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FPO Petra Diamonds

0.339
0.00 (0.00%)
23 Dec 2024 - Closed
Realtime Data
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type
Petra Diamonds TG:FPO Tradegate Ordinary Share
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 0.339 0.331 0.347 0.342 0.342 0.342 790 22:50:01

Interim Results

30/10/2003 7:01am

UK Regulatory


RNS Number:4662R
First Property Group PLC
30 October 2003


                            FIRST PROPERTY GROUP PLC
                               INTERIM RESULTS
                    for the six months to 30 September 2003

                                                                 30 October 2003


First Property Group plc ("fprop" or "the Group"), the online commercial
property transaction platform and property asset manager, announces interim
results for the six months to 30 September 2003.

Financial Highlights
     
*    Turnover for the six month period to 30 September 2003 of #1,597,000
     (2002: #386,000)
*    Profit on ordinary activities before taxation and goodwill amortisation of 
     #175,000 (2002: loss of #116,000)
*    Revenue earned by FPAM during the period to 30 September 2003 of #67,000 
     (2002: nil)

Corporate Highlights

  * Two fully invested funds with #7 million of assets under management
  * A third fund raised, nearly twice the size of either of the first two
  * Indications of interest for a fourth fund
  * Expansion of the Commercial Property Database data entry team in Pakistan

Ben Habib, Chief Executive of fprop, said: "We continue to be pleased by the
rate at which revenue generation is increasing and, subject to market
conditions, we would expect this growth to continue during the year to 31 March
2004 and beyond."


For further information:
Ben Habib                                      Jeremy Carey / Marylene Guernier
First Property Group plc                       Tavistock Communications Limited
Tel:  020 7731 2844                            Tel:  020 7920 3150
www.fprop.com                                  mguernier@tavistock.co.uk


CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT

Results and dividend

I am pleased to report that turnover during the six month period to 30 September
2003 was #1,597,000 (2002: #386,000), providing a profit on ordinary activities
before taxation and goodwill amortisation of #175,000 (2002: loss of #116,000).
Gross profit during the period was #652,000 (2002: #341,000).

Net assets amounted to #2,371,000 at 30 September 2003, as opposed to #1,929,000
on a comparable basis, excluding goodwill, at 30 September 2002.

The Group commenced paying a final dividend last year. In light of our
continuing profitability, the Directors have resolved to maintain this policy
with the payment of a final dividend. This will be determined later in the year.

Review of operations

Commercial Property Database

CPD continues to trade satisfactorily in a difficult environment. This division
earned revenue of #168,000 (2002: #205,000).

Earlier this month we recruited a new head of sales and marketing, David Thomas,
who joined us from Estates Gazette. In the short time he has been with us he has
initiated a number of promising projects.

A key aspect of the success of a business such as CPD is the quality of the data
on the database. Most operators of such businesses have found it difficult to
maintain high levels of data quality, in part due to the relatively high cost of
doing so. We are therefore looking to expand our data entry capability by
recruiting a number of employees in this activity in Pakistan. The quality of
personnel in Pakistan can be very high whilst the costs of employment are
substantially less than in the UK. We anticipate that, by expanding our data
entry team in this way, enabled by sophisticated software, we aim to develop the
best commercial property database in the UK and give CPD a large competitive
advantage.

We expect the division to contribute a healthy result for the year to 31 March
2004.

First Property Asset Management

Our fund management business, FPAM, which commenced trading in October last
year, is rapidly gaining momentum. Revenue earned by FPAM during the period to
30 September 2003 was #67,000 (2002: nil). We expect this to rise significantly
as assets under management increase.

FPAM now has two fully invested funds with an aggregate of #7 million under
management.

The weighted average annualised pre-tax rates of return on equity currently
being earned purely from rental income on the properties held in our first two
funds is c17.2% per annum.  I am pleased to say that this weighted average rate
of return increases to c26.4% per annum when capital gains made thus far are
also included. We are confident of earning further capital gains.

We have also raised our third fund, Third Property Trading Ltd, which is nearly
twice the size of either of our first two funds. We have begun to invest this
fund and would anticipate it being fully invested within the next few months.

We already have indications of interest for our fourth fund, which we will close
once our third fund is fully invested.

Property transaction underwriting

Our underwriting activities have continued to create profitable opportunities
for the Group. Turnover from this activity amounted to #1,352,000 (2002:
#177,000) producing a gross profit of #368,000 (2002: #137,000).

In the absence of any material adverse change in the UK economy, we expect this
division to make a further improved contribution to profits for the remainder of
the year.

Other products and services

Our bespoke loan arrangement and online marketing of commercial property
services continue to assist the Group in the provision of its other services
although revenue from these activities remains small. Turnover from both
activities during the period was #10,000 (2002: #4,000). However, it is becoming
increasingly clear that the use of the Internet by the property industry is
rapidly growing and I am confident that these services will contribute to our
profitability over time.

I remain optimistic about the online marketing of commercial property, which has
scored some notable successful sales recently.  In the last three months we have
sold #2.6 million of property online, without the assistance of any conventional
marketing. A further #1.9 million of property is under offer and #5.3 million of
property is currently being marketed online. We also have mandates to sell #4.9
million of property, which we will bring to market shortly. We will benefit from
fees on the successful sale of all these properties.

Current trading and prospects

We are pleased that our growth in revenue has been matched by a continued tight
control of costs, with costs lower than in the same period last year. The cost
base of the Company should not grow significantly as our various divisions and
products grow. The principal challenge that lies ahead for us is to increase
revenue and fully exploit this operational gearing.

Our emphasis will be on growing the asset management and CPD businesses and
bolster this income by profits made from our underwriting activities. We will
also consider strategic acquisitions where such opportunities present
themselves.

We continue to be pleased by the rate at which revenue generation is increasing
and, subject to market conditions, we would expect this growth to continue
during the year to 31 March 2004 and beyond.

Ben Habib
Chief Executive

30 October 2003


CONSOLIDATED PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT
for the six months to 30 September 2003

                                   Six months to                  Six months to                     Year to
                                 30 September 2003             30 September 2002                 31 March 2003
                                    (unaudited)                  (unaudited)                       (audited)

                 Notes      Total   Goodwill     Total   Results    Good-    Total       Results     Good-    Total
                          Results    Amorti-   Results    before     will  Results        before      will  Results
                                      sation             Goodwil  Amorti-               Goodwill     Amor-
                                                         Amorti-   sation           Amortisation  tisation
                                                          sation                           #'000
                            #'000      #'000     #'000     #'000    #'000    #'000                   #'000    #'000
Turnover
  - continuing
    operations              1,597          -     1,597       386        -      386         2,281         -    2,281

Total
  turnover         2        1,597          -     1,597       386        -      386         2,281         -    2,281
Cost of sales                                                                            (1,186)         -  (1,186)
  - continuing
    operations              (945)          -     (945)      (45)        -     (45)

Gross profit                  652          -       652       341        -      341         1,095         -    1,095
Net operating
  expenses                  (428)          -     (428)     (442)  (1,717)  (2,159)         (929)   (2,915)  (3,844)

Operating
  profit/
  (loss)
- continuing
    operations                224          -       224     (101)  (1,717)  (1,818)           166   (2,915)  (2,749)

Total
  operating
  profit/
  (loss)                      224          -       224     (101)  (1,717)  (1,818)           166   (2,915)  (2,749)
Net interest
  (payable)/
  receivable                 (49)          -      (49)      (15)        -     (15)          (64)         -     (64)

Profit/(loss)
  on ordinary
  activities
  before
  taxation                    175          -       175     (116)  (1,717)  (1,833)           102   (2,915)  (2,813)
Taxation on
  profit on
  ordinary
  activities                 (10)          -      (10)         -        -        -             -       292      292

Profit/(loss)
  on ordinary
  activities
  before
  minority
  interest                    165          -       165     (116)  (1,717)  (1,833)           102   (2,623)  (2,521)
Equity
  minority
  interest                   (15)          -      (15)         -        -        -             4         -        4

Profit/(loss)
  for the
  period                      150          -       150     (116)  (1,717)  (1,833)           106   (2,623)  (2,517)
Dividend on
  ordinary
  shares                        -          -         -         -        -        -          (46)         -     (46)

Profit/(loss)
  transferred
  to/(from)
  reserves                    150          -       150     (116)  (1,717)  (1,833)            60   (2,623)  (2,563)
Earnings/
  (loss) per
  Ordinary 1p
  share
  - basic
  before
  goodwill
amortisation       3        0.16p          -         -   (0.12p)        -        -         0.11p         -

Earnings/
  (loss) per
  Ordinary
  1p share
  - basic
  after
  goodwill
amortisation       3            -          -     0.16p         -        -  (1.98p)             -         -  (2.72p)


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
as at 30 September 2003

                                               Notes               As at         As at            As at
                                                                 30 Sept       30 Sept         31 March
                                                                    2003          2002             2003
                                                             (unaudited)   (unaudited)        (audited)
                                                                   #'000         #'000           #'000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets                                                      -         1,010               -
Tangible assets                                                       10            38              19
Investments                                                           25           238              25
                                                                      35         1,286              44
Current assets
Stocks - land and buildings                                        3,416         3,925           3,190
Debtors                                                              473           324             652
Cash at bank and in hand                                             724           139             314
                                                                   4,613         4,388           4,156
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year                                                               (621)       (1,574)         (1,316)
Net current assets                                                 3,992         2,814           2,840
Total assets less current liabilities                              4,027         4,100           2,884
Creditors: amounts falling due after more
than one year                                                    (1,656)       (1,161)           (675)
Net assets                                                         2,371         2,939           2,209
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital                          5                   928           924             924
Share premium                                    5                 2,669         2,661           2,661
Merger reserve                                   5                 5,823         5,823           5,823
Profit and loss account                          5               (7,049)       (6,469)         (7,199)
Equity shareholders' funds                                         2,371         2,939           2,209


SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the six months to 30 September 2003

                                                    Notes          Six months       Six months       Year to 31
                                                                   to 30 Sept       to 30 Sept            March
                                                                         2003             2002             2003
                                                                  (unaudited)      (unaudited)         (audited)
                                                                        #'000            #'000             #'000
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from
  operating activities                                 6                  272          (2,737)           (2,068)
Returns on investment and servicing
  of finance
Interest received                                                           6               17                19
Interest paid                                                            (55)             (32)              (83)
Net cash (outflow) from returns on
  investment and servicing of finance                                    (49)             (15)              (64)
Capital expenditure and financial
  investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets                                         (2)              (2)               (6)
Sale of tangible fixed assets                                               -                -                 8
Purchase of fixed asset investments                                         -                -               (5)
Sale of fixed asset investments                                             -                -                30
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from capital
  expenditure and financial investment                                    (2)              (2)                27
Equity Dividends paid                                                    (46)                -                 -
Cash inflow/(outflow) before
  management of liquid resources
  and financing                                                           175          (2,754)           (2,105)
Management of liquid resources
(Increase)/decrease in short term deposits                              (522)            1,430             1,429
Financing
Issue of Ordinary share capital                                            12                -                 -
Minority interest                                                        (15)                -                 4
Loans advanced                                                            981            1,244               871
Loans repaid                                                            (743)                -             (105)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from
  management of liquid resources
  and financing                                                         (287)            2,674             2,199
(Decrease)/ increase in cash in period                                  (112)             (80)                94


RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET (DEBT)/ FUNDS

                                                     Notes         Six months     Six months to         Year to
                                                                   to 30 Sept           30 Sept        31 March
                                                                         2003              2002            2003
                                                                  (unaudited)       (unaudited)       (audited)
                                                                        #'000             #'000           #'000

(Decrease)/ increase in cash in period                                  (112)              (80)              94
Movement in short term deposits                                           522           (1,430)         (1,429)
Movement in loans                                                       (238)           (1,244)           (766)
Movement in net funds in period                                           172           (2,754)         (2,101)
Net funds at beginning of period                                      (1,283)               818             818
Net (debt)/ funds at end of period                                    (1,111)           (1,936)         (1,283)


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
For the six months ended 30 September 2003
          
1.   The interim accounts have been prepared on a basis which is consistent
     with the accounting policies adopted for the year ended 31 March 2003.
     
2.   Turnover consists entirely of revenue arising in the United Kingdom and
     relates solely to the Group's principal activities.
     
3.   The basic earnings per Ordinary Share is calculated on the profit on
     ordinary activities after taxation and minority interest on the weighted 
     average of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period of 92,580,782 (30 
     September 2002: 92,441,254 and 31 March 2003: 92,441,254).
     
4.   The company has no recognised gains or losses other than those disclosed
     in the profit and loss account.
     
5.   Capital and Reserves

                                        Share         Share        Merger        Shares            Profit
                                      capital       premium       reserve         to be          and loss
                                                                                 issued           account
                                        #'000         #'000         #'000         #'000             #'000


At 1 April 2003                           924         2,661         5,823             -           (7,199)
Issue of shares                             4             8             -             -                 -
Profit for the period                       -             -             -             -               150
At 30 Sept 2003                           928         2,669         5,823             -           (7,049)
     

6.   Reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to net cash inflow/(outflow)
from operating activities

                                                      Six months          Six months                 Year
                                                      to 30 Sept          to 30 Sept          to 31 March
                                                            2003                2002                 2003
                                                     (unaudited)         (unaudited)            (audited)
                                                           #'000               #'000                #'000

Operating profit/(loss)                                      224             (1,818)               (2749)
Depreciation and profit on
  disposal of fixed assets                                    11                  22                   37
Amortisation                                                   -               1,717                2,727
Decrease in book value of fixed
  asset investments                                            -                   -                  188
(Increase) in stocks                                       (226)             (2,804)              (2,069)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors                               179                  57                (231)
Increase in creditors                                         84                  89                   29
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from
  operating activities                                       272             (2,737)                2,068

     
7.   The financial information contained in this interim report does not
     constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the 
     Companies Act 1985.  This information has been neither audited nor reviewed 
     within the meaning of APB Bulletin 1999/4 by the Company's auditors.  The 
     financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2003, incorporating an 
     unqualified report of the auditors, have been filed with the Registrar of 
     Companies.
     
8.   The Board of First Property Group plc approved these interim results on 30
     October 2003. The interim results are being circulated to all shareholders.
     Further copies can be obtained from the registered office at 17 Quayside 
     Lodge, William Morris Way, London SW6 2UZ.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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