TIDMBKG
RNS Number : 7649Q
Berkeley Group Holdings (The) PLC
02 December 2016
PRESS RELEASE 2 DECEMBER 2016
THE BERKELEY GROUP HOLDINGS PLC
INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
Outstanding balance sheet strength - Cash due on forward sales
of GBP2.9 billion, estimated future land bank gross margin of
GBP5.9 billion and net cash of GBP208 million
On target to deliver 3-year pre-tax profit of GBP2.0 billion
from 1 May 2015 and announcement of new 5-year target to deliver at
least GBP3.0 billion of pre-tax profit in five years beginning 1
May 2016.
Next GBP1 of GBP2 per annum shareholder returns announced - this
and future returns proposed to be made through dividends or share
buybacks, not solely dividends
The Berkeley Group Holdings plc ("Berkeley") today announces its
unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 October 2016,
together with an evolution of its shareholder returns
programme:
HIGHLIGHTS
-- Profit before tax GBP392.7 million, up 33.9% from GBP293.3 million
-- Net cash GBP207.9 million (April 2016: GBP107.4 million)
after dividend payments of GBP137.0 million and
GBP20.1 million of share purchases
-- Net asset value Up 7.9% to 1,418 pence (April 2016: 1,314 pence)
per share
-- Forward sales GBP2.90 billion (April 2016: GBP3.25 billion)
-- Land bank GBP5.9 billion of estimated future gross margin
(April 2016: GBP6.1 billion) across 42,125 plots
(April 2016: 42,858 plots)
-- Market conditions Excluding an hiatus around Brexit, reservations
are 20% down on the same period last year, as a
result of the market adjusting to increased stamp
duty and the economic uncertainty arising from
the result of the EU Referendum
-- People Over 15,000 people working across our sites, an
increase of some 8.7% since April 2016, with 603
apprenticeships in the six months
SHAREHOLDER RETURNS PROGRAMME
The Board of Berkeley has reviewed the mechanism for making the
remaining GBP10.00 per share payments under the Shareholder Returns
Programme that was put in place in 2011, and enhanced this time
last year from GBP13.00 per share to GBP16.34 per share. The
current heightened macro uncertainty has led to significant market
volatility and there is a dislocation between this and both
underlying market conditions and the strength of Berkeley's
operating model.
As a consequence, the Board is proposing to introduce
flexibility such that the remaining GBP10.00 per share payments can
be made through a combination of share buy-backs and dividends, as
opposed to solely dividends. This recognises that, at certain price
points, the Board is of the opinion that the Company is materially
undervalued and share buy-backs will be in the best interests of
all shareholders. In making this change, the Board is also
proposing that the payments should be re-characterised from being a
value per share, to be an absolute value per annum. This ensures
that the same quantum of cash will be returned as previously
anticipated, but on a smaller number of shares, to the extent share
buy-backs occur. This absolute value will be increased
appropriately for any new shares issued.
GBP per GBP'million
share
--------------------- --------- ------------
Paid to date GBP6.34 GBP854.9
--------------------- --------- ------------
By 30 September 2017 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2018 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2019 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2020 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2021 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
--------------------- --------- ------------
To come * GBP10.00 GBP1,388.5
--------------------- --------- ------------
Total GBP16.34 GBP2,243.4
--------------------- --------- ------------
* based on a net 138.8 million shares in issue as at 31 October
2016
The Board believes that this change will ensure that Berkeley's
shareholders fully benefit from the value embedded in the business.
The Company will consult with Shareholders on consequential changes
to the 2011 LTIP to ensure this reflects these changes, prior to a
General Meeting of the Company in the New Year.
THE BERKELEY GROUP HOLDINGS PLC
INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31 OCTOBER 2016
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Today's strong results reflect decisions made by Berkeley
following the 2008 financial crisis to invest in land at the right
time, made possible by Berkeley's cyclical operating model. Strong
forward sales, coupled with the resilient current market
conditions, have enabled the Board to announce a new five year
target to deliver at least GBP3.0 billion of profit before tax in
the five years beginning 1 May 2016.
At the same time the Board is proposing to introduce flexibility
to the Shareholder Returns programme so that future returns can be
made by either dividends or share buy backs, as opposed to solely
dividends, to the extent the Board believes the prevailing share
price materially undervalues the Company and that such purchases
would be in the best interests of all shareholders. It remains the
intention of the Board to return GBP2 per share per annum over the
next five years under this new mechanism and, for the avoidance of
doubt therefore, this is not a reduction in the overall returns
allocated to shareholders.
In these proposals announced today, the Board confirms that the
next GBP1 per share, equating to GBP138.8 million, will be returned
by 31 March 2017 with the amount of this to be paid as a dividend
to be announced in February, taking account of the cost of any
share buy-backs made in the intervening period.
During a period of political upheaval around the world, which
has affected the immediate economic outlook, Berkeley has focussed
on its core business of regenerating run-down estates, transforming
ex-industrial land, and creating successful places for people from
all walks of life.
Good development benefits everyone. It makes an overwhelming
contribution to jobs and the economy at every level from individual
local sites to national GDP. Berkeley has sustained more than
30,000 jobs nationwide during 2016 and we have more than 1,000
people in apprenticeships and structured training across our
business and sites. The housebuilding industry as a whole
contributes over GBP19 billion each year to the UK economy.
Good development also supports social integration. It creates
new communities and brings people together in places they feel
proud of. This sense of social cohesion is under real pressure
today. We can respond by building high quality homes in mixed
communities and giving people a real stake in their neighbourhood.
To that end, Berkeley continues to invest heavily in the quality of
each development. Our real expertise lies in bringing forward
complex sites that most other developers would not tackle and
turning them into fantastic, low carbon environments.
The barriers facing the industry in London and the South East do
not relate solely to planning. They also centre on the challenge of
getting land ready for development. In many instances, the issues
which stop companies building more quickly are utilities,
remediation, easements, compulsory purchase orders, as well as the
discharge of planning conditions after a consent has been granted.
This is a key area to address as it will reduce the barriers to
entry for small housebuilders as well as increasing the pace of
delivery. It cannot be right that so many sites are delayed by a
combination of capacity, regulation and lack of priority once
planning has been secured. I am pleased to see this is now
receiving more focus from Government and I look forward to the
Housing White Paper which I hope will overhaul this important
constraint on delivery.
More widely, there remains a tension in the planning system
between the Community Infrastructure Levy and the London Mayor's
ambition for Affordable Homes. This affects investment decisions
and needs to be resolved if new housing targets are to be met. We
look forward to results of the CIL Review which we hope will
address this issue. The new London Mayor is bringing a refreshing
focus to the capital's housing challenge and we fully support his
ambition to increase the supply of homes for everyone.
Berkeley's business model is unchanged with its focus on
complex, long-term regeneration sites where we can use our
expertise to add value over time. With a sound financial position
we are well placed to deliver our current plan, creating
exceptional value for our customers, shareholders and society. We
remain indebted to our employees for their contribution to this
business.
In closing, I would like to thank Greg Fry, who is retiring from
the Board on 31 December 2016, for his loyal service to Berkeley,
his integrity and his leadership of St George for more than 30
years. He has been a first class colleague and I wish him every
happiness in the future.
Tony Pidgley CBE
Chairman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT
Summary of Performance
Berkeley has delivered pre-tax earnings of GBP392.7 million for
the six month period, an increase of 33.9% on the equivalent period
last year. This is from the sale of 2,076 homes (2015: 2,091) at an
average selling price of GBP655,000 (2015: GBP506,000), reflecting
the mix of properties sold in the year.
Six months ended 31 October 2016 2015 Change
GBP'm GBP'm GBP'm %
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Revenue 1,413.4 1,138.7 +274.7 +24.1%
Gross profit 503.6 391.4 +112.2 +28.7%
Operating expenses (112.2) (100.7) -11.5 +11.4%
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Operating profit 391.4 290.7 +100.7 +34.6%
Net finance costs (3.2) (1.0) -2.2
Share of joint ventures 4.5 3.6 +0.9
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Profit before tax 392.7 293.3 +99.4 +33.9%
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Earnings Per Share - Basic 225.7 166.9p +58.8p +35.2%
Dividend Per Share 100p 90p +10p +11.1%
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Pre-Tax Return on Equity 41.5% 34.5% +7.0%
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Having delivered pre-tax profits of GBP0.5 billion for the year
ended 30 April 2016, these results mean that the Company remains
firmly on target to deliver pre-tax profits of GBP2.0 billion over
the three year period ending 30 April 2018. The remaining 18 month
period is underpinned by forward sales. In total, Berkeley has
GBP2.9 billion of cash on exchanged sales contracts which is due
over the next three years. As always, the scale of the regeneration
schemes from which we expect to generate the remaining earnings
makes the delivery of profit in specific annual periods sensitive
to timing and we prioritise quality ahead of individual period
financial targets. The strength of this position gives Berkeley
confidence to announce a new five year target to deliver at least
GBP3.0 billion of pre-tax profits in the five years beginning 1 May
2016.
Excluding an hiatus around Brexit, reservations for the six
months remain in line with the beginning of the calendar year and
are approximately 20% down on the same period last year as a result
of the market adjusting to increased stamp duty and the economic
uncertainty arising from the EU Referendum result. The underlying
market has begun to adjust to these events and Berkeley plans to
launch new product in the New Year which will be delivered in
financial years beyond the period to April 2018.
We have made good progress with our land holdings having brought
four new sites into the land bank in the period, securing five new
planning consents and a number of revised planning consents.
Notwithstanding this, the Group's estimated future gross margin in
the land bank has reduced marginally as we have entered a two year
period of enhanced delivery with more land used in production than
added in the period. Plots in the land holdings at 31 October 2016
total 42,125 (30 April 2016: 42,858) and estimated future gross
margin is some GBP5,896 million (30 April 2016: GBP6,146
million).
Berkeley's new five year plan assumes we continue to build a
similar number of homes, noting that we have seen underlying demand
some 20% lower than the same period last year. This fall in volume
is due to higher stamp duty, the extraordinary attack on buy to let
landlords - such an important part of sustaining the London market
and increasing the supply of new homes - and the uncertainty caused
by Brexit. The Company will continue to closely match its capital
investment into new phases and developments to market demand, as it
has always done.
Strategic Delivery
The current shareholder returns programme was established in
2011 as a framework through which Berkeley would return GBP13.00
per share to shareholders over a 10 year timeframe. At this time
last year, with the forward sales and estimated future gross margin
in the land bank in excess of GBP3.0 billion and GBP5.0 billion
respectively, Berkeley had sufficient visibility to enhance the
dividends return programme whilst retaining sufficient capital to
invest in opportunities which would add incremental value to the
on-going business. The total returns were increased by GBP3.34 per
share to GBP16.34 per share with the remaining GBP12.00 per share,
at the time, to be paid in equal annual dividends of GBP2.00 per
share over 6 years. Berkeley paid GBP1.00 per share in each of
January and September 2016 (totaling GBP276 million) and therefore
there is currently GBP10.00 per share remaining.
The Board of Berkeley has now reviewed the mechanism for making
the remaining GBP10.00 per share payments in light of its
assessment that the current short-term macro volatility is
preventing the long-term value of Berkeley being recognised by the
market.
As a consequence, the Board is proposing to introduce
flexibility such that the remaining GBP10.00 per share payments can
be made through a combination of share buy-backs and dividends, as
opposed to solely dividends. This recognises that, at certain price
points, the Board is of the opinion that the Company is materially
undervalued and share buy-backs will be in the best interests of
all shareholders. In making this change, the Board is also
proposing that the payments should be re-characterised from being a
value per share, to be an absolute value per annum. This ensures
that the same amount of cash will be returned as previously
anticipated, but on a smaller number of shares, to the extent share
buy-backs occur. This absolute value will be increased
appropriately for any new shares issued.
GBP per GBP'million
share
--------------------- --------- ------------
Paid to date GBP6.34 GBP854.9
--------------------- --------- ------------
By 30 September 2017 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2018 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2019 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2020 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
By 30 September 2021 GBP2.00 GBP277.7
--------------------- --------- ------------
To come GBP10.00 GBP1,388.5
--------------------- --------- ------------
Total GBP16.34 GBP2,243.4
--------------------- --------- ------------
The Board believes that this change will ensure that Berkeley's
shareholders fully benefit from the value embedded in the business.
These changes will require consequential amendments to the terms of
the 2011 LTIP which the Remuneration Committee of Berkeley will
propose to shareholders at a General Meeting in the New Year,
following a period of consultation with major shareholders. These
proposals will be set in the context of a new Remuneration Policy
which will include annual caps for Executive Remuneration which
will materially reduce the potential value vesting under the 2011
LTIP. Under these proposals, at the current share price, the
reduction in the number of shares still to vest would be
approximately 25%; the level of discount increasing as the share
price increases. Taken together with the changes made earlier this
year and reallocations since the inception of the plan, the maximum
number of shares capable of vesting under the 2011 LTIP would be
approximately 50% lower than originally anticipated when the plan
was put in place.
In February and August each year, the Company will announce the
dividend to be paid at the end of March and September,
respectively. This will be calculated as the absolute value amount
to be delivered in the six months (GBP138.8 million based on the
current shares in issue), less the cost of any share buy-backs
undertaken in the relevant period. Going forward each subsequent
relevant period begins on the date of announcement of the dividend
for the previous relevant period.
Housing Market
We are undoubtedly in a period of heightened global
macro-economic and political uncertainty, most recently from
results of the EU Referendum and US Election. Combined with the
higher levels of property transaction costs, this has impacted
transaction levels throughout 2016.
Berkeley has always recognised the market is cyclical and
entered this period with an exceptional level of forward sales of
over GBP3.0 billion. Berkeley has launched two new sites in the
last six months, Prince of Wales Drive in Battersea and Queenshurst
in Kingston, where both sales volumes and prices have been in line
with expectations and business plan targets. Berkeley's sales
continue to be split broadly evenly between owner-occupiers and
investors, with demand from both domestic and international
purchasers robust. Help to Buy reservations accounted for just 75
sales in the period.
Consequently, excluding an hiatus around Brexit, reservations
for the period remain 20% down on the same period last year. The
market has begun to adjust to the increased stamp duty and general
market uncertainty and Berkeley plans to launch more new product in
the first half of 2017. Pricing remains resilient and continues to
be above business plan levels. In overall terms, we have seen
prices move in line with the market. At higher price points, we
have absorbed the impact of the SDLT increases but this has been
more than offset by increases elsewhere. Reservation cancellation
rates are at normal levels, following a temporary and expected
increase after the EU Referendum result. Build cost inflation has
continued to ease and is currently running at around 4% per
annum.
Government Policy has generally sought to increase the level of
home ownership, focusing on the demand side which has clearly been
helpful outside of London, but has had a negative effect on the
capital. High transaction costs are restricting both mobility in
the second hand market as well as the pace of supply and delivery
of new homes in London and the South East. This continues to embed
the undersupply of new homes in these areas of high demand, at a
time of low interest rates and good mortgage liquidity.
Customers
Customers remain central to Berkeley's "Our Vision" strategy and
we continue to benchmark ourselves within and outside of the
housing sector. Within the industry we aim to perform at least in
the top quartile in all measures, including overall satisfaction,
service, quality, design, least defects and recommend to a friend.
We also use the Net Promoter score as a key benchmark and Berkeley
today has a sector leading score of 69.2, which compares with other
top performing companies such as John Lewis, Amazon and First
Direct.
MyHome Plus is now being used across all divisions of Berkeley.
This is an interactive online system that brings together all the
information a customer needs in one place. It delivers better
service as well as cost efficiencies and can be used by owner
occupiers, investors and tenants. We are also developing new ways
to obtain detailed feedback from our customers on their experience,
the product and place-making so that we can continue to improve our
overall offering.
Homes
Every home that Berkeley builds is individually designed and
this bespoke approach to development is part of how we guarantee
the quality of our product. It also produces some outstanding
architecture and design. We have just launched the award-winning
Grade II listed Chapel at Mill Hill. Originally conceived by
Cardinal Vaughan 150 years ago, this is now the centrepiece of 49
new and converted homes at our St Joseph's Gate development in
North London.
Meanwhile, the first factory built modular versions of the Urban
House are under construction at Kidbrooke Village. This process
cuts the production time from 40 to 10 weeks, delivering a product
that achieves a 19 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and can
work equally well as private or affordable housing.
Alongside these design innovations, we are providing for
superfast, ultrafast or hyperfast fibre-based broadband on every
phase of every new development. By 2020, over 18,000 of our homes
will enjoy at least ultrafast broadband and every new home where we
commence construction and marketing in 2017 will benefit from this
level of connectivity. Customers have rapidly increasing levels of
expectation about the digital capability of their home and we are
working with Openreach and Hyperoptic to retrofit fibre-optic
broadband to existing sites wherever it is viable. Our intention is
to deliver connectivity from day 1 for all our customers.
The UK Green Building Council also released their Health and
Wellbeing in Homes report during July at our Woodberry Down
development, which demonstrates the emotional and financial value
associated with quality homes and places. The Woodberry Wetlands,
for example, provide residents with a fantastic natural amenity
space right on their doorstep. Meanwhile, at One Blackfriars, we
are using a unique façade with an inner and outer core which
provides additional sound insulation and a tranquil home for our
customers living in a dense inner city environment.
Places
In September, we launched the first development from St William.
This brand has a unique portfolio of sites, all characterised by
redundant gas works and years of separation from the surrounding
neighbourhood. Our intention is to put the idea of landscape-led
development at the heart of each scheme. This will help create
places that are both more sociable and better adapted to a changing
climate. We set out this approach in a new essay published this
autumn entitled 'First life, then spaces, then buildings'.
Increasingly we are being asked to fund or build education
facilities. Berkeley opened three primary schools in September
alone: at Kensington High Street in London, Royal Wells Park in
Kent, and Warfield in Berkshire. Schools clearly help to build a
community and in May, Berkeley also announced its intention to
create Community Plans for all our sites. This will ensure we take
a rigorous, deliberate approach to ensuring that each neighbourhood
we build thrives in the long term. Initially, 12 developments will
pilot Community Plans. Each has now produced a strategy and
implementation begins from January 2017.
Operations
The skills shortage in construction is well documented. Right
now, there are more people leaving the industry than joining it.
Berkeley has committed to have 1,500 people in apprenticeships or
training by May 2018. We have already made real progress with 603
apprentices having worked across the business during the first half
of this year. A key part of the challenge is to partner with and
incentivise our sub-contractors and on 29 November, the first
Berkeley Group Apprentice Awards were held at the Royal Arsenal in
Woolwich to recognise the people championing this agenda.
Meanwhile, we are seeking to make Berkeley a carbon positive
company. Over the next 18 months, we aim to deliver a 10% reduction
in carbon emissions per person and set an internal carbon price,
using the funds generated to offset more than all of the remaining
carbon emissions. Minimum site set-up and operational standards are
to be put into force to help us achieve this.
Our People
Investing in people is one of the 5 focus areas of Berkeley's
strategic plan. This work ranges from safety on site to talent
development and community involvement. Our 12 month rolling
Accident Incident Rate (AIR) is currently 1.78, the lowest ever
recorded in our history, one of the best in the industry and well
within our target of 3.00.
Separately, GBP10 million has now been committed through the
Berkeley Foundation since its inception in 2011. Our staff alone
have raised more than GBP3 million in this time. This has supported
programmes like Creativity Works, an employment scheme helping
young people find a foothold in the creative industries. This kind
of community investment also develops the skills of our staff; more
than 170 have so far been mentors on Creativity Works.
Outlook
Berkeley's focus is on building a modern world-class business
which is successful and sustainable in the long-term. Our business
model recognises the complexity of delivering new homes and places
on our regeneration schemes through market cycles and the financial
agility required to mitigate the operational risks.
The prevailing environment is one of uncertainty and we expect
this to continue with short-term fluctuations, both up and down,
likely to be a reality. Our business is well set-up to perform
strongly in these conditions and is centred around London and the
South East. Notwithstanding the UK's decision to leave the European
Union, we believe that London will endure as a global financial
centre and a place where people from all walks of life and corners
of the world will continue to aspire to live and work.
We have a strong balance sheet with net assets of GBP2.0 billion
and net cash of GBP207.9 million, some 42,125 plots in the land
bank with risk adjusted estimated future gross margin of GBP5.9
billion and cash due on forward sales in the next three years of
some GBP2.9 billion. However, underpinning this financial strength,
we have highly skilled autonomous operational teams, an overriding
framework of Our Vision which focuses our operations on continuing
to deliver commitments which keep Berkeley ahead, as well as
excellent brands and customer service. Berkeley is leading the way
in creating desirable, modern, low carbon, high density places.
We have sought to adjust the mechanism for returning the
remaining GBP10.00 per share to shareholders under the 2011
Shareholder Returns Programme, to ensure that Berkeley's
shareholders fully benefit from the value already embedded in the
business. At the same time we have in place a strong financing
structure for the next five years and will continue to seek new
investment opportunities to add incremental value to the business.
Over this five year period to 30 April 2021, we are targeting to
deliver at least GBP3.0 billion of pre-tax profit.
In the shorter-term we remain well positioned to deliver our
existing earnings guidance for the three years ending 30 April 2018
of some GBP2.0 billion of pre-tax profits.
Rob Perrins
Chief Executive
TRADING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Trading performance
Revenue of GBP1,413.4 million in the period (2015: GBP1,138.7
million) arose mainly from the sale of new homes in London and the
South East of England. This included GBP1,373.2 million of
residential revenue (2015: GBP1,066.8 million), GBP27.2 million
from the sale of ground rent assets (2015: GBP53.4 million), and
GBP13.0 million of commercial revenue (2015: GBP18.5 million).
There were no land sales in the period (2015: nil).
2,076 new homes (2015: 2,091) were sold across London and the
South East of England at an average selling price of GBP655,000
(2015: GBP506,000). The changes to the average selling price are a
result of mix, with Berkeley completing a number of sales on
schemes in central London in the period.
In the previous two financial years, Berkeley completed the
disposal of its historic ground rent asset portfolios. Ground rent
assets now being sold are predominantly from current sites and,
accordingly, such disposals are considered part of the ongoing core
business and absorb an appropriate allocation of development
costs.
Revenue of GBP13.0 million from commercial activities included
the sale of some 37,000 sqft of office, retail and leisure space
across a number of the Group's developments including Kew Bridge
Road, Goodman's Fields in Aldgate, Royal Wells Park in Kent and
Chelsea Creek in Fulham. The GBP18.5 million of revenue last year
was from the sale of some 65,000 sqft of office, retail and leisure
space.
The gross margin percentage has increased to 35.6% (2015:
34.4%), and reflects the mix of homes sold in the year.
Overheads of GBP112.2 million (2015: GBP100.7 million) increased
by GBP11.5 million in the period. This includes a GBP5.9 million
net increase in the charge to the income statement for the Group's
share schemes. The Company cash settled the tax and National
Insurance liabilities arising on the vesting of options for
participants in the 2011 LTIP on 30 September 2016 in lieu of
issuing shares. This has been partially offset by the impact on the
charge of the reduction in the Company's share price from GBP29.95
at 30 April to GBP23.60 at 31 October. The residual increase in
overheads is due to underlying headcount increases compared to last
year.
The result is that the Group's operating margin has increased to
27.7% from 25.5% last year.
Berkeley's share of the results of joint ventures was a profit
of GBP4.5 million (2015: GBP3.6 million) which reflects ongoing
completions at 375 Kensington High Street and Stanmore Place, as
well as the first completions at Green Park in Reading within St
Edward, and pre-development costs within St William in the early
stages of the joint venture.
The Group has remained cash positive throughout the period, with
net finance costs totaling GBP3.2 million in the period (2015:
GBP1.0 million). The increase reflects imputed interest on taxation
and land purchased on deferred settlement terms.
Pre-tax return on equity has increased from 34.5% to 41.5%.
Basic earnings per share has increased by 35.2% from 166.9 pence to
225.7 pence, which takes into account the issue of a further 1.8
million shares in September to satisfy share awards under the 2011
LTIP scheme.
Financial Position
Net assets increased over the six month period by GBP156.3
million, or 8.6%, to GBP1,969.1 million (30 April 2016: GBP1,812.8
million). This is after payment of GBP137.0 million of dividends
and equates to a net asset value per share of 1,418 pence, up 7.9%
from 1,314 pence at 30 April 2016.
Inventories have increased by GBP90.1 million from GBP3,256.1
million at 30 April 2016 to GBP3,346.2 million at 31 October 2016.
Inventories include GBP466.4 million of land not under development
(30 April 2016: GBP384.1 million), GBP2,845.1 million of work in
progress (30 April 2016: GBP2,853.9 million) and GBP34.6 million of
completed stock (30 April 2016: GBP18.1 million).
Trade and other payables are GBP1,839.5 million at 31 October
2016 (GBP1,858.9 million at 30 April 2016). These include
GBP1,036.8 million of on account receipts from customers (30 April
2016: GBP1,105.8 million) and land creditors of GBP131.0 million
(30 April 2016: GBP174.7 million). Provisions of GBP94.6 million
(30 April 2016: GBP88.5 million) include post completion
development obligations and other provisions.
The Group ended the period ungeared with net cash of GBP207.9
million (30 April 2016: GBP107.4 million). This is an increase of
GBP100.5 million during the period (2015: decrease of GBP167.8
million) as a result of GBP402.2 million of cash generated from
operations (2015: GBP294.0 million) and a net outflow of GBP118.8
million in working capital (2015: net outflow of GBP243.3 million),
before tax and other net cash outflows of GBP25.9 million (2015:
GBP90.8 million), dividends of GBP137.0 million (2015: GBP122.9
million) and share purchases of GBP20.1 million (2015: GBP4.8
million).
Banking
The Board of Berkeley has reviewed the Group's banking
arrangements, having regard to the size of the business, with net
assets now of some GBP2.0 billion, and the investment opportunities
likely to emerge in the prevailing environment. As a consequence,
Berkeley has increased its committed corporate banking facilities
to GBP750 million from GBP575 million. A term loan of GBP300
million has been introduced and the revolving credit facility
element reduced from GBP575m to GBP450m. The agreement was dated 25
November 2016 and has a five year term, which effectively extends
the maturity date for the Group's facilities from March 2021 to
November 2021. These arrangements provide clarity of financing for
the next five years, with options over an additional two years,
which also extends the benefit of the low ongoing costs associated
with the facility.
Joint Ventures
Investments accounted for using the equity method have decreased
from GBP150.0 million at 30 April 2016 to GBP117.6 million at 31
October 2016. Berkeley's joint ventures include St Edward, a joint
venture with Prudential plc and St William, a joint venture with
National Grid plc. The decrease in joint venture investments during
the period principally reflects dividends received from St Edward
which exceeded funding into the St William joint venture in the
period.
St Edward has four schemes currently in development at Stanmore
Place, 375 Kensington High Street, 190 Strand and Green Park in
Reading. 61 homes were sold in the period at an average selling
price of GBP702,000 (2015: 78 at GBP1,006,000), which reflects the
mix of properties sold, predominantly at Stanmore Place in this
period.
In total, 2,364 plots in Berkeley's land holdings relate to St
Edward schemes. During the period a resolution to grant consent for
a development in Wallingford has been obtained, which remains
subject to a section 106 agreement. The site has come through
strategic land holdings and is now included in the Group's land
bank. St Edward also controls a commercial site in Westminster
which has a detailed planning consent but will not move into
development until the premises are vacated by the current
tenant.
3,496 plots in Berkeley's land holdings relate to St William
schemes, across six developments. Berkeley continues to work
closely with National Grid to identify sites from across its
portfolio to bring through into the joint venture. On 31 August
2016, St William entered into a GBP150 million facility agreement
with Barclays, Lloyds, and HSBC for a term of three years with
options over a further two years. At the same time the joint
venture completed the acquisition of its first site, Prince of
Wales Drive in Battersea which has now moved into production. Along
with the joint venture partner funding already provided, St William
has visibility over its financing arrangements as it continues to
grow and develop its land bank.
Land
Berkeley's land bank comprises 42,125 plots (30 April 2016:
42,858 plots) at 31 October 2016. Of these land holdings, 33,457
plots (30 April 2016: 33,786) are owned and included on the balance
sheet of the Group or joint ventures and 8,668 plots (30 April
2016: 9,072) are contracted sites. The plots in the land bank at 31
October 2016 have an estimated future gross margin of GBP5,896
million (30 April 2016: GBP6,146 million), which includes the
Group's 50% share of the anticipated margin on any joint venture
development. The Group also holds a strategic pipeline of long-term
options for in excess of 5,000 plots.
Berkeley has remained selective in the land market, acquiring
two new sites in the period, as well as bringing a further two new
sites through the strategic pipeline of long-term options. The four
new sites added to the land bank include three sites in the South
East, in the high demand locations of Leatherhead and Cranleigh in
Surrey as well as Wallingford in South Oxfordshire, the latter two
being the option sites. In London, we have acquired a site in
Ealing unconditionally on deferred terms.
Berkeley has secured five new planning consents and a number of
revised consents in the period. The new consents include St
Edward's Wallingford site, which remains subject to a section 106
agreement, along with St William's site at Rickmansworth, and
developments in Blackheath, Wokingham and Kingston. The revised
consents have sought to improve the development solution for each
scheme to add value and/or reduce risk.
The Group's land holdings at 31 October 2016 are across some 79
sites. Of these, 56 (71%) have an implementable planning consent
and are in construction and a further 13 (16%) have at least a
resolution to grant planning but the consent is not yet
implementable; typically due to practical technical constraints and
challenges surrounding, for example, vacant possession, CPO
requirements or utilities provision. The remaining 10 (13%) are in
the planning process with eight of these sites subject to
conditional contracts.
The estimated future gross margin represents management's
risk-adjusted assessment of the potential gross profit for each
site, taking account of a wide range of factors, including: current
sales and input prices; the political and economic backdrop; the
planning regime; and other market forces; all of which could have a
significant effect on the eventual outcome.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The principal business risks and uncertainties facing Berkeley
for the next six months are the same as those set out on pages 56
to 65 of the Annual Report for the year ended 30 April 2016. These
comprise the economic and political outlook, the impact of
regulation on the business and the wider industry, the availability
of land, the planning process, retention of our people, securing
sales, mortgage availability, environmental and social
sustainability, health and safety on the Group's developments,
control of build costs and maintaining programmes, product quality
and cyber and data risk. In preparing this interim report, full
account has been taken of this risk profile and the future outlook
for the Group's developments as embraced within the Group's
strategy and outlook.
- End -
This announcement contains inside information in the section
headed Strategic Delivery.
For further information please contact:
The Berkeley Group Holdings plc Novella Communications
R C Perrins Tim Robertson
R J Stearn T: 020 3151 7008
T: 01932 868555
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
This statement, which should be read in conjunction with the
independent review of the auditors set out at the end of these
condensed interim financial statements (the "interim financial
statements"), is made to enable shareholders to distinguish the
respective responsibilities of the Directors and the auditors in
relation to the interim financial statements which the Directors
confirm have been presented on a going concern basis. The Directors
consider that the Group has used appropriate accounting policies,
consistently applied and supported by reasonable and appropriate
judgements and estimates.
A copy of the interim financial statements of the Group is
placed on the website of The Berkeley Group Holdings plc:
www.berkeleygroup.co.uk. The Directors are responsible for the
maintenance and integrity of the information on the website.
Information published on the internet is accessible in many
countries with different legal requirements. Legislation in the
United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of the
financial statements may differ from legislation in other
jurisdictions.
The Directors confirm that this condensed set of interim
financial statements has been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial
Reporting", as adopted by the European Union and that the interim
management report includes a fair review of the information
required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8, namely:
-- an indication of important events that have occurred during
the first six months and their impact on the condensed set of
financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year;
and
-- material related party transactions in the first six months
and any material changes in the related party transactions
described in the last annual report.
The Directors of The Berkeley Group Holdings plc are listed in
the Annual Report of The Berkeley Group Holdings plc for the year
ended 30 April 2016. A list of current Directors is maintained on
The Berkeley Group Holdings plc's website.
On behalf of the Board
R C Perrins
Chief Executive
2 December 2016
R J Stearn
Finance Director
2 December 2016
Consolidated Income Statement
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Revenue 1,413.4 1,138.7 2,047.5
Cost of sales (909.8) (747.3) (1,345.8)
---------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 503.6 391.4 701.7
Net operating expenses (112.2) (100.7) (199.8)
---------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating profit 391.4 290.7 501.9
Finance income 3 0.9 2.0 3.1
Finance costs 3 (4.1) (3.0) (10.6)
Share of results of joint
ventures using the equity
method 4.5 3.6 36.5
----------- ----------- -----------
Profit before taxation for
the period 392.7 293.3 530.9
Income tax expense 4 (82.2) (65.5) (126.8)
---------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Profit after taxation for
the period 310.5 227.8 404.1
---------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings per share:
Basic 5 225.7p 166.9p 295.8p
Diluted 5 209.6p 149.2p 268.7p
---------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Profit after taxation for the
period 310.5 227.8 404.1
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Items that will not be reclassified
to profit or loss
Re-measurements of the net defined
benefit asset/liability (0.3) (0.3) (0.6)
Deferred tax on re-measurements
of the net defined benefit asset/liability - 0.1 0.1
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total items that will not be
reclassified to profit or loss (0.3) (0.2) (0.5)
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss
Total items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss - - -
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Items reclassified to profit
or loss
Gain on value of other investments - (2.0) (2.0)
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total items reclassified to profit
or loss - (2.0) (2.0)
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Other comprehensive expense for
the period (0.3) (2.2) (2.5)
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total comprehensive income for
the period 310.2 225.6 401.6
--------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
At At At
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 17.2 17.2 17.2
Property, plant and equipment 21.8 22.0 23.5
Investments accounted for
using the equity method 117.6 108.1 150.0
Deferred tax assets 59.9 60.1 71.9
216.5 207.4 262.6
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Current assets
Inventories 3,346.2 2,916.4 3,256.1
Trade and other receivables 212.3 242.2 212.3
Cash and cash equivalents 6 207.9 263.1 107.4
3,766.4 3,421.7 3,575.8
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Total assets 3,982.9 3,629.1 3,838.4
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables (69.5) (88.2) (90.3)
Provisions for other liabilities (72.8) (70.5) (68.3)
(142.3) (158.7) (158.6)
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (1,770.0) (1,650.3) (1,768.6)
Current tax liabilities (79.7) (44.8) (78.2)
Provisions for other liabilities (21.8) (15.3) (20.2)
(1,871.5) (1,710.4) (1,867.0)
Total liabilities (2,013.8) (1,869.1) (2,025.6)
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Total net assets 1,969.1 1,760.0 1,812.8
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Equity
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 7.0 6.8 6.9
Share premium 49.8 49.6 49.8
Capital redemption reserve 24.5 24.5 24.5
Other reserve (961.3) (961.3) (961.3)
Retained profit 2,849.1 2,640.4 2,692.9
Total equity 1,969.1 1,760.0 1,812.8
---------------------------------- ------ ------------------ ----------- ----------
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Capital
Share Share redemption Other Retained Total
capital premium reserve reserve profit equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Unaudited
At 1 May 2016 6.9 49.8 24.5 (961.3) 2,692.9 1,812.8
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Profit after taxation for the period - - - - 310.5 310.5
Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period - - - - (0.3) (0.3)
Purchase of own shares - - - - (20.1) (20.1)
Issue of ordinary shares 0.1 - - - - 0.1
Transactions with shareholders:
- Credit in respect of employee share schemes - - - - (3.3) (3.3)
- Deferred tax in respect of employee share schemes - - - - 6.4 6.4
- Dividends to equity holders of the Company - - - - (137.0) (137.0)
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
At 31 October 2016 7.0 49.8 24.5 (961.3) 2,849.1 1,969.1
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Unaudited
At 1 May 2015 6.8 49.6 24.5 (961.3) 2,518.3 1,637.9
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Profit after taxation for the period - - - - 227.8 227.8
Other comprehensive expense for the period - - - - (2.2) (2.2)
Purchase of own shares - - - - (1.2) (1.2)
Transactions with shareholders:
- Credit in respect of employee share schemes - - - - 4.9 4.9
- Deferred tax in respect of employee share schemes - - - - 15.7 15.7
- Dividends to equity holders of the Company - - - - (122.9) (122.9)
At 31 October 2015 6.8 49.6 24.5 (961.3) 2,640.4 1,760.0
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Audited
At 1 May 2015 6.8 49.6 24.5 (961.3) 2,518.3 1,637.9
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Profit after taxation for the year - - - - 404.1 404.1
Other comprehensive income for the year - - - - (2.5) (2.5)
Purchase of own shares - - - - (1.2) (1.2)
Issue of ordinary shares 0.1 0.2 - - - 0.3
Transactions with shareholders:
- Credit in respect of employee share schemes - - - - 28.8 28.8
- Deferred tax in respect of employee share schemes - - - - 4.9 4.9
- Dividends to equity holders of the Company - - - - (259.5) (259.5)
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
At 30 April 2016 6.9 49.8 24.5 (961.3) 2,692.9 1,812.8
----------------------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- --------- --------
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Notes GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from operating
activities
Cash generated from operations 6 283.7 50.7 94.0
Proceeds from sale of investment
properties - 0.2 0.2
Interest received 0.8 2.0 3.0
Interest paid (1.5) (1.5) (2.7)
Income tax paid (62.2) (50.1) (100.8)
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash flow from operating
activities 220.8 1.3 (6.3)
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing
activities
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (0.7) (1.7) (4.9)
Proceeds on disposal of
financial assets 0.5 12.8 12.8
Dividends from investments 40.0 - -
Proceeds on disposal of
property, plant and equipment - 1.9 2.1
Movements in loans with
joint ventures (3.1) (54.4) (63.2)
-----------
Net cash flow from investing
activities 36.7 (41.4) (53.2)
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing
activities
Proceeds from issue of shares 0.1 - 0.3
Purchase of own shares (20.1) (4.8) (4.8)
Dividends paid to Company's
shareholders (137.0) (122.9) (259.5)
Net cash flow from financing
activities (157.0) (127.7) (264.0)
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase/(decrease)
in cash and cash equivalents 100.5 (167.8) (323.5)
Cash and cash equivalents
at the start of the financial
period 107.4 430.9 430.9
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the financial
period 6 207.9 263.1 107.4
---------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
1 General information
The Berkeley Group Holdings plc ("the Company") is a public
limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom.
The address of its registered office is Berkeley House, 19
Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1JG. The Company and its
subsidiaries (together "the Group") are engaged in residential led,
mixed-use property development.
This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information
was approved for issue on 2 December 2016. It does not comprise
statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434(3) of the
Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April
2016 were approved by the Board of Directors on 21 June 2016 and
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors
on those accounts was unqualified, did not include reference to any
matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis
without qualifying their audit report, and did not contain a
statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act
2006.
2 Basis of preparation
The half year report has been prepared in accordance with the
recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and
the disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules.
This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information
for the six months ended 31 October 2016 has been prepared in
accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of
Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34 "Interim Financial
Reporting" as adopted by the European Union.
The comparative figures for the year ended 30 April 2016 do not
constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year
has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors
reported on those accounts: their report was unqualified, did not
draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not
contain a statement under Sections 498 (2) or (3) respectively of
the Companies Act 2006.
The accounting policies, presentation and method of computations
adopted in the preparation of the half year 2016 condensed and
consolidated financial statements are consistent with those
followed in the preparation of the Group's annual financial
statements for the year ended 30 April 2016 except in respect of
taxation which is based on the expected effective tax rate for the
year ending 30 April 2017.
The following new standards, amendments to standards and
interpretations are applicable to the Group and are mandatory for
the first time for the financial year beginning 1 May 2016: Annual
Improvements to IFRSs - 2012-2014 Cycle; IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements
(Amendment); IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment (Amendment); IAS
27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (Amendment); IFRS
10 Consolidated Financial Statements (Amendment); IFRS 12
Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities (Amendment); IAS 28
Investments in Joint Ventures and Associates (Amendment) and IAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements (Amendment).
These Standards have not had a material impact on the results of
the Company for the six months ended 31 October 2016.
The following new standards, amendments to standards and
interpretations have been issued, but are not yet effective for the
financial year ending 30 April 2017 and have not been adopted
early: IAS 12 Income Taxes (Amendment); IAS 7 Cashflow Statements
(Amendment); IFRS 9 Financial Instruments; IFRS 2 Share Based
Payments (Amendment); IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
and IFRS 16 Leases.
The Group will continue to consider the impact of relevant
forthcoming standards.
2 Basis of preparation continued
During the 2014/15 financial year, the Company dismissed its
finance director, Mr Simpkin, who issued legal proceedings in the
Employment Tribunal against the Company on the 28 November 2014. On
the 20 November 2015 Mr Simpkin served High Court proceedings on
the Company. There is a preliminary High Court hearing in July 2017
to consider the way in which the Remuneration Committee and the
Board exercised their respective discretions not to permit Mr
Simpkin to retain awards otherwise lost under various remuneration
schemes. The reasons for Mr Simpkin's dismissal are expected to be
dealt with at a later hearing. The proceedings are being robustly
defended by the Company with the assistance of external
professional advisers.
3 Net finance costs
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Finance income 0.9 2.0 3.1
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Finance costs
Interest payable on bank
loans and non-utilisation
fees (1.4) (1.4) (2.8)
Amortisation of facility
fees (0.6) (0.5) (1.0)
Other finance costs (2.1) (1.1) (6.8)
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(4.1) (3.0) (10.6)
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net finance costs (3.2) (1.0) (7.5)
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Finance income predominantly represents interest earned on cash
deposits.
Other finance costs represent imputed interest on taxation and
on land purchased on deferred settlement terms.
4 Income tax expense
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Current tax
UK corporation tax payable (73.2) (45.6) (107.5)
Adjustments in respect
of previous periods (2.5) (5.5) (14.9)
(75.7) (51.1) (122.4)
Deferred tax
Deferred tax at 19% / 20%
/ 19% (6.5) (12.7) (4.4)
Deferred tax adjustment
in respect of change in
tax rate - (1.7) -
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(82.2) (65.5) (126.8)
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
5 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are calculated as the profit for the
financial year attributable to shareholders of the Group divided by
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the
period.
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Profit attributable to
shareholders (GBPm) 310.5 227.8 404.1
Weighted average no. of
shares (m) 137.6 136.5 136.6
-------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Basic earnings per share
(p) 225.7 166.9 295.8
-------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
For diluted earnings per ordinary share, the weighted average
number of shares in issue is adjusted to assume the conversion of
all potentially dilutive ordinary shares.
At 31 October 2016, the Group had two (2015: two) categories of
potentially dilutive ordinary shares: 11.4 million (2015: 16.8
million) GBPnil share options under the 2011 LTIP and 18,221 (2015:
nil) share options under the 2015 Bonus Banking plan. At 31 October
2015 the Group had 2.8 million GBP4.06 share options under the 2009
LTIP Part B. These options vested on 15 April 2016.
A calculation is undertaken 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.
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Profit used to determine
diluted EPS (GBPm) 310.5 227.8 404.1
--------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Weighted average no. of
shares (m) 137.6 136.5 136.6
Adjustments for:
Share options - 2009 LTIP
Part B - 1.3 1.3
Share options - 2011 LTIP 10.5 14.9 12.5
Bonus plan shares - - -
Shares used to determine
diluted EPS (m) 148.1 152.7 150.4
--------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Diluted earnings per share
(p) 209.6 149.2 268.7
--------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
6 Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
31 October 31 October 30 April
2016 2015 2016
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash flows from operating
activities
Profit after taxation for
the period 310.5 227.8 404.1
Adjustments for:
* Taxation 82.2 65.5 126.8
* Depreciation 2.0 1.5 3.1
* Profit on sale of financial assets - (2.8) (2.8)
* (Profit)/Loss on sale of property, plant and
equipment 0.1 (0.3) (0.2)
* Finance income (0.9) (2.0) (3.1)
* Finance costs 4.1 3.0 10.6
* Share of results of joint ventures after tax (4.5) (3.6) (36.5)
* Non-cash charge in respect of share-based payments 9.0 4.9 28.8
Changes in working capital:
* Increase in inventories (90.1) (262.3) (602.0)
* (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (0.5) (97.1) (67.8)
* Increase in trade and other payables (27.9) 116.4 233.6
* Decrease in employee benefit obligations (0.3) (0.3) (0.6)
------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash generated from operations 283.7 50.7 94.0
------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Reconciliation of net cash
flow to net cash
Net increase/(decrease)
in cash and cash equivalents,
including bank overdraft 100.5 (167.8) (323.5)
Net cash (inflow)/outflow - - -
from (increase)/decrease
in borrowings
Movement in net cash in
the financial period 100.5 (167.8) (323.5)
Opening net cash 107.4 430.9 430.9
-------------------------------- ------ -------- --------
Closing net cash 207.9 263.1 107.4
-------------------------------- ------ -------- --------
Net cash
Cash and cash equivalents 207.9 263.1 107.4
Current borrowings - - -
-------------------------------- ------ -------- --------
Net cash 207.9 263.1 107.4
-------------------------------- ------ -------- --------
6 Related party transactions
The Group has entered into the following related party
transactions:
Transactions with Directors
During the period, Mr A W Pidgley paid GBP23,490 (2015:
GBP334,000) and Mr S Ellis paid GBP90,924 (2015: nil) to the Group
in connection with works carried out at their respective homes at
commercial rates in accordance with the relevant policies of the
Group. In the prior financial period Mr R C Perrins paid GBP127,000
to the Group. There were no balances outstanding at the period
end.
During the period, shareholder approval was obtained at the
Company's Annual General Meeting held in September 2016 for the
purchase by Mr K Whiteman, a Director of the Company, of an
apartment at Royal Arsenal Riverside for GBP650,000 on 12 April
2016 from Berkeley Homes plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company. Mr K Whiteman paid a contractual deposit on account of
GBP65,000 during the period. This was in addition to a contractual
deposit on account of GBP65,000 paid in April 2016 on exchange of
contracts.
Director property purchases previously disclosed, which have all
received shareholder approval, include:
-- Mr G J Fry - purchase of an apartment at Brewery Wharf for
GBP565,000 in 2015. During the financial period, Mr G J Fry legally
completed on the purchase of the apartment. All contractual amounts
have been paid to the Group.
-- Mr G J Fry - purchase of an apartment at Sovereign Court for GBP819,950 in 2014.
-- Mr R C Perrins - purchase of an apartment at 190 Strand for GBP2,100,000 in 2013; and
-- Ms D Brightmore Armour - purchase of an apartment at 190
Strand for GBP2,985,000 in 2014 along with a storage room at the
property for GBP101,200 in 2015.
At 31 October 2016, for the Director property purchases yet to
legally complete, the contractual deposits due to date had all been
paid to the Group, there were no current balances outstanding and
the properties were still under construction.
Berkeley Homes plc has an agreement with Langham Homes, a
company controlled by Mr T K Pidgley who is the son of the Group's
Chairman, under which Langham Homes will be paid a fee for a land
introduction on an arm's length basis. No payments have been made
under this agreement in the period (2015: nil) and there were no
outstanding balances at the period end (2015: nil). Langham Homes
continues to introduce land to the Group and in the event that any
further land purchases are agreed, further fees may be payable to
Langham Homes in future periods.
Transactions with Joint Ventures
During the financial period there were no transactions with
joint ventures other than movements in loans and receipt of a
dividend from St Edward of GBP40,000,000 (2015: nil). The
outstanding loan balances with joint ventures at 31 October 2016
total GBP92,900,000 (30 April 2016: GBP89,800,000).
In 2009 inventory was sold to St Edward Homes Limited for
GBP17,411,000 being the share of the transaction attributable to
the other venturer in the joint venture. At 31 October 2016 an
amount of GBP4,948,197 was outstanding and included within trade
receivables (30 April 2016: GBP8,091,000).
7 Post balance sheet event
As set out in the Trading and Financial Review, the Group have
increased its committed corporate banking facilities subsequent to
the balance sheet date. No adjustment is required in these interim
financial statements in respect of this.
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO THE BERKELEY GROUP HOLDINGS 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 31 October 2016 which comprises the consolidated
income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive
income, consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated
statement of changes in equity, the consolidated cash flow
statement and the related explanatory notes. 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 the
terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the
requirements of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").
Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the
company those matters we are required to state to it in this report
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the
company for our review work, for this report, or for the
conclusions we have reached.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and
has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible
for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with
the DTR of the UK FCA.
The annual financial statements of the group are prepared in
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU. The condensed set of
financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report
has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial
Reporting as adopted by the EU.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on
the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly
financial report based on our review.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of
Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor
of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the
UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making
enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review
procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing
(UK and Ireland) 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 31
October 2016 is not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK
FCA.
Sean McCallion
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
15 Canada Square
London
E14 5GL
2 December 2016
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR FSWFUFFMSEEE
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