
Cash and cash equivalents 139.4 32.7 48.2
690.9 483.6 569.0
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (103.4) (137.7) (140.4)
Borrowings and lease liabilities (1.2) (1.6) (1.4)
Provisions (35.9) - (24.5)
Current tax liabilities - (0.5) -
(140.5) (139.8) (166.3)
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables (14.2) (22.9) (14.8)
Derivative financial instruments 8 (5.3) (3.1) (3.3)
Borrowings and lease liabilities (556.5) (357.2) (360.9)
Deferred tax (2.2) (23.0) (25.6)
(578.2) (406.2) (404.6)
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Net assets 943.1 1,063.8 1,080.4
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Capital and reserves
Share capital 22.2 22.2 22.2
Share premium account 102.8 102.8 102.8
Retained earnings 766.7 883.3 901.4
Share incentive reserve 2.9 4.7 3.9
Own shares (0.7) (1.1) (0.8)
Other reserves 46.2 46.2 46.2
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
Equity attributable to owners of the
Company 940.1 1,058.1 1,075.7
Non-controlling interests 3.0 5.7 4.7
Total equity 943.1 1,063.8 1,080.4
---------------------------------------- ----- --------- --------- -------
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
Equity
attribut-able
Share Share to owners
Share premium Retained incentive Own Other of the Non-control-ling Total
capital account earnings reserve shares reserves Company interests equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Equity at 1
December
2019 22.2 102.8 901.4 3.9 (0.8) 46.2 1,075.7 4.7 1,080.4
Loss for the
period - - (134.4) - - - (134.4) (0.1) (134.5)
Pension fund
actuarial
losses - - 0.1 - - - 0.1 - 0.1
Total
comprehensive
expense - - (134.3) - - - (134.3) (0.1) (134.4)
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Share-based
payments - - - (0.2) - - (0.2) - (0.2)
Deferred tax
on
share-based
payments - - - (0.2) - - (0.2) - (0.2)
Settlement of
share-based
payments - - (0.4) (0.6) 0.1 - (0.9) - (0.9)
Dividends paid - - - - - - - (1.6) (1.6)
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ----------------
Equity at 31
May 2020 22.2 102.8 766.7 2.9 (0.7) 46.2 940.1 3.0 943.1
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Equity
attribut-able
Share Share to owners
Share premium Retained incentive Own Other of the Non-control-ling Total
capital account earnings reserve shares reserves Company interests equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Equity at 1
December
2018 22.2 102.8 869.5 4.7 (1.3) 46.2 1,044.1 5.9 1,050.0
Profit for the
period - - 23.3 - - - 23.3 (0.2) 23.1
Pension fund
actuarial
losses - - (0.1) - - - (0.1) - (0.1)
Total
comprehensive
income - - 23.2 - - - 23.2 (0.2) 23.0
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Share-based
payments - - - 0.9 - - 0.9 - 0.9
Deferred tax
on
share-based
payments - - - 0.1 - - 0.1 - 0.1
Settlement of
share-based
payments - - (0.5) (1.0) 0.2 - (1.3) - (1.3)
Dividends paid - - (8.9) - - - (8.9) - (8.9)
--------------
Equity at 31
May 2019 22.2 102.8 883.3 4.7 (1.1) 46.2 1,058.1 5.7 1,063.8
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Equity
attribut-able
Share Share to owners
Share premium Retained incentive Own Other of the Non-control-ling Total
capital account earnings reserve shares reserves Company interests equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Equity at 1
December
2018 22.2 102.8 869.5 4.7 (1.3) 46.2 1,044.1 5.9 1,050.0
Profit for the
year - - 50.7 - - - 50.7 (1.2) 49.5
Pension fund
actuarial
losses - - 0.1 - - - 0.1 - 0.1
Total
comprehensive
income - - 50.8 - - - 50.8 (1.2) 49.6
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Share-based
payments - - - 1.4 - - 1.4 - 1.4
Settlement of
share-based
payments - - (2.0) (2.2) 0.5 - (3.7) - (3.7)
Dividends paid - - (16.9) - - - (16.9) - (16.9)
--------------
Equity at 30
November
2019 22.2 102.8 901.4 3.9 (0.8) 46.2 1,075.7 4.7 1,080.4
-------------- -------- -------- --------- --------- ------- --------- ------------- ---------------- -------
Own shares represent the cost of 184,465 (31 May 2019: 267,054, 30
November 2019: 210,434) shares held by The St. Modwen Properties PLC
Employee Share Trust. The open market value of the shares held at
31 May 2020 was GBP0.6m (31 May 2019: GBP1.2m, 30 November 2019: GBP1.0m).
The other reserves comprise a capital redemption reserve of GBP0.3m
(31 May 2019: GBP0.3m, 30 November 2019: GBP0.3m) and the balance
of net proceeds in excess of the nominal value of shares arising from
an equity placing in 2013 of GBP45.9m (31 May 2019: GBP45.9m, 30 November
2019: GBP45.9m).
CONDENSED GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Operating activities
(Loss)/profit before interest and tax (150.5) 35.6 72.2
Net loss of joint ventures and associates
(post-tax) 9.2 0.7 2.6
Investment property disposal losses 2.5 0.5 5.2
Investment property revaluation losses/(gains) 128.4 (15.3) (47.5)
Depreciation and amortisation and impairment
of intangibles 4.3 1.6 3.7
Increase in net realisable value provisions 0.6 2.9 3.9
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (25.1) (13.0) 2.9
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (5.5) 12.2 12.5
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (32.1) (0.8) 0.6
Increase in provisions 11.4 - 24.5
Pensions 0.1 - 0.2
Share-based payments expense and settlement (1.3) (0.3) (2.3)
Tax paid (1.6) (2.1) (4.4)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (59.6) 22.0 74.1
---------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Investing activities
Proceeds from investment property disposals 22.7 15.5 67.3
Investment property additions (60.1) (65.1) (139.3)
Interest received 0.7 0.7 1.4
Capital injection into joint ventures and
associates (0.7) (0.3) (0.3)
Operating property, plant and equipment and
intangibles additions (1.9) (3.9) (7.0)
Dividends received from joint ventures and
associates 2.3 - 0.8
Net cash outflow from investing activities (37.0) (53.1) (77.1)
---------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Financing activities
Dividends paid - (8.9) (16.9)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (1.6) - -
Interest paid (5.7) (5.7) (12.4)
Repayment of obligations under lease arrangements (0.9) (0.5) (1.1)
Refinancing outflows - - (1.3)
Borrowings drawn 196.0 140.0 144.0
Repayment of borrowings - (100.0) (100.0)
Net cash inflow from financing activities 187.8 24.9 12.3
---------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 91.2 (6.2) 9.3
---------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 48.2 38.9 38.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 139.4 32.7 48.2
---------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
CONDENSED GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
Basis of preparation
The annual financial statements of the St. Modwen Properties PLC group
(the Group) are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union (EU),
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
The condensed Group financial statements included in this half year
results announcement have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34
Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.
The condensed Group financial statements have been prepared on the
basis of the accounting policies and methods of computation as set
out in the notes to the Group's annual financial statements for the
year ended 30 November 2019, except as set out below.
The Group has adopted the below interpretations, amendments and clarifications
in the six months ended 31 May 2020, which have had no material impact
on the condensed Group financial statements.
-- IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments
-- Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 28 Definition of Material
-- Amendments to IAS 19 Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement
-- Amendments to IAS 28 Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint
Ventures
-- Amendments to IFRS 3 Definition of a Business
-- Amendments to IFRS 9 Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation
-- Amendments to IFRSs Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015 - 2017 Cycle
-- Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards
Full details of key sources of estimation uncertainty are set out
in the Group accounting policies note to the Group's annual financial
statements for the year ended 30 November 2019. The directors are
required to make estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical
experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant and
so actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and
underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revisions
to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the
estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in
the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects
both current and future periods.
IAS 34 Interim Financial Statements requires disclosure of the nature
and amount of changes in estimates of amounts reported in prior financial
years. During the six months ended 31 May 2020, the condensed Group
financial statements reflect a change in the estimates of future costs
of two residential land sites in Wales, as set out in more detail
within the half year results.
The financial information for the year ended 30 November 2019 does
not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006, but is derived from those accounts. A copy of
the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar
of Companies. The auditor reported on those accounts: their report
was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis
and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 2006.
All results are derived from continuing activities, which the directors
do not consider to be seasonal.
Going concern
The directors are required to assess the Group's ability to continue
as a going concern for a period of at least the next 12 months. Given
the significant impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the economy and the
activities of the Group, a thorough review of the going concern assumption
has been undertaken in preparing the condensed Group financial statements.
The Group's going concern assessment considers the Group's principal
risks and is dependent on a number of factors, including financial
performance, continued access to borrowing facilities and the ability
to continue to operate the Group's facilities within its financial
covenants.
The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely
to affect its future development, performance and position are set
out in the half year results. The directors have considered the potential
range of future financial performance and several steps have been
taken to ensure that the Group maintains a strong balance sheet and
liquidity position. This includes securing access to funding under
the Government's Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) should
that be required in the event of a severe deterioration in market
conditions and agreeing an amendment of the interest cover covenants
on our Group debt facilities.
The detailed review of the going concern assumption included an assessment
of future funding requirements based on cash flow forecasts, valuation
projections and the ability of the Group to meet amended covenants
on existing borrowing facilities, all over a period extending to 30
November 2021. The Group has no debt maturities during this period.
The directors were satisfied that the forecasts and projections were
based on realistic assumptions and that the sensitivities applied
in reviewing the severe but plausible downside scenario adopted were
appropriate and considered the potential impacts of COVID-19.
The cash flow forecasts prepared assumed the following changes compared
with pre-COVID-19 levels:
-- house price falls of 5% in the each of the six months ending 30
November 2020 and 31 May 2021, before recovering slightly in the remainder
of 2021;
-- a reduction in sales volumes of 25%;
-- further rent collection reductions beyond those experienced to
31 May 2020; and
-- a reduced development pipeline.
Current performance for house prices, sales rates and rent collections
indicate that these assumptions are conservative.
The severe but plausible downside scenario modelled adopted the following
key assumptions:
-- a fall in house prices of 20% over the period to November 2021;
-- a reduction in the house sales rate by nearly half;
-- a fall in the value of residential land of 40% by November 2021;
-- a reduction in the collection of rents of nearly a third of gross
rents;
-- no further asset disposals;
-- a reduction in capital expenditure;
-- no dividend payments; and
-- reductions in discretionary spend, bonuses and other administrative
expenses.
The review shows that the Group maintains significant borrowing headroom
and continues to meet all of its covenants under the severe but plausible
downside scenario adopted. There is no expectation that there will
be a requirement to use the CCFF. Therefore, the directors are satisfied
that the Group will have sufficient ongoing facilities available throughout
the period to 30 November 2021 used to assess the going concern assumption.
Based on their assessment, the directors believe the Group has adequate
available resources to fund its operations for the foreseeable future,
and not less than 12 months from the date of these condensed Group
financial statements, and so determine that it remains appropriate
for the condensed Group financial statements to be prepared on a going
concern basis.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
1. Detailed income statement
This note sets out the detail of the income statement by category
of revenue under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and
to assist in reconciling the non-statutory disclosures in notes 2
and 3.
Six months ended 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Reallocation
of joint
Statutory ventures
Revenue Costs profit/(loss) and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Rental income 18.9 (5.9) 13.0 1.5 14.5
Other activities 1.0 (1.0) - - -
Net rental and other income 19.9 (6.9) 13.0 1.5 14.5
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Housebuilding developments 69.8 (57.4) 12.4 - 12.4
Housebuilding construction contracts 4.3 (3.8) 0.5 - 0.5
Other housebuilding activities 13.4 (12.5) 0.9 - 0.9
Housebuilding development profits 87.5 (73.7) 13.8 - 13.8
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Non-housebuilding developments - (15.9) (15.9) - (15.9)
Pre-sold property construction
contracts 4.7 (4.5) 0.2 - 0.2
Property development losses 4.7 (20.4) (15.7) - (15.7)
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Inventory disposal losses 0.8 (1.8) (1.0) - (1.0)
Investment property disposal losses - - (2.5) (0.6) (3.1)
Property disposal losses 0.8 (1.8) (3.5) (0.6) (4.1)
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Net realisable value provisions - (0.6) (0.6) - (0.6)
Investment property revaluation
losses - - (128.4) (8.0) (136.4)
Property revaluation losses - (0.6) (129.0) (8.0) (137.0)
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Development fee income 7.6 (6.8) 0.8 - 0.8
Total 120.5 (110.2)
-------------------------------------- ------- -------
Housebuilding administrative expenses (4.5) - (4.5)
Non-housebuilding administrative
expenses (13.2) (0.1) (13.3)
Impairment of intangibles (3.0) - (3.0)
Administrative expenses (20.7) (0.1) (20.8)
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Net loss of joint ventures and
associates (post-tax) (9.2) 9.2 -
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Loss before interest and tax (150.5) 2.0 (148.5)
Interest costs (6.1) (0.8) (6.9)
Other finance costs (2.5) (1.4) (3.9)
Finance costs (8.6) (2.2) (10.8)
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Interest income 1.0 0.4 1.4
Finance income 1.0 0.4 1.4
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Loss before tax (158.1) 0.2 (157.9)
Taxation 23.6 (0.2) 23.4
Loss for the period (134.5) - (134.5)
-------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------------- --------------- -------
Six months ended 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Reallocation
of joint
Statutory ventures
Revenue Costs profit/(loss) and associates Total
GBPm (restated) GBPm (restated) GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Rental income 22.5 (4.5) 18.0 1.9 19.9
Other activities 1.6 (0.9) 0.7 - 0.7
Net rental and other income 24.1 (5.4) 18.7 1.9 20.6
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Housebuilding developments 110.1 (86.2) 23.9 - 23.9
Housebuilding construction contracts 0.6 (0.5) 0.1 - 0.1
Other housebuilding activities 2.4 (2.0) 0.4 - 0.4
Housebuilding development profits 113.1 (88.7) 24.4 - 24.4
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Non-housebuilding developments 0.9 (1.1) (0.2) 1.5 1.3
Pre-sold property construction
contracts 24.2 (23.2) 1.0 - 1.0
Property development gains 25.1 (24.3) 0.8 1.5 2.3
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Inventory disposal gains 2.2 (1.1) 1.1 - 1.1
Investment property disposal losses - - (0.5) (0.4) (0.9)
Property disposal gains/(losses) 2.2 (1.1) 0.6 (0.4) 0.2
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Net realisable value provisions - (2.9) (2.9) - (2.9)
Investment property revaluation
gains/(losses) - - 15.3 (1.6) 13.7
Property valuation gains/(losses) - (2.9) 12.4 (1.6) 10.8
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Development fee income 8.7 (7.1) 1.6 - 1.6
Total 173.2 (129.5)
-------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Housebuilding administrative expenses (5.7) - (5.7)
Non-housebuilding administrative
expenses (16.5) (0.2) (16.7)
Administrative expenses (22.2) (0.2) (22.4)
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Net loss of joint ventures and
associates (post-tax) (0.7) 0.7 -
Profit before interest and tax 35.6 1.9 37.5
Interest costs (5.2) (1.1) (6.3)
Other finance costs (3.7) (1.9) (5.6)
Finance costs (8.9) (3.0) (11.9)
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Interest income 1.2 0.6 1.8
Other finance income 0.2 0.2 0.4
Finance income 1.4 0.8 2.2
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Profit before tax 28.1 (0.3) 27.8
Taxation (5.0) 0.3 (4.7)
Profit for the period 23.1 - 23.1
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- ------
Year ended 30 November 2019 (audited)
Reallocation
of joint
Statutory ventures
Revenue Costs profit/(loss) and associates Total
GBPm (restated) GBPm (restated) GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Rental income 43.2 (10.3) 32.9 4.1 37.0
Other activities 5.6 (2.5) 3.1 - 3.1
Net rental and other income 48.8 (12.8) 36.0 4.1 40.1
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Housebuilding developments 277.7 (223.4) 54.3 - 54.3
Housebuilding construction contracts 7.8 (6.9) 0.9 - 0.9
Other housebuilding activities 6.7 (6.4) 0.3 - 0.3
Housebuilding development profits 292.2 (236.7) 55.5 - 55.5
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Non-housebuilding developments 38.2 (55.2) (17.0) 1.5 (15.5)
Pre-sold property construction
contracts 25.0 (24.5) 0.5 - 0.5
Property development (losses)/gains 63.2 (79.7) (16.5) 1.5 (15.0)
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Inventory disposal gains 8.4 (7.6) 0.8 - 0.8
Investment property disposal losses - - (5.2) (0.6) (5.8)
Property disposal losses 8.4 (7.6) (4.4) (0.6) (5.0)
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Net realisable value provisions - (3.9) (3.9) - (3.9)
Investment property revaluation
gains/(losses) - - 47.5 (4.2) 43.3
Property valuation gains/(losses) - (3.9) 43.6 (4.2) 39.4
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Development fee income 17.3 (12.9) 4.4 - 4.4
Total 429.9 (353.6)
-------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Housebuilding administrative expenses (11.3) - (11.3)
Non-housebuilding administrative
expenses (32.5) (0.3) (32.8)
Administrative expenses (43.8) (0.3) (44.1)
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Net loss of joint ventures and
associates (post-tax) (2.6) 2.6 -
Profit before interest and tax 72.2 3.1 75.3
Interest costs (11.0) (1.9) (12.9)
Other finance costs (4.8) (2.6) (7.4)
Finance costs (15.8) (4.5) (20.3)
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Interest income 2.3 1.3 3.6
Other finance income 0.2 0.2 0.4
Finance income 2.5 1.5 4.0
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Profit before tax 58.9 0.1 59.0
Taxation (9.4) (0.1) (9.5)
Profit for the year 49.5 - 49.5
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
All revenues in the table above are derived from continuing operations
exclusively in the UK.
Housebuilding operating profit is derived from the above table as
follows:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
Housebuilding development profits 13.8 24.4 55.5
Housebuilding administrative expenses (4.5) (5.7) (11.3)
Housebuilding operating profit 9.3 18.7 44.2
-------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------
2. Non-statutory information
The purpose of this note is to explain, analyse and reconcile a number
of non-statutory financial performance and financial position metrics,
which are used extensively by the Group to monitor its performance.
These metrics reflect the way in which the Group is run, that the
Group is in the real estate sector, and in particular that the Group
reviews and reports performance of its joint ventures and associates
in the same way as it would if they were subsidiaries. This means
that proportionally consolidated measures (often referred to as see-through
in the half year results) are particularly relevant, whilst also having
the benefit of removing the taxation effects on equity accounted entities
from the statutory profit before tax figure. A number of these measures
are explained below, together with the EPRA-based measures that are
discussed in note 3.
a. Income statement
The non-statutory measure of adjusted EPRA earnings, which includes
the Group's share of joint ventures and associates, is calculated
as set out below, with the reconciliation of the individual line items
to the statutory Group income statement detailed in note 1:
Six months ended 31 May
2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Gross rental income 18.9 2.2 21.1
Property outgoings (5.9) (0.7) (6.6)
Net rental and other income 13.0 1.5 14.5
Housebuilding development profit 13.8 - 13.8
Development fee income 0.8 - 0.8
Business unit direct operating expenses (8.0) - (8.0)
Central administrative expenses (9.7) (0.1) (9.8)
Interest costs (6.1) (0.8) (6.9)
Interest income 1.0 0.4 1.4
Taxation on adjusted EPRA earnings (0.9) (0.2) (1.1)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 3.9 0.8 4.7
Property revaluation losses (129.0) (8.0) (137.0)
Property development losses (15.7) - (15.7)
Property disposal losses (3.5) (0.6) (4.1)
Impairment of intangibles (3.0) - (3.0)
Other finance costs (2.5) (1.4) (3.9)
Taxation on other earnings 24.5 - 24.5
Less non-controlling interests on other earnings 0.1 - 0.1
------------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Loss for the period attributable to owners
of the Company (125.2) (9.2) (134.4)
------------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
The loss for the six months ended 31 May 2020 is stated after the
deduction of a GBP2.6m charge for the impairment of intangible assets
and a GBP2.7m charge for the costs of employees ordinarily undertaking
development activities placed on furlough or otherwise unable to undertake
that activity due to COVID-19. Both of these items are excluded from
the definition of profit before interest and tax for the purposes
of interest cover as defined in our banking facility agreement.
Six months ended 31 May
2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ --------------- -------
Gross rental income 22.5 2.5 25.0
Property outgoings (4.5) (0.6) (5.1)
Other net income 0.7 - 0.7
Net rental and other income 18.7 1.9 20.6
Housebuilding development profit 24.4 - 24.4
Development fee income 1.6 - 1.6
Business unit direct operating expenses(1) (11.1) - (11.1)
Central administrative expenses(1) (11.1) (0.2) (11.3)
Interest costs (5.2) (1.1) (6.3)
Interest income 1.2 0.6 1.8
Taxation on adjusted EPRA earnings (3.3) (0.2) (3.5)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 15.2 1.0 16.2
Property revaluation gains/(losses) 12.4 (1.6) 10.8
Property development gains 0.8 1.5 2.3
Property disposal gains/(losses) 0.6 (0.4) 0.2
Other finance costs (3.7) (1.9) (5.6)
Other finance income 0.2 0.2 0.4
Taxation on other earnings (1.7) 0.5 (1.2)
Less non-controlling interests on other earnings 0.2 - 0.2
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable
to owners of the Company 24.0 (0.7) 23.3
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ --------------- -------
(1) As disclosed in note 4, following the restatement of the segmental
analysis comparatives for the six months ended 31 May 2019, administrative
expenses have been split between business unit direct operating expenses
and central administrative expenses and housebuilding administrative
expenses of GBP5.7m that were previously presented within housebuilding
operating profit are now presented within business unit direct operating
expenses.
Year ended 30 November 2019 (audited)
Joint
ventures
Group and associates Total Exceptionals Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ------- --------------- -------
Gross rental income 43.2 5.4 48.6 - 48.6
Property outgoings (10.3) (1.3) (11.6) - (11.6)
Other net income 3.1 - 3.1 - 3.1
Net rental and other income 36.0 4.1 40.1 - 40.1
Housebuilding development profit 55.5 - 55.5 - 55.5
Development fee income 4.4 - 4.4 - 4.4
Business unit direct operating
expenses (21.7) - (21.7) - (21.7)
Central administrative expenses (22.1) (0.3) (22.4) - (22.4)
Interest costs (11.0) (1.9) (12.9) - (12.9)
Interest income 2.3 1.3 3.6 - 3.6
Taxation on adjusted EPRA earnings (7.4) (0.4) (7.8) - (7.8)
Less non-controlling interests
on adjusted EPRA earnings (0.1) - (0.1) - (0.1)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 35.9 2.8 38.7 - 38.7
Property revaluation gains/(losses) 43.6 (4.2) 39.4 - 39.4
Property development gains/(losses) 6.0 1.5 7.5 (22.5) (15.0)
Property disposal losses (4.4) (0.6) (5.0) - (5.0)
Other finance costs (4.8) (2.6) (7.4) - (7.4)
Other finance income 0.2 0.2 0.4 - 0.4
Taxation on other earnings (6.0) 0.3 (5.7) 4.0 (1.7)
Less non-controlling interests
on other earnings 0.1 - 0.1 1.2 1.3
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------------
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable
to owners of the Company 70.6 (2.6) 68.0 (17.3) 50.7
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ------- --------------- -------
b. Balance sheet
The balance sheet, including the Group's share of joint ventures and
associates, is derived from the Group balance sheet as detailed below:
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Property portfolio 1,318.7 86.6 1,405.3
Other assets 128.6 68.1 196.7
Gross assets 1,447.3 154.7 1,602.0
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net borrowings (410.6) 15.2 (395.4)
Lease liabilities (7.7) (0.9) (8.6)
Other liabilities (161.1) (93.8) (254.9)
Gross liabilities (579.4) (79.5) (658.9)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net assets 867.9 75.2 943.1
Non-controlling interests (3.0) - (3.0)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 864.9 75.2 940.1
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm (restated) GBPm GBPm (restated)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Property portfolio 1,375.0 96.7 1,471.7
Other assets 113.4 91.4 204.8
Gross assets 1,488.4 188.1 1,676.5
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net borrowings (317.3) 12.4 (304.9)
Lease liabilities (8.8) (0.9) (9.7)
Other liabilities (187.2) (110.9) (298.1)
Gross liabilities (513.3) (99.4) (612.7)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net assets 975.1 88.7 1,063.8
Non-controlling interests (5.7) - (5.7)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 969.4 88.7 1,058.1
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
As at 30 November 2019
(audited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm (restated) GBPm GBPm (restated)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Property portfolio 1,390.4 94.2 1,484.6
Other assets 126.7 79.9 206.6
Gross assets 1,517.1 174.1 1,691.2
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net borrowings (305.8) 15.2 (290.6)
Lease liabilities (8.3) (0.9) (9.2)
Other liabilities (208.6) (102.4) (311.0)
Gross liabilities (522.7) (88.1) (610.8)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Net assets 994.4 86.0 1,080.4
Non-controlling interests (4.7) - (4.7)
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 989.7 86.0 1,075.7
--------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
c. Property portfolio
The property portfolio, including the Group's share of joint ventures
and associates, is derived from the Group balance sheet as detailed
below:
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
Investment properties 860.3 73.2 933.5
Assets held for sale 26.3 - 26.3
Inventories 432.1 13.4 445.5
Property portfolio 1,318.7 86.6 1,405.3
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
Investment properties 1,008.0 87.4 1,095.4
Less assets held under leases not subject
to revaluation(1) (3.0) (0.9) (3.9)
Inventories 370.0 10.2 380.2
Property portfolio 1,375.0 96.7 1,471.7
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
(1) Assets held under leases are no longer excluded from the presentation
of the Group's property portfolio.
As at 30 November 2019
(audited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
Investment properties 958.1 82.9 1,041.0
Assets held for sale 15.8 - 15.8
Inventories 416.5 11.3 427.8
Property portfolio 1,390.4 94.2 1,484.6
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
The property portfolio, including the Group's share of joint ventures
can be split by category as detailed below:
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
Industrial & Logistics 583.4 34.8 618.2
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
St. Modwen Homes 401.9 - 401.9
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
Residential land 138.6 33.8 172.4
Retail-led regeneration 67.1 - 67.1
Other regeneration 78.4 9.4 87.8
Non-core retail 18.4 6.4 24.8
Non-core other 30.9 2.2 33.1
Strategic Land & Regeneration 333.4 51.8 385.2
-------- --------------- -------
Property portfolio 1,318.7 86.6 1,405.3
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------------- -------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Industrial & Logistics 462.4 41.0 503.4
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
St. Modwen Homes 370.4 3.3 373.7
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Residential land 222.2 24.4 246.6
Retail-led regeneration 80.9 - 80.9
Other regeneration 115.0 8.5 123.5
Non-core retail 59.9 12.5 72.4
Non-core other 64.2 7.0 71.2
Strategic Land & Regeneration 542.2 52.4 594.6
--------- --------------- ---------
Property portfolio 1,375.0 96.7 1,471.7
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
As at 30 November 2019
(audited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Industrial & Logistics 553.5 34.6 588.1
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
St. Modwen Homes 384.2 - 384.2
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Residential land 218.4 40.3 258.7
Retail-led regeneration 83.6 - 83.6
Other regeneration 86.7 8.9 95.6
Non-core retail 21.8 8.3 30.1
Non-core other 42.2 2.1 44.3
Strategic Land & Regeneration 452.7 59.6 512.3
--------- --------------- ---------
Property portfolio 1,390.4 94.2 1,484.6
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Investment and commercial property assets as defined in our banking
facility agreement at 31 May 2020 was GBP651.5m (31 May 2019: GBP634.7m,
30 November 2019: GBP642.5m).
d. Total accounting return
The Group's shareholders measure their returns in terms of both the
Group's growth and the dividend return and total accounting return
combines these two items. Whilst this is often measured by Total Shareholder
Return which combines share price growth and dividend return, in the
real estate sector, it is also insightful to consider net asset growth,
which therefore directly reflects the most recent valuation of assets.
Total accounting return is calculated as set out below:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
Pence per Pence per Pence per
share share share
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Net asset value per share at end of year (note
3) 423.1 476.4 484.2
Less net asset value per share at start of
year (note 3) (484.2) (470.2) (470.2)
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
(Decrease)/increase in net asset value per
share (61.1) 6.2 14.0
Dividend paid per share - 4.0 7.6
-----------------------------------------------
Total accounting return per share (61.1) 10.2 21.6
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
Total accounting return (12.6)% 2.2% 4.6%
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------------- ---------
e. Movements in net borrowings and net debt
The movements in net borrowings and net debt are set out below:
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Movement in cash and cash equivalents 91.2 (1.7) 89.5
Borrowings drawn (196.0) - (196.0)
Repayment of borrowings - 1.7 1.7
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Increase in net borrowings (104.8) - (104.8)
Movement in lease liabilities 0.6 - 0.6
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Increase in net debt (104.2) - (104.2)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Movement in cash and cash equivalents (6.2) (26.1) (32.3)
Borrowings drawn (140.0) - (140.0)
Repayment of borrowings 100.0 4.3 104.3
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Increase in net borrowings (46.2) (21.8) (68.0)
Fair value movement on convertible bonds 0.2 - 0.2
Movement in lease liabilities (5.8) - (5.8)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Increase in net debt (51.8) (21.8) (73.6)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
As at 30 November 2019
(audited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Movement in cash and cash equivalents 9.3 (26.7) (17.4)
Borrowings drawn (144.0) - (144.0)
Repayment of borrowings 100.0 7.7 107.7
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Increase in net borrowings (34.7) (19.0) (53.7)
Fair value movement on convertible bonds 0.2 - 0.2
Movement in lease liabilities (5.3) - (5.3)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Increase in net debt (39.8) (19.0) (58.8)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
f. Net borrowings and net debt
Net borrowings and net debt are calculated
as set out below:
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents 139.4 17.3 156.7
Bank overdraft - (0.3) (0.3)
Borrowings due after more than one year (550.0) (1.8) (551.8)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Net borrowings (410.6) 15.2 (395.4)
Lease liabilities due within one year (1.2) - (1.2)
Lease liabilities due after more than one
year (6.5) (0.9) (7.4)
------- --------------- -------
Net debt (418.3) 14.3 (404.0)
------------------------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents 32.7 19.6 52.3
Bank overdraft - (0.2) (0.2)
Borrowings due after more than one year (350.0) (7.0) (357.0)
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
Net borrowings (317.3) 12.4 (304.9)
Lease liabilities due within one year (1.6) - (1.6)
Lease liabilities due after more than one
year (7.2) (0.9) (8.1)
-------- ----------------- -------
Net debt (326.1) 11.5 (314.6)
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
As at 30 November 2019
(audited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents 48.2 19.0 67.2
Borrowings due after more than one year (354.0) (3.8) (357.8)
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
Net borrowings (305.8) 15.2 (290.6)
Lease liabilities due within one year (1.4) - (1.4)
Lease liabilities due after more than one
year (6.9) (0.9) (7.8)
-------- ----------------- -------
Net debt (314.1) 14.3 (299.8)
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
g. Gearing and loan-to-value
The Group's capacity to borrow is primarily linked to the value of
the property portfolio. Accordingly, both adjusted gearing and see-through
loan-to-value are calculated using the comparable measure of net borrowings
and see-through net borrowings respectively. These terms are defined
as follows:
Net borrowings: Total borrowings (at amortised cost and excluding
leases) less cash and cash equivalents.
See-through net borrowings: Total borrowings (at amortised cost excluding
leases) less cash and cash equivalents (including the Group's share
of its joint ventures and associates). This includes the development
account beneficially owned by one of our joint ventures VSM (NGCM)
Limited (held for the purpose of funding the establishment of a market
at Nine Elms, which would otherwise need to be funded by injecting
cash into the joint venture in the future), but excludes the balance
of the development account that is held on short-term deposit as it
does not meet the definition of cash or cash equivalents.
Adjusted gearing: The ratio of net borrowings to total equity.
See-through loan-to-value: See-through net borrowings expressed as
a percentage of the Group's property portfolio, calculated on a proportionally
consolidated basis (including the Group's share of its joint ventures
and associates).
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
Property portfolio (note 2c) 1,318.7 86.6 1,405.3
Total equity 943.1 N/A 943.1
Net debt (note 2f) 418.3 (14.3) 404.0
Net borrowings (note 2f) 410.6 (15.2) 395.4
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
Gearing 44.4% 42.8%
Adjusted gearing 43.5% 41.9%
Loan-to-value 31.1% 28.1%
------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Property portfolio (note 2c) 1,375.0 96.7 1,471.7
Total equity 1,063.8 N/A 1,063.8
Net debt (note 2f) 326.1 (11.5) 314.6
Net borrowings (note 2f) 317.3 (12.4) 304.9
----------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Gearing 30.7% 29.6%
Adjusted gearing 29.8% 28.7%
Loan-to-value 23.1% 20.7%
----------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
As at 30 November 2019
(audited)
Joint ventures
Group and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Property portfolio (note 2c) 1,390.4 94.2 1,484.6
Total equity 1,080.4 N/A 1,080.4
Net debt (note 2f) 314.1 (14.3) 299.8
Net borrowings (note 2f) 305.8 (15.2) 290.6
----------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
Gearing 29.1% 27.7%
Adjusted gearing 28.3% 26.9%
Loan-to-value 22.0% 19.6%
----------------------------- ------- --------------- -------
3. EPRA performance measures
This note sets out performance measures of the European Public Real
Estate Association (EPRA), calculated in accordance with their Best
Practices Recommendations (BPR). These measures are intended to provide
comparability and are explained in detail below.
a. EPRA earnings measures
For investors of real estate companies, a key measure of ongoing operational
performance and the extent to which dividend payments are underpinned
by earnings is the level of income arising from operational activities.
EPRA earnings exclude unrealised valuation movements and profits on
disposal to provide an indicator of the leasing and property management
performance of a business.
However, whilst EPRA earnings provides a comparable measure for investors,
it is not a relevant measure for housebuilders as it excludes all
profits from such activity. On the basis that these profits are realised
in cash and represent a core ongoing activity for the Group, a company
specific adjustment is therefore made to EPRA earnings in respect
of this profit. Furthermore, the amortisation of loan arrangement
fees represents a non-cash interest charge on an ongoing basis and
therefore a further company specific adjustment is made for this.
After adjusting these two items for tax, EPRA earnings can be reconciled
to adjusted EPRA earnings, which provides a relevant cash-based profit
measure that underpins the dividend policy of the Group.
The EPRA earnings measures are calculated
as set out below:
Six months ended 31 May
2020 (unaudited)
Adjusted
IFRS earnings EPRA earnings EPRA earnings
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- --------------
Loss for the period attributable to
owners of the Company (134.4) (134.4) (134.4)
Property revaluation losses - 137.0 137.0
Property disposal losses - 4.1 4.1
Property development losses - 15.7 15.7
Housebuilding operating profit(1) - (9.3) -
Amortisation of discount on deferred
payment arrangements(2) - 1.4 1.4
Impairment of intangibles - 3.0 3.0
Movement in fair value of financial
instruments - 2.2 2.2
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees - - 0.4
Taxation in respect of adjustments - (22.9) (24.6)
Non-controlling interests in respect
of the above - (0.1) (0.1)
Earnings for the period (134.4) (3.3) 4.7
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Weighted average number of shares(3) 222,181,270 222,181,270 222,181,270
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Earnings per share (pence) (60.5) (1.5) 2.1
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Six months ended 31 May
2019 (unaudited)
Adjusted
IFRS earnings EPRA earnings EPRA earnings
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- --------------
Profit for the period attributable
to owners of the Company 23.3 23.3 23.3
Property revaluation gains - (10.8) (10.8)
Property disposal gains - (0.2) (0.2)
Property development gains - (2.3) (2.3)
Housebuilding operating profit(1) - (18.7) -
Amortisation of discount on deferred
payment arrangements(2) - 1.9 1.9
Movement in fair value of financial
instruments - 2.4 2.4
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees - - 0.9
Taxation in respect of adjustments - 4.7 1.2
Non-controlling interests in respect
of the above - (0.2) (0.2)
Earnings for the period 23.3 0.1 16.2
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Weighted average number of shares(3) 222,046,418 222,046,418 222,046,418
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Earnings per share (pence) 10.5 - 7.3
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Year ended 30 November
2019 (audited)
Adjusted
IFRS earnings EPRA earnings EPRA earnings
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- --------------
Profit for the year attributable to
owners of the Company 50.7 50.7 50.7
Property revaluation gains - (39.4) (39.4)
Property disposal glosses - 5.0 5.0
Property development losses - 15.0 15.0
Housebuilding operating profit(1) - (44.2) -
Amortisation of discount on deferred
payment arrangements(2) - 2.4 2.4
Movement in fair value of financial
instruments - 2.7 2.7
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees - - 1.9
Taxation in respect of adjustments - 8.8 1.7
Non-controlling interests in respect
of the above - (1.3) (1.3)
Earnings for the year 50.7 (0.3) 38.7
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Weighted average number of shares(3) 222,084,656 222,084,656 222,084,656
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Earnings per share (pence) 22.8 (0.1) 17.4
------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
(1) Housebuilding operating profit includes overheads directly attributable
to the residential housebuilding business as these form part of the
profits or losses on sale of trading properties that should be adjusted
in arriving at EPRA earnings.
(2) The amortisation of discounts on deferred payment arrangements
are linked to the disposal of either investment properties or inventory
and are therefore adjusted in arriving at EPRA earnings.
(3) The credit from increased discount of market liability and change
in estimated cost to establish a market in Nine Elms represent property
development gains and losses and therefore forms part of the profits
or losses on sale of trading properties that should be adjusted in
arriving at EPRA earnings.
(3) The number of shares in issue used to calculate the earnings per
share is disclosed in note 7 and excludes those shares held by The
St. Modwen Properties PLC Employee Share Trust.
b. EPRA net asset value measures
In October 2019, EPRA released updated guidelines that revised the
approach to the calculation of net asset value. The new guidelines
introduce three new measures to replace those previously presented,
which are described below. This new set of EPRA net asset value metrics
are applicable for accounting period commencing on or after 1 January
2020, however the Group has elected to early adopt these and to present
comparatives in accordance with the new measures.
The objective of EPRA net disposal value (NDV) is to highlight the
full extent of liabilities and resulting shareholder value if assets
are sold and/or if liabilities are not held until maturity. Therefore,
this measure includes an adjustment to increase the value of inventory
from the lower of historical cost or net book value to fair value.
The objective of EPRA net reinstatement value (NRV) is to highlight
the value of net assets on a long-term basis. Assets and liabilities
that are not expected to crystallise in normal circumstances, such
as the fair value movements on derivative financial instruments and
deferred taxes on property valuation surpluses are therefore excluded.
Since the aim of the metric is to also reflect what would be needed
to recreate the company through the investment markets based on its
current capital and financing structure, investment property purchaser's
costs are also included.
The objective of EPRA net tangible assets (NTA) is to highlight the
fair value of net assets on an ongoing, long-term basis, but on the
assumption that entities buy and sell assets, thereby crystallising
only certain levels of deferred tax liability. Assets and liabilities
that are not expected to crystallise in normal circumstances, such
as the fair value movements on derivative financial instruments, deferred
taxes on those property valuation surpluses that are not expected
to crystallise and intangibles are therefore excluded, but no adjustment
to include purchaser's costs is made. The Group considers this to
be the most relevant EPRA net asset value measure.
The EPRA net asset values are calculated as set out below:
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
EPRA net EPRA net EPRA net
IFRS net disposal reinstatement tangible
assets value value assets
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Equity attributable to owners of the
Company 940.1 940.1 940.1 940.1
Adjustment of inventories to fair
value - 8.9 8.9 8.9
Deferred tax on capital allowances
and revaluations(1) - - 11.5 17.2
Mark-to-market of derivative financial
instruments - - 4.3 4.3
Intangibles - - - (3.2)
Purchaser's costs(2) - - 62.4 -
Net asset value 940.1 949.0 1,027.2 967.3
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Number of shares(3) 222,192,523 224,525,163 224,525,163 224,525,163
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Net asset value per share (pence) 423.1 422.7 457.5 430.8
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
EPRA net EPRA net EPRA net
IFRS net disposal reinstatement tangible
assets value value assets
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Equity attributable to owners of the
Company 1,058.1 1,058.1 1,058.1 1,058.1
Adjustment of inventories to fair
value - 7.1 7.1 7.1
Deferred tax on capital allowances
and revaluations(1) - - 26.5 10.3
Mark-to-market of derivative financial
instruments - - 2.3 2.3
Intangibles - - - (3.2)
Purchaser's costs(2) - - 71.2 -
Net asset value 1,058.1 1,065.2 1,165.2 1,074.6
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Number of shares(3) 222,109,934 224,635,292 224,635,292 224,635,292
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Net asset value per share (pence) 476.4 474.2 518.7 478.4
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
As at 30 November 2019 (audited)
EPRA net EPRA net EPRA net
IFRS net disposal reinstatement tangible
assets value value assets
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Equity attributable to owners of the
Company 1,075.7 1,075.7 1,075.7 1,075.7
Adjustment of inventories to fair
value - 11.8 11.8 11.8
Deferred tax on capital allowances
and revaluations(1) - - 30.1 14.5
Mark-to-market of derivative financial
instruments - - 2.6 2.6
Intangibles - - - (4.9)
Purchaser's costs(2) - - 68.7 -
Net asset value 1,075.7 1,087.5 1,188.9 1,099.7
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Number of shares(3) 222,166,554 224,078,242 224,078,242 224,078,242
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Net asset value per share (pence) 484.2 485.3 530.6 490.8
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
(1) The Group has determined that only deferred tax on assets within
the Industrial & Logistics portfolio as disclosed in note 2c should
be added back in calculating EPRA net tangible assets as it is only
in this operating segment that the general intention is to hold assets
for the long term.
(2) The external valuation certificate does not separately disclose
a gross valuation and therefore purchaser's costs have been estimated
from the net valuation disclosed in the valuation certificate based
on the standard assumption used for purchaser's costs of 6.5%.
(3) The number of shares in issue used to calculate the net asset
values per share excludes those shares held by The St. Modwen Properties
PLC Employee Share Trust and, for the three EPRA net asset measures,
also includes the dilutive effect of share options as these measures
are calculated on a diluted basis.
The Group has previously disclosed EPRA net asset value (NAV) and
EPRA triple net asset value (NNNAV). EPRA NTA is similar to EPRA NAV
as previously reported, but adds back a smaller amount of deferred
tax and excludes intangibles and therefore is slightly lower, as detailed
in the reconciliation below. For the Group, EPRA NDV is equivalent
to EPRA NNNAV as previously reported and therefore no reconciliation
is presented between EPRA NNNAV and EPRA NDV.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
EPRA net asset value 964.8 1,094.0 1,120.2
Difference in deferred tax on capital allowances
and revaluations 5.7 (16.2) (15.6)
Intangibles (3.2) (3.2) (4.9)
EPRA net tangible assets 967.3 1,074.6 1,099.7
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
4. Segmental information
a. Reportable segments
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires the identification of the Group's
operating segments, defined as being discrete components of the Group's
operations whose results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating
decision maker (being the Chief Executive) to allocate resources to
those segments and to assess their performance.
As discussed in the financial statements for the year ended 30 November
2019, following the restructure of the Group's operations to align
to its three strategic objectives, the Group now divides its business
into the following segments:
-- Industrial & Logistics;
-- St. Modwen Homes; and
-- Strategic Land & Regeneration.
As the chief operating decision maker receives proportionally consolidated
reports, the information disclosed below reflects presentation of
results as set out in note 2. Due to the way the Group manages its
support functions and treasury and tax affairs, certain balances and
transactions are not allocated to segments, including central administrative
expenses, net borrowings, interest and tax. However, the direct operating
expenses of each business unit are included within the respective
segmental result.
At 31 May 2019, the Group previously reported two segments:
-- housebuilding activity through St. Modwen Homes and the Persimmon
joint venture; and
-- the balance of the Group's portfolio of properties which the Group
managed internally, and reported, as a single business segment.
As required by IFRS 8 Operating Segments, the comparative information
has been restated to reflect the Group's current operating segments.
As the business units that are reflected in these segments did not
exist during the six months ended 31 May 2019, the restated comparative
information is based on assumptions and allocations for certain balances
and transactions where the underlying records are not available.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as
the Group's accounting policies.
b. Segment results
Six months ended 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration Unallocated Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Gross rental income 12.2 - 8.9 - 21.1
Property outgoings (3.0) - (3.6) - (6.6)
Net rental and other income 9.2 - 5.3 - 14.5
Housebuilding development profit - 12.1 1.7 - 13.8
Development fee income 0.1 - 0.7 - 0.8
Business unit direct operating
expenses (1.0) (4.5) (2.5) - (8.0)
Business unit operating profit 8.3 7.6 5.2 - 21.1
Central administrative expenses - - - (9.8) (9.8)
Interest costs - - - (6.9) (6.9)
Interest income - - - 1.4 1.4
Taxation on adjusted EPRA earnings - - - (1.1) (1.1)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 8.3 7.6 5.2 (16.4) 4.7
Property valuation losses (6.6) - (130.4) - (137.0)
Property development losses (0.3) (1.8) (1.5) (12.1) (15.7)
Property disposal losses (1.1) - (3.0) - (4.1)
Impairment of intangibles - - - (3.0) (3.0)
Other finance costs - - (1.4) (2.5) (3.9)
Taxation on other earnings - - - 24.5 24.5
Less non-controlling interests
on other earnings - - - 0.1 0.1
------------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- -------------
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable
to owners of the Company 0.3 5.8 (131.1) (9.4) (134.4)
------------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Six months ended 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration Unallocated Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- ------
Gross rental income 11.3 - 13.7 - 25.0
Property outgoings (1.9) - (3.2) - (5.1)
Other net income - - 0.7 - 0.7
Net rental and other income 9.4 - 11.2 - 20.6
Housebuilding development profit - 20.9 3.5 - 24.4
Development fee income - - 1.6 - 1.6
Business unit direct operating
expenses (1.7) (5.7) (3.7) - (11.1)
Business unit operating profit 7.7 15.2 12.6 - 35.5
Central administrative expenses - - - (11.3) (11.3)
Interest costs - - - (6.3) (6.3)
Interest income - - - 1.8 1.8
Taxation on adjusted EPRA earnings - - - (3.5) (3.5)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 7.7 15.2 12.6 (19.3) 16.2
Property valuation gains/(losses) 19.4 - (8.6) - 10.8
Property development gains 0.5 - 1.8 - 2.3
Property disposal gains 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.2
Other finance costs - - (1.9) (3.7) (5.6)
Other finance income - - - 0.4 0.4
Taxation on other earnings - - - (1.2) (1.2)
Less non-controlling interests
on other earnings - - - 0.2 0.2
------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- -------------
Profit for the period attributable
to owners of the Company 27.7 15.2 4.0 (23.6) 23.3
------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- ------
Year ended 30 November 2019 (audited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration Unallocated Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- ------
Gross rental income 22.2 - 26.4 - 48.6
Property outgoings (4.6) - (7.0) - (11.6)
Other net income 1.1 - 2.0 - 3.1
Net rental and other income 18.7 - 21.4 - 40.1
Housebuilding development profit - 51.4 4.1 - 55.5
Development fee income 1.1 - 3.3 - 4.4
Business unit direct operating
expenses (3.3) (11.3) (7.1) - (21.7)
Business unit operating profit 16.5 40.1 21.7 - 78.3
Central administrative expenses - - - (22.4) (22.4)
Interest costs - - - (12.9) (12.9)
Interest income - - - 3.6 3.6
Taxation on adjusted EPRA earnings - - - (7.8) (7.8)
Less non-controlling interests
on adjusted EPRA earnings - - - (0.1) (0.1)
Adjusted EPRA earnings 16.5 40.1 21.7 (39.6) 38.7
Property valuation gains/(losses) 45.8 - (6.4) - 39.4
Property development gains/(losses) 0.5 - 7.0 (22.5) (15.0)
Property disposal gains/(losses) 0.2 - (5.2) - (5.0)
Other finance costs - - (2.5) (4.9) (7.4)
Other finance income - - - 0.4 0.4
Taxation on other earnings - - - (1.7) (1.7)
Less non-controlling interests
on other earnings - - - 1.3 1.3
------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ------
Profit for the year attributable
to owners of the Company 63.0 40.1 14.6 (67.0) 50.7
------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- ------
The following table sets out the calculation of operating margin for
the St. Modwen Homes business unit:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
St. Modwen Homes developments 66.5 101.8 262.8
St. Modwen Homes construction
contracts 4.3 0.6 7.8
Total St. Modwen Homes housebuilding(1) 70.8 102.4 270.6
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
St. Modwen Homes operating profit 7.6 15.2 40.1
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
St. Modwen Homes operating margin 10.7% 14.8% 14.8%
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
(1) Excludes other activities in St. Modwen Homes that do not relate
to housebuilding.
c. Segment assets and liabilities
As at 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration Unallocated Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Investment properties 604.6 - 328.9 - 933.5
Inventories 13.3 401.9 30.3 - 445.5
Assets held for sale 0.3 - 26.0 - 26.3
Property portfolio 618.2 401.9 385.2 - 1,405.3
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Property, plant and equipment
and intangibles - - 3.7 20.6 24.3
Trade and other receivables 7.7 21.3 69.8 71.8 170.6
Current tax assets - - - 1.8 1.8
Other assets 7.7 21.3 73.5 94.2 196.7
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents - - - 156.7 156.7
Borrowings - - - (552.1) (552.1)
Net borrowings - - - (395.4) (395.4)
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Trade and other payables (18.3) (22.3) (51.4) (57.9) (149.9)
Provisions and market liability - - (60.1) (34.0) (94.1)
Lease liabilities - - - (8.6) (8.6)
Derivative financial instrument
liabilities - - - (5.3) (5.3)
Current tax liabilities - - - (0.4) (0.4)
Deferred tax - - - (5.2) (5.2)
Other liabilities (18.3) (22.3) (111.5) (111.4) (263.5)
Net assets 607.6 400.9 347.2 (412.6) 943.1
Less non-controlling interests - - - (3.0) (3.0)
Net assets attributable to owners
of the Company 607.6 400.9 347.2 (415.6) 940.1
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
As at 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration Unallocated Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Investment properties 491.8 75.4 524.3 - 1,091.5
Inventories 11.6 298.3 70.3 - 380.2
Property portfolio 503.4 373.7 594.6 - 1,471.7
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Property, plant and equipment
and intangibles - - 3.5 22.2 25.7
Trade and other receivables 5.2 13.9 79.4 80.3 178.8
Derivative financial instrument
assets - - - 0.3 0.3
Other assets 5.2 13.9 82.9 102.8 204.8
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents - - - 52.3 52.3
Borrowings - - - (357.2) (357.2)
Net borrowings - - - (304.9) (304.9)
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Trade and other payables (17.7) (68.0) (40.6) (73.5) (199.8)
Provisions and market liability - - (67.5) - (67.5)
Lease liabilities - - - (9.7) (9.7)
Derivative financial instrument
liabilities - - - (3.2) (3.2)
Current tax liabilities - - - (1.2) (1.2)
Deferred tax - - - (26.4) (26.4)
Other liabilities (17.7) (68.0) (108.1) (114.0) (307.8)
Net assets 490.9 319.6 569.4 (316.1) 1,063.8
Less non-controlling interests - - - (5.7) (5.7)
Net assets attributable to owners
of the Company 490.9 319.6 569.4 (321.8) 1,058.1
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
As at 30 November 2019 (audited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration Unallocated Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Investment properties 572.6 - 468.4 - 1,041.0
Inventories 15.5 384.2 28.1 - 427.8
Assets held for sale - - 15.8 - 15.8
Property portfolio 588.1 384.2 512.3 - 1,484.6
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Property, plant and equipment
and intangibles - - 3.3 23.4 26.7
Trade and other receivables 6.3 23.8 72.2 77.4 179.7
Derivative financial instrument
assets - - - 0.2 0.2
Other assets 6.3 23.8 75.5 101.0 206.6
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents - - - 67.2 67.2
Borrowings - - - (357.8) (357.8)
Net borrowings - - - (290.6) (290.6)
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
Trade and other payables (21.7) (53.6) (49.7) (68.2) (193.2)
Provisions and market liability - - (62.5) (22.7) (85.2)
Lease liabilities - - - (9.2) (9.2)
Derivative financial instrument
liabilities - - - (3.3) (3.3)
Current tax liabilities - - - (0.5) (0.5)
Deferred tax - - - (28.8) (28.8)
Other liabilities (21.7) (53.6) (112.2) (132.7) (320.2)
Net assets 572.7 354.4 475.6 (322.3) 1,080.4
Less non-controlling interests - - - (5.7) (4.7)
Net assets attributable to owners
of the Company 572.7 354.4 475.6 (327.0) 1,075.7
---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ----------- -------
d. Segment returns
Segment returns on capital employed are calculated as the segmental
profit before interest and tax for a rolling 12-month period divided
by the average segmental net assets, after adding back any segmental-specific
net borrowings, for the 12-month period, as set out in the tables
below:
Twelve months ended 31
May 2020 (unaudited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Capital employed at start of period 490.9 319.6 569.4
Capital employed at end of period 607.6 400.9 347.2
Average capital employed 549.3 360.3 458.3
------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Profit/(loss) before interest
and tax for the period 35.6 30.7 (120.5)
------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Return on capital employed 6.5% 8.5% (26.3)%
------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Year ended 30 November
2019 (audited)
Strategic
Industrial St. Modwen Land &
& Logistics Homes Regeneration
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Capital employed at start of year 444.7 351.1 519.4
Capital employed at end of year 572.7 354.4 475.6
Average capital employed 508.7 352.8 497.5
------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Profit before interest and tax
for the year 63.0 40.1 14.6
------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Return on capital employed 12.4% 11.4% 2.9%
------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
5. Joint ventures and associates
The Group's share of the results for the six months ended 31 May 2020
of its joint ventures and associates is:
Six months ended 31 May 2020 (unaudited)
VSM Estates Other
Key Property Uxbridge VSM Estates joint
Investments (Group) (Holdings) VSM (NCGM) ventures
Ltd Ltd Ltd Ltd and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Net rental income 1.2 - - 0.3 - 1.5
Investment property disposal
losses (0.2) - (0.4) - - (0.6)
Investment property revaluation
(losses)/gains (4.2) (4.3) - 0.5 - (8.0)
Administrative expenses (0.1) - - - - (0.1)
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
(Loss)/profit before interest
and tax (3.3) (4.3) (0.4) 0.8 - (7.2)
Finance costs (0.1) (0.5) - (1.4) (0.2) (2.2)
Finance income - - - 0.4 - 0.4
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Loss before tax (3.4) (4.8) (0.4) (0.2) (0.2) (9.0)
Taxation (0.2) 0.3 - (0.3) - (0.2)
------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------------
Loss for the period (3.6) (4.5) (0.4) (0.5) (0.2) (9.2)
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Six months ended 31 May 2019 (unaudited)
VSM Estates Other
Key Property Uxbridge VSM Estates joint
Investments (Group) (Holdings) VSM (NCGM) ventures
Ltd Ltd Ltd Ltd and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Net rental income 1.8 - - - 0.1 1.9
Development profits 0.1 - 1.4 - - 1.5
Investment property disposal
losses (0.4) - - - - (0.4)
Investment property revaluation
(losses)/gains (0.8) (1.5) - 0.6 0.1 (1.6)
Administrative expenses (0.1) - (0.1) - - (0.2)
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Profit/(loss) before interest
and tax 0.6 (1.5) 1.3 0.6 0.2 1.2
Finance costs (0.5) (0.5) - (1.8) (0.2) (3.0)
Finance income 0.2 - 0.1 0.5 - 0.8
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Profit/(loss) before tax 0.3 (2.0) 1.4 (0.7) - (1.0)
Taxation (0.1) 0.4 (0.2) 0.2 - 0.3
Profit/(loss) for the period 0.2 (1.6) 1.2 (0.5) - (0.7)
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Year ended 30 November 2019 (audited)
VSM Estates Other
Key Property Uxbridge VSM Estates joint
Investments (Group) (Holdings) VSM (NCGM) ventures
Ltd Ltd Ltd Ltd and associates Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
Net rental income 3.7 - - 0.3 0.1 4.1
Development profits - - 1.4 - 0.1 1.5
Investment property disposal
losses (0.5) - (0.1) - - (0.6)
Investment property revaluation
(losses)/gains (3.3) (1.5) - 1.0 (0.4) (4.2)
Administrative expenses (0.2) - - (0.1) - (0.3)
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
(Loss)/profit before interest
and tax (0.3) (1.5) 1.3 1.2 (0.2) 0.5
Finance costs (0.7) (1.1) - (2.4) (0.3) (4.5)
Finance income 0.2 - 0.1 1.2 - 1.5
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
(Loss)/profit before tax (0.8) (2.6) 1.4 - (0.5) (2.5)
Taxation (0.5) 0.4 (0.3) 0.3 - (0.1)
(Loss)/profit for the year (1.3) (2.2) 1.1 0.3 (0.5) (2.6)
-------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- --------------- -----
In the half year results, a series of commercial contracts with Persimmon
is referred to as the 'Persimmon joint venture'. This is not a statutory
entity and the results from these commercial contracts are not included
in the figures disclosed in this note. Revenue and profit from the
Persimmon joint venture are recognised in Group development profit
on legal completion of housing unit sales to third party customers.
6. Finance costs and finance income
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Interest costs
Interest payable on borrowings 5.5 4.5 9.7
Interest payable on lease liabilities 0.3 0.3 0.5
Interest on pension scheme liabilities 0.3 0.4 0.8
Interest costs 6.1 5.2 11.0
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Other finance costs
Amortisation of loan arrangement fees 0.3 0.8 1.7
Amortisation of discount on deferred payment
arrangements - 0.1 -
Movement in fair value of derivative financial
instruments 2.2 2.8 3.1
Other finance costs 2.5 3.7 4.8
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Total finance costs 8.6 8.9 15.8
----------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Interest of GBP1.6m (six months ended 31 May 2019: GBP1.5m, year ended
30 November 2019: GBP3.3m) was capitalised into investment properties
and inventories during the six months ended 31 May 2020.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Interest income
Interest receivable 0.7 0.7 1.4
Interest income on pension scheme assets 0.3 0.5 0.9
Interest income 1.0 1.2 2.3
------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Other finance income
Movement in fair value of convertible bond - 0.2 0.2
Other finance income - 0.2 0.2
------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
Total finance income 1.0 1.4 2.5
------------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------
7. Earnings per share
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Weighted number of shares in issue 222,181,270 222,046,418 222,084,656
Weighted number of diluted shares relating
to share options(1) - 2,330,571 2,515,371
---------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Weighted number of shares for the purposes
of diluted earnings per share 222,181,270 224,376,989 224,600,027
---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(1) In the six months ended 31 May 2020, share options are excluded
from the weighted average diluted number of shares because they are
not dilutive.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net (loss)/profit attributable to owners of
the Company (134.4) 23.3 50.7
Earnings for the purposes of diluted earnings
per share (134.4) 23.3 50.7
---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
Pence Pence Pence
---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Basic earnings per share (60.5) 10.5 22.8
Diluted earnings per share (60.5) 10.4 22.6
---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Shares held by The St. Modwen Properties PLC Employee Share Trust
are excluded from the above calculation. Note 3 sets out details of
EPRA and adjusted EPRA earnings per share.
8. Financial instruments held at fair value
Derivative financial instruments are externally valued based on the
present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted based
on the applicable yield curves derived from market expectations for
future interest rates at the balance sheet date. Where applicable,
the value of early termination or conversion options in favour of
the issuing party are included in the external valuations. The following
table sets out the net assets and liabilities in respect of financial
instruments classified as fair value through profit or loss:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 May 31 May 30 Nov
2020 2019 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------- --------- -------
Derivative financial instrument assets Level 2 - 0.3 0.2
Derivative financial instrument liabilities Level 2 (5.3) (3.1) (3.3)
Financial instruments classified as fair value
through profit or loss (5.3) (2.8) (3.1)
------------------------------------------------------ --------- --------- -------
Fair value hierarchy
Assets and liabilities that are measured subsequent to initial recognition
at fair value must be grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree
to which the fair value is observable.
-- Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices
(unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets.
-- Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other
than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for
the asset, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived
from prices); and
-- Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation
techniques that include inputs for the asset that are not based on
observable market data (unobservable inputs).
9. Other information
a. Exceptional item
In the year ended 30 November 2019, an exceptional item was recognised
for the expense of making a provision in relation to a potential claim
against the Group for a building that the Group developed and subsequently
sold a number of years ago and in which various problems are said
to have arisen. There are no exceptional items in the six months ended
31 May 2020.
b. Taxation
The effective rate of Group tax for the period is 15.8% (six months
ended 31 May 2019: 17.4%, year ended 30 November 2019: 15.3%).
The tax rate is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax of
19%, predominantly due to the increase in the rate used to recognise
deferred tax from 17% to 19%. This gave rise to a tax charge of GBP3.0m,
being 2.0% of Group profit before tax.
c. Dividends
The proposed interim dividend of 1.1 pence (six months ended 31 May
2019: 3.6 pence) per share was approved by a Committee of the Board
on 21 July 2020 and will amount to GBP2.4m (six months ended 31 May
2019: GBP8.0m).
d. Valuation of investment properties
Investment properties were valued at 31 May 2020, 30 November 2019
and 31 May 2019 by Cushman & Wakefield, Chartered Surveyors, in accordance
with the Appraisal and Valuation Manual of the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of market value. Cushman & Wakefield
are professionally qualified independent external valuers and had
appropriate recent experience in the relevant location and category
of the properties being valued.
Due to the disruption to the investment property market caused by
COVID-19, the valuations prepared by Cushman & Wakefield have been
reported on the basis of 'material valuation uncertainty' as per VPS
3 and VPGA 10 of the RICS Red Book Global. Consequently, less certainty,
and a higher degree of caution, should be attached to their valuations
than would normally be the case. The inclusion of the 'material valuation
uncertainty' declaration does not mean that the valuation cannot be
relied upon, but it is used in order to be clear and transparent with
all parties, in a professional manner that, in the current extraordinary
circumstances, less certainty can be attached to the valuation than
would otherwise be the case.
e. Related party transactions
There have been no material new related party transactions in the
six months ended 31 May 2020 or any material changes to those related
party transactions described in the Group financial statements for
the year ended 30 November 2019.
f. Pensions
The Group operates a UK based pension scheme, the St. Modwen Pension
Scheme, with both defined benefit and defined contribution sections.
The defined benefit section is closed to both new members and future
accrual. The unrecognised surplus arising on the fair value of assets
over the actuarial value of liabilities in the defined benefit section
of the scheme was GBP3.6m (six months ended 31 May 2019: GBP5.9m,
year ended 30 November 2019: GBP3.9m).
g. Non-current assets held for sale
At 31 May 2020, GBP26.3m (six months ended 31 May 2019: GBPnil, year
ended 30 November 2019: GBP15.8m) of the Group's investment properties
met the definition of assets held for sale as these assets had exchanged,
but not yet completed. As these assets were previously held at fair
value as investment properties, no gain or loss was recognised on
reclassification of these properties to assets held for sale.
By the date of signing these financial statements, GBP0.9m of the
assets presented as held for sale had completed, with the remainder
expected to complete during the remainder of the financial year. The
assets held for sale at 31 May 2020 comprise GBP0.3m within the Industrial
& Logistics operating segment and GBP26.0m within the Strategic Land
& Regeneration operating segment.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
(a) the condensed Group financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted
by the EU; and
(b) the half year results include a fair review of the information
required by:
(i) 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules, being an
indication of important events that have
occurred during the
first six months of the financial year,
and their impact on
the condensed Group financial statements,
and a description
of the principal risks and uncertainties
for the remaining
six months of the financial year; and
(ii) 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules, being material
related parties transactions that have
taken place in the
first six months of the current financial
year and any material
changes in the related parties
transactions described in the
last Annual Report.
A list of the current directors of St. Modwen Properties PLC is maintained
on the Company's website at www.stmodwen.co.uk.
By order of the Board
Rob Hudson
Interim Chief Executive
21 July 2020
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO ST. MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC
for the six months ended 31 May 2020
Conclusion
We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of
financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six
months ended 31 May 2020 which comprises the condensed Group income
statement, the condensed Group statement of comprehensive income,
the condensed Group balance sheet, the condensed Group statement of
changes in equity, the condensed Group cash flow statement, the condensed
Group accounting policies and the related explanatory notes.
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes
us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the
half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 May 2020
is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS
34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU and the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules (the DTR) of the UK's Financial Conduct
Authority (the UK FCA).
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard
on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial
Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued
by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim
financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons
responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical
and other review procedures. We read the other information contained
in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains
any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information
in the condensed set of financial statements.
A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently
does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware
of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly,
we do not express an audit opinion.
Emphasis of matter - uncertain valuation of investment property
We draw attention to note 9d to the condensed financial statements
which states that the independent external valuations of investment
properties at the reporting date are reported on the basis of 'material
valuation uncertainty' due to the potential economic effect of the
coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, more subjectivity is associated
with the valuation of investment property than would normally be the
case. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has
been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for
preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the
DTR of the UK FCA.
As disclosed in the condensed Group accounting policies, the annual
financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU.
The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial
statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance
with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the
condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial
report based on our review.
The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms
of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements
of the DTR of the UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we
might state to the company those matters we are required to state
to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone
other than the company for our review work, for this report, or for
the conclusions we have reached.
William Meredith
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
15 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5GL
21 July 2020
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR EAPXFALFEEFA
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