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BOOT.GB Boot (Henry)

178.00
0.00 (0.00%)
02 May 2024 - Closed
Realtime Data
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Boot (Henry) AQSE:BOOT.GB Aquis Stock Exchange Ordinary Share GB0001110096
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 178.00 153.00 203.00 183.75 178.00 178.00 1,300 15:29:35
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Boot(Henry) PLC Half-year Report (8302M)

19/09/2023 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Boot (Henry) (AQSE:BOOT.GB)
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From May 2023 to May 2024

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TIDMBOOT

RNS Number : 8302M

Boot(Henry) PLC

19 September 2023

19 September 2023

HENRY BOOT PLC

('Henry Boot', the 'Company' or the 'Group')

Ticker: BOOT.L: Main market premium listing: FTSE: Real Estate Investment and Services.

UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2023

A resilient operational performance driven by land promotion disposals and property development completions, despite economic headwinds

Henry Boot PLC, a Company engaged in land promotion, property investment and development, and construction, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

Tim Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"The first half of the year has seen our markets slow as interest rates have continued to rise, but, as these results show, our focus on prime strategic sites, high quality development and premium homes has provided us with a degree of resilience. This has helped us to report a very respectable underlying profit before tax of GBP23.3m, an increase in NAV of 3%, plus the confidence to grow our interim dividend by 10%.

Whilst uncertainty in our markets has increased, we believe we have enough momentum to carry us through the year, although the outlook for 2024 for the time being is not so clear. However, we have conviction in our three markets which are driven by structural trends and I am pleased to report that we remain on track to hit our strategic growth and return targets over the medium term."

Financial highlights

-- 24.5% increase in revenue to GBP179.8m (June 2022: GBP144.4m) driven by land disposals and housing completions

-- Underlying profit before tax(1) of GBP23.3m (June 2022: GBP37.8m) or GBP25.0m (June 2022: GBP38.8m) on a statutory basis, supported by the resilient performance of residential land sales and industrial development activity

-- ROCE(2) of 6.3% (June 2022: 10.1%), expected to be around the lower end of our medium-term target of 10%-15% by the year-end

-- NAV(3) per share is up by 2.6% to 303p (December 2022: 295p), due to robust operational performance. Excluding the defined benefit pension scheme surplus, the NAV per share showed an underlying increase of 2.9% to 298p (December 2022: 291p)

-- Strong balance sheet, with net debt(4) of GBP70.8m (December 2022: GBP48.6m) reflecting continued investment in committed developments and a decision to limit further acquisitions. Gearing remains within our optimal stated range of 10%-20% at 17.5% (December 2022: 12.3%)

-- EPS of 14.0p (June 2022: 24.1p); Interim dividend of 2.93p declared (June 2022: 2.66p), an increase of 10%, reflecting the Group's resilient operational performance and progressive dividend policy

Operational highlights

-- GBP129.3m of property sales led by our land promotion, development and housebuilding businesses, despite weakening markets. Only GBP3.9m of acquisitions. GBP22.1m of investment in our high quality committed development programme where costs are 98% fixed

   --      Land promotion 

o 1,900 plots sold (June 2022: 3,447), increased profit per plot to GBP11,400 (December 2022: GBP6,066) due to significant sale at Tonbridge, offsetting the volume reduction

o The total land bank has grown to 97,095 plots (December 2022: 95,704 plots)

o 8,335 plots with planning permission (December 2022: 9,431), all held at cost

   --      Property investment & development 

o High quality committed development programme of GBP186m, with 52% pre-sold or pre-let

o c.700,000 sq ft of Industrial & Logistics development underway (HB share: GBP96m GDV)

o GBP1.5bn development pipeline (HB share GBP1.26bn GDV), 62% of which is focused on Industrial & Logistics markets, where occupier demand remains robust

o The investment portfolio value increased to GBP112m (December 2022: GBP106m). Total return of 3.3% continues to be ahead of the CBRE index for the six months to June 2023

o GBP11.1m post H1 23 investment sales, including Banner Cross Hall our Head Office, at a combined 19% above book value

o Stonebridge Homes during H1 sold 99 units (30 June 2022: 39 units) and at the end of August has secured 97% of its annual sales target of 250 units for 2023, with a total owned and controlled land bank at 997 plots (December 2022: 1,094 plots) keeping us on track to scale up this business

   --      Construction 

o The construction segment achieved turnover of GBP56.2m (June 2022: GBP66.5m) in a challenging market

o Henry Boot Construction remains focused on delivering its current projects with 72% of its 2023 target order book secured following delays in bringing activity to site as customers proceed cautiously

   --      Responsible Business 

o Making good progress against our Responsible Business Strategy targets set in January 2022, with the launch of our Health and Wellbeing programme and continued progress in achieving our GHG emissions target to support reaching NZC by 2030

NOTES:

(1) Underlying profit before tax is an alternative performance measure (APM) and is defined as profit before tax excluding revaluation movements on completed investment properties. Revaluation movement on completed investment properties includes gains of GBP1.4m (2022: GBP1.0m gain) on wholly owned completed investment property and gains of GBP0.3m (2022: GBP0.6m gains) on completed investment property held in joint ventures. This APM provides the users with a measure that excludes specific external factors beyond management's controls and reflects the Group's underlying results. This measure is used in the business in appraising senior management performance

(2) Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is an APM and is defined as operating profit/ average of total assets less current liabilities (excluding DB pension surplus) at the opening and closing balance sheet dates

(3) Net Asset Value (NAV) per share is an APM and is defined using the statutory measures net assets/ordinary share capital

(4) Net (debt)/cash is an APM and is reconciled to statutory measures in note 14

For further information, please contact:

Enquiries:

Henry Boot PLC

Tim Roberts, Chief Executive Officer

Darren Littlewood, Chief Financial Officer

Daniel Boot, Group Communications Manager

Tel: 0114 255 5444

www.henryboot.co.uk

Numis Securities Limited

Joint Corporate Broker

Ben Stoop/Will Rance

Tel: 0207 260 1000

Peel Hunt LLP

Joint Corporate Broker

Ed Allsopp/Charles Batten

Tel: 0207 418 8900

FTI Consulting

Financial PR

Giles Barrie/Richard Sunderland

Tel: 020 3727 1000

henryboot@fticonsulting.com

A webcast for analysts and investors will be held at 9.30am today and presentation slides will be available to download via www.henryboot.co.uk . Details for the live dial-in facility and webcast are as follows:

 
Participants (UK):  Tel: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 
Password:           Henry Boot 
Webcast link:       https://stream.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/64b59edbedb1b705b3cdcddd 
 

About Henry Boot PLC

Henry Boot PLC (BOOT.L) was established over 135 years ago and is one of the UK's leading and long-standing property investment and development, land promotion and construction companies. Based in Sheffield, the Group is comprised of the following three segments:

Land Promotion:

Hallam Land Management Limited

Property Investment and Development:

HBD (Henry Boot Developments Limited), Stonebridge Homes Limited

Construction:

Henry Boot Construction Limited , Banner Plant Limited , Road Link (A69) Limited

The Group possess a high-quality strategic land portfolio, an enviable reputation in the property development market backed by a substantial investment property portfolio and an expanding, jointly owned, housebuilding business. It has a construction specialism in both the public and private sectors, a long-standing plant hire business, and generates strong cash flows from its PFI contract through Road Link (A69) Limited.

www.henryboot.co.uk

CEO Review

Henry Boot traded in line with the Board's expectations over the half year, achieving an underlying profit before tax of GBP23.3m (June 2022: GBP37.8m), or GBP25.0m (June 2022: GBP38.8m) on a statutory basis. Our expectations for the full year remain in line with market consensus*. The Group's balance sheet remains strong, with NAV per share increasing by 2.6% to 303p (Dec 2022: 295p), or by 2.9% to 298p (Dec 2022: 291p) excluding the defined benefit pension scheme surplus. Whilst the first half of the year has been impacted by continued economic uncertainty, principally as a result of persistent inflation and rising interest rates, we have delivered a resilient performance, completing GBP129.3m of sales within our land promotion, development and housebuilding businesses. Acquisitions have only been GBP3.9m.

According to JLL, in H1 23 the volume of UK commercial property transactions has slowed markedly to GBP14.2bn, down 53% on the same period in 2022. Much of the reduction has been driven by fewer large deals with demand remaining more resilient in those sectors benefiting from rental growth such as Industrial & Logistics (I&L) and build to rent (BtR), both are sectors that we focus on. House prices have been more resilient than many commentators predicted having reduced by 1.2% during the six months to June according to Nationwide and are now 5.3% below the peak in August 2022. Reductions in the price of new homes have generally been smaller than this. Whilst strategic land sale volumes have reduced housebuilders continue to selectively acquire land, with an emphasis on sites in prime locations which remains a focal point for our land promotion business. In support of this, we currently have nine sites under offer to housebuilders.

With this backdrop in mind, we have had a good six months, supported by the resilience of our three long-term markets, I&L, Residential and Urban Development. In the half-year:

-- Hallam Land Management (HLM) disposed of 1,900 plots (June 2022: 3,447 plots). Although plots sold in the period has decreased, we have increased profit per plot to GBP11,400 (December 2022: GBP6,066), offsetting the volume reduction. This was due to a significant and very profitable freehold sale at Tonbridge, which has shown an ungeared internal rate of return of 27% p.a. HLM continue to receive selective bids for its land, especially on smaller prime sites from national and regional housebuilders. The total land bank has grown to 97,095 plots (December 2022: 95,704 plots), of which 8,335 plots have planning permission.

-- HBD completed on a total Gross Development Value (GDV) of GBP70m (HBD share) - of which 100% has been pre-let/ pre-sold with a committed development programme of GBP186m GDV (HBD share) - 52% of which is pre-let or pre-sold. The part which is not pre-let/ pre-sold comprises three high quality schemes; Island our NZC office scheme in the heart of Manchester; Setl which offers premium apartments in the Jewellery Quarter in the centre of Birmingham and; Momentum an NZC I&L scheme in Rainham serving Greater London. All three complete at various times in 2024 and we continue to expect good customer interest. To replenish the committed development programme, we have a number of I&L schemes which we are looking to commit to providing we can appropriately manage risk through pre-letting or forward sales.

-- Stonebridge Homes (SH) secured 88% of its 250-unit sales target for this year during H1 23, achieving a slightly reduced sales rate of 0.48 houses per week per outlet, alongside a firm average selling price of GBP499,000. Post half-year, we have secured a further 21 units, achieving a sales rate of 0.52 houses per week per outlet in the months from July to August. This takes us to 97% secured for the year. Despite a slower market, price against budget has up to the end of August been running at plus 0.8%. We believe this is due to the high quality of our homes and the prime locations of our sites.

-- Henry Boot Construction (HBC) has experienced challenging trading conditions with industry wide supply constraints and subcontractor and material availability issues giving rise to delays and budget challenges on two of its largest projects - the GBP47m BtR residential scheme Kangaroo Works in Sheffield and Block H, the GBP42m urban development scheme also in Sheffield. The GBP47m Cocoa Works, York, remains on time and budget.

Despite low economic growth and slowing markets, we have maintained our strategic ambition to grow and are still looking to invest into prime opportunities. Rightly, we have been cautious during H1 23 towards acquisitions, with our main focus on investment in building out HBD's committed development programme. Investment in this area totals GBP22.1m, with a further GBP3.9m made on land purchases for both HLM and SH's land bank.

We have also continued to invest in other strategic objectives that support our long-term ambitions. For our people, we have launched a refreshed reward strategy which offers more clarity on career progression and remuneration, and we continue to invest in modernising both digital and technology capabilities and our marketing and customer relationship functions.

An example of this, is our imminent head office relocation to the Isaac's Building in Sheffield city centre. The building offers strong ESG credentials and will provide our people with a more open and collaborative workspace. In regard to Banner Cross Hall, our current head office, after receiving strong interest, we have completed the sale of the building, retaining a short-term lease on the premises until we relocate. The buyer intends to refurbish the Hall primarily into serviced office space.

Overall, these investments have resulted in our gearing increasing to 17.5%, which is still within our stated optimal range of 10%-20%. Whilst the Group's GBP105m banking facility runs until January 2025 we have already had positive conversations with our existing lenders about its renewal and expect to agree terms during Q4 23, with an aim to have renewed facilities in place in Q2 24.

*Market expectations being the average of current analyst consensus of GBP37.8m profit before tax, comprising three forecasts from Numis, Peel Hunt and Panmure Gordon.

Dividend

The Board has declared an interim dividend of 2.93p (June 2022: 2.66p), an increase of 10%, which reflects our progressive dividend policy. This will be paid on 13 October 2023 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 29 September 2023.

Strategy

The Group set a medium-term strategy in 2021 to grow the size of the business by increasing capital employed by 40% focusing on its three key markets: I&L, Residential and Urban Development, whilst maintaining ROCE within a 10-15% range. Since setting this strategy, we have successfully grown our capital employed by 13% to GBP413m. Good progress has been made against our stated medium-term targets as set out below:

 
 Measure               Medium term           H1 23 Performance      Progress 
                        target 
 Capital employed      To over GBP500m       GBP413m as at         On track to grow 
                                              30 June 2023          capital employed 
                                                                    to over GBP500m 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 Return on average     10-15% pa             6.3% in H1 23         We maintain our 
  capital employed                                                  aim to be within 
                                                                    the target range 
                                                                    for FY23 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 Land promotion        c.3,500 pa            1,900 plots in        The running five 
  plot sales                                  H1 23                 year average has 
                                                                    increased to 3,175 
                                                                    plots pa. So, we 
                                                                    remain on track 
                                                                    to achieve our medium-term 
                                                                    target. 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 Development           Our share c.GBP200m   Our share: GBP70m     We are on course 
  completions           pa                    in H1 23, with        to carry on growing 
                                              committed programme   our completed developments 
                                              of GBP186m for        to GBP200m pa as 
                                              2023                  we look to draw 
                                                                    down on our future 
                                                                    pipeline of GBP1.26bn. 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 Grow investment       To around GBP150m     GBP112m as at         Value increased 
  portfolio                                   30 June 2023          primarily due to 
                                                                    retained I&L developments. 
                                                                    We have made accretive 
                                                                    tactical sales and 
                                                                    will be patient 
                                                                    building the portfolio 
                                                                    back up to its target. 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 Stonebridge           Up to 600 units       99 homes completed    Already looking 
  Homes sales           pa                    in H1 23, out         to expand our annual 
                                              of a delivery         target in 2024, 
                                              target of 250         in line with overall 
                                              homes                 strategic objective 
                                                                    of 600 units. 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 Construction          Minimum of 65%        18% at H1 23          Difficult market 
  order book secured    for the following     for 2024              conditions impacting 
                        year                                        order book for 2024. 
                                                                    In response, the 
                                                                    opportunity pipeline 
                                                                    has been refocused, 
                                                                    with GBP85m PCSA's 
                                                                    in progress. 
                      --------------------  ---------------------  --------------------------- 
 

Responsible Business

We launched our Responsible Business Strategy in January 2022, with our primary aim to be NZC by 2030 with respect to Scopes 1 & 2. I am pleased with the progress we have made so far against our 2025 objectives and targets. Our strategy is guided by three principal objectives:

-- To further embed ESG factors into commercial decision making so that the business adapts, ensuring long-term sustainability and value creation for the Group's stakeholders.

-- To empower and engage our people to deliver long term meaningful change and impact for the communities and environments Henry Boot works in.

-- To focus on issues deemed to be most significant and material to the business and hold ourselves accountable by reporting regularly on progress.

18-month performance against our 2025 target

 
 Our People               Performance                   Our Places                  Performance 
 Develop and deliver      The Health and                Contribute GBP1,000,000     We contributed 
  a Group-wide             Wellbeing Strategy            of financial                (financial and 
  Health and Wellbeing     and Programme                 (and equivalent)            equivalent value 
  Strategy                 was launched to               value to our                of) over GBP400,000 
                           the Group in February         charitable partners         to our charitable 
                           2023 with a range                                         and community 
                           of resources,                                             partners. 
                           activities and 
                           guidance delivered 
                           throughout 2023. 
                         ----------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------ 
 Increase gender          We have made progress,        Contribute 7,500            More than 3,500 
  representation           with female representation    volunteering                volunteering 
  in the business,         across our workforce          hours to a range            hours have been 
  aiming for 30%           increasing to                 of community,               delivered. 
  of our team and          27% (2022: 26%).              charity, and 
  line managers                                          education projects 
  being female 
                         ----------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------ 
 Our Planet               Performance                   Our Partners                Performance 
                         ----------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------ 
 Reduce Scope             Total direct GHG              Pay all of our              The Living Wage 
  1 and 2 GHG emissions    emissions (Scopes             suppliers the               Foundation has 
  by over 20% to           1 and 2) in 2022              real living wage            been engaged 
  support reaching         were 2,930 tonnes             and secure accreditation    and a review 
  NZC by 2030              which equates                 with the Living             is currently 
                           to a 12% reduction            Wage Foundation             being undertaken 
                           from the 2019                                             of the requirements 
                           baseline. Remain                                          to secure membership. 
                           on course to achieve 
                           the decarbonisation 
                           trajectory. 
                         ----------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------ 
 Reduce consumption       Sustainability                Collaborate with            We continue to 
  of avoidable             audits completed              all our partners            engage with membership 
  plastic by 50%           and a reduction               to reduce our               organisations 
                           action plan is                environmental               (including Yorkshire 
                           in development.               impact                      Climate Action 
                                                                                     Coalition and 
                                                                                     the UK Green 
                                                                                     Building Council) 
                                                                                     and our supply 
                                                                                     chain to share 
                                                                                     knowledge and 
                                                                                     best practice. 
                         ----------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------ 
 

The Group is also committed to ensuring that all the properties within the investment portfolio have a minimum EPC rating of 'C'. Currently 73% (December 2022: 70%) of these properties have a rating of 'C' or higher, of which 45% (December 2022: 39%) of the total portfolio are rated 'A-B'. The majority of the remaining 27% of the portfolio that are currently below a 'C' rating, have redevelopment potential with a target range of 'A' or 'B'.

Outlook

There is no doubt that the rapid increase in short term rates is slowing the economy, reducing customer demand across our markets, and putting pressure, not least due to the funding costs, on the viability of residential and commercial schemes. As its designed to do, tighter monetary policy is curbing cost pressures, and we have seen the rate of inflation come down throughout the Group with the prospect of more to come by the year end giving us a degree of confidence in being able to achieve our current year ambitions. Henry Boot is not immune to these pressures, but its focus on high quality real estate and customer care affords us some resilience:

-- HLM promotes high quality, significant sites, with the majority in the South of England, and c.24,000 plots around the golden growth triangle demarked by London, Cambridge and Oxford. Whilst uncertainty around the timing of disposals has increased over the short-term we have no doubt that the structural demand for homes in the UK will continue to outstrip supply and that these sites will be in demand from housebuilders.

-- HBD delivers institutional quality development in and around the major regional cities and the main road networks, offering high ESG credentials. 64% of its speculative committed development is NZC. The majority of our pipeline is industrial where structural occupier demand endures.

-- SH builds premium homes, in affluent locations, and over the year whilst it's been harder work to sell, as mortgage rates and uncertainty have increased, sales rates have remained resilient. By the end of August, in effect, 97% of this year's target has been sold and we have increased overall volume by 43%, in line with our ambition to scale up this business.

Our balance sheet offers the same quality and resilience, with development and land promotion opportunities held at the lower of cost or value whilst gearing is managed over the cycle at between 10-20%. Our NAV has shown consistent growth through cycles. This allows us to invest in opportunities, such as land, both to promote in the medium term and to build houses as we scale up SH. It also allows us to build out our high quality committed development programme.

We have confidence in the long-term fundamentals of our market, supported by our people and their skillsets, plus the financial resources to meet the business's strategic growth and return ambitions.

Business Review

Land Promotion

HLM had a good first half, achieving an operating profit of GBP17.0m (June 2022: GBP17.2m) from selling 1,900 plots (June 2022: 3,447 plots). Although the number of plots sold in the year has decreased, average gross profit per plot increased to GBP11,400 (December 2022: GBP6,066) due primarily to a significant freehold sale of land at Tonbridge, Kent, offsetting the volume reduction.

UK greenfield land values decreased by 2.8% in the six months to June 2023 according to Savills Research. Transactions slowed significantly relative to the same period in 2022, with downward pressures on land values reflecting many housebuilders more modest new build sales rates. However, with 17% fewer homes granted planning consent in H1 23 compared to the same period in 2022, the reduction in land supply coming forward has resulted in selective demand for prime deliverable sites.

HLM's land bank has grown to 97,095 plots (December 2022: 95,704 plots), of which 8,335 plots (December 2022: 9,431 plots) have planning permission (or Resolution to Grant subject to S106). The decrease in plots with planning permission reflects the continued delays in the planning system due to a growing number of complexities. One such complexity is the emerging Draft National Planning Guidance, which looks to be slowing down local authority development plan making and planning application determination with 58 development plans having been withdrawn or paused since the December 2022 announcements. Notwithstanding this, HLM has gained planning permission on 804 plots over H1 23, which is a significant increase from the 435 plots granted in 2022. During the period, there were 689 plots submitted for planning, taking the total plots awaiting determination to 12,182 (December 2022: 12,297 plots).

HLM's land bank remains well positioned to benefit from the delays and complexities in the planning system due to the high levels of stock both with planning and awaiting determination, and the team's specialist skill set and its strategically placed regional coverage. Despite the challenges, the number of plots in the portfolio continues to increase, giving us confidence in the medium term that our stock levels with planning will return to similar levels seen in previous years.

There is significant latent value in the Group's strategic land portfolio, which is held as inventory at the lower of cost or net realisable value. As such, no uplift in value is recognised within our accounts relating to any of the 8,335 plots with planning, and any increase in value created from securing planning permission will only be recognised on disposal.

 
                              Residential Land Plots 
 
                  With permission             In planning   Future   Total 
         b/f     granted    sold      c/f 
       -------  --------  --------  ------- 
 2023   9,431      804     (1,900)   8,335      12,182      76,578   97,095 
       -------  --------  --------  -------  ------------  -------  ------- 
 2022   12,865     435     (3,869)   9,431      12,297      73,976   95,704 
 2021   15,421     452     (3,008)   12,865     11,259      68,543   92,667 
 2020   14,713    2,708    (2,000)   15,421      8,312      64,337   88,070 
 2019   16,489    1,651    (3,427)   14,713     10,665      51,766   77,144 
       -------  --------  --------  -------  ------------  -------  ------- 
 
   --      In relation to significant schemes: 

o At Tonbridge, Kent, we concluded an agreement for the sale of 125 plots to national housebuilder Cala Homes. The site was originally contracted under option in 2004, with the freehold subsequently purchased by HLM in 2021. The scheme includes additional community benefits such as new cycle and pedestrian links to a local railway station and a contribution to improved public transport infrastructure. The sale will complete in two phases across 2023 (81 plots) and 2024 (44 plots). The final completion will result in an ungeared internal rate of return of 27% p.a in 2024.

o At Pickford Gate, Coventry (formerly known as Eastern Green), a 2,400 plot site, a 250 plot sale concluded to the Vistry Group in April. Marketing will commence for the next tranche in September, which will comprise up to 1,000 plots.

o At Swindon, the 2,000-plot site with outline consent that is being promoted through an option agreement jointly held with Taylor Wimpey (TW), as previously reported, terms for acquisition were nearly settled with the landowners, but stalled due to the market disruption in Q4 2022. Alongside TW, HLM is now working to exchange on the purchase later this year, with completion expected to fall into 2024.

Property Investment and Development

Property Investment and Development, which includes HBD and Stonebridge Homes, delivered a combined operating profit of GBP8.5m (June 2022: GBP19.6m).

According to the CBRE Monthly Index, commercial property values declined by 0.4% in the six months to June 2023. Industrial property was the best performing sector with values up 1.4% during the first half of the year ahead of retail up 1.0%, whilst offices declined by 3.5%. The rate of yield expansion has slowed during 2023 following the significant capital value correction in the second half of 2022. Industrial continues to deliver the highest rental growth at 3.2% in six months to June 2023. Whilst take up has slowed from record levels during the pandemic, occupier demand is proving resilient due to the longer-term structural drivers and limited supply of high-quality space. At the same time the outlook for BtR remains positive with rental growth for multifamily assets of 8.2% in the year to March 2023 according to CBRE driven by continued strong demand and a lack of available units.

HBD completed on two developments with a total GDV of GBP70m (HBD share), with 100% of these either sold or let:

-- Completed on a GBP54m (GDV) I&L scheme, Power Park, located on the former Imperial Tobacco plant in Nottingham. The 426,000 sq ft scheme, comprising seven units, was pre-sold to Oxenwood Logistics Fund, on a forward funding basis in 2021. Each of the seven units meet BREEAM "Very Good" standards.

-- Completed an 85,000 sq. ft. building at the 83-acre Butterfield Business Park in Luton, Bedfordshire. The GBP16m (GDV) unit was pre-let to Shoal Group, an electrical component supplier, and has been retained within the investment portfolio.

The committed development programme now totals a GDV of GBP341m (HBD share: GBP186m GDV) of which 52% is currently pre-let or pre-sold, with 98% of the development costs fixed.

2023 Committed Programme

 
                          GDV     HBD Share of GDV      Commercial   Residential Size 
 Scheme                (GBPm)               (GBPm)    ('000 sq ft)            (Units)   Status              Completion 
-------------------  --------  -------------------  --------------  -----------------  ------------------  ----------- 
 
 Industrial 
 Rainham, Momentum        120                   24             380                  -   Speculative         Q1 24 
 Southend, Ipeco2 
  and Cama,                20                   20             156                  -   Pre-Sold            Q1 24 
 Walsall, SPARK 
  Remediation              37                   37               -                  -   Forward funded      Q2 24 
 Preston, East DPD                                                                      Pre-let and 
  & DHL                    30                   15             150                  -   forward funded      Q4 23 
                          207                   96             686                  - 
                     --------  -------------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 Urban Residential 
 Birmingham, Setl          32                   32               -                102   Speculative         Q1 24 
 York, TDT                 22                   22              54                  -   Pre-sold            Q3 23 
 Aberdeen, Bridge 
  of Don                   12                    1               -                TBC   Under-offer         Q2 24 
 Aberdeen,                                                                              Pre-sold and DM 
  Cloverhill                2                    2               -                500   fee                 Q4 23 
                     --------  -------------------  --------------  ----------------- 
                           68                   57              54                602 
                     --------  -------------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 Urban Commercial 
 Manchester, Island        66                   33              91                  -   Speculative         Q3 24 
 
 Total for the Year       341                  186             831                602 
-------------------  --------  -------------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 % sold or pre-let 
  (incl Island)           36%                  52% 
 

Within the committed programme there is currently nearly 700,000 sq ft of I&L space (HBD share: GBP96m GDV), a total of 602 urban residential units (HBD share: GBP57m GDV) and 91,000 sq ft of commercial space (HBD share: GBP33m GDV). In this regard:

-- Two freehold Design and Build transactions, at HBDs 52 acre I&L scheme in Southend, Essex, have been added and agreed at a total price of GBP20m and a combined c.156,000 sq ft of warehouse space. A 129,000 sq ft headquarters facility will be developed for Ipeco Holdings, the world leader in aircraft seating. CAMA Asset Store, specialists in sustainable storage for the creative industries, will take occupation of a 27,600 sq ft warehouse facility with ancillary office accommodation.

-- SETL, the 102 premium apartment scheme in Birmingham, is on track to complete in Q1 24 and marketing of selective apartments will start shortly with the remainder to be sold post PC during 2024. Although the market has slowed, the aim is to achieve sales in line with our stated GBP32m GDV.

-- At Momentum, Rainham (in an 80:20 JV with Barings) a 380,000 sq ft speculative I&L development targeting NZC serving Greater London, is ahead of building schedule and is now targeting completion in Q1 24. Marketing of the scheme is underway and is attracting encouraging occupier interest.

-- HBD and Greater Manchester Pension Fund are working in a 50:50 JV to deliver 91,000 sq ft of NZC offices within Manchester City Centre. Island will include 12,500 sq ft of amenity areas including social, meeting and event spaces and a communal roof terrace. The scheme is on track to be completed in Q3 24 and is again generating occupier interest.

-- Post half-year, HBD has completed The Disabilities Trust, York (HBD share: GBP22m GDV), a 54,000 sq ft scheme with state of the art care facilities. The building is low carbon and has achieved BREEAM 'Excellent' rating. This is the fourth phase of our highly successful Chocolate Works development, in York.

-- HBD are looking to replenish the programme by committing to further schemes such as the development of I&L schemes at Walsall Spark, Roman Way, Preston and Welwyn, subject to demand and viability.

HBD's total development pipeline has been maintained at a GDV of GBP1.5bn (HBD share: GBP1.26bn GDV). All of these opportunities sit within the Company's three key markets of I&L (62%), Urban Commercial (21%) and Urban Residential (17%). Significant schemes include:

-- At Golden Valley, Cheltenham, HBD continues preparations to submit a planning application for the first phase of the scheme (HBD share: GBP50m GDV), with the council signing off the Funding Agreement in Q3 2023. The scheme comprises a mixed-use campus clustered around 150,000 sq ft of innovation space.

-- At Neighbourhood, Birmingham (HBD share: GBP140m GDV), after securing planning approval for a 414-unit BtR development, HBD are continuing preparatory works but have delayed seeking funding until the new year.

The total value of the investment portfolio (including share of properties held in JVs) has increased to GBP112m (December 2022: GBP106m). Following the significant repricing of UK commercial real estate in Q4 2022, capital values have stabilised in the first six months of 2023 with an underlying valuation increase of 0.8% for the investment portfolio, principally as a result of the growth in rental values for I&L assets with the equivalent yield unchanged at 6.2%. The total property return of 3.3% for the six months to June 2023, was ahead of the return from the CBRE UK Monthly Index (2.5%). During the period occupancy increased to 89% (December 2022: 88%) with the weighted average unexpired lease term now 10.6 years (8.9 years to first break).

Post half year, the Group has also completed four sales of smaller assets for a total of GBP11.1m including Banner Cross Hall, at an average 19% premium to December 2022 valuation.

The UK housing market remained subdued during H1 23 as homebuyer demand continued to be impacted by higher mortgage rates. According to Nationwide UK house prices decreased by 1.2% during the six months to June and are now 5.3% below the August 2022 peak. Whilst higher mortgage rates are suppressing activity with monthly housing transactions around 15% below pre-pandemic levels unemployment is expected to remain low by historic standards which should provide some support to house prices.

Against this backdrop demand for housing has remained resilient, with pricing remaining firm, leaving SH still on track to meet its annual sales target having secured 88% (144 private/77 social) of its 2023 delivery target of 250 units at 30 June. The average selling price for private units to 30 June is GBP499k (June 2022: GBP512k) alongside an average sales rate of 0.48 (June 2022: 0.6) units per week per outlet, for private houses (PH), in line with target. Sales prices achieved were 1.2% above budget whilst build cost inflation has started to moderate, reducing from c.10% in 2022 to 8% currently. Negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors are ongoing and are likely to lead to further falls in cost inflation.

Post H1 23, SH have secured an additional 21 units (PH) taking them to 97% (164 private/78 social) secured for the year, meaning only a further eight units (PH) need to be secured between 1 September and the end of October to achieve its annual sales target. The year to date sales rate achieved to the end of August was 0.49 houses per week per outlet.

SH total owned and controlled land bank comprises 997 plots (June 2022: 1,164) of which 775 plots have detailed or outline planning and has 2.21 years supply based on a one-year rolling forward sales forecast for land with planning or 2.38 years for its full land bank. SH have a number of sites where terms are agreed in order to grow its land bank in line with stated scale up plans. However, the business is being patient in negotiations, in light of the slowing house sales market and the more subdued land market.

The strategic objective of growing the business to achieve 600 completions per annum over the medium term remains on track.

Construction

Trading in the Group's construction segment has been below expectations in H1 23, achieving an operating profit of GBP4.4m (2022: GBP6.3m).

UK construction activity slowed during the first half of 2023, with monthly output increasing by 1.0% following the strong increase of 6.2% in 2022. All new work decreased by 2.1% with the most significant reduction of 6.7% for private housing. Construction output in June 2023 was 7.3% above the February 2020 pre-CV-19 level.

HBC is trading below management's expectations, having experienced difficult operating conditions in line with the UK construction market. The slowdown in UK construction has resulted in HBC securing only 72% of its turnover for 2023 (94% of its costs have fixed price orders placed or contractual inflation clauses) and has experienced several delays on Pre-Construction Services Agreements (PCSAs). However, there is a healthy pipeline of opportunities that HBC is actively pursuing, with a target of GBP85m PCSA's across urban development and residential opportunities.

Despite both schemes suffering delays, subcontractor and material availability issues, the Kangaroo Works, a GBP47m BtR scheme, completed in August 2023, with the Heart of the City, Sheffield Block H, a GBP42m urban development scheme, due to complete in phases between August and October 2023. The Cocoa Works, a GBP47m residential development in York, remains on time and to budget.

Banner Plant is trading slightly below expectations, seeing a slight reduction in demand in line with the wider slowdown in construction activity. The business has refocused on core hire products and cost management. Road Link is performing in line with management expectations.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Group revenue for the period increased by 24.5% to GBP179.8m (30 June 2022: GBP144.4m) as the Land Promotion business completed additional freehold sales and Stonebridge continued to grow completions, achieving 99 unit sales in H1 (30 June 2022: 39 unit sales). The Group continued to generate strong revenues from property development activity and construction work during the period.

Gross profit was slightly below that of the prior period at GBP40.8m (30 June 2022: GBP43.9m) and shows the ongoing resilience of the Group despite challenging market conditions. Other income of GBP4.8m relates to a legal settlement on a property development contract completed in 2016. Administrative expenses (excluding pension costs) increased by GBP2.2m (30 June 2022: increased GBP2.5m) reflecting the current and future growth ambitions of the business, and includes investment in our people, systems, marketing and ESG.

Fair value of investment properties increased by GBP0.6m (30 June 2022: increase GBP3.4m) with Group assets continuing to outperform the CBRE index. Profits on sale of investment properties were GBP0.1m (30 June 2022: GBPnil). The Group's share of profit from joint ventures and associates was GBP0.2m (30 June 2022: GBP10.4m), including investment property valuation gains of GBP0.3m (30 June 2022: GBP0.6m), the prior year included an individually significant disposal of a residential site in Aberdeen.

 
 Property revaluation gains/(loss)                       H1 23    H1 22     2022 
                                                         GBP'm    GBP'm    GBP'm 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Wholly owned investment property: 
 - Completed investment property                           1.4      1.0    (7.3) 
 - Investment property in the course of construction     (0.8)      2.4      2.4 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
                                                           0.6      3.4    (4.9) 
 Joint ventures and associates: 
 - Completed investment property                           0.3      0.6    (3.2) 
 - Investment property in the course of construction         -        -        - 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
                                                           0.3      0.6    (3.2) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
                                                           0.9      4.0    (8.2) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

This results in a 34% reduction in operating profit to GBP25.7m (30 June 2022: GBP39.1m) which generated an underlying profit before tax(1) of GBP23.3m or GBP25.0m on a statutory basis (30 June 2022: GBP37.8m underlying or GBP38.8m statutory), which remains a robust result given current market conditions. Earnings per share followed, reducing to 14.0p (30 June 2022: 24.1p).

Return on capital employed

Lower operating profits in the period resulted in a decreased return on capital employed (ROCE) of 6.3% over a six-month period (30 June 2022: 10.1%). Over a 12-month period we continue to believe a target return of 10-15% is appropriate for our current operating model, although in current market conditions we would expect to be at the lower end of this range.

Finance and gearing

Financing costs were GBP2.5m (30 June 2022: GBP0.9m) reflecting the impact of rising interest rates on borrowings. This is partially offset by finance income of GBP1.8m (30 June 2022: GBP0.5m) as an element of financing costs are recovered through our joint venture arrangements.

At 30 June 2023, net debt was GBP70.8m (31 December 2022: GBP48.6m). This reflects an increase in deferred land sale receipts as well as continued investment in strategic land, property development and our growing housebuilder.

Gearing levels have increased to 17.5% (31 December 2022: 12.3%) and remain within our preferred operating range of 10%-20%. We remain selective on new investments in an uncertain market but ready to react to any compelling opportunities that might arise.

Cash flows

Operating cash inflows before movements in working capital were GBP22.0m (30 June 2022: GBP23.4m).

Working capital requirements have increased as a result of land transactions on deferred payment terms and from investment in inventory, resulting in working capital outflows of GBP15.8m (30 June 2022: GBP22.9m outflow) which, in turn, meant that operations generated funds of GBP6.1m (30 June 2022: GBP0.5m). After interest paid of GBP1.9m (30 June 2022: GBP0.5m) and tax paid of GBP0.9m (30 June 2022: GBP1.0m) net cash inflows from operating activities were GBP3.3m (30 June 2022: GBP1.1m outflows).

Including expenditure on investment properties of GBP7.0m (30 June 2022: GBP0.3m) and advances to joint ventures and associates of GBP6.8m (30 June 2022: GBP2.1m), net cash outflows from investing activities were GBP12.3m (30 June 2022: GBP7.8m inflow).

The final dividend on ordinary shares for 2022 increased by 10% to GBP5.3m (30 June 2022: GBP4.8m).

Statement of financial position

Total non-current assets were GBP206.1m (31 December 2022: GBP183.3m). Significant movements arose as follows:

- a GBP5.5m increase in right of use assets (30 June 2022: GBP0.3m decrease) due to investment in plant acquired on hire purchase and a lease on the Group's new head office;

- a GBP5.6m increase (30 June 2022: decrease GBP3.4m) in the value of investment properties, being subsequent capital expenditure of GBP7.0m (30 June 2022: GBPnil), transfers from inventory GBPnil (30 June 2022: GBP4.5m) a revaluation gain of GBP0.6m (30 June 2022: gain of GBP3.4m), disposals of GBP1.0m (30 June 2022: GBPnil), and transfers to assets held for sale of GBP1.0m (30 June 2022: GBP11.1m);

- Investments in joint ventures and associates increased by GBP0.2m to GBP10.2m (31 December 2022: GBP10.0m), being profits generated of GBP0.2m;

- an increase in non-current trade receivables of GBP14.6m (30 June 2022: GBP1.3m decrease) following a number of strategic land sales made on deferred terms;

- The pension scheme asset has increased GBP1.9m to GBP8.1m (31 December 2022: GBP6.2m) largely due to the effect of the increasing liabilities discount rate offset by asset returns during the period; and a deferred tax asset which remains consistent at GBP0.2m (30 June 2022: GBP3.1m decrease).

Current assets were GBP8.9m higher at GBP404.0m (31 December 2022: GBP395.0m) resulting from:

- an uplift in inventories to GBP297.7m (31 December 2022: GBP291.8m) due to growth in housebuilding inventory;

   -     lower trade and other receivables of GBP65.2m (31 December 2022: GBP66.6m); 

- cash and cash equivalents which were GBP3.1m higher at GBP20.5m (31 December 2022: GBP17.4m) due to current cash requirements and timing on loan repayments; and

- assets held for sale of GBP3.1m (31 December 2022: GBPnil) which relates to two property assets, one in Southend and a second being the Group's Head Office building in Sheffield (as the Group prepares to relocate to Sheffield City Centre in Q4).

Total liabilities rose to GBP204.7m (31 December 2022: GBP156.6m) with the most significant changes arising from:

- trade and other payables, including contract liabilities, decreased GBP8.5m to GBP95.9m (31 December 2022: GBP104.4m); and,

- borrowings, including lease liabilities, increased to GBP91.3m (31 December 2022: GBP66.0m) as the Group continues to invest in operational assets and transact on deferred payment terms.

Retained earnings increased net assets to GBP405.4m (31 December 2022: GBP394.3m) with the net asset value per share increasing by 2.6% to 303p (31 December 2022: 295p), an underlying increase of 2.9% to 298p (Dec 2022: 291p) when excluding the defined benefit pension scheme surplus net of tax liability.

NOTES:

(1) Underlying profit before tax is an alternative performance measure (APM) and is defined as profit before tax excluding revaluation movements on completed investment properties. Revaluation movement on completed investment properties includes gains of GBP1.4m (2022: GBP1.0m gain) on wholly owned completed investment property and gains of GBP0.3m (2022: GBP0.6m gains) on completed investment property held in joint ventures. This APM provides the users with a measure that excludes specific external factors beyond management's controls and reflects the Group's underlying results. This measure is used in the business in appraising senior management performance.

(2) Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is an APM and is defined as operating profit/ average of total assets less current liabilities (excluding DB pension surplus) at the opening and closing balance sheet dates

(3) Net Asset Value (NAV) per share is an APM and is defined using the statutory measures net assets/ordinary share capital

(4) Net (debt)/cash is an APM and is reconciled to statutory measures in note 14

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

for the half year ended 30 June 2023

 
                                                      Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                          ended      ended        ended 
                                                        30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                           2023       2022         2022 
                                                      Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                        GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Revenue                                                 179,756    144,414      341,419 
Cost of sales                                         (138,909)  (100,528)    (259,829) 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Gross profit                                             40,847     43,886       81,590 
Other income                                              4,800          -            - 
Administrative expenses                                (20,831)   (18,596)     (40,455) 
                                                         24,816     25,290       41,135 
Increase/(decrease) in fair value of investment 
 properties                                                 595      3,443      (4,921) 
Profit on sale of investment properties                      86         16          646 
Loss on sale of assets held for sale                          -          -        (149) 
Profit on disposal of joint ventures                          -          -          667 
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates            188     10,376        9,079 
Operating profit                                         25,685     39,125       46,457 
Finance income                                            1,769        535        1,641 
Finance costs                                           (2,495)      (883)      (2,503) 
Profit before tax                                        24,959     38,777       45,595 
Tax                                                     (5,805)    (6,071)      (7,725) 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Profit for the period from continuing operations         19,154     32,706       37,870 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Other comprehensive (expense)/income not being reclassified 
 to profit or loss in subsequent periods: 
Revaluation of Group occupied property                     (86)          -          315 
Deferred tax on property revaluations                        15          -         (23) 
Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined benefit pension 
 scheme                                                 (2,049)     18,842       14,994 
Deferred tax on actuarial loss/(gain)                       512    (4,710)      (3,749) 
Total other comprehensive (expense)/income not 
 being reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent 
 periods                                                (1,608)     14,132       11,537 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period      17,546     46,838       49,407 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Profit for the period attributable to: 
Owners of the Parent Company                             18,661     32,065       33,319 
Non-controlling interests                                   493        641        4,551 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                         19,154     32,706       37,870 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
Owners of the Parent Company                             17,053     46,197       44,856 
Non-controlling interests                                   493        641        4,551 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                         17,546     46,838       49,407 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Basic earnings per ordinary share for the profit 
 attributable 
 to owners of the Parent Company during the period        14.0p      24.1p        25.0p 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share for the profit 
 attributable 
 to owners of the Parent Company during the period        13.7p      23.7p        24.6p 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

as at 30 June 2023

 
                                                        30 June       30 June  31 December 
                                                                         2022 
                                                           2023   Restated(1)         2022 
                                                      Unaudited     Unaudited      Audited 
                                                        GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets                                         2,552         3,321        2,933 
Property, plant and equipment                            24,210        27,975       28,766 
Right of use assets                                       6,476         1,290          997 
Investment properties                                   102,716       100,740       97,116 
Investment in joint ventures and associates              10,178        15,581        9,990 
Retirement benefit asset                                  8,108         8,361        6,188 
Trade and other receivables                              51,648        34,827       37,029 
Deferred tax assets                                         249           332          249 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                        206,137       192,427      183,268 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Current assets 
Inventories                                             297,664       252,894      291,778 
Contract assets                                          17,421        12,761       19,257 
Trade and other receivables                              65,207        74,296       66,601 
Cash and cash equivalents                                20,538        21,526       17,401 
Assets classified as held for sale                        3,142        11,137            - 
                                                        403,972       372,614      395,037 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                                 90,243        82,250       95,827 
Contract liabilities                                      1,468         7,730        4,006 
Current tax liabilities                                   7,664         2,876        3,793 
Borrowings                                               85,000        60,000       65,000 
Lease liabilities                                         1,539           559          426 
Provisions                                                2,836         4,511        4,003 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                        188,750       157,926      173,055 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Net current assets                                      215,222       214,688      221,982 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                                  4,235         2,571        4,568 
Lease liabilities                                         4,770           791          607 
Deferred tax liability                                    4,878         6,573        4,401 
Provisions                                                2,057           855        1,385 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                         15,940        10,790       10,961 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Net assets                                              405,419       396,325      394,289 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Equity 
Share capital                                            13,798        13,747       13,763 
Property revaluation reserve                              2,281         2,060        2,352 
Retained earnings                                       378,213       370,229      365,692 
Other reserves                                            8,246         7,139        7,482 
Cost of shares held by ESOP trust                         (966)         (966)        (967) 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company     401,572       392,209      388,322 
Non-controlling interests                                 3,847         4,116        5,967 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Total equity                                            405,419       396,325      394,289 
----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
 

(1) See 'Prior year restatements' for further details in the 'Basis of preparation and accounting policies'

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

for the half year ended 30 June 2023

 
                                         Attributable to owners of the Parent 
                                                        Company 
                              ----------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                            Cost 
                                                                              of 
                                                                          shares 
                                           Property                         held                  Non- 
                                 Share  revaluation  Retained     Other  by ESOP           controlling    Total 
                               capital      reserve  earnings  reserves    trust    Total    interests   equity 
                               GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000      GBP'000  GBP'000 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
At 1 January 2022               13,732        2,060   328,348     6,744  (1,044)  349,840        5,446  355,286 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
Profit for the period                -            -    32,065         -        -   32,065          641   32,706 
Other comprehensive income           -            -    14,132         -        -   14,132            -   14,132 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
Total comprehensive income           -            -    46,197         -        -   46,197          641   46,838 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
Equity dividends                     -            -   (4,833)         -        -  (4,833)      (1,971)  (6,804) 
Proceeds from shares issued         15            -         -       395        -      410            -      410 
Share-based payments                 -            -       517         -       78      595            -      595 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
                                    15            -   (4,316)       395       78  (3,828)      (1,971)  (5,799) 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
At 30 June 2022 (unaudited)     13,747        2,060   370,229     7,139    (966)  392,209        4,116  396,325 
----------------------------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  -------  -------  -----------  ------- 
 
 
 
At 1 January 2022                      13,732  2,060  328,348  6,744  (1,044)  349,840    5,446   355,286 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
Profit for the year                         -      -   33,319      -        -   33,319    4,551    37,870 
Other comprehensive income                  -    292   11,245      -        -   11,537        -    11,537 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
Total comprehensive income                  -    292   44,564      -        -   44,856    4,551    49,407 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
Equity dividends                            -      -  (8,383)      -        -  (8,383)  (4,030)  (12,413) 
Proceeds from shares issued                31      -        -    738        -      769        -       769 
Share-based payments                        -      -    1,163      -       77    1,240        -     1,240 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
                                           31      -  (7,220)    738       77  (6,374)  (4,030)  (10,404) 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
At 31 December 2022 (audited)          13,763  2,352  365,692  7,482    (967)  388,322    5,967   394,289 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
Profit for the period                       -      -   18,661      -        -   18,661      493    19,154 
Other comprehensive expense                 -   (71)  (1,537)      -        -  (1,608)        -   (1,608) 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
Total comprehensive income/(expense)        -   (71)   17,124      -        -   17,053      493    17,546 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
Equity dividends                            -      -  (5,347)      -        -  (5,347)  (2,613)   (7,960) 
Proceeds from shares issued                35      -        -    764        -      799        -       799 
Share-based payments                        -      -      744      -        1      745        -       745 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
                                           35      -  (4,603)    764        1  (3,803)  (2,613)   (6,416) 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
At 30 June 2023 (unaudited)            13,798  2,281  378,213  8,246    (966)  401,572    3,847   405,419 
-------------------------------------  ------  -----  -------  -----  -------  -------  -------  -------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

for the half year ended 30 June 2023

 
                                                             Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                                 ended      ended        ended 
                                                               30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                                  2023       2022         2022 
                                                             Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                               GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Cash generated from operations                                   6,140        518     (16,549) 
Interest paid                                                  (1,949)      (549)      (1,829) 
Tax paid                                                         (930)    (1,030)      (2,918) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities                         3,261    (1,061)     (21,296) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                        (926)      (335)        (971) 
Purchase of investment property                                (6,975)        283      (9,301) 
Purchase of investment in associate                                  -          -      (2,112) 
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
 (excluding assets held for hire)                                   21        184       10,987 
Proceeds on disposal of assets held for hire                         -          -          270 
Proceeds on disposal of investment properties                    1,013          -        8,146 
Repayment of loans from joint ventures and associates                -      2,483       10,904 
Advances to joint ventures and associates                      (6,752)    (2,101)      (8,560) 
Proceeds on disposal of investment in joint ventures                 -          -        6,873 
Distributions received from joint ventures and 
 associates                                                          -      6,960        7,160 
Interest received                                                1,299        372        1,153 
Net cash flows from investing activities                      (12,320)      7,846       24,549 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from shares issued                                        801        410          769 
Movement in payables from joint ventures and associates              4        358          355 
Decrease in borrowings                                        (15,000)   (30,000)     (70,000) 
Increase in borrowings                                          35,000     40,000       85,000 
Principal element of lease payments                              (648)      (339)        (679) 
Dividends 
 paid            - ordinary shares                             (5,336)    (4,822)      (8,362) 
 - non-controlling interests                                   (2,614)    (1,971)      (4,030) 
 - preference shares                                              (11)       (11)         (21) 
 ----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Net cash flows from financing activities                        12,196      3,625        3,032 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                        3,137     10,410        6,285 
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period            17,401     11,116       11,116 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of period                  20,538     21,526       17,401 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the half year ended 30 June 2023

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Company is a public limited company, listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Banner Cross Hall, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S11 9PD.

The financial information set out above does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and is neither audited nor reviewed. The Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022, which were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards, have been reported on by the Group's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditors' Report was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

2. Basis of preparation and accounting policies

The half-yearly financial information has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with UK adopted International Accounting Standard IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.

The half-yearly financial information has been prepared using the same accounting policies and methods of computation as compared with the annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

A number of other standards, amendments and interpretations became effective from 1 January 2023, which do not have a material impact on the Group's financial statements or accounting policies.

Prior year restatements

Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates

Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates have been restated for the period ended 30 June 2022. The Group previously recognised amounts owed by joint ventures and associates as being entirely due within one year on the basis these amounts were repayable on demand. Following a review of the Group's historic practice and future plans not to call on all intercompany receivables in the short term, GBP22,824,000 of amounts owed by joint ventures and associates at 30 June 2022 have been reclassified to non-current in line with IAS 1. There is no impact on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity or Statement of Cash Flows.

Government loans

The Group's borrowings and trade receivables have been restated for the period ended 30 June 2022. The Group previously recognised a government loan payable to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) amounting to GBP2,941,000 and a corresponding trade receivable from the related housebuilder. Following legal guidance on the nature of the agreement it has been concluded that the Group has no residual obligation to the HCA in respect of the loan which is payable directly by the related housebuilder and therefore no rights to receive a corresponding trade receivable from the related housebuilder. This has resulted in previously reported borrowings reducing by GBP2,941,000 and trade receivables decreasing by the same. There is no impact on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity or Statement of Cash Flows.

Going Concern

The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through a secured loan facility. The facility was renewed on 23 January 2020, at a level of GBP75m, for a period of three years and extended by one year in January 2021 and a further year in January 2022 taking the facility renewal to 23 January 2025 on the same terms as the existing agreement. The facility includes an accordion to increase the facility by up to GBP30m, which was called on by the Group on 9 October 2022, increasing the overall facility to GBP105m.

The Directors have considered the Group's principal risk areas, including the risk of continued economic slowdown, that they consider material to the assessment of going concern.

The Directors have prepared forecasts to 31 December 2024 covering a base case and severe downside scenario.

Having conducted significant stress testing at the year-end they have further considered the outcome of our half year position and their latest forecasts, whilst taking into account the current trading conditions, the markets in which the Group's businesses operate and associated credit risks together with the available committed banking facilities and the potential mitigations that can be taken, to protect operating profits and cash flows.

The severe downside scenario considered includes short-term curtailment in transactional activity and percentage reductions in other activities mirroring recent downturn experiences. This is followed by a short to medium-term recovery, coupled with the ability to manage future expenditure as described in the 2022 Annual Report.

As reported in the 2022 Annual Report, the most sensitive covenant in our facilities relates to the ratio of EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Tax) on a 12-month rolling basis to senior facility finance costs. Our downside modelling, which reflects a near 50% reduction in revenue and near 67% reduction in profit before tax from our base case for 2023, demonstrates significant headroom over this covenant throughout the forecast period to the end of December 2024.

Their review supports the view that the Group will have adequate resources, liquidity and available bank facilities to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the half-yearly financial information.

Estimates and Judgements

The preparation of half-yearly financial information requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In preparing these half-yearly financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Goodwill

Goodwill is subjected to an impairment test at the reporting date or when there has been an indication that the goodwill should be impaired, any loss is recognised immediately through the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and is not subsequently reversed.

3. Segment information

For the purpose of the Board making strategic decisions, the Group is currently organised into three operating segments: Property Investment and Development; Land Promotion; and Construction. Group overheads are not a reportable segment; however, information about them is considered by the Board in conjunction with the reportable segments.

Operations are carried out entirely within the United Kingdom.

Inter-segment sales are charged at prevailing market prices.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies as detailed above.

Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment before tax and is consistent with the measure reported to the Group's Board for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance.

 
                                                   Half year ended 30 June 2023 Unaudited 
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                      Property 
                                    investment 
                                           and       Land                    Group 
                                   development  promotion  Construction  overheads  Eliminations     Total 
                                       GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
---------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Revenue 
External sales                          71,517     52,645        55,594          -             -   179,756 
Inter-segment sales                        144          -           585        156         (885)         - 
---------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Total revenue                           71,661     52,645        56,179        156         (885)   179,756 
---------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Gross profit/(loss)                     11,117     21,143         8,467        134          (14)    40,847 
Other income                             4,800          -             -          -             -     4,800 
Administrative expenses                (8,297)    (4,168)       (4,087)    (4,293)            14  (20,831) 
Other operating income/(expense)           872        (3)             -          -             -       869 
---------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Operating profit/(loss)                  8,492     16,972         4,380    (4,159)             -    25,685 
Finance income                           4,219        529           229        140       (3,348)     1,769 
Finance costs                          (2,455)      (263)         (217)    (2,163)         2,603   (2,495) 
Profit/(loss) before 
 tax                                    10,256     17,238         4,392    (6,182)         (745)    24,959 
Tax                                    (2,338)    (4,076)       (1,098)      1,707             -   (5,805) 
---------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Profit/(loss) for the 
 period                                  7,918     13,162         3,294    (4,475)         (745)    19,154 
---------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
 
 
                                          Half year ended 30 June 2022 Unaudited 
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Property 
                           investment 
                                  and       Land                    Group 
                          development  promotion  Construction  overheads  Eliminations     Total 
                              GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Revenue 
External sales                 56,837     24,741        62,836          -             -   144,414 
Inter-segment sales               145          -         3,685        214       (4,044)         - 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Total revenue                  56,982     24,741        66,521        214       (4,044)   144,414 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Gross profit/(loss)            13,042     20,409        10,368         85          (18)    43,886 
Administrative expenses       (7,233)    (3,250)       (4,040)    (4,091)            18  (18,596) 
Other operating income         13,835          -             -          -             -    13,835 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Operating profit/(loss)        19,644     17,159         6,328    (4,006)             -    39,125 
Finance income                    724        310           482          5         (986)       535 
Finance costs                   (740)       (77)         (190)    (1,074)         1,198     (883) 
Profit/(loss) before 
 tax                           19,628     17,392         6,620    (5,075)           212    38,777 
Tax                           (1,904)    (3,304)       (1,717)        854             -   (6,071) 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Profit/(loss) for the 
 period                        17,724     14,088         4,903    (4,221)           212    32,706 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
 
                                            Year ended 31 December 2022 Audited 
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Property 
                           investment 
                                  and       Land                    Group 
                          development  promotion  Construction  overheads  Eliminations     Total 
                              GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Revenue 
External sales                168,990     43,820       128,609          -             -   341,419 
Inter-segment sales               290          -         4,453        386       (5,129)         - 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Total revenue                 169,280     43,820       133,062        386       (5,129)   341,419 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Gross profit/(loss)            36,488     24,320        20,720         99          (37)    81,590 
Administrative expenses      (16,142)    (6,971)       (8,636)    (8,743)            37  (40,455) 
Other operating income          5,322          -             -          -             -     5,322 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Operating profit/(loss)        25,668     17,349        12,084    (8,644)             -    46,457 
Finance income                  4,015        744         1,507     26,576      (31,201)     1,641 
Finance costs                 (2,226)      (213)         (374)    (3,373)         3,683   (2,503) 
Profit/(loss) before 
 tax                           27,457     17,880        13,217     14,559      (27,518)    45,595 
Tax                           (3,411)    (3,451)       (2,771)      1,908             -   (7,725) 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
Profit/(loss) for the 
 year                          24,046     14,429        10,446     16,467      (27,518)    37,870 
------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------  -------- 
 
 
                                        30 June       30 June  31 December 
                                                         2022 
                                           2023   Restated(1)         2022 
                                      Unaudited     Unaudited      Audited 
                                        GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Segment assets 
Property investment and development     375,023       336,185      355,491 
Land promotion                          152,251       139,678      149,598 
Construction                             48,116        55,395       45,766 
Group overheads                           5,826         3,564        3,612 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
                                        581,216       534,822      554,467 
Unallocated assets 
Retirement benefit assets                 8,108         8,361        6,188 
Deferred tax assets                         249           332          249 
Cash and cash equivalents                20,536        21,526       17,401 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Total assets                            610,109       565,041      578,305 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Segment liabilities 
Property investment and development      52,955        35,104       59,113 
Land promotion                           14,183        10,753       13,114 
Construction                             28,427        48,035       36,994 
Group overheads                           5,274         4,025          568 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
                                        100,839        97,917      109,789 
Unallocated liabilities 
Current tax liabilities                   7,664         2,876        3,793 
Deferred tax liabilities                  4,878         6,573        4,401 
Current lease liabilities                 1,539           559          426 
Current borrowings                       85,000        60,000       65,000 
Non-current lease liabilities             4,770           791          607 
Total liabilities                       204,690       168,716      184,016 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Total net assets                        405,419       396,325      394,289 
------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
 

(1) See 'Prior year restatements' for further details in the 'Basis of preparation and accounting policies'

4. REVENUE

The Group's revenue is derived from contracts with customers. In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by primary activity, being the Group's operating segments and timing of revenue recognition:

 
                                              Timing of revenue                Timing of revenue 
                                                 recognition                      recognition 
                                             -------------------              ------------------- 
                                    30 June                          30 June 
                                       2023        At a                 2022 
                                  Unaudited       point     Over   Unaudited   At a point    Over 
Activity in the United Kingdom      GBP'000     in time     time     GBP'000      in time    time 
                                             ----------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------ 
Construction contracts: 
- Construction                       41,096           -   41,096      48,004            -  48,004 
- Property investment and 
 development                         24,663           -   24,663      12,356            -  12,356 
Sale of land and properties: 
- Property investment and 
 development                         12,836      12,836        -      26,509       26,509       - 
- House builder unit sales           31,012      31,012        -      15,007       15,007       - 
- Land promotion                     52,502      52,502        -      24,645       24,645       - 
PFI concession                        6,502       6,502        -       6,162        6,162       - 
Revenue from contracts with 
 customers                          168,611     102,852   65,759     132,683       72,323  60,360 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------ 
Plant and equipment hire              7,996                            8,670 
Investment property rental 
 income                               3,002                            2,914 
Other rental income - property 
 development                              4                               51 
Other rental income - land 
 promotion                              143                               96 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------ 
                                    179,756                          144,414 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------ 
 

5. Earnings per ordinary share

Earnings per ordinary share is calculated on the weighted average number of shares in issue being 133,386,168 (30 June 2022: 132,978,061). Diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated on the weighted average number of shares in issue adjusted for the effects of any dilutive potential ordinary shares.

6. Dividends

 
                                                        Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                            ended      ended        ended 
                                                          30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                             2023       2022         2022 
                                                        Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                          GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders 
 in period: 
Preference dividend on cumulative preference shares            11         11           21 
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 
 2022 of 2.66p per share (2021: 2.42p)                          -          -        3,540 
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2022 
 of 4.00p per share (2021: 3.63p)                           5,336      4,822        4,822 
------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                            5,347      4,833        8,383 
------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

An interim dividend amounting to GBP3,910,000 (2022: GBP3,540,000) will be paid on 13 October 2023 to shareholders whose names are on the register at the close of business on 29 September 2023. The proposed interim dividend has not been approved at the date of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and so has not been included as a liability in these Financial Statements.

7. Tax

 
                                                    Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                        ended      ended        ended 
                                                      30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                         2023       2022         2022 
                                                    Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                      GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Current tax: 
UK corporation tax on profits for the period            4,886      5,733        8,690 
Adjustment in respect of earlier periods                 (85)          -        (152) 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Total current tax                                       4,801      5,733        8,538 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Deferred tax: 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences       1,004        338        (813) 
Total deferred tax                                      1,004        338        (813) 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Total tax                                               5,805      6,071        7,725 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

Corporation tax is calculated at 23.5% (31 December 2022: 19%) of the estimated assessable profit for the period being management's estimate of the weighted average corporation tax rate for the period. The Group's effective rate of tax of

23.3% is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax due to non-taxable property valuation increases.

In the Spring Budget 2021, the Government announced that from 1 April 2023 the main rate of UK corporation tax would increase to 25%. This new law was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021; deferred tax balances at the period end have been measured at 25% (2022: 25%), being the rate at which timing differences are expected to reverse.

8. Investment properties

 
                                                                 Investment 
                                                   Completed       property 
                                                  investment          under 
                                                    property   construction      Total 
                                                     GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 Fair value 
 At 1 January 2023 (audited)                          87,198          9,918     97,116 
 Subsequent expenditure on investment property            83          6,892      6,975 
 Disposals                                             (928)              -      (928) 
 Transfer to assets held for sale                    (1,042)              -    (1,042) 
 Increase/(decrease) in fair value in period           1,405          (810)        595 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 At 30 June 2023 (unaudited)                          86,716         16,000    102,716 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives          (2,213)              -    (2,213) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 Market value at 30 June 2023                         84,503         16,000    100,503 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Fair value 
 At 1 January 2022                                    95,177          9,000    104,177 
 Subsequent expenditure on investment property          (48)              -       (48) 
 Disposals                                               (3)              -        (3) 
 Transfer from inventory                               4,542              -      4,542 
 Transfer to assets held for sale                          -       (11,371)   (11,371) 
 Increase in fair value in period                      1,072          2,371      3,443 
 At 30 June 2022 (unaudited)                         100,740              -    100,740 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives          (2,132)              -    (2,132) 
 Market value at 30 June 2022                         98,608              -     98,608 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Fair value 
 At 1 January 2022                                    95,177          9,000    104,177 
 Subsequent expenditure on investment property             8          9,265      9,273 
 Capitalised letting fees                                  2             26         28 
 Amortisation of capitalised letting fees               (25)              -       (25) 
 Disposals                                           (7,500)              -    (7,500) 
 Transfer from inventory                               6,827            391      7,218 
 Transfer to assets held for sale                          -       (11,134)   (11,134) 
 Increase/(decrease) in fair value in period         (7,291)          2,370    (4,921) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 At 31 December 2022 (audited)                        87,198          9,918     97,116 
 Adjustment in respect of tenant incentives            2,234              -      2,234 
 Market value at 30 June 2023                         89,432          9,918     99,350 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 

At 30 June 2023, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition and repair of investment property amounting to GBP711,000 (31 December 2022: GBPnil).

9. Borrowings

 
                    Half year     Half year         Year 
                        ended         ended        ended 
                      30 June       30 June  31 December 
                                       2022 
                         2023   Restated(1)         2022 
                    Unaudited     Unaudited      Audited 
                      GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
Bank loans             85,000        60,000       65,000 
Lease liabilities       6,309         1,350        1,033 
------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
                       91,309        61,350       66,033 
------------------  ---------  ------------  ----------- 
 

(1) See 'Prior year restatements' for further details in the 'Basis of preparation and accounting policies'

Movements in borrowings are analysed as follows:

 
                                   GBP'000 
--------------------------------  -------- 
At 1 January 2023                   66,033 
Secured bank loans                  35,000 
Repayment of secured bank loans   (15,000) 
New leases                           5,851 
Repayment of lease liabilities       (575) 
At 30 June 2023                     91,309 
--------------------------------  -------- 
 

Bank loans include the Group's revolving loan facility which runs to January 2025 and is drawn for durations of up to six months.

10. Provisions for liabilities and charges

Since 31 December 2023, the following movements on provisions for liabilities and charges have occurred:

 
      --   The road maintenance provision represents management's best estimate 
            of the Group's liability under a five-year rolling programme for 
            the maintenance of the Group's PFI asset. During the period GBP867,000 
            has been utilised and additional provisions of GBP583,000 have 
            been made, all of which were due to normal operating procedures. 
      --   The Land promotion provision represents management's best estimate 
            of the Group's liability to provide infrastructure and service 
            obligations, which remain with the Group following the disposal 
            of land. During the period, GBP887,000 has been utilised and additional 
            provisions of GBP23,000 have been made. 
 

11. Defined benefit pension scheme

The main financial assumptions used in the valuation of the liabilities of the scheme under IAS 19 are:

 
                                                 30 June  30 June  31 December 
                                                    2023     2022         2022 
                                                       %        %            % 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------- 
Retail Prices Index (RPI)                           3.30     3.90         3.20 
Consumer Prices Index (CPI)                         2.70     2.75         2.60 
Rate in increase to pensions in payment liable 
 for Limited Price Indexation (LPI)                 2.70     2.75         2.60 
Revaluation of deferred pensions                    2.70     2.75         2.60 
Liabilities discount rate                           5.40     3.90         4.90 
-----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------- 
 

Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in respect of the scheme are as follows:

 
                                                             Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                                 ended      ended        ended 
                                                               30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                                  2023       2022         2022 
                                                             Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                               GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Service cost: 
Ongoing scheme expenses                                            439        266          644 
Net interest (income)/expense                                    (196)        112          209 
Pension Protection Fund                                             45         98          136 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Pension expenses recognised in profit or loss                      288        476          989 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Remeasurement on the net defined benefit liability: 
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included 
 in net interest expense)                                        6,451     32,573       50,365 
Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes 
 in demographic assumptions                                        986          -      (1,070) 
Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from experience 
 adjustments                                                     2,138      (721)        (721) 
Actuarial gains arising from changes in financial 
 assumptions                                                   (7,526)   (50,694)     (63,568) 
Actuarial losses/(gains) recognised in other comprehensive 
 income                                                          2,049   (18,842)     (14,994) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Total                                                            2,337   (18,366)     (14,005) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

The amount included in the Statement of Financial Position arising from the Group's obligations in respect of the scheme is as follows:

 
                                      Half year  Half year         Year 
                                          Ended      ended        ended 
                                        30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                           2023       2022         2022 
                                      Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                        GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Present value of scheme obligations     147,410    168,369      152,576 
Fair value of scheme assets           (155,518)  (176,730)    (158,764) 
------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
                                        (8,108)    (8,361)      (6,188) 
------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

12. Related party transactions

There have been no material transactions with related parties during the period.

There have been no material changes to the related party arrangements as reported in note 28 to the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

13. SHARE CAPITAL

 
                                                       Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                           ended      ended        ended 
                                                         30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                            2023       2022         2022 
                                                       Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                         GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
400,000 5.25% cumulative preference shares of 
 GBP1 each (31 December 2022: 400,000)                       400        400          400 
133,984,551 ordinary shares of 10p each (31 December 
 2022: 133,627,922)                                       13,398     13,347       13,363 
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                          13,798     13,747       13,763 
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

14. Cash generated from operations

 
                                                     Half year  Half year         Year 
                                                         ended      ended        ended 
                                                       30 June    30 June  31 December 
                                                          2023       2022         2022 
                                                     Unaudited  Unaudited      Audited 
                                                       GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Profit before tax                                       24,959     38,777       45,595 
Adjustments for: 
Amortisation of PFI asset                                  279        293          579 
Goodwill impairment                                        102        102          203 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment            2,125      1,926        3,957 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets                        287        298          597 
Revaluation (increase)/decrease in investment 
 properties                                              (595)    (3,443)        4,921 
Amortisation of capitalised letting fees                     -          -           25 
Share-based payment expense                                744        595        1,241 
Pension scheme credit                                  (3,969)    (1,747)      (3,422) 
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and 
 equipment (excluding equipment held for hire)              14      (113)        (176) 
Profit on disposal of equipment held for hire            (596)      (389)      (1,070) 
Loss on disposal of right-of-use assets                      -          1            - 
Profit on disposal of investment properties               (85)          -        (646) 
Loss on disposal of assets held for sale                     -          -          150 
Gain on disposal of joint ventures                           -          -        (667) 
Finance income                                         (1,769)      (535)      (1,641) 
Finance costs                                            2,495        883        2,503 
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates         (188)   (10,376)      (9,079) 
---------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Operating cash flows before movements in equipment 
 held for hire                                          23,803     26,272       43,070 
Purchase of equipment held for hire                    (2,538)    (3,450)      (5,454) 
Proceeds on disposal of equipment held for hire            722        550        1,343 
---------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
Operating cash flows before movements in working 
 capital                                                21,987     23,372       38,959 
Increase in inventories                                (5,886)   (22,140)     (63,701) 
Increase in receivables                                (6,005)    (7,619)      (3,763) 
Increase/(decrease) in contract assets                   1,836    (5,205)     (11,701) 
(Increase)/decrease in payables                        (3,252)      9,413       24,684 
(Increase)/decrease in contract liabilities            (2,540)      2,697      (1,027) 
Cash generated from operations                           6,140        518     (16,549) 
---------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 

Net debt is an alternative performance measure used by the Group and comprises the following(1) :

 
Analysis of net debt(1) : 
Cash and cash equivalents         20,538    21,526    17,401 
Bank overdrafts                        -         -         - 
------------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
Net cash and cash equivalents     20,538    21,526    17,401 
Bank loans                      (85,000)  (60,000)  (65,000) 
Lease liabilities                (6,309)   (1,350)   (1,033) 
Net debt                        (70,771)  (39,824)  (48,632) 
------------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

(1) See 'Prior year restatements' for further details in the 'Basis of preparation and accounting policies'

15. GROUP RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Directors consider that the principal risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Group's performance over the remaining six months of the 2023 financial year remain consistent with those set out in the Strategic Report on pages 52 to 56 of the Group's Annual Report and Financial Statements. These risks and uncertainties include:

Safety; Environmental and climate change; Economic; People and culture; Funding; Cyber; Pensions; Construction contracts; Property assets; Property development; Land sourcing; Land demand; Political.

The Group is mindful of sustained inflation, increasing interest rates and the low levels of growth in the UK economy, and particularly the impact this has on the residential housing market. This continues to be mitigated by maintaining a robust balance sheet, prudent levels of gearing and being selective of the opportunities we progress.

The Group operates a system of internal control and risk management in order to provide assurance that it is managing risk while achieving our business objectives. No system can fully eliminate risk and therefore the understanding of operational risk is central to the management process within Henry Boot. The long-term success of the Group depends on the continual review, assessment and control of the key business risks it faces.

16. Approval

The issue of these statements was formally approved by a duly appointed committee of the Board on 19 September 2023.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENTS OF THE DIRECTORS

The Directors confirm that these condensed interim Financial Statements have 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 Henry Boot PLC are listed in the Henry Boot PLC Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022. A list of current Directors is maintained on the Henry Boot PLC Group website: www.henryboot.co.uk .

On behalf of the Board

 
 T A ROBERTS          D L LITTLEWOOD 
  Director             Director 
  19 September 2023    19 September 2023 
 

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END

IR UWOBROUUKAAR

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