TIDMMCS
RNS Number : 6850V
McCarthy & Stone PLC
10 April 2019
Wednesday 10 April 2019
McCarthy & Stone plc
Half year results announcement for the period ended 28 February
2019
Significant progress in delivering new strategy
McCarthy & Stone (the 'Group'), the UK's leading developer
and manager of retirement communities, announces its financial
results for the six months ended 28 February 2019 (2019). All
comparatives are to the prior year equivalent six-month period
ended 28 February 2018 (2018) unless otherwise stated.
H1 2019 H1 2018 Change
Legal completions(1) 845 760 11%
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Revenue GBP280.5m GBP239.6m 17%
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Average selling price(2) GBP319k GBP298k 7%
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Gross profit GBP39.0m GBP32.0m 22%
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Underlying operating profit(3) GBP21.3m GBP14.5m 47%
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Operating profit GBP6.0m GBP13.5m (56%)
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Underlying operating margin 7.6% 6.0% 1.6ppt
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Operating margin 2.1% 5.6% (3.5ppt)
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Underlying profit before tax(3) GBP18.9m GBP11.5m 64%
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Profit before tax GBP3.6m GBP10.5m (66%)
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Underlying basic earnings
per share(3,) (4) 2.9p 1.7p 1.2p
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Basic earnings per share 0.5p 1.5p (1.0p)
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Net debt(5) GBP57.2m GBP75.9m GBP18.7m
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Return on capital employed(6)
(ROCE) 10% 12% (2ppt)
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Interim dividend per share 1.9p 1.9p -
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Financial highlights
-- Revenue increased by 17% to GBP281m (2018: GBP240m)
reflecting 11% increase in volumes to 845 legal completions (2018:
760) together with a 7% improvement in the average selling price to
GBP319k (2018: GBP298k), reflecting improvements in the quality and
locations of our developments as well as a change in geographic and
product mix.
-- Underlying operating profit(3) increased by 47% to GBP21m
(2018: GBP15m) driven by increased volumes and ASP profile together
with planned margin improvement activity in line with the Group's
new strategy, partially offset by increased use of discounts and
incentives, particularly part-exchange, to counteract a more
challenging secondary market.
-- Underlying profit before tax increased by 64% to GBP19m
(2018: GBP12m) and statutory profit before tax decreased by 66% to
GBP4m (2018: GBP11m) impacted by GBP14m (2018: nil) of exceptional
costs incurred in relation to the delivery of the Group's new
business strategy including restructuring and redundancy costs,
realignment of land bank to deliver steady state volumes and
consultancy fees (GBP6m cash impact from exceptionals in H1).
-- Underlying basic earnings per share(3,4) increased by 71% to
2.9p (2018: 1.7p) and basic earnings per share decreased by 67% to
0.5p (2018: 1.5p).
-- Period end net debt(5) of GBP57m (2018: GBP76m) equivalent to gearing7 of 8% (2018: 10%).
-- Interim dividend of 1.9p per share (2018: 1.9p per share), to
be paid on 11 June 2019 to the shareholders on the register at
close of business on 3 May 2019.
Operational highlights
-- Significant progress in delivering the Group's new strategy
with key milestones achieved in accordance with plan:
o Two new COO appointments in January 2019, Nigel Turner and
Mike Lloyd, to focus on two core activities: Build & Production
and Sales & Services
o Margin improvement initiatives well underway with right-sizing
activity substantially complete, expected to deliver an annualised
cash saving of c.GBP12m across two workstreams
o Dedicated teams in place to leverage our strategic
opportunities: affordability, flexibility and choice, with
incubator hubs now live
-- 15 first occupations brought to market in the period (2018: 16).
-- Total land bank of c.8,372 plots (2018: c.10,021), equivalent
to c.3.9 years' supply (2018: 4.4 years' supply), with 10
high-quality development sites (2018: 22 sites) added to the
landbank and 21 planning consents achieved (2018: 21).
-- Awarded the full Five Star rating for customer satisfaction
by the Home Builders Federation ('HBF') for the fourteenth
consecutive year - the only UK housebuilder, of any size or type,
to achieve this accolade every year the survey has been run.
-- Board appointment - Gill Barr appointed as a Non-Executive
Director of the Group with effect from today bringing the total
number of board members to eleven. Gill will succeed Mike Parsons
as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. She will also join the Risk
& Audit Committee.
Current trading and outlook for FY19
-- In April 2019, the Group extended the maturity date of its
existing GBP200m revolving credit facility ('RCF') from May 2021 to
March 2023 with Barclays, HSBC and RBS.
-- Completion volumes remain ahead of prior year, despite
increasingly challenging market conditions with continued use of
part-exchange.
-- Sales leads and enquirers in line with prior year despite the
planned lower level of sales releases (28, 2018: 54) reflecting
strategic focus on rebalancing workflow.
-- Forward order book as at 5 April 2019 (week 31) currently
c.17% behind prior year at c.GBP485m (6 April 2018: GBP581m) with
higher quality reservations now being held due to improved
controls. Shortfall due to:
o organisational design changes within the Sales function (now
completed)
o planned lower level of sales releases
-- FY19 volume out-turn (14 months to 31 October) remains in line with the Board's expectations:
o c.2,300 legal completions expected in FY19, with an expected
ASP of c.GBP300k
o More than 40 first occupations expected in FY19 with all H2
first occupations currently under construction
o FRI sales assumed to go ahead as planned in FY19
o Group reiterates the expected FY19 savings range announced as
part of the new strategy (c.20-30% of the FY21 targeted P&L
saving of GBP40m) at gross profit level
-- Increased use of discounts and incentives, particularly
part-exchange, now expected to continue into H2 to counteract more
challenging secondary market.
-- House price inflation remains subdued and build cost
inflation expected to remain at c.3-4% level.
John Tonkiss, Chief Executive Officer commented:
"During the first reporting period of our transformation
strategy and against the backdrop of continuing uncertainty and
challenging market conditions, we delivered encouraging results.
Our half year revenue increased to GBP281m (2018: GBP240m),
representing progress towards a rebalancing of our workflow and we
brought 15 (2018: 16) high-quality developments to market. This
revenue increase, together with margin improvement activity in line
with our new strategy resulted in a 47% increase in underlying
operating profit for the period.
"We are making significant progress across our strategic
objectives, which focus on optimising our operations to deliver
strong financial performance and increasing our return on capital
employed, margins and cash generation over the next three years. We
are mindful of the economic and political uncertainty that all
businesses are currently facing but are confident that our FY19
expected volume out-turn remains in line with the Board's
expectations with increased use of discounts and incentives,
particularly part-exchange, now expected to continue into H2 to
counteract more challenging secondary market conditions."
- Ends -
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements
about the future outlook for the Group. Although the Directors
believe that these statements are based upon reasonable
assumptions, any such statements should be treated with caution as
future outlook may be influenced by factors that could cause actual
outcomes and results to be materially different.
(1) The Group recognises legal completion at the point of
completion of a sale of an apartment to a purchaser
(2) Average selling price is calculated as average list price
less cash discounts and part-exchange top-ups and fair value
adjustments
(3) Underlying operating profit (including underlying operating
profit margin and underlying basic earnings per share) and
underlying profit before tax are calculated by adding amortisation
of brand of GBP1.0m (2018: GBP1.0m) and exceptional items of
GBP14.3m (2018: GBPnil) to operating profit and profit before tax
respectively. See note 2 of condensed consolidated financial
statements for further information
(4) Underlying basic earnings per share have been reconciled
within note 2 of condensed consolidated financial statements
(5) See note 6 of condensed consolidated financial statements
for net debt reconciliation
(6) Return on capital employed ('ROCE') is calculated by
dividing underlying operating profit for the previous 12 months by
the average tangible gross asset value of GBP740.7m (2018:
GBP700.1m) at the beginning and end of the 12 month period.
Tangible gross asset value is calculated as net assets excluding
goodwill of GBP41.7m (2018: GBP41.7m) and intangible assets of
GBP25.2m (2018: GBP26.7m), excluding net debt of GBP57.2m (2018:
GBP75.9m)
(7) Gearing is calculated by dividing net debt of GBP57.2m
(2018: GBP75.9m) by net assets of GBP748.1m (2018: GBP735.4m)
Presentation for analysts and investors:
John Tonkiss, Chief Executive Officer and Rowan Baker, Chief
Financial Officer will host an analyst and investor meeting at
9.30am BST today at Deutsche Bank, Winchester House, 75 London
Wall, London, EC2N 2DB. Refreshments will be served from
9.15am.
Webcast for analysts and investors:
A live webcast of the presentation is available via the
following link:
http://www.mccarthyandstonegroup.co.uk/investors/2019-half-year-results
An on demand version of the webcast will be made available later
today on the Group's corporate website:
http://www.mccarthyandstonegroup.co.uk/investors/2019-half-year-results
Conference call details:
United Kingdom (Local): 020 3936 2999
All other locations: +44 20 3936 2999
Participant Access Code: 294247
Conference call replay facility (available until Wednesday 17th
April 2019)
United Kingdom: 020 3936 3001
All other locations: + 44 20 3936 3001
Replay code: 836469
For more information, please contact:
McCarthy & Stone, 01202 292480
John Tonkiss, Chief Executive Officer
Rowan Baker, Chief Financial Officer
Paul Teverson, Director of Communications
Marina Calero, IR Director
Powerscourt, 020 7250 1446 /
mccarthy-stone@powerscourt-group.com
Justin Griffiths
Nick Dibden
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 213800CEJ4OQ5YPU8Z37
Interim Management Report
Chief Executive Officer's statement
Market demand
Throughout the period, trading volumes remained resilient,
despite more challenging conditions within the secondary market,
largely due to the continuing political and economic uncertainty,
as evidenced by persistently low levels of national housing
transactions and a declining consumer confidence index. Over the
medium term, however, the structural imbalance between supply and
demand within the housing market continues to provide us with an
exceptional market opportunity. This imbalance is particularly
acute in the market for retirement housing where the demand is
estimated at 30,000 retirement units per annum against a supply of
just 6,000 units across all tenures.(1)
McCarthy & Stone maintains a unique position as the only
developer capable of meeting a significant proportion of the
nationwide need for high-quality retirement communities for the
growing number of older people who are looking to move to
properties that are more suited to their needs and lifestyle.
(1) Knight Frank, Retirement Housing (2016)
Our half year results
Group revenue increased to GBP281m (2018: GBP240m), reflecting
an 11% increase in volumes together with a 7% improvement in the
average selling price. The Group achieved 845 legal completions
during the half year (2018: 760), with volumes supported by the
higher opening stock levels carried over from 2018 and an increased
use of in-house part-exchange transactions to create more liquidity
in a more challenging secondary housing market.
During the first half of the year, 46% of legal completions
(2018: 40%) involved some form of part- exchange, with c.25% of
transactions completed using in-house part-exchange. The use of
in-house part-exchange in preference to third party part-exchange
has generated a saving of c.GBP2.7m (2018: c.GBP2.6m). In-house
part-exchange properties are being successfully resold in line with
target at an average of c.13.3 weeks (FY18: c.13.1 weeks) post
buy-in, with average capital employed of GBP27.2m. Part-exchange
continues to be a valuable tool for the business and as a result
the Board approved an increase to the limit on the value of
part-exchange properties held on the balance sheet to 10% of net
assets (c.75% utilised at 28 February). The Group expects to
utilise the full part-exchange allocation in H2.
The 7% increase in the average selling price to GBP319k (2018:
GBP298k), reflects improvements in the quality and locations of our
developments as well as a change in geographic and product mix.
The revenue improvements in the period, together with planned
margin improvement activity in line with our new strategy,
contributed towards the increase in the underlying operating profit
by 47% to GBP21m (2018: GBP15m), while our underlying operating
profit margin increased to 8% (2018: 6%) and gross profit margin
increased to 14% (2018: 13%). Statutory operating profit was
impacted by total exceptional costs of GBP14m (2018: GBPnil) which
were incurred in relation to the delivery of the new business
strategy and, as a result, has reduced to GBP6m (2018: GBP14m).
Similarly, underlying profit before tax has increased to GBP19m
(2018: GBP12m), while statutory profit before tax reduced to GBP4m
(2018: GBP11m).
The Group incurred GBP14m (2018: GBPnil) of exceptional costs in
relation to the delivery of its new business strategy. These costs
comprised restructuring and redundancy costs, the costs of
realigning our land bank to deliver steady state volumes and
consultancy fees (resulting in GBP6m total cash impact from
exceptionals in H1).
The Group saw its tangible gross asset value decrease to GBP738m
(2018: GBP743m) and its tangible net asset value increase to
GBP681m (2018: GBP667m) during the period, while period end net
debt improved to GBP57m (2018: GBP76m) resulting in 8% gearing
(2018: 10%).
ROCE decreased by 2ppts year on year driven by a lower 12 month
operating profit to February 2019 (2019: GBP74m, 2018: GBP87m).
The Group's sale of Freehold Reversionary Interests successfully
completed in February 2019 with a total cash value of c.GBP4m
(2018: GBP11m) based on a smaller portfolio.
Revolving Credit Facility extension
In April 2019, the Group extended the maturity date of its
existing GBP200m revolving credit facility ('RCF') from May 2021 to
March 2023 with Barclays, HSBC and RBS. The nominal interest rate
of this facility has increased from a 1, 3 or 6 month LIBOR + 1.6%
to a 1, 3 or 6 month LIBOR + 1.7% depending on the length of the
drawdown. As at 28 February 2019, GBP79m (2018: GBP117m, FY18:
GBP43m) was drawn.
New strategic direction - significant progress with key
milestones achieved in line with plan
In September 2018 we announced our new strategy 'creating
retirement communities to enrich the quality of life for our
customers and their families'. It represents a shift in the
business mindset from growth to increasing our return on capital
employed, margins and cash generation.
Stage 1 FY19-FY21: Optimising operations for strong financial
performance
Over the next three years, we are focusing on optimising our
operations to deliver strong financial performance across four
fundamental pillars, for the benefit of all our shareholders:
-- Workflow realignment is aimed at generating a stable monthly
flow of land exchanges, build starts, sales releases and first
occupations, all of which are fundamental to our operational
efficiency.
We have already completed the necessary planning actions within
our Group three-year plan, while continuing to maintain land bank
optionality and reducing inventory to 1,579 units (FY18: 1,779)
with 441 units of new stock added during the period.
We have also put in place an incentive scheme to support
delivery of this strategic objective.
-- Rightsizing the business seeks to align the operational cost
base to reflect steady state volumes, while retaining the ability
to respond if market conditions improve.
We have now substantially completed this stage resulting in an
annualised cash saving of c.GBP10m, we have now closed our South
West region and our business in Scotland will be gradually wound
down and closed over the next 12 months. Our remaining regions are
now resourced to deliver a steady state volume with support
functions also adjusted to the new footprint.
We have strengthened the Group's oversight and control through
change in organisational design and increased adoption of
consistent ways of working. Two new COOs were appointed in January
this year to focus on two core activities: Build & Production
and Sales & Services.
-- Efficient sales and marketing model involves a reorganisation
of our sales teams and a centralised approach to Group marketing to
improve standardisation of practices and efficiencies.
The new streamlined sales and marketing operating model is now
in place, with annualised headcount cash savings of c.GBP2m.
We are undertaking a phased roll-out of Salesforce, our new
Customer Relationship Management IT system across four regions with
training and roll-out preparation underway across the remaining
regions. The full roll-out is expected to be completed by summer
2019.
Our improved website and content management system is on track
for roll-out in summer 2019.
-- Build cost reduction programme involves increasing
standardisation, more efficient designs and optimising subcontract
procurement practices.
We have completed design reviews of all FY19 and FY20 schemes,
identifying savings in build costs and margin improvements. Any new
schemes brought forward are now significantly more compliant with
our design standards.
We have rolled out a standard construction programme,
preliminary schedule and agreed Wave 1 (of four) of
framework/specification value improvements for materials. A
programme for competitive tendering of sub-contract packages has
also been launched.
Stage 1 Strategic targets reiterated
-- Steady state volume of c.2,100 units per annum.
-- ROCE improvement to greater than 15% by FY21, increasing to over 20% by FY23.
-- Improvement in operating margins to more than 15% by FY21.
-- Total cost savings of more than GBP40m per annum by FY21.
-- Total cumulative cash savings in excess of GBP90m between FY19-FY21.
-- The Group will focus on reduction in capital employed by at
least GBP70m between FY18 and FY21.
Stage 2 FY19 - FY23: Leveraging strategic opportunities
In parallel, we will also aim to leverage our longer term
strategic opportunities within our services and product offering.
We will aim to create even deeper and longer relationships with
customers to increase our customer appeal, diversify our revenue
streams and reduce overall exposure to market cyclicality.
The Group's proposition is underpinned by three key principles
with an incubator approach adopted to refine the proposition for
each:
-- Flexibility within our services to respond to evolving customer needs and increase revenue.
o We identified, assessed and launched trials on 21 services
across 6 categories: Care & Support, Health & Wellbeing,
Technology, Transport, Food & Drink and Social
o We have launched an incubator hub in West Midlands involving
300 customers
o We have engaged several business partners and shortlisted
services for the first wave of tests, while also reviewing results
and collecting regular feedback to enable an agile approach
o A further incubator hub has also been launched in our South
East region
-- Choice of ownership through multi-tenure options, including
outright ownership, shared ownership and rental. As we enter the
rental market, we intend to sell our rental properties on to
investors whilst retaining an interest.
o We have launched incubator projects in two regions across 11
developments with three additional developments in West Midlands to
join in early May
o We are conducting ongoing performance and feedback monitoring
to refine the proposition
o Our marketing material and customer website has now been
updated to reflect tenure options
-- Affordability to maximise our mass market appeal by
increasing the affordability of our products. This will be achieved
by reducing build costs, increasing efficiencies and introducing
new contemporary and compact designs.
o Agreed designs for compact, contemporary, affordable (Modern
Methods of Construction, 'MMC') offering and tested using customer
focus groups with scope covering Classic and Bungalow products
o Working with various MMC suppliers for panelised solutions
o Volumetric partner assessed and selected to develop the
modular designs and design to cost
o Location for first panelised scheme identified and planning is
underway for build start towards the end of 2019
o Shortlist of volumetric schemes identified to commence in
FY20
Land bank
During the period, we invested GBP58m (2018: GBP71m) in land and
our landbank now stands at 8,372 units (2018: 10,021 units), which
equates to over 3.9 years' supply (2018: 4.4 years' supply). 10
high-quality development sites (2018: 22 sites) have been added to
the land bank in line with our new strategy focusing on a more
measured trajectory and smoother workflow objectives. We also
completed on the purchase of 13 sites (2018: 25 sites) and achieved
21 planning consents (2018: 21) during the period.
Our customers
Our customers are at the heart of our business and we are
delighted to have maintained our full Five Star rating in the Home
Builders Federation ('HBF') customer satisfaction survey for 2018
for the fourteenth consecutive year. In the year 92.5% (2018:
93.5%) of our customers said they would recommend us to a friend.
We remain the only housebuilder of any size or type to have won
this award every year since it was introduced in 2005. This
sustained recognition by our customers of the quality of product
and service we deliver is a strong endorsement of our continued
commitment to design, build, sell and manage the very best
retirement developments and create the very best customer
experience.
Our employees
Our performance in the first six months of the year would not
have been possible without the dedication, enthusiasm and expertise
of our people. The Board would like to record their appreciation of
the huge efforts undertaken by all employees across the Group,
particularly against the backdrop of a difficult market and the
organisational restructure programme which took place in the last
calendar quarter of 2018.
Our people are critical to the continuing evolution and success
of the business. We continue to work on building a culture of
excellence that provides clear career pathways and opportunities
for development in all areas of our business and we recognise and
celebrate those employees who go the extra mile for a customer or
colleague with our popular instant, quarterly and annual PRIDE
awards.
Our expanding Management Development Programme continues to
attract new and aspiring managers to develop their leadership
skills. Our first Chartered Management Institute accredited Level
Five Management and Leadership programme began at the end of March
2019 with an initial cohort of ten employees, whilst our Senior
Leaders Programme was recognised as a finalist in the HBF 2018
Awards Best Training Initiative category.
Our Site Manager Apprenticeship scheme is ongoing and will be
supplemented this year by a new Finance apprenticeship
programme.
Nigel Turner, Chief Operating Officer - Build & Production,
has been appointed as our first Board level equality and diversity
champion and will be spearheading our new equality and diversity
programme.
Independent Director appointment
Gill Barr has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the
Group with effect from today and will succeed Mike Parsons as Chair
of the Remuneration Committee. She will also join the Risk &
Audit Committee.
She has held senior strategy, marketing and business development
positions at John Lewis & Partners, Kingfisher plc, MasterCard
and KPMG, and was Group Marketing Director of The Co-operative
Group between 2011 and 2014. She is currently a Non-Executive
Director of PayPoint plc, N Brown Group plc, Wincanton plc and was
previously a Non-Executive Director of Morgan Sindall plc.
Gill also has considerable experience as a Remuneration
Committee member and Chair. She is currently the Chair of N Brown
Group plc and Wincanton plc's Remuneration Committee and sits on
the same committee for PayPoint plc. She was also previously chair
of Morgan Sindall plc's Remuneration Committee.
Charity partnership
To support and help deliver our purpose of creating communities
that enrich the quality of life for our customers and families, we
are delighted to have Beanstalk as our charity partner for 2019.
Beanstalk are a national children's literacy charity providing
one-to-one support to disadvantaged children who struggle with
reading. We hope to raise at least GBP100,000 during the year to
help Beanstalk's vital reading programmes and we are engaging our
homeowners and employees from across the UK to volunteer to assist
disadvantaged children in their local communities through the
charity's services.
Government initiatives
Ground rents
On 15 October 2018, Government announced that it is proposing to
allow the retirement community sector to continue charging an
economic ground rent after they are capped elsewhere, subject to
offering customers a choice between paying a higher sale price or a
ground rent. We worked closely with the Government during the
consultation period, which ended on 26 November 2018 and expect the
outcome to be announced later this year.
Reform planning
We called for new local and national policies to encourage
supply and expect new guidance in due course, although it is
unlikely to be radical. We also called for a joined-up housing and
care policy through the forthcoming Social Care Green Paper
Unlocking the secondary housing market
To unlock the secondary housing market we have also called for a
Help-to-Move package to help the millions of older people who want
to downsize, which could include a one-time stamp duty exemption.
This would increase the number of downsizer moves significantly and
net HM Treasury additional revenue from the new chains created.
The Spring Statement
We welcomed two statements of positive intent by the Government
in the Spring Statement on 13 March 2019, which may be beneficial
for our business. This included plans for new guidance on
diversifying housing types on large sites and an 'Accelerated
Planning Green Paper'.
Summary
We have delivered an encouraging performance during H1 despite
the continuing economic and political uncertainty and have made
significant progress across our new strategic objectives, which
focus on optimising our operations to deliver strong financial
performance and increasing our return on capital employed, margins
and cash generation over the next three years.
We have strengthened the Group's oversight and control through
change in organisational design. Our two new COOs, Nigel Turner and
Mike Lloyd, appointed in January this year have a clear roadmap and
now focus on our core activities: Build & Production and Sales
& Services.
We have dedicated teams in place to leverage our strategic
opportunities: affordability, flexibility and choice with incubator
hubs now live.
We continue to make our sector's case with Government across
various initiatives.
Outlook
Our FY19 volume out-turn (14 months to 31 October) remains in
line with the Board's expectations, with increased use of discounts
and incentives, particularly part-exchange, now expected to
continue into the second half of this year to counteract a more
challenging secondary market.
Our focus for FY19 will be on rolling out our new strategy,
achieving key milestones and delivering savings in accordance with
our new strategic plan. In addition, our strong balance sheet,
focus on careful cash management and strengthened management team
gives us confidence that we can navigate through the ongoing
headwinds created by the current economic and political
uncertainty.
Earnings per share and interim dividend
Underlying basic earnings per share increased by 71% to 2.9p
(2018: 1.7p) reflecting the uplift in underlying profit before tax
from GBP12m in 2018 to GBP19m in 2019. Basic earnings per share for
2019 were 0.5p (2018: 1.5p). Details of the calculation of
underlying earnings per share can be found in note 2 to the
condensed consolidated financial statements. Details of the
calculation of earnings per share can be found in note 10 to the
condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Group is announcing an interim dividend of 1.9p per share
(2018: 1.9p per share), to be paid on Tuesday, 11 June 2019 to all
ordinary shareholders on the register of members at close of
business on Friday, 3 May 2019. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, 2
May 2019.
The total cost of the interim dividend is GBP10m (2018:
GBP10m).
Risk management
The Group maintains a robust risk management framework,
providing a clear link between its strategy and the strategic,
operational and financial risks faced by the business. The approach
to risk is set by the Board, which maintains a close involvement in
identifying and mitigating risk and monitors certain key risk
indicators at Board meetings on a regular basis.
As part of managing the financial risk in the business, the
potential impact of a downturn in the housing market or the broader
UK economic environment is regularly evaluated and we have a number
of key risk indicators that are used at Board level in order to
assess this. Our geographic coverage and diversified portfolio of
land ensures that we are not overly dependent on particular local
markets or individual developments. In addition, our distinct
business model helps to insulate our business from a downturn, with
land acquisition normally contracted subject to planning and also
often subject to commercial viability or by way of option, enabling
us to review land acquisition decisions in light of planning
outcomes and latest market conditions prior to committing
significant capital.
The following risks have been identified by the Board with
respect to delivering the new Group strategy:
-- Unit completion pattern continues to be lumpy with a
significant proportion delivered towards the year end.
-- Land buying and build programmes are not successfully
calibrated to deliver a steady state production.
-- Failure to deliver required cost savings through changes to the organisational design.
-- The build cost reduction programme is not fully achieved.
-- Failure to streamline the sales model and centralise the marketing function.
Liquidity risk is the risk the Group will encounter difficulty
in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. The
Group's strategy in relation to managing liquidity risk is to
ensure that the Group has sufficient liquid funds to meet all its
potential liabilities as they fall due. The liquidity of the Group
is dependent on achieving the level of sales volumes and prices in
line with current forecasts and strategic objectives as announced
on the 25 September 2018. Liquidity risks are managed through the
regular review of detailed short term and long-term cash flow
forecasts to monitor the expected requirements of the Group against
the available facilities, principally the revolving credit facility
in place, and by maintaining adequate committed banking facilities
to ensure appropriate headroom.
INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT TO McCARTHY & STONE PLC
Introduction
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 28 February 2019 which comprises the Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Condensed Consolidated
Cash Flow Statement and the related notes 1 to 15. We have read the
other information contained in the half yearly financial report and
considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or
material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set
of financial statements.
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with
guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements
2410 (UK and Ireland) "Review of Interim Financial Information
Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the
Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the
company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we
have formed.
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 Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the
group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included
in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim
Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.
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.
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 United Kingdom. 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. 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.
Conclusion
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 28
February 2019 is not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by
the European Union and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Ernst & Young LLP
London
9 April 2019
McCarthy & Stone plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the half year ended 28 February 2019 (unaudited)
Half year Half year Year ended
ended ended
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 2018 2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -----------
Revenue 280.5 239.6 671.6
Cost of sales (241.5) (207.6) (567.0)
Gross profit 39.0 32.0 104.6
Other operating income* 3 64.5 4.7 11.3
Administrative expenses (34.8) (19.3) (44.0)
Other operating expenses* 3 (62.7) (3.9) (8.4)
----------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -----------
Operating profit 6.0 13.5 63.5
Amortisation of brand (1.0) (1.0) (2.0)
Exceptional items (14.3) - (2.0)
Underlying operating profit 2 21.3 14.5 67.5
Finance income 0.3 0.1 0.4
Finance expense (2.7) (3.1) (5.8)
Profit before tax 3.6 10.5 58.1
Income tax expense 4 (0.8) (2.4) (11.6)
Profit for the period from
continuing operations and
total comprehensive income 2 2.8 8.1 46.5
Profit attributable to
Owners of the Company 2.7 7.9 46.2
Non-controlling interests 0.1 0.2 0.3
----------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------- -----------
2.8 8.1 46.5
Earnings per share
Basic (p per share) 10 0.5 1.5 8.6
Diluted (p per share) 10 0.5 1.5 8.6
Notes 1 to 15 form part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements shown above. All trading derives from continuing
operations.
Adjusted measures
Underlying operating profit 2 21.3 14.5 67.5
Underlying profit before
tax 2 18.9 11.5 62.1
* The Group has applied IFRS 15, effective from 1 September
2018, using the cumulative effect method. The significant change
relates to the accounting treatment of part-exchange properties.
Further detail on the adoption of these standards is included
within note 1. Comparatives have not been restated in respect of
the adoption of IFRS 15 or IFRS 9.
McCarthy & Stone plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 28 February 2019 (unaudited)
Half year
ended
Half year
ended 28
28 February February
2019 2018 Year ended
31 August
(unaudited) (unaudited) 2018 (audited)
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------- ------- -------------- -------------- -----------------
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 41.7 41.7 41.7
Intangible assets 25.2 26.7 26.1
Property, plant and equipment 1.9 2.2 2.1
Investments in joint ventures 0.4 0.4 0.4
Investment properties 0.2 0.2 0.2
Other receivables 25.3 29.3 27.8
Total non-current assets 94.7 100.5 98.3
Current assets
Inventories 5 826.6 834.6 817.5
Trade and other receivables 10.2 12.2 22.4
Cash and cash equivalents 31.8 41.1 57.0
Total current assets 868.6 887.9 896.9
Total assets 963.3 988.4 995.2
Equity and liabilities
Capital and reserves
Share capital 43.0 43.0 43.0
Share premium 101.6 101.6 101.6
Retained earnings 602.1 589.6 617.5
Equity attributable to owners
of the Company 746.7 734.2 762.1
Non-controlling interest 1.4 1.2 1.3
Total equity 748.1 735.4 763.4
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 94.1 83.3 114.9
UK corporation tax 0.9 2.2 6.5
Land payables 30.1 50.4 56.9
Short-term borrowings 6 10.0 - -
Total current liabilities 135.1 135.9 178.3
Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings 6 77.8 115.1 51.4
Deferred tax liability 2.3 2.0 2.1
Total liabilities 215.2 253.0 231.8
Total equity and liabilities 963.3 988.4 995.2
Notes 1 to 15 form part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements shown above.
McCarthy & Stone plc
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the half year ended 28 February 2019 (unaudited)
Share Share Retained Total Non-controlling Total
capital premium earnings interest equity
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- ------ --------- --------- ---------- ------- ---------------- --------
Balance at 31 August 2017
(audited) 43.0 101.6 600.1 744.7 1.0 745.7
Profit for the period - - 7.9 7.9 0.2 8.1
Total comprehensive income
for the period - - 7.9 7.9 0.2 8.1
Transactions with owners
of the Company:
Share-based payments - - 0.9 0.9 - 0.9
Dividends 11 - - (19.3) (19.3) - (19.3)
Balance at 28 February 2018
(unaudited) 43.0 101.6 589.6 734.2 1.2 735.4
Profit for the period - - 38.3 38.3 0.1 38.4
Total comprehensive income
for the period - - 38.3 38.3 0.1 38.4
Transactions with owners
of the Company:
Share-based payments - - (0.1) (0.1) - (0.1)
Dividends 11 - - (10.3) (10.3) - (10.3)
Balance at 31 August 2018
(audited) 43.0 101.6 617.5 762.1 1.3 763.4
Profit for the period - - 2.7 2.7 0.1 2.8
Total comprehensive income
for the period - - 2.7 2.7 0.1 2.8
Transactions with owners
of the Company:
Share-based payments - - 0.7 0.7 - 0.7
Dividends 11 - - (18.8) (18.8) - (18.8)
Balance at 28 February 2019
(unaudited) 43.0 101.6 602.1 746.7 1.4 748.1
Notes 1 to 15 form part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements shown above.
McCarthy & Stone plc
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the half year ended 28 February 2019 (unaudited)
Half year Half year Year ended
ended ended 31 August
28 February 28 February 2018 (audited)
2019 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited)
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from
operating activities 7 (41.7) (86.6) 14.8
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant
and equipment (0.3) (0.2) (0.8)
Purchases of intangible assets (0.4) (0.5) (1.1)
Net cash (used in) investing
activities (0.7) (0.7) (1.9)
Financing activities
Issue of long-term borrowings 90.0 172.0 250.0
Repayment of long-term borrowings (54.0) (65.0) (217.0)
Dividends paid (18.8) (19.3) (29.6)
Net cash from financing activities 17.2 87.7 3.4
Net (decrease)/increase in cash
and cash equivalents (25.2) 0.4 16.3
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period 57.0 40.7 40.7
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of the period 31.8 41.1 57.0
Notes 1 to 15 form part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements shown above.
McCarthy & Stone plc
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly Financial
Statements
For the half year ended 28 February 2019 (unaudited)
1. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
McCarthy & Stone plc is a public Company limited by shares
incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006.
These Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly Financial Statements
are unaudited and were authorised for issue by the Board on 9 April
2019.
These Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly Financial Statements
have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting' as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.
The information for the year ended 31 August 2018 does not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006. The Half Yearly Financial Statements should
be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Financial
Statements, for the year ended 31 August 2018, which were prepared
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as
adopted by the European Union ('EU IFRS') and those parts of the
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31
August 2018 were approved by the Board of Directors on 12 November
2018 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's
report on those Financial Statements was unqualified, did not
contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any
statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
2006.
Going concern
The Directors consider that the Group is well placed to manage
business and financial risks in the current economic environment
and have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable
future, a period not less than 12 months from the date of this
report. In April 2019, the Group extended the maturity date of its
existing GBP200m Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF') from May 2021 to
March 2023 with Barclays, HSBC and RBS. As at the balance sheet
date a total of GBP79.0m (2018: GBP117.0m) has been drawn down, in
addition to GBP10.0m (2018: GBPnil) of issued promissory notes,
with a further GBP31.8m (2018: GBP41.1m) held on the balance sheet
in cash. The level of drawdown on the RCF fluctuates during the
year, however the Group operates within a minimum medium-term
headroom requirement of GBP40.0m. If headroom were at risk,
management can take mitigating action by curtailing uncommitted
land purchases and build costs.
In making our assessment as to the Group's ability to continue
as a going concern and managing the related funding risk, we have
considered forecast net debt levels reflecting on interest cover,
gearing and tangible net asset value covenants with no breaches
identified. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing these Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly
Financial Statements. Further information on the Group's borrowings
is given in note 6.
Accounting policies
The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly Financial
Statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent
with those applied in the preparation of the Group's Annual Report
and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2018, with
the exception of the adoption of new accounting standards as
disclosed below:
New standards, amendments and interpretations that have been
published and are therefore mandatory for the Group's accounting
periods beginning on or after 1 September 2017 and later periods
are disclosed on page 158 of the Annual Report for the year ended
31 August 2018. During the period the Group has adopted the
following new and revised standards and interpretations:
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' is effective for
the Group from 1 September 2018. The standard sets out requirements
for revenue recognition from contracts with customers under a
five-step model to apportion revenue against performance
obligations within a contract based upon the transfer of control.
Revenue and profit on the sale of units is recognised when
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership have
transferred to the customer, which is deemed at legal completion,
and does not change under IFRS 15.
There are however presentational changes to our Statement of
Comprehensive Income regarding the treatment of part-exchange
properties. Under IFRS 15, the requirement is to present the
non-cash consideration received from a customer within revenue.
This should be measured at fair value with any provision applied
taken as a reduction to revenue. The key difference is that
previously, upon subsequent resale of the property, the income and
costs associated with part-exchange properties were recognised on a
net basis within cost of sales. Under IFRS 15, there is requirement
to present the proceeds from resale on a gross basis and this has
been reclassified within 'other operating income' and the
associated costs within 'other operating expenses' on the basis
that it is not considered part of the core trading activities of
the Group due to the differences in the nature and purpose of the
properties being sold. As a result, the gross profit for H1 2019
has been reduced by GBP0.5m with a nil impact on operating
profit:
Impact on Consolidated Adjustment
Statement of Comprehensive in respect
income of
part-exchange
properties
H1 2019
GBPm
Revenue -
---------------
Cost of sales (0.5)
---------------
Gross profit (0.5)
---------------
Other operating
income 58.0
---------------
Administrative -
expenses
---------------
Other operating
expenses (57.5)
---------------
Operating profit -
---------------
The Group reviewed the transition options and opted to apply
IFRS 15 using the cumulative effect method due to the only
adjustment for the Group being presentational, and therefore the
comparative information has not been restated.
IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' is effective for the Group from 1
September 2018. The Group does not presently hold any complex
financial instruments. The principal impact area for the Group is
in applying the "expected credit loss" model introduced for bad
debt provisions. However, as the Group's accounting policy is not
to recognise revenue until legal completion, no material bad debt
provisions are anticipated. This will continue to be reviewed as
the Group's new multi-tenure offerings develop.
Other financial instruments impacted by IFRS 9 are already held
at fair value through profit or loss and therefore we do not expect
and changes in valuation or presentation.
There were no other key estimates or judgements made in
assessing the impact of IFRS 15 and 9 on the Group.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation
uncertainty
In the application of the Group's accounting policies, which are
described within the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended
31 August 2018, the Directors are required to make judgements,
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.
Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an
ongoing basis. 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.
The critical judgements identified at the year end, as included
in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August
2018, remain the same. The Annual Report 2018 can be obtained from
the Group's registered office or
www.mccarthyandstonegroup.co.uk.
2. Profit for the year
Reconciliation to underlying operating profit and profit before
tax
The following tables present a reconciliation between the
statutory profit measures disclosed on the Condensed Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income and the underlying measures used
by the Board to appraise performance.
Exceptional items are unusual to the normal activity of the
Group, are of significant cost and non-recurring and therefore have
been separately classified by the Directors in order to draw them
to the attention of the reader.
Adjusted cost items are items which are quantitively or
qualitatively material and are presented separately within the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Directors are
of the opinion that the separate presentation of these items
provides helpful information about the Group's underlying business
performance. Amortisation of brand has been adjusted in order to
reconcile to underlying operating profit and underlying profit
before tax given the Directors do not believe this cost reflects
the underlying trading of the business.
Half year ended 28 February 2019 (unaudited)
Exceptional Amortisation
Statutory items of brand Underlying
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------- -----------
Operating profit 6.0 14.3 1.0 21.3
Finance income 0.3 - - 0.2
Finance expense (2.7) - - (2.7)
Profit before tax 3.6 14.3 1.0 18.9
Income tax expense (0.8) (2.7) (0.2) (3.7)
Profit for the year 2.8 11.6 0.8 15.2
Attributable to non-controlling
interests 0.1 - - 0.1
Attributable to owners
of the Company 2.7 11.6 0.8 15.1
Earnings per share
Basic (p per share) 10 0.5 2.2 0.2 2.9
Diluted (p per share) 10 0.5 2.2 0.2 2.9
The exceptional costs in H1 2019 represent the cost of land
which will no longer be developed net of any residual land value to
be recovered of GBP6.3m, redundancy costs of GBP3.5m and
consultants' fees in relation to the strategic review of
GBP4.5m.
The income tax expense impact is a credit in relation to the
cost items above.
Half year ended 28 February 2018 (unaudited)
Exceptional Amortisation
Statutory items of brand Underlying
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------- ------------ ---------- --------------------- ------------- -----------
Operating profit 13.5 - 1.0 14.5
Finance income 0.1 - - 0.1
Finance expense (3.1) - - (3.1)
Profit before tax 10.5 - 1.0 11.5
Income tax expense (2.4) - (0.2) (2.6)
Profit for the year 8.1 - 0.8 8.9
Attributable to non-controlling
interests 0.2 - - 0.2
Attributable to owners
of the Company 7.9 - 0.8 8.7
Earnings per share
Basic (p per share) 10 1.5 - 0.2 1.7
Diluted (p per share) 10 1.5 - 0.2 1.7
Full year ended 31 August 2018 (audited)
Exceptional Amortisation
Statutory items of brand Underlying
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------- -----------
Operating profit 63.5 2.0 2.0 67.5
Finance income 0.4 - - 0.4
Finance expense (5.8) - - (5.8)
Profit before tax 58.1 2.0 2.0 62.1
Income tax expense (11.6) (0.4) (0.4) (12.4)
Profit for the year 46.5 1.6 1.6 49.7
Attributable to non-controlling
interests 0.3 - - 0.3
Attributable to owners
of the Company 46.2 1.6 1.6 49.4
Earnings per share
Basic (p per share) 10 8.6 0.3 0.3 9.2
Diluted (p per share) 10 8.6 0.3 0.3 9.2
3. Other operating income/expenses
Half year Half year Year ended
ended ended 28 31 August
28 February February 2018 (audited)
Other operating income 2019 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Net rental income 0.2 0.1 0.3
Other income 6.1 4.5 9.5
Non-core business revenue 0.2 0.1 1.5
Part-exchange income 58.0 - -
64.5 4.7 11.3
Half year Half year Year ended
ended ended 28 31 August
28 February February 2018 (audited)
Other operating expenses 2019 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Other expenses 5.2 3.9 8.4
Part-exchange expenditure 57.5 - -
62.7 3.9 8.4
Given changes in presentation of part-exchange properties within
other operating income and expenses from FY19 under IFRS 15 (see
note 1), additional disclosure has been made to illustrate this
change.
4. Income tax expense
Half year Half year Year ended
ended 28 ended 28 31 August
February February 2018
2019 2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- -----------
Corporation tax charges:
Current year 0.6 2.2 11.3
Deferred tax charges:
Current year 0.1 0.2 0.3
Adjustments in respect of prior 0.1 - -
years
0.8 2.4 11.6
The tax charge for each period can be reconciled to the profit
per the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as
follows:
Half year Half year Year ended
ended ended 28
February
2018
28 February (unaudited) 31 August
2019 2018 (audited)
(unaudited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------- ------------ ------------- -----------------
Profit before tax 3.6 10.5 58.1
Tax charge at the UK corporation
tax rate of 19.00%
(2018: 19.00%) 0.7 2.0 11.0
Tax effect of:
Expenses that are not deductible
in determining taxable profit - 0.2 0.3
Share options timing difference - 0.2 0.3
Adjustments in respect of prior 0.1 - -
years
Tax charge for the period 0.8 2.4 11.6
The main rate of corporation tax was lowered to 19% from 1 April
2017 and a further reduction to 17% will take effect from 1 April
2020. The UK deferred tax liabilities at 28 February 2019 have been
calculated based on the appropriate rate at which the liability
will unwind.
5. Inventories
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited) 2018 (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Land held for development 90.2 112.0 99.6
Sites in the course of construction 299.2 451.1 290.3
Finished stock 381.4 239.0 385.9
Part-exchange properties 55.8 32.5 41.7
826.6 834.6 817.5
Days in inventory amounted to 693 days in the half year ended 28
February 2019 (H1 2018: 851 days and FY18: 590 days).
6. Borrowings
Short-term borrowings
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited) 2018 (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Promissory notes 10.0 - -
10.0 - -
Promissory notes are related to land purchases and are
classified as borrowings due to the substance of their contractual
arrangements.
Long-term borrowings
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited) 2018 (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Loans 79.0 117.0 43.0
Unamortised issue
costs (1.2) (1.9) (1.6)
Promissory notes - - 10.0
77.8 115.1 51.0
Outstanding Outstanding
Outstanding at at at
28 February 2019 28 February 31 August
(unaudited) 2018 (unaudited) 2018 (unaudited)
Maturity GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------ ---------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Revolving Credit March
Facility 2023 79.0 117.0 43.0
In April 2019, the Group extended the maturity date of its
existing revolving credit facility ('RCF') from May 2021 to March
2023 with Barclays, HSBC and RBS. The nominal interest rate of this
facility has increased from a 1, 3 or 6 month LIBOR + 1.6% to a 1,
3 or 6 month LIBOR + 1.7% depending on the length of the drawdown.
As at 28 February 2019, GBP79.0m (H1 2018: GBP117.0m, FY18:
GBP43.0m) was drawn. The RCF is secured by a floating charge over
the assets of McCarthy & Stone plc, McCarthy & Stone
Retirement Lifestyles Limited, McCarthy & Stone (Developments)
Limited, McCarthy & Stone Extra Care Living Limited, McCarthy
& Stone Total Care Management Limited, McCarthy & Stone
Rental Properties Limited and McCarthy & Stone Rental
Properties No.2 Limited.
Net debt/(cash)
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 2018 2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------
Loans and borrowings 87.8 115.1 51.4
Add back unamortised debt issue
costs 1.2 1.9 1.6
Cash and cash equivalents (31.8) (41.1) (57.0)
Net debt/(cash) 57.2 75.9 (4.0)
7. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Half year Half year Year ended
ended 28 ended 28
February February
2019 2018 (unaudited)
(unaudited) 31 August
2018 (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------- ------------- ------------------ -----------------
Profit for the financial period 2.8 8.1 46.5
Adjustments for:
Income tax expense 0.8 2.4 11.6
Amortisation of intangible assets 1.3 1.3 2.6
Share-based payment charge 0.7 0.9 0.8
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment 0.5 0.6 1.1
Finance expense 2.7 3.1 5.8
Finance income (0.3) (0.1) (0.4)
Operating cash flows before movements
in working capital 8.5 16.3 68.0
Decrease/(increase) in trade
and other receivables 14.7 (1.3) (9.8)
(Increase) in inventories (9.1) (74.2) (47.1)
(Decrease)/increase in trade
and other payables (47.4) (18.9) 19.1
Cash (used in)/generated by operations (33.3) (78.1) 30.2
Interest received 0.1 0.1 0.1
Interest paid (2.3) (1.9) (4.0)
Income taxes paid (6.2) (6.7) (11.5)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from
operating activities (41.7) (86.6) 14.8
Half year Half year Year ended
ended 28 ended 28
February February
2019 2018 (unaudited)
(unaudited) 31 August
2018 (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------- ------------- ------------------ -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents 31.8 41.1 57.0
8. Segmental analysis
The Board regularly reviews the Group's performance and balance
sheet position for its entire operations, which are based in its
country of domicile, the UK, and receives financial information for
the UK as a whole. As a consequence the Group has one reportable
segment which is UK housebuilding.
As there continues to be only one reportable segment whose
revenue, profits, expenses, assets, liabilities and cash flows are
measured and reported on a basis consistent with the Group
financial statements, no additional numerical disclosures are
necessary.
9. Seasonality and financial year end
In common with the rest of the UK housebuilding industry,
activity occurs throughout the year, but is subject to the main
house selling seasons of Spring and Summer. As these seasons fall
in the second half of the Group's financial year, the Group's
results are weighted to the second half of the financial year. The
second half for FY19 will be an extended financial period of 8
months to 31 October 2019, being a new financial year end in
accordance with the announcement made by the Group on 25 September
2018.
10. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are calculated as the profit for the
financial period attributable to shareholders of the Group divided
by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the
period.
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 2018 2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------
Profit attributable to owners
of the Company (GBPm) 2.7 7.9 46.2
Weighted average no. of shares
(m) 537.3 537.3 537.3
Basic earnings per share (p) 0.5 1.5 8.6
For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of
shares in issue is adjusted to assume the conversion of all
potentially dilutive ordinary shares. At 28 February 2019, the
Company had two categories of potentially dilutive ordinary shares:
3.8m nil cost share options under the LTIP schemes and 0.5m 167.4p
share options and 1.7m 106.9p share options under the Sharesave
plans.
A calculation is performed to determine the number of shares
that could have been acquired at fair value based on the aggregate
of the exercise price of each share option and the fair value of
future services to be supplied to the Group, which is the
unamortised share-based payments charge. The difference between the
number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value and
the total number of options is used in the diluted earnings per
share calculation.
28 February 28 February 31 August
2019 2018 2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------
Profit used to determine diluted
EPS (GBPm) 2.7 7.9 46.2
Weighted average no. of shares
(m) 537.3 537.3 537.3
Adjustments for:
Share options - LTIP 1.4 1.4 1.3
Shares used to determine diluted
EPS (m) 538.7 538.7 538.6
Diluted earnings per share (p) 0.5 1.5 8.6
11. Dividends on equity shares
Half year Half year Year ended
ended ended 31 August
28 February 28 February 2018
2019 2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- ------------- ----------------------------- -----------
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity
holders in the period
Interim dividend for the previous
year - - 10.3
Final dividend for the year 18.8 19.3 19.3
Total distributions to equity
holders in the period 18.8 19.3 29.6
Interim dividend for the period
ended 31 October 2019 (p) 1.9p
In accordance with IAS 10 'Events after the Reporting Period'
the interim dividend of 1.9p (H1 2018: 1.9p) has not been included
as a liability in these Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly
Financial Statements.
The interim dividend will be paid on 11 June 2019 to all
ordinary shareholders on the register of members at the close of
business on Friday 3 May 2019. The ex-dividend date is Thursday 2
May 2019.
12. Financial instruments' fair value disclosure
The Group's financial instruments comprise cash, bank loans and
overdrafts, trade receivables, other financial assets and trade and
other payables.
Categories of financial instruments
Half year ended Half year Year ended
28 February ended 31 August
2019 28 February 2018
2018
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- -----------
Financial assets
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss:
Shared equity receivables 23.1 26.2 25.0
Loans and receivables:
Cash and cash equivalents 31.8 41.1 57.0
Trade and other receivables 2.7 7.7 13.3
Secured mortgages 2.2 3.0 2.8
59.8 78.0 98.1
Financial liabilities
Amortised cost:
Trade and other payables 74.0 68.8 89.5
Land payables 30.1 50.4 56.9
Loans 77.8 115.1 41.4
Land-related promissory notes 10.0 - 10.0
191.9 234.3 197.8
All financial instruments are grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based
on the degree to which their fair value is observable:
-- Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted
prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities
-- Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs
other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as
prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices)
-- Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from
valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability
that are not based on observable market data (unobservable
inputs)
The financial instruments held by the Group that are measured at
fair value are the shared equity receivables which are measured at
fair value through profit or loss using methods associated with
Level 3. At 28 February 2019, these were valued at GBP23.1m (H1
2018: GBP26.2m; FY18: GBP25.0m).
Financial assets are recorded at fair value, being the estimated
amount receivable by the Group, discounted to present day
values.
For shared equity receivables, the fair value of future
anticipated cash receipts takes into account the Directors' views
of an appropriate discount rate, a new build premium, future house
price movements and the expected timing of receipts. These
assumptions cover a variety of different schemes and the range of
assumptions used are stated below. The assumptions are reviewed at
each period end.
Half year ended Half year ended Year ended
28 February 28 February 31 August 2018
2019 2018
Assumptions (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
-------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------------
Discount rate 3.8 to 4.4% 3.8 to 4.4% 3.8 to 4.4%
New build premium 0 to 5% 0 to 5% 0 to 5%
House price inflation 0 to 6%(1) 0 to 6% 0 to 6%
Timing of receipt 5 to 10 years 5 to 11 years 5 to 11 years
(1) The Group applied future HPI over the next five years based
on industry forecasts. The 2019 HPI used in the calculation
varies between 0.0-2.5% dependent upon geographical location.
Half year ended
Half year ended 28 February
28 February 2019 2019
Increase in Decrease in
assumptions by assumptions
1%/1 year by 1%/1 year
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Sensitivity-effect on value of other
financial assets (less)/more GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------
Discount rate (1.1) 1.2
House price inflation 1.2 (1.1)
Timing of receipt (0.5) 0.5
The fair value of the shared equity receivable is based on
external data. The sensitivity-effect of a 1% change is
representative of our best estimate of a reasonably possible
alternative assumption.
The Directors review the anticipated future cash receipts from
the assets at each reporting date and the difference between the
anticipated future receipt and the initial fair value is credited
to finance income.
At initial recognition, the fair values of the assets are
calculated using a discount rate appropriate to the class of assets
that reflects market conditions at the date of entering into the
transaction. The Directors consider at the end of each reporting
period whether the initial market discount rate still reflects up
to date market conditions. If a revision is required, the fair
values of the assets are re-measured at the present value of the
revised future cash flows using this revised discount rate. The
difference between these values and the carrying values of the
assets is recorded against the carrying value of the assets and
recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income.
The following tables present the changes in Level 3 instruments
for the half years ended 28 February 2019 and 28 February 2018 and
the full year ended 31 August 2018:
Half year ended 28
February 2019
---------------------------
Shared equity receivables
GBPm
--------------------------------- --- ---------------------------
Opening balance 25.0
Disposals (1.6)
Revaluation (losses) recognised
in profit or loss (0.3)
Closing balance 23.1
Half year ended 28
February 2018
---------------------------
Shared equity receivables
GBPm
--------------------------------- --- ---------------------------
Opening balance 28.9
Disposals (1.3)
Revaluation (losses) recognised
in profit or loss (1.4)
Closing balance 26.2
Year ended 31 August
2018
---------------------------
Shared equity receivables
GBPm
--------------------------------- --- ---------------------------
Opening balance 28.9
Disposals (2.7)
Revaluation (losses) recognised
in profit or loss (1.2)
Closing balance 25.0
13. Related party transactions
Balances and transactions between the parent Company and its
subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Transactions
between the Group and other related parties are disclosed
below.
Transactions involving Directors and key management
personnel
No advances, credits or guarantees have been entered into with
any of the Directors of the Company during the current or preceding
period.
14. Events after the balance sheet date
The FY19 interim dividend has been approved by the Board of
Directors on 9 April 2019 as described in note 11. On 4 April 2019,
the Group extended the maturity date of its existing revolving
credit facility ('RCF') from May 2021 to March 2023.
15. Half year announcement
The Condensed Consolidated Half Yearly Financial Statements were
approved by the Board on 9 April 2019. Copies of this announcement,
along with further information on McCarthy & Stone plc and the
analyst presentation document which will be presented at the
Group's results meeting on 10 April 2019, are available on our
website at www.mccarthyandstonegroup.co.uk.
McCarthy & Stone plc
Statement of Directors' responsibility in respect of the Half
Year Results Announcement
For the half year ended 28 February 2019
Statement of Directors' responsibility in respect of the Half
Year Results Announcement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge these
condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with IAS 34 and applicable accounting
standards as required by DTR 4.2.4R. They also confirm that to the
best of their knowledge the half year results announcement includes
a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication
of important events during the first six months and description of
principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining eight months of
the 14 month period) and DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party
transactions and changes thereto).
The Directors of McCarthy & Stone plc during the half year
were:
Paul Lester, CBE (Independent Non-Executive Chairman)
John Tonkiss (Chief Executive Officer), appointed 25 September
2018 (formerly Chief Operating Officer)
Rowan Baker (Chief Financial Officer)
Nigel Turner (Chief Operating Officer - Build & Production),
appointed 1 January 2019
Mike Lloyd (Chief Operating Officer - Sales & Services),
appointed 1 January 2019
Frank Nelson (Senior Independent Director)
Mike Parsons (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Geeta Nanda, OBE (Independent Non-Executive Director)
John Carter (Independent Non-Executive Director)
Arun Nagwaney (Non-Executive Director)
The Half Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board on 9
April 2019, and signed on its behalf by:
J Tonkiss
Chief Executive Officer
R Baker
Chief Financial Officer
Notes to Editors
McCarthy & Stone is the UK's leading developer and manager
of retirement communities, with a significant market share. The
Group buys land and then builds, sells and manages high-quality
retirement developments. It has built and sold more than 56,000
properties across more than 1,200 retirement developments since
1977 and is renowned for its focus on the needs of those in later
life.
There is growing demand for retirement communities. There are
currently 11.8 million people aged 65 or over, rising to 17.3m by
2037, representing a 47% increase(1) .[2] For those aged 85 or
over, the increase will be larger, from 1.6m to 3.0m, representing
an 87.5% increase. One in four over 60s are interested in
retirement living(2) , yet only c.162,000 units of specialist
retirement housing for homeowners have been built(3) .
McCarthy & Stone has two main product ranges - Retirement
Living and Retirement Living PLUS - which provide mainly one and
two-bedroom apartments across the country with varying levels of
support and care for older homeowners. Retirement Living
developments provide independence in private apartments designed
specifically for the over-60s, as well as facilities such as shared
lounges and guest suites that support companionship. Retirement
Living Plus developments, which are designed specifically for the
over-70s, offer all of this plus more on-site facilities such as
restaurants, well-being suites and function rooms. Importantly,
they also provide flexible care and support packages to assist
those needing additional help.
All developments built since 2010 are managed by the company's
in-house management services team, providing peace of mind that it
will look after customers and their properties over the long term.
This is a key part of how McCarthy & Stone seeks to enrich its
customers' lives. This commitment to quality and customer service
continues to be recognised by homeowners. In March 2019, the Group
received the full Five Star rating for customer satisfaction from
the Home Builders Federation for the fourteenth consecutive year -
making it the only UK housebuilder, of any size or type, to achieve
this accolade.
For further information, please visit
www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk
Forward-looking statements
Some of the information in this document may contain
forward-looking statements regarding McCarthy & Stone plc and
its subsidiaries (the Group). You may be able to identify
forward-looking statements by terms such as "expect", "believe",
"anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "will", "could", "may" or
"might", the negative of such terms or other similar expressions or
by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events
or intentions. These forward-looking statements include all matters
that are not historical facts. McCarthy & Stone plc (the
Company) wishes to caution you that actual events or results may
differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking
statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date
of preparation of this document and the Company undertakes no
obligation to update these statements to reflect events and
circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the
actual results to differ materially from those contained in
forward-looking statements of the Group, including among others,
general economic conditions, the competitive environment as well as
many other risks specifically related to the Group and its
operations. Past performance of the Group cannot be relied on as a
guide to future performance. Nothing in this document should be
construed as a profit forecast
(1) ONS household projections: 2016-based (2018)
(2) ONS (2017, 2014 based figures)
(3) Knight Frank, Retirement Housing (2018)
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 UGUCGCUPBGRB
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