ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for default Register for Free to get streaming real-time quotes, interactive charts, live options flow, and more.

PNS Panther Securities Plc

300.00
0.00 (0.00%)
18 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Panther Securities Plc LSE:PNS London Ordinary Share GB0005132070 ORD 25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 300.00 280.00 320.00 300.00 277.00 300.00 0.00 08:00:17
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Lessors Of Real Property,nec 13.41M 16.99M 0.9721 3.09 52.42M

Panther Securities PLC Interim Results (8668R)

26/09/2017 1:59pm

UK Regulatory


Panther Securities (LSE:PNS)
Historical Stock Chart


From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Panther Securities Charts.

TIDMPNS

RNS Number : 8668R

Panther Securities PLC

26 September 2017

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR"). With the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

PANTHER SECURITIES PLC

(the "Company" or the "Group")

Interim results

Panther Securities PLC has today announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

For further information:

 
 
 Panther Securities plc:          Tel: 01707 667 
                                             300 
 Andrew Perloff/ Simon Peters 
 
 Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad    Tel: 020 3328 
  and Joint Broker)                         5656 
 David Worlidge/ Alex Brearley 
 

Chairman's Statement

I am once again delighted to report our results for the six months ended 30 June 2017 which show a profit of GBP6,750,000 before tax compared to a loss of GBP6,627,000 for the same period last year.

Rents receivable during the period rose to GBP6,377,000 compared to GBP6,333,000 in the half year to 30 June 2016.

Once again, our results are heavily influenced by the interest rate swaps liability which this half year showed a positive movement of GBP2,454,000 compared to last half year's GBP7,983,000 negative movement. As stated previously this movement does not have a cash effect.

However, even without taking this reduction in swap liability into account, we have still performed extremely well with several major transactions completed in the period or in progress.

Development Progress

Holloway Head, Birmingham

Our wholly owned subsidiary, Panther Developments Limited, exchanged contracts for the sale of the entire freehold and long leasehold interests in this major development opportunity. We had built up this site over thirty years and had twice received planning permission for redevelopment. We could not unfortunately take advantage because it had not been possible to obtain the adjoining owner's full co-operation at that time.

However, about two years ago we received an extremely attractive, detailed planning permission that only required the consent of the freeholder of 30% of our site (Birmingham Council) to extend our existing 100 year practically fixed ground rents to over 150 years and to remove a restrictive covenant.

Despite the desperate shortages of housing in Birmingham and the few million pounds that Birmingham Council would have received under our agreed Section 106 payments (Danegeld), it also wanted well over GBP1 million in value to renegotiate the ground leases. After about two years without any substantive or reasonable suggestion or even a written formal proposal from Birmingham Council, we decided to sell the site to a medium sized local developer whom we understood had worked successfully with and received co-operation from Birmingham Council on previous schemes.

In June 2017, Panther Developments Limited exchanged contracts to sell its entire interests for GBP11,000,000. We received a GBP1,020,000 non-refundable deposit, which is included in this period's income statement, and agreed a delayed completion of six months to enable a lease extension to be progressed between the purchaser and Birmingham Council. On a successful completion of this sale we would expect to recognise a substantial gain on book value.

Swindon Market Site

A revised application on this site has been submitted for ground floor restaurants, leisure uses and a fifteen storey upper part which could contain one hundred residential apartments. There has been an extensive consultation throughout the planning process and to date we have had favourable comments on the proposed scheme from all parties concerned. Shareholders will remember we had previously won planning permission for a two storey restaurant scheme following a successful appeal.

High Street, Croydon

On 23 March 2017, we announced we had exchanged contracts for the sale of our 105 year long leasehold interest at High Street, Croydon for GBP800,000 for the vacant upper parts alone which had permission for 8 flats.

As part of the deal we leased back, for the full term at a nominal ground rent, the ground floor retail element which is now fully let to Sainsbury's and Princess Alice Hospice at a total rent of GBP100,000 p.a.

A non-refundable deposit of GBP80,000 has been paid with a balance of GBP620,000 to be paid on completion on 31 October 2017. The final GBP100,000 is to be paid in eight equal payments as and when the purchaser sells each completed flat unit.

Bruce Grove, Wickford

The final application for approval of some outstanding conditions has been submitted and if successful, we have a builder/buyer in hand who is keen to purchase the currently vacant site and ready to start building the first phase of the development of 28 houses.

Disposals

William Nash PLC

In May 2017 we sold our entire ordinary shareholding in this former AIM quoted property company for GBP1,486,000, which gave us a profit of GBP859,000 on the book value of GBP627,000. We had held this investment for a number of years and had previously received two substantial special dividends.

Maldon - Surrender Premium

This freehold factory contains approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of high bay, brick built warehouse on a site of about 9.5 acres. During March 2017 we received GBP1,995,000 for the surrender of the tenants' lease. This payment was in lieu of the remaining four years' rental payments of GBP500,000 p.a. and dilapidations. Our results for the half year under review only record GBP1,400,000 of this figure as a provision has been made for repairs to the property which are still in progress. This should make the property more attractive for letting to potential tenants at hopefully a higher rent.

Tenant Activity to 30 June 2017

During this period we gained 44 new tenants (19 residential and 25 commercial) producing GBP483,000 p.a. We lost 41 tenants (10 residential and 31 commercial) producing GBP459,000 p.a. The net effect results in an extra GBP24,000 p.a. in rent receivable. There were seven renewals in the period with a net effective reduction of GBP35,000 p.a. These figures do not include the large value lease surrender in Maldon of GBP500,000 p.a., where we received a high surrender premium, or the surrender and re-grant of a lease to Beales in Keighley which they were entitled to under the CVA arrangement.

Business Rates

Extortionate business rates continue and the appeal process is changing again making it more difficult for property owners/occupiers to appeal against. The government promised consultation with trade representatives whose majority have complained that the proposals were not only unfair and harmful to business but probably unworkable. However, the government ignored this advice and continued with their harmful property taxation proposals.

Post Accounting Date Acquisitions

Springburn Shopping Centre, Glasgow

We have exchanged and in early October 2017, are due to complete on the acquisition of Springburn Shopping Centre in Scotland which is a northern suburb of Glasgow. It is a 78,110 sq. ft. covered shopping centre, including a 24,500 sq. ft. anchor store let to B&M Bargains and some 270 car parking spaces. The site is approximately 5.12 acres and is occupied by a combination of national and local businesses. There is significant additional housing proposed for the area which should assist the future prosperity of both the area and the shopping centre.

The centre is let to mainly good quality tenants, with a diversified income profile, spread amongst 26 tenants who provide a mixture of national and local covenants, including Scotmid Co-operative, Betfred, Card Factory, Brighthouse, Greggs, Santander, B&M, William Hill and Farmfoods.

The net income, after deduction of the head-lease rent of GBP60,000 p.a., is currently GBP300,000 p.a. which also allows for all void costs. The property is held on an 88 year unexpired long leasehold from Glasgow City Council. The price payable for the long leasehold interest is GBP2.3 million.

Former McEwen's of Perth

In early September 2017 we completed the purchase of the freehold former department store, McEwen's of Perth. This attractive listed property is located in the centre of Perth. Purchased mainly vacant, it contains one national tenant on the corner of the building who pays an inclusive rent of circa GBP50,000 p.a. We have pre-let the balance of 35,000 sq. ft. to JE Beale PLC who have been promised financial assistance by the local council to establish their first store in Scotland.

We own other properties in High Street, Perth and have previously worked with the council who provided substantial grants to bring long-vacant upper parts back into use as flats, which are now let and rent producing. We expect to receive grants to redecorate the listed façade of this older building. In due course, this property is expected to produce double figure returns for our Group on our initial cost of approximately GBP700,000 but we will have to spend money on the property for outside refurbishments towards which the council has indicated they will contribute.

Post Accounting Date Disposal

In July we sold a freehold factory investment in Nottingham to the tenant for GBP350,000, which will show a small profit on book value. It was let at GBP20,000 p.a.

Political donations

My resolution proposed at the last AGM for donating GBP25,000 to the UK Independence Party was unsurprisingly defeated. It appears many people consider that UKIP have "done their job" of convincing the majority of this country's voters to leave the European Union. I believe that there is many a slip between cup and lip and only time will tell if people get what the majority voted for.

Dividends

An interim dividend of 5p per share will be to be paid to shareholders on 29 November 2017 (ex-dividend on 9 November 2017 to shareholders on the register on 10 November 2017). In light of the progress that has been made in the year already, and the transactions in hand, the Board will decide the level of the final dividend upon review of our year-end results, however it is not expected to be less than 7p per share (giving a minimum total dividend for the year of 12p per share).

Prospects

We have much activity at the moment with a number of property sales possible once planning issues are clarified. It is our current intention to reinvest funds realised in income producing assets to the long term benefit of the shareholders.

Andrew S Perloff

Chairman

26 September 2017

Chairman's Ramblings

A small news item recently caught my eye regarding a middle-aged woman who found an injured seagull. She took the bird home, nursed it back to health but realising that it would probably not be able to fly again decided to adopt it as a pet. She eventually managed to train it to accept a lead and began to take it for regular walks. The police and RSPCA were alerted and the woman was charged with cruelty to animals. Shortly thereafter the bird was 'put down to ease its suffering'. The seagull obviously was not legally represented and therefore had no say in what choice it would have preferred.

This story reminded me of my mother who died earlier this year a short while before her 100th birthday. She had lived a long life in good health, in her own home and fully compos mentis to the very end which came unexpectedly after a very short illness. In her last few years her mobility became impaired and she walked less and less, mainly for fear of falling which had happened on more than one occasion. Whenever the family visited, which was often, we would each take her for a short walk arm-in-arm. Although arduous for her, it helped her circulation and general well-being.

Of course, I now realise we were lucky not to have been seen and reported to the police or some other do-gooding acronym named organisation and had our mother confiscated from us, or worse!

As always, my few readers may not immediately grasp the connection or relevance between my stories and the Panther Group.

In the mid 1970s, there was a collapse in the property market. Transactions ground to a halt, property values could not be properly assessed and the banks began to panic.

Of course the usual culprits were to blame; political incompetence, injudicious bankers and a number of suspect transactions carried out by a few secondary banks who were borrowing short and lending long. When this came to light, all banks, both good and bad, had a run on their funds and stopped lending.

My business partners and I were caught up in this maelstrom. Our group was too small however to be of great interest to the 'lifeboat' rescue effected by the main clearing bank lenders organised by the Bank of England.

In an effort to save part of our group, we agreed to buy out our controlling shareholding in Levers Optical Company (now Panther, which was midway between turning from an optical company to a property company) at the stock market price. Barclays, the only bank out of our banks, which had not gone bust and to whom the shares were charged, agreed to give us a 50% loan on this stock repayable over 7 years. This was a 'no-brainer' for them as they received double the amount they lent us on this shareholding. We had virtually no spare cash of our own so my mother lent us GBP37,500 for our 50% of the purchase price which would allow us to start afresh with a new, untroubled corporate entity. This sum represented most of her savings and was a big risk for her. Within a few years she recouped her loan and the investment has multiplied hugely in value since. Whilst my family benefitted the most, there are many shareholders who also did very well with some of the then shareholders' comparatively small investments growing to over GBP1million in value.

You must appreciate at that time the banks would sell whatever they could for whatever price was immediately achievable as it enabled them to "close the file" on each situation and they had so many troublesome files.

The second point to the seagull story is to highlight the excessive concern and sometimes misconceived and often ill-thought out legislation introduced to protect our environment and non-human inhabitants.

Some shareholders will know I am an avid collector of many things and have for nearly sixty years attended auction sales of all kinds - furniture and household clearance sales, country house and estate sales and of course property auctions.

Over this long period I have noticed the disproportionately escalating prices of certain items. This is particularly apparent in objects made of or containing ivory and rhinoceros horn and over time legislation has been introduced to curtail the trade in these products.

Whilst it is obvious that killing these endangered animals should and must be stopped, the obvious way to tackle this problem is at source whether by stick (severe criminal penalties) or carrot (payments to local inhabitants to protect the animals in their environment). This may have been done in a half-hearted way but what has happened over the last thirty years or so has been to gradually bring in more restrictions on the trade in products made from these animals' horns, skin or bones making them even more valuable. Most of these objects were made and collected many, many years ago, possibly up to 150 years ago, and therefore a large proportion of these items that were put up for sale came from private collectors. Objects from rhinoceros were far more rare and unusual than elephant objects and therefore commanded much higher prices.

In the late 1970s, a hunting trophy with the original rhinoceros horn may have fetched GBP400-GBP900 but with each new restrictive law on the sale of these old objects, less became available and the price increased. Nowadays, if a similar object passes the regulations for possible sale, it may fetch an amount approaching GBP100,000. The law of supply and demand has come into play.

There are unintended consequences! The areas where these creatures lived were mainly inhabited by people living not far above subsistence level. They had no interest in killing these animals and indeed sensibly avoided them until they realised that their value when dead could probably feed or assist a whole village for a year. The gangsters then moved in, able to afford powerful weapons and guns making it easier to kill these leviathans for huge profits. This almost certainly can only be done with the help of 'locals' who were able to gain a slice, albeit a very small slice of the profits.

To a lesser degree, this too has happened with elephants.

The restrictions, well meant though they are, have almost certainly had the opposite effect than intended. Few people would object if money from our overseas aid budget was spent in encouraging the local villagers into protecting the animals in their areas.

Having dealt with two of the largest species of endangered creatures, I move to our own UK supposedly endangered species which, of course, are much smaller - bats (all types) and great crested newts.

Whilst I have yet to hear of anyone hunting these creatures, we have our own stringent rules on disturbing these creatures which usually only come into effect when land is being put forward for housing development.

Here we return to the rules of supply and demand. There are many people who wish to buy or rent their own homes and the building industry would and should be able to supply this demand. It is not the fault of the builders, the landowners or the speculators but entirely the government's exacting requirement to make them comply with the myriad of rules and regulations that must be adhered to.

The tiny bat and newt are two small examples of the restrictions put in the way of more housing and gives an idea of the bureaucratic foolishness of some of the regulations.

There are about 26,000,000 homes in the UK. The government wants to build 250,000 units a year which means increasing the total stock by about 1% per year (the UK currently manages two thirds of this amount).

Built housing occupies about 12% of UK land so if we were able to build the full required amount, it would use 0.125% of our UK land per year.

We can assume that bats and great crested newts are spread evenly over the whole country and if none of them have the ability to move at an early sign of disturbance, then each year we would lose just about 1/1000th of our bat and newt population. They must breed at least 10 times faster than that so there would never be a loss to our environment. Perhaps someone could check with David Attenborough.

The delays caused by just these two silly rules are costly but only a small part of the many, many more similar regulations that make housing production more difficult and slower and therefore more costly than necessary.

The price of housing is becoming out of reach for many of those that aspire to own or even rent their own home.

I have not mentioned the councils' Danegeld payments required to obtain planning permission which have increased in both size and complexity over the last twenty five years or so. It would take several pages to explain why it produces the exact opposite of what is required, which is more homes at affordable prices.

One of our government's very few recent successes in the housing field was the massive increase in the conversion of redundant office buildings in town centres being converted into flats. This was allowable after building owners were given 'permitted development rights' that cut out the need for planning permission in the normal way, merely dealing with the usual building regulation requirements. Last year, over 12,000 units were produced which is a figure that is still rising.

Perhaps that indicates a way forward to where our rule and lawmakers actually talk to the housing producers to remove some so called 'red tape' and let common sense prevail.

Andrew S Perloff

Chairman

26 September 2017

 
        Panther Securities P.L.C. 
 
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
  for the six months ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
                                                         Six 
                                           Notes      months       Six months                      Year 
                                                       ended            ended                     ended 
                                                     30 June          30 June               31 December 
                                                        2017             2016                      2016 
                                                     GBP'000          GBP'000                   GBP'000 
 
                                                   Unaudited        Unaudited                   Audited 
 
 Revenue                                    2          7,166            7,222                    14,684 
 Cost of sales                              2        (2,065)          (2,037)                   (3,643) 
                                                  ----------      -----------      -------------------- 
 Gross profit                                          5,101            5,185                    11,041 
 
 Other income                                          1,485              355                       508 
 Administrative expenses                             (1,768)          (2,336)                   (3,947) 
                                                  ----------      -----------      -------------------- 
                                                       4,818            3,204                     7,602 
 
 Profit on disposal of investment 
  properties                                           1,061              364                       458 
 Movement in fair value of investment 
  properties                                               -              263                       318 
                                                  ----------      -----------      -------------------- 
                                                       5,879            3,831                     8,378 
 
 Finance costs                                       (2,490)          (2,556)                   (5,097) 
 Investment income                                        48               93                       109 
 Profit (realised) on the disposal 
  of available for sale investments 
  (shares)                                               859                -                         - 
 Impairment of available for 
  sale investments (shares)                                -             (12)                         - 
 Movement in derivative financial 
  liabilities                               7          2,454          (7,983)                   (5,338) 
 
 Profit/ (loss) before income 
  tax                                                  6,750          (6,627)                   (1,948) 
 
 Income tax (expense)/ credit               3          (965)            1,747                       995 
 Profit/ (loss) for the period                         5,785          (4,880)                     (953) 
                                                  ==========      ===========      ==================== 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the parent                          5,781          (4,896)                     (970) 
 Non-controlling interest                                  4               16                        17 
                                                  ----------      -----------      -------------------- 
 Profit/ (loss) for the period                         5,785          (4,880)                     (953) 
                                                  ----------      -----------      -------------------- 
 
 
 
 Earnings/ (loss) per share 
 Basic and diluted                                      32.6   p       (27.6)   p                (5.5)p 
                                                  ----------      -----------      -------------------- 
 
 
 
 
                 Panther Securities P.L.C. 
 
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
          for the six months ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
 
                                       Six months   Six months          Year 
                                            ended        ended         ended 
                                          30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                             2017         2016          2016 
                                          GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
                                        Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
 
 Profit/ (loss) for the period              5,785      (4,880)         (953) 
 
   Other comprehensive income 
   Items that may be reclassified 
   subsequently to profit or 
   loss 
 Movement in fair value of 
  available for sale investments 
  (shares) taken to equity                     46            -            87 
 Deferred tax relating to movement 
  in fair value of available 
  for sale investments (shares) 
  taken to equity                             (9)            -          (15) 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
  for the period, net of tax                   37            -            72 
 Total comprehensive income/ 
  (loss) for the period                     5,822      (4,880)         (881) 
                                      -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the parent               5,818      (4,896)         (898) 
 Non-controlling interest                       4           16            17 
                                            5,822      (4,880)         (881) 
                                      -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 
                             Panther Securities P.L.C. 
 
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
                               Company number 293147 
                                 As at 30 June 2017 
 
                                      Notes     30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                   2017        2016          2016 
                                                GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
  ASSETS                                      Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
  Non-current assets 
  Plant and equipment                                68          86            63 
  Investment property                     6     176,769     175,623       176,489 
  Deferred tax asset                                986       1,810         1,140 
  Available for sale investments 
   (shares)                                         326         733           908 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                178,149     178,252       178,600 
  Current assets 
  Inventories (MRG)                                 115         116            57 
  Stock properties                                  448         991           736 
  Trade and other receivables                     4,140       3,725         4,020 
  Cash and cash equivalents*                      9,123       6,692         4,887 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                 13,826      11,524         9,700 
 
  Total assets                                  191,975     189,776       188,300 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
  EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 
  Equity attributable to equity 
   holders of the parent 
  Capital and reserves 
  Share capital                                   4,437       4,437         4,437 
  Share premium account                           5,491       5,491         5,491 
  Equity shares to be issued                          -           -             - 
  Capital redemption reserve                        604         604           604 
  Retained earnings                              66,350      58,282        61,747 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                 76,882      68,814        72,279 
 
  Non-controlling interest                          100          96            96 
 
  Total equity                                   76,982      68,910        72,375 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
  Non-current liabilities 
  Long-term borrowings                    7      69,764      71,308        69,769 
  Derivative financial liability          7      25,796      30,895        28,250 
  Obligations under finance 
   leases                                         6,768       6,641         6,769 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                102,328     108,844       104,788 
  Current liabilities 
  Trade and other payables                       10,411      10,820        10,721 
  Accrued dividend payable                4       1,215         532             - 
  Short-term borrowings                   7         158         140           150 
  Current tax payable                               881         530           266 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                 12,665      12,022        11,137 
 
  Total liabilities                             114,993     120,866       115,925 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
  Total equity and liabilities                  191,975     189,776       188,300 
                                             ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 
                   *Of this balance GBP1,017,000 (30 June 2016: GBP716,000, 
                 31 December 2016: GBP1,017,000) is restricted by the Group's 
                 lenders i.e. it can only be used for purchase of investment 
                            property (or otherwise by agreement). 
 
 
 
                                  Panther Securities P.L.C. 
 
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
                       for the six months ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
 
                             Share     Share      Capital   Retained      Total 
                           Capital   Premium   Redemption   Earnings 
                           GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2016 
  (audited)                  4,437     5,491          604     65,485     76,017 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                         -         -            -    (4,896)    (4,896) 
 Dividends due                   -         -            -    (2,307)    (2,307) 
                          --------  --------  -----------  ---------  --------- 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2016 (unaudited)      4,437     5,491          604     58,282     68,814 
                          --------  --------  -----------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2016 
  (audited)                  4,437     5,491          604     65,485     76,017 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                         -         -            -      (898)      (898) 
 Dividends                       -         -            -    (2,840)    (2,840) 
                          --------  --------  -----------  ---------  --------- 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2017 
  (audited)                  4,437     5,491          604     61,747     72,279 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the 
  period                         -         -            -      5,818      5,818 
 Dividends due                   -         -            -    (1,215)    (1,215) 
 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2017 (unaudited)      4,437     5,491          604     66,350     76,882 
                          ========  ========  ===========  =========  ========= 
 
 
           Panther Securities P.L.C. 
 
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
     for the six months ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
 
                                             Notes     30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                          2017        2016          2016 
                                                       GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
                                                     Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Profit from operating activities                        4,818       3,204         7,602 
 Add: Depreciation charges for 
  the period                                                 7          53            90 
 Add: Loss on write down of stock                          124           -             - 
 Less: Rent paid treated as interest                     (258)       (262)         (514) 
 
 Profit before working capital 
  change                                                 4,691       2,995         7,178 
 (Increase)/ decrease in inventory                        (58)        (56)             3 
 Decrease in receivables                                    51         828           617 
 (Decrease)/ increase in payables                        (300)         181         (432) 
                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Cash generated from operations                          4,384       3,948         7,366 
 
 Interest paid                                         (2,164)     (2,139)       (4,342) 
 Income tax paid                                         (204)           2         (360) 
                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                             2,016       1,811         2,664 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of plant and equipment                          (12)           -           (8) 
 Purchase of investment properties                       (136)        (39)         (539) 
 Purchase of available for sale 
  investments (shares)                                       -        (10)          (85) 
 Corporate acquisition (net of 
  cash received)                                             -     (4,481)       (4,497) 
 Proceeds from sale of investment 
  property                                                 911       5,189         5,793 
 Proceeds from sale of plant and 
  equipment                                                  -           -             - 
 Proceeds from sale of available 
  for sale investments (shares)                          1,486           -             - 
 Dividend income received                                   47          91           103 
 Interest income received                                    2           2             6 
                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Net cash generated from investing 
  activities                                             2,298         752           773 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 New loans received                                          -       2,000         2,000 
 Loan arrangement fees and associated 
  costs                                                      -       (407)         (442) 
 Repayments of loans                                      (78)        (76)       (1,655) 
 Dividends paid                                              -     (1,775)       (2,840) 
 
 Net cash used in financing activities                    (78)       (258)       (2,937) 
 
 Net increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                            4,236       2,305           500 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the beginning of period                                4,887       4,387         4,387 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the end of period*                                     9,123       6,692         4,887 
                                                    ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 

* Of this balance GBP1,017,000 (30 June 2016: GBP716,000, 31 December 2016: GBP1,017,000) is restricted by the Group's lenders i.e. it can only be used for purchase of investment property (or otherwise by agreement).

Panther Securities P.L.C.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

   1.   Basis of preparation of interim financial statements 

The results for the year ended 31 December 2016 have been audited whilst the results for the six months ended 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017 are unaudited.

The financial information set out in this interim financial report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 which were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted for use in the European Union, were filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on these accounts, their report was unqualified and did not include reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain any statements under Section 498 (2) or Section 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are for the six month period ended 30 June 2017. They have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with IFRS as adopted for use in the European Union. IFRS is subject to amendment and interpretation by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and the IFRS Interpretations Committee and there is an ongoing process of review and endorsement by the European Commission. The financial information has been prepared on the basis of IFRS that the Board of Directors expect to be applicable as at 31 December 2017.

There are no new standards, interpretations and amendments, effective for the first time from 1 January 2017, that have had a material effect on the financial statements of the Group.

   2.   Revenue and cost of sales 

The Group's main operating segment is investment and dealing in property. The majority of the revenue, cost of sales and profit or loss before taxation being generated in the United Kingdom.

MRG Systems Ltd is an operating business segment whose principal activity is that of electronic designers, engineers and consultants. 67% of its revenue arose in the United Kingdom and 100% of its cost of sales.

The split of assets, tax effect and cash flow of each segment is not shown as these are not material in relation to MRG Systems Ltd.

 
                          30 June     30 June   31 December 
                             2017        2016          2016 
                          GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Turnover arose as      Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
  follows: 
 
 Rental income              6,377       6,333        12,983 
 Income from trading 
  (MRG Systems Ltd)           789         889         1,701 
                            7,166       7,222        14,684 
                       ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
 
                            30 June     30 June   31 December 
                               2017        2016          2016 
                            GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Cost of sales arose      Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
  as follows: 
 
 Cost of sales from 
  rental income               1,784       1,694         3,066 
 Cost of sales from 
  trading (MRG Systems 
  Ltd)                          281         343           577 
                              2,065       2,037         3,643 
                         ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
   3.   Income tax expense 

The charge for taxation comprises the following:

 
 
                                  30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                     2017        2016          2016 
                                  GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
 Current period UK 
  corporation tax                     765         161           448 
 Prior period UK corporation 
  tax                                  53           -         (188) 
                               ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                      818         161           260 
 
 Current period deferred 
  tax                                 147     (1,908)       (1,255) 
                               ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Income tax expense/(credit) 
  for the period                      965     (1,747)         (995) 
                               ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
 

The taxation charge is calculated by applying the Directors' best estimate of the annual effective tax rate to the profit for the period.

   4.           Dividends 

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:

 
                          30 June     30 June   31 December 
                             2017        2016          2016 
                          GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
                        Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
 
 Special dividend 
  for the year ended 
  31 December 2015 
  of 10p per share              -       1,775         1,776 
 Final dividend for 
  the year ended 31 
  December 2015 of 
  3p per share                  -         532           532 
 Interim dividend 
  for the year ended 
  31 December 2016 
  of 3p per share               -           -           532 
 Final dividend for 
  the year ended 31        1,215*           -             - 
  December 2016 of 
  9p per share 
 
                            1,215       2,307         2,840 
                       ==========  ==========  ============ 
 

The final dividend of 9p per share for the year ended 31 December 2016 was not paid at the period end but declared (being accrued in these accounts) and was paid on 21 July 2017.

*Andrew Perloff waived his personal entitlement to the Group's final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 on his personal shareholding of 4,244,360 resulting in a reduction in the dividend liability of GBP382,000 (at the period end).

The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 5p per share to be paid on 29 November 2017 to shareholders on the register at 10 November 2017 (ex-dividend 9 November 2017).

   5.   Earnings per ordinary share (basic and diluted) 

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings, after excluding non-controlling interests, being a profit of GBP5,781,000 (30 June 2016 - loss of GBP4,896,000 and 31 December 2016 - loss of GBP970,000).

The basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average of the ordinary shares in existence throughout the period, being 17,746,929 to 30 June 2017 (17,746,929 to 31 December 2016 and also to 30 June 2016). There are no potential shares in existence for any period therefore diluted and basic earnings per share are equal.

After the period end Panther Securities PLC bought 63,460 ordinary shares that it currently holds in treasury.

   6.   Investment Properties 
 
                               30 June     30 June     31 December 
                                  2017        2016            2016 
                               GBP'000     GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
                             Unaudited   Unaudited         Audited 
 
 Fair value of investment 
  properties 
 
 At 1 January                  176,489     176,133         176,133 
 Additions                         136          89             539 
 Acquisition of 
  subsidiary                         -       4,462           4,462 
 Transfer from stock 
  property                         164           -             255 
 Fair value adjustment 
  on property 
  held on operating 
  leases                             -           -             117 
 Disposals                        (20)     (5,324)         (5,335) 
 Revaluation increase                -         263             318 
                               176,769     175,623       176,489 
                            ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
 

The directors consider that the fair value of the investment properties has not materially changed since it was last valued by the directors at the 31 December 2016 Statement of Financial Position date.

   7.   Derivative financial instruments 

The main risks arising from the Group's financial instruments are those related to interest rate movements. Whilst there are no formal procedures for managing exposure to interest rate fluctuations, the Board continually reviews the situation and makes decisions accordingly. Hence, the Company will, as far as possible, enter into fixed interest rate swap arrangements. The purpose of such transactions is to manage the interest rate risks arising from the Group's operations and its sources of finance.

 
                               30 June          30 June           31 December 
                                2017             2016                2016 
                               GBP'000          GBP'000             GBP'000 
 Bank loans             Unaudited    Rate     Unaudited    Rate   Audited    Rate 
 Interest is charged 
  as to: 
 Fixed/ Hedged 
 HSBC Bank plc*            35,000   7.01%        35,000   7.03%    35,000   7.01% 
 HSBC Bank plc**           25,000   6.58%        25,000   6.60%    25,000   6.58% 
 Unamortised loan 
  arrangement fees          (572)                 (704)             (654) 
 
 Floating element 
 HSBC Bank plc              9,997                11,497             9,997 
 Natwest Bank plc             497                   655               576 
                       ----------          ------------          -------- 
                           69,922                71,448            69,919 
                       ==========          ============          ======== 
 
 

Bank loans totalling GBP60,000,000 (2016 - GBP60,000,000) are fixed using interest rate swaps removing the Group's exposure to interest rate risk. Other borrowings are arranged at floating rates, thus exposing the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.

The derivative financial assets and liabilities are designated as held for trading.

 
                       Hedged           Rate          Duration       30 June     30 June   31 December 
                        amount        (without      of contract         2017        2016          2016 
                                       margin)       remaining          Fair        Fair    Fair value 
                                                                       value       value 
                       GBP'000                         years         GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                                                   Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
 Derivative 
  Financial 
  Liability 
 Interest 
  rate swap               35,000            5.06%      21.19        (21,881)    (25,530)      (23,610) 
 Interest 
  rate swap               25,000            4.63%       4.42         (3,915)     (5,365)       (4,640) 
                                                                                          ------------ 
                                                                   (25,796)     (30,895)      (28,250) 
                                                                  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
            Movement in derivative financial 
             liabilities                                               2,454     (7,983)       (5,338) 
                                                                  ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
 

* Fixed rate came into effect on 1 September 2008. The rate includes 1.95% margin (previously 2%). The contract includes mutual breaks, the next one being on 23 December 2019 (and every 5 years thereafter).

** This arrangement came into effect on 1 December 2011 when HSBC exercised an option to enter the Group into this interest swap arrangement. The rate includes a 1.95% margin (previously 2%). This contract includes a mutual break on the fifth anniversary and its duration is until 1 December 2021.

Interest rate derivatives are shown at fair value in the statement of financial position, with charges in fair value taken to the income statement. Interest rate swaps are classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy specified in IFRS 13.

The vast majority of the derivative financial liabilities are due in over one year and therefore they have been disclosed as all due in over one year.

The above fair values are based on quotations from the Group's banks and Directors' valuation.

Treasury management

The long-term funding of the Group is maintained by three main methods, all with their own benefits. The Group has equity finance, has surplus profits and cash flow which can be utilised, and also has loan facilities with financial institutions. The various available sources provide the Group with more flexibility in matching the suitable type of financing to the business activity and ensure long-term capital requirements are satisfied.

   8.   Net asset value per share 
 
                        30 June     30 June   31 December 
                           2017        2016          2016 
                        GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
                      Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
 Basic and diluted         433p        388p          407p 
                     ==========  ==========  ============ 
 

9. Copies of this report are to be sent to all shareholders and are available from the Company's registered office at Unicorn House, Station Close, Potters Bar, EN6 1TL and will also be available for download from our website www.pantherplc.com.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR SEDFEMFWSEIU

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 26, 2017 08:59 ET (12:59 GMT)

1 Year Panther Securities Chart

1 Year Panther Securities Chart

1 Month Panther Securities Chart

1 Month Panther Securities Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock