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HLCL.GB Helical Plc

200.00
0.00 (0.00%)
01 May 2024 - Closed
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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Helical Plc AQSE:HLCL.GB Aquis Stock Exchange Ordinary Share GB00B0FYMT95
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  0.00 0.00% 200.00 150.00 250.00 200.00 200.00 200.00 0.00 07:03:33
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Helical PLC Half-year Report (2082U)

22/11/2023 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Helical (AQSE:HLCL.GB)
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From Nov 2023 to May 2024

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TIDMHLCL

RNS Number : 2082U

Helical PLC

22 November 2023

HELICAL PLC

("Helical" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Results for the Half Year to 30 September 2023 (the "Period"/"Half Year")

Helical's letting potential and development pipeline to drive future growth

Gerald Kaye, Chief Executive, commented:

"Occupational demands are evolving in the office sector, with tenants using their premises to optimise the work experience for their employees. Amenity, connectivity, service and sustainability are encouraging businesses towards new buildings. At the same time, buildings that provide a poorer working environment are driving occupiers away. This bifurcation of the market between the "best-in-class" and the rest is accelerating with rental growth continuing for the "best" and values falling for the rest. This will provide opportunities to acquire potential developments and major refurbishments at levels that allow for strong capital returns.

"We have experienced a further significant outward yield movement in the Period, and while interest from potential occupiers has been encouraging, lease negotiations are taking longer to conclude. However, having taken the pain of reductions in value, Helical is now well positioned to drive growth through the letting of the vacant space in its investment portfolio.

"At The JJ Mack Building, EC1, a prime example of a "best-in-class" building, recent letting progress has been encouraging and we will be c.60% let once the current space under offer completes in December. Each letting to date has exceeded the applicable ERV and the recent letting of the 9(th) floor sets a record rent for the sub-market. By concluding these lettings, the existing 25bps yield differential between vacant and let space will unwind providing a significant positive impact on valuations. Similarly, upon re-letting the WeWork space at The Bower, EC1, the capital value will be enhanced as the yield differential is removed and contracted rent increases towards its ERV of c.GBP24m, which is significantly in excess of our total annualised recurring administration and finance costs.

"Our development pipeline is expected to provide surpluses for the foreseeable future. Scheduled to start in 2024 and be delivered from late 2025 onwards, this pipeline will be supplemented with additional "equity-light" opportunities as building owners seek specialists in office development and refurbishment to partner with them to maximise the value of their assets. In addition, banks and other financial institutions with non-performing assets should provide additional opportunities for Helical to create value.

"The balance sheet is in good shape and maintaining financial discipline remains at the forefront of Helical's approach. Recycling equity and seeking third party financing to fund the pipeline of opportunities will allow the Company to grow the business while containing gearing to appropriate levels.

"There remains a shortage of "best-in-class" newly refurbished or redeveloped office space in central London. With an experienced management team, a substantial development pipeline with optionality over timing and funding, and no legacy assets requiring investment to meet minimum sustainability standards, Helical is well positioned to capitalise on current cyclical opportunities."

Operational Activity During the Period

Steady progress with lettings, despite challenging backdrop

-- During the Period we completed five new lettings, comprising 10,381 sq ft, delivering contracted rent of GBP576,803 in line with 31 March 2023 ERVs.

-- Despite this activity, vacancy increased across the portfolio to 18.5% (31 March 2023: 16.1%) at 30 September 2023.

-- S i nce the Period end, we have let the 9(th) floor (13,408 sq ft) at The JJ Mack Building, EC1 for 10 years to Corio Generation, a subsidiary of Macquarie Group, at a 2.3% premium to 31 March 2023 ERVs, and have a further three floors (68,002 sq ft) under offer to one tenant. On completion, the building will be c.60% let.

-- At The Bower, EC1 we have extended the lease to existing tenant Verkada by 10 years and have facilitated their expansion into an additional, adjacent floor. The vacant 14(th) floor is now under offer at a rent above 31 March 2023 ERV.

-- In October 2023, we exercised our right to forfeit the individual leases for the six floors let to WeWork at The Tower, EC1 following non-payment of rent for the September 2023 quarter. Subsequently, we have entered into a short-term licence arrangement with them and received a fee equivalent to the whole of the September quarter's rent and service charge due under the terms of the previous lease arrangements.

-- On the expiry of the WeWork licence arrangement, and following the departure of Baker McKenzie from 100 New Bridge Street, EC4 in anticipation of its redevelopment, the vacancy rate across the investment portfolio will rise to c.25%.

Sales

-- Subsequent to the Period end, we have sold the long leasehold interest in the retail units at Barts Square for GBP7.0m (our share GBP3.5m), bringing an end to the joint venture with Baupost, which built 235 apartments, three office buildings totalling 249,000 sq ft and 21,000 sq ft of retail across 10 units.

Portfolio Valuation

-- There was an average outward yield adjustment of 46bps at 30 September 2023 across the portfolio. This compares to the 75bps outward movement of City office prime yields, as reported by Savills for the Period.

100 New Bridge Street, EC4

-- At 100 New Bridge Street, EC4, we received planning approval from The City of London for our 194,000 sq ft scheme. The main construction contract and development financing facility are being finalised so that we can be ready to start construction in early 2024.

The Platinum Portfolio - TfL

-- On 11 July 2023, contracts were signed confirming Helical as Transport for London's ("TfL") commercial office joint venture partner. This long term partnership will see the delivery of new, high-quality and sustainable office space predominantly above or adjacent to key transport hubs. The first three development opportunities are:

- Bank OSD, EC4 - Located above the recently opened Bank Station entrance on Cannon Street. This eight storey office development will deliver 142,000 sq ft NIA over seven office floors, with typical floorplates of 22,500 sq ft, and 7,653 sq ft of terracing over three floors. A start on site is envisaged in October 2024.

- Southwark OSD, SE1 - Located above Southwark Station. The scheme has consent for a 222,000 sq ft NIA office building over 17 storeys. Feasibility studies are underway, looking at alternative approaches for the site.

- Paddington OSD, W2 - The 235,000 sq ft NIA scheme is to be built over the canal level eastern entrance to Paddington Station, opposite the Brunel Building. We intend to make minor changes to ensure we deliver a "best-in-class" scheme with enhanced amenities.

Financial Highlights

Earnings and Dividends

   --    IFRS loss of GBP93.1m (2022: profit of GBP17.2m), primarily driven by revaluation losses. 
   --    IFRS basic loss per share of 75.8p (2022: earnings of 14.1p). 
   --    EPRA earnings per share(1) of 1.1p (2022: 4.8p). 
   --    Interim dividend maintained at 3.05p per share (2022: 3.05p). 

Balance Sheet

   --    Net asset value down 17.5% to GBP502.3m (31 March 2023: GBP608.7m). 
   --    Total Accounting Return(1) on IFRS net assets of -15.9% (2022: 2.3%). 
   --    Total Accounting Return(1) on EPRA net tangible assets of -16.6% (2022: -2.5%). 
   --    EPRA net tangible asset value per share(1) down 17.0% to 409p (31 March 2023: 493p). 
   --    EPRA net disposal value per share(1) down 16.5% to 409p (31 March 2023: 490p). 

Financing

   --    See-through loan to value(1) of 33.5% (31 March 2023: 27.5%). 
   --    See-through net borrowings(1) of GBP249.6m (31 March 2023: GBP231.4m). 

-- Average maturity of the Group's share(1) of secured debt of 2.4 years (31 March 2023: 2.9 years).

   --    100% of drawn debt protected by interest rate hedging to expiry of facilities. 
   --    Gain in valuation of derivative financial instruments of GBP2.1m (2022: GBP26.6m). 
   --    See-through average cost of secured facilities(1) of 3.3% (31 March 2023: 3.4%). 
   --    Group's share(1) of cash and undrawn bank facilities of GBP226.7m (31 March 2023: GBP244.2m). 

Portfolio Update

   --    IFRS investment property portfolio value of GBP595.1m (31 March 2023: GBP681.7m). 

-- Our see-through investment portfolio(1) , valued at GBP745.6m (31 March 2023: GBP839.5m), declined 11.8% with yield expansion of 46bps offset by 1.8% ERV(1) growth.

   --    See-through portfolio WAULT(1) of 4.6 years (31 March 2023: 5.0 years). 

Sustainability Highlights

-- Good progress against targets set out in sustainability strategy "Built for the Future" and our aim to be a net zero carbon business by 2030.

-- Ranked 1(st) against our peers in the UK Office Listed sector for standing investments, as measured by GRESB, scoring 87% and receiving a 4 Star rating. Our developments received a score of 92% and also received a 4 Star rating.

   --    Retention of EPRA Sustainability BPR Gold rating. 

Interim Dividend Timetable

 
Announcement date      22 November 
                              2023 
Ex-dividend date       30 November 
                              2023 
Record date             1 December 
                              2023 
Dividend payment date   12 January 
                              2024 
 

A Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") is provided by Equiniti Financial Services Limited. The DRIP enables the Company's Shareholders to elect to have their cash dividend payments used to purchase the Company's shares. More information can be found at www.shareview.co.uk/info/drip .

For further information, please contact:

 
Helical plc                     020 7629 0113 
Gerald Kaye (Chief Executive) 
Tim Murphy (Chief Financial 
 Officer) 
 
Address:                        5 Hanover Square, London W1S 1HQ 
Website:                        www.helical.co.uk 
Twitter:                        @helicalplc 
 
FTI Consulting                  020 3727 1000 
Dido Laurimore/Richard Gotla/Andrew Davis 
schelical@fticonsulting.com 
 

Results Presentation

Helical will be holding a presentation for analysts and investors starting at 10:00am on Wednesday 22 November 2023 at the offices of FTI Consulting, 200 Aldersgate, Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD. If you would like to attend, please contact FTI Consulting on 020 3727 1000, or email schelical@fticonsulting.com

The presentation will be on the Company's website www.helical.co.uk and a live webcast and Q&A will also be available.

Webcast Link:

https://stream.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/64e620a4d584ef1a8fc186ab

Half Year Results Statement

At Helical, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and forms one of the key pillars of our strategy. With this in mind, we have taken the decision to cease mailing hard copies of our half year results reports to our Shareholders and other stakeholders unless specifically requested. Should you wish to receive a hard copy of our Results for the Half Year to 30 September 2023 by post, please email your request to companysecretary@helical.co.uk . An electronic version of our Results for the Half Year to 30 September 2023 is available on our website ( https://www.helical.co.uk/investors/results-and-presentations/ ).

1. See Glossary for definition of terms. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the UK and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. In common with usual and best practice in our sector, alternative performance measures have also been provided to supplement IFRS, some of which are based on the recommendations of the European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA"), with others designed to give additional information about the Group's share of assets and liabilities, income and expenses in subsidiaries and joint ventures.

Chief Executive's Statement

Overview

During the six months to 30 September 2023, there has been a painful readjustment in the investment market as valuation yields have increased to reflect movements in ten year gilts and five year swap rates, the pricing of which is correlated to real estate property yields.

There are signs, however, with inflation falling and predictions that CPI will be in low single figures by the end of 2024, that base rates have peaked and may start to fall sooner than the "higher for longer" commentators suggest, allowing yields to stabilise.

At Helical, the portfolio has seen an outward yield adjustment of 46bps since 31 March 2023, offset by 1.8% ERV growth, with both valuations and earnings impacted by increased vacancy in the portfolio, particularly as the result of our forfeiture of the leases to WeWork at The Bower, EC1. This proactive step has allowed us to regain control of the space, shortly before the tenant went into Chapter 11 in the US, and it enables us to determine the best future leasing strategy for this high quality space.

At the same time, we continue to let space at our most recently completed new development, The JJ Mack Building, EC1. Despite an increase in the time taken to negotiate commercial terms and complete the legal processes, we have made good progress in letting the space and at record rents for the Farringdon area, significantly in excess of the initial appraisal rental levels and above March 2023 ERVs.

The Half Year at Helical has also seen significant progress made across the development pipeline, including signing the joint venture with TfL's property company, "Places for London", and reviewing and refining plans for each of our projects. The selection of Helical as the joint venture partner for Places for London was a significant milestone, boosting our development pipeline by almost 600,000 sq ft, with the potential for additional schemes to be added to the joint venture in the future. This collaboration with TfL, one of London's largest landowners, is an endorsement of the Helical brand and recognises our track record of producing "best-in-class" successful developments across central London over many years.

Results for the Half Year

The loss after tax for the half year to 30 September 2023 was GBP93.1m (2022: profit GBP17.2m).

The see-through Total Property Return of -GBP84.8m (2022: +GBP4.0m), incorporating the Group's share of results of its joint ventures, includes see-through net rental income of GBP12.4m (2022: GBP18.2m), while developments generated see-through losses of GBP0.5m (2022: profit of GBP0.9m). The see-through net loss on sale and revaluation of the investment portfolio was GBP96.7m (2022: GBP15.1m).

See-through recurring administration costs, excluding performance related awards and NIC, were down 16.1% to GBP4.8m (2022: GBP5.8m). Including the charge for share based payments and NIC, total see-through administration costs were down 4.6%, to GBP5.8m (2022: GBP6.0m). Total see-through net finance costs reduced by 22% to GBP5.6m (2022: GBP7.2m) while an increase in expected future interest rates, as assessed at 30 September 2023, led to a GBP2.1m gain (2022: GBP26.6m) in the valuation of the Group's derivative financial instruments.

There was an IFRS basic loss per share of 75.8p (2022: earnings of 14.1p) and an EPRA earnings per share of 1.1p (2022: 4.8p).

On a like-for-like basis, the see-through investment portfolio fell in value by 11.8%, reflecting yield expansion of 46bps offset by 1.8% ERV growth.

EPRA net tangible assets ("NTA") per share were down 17.0% to 409p (31 March 2023: 493p), with EPRA net disposal value ("NDV") per share down 16.5% to 409p (31 March 2023: 490p). The Total Accounting Return ("TAR") for the Period, being the growth in the IFRS net asset value of the Group, plus dividends paid in the Period, was -15.9% (2022: 2.3%). Based on EPRA NTA per share, the TAR was

-16.6% (2022: -2.5%).

Balance Sheet Strength and Liquidity

At 30 September 2023, the Group had GBP226.7m (31 March 2023: GBP244.2m) of cash and agreed, undrawn, committed bank facilities, including its share in joint ventures, available to fund capital works on its portfolio and future acquisitions.

The see-through loan to value ratio ("LTV") increased to 33.5% at the balance sheet date (31 March 2023: 27.5%) and our see-through net gearing, the ratio of net borrowings to the net asset value of the Group, increased to 49.7% (31 March 2023: 38.0%) over the same period.

At the Period end, the average debt maturity on secured loans, on a see-through basis, was 2.4 years (31 March 2023: 2.9 years). The average cost of debt, on a see-through basis, at 30 September 2023 was 3.3% (31 March 2023: 3.4%).

Dividends

Helical seeks to maximise value by successfully letting redeveloped or comprehensively refurbished property. Once stabilised, these assets are either retained for their long-term income and reversionary potential or sold to recycle equity into new schemes.

This recycling leads to fluctuations in our EPRA earnings per share, as the calculation of these earnings excludes capital profits or losses generated from the sale and revaluation of assets. As such both EPRA earnings and accumulated realised capital profits are considered when determining the payment of any dividend in excess of the Property Income Distribution requirement.

In the Period to 30 September 2023, EPRA earnings per share fell to 1.1p (2022: 4.8p), mainly reflecting the impact of the forfeiture of the leases to WeWork at The Bower, EC1 and the sale of Kaleidoscope, EC1 in September 2022. No investment assets were sold during the Period.

In the light of the reduced earnings, the Board has approved an Interim Dividend of 3.05p per share, the same level as in 2022. This dividend is to be paid out of EPRA earnings and accumulated realised capital profits. The Property Income Distribution ("PID") for the six months to 30 September 2023 will be 0.50p, with the balance of the Interim Dividend of 2.55p representing an additional ordinary dividend.

The Opportunity

Occupational demands are evolving in the office sector, with tenants using their premises to optimise the work experience for their employees. Amenity, connectivity, service and sustainability are encouraging businesses towards new buildings. At the same time, buildings that provide a poorer working environment are driving occupiers away. This bifurcation of the market between the "best-in-class" and the rest is accelerating with rental growth continuing for the "best" and values falling for the rest. This will provide opportunities to acquire potential developments and major refurbishments at levels that allow for strong capital returns.

We have experienced a further significant outward yield movement in the Period, and while interest from potential occupiers has been encouraging, lease negotiations are taking longer to conclude. However, having taken the pain of reductions in value, Helical is now well positioned to drive growth through the letting of the vacant space in its investment portfolio.

At The JJ Mack Building, EC1, a prime example of a "best-in-class" building, recent letting progress has been encouraging and we will be c.60% let once the current space under offer completes in December. Each letting to date has exceeded the applicable ERV and the recent letting of the 9(th) floor sets a record rent for the sub-market. By concluding these lettings, the existing 25bps yield differential between vacant and let space will unwind providing a significant positive impact on valuations. Similarly, upon re-letting the WeWork space at The Bower, EC1, the capital value will be enhanced as the yield differential is removed and contracted rent increases towards its ERV of c.GBP24m, which is significantly in excess of our total annualised recurring administration and finance costs.

Our development pipeline is expected to provide surpluses for the foreseeable future. Scheduled to start in 2024 and be delivered from late 2025 onwards, this pipeline will be supplemented with additional "equity-light" opportunities as building owners seek specialists in office development and refurbishment to partner with them to maximise the value of their assets. In addition, banks and other financial institutions with non-performing assets should provide additional opportunities for Helical to create value.

The balance sheet is in good shape and maintaining financial discipline remains at the forefront of Helical's approach. Recycling equity and seeking third party financing to fund the pipeline of opportunities will allow the Company to grow the business while containing gearing to appropriate levels.

There remains a shortage of "best-in-class" newly refurbished or redeveloped office space in central London. With an experienced management team, a substantial development pipeline with optionality over timing and funding, and no legacy assets requiring investment to meet minimum sustainability standards, Helical is well positioned to capitalise on current cyclical opportunities.

Gerald Kaye

Chief Executive

22 November 2023

Our Market

General overview

During the Period, the central London office market experienced significant headwinds as geopolitical and economic events continued to weigh on sentiment towards the sector.

While the economic environment for real estate remains challenging, the fundamentals of the central London office occupier market remain robust with Q3 2023 experiencing the highest levels of take-up so far this year and active requirements surpassing 10 million sq ft as occupiers continue to seek "best-in-class" space for their employees.

Investment Market

The investment market continues to be impacted by higher interest rates and general economic uncertainty. Investment volumes in the three quarters to 30 September 2023 have been subdued, totalling GBP3.8bn in central London. This is 74% below the 10 year average as reported by CBRE. This lack of activity has led to further uncertainty over appropriate asset valuations as comparable evidence remains scarce.

Savills prime equivalent yields show that, over the last six months, the City office yield has moved out 75bps to 5.25%. The MSCI London City Equivalent Yield, which includes both prime and non-prime office buildings, has moved out 90bps over the last six months, while our portfolio yield expanded by 46bps, highlighting that "best-in-class" yields have been less impacted.

The consensus opinion that interest rates will remain at higher levels for an extended period has added significant costs to project appraisals, suppressing investor appetite for new acquisitions and undertaking capital expenditure projects of scale. However, debt markets remain open, with an increasingly diverse lender pool seeking the opportunity to deploy capital, albeit lenders are being increasingly discerning about their choice of counterparty.

Occupational Market

Despite a challenging economic backdrop, the occupational market has remained relatively robust and the latest figures show, as at 30 September 2023, there is 10.6 million sq ft of active requirements for space across central London, up 42% compared to a year earlier. The trend towards "best-in-class" office space continues and is evidenced by CBRE's Q3 2023 figures, showing a decline in availability of newly completed space to 4.0 million sq ft, while second-hand space availability stood much higher, at 17.3 million sq ft, well above the long-term average of 11.1 million sq ft.

Banking, finance and professional services remain the most active sectors, making up 73% of active requirements in the market as at the end of Q3 2023.

Businesses continue to encourage workers to return to the office, with an increasing number of firms revising their working from home policies. Occupiers remain focused upon providing their employees with the optimal workplace environment and continue to seek buildings with the highest levels of amenity, connectivity, service and sustainability, which align to the characteristics of our existing portfolio and is a trend we can continue to capitalise on through our development pipeline.

New build vacancy rates continue to remain at low levels at 1.6%, comparing favourably to an overall vacancy rate of 9.6% (4.0% above the 10 year average). This shortage is translating into tenants' willingness to pay increasing rents for "best-in-class" accommodation. JLL has seen 49% of all H1 2023 letting deals completed at or above the prime rent, against a long term average of 30% and CBRE forecast annualised rental growth of 4-5% for central London over the next five years.

Development Pipeline

CBRE reports 3.9 million sq ft of developments and major refurbishments completed in the first nine months of the year, marginally higher than the comparable periods over the last two years. In addition, there is around 13.7m sq ft of space under construction across central London, with 39% of this space already let or under offer, further illustrating the strength of demand for new space.

Recent sustained construction cost inflation, driven by strong demand, supply chain disruption, tight labour markets and volatile energy costs seem to be moderating, but when coupled with interest rate rises, the viability of development remains challenging.

We continue to expect a clear medium term demand/supply imbalance for "best-in-class" space of which we will look to take advantage. For many, however, the market conditions mean new starts will be paused until it is evident there is sufficient rental growth to support viable returns.

The challenging planning environment also continues to elongate development timelines and limit the future pipeline of new development stock. Occupiers continue to require newly developed or refurbished offices that are well located and have good amenities; this will exacerbate the scarcity. The opportunity to work with TfL to develop a portfolio of new consented schemes adjacent to key transport infrastructure provides the opportunity to seize upon these trends by delivering new "best-in-class" space into supply constrained sub-markets.

Sustainability requirements will also continue to drive redevelopment with around 75% of central London space currently below an EPC B rating, meaning there will be significant works required to upgrade the existing unsustainable buildings. Many assets with upcoming lease events face obsolescence and owners will be required to invest considerable capital to bring these assets back to the market to the appropriate standard.

Conclusion

Our portfolio focuses on "best-in-class", sustainable buildings and our extensive development pipeline ensures that we are well placed to outperform the market in the current environment. Furthermore, Helical has the necessary expertise and established track record to take advantage of the opportunities that we expect to emerge in the future, partnering with land owners to minimise equity and maximise returns.

Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon

We continue to make good progress against the targets we set out in our sustainability strategy "Built for the Future" and our aim to become a net zero carbon business by 2030. With a pipeline of new developments and major refurbishments, we are continuing to challenge carbon emissions across these projects with the aspiration of meeting our embodied carbon target of 600kgco(2) e/m(2) and energy intensity target of 90kWh/m(2) .

For GRESB, we have again been ranked the number one company in the UK Office Listed sector, scoring 87% and receiving a 4 Star rating in the annual sustainability performance index for our standing investment properties. Alongside this, we received a score of 92% for our development activities resulting in a 4 Star rating. This downgrade from the prior year reflects the application of more onerous criteria and we have identified where improvements can be made for the future.

For our sustainability reporting, we received a Gold Award for the third consecutive year from EPRA's Sustainability Best Practice Recommendations (sBPR). The EPRA sBPR is intended to raise the standards and consistency of sustainability reporting for listed real estate companies across Europe.

Our portfolio is well placed in terms of energy efficiency, with 99% of our assets (by value) already compliant with the proposed legislative requirement that all rented commercial buildings achieve a minimum EPC rating of B by 2030. Research has highlighted that c.75% of current office stock in London has an EPC C or below, with significant capital outlay likely to be required to take non-compliant buildings up to the minimum standard. In addition to strong EPC ratings, 99% of our assets (by value) hold a BREEAM certification, with 88% being "Outstanding" or "Excellent" (excluding 100 New Bridge Street, EC4, which is to be refurbished).

Furthermore, in partnership with Places for London, TfL's commercial property company, we will deliver market leading buildings with exemplary ESG credentials, including BREEAM, NABERS and WELL certifications. It is intended that all sites will be developed on a net zero carbon basis and promote circular economy principles, operating to the highest efficiency with the aid of all-electric solutions and on-site renewables, as well as promoting health and wellbeing.

Helical's Property Portfolio - 30 September 2023

Property Overview

Helical's "best-in-class" portfolio comprises income-producing multi-let offices, refurbishments and developments across central London. We have a development pipeline of 790,000 sq ft of consented schemes following the establishment of our strategic joint venture with TfL's commercial property company, Places for London. Our portfolio is focused on areas of central London where we see strong tenant demand and growth potential for our amenity rich, technologically advanced and highly sustainable office schemes.

The Platinum Portfolio

On 11 July 2023, contracts were signed confirming Helical as Places for London's commercial office joint venture partner. This long term partnership will see the delivery of new high-quality and sustainable office space above key transport hubs. At inception, the joint venture consists of three new commercial office development opportunities, namely:

Bank OSD, EC4

Located above the recently opened Bank Station entrance on Cannon Street, this eight storey office development will deliver 142,000 sq ft NIA over seven office floors, with typical floorplates of 22,500 sq ft and 7,653 sq ft of terracing over three floors. We are looking to make minor changes to the existing permission to enhance the arrival facilities and amenity and incorporate a shared space on Abchurch Lane. A start on site is envisaged in October 2024.

Southwark OSD, SE1

Located above Southwark Station, the scheme has consent for a 222,000 sq ft NIA office building over 17 storeys. Feasibility studies are underway, looking at alternative approaches for the site's development. It is to be drawn down in July 2025 and it is expected that any revision to the planning permission will be obtained by then.

Paddington OSD, W2

The 235,000 sq ft NIA scheme is to be built over the canal level eastern entrance to Paddington Station, opposite the Brunel Building. Planning permission was granted in 2015 for the 19 storey building with 15 floors of office accommodation and we are looking at making minor changes to this consent in order to provide a visually striking, "best-in-class" scheme with enhanced amenities and terracing. The site drawdown is scheduled for January 2026.

The JJ Mack Building, EC1

Our most recently completed office development, The JJ Mack Building, is one of London's smartest and most sustainable new office buildings. The 206,050 sq ft office building was developed in a joint venture with AshbyCapital.

The sixth and seventh floors, comprising 37,880 sq ft, are let to Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, for their new London office and they are progressing their fit-out works with the aim of taking occupation in Q1 2024.

Subsequent to the Period end, we completed a letting of the ninth floor, comprising 13,408 sq ft, to Corio Generation, a subsidiary of Macquarie Group. In addition, the first, second and third floors are under offer and due to formally sign in early December.

The building is situated just 150m from Farringdon Station and the Elizabeth Line, providing occupiers with unparalleled connectivity. Its construction has utilised design, technology and operational practices that have created a market leading sustainable property. This commitment to sustainability has been recognised by a BREEAM 2018 New Construction "Outstanding" rating at design stage which is currently being certified, an EPC A rating and an anticipated NABERS 5 Star rating. It also provides a technologically pioneering environment for occupiers with smart building systems and a fully integrated building management app for tenants.

100 New Bridge Street, EC4

We received planning approval from The City of London in June 2023 for our next "best-in-class" office development, located adjacent to City Thameslink and a short walk from Farringdon and Blackfriars stations. Two new floors will be added to the building, increasing the net internal area from 167,026 sq ft to 194,000 sq ft. The main construction contract and development financing facility are being finalised so that we can be ready to start construction in early 2024.

The major refurbishment will achieve the highest standards of sustainability through the retention of the existing structure and the reuse of materials where possible. Three facades will be reclad to significantly increase the thermal performance of the building and the building systems will be replaced with the latest technology to provide the best operational energy efficiency. The new building will provide high-quality tenant amenities, including extensive cycle parking, changing facilities and extensive outside space to create a new "best-in-class" office building.

The Bower, EC1

The Bower comprises 312,573 sq ft of innovative, high quality office space along with 21,059 sq ft of restaurant and retail space. The estate is located adjacent to the Old Street roundabout which has been undergoing significant works that are due to complete in early 2024, providing extensive additional public realm to occupiers.

The Warehouse and The Studio

The Warehouse and The Studio comprise 141,141 sq ft of fully-let office space. In addition, there is 10,298 sq ft of retail space across the buildings with these units also being fully let following two lettings in the Period to a restaurant operator and a hair and beauty studio.

The Tower

The Tower offers 171,432 sq ft of office space with a contemporary façade and innovatively designed interconnecting floors, along with 10,761 sq ft of retail space across two units, let to food and beverage operators Serata Hall and Wagamama.

In the Period, we have extended the lease on the 17(th) floor with Verkada by 10 years and facilitated their expansion into the 16(th) floor. The 14(th) floor is now under offer to Incubeta who are relocating from the 16(th) floor. These asset management initiatives extend the WAULT across 32,201 sq ft and achieve rents at a premium to the March 2023 ERVs.

On 27 October 2023, following non-payment of rent for the September quarter, we exercised our right to forfeit the individual leases for six floors let to WeWork. Subsequently, we entered into a short-term licence arrangement with them, to re-occupy the space, following Helical's receipt of a fee equivalent to the whole of the September quarter's rent and service charge due under the terms of the previous contractual arrangements.

Barts Square, EC1

In the Period, we completed the sale of the last residential unit thereby ending our involvement in the residential elements of the scheme.

The retail component has nine units, with a variety of occupiers including Michelin-Starred Restaurant St Barts, Lap Bikes, MyLuthier and Athletic Fitness. One unit has become available in the Period, with an additional unit under offer to Italian Taste as at 30 September 2023. Since the Period end, we have sold the long leasehold interest in the retail units for their book value of GBP7m. This was our last remaining interest in Barts Square.

This enables us to conclude our joint venture with Baupost which started in 2011. This joint venture built 235 apartments, three office buildings totalling 249,000 sq ft and 21,000 sq ft of retail across 10 units. Through outperformance, we increased our share of profit from our 33% equity participation to 44% and made a total profit of GBP41m with a 26% IRR.

The Loom, E1

This former Victorian wool warehouse offers 108,555 sq ft of office space and we continue with our active management approach to this asset, with vacancy currently at 37%. Whilst 16,009 sq ft became vacant during the Period, we have completed three new lettings, totalling 7,443 sq ft, in line with March 2023 ERVs.

25 Charterhouse Square, EC1

25 Charterhouse Square comprises 42,921 sq ft of offices adjacent to the newly operational Farringdon East Elizabeth Line station, overlooking the historic Charterhouse Square. The building is 85% let with the fourth floor available following a comprehensive refurbishment.

The Power House, W4

The Power House is a listed building, providing 21,268 sq ft of office and recording studio space, on Chiswick High Road and is fully let on a long lease to Metropolis Music Group.

Portfolio Analytics

See-through Total Portfolio by Fair Value

 
                           Investment         Development         Total 
                                 GBPm      %         GBPm      %   GBPm      % 
-------------------------  ----------  -----  -----------  -----  -----  ----- 
London Offices 
 - Completed properties         626.4   84.0            -    0.0  626.4   84.0 
 - Development pipeline         119.0   16.0            -    0.0  119.0   16.0 
Total London Core               745.4  100.0            -    0.0  745.4  100.0 
Other                             0.2    0.0          0.3  100.0    0.5    0.0 
------------------------- 
Total Non-Core Portfolio          0.2    0.0          0.3  100.0    0.5    0.0 
-------------------------  ----------  -----  -----------  -----  -----  ----- 
Total                           745.6  100.0          0.3  100.0  745.9  100.0 
-------------------------  ----------  -----  -----------  -----  -----  ----- 
 

See-through Land and Development Portfolio

 
                        Book value  Fair value  Surplus  Fair value 
                              GBPm        GBPm     GBPm           % 
----------------------  ----------  ----------  -------  ---------- 
Land and developments          0.0         0.3      0.3       100.0 
---------------------- 
Total                          0.0         0.3      0.3       100.0 
----------------------  ----------  ----------  -------  ---------- 
 

Capital Expenditure

We have a committed and planned development and refurbishment programme.

 
                                     Capex         Remaining                                       Total 
                                    budget             spend                             New   completed 
                           (Helical share)   (Helical share)  Pre-redeveloped space    space       space  Commencement 
Property                              GBPm              GBPm                  sq ft    sq ft       sq ft          date 
------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------------  -------  ----------  ------------ 
Investment - committed 
site acquisitions 
- Bank OSD, EC4                       32.9              32.9                      -  142,000     142,000       Q4 2024 
- Southwark OSD, SE1                  11.0              11.0                      -  222,000     222,000       Q4 2025 
- Paddington OSD, W2                  30.2              30.2                      -  235,000     235,000       Q2 2026 
Investment - planned 
capital expenditure 
- 100 New Bridge Street, 
 EC4                                 134.9             120.6                167,026   26,974     194,000       Q1 2024 
- Bank OSD, EC4                       59.3              59.3                      -  142,000     142,000       Q4 2024 
- Southwark OSD, SE1                 123.9             123.9                      -  222,000     222,000       Q4 2025 
- Paddington OSD, W2                 123.2             123.2                      -  235,000     235,000       Q2 2026 
------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------------  -------  ----------  ------------ 
 

Asset Management

Asset management is a critical component in driving Helical's performance. Through having well considered business plans and maximising the combined skills of our management team, we are able to create value in our assets.

 
                               Fair 
                              value  Passing                                                   ERV change 
                          weighting     rent         Contracted rent           ERV          like-for-like 
  Investment portfolio            %     GBPm      %             GBPm      %   GBPm      %               % 
-----------------------  ----------  -------  -----  ---------------  -----  -----  -----  -------------- 
London Offices 
- Completed properties         84.0     26.6   78.8          30.9(1)   81.2   43.6   71.0             0.3 
- Development pipeline         16.0      7.1   21.1           7.1(2)   18.7   17.8   28.9             5.6 
Total London                  100.0     33.7   99.9             38.0   99.9   61.4   99.9             1.8 
Other                           0.0      0.0    0.1              0.0    0.1    0.1    0.1             0.0 
-----------------------  ----------  -------  -----  ---------------  -----  -----  -----  -------------- 
Total                         100.0     33.7  100.0             38.0  100.0   61.5  100.0             1.8 
-----------------------  ----------  -------  -----  ---------------  -----  -----  -----  -------------- 
 

(1) Following the forfeiture of the leases to WeWork at The Bower, EC1 post Period end, the contracted rent reduced to GBP26.9m.

(2) In accordance with the business plan to redevelop 100 New Bridge Street, EC4 the Baker McKenzie lease will terminate on 31 December 2023, reducing the contracted rent by GBP7.1m.

 
                                                                  See-through 
                                              total portfolio contracted rent 
                                                                         GBPm 
-------------------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
Rent lost at break/expiry                                               (1.7) 
Rent reviews and uplifts on lease renewals                                0.1 
New lettings                                                              0.6 
-------------------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
Net decrease in the period                                           (1.0)(1) 
-------------------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 

(1) Following the forfeiture of the leases to WeWork at The Bower, EC1 post Period end, the contracted rent reduced by a further GBP4.0m.

Investment Portfolio

Valuation Movements

 
                                    Investment portfolio  Investment portfolio 
                         Valuation             weighting             weighting 
                            change     30 September 2023         31 March 2023 
                                 %                     %                     % 
-----------------------  ---------  --------------------  -------------------- 
London Offices 
- Completed properties      (10.6)                  84.0                  83.4 
- Development pipeline      (17.7)                  16.0                  16.6 
-----------------------  ---------  --------------------  -------------------- 
Total                       (11.8)                 100.0                 100.0 
-----------------------  ---------  --------------------  -------------------- 
 

Portfolio Yields

 
                 EPRA topped   EPRA topped    Reversionary   Reversionary 
                      up NIY        up NIY           yield          yield   True equivalent yield   True equivalent yield 
                30 September      31 March    30 September       31 March            30 September                31 March 
                        2023          2023            2023           2023                    2023                    2023 
                           %             %               %              %                       %                       % 
------------  --------------  ------------  --------------  -------------  ----------------------  ---------------------- 
London 
Offices 
- Completed 
 properties              4.0           4.1             6.3            5.7                     6.0                     5.6 
- 
 Development 
 pipeline                1.4           3.6             5.7            5.1                     5.4                     4.9 
------------  --------------  ------------  --------------  -------------  ----------------------  ---------------------- 
Total                    3.5           4.0             6.1            5.5                     5.9                     5.4 
------------  --------------  ------------  --------------  -------------  ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 

See-through Capital Values, Vacancy Rates and Unexpired Lease Terms

 
                          Capital value   Capital value    Vacancy rate   Vacancy rate           WAULT       WAULT 
                           30 September        31 March    30 September       31 March    30 September    31 March 
                                   2023            2023            2023           2023            2023        2023 
                                GBP psf         GBP psf               %              %           Years       Years 
-----------------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
London Offices 
- Completed properties            1,058           1,166            22.8           19.8             5.6         5.8 
- Development pipeline              712             835             2.6            2.6             0.2         0.7 
-----------------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
Total                               994           1,104         18.5(1)           16.1          4.6(2)         5.0 
-----------------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
   (1)    Vacancy rate increases to 26.0% following the forfeiture of the WeWork leases. 

(2) Total WAULT falls to 3.2 years following the forfeiture of the WeWork leases.

See-through Lease Expiries or Tenant Break Options

 
                               Half year to  Year to  Year to  Year to  Year to     2028 
                                       2024     2025     2026     2027     2028   onward 
-----------------------------  ------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
% of rent roll                         25.7     13.1      3.3     13.5     32.8     11.7 
Number of leases                         18       15        8       10       14       16 
Average rent per lease (GBP)        439,953  268,980  126,469  414,517  722,555  224,462 
-----------------------------  ------------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

Includes impact of the forfeiture of the WeWork leases and the expiry of the lease to Baker McKenzie on 31 December 2023.

Top 15 Tenants

At 30 September 2023, the top 15 tenants account for 81.6% of the total rent roll.

 
                                              Contracted rent  Rent roll 
  Rank  Tenant            Tenant industry                GBPm          % 
------  ----------------  ------------------  ---------------  --------- 
1       Baker McKenzie*   Legal services                  7.0       18.4 
2       Farfetch          Online retail                   4.3       11.4 
3       WeWork*           Flexible offices                4.0       10.5 
4       Brilliant Basics  Technology                      2.4        6.2 
5       VMware            Technology                      2.2        5.7 
6       Partner Group     Financial Services              1.9        5.0 
7       Anomaly           Marketing                       1.5        3.9 
8       Viacom            Technology                      1.2        3.1 
9       Allegis           Media                           1.1        2.8 
10      Denstu            Marketing                       1.1        2.8 
11      Stripe            Financial services              1.0        2.6 
12      Verkada           Technology                      1.0        2.5 
13      Incubeta          Marketing                       0.9        2.4 
14      Openpayd          Financial services              0.9        2.3 
15      Stenn             Technology                      0.8        2.0 
Total                                                    31.3       81.6 
------------------------  ------------------  ---------------  --------- 
 

* Leases expire on or before 31 December 2023.

Letting Activity - New Leases Completed During the Period

 
                                                                                      Change to 
                                                                              31 March 2023 ERV 
                                         Contracted rent                 (exc Plug and Play and                Average 
                                Area   (Helical's share)      Rent            managed lettings)   lease term to expiry 
                               sq ft                 GBP   GBP psf                            %                  Years 
----------------------------  ------  ------------------  --------  ---------------------------  --------------------- 
Investment Properties 
London Offices 
- The Loom, E1                 7,443             446,803     60.03                          0.1                    4.0 
                              ------  ------------------  --------  ---------------------------  --------------------- 
London Offices Total           7,443             446,803     60.03                          0.1                    4.0 
London Retail 
- The Warehouse, The Bower, 
 EC1                           2,938             130,000     44.25                        (3.7)                    5.0 
----------------------------  ------  ------------------  --------  ---------------------------  --------------------- 
London Retail Total            2,938             130,000     44.25                        (3.7)                    5.0 
Total                         10,381             576,803     55.56                        (2.1)                    4.2 
----------------------------  ------  ------------------  --------  ---------------------------  --------------------- 
 

Financial Review

 
 IFRS Performance                EPRA Performance 
 Loss after tax                  EPRA profit 
  GBP93.1m (2022: profit of       GBP1.4m (2022: GBP5.8m) 
  GBP17.2m) 
 Loss per share (EPS)            EPRA EPS 
  75.8p (2022: earnings of        1.1p (2022: 4.8p) 
  14.1p) 
 Diluted NAV per share           EPRA NTA per share 
  409p (31 March 2023: 489p)      409p (31 March 2023: 493p) 
 Total Accounting Return         Total Accounting Return on 
  -15.9% (2022: 2.3%)             EPRA NTA 
                                  -16.6% (2022: -2.5%) 
                                ---------------------------- 
 

Overview

Against a challenging backdrop, the results for the half year reflect the outward yield shift experienced across the office sector through investment property valuation losses, coupled with the effect on net rental income of the forfeiture of the WeWork leases. This impact was partially offset by reductions in administrative costs (excluding performance related awards) and finance costs. The rise in interest rates during the Period has resulted in a small gain on the fair value of derivatives, which continue to protect the Company against the current high level of interest rates.

Results for the Period

The IFRS loss for the Period of GBP93.1m (2022: profit of GBP17.2m) includes revenue from rental income, service charges and development management fees of GBP19.2m, offset by direct costs of GBP7.8m to give a net property income of GBP11.4m (2022: GBP18.8m). Other income of GBP0.9m (2022: GBPnil), from the sub-letting of part of the Company's head office, was recognised in the Period. There was a net loss on sale and revaluation of investment properties of GBP93.4m (2022: GBP30.4m) and the loss from joint venture activities was GBP4.5m (2022: gain of GBP15.1m). Administration expenses of GBP5.6m (2022: GBP5.6m) and net finance costs of GBP4.0m (2022: GBP7.3m), were offset by a gain in the fair value of derivatives of GBP2.1m (2022: GBP26.6m).

The Group holds a significant proportion of its property assets in joint ventures. As the risk and rewards of ownership of these underlying properties are the same as those it wholly owns, Helical supplements its IFRS disclosure with a "see-through" analysis of alternative performance measures, which looks through the structure to show the Group's share of the underlying business.

The see-through results for the Period to 30 September 2023 include net rental income of GBP12.4m, a net loss on sale and revaluation of the investment portfolio of GBP96.7m and development losses of GBP0.5m, leading to a Total Property Return of -GBP84.8m (2022: GBP4.0m). Other income of GBP0.9m less total see-through administration costs of GBP5.8m (2022: GBP6.0m) and see-through net finance costs of GBP5.6m (2022: GBP7.2m) plus see-through gains from the mark-to-market valuation of derivative financial instruments of GBP2.1m (2022: GBP26.6m) contributed to an IFRS loss of GBP93.1m (2022: profit of GBP17.2m).

The interim dividend, payable on 12 January 2024, will be 3.05p per share (2022: 3.05p), unchanged from last year.

The EPRA net tangible asset value per share decreased by 17% to 409p (31 March 2023: 493p).

The Group's investment portfolio, including its share of assets held in joint ventures, decreased to GBP745.6m (31 March 2023: GBP839.5m) primarily due to the net loss on revaluation of the investment portfolio of GBP96.7m after lease incentives of GBP3.5m, offset by capital expenditure on the investment portfolio of GBP6.3m.

The Group's see-through loan to value at 30 September 2023 was 33.5% (31 March 2023: 27.5%). The Group's weighted average cost of debt at 30 September 2023 was 3.3% (31 March 2023: 3.4%) and the weighted average debt maturity was 2.4 years (31 March 2023: 2.9 years).

At 30 September 2023, the Group had unutilised bank facilities of GBP187.5m and cash of GBP39.2m on a see-through basis. These are primarily available to fund future property acquisitions and capital expenditure.

Total Property Return

We calculate our Total Property Return to enable us to assess the aggregate of income and capital profits made each period from our property activities. Our business is primarily aimed at producing surpluses in the value of our assets through asset management and development, with the income side of the business seeking to cover our annual administration and finance costs.

 
                        Half year  Half year 
                               to         to 
                             2023       2022 
                             GBPm       GBPm 
----------------------  ---------  --------- 
Total Property Return      (84.8)        4.0 
----------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

Total Accounting Return

Total Accounting Return is the growth in the net asset value of the Group plus dividends paid in the Period, expressed as a percentage of the net asset value at the beginning of the Period. The metric measures the growth in Shareholders' Funds in each period and is expressed as an absolute percentage.

 
                                              Half year to  Half year to 
                                                      2023          2022 
                                                         %             % 
-------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
Total Accounting Return on IFRS net assets          (15.9)           2.3 
-------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

Total Accounting Return on EPRA net tangible assets is the growth in the EPRA net tangible asset value of the Group plus dividends paid in the period, expressed as a percentage of the EPRA net tangible asset value at the beginning of the period.

 
                                                       Half year to  Half year to 
                                                               2023          2022 
                                                                  %             % 
----------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
Total Accounting Return on EPRA net tangible assets          (16.6)         (2.5) 
----------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

Earnings/(Loss) Per Share

The IFRS earnings/(loss) per share decreased from earnings of 14.1p to a loss of 75.8p and is based on the after tax (loss)/earnings attributable to ordinary Shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the Period.

On an EPRA basis, the earnings per share is 1.1p compared to 4.8p in 2022, reflecting a decrease in the Group's share of net rental income to GBP12.4m (2022: GBP18.2m) plus development losses of GBP0.5m (2022: profit of GBP0.9m), but excluding losses on sale and revaluation of Investment properties of GBP96.7m (2022: GBP15.1m).

Net Asset Value

IFRS diluted net asset value per share decreased to 409p per share (31 March 2023: 489p) and is a measure of Shareholders' Funds divided by the number of shares in issue at the Period end, adjusted to allow for the effect of all dilutive share awards.

EPRA net tangible asset value per share decreased to 409p per share (31 March 2023: 493p). This

movement arose principally from a total comprehensive expense (retained losses) of GBP93.1m (2023:

GBP64.5m), less GBP9.5m of dividends (2023: GBP13.8m).

EPRA net disposal value per share decreased by 16.5% to 409p per share (31 March 2023: 490p).

Income Statement

Rental Income and Property Overheads

Gross rental income for the Group in respect of wholly owned properties decreased to GBP12.8m (2022: GBP19.2m), with gross rents in joint ventures increasing to GBP0.9m (2022: GBP0.3m). Property overheads in respect of wholly owned assets and in respect of those assets in joint ventures remained at GBP1.3m (2022: GBP1.3m). Overall, see-through net rents decreased to GBP12.4m (2022: GBP18.2m).

Included within gross rental income is a reduction of GBP4.3m (30 September 2022: addition of GBP2.5m, 31 March 2023: addition of GBP1.7m) of accrued income for rent free periods including an adjustment of GBP2.9m relating to the forfeited leases to WeWork.

The table below demonstrates the movement of the see-through accrued income balance for rent free periods granted and the respective rental income adjustment over the period to 31 March 2027, based on the tenant leases as at 30 September 2023. The actual adjustment will vary depending on lease events such as new lettings and early terminations and future acquisitions or disposals.

 
                            Accrued 
                             income  Adjustment to rental income 
                             GBP000                       GBP000 
--------------------------  -------  --------------------------- 
6 months to 31 March 2024    10,678                         (68) 
Year to 31 March 2025        10,610                        (328) 
Year to 31 March 2026        10,282                      (2,188) 
Year to 31 March 2027         8,094                      (2,125) 
--------------------------  -------  --------------------------- 
 

Rent Collection

 
                          March 2023 - September 
                                            2023 
                                        quarters 
                                               % 
------------------------  ---------------------- 
Rent collected to date                      98.8 
Rent under payment plan                      0.8 
Rent under discussion                        0.4 
------------------------  ---------------------- 
 

At 22 November 2023, the Group had collected 98.8% of all rent contracted and payable for the March, June and September 2023 quarters.

Development Profits

During the Period, a profit of GBP0.6m on a legacy retail scheme at East Ham and a close out payment for the site at Kingswinford of GBP0.1m were recognised. These were offset by a write back of the expected development management fee at The JJ Mack Building, EC1 of GBP1.2m, recognised in previous periods, which led to a net development loss of GBP0.5m (2022: profit of GBP0.9m).

Share of Results of Joint Ventures

The revaluation of our Investment properties held in joint ventures generated a deficit of GBP3.3m (2022: surplus of GBP15.3m). A profit of GBP0.1m (2022: profit of GBP0.2m) was recognised in respect of the final apartment sale at our Barts Square, EC1 residential development. Net rental income of GBP0.5m (2022: GBP0.1m) was recognised.

Finance, administration and other sundry costs totalling GBP1.8m (2022: GBP0.3m) were incurred and after a tax charge of GBPnil (2022: GBP0.1m), there was a net loss from our joint ventures of GBP4.5m (2022: profit of GBP15.1m).

Loss on Sale and Revaluation of Investment Properties

The loss on valuation of our investment portfolio on a see-through basis resulted in an overall loss on sale and revaluation, including in joint ventures, of GBP96.7m (2022: GBP15.1m).

Administrative Expenses

Administration costs in the Group, before performance related awards, decreased by 12.5% from GBP5.3m to GBP4.7m.

Performance related share awards and bonus payments, before National Insurance costs, increased to GBP0.8m (2022: GBP0.2m). Of this amount, GBP0.7m (2022: GBP0.1m), being the charge for share awards under the Performance Share Plan, which, currently are not expected to vest, is expensed through the Income Statement but added back to Shareholders' Funds through the Statement of Changes in Equity.

 
                                                                    2023     2022 
                                                                  GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Administrative expenses (excluding performance related awards)     4,655    5,323 
Performance related awards                                           793      220 
NIC                                                                  122       41 
Group                                                              5,570    5,584 
In joint ventures                                                    188      452 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total                                                              5,758    6,036 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Finance Costs, Finance Income and Change in Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments

Net finance costs excluding changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, including in joint ventures, reduced to GBP5.6m (2022: GBP7.2m).

 
                                                                                                       2023     2022 
Group                                                                                                GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
Interest payable on secured bank loans                                                              (2,878)  (5,214) 
Other interest payable and similar charges                                                          (1,487)  (2,056) 
Total interest payable before cancellation of loans                                                 (4,365)  (7,270) 
Cancellation of loans                                                                                     -    (132) 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total finance costs                                                                                 (4,365)  (7,402) 
Finance income                                                                                          328       96 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Net finance costs                                                                                   (4,037)  (7,306) 
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments                                              2,098   26,564 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance costs, net of finance income and change in fair value of derivative financial instruments   (1,939)   19,258 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
  Joint Venture 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
Interest payable on secured bank loans                                                              (1,502)  (1,619) 
Other interest payable and similar charges                                                            (104)    (101) 
Interest capitalised                                                                                      -    1,815 
Total finance costs                                                                                 (1,606)       95 
Finance income                                                                                           18        6 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance costs, finance income and change in fair value of derivative financial instruments          (1,588)      101 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
Total finance costs, net of finance income                                                          (5,625)  (7,205) 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total finance costs, net of finance income and change in fair value of derivative financial 
 instruments                                                                                        (3,527)   19,359 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The movement upwards in medium and long-term interest rate projections during the Period contributed to a gain of GBP2.1m (2022: GBP26.6m) on the mark-to-market valuation of the derivative financial instruments.

Taxation

The Group elected to become a REIT, effective from 1 April 2022, and is now exempt from UK corporation tax on the profits/(losses) of its property activities that fall within the REIT regime. Helical will continue to pay corporation tax on its profits/(losses) that are not within this regime.

As a consequence, the tax charge for the Period was GBPnil (2022: GBPnil).

Dividends

The Board has declared an interim dividend for the Period of 3.05p per share, the same level as in 2022. This dividend is to be paid out of EPRA earnings and accumulated realised capital profits. The Property Income Distribution ("PID") for the Period will be 0.5p, with the balance of 2.55p representing an additional ordinary dividend.

Balance Sheet

Shareholders' Funds

Shareholders' Funds at 31 March 2023 were GBP608.7m. The Group's loss for the Period, representing the total comprehensive expense for the Period, reduced funds by GBP93.1m (2022: increased by profit of GBP17.2m). Movements in reserves arising from the Group's share schemes decreased funds by GBP3.8m. The Company paid dividends to Shareholders during the Period of GBP9.5m. The net decrease in Shareholders' Funds from Group activities during the Period was GBP106.4m to GBP502.3m.

Investment Portfolio

 
                                                                                           Head 
                                                    Wholly  In joint                     leases        Lease      Book 
                                                     owned   venture  See-through   capitalised   incentives     value 
                                                    GBP000    GBP000       GBP000        GBP000       GBP000    GBP000 
-----------------------------  -----------------  --------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  -------- 
Valuation at 31 March 2023                         693,550   145,975      839,525         6,481     (14,172)   831,834 
                               - wholly 
Capital expenditure             owned                6,822         -        6,822           (8)            -     6,814 
 - joint ventures                                        -     (558)        (558)          (15)            -     (573) 
                               - wholly 
Letting costs amortised         owned                 (56)         -         (56)             -            -      (56) 
 - joint ventures                                        -      (12)         (12)             -            -      (12) 
                               - wholly 
Revaluation (deficit)/surplus   owned             (97,666)         -     (97,666)             -        4,299  (93,367) 
 - joint ventures                                        -   (2,505)      (2,505)             -        (804)   (3,309) 
Valuation at 30 September 
 2023                                              602,650   142,900      745,550         6,458     (10,677)   741,331 
------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  -------- 
 

The Group expended GBP6.8m on capital works across the investment portfolio, at 100 New Bridge Street, EC4 (GBP5.1m), The Bower, EC1 (GBP0.6m), The Loom, E1 (GBP0.6m), and The Power House, W4 (GBP0.5m). These costs were partially offset by a reversal of costs at The JJ Mack Building, EC1 of GBP0.5m.

Revaluation losses resulted in a GBP100.2m decrease in the see-through fair value of the portfolio, before lease incentives, to GBP745.6m (31 March 2023: GBP839.5m). The accounting for head leases and lease incentives resulted in a book value of the see-through investment portfolio of GBP741.3m (31 March 2023: GBP831.8m).

Debt and Financial Risk

In total, the see-through outstanding debt at 30 September 2023 of GBP292.4m (31 March 2023: GBP290.4m) had a weighted average interest cost of 3.3% (31 March 2023: 3.4%) and a weighted average debt maturity of 2.4 years (31 March 2023: 2.9 years).

Debt Profile at 30 September 2023 - Including Commitment Fees but Excluding the Amortisation of Arrangement Fees

 
                                 Total      Total  Available    Weighted average interest          Average maturity of 
                              facility   utilised   facility                         rate                   borrowings 
                               GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s                            %                        Years 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------------------  --------------------------- 
GBP400m Revolving Credit 
 Facility                      400,000    230,000    170,000                          3.0                          2.8 
Total wholly owned             400,000    230,000    170,000                          3.0                          2.8 
In joint ventures               69,900     62,366      7,534                          4.2                          0.8 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------------------  --------------------------- 
Total secured debt             469,900    292,366    177,534                          3.3                          2.4 
Working capital                 10,000          -     10,000                            -                            - 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------------------  --------------------------- 
Total unsecured debt            10,000          -     10,000                            -                            - 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------------------  --------------------------- 
Total debt                     479,900    292,366    187,534                          3.3                          2.4 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------------------  --------------------------- 
 

Secured Debt

The Group arranges its secured investment and development facilities to suit its business needs as follows:

   -     GBP400m Revolving Credit Facility 

The Group has a GBP400m Revolving Credit Facility in which all of its wholly owned investment assets are secured. The value of the Group's properties secured in this facility at 30 September 2023 was GBP603m (31 March 2023: GBP693m) with a corresponding loan to value of 38.2% (31 March 2023: 33.2%). The average maturity of the facility at 30 September 2023 was 2.8 years (31 March 2023: 3.3 years) with a weighted average interest rate of 3.0% (31 March 2023: 3.1%).

   -     Joint Venture Facilities 

Where the Group holds investment and development properties in joint venture with third parties it includes its share, in proportion to its economic interest, of the debt associated with each asset. The average maturity of the Group's share of bank facilities in joint ventures at 30 September 2023 was 0.8 years (31 March 2023: 1.3 years) with a weighted average interest rate of 4.2% (31 March 2023: 4.2%). The average interest rate will fall as The JJ Mack Building, EC1 development facility is drawn down and would be 4.00% on a fully utilised basis, reducing to 2.25% once the building is let. There is a one-year extension option in this facility.

Unsecured Debt

The Group's unsecured debt is GBPnil (31 March 2023: GBPnil).

Cash and Cash Flow

At 30 September 2023, the Group had GBP17.5m (31 March 2023: GBP28.2m) of cash deposits available to deploy without restrictions, GBP7.7m (31 March 2023: GBP9.1m) of rent deposits from tenants and a further GBP14.0m (31 March 2023: GBP17.4m) of rent in bank accounts available to service payments under loan agreements, cash held at managing agents and cash held in joint ventures. Furthermore, the Group had GBP187.5m (31 March 2023: GBP189.5m) of loan facilities available to fund future acquisitions.

Net Borrowings and Gearing

Total gross borrowings of the Group, including in joint ventures, have slightly increased from GBP290.4m to GBP292.4m during the Period to 30 September 2023. After deducting cash balances of GBP39.2m (31 March 2023: GBP54.7m) and unamortised refinancing costs of GBP3.6m (31 March 2023: GBP4.3m), net borrowings increased from GBP231.4m to GBP249.6m. The see-through net gearing of the Group, including in joint ventures, increased from 38.0% to 49.7%.

 
                                             30 September   31 March 
                                                     2023       2023 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------- 
See-through gross borrowings                    GBP292.4m  GBP290.4m 
See-through cash balances                        GBP39.2m   GBP54.7m 
Unamortised refinancing costs                     GBP3.6m    GBP4.3m 
See-through net borrowings                      GBP249.6m  GBP231.4m 
Shareholders' funds                             GBP502.3m  GBP608.7m 
See-through gearing - IFRS net asset value          49.7%      38.0% 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  --------- 
 

Hedging

At 30 September 2023, the Group had GBP230.0m (31 March 2023: GBP230.0m) of borrowings protected by interest rate swaps, with an average effective interest rate of 2.5% (31 March 2023: 2.6%) and average maturity of 2.8 years. The Group had no floating rate debt (31 March 2023: GBPnil). In our joint ventures, the Group's share of fixed rate debt was GBP62.4m (31 March 2023: GBP60.4m) at 0.5% plus margin with an effective rate at 31 March 2023 of 4.2% and no floating rate debt (31 March 2023: none).

 
                       30 September                           31 March 
                               2023  Effective interest rate      2023  Effective interest rate 
                               GBPm                        %      GBPm                        % 
---------------------  ------------  -----------------------  --------  ----------------------- 
Fixed rate debt 
- Secured borrowings          230.0                      2.5     230.0                      2.6 
Total                         230.0                   3.0(1)     230.0                  3.1 (1) 
In joint ventures 
- Fixed rate                   62.4                   4.2(2)      60.4                   4.2(2) 
Total borrowings              292.4                      3.3     290.4                      3.4 
---------------------  ------------  -----------------------  --------  ----------------------- 
 

(1) This includes commitment fees on undrawn facilities.

(2) This includes commitment fees on undrawn facilities. Excluding these would reduce the effective rate to 4.00% (31 March 2023: 4.00%).

Tim Murphy

Chief Financial Officer

22 November 2023

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

a) The condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting;

b) The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events and their impact during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

c) The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions and changes therein).

On behalf of the Board

Tim Murphy

Chief Financial Officer

22 November 2023

Independent Review Report to Helical Plc

Conclusion

We have been engaged by Helical plc ('the Company') to review the condensed set of financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') in the half year financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2023 which comprises the unaudited consolidated income statement, unaudited consolidated balance sheet, unaudited consolidated cash flow statement, unaudited consolidated statement of changes in equity and notes to the half year results. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent material misstatements of fact or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2023 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" as contained in UK-adopted International Accounting Standards, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Basis for Conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" ('ISRE (UK) 2410') issued for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

As disclosed in Note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" as contained in UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.

Conclusions Relating to Going Concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis for Conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that management have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with ISRE (UK) 2410, however future events or conditions may cause the Group and the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.

Responsibilities of Directors

The half-yearly financial report, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" as contained in UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's and the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's Responsibilities for the Review of the Financial Information

In reviewing the half-yearly financial report, we are responsible for expressing to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.

Use of our Report

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity". Our review work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

RSM UK Audit LLP

Chartered Accountants

25 Farringdon Street

London

EC4A 4AB

22 November 2023

Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement

For the Half Year to 30 September 2023

 
                                                                                                               Year to 
                                                                           Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                                      30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                              Notes              GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Revenue                                                           3              19,224              23,461     49,848 
Cost of sales                                                     3             (7,857)             (4,623)   (13,567) 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net property income                                               4              11,367              18,838     36,281 
Share of results of joint ventures                               12             (4,499)              15,101      3,494 
Other income                                                      3                 905                   -          - 
                                                                                  7,773              33,939     39,775 
Gain on sale of Investment properties                             5                   -               4,606      4,564 
Revaluation loss on Investment properties                        11            (93,367)            (34,994)   (97,854) 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                                               (85,594)               3,551   (53,515) 
Administrative expenses                                           6             (5,570)             (5,584)   (12,835) 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Operating loss                                                                 (91,164)             (2,033)   (66,350) 
Net finance costs and change in fair value of derivative 
 financial instruments                                            7             (1,939)              19,258      1,839 
(Loss)/profit before tax                                                       (93,103)              17,225   (64,511) 
Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities                       8                   -                   -          - 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
( Loss)/p rofit for the period                                                 (93,103)              17,225   (64,511) 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
(Loss)/earnings per share                                        10 
Basic                                                                           (75.8)p               14.1p    (52.6)p 
Diluted                                                                         (75.8)p               14.0p    (52.6)p 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

There were no items of comprehensive income in the current or prior periods other than the (loss)/profit for the Period and, accordingly, no Statement of Comprehensive Income is presented.

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet

At 30 September 2023

 
                                                                                          At         At 
                                                                      At   30 September 2022   31 March 
                                                       30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
                                               Notes              GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Non-current assets 
Investment properties                             11             595,073             738,518    681,682 
Owner occupied property, plant and equipment                       3,631               4,358      4,351 
Investment in joint ventures                      12              82,141             105,895     87,330 
Other investments                                 13                 434                 306        353 
D erivative financial instruments                 20              25,343              36,758     23,245 
Trade and other receivables                       15               1,449                   -          - 
                                                      ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                                 708,071             885,835    796,961 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Current assets 
Land and developments                             14                  28               2,089         28 
Corporation tax receivable                                             7                   -          7 
Trade and other receivables                       15              16,697              27,581     24,935 
Cash and cash equivalents                         16              37,040              63,348     50,925 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                                  53,772              93,018     75,895 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total assets                                                     761,843             978,853    872,856 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                          17            (26,406)            (33,225)   (31,232) 
Lease liability                                   18               (695)               (670)      (683) 
Corporation tax payable                                                -               (230)          - 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                                (27,101)            (34,125)   (31,915) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings                                        19           (227,176)           (246,100)  (226,677) 
Lease liability                                   18             (5,238)             (5,933)    (5,589) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                               (232,414)           (252,033)  (232,266) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total liabilities                                              (259,515)           (286,158)  (264,181) 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
Net assets                                                       502,328             692,695    608,675 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
Equity 
Called-up share capital                           21               1,233               1,233      1,233 
Share premium account                                            116,619             116,619    116,619 
Revaluation reserve                                             (46,951)             109,276     46,416 
Capital redemption reserve                                         7,743               7,743      7,743 
Own shares held                                                  (1,675)             (1,535)      (848) 
Other reserves                                                       291                 291        291 
Retained earnings                                                425,068             459,068    437,221 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total equity                                                     502,328             692,695    608,675 
---------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the Half Year to 30 September 2023

 
                                                                                               Half Year to    Year to 
                                                                           Half Year to   30 September 2022   31 March 
                                                                      30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
                                                                                 GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
(Loss)/profit before tax                                                       (93,103)              17,225   (64,511) 
Adjustment for: 
Depreciation                                                                        420                 382        798 
Revaluation deficit on Investment properties                                     93,367              34,994     97,854 
Letting cost amortisation                                                            56                 135        200 
Gain on sale of Investment properties                                                 -             (4,606)    (4,564) 
Profit on sale of plant and equipment                                                 -                   -       (18) 
Net financing costs                                                               4,037               7,306     10,918 
Change in value of derivative financial instruments                             (2,098)            (26,564)   (12,757) 
Share based payment charge                                                          698                  54      1,073 
Share of results of joint ventures                                                4,499            (15,101)    (3,494) 
Gain on sublet of the Group's head office                                         (902)                   -          - 
Cash inflows from operations before changes in working capital                    6,974              13,825     25,499 
Change in trade and other receivables                                             8,483             (6,211)    (3,560) 
Change in land, developments and trading properties                                   -                   -      2,061 
Change in trade and other payables                                              (4,997)            (11,385)   (11,477) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash inflows/(outflows) generated from operations                                10,460             (3,771)     12,523 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Finance costs                                                                   (3,698)             (6,952)   (12,361) 
Finance income                                                                      328                  96        274 
Tax received                                                                          -                 568        331 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                                                (3,370)             (6,288)   (11,756) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
N et cash generated from/(used by) operating activities                           7,090            (10,059)        767 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Additions to Investment property                                                (6,814)             (4,420)   (10,509) 
Purchase of other investments                                                      (81)                   -       (47) 
Net proceeds from sale of Investment property                                         -             186,583    186,541 
(Investments)/return from investments in joint ventures and 
 subsidiaries                                                                   (1,375)               3,323      3,323 
Dividends from joint ventures                                                     2,066               6,488     13,446 
Sale of plant and equipment                                                           -                   -         48 
Purchase of leasehold improvements, plant and equipment                           (491)               (108)      (548) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net cash (used by)/generated from investing activities                          (6,695)             191,866    192,254 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Borrowings repaid                                                                     -           (150,000)  (170,000) 
Finance lease repayments                                                          (338)               (326)      (659) 
Shares issued                                                                         -                  10         10 
Purchase of own shares                                                          (4,402)             (1,535)    (1,089) 
Equity dividends paid                                                           (9,540)            (10,092)   (13,842) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net cash used by financing activities                                          (14,280)           (161,943)  (185,580) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                           (13,885)              19,864      7,441 
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period                                     50,925              43,484     43,484 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                       37,040              63,348     50,925 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

At 30 September 2023

 
                                                       Capital 
                     Share     Share  Revaluation   redemption                       Other          Retained 
                   capital   premium      reserve      reserve  Own shares held   reserves          earnings     Total 
                    GBP000    GBP000       GBP000       GBP000           GBP000     GBP000            GBP000    GBP000 
----------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  ---------------  ---------  ----------------  -------- 
At 31 March 2022     1,223   112,654      197,627        7,743                -        291           367,505   687,043 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 expense                 -         -            -            -                -          -          (64,511)  (64,511) 
Revaluation 
 deficit                 -         -     (97,854)            -                -          -            97,854         - 
Realised on 
 disposals               -         -     (53,357)            -                -          -            53,357         - 
 
Transactions 
with owners 
Issued share 
 capital                10     3,965            -            -                -          -                 -     3,975 
Performance 
 Share Plan              -         -            -            -                -          -             1,073     1,073 
Purchase of own 
 shares                  -         -            -            -            (848)          -                 -     (848) 
Share settled 
 Performance 
 Share Plan              -         -            -            -                -          -           (3,536)   (3,536) 
Share settled 
 bonus                   -         -            -            -                -          -             (439)     (439) 
Revaluation 
 deficit on 
 valuation of 
 shares                  -         -            -            -                -          -             (240)     (240) 
Dividends paid           -         -            -            -                -          -          (13,842)  (13,842) 
----------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  ---------------  ---------  ----------------  -------- 
Total 
 transactions 
 with owners            10     3,965            -            -            (848)          -          (16,984)  (13,857) 
 
At 31 March 2023     1,233   116,619       46,416        7,743            (848)        291           437,221   608,675 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 expense                 -         -            -            -                -          -          (93,103)  (93,103) 
Revaluation 
 deficit                 -         -     (93,367)            -                -          -            93,367         - 
 
Transactions 
with owners 
Performance 
 Share Plan              -         -            -            -                -          -               698       698 
Purchase of own 
 shares                  -         -            -            -          (4,402)          -                 -   (4,402) 
Share settled 
 Performance 
 Share Plan              -         -            -            -            2,352          -           (2,352)         - 
Share settled 
 bonus                   -         -            -            -            1,223          -           (1,223)         - 
Dividends paid           -         -            -            -                -          -           (9,540)   (9,540) 
----------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  ---------------  ---------  ----------------  -------- 
Total 
 transactions 
 with owners             -         -            -            -            (827)          -          (12,417)  (13,244) 
 
At 30 September 
 2023                1,233   116,619     (46,951)        7,743          (1,675)        291           425,068   502,328 
----------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  ---------------  ---------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                      Capital      Own 
                                    Share     Share  Revaluation   redemption   shares      Other   Retained 
                                  capital   premium      reserve      reserve     held   reserves   earnings     Total 
                                   GBP000    GBP000       GBP000       GBP000   GBP000     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------- 
At 31 March 2022                    1,223   112,654      197,627        7,743        -        291    367,505   687,043 
Total comprehensive income              -         -            -            -        -          -     17,225    17,225 
Revaluation deficit                     -         -     (34,994)            -        -          -     34,994         - 
Realised on disposals                   -         -     (53,357)            -        -          -     53,357         - 
 
Transactions with owners 
Issued share capital                   10     3,965            -            -        -          -          -     3,975 
Performance Share Plan                  -         -            -            -        -          -         54        54 
Purchase of own shares                  -         -            -            -  (1,535)          -          -   (1,535) 
Share settled Performance Share 
 Plan                                   -         -            -            -        -          -    (3,536)   (3,536) 
Share settled bonus                     -         -            -            -        -          -      (439)     (439) 
Dividends paid                          -         -            -            -        -          -   (10,092)  (10,092) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------- 
Total transactions with owners         10     3,965            -            -  (1,535)          -   (14,013)  (11,573) 
 
At 30 September 2022                1,233   116,619      109,276        7,743  (1,535)        291    459,068   692,695 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  -----------  -----------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------- 
 

Unaudited Notes to the Half Year Results

   1.   Financial Information and Basis of Preparation 

The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales and listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. The registered office address is 5 Hanover Square London W1S 1HQ.

These condensed interim financial statements were approved for issue on 22 November 2023.

The financial information contained in this statement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The full accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023, approved by the Board of Directors on 23 May 2023, which were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the United Kingdom and which received an unqualified report from the Auditors, and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or Section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

These interim condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2023.

These interim condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the United Kingdom and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in the 30 September 2023 interim condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements as in the most recent annual financial statements.

Change in Accounting Policies

The Group adopted the following new and amended standards in the Period ended 30 September 2023. There was no material impact arising from their adoption.

   --    Disclosure of accounting policies - Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 
   --    Definition of accounting policies - Amendments to IAS 8 

-- Deferred tax related to assets and liabilities arising from a single transaction - Amendments to IAS 12

Going Concern

The Directors have considered the appropriateness of adopting a going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Their assessment is based on forecasts for the next 12 month period, with sensitivity testing undertaken to replicate severe but plausible downside scenarios related to the principal risks and uncertainties associated with the business.

The key assumptions used in the review are summarised below:

   --    The Group's rental income receipts were modelled for each tenant on an individual basis; 
   --    Existing loan facilities remain available; 

-- Certain property additions/disposals are assumed in line with the individual asset business plans; and

   --    Free cash is utilised where necessary to repay debt/cure bank facility covenants. 

Compliance with the financial covenants of the Group's main debt facility, its GBP400m Revolving Credit Facility, was one of the Directors' key areas of review, with particular focus on the following three covenants:

-- Loan to Value ("LTV") - the ratio of the drawn loan amount to the value of the secured property as a percentage;

-- Loan to Rent Value ("LRV") - the ratio of the loan to the projected contractual net rental income for the next 12 months; and

-- Projected Net Rental Interest Cover Ratio ("ICR") - the ratio of projected net rental income to projected finance costs.

The October 2023 compliance position for these covenants is summarised below:

 
Covenant   Requirement   Actual 
---------  ------------  ------ 
LTV        <65%          31% 
LRV        <12.0x        10.8x 
ICR        >150%         360% 
---------  ------------  ------ 
 

The results of this review demonstrated the following:

-- The forecasts show that all bank facility financial covenants will be met throughout the review period, with headroom to withstand a 13% fall in contracted rental income;

   --    Property values could fall by 30% before loan to value covenants come under pressure; 

-- Whilst the Group has a WAULT of 4.6 years, in a downside scenario whereby all tenants with lease expiries or break options in the going concern period exercise their breaks or do not renew at the end of their lease, and with no vacant space let or re-let, the rental income covenants would be met throughout the review period; and

-- Additional asset sales could be utilised to generate cash to repay debt, materially increasing covenant headroom.

Based on this analysis, the Directors have adopted a going concern basis in preparing the accounts for the Period.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The responsibility for the governance of the Group's risk profile lies with the Board of Directors of Helical. The Board is responsible for setting the Group's risk strategy by assessing risks, determining its willingness to accept those risks and ensuring that the risks are monitored and that the Group is aware of and, if appropriate, reacts to changes in those risks. The Board is also responsible for allocating responsibility for risk within the Group's management structure.

The Group considers its principal risks to be:

 
                Principal Risk 
 Strategic 
                  *    The Group's strategy is inconsistent with the market 
 
 
                  *    Risks arising from the Group's significant 
                       development projects 
 
 
                  *    Property values decline/reduced tenant demand for 
                       space 
 
 
                  *    Geopolitical and economic 
 
 
                  *    Climate change 
               ------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Financial 
                  *    Availability and cost of bank borrowing, cash 
                       resources and potential breach of loan covenants 
               ------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Operational 
                  *    Our people and relationships with business partners 
                       and reliance on external partners 
 
 
                  *    Health and safety 
 
 
                  *    Significant business disruption/external catastrophic 
                       event/cyber-attacks to our business and our buildings 
               ------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Reputational 
                  *    Poor management of stakeholder relations and 
                       non-compliance with prevailing legislation, 
                       regulation and best practice 
               ------------------------------------------------------------- 
 

There have been no significant changes to these risks in the Period and further analysis is included within the Group's Annual Report and Accounts 2023.

   2.   Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
 
                                                                                        Year to 
                                                    Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                               30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                          GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Development property income                                  462                 934      4,921 
Service charge income                                      5,958               3,282      8,372 
--------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total revenue from contracts with customers                6,420               4,216     13,293 
--------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

The total revenue from contracts with customers is the revenue recognised in accordance with IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

No impairment of contract assets was recognised in the Period to 30 September 2023 (Half Year to 30 September 2022: GBPnil, Year to 31 March 2023: GBP5,000).

   3.   Segmental Information 

The Group identifies two discrete operating segments whose results are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the Chief Executive) to allocate resources to these segments and to assess their performance. The segments are:

-- Investment properties, which are owned or leased by the Group for long-term income and for capital appreciation; and

-- Development properties, which include sites, developments in the course of construction, completed developments available for sale, and pre-sold developments.

 
                         Investments   Developments          Total           Investments   Developments          Total 
                        Half Year to   Half Year to   Half Year to          Half Year to   Half Year to   Half Year to 
                            30.09.23       30.09.23       30.09.23              30.09.22       30.09.22       30.09.22 
Revenue                       GBP000         GBP000         GBP000                GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Gross rental income           12,804              -         12,804                19,245              -         19,245 
Development property 
 income                            -            462            462                     -            934            934 
Service charge income          5,958              -          5,958                 3,282              -          3,282 
Revenue                       18,762            462         19,224                22,527            934         23,461 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
                              Investments  Developments      Total 
                                  Year to       Year to    Year to 
                                31.03. 23      31.03.23   31.03.23 
Revenue                            GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
Gross rental income                36,555             -     36,555 
Development property income             -         4,921      4,921 
Service charge income               8,372             -      8,372 
Revenue                            44,927         4,921     49,848 
----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 
 
                         Investments   Developments          Total           Investments   Developments          Total 
                        Half Year to   Half Year to   Half Year to          Half Year to   Half Year to   Half Year to 
                            30.09.23       30.09.23       30.09.23              30.09.22       30.09.22       30.09.22 
Cost of sales                 GBP000         GBP000         GBP000                GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Rents payable                   (95)              -           (95)                 ( 69)              -          ( 69) 
Property overheads             (846)              -          (846)              ( 1,121)              -       ( 1,121) 
Service charge 
 expense                     (5,958)              -        (5,958)              ( 3,282)              -       ( 3,282) 
Development cost of 
 sales                             -          (922)          (922)                     -         ( 150)         (150 ) 
Development sales 
 expenses                          -           (36)           (36)                     -           ( 1)           ( 1) 
Cost of sales                (6,899)          (958)        (7,857)              ( 4,472)         ( 151)        (4,623) 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
                             Investments  Developments      Total 
                                 Year to       Year to    Year to 
                               31.03. 23      31.03.23   31.03.23 
Cost of sales                     GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
Rents payable                      (157)             -      (157) 
Property overheads               (2,092)             -    (2,092) 
Service charge expense           (8,372)             -    (8,372) 
Development cost of sales              -       (2,915)    (2,915) 
Development sales expenses             -           (1)        (1) 
Reversal of provision                  -          (30)       (30) 
Cost of sales                   (10,621)       (2,946)   (13,567) 
---------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 
 
                        Investments   Developments          Total          Investments   Developments          Total 
                       Half Year to   Half Year to   Half Year to         Half Year to   Half Year to   Half Year to 
(Loss)/profit before       30.09.23       30.09.23       30.09.23             30.09.22       30.09.22       30.09.22 
tax                          GBP000         GBP000         GBP000               GBP000         GBP000         GBP000 
--------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Net property income          11,863          (496)         11,367               18,055            783         18,838 
Share of results of 
 joint ventures             (4,439)           (60)        (4,499)               14,750            351         15,101 
Other income                    905              -            905                    -              -              - 
Loss on sale and 
 revaluation of 
 Investment 
 properties                (93,367)              -       (93,367)             (30,388)              -       (30,388) 
--------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Segmental 
 (loss)/profit             (85,038)          (556)       (85,594)                2,417          1,134          3,551 
Administrative 
 expenses                                                 (5,570)                                            (5,584) 
Finance costs                                             (4,365)                                            (7,402) 
Finance income                                                328                                                 96 
Change in fair value 
 of derivative 
 financial 
 instruments                                                2,098                                             26,564 
--------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  ------------- 
(Loss)/profit before 
 tax                                                     (93,103)                                             17,225 
--------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 

Included in other income of GBP905,000 (30 September 2022: GBPnil, 31 March 2023: GBPnil) is the gain on the sublet of the Group's head office of GBP902,000 (30 September 2022: GBPnil, 31 March 2023: GBPnil).

 
                                                           Investments  Developments      Total 
                                                               Year to       Year to    Year to 
                                                             31.03. 23      31.03.23   31.03.23 
 Loss before tax                                                GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
Net property income                                             34,306         1,975     36,281 
Share of results of joint ventures                               4,867       (1,373)      3,494 
Loss on sale and revaluation of Investment properties         (93,290)             -   (93,290) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
Segmental (loss)/profit                                       (54,117)           602   (53,515) 
Administrative expenses                                                                (12,835) 
Finance costs                                                                          (11,192) 
Finance income                                                                              274 
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments                                 12,757 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
Loss before tax                                                                        (64,511) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 
 
                          Investments  Developments         Total   Investments          Developments at         Total 
                          at 30.09.23   at 30.09.23   at 30.09.23   at 30.09.22                 30.09.22   at 30.09.22 
Net assets                     GBP000        GBP000        GBP000        GBP000                   GBP000        GBP000 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------------------  ------------ 
Investment properties         595,073             -       595,073       738,518                        -       738,518 
Land and developments               -            28            28             -                    2,089         2,089 
Investment in joint 
 ventures                      81,126         1,015        82,141       101,097                    4,798       105,895 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------------------  ------------ 
                              676,199         1,043       677,242       839,615                    6,887       846,502 
Other assets                                               84,601                                              132,351 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------------------  ------------ 
Total assets                                              761,843                                              978,853 
Liabilities                                             (259,515)                                            (286,158) 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------------------  ------------ 
Net assets                                                502,328                                              692,695 
-----------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                Investments  Developments         Total 
                                at 31.03.23   at 31.03.23   at 31.03.23 
Net assets                           GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Investment properties               681,682             -       681,682 
Land and developments                     -            28            28 
Investment in joint ventures         84,255         3,075        87,330 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                    765,937         3,103       769,040 
Other assets                                                    103,816 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total assets                                                    872,856 
Liabilities                                                   (264,181) 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
Net assets                                                      608,675 
-----------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   4.   Net Property Income 
 
                                                                               Year to 
                                           Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                      30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                 GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Gross rental income                              12,804              19,245     36,555 
Head rents payable                                 (95)                (69)      (157) 
Property overheads                                (846)             (1,121)    (2,092) 
-----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net rental income                                11,863              18,055     34,306 
-----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Development property income                         462                 934      4,921 
Development cost of sales                         (922)               (150)    (2,915) 
Sales expenses                                     (36)                 (1)        (1) 
Provision                                             -                   -       (30) 
-----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Development property (loss)/profit                (496)                 783      1,975 
-----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net property income                              11,367              18,838     36,281 
-----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

Included within gross rental income above is a net deduction of GBP4,307,000 (September 2022: net addition of GBP2,464,000, March 2023: net addition of GBP1,609,000) of accrued income for rent free periods.

   5.   Gain on Sale of Investment Properties 
 
                                                                                                 Year to 
                                                             Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                        30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                   GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net proceeds from the sale of Investment properties                     -             186,583    186,541 
Book value (Note 11)                                                    -           (169,570)  (169,570) 
Tenants' incentives on sold Investment properties                       -            (12,407)   (12,407) 
----------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Gain on sale of Investment properties                                   -               4,606      4,564 
----------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   6.   Administrative Expenses 
 
                                                                                                 Year to 
                                                             Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                        30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                   GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Administration costs                                              (4,655)             (5,323)    (9,845) 
Performance related awards, including annual bonuses                (793)               (220)    (2,702) 
National Insurance on performance related awards                    (122)                (41)      (288) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Administrative expenses                                           (5,570)             (5,584)   (12,835) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   7.   Net Finance Costs and Change in Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments 
 
                                                                                                               Year to 
                                                                           Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                                      30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                 GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts                                   (2,878)             (5,214)    (8,284) 
Other interest payable and similar charges                                      (1,487)             (2,056)    (2,780) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total before cancellation of loans                                              (4,365)             (7,270)   (11,064) 
Cancellation of loans                                                                 -               (132)      (128) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Finance costs                                                                   (4,365)             (7,402)   (11,192) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Finance income                                                                      328                  96        274 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net finance costs                                                               (4,037)             (7,306)   (10,918) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments                          2,098              26,564     12,757 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net finance costs and change in fair value of derivative financial 
 instruments                                                                    (1,939)              19,258      1,839 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   8.   Tax on Profit on Ordinary Activities 

The Group became a UK REIT on 1 April 2022. As a REIT, the Group is not subject to Corporation Tax on the profits of its property rental business and chargeable gains arising on the disposal of investment assets used in the property rental business, but remains subject to tax on profits and chargeable gains arising from non REIT business activities. No current tax charge arises in the Period to 30 September 2023 (Half Year to 30 September 2022: GBPnil, Year to 31 March 2023: GBPnil) in respect of non-REIT activities.

At 30 September 2023, no deferred tax was recognised (30 September 2022: GBPnil, 31 March 2023: GBPnil). This is on the basis that deferred tax assets and liabilities either relate to the Group's exempt property rental business, or are deferred tax assets where it is unlikely that there will be taxable profit in the future against which they could be used.

   9.   Dividends 
 
                                                                                                    Year to 
                                                                Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                           30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                      GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Attributable to equity share capital 
Ordinary 
- Interim paid 3.05p per share                                             -                   -      3,750 
- Prior period final paid 8.70p per share (2022: 8.25p)                9,540              10,092     10,092 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                                       9,540              10,092     13,842 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

The interim dividend of 3.05p per share (30 September 2022: 3.05p per share) was approved by the Board on 22 November 2023 and will be paid on 12 January 2024 to Shareholders on the register on 1 December 2023. This interim dividend, amounting to GBP3,744,000 has not been included as a liability as at 30 September 2023.

   10.   Earnings Per Share 

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the Period. This is a different basis to the net asset per share calculations which are based on the number of shares at the Period end.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share, adjusted to allow for the issue of shares and the post tax effect of dividends on the assumed exercise of all dilutive share awards.

The earnings per share is calculated in accordance with IAS 33 Earnings per Share and the best practice recommendations of the European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA").

Reconciliations of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below:

 
                                                                                                             Year to 
                                                                         Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                                    30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                  000                 000        000 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Ordinary shares in issue                                                      123,355             123,355    123,355 
Own shares held                                                                 (602)               (398)          - 
Weighting adjustment                                                                -               (658)      (613) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Weighted average ordinary shares in issue for calculation of 
 basic and EPRA earnings per share                                            122,753             122,299    122,742 
Weighted average ordinary shares issued on share settled bonuses                  154                 561        561 
Weighted average ordinary shares to be issued under Performance 
 Share Plan                                                                         -                 575        846 
Adjustment for anti-dilutive shares                                             (154)                   -    (1,407) 
                                                                   ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Weighted average ordinary shares in issue for calculation of 
 diluted earnings per share                                                   122,753             123,435    122,742 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
                                                                               GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
(Loss)/earnings used for calculation of basic and diluted 
 earnings per share                                                          (93,103)              17,225   (64,511) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share                                               (75.8)p               14.1p    (52.6)p 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share                                             (75.8)p               14.0p    (52.6)p 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
 
 
                                                                                 GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
(Loss)/earnings used for calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share   (93,103)    17,225  (64,511) 
Net loss/(gain) on sale and revaluation of Investment properties 
 - subsidiaries                                                                  93,367    30,388    93,290 
 - joint ventures                                                                 3,309  (15,268)   (5,161) 
Tax on profit on disposal of Investment properties                                    -       228       463 
(Gain)/loss on movement in share of joint ventures                                 (66)        66       564 
Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments                         (2,098)  (26,564)  (12,757) 
Expense on cancellation of loans                                                      -       132       128 
Deferred tax on adjusting items                                                       -     (377)     (503) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
Earnings used for calculations of EPRA earnings per share                         1,409     5,830    11,513 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
EPRA earnings per share                                                            1.1p      4.8p      9.4p 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

The earnings used for the calculation of EPRA earnings per share include net rental income and development property profits but exclude investment and trading property gains.

   11.   Investment Properties 
 
                                            At                             At 
                             30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                        GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                            GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Book value at 1 April                  681,682             938,797    938,797 
Additions at cost                        6,814               4,420     10,509 
Disposals                                    -           (169,570)  (169,570) 
Letting cost amortisation                 (56)               (135)      (200) 
Revaluation deficit                   (93,367)            (34,994)   (97,854) 
As at period end                       595,073             738,518    681,682 
--------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

All properties are stated at market value and are valued by professionally qualified external valuers (Cushman & Wakefield LLP) in accordance with the Valuation - Professional Standards, published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The fair value of the Investment properties are as follows:

 
                                                                                     At                             At 
                                                                      30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                                                 GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                                     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Book value                                                                      595,073             738,518    681,682 
Lease incentives and costs included in trade and other receivables                9,689              14,858     13,987 
Head leases capitalised                                                         (2,112)             (2,126)    (2,119) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Fair value                                                                      602,650             751,250    693,550 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

Cumulative interest capitalised in respect of the refurbishment of Investment properties at 30 September 2023 amounted to GBP9,620,000 (30 September 2022: GBP9,620,000, 31 March 2023: GBP9,620,000). Interest capitalised during the Period in respect of the refurbishment of Investment properties amounted to GBPnil (30 September 2022: GBPnil, 31 March 2023: GBPnil) and an amount of GBPnil (30 September 2022: GBPnil, 31 March 2023: GBP3,482,000) was released on the sale of the properties in the Period.

The historical cost of Investment property is GBP640,052,000 (30 September 2022: GBP627,437,000, 31 March 2023: GBP633,237,000).

The fair value of the Group's Investment property as at 30 September 2023 was determined by independent external valuers at that date, except for Investment properties valued by the Directors. The valuations are in accordance with the RICS Valuation - Professional Standards ("The Red Book") and the International Valuation Standards and were arrived at by reference to market transactions for similar properties.

Fair values for Investment property are calculated using the present value income approach. The main assumptions underlying the valuations are in relation to rent profile and yields as discussed below. A key driver of the property valuations is the terms of the leases in place at the valuation date. These determine the cash flow profile of the property for a number of years. The valuation assumes adjustments from these rental values to current market rent at the time of the next rent review (where a typical lease allows only for upward adjustment) and as leases expire and are replaced by new leases. The current market level of rent is assessed based on evidence provided by the most recent relevant leasing transactions and negotiations. The equivalent yield is applied as a discount rate to the rental cash flows which, after taking into account other input assumptions such as vacancies and costs, generates the market value of the property.

The equivalent yield applied is assessed by reference to market transactions for similar properties and takes into account, amongst other things, any risks associated with the rent uplift assumptions.

The net initial yield is calculated as the current net income over the gross market value of the asset and is used as a sense check and to compare against market transactions for similar properties. The valuation outputs, along with inputs and assumptions, are reviewed to ensure these are in line with what a market participant would use when pricing each asset.

The reversionary yield is the return received from an asset once the estimated rental value has been captured on today's assessment of market value.

There are interrelationships between all the inputs as they are determined by market conditions. The existence of an increase in more than one input would be to magnify the input on the valuation. The impact on the valuation will be mitigated by the interrelationship of two inputs in opposite directions. The key unobservable inputs used to determine the fair values range from an ERV of GBP24.45 psf to GBP106.38 psf and a true equivalent yield range from 5.4% to 7.2%.

A sensitivity analysis was performed to ascertain the impact of a 25 and 50 basis point shift in the equivalent yield and a 2.5% and 5% shift in ERVs for the wholly owned investment portfolio:

 
                                  At    Change in portfolio 
                        30 September                  value 
                                2023           %       GBPm 
---------------------  -------------  ----------  --------- 
True equivalent yield          5.85% 
+ 50bps                                   (10.8)     (80.3) 
+ 25bps                                    (5.8)     (42.0) 
- 25bps                                      6.2       45.8 
- 50bps                                     12.9       96.1 
---------------------  -------------  ----------  --------- 
ERV                         GBP79.68 
                                 psf 
+ 5.00%                                      5.5       40.9 
+ 2.50%                                      2.7       20.3 
- 2.50%                                    (2.7)     (20.3) 
- 5.00%                                    (5.4)     (40.2) 
---------------------  -------------  ----------  --------- 
 
   12.   Joint Ventures 
 
                                                                                                Year to 
                                                            Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                       30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
Share of results of joint ventures                                GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Revenue                                                            1,442               4,873     10,141 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Gross rental income                                                  887                 269        287 
Property overheads                                                 (349)               (142)    (1,103) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net rental income                                                    538                 127      (816) 
(Loss)/gain on revaluation of Investment properties              (3,309)              15,339      5,095 
(Loss)/gain on sale of Investment properties                           -                (71)         66 
Development property (loss)/profit                                  (18)                 186      1,262 
                                                                 (2,789)              15,581      5,607 
Administrative expenses                                            (188)               (452)      (459) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Operating (loss)/profit                                          (2,977)              15,129      5,148 
Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts                    (1,502)             (1,619)    (2,703) 
Other interest payable and similar charges                         (104)               (101)      (203) 
Interest capitalised                                                   -               1,815      1,815 
Finance income                                                        18                   6         23 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
(Loss)/profit before tax                                         (4,565)              15,230      4,080 
Tax                                                                    -                (63)       (22) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
(Loss)/profit after tax                                          (4,565)              15,167      4,058 
Adjustment for Barts Square economic interest(1)                      66                (66)      (564) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Share of results of joint ventures                               (4,499)              15,101      3,494 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) This adjustment reflects the impact of the consolidation of a joint venture at its economic interest of 50.0% (30 September 2022: 50.0%, 31 March 2023: 50.0%) rather than its actual ownership interest of 33.3%.

 
                                                               At                             At 
                                                30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                           GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
Investment in joint ventures                                                   GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Summarised balance sheets 
Non-current assets 
Investment properties                                     146,257             160,700    150,151 
Owner occupied property, plant and equipment                   63                 154        109 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                          146,320             160,854    150,260 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Current assets 
Land and developments                                           -               4,663        539 
Trade and other receivables                                 1,894               1,240        727 
Cash and cash equivalents                                   2,207               4,516      3,749 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                            4,101              10,419      5,015 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                                  (2,728)             (5,573)    (3,332) 
Borrowings                                               (61,634)                   -          - 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
                                                         (64,362)             (5,573)    (3,332) 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                                    (407)               (406)      (406) 
Borrowings                                                      -            (54,603)   (59,416) 
Leasehold interest                                        (5,020)             (4,834)    (4,927) 
Deferred tax                                                    -                (55)          - 
                                                          (5,427)            (59,898)   (64,749) 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net assets pre-adjustment                                  80,632             105,802     87,194 
Acquisition costs                                           1,509                  93        136 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Investment in joint ventures                               82,141             105,895     87,330 
---------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

The fair value of Investment properties at 30 September 2023 is as follows:

 
                                                                                     At                             At 
                                                                      30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                                                 GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                                     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Book value                                                                      146,257             160,700    150,151 
Lease incentives and costs included in trade and other receivables                  989                 161        185 
Head leases capitalised                                                         (4,346)             (4,376)    (4,361) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Fair value                                                                      142,900             156,485    145,975 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   13.   Other Investments 
 
                                        At                             At 
                         30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                    GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                        GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Book value at 1 April                  353                 306        306 
Acquisitions                            81                   -         47 
----------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
As at period end                       434                 306        353 
----------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

On 6 August 2021, the Group entered into a commitment of GBP1,000,000 to invest in the Pi Labs European PropTech venture capital fund ("Fund") of which GBP81,000 (31 March 2023: GBP47,000) was invested during the Period. The Fund is focused on investing in the next generation of proptech businesses.

The fair value of the Group's investment is based on the net asset value of the Fund, representing Level 2 fair value measurement as defined in IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.

   14.   Land and Developments 
 
                                   At                             At 
                    30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                               GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                   GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
At 1 April                         28               2,089      2,089 
Disposals                           -                   -    (2,031) 
Provision                           -                   -       (30) 
As at period end                   28               2,089         28 
-----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

The Directors' valuation of development stock shows a surplus of GBP302,000 (30 September 2022: GBP302,000, 31 March 2023: GBP302,000) above book value. This surplus has been included in the EPRA net tangible asset value (Note 22).

No interest has been capitalised or included in land and developments.

   15.   Trade and Other Receivables 
 
                                                                        At         At 
                                                    At   30 September 2022   31 March 
                                     30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
Due within 1 year                               GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Trade receivables                                3,027               7,198      2,517 
Other receivables                                1,296                 804        752 
Prepayments                                      2,099               2,503      1,990 
Accrued income                                  10,275              17,076     19,676 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total trade and other receivables               16,697              27,581     24,935 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

Included in accrued income are lease incentives of GBP9,689,000 (30 September 2022: GBP14,858,000, 31 March 2023: GBP13,987,000).

 
                                                    At                             At 
                                     30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
Due after 1 year                                                    GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Other receivables                                1,449                   -          - 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total trade and other receivables                1,449                   -          - 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   16.   Cash and Cash Equivalents 
 
                                                                      At         At 
                                                  At   30 September 2022   31 March 
                                   30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
                                              GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash held at managing agents                   7,513               4,366      4,156 
Rental deposits                                7,714               8,970      9,069 
Restricted cash                                4,350               3,905      9,495 
Cash deposits                                 17,463              46,107     28,205 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total cash and cash equivalents               37,040              63,348     50,925 
--------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

Restricted cash is made up of cash held by solicitors, rental deposits and cash in restricted accounts.

   17.   Trade and Other Payables 
 
                                                 At                             At 
                                  30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                             GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                 GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Trade payables                               14,465              15,551     15,212 
Other payables                                1,591               1,607      2,136 
Accruals                                      3,030               6,266      5,404 
Deferred income                               7,320               9,801      8,480 
-------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total trade and other payables               26,406              33,225     31,232 
-------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   18.   Lease Liability 
 
                                              At                             At 
                               30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                          GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                              GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Current lease liability                      695                 670        683 
----------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Non-current lease liability                5,238               5,933      5,589 
----------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

Included within the lease liability are GBP695,000 (30 September 2022: GBP670,000, 31 March 2023: GBP683,000) of current and GBP3,049,000 (30 September 2022: GBP3,745,000, 31 March 2023: GBP3,399,000) of non-current lease liabilities which relate to the long leasehold of the Group's head office.

   19.   Borrowings 
 
                                               At                              At 
                                30 September 2023                   At   31 March 
                                           GBP000    30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
Current borrowings                              -                    -          - 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
Borrowings repayable within: 
- two to three years                      227,176                    -          - 
- three to four years                           -              246,100    226,677 
Non-current borrowings                    227,176              246,100    226,677 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
Total borrowings                          227,176              246,100    226,677 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
 
                                                                    At         At 
                                               At    30 September 2022   31 March 
                                30 September 2023          Restated(1)       2023 
                                           GBP000               GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
Total borrowings                          227,176              246,100    226,677 
Cash                                     (37,040)             (63,348)   (50,925) 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
Net borrowings                            190,136              182,752    175,752 
-----------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

Net borrowings exclude the Group's share of borrowings in joint ventures of GBP61,634,000 (30 September 2022: GBP54,603,000, 31 March 2023: GBP59,416,000) and cash of GBP2,207,000 (30 September 2022: GBP4,516,000, 31 March 2023: GBP3,749,000). All borrowings in joint ventures are secured.

 
                                                   At         At 
                               At   30 September 2022   31 March 
                30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
                           GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net assets                502,328             692,695    608,675 
------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Net gearing                   38%                 26%        29% 
------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

1 Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

   20.   Derivative Financial Instruments 
 
                                                         At                             At 
                                          30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                     GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                         GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Derivative financial instruments asset               25,343              36,758     23,245 
---------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

A gain on the change in fair value of GBP2,098,000 has been recognised in the Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement (30 September 2022: GBP26,564,000, 31 March 2023: GBP12,757,000) as a result of the continued movements upwards in the medium and long term interest rate projections.

The fair values of the Group's outstanding interest rate swaps and caps have been estimated by calculating the present values of future cash flows, using appropriate market discount rates, representing Level 2 fair value measurements as defined in IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.

   21.   Share Capital 
 
                             At                             At 
              30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                         GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                             GBP000     GBP000 
-----------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Authorised               39,577              39,577     39,577 
-----------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

The authorised share capital of the Company is GBP39,577,000 divided into ordinary shares of 1p each.

 
Allotted, called up and fully paid: 
- 123,355,197 (30 September 2022: 123,355,197, 31 March 2023: 123,355,197) ordinary shares 
 of 1p each                                                                                  1,233  1,233  1,233 
                                                                                             1,233  1,233  1,233 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----  -----  ----- 
 
   22.   Net Assets Per Share 
 
                                                                                             At 
                                                           At                          31 March 
                                            30 September 2023  Number of shares            2023  Number of shares 
                                                       GBP000               000    p     GBP000               000    p 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ----------------  ---  ---------  ----------------  --- 
IFRS net assets                                       502,328           123,355         608,675           123,355 
Adjustments: 
- own shares held                                                         (602)                             (283) 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ----------------  ---  ---------  ----------------  --- 
Basic net asset value                                 502,328           122,753  409    608,675           123,072  495 
- share settled bonus                                                       154                               561 
- dilutive effect of Performance Share 
 Plan                                                                         -                               751 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ----------------  ---  ---------  ----------------  --- 
Diluted net asset value                               502,328           122,907  409    608,675           124,384  489 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ----------------  ---  ---------  ----------------  --- 
 
 
Adjustments: 
 
  *    fair value of financial instruments   (25,343)                (23,245) 
 
  *    fair value of land and developments        302                     302 
 
  *    real estate transfer tax                50,348                  56,591 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------  ---  --------  -------  --- 
EPRA net reinstatement value                  527,635  122,907  429   642,323  124,384  516 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------  ---  --------  -------  --- 
 
  *    real estate transfer tax              (25,301)                (28,868) 
EPRA net tangible asset value                 502,334  122,907  409   613,455  124,384  493 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------  ---  --------  -------  --- 
 
 
                                                                            At 
                                          At                          31 March 
                           30 September 2023  Number of shares            2023  Number of shares 
                                      GBP000               000    p     GBP000               000    p 
------------------------  ------------------  ----------------  ---  ---------  ----------------  --- 
Diluted net asset value              502,328           122,907  409    608,675           124,384  489 
------------------------  ------------------  ----------------  ---  ---------  ----------------  --- 
 
 
Adjustments: 
 
  *    surplus on fair value of stock       302                    302 
EPRA net disposal value                 502,630  122,907  409  608,977  124,384  490 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ---  -------  -------  --- 
 
 
                                                            At 
                                                  30 September 
                                                          2022  Number of shares 
                                                        GBP000               000    p 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------  --- 
IFRS net assets                                        692,695           123,355 
Adjustments: 
- own shares held                                                          (398) 
Basic net asset value                                  692,695           122,957  563 
- share settled bonus                                                        561 
- dilutive effect of Performance Share Plan                                  543 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------  --- 
Diluted net asset value                                692,695           124,061  558 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------------  --- 
 
 
Adjustments: 
 
  *    fair value of financial instruments      (36,758) 
 
  *    deferred tax                                  126 
 
  *    fair value of land and developments           302 
 
  *    real estate transfer tax                   61,043 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------  --- 
 EPRA net reinstatement value                    717,408  124,061  578 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------  --- 
 
  *    real estate transfer tax                 (31,674) 
 
  *    deferred tax                                (126) 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------  --- 
 EPRA net tangible asset value                   685,608  124,061  553 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------  --- 
 
 
                                   At 
                         30 September 
                                 2022  Number of shares 
                               GBP000               000    p 
-------------------     -------------  ----------------  --- 
Diluted net assets            692,695           124,061  558 
----------------------  -------------  ----------------  --- 
 
 
Adjustments: 
 
  *    surplus on fair value of stock          302 
 EPRA net disposal value                   692,997  124,061  559 
-----------------------------------------  -------  -------  --- 
 

The net asset values per share have been calculated in accordance with guidance issued by the European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA").

The adjustments to the net asset value comprise the amounts relating to the Group and its share of joint ventures.

The calculation of EPRA net tangible asset value includes a real estate transfer tax adjustment which adds back the benefit of the saving of the purchaser's costs that Helical expects to receive on the sales of the corporate vehicles that own the buildings, rather than direct asset sales.

The calculation of EPRA net disposal value per share reflects the fair value of all the assets and liabilities of the Group at 30 September 2023.

   23.   Related Party Transactions 

The following amounts were due from the Group's joint ventures:

 
                                                    At                             At 
                                     30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                    GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Charterhouse Street Limited group                  578                 565        577 
Barts Square companies                              71                  76         79 
Old Street Holdings LP                               -                   -          8 
Shirley Advance LLP                                  8                   8          - 
----------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

A development management, accounting and corporate services fee of GBP25,000 (30 September 2022: GBP25,000, 31 March 2023: GBP50,000) was charged by the Group to the Barts Square companies. In addition, a net development management, accounting and corporate services fee of GBP1.2m was reversed during the Period (30 September 2022: charge of GBP699,000, 31 March 2023: charge of GBP779,000) by the Group to the Charterhouse Place Limited group.

   24.   See-through Analysis 

Helical holds a significant proportion of its property assets in joint ventures with partners that provide a significant equity contribution, whilst relying on the Group to provide asset management or development expertise. Accounting convention requires Helical to account under IFRS for its share of the net results and net assets of joint ventures on an equity basis in the Income Statement and Balance Sheet. Helical consider that Net asset value per share, a key performance measure used in the real estate industry, as reported in the financial statements under IFRS, does not provide Shareholders with the most relevant information on the fair value of assets and liabilities within an ongoing real estate company with a long-term investment strategy.

This analysis incorporates the separate components of the results of the consolidated subsidiaries and Helical's share of its joint ventures' results into a "see-through" analysis of its property portfolio, debt profile and the associated income streams and financing costs, to assist in providing a comprehensive overview of the Group's activities.

See-through Net Rental Income

Helical's share of the gross rental income, head rents payable and property overheads from property assets held in subsidiaries and in joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                             Year to 
                                                         Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                    30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                               GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Gross rental income             - subsidiaries                 12,804              19,245     36,555 
 - joint ventures                                                 887                 269        287 
 ------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total gross rental income                                      13,691              19,514     36,842 
Rents payable                   - subsidiaries                   (95)                (69)      (157) 
Property overheads              - subsidiaries                  (846)             (1,121)    (2,092) 
 - joint ventures                                               (349)               (142)    (1,103) 
See-through net rental income                                  12,401              18,182     33,490 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

See-through Net Development (Losses)/Profits

Helical's share of development (losses)/profits from property assets held in subsidiaries and in joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                        Year to 
                                                    Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                               30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                          GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
In parent and subsidiaries                                 (496)                 783      2,005 
In joint ventures                                           (18)                 186      1,262 
--------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total gross development (loss)/profit                      (514)                 969      3,267 
Provision against stock     - subsidiaries                     -                   -       (30) 
--------------------------  ----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through development (losses)/profits                   (514)                 969      3,237 
--------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
 

See-through Net (Loss)/Gain on Sale and Revaluation of Investment Properties

Helical's share of the net (loss)/gain on the sale and revaluation of Investment properties held in subsidiaries and joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                                               Year to 
                                                                           Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                                      30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                 GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Revaluation loss on Investment properties        - subsidiaries                (93,367)            (34,994)   (97,854) 
 - joint ventures                                                               (3,309)              15,339      5,095 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total revaluation loss                                                         (96,676)            (19,655)   (92,759) 
Net gain/(loss) on sale of Investment 
 properties                                      - subsidiaries                       -               4,606      4,564 
 - joint ventures                                                                     -                (71)         66 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total net gain on sale of Investment properties                                       -               4,535      4,630 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through net loss on sale and revaluation of Investment 
 properties                                                                    (96,676)            (15,120)   (88,129) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

See-through Administration Expenses

Helical's share of the administration expenses incurred in subsidiaries and joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                                          Year to 
                                                                      Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                                 30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                            GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Administration expenses                     - subsidiaries                   4,655               5,323      9,845 
 - joint ventures                                                              188                 452        459 
 ------------------  -----------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total administration expenses                                                4,843               5,775     10,304 
Performance related awards, including NIC   - subsidiaries                     915                 261      2,990 
Total performance related awards, including NIC                                915                 261      2,990 
-------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through administration expenses                                          5,758               6,036     13,294 
-------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

See-through Net Finance Costs

Helical's share of the interest payable, finance charges, capitalised interest and interest receivable on bank borrowings and cash deposits in subsidiaries and joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                                             Year to 
                                                                         Half Year to        Half Year to   31 March 
                                                                    30 September 2023   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                               GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts   - subsidiaries                  2,878               5,214      8,284 
 - joint ventures                                                               1,502               1,619      2,703 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts                             4,380               6,833     10,987 
Other interest payable and similar charges      - subsidiaries                  1,487               2,188      2,908 
 - joint ventures                                                                 104                 101        203 
Interest capitalised                            - joint ventures                    -             (1,815)    (1,815) 
----------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total finance costs                                                             5,971               7,307     12,283 
Interest receivable and similar income          - subsidiaries                  (328)                (96)      (274) 
 - joint ventures                                                                (18)                 (6)       (23) 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through net finance costs                                                   5,625               7,205     11,986 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

See-through Property Portfolio

Helical's share of the investment, land and development property portfolio in subsidiaries and joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                    At                             At 
                                                                     30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                                                GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                                    GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Investment property fair value                   - subsidiaries                602,650             751,250    693,550 
 - joint ventures                                                              142,900             156,485    145,975 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total Investment property fair value                                           745,550             907,735    839,525 
Land and development stock                       - subsidiaries                     28               2,089         28 
 - joint ventures                                                                    -               4,663        539 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total land and development stock                                                    28               6,752        567 
Total land and development stock surplus                                           302                 302        302 
------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total land and development stock at fair value                                     330               7,054        869 
------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through property portfolio                                                 745,880             914,789    840,394 
------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

See-through Net Borrowings

Helical's share of borrowings and cash deposits in subsidiaries and joint ventures is shown in the table below.

 
                                                                                              At         At 
                                                                          At   30 September 2022   31 March 
                                                           30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
                                                                      GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Gross borrowings more than one year   - subsidiaries                 227,176             246,100    226,677 
------------------------------------  -----------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total                                                                227,176             246,100    226,677 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Gross borrowings less than one year   - joint ventures                61,634              54,603     59,416 
------------------------------------  -----------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total                                                                 61,634              54,603     59,416 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Cash and cash equivalents             - subsidiaries                (37,040)            (63,348)   (50,925) 
 - joint ventures                                                    (2,207)             (4,516)    (3,749) 
 ------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total                                                               (39,247)            (67,864)   (54,674) 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through net borrowings                                           249,563             232,839    231,419 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

   25.   See-through Net Gearing and Loan to Value 
 
                                                                 At         At 
                                             At   30 September 2022   31 March 
                              30 September 2023         Restated(1)       2023 
                                         GBP000              GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Property portfolio                      745,880             914,789    840,394 
Net borrowings                          249,563             232,839    231,419 
Net assets                              502,328             692,695    608,675 
See-through net gearing                   49.7%               33.6%      38.0% 
See-through loan to value                 33.5%               25.4%      27.5% 
--------------------------  -------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

(1) Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents have been restated as at 30 September 2022 following the IFRIC agenda decision in respect of demand deposits with restrictions on use arising from a contract with a third party (see Note 29).

   26.   Total Accounting Return 
 
                                                         At                             At 
                                          30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                     GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                         GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Brought forward IFRS net assets                     608,675             687,043    687,043 
Carried forward IFRS net assets                     502,328             692,695    608,675 
---------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
(Decrease)/increase in IFRS net assets            (106,347)               5,652   (78,368) 
Dividends paid                                        9,540              10,092     13,842 
---------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total accounting return                            (96,807)              15,744   (64,526) 
Total accounting return percentage                  (15.9)%                2.3%     (9.4)% 
---------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
 
                                                           At                             At 
                                            30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                       GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                           GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Brought forward EPRA net tangible assets              613,455             713,279    713,279 
Carried forward EPRA net tangible assets              502,334             685,608    613,455 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Decrease in EPRA net tangible assets                (111,121)            (27,671)   (99,824) 
Dividends paid                                          9,540              10,092     13,842 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total EPRA accounting return                        (101,581)            (17,579)   (85,982) 
Total EPRA accounting return percentage               (16.6)%              (2.5)%    (12.1)% 
-----------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   27.   Total Property Return 
 
                                                                        At                             At 
                                                         30 September 2023                  At   31 March 
                                                                    GBP000   30 September 2022       2023 
                                                                                        GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
See-through net rental income                                       12,401              18,182     33,490 
See-through development (losses)/profits                             (514)                 969      3,237 
See-through revaluation loss                                      (96,676)            (19,655)   (92,759) 
See-through net gain on sale of Investment properties                    -               4,535      4,630 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
Total property return                                             (84,789)               4,031   (51,402) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------- 
 
   28.   Capital Commitments 

The Group has a commitment of GBP835,000 (31 March 2023: GBP835,000) relating to the finalisation works at The JJ Mack Building, EC1.

In July 2023, Helical and Transport for London entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with a commitment to purchase a portfolio of three over-station development sites. The Bank OSD, EC4 site will be acquired in October 2024 for GBP32.9m (our share), the Southwark OSD, SE1 site in July 2025 for GBP11.0m (our share) and the Paddington OSD, W2 site in January 2026 for GBP30.2m (our share).

   29.   Prior year adjustment 

The Group has assessed the impact of the IFRS Interpretation Committee's (IFRIC) recent Agenda Decision in respect of Demand Deposits with Restrictions on Use arising from a Contract with a Third Party accounted for under IAS 7. The Group holds tenant deposits in separate bank accounts, the use of which is restricted under the terms of the lease agreements. Following the clarification by IFRIC, these tenant deposits are judged to meet the definition of restricted cash under IAS 7. The Group's accounting policy has been updated to align with this clarification.

The Group comparative balances have been restated to reflect this change in accounting policy, which resulted in the below reclassification of tenant deposits from trade and other receivables to cash and cash equivalents. There was no impact upon the Income Statement or the Statement of Changes in Equity for the period ended 30 September 2022.

 
                                                30 September 
                   30 September                         2022 
                           2022    Restatement      Restated 
Balance Sheet            GBP000         GBP000        GBP000 
----------------   ------------  -------------  ------------ 
Cash and cash 
 equivalents             54,378          8,970        63,348 
Trade and other 
 receivables             36,551        (8,970)        27,581 
LTV                       26.4%          -1.0%         25.4% 
-----------------  ------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                          30 September 
                             30 September                         2022 
                                     2022    Restatement      Restated 
Cash Flow Statement                GBP000         GBP000        GBP000 
--------------------------   ------------  -------------  ------------ 
Change in trade and other 
 receivables                        (504)        (5,707)       (6,211) 
---------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

Appendix 1 - Glossary of Terms

Capital value (psf)

The open market value of the property divided by the area of the property in square feet.

Company or Group or Helical

Helical plc and its subsidiary undertakings.

Diluted figures

Reported amounts adjusted to include the effects of potential shares issuable under the Director and employee remuneration schemes.

Earnings per share (EPS)

Profit after tax divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue.

EPRA

European Public Real Estate Association.

EPRA earnings per share

Earnings per share adjusted to exclude gains/losses on sale and revaluation of Investment properties and their deferred tax adjustments, the tax on profit/loss on disposal of Investment properties, trading property profits/losses, movement in fair value of available-for-sale assets and fair value movements on derivative financial instruments, on an undiluted basis. Details of the method of calculation of the EPRA earnings per share are available from EPRA (see Note 10).

EPRA net disposal value per share

Represents the Shareholders' value under a disposal scenario, where deferred tax, financial instruments and certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability, net of any resulting tax (see Note 22).

EPRA net reinstatement value per share

Net asset value adjusted to reflect the value required to rebuild the entity and assuming that entities never sell assets. Assets and liabilities, such as fair value movements on financial derivatives, that are not expected to crystallise in normal circumstances and deferred taxes on property valuation surpluses are excluded (see Note 22).

EPRA net tangible assets per share

Assumes that entities buy and sell assets, thereby crystallising certain levels of unavoidable deferred tax, but excludes assets and liabilities, such as fair value movements on financial derivatives, that are not expected to crystallise in normal circumstances and deferred taxes on property valuation surpluses are excluded (see Note 22).

EPRA topped-up NIY

The current annualised rent, net of costs, topped-up for contracted uplifts, expressed as a percentage of the fair value of the relevant property.

Estimated rental value (ERV)

The market rental value of lettable space as estimated by the Group's valuers at each Balance Sheet date.

Initial yield

Annualised net passing rents on Investment properties as a percentage of their open market value.

Like-for-like valuation change

The valuation gain/loss, net of capital expenditure, on those properties held at both the previous and current reporting period end, as a proportion of the fair value of those properties at the beginning of the reporting period plus net capital expenditure.

MSCI INC. (MSCI IPD)

MSCI INC. is a company that produces independent benchmarks of property returns using its Investment Property Databank (IPD).

Net asset value per share (NAV)

Net assets divided by the number of ordinary shares at the Balance Sheet date (see Note 22).

Net gearing

Total borrowings less short-term deposits and cash as a percentage of net assets.

Net internal area (NIA)

The usable area within a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level.

Passing rent

The annual gross rental income being paid by the tenant.

Reversionary yield

The income/yield from the full estimated rental value of the property on the market value of the property grossed up to include purchaser's costs, capital expenditure and capitalised revenue expenditure.

See-through/Group share

The consolidated Group and the Group's share in its joint ventures (see Note 24).

See-through net gearing

The see-through net borrowings expressed as a percentage of net assets (see Note 25).

Total Accounting Return

The growth in the net asset value of the Company plus dividends paid in the Period, expressed as a percentage of net asset value at the start of the Period (see Note 26).

Total Property Return

The total of net rental income, trading and development profits and net gain on sale and revaluation of Investment properties on a see-through basis (see Note 27).

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)

The growth in the ordinary share price as quoted on the London Stock Exchange plus dividends per share received for the Period expressed as a percentage of the share price at the beginning of the Period.

True equivalent yield

The constant capitalisation rate which, if applied to all cash flows from an Investment property, including current rent, reversions to current market rent and such items as voids and expenditures, equates to the market value. Assumes rent is received quarterly in advance.

Unleveraged returns

Total property gains and losses (both realised and unrealised) plus net rental income expressed as a percentage of the total value of the properties.

WAULT

The total contracted rent up to the first break, or lease expiry date, divided by the contracted annual rent.

HELICAL PLC

Registered in England and Wales No.156663

Registered Office:

5 Hanover Square

London

W1S 1HQ

   T:   020 7629 0113 
   F:   020 7408 1666 
   E:   reception@helical.co.uk 

W: www.helical.co.uk

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