TIDMWINK
RNS Number : 6119J
M Winkworth Plc
13 September 2016
M Winkworth Plc
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2016
M Winkworth Plc ("Winkworth" or the "Company"), the leading
franchisor of real estate agencies, is pleased to announce its
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2016
Highlights for the period
-- Revenue up 6.7% to GBP2.75 million (2015: GBP2.57 million)
-- Profit before taxation GBP721,711 (2015: GBP663,149)
-- Cash generated from operations GBP439,399 (2015: GBP290,240)
-- Lettings income increased to 40% of total revenues
-- Five new franchises with two new offices opened and three resold to new management
-- Dividends of 3.5p declared and paid during the period (2015: 3.3p)
Dominic Agace, Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
commented:
"Our investment in the rentals side of the business has
continued to pay off, with revenues in H1 rising by 11%
year-on-year. Although uncertainty remains, we expect sales to pick
up from the lows of June and July and to see growth in transactions
in the country and suburban London markets. We believe that there
is a significant opportunity for us to grow the franchise base by
adding quality businesses and people at reasonable valuations."
For further information please contact:
M Winkworth PLC Tel : 020 7355 2866
Dominic Agace (Chief Executive Officer)
Chris Neoh (Chief Finance Officer)
Milbourne (Financial PR) Tel : 07903 802545
Tim Draper
Stockdale Securities Limited (NOMAD and Broker) Tel: 020 7601 6100
Robert Finlay / Ed Thomas
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to see the resilience of Winkworth as confirmed by
our half year results, which re-iterate the strength of the
franchise model and the capability of our experienced and
self-motivated franchisees to react quickly to changing market
conditions.
Winkworth has been franchising since 1981 and its policy has
been to continuously grow back-up services for its franchisees,
whilst at the same time encouraging these to perform to the highest
standards. We also have a policy of encouraging the few poorly
performing franchisees to sell or revamp their businesses.
The business has grown across London by offering a localised
service and a marketing network between offices, enabling customers
to receive both good advice and an integrated service. Some of
Winkworth's London offices have been built into very substantial
businesses, covering dense populations. This expansion has extended
into the country, linking our London business to a strong
provincial presence.
This strategy has enabled us to succeed not only in high volume
markets but also in lower ones such as we are experiencing at
present. Sales volumes have been on the rise since 2008, but so
also have the number of estate agents and alternative methods of
sale, driven by a recovery boom which recorded new value highs and
substantial volumes. Increases in stamp duty, changes in taxation
and the uncertainty resulting from Brexit have had a negative
impact on sales volumes, while values have in some cases become
more fragile.
An offering that combines both sales and rentals has added to
Winkworth's resilience. It is worth noting that while our sales
business remains the larger of the two activities, the number of
new applicants for rentals is currently exceeding the number of
applicants for sales. Significant growth in our lettings business
following recent initiatives adds considerable balance to our
business.
With over 95 offices, the first of which started trading in
1974, Winkworth is proud of its many experienced and professional
owners. Some of these have brought in new partners or sold out to
their own teams, adding to the ongoing regeneration of our business
that we have witnessed over the last 40 years.
Our focus on centralised services, corporate rentals and
customer care, as reported in previous statements, has strengthened
our proposition and we believe this will be reflected in an
increasing number of franchisee applications. Meanwhile, the
regeneration of existing offices as proprietors retire and new
proprietors take over continues to add momentum to the
business.
The franchisor team continues to do an excellent job and we look
forward to welcoming new franchisees in the months and years to
come. In addition, with a strong balance sheet the downturn in the
market may well provide opportunities for us to grow by acquiring
businesses keen to join the Winkworth brand, thus compensating for
weaker sales transactions.
During the first half of this year we incurred slightly higher
expenditure than normal due to the relocation of our Head Office to
new offices in Oxford Street, but now that this has been concluded
successfully further expenditure can be avoided. We are therefore
confident that Winkworth is well placed to perform satisfactorily
during the current financial year.
Simon Agace
Non-Executive Chairman
13 September 2016
CEO's Statement
In the first half of this year the property market was dominated
by the changes to stamp duty on buy-to-let properties which took
effect in April, as well as uncertainty in the lead-up to the
referendum. Consequently, there was a surge in activity in Q1
followed by a slowing sales market in Q2.
Demand for properties has remained firm, with the key drivers of
interest rates and unemployment continuing to fall. As a result,
the number of forced sellers has been limited, while those
concerned with economic uncertainty have delayed their decision to
sell rather than accept a reduced price. This has had an impact on
market transactions which still stand some 25% lower than the peak
seen in 2006. This has been most accentuated above the GBP1m level,
where stamp duty increases are still being absorbed. Below this
level, record low mortgage rates have helped affordability and
activity has been more brisk.
Against the background of this constrained market, Winkworth's
average fee per property sold grew by 7% in London and 2% in the
country, resulting in sales revenue being flat in London and
growing by 26% in the country. Overall, sales transactions grew by
3% in H1 2016 year-on-year while revenues increased by 5%.
Our investment in the rentals side of the business has continued
to pay off, with revenues in H1 rising by 11% year-on-year. With
the support of our recently-launched Client Services and Corporate
Relocation departments we see this trend continuing. These
departments improve the opportunities that we can uncover for our
landlords and so enhance our rentals proposition. Within the 11%
increase in rental income, London grew by 9% while our country
offices grew by an outstanding 23%. We are also particularly
pleased to see property management fees increasing by 19%, a sign
of our strengthening relationships with landlords. Rental income
now accounts for 40% of group revenues compared to 38% this time
last year and 33% in 2014. With rentals applicants up 40%
year-on-year in July, we have experienced a firm start to the
second half of the year. Over time we expect to see the lettings
side of our business continuing to grow towards 50% of our overall
turnover.
In H1 2016, gross revenues of the franchised office network
increased by 7% to GBP23.7m (GBP22.0m) with sales rising 5% to
GBP14.3m (GBP13.6m) lettings up 7% to GBP6.1m (GBP5.8m) and
property management up 19% to GBP3.2m (GBP2.7m).
Winkworth's revenues rose by 6.7% to GBP2.75 million (GBP2.57m),
profit before taxation was up 8.8% to GBP721,711 (GBP663,149), cash
generated rose 51% to GBP439,399 (GBP290,240) and dividends of 3.5p
were declared and paid during the period (3.3p).
A further two new offices were opened in Colindale and
Marlborough, while three existing offices were resold to new
management. One office in the UK and two in Portugal were closed.
Over the coming six months we anticipate a further 6-8 new openings
and a further 1-2 resales, while longer term we expect to see an
increase in opportunities both to convert existing businesses to
the Winkworth brand and to grow new franchises. A weaker sales
market tends to encourage employees whose income is declining to
boost their earnings by owning equity in an estate agency, while
existing agents look to grow their market share, reduce costs and
explore new options, of which we are one.
The two significant new services that we launched in 2014
continue to grow and are now supporting the overall performance of
the business, with gross fees generated more than doubling to the
end of July 2016 year-on-year. The client services department
generated GBP335,000 in gross office fees versus GBP152,000 this
time last year and we expect this trend to continue as we further
improve our capacity to refer applicants from across the network
via our extensive database. This service generates additional value
for our clients when selling or letting their properties by
providing them with access to the entire Winkworth network.
We have also seen growth in our corporate relocation business,
albeit that as 'right to rent' visa changes and the referendum have
delayed activity we expect the majority of this to come through in
H2. In the meantime, this service is providing a new benefit to our
local offices and adding to the momentum of our successful lettings
business.
Following on from the addition of these two offerings, we have
recently launched a centralised recruitment service for franchisees
to provide a recruitment function for offices and help them to
attract the best possible staff, whilst also offering them lower
fees than those of recruitment agents. This is initially being
grown out of existing resources with a view to adding a graduate
recruitment scheme linked to our training academy and, eventually,
providing these graduates with a path to becoming franchisees of
the future.
By centralising selected key parts of our business we are able
to offer not only economies of scale and value to our franchisees,
but also an even better offering to our clients. In order to match
new demands, we are taking continuous steps to ensure that our
business evolves in line with the way our clients look to manage
their property investments and transactions. A major step in this
regard will come in Q4 with the launch of our new website providing
centralised services for landlords wishing to manage their
properties online.
Outlook
With interest rates remaining low and mortgages becoming even
cheaper - a 10-year fixed loan is now available at 2.69% for a 65%
LTV - and employment remaining high, we envisage that downward
price pressure will be limited to the prime markets, as has been
the case since the stamp duty changes of November 2014. In the
wider market we envisage ongoing low stock levels as vendors wait
for economic uncertainty to pass before marketing their property,
but we do not expect to see significant price falls.
Although uncertainty remains, we expect trading to pick up from
the lows of June and July and to see growth in transactions in the
country and suburban London markets.
We believe that there is a significant opportunity for us to
grow the franchise base by adding quality businesses and people at
reasonable valuations. With net cash available in excess of
GBP2.8m, we will invest in new franchising capacity in order to
ensure that we capture the best available opportunities without
endangering our dividend policy.
Dominic Agace
Chief Executive Officer
13 September 2016
M WINKWORTH PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Period Period
1.1.16 1.1.15 (Audited)
To To Year ended
30.6.16 30.6.15 31.12.15
GBP GBP GBP
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue 2,746,532 2,573,894 5,865,182
Cost of sales (667,051) (703,083) (1,551,281)
------------ ------------ ------------
GROSS PROFIT 2,079,481 1,870,811 4,313,901
Administrative expenses (1,391,354) (1,255,115) (2,496,711)
------------ ------------ ------------
OPERATING PROFIT 688,127 615,696 1,817,190
Finance costs - (22) -
Finance income 33,584 47,475 89,839
------------ ------------ ------------
PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 721,711 663,149 1,907,029
Taxation (148,300) (143,924) (391,578)
------------ ------------ ------------
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 573,411 519,225 1,515,451
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - - -
------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR
THE PERIOD 573,411 519,225 1,515,451
============ ============ ============
Earnings per share expressed
in pence per share: 3
Basic 4.52 4.10 11.95
Diluted 4.51 4.06 11.91
============ ============ ============
M WINKWORTH PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
30 June 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
30.06.2016 30.06.2015 31.12.2015
Notes GBP GBP GBP
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Intangible assets 4 896,832 1,053,478 976,001
Property, plant and equipment 139,794 59,650 34,650
Investments 7,200 7,200 7,200
Trade and other receivables 735,149 957,586 800,189
Deferred tax - - 2,222
------------ ------------ -----------
1,778,975 2,077,914 1,820,262
------------ ------------ -----------
CURRENT ASSETS
Trade and other receivables 2,001,336 1,673,004 1,166,173
Cash and cash equivalents 2,838,443 2,123,132 3,167,704
------------ ------------ -----------
4,839,779 3,796,136 4,333,877
TOTAL ASSETS 6,618,754 5,874,050 6,154,139
============ ============ ===========
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Share capital 63,666 63,381 63,666
Share premium 1,792,906 1,718,469 1,792,906
Share option reserve 51,295 63,317 51,295
Retained earnings 3,462,015 2,972,880 3,334,268
------------ ------------ -----------
TOTAL EQUITY 5,369,882 4,818,047 5,242,135
------------ ------------ -----------
LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred tax 21,078 5,773 -
------------ ------------ -----------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 1,192,405 953,737 800,536
Tax payable 35,389 96,493 111,468
------------ ------------ -----------
1,227,794 1,050,230 912,004
------------ ------------ -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,248,872 1,056,003 912,004
------------ ------------ -----------
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 6,618,754 5,874,050 6,154,139
============ ============ ===========
M WINKWORTH PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
Share Retained Share option Share Shareholders'
capital earnings reserve premium equity
GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
Balance at 1 January
2015 63,381 2,871,971 47,488 1,718,469 4,701,309
Total comprehensive
income - 519,225 - - 519,225
Share-based payment - - 15,829 - 15,829
Dividends paid - (418,316) - - (418,316)
-------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------
Balance at 30 June
2015 63,381 2,972,880 63,317 1,718,469 4,818,047
-------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------
Total comprehensive
income - 996,226 - - 996,226
Issue of share capital 285 - - 74,437 74,722
Share-based payment - - (12,022) - (12,022)
Dividends paid - (634,838) - - (634,838)
-------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------
Balance at 31 December
2015 63,666 3,334,268 51,295 1,792,906 5,242,135
-------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------
Total comprehensive
income - 573,411 - - 573,411
Dividends paid - (445,664) - - (445,664)
-------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------------
Balance at 30 June
2016 63,666 3,462,015 51,295 1,792,906 5,369,882
======== ========== ============= ========== ==============
M WINKWORTH PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Period Period
1.1.16 1.1.15 (Audited)
To To Year ended
30.6.16 30.6.15 31.12.15
Notes GBP GBP GBP
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations i 439,399 290,240 1,913,669
Interest paid - (22) -
Tax paid (201,079) (231,245) (471,919)
------------ ------------ -----------
Net cash from operating activities 238,320 58,973 1,441,750
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of intangible fixed
assets (31,630) (70,487) (107,477)
Purchase of tangible fixed
assets (123,871) - (639)
Sale of property, plant & equipment - - -
Interest received 33,584 47,475 89,839
------------ ------------ -----------
Net cash used in investing
activities (121,917) (23,012) (18,277)
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash flows from financing activities
Share issue - - 62,700
Equity dividends paid (445,664) (418,316) (823,956)
------------ ------------ -----------
Net cash used in financing
activities (445,664) (418,316) (761,256)
------------ ------------ -----------
(Decrease)/increase in cash
and cash equivalents (329,261) (382,355) 662,217
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 3,167,704 2,505,487 2,505,487
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period ii 2,838,443 2,123,132 3,167,704
============ ============ ===========
M WINKWORTH PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
i. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION TO CASH GENERATED FROM
OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Period Period
1.1.16 1.1.15 (Audited)
To To Year ended
30.6.16 30.6.15 31.12.15
GBP GBP GBP
Profit before taxation 721,711 663,149 1,907,029
Depreciation and amortisation 129,526 135,359 275,466
Share-based payments - 15,829 15,829
Finance costs - 22 -
Finance income (33,584) (47,475) (89,839)
------------ ------------ -----------
817,653 766,884 2,108,485
(Increase)/decrease in trade and
other receivables (770,123) (940,328) (276,100)
Increase in trade and other payables 391,869 463,684 81,284
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash generated from operations 439,399 290,240 1,913,669
============ ============ ===========
ii. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The amounts disclosed in the cash flow statement in respect of
cash and cash equivalents are in respect of these balance sheet
amounts:
30.6.16 30.6.15 31.12.15
GBP GBP GBP
Cash and cash equivalents 2,838,443 2,123,132 3,167,704
========== ========== ==========
M WINKWORTH PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM RESULTS
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The interim report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 and the
comparative information for the periods ended 30 June 2015 and 31
December 2015 do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the most recent
statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 has been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on
these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement
under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2016
and 30 June 2015 is unaudited. The financial information for the
year ended 31 December 2015 is derived from the group's audited
annual report and accounts.
The annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by
the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements
included in this interim financial report has been prepared in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim
Financial Reporting'.
The accounting policies and methods of computation used in this
financial information is consistent with those applied in the
group's latest annual audited financial statements, except as noted
below. The directors do not anticipate that any new standards,
applicable to the year ending 31 December 2016, will have an impact
on the results of the group.
Taxation
Income tax expense has been recognised based on the best
estimate of the weighted average annual effective income tax rate
expected for the full financial year.
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all material temporary
differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance
sheet date.
2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The directors believe that the group has only one segment, that
of a franchising business. Currently, these operations principally
occur in the UK, with only limited business in other territories.
Accordingly no segmental analysis is considered necessary.
M WINKWORTH PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM RESULTS
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing
the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
Weighted
average Per-share
Earnings number amount
GBP of shares pence
Period ended 30.06.16
Basic EPS
Earnings/number of shares 573,411 12,681,548 4.52
Effect of dilutive securities - 41,298 -
---------- ----------- ----------
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings/number of
shares 573,411 12,722,846 4.51
---------- ----------- ----------
Period ended 30.06.15
Basic EPS
Earnings/number of shares 519,225 12,676,238 4.10
Effect of dilutive securities - 112,575 -
---------- ----------- ----------
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings/number of
shares 519,225 12,788,813 4.06
Year ended 31.12.15
Basic EPS
Earnings/number of shares 1,515,451 12,681,548 11.95
Effect of dilutive securities - 41,298 -
---------- ----------- ----------
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings/number of
shares 1,515,451 12,722,846 11.91
---------- ----------- ----------
M WINKWORTH PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM RESULTS
for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
GBP
Net book value at 1 January 2015 1,092,790
Additions 70,487
Amortisation (109,799)
----------
Net book value at 30 June 2015 1,053,478
----------
Additions 36,990
Amortisation (114,467)
----------
Net book value at 31 December 2015 976,001
----------
Additions 31,630
Amortisation (110,799)
----------
Net book value at 30 June 2016 896,832
==========
5. INTERIM RESULTS
Copies of this notice are available to the public from the
registered office at 1 Lumley Street, London, W1K 6TT, and on the
Company's website at www.winkworthplc.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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